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The heart of the American calendar is July 4. Americans have celebrated this date as Independence Day since 1776. On this holiday, parades, picnics and fireworks create a festive atmosphere. Red, white and blue ribbons mimic (模拟)the colors of the “stars and stripes”. Patriotic speeches remind Americans of their heritage. But July 4 is more than a national holiday. It represents the heartbeat of America: freedom.
Ask the average American, “What is freedom?”You will probably hear, “It's being able to do what I want to do. ”When Americans think of freedom, they often think of individualism (个人). They see themselves more as individuals than as members of a family or social group. American-style democracy tries to protect individual rights. It also promises each person the freedom to make choices. People in other culture may not understand this emphasis in individuals. Stressing individual human rights seems strange to cultures where the rights of society are more important.
Privacy is one good example of individual rights. Personal freedom in America often means the right to one's own space. In many American homes, each child has his or her own bedroom. Parents feel they should knock before entering. When Americans want to visit friends or relatives, they usually call first. They don't want to invade someone's privacy, even if they know the person quite well. Also, in some cultures people have strong ties to their extended family. They openly share time, money and information with their family members. Americans, on the other hand, prefer to keep many “family matters” private. For them, a “family unit”is just a husband and wife and their children. They dislike having relatives or outsiders meddle (干涉) in their affairs. Like wise, individuals may not want to share private information in everyday conversation. If a stranger asks about their salary, age, marital status or religion, Americans might feel embarrassed or un-comfortable.
1．“Stars and stripes” in the first paragraph refers to ________.
[ ]
A．the national flag of the USA
B．a certain pattern Americans like best
C．something used to celebrate the holiday
D．the most beautiful fireworks
2．July 4 is a special day to Americans because ________.
[ ]
A．it has something to do with freedom
B．it reminds Americans of the Civil War
C．they have a special chance to recall the history
D．there is a festive atmosphere
3．In the eyes of Americans freedom means ________.
[ ]
A．do whatever you like
B．the emphasis on human rights
C．care more about oneself
D．keep away from others
4．In America ________.
[ ]
A．people openly share time, money and information
B．only close friends share private information
C．every individual has his own space
D．only relatives talk about something private in everyday conversation
5．Americans always regard themselves as
[ ]
A．heroes
B．members of a family
C．members of a social group
D．individuals
Rodney Mace, 35, is married with two young children, and is a part-time teacher of history,“I am constantly surprised by other people's surprise, when they come to the house and see me cleaning the floor or hanging out the washing. Their eyes open wide at the sight of it! Much of the comment comes from men. But I am even more surprised at the number of women who comment too.”
His wife Jane, an Oxford graduate in modern languages, has a demanding full-time job. She is director of the Cambridge House literacy scheme for adults in South London. Her working week involves several evenings and Saturdays, and at this time her husband is in charge of home and family. Apart from this, they share household jobs and employ a child-minder for the afternoons. This enables him to teach two days a week and to do what he considers his principal work. writing. He has written several books and spends much of his time in the Museum Reading Room, cycling there from his home in Brixton.
People ask the Maces if they think their children miss them. One can argue that satisfied parents generally have satisfied children, but in any case the Maces are careful to spare time and energy to play with their children.“And they have now developed relationships with other adults and children.”
Before, Rodney Mace worked full-time and Jane only part-time. Then 18 months ago, the director of the literacy scheme left.“It seems to me that Jane was very well suited to do this job. She was very doubtful about it. But I asked her to apply. She did, and she got it.”Jane Mace says that she needed this encouragement, as so many women do.
Did his male ego（男性自我意识）suffer from the change-over? Nothing like that occurred. But he still seems amazed at the way it changed his thinking.“I felt that we were finally going to be partners. I felt enormous relief, I wasn't avoiding responsibility, but changing it. Our relationship is so much better now. It has been a change for the good for both of us-- think for all of us, in every aspect of our lives. I cannot overemphasize（过分强调）that: in every aspect, I think it is necessary that the woman works. The idea of equal partnership is an illusion if one partner doesn't work.”
(1)The article is about a couple whose married life is happier because ________.
[ ]
A．they have a truly equal partnership
B．the husband enjoys staying at home
C．they earn more money
D．the wife has a full-time job
(2)Jane finally decided to apply for her present job because ________.
[ ]
A．she thought she had better qualification than others
B．her husband had persuaded her to
C．it was very well paid
D．some of her friends encouraged her to
(3)It is implied in the passage that ________.
[ ]
A．the Maces believe a good career is even more important than their family life
B．Rodney's children are quite happy with their position in the family
C．even capable women sometimes need encouragement from their families
D．the practice of sharing household jobs between husband and wife is common in London
(4)We can infer from this passage that a change-over of roles in the family ________.
[ ]
A．is quite necessary in modern life
B．is probably based on some practical reasons
C．aims mainly at a complete liberation of women
D．shows women are not necessarily inferior（低下）to men
(5)Which of the following statements is true?
[ ]
A．Most Englishmen think that a husband should do more housework than a wife.
B．In London the traditional idea about the sex role at home has been completely changed.
C．Many Englishmen and Englishwomen still believe that women are mainly in charge of home and family.
D．English people believe that men should take more responsibilities for housework.
An estimated 80 percent of American adults think music lessons, though at times boring and challenging in the eyes of some kids, improve children’s ability to learn or their performance in school . They say that the satisfaction for learning to play a new song helps a child express creativity.
Researchers at Harvard University, however, have found that there’s one thing musical training does not do. Samuel Mehr, the leading researcher of the new study, said it is wrong to think that learning to play a musical instrument improves a child’s intellectual development. The evidence comes from studies that measured the mental ability of two groups of 4-year-olds and their parents. One group attended music class; the comparison group went to a class that places importance on the optical arts-arts that can be seen.
“We found no evidence for any advantage on any of these tests for the kids participating in these music classes,” said Mehr.
Samuel Mehr says researchers have carried out many studies in an effort to learn whether musical training can make children smarter. Only one study seems to show a small percentage increase in IQ, intellectual scores among students after one year of music lessons.
He does not believe that IQ is a good measure of a child’s intelligence. Therefore, the researchers in his study compared how well children in the musical training group did on mental processing tasks, then the results were compared to those of children who did not take lessons.
Music lessons may not offer children a fast easy way to gain entry to the best schools later of their life, but the training is still important.
Mr Mehr notes that the works of writer William Shakespeare are not taught , so the children will do better in physics. He says Shakespeare is taught because it is important for cultural reasons.“And I don’t think music needs to be any different than that.”
1.What attitude do most American grown-ups have towards music lessons? _________
A. Uninterested B. Approving C. Doubtful D. Uncertain
2.The underlined word“optical”in Paragraph 2 probably means .
A. visual B. colorful C. traditional D. serious
3.According to Samuel Mehr, _________ .
A. many studies show that music training can improve IQ
B. IQ is a good measure of a child’s intelligence
C. music can enable a child to go to a better school
D. music should be taught for cultural reasons
4.The study shows that .
A. early music training has negative effects
B. musical lessons should be stopped at school
C. musical training doesn’t improve kids’ intelligence
D. playing musical instrument makes kids more creative
Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Trevor The Taxi
In this children's story, suited to younger children, we have an adventure with Trevor. He is a taxi. Trevor loves his life:
“Sometimes he takes patients to the nursing home, where they can get better after being ill, and sometimes he takes people home when they have been shopping, and Stan puts all their packages inside Trevor's boot, so they will not get wet or broken.”
The black cab, in this adventure, goes far beyond the call of duty whilst he achieves his wildest dreams! What could this be? Well you will just have to read this short story for yourself!
Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Girl Who Believed In Fairies
The fairy queen is upset and the elves just don't know what to do:
“Oh dear, oh dear," sobbed the queen, getting her hankie all wet with her constant crying. For the twelfth time that day, Elgie the chief elf took her hankie and wrung it out on to the carpet of grass that grew all around the palace.”
How will they manage to help the queen? Why was she so unhappy? There is only one person that can help! Can she do it? This is a lovely fairy tale that will glow the embers of your heart - only for young girls!
Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Envious Kings
This story is suitable for 6 years and upwards.
Unfolding in the story pages of this recommendation is a children's story about two kings who were competing with each other:
“In spite of the easy life that the two kings had, they were not happy, for each of them kept thinking that the other one had a bigger and better palace, or owned more horses, or had more jewels or even had creamier milk.”
They were both petty and, through their envy, they caused themselves much trouble. Who do you think saved the day? Well, you will just have to read the story to find out!
Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Wise Old Woman
This story is probably suited to the 8 years old age range and upwards, although would appeal to adults, alike.
Here I introduce you to one of my kids on-line stories listed on the writing and literature section of Hubpages. In this parable you will find a magical world of wisdom involving trees, people and someone very special.
“As she stood and watched, the knowledge melted into her and the sapling grew...The magical transition took her breath away and as she watched on with ore, she noticed something strange.”
So, what was this strangeness and magical transition? Let me leave you with wonderment ... and a click of the link!
Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Unusual Stories - Faffenburger's Odyssey
This story is probably more suited to the older child. So who is Faffenburger? Well with one of these free on-line short stories for kids, we enter into a different realm. A world of nonsense as Faffenburger moves within alpha and omega. This is a rather unusual story as you will find out!
“My friend, Henry Faffenburger stomped down the long lane on his short stumpy legs, moonlight glancing off his bald-spot, which was a little surprising as there was no moon that night. As he rounded the bend, he saw a pair of headlights coming toward him. They drew level, and stopped. A small man with yellow eyes emerged from the darkness behind the lights, and enquired if Faffenburger would like a lift.
"Where are you going ?" asked my friend. "Wherever you want to go", replied the owner of the yellow eyes.”
So, the adventure begins! Where will they go? Alpha, Omega or just the middle? After all, it was a long summer - especially the middle! Take a closer look at this - you might find something a little more strange and a little more hidden that you have noticed before. Intrigued? Well you should be with Faffenburger's Odyssey!
【小题1】Which story is more well-received by young girls?
| A．Trevor The Taxi | B．Faffenburger's Odyssey |
| C．The Wise Old Woman | D．The Girl Who Believed In Fairys |
| A．The Envious Kings | B．The Girl Who Believed In Fairies |
| C．The Wise Old Woman | D．Faffenburger's Odyssey |
| A．Jealous | B．powerful | C．rude | D．ugly |
| A．parents with children | B．children who love to surf the Internet |
| C．teachers in high school | D．experts who concern children |
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