阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A，B，C， D )中，选出最佳选项。

A

Recent studies suggest that family arrangements in Western societies have not changed as much in the last few centuries as is generally believed. Yet most sociologists agree that in modern societies, there are fewer opportunities for friendship and support from relatives. Parents and children often live apart from other relatives, and seldom visit them. Also, the family moves when a parent accepts a job in another place or when it decides to live in a better neighbourhood. Together, loneliness and mobility (迁移) force immediate family members to depend heavily on one another for affection and companionship.

Because the family is one of the few ongoing sources of affection and companionship in modern societies, a high percentage of people continue to marry, even though it is possible for a single man and woman to live together without marrying. On the other hand, because affection and companionship have become so important, families are more likely to break up if the husband’s or wife’s emotional (情感的) needs are not met within the family circle—even if all other family functions (功能) are being satisfactorily performed, and in this sense, affection and companionship have become the touchstone of the modern family.

1. It is generally believed that ___________.

A. many people spend their lives in familiar communities

B. a person can easily get in touch with relatives in times of difficulty

C. the organization of the family has changed a great deal

D. Western societies have not changed much in the past few years

2. Sociological studies show that ______________.

A. the more the family moves, the less support it gets from its distant relatives

B. parents and children live together to make up for the lack of relatives outside the family

C. family arrangements have changed and so there is little need for companion of relatives

D. family members are separated from each other because of lack of support from relatives

3. The underlined word in the last paragraph may be replaced by “___________”.

A. result B. trouble C. function D. standard

4. In the last paragraph, the writer mainly wants to say ___________.

A. affection and companionship are important for the family and they can be gained from nowhere but the family

B. affection and companionship can come from the family and at the same time safeguard the family

C. there are few ways to gain affection and companionship but the best way to get them is from the family

D. in modern societies a lot of families break up and it’s just for the lack of affection and companionship