英语听力精选进阶版 6291

The traditional marriage vows¹ made by couples on their wedding day contain a promise to stay together "until death us do part."

But a proposed change in the law in Mexico could make that a slightly less binding² 'two years' time'. The idea is to cut the divorce rate by creating renewable marriage contracts so lovers can try living with their other half before making a lifetime commitment.

Newlyweds would take a minimum of two years before deciding whether to cement their relationship or split up, under plans to alter the city's civil code.

If it becomes law, the contracts would make clear in advance the responsibility for marital³ duties, such as childcare, schooling⁴ and household budgeting.

Half of all marriages in Mexico City currently end in a break-up. The author of the proposal hopes that being able to renew or dissolve the marital link after a fixed⁵ period of time will lead to more harmonious⁶ relationships and keep more couples out of the divorce courts.

The custody⁷ of dependents in cases where couples decide not to stay together beyond their initial term would also be set out at the beginning.

It's hoped that this would avoid the usual wrangling⁸ and emotional turmoil⁹ experienced by families going through a divorce.

But not everyone thinks it's a good idea. Family campaigners say it would contribute to a "throwaway culture" which would create more rather than less anguish¹⁰ for the children involved.

Quiz 小测验

1. Have they changed the law in Mexico to allow fixed-term marriages? 

No. It is a proposed change.

2. Do they hope to cut the marriage rate? 

No. The idea is to cut the divorce rate.

3. Would the contract make clear who is responsible for duties such as looking after children and finances? 

Yes. The contracts would make clear in advance the responsibility for marital duties, such as childcare, schooling and household budgeting.

4. Do most marriages in Mexico City end in divorce? 

No. Half of all marriages in Mexico City currently end in a break up.

5. Is divorce often upsetting for families? 

Yes. It creates emotional turmoil.

Glossary 词汇表

marriage vows 结婚誓言 

until death us do part （直到死为止）永不分离 

divorce rate 离婚率 

other half （另一半）配偶 

a lifetime commitment 终生承诺 

newlyweds 新婚夫妇 

to cement their relationship 加固他们之间的关系 

split up 分手 

marital duties 婚姻的责任 

household budgeting 家庭开销 

a break up 分手 

renew 续约 

dissolve 解散 

harmonious relationships 和谐的关系 

divorce courts 离婚法庭 

custody 监护 

dependents 被抚养者 

wrangling 争吵 

emotional turmoil 感情波动 

anguish 苦恼

1 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

2 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

3 marital   

adj.婚姻的，夫妻的

参考例句：

• Her son had no marital problems.她的儿子没有婚姻问题。
• I regret getting involved with my daughter's marital problems;all its done is to bring trouble about my ears.我后悔干涉我女儿的婚姻问题, 现在我所做的一切将给我带来无穷的烦恼。

4 schooling   

n.教育；正规学校教育

参考例句：

• A child's access to schooling varies greatly from area to area.孩子获得学校教育的机会因地区不同而大相径庭。
• Backward children need a special kind of schooling.天赋差的孩子需要特殊的教育。

5 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

6 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

7 custody   

n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留

参考例句：

• He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。
• He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后，他立即被押了起来。

8 wrangling   

v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The two sides have spent most of their time wrangling over procedural problems. 双方大部分时间都在围绕程序问题争论不休。 来自辞典例句
• The children were wrangling (with each other) over the new toy. 孩子为新玩具（互相）争吵。 来自辞典例句

9 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

10 anguish   

n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼

参考例句：

• She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时，她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
• The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。