Recent studies of remarriage patterns demonstrate which of the following trends?

• A. Divorced people are likely to remain single for at least five years after a divorce.
• B. Widowed people remarry at much higher rates than divorced people.
• C. Divorced men tend to prefer never-married women.
• D. Remarriage after widowhood is much less frequent than remarriage after divorce.

Answer: (D)

Remarriage patterns vary by what ended the previous relationship, and the likelihood of remarrying after widowhood is typically lower than after divorce. This happens because widowed individuals are often older and have a smaller pool of potential partners, plus health considerations and different social dynamics can reduce opportunities or desire to remarry. In contrast, people who divorce tend to be younger on average and remain socially active, with more opportunities to meet new partners, making remarriage more common after divorce.

So the best choice reflects the reality that remarriage after widowhood is much less frequent than remarriage after divorce.