Question

In only two decades Asian Americans have become the fastest growing U. S. minority. As their children began moving up through the nation schools, it became clear that a new class of academic achievers was emerging. Their achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where mathematics, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. This special liking for mathematics and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students who began their education abroad arrived in the U. S. with a solid grounding in mathematics but little or no knowledge of English. They are also influenced by the promise of a good job after college. Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively. And the return on the investment in education is more immediate in something like engineering than with an arts degree.

Most Asian-American students owe their success to the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of what the American educational system has to offer. An effective measure of parental attention is homework. Asian parents spend more time with their children than American parents do, and it helps. Many researchers also believe there is something in Asian culture that breeds success, such as ideals that stress family values and emphasize education.

Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image. Many can remember when Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants were the victims of social isolation. Indeed, it was not until 1952 that laws were laid down giving all Asian immigrants the right to citizenship.

1.While making tremendous achievements at college, Asian-American students           .

A. feel they are mistreated because of limited knowledge of English

B. are afraid that their academic successes bear a strong Asian character

C. still worry about unfair treatment in society

D. generally feel it a shame to have to depend on their parents

2.What are the major factors that determine the success of Asian Americans?

A. A solid foundation in basic mathematics and Asian culture.

B. Hard work and intelligence.

C. Parents’ help and a limited knowledge of English.

D. Asian culture and the American educational system.

3.Few Asian American students major in human sciences mainly because           .

A. their English is not good enough

B. they are afraid they might meet with unfair judgment in these areas

C. there is a wide difference between Asian and Western cultures

D. they know little about American culture and society

4.Why do “both explanations” (Para. 3) worry Asian Americans?

A. They are afraid they will again be isolated from American society in general.

B. People will think that Asian students only rely on their parents for success.

C. Asian Americans will be a threat to other minorities.

D. American academic achievements have taken on too strong an Asian character.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：在短短二十年的时间里，亚裔美国人就成了增长最快的少数民族。他们孩子学习成绩优异，这可能与他们的家教有关，然而正是这让家长担心他们所培养出的典型种族形象会招致社会隔离。

1.细节题。文章第三段第一句明确指出，他们担心具有典型的种族形象也就是与众不同。下面又说到亚裔移民以前是社会隔离的牺牲品。因此选C。

2.细节题。亚裔美国人成功的主要因素是数学基础坚实，亚洲文化历来重视教育。文章前两段分析了亚裔学生主要在理工科方面学业突出的原因，即有坚实的数学基础和父母的言传身教。B项也是成功的因素之一，但文中未提及；C项中“a limited knowledge of English”不是主要原因；D项中的“the American educational system”为所有学生提供的机会是均等的，不是亚裔学生成功的根本原因。故选A。。

3.细节题。亚裔学生很少主修人文科学是因为担心受到不公平对待。根据文章第一段倒数第二句“ Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively”可推断，对人文科学成就的评价带有主观因素，因而更容易受到不公正对待。选B。

4.推断题：从最后一段判断，亚裔美国学生担心自己的突出成就会使自己再次成为社会孤立的对象，这是因为他们的成功是按照亚洲人 的教育方式以及受到父辈影响做取得的，被深深地打上了亚洲文化特征的烙印。故选A。

考点：考查论述类短文阅读