Question

    We live in a society that labels everything. We like the convenience of neatly packaged words so we can sum up the person, place or thing and know what to expect. However, especially with children, even harmless labels (标签) can play a lasting role in self-respect, behavior and long-term personality.

Children develop and define their sense of self by processing what others tell them about who they are, what they are good at, how they behave and so on. The communication principle of the “Looking-Glass Self” from Charles Cooley can be applied. Cooley believes that by reflecting back to us who we are, other people function as mirrors for us. Every time a teacher says he or she is a “good student” or a coach says “average player”, that helps define the way the child views himself or herself. Typically, that label will follow them for years to come.

However, parents often refer to children with less severe labels that are just as significant. If you notice one child follows musical interests, he becomes “the musician”. Another loves sports, and she becomes “the athlete”. Another excels in school and is the “brainiac”. None of those labels has negative ideas, but can classify children into pre-defined boxes. What if the “brainiac” really wants to try soccer? Unfortunately, there is already an “athlete” in the family, which creates a fight or flight response. The child can either fight to redefine his or her place as a smart child who also plays soccer, or go back to where he or she has already been.

Labels have much more of an impact that we realize, and we need to be mindful of how we talk about our children. If you must define certain things about them to yourself or others, try to choose positive versions of the same quality, i.e. “cautious” rather than “timid” (胆小的). Keeping the focus on the child’s positive qualities, while avoiding labels, can encourage children to become healthy and happy.

1.What can we learn from the principle of “Looking-Glass Self”?

A.One tends to satisfy others’ curiosity.

B.One gains the sense of identity by mirror.

C.Children will live up to the expectations of their parents.

D.People shape self-concepts by understanding how others view them.

2.If the “brainiac” girl decides to play soccer, what will happen?

A.Her family will be in favor of her.

B.She must struggle or she must quit.

C.Her family will deny her athletic talent.

D.She can’t but give in to parental authority.

3.Which word can best describe a child who performs well in class interaction?

A.Active. B.Influential.

C.Intelligent. D.Competitive.

4.What’s the author’s attitude towards labeling children?

A.Uncertain. B.Indifferent.

C.Negative. D.Positive.

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.A

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文。文章讨论了给孩子贴标签，会给孩子带来很大的不利影响，所以我们应该避免给孩子贴标签，要把注意力放在孩子的积极品质上，这样才会让孩子健康快乐地成长。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Children develop and define their sense of self by processing what others tell them about who they are, what they are good at, how they behave and so on. The communication principle of the “Looking-Glass Self” from Charles Cooley can be applied. Cooley believes that by reflecting back to us who we are, other people function as mirrors for us”可知，孩子们通过处理别人告诉他们自己是谁，他们擅长什么，他们的行为举止等等，来发展和定义他们的自我意识，查尔斯·库利的镜子自我交流原理就是这个道理，库利认为，通过反思我们是谁，其他人对我们来说就像一面镜子。由此可知，查尔斯·库利的镜子自我交流原理认为人们通过理解他人如何看待自己来塑造自我概念，故D项正确。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的“What if the “brainiac” really wants to try soccer? Unfortunately, there is already an “athlete” in the family, which creates a fight or flight response. The child can either fight to redefine his or her place as a smart child who also plays soccer, or go back to where he or she has already been.”可知，如果一个聪明的女孩真的想尝试踢足球呢？不幸的是，家里已经有了一个足球运动员，这就产生了一种奋斗或逃跑的反应，她要么努力重新定义自己的地位，让自己成为一个聪明的足球运动员，要么回到原点（要么努力奋斗要么放弃），故B项正确。

3.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“Labels have much more of an impact that we realize, and we need to be mindful of how we talk about our children. If you must define certain things about them to yourself or others, try to choose positive versions of the same quality, i.e. “cautious” rather than “timid” (胆小的). Keeping the focus on the child’s positive qualities, while avoiding labels,”可知，我们意识到，标签的影响要大得多，我们需要注意如何谈论我们的孩子，如果你一定要给别人定义，尽量选择同样意思的积极词语，比如用“谨慎”而不是“胆小”，把注意力放在孩子的积极品质上，同时避免贴标签，由此可知，将一个在课堂互动中表现出色的孩子描述为“活跃的”是最合理的，故A项正确。

4.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“If you must define certain things about them to yourself or others, try to choose positive versions of the same quality, i.e. “cautious” rather than “timid” (胆小的). Keeping the focus on the child’s positive qualities, while avoiding labels, can encourage children to become healthy and happy.”可知，如果你一定要给别人定义，尽量选择同样意思的积极词语，比如用“谨慎”而不是“胆小”，把注意力放在孩子的积极品质上，同时避免标签，这样才会让孩子健康快乐地成长，由此可知，作者对给孩子贴标签持否定的态度，故C项正确。