In dreaming up the programme Tennis and Literacy for Youth, as a mother, I had hoped to share two of my passions, tennis and reading, with children. Throughout the year, I had advertised for participants at local elementary schools and recruited (招收) volunteers at local high schools. With the help of kind people, I applied for money. I was even able to secure a site for the program.
But on the first day of camp, in spite of my careful planning, things did not go the way I had hoped. Hector and Adrian exchanged blows with their racquet (球拍). Hector struggled to his feet moments later, covering a bloody nose with one hand. Georgie and Eduardo threw balls at each other. Then during reading time, I raced from joyless child to demanding child, unable to convince even one to open a book. They would rather be watching Nickelodeon at home, Eli told me, than “learning stupid tennis and reading boring books.”
I dragged myself home that afternoon. That evening, I called my volunteers together for a meeting, and redesigned the entire curriculum. We created a good-fellow system, where each volunteer paired with a camper to help him or her during reading time. To emphasize praise and progress, we established weekly prize ceremonies, presenting awards for most improved reading, tennis and behavior.
Then Mylea shut the book and asked me, “Can I take this to read it to my mom tonight?” Peering up at her eager face, I couldn’t help myself. I jumped to my feet and wrapped her in a hug, lifting her right off the ground. “It’s all yours!” I said.
Somehow, in the midst of the chaos and the schedule changes and the meetings, these children, in bad mood during reading time, untouched books in their laps, began to find joy in reading a story.
4. What happened the first day of the programme?
A.Participants watched TV at home. |
B.The programme worked out badly. |
C.Volunteers failed to do their duties. |
D.The plan lived up to the expectation. |
5. What did the author do to make the programme a success?
A.She recruited new volunteers. |
B.She replaced the books used. |
C.She made adjustments to the plan. |
D.She established volunteers’ leading part. |
6. Why did the author lift Mylea off the ground quickly?
A.She sensed something was wrong. |
B.She thought Mylea needed comfort. |
C.Mylea’s boredom in reading discouraged her. |
D.Mylea’s great passion for reading amazed her. |
7. What is the text mainly about?
A.An initiative of being volunteers. |
B.An innovation to the teaching method. |
C.An insight into helping kids overcome difficulties. |
D.An experience of introducing reading and tennis to kids. |