While most people choose mates who are like them in many ways, new research exposes a big and important exception: When it comes to spending habits, we tend to marry our opposites.Spendthrifts tend to marry tightwads, and tightwads tend to marry spendthrifts, says this New York Times feature based on researchers' examination of several surveys and a randomized (随机的) poll on the topic. While the reasons aren't clear, it could be that one partner sees in the other something he or she needs. If you're a spendthrift picking a mate, you might unconsciously be looking for help controlling bad spending habits. If you're a tightwad, you might feel a need to loosen up and have a little fun. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University studied several on-line surveys asking couples to assess their personal feelings toward spending money, and also commissioned a randomized poll on the topic. The couples were rated on a "Tightwad-Spendthrift scale" based on how each partner felt about spending money. The pattern they uncovered of people matching up with their financial opposites, could be one reason that money is the source of so much tension in so many marriages. Clearly, too many people fail to discuss money issues before they get married, the article says. The pattern described in the Times' story has held true in my own family. As teenagers, my sister and I had opposite spending habits. She loved to shop and buy clothes, while I tended to pinch pennies. True to the research, we each married men who were our opposites in money management; her husband was economical while mine liked to spend. Since then, we have each changed in opposite directions. Now, my sister is a master at saving; at our recent family reunion, she hosted two separate meals and a picnic for more than 40 people for a total cost of less than 250, by shopping at Wal-Mart and using her well-practiced eye for bargains. When my turn came to organize a meal, I spent about twice as much.1. According to the passage, why do we like to marry our opposites when it comes to spending habits?A) Because most people like to marry a person who is different from themselves.B) Because the opposites are often curious about different spending habits.C) Because the opposites can save money for the family by controlling spending.D) Because we unconsciously want to find something we need in our partners. 2. What is the spending habits of "spendthrifts" (Para.2)?A) They are careful about spending money.B) They spend money in a wasteful manner. C) They are happy to spend money for others.D) They only want to spend money for themselves.3. Why do many marriages become tense according to the passage?A) Because the couples have married an opposite.B) Because they can't form a better spending habit.C) Because they didn't talk about money before marriage. D) Because they fail to taste the fun of a marriage life.4. What happened to the author and her sister after marrying an opposite?A) Both of them became more economical in life.B) Both of them became more wasteful in life.C) Both of them developed the opposite spending habit. D) Both of them maintained their old spending habits.5. What is the author's tone about the research?A) Approved. B) Disapproved.C) Doubted.D) Indifferent.

While most people choose mates who are like them in many ways, new research exposes a big and important exception: When it comes to spending habits, we tend to marry our opposites.Spendthrifts tend to marry tightwads, and tightwads tend to marry spendthrifts, says this New York Times feature based on researchers' examination of several surveys and a randomized (随机的) poll on the topic. While the reasons aren't clear, it could be that one partner sees in the other something he or she needs. If you're a spendthrift picking a mate, you might unconsciously be looking for help controlling bad spending habits. If you're a tightwad, you might feel a need to loosen up and have a little fun.  Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University studied several on-line surveys asking couples to assess their personal feelings toward spending money, and also commissioned a randomized poll on the topic. The couples were rated on a "Tightwad-Spendthrift scale" based on how each partner felt about spending money.   The pattern they uncovered of people matching up with their financial opposites, could be one reason that money is the source of so much tension in so many marriages. Clearly, too many people fail to discuss money issues before they get married, the article says.  The pattern described in the Times' story has held true in my own family. As teenagers, my sister and I had opposite spending habits. She loved to shop and buy clothes, while I tended to pinch pennies. True to the research, we each married men who were our opposites in money management; her husband was economical while mine liked to spend. Since then, we have each changed in opposite directions.  Now, my sister is a master at saving; at our recent family reunion, she hosted two separate meals and a picnic for more than 40 people for a total cost of less than $250, by shopping at Wal-Mart and using her well-practiced eye for bargains. When my turn came to organize a meal, I spent about twice as much.1. According to the passage, why do we like to marry our opposites when it comes to spending habits?A)  Because most people like to marry a person who is different from themselves.B)  Because the opposites are often curious about different spending habits.C)  Because the opposites can save money for the family by controlling spending.D)  Because we unconsciously want to find something we need in our partners. 2. What is the spending habits of "spendthrifts" (Para.2)?A)  They are careful about spending money.B)  They spend money in a wasteful manner. C)  They are happy to spend money for others.D)  They only want to spend money for themselves.3. Why do many marriages become tense according to the passage?A)  Because the couples have married an opposite.B)  Because they can't form a better spending habit.C)  Because they didn't talk about money before marriage. D)  Because they fail to taste the fun of a marriage life.4. What happened to the author and her sister after marrying an opposite?A)  Both of them became more economical in life.B)  Both of them became more wasteful in life.C)  Both of them developed the opposite spending habit. D)  Both of them maintained their old spending habits.5. What is the author's tone about the research?A)  Approved. B)  Disapproved.C)  Doubted.D)  Indifferent.