In the classic marriage vow(誓约), couples promise to stay together in sickness and in health. But a new study finds that the risk of divorce among older couples rises when the wife—not the husband—becomes seriously ill."Married women diagnosed with a serious health condition may find themselves struggling with the impact of their disease while also experiencing the stress of divorce, " said researcher Amelia Karraker.Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham analyzed 20 years of data on 2, 717 marriages from a study conducted by Indiana University since 1992. At the time of the first interview, at least one of the partners was over the age of 50.The researchers examined how the onset(发生) of four serious physical illnesses affected marriages. They found that, overall, 31% of marriages ended in divorce over the period studied. The incidence of new chronic(慢性的) illness onset increased over time as well, with more husbands than wives developing serious health problems."We found that women are doubly vulnerable to marital break-up in the face of illness, " Karraker said, "They're more likely to be widowed, and if they're the ones who become ill, they're more likely to get divorced."While the study didn't assess why divorce is more likely when wives but not husbands become seriously ill. Karraker offers a few possible reasons. "Gender norms and social expectations about caregiving may make it more difficult for men to provide care to sick spouses(配偶), " Karraker said. "And because of the imbalance in marriage markets, especially in older ages, divorced men have more choices among prospective partners than divorced women."Given the increasing concern about health care costs for the aging population, Karraker believes policymakers should be aware of the relationship between disease and risk of divorce."Offering support services to spouses caring for their other halves may reduce marital stress and prevent divorce at older ages." she said. "But it's also important to recognize that the pressure to divorce may be health-related and that sick ex-wives may need additional care and services to prevent worsening health and increased health costs."What can we learn about marriage vows from the passage? A.They are as binding as they used to be.B.They are not taken seriously any more.C.They may not guarantee a lasting marriage.D.They may help couples tide over hard times.What did Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham find about elderly husbands? A.They are generally not good at taking care of themselves.B.They are more likely to infect serious illnesses than their wives.C.They can develop different kinds of illnesses just like their wives.D.They can become increasingly vulnerable to serious illnesses.Why is it more difficult for men to take care of their sick spouses according to Karraker? A.They expect society to do more of the job.B.They find it more important to make money for the family.C.They think it more urgent to fulfill their social obligations.D.They are more accustomed to receiving care.What does Karraker think is also important? A.Providing extra care for divorced women.B.Stabilizing old couples' relations.C.Making men pay for their wives' health costs.D.Reducing marital stress on wives.
In the classic marriage vow(誓约), couples promise to stay together in sickness and in health. But a new study finds that the risk of divorce among older couples rises when the wife—not the husband—becomes seriously ill.
"Married women diagnosed with a serious health condition may find themselves struggling with the impact of their disease while also experiencing the stress of divorce, " said researcher Amelia Karraker.
Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham analyzed 20 years of data on 2, 717 marriages from a study conducted by Indiana University since 1992. At the time of the first interview, at least one of the partners was over the age of 50.
The researchers examined how the onset(发生) of four serious physical illnesses affected marriages. They found that, overall, 31% of marriages ended in divorce over the period studied. The incidence of new chronic(慢性的) illness onset increased over time as well, with more husbands than wives developing serious health problems.
"We found that women are doubly vulnerable to marital break-up in the face of illness, " Karraker said, "They're more likely to be widowed, and if they're the ones who become ill, they're more likely to get divorced."
While the study didn't assess why divorce is more likely when wives but not husbands become seriously ill. Karraker offers a few possible reasons. "Gender norms and social expectations about caregiving may make it more difficult for men to provide care to sick spouses(配偶), " Karraker said. "And because of the imbalance in marriage markets, especially in older ages, divorced men have more choices among prospective partners than divorced women."
Given the increasing concern about health care costs for the aging population, Karraker believes policymakers should be aware of the relationship between disease and risk of divorce.
"Offering support services to spouses caring for their other halves may reduce marital stress and prevent divorce at older ages." she said. "But it's also important to recognize that the pressure to divorce may be health-related and that sick ex-wives may need additional care and services to prevent worsening health and increased health costs."
What can we learn about marriage vows from the passage?
A.
They are as binding as they used to be.
B.
They are not taken seriously any more.
C.
They may not guarantee a lasting marriage.
D.
They may help couples tide over hard times.
What did Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham find about elderly husbands?
A.
They are generally not good at taking care of themselves.
B.
They are more likely to infect serious illnesses than their wives.
C.
They can develop different kinds of illnesses just like their wives.
D.
They can become increasingly vulnerable to serious illnesses.
Why is it more difficult for men to take care of their sick spouses according to Karraker?
A.
They expect society to do more of the job.
B.
They find it more important to make money for the family.
C.
They think it more urgent to fulfill their social obligations.
D.
They are more accustomed to receiving care.
What does Karraker think is also important?
A.
Providing extra care for divorced women.
B.
Stabilizing old couples' relations.
C.
Making men pay for their wives' health costs.
D.
Reducing marital stress on wives.
题目解答
答案
- (1)C
- (2)B
- (3)C
- (4)A
解析
考查要点:本题主要考查学生对学术类阅读材料的细节理解能力、逻辑推理能力以及对作者观点的把握。文章围绕“妻子患病导致老年夫妻离婚风险增加”这一研究展开,需结合数据和观点推断隐含信息。
解题核心思路:
- 定位关键数据:如“31%的婚姻在研究期间以离婚告终”“男性比女性更易患重病”等。
- 理解因果关系:明确“女性患病→离婚风险上升”的机制,如性别角色、婚姻市场失衡等。
- 推断作者意图:通过政策建议部分,判断Karraker的核心主张。
破题关键点:
- 问题1需结合文章首段“经典婚姻誓言的承诺与现实矛盾”推断答案。
- 问题2需直接提取数据部分的统计结果。
- 问题3需联系社会期望与性别角色的背景知识。
- 问题4需关注最后一段的政策建议。
第(1)题
问题:What can we learn about marriage vows from the passage?
关键信息:文章首段指出“经典婚姻誓言承诺患难与共,但研究发现妻子患病会增加离婚风险”,说明誓言本身无法保证婚姻持久。
选项分析:
- C选项“可能无法保证持久婚姻”直接对应文章核心矛盾,正确。
- 其他选项(如A“依然有约束力”)与研究结论矛盾。
第(2)题
问题:What did Karraker and co-author Kenzie Latham find about elderly husbands?
关键信息:数据部分明确指出“男性比女性更易患重病”(“more husbands than wives developing serious health problems”)。
选项分析:
- B选项“比妻子更易患重病”与原文数据一致,正确。
第(3)题
问题:Why is it more difficult for men to take care of their sick spouses according to Karraker?
关键信息:Karraker提到“性别规范和照顾期望使男性更难照顾配偶”(“Gender norms and social expectations about caregiving”)。
选项分析:
- C选项“社会期望男性承担更多责任”符合“gender norms”背景,正确。
第(4)题
问题:What does Karraker think is also important?
关键信息:最后一段建议“为患病前妻提供额外照顾服务”(“sick ex-wives may need additional care”)。
选项分析:
- A选项“为离婚女性提供额外照顾”直接对应建议内容,正确。