Life for Cathy Taylor’s three children is very busy. Their school days are busy enough. After school, though, Cathy takes the two boys from football to basketball. Then she has to take her daughter to piano lessons. The tired children don’t get home until 7 pm. They have a quick supper, and it’s time for homework.
The Taylors are like many American and British parents. They take their children from activity to activity, and try to fit as much as possible into their kids’ lives. Doctors say many children are under too much pressure. Teachers complain(抱怨) about teaching tired kids in the classroom.
Most children take part in after-school clubs. Activities include sports, language learning, music and math classes. Pushy parents are nothing new, but now parents seem to push their children a lot more. Parents see other children doing a lot of things, and they feel their own children should do the same.
Linda Miller, a mother of three in London, knows all about such pressure. “In some families, competition starts from a very young age,” she says. “Mothers send their kids to all kinds of classes when they are very young. And they are always comparing them with other children. It’s crazy. People shouldn’t push their kids so hard.
Dr Alice Green agrees. She also says that these children may find it hard to think for themselves when they are older. “Parents are trying to plan their kids’ lives for them. When these kids are adults, they might find it difficult to plan things for themselves.” Parents should learn to give their kids a bit more time to themselves. On one hand, children need organized activities. On the other hand, they also need time and freedom to relax, and they need time to do things by themselves.
( ) 8. Cathy Taylor sends her daughter to .
A. math classes B. language school B. sport club D. piano lessons
( ) 9. Why do teachers complain about teaching those children in the classroom?
A. Because they are very tired. B. Because they know a lot of things.
C. Because they are under too much pressure. D. Because they can’t plan things for themselves.
( ) 10. From the passage, we know children take part in after-school activities because .
A. they have interest in them B. their teachers tell them to do so
C. their parents push them to do so D. they see other children doing these things
( ) 11. The writer probably thinks that parents should .
A. compare their children with others B. plan their children’s lives for them
C. take their children to different classes
D. give children time and let them do things by themselves
Entering high school means you have to make more effort on study, There are a few tried and tested skills that have always proved effective(有效的) for learning. Here are some of them.
Firstly, make a timetable and follow it. This will include how many hours and which part of the day you will spend studying. Try to make sure that your study time takes place after you have rested, so that you are fresh and can learn effectively. You will find that studying at the same time every day will help you concentrate(集中) better. It's also important to keep improving your timetable, to make it more effective over time.
Secondly, pick a place that will help you concentrate on study. The place should be far away from loud sounds which make you uncomfortable and prevent you from concentrating on your study.
High school study skills include a method called SQ3R. The first step is to survey(纵览) what needs to be covered in order to get a general understanding of the subject. Next, you can learn about the material by answering questions such as what, why, how, when, who and where. As you study, ask yourself questions and look for the answers in your material. The third step is to read and then recite(背诵) what you have read. The last step, reviewing, is often the most important one. People need to review any material about three times, before they keep it well in their minds.
Besides these study tips, you can come up with several of your own study skills for school. However, remember that time is the most valuable thing you have. All the study skills for high school will be nothing, if you don't use your time wisely.
( ) 4. In order to study well, you should do all the following EXCEPT _______.
A. never change the timetable once you have made it
B. choose a place that will make you feel comfortable
C. answer some questions and ask yourself questions
D. create and follow your own study skills for school
( ) 5 The writer thinks the most important step in study is to _______.
A. read B. survey C. review D. recite
( ) 6. The right steps to use the SQ3R method are _______.
A. question-survey-review-read & recite B. survey-read & recite-question-review
C. read & recite-review-survey-question D. survey-question-read & recite-review
( ) 7. Which of the following might be the best title for this passage?
A. School Life at High School B. Study Skills for High School
C. The Importance of Making a Timetable D. Best ways to Improve Your Study
Quick Reference Index(索引)
MUSEUMS |
454-469 |
MAPS |
517-528 |
ANIMALS |
493-496 |
NATIONAL PARKS |
747-749 |
ART |
480-481 |
COUNTIRES |
529-615 |
BOOKS,BESTSELLERS |
476 |
PASSPORTS |
142-144 |
DISCOERIES AND INVENTIONS |
336-338 |
SPORTS |
884-978 |
ENVIRONMENT |
80-101 |
PLANTS |
108-109 |
( ) 1. Where can you find the information on elephants?
A. On Pages 454-469. B. On Pages 108-109.
C. On Pages 747-749. D. On Pages 493-496.
( ) 2. One who likes surfing can find the information about how to surf on Pages ______.
A. 80-101 B. 476 C. 884-978 D. 517- 528
( ) 3. If you are interested in Thomas Edison, you may search ______.
A. DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS B. SPORTS
C. PLANTS D.MAPS
“I’ve been writing a book, John. Do you think anyone would be interested in 1 it?” said the old lady.
John took over the papers from her shaking hand and seated her in chair. He remembered her rich 2 in the early days of the Old West. He looked through the papers. “It’s good, Grandma,” he said gently. Then realizing that she 3 hear him, he shouted into her ears, “I think it’s very good. I’ll 4 it to a publisher (出版商).”
Ten days later, he reported that the publisher had had time to read only a few 5 . But he was so impressed (给...留下深刻的好印象) that he had sent $ 100 for an option(版权). More money would be given as an advance (预付款). Every month John 6 $100 for her with a letter from the publisher telling about the progress of the book.
One morning, three months after her 100th birthday, Grandma didn’t get up. The doctor told her that she couldn’t 7 more than a few days. She was ready to go, but she first wanted her book to be in print. John promised that she could get it very soon.
Grandma held on until the day the book came into her hands with the title and her name on the cover. Though she couldn’t see it, she could touch it. She proudly traced(找到)her name with her fingers(手指), tears(眼泪) in her eyes. Two hours later, she died peacefully, 8 holding her book.
Her granddaughter took up the book and opened it. “Why, it’s just blank pages!” she cried in 9 . John’s face turned 10 . Then the girl understood. There never was a book. Grandma couldn’t hear the little bell when the typewriter came to the middle of the line. She would keep on working, not knowing the whole sentences and sometimes the paragraphs were missing. John did not tell her, for he couldn’t take away her only hope. It was John himself who had written the letters and sold his car to pay the advance.
( ) 1. A. buying B. publishing C. reading D. lending
( ) 2. A. sufferings B. experiences C. thoughts D. family
( ) 3. A. couldn’t B. needn’t C. mustn’t D. doesn’t
( ) 4. A. throw B. put C. send D. lift
( ) 5. A. words B. sentences C. pages D. books
( ) 6. A. brought B. took C. gave D. carried
( ) 7. A. die B. stay C. last D. sleep
( ) 8. A. still B. yet C. always D. then
( ) 9. A. anger B. joy C. surprise D. tears
( ) 10. A. white B. red C. gray D. pale
Would you please _______?
A not trouble me B not to trouble me
C to not trouble me D trouble not to me
I felt unhappy because I failed the exam. Which part of the sentence is the underlined word?
A adverbial B predicative C object D predicate