2007英语四级完形填空模拟训练11

We have spoken of marriage as a formal contract.

It should be noted， however， that this contract does not __1__ the same form in different societies.

In Western societies， the __2__ of a man and a woman __3__ given the status of legal marriage by being registered by an official __4__ by the state.

In some African so cieties， __5__ ， marriage has nothing to do __6__ an official registration of this kind but is legalized by the formal __7__ of goods.

Generally __8__ is the bridegroom who is required to make a __9__ of goods to the bride‘s kin， though sometimes a payment is __10__ made by the bridegroom‘s kin to that of the bride.

Among the Nuer， a __11__ living in Southern Sudan， the payment made to the bride‘s kin， __12__ as bridewealth， is in the __13__ of cattle.

Once the __14__ of bridewealth is agreed __15__ ， and the formal payment is made， the marriage becomes a __16__ union and the offspring of the union become the acceptable __17__ of the husband.