There are plenty of mindless activities to keep a child busy in this information age. Yet despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Alice wants to spend her leisure time writing short stories. She wants to enter one of her stories into a writing contest, a competition which she won last year.
As a writer, I know about winning contests—and about losing them. I know what it is like to work hard on a story only to receive a rejection letter from the publisher. I also know the pressure of trying to live up to a reputation created by previous victories. What if she doesn’t win the contest again? That’s the strange thing about being a parent. So many of our own past scars and destroyed hopes can resurface in our children.
A revelation(启示）came last week when I asked her, “Don’t you want to win again?” “No,” she replied. “I just want to tell the story of an angel going to first grade.”
I had just spent weeks correcting her stories as she spontaneously (自发地）told them. Telling myself that I was an experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall, I offered suggestions for characters, conflicts and endings for her tales. The story about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly “guided” by me into the tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson. I had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.
Staying back and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks. Because I know very little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had to accept the fact that I was co-opting (借鉴) my daughter’s experience.
While stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that I will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough away to give her room but close enough to help if asked. All the while I will be reminding myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices.
1.The underlined sentence probably means that the author was __________.
A. trying to let her daughter enjoy her own life
B. helping her daughter develop real skills for writing
C. making sure that her daughter would win the contest
D. trying to get her daughter to do the thing as the author wished
2.Why did Alice want to enter this year’s writing contest?
A. She wanted to share her story with readers.
B. She had won a prize in the previous contest.
C. She believed she possessed real talent for writing.
D. She was sure of winning with her mother’s help.
3.The author took great pains to improve her daughter’s stories because _________.
A. she was afraid that Alice’s imagination might run wild while writing
B. she did not want to disappoint Alice who needed her help so much
C. she wanted to help Alice realize her dream of becoming a writer
D. she believed she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance
4.What does the writer mean to tell us in the last two paragraphs?
A. Children need more room to develop.
B. Parents should co-opt children’s experience.
C. Children should be provided enough help.
D. Parents need to remind their children of their own choices.
The movie season is getting started. Here are some good ones you cannot miss!
Coco (2017)
Despite his family’s confusing long-held ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the astonishing and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Nominated for two Golden Globes, USA 2018: Best Original Song (for song Remember Me)—Motion Picture; Best Motion Picture—animated.
The Disaster Artist (2017)
When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their
dreams come true.
Nominated for two Golden Globes, USA 2018: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture—musical or Comedy; Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy.
Wonder (2017)
Unlike other three recommended movies, Wonder is based on a New York Time’ bestseller, which tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time. Along the way, it is his family struggle and supports that help him earn others’ compassion and acceptance.
Nominated for three Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2018: Best Young Actor/Actress; Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Hair & Makeup.
Ferdinand (2017)
Ferdinand is a giant bull with a big heart. He is mistaken for a dangerous beast and is captured and driven away from his home and family. Determined to return to his family, he unites a seemingly-impossible team for an extraordinary adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.
Nominated for two Golden Globes, USA 2018: Best Motion Picture—animated; Best Original Song (For song Home)—Motion Picture.
1.Which of the movies best describes a search for one’s family history?
A. Ferdinand. B. Wonder.
C. Coco. D. The Disaster Artist.
2.What is special about Wonder?
A. It is adapted from a bestseller. B. It is about a special friendship.
C. It tells a story about an animal. D. It is a musical appealing to music lovers.
3.Which two movies will compete for the same awards?
A. Coco and The Disaster Artist. B. Coco and Wonder.
C. The Disaster Artist and Wonder. D. Coco and Ferdinand.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the main aim of the arts festival this year?
A. To pick out great artists.
B. To support the creative industries.
C. To get more people into the creative arts.
2.What kind of people can do the activity of walks?
A. School teachers. B. Creative people. C. Local artists.
3.What activity can the unemployed do?
A. Working with children.
B. Creating their own ideas.
C. Learning how to write stories.
4.When does the booking office close on Saturday?
A. At 12:30 p.m. B. At 5 p.m. C. At 9 p.m.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Which course did Judy finally change to?
A. English. B. Fine Art. C. History of Art.
2.What was Judy’s parents’ attitude toward her decision?
A. Supportive. B. Angry. C. Doubtful.
3.Why does the man want to change German to another course?
A. The German course is too difficult.
B. He can’t get along with other students.
C. His housemate persuaded him to do that.
4.What does Judy advise the man to do above all？
A. Do what he enjoys.
B. Spend a year studying abroad.
C. Think clearly before changing the course.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the man go downtown yesterday?
A. To send a package. B. To buy clothes. C. To visit a friend.
2.How does the woman feel about Martin’s closing?
A. Happy. B. Sorry. C. Surprised.
3.What did the woman like about Martin’s?
A. Good service. B. Huge selection. C. Low prices.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where will the woman work in the summer?
A. In a hospital. B. In a garden. C. In a park.
2.What does the woman think of working as an assistant?
A. It is tiring. B. It is interesting. C. It is well paid.
