Question

Primary schools could be told to remove some traditional subject-based lessons and replace them with “personal development” classes to encourage children to improve their social and practical skill. Parents, teachers and pupils, who took part in the investigation carried out for the biggest ever official review of the primary curriculum, argued that the number of subjects taught to very young people should be reduced.

The review, being conducted by the government’s school’s director Sir Jim Rose, will consider how to redesign the primary school day to handle concerns that too many pupils leave primary school unable to read, write and do maths at the level expected of them. It will also address criticisms that pupils are expected to study so many subjects there is little time for creative learning.

The 60 focus groups brought together 1,500 parents, pupils and school staff and is expected to heavily influence the thinking of the Rose review, which the government is promising to back. Instead of a broad range of subjects, pupils should study in-depth literacy and maths lessons alongside a more creative curriculum that encourages pupils to develop personal, learning and thinking skills, they say. Such lessons might include “healthy lifestyles, sex and relationships education, drugs and alcohol education”.

“Child and personal development as priorities have been shamefully neglected in recent years in the rush to hit targets in the basics.” John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said, “The worst thing would be to evaluate child development through the current high stakes testing system. That would weaken the capacity of teachers to meet children’s unique needs.”

However, the shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said, “If lessons on lifestyle are given the same status as traditional subjects, it is the most disadvantaged children who will be worst affected.” “Children are not able to personally develop and succeed in the future if they don’t have a grasp of basic subjects such as maths and English early on in primary school. Removing high requirement from the primary curriculum would increase the inequality gap between less well-off pupils and the rest.” Nick added. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said, “This is a summary of stake holder’s view, not the views of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF, and has been submitted to Sir Jim Rose’s review as evidence to consider.”

1. According to the focus groups, the result of learning too many subjects is most likely to be that __________.

A. children may not have any freedom

B. children may not have enough time for personal interest

C. children may not know anything outside the classroom

D. children may not have creative ability

2.Which of the following is False about the review conducted by Sir Jim Rose?

A. It will greatly influence the country’s future primary curriculum.

B. It will remove high requirement from the primary curriculum.

C. It is supported by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF.

D. It needs to take fully into account varied views from the society.

3.John Bangs’s attitude towards the current high stakes testing system is __________.

A. negativeB. positive

C. uncertainD. cautious

4.According to Nick Gibb, grasp of basic subjects early on in primary school is important for _______.

A. the primary curriculum reform        

B. children’s development in the future

C. children’s educational equality     

D. increasing the children’s confidence

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章大意：一项研究表明小学的基础学科应当被减少，从而可以培养孩子的创造力。然而有人持有不同的观点。

1.二段的句子：It will also address criticisms that pupils are expected to study so many subjects there is little time for creative learning..可知学习太多的学科让孩子失去创造力。选D

2.根据文章最后一段This is a summary of stake holder’s view, not the views of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF, and has been submitted to Sir Jim Rose’s review as evidence to consider.可知C选择项与其事实不符。选C

3.文章倒数第二段的句子：The worst thing would be to evaluate child development through the current high stakes testing system. That would weaken the capacity of teachers to meet children’s unique needs.可知这种高风险的测试系统是消极的。选A

4.细节理解题。根据文章最后一段Nick Gibb的观点 “If lessons on lifestyle are given the same status as traditional subjects, it is the most disadvantaged children who will be worst affected.” “Children are not able to personally develop and succeed in the future if they don’t have a grasp of basic subjects such as maths and English early on in primary school. Removing high requirement from the primary curriculum would increase the inequality gap between less well-off pupils and the rest.”可知他认为掌握小学的基础学科对将来学生的发展很重要。选B

考点：考查教育类短文阅读