Question

    Alida Monaco doesn’t spend her summers doing the usual teenage work, like working at the shop. Instead, she’s studying.

It used to be that a summer job was considered a teenage thing. Today, Monaco, who has never had a summer job, is part of growing trend (趋势) teenagers focusing on their studies, even during the summer. That’s down from 72% of Americans aged 16 to 19 who worked in July of 1978, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fierce competition, older workers returning to the workforce (劳动力) and weak economic growth are all adding to the decrease of teenagers in the workforce. But as schoolwork grows increasingly heavy and homework eats up more time, data (数据) suggest the biggest reason why some teens won’t be working this summer is that they simply don’t have time.

For college-bound (准大学生)tem, some teachers even advise students not to waste time on a summer job. “Some of my students only have about six weeks off in the summer,” said Shannon Reed, a lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh and a former high school English teacher. “I could never advise that they get jobs during that short break. They should rest.”

Young people who don’t work may miss out on valuable skills that they’ll need later in life. Early work experiences teach honesty, financial intelligence, self-control and help people learn to deal with adult (成年人的) situations. But Monaco, who plans to attend Harvard, doesn’t worry about her lack of work experience. “Maybe I have missed out on a couple of life skills,” she said. “But I don’t think it will harm me in any way.”

1.What is the trend of American teenagers?

A.They are becoming lazy.

B.They are becoming interested in doing holiday jobs.

C.They are focusing more on studies than on jobs.

D.They are becoming particular about holiday jobs.

2.What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A.The reasons for teenagers giving up work.

B.The fierce competition teenagers face.

C.The structure of America’s work force

D.The effects of America’s weak economy.

3.What’s Shannon Reed's attitude towards the new trend?

A.Uncaring. B.Worried.

C.Agreeable. D.Doubtful.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。目前美国青少年的趋势是他们更注重学习而不是工作，文章介绍了青少年放弃工作的原因。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段中Today, Monaco. who has never had a summer job, is part of growing trend (趋势) teenagers focusing on their studies, even during the summer. That’s down from 72% of Americans aged 16 to 19 who worked in July of 1978, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.可知，如今，从未有过暑期工作的Monaco，是越来越多关注学业的青少年中的一员，即使是在暑假。根据美国劳工统计局的数据，这一比例低于1978年7月时的72%。由此推知，美国青少年的趋势是他们更注重学习而不是工作。故选C。

2.主旨大意题。根据第三段Fierce competition, older workers returning to the workforce (劳动力) and weak economic growth are all adding to the decrease of teenagers in the workforce. But as schoolwork grows increasingly heavy and homework eats up more time, data (数据) suggest the biggest reason why some teens won’t be working this summer is that they simply don’t have time.可知，激烈的竞争、老员工重返职场以及经济增长疲软都加剧了青少年劳动力的减少。但是，随着学校作业越来越繁重，家庭作业占用了更多的时间，数据显示，一些青少年今年夏天不去工作的最大原因是他们根本没有时间。由此可知，第三段讲述的是青少年放弃工作的原因。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段中I could never advise that they get jobs during that short break. They should rest.可知，我从不建议他们在短暂的休息时间内找工作。他们应该休息。由此可知，Shannon Reed对新潮流的态度是“同意的”。故选C。