Reading comprehension worksheet featuring passages on family dynamics and home learning in the U.S. and U.K.

Reading 1: Family Life in the United States

#### Passage Summary
The passage discusses changes in family life in the United States. Key points include:
- The decline of two-parent households due to rising divorce, remarriage, and cohabitation.
- Smaller families resulting from the growth of single-parent households and a drop in fertility rates.
- Changes in the role of mothers, with more women entering the workforce and becoming breadwinners.
- Increasing diversity and evolution in family forms, leading to no single dominant family structure.

---

Questions and Answers

#### Question 1: Which of the following trends is true in the United States?
- A. The rate of divorce is increasing.
- B. More women become housewives.
- C. Family structures remain unchanged.
- D. Nuclear family becomes the dominant family form.

Answer: A. The rate of divorce is increasing.

Explanation:
The passage explicitly states that "Two-parent households are on the decline in the United States as divorce, remarriage, and cohabitation are on the rise." This indicates an increase in the rate of divorce, making option A correct.
- Option B is incorrect because the passage mentions that more women are entering the workforce, not becoming housewives.
- Option C is incorrect because the passage clearly states that family structures have transformed.
- Option D is incorrect because the passage concludes that there is no longer one dominant family form in the U.S.

---

#### Question 2: Why has the size of families in the US reduced?
- A. There are more extended families and less medical care.
- B. More teenagers decide to live independently of their parents.
- C. There are more people living abroad.
- D. There are more families with one parent and fewer babies born each year.

Answer: D. There are more families with one parent and fewer babies born each year.

Explanation:
The passage mentions that "families are smaller now, both due to the growth of single-parent households and the drop in fertility." This directly supports option D.
- Option A is incorrect because the passage does not mention extended families or medical care.
- Option B is irrelevant to the reduction in family size.
- Option C is unrelated to the topic discussed in the passage.

---

#### Question 3: Who are breadwinners in the United States?
- A. either women or children
- B. either men or women
- C. only men
- D. only women

Answer: B. either men or women

Explanation:
The passage states that "As more moms have entered the labor force, more have become breadwinners—in many cases, primary breadwinners—in their families." This implies that both men and women can be breadwinners.
- Option A is incorrect because children are not mentioned as breadwinners.
- Option C is incorrect because it excludes women, who are explicitly mentioned as breadwinners.
- Option D is incorrect because it excludes men, who are traditionally considered breadwinners.

---

#### Question 4: Family forms in the United States are _______?
- A. changing
- B. similar
- C. chaotic
- D. remaining the same

Answer: A. changing

Explanation:
The passage emphasizes that "family structures have transformed" and that there is no longer one dominant family form. This indicates that family forms are changing.
- Option B is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that family structures are not uniform.
- Option C is too extreme and not supported by the passage.
- Option D is incorrect because the passage clearly states that family structures are not remaining the same.

---

#### Question 5: Which of the following statements is not true?
- A. The number of families with both parents is reducing.
- B. More women can earn money.
- C. More women have had their own jobs.
- D. In 1961, most babies were born by single mothers.

Answer: D. In 1961, most babies were born by single mothers.

Explanation:
The passage states that "While in the early 1960s babies typically arrived within a marriage," which contradicts option D. In 1961, most babies were likely born to married couples, not single mothers.
- Option A is true because the passage mentions the decline of two-parent households.
- Option B is true because more women are entering the workforce.
- Option C is true because the passage mentions that more women have jobs.

---

Reading 2: Home Schooling in Britain

#### Passage Summary
The passage discusses home schooling in Britain. Key points include:
- Some families prefer home schooling over traditional schooling.
- Home-schooled children can choose when and what to learn.
- Examples of Andrian and Holly highlight the benefits and challenges of home schooling.
- Critics argue that school teaches social skills important for adult life.

---

#### Question 1: In Britain, people can learn at home or _______.
- Answer: go to school.

Explanation:
The passage contrasts home schooling with traditional schooling, indicating that people in Britain have the option to learn either at home or at school.

---

Final Answers

1. A. The rate of divorce is increasing.
2. D. There are more families with one parent and fewer babies born each year.
3. B. either men or women
4. A. changing
5. D. In 1961, most babies were born by single mothers.

For Reading 2:
1. go to school.

---

Boxed Final Answer

Reading 1:
1. A
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. D

Reading 2:
1. go to school