bbc随身英语--Till Next Year Us Do Part 定期婚姻（在线收听）

 

How long will it last?

The traditional marriage vows 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 binding '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 marital duties, such as childcare, schooling 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 fixed period of time will lead to more harmonious relationships and keep more couples out of the divorce courts.

The custody 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 wrangling and emotional turmoil 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 anguish for the children involved.

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

Quiz 测验
阅读短文并回答问题。
 
1. Have they changed the law in Mexico to allow fixed-term marriages? 
2. Do they hope to cut the marriage rate?
3. Would the contract make clear who is responsible for duties such as looking
after children and finances? 
4. Do most marriages in Mexico City end in divorce?
5. Is divorce often upsetting for families? 
 
Exercise 练习
请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。从每个表格中选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子
的空格处。
 
1. After 25 years together, my parents decided to ________.
 
split over                split up                  split away                  split down
 
2. My house is full of flowers. My other ________ is a florist.  
 
part                        wife                       woman                         half 
 
3. I need to go to the library to ________ my books or I'll have to pay a fine. 
 
renew                     review                    revive                         reveal         
 
4.  He's got three sons and two daughters, so a total of five ________.
 
dependers              depends                  dependent                 dependents
 
5. The death of a family member can cause ________ turmoil.
 
emotions           emotional                   emotionally                  emotion          
 
Answers and Glossary 答案与词汇
 
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.  
 
Exercise 练习
1. After 25 years together, my parents decided to split up.
2. My house is full of flowers. My other half is a florist.    
3. I need to go to the library to renew my books or I'll have to pay a fine. 
4. He's got three sons and two daughters, so a total of five dependents.
5. The death of a family member can cause emotional turmoil.