Question

Forest Schools originated in Sweden in the 1950s and spread to other countries, particularly Denmark where they have become an important part of the Danish early years program.

In a typical Danish Forest School, young children from 3 years are taken into the forest for 4 hours each day of the week. They take no toys with them, but instead use only what the forest provides (and their imaginations) to develop their games. There is a primitive hut in the forest, which is used in extreme weather. Activities are child-led and fun, such as finding small animals or stomping in puddles. Because of high adult to child ratios, children can safely try out activities which are often considered too dangerous, such as climbing trees or lighting fires, and by dressing the children in good protective clothing, they are able to play freely. By setting children small manageable tasks at which they are unlikely to fail, and giving genuine praise, children’s independence and confidence grow.

A Swedish scientific study found that children in the Forest School are more balanced and socially capable, have fewer sick days, are more able to concentrate and have better co-ordination than the city nursery children. The primary reason appeared to be the greater opportunities to play in nature, so that children play for longer at a time, tending not to disturb each other as much as children in the city nursery. The study observed that where children were interrupted, they became irritable, their stress level rose, and their ability to concentrate fell.

The study also showed that the Forest School children had 25 % fewer sick days than the city children. One reason for this is that the air is nearly always better outside than indoors. Outside a child is not so exposed to virus and bacteria and not so likely to be infected by other children. Another reason may be that, since stress has been shown to have a negative effect on the immune system, high stress levels may be weakening the city children. The Forest School children, on the other hand, are in a pleasant, natural, fun and less stressful environment.

1.Why is there a primitive hut in the forest?

A. To let children have fun.

B. To store daily necessities.

C. To enrich the children’s imagination.

D. To protect the children from bad weather.

2.What kind of activities do the Forest School children have?

A. Activities to improve grades.

B. Activities designed for adults.

C. Activities usually played by braver kids.

D. Fun activities but with a certain level of danger.

3.The Forest School children are more able to concentrate because ______.

A. they have more interesting things to do    B. they are accompanied by adults

C. they are not disturbed so often    D. they are playing in small groups

4.Which of the following best describes the Forest School children?

A. Free and wild.    B. Confident and happy.

C. Polite and calm.    D. Strong and adventurous.

Answer

1. D

2. D

3. C

4. B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了在瑞典和丹麦等国的森林学校里，孩子们可以玩有趣并带有一定危险性的游戏，他们的独立性和自信心都增强了，而且他们比城里托儿所的孩子更能集中注意力，更不容易生病。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“There is a primitive hut in the forest, which is used in extreme weather.”可知，森林里的原始小屋供孩子们在极端天气里使用，让他们免受极端天气影响，故D项正确。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Activities are child-led and fun, such as finding small animals or stomping in puddles.”可知，像找小动物和在水坑里跺脚这样的活动是非常有趣的，再根据“children can safely try out activities which are often considered too dangerous, such as climbing trees or lighting fires”可知，孩子们可以安全地进行爬树和生火等通常被认为太危险的活动，由此可知，森林学校的孩子们进行的是有趣但有一定危险性的活动，故D项正确。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The primary reason appeared to be the greater opportunities to play in nature, so that children play for longer at a time, tending not to disturb each other as much as children in the city nursery.”可知，森林学校的孩子更能集中注意力是因为他们不像城里托儿所的孩子那样经常被打扰，故C项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Activities are child-led and fun, such as finding small animals or stomping in puddles.”可知，森林学校的孩子们可以玩有趣的游戏，再根据“By setting children small manageable tasks at which they are unlikely to fail, and giving genuine praise, children’s independence and confidence grow.”可知，通过给他们布置一些不太可能失败的小任务并给予表扬，他们变得更加自信，由此可知，森林学校的孩子们快乐并自信，故B项正确。