From a very early age,some children exhibit better
self-control than others.Now,a new study that began with about 1,000 children in New Zealand has tracked how a child’s low self-control can predict poor health,money troubles and even a criminal record in their adult years.
Researchers have been studying this group of children for decades now.They observed the level of self-control the youngsters displayed.Parents,teachers,even the kids themselves,scored the youngsters on measures like“acting before thinking”and “Persistence in reaching goals.”
The study led by Moffitt of Duke University and colleagues followed 1,000 children from birth to age 32 in Dunedin,New Zealand.
“The children who had the lowest self-control when they were age three to ten,later on had the most health problems in their 30s,” Moffitt said, “and they had the worst financial situation.They were more likely to have a criminal record and to be raising a child as a single parent on a very low income.”Moffitt explained that self-control problems were widely observed,and weren’t just a feature of a small group of misbehaving kids.
Moffitt said it’s still unclear why some children have better self-control than others,though she said other researchers have found that it’s mostly a learned behavior,with relatively little genetic influence.But good self-control can be set to run in familles because children with good self-control are more likely to grow up to be healthy and prosperous parents.But the good news,Moffitt said,is that self-control can be taught by parents,and through school curricula that have been shown to be effective.
1.From the first two paragraphs we learn that .
A.the research has been carried out for five years
B.self-control in kids tends to determine their future
C.self-control was assessed by children’s intelligence
D.children’s self-control is almost the same at early age
2.Children with low self-control are more likely to .
A.become wealthy in later life B.get good school performance
C.have better financial planning D.adopt negative behaviors
3.According to Moffitt, .
A.only good genetic factors can shape their lives in the future
B.scientists know well why some children have better self-control
C.self-control in childhood has nothing to do with criminal activity
D.willpower as a child really influences people’s chances of adulthood
4.What can be inferred from the passage?
A.Self-control cannot be taught in schools.
B.The study is restricted within few participants.
C.It’s never too late to deal with self-control problems.
D.Good parenting can improve self-control and life success.
5..Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A.Child’s self control predicts future health,success
B.Kids are encouraged to take risks at an early age
C.Children’s development cannot be changed by teachers
D.How to teach the kids a bit of self-control in schools
This is a story that happened 15 years ago but it has always stayed with me since then.On the way back from work every evening,more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.He always waved at every car,he was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.Every day after work when I got there,I would quickly roll down my window and give him the coins.Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day.His answer would always be the same,“I’m blessed!”.
It amazed me that even in his situation of being homeless he was so positive,and his answer would remind me of how blessed I was.A single mother of four amazing kids,with a place to call home and with a job to provide for my kids.Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off due to the economy.Needless to say that on my was home that day I was very sad and upset.I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did.I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the homeless man would be.Yet there he was as alway,as l turned the ramp.He set his eyes on me,while still smiling and waving at others.
While I was waiting for the red light to turn,he strolled over to my car.He had a big smile he looked me straight in the eyes and said “today I will give you a dollar”.He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.I was blown away.I burst into tears.I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him!
You see that day he gave me more than a dollar bill,he taught me a valuable lesson.No matter what material things are taken from you,no one can take away your choice to be joyful.
1.What is the passage mainly concerned?
A.A dollar bill from a homeless person.
B.A blessing coming from a homeless person.
C.A woman who lost her job due to the economy.
D.A homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.
2.From the lst paragraph,we know the homeless man is .
A.optimistic B.brave C.Iazy D.kind-hearted
3.After leaving the boss’s office,the author .
A.felt relaxed to get rid of the tiring job
B.still felt joyful when coming off the ramp
C.took it for granted that she was fit for her job
D.didn’t put some change aside to give to the man
4.The underlined phrase“blown away”in the 3rd paragraph most probably means
.
A.completely defeated B.wholly blown down
C.really amazed D.murdered by gunfire
5.It can be inferred from the passage that .
A.material things are the most important in life
B.people should be encouraged to beg by smiling
C.the author’s ride home that dog was smooth sailing
D.we should wait others’help when faced with challenges
完形填空(共20小题;每小题1分,满分20分)
阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出最佳选项。
I’m a TV show host.One Sunday,I 36 my 7-year-old daughter by the sea for lunch.On arriving at the beach,I saw JoJo,a 37 man in the hotel business.We sat down to chat in an open air cafe 38 I watched my daughter enjoy herself on the swings in front of us.
Suddenly our conversation was 39 by a stranger,who politely asked 40 to speak to me.Often people want to tell me 41 about my controversial TV show,when
I’m out on the 42 .
He asked to speak to me 43 ,so we stood a bit away from my table.He said,
“I’m James,father of a 7-year-old girl,who’s very sick.The doctors said that if she was treated in the UK,she would probably 44 .But I’m poor,so can you please help me?”
Speechless,I stared in the man’s eyes full of 45 and asked how l could help.After we talked for a while,I went to sit back.JoJo asked me,“What’s wrong with you?Your
46 changed.”I told him and he was very sorry for this sick child.
All weekend I 47 James,his daughter and his family.I even considered doing a special TV show to 48 money for this sick child.
On Monday morning I was at the office after I finished 49 my show,when JoJo walked into my office.Actually JoJo is so 50 and I never imagined he had time to come and see me.
“Please,call the man 51 the sick child and tell him that I’ll 52 all expenses for his sick daughter’s treatment.”JoJo said,with a 53 in his hand.“I’ve been married for 35 years,I wasn’t lucky enough to 54 a child.l want to help this child now.”I 55 the phone to call James.
1.A.held B.took C.shipped D.sent
2.A.serious B.smart C.wealthy D.diligent
3.A.while B.before C.after D.thongh
4.A.spread B.interrupted C.heard D.announced
5.A.question B.advice C.support D.permission
6.A.everything B.anything C.nothing D.something
7.A.streets B.trips C.spots D.beaches
8.A.privately B.loudly C.quietly D.secretly
9.A.escape B.control C.survive D.deserve
10.A.doubts B.scare C.excitement D.tears
11.A.temper B.face C.voice D.style
12.A.looked after B.cared for C.thought about D.asked about
13..A.raise B.make C.earn D.save
14.A.discussing B.presenting C.writing D.practising
15.A.proud B.rich C.busy D.careful
16.A.on B.for C.up D.with
17.A.pay B.spend C.share D.gain
18..A.paper B.check C.pen D.letter
19..A.help B.adopt C.attend D.have
20..A.held on B.got through C.picked up D.turned on
The government should develop system to predict when wildfires occur and
give warnings in time.
A.previous B.reliable C.reasonable D.responsible
There are a lot of signs men are more likely to have heart attacks than women.
A.indicate B.to indicate C.indicated D.indicating
They intended to have the school better equipped, the local government was
not able to get enough money to do so.
A.unless B.while C.although D.once