Before Better Gets Worse, Take the Marital Compatibility Test AgeVenture News Service Wet towels on the bathroom floor ... bread crumbs in the sheets from a late-night sandwich ... a thermostat set on 75 degrees when you prefer 68. Such incidents may seem trivial to couples in the throes of passion, but newly weds often find that passion cools with the reality of living together. Susan Adams (photo), author of "The Marital Compatibility Test", believes compatibility can be measured by couples' reactions to everyday situations. "It's the little things we don't think about when we are falling in love," Adams points out. "But once into the day-to-day routine of living together, minor issues can become major ones." "The Marital Compatibility Test" helps couples predict their chances of living together in harmony. The book asks hundreds of questions on topics such as sex, in-laws, having children, pets, cooking, food preferences, exercise and fitness, house-cleaning, travel, household economics, interior decorating, religion, and politics. Probing the psyche of one's beloved has never been this enlightening or entertaining. Here's just a couple of the many, many questions designed to "test your compatibility". The final decision on major purchases should be made (a) jointly, (b) by the person who makes the most money, (c) by the person who has researched the product. Leftover food should be allowed to remain in the refrigerator (a) 1-3 days, (b) one week, (c) until it becomes a science project, (d) for the life of the appliance. The person who should clean the bath tub is (a) the week's designated cleaner, (b) husband, (c) wife, (d) whoever thinks it's dirty. If a child misbehaves, the child should be (a) spanked, (b) sent to his room, (c) deprived of dinner, (d) restricted from activities, (e) reasoned with. Susan Adams is author of "The Marital Compatibility Test" (Addicus Books, 2000). She is also the author of "The Family Compatibility Test" (Addicus Books, 1997), and a former spokesperson for the Mattel game, "Compatibility". A corporate communications consultant, Ms. Adams has worked with men and women across the nation, helping them become better communicators. As part of her consulting work, Ms. Adams offers seminars on "Building on Adversity" and "The Power of Praise". Adams and her family live in Omaha, Nebraska. "The Marital Compatibility Test" is available in bookstores in February 2000. $11.95. 160 pages. Addicus Books, Omaha, NE. 1-800-352-2873. Image credit: Addicus Books. Photo credit: Susan Adams.