In the United States, parents do not arrange marriages for their children. Teenagers begin (4)_____ in high school and usually find mates through their own academic and social (5)_____.
Though young people feel (6)_____ to choose their friends from (7)_____ groups, most choose a mate of similar background.
This is (8)_____ in part to parental guidance. Parents cannot select spouses for their children, but they can usually (9)_____ choices by (10)_____ disapproval of someone they consider unsuitable.
(11)_____, marriages between members of different groups(interclass, interfaith, and interracial marriages) are increasing, probably because of the greater (12)_____ of today's youth and the fact that they are restricted by (13)_____ prejudices than their parents. Many young people leave their hometowns to attend college, (14)_____ in the armed forces (15)_____ pursue a career in a bigger city.
Once away from home and family, they are more (16)_____ to date and marry outside their own social group.
In mobile American society, interclass marriages are neither (17)_____ nor shocking. Interfaith marriages are (18)_____ the rise particularly between Protestants and Catholics. On the other hand, interracial marriage is still very uncommon. It can be difficult for interracial couples to find a place to live, maintain friendships, and (19)_____ a family. Marriages between people of different national (20)_____ (but the same race and religion) have been commonplace since colonial times.

A. linking
B. involving
C. connecting
D. correlating