Directions: In this section there is a passage followed by some questions or unfinished statements. Go through the passage to answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words on the ANSWER SHEET.
For many women choosing whether to work or not to work outside their home is a luxury; they must work to survive. Others face a hard decision.
Perhaps the easiest choice has to do with economics. One husband said, “Marge and I decided after careful consideration that for her to go back to work at this moment was an extravagance we couldn’t afford.” With two preschool children, it soon became clear in their figuring that with babysitters, transportation, and increased taxes, rather than having more money, they might actually end up with less.
Economic factors are usually the first to be considered, but they are not the most important. The most important aspects of the decision have to do with the emotional needs of each member of the family. It is in this area that husbands and wives find themselves having to face many confusing and conflicting feelings.
There are many women who find that homemaking is boring or who feel imprisoned if they have to stay home with a young child or several children. On the other hand, there are women who think that homemaking gives them the deepest satisfaction.
For my own experience, I would like to suggest that sometimes the decision to go back to work is made in too much haste. There are few decisions that I now regret more. I wasn’t mature enough to see how much I could have gained at home. I regret my impatience to get on with my career. I wish I had allowed myself the luxury of watching the world through my little girl’s eyes.
1. Which word in the first two paragraphs best explains why many women have to work?
2. Why did Marge and her husband think it an extravagant for Marge to go back to work?
3. What are the two major considerations in deciding whether women should go out to work?
4. Some women would rather do housework and take care of their children than pursue a career because they feel______.
5. If given a second chance, the writer would probably choose to______.
