Adults understand what it feels like to be flooded with objects. Why do we often assume that more is more when it comes to kids and their belongings? The good news is that I can help my own kids learn earlier than I did how to live more with less.
I found the pre-holidays a good time to encourage young children to donate less-used things, and it worked. Because of our efforts, our daughter Georgia did decide to donate a large bag of toys to a little girl whose mother was unable to pay for her holiday due to illness. She chose to sell a few larger objects that were less often used when we promised to put the money into her school fund(基金)(our kindergarten daughter is serious about becoming a doctor)
For weeks, I've been thinking of bigger, deeper questions: How do we make it a habit for them? And how do we train ourselves to help them live with, need, and use less? Yesterday, I sat with my son, Shepherd, determined to test my own theory on this. I decided to play with him with only one toy for as long as it would keep his interest. I expected that one toy would keep his attention for about five minutes, ten minutes, max. I chose a red rubber ball-simple, universally available. We passed it, he tried to put it in his mouth, he tried bouncing it, rolling it, sitting on it, throwing it. It was totally, completely enough for him. Before I knew it an hour had passed and it was time to move on to lunch.
We both became absorbed in the simplicity of playing together. He had my full attention and I had his. My little experiment to find joy in a single object worked for both of us.
1.What do the words “more is more” in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A.The more, the better. B.Enough is enough.
C.More money, more worries. D.Earn more and spend more.
2.What made Georgia agree to sell some of her objects?
A.Saving up for her holiday B.Raising money for a poor girl
C.Adding the money to her fund D.Giving the money to a sick mother
3.Why did the author play the ball with Shepherd?
A.To try out an idea
B.To show a parent’s love
C.To train his attention
D.To help him start a hobby
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Take It or Leave It B.A Lesson from Kids
C.Live More with Less D.The Pleasure of Giving
Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.
While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2—8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1.What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?
A. Children’s reading habits.
B. Quality of children’s books.
C. Children’s after-class activities.
D. Parent-child relationships.
2.Where can you find the data that best supports “children are reading a lot less for fun”?
A. In paragraph 2. B. In paragraph 3.
C. In paragraph 4. D. In paragraph 5.
3.Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
A. E-books are of poor quality.
B. It could be a waste of time.
C. It may harm children’s health.
D. E-readers are expensive.
4.How should parents encourage their children to read more?
A. Act as role models for them.
B. Ask then to write book reports.
C. Set up reading groups for them.
D. Talk with their reading class teachers.
Before the 1830s, most newspapers were sold through annual subscriptions in America, usually $8 to $10 a year. Today $8 or $10 seems a small amount of money, but at that time these amounts were forbidding to most citizens. Accordingly, newspapers were read almost only by rich people in politics or the trades. In addition, most newspapers had little in them that would appeal to a mass audience. They were dull and visually forbidding. But the revolution that was taking place in the 1830s would change all that.
The trend, then, was toward the “penny paper”—a term referring to papers made widely available to the public. It meant any inexpensive newspaper; perhaps more importantly it meant newspapers that could be bought in single copies on the street.
This development did not take place overnight. It had been possible(but not easy) to buy single copies of newspapers before 1830, but this usually meant the reader had to go down to the printer’s office to purchase a copy. Street sales were almost unknown. However, within a few years, street sales of newspapers would be commonplace in eastern cities. At first the price of single copies was seldom a penny—usually two or three cents was charged—and some of the older well-known papers charged five or six cents. But the phrase “penny paper” caught the public’s fancy, and soon there would be papers that did indeed sell for only a penny.
This new trend of newspapers for “the man on the street” did not begin well. Some of the early ventures(企业) were immediate failures. Publishers already in business, people who were owners of successful papers, had little desire to change the tradition. It took a few youthful and daring businessmen to get the ball rolling.
1.Which of the following best describes newspapers in America before the 1830s?
A.Academic. B.Unattractive. C.Inexpensive. D.Confidential.
2.What did street sales mean to newspapers?
A.They would be priced higher. B.They would disappear from cities.
C.They could have more readers. D.They could regain public trust.
3.Who were the newspapers of the new trend targeted at?
A.Local politicians. B.Common people.
C.Young publishers. D.Rich businessmen.
4.What can we say about the birth of the penny paper?
A.It was a difficult process. B.It was a temporary success.
C.It was a robbery of the poor. D.It was a disaster for printers.
For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.
“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.
Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.
“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.
For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”
1.What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?
A.It promoted the sales of artworks. B.It attracted a large number of visitors.
C.It showed ancient Chinese clothes. D.It aimed to introduce Chinese models.
2.What does Hill say about Chinese women?
A.They are setting the fashion. B.They start many fashion campaigns.
C.They admire super models. D.They do business all over the world.
3.What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.learning from B.looking down on C.working with D.competing against
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Young Models Selling Dreams to the World
B.A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York
C.Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics
D.Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends
For Canaan Elementary’s second grade in Patchogue, N.Y., today is speech day, and right now it’s Chris Palaez’s turn. The 8-year-old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking.
But he’s nervous. “I’m here to tell you today why you should … should…” Chris trips on the “-ld,” a pronunciation difficulty for many non-native English speakers. His teacher, Thomas Whaley, is next to him, whispering support. “…Vote for …me …” Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion, Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him.
A son of immigrants, Chris stared learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls(回想起) how at the beginning of the year, when called upon to read, Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom.
Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. “It takes a lot for any student,” Whaley explains, “especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say, ‘I don’t know, but I want to know.’”
Whaley got the idea of this second-grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast(夸耀) about themselves.
“Boasting about yourself, and your best qualities,” Whaley says, “is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident.”
1.What made Chris nervous?
A.Telling a story. B.Making a speech.
C.Taking a test. D.Answering a question.
2.What does the underlined word “stumbles” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A.Improper pauses. B.Bad manners. C.Spelling mistakes. D.Silly jokes.
3.We can infer that the purpose of Whaley’s project is to _________.
A.help students see their own strengths
B.assess students’ public speaking skills
C.prepare students for their future jobs
D.inspire students’ love for politics
4.Which of the following best describes Whaley as a teacher?
A.Humorous. B.Ambitious. C.Caring. D.Demanding.
根据写作要求，阅读短文内容，写出一篇连贯完整的短文。词数不少于60。
The Youngest Skier To The South Pole
On Friday December 9th, a 16-year-old skier, Ameba Hempleman-Adamsreached the South Pole with her father after skiing 97 miles and spending 17nights on the ice. On the final day they skied 14 miles and afterwards Ameba said she felt “elated and tired” on reaching the South Pole.
“The biggest challenges were the freezing cold and eating only dried food. The best bit has been experiencing what Dad does on expeditions (探险). It’s the first time I’ve been on a difficult long journey with him and now I know what it’s like. The trip brought me closer to Dad, but I also had to put up with his snoring (鼾声) which was terrible.”
She added, “Would I do it again? I’m not sure. I’ll have to think about that after a few nights’ sleep! At times it’s been really hard: I’ve got aching shoulders, and my back’s been sore from pulling my sledge (雪橇), I’ve got blisters (水泡) on my feet from the boots and I’ve got a cold burn on my nose from my sunglasses. 43 ”.
She said the most extraordinary part of the trip had been the breath taking scenery and the sense of isolation in the Antarctic landscape. “I’ve really missed my friends while I’ve been away and want to thank them for all their messages of support.”
Friends and relatives who posted comments on Ameba’s expedition website paid tribute (致敬) to her positive attitude which, they said, would be an inspiration to others.
Her father, David, said “Ameba has done amazing well. I’m proud of her. She showed real determination. She was tough and she pulled her sledge the whole way. It was a special experience to share those 97 miles with her.”
假如你是建华中学的学生王新，在网上看到了Ameba的故事，决定给她写封邮件，交流分享你的想法。内容包括：1. 你对她的旅行有何看法并说明原因；2. 分享你的旅行经历。
Dear Amelia,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Wang Xin
