In most places children are banned from working. But at a theme park in Japan, boys and girls can
fight fires, catch thieves and also perform the more boring tasks of making hamburgers and delivering
parcels.
Kidzania, in a shopping centre in Tokyo, is like a real town where children can act out their dreams
of future careers. The streets are lined with shops and even a bank. Everything inside is two-thirds normal
size to accommodate (容纳) the young workers. After their parents buy the ticket, children can try
several jobs.
Being a firefighter is a dream of many children. Children are being trained in the fire station of the town. Suddenly an alarm bell rings and they put on firefighter clothes before running towards the scene. The
scene is created with lighting and fake smoke, but for children it is real enough. "Sometimes it's too hard
for them," says the worker Ryoko Ishikura. "Some kids are in tears when they hear the alarm and the
fire breaks out. But even with tears in their eyes they go on running and fight the fire bravely."
The idea for Kidzania started in Mexico. It arrived in Japan three years ago and there are also parks in Chile, Indonesia and Portugal. Another one is opening soon in Dubai.
The children are rewarded for their efforts in "Kidzos", the theme park money. In most countries it is
quickly spent in shops and restaurants. But in Japan, children form long queues at the theme park's bank. "I'll keep it in the bank," said nine-year-old Noa Morita, who wants to be a fashion designer.
1. What do children mainly do in Kidzania?
A. They are trained to be volunteers.
B. They play roles in children’s movies.
C. They experience their future jobs.
D. They learn how to make and save money.
2. When children arrive at a fire scene in Kidzania, they .
A. are frightened to run away
B. call the firefighters quickly
C. tried to put out the fire bravely
D. are trained to fight the fire
3. How did Noa Morita deal with her Kidzos?
A. She spent it quickly in shops.
B. She put it in the park’s bank.
C. She asked her parents to keep it for her.
D. She used it to pay for fashion courses.
4. What can we learn about Kidzania from the text?
A. The idea came from America.
B. Japan is the fourth country to build it.
C. Everything inside it is almost half normal size.
D. It looks like a real town with shops and a bank.
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