Question

When children start kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist between Whites and minorities and between youngsters from upper-income and low-income families. And they often deepen into significant achievement gaps by the end of eighth grade if they are not dealt with during elementary school.

The findings suggest that, in order to the United States to maintain long-term scientific and economic competitiveness in the world, policymakers need to renew efforts to ensure access to high-quality, early learning experiences in childcare settings, preschools and elementary schools.

The researchers’ study tracked 7,757 children from their start in kindergarten to the end of eighth grade. Researchers found that, among kindergarteners with low levels of general knowledge, 62 percent were struggling in science by the time they reached third grade and 54 percent were struggling in that subject in eighth grade. And general knowledge gaps between minorities and Whites were already large at the time when students began kindergarten.

“Children growing up in low-income families typically experience comparatively fewer early opportunities to learn about the natural and social sciences,” the authors wrote. “Their parents often have lower educational levels and therefore less science knowledge themselves as well as fewer resources available to direct the children's academic growth. Children raised in poverty often attend poorly resourced schools that further limit their academic opportunities.”

Morgan said that, within families, parents who regularly talk and interact with toddlers(学步的儿童) can point out and explain physical, natural and social events occurring around them daily. This might help youngsters learn facts and concepts that will prepare them to take better advantage of science instruction they receive during elementary and middle school.

1.Which may be the possible result of the gaps in science knowledge during kindergarten?

A. Children from rich families will behave better in life.

B. Children from minorities may have less desire for learning.

C. The gaps will disappear automatically when children grow up.

D. Children's academic performance afterwards will be affected.

2.What did the researchers suggest policymakers do?

A. Narrow income gaps between different families.

B. Make good education available to children.

C. Give extra lessons to children from poor families.

D. Strengthen competitive awareness of kindergarteners.

3.What can parents do to help their toddlers learn?

A. Offer them more learning resources.

B. Give them more nutritious food.

C. Create learning opportunities in daily life.

D. Let them attend science courses for kids.

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A. Equal Education Is Important in Kindergarten

B. Income Gaps Affect Children's School Performances

C. Provide More Available Access to Childhood Learning

D. Science Knowledge Gaps Are Obvious in Kindergarten

Answer

根据中心句kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist总结概括文章标题☞D 选项Science Knowledge Gaps Are Obvious in Kindergarten☞关键词

Evident和 Obvious。

【解析】本文讲述了孩子在幼儿园里接受科学知识的差异通常会导致以后的学术表现，所以家长应该尽力给孩子在日常生活中创造学习机会，从而让孩子更好地成长。

1.D 细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句话And they often deepen into significant achievement gaps by the end of eighth grade if they are not dealt with during elementary school.可知，幼儿园的科学知识差距会导致他们在小学八年级末的时候，成绩差异显著，故选D。

2.B 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句话policymakers need to renew efforts to ensure access to high-quality, early learning experiences in childcare settings, preschools and elementary schools.可知，研究者建议政策制定者在幼儿早期——幼儿园和小学确保孩童可获得高质量的早期学习经验，故选B。

3.C 细节理解题。根据第五段的内容可知，家长在日常生活中应该给学步儿童创造学习机会，比如通过解释物理、自然和社会发生在他们周围的日常活动，故选C。

4.D 主旨大意题。根据第一段的内容尤其是第一句话When children start kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist可知，本文主要讲述科学知识差距在幼儿园就很明显了，政策制定者需要采取措施确保所有孩童都可获得高质量的早期学习经验，故D项作题目合适。

【名师点睛】主旨大意主要的解题策略有：

（1）标题类。文章标题可以是单词，短语，也可以是句子，它的特点是：短小精悍，多为一短语；涵盖性强，一般要求能覆盖全文，其确定的范围要恰当，既不能太大，也不能太小；精确性强，不能随意改变语言表意的程度及色彩。

（2）主旨类。概括主旨的方法是：先看首尾或各段开头再看全文找主题句，若无明显主题句，就通过关键词句来概括(如议论文中寻找表达作者观点态度的词句，记叙文寻找概括情节和中心的动词或反映人物特点的形容词)。文中出现两种或两种以上的不同观点时，务必牢记作者的观点才是体现全文中心的。此时，要注意一些转折词，如but, yet, however, although, in spite of, by contrast, on the contrary等。当文章中表示相反的观点时，往往用到这些词。答题时要弄清哪个是作者的观点，排除迷惑性信息，准确归纳主旨大意。例如文章的第4小题：

D【解题剖析】此题属于主旨大意中的（1）一一标题类。答案需要理解文章后归纳文章中心。

【答案定位】根据第一段中的When children start kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist可知，本文主要讲述科学知识差距在幼儿园就很明显了，政策制定者需要采取措施确保所有孩童都可获得高质量的早期学习经验。这是文章的主题句。

【推理关系】题干Which of the following can be the best title for the text?☞文章内容When children start kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist☞概括总结☞在幼儿园科学知识的差距就存在了☞标题