Question

Americans are thinking about national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the effort.

　　The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. What is the reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to each state.

Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.

Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left behind Act.

　　Kara Schlosser is communications director for the CCSSO. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.

　　Forty--eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states refuse to accept the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the national standards will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal control.

　　Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify (取得资格) for some federal grant money.

1.What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Local Control of Education Standards out of Date

B．American National Education Standards under Consideration

C．Education Standards in Each State--Good or Bad.

D．Acceptance of the New Standards in the United States

2.Why is local control of education no 1onger a good idea today?

A．Because local standards are limited.

B．Because it is required by the federal government.

C．Because people today moves among states more often than before.

D．Because America has never had the same school standards throughout the country.

3.Some people are against the nationa1 education standards because__________

A．the standards are higher than those of each state

B．they are not yet prepared for the new standards

C．the standards may prevent some students gaining excellence

D．they don't want the federal government to train their teachers

4.If a state agrees to accept the national standards, it will probably get ________.

A．more students                         B．advice on how to improve teaching

C．better textbooks                        D．money from the federal government

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.B

2.C

3.C

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：文章讲述了美国教育标准，各个州不一致，美国正在考虑将各个州的教育标准统一起来，但是遭到了一些州的反对，而联邦政府也不强行推行统一。对于同意接受统一标准的州，将得到联邦政府的财政资金。

1.主旨题。本文主要介绍了美国人教育家们正在试图将教育标准统一起来，而有些州并不赞同，所以这个标准正在考虑中，故选B

2.细节题。从第三自然段But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.可知，人们现在经常从一个城市搬到另一个城市，移居更频繁了，所以当地的教育控制已经不适用了，故选C

3.细节题。倒数第二自然段Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. 可知，这些标准可能会阻止一些学生获得优异的成绩，故选C

4.细节题。最后一段However, approving the standards will help states qualify (取得资格) for some federal grant money.可知，如果接受，将获得联邦政府的财政资金。故选D

考点：社会现象类说明文

点评：此类文体首先对美国社会的教育现象进行说明阐述，对各方的观点也进行了说明。本文不难，对于此类的说明文的阅读，学生需要先采用将第一自然段及下面每段的第一句话进行阅读，进而看第一题，第一题如果是主旨类的题型可先不做，做第二题。如此带着问题在文章中找答案，既节约时间又正确率高。