Question

In this age of Internet chat, videogames and reality television, there is no shortage of mindless activities to keep a child occupied. Yet, despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Rebecca wants to spend her leisure time writing short stories. She wants to enter one of her stories into a writing contest, a competition she won last year.

　　As a writer I know about winning contests, and about losing them. I know what it is like to work hard on a story only to receive a rejection slip from the publisher. I also know the pressures of trying to live up to a reputation created by previous victories. What if she doesn’t win the contest again? That’s the strange thing about being a parent. So many of our own past scars and dashed hopes can surface.

　　A revelation (启示) came last week when I asked her, “Don’t you want to win again?” “No,” she replied, “I just want to tell the story of an angel going to first grade.”

　　I had just spent weeks correcting her stories as she spontaneously (自发地) told them. Telling myself that I was merely an experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall, I offered suggestions for characters, conflicts and endings for her tales. The story about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly “guided” by me into the tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson. I had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.

　　Staying back and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks. Because I know very little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had to accept the fact that I was co-opting (借用) my daughter’s experience.

　　While stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that I will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough away to give her room but close enough to help if asked. All the while I will be reminding myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices.

1.What did the author say about her own writing experience?

A. She was constantly under pressure of writing more.

B. Most of her stories had been rejected by publishers.

C. Her way to success was full of pains and frustrations.

D. She did not quite live up to her reputation as a writer.

2.Why did Rebecca want to enter this year’s writing contest?

A. She wanted to share her stories with readers.

B. She had won a prize in the previous contest.

C. She was sure of winning with her mother’s help.

D. She believed she possessed real talent for writing.

3.The author took great pains to refine her daughter’s stories because ________.

A. she wanted to help Rebecca realize her dream of becoming a writer

B. she believed she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance

C. she did not want to disappoint Rebecca who needed her help so much

D. she was afraid Rebecca’s imagination might run wild while writing

4.What’s the author’s advice for parents?

A. Children should be given every chance to voice their opinions.

B. Children should be allowed freedom to grow through experience.

C. Parents should keep an eye on the activities their kids engage in.

D. A writing career, though attractive, is not for every child to pursue.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章通过讲作者的女儿想参加一个作文比赛，作者以为女儿想保留自己前一年所得的第一，结果女儿告诉他她只是想告诉人们一个上小学一年级的天使的故事，这让作者感慨万分。在帮孩子改作文的同时，也让作者明白了一个道理,那就是：不要过度地干涉孩子们的事，要让孩子们有通过自己经历而成长的空间。

1.根据文章的第二段前半部分。大意是：“作为一个作家，我享受过夺得竞赛优胜的喜悦，也品尝过失败的滋味。我知道辛辛苦苦写出来一个故事，结果却得到一张出版商的退稿信时的感受。我同样知道夺得优胜后再想保住这份荣誉的压力，可知作者的写作成功之路充满了痛苦和挫折。故选C。

2.根据第三段，she replied, “I just want to tell the story of anangel going to first grade.”意思是她想告诉人们一个上小学一年级的天使的故事，也即想与人们(至少是读到它的人)分享这个故事，故选A。

3.根据第四段第二句说作者自认为是一个有经验的作家，之后写到女儿的作品被作者按自己的经验、想法改造成了另外一个故事，进而把比赛当成了自己的比赛。由此可见，作者当初之所以要主动指导女儿，是自信自己的知识和经验可以对女儿提供帮助，只是结果不尽如人意。故选B。

4.根据第四段里的children need room to experiment孩子应被给予通过经历实现成长的空间。故选B。

考点：科教类短文阅读。