While an entire month free of homework or tests may sound too good to be true, that is exactly what the students at Sturenskolan School in Boden, Sweden were treated to in April. What’s more, if the results of the experiment prove encouraging, starting 2019, the middle schoolers will never have to worry about after-school work or tests, aside from the national examinations, which are compulsive for students across the country.
The school’s principal, Petronella Sirkka, who came up with the idea, said, “We are constantly receiving new reports that our children feel bad. And that’s because they have a high level of stress all the time. This is our way of trying to reduce that stress.”
The educator says that while banning homework and tests sounds radical(激进的), it makes sense given the changes in the curriculum and approaches to education. While in the past students were primarily subjected to memorizing facts, learning today is all about reflection and analysis. As a result, it is often harder for kids, especially those with little support at home, to comprehend the material by themselves.
Sirkka is not the only one who believes after-school work does not help students learn. In March 2018, another principal in Canada also decided to do away with homework. They hope parents will spend the extra time reading to their kids.
While the long-term impact of the recent decisions made by the two educators remains to be seen, the experiment has already proved successful in Finland which has done away with homework, grades, and even teaching by subjects for many years. Yet, Finnish students always rank high in the PISA(Programme for International Student Assessment) tests especially in math and science but they have the least homework! Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before US educators follow their lead and ban after-school work as well!
1.The students at Sturenskolan School had no homework in April because ________.
A.the headmaster was experimenting with her idea
B.they needed to do some experiments during the month
C.they were busy preparing for the national examinations
D.the headmaster had to carry out the government’s policy
2.What makes children’s learning hard nowadays?
A.Children have to do more analyzing.
B.The approach to education is complex.
C.Children get no support at home and school.
D.There are more facts to memorize.
3.What does Petronella Sirkka most likely advise parents to do?
A.Help children with their homework.
B.Free children from after-school housework.
C.Spend more time reading to their children.
D.Communicate with teachers from time to time.
4.What can we infer about the students in Finland?
A.They study the hardest at school.
B.They have a more relaxing school life.
C.They enjoy great success after graduation.
D.They all have a talent for math and science.
Looking back on my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.
Although we were all brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental maths.
I have only the unmemorable memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all the insects.
I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil while reading about other people’s observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honour with the title of scientific research.
But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist:One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is selfdiscipline, a quality I lack. A scientist requires not only selfdiscipline but all training, determination and a goal. A scientist, up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.
1.What impressed the author deeply during his childhood?
A.Wildlife. B.Music.
C.Languages. D.Literature.
2.Why can’t the author remember his relatives clearly?
A.He didn’t live with them for long.
B.The family was extremely large.
C.He was fully occupied with observing nature.
D.He was too young when he lived with them.
3.According to the author, what personality should a born naturalist have first of all?
A.Being knowledgeable.
B.Being selfdisciplined.
C.Being full of ambition.
D.Being full of enthusiasm.
4.Why does the author say he is a naturalist, not a scientist?
A.He thinks he lacks some quality required of a scientist.
B.He thinks he has much trouble doing mental arithmetic.
C.He thinks he comes up with solutions in a most natural way.
D.He thinks he just reads about other people’s observations.
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1.What is the cost for two nights of accommodation for two people at the Yakamoz Hotel with the Lonely Planet guide book discount?
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C.£72. D.£64.
2.Rail holidays are available for ________.
A.North America, Europe and Australia
B.North America, South America and Asia
C.Australia, Asia and Europe
D.North America, South America and Australia
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A.One. B.Two.
C.Three. D.Four.
你校美国交换生 Clement很喜欢中华成语故事,看到下面的图片,想了解关于此图片的具体信息,请你用英语给他写一篇短文。内容包括:
1. 描述画面;
2. 概述其含义;
3. 谈谈个人感想。
注意:
1.词数100左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文,请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误,每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2. 只允许修改10处,多者(从第11处起)不计分。
It was in a hot summer holiday which I visited Qingdao, port city in Shandong Province. My favourite sport is swimming, so I decide to go swimming in the sea one afternoon with my friend, Wang Fei and Li Lei.
It was the first time that I had swum in the sea , with waves come one after another to the shore and making great noises. Facing the rough sea, I felt a bit worrying and nearly gave up at first. And when I saw many people enjoying myself in the water, my fear was reducing. At last I joined in the swimmers. Now I still remember what wonderful swimming in the sea was.
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式,并将答案填写在答题卡上。
On May 9, James Givens was sitting in the car when he1. (hear) what sounded like a knock. He turned around only2.(find) a goose pecking (啄) at the car door. This was highly unusual given that the birds normally preferred to observe humans from a 3.(distant).
But on this day, the goose appeared to be determined to get his attention and didn’t stop pecking4. Givens opened the car door and stepped out .Though the bird then began to walk away, 5.kept turning around to make sure he was following. When they finally stopped, Givens realized 6.the mother goose did so--- she needed help to free her baby goose that had got7. (trap) in some balloon string.
Worried that the mother goose would attack him if he got close 8. the baby , Givens called the local SPCA chapter. Unfortunately, they were9. (able) to help right away. Concerned that the baby goose would not survive the delay, Givens decided to take on the task himself.
The mother goose watched 10. (patient) as Givens saved the little bird. As soon as the little goose was free, it ran to its mom. Givens said this was the most unforgettable incident in his life!