Correct Answer: four years
Passage Reference: I wish that I could say that the last four years have been complete marital bliss.
Why this is correct: Martha looks back on the last four years of marriage, so the couple has been married for four years.
Tips: Martha gives the length of the marriage in words, and later as a number of days. Check that both agree before you choose.
Why the other options are wrong:
- five years: She writes about four years, not five.
- three years: Three years does not match her opening.
- six years: Six years is not stated.
Correct Answer: loving but not free of difficulties
Passage Reference: We have gained much ground, lover, and have climbed over many mountains and obstacles together.
Why this is correct: Their marriage has been loving but not free of difficulties. Martha expresses deep love while also recalling obstacles they faced.
Tips: Find Martha's joke about the four years. Then read how she sums them up in her own words later.
Why the other options are wrong:
- happy without any setbacks: She says the four years have not been "complete marital bliss".
- difficult enough to end their commitment: She expresses lasting love.
- less important than her earlier relationships: She values their shared story.
Correct Answer: has not always been her best self
Passage Reference: You and I both know, though, that that is far from how it has gone. One thing I am sure of is that God's plan for me was to be your helper and to walk out my purpose by your side.
Why this is correct: Martha admits she has not always been her best self. She knows she did not give Ricky her best version every day.
Tips: Notice when a writer describes an ideal and then says reality was different.
Why the other options are wrong:
- has avoided every difficult conversation: She acknowledges obstacles.
- has provided all the support alone: She credits Ricky’s support.
- has lost interest in their future: She values where they are going.
Correct Answer: becoming parents together
Passage Reference: Becoming parents together is something I especially cherish. You have also stood beside me during difficult times.
Why this is correct: Martha especially cherishes becoming parents together. She presents parenthood as an important new part of their marriage.
Tips: Words such as especially point directly to the detail the question is asking for.
Why the other options are wrong:
- returning to their former home: No return is described.
- starting a joint business: No business is mentioned.
- moving to a new country together: No such move is described.
Correct Answer: they have overcome difficulties together
Passage Reference: We have gained much ground, lover, and have climbed over many mountains and obstacles together.
Why this is correct: The writer says the couple climbed over many mountains and obstacles together. This means they have overcome difficulties together.
Tips: Treat mountains and obstacles as a picture of hard times when the passage is about a relationship.
Why the other options are wrong:
- they have avoided making difficult decisions: The phrase describes overcoming difficulties, not avoiding them.
- they have pursued separate ambitions: The emphasis is on progress and support together.
- they have travelled extensively in mountainous areas: The surrounding reference is to obstacles in their shared life, not literal travel.
Correct Answer: to express appreciation for their shared life
Passage Reference: I love us, our story, where we have been and where we are going.
Why this is correct: The letter looks back on four years of marriage and thanks the partner for continued care and commitment. Its purpose is to express appreciation for their shared life.
Tips: Ask what Martha is doing in every paragraph. She makes no request, so look for the feeling she keeps coming back to.
Why the other options are wrong:
- to ask Ricky to explain a particular disagreement: She reflects broadly and makes no such request.
- to arrange a change in family responsibilities: No new allocation of duties is proposed.
- to suggest spending more time apart: She values their shared future.
Correct Answer: the beginning of our marriage
Passage Reference: Four years have passed since our wedding, and I am grateful for the life we have built together.
Why this is correct: Ricky connects the four-year period to their wedding. The anniversary brings back memories of the beginning of their marriage.
Tips: An anniversary usually points back to the event that began the period being celebrated.
Why the other options are wrong:
- our first year living separately: No separation is described.
- our children leaving home: No departure is described.
- our engagement next year: Their wedding is in the past.
Correct Answer: difficult as well as happy times
Passage Reference: Martha describes love alongside obstacles in their marriage. The text states continued to care for one another through them.
Why this is correct: Martha describes love alongside obstacles in their marriage. Ricky agrees with that mixed picture and values their continued care for each other.
Tips: Look back at Martha’s description of both love and difficulties. The reply agrees with her.
Why the other options are wrong:
- only celebrations without setbacks: Both letters acknowledge difficulties.
- a decision to end our marriage: The reply reaffirms commitment.
- no shared decisions: They describe a shared family life.
Correct Answer: a shared responsibility we cherish
Passage Reference: Becoming parents together is something I especially cherish. You have also stood beside me during difficult times.
Why this is correct: Martha says becoming parents together is especially important to her. Ricky also praises her care at home, so shared parenting is something they value.
Tips: Check whether a reply continues the first writer's positive or negative feeling about an experience.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a responsibility belonging only to you: Ricky acknowledges shared parenting.
- a reason to avoid future plans: The reply discusses next year.
- a reason to live apart: They value shared family life.
Correct Answer: an evening just for the two of us
Passage Reference: Ricky plans a quiet dinner at home and says he will not invite a large group. The text states Rather than inviting a large group.
Why this is correct: Ricky plans a quiet dinner at home and says he will not invite a large group. This supports a private evening for the couple.
Tips: The phrase rather than creates a clear contrast between the chosen plan and the rejected plan.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a meal with all our friends: He chooses a private evening.
- a family gathering at a restaurant: The meal is at home and for the couple.
- a celebration with our neighbours: That would be a group event.
Correct Answer: promise to support each other in the years ahead
Passage Reference: I want our next years together to be shaped by kindness, honest conversations and the same commitment that brought us this far.
Why this is correct: Ricky asks them to promise to support each other in the years ahead. His hopes for kindness, honesty, and commitment all describe mutual support.
Tips: Read the sentence after the blank. The things Ricky hopes for next tell you what he is asking them both to do.
Why the other options are wrong:
- judge our marriage only by its mistakes: He values commitment and progress.
- avoid talking about future decisions: He wants honest conversations.
- leave difficult decisions to other people: He emphasizes supporting each other.
