Eight-year-old Bethany and seven-year-old Eliza are having a great time jumping around in the orchard of their home in a village near Penrith. They can play any time they like because they don't go to school. Instead, they are educated at home by their parents, Paul and Veronika Robinson. But they don't have lessons, have never used a timetable and learn only what and when they want to learn.
"I want my kids to have freedom in their childhood, not spend it in an institution," says 37-year-old Veronika, "School is all about control and following the rules." Veronika and her 56-year-old husband Paul have never experienced the daily rush to get dressed and out of the door that is common in most households with school-aged children. "We get up at our leisure - usually around 8.30-ish," says Veronika. "We might visit a friend, or go to the library, and on Tuesdays we shop at the market. In summer, we spend most of our time outside and the girls entertain themselves a lot."
New research due to be published this spring reveals a very different picture of Britain's home educators. "Out of 297 families, 184 said that they never use a timetable," says Mike Fortune-Wood of Home Education UK. "Ninety per cent never or rarely use textbooks, and nearly all said that happiness, contentment and self-fulfillment were more important than academic achievement. Only 15% felt that planning what to learn was crucial."
So far, so good. But what, you might ask, are the children actually learning?
"It wasn't important to me that the girls could read by a certain age, but they both picked it up for themselves at around seven," says Robinson. "Weighing cooking ingredients uses maths, and making a shopping list teaches them to write. Observing five hens has taught the girls about survival of the fittest. "
But what about when the children grow up? Can they go to university? The home educators' answer is they can if they want to. There are a variety of routes into higher education, but probably the most common is to join a local college. This is what Gus Harris-Reid has done. "I was educated at home all my life. I'd never had a lesson or been inside a classroom until I started GCSEs," says the 18-year-old. "I'm now studying for 4 A-levels at Exeter College. I've had no problem with the work or with fitting in." When asked to reflect on his experience of home education, his considered response is, "Like a permanent holiday, really!" Not a bad start for someone who plans to take a mechanical engineering degree next year.
1. What is the topic of this article?
A. New ways of learning to read and write B. Problems with UK schools
C. Home education in the UK D. Wild, undisciplined children
2. Why do the Robinsons not send their children to school?
A. They think schools control children too much. B. They do not like the courses taught in schools.
C. They want to teach their children farming skills. D. They live in a remote area where there are no schools.
3. According to the article, in homes with school-going children, ______.
A. mornings are rushed and stressful. B. the children hardly ever go outside.
C. the family wakes up around 8.30am. D. the children must ask permission to go to the toilet.
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Most home educators believe that happiness is more important than good grades.
B. Most home educators believe that planning is important.
C. Most home educators do not follow a timetable or use textbooks.
D. Most home educators are not worried about when their children learn to read and write.
5. What does the article say about home-educated children getting into university?
A. They learn so many useful skills at home that universities are happy to accept them.
B. They can get into university if they have 4 A-levels.
C. They can go to school later and get the qualifications they need in order to enter university.
D. Home education is so relaxed that they are likely to experience problems when faced with the pressures of a degree course.
科目：高中英语 来源：吉林省吉林一中2009--2010学年度高二下学期第一次质量检测 题型：完型填空
III. 完形填空（20分）
An eight-year-old child heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money left. When she heard her daddy say to her 36 mother with whispered desperation（绝望）, “ 37 a miracle（奇迹） can save him now”, the little girl went to her bedroom and took out her piggy bank. She 38 all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Then she 39 her way six blocks to the local drugstore（药店）.
“And what do you want?” asked the chemist.
“It’s 40 my little brother,” the girl answered back. “He’s really, really sick and I want to buy a 41 . His name is Andrew and he has something 42 growing inside his head and my daddy says only a miracle can save him.”
“We don’t 43 miracles here, child I’m sorry,” the chemist said, smiling 44 at the little girl.
In the shop was a 45 customer. He stooped (弯腰) down and asked the little girl, “What kind of miracle does your brother 46 ?”
“I don’t know,” she replied “He’s really sick and mommy says he needs 47 . But my daddy can’t pay for it, so I have brought my 48 .”
“How much do you have?” asked the man.
“One dollar and eleven cents, 49 I can try and get some more,” she answered quietly.
“Well, what a coincidence（巧合）,” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven cents — the 50 price of a miracle for little brothers. 51 me to where you live. I want to see your brother and 52 your parents.”
That well dressed man was Dr Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon（外科医生）. The operation was completed without 53 and it wasn’t long before Andrew was 54 again and doing well.
The little girl was happy. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost ... one dollar and eleven cents ... plus the 55 of a little child.
36．A．tearful B．hopeful C．helpless D．kind
37．A．Simply B．Just C．Only D．More than
38．A．drew B．pulled C．put D．poured
39．A．followed B．made C．took D．found
40．A．to B．as C．for D．on
41．A．hope B．doctor C．favor D．miracle
42．A．bad B．small C．extra D．impossible
43．A．have B．offer C．sell D．store
44．A．gently B．sadly C．strangely D．coldly
45．A．well dressed B．kind hearted C．well behaved D．good looking
46．A．have B．need C．care D．like
47．A．a doctor B．a surgeon C．an operation D．a kindness
48．A．savings B．wishes C．ideas D．suggestions
49．A．since B．as C．after D．but
50．A．same B．exact C．proper D．necessary
51．A．Show B．Help C．Take D．Follow
52．A．help B．encourage C．persuade D．meet
53．A．difficulty B．delay C．charge D．result
54．A．happy B．well C．strong D．home
55． A．cleverness B．faith C．courage D．Devotion
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科目：高中英语 来源：2011-2012学年内蒙古包头三十三中高二下学期期末考试英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
In a room at Texas Children Cancer Center in Houston, eight-year-old Simran Jatar lay in bed with a drip (点滴) above her to fight her bone cancer. Over her bald (秃的) head, she wore a pink hat that matched her clothes. But the third grader’s cheery dressing didn’t mask her pain and weary eyes.
Then a visitor showed up. “Do you want to write a song?” asked Anita Kruse, 49, rolling a cart equipped with an electronic keyboard, a microphone and speakers. Simran stared. “Have you ever written a poem?” Anita Kruse continued. “Well, yes,” Simran said.
Within minutes, Simran was reading her poem into the microphone. “Some bird soaring through the sky,” she said softly. “Imagination in its head…” Anita Kruse added piano music, a few warbling (鸣, 唱) birds, and finally the girl’s voice. Thirty minutes later, she presented Simran with a CD of her first recorded song.
That was the beginning of Anita Kruse’s project, Purple Songs Can Fly, one that has helped more than 125 young patients write and record songs. As a composer and pianist who had performed at the hospital, Kruse said that the idea of how she could help “came in one flash”.
The effect on the kids has been great. One teenage girl, curling (蜷缩) in pain in her wheelchair, stood unaided to dance to a hip-hop song she had written. A 12-year-old boy with Hodgkin’s disease who rarely spoke surprised his doctors with a song he called I Can Make It.
“My time with the kids is heartbreaking because of the severity of their illnesses,” says Anita Kruse. “But they also make you happy, when the children are smiling, excited to share their CD with their families.”
Simran is now an active sixth grader and cancer-free. From time to time, she and her mother listen to her song, Always Remembering, and they always remember the “really sweet and nice and loving” lady who gave them a shining moment in the dark hour.
【小题1】Simran Jatar lay in bed in hospital because ______.
| A．most of her hair had fallen out |
| B．she was receiving treatment for cancer |
| C．she felt depressed and quit from school |
| D．she was suffering from a pain in her back |
| A．It helps young patients record songs. |
| B．It is supported by singers and patients. |
| C．It aims to replace the medical treatment. |
| D．It offers patients chances to realize their dreams. |
| A．Most children are naturally fond of music. |
| B．He was brave enough to put up performance. |
| C．The project has positive effect on young patients. |
| D．Singing is the best way to treat some illnesses. |
| A．Purple Songs Can Fly |
| B．Singing Can Improve Health |
| C．A Shining Moment in Life |
| D．A Kind Woman—Anita Kruse |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2012-2013学年辽宁省五校协作体高二下学期学期初阶段测试英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
Eight-year-old Jesse Abrogate was playing in the sea late one evening in July 2001 when a 7-foot bull shark attacked him and tore off his arm. Jesse’s uncle jumped into the sea and dragged the boy to the store. The boy was not breathing. His aunt gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while his uncle rang the emergency services. Pretty soon, a helicopter arrived and flew the boy to hospital. It was a much quicker journey than the journey by road.
Jesse’s uncle, Vance Folsenzier, ran back into the sea and found the shark that had attacked his nephew. He picked the shark up and threw it onto the beach. A coastguard shot the fish four times and although this didn’t kill it, the shark’s jaws relaxed so that they could open them, and reach down onto its stomach, and pull out the boy’s arm.
At the Baptist hospital in Pensacola, Dr Lan Rogers spent eleven hours reattaching Jesse’s arm. “It was a complicated operation,” he said, “but we were lucky. If the arm hadn’t been recovered in time, we wouldn’t have been able to do the operation at all. What I means is that if they hadn’t found the shark, well then we wouldn’t have had a chance.”
According to local park ranger (园林管理者) Jack Tomosvic, shark attacks are not that common. “Jesse was just unlucky” he says, “Evening is the shark’s feeding time. And Jesse was in the area without lifeguards. This would never have happened if he had been in the area where swimming is allowed.” When reporters asked Jesse’s uncle how he had had the courage to fight a shark , he replied, “I was mad and you do some strange things when you’re mad.”
【小题1】What was the boy doing when the accident happened?
| A．Feeding a hungry shark | B．Jumping into a rough sea |
| C．Dragging a boy to the shore | D．Swimming in a dangerous area |
| A．By finding his lost arm | B．By shooting the fish |
| C．By flying him to hospital | D．By offering his blood |
| A．Careful | B．Brave | C．Optimistic | D．Patient |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013-2014学年吉林大学附属中学高三上学期第一次摸底考试英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
ASK LASKAS
YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS. SHE'S GOT ANSWERS
Q: My problem is computer gaming. I do it day and night, averaging four hours of sleep. I can't control of this, and I don't know where to go for help. Do you? —Player
A: Dear Player,
You have an addiction. For some people playing video games releases dopamine, a powerful brain chemical that makes you feel good. You'd toss your cigarettes if you were ready to quit, right? To kick the habit, get help from a health professional. And don't look for help on line; that would be like an alcoholic going to the bar for advice.
Q: My brother's wife just had triplets(三胞胎). This is such a joy! Yet every time I share the news with co-workers, they ask me if she was on fertility pills. I think this is rude—or has society just become so talk-show numbed (麻木的)that you can ask anyone anything? —No Show Host
A: Dear Host,
Yes. Our society has become increasingly disrespectful of privacy. But don't blame it all on the talk-shows. Continue to celebrate and greet impolite questions with stony silence. Their fertility history is nobody's business but their own.
Q: I work at an amusement park, and my manager steals supplies. She has a catering business on the side, and we've seen her load up her van at the back gates. The big bosses think she is the best thing since buttered bread, and we're all afraid that if we say anything, we'll lose our jobs. What can we do? —Righteous
A: Dear Righteous,
Be sure you're right. You must have evidence about what and why things are going out the back gates. Once you know for certain, it's time to go to the bosses and report what you have seen.
Q: My stepson's wife sometimes leaves their eight-year-old home alone for "a short run to the store." That may be an hour or so. I believe by law we should report it. What do you think?
—The In-laws
A: Dear Laws,
I don't know what the child-protection laws in your state are, but I do know that children need care and attention. This child may be able and unafraid, but kids aren't always careful. It also sounds like there is stress in your family relationship. One thing you can do to help this situation is offer to baby-sit when Mom needs to step out.
1.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Dopamine is a powerful brain chemical good to our health.
B. Looking for help on line is like getting help from a health professional.
C. Player is a video game addict who smokes and sleeps few hours.
D. Player is advised to stay clear of the screen.
2.According to the Q&A, .
A. Host's colleagues are insensitive
B. The talk-show is to blame
C. Somebody's business is everybody's
D. Host's sister-in-law was on fertility pills
3.What we can infer from the Q&A is .
A. The Mom is not to blame because she needs a short run to the store
B. Children need care and attention, though not for all of them
C. Laws, the old lady, wants to report what she sees to the child's father
D. Laskas doesn't seem to approve of Laws' trying to report what she sees
4.Which Q&A mentioned transport?
A. The first B. The second. C. The third. D. None.
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科目：高中英语 来源：20102011学年山东省高二下学期模块检测英语卷 题型：阅读理解
Findings from a new study were presented at a recent meeting of the American Psychosomatic(身心的) Society. Researchers in the United States studied 100,000 women during an eight-year period, beginning in 1994. All of the women were fifty or older. The study was part of the Women’s Health Initiative organized by the National Institutes of Health.
The women were asked questions measuring their beliefs or ideas about the future. The researchers attempted to identify each woman’s personality eight years after gathering the information.
The study found that hopeful individuals were 14% less likely than other women to have died from any cause. The hopeful women were also 30% less likely to have died from heart disease after the eight years.
Hilary Tindle from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania was the lead author of the report. She said the study confirmed earlier research that linked optimistic feelings to longer life.
The researchers also gathered information about people’s education, financial earnings, physical activity and use of alcohol or cigarettes. Independent of those things, the findings still showed that optimists had less of a chance of dying during the eight-year period.
Some women who answered the questions were found to be hostile (怀敌意的), or highly untrusting of others. These women were 16% more likely to die than the others. They also were 23% more likely to die of cancer.
The study also found women who were not optimistic were more likely to smoke and have high blood pressure or diabetes. They were also more likely not to exercise.
Tindle says the study did not confirm whether optimism leads to healthier choices, or if it actually affects a person’s physical health. She also says the study does not prove that negative (消极的) emotions or distrust lead to bad health effects and shorter life. Yet there does appear to be a link that calls for more research.
1. In which part of a newspaper can you read the above passage?
A. Nation B. Opinion C. Science D. Business
2.Researchers carry out the study to ________.
A. decide who is more likely to enjoy a happier life
B. find out the link between personality and health
C. gather information for the National Institutes of Health
D. compare each woman’s personality changes
3.What can be inferred from the text?
A. Negative emotions cause a shorter life indeed.
B. There may be some link between personality and health.
C. It’s uncertain whether optimism affects one’s health.
D. The more optimistic you are, the longer life you may enjoy.
4.Who is more likely to die of cancer according to the text?
A. A woman who always doubts what others say. B. A woman who doesn’t exercise.
C. A woman with high blood pressure. D. A woman with poor physical health.
5. What’s Hilary Tindle’s opinion of the study?
A. Unfair. B. Useless. C. Necessary. D. Reliable.
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