Question

    Career success could be predicted as early as kindergarten, according to a 20­year study recently published in the American journal Public Health.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and Duke University tracked more than 700 children from across the US between kindergarten and age 25 and found a significant connection between their social skills as kindergarteners and their success as adults two decades later.

In the research, teachers assessed how the kindergarteners interacted with each other socially using a range of criteria like whether they cooperate with their peers without being encouraged, whether they're helpful to others, whether they're good at understanding feelings, and whether they can solve problems on their own.

Researchers then kept track of whether the students go on to graduate from high school on time, get a college degree, and find and keep a full­time job by 25. They also monitored the participants' involvement with crime, drug abuse, public assistance, and mental health issues.

The results showed that socially capable children are far more likely to earn a college degree and have a full­time job by 25 than those with limited social skills. Those with limited social skills also have a higher chance of getting arrested, binge drinking, and applying for public housing.

“This study shows that helping children develop social and emotional skills is one of the most important things we can do to prepare them for a healthy future,” said Kristin Schubert, program director at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which funded the research, in a release. “From an early age, these skills can determine whether a child goes to college or prison, and whether they end up employed or addicted.”

The good news, according to Damon Jones, lead author of the study, is that intervention (干预) at a young age can help improve social and emotional skills.

“This research by itself doesn't prove that higher social ability can lead to better outcomes later on, ” he said. “But when combined with other research, it is clear that helping children develop these skills increases their chances of success in school, work, and life.”

1.What did the 20­year study find?

A. Social skills play a key role in children's development.

B. Helpful children understand others' feelings better.

C. Most kindergarteners can solve problems alone.

D. Outgoing children cooperate with their peers easily.

2.What's Paragraph 2 and 3 mainly about?

A. When the researchers began their study.

B. How the researchers conducted the study.

C. How long it took to complete the study.

D. What factors were studied by the researchers.

3.What should parents do to help their children to succeed according to Kristin Schubert?

A. Teach them some basic living skills.

B. Tell them to keep off alcohol.

C. Coach them in their lessons.

D. Teach them how to cooperate with others.

4.According to the passage, it is probably intended for ________.

A. teenagers B. doctors

C. educators D. general readers

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。文章通过调查论述了从小培养孩子社交和情感能力对将来成长的重要性。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段内容可知,通过对700个孩子从幼儿园到事业成功20年的跟踪研究,研究者总结出社交能力对孩子发展的重要性。故选A。

2.推理判断题。文章第三段说明幼儿园老师运用一定标准对孩子社交能力进行评估；第四段则说明研究者对学生的高中、大学及他们工作时期进行跟踪,监测他们是否存在犯罪、吸毒及精神方面的问题。即此两段重点说明调查的具体实施方法。故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段“This study shows that helping children develop social and emotional skills is one of the most important things we can do to prepare them for a healthy future,” said Kristin Schubert, program director at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which funded the research, in a release. 可知，Kristin Schubert认为要从小帮助孩子培养社交和情感技能,这对使他们为健康的未来做好准备有重要的作用。故选D。

4.推理判断题。文章重点阐述从小培养孩子社交和情感能力对他们将来的成功的重要性，这一研究结果对指导教育者如何教育学生意义重大。故选C。