One of the most striking findings of a recent questionnaire in the UK is that of the people interviewed, one in two believes that it is becoming more difficult to meet someone to start a family with.
Why are many people finding it increasingly difficult to start and keep close relationships? Does modern life really make it harder to fall in love? Or are we making it harder for ourselves?
It is certainly the case today that nowadays couples benefit in different ways from relationships. Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security（安全性）or status. A man doesn’t expect his wife to be in sole（唯一的）charge of running his household and raising his children.
But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to give up their independence.
In theory, finding a partner should be much simpler these days. Only a few generations ago，your choice of soul mate was limited by geography, social customs and family tradition. Although it was never clear, many marriages were essentially arranged. Now those barriers have been broken down. You can approach a builder or a doctor in any bar in any city on any given evening. When the world is your oyster（牡蛎）, you surely have a better chance of finding a pearl.
But it seems that the traditions have been replaced by an even tighter restriction: the limitation of choice. The expectations of partners are made greater to an unmanageable degree: good looks, impressive salary, kind to grandmother, and so on. There is no room for error in the first impression.
We think that a relationship can be perfect. If it isn’t, it is intended to be thrown away. We work to protect ourselves against future heartache and don’t put in the hard emotional labor needed to build a strong relationship. Twelve-hour work at the office makes relaxed after-hours dating（约会） difficult. The cost of housing and child-raising creates pressure to have a stable（稳定的）income and career before a life partnership.
57. Nowadays, in a family, _________.
A. men begin to depend on women B. couples share the burdens
C. men are responsible for housework D. couples can’t get along together
58. People don’t want to give up their independence because________.
A. they can’t bear arranged marriages B. they want to have more choices
C. they don’t want to follow traditions D. they think they can live happily alone
59. People are not eager to date because_______.
A. it requires luck to build a strong relationship
B. it takes them too much energy to work
C. it needs faith（信心）to have a life partnership
D. it causes mental problems to find a life partner
60. Which of the following can best describe the main idea of the passage?
A. The expectations of partners and financial （经济的）pressure may prevent a relationship.
B. People should spend more money on marriage today.
C. Independence is much more important than love.
D. Even a perfect marriage can be given up for the sake of independence.