20．Exceptional children are different in some significant ways from others of the same age．For these children to develop to their full adult potential，their education must be adapted to those differences．
Although we focus on the needs of exceptional children，we find ourselves describing their environment as well．While the leading actor on the stage captures our attention，we are aware of the importance of the supporting players and the scenery of the play itself．Both the family and the society in which exceptional children live are often the key to their growth and development．And it is in the public schools that we find the full expression of society's understanding-the knowledge，hopes，and fears that are passed on to the next generation．
Education in any society is a mirror of that society．In that mirror we can see the strengths，the weaknesses，the hopes，the prejudices，and the central values of the culture itself．The great interest in exceptional children shown in public education over the past three decades indicates the strong feeling in our society that all citizens，whatever their special conditions，deserve the opportunity to fully develop their capabilities．
"All men are created equal，"we heard it many times，but it still has important meaning for education in a democratic society．Although the phrase was used by this country's founders to indicate equality before the law，it has also been interpreted to mean equality of opportunity．That concept implies educational opportunity for all children-the right of each child to receive help in learning to the limits of his or her capability，whether that capability is small or great．Recent court decisions have confirmed the right of all children-disabled or not-to an appropriate education，and have ordered that public schools take the necessary steps to provide that education．In response，schools are modifying their programs，adapting instruction to children who are exceptional，to those who cannot profit substantially from regular programs．
（Note：Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TWELVE WORDS．）
81．This passage is concerned primarily with the necessity of adaptingeducation to exceptional children
82．What affects the growth of exceptional children according to the author？
Their family and the society．
83．People have shown great interest in the education of exceptional children over the last three decades because they believe thatall citizens deserve the opportunity to fully develop their capabilities
84．According to the passage，what does"All men are created equal"mean to the country's founders？It means/indicates everyone/anyone is equal before the law．．
分析 残疾儿童（exceptional children）的教育．要让残疾儿童充分发展自己的潜能，必须调整对他们的教育，以适应他们与正常儿童的差异．然后作者指出重视残疾儿童的教育这一点反映了教育机会平等的思潮．
解答 81．education to exceptional children 主旨大意题．通过第一段和全文的描述，主要探讨了残疾儿童的教育问题．
82．Their family and the society．细节题．在第二段Both the family and the society in which exceptional children live are often the key to their growth and development这句话告诉我们家庭和社会对于残疾儿童的成长是最为重要的．
83．all citizens deserve the opportunity to fully develop their capabilities 信息概括题．最后一段总结出越来越多的人关注残疾儿童教育主要因为越来越多人认识到教育的公平性．
84．It means/indicates everyone/anyone is equal before the law．所有人天生都是平等的，意思是在法律面前人人平等．
点评 解答此类题目首先要在理解文章的基础上针对题目找到相关的语段或句子，即要找对地方，针对问题，找到依据．回答问题时要言简意赅．注重理解，注意方法，勤于练习．
