2 . For many years, school children in the US have been taken on “field trips” to cultural institutions such as museums of art. Educators arrange them in the belief that schools exist not only to teach economically useful skills, but also to produce civilized young people who appreciate the art and culture. While there are parents who will take their children to cultural places in their free time, there are plenty of other children who will never have this kind of opportunity unless schools offer it. So you could say that taking school students on field trips is a means of giving everyone equal access to their cultural heritage.

However, the attitude towards field trips in recent years is changing, with the number of tours organized for school groups falling significantly in museums all around the country. The most obvious reason is the issue of finance. Because there are increasing demands on their funds, after all, computers and sports facilities aren’t cheap, schools are forced to make a difficult choice about how to spend the limited money they have. Faced with this dilemma, field trips are an obvious thing to cut since they are seen by many as too expensive.

Additionally, the nature of these field days is also changing. Schools increasingly use trips to amusement parks or sporting events as a treat for students rather than an opportunity for cultural learning. This shift could have a basis in generational differences between teachers’ reasons for organizing days out of school. A recent survey conducted among 500 Arkansas teachers showed that older teachers were significantly more likely to take the primary purpose of a field trip as a learning experience than younger teachers, who view it as fun.

Some evidence shows the trend of fewer trips may have a negative effect on children’s development. A research led by Jay Greene at Arkansas University found that students who received a tour of an art museum greatly improved their knowledge of and the ability to think critically about art. They also display stronger historical interest and were more likely to visit cultural places in the future. The researchers warm that if schools cut field trips or switch to less educational destinations, valuable opportunities to broaden and enrich children’s learning experiences are lost.

1. What is the original purpose of field trips to cultural institutions?

A．To teach students useful skills in economics.

B．To encourage parents to take their children there.

C．To educate students to preserve cultural heritage.

D．To make art culture accessible to every student.

2. Which factor most probably leads to the trend of fewer field trips?

A．The decrease in school funds.

B．The lack of school funds.

C．Students’ demand for fun.

D．Teachers’ generational differences.

3. What can be inferred about field trips from the research by Jay Greene?

A．Students are rewarded with more cultural awareness.

B．Amusement parks enrich children’s learning experiences.

C．Cutting field trips is critical to the future of the museum.

D．Field trips ensure better future academic performance.