My 11-year-old daughter has been awarded an academic scholarship to a private school. It's only a small discount, but the scholarship means she’ll skip the waiting list—provided my husband and I can cover $ 20,000 a year. Should we pay the private school fees, or choose free education instead?
I always assumed my children would go to a private school, like I did. Not because my family is wealthy, but because I believe that the best education is private. It took years for me to make peace with the fact that my two children attended our local public primary school. They'll go to a private high school, I told myself. Yet here we are. My eldest is now in her last year of primary school, and my husband and I will struggle to afford private school. If so, I could increase my work hours. My law degree was supposed to be my ticket to a good job and a solid income, but that's not quite how it turned out.
During many sleepless nights, I felt troubled by the decision. Although I want the best for my daughter, I have my own dreams too. I can't sacrifice everything for my precious girl. I explain that I want to be a positive role model for my daughter, and an unhappy parent is a terrible strain on a family. I point out that not even the privilege of private school will protect my children from disappointment or struggle. And finally, it's decided. My daughter is going to the public school behind our home. She couldn't be more pleased.
It's taken me a little longer, but now I’m content. More than my fancy private school education, it's my family that shaped me. With high school now 25 years in the past, I can no longer remember the mathematical problems and Shakespearean quotes I once knew so perfectly. The lessons from my childhood home, however, have proved impossible to forget.
1. Why did the writer want her daughter to go to a private school at first?| A．Because she wanted her daughter to receive the best education |
| B．Because her daughters potential was wasted at the public primary school |
| C．Because her daughter earned an academic scholarship |
| D．Because she wanted her daughter to skip the waiting list |
| A．content | B．disappointing | C．encouraging | D．stressful |
| A．her two children attended their local private primary school |
| B．it took a long time for her to make the final decision |
| C．the scholarship her daughter won could cover most of her school fees |
| D．the writer had a good job and a solid income |
| A．Private school education is not as good as public school education |
| B．Rather than school education, family influences a person most |
| C．Finance should be taken into account when it comes to education |
| D．Parents should make every sacrifice for their children |
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【推荐1】Global warming is the increase of the earth’s average surface temperature due to the effect of greenhouse gases, for example, carbon dioxide, which traps heat that would otherwise escape from the earth. After the trees are cut down and more greenhouse gases are released. the “blanket” around the earth called the ozone layer（臭氧层）, will get thicker. This catches more heat and makes the earth hotter. Luckily, there are many things that every citizen of the earth can do to help reduce the effects of global warming, and it’s never too late or too early for children to take action.
The children should learn what a carbon footprint is. A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon and greenhouse gases people make as they lead the daily life and go about the normal activities. In other words, the carbon footprint is a measure of the environmental impact（冲击）the life has. To live an environmentally friendly life that doesn’t contribute to global warming, people-want to have the smallest carbon footprint possible.
Almost everything people do contributes to global warming and is related to fossil fuel consumption. These can be direct uses of fossil fuels, like riding in a gasoline-powered car, or indirect contributions to greenhouse gases, such as eating fruits or vegetables that have to be shipped from far way to reach their tables.
If a child wants to make a contribution to reducing global warming, he should ride a bicycle to the near park, school, his friend’s house, or anywhere else instead of taking the car. Or he may try to walk or jog, which is also helpful. In addition, although trains and buses often run on fossil fuels, on average, each person uses less energy and produces less pollution to run. Next time if children with their parents have to get around town or it’s too far to walk or bike, take the bus or other public transportation instead of asking for a ride.
1. What is the main reason for global warming?| A．Too much greenhouse gases are released. |
| B．The ozone layer has caught more heat. |
| C．Much more ozone layer has been released. |
| D．The increase of the earth’s inner temperature results in the global warming. |
| A．Life has an impact on carbon footprint. |
| B．The definition of a carbon footprint. |
| C．People should live an environmental friendly life. |
| D．People make a huge amount of carbon and greenhouse gases. |
| A．children | B．parents | C．children educators | D．adults |
| A．What Can People Do To Use Less Energy? |
| B．Why Global Warming Affects Humans’ Life? |
| C．How Can Kids Help Reduce Global Warming? |
| D．How Does Carbon Footprints Measure Pollution? |
【推荐2】According to some researchers, you should not praise children for everything that they do. It does not help them build self-confidence.
Most parents and teachers agree that praise can help increase children’s self-confidence—the more, the better. However, according to some researchers, only proper praise is good for children. If adults praise everything children do, it makes children look for praise all the time, not trying to do their best. "Teachers should not say things like ‘good job’ or ‘nice work’ whenever a child does anything. They should encourage them to continue to improve," some researchers advise.
Another idea is that children with high self-confidence are happier, and do better at school. About this, Marshall Duke, a researcher in children, says, "High self-confidence brought in by too much praise does not make children happier, get more, or become able to do more. Finding a child’s advantages and developing them can help build confidence more than too much praise can." Praise also loses its effect if it is given equally to all students.
"It’s important to tell children the truth about what they’ve done. Honest feedback (反馈) is far better than empty praise," Duke adds. "People have got into the habit of not telling children when they’re wrong. That makes it hard for them to deal with difficulties when they grow up. That’s just how the world is."
1. According to some researchers, if parents praise their children too much, their children will ________.| A．always look for praise | B．increase self-confidence |
| C．become strong | D．do better in their studies |
| A．make them live more happily | B．let them do more difficult work |
| C．help them do better in school | D．encourage them to improve |
| A．Praise makes children become successful. |
| B．Children don't know what they're really good at. |
| C．The same praise for all children has no meaning. |
| D．Duke thinks praise is more important than finding children’s strengths. |
| A．It’s important to have the habit of praising children. |
| B．Children should know their mistakes as soon as possible. |
| C．We should praise children honestly and tell them their mistakes. |
| D．What children with high self-confidence are like. |
【推荐3】A few weeks ago, I called an Uber to take me to the Boston airport for a flight home for the holidays. As I slid into the back seat of the car, the warm intonations(语调) of the driver’s accent washed over me in a familiar way.
I learned that he was a recent West African immigrant with a few young children, working hard to provide for his family. I could relate: I am the daughter of two Ethiopian immigrants who made their share of sacrifices to ensure my success. I told him I was on a college break and headed home to visit my parents. That’s how he found out I go to Harvard. An approving eye glinted at me in the rearview window, and quickly, we crossed the boundaries of rider and driver. I became his daughter, all grown up — the product of his sacrifice.
And then came the fateful question: “What do you study?” I answered “history and literature” and the pride in his voice faded, as I knew it might. I didn’t even get to add “and African-American studies” before he cut in, his voice thick with disappointment, “All that work to get into Harvard, and you study history?”
Here I was, his daughter, squandering the biggest opportunity of her life. He went on to deliver the age-old lecture that all immigrant kids know. We are to become doctors (or lawyers, if our parents are being generous) — to make money and send money back home. The unspoken demand, made across generations, which my Uber driver laid out plainly, is simple: Fulfill your role in the narrative(故事) of upward mobility so your children can do the same.
I used to feel anxious and backed into a corner by the questioning, but now as a junior in college, I’m grateful for their support more than anything. This holiday season, I’ve promised myself I won’t huff and get annoyed at their inquiries. I won’t defensively respond with “but I plan to go to law school!” when I get unrequested advice. I’ll just smile and nod, and enjoy the warmth of the occasion.
1. What disappointed the driver?| A．The author’s attitude towards him. |
| B．The school that the author is attending. |
| C．The author’s majors in history and literature. |
| D．The author’s interests in African American studies. |
| A．wasting |
| B．creating |
| C．valuing |
| D．seizing |
| A．Their parents want them to move upward in society. |
| B．Their parents are high achieving as well. |
| C．They have more opportunities. |
| D．They are very smart in general. |
| A．Getting upset. |
| B．Feeling satisfied. |
| C．Defending herself. |
| D．Appreciating his concern. |
【推荐1】My nephew came for a visit one hot,July weekend. I persuaded him to stay inside by joining him in a Nintendo game. After being mercilessly defeated by a more experienced player,I suggested that we relax for a while. He slipped out of the room and I caught a few moments of peace and quiet.
"Look,Alice," he said enthusiastically as he ran over to the chair where I was recovering." I found a kite. Could we go outside and fly it?"
Glancing out of a nearby window,I noticed there was not a breeze(微风). "T' m sorry, Tripper," I said, sad to see his disappointed eyes, but thankful for the short period of rest from more activities. "The wind is not blowing today.The kite won't fly."
The determined 10-year-old replied. "I think it's windy enough.I can get it to fly," he answered,as he hurried out through the back door.I peeked(窥视)through the curtains to watch determination in action.Up and down the yard he ran, pulling the kite attached to a small length of string.The plastic kite, proudly displaying a picture of Batman, remained about shoulder level. He ran back and forth, as hard as his ten-year-old legs would carry him, looking back hopefully at the kite trailing behind. After about ten minutes of unsuccessful determination, he came back in.
I asked, "How did it go?" "Fine, "he said," I got it to fly some." As he walked past me to return the kite to the closet shelf, I heard him say under his breath, "I guess I'll have to wait for the wind.”
At that moment I heard another voice speak to my heart. "Alice, sometimes you are just like that. You want to do it your way instead of waiting for the wind." And the voice was right. We usually want to use our own efforts to accomplish what we want to do. We wait for the wind only after we have done all we can and have exhausted our own strength. We must learn how to rely on Him in the first place!
1. Why did the writer refuse to fly the kite with his nephew that day?| A．Because he preferred to relax himself. |
| B．Because he was not good at flying kites. |
| C．Because he wanted to stay peaceful and quiet. |
| D．Because he found the weather was not suitable. |
| A．Tripper was unwilling to admit defeat. |
| B．Tripper felt unhappy and hopeless. |
| C．Tripper was hesitant to try it again. |
| D．Tripper lost interest in flying the kite. |
| A．Naughty and active. |
| B．Determined and insistent. |
| C．Brave and bright. |
| D．Weak and sensitive. |
| A．Fly a Kite in Life |
| B．Try Your Best |
| C．Wait for the Wind |
| D．Determine to Succeed |
【推荐2】When I sent my daughter, Emma, off for her freshman year of college a few years ago, I found myself affected by an unbelievable feeling of melancholy. Clearly, I'm not alone. Just last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 90 percent of colleges offer to help moms and dads who are “struggling with the change.”
Between Thanksgiving, winter holiday, spring break and summer break, the first one out of my nest has come fluttering back home nearly every month of the year since she has been away. Good friends like to joke that they see more of her now than they did when she was a senior in high school. In the meantime, Emma calls, texts or e-mails me almost every day.
Given all this, missing Emma seems kind of silly；I've never really gotten the chance. So why, then, have I still felt on some level that I've experienced a great loss?
All summer long before Emma left that first year, I took Emma out for countless mother-daughter breakfasts, lunches, coffees and walks. At the same time, I seemed to find fault with Emma all the time. In my eyes, Emma had spent the weeks leading up to school going out with her friends too much, staying out way too late, making too big a mess, not working enough and, for goodness sake, certainly not spending enough time with me!
Although it's taken quite a while to realize what was happening, I now understand that my unhappiness and anxiety are not a reflection of how much time Emma and I spend together. Regardless of how often she comes home, or how many times a day we chat or text, Emma is now gone in a far grander sense. She is well on the road to adulthood, and from this, she will never return.
1. What does the underlined word “melancholy” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Fierce anger. | B．Deep sadness. |
| C．Extreme excitement. | D．Great satisfaction. |
| A．They keep in touch frequently. | B．Friends like to make fun of her. |
| C．Emma has grown up to an adult. | D．Other parents don't behave like this. |
| A．The untidiness of Emma's room. | B．The passing of Emma's childhood. |
| C．Taking Emma out all too often. | D．Spending little time with Emma. |
| A．Changes in the Parent-Child Relationship | B．The Most Concerned Parents of All Time |
| C．Growing Pains for College Students | D．Struggling to Let Go of My Daughter |
【推荐3】How long have we had a soft spot for dogs? A reanalysis of a prehistoric dog that was buried with two people reveals that the animal had experienced several bouts of potentially fatal illnesses, but it survived.
The Bonn-Oberkassel dog was unearthed a century ago in Germany. It was buried alongside the remains of a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, and all are about 14,200 years old. The animal probably lived long after dogs were domesticated, as evidence for this process stretches back at least 32,000 years. But the Bonn-Oberkassel dog is still important because it is the oldest known dog burial, says Luc Janssens at Ghent University in Belgium, which means it can help us understand why dogs were domesticated.
A common assumption is that prehistoric humans domesticated dogs to put them to work, helping with hunting, guarding settlements or used as pack animals for transport. However, Janssens and his colleagues say there is an alternative: we domesticated dogs simply because we liked having them as pets.
Their reanalysis of the dog reveals it had terrible oral health. Although only about 7 months old when it died, the dog had experienced three bouts of severe illness when it was between 19 and 23 weeks old. “The first infection would be enough to be fatal to most dogs in the wild,” says Janssens. “Then came two extra bouts, and the probability that the animal would survive without human help is very, very low.”
The researchers argue that the sick puppy would have been unable to do any useful work. In fact, keeping it alive was probably an unpleasant burden on its owners: it might have vomited 吐）regularly and had diarrhoea（腹泻）.
Its survival hints that its owners felt a bond of friendship，just like a modern dog owner. “This is the first time we find evidence to suggest that dogs were treated emotionally without expectation of any benefit,” says Janssens.
Bonds of friendship may have helped drive domestication, says Mietje Germonpre at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. “Baby wolves could have been ‘adopted’ to provide company,” she says. “This raising of baby wolves as pets could have been a stepping stone，together with other motivations, on the pathway to the domestication of the dog.”
It is significant that the dog was buried, says Pat Shipman at Pennsylvania State University. 、‘When you start burying animals，it indicates a special relationship of some kind.” Nevertheless， Shipman says we can’t rule out the possibility that the Bonn-Oberkassel dog was - or could have become - a useful working dog, which might explain why its owners cared for it through its illness, in the hope that it would recover.
1. Which of the following statements is true of The Bonn-Oberkassel dog?| A．It lived longer than the dogs of its time. | B．It was taken good care of by its owners. |
| C．It had a terrible problem with its eyes. | D．It was once used for transportation. |
| A．It was unearthed almost 100 years ago. |
| B．It was among those earliest domesticated dogs. |
| C．It can lead to new perspectives on dogs’ domestication. |
| D．It can help people understand why dogs were buried with humans. |
| A．We can't say for sure that the Bonn-Oberkassel dog wasn't a working dog. |
| B．Domestication has turned out to be a stepping stone to bonds of friendship. |
| C．It is no more than 10,000 years since humans started to bury animals. |
| D．Dog owners have long been known to be more caring than others. |
| A．How dogs were domesticated | B．Ancient humans loved their dogs |
| C．The changing human-dog relationship | D．Why dogs became pets while wolves didn’t |
