Enter the correct verb tense into each box in the following passage. The base form of the verb is supplied in brackets. Then check your answers by clicking on the button next to each box.

Over the last twenty years, the average size of households (fall) dramatically. The number of one-person households (grow) due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one-parent families. Couples having smaller families (contribute) to the fall in household size.

In 1976, 60% of families (be) couples with children. By 1996, this (fall) to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one-parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple-only families. People (have) children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they (spend) more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children (leave) home. However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 (live) with their parents. By 1991, this (increase) to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.

(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, Australian Government Publishing Service, ACT, p.81)

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