Some people try to protect their children from unpleasant realities like illness, financial loss and death. But doctors point out that children can often end up feeling left out if they are old enough to understand what’s going on, but are not told the truth about family worries.

One widowed father told me how deeply he regretted that he and his late wife did not tell their son that his mother was dying of leukemia(白血病). “For months we kept that truth to ourselves. We thought we were protecting our son from emotional pain,” he recalled. “It was a great mistake. I had time to prepare myself. But my wife’s death stunned our boy. It was years before he trusted me again.”

Says Judith Davenport, a psychotherapist(心理治疗医师) who practises in Santa Monica, California. “It’s important to let children experience the reality of death, if it can be done in an atmosphere of love and caring. A child whose sibling, parent or grandparent is seriously ill can be made to feel helpful by being allowed to run errands(跑腿) or answer the phone. Even a very young child can comfort a sick loved one with a brief cheering visit.”

In many matters, if children are not told the facts about a financial setback, says Grace W. Weinstein, writer of Children and Money, they may imagine the worst. For example, they might think they’ll have no food to eat or will lose their home, when the simple reality may be that luxuries(奢侈品) will have to be taken away.

Even the busiest family can arrange to share a relaxed evening meal together at least once or twice a week. Mealtimes are often the only time that families can engage in stimulating(机动人心的) conversations.

Says Michael Abrahams, a licensed(得到许可的) clinical social worker in Rockville, MD. “How mealtime is used to argue or talk, discipline or praise is a good barometer(晴雨表) of whether a family is drifting apart or drawing closer.”

Another way to strengthen family closeness is to encourage your youngsters to invite a friend

for dinner from time to time, giving each child a turn at choosing the guest. This makes parents get to know their children’s friends, and also helps youngsters feel they are respected members of the family.

A joint endeavor can be stimulating if you choose one that everyone enjoys. Try planting and cultivating a garden, or organizing that box of old snapshots into a family album(相册), or learning how to bake bread from starch.

One father recalls the shared sense of success he and his son experienced when they finished building a dining-room table. “We started six months ago with plants and planks,” he says. “When the job was done, we looked at each other and said, ‘We did it1’”

1．The passage is written mainly for _____________

       A．parents                B．children               C．social workers     D．teachers

2．Judging from the passage, what does “sibling” in the third paragraph mean?

       A．Friend                 B．Brother and sister C．Cousin                D．Relative

3．What does the writer suggest in order to strengthen family ties?

       A．Youngsters should invite friends to dinner at home.

       B．Parents had better plant and cultivate a vegetable garden.

       C．Make sure to let the child, no matter how old he is, know right now if somebody in your        family is going to die.

       D．Parents should tell their children of financial setback in the family in order that they get        prepared psychologically(心理上)。

4．Why does building a dinner-room table give the father and his son shared sense of success?

       A．Because building a table a great pleasure.

       B．Because others didn’t believe that they could finally do it.

       C．Because a dining-room table is very important to the family.

       D．Because they achieve something by doing something together.

第二节: 信息匹配（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）
请阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请将答案填写在答题卡标号为76-80的相应位置上.注意：E="AB;" F=CD
Molly 信箱是一个报刊栏目,主持人Molly 回答读者提出的各种问题. 第1至第5题是五位读者的来信.请从A、B、C、D、E、F中为每封来信选出合适的答复.
76. Dear Molly,
I have a problem. My parents are always talking to me about studying. They want me to study harder so I can go to a good school. I know studying is very important, but my parents put too much pressure on me. How can I explain to my parents that I need some free time?
------ Overworked
77. Dear Molly,
My best friend Tony is a nice young man, but he has a bad habit. He is always late. No matter where he is going or what he is doing, he is never on time. Once he turned up thirty minutes late for a meeting! What can I do to break him of this bad habit?
------ Worried
78. Dear Molly,
I have a new roommate named Louis. He is a good friend of mine, but he is driving me crazy because he is very untidy. He leaves his dirty clothes everywhere, and he never makes his bed. I am extremely neat. What can I do?
---- Unhappy
79. Dear Molly,
My cousin plays computer games a lot and he keeps on talking to me about various games. I don’t have any interest at all, but I find it difficult to stop him without hurting his feelings. Would you kindly give me some advice?
----- Shy
80. Dear Molly,
I’m feeling upset these days because the result of my last English exam was not as good as I had expected. My teacher comforted me, saying “Don’t worry. You can do better next time.” But I’m still feeling bad. I need your help.  
----Disappointed
A: Dear xx,
As I see it, you have three choices. You can find a new flat for yourself, make him find a new one, or have a talk with him and see if you could both be a little less extreme in your attitudes towards housekeeping. I would suggest you start with the third.
Molly
B: Dear xx,
You could try talking to him about the importance of being on time. If it doesn’t work, one trick you can try is to ask him to set his clock 15 minutes ahead. You could also tell him that something starts 15 minutes or more before it really starts.
Molly
C: Dear xx,
This is a common problem for people of your age. Tell your parents how you feel. Let them know you respect them. Maybe you can make a deal with them. For example, ask them for one day off each week to do what you want to do.
Molly
D: Dear xx,
Next time when he begins talking, you might interrupt him with a smile, saying
“That’s interesting, but I hope you understand this is my time to relax. I need to do some reading now.” He may sense your unwillingness and stop talking.
Molly
E: Dear xx,
“Be yourself ” is the best solution. If I were you, I’d tell him to leave me alone. At least tell him, “That was hurtful. Please don’t say things like that to me. I’m a football fan and like watching football games. I can make my own decision.”
Molly
F: Dear xx,
Scores are important for students, but you don’t have to care too much about the result of one test. You are learning. Maybe it is more important to find out why you failed to achieve your goal. Try to do better next time.
Molly

第二节: 信息匹配（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）

请阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请将答案填写在答题卡标号为76-80的相应位置上.注意：E=AB; F=CD

Molly 信箱是一个报刊栏目,主持人Molly 回答读者提出的各种问题. 第1至第5题是五位读者的来信.请从A、B、C、D、E、F中为每封来信选出合适的答复.

76. Dear Molly,

I have a problem. My parents are always talking to me about studying. They want me to study harder so I can go to a good school. I know studying is very important, but my parents put too much pressure on me. How can I explain to my parents that I need some free time?

          ------ Overworked

77. Dear Molly,

         My best friend Tony is a nice young man, but he has a bad habit. He is always late. No matter where he is going or what he is doing, he is never on time. Once he turned up thirty minutes late for a meeting! What can I do to break him of this bad habit?

                   ------ Worried

78. Dear Molly,

         I have a new roommate named Louis. He is a good friend of mine, but he is driving me crazy because he is very untidy. He leaves his dirty clothes everywhere, and he never makes his bed. I am extremely neat. What can I do?

                                    ---- Unhappy

79. Dear Molly,

         My cousin plays computer games a lot and he keeps on talking to me about various games. I don’t have any interest at all, but I find it difficult to stop him without hurting his feelings. Would you kindly give me some advice?

                                     ----- Shy

80. Dear Molly,

         I’m feeling upset these days because the result of my last English exam was not as good as I had expected. My teacher comforted me, saying “Don’t worry. You can do better next time.” But I’m still feeling bad. I need your help.  

               ----Disappointed

A: Dear xx,

     As I see it, you have three choices. You can find a new flat for yourself, make him find a new one, or have a talk with him and see if you could both be a little less extreme in your attitudes towards housekeeping. I would suggest you start with the third.

                                Molly

B: Dear xx,

     You could try talking to him about the importance of being on time. If it doesn’t work, one trick you can try is to ask him to set his clock 15 minutes ahead. You could also tell him that something starts 15 minutes or more before it really starts.

Molly

C: Dear xx,

      This is a common problem for people of your age. Tell your parents how you feel. Let them know you respect them. Maybe you can make a deal with them. For example, ask them for one day off each week to do what you want to do.

                              Molly

D: Dear xx,

   Next time when he begins talking, you might interrupt him with a smile, saying

“That’s interesting, but I hope you understand this is my time to relax. I need to do some reading now.” He may sense your unwillingness and stop talking.

                            Molly

E: Dear xx,

“Be yourself ” is the best solution. If I were you, I’d tell him to leave me alone. At least tell him, “That was hurtful. Please don’t say things like that to me. I’m a football fan and like watching football games. I can make my own decision.”

                               Molly

F: Dear xx,

    Scores are important for students, but you don’t have to care too much about the result of one test. You are learning. Maybe it is more important to find out why you failed to achieve your goal. Try to do better next time.

                             Molly

第二节: 信息匹配（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）

请阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请将答案填写在答题卡标号为76-80的相应位置上.注意：E=AB; F=CD

Molly 信箱是一个报刊栏目,主持人Molly 回答读者提出的各种问题. 第1至第5题是五位读者的来信.请从A、B、C、D、E、F中为每封来信选出合适的答复.

76. Dear Molly,

I have a problem. My parents are always talking to me about studying. They want me to study harder so I can go to a good school. I know studying is very important, but my parents put too much pressure on me. How can I explain to my parents that I need some free time?

          ------ Overworked

77. Dear Molly,

         My best friend Tony is a nice young man, but he has a bad habit. He is always late. No matter where he is going or what he is doing, he is never on time. Once he turned up thirty minutes late for a meeting! What can I do to break him of this bad habit?

                   ------ Worried

78. Dear Molly,

         I have a new roommate named Louis. He is a good friend of mine, but he is driving me crazy because he is very untidy. He leaves his dirty clothes everywhere, and he never makes his bed. I am extremely neat. What can I do?

                                    ---- Unhappy

79. Dear Molly,

         My cousin plays computer games a lot and he keeps on talking to me about various games. I don’t have any interest at all, but I find it difficult to stop him without hurting his feelings. Would you kindly give me some advice?

                                     ----- Shy

80. Dear Molly,

         I’m feeling upset these days because the result of my last English exam was not as good as I had expected. My teacher comforted me, saying “Don’t worry. You can do better next time.” But I’m still feeling bad. I need your help.  

               ----Disappointed

A: Dear xx,

     As I see it, you have three choices. You can find a new flat for yourself, make him find a new one, or have a talk with him and see if you could both be a little less extreme in your attitudes towards housekeeping. I would suggest you start with the third.

                                Molly

B: Dear xx,

     You could try talking to him about the importance of being on time. If it doesn’t work, one trick you can try is to ask him to set his clock 15 minutes ahead. You could also tell him that something starts 15 minutes or more before it really starts.

Molly

C: Dear xx,

      This is a common problem for people of your age. Tell your parents how you feel. Let them know you respect them. Maybe you can make a deal with them. For example, ask them for one day off each week to do what you want to do.

                              Molly

D: Dear xx,

   Next time when he begins talking, you might interrupt him with a smile, saying

“That’s interesting, but I hope you understand this is my time to relax. I need to do some reading now.” He may sense your unwillingness and stop talking.

                            Molly

E: Dear xx,

“Be yourself ” is the best solution. If I were you, I’d tell him to leave me alone. At least tell him, “That was hurtful. Please don’t say things like that to me. I’m a football fan and like watching football games. I can make my own decision.”

                               Molly

F: Dear xx,

    Scores are important for students, but you don’t have to care too much about the result of one test. You are learning. Maybe it is more important to find out why you failed to achieve your goal. Try to do better next time.

                             Molly

第二节: 信息匹配（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）

请阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请将答案填写在答题卡标号为76-80的相应位置上.注意：E=AB; F=CD

Molly 信箱是一个报刊栏目,主持人Molly 回答读者提出的各种问题. 第1至第5题是五位读者的来信.请从A、B、C、D、E、F中为每封来信选出合适的答复.

76. Dear Molly,

I have a problem. My parents are always talking to me about studying. They want me to study harder so I can go to a good school. I know studying is very important, but my parents put too much pressure on me. How can I explain to my parents that I need some free time?

          ------ Overworked

77. Dear Molly,

      My best friend Tony is a nice young man, but he has a bad habit. He is always late. No matter where he is going or what he is doing, he is never on time. Once he turned up thirty minutes late for a meeting! What can I do to break him of this bad habit?

                     ------ Worried

78. Dear Molly,

       I have a new roommate named Louis. He is a good friend of mine, but he is driving me crazy because he is very untidy. He leaves his dirty clothes everywhere, and he never makes his bed. I am extremely neat. What can I do?

                           ---- Unhappy

79. Dear Molly,

       My cousin plays computer games a lot and he keeps on talking to me about various games. I don’t have any interest at all, but I find it difficult to stop him without hurting his feelings. Would you kindly give me some advice?

                            ----- Shy

80. Dear Molly,

       I’m feeling upset these days because the result of my last English exam was not as good as I had expected. My teacher comforted me, saying “Don’t worry. You can do better next time.” But I’m still feeling bad. I need your help.  

               ----Disappointed

A: Dear xx,

     As I see it, you have three choices. You can find a new flat for yourself, make him find a new one, or have a talk with him and see if you could both be a little less extreme in your attitudes towards housekeeping. I would suggest you start with the third.

                                Molly

B: Dear xx,

     You could try talking to him about the importance of being on time. If it doesn’t work, one trick you can try is to ask him to set his clock 15 minutes ahead. You could also tell him that something starts 15 minutes or more before it really starts.

Molly

C: Dear xx,

      This is a common problem for people of your age. Tell your parents how you feel. Let them know you respect them. Maybe you can make a deal with them. For example, ask them for one day off each week to do what you want to do.

                              Molly

D: Dear xx,

   Next time when he begins talking, you might interrupt him with a smile, saying

“That’s interesting, but I hope you understand this is my time to relax. I need to do some reading now.” He may sense your unwillingness and stop talking.

                            Molly

E: Dear xx,

“Be yourself ” is the best solution. If I were you, I’d tell him to leave me alone. At least tell him, “That was hurtful. Please don’t say things like that to me. I’m a football fan and like watching football games. I can make my own decision.”

                               Molly

F: Dear xx,

    Scores are important for students, but you don’t have to care too much about the result of one test. You are learning. Maybe it is more important to find out why you failed to achieve your goal. Try to do better next time.

                             Molly