Question

    As summer turns to fall and parents are buying children their new backpacks, it is time to think of how our schools work and whether they are inspiring true learning. The schools of today are largely those of our great-grandparents. While white boards may have replaced blackboards and DVDs are used instead of projectors, schoolroom atmosphere is remarkably unchanged. Teachers deliver inert (无活力的) information to eager and empty minds who will soon lose what Ellen Galinsky described as the “fire in their eyes”.

Our view of leaning is trapped in the learning illusion (错误观念) that content is all that matters. Of course, content is important. Who would not want to have the multiplication tables memorized? But content is constantly changing. Pluto? No longer a planet. If memorization of content is everything, children’s knowledge will be out of date. Classrooms at all levels need to emphasize “the six C’s”: content, collaboration, communication, confidence (risk-taking), critical thinking and creative innovation (创新).

Our approach to the economic threats we see on our borders is to push for 19th century memorization in a 21st century world. Yet the facts will be as close at the Google generation’s fingertips. We need to teach our children how to learn, and how Sally and Pedro can together figure out how to use technology to understand why some trees never lose their leaves while others do. We need John and Qonick to argue about the best way to solve that math problem, rather than just listen to what the teacher tells them. Today’s schools should be active places where kids are actually thinking together about problem-solving.

None of this is to say that children cannot learn in school. They can. But children are often expected to sit still, listen and repeat disembodied content. The “keys to the kingdom” of the 21st century will go to those who love to learn and can transform their knowledge in innovative ways.

1.The underlined part “fire in their eyes” in Paragraph 1 probably means “_______”.

A.desire for knowledge B.determination to succeed

C.anger shown to the teachers D.patience for the exam results

2.Why does the author mention “Pluto” in the second paragraph?

A.To explain the meaning of the planet. B.To emphasize the school education.

C.To show knowledge is changeable. D.To advise children to work hard.

3.Who does the Google generation refer to?

A.Scientists in the 19th century. B.The students in the 21st century.

C.Famous people in the 20th century. D.Experienced teachers in the world.

4.It can be concluded from the text that _________.

A.students should sit still in the classroom B.it is better for children to learn at home

C.creative learning is very important now D.white boards can’t be used at school

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文。作者论述了在学校教育中，记住知识固然重要，但是合作学习并创造性地运用知识是新时期学生应该具备的能力。

1.

词句猜测题。根据划线词组所在句Teachers deliver inert (无活力的) information to eager and empty minds who will soon lose可知，教师们向那些渴望学习、头脑空虚的人传递着毫无生气的信息，这些人很快就会失去艾伦·加林斯基所说的“他们眼中的火焰”。由此推知，划线部分“他们眼中的火焰”指的是孩子们的“求知欲望”。故选A。

2.

推理判断题。根据第二段中的But content is constantly changing. Pluto? No longer a planet.可知，但内容是不断变化的。冥王星？不再是一个星球。由此可知，提到冥王星的目的是为了说明知识是多变的。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中的Yet the facts will be as close at the Google generation’s fingertips. We need to teach our children how to learn, and how Sally and Pedro can together figure out how to use technology to understand why some trees never lose their leaves while others do.可知，然而，事实将同样接近谷歌一代的指尖。我们需要教我们的孩子们如何学习，以及莎莉和佩德罗如何一起找出如何使用技术来理解为什么有些树从不落叶而有些却会。由此推知，Google generation指的是二十一世纪的学生。故选B。

4.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中的The “keys to the kingdom” of the 21st century will go to those who love to learn and can transform their knowledge in innovative ways.可知，21世纪的“王国的钥匙”将属于那些热爱学习并能以创新的方式转化知识的人。由此推知，在二十一世纪创造性学习很重要。故选C。