For some parents, hitting a child who misbehaves is a common punishment. In fact, they may think that a physical type of punishment is good for children and will teach them to behave in the future.
However, a leading group of child health specialists suggest that the opposite is true. These experts say that hitting is not only ineffective, but may even cause long-term harm to the child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently changed its policy on physical punishment for a child. Released in October, the academy warns that hitting a child may have long-term effects. These effects include “aggression, brain changes, substance abuse and suicidal behavior in adulthood”. The report admits that not every child who is spanked will have these problems later in life. It makes this observation: “Although many children who were spanked become happy, healthy adults, current evidence suggests that hitting is not necessary and may result in long-term harm.”
In recent years, many American experts have been advising parents against the use of physical punishment. Many other countries have already banned corporeal punishment. Sweden was the first nation to do so in 1966. Earlier studies have shown that corporal punishment can also affect a child’s ability to think and learn. In 2012, a Canadian study found that hitting children can cause long-term developmental damage and may even lower a child’s intelligence test scores. The American Academy of Pediatrics also warns against using strong verbal abuse or shame to discipline a child. These types of punishment can also cause long-term problems for a child. Instead, they suggest other types of punishment that are appropriate for the age of the child.
For younger children, punishment could be taking away a favorite toy. For older children, a parent can limit the time the child spends watching television or playing with computers or electronic games.
1.What can we know according to the experts?
A.Spanking a child is not effective but harmful.
B.Sweden was the first country to spank a child in 1996.
C.The study from Canada found that spanking children can lower children’s grades.
D.Many American experts found spanking a child can cause anti-social behavior.
2.Which of the following best explains “discipline” underlined in paragraph 3?
A.Protect. B.Control. C.Persuade. D.Punish.
3.What does the author intend to say in the last paragraph?
A.We should take away younger children’s favorite toys as punishment.
B.As for older children, we need allow them to watch TV or play games.
C.Different children should be given different ways to punish.
D.It may be ineffective for younger or older children to have punishment.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.A physical type of punishment.
B.The effects of punishment.
C.Different countries have different types of punishment.
D.How to punish the mischievous children.
The moment I was born, I seemed to be part of a set, as if my twin brother David and I were a package deal. We faced constant comparisons in our physical appearance. People were always comparing our personalities and academic performances as well! These constant comparisons made me decide not to go to the same university as my twin brother.
That is not to say we didn’t have good academic experiences in the past or didn’t get along. In eleventh grade, we were placed in the same math experimental class. I recall arriving early to the first class and being a bit disappointed when I saw David already seated at his desk. It is hard to avoid comparisons when we were in the same class. However, we found that we actually worked well together, in our own way. We would argue about the best way to solve a problem and debate its answer. As the year went on, I noticed that our teacher kept moving us closer and closer together. Our argument was actually productive.
However, we were two very different candidates. I was very involved in extracurricular(课 外的) activities, while David had better test scores than I did. I’m fond of writing while David enjoys playing computer games. I am currently studying English and French at McGill University, while David is studying computer science at Union College.
Besides escaping comparisons, there have been other benefits to going to different universities. The first one is that we are forced to talk to each other, as we no longer see each other every day. This is healthier for our relationship. The second, also the more important one, is that after having so many similar experiences together we can have our own experiences separate from one another.
Going to a different university has benefited me thus far. It allows for more personal growth, and I’m not attached to the label of being a twin.
1.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.Why Do People Like to Compare Me with My Twin Brother?
B.Why Am I Choosing a Different University with My Twin Brother?
C.What Are Some Main Benefits of Being Twin Brothers at School?
D.How Can Twin Brothers Get Along Well with Each Other at School?
2.What can be inferred about the author?
A.He was fed up with people’s comparisons.
B.He was glad to hear people’s comparisons.
C.He is more handsome than David.
D.He was better at academic subjects than David.
3.What does the author think of him and David studying in the same math experimental class?
A.Boring. B.Harmful. C.Awful. D.Beneficial.
4.The author chose to go to a different university in order to ________.
A.avoid seeing David B.escape arguing with David
C.pursue a different experience D.strengthen bonds with David
Discover Nature Schools Programs
All programs include outdoor time, so please help children prepare with proper clothing, sunscreen and insect repellant(驱虫剂) as needed.
Each program is taught for a class with a minimum of 10 students and maximum of 125 students.
To schedule a program, please email deprograms@mdc. mo. gov.
Acorn to Oak(K-2 grade, 1. 5-2 hours)
From seed to shade tree, the oak(橡树) changes through the seasons and the years. Through exploration, students will understand the lifecycle of a tree. On a hike, students will explore various life stages of oak tree, taking a closer look. Creation of a tree relief sculpture using recycled wood products helps students review and represent their new knowledge.
Outdoor Sensations( K-2 grade, 1.5-2 hours)
The natural world is filled with sights, sound and smells. Students will see live animals and learn how wild animals rely on their senses to find food and survive. Spending time outside students will participate in various hands-on activities, focusing on each of their senses(not taste) to better experience the natural world.
Winged Wonders(3-5 grade, 3-4 hours)
Birds add color and sound to our world and fill an important ecological role. Students will learn the basics of bird identification, understand the role birds play in food chains and go bird watching using field guides and telescopes. Using hammer and nails, students will build a bird feeder, allowing them to attract birds at home.
Exploring Your Watershed(6-8 grade, 3-4 hours)
We all live in a watershed (流域) and depend on clean water. Examine how our actions shape the waterways around us. Interact with the Brush Creek Model and go on a hike to see first-hand some of the challenging water quality issues in an urban setting. Students will assess water quality using live fish to determine the health of an ecosystem.
1.According to the text, students who participate in Acorn to Oak can ________.
A.understand various uses of an oak tree
B.learn about characters of various trees
C.take a closer look at various trees
D.know different life stages of an oak tree
2.Which of the following programs helps students experience natural world through their different senses?
A.Acorn to Oak. B.Exploring Your Watershed.
C.Winged Wonders. D.Outdoor Sensations.
3.In the program Winged Wonders, students will ________.
A.learn how to build bird feeders
B.know how to cook birds as food
C.have teachers as their field guides
D.stay there at most two hours
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Where is the speaker?
A.On a TV show. B.In a travel agency. C.Outside on a beach.
2.According to the speaker, what do Hawaiian people like to do?
A.Travel around the different islands.
B.Sit outside.
C.Grow vegetables.
3.What is special about the “Big Island”?
A.It’s well-known for volcanoes there.
B.It’s cheaper to fly there.
C.It’s very quiet there.
4.What does the speaker dislike about Hawaii?
A.The traffic. B.The cost. C.The weather.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why does the man want some furniture?
A.To receive guests.
B.To have a place to sleep.
C.To make his apartment look new.
2.What does the woman offer to give the man?
A.A sofa. B.A television. C.Two tables
3.Where will the man probably get a shelf?
A.From a garage sale.
B.From a furniture store.
C.From his parents’ house.
4.What’s the relationship between the speakers?
A.Brother and sister. B.Friends. C.Husband and wife.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the woman travel for work with Southwest Airlines?
A.To Charlotte. B.To Dallas. C.To Denver.
2.What does the woman like best about Southwest Airline?
A.Its price. B.Its direct flights. C.Its safety records.
3.What will the man probably do next?
A.Pack his bags.
B.Book a flight online.
C.Talk to the travel secretary.
