A. Skim through the following text and give it a suitable title.

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Rodney Mace, 35, is married with two young children, and is a part time teacher of
architectural history. I am constantly surprised by other peoples surprise, when they come to the
house and see me cleaning the floor or hanging out the washing, their eyes open wide at the
sight of it! Much of the comment comes from men, but I am surprised at number of women who
comment too.
His wife Jane, an Oxford graduate in modern languages, has a demanding full-time job.
She is director of the Cambridge House literacy scheme for adults in South London. Her working
week involves several evenings and Saturdays, and at these times her husband is in sole charge
of home and family. Apart from this, they share household jobs and employ a child-minder for the
afternoons. This enables him to teach two days a week and to do what he considers his principal
work: writing. He has written several books and spends much of his time in the British Museum
Reading Room, cycling there from is home in Brixton.
People ask the Maces if they think their children miss them. One can argue that satisfied
parents have satisfied children, but in any case the Maces are careful to reserve time and energy
to play with their children. And they have now developed relationships with other adults and
children.
Previously, Rodney Mace worked full-time and Jane only part-time. Then 18 months ago,
the director of the literacy scheme left. It seemed to me that Jane was very well suited to do this
job. She was very doubtful about it. But I urged her to apply. She did, and she got it. Jane Mace
confirms that she needed this encouragement, as so many women initially do.
Did his male ego suffer from this change-over? Nothing like that occurred. But he still
seems amazed at the way it changed his thinking. I felt that we were finally going to be partners.
I felt enormous relief. I wasnt avoiding responsibility but changing it. our relationship is so much
better now. It has been a change for the good for both of us I think for all of us, is every aspect
of our lives. I cannot over-emphasize that: in every aspect. I think it is fundamental that woman
works. The idea of an equal partner-ship is an illusion if one partner doesnt work.
In The Sunday Magazine
B. Now scan the text to accomplish the following tasks:
I. Choose the best ending to complete the sentences below.
1. The couple leads a happy married life because
1.1. the husband loves staying at home.
1.2. they were promoted at work.
1.3. their children are about to leave school.
1.4. they have a truly equal partnership.
2. Before staying at home, Rodney Mace ............................
2.1. taught architecture.
2.2. couldnt find time to write his books.
2.3. had a part-time job.
2.4. worked for the Cambridge House of Literacy.

3. What made Jane finally apply for the job was the fact that...........................................................
3.1. she got bored at home.
3.2. the pay was quite good.
3.3. her husband encouraged her from the very beginning.
3.4. she had been let down by her friends.
C. Decide whether these statements are true or false. Quote from the text to support your answer.
1. Most people who see Rodney doing the housework chores have no prejudice. ______
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...........................................................................................................................................................
2. Jane spends all the weekends with her family. ________
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
3. Although the Maces are often busy at work, they give attention to their children and worry
about having some free time to enjoy them. ________
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
D. Now answer the following question. Write about 25 words:
How did Rodney react and feel about this change in his life?
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
E. The Maces spend as much time as they can with their children. Last weekend they went to the
country. Fill in their conversation with the adjectives below.
further furthest better...best...worse...worst
Jane:
Im not used to country walks. How much ............... is it?
Rodney: Not far. And it gets better. Weve done the ............... part. Look! The path goes down
the hill from here. I hope you are feeling ............... now.
Jane:
Oh dear. Do you want to have a rest?
Rodney: No, the ............... thing would be to get there first. Im not fit, you know. This is
the ............... Ive walked for a long time.
F. Underline the correct phrase in each of the brackets.
A romance
Jane first saw Rodney at a party. She saw him on the other side of the room. Suddenly he turned
and saw her watching him. She felt a little embarrassed and looked away. When she looked
again, he was walking towards her. (The closer/Closer) he came (more she felt nervous/ the more
nervous she felt).

He introduced himself and they talked. They talked for a long time, and (more/ the more) they
talked (she looked him more/ the more she liked him).
G. Complete the sentences.
1. Life gets ................................................. all the time. (complicated)
2. Divorce is becoming.................................................. (common)
3. Children are left alone because its getting ................................................. to find someone to
look after them. (hard)
4. The number of single parent families is getting.................................................. (high)
H. In about 100-120 words comment one of the following statements.
1. Nowadays lots of children grow up alone.
2. Many experts say the family is a dying institution; in fact the typical family father, mother, two
or three children and the grandparents living nearby is now rare.