阅读理解
Sixteen years ago, Eileen Doyle's husband, an engineer, took his four children up for an early morning
cup of tea, packed a small case and was never seen or heard of again.Eileen was astonished and in a
state of despair.They had been a happy family and, as far as she knew, there had been nothing wrong with their marriage.
Every day of the year a small group of men and women quietly pack a few belongings and without so much as a note or a goodbye close the front door for the last time, leaving their debts, their worries and
their confused families behind them.Last year, more than 1,200 men and nearly as many women were
reported missing from home-the highest in 15 years.Many did return home within a year, but others
rejected the past completely and are now living a new life somewhere under a different identity.
To those left behind, this form of desertion (遗弃) is a terrible blow to their pride and selfconfidence.
Even the finality of death might be preferable.At least it does not imply rejection or failure.Worse than that, people can be left with an unfinished marriage, not knowing whether they will have to wait several years
before they are free to start a fresh life.
Clinical psychologist Paul Brown believes most departures of this kind to be well planned rather than
impulsive."It's typical of the kind of personality which seems able to ignore other people's pain and
difficulties.Running away, like killing yourself, is a highly aggressive act.By creating an absence the people
left behind feel guilty, upset and empty."
1. When her husband left home, Eileen Doyle ________.
A. could not forgive him for taking the children
B. had been expecting it to happen for some time
C. could not understand why
D. blamed herself for what had happened
2. Most people who leave their families behind them ________.
A. do so without warning
B. do so because of their debts
C. come back immediately
D. change their names
3. Which might be the title of the passage?
A. Broken marriage
B. New life after desertion
C. A new social problem
D. Desertion and its influence
4. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Many people choose to leave home quietly because they hate their family.
B. Paul Brown regards leaving home as an act of selfishness.
C. Those who are left behind will lose confidence and won't marry again.
D. Eileen's husband, together with his four kids, was probably killed in an accident.
