Question

Whether rich or poor, parents who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain, according to a 20-year study led by Mariah Evans.

For years, educators have thought the strongest predictor of attaining high levels of education was having parents who were highly educated. But, the study showed that the difference between being raised in a bookless home compared to being raised in a home with a 500-book library has as great an effect on the level of education a child will attain as the difference between having parents who are barely literate (有文化的) and having parents who have a university education.

Being a sociologist, Evans was particularly interested to find that children of lesser-educated parents benefit the most from having books in the home. What kinds of investments should we make to help these kids get ahead? The results of this study indicate that getting some books into their homes is an inexpensive way that we can help these children succeed. Evans said, "Even a little bit goes a long way. Having as few as 20 books in the home still has a significant impact on motivating a child to a higher level of education, and the more books you add, the greater benefit the children get.”

The researchers were struck by the strong effect having books in the home had on children's educational attainment even above and beyond such factors as education level of the parents, the father's occupation or the economic level of the country.

Having books in the home is twice as important as the father's education level, and more important than whether a child was brought up in a developing country or a developed country. Surprisingly, the difference in educational attainment for children born in developed country and children born in developing country was just 2 years, less than two-thirds of the effect that having 500 or more books in the home had on children.

1.In the past educators held a point of view that ______ .

A. children whose family had a library would possibly attain high levels of education

B. children who were born in poor families studied harder than those in rich families

C. parents’ level of education had nothing to do with their children’s levels of education

D. children whose parents are highly educated would attain high levels of education

2.What does the underlined word “motivating” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. Making somebody determined to do something.

B. Helping somebody to finish something

C. Making somebody ready to do something.

D. Preventing somebody from achieving something.

3.Which of the following has the most important effect on the level of education a child will attain?

A. The economic level of the country.

B. The father’s occupation.

C. Education levels of parents.

D. Having books in the home.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A. The best investment parents should make.

B. Ways to make children get a higher level of education.

C. Reading books is good for the development of children.

D. Books in home have a great effect on children’s education levels.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：本文属于说明文，文章分析了影响孩子教育水平的因素，告诉我们家里有书对于孩子的影响甚至要超过父母亲接受过高等教育对孩子的影响。

1.D 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句For years, educators have thought the strongest predictor of attaining high levels of education was having parents who were highly educated.可知教育家们认为父母亲接受教育的水平对于孩子的教育水平有很大的影响。故D项正确。

2.A 词义猜测题。文章2、3段一直在说明家中有书对孩子学业方面积极的影响。本句Having as few as 20 books in the home still has a significant impact on motivating a child to a higher level of education说明家里有书可以激励着孩子获得更高层次的教育水平。故该词意为A项“Making somebody determined to do something”。

3.D 推理判断题。根据文章第四段The researchers were struck by the strong effect having books in the home had on children's educational attainment even above and beyond such factors as education level of the parents, the father's occupation or the economic level of the country.可知研究人员发现家里有书对于孩子的影响甚至要超过父母亲接受过高等教育或经济条件对孩子的影响。故D项正确。

4.

【名师点睛】

词意猜测是考生必须掌握的一项重要阅读技能，因此，意义猜测题是高考阅读理解的必考题型。这类题包括猜测单词、短语、句子的意思和判断指代内容。解题技巧1.文中找线索或信息词。2.根据熟悉的词及词义判断新单词的意思。3.根据上下文判断新词汇在特定句中确切的意思。

很多情况下都根据技巧1.文中找线索或信息词。以本文第9题为例：要求猜测“motivating”的含义，文章2、3段一直在说明家中有书对孩子学业方面积极的影响。本句Having as few as 20 books in the home still has a significant impact on motivating a child to a higher level of education说明家里有书可以激励着孩子获得更高层次的教育水平。故该词意为A项“Making somebody determined to do something”。

考点：考查科普说明文阅读