[originaltext] (16)In the traditional marriage, the man worked at a job to e

(16)In the traditional marriage, the man worked at a job to earn money for the family. He paid the bills and made most of the decisions. He was the boss of the family. The woman seldom worked away from the house. She stayed at home to care for the children and her husband. Her job at home was very important.
    In recent years, many couples continue to have a traditional relationship of the kind. The man has a job and earns the money for the family. The woman stays at home and cares for the children and the house. Many Americans are happy with the kind of marriage. But some other Americans have a different impression of marriage and family responsibilities.
     (17)There are two important differences in male and female roles now. One is that both men and women have many more choices. They may choose to marry or to stay single. They may choose to work or stay at home. Both men and women may choose roles that are comfortable for them.
     (18)A second difference in male and female roles is that within marriage many decisions and responsibilities are shared. The husband and wife may choose to have children, or they may not. If they have children, the man takes care of them some of the time, all of the time or not at all. The woman may want to stay at home and take care of the children. Or she may want to go to work. Men and women now decide these things together in a marriage. Many married people now share these decisions and the responsibilities of their families.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. What can we learn about traditional marriage according to the passage?
17. What is the difference between traditional marriages and modern marriages?
18. What can be concluded from the passage?