Question

    It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that kids who read for pleasure are more likely to be at or above their expected reading level. Unfortunately, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress scores in 2018, 48 percent of fourth graders in the US have fallen below their grade level when it comes to reading. Schools have been trying different ways to improve students' reading skills, primarily by encouraging children to read more outside of the classroom.

One of the most successful programs has been the Reading to Dogs Program. The program is simple. Schools and libraries pair children that need help with their reading skills up with assistance dogs. The environment is usually very relaxed, with the dog and the child sitting together on the floor. This encourages physical interaction during the process which can help the child relax (petting dogs has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce stress). Children benefit from the patience, acceptance and comfort of the dog's presence, while getting much needed practice with their reading skills in a non-judgmental environment. Children have an ability to interact one-on-one with a therapy dog to improve their reading skills. The benefits apply to other areas of the classroom as well, including students' concentration in class and their completion of homework.

In addition, the Reading to Dogs Program helps children:

1. Gain confidence. Children that score lower on reading exams are generally self- conscious about their abilities, and thus they are more likely to be uncomfortable when reading in front of their classmates. By replacing their classmates with a therapy dog, they are able to read in a completely non-judgmental environment, thus helping them to gain confidence in their skills.

2. Learn about responsible pet care. In addition to the educational and social benefits of this program, children also learn about interacting with an animal. For those who do not have pets at home, this program can teach children about proper dog care and behavior.

1.The author tends to think that         .

A.reading for fun may improve children's reading level

B.nearly half of all American students in Grade Four have performed badly

C.students cannot improve their reading ability by reading in class

D.dogs should be brought into classrooms to encourage kids to read

2.Assistance dogs can help children           .

a. improve their reading skills

b. raise more pets

c. focus on lessons

d. finish homework

A.a, b, c B.a, c, d

C.b, c, d D.a, b, d

3.What is the main idea of the last three paragraphs of the passage?

A.Why children read to dogs in America.

B.How the Reading to Dogs Program works.

C.What children gain from the program.

D.How dogs benefit from the program.

4.It can be inferred from the passage that            .

A.the program is the best way to improve reading skills

B.children can learn more from the patience of dogs

C.the dogs must receive training in reading in advance

D.children with lower reading abilities lack self-confidence

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述针对美国的部分小学生阅读能力差的情况，分析Reading to Dogs Program能给孩子们带来的益处。

1.推理判断题。根据文章第一段的It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that kids who read for pleasure are more likely to be at or above their expected reading level. (对于那些为了乐趣而阅读的孩子们，他们的阅读水平很有可能达到或者超过他们的预期，这点大家都不应该感到惊讶)可知为了乐趣阅读可能会提高孩子的阅读水平。A. reading for fun may improve children's reading level (为了乐趣阅读可能会提高孩子的阅读水平)符合以上说法，故选A项。

2.细节理解题。根据文章第二段的最后 Children have an ability to interact one-on-one with a therapy dog to improve their reading skills. The benefits apply to other areas of the classroom as well, including students, concentration in class and their completion of homework. (儿童有能力与治疗犬一对一互动，以提高阅读技能。这些好处也适合于课堂的其它方面，包括学生在课堂上的注意力和作业的完成)可知治疗犬可以帮助孩子提高阅读技能，提高课堂注意力和改善作业的完成，即 a、c、d 正确。故选B项。

3.主旨大意题。从最后两段的1. Gain confidence.(获得自信) 和2. Learn about responsible pet care. (学习负责宠物的护理)可以判断出这几段的主题是：在这个项目中孩子们可以得到什么益处。C. What children gain from the program. (孩子可以从项目中获得什么益处)符合以上说法，故选C项。

4.推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段 By replacing their classmates with a therapy dog, they are able to read in a completely non-judgmental environment, thus helping them to gain confidence in their skills. (通过用治疗犬来代替他们的同学，他们能够在一个完全不评判的环境中阅读，从而帮助他们获得信心)可以推断出那些阅读能力不高的孩子是害怕在别人面前阅读，即缺乏自信。D. children with lower reading abilities lack self-confidence (阅读能力低的孩子缺乏自信)符合以上推断，故选D项。