英语专四阅读模拟题(8)：初为人父

"Congratulations, Mr. Jones, it's a girl."

Fatherhood is going to have a different meaning and bring forth a different response from every man who hears these words. Some feel pride when they receive the news, while others worry, wondering whether they will be good fathers. Although there are some men who like children and may have had considerable experience with them, others do not particularly care for children and spend little time with them. Many fathers and mothers have been planning and looking forward to children for some time. For other couples, pregnancy was an accident that both husband and wife have accepted willingly or unwillingly.

Whatever the reaction to the birth of a child, it is obvious that the shift from the role of husband to that of father is a difficult task. Yet, unfortunately, few attempts have been made to educate fathers in this reconciliation (协调) process. Although numerous books have been written about American mothers, only recently has literature focused on the role of fathers.

It is argued by some writers that the change to the father's role, although difficult, is not nearly as great as the change the wife must take to the mother's role. The mother's role seems to require a complete transformation in daily routine and highly innovative adaptation. On the other hand, the father's role is less demanding and immediate. However, even though we mentioned the fact that growing numbers of women are working outside the home, the father is still thought by many as the breadwinner in the household.

1. From the passage, we learn that fatherhood
　　A. brings a feeling of excitement to most men.
　　B. makes some men feel proud and others uneasy.
　　C. has a different meaning for men who have daughters.
　　D. means a responsibility that men accept unwillingly.

2. What does the passage say about the shift from the role of husband to that of father?
　　A. Numerous books have been written about it.
　　B. Not enough attention has been paid to it.
　　C. The shift is harder for men than for women.
　　D. The shift is a difficult but incomplete one.

3. The passage indicates that
　　A. mothers get more attention and recognition from society.
　　B. mothers are innovative and demanding according to some writers.
　　C. mothers generally stay at home to take care of the children.
　　D. mothers should help fathers in their reconciliation process.

4. Which of the following will the author most probably disagree with?
　　A. It's as difficult to be a father as it is to be a mother.
　　B. More books should focus on the role of fathers.
　　C. The father is still the breadwinner in the household.
　　D. Fathers are as important to children as mothers.

5. The author's purpose in writing this passage is to
　　A. explain why there are few books on the role of fathers.
　　B. praise mothers for their great contributions to the home.
　　C. criticize fathers for not taking enough responsibility in bringing up the children.
　　D. complain about the lack of social programs to help fathers in their role shift.