For Most of the Past Two Millennia, Western Society has had a Contract Binding together a Man and a Woman for Life.

Reading Passage Question

For most of the past two millennia, western society has had a contract binding together a man and a woman for life. Now the contract is falling apart; men and women still want to enter it. But, in barely 50 years, cohabitation before marriage has become the norm in many countries; 40% of American children are born out of wedlock, and the assumption that marriage is for life has vanished. Two-fifths of American first marriages are now likely to end in divorce.

Why marriage, having endured so long, is now in such a mess. In her book, “A History of the Wife,” Marilyn Yalom got closest when she pointed out that the old version of marriage, where men supported their wives financially and women in exchange cared for them and their children, has broken down. Meanwhile, the new marital model of equal sharing at home and work has not yet “been fully realized.”

Many women no longer need men to support them and their children financially; in addition, once out in the workplace, women whose marriages are not happy may find new and preferable partners. As that escape route began to open up in the middle of the 20th century, it seemed to promise bliss to those wives whose marriages were torture. So it may be unsurprising that many women head for the divorce courts given the financial and legal freedom to escape from marriage. But it is not clear that divorce makes people happier.

“For most of the past two millennia, western society has had a contract binding together a man and a woman for life.“- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. Which of the following is most probably the “assumption” [Highlighted] the author mentioned in the passage?

1. In the past, marriage was considered a firm social contract.
2. Some 50 years ago, the live-in relationship before marriage was not acceptable for the society
3. Some 50 years ago, living together before marriage was uncommon, and children born only after the marriage
4. In the past, divorce was not such common as it is today
5. In the past, marriage was considered a massive responsibility on both parts the men and the women, which is not the case today

2. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

1. 60% of men and women today still want to enter in the contract of marriage
2. In the past, the contract of marriage although considered comparatively strong, did not go on for a very long time.
3. Marilyn Yalom has provided the most accurate answer to why marriage fails today.
4. Most women demand divorce when they face domestic violence
5. Comparative to men, women are happier with divorce

3. The author has mentioned the new model of marriage has not been fully realized, most probably to

1. stress that men and women did not understand yet how the new model works
2. explain that both man and women are not ready to contribute their part to the success of their marital relationship.
3. point out that working women are not ready to sacrifice their social liberty to save their married life
4. provide one of the reasons why marriages are failing today
5. provide an example of how the concept of marriage has evolved during all these years

4. All of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT

1. Fifty years ago, men were supposed to meet the majority of the domestic expenses while women worked as housewives.
2. Today, men and women are fairly equal responsible for the all necessities to run a house
3. One of the reasons for failed marriages today could be the financial leave by the men
4. Unhappy working women are more likely to go to court for a divorce
5. Majority of the women with no need of financial help from men opt to end their married life.

5. The primary purpose of the passage is:

1. to list the reasons for divorces today
2. to explain why marriages are failing today
3. to explain the evolution of the concept of marriage
4. to compare the marriages of fifty years ago with the marriages today
5. to discuss the evolution of marriage and the reason why marriages fail today

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