Question

Parents in Spain are being urged to go on a weekend homework strike this month in protest against the unacceptable amount of after-school tasks their children are given.The homework load of Spanish children has long been a sore point with some parents,who argue that the burden is too great,places too much pressure on pupils and eats into family time.

According to a study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),Spanish 15-year-olds have 6.5 hours of homework a Week compared with an average of 4.9 across the 38 OECD countries. The Spanish Confederation of Associations of Mothers and Fathers of Students (Ceapa) is calling on parents whose children attend Spanish state schools to boycott weekend homework in November.

"We've lost a bit of common sense in this country when it comes to talking about education and we've got a system in which boys' and girls' free time has disappeared",said Jos Luis Pazos,president of Ceapa."Schools are passing on tasks to families that they shouldn't be.It starts with children from the ages of three to six doing half an hour's homework every day.For us,that's an unacceptable situation".

Pazos said Ceapa disagreed with the belief that children should endure huge amounts of homework in the hope that it would ensure them a better future.They should be.happy when they're little and that life isn't just about someone telling you that you have to suffer inexplicably（难以理解地）.The model needs to change because society has changed.

Schoolchildren have to fit their homework around the school day,which varies from region to region and school to school,but starts early from around 8 am or 9 am and finishes anywhere between 2 pm and 5 pm.However,schools are increasingly using an 8 am-2 pm timetable to save money and in the face of evidence that suggests the longer hours do not yield better results.

A spokesman for the education department of Madrid said homework was a matter for individual schools rather than regional governments.They're the ones who know best what the need is in each case.

1.Why are parents in Spain being called on to go on a strike?

A. To stop school violence.

B. To ask for longer school time.

C. To say no to heavy homework load.

D. To request equal education for their kids.

2.Which of the following would Ceapa agree to?

A. Longer school hours will ensure better grades.

B. Happiness is the most important thing for a child.

C. Huge amounts of homework means a better future.

D. The 8 am-2 pm timetable is suitable for most children.

3.Which of the following should be responsible for students' homework according to the spokesman?

A. Ceapa.    B. The OECD.

C. Regional governments.    D. Each individual school.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

【解析】本文从西班牙父母抗议孩子们的课后作业负担太重这个事件，来引出并讲述西班牙教育的现状及问题。西班牙的一个联合会认为孩子应该度过一个幸福的童年，教育部负责人认为，家庭作业是私立学校的事而不是地方政府所负责。

1.C．细节理解题。根据文章第一段“Parents in Spain are being urged to go on a weekend homework strike this month in protest against the unacceptable amount of after-school tasks their children are given”可知，西班牙的父母认为孩子的课后负担太重，因此提出抗议。故选C。

2.B．细节理解题。根据文章第四段“Pazos said Ceapa disagreed with the belief that children should endure huge amounts of homework in the hope that it would ensure them a better future.They should be.happy when they're little”可知，Ceapa认为，孩子们在小时候应该幸福开心的生活。故选B。

3.D．细节理解题。根据文章最后一段“A spokesman for the education department of Madrid said homework was a matter for individual schools rather than regional governments”可知，这位发言人认为，家庭作业是私立学校的事而不是地方政府的事。故选D。