文章大意:本文是一篇说明文,介绍了出版专家迈克尔诺里斯的一项调查结果,现在的孩子读书越来越少,并不能完全归咎于电子产品:一些父母对孩子阅读书目的干涉限制了他们养成阅读的习惯。
Little boys don’t like reading any more and even little girls don’t enjoy it as much as they once did. This is the accepted wisdom inside the book industry —and in many British families, too. Parents and booksellers tend to blame the growing appeal of online entertainment and handheld games, but research from the US is challenging these assumptions.
Michael Norris, an American publishing expert, will release findings in the monthly Book Publishing Report which show that, despite the best intentions, it is well-meaning mothers and fathers who often stop their sons and daughters from picking up the reading habit.
“Parents have too much of a role in deciding which books their children are going to read,” said Norris. “It is turning children off.”
The results of a number of surveys Norris has carried out with hundreds of American book-sellers over the past year have provided the basis for a series of tips for parents designed to help children find enjoyment in books.
One of his tips is to make sure children talk directly to a librarian or a bookseller, while parents stand well back. Parents should allow children to choose their own reading material. “Even if a mother or father is just standing with the child when the bookseller asks them what they like to read, we have found that the child will give an answer they think their parent wants to hear. It will not be the same answer they would give alone,” said Norris.
Norris’s another tip for parents is that they do not attempt to limit books to one age range. ”What we have found is that parents should not worry whether a title looks too young or too old for a child. If a book has caught their attention, then let them take it.“ Children, added Norris, often enjoy reading books that are easy for them to understand. “My father made me read The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy when I was much too young and I have never read another Clancy since,” said Norris.
8. What did Norris think prevents children from enjoying reading?
A.Children’s interest in handheld games. | B.The declining market of the book industry. |
C.Parents influence on children’s book selection. | D.The growing popularity of online entertainment. |
9. What do we learn about the new study?
A.It’s published to improve book sales. | B.It mainly focuses on British families. |
C.It involves many years’ efforts. | D.It was conducted by Norris. |
10. What should parents do to help kids get their favourite books at bookstores?
A.Introduce new books regularly. | B.Let them talk with booksellers alone. |
C.Discuss popular books with children. | D.Often seek expert advice from booksellers. |
11. What did Norris think of his father’s act?
A.It was totally wrong. | B.It was quite necessary. |
C.It aroused his interest in reading. | D.It showed parents’ worries about kids. |