The horse and carriage is a thing of the past, but love and marriage are still with us and

still closely interrelated. Most American marriages,【C1】______ first marriages uniting young people, are the result of mutual attraction and affection【C2】______ than practical considerations.

In the United States, parents do not【C3】______ marriages for their children. Teenagers begin dating in high school and usually find mates through their own academic and social【C4】______ .【C5】______ young people feel free to choose their friends from【C6】______ groups, most choose a mate of similar【C7】______ . This is due in part to parental guidance. Parents cannot【C8】______ spouses for their children, but they can usually 【C9】______ choices by voicing disapproval of someone they consider unsuitable.

【C10】______ , marriages between members of different groups (interclass, interfaith, and interracial marriages) are【C11】______ , probably because of the greater mobility of today's youth and the fact that they are【C12】______ by fewer prejudices than their parents. Many young people leave their home towns to attend college, serve in the armed forces, 【C13】______ pursue a career in a bigger city. Once away from home and family, they are more【C14】______ to date and marry outside their own social group. In mobile American society, interclass marriages are neither【C15】______ nor astonishing. Interfaith marriages are 【C16】 ______ the rise, especially between Protestants and Catholics. On the other hand, interracial marriages are still very【C17】______ . It can be difficult for interracial couples to find a place to live, maintain friendships, and 【C18】______ a family. Marriages between people of different national【C19】______ (but the same race and religion) have been commonplace here 【C20】______ colonial times.

【C1】

A．specially

B．naturally

C．particularly

D．fortunately