1 . Children with strong family connections are associated with a high likelihood of flourishing in life, a study found. “What is different about this study is that it shows that family connection is associated with thriving and not just surviving or avoiding harm,” said lead study author Dr. Robert Whitaker.

Researchers surveyed over 37,000 children in 26 countries. In the study, family connection was determined by a mean score of five categories: care, support, safety, respect, and participation. Flourishing was determined by a mean score of six categories: self-acceptance, purpose in life, positive relations with others, personal growth, environmental mastery and autonomy. The essence of family connection is children feeling that they are accepted and cared for at home, which allows them to learn what their strengths and weaknesses are in a safe environment as they are building their identity,Whitaker said.

Children with the greatest level of family connection were over 49% more likely to flourish compared with those with the lowest level of family connection, according to the study. The highest scores in both family connection and flourishing came from children who said they lived with both parents, had enough food or never had their family worrying about finances. Researchers then controlled the data for families’ poverty levels to remove the effect they might have had on the numbers. After controlling the data, the strength of family connection still impacted how much children flourished.

According to Whitaker, adults have a very powerful influence on the emotional climate in the home, so it’s important to create a space where children feel seen and heard. A great opportunity to strengthen family bonds is around the dinner table. Adults should create an environment where children feel comfortable speaking freely. While they are talking,grown-ups should show that they have a genuine interest in what their children are saying. Silence is also another powerful form of communication, Whitaker said. Children and parents spending time together in silence or even doing chores can create a connection.

1. What is the study mainly about?

A．The importance of family connection to children’s survival.

B．The relationship between family connection and children’s success.

C．The factors affecting children’ self-acceptance.

D．The impact of poverty on children’s development.

2. Who are more likely to achieve high scores in both family connection and flourishing?

A．Children who live with a single parent.

B．Children who have enough food and money.

C．Children who know of their strengths and weaknesses.

D．Children who have a whole family and economic security.

3. Which of the following might be an influencing factor in the result?

A．Family income.	B．Parents’ educational level.
C．Children’s age and gender.	D．The number of people in the family.

4. How can adults strengthen family bonds during mealtime?

A．By showing respect when children are talking.	B．By talking about their own problems.
C．By keeping silent when disagreements arise.	D．By backing children’s opinions forever.

2 . Everyone needs to be part of a family no matter what it consists of. A family may consist of all or any of the following: parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and more.     1    

Show sincere concern for your family members. Do not keep your feelings in your heart.     2    

If you care about them, then let them know about this. Go out of your way to remind each family member what glues you all together — love, care and support.

Care about the interests of each of your family members.     3     Ask them how their hobbies, their interests and their work are going. Be an active listener when they tell you and think about what you can do for them if they have any trouble.

    4     It is very important that you let them know about your life, so that they can understand you and generally know what’s going on in your life. In turn, it is equally important that you know about their lives, too, so that they feel understood, supported and can be reassured that they are not alone.

Try small gestures. Even the smallest things count. With a simple text or a brief phone call, you can make someone’s day.     5    When you know that someone is going through a hard time, call him and tell him that you would like to do everything for him.

A．Spend time with your family members.

B．There are some ways to help protect the family.

C．Talk to your family members.

D．If you love them, then tell them that you love them.

E．Learn what they love doing and ask questions about it.

F．It’s obviously important to do your best to make the family happy.

G．Just make sure you leave a positive message that will make him feel happy.

3 . Lots of students are too busy doing their homework to help out with housework. So, many parents want to know if they should give their children chores. Well, there’s no need to worry.     1    

First, doing chores helps children   learn to be independent. Parents can’t stay by their children’s side all the time.     2    And these skills will help them be ready for the day when they go to college or take care of their own houses.

    3    When children finish a chore, they will not only take pride in a job well done but also have confidence in their ability to do things well.

Third, doing chores makes it possible for children to develop good relationships with their family, friends and partners. Doing chores together with family can make children more caring for their family. And they begin to learn their responsibility in a family or a group.     4    They will know that if they work together as a team, things will be completed quicker and better.

    5    Yes! And it should be on the top of the list. Now, my friends, are you ready to help?

A．Should children do chores?

B．Chores are good for children.

C．What chores should children do?

D．That helps them build team spirit.

E．Children cannot do chores without their parents’ help.

F．Second, doing chores helps children build self-confidence.

G．Children need to learn the necessary life skills to be independent.