Is there somethingseriously wrong with marriage today?During the past 50 years,the rate ofdivorce in the United Stateshas explodeD.almost 50%of marriages end in

divorce now,and theevidence suggests it is going to get worse.If this trend continues,it will leadto the breakup of the family,according to a spokesperson for the National

FamilyAssociation.Some futurists predict that in 100 years, the average American willmarry at least four times, and extramarital（婚外的）affairs will be even more

common than they arenow.

2.But what are thereasons for this,and is the picture really so gloomy?The answer to the firstquestion is really quite simplE.marriage is no longer the necessity it once

was.The institutionof marriage has been based for years partly on economic need.Women used to beeconomically dependent on their husbands.But with the rising number of

women in well-payingjobs,this is no ionger the case.So they don't feel that they need to stay in afailing marriage.

3.In answer to thesecond question,the outlook may not be as pessimistic as it seems.While therate of divorce has risen,the rate of couples marrying has never actuallyfallen

very much,somarriage is still quite popular. In addition to this,many couples now simplylive together and don't bother to marry.These couples are effectivelymarried,but

they do not appearin either the marriage or divorce statistics.In fact,more than 50% of firstmarriages survive.

4.So is marriagereally an outdated institution?The fact that most people still get marriedmndicates that it isn't. And it is also true that married couples have ahealthier life

than single peoplE.they suffer less from stress and its consequences such as heart problems,andmarried men generally consider themselves more contented than their single

counterparts.Perhapsthe key is to find out what makes a successful marriage and apply it to all ofour relationships!

Paragraph4__________

A.The reason for theincrease of divorce rate.

B.The breakup of thefamily because of the high divorce rate.

C.The healthbenefits of marriage for people.

D.A gloomy pictureof marriage in the U.S..

E.The reason whymarriage will continue to exist.