Until the 1960s few sociologists questioned the importance or the benefits of family life. Most sociologists assumed that family life was evolving as moderning progressed, and that the changes involved made the family better suited to meeting the needs of society and of family members. A particular type of family, the nuclear family was seen as well adapted to the demands of modern societies.

What is the best heading for the paragraph?

Egyptians were welcomed to a dinner party by a special servant, who put oil on their heads and washed their hands. Sometimes the process was repeated during the course of the dinner.

Eguptian families had ______ to deal with guests.

The Romans washed their hands before and after dinner. Small basins were provided for guests for this purpose, and it was a common practice to drop a flower into the water to make it fragrant. This custome has survived today in many homes and restaurants in which a finger bowl with a flower petal in the water is brought to guests.

The modern custom of providing ______ for guests is similar to an ancient Roman custom.

The family has often been regarded as the cornerstone of society. In premodern and modern societies alike it has been seen as the most basic unit of social organization and one which carries out vital tasks, such as socializing children.

Which of the following is the best heading for this paragraph?

A piece of research confirms that the way men and women feel at the beginning of their marriage makes a difference to its eventual outcome. Those who feel disappointed, perhaps because marriage itself is different from their expectations, or because their lifestyle is not what they had envisaged, are more likely to divorce.

What is the best heading for the paragraph?

There was a steady rise ______ sales in January and the first half of February, then they fell to 1,000 units in mid March.

Choose the option A, B, C or D that best complete the following sentence in a report.

Shares in First National Bank last night stood at $4.80, an increase ______ a third since the beginning of the year.

Choose the option A, B, C or D that best complete the following sentence in a report.

Between March and August this figure ______ stable but in September there was a sudden rise in membership numbers.

Choose the option A, B, C or D that best complete the following sentence in a report.

Computer software market becomes ______ crowded.

Choose the option A, B, C or D that best complete the following sentence in a report.

After a slight increase in 1998, profits have dropped back ______ their 1997 level.

Choose the option A, B, C or D that best complete the following sentence in a report.