When their parents were children, they imagined a future standing in front of a class of pupils or doing the rounds （巡诊） as a doctor.

But today’s British teenagers, a survey suggests, seem to have set their sights only on becoming the next Leona Lewis or Wayne Rooney.

Researchers questioned 3,000 teenagers about their ambitions and also asked parents about their youthful career hopes.

According to the survey, youngsters dream of a celebrity（明星）lifestyle, perhaps after finding fame through shows such as the X Factor, and of being actors or sports stars.

Copying the likes of Rooney and David Beckham was the top career ambition of today’s teenagers, cited by 12 percent.

Almost as many, 11 percent, wanted to be pop stars, and the same proportion（比例） dreamed of being actors.

The success of celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay is likely to explain why becoming a chef is now the dream of 5 percent, a career ambition which did not figure in the list of 25 years ago.

A quarter of a century back teaching was the top career choice, cited by 15 percent. These days the job is chosen by only 4 percent.

Of the traditional professions, only law has risen in popularity.

The survey also suggests that more girls dream of becoming doctors and boys want careers as astronauts or firefighters.

Child psychologist Laverne Antrobus said the findings reflect today's celebrity culture and warned children against unrealistic dreams.

“Children see footballers, pop stars and actors on TV and their lives look exciting, glamorous and fun,” she said. “It is hard for them to realize that they are the end product of a lot of ingredients including talent, determination and years of hard work. Wayne Rooney is not on the pitch by chance .”

As Antrobus pointed out, there is absolutely nothing wrong with children having big dreams, but “these have to be based on reality,” she said.

1．The study suggests that today's British teenagers want to ______ sports stars, pop stars and actors.

      A．have the talent of                           B．work as hard as

      C．enjoy the celebrity lifestyles of              D．become successful by chance like

2．Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

       A．12 percent of British teenagers surveyed wanted to become chefs.

       B．22 percent of British teenagers surveyed wanted to be pop stars or actors.

       C．None of the traditional professions are favored by today's British teenagers, the survey suggests.

       D．Teaching, though less popular, seems to remain one of the top career choices on the list.

3．According to child psychologist Laverne Antrobus, the change in career ambitions suggested by the study ______.  

       A．represents progress

       B．mirrors today's celebrity culture

       C．shows how materialistic youngsters are

       D．suggests British teenagers watch too much TV

4．What does the underlined sentence “Wayne Rooney is not on the pitch by chance.” mean?

       A．Wayne Rooney does not get to play much today.

       B．Wayne Rooney didn't get into sport by chance.

       C．Wayne Rooney doesn't believe in luck when he is playing.

       D．Wayne Rooney didn't become successful by luck.

5．The expert quoted in the article believes ______.

       A．there’s no point in teenagers having dreams 

       B．it is wrong to desire to live the life of a celebrity

       C．young Britons have the same ambitions as their parents

       D．children should set practical goals when they think of their careers

（湖南省衡阳市2010届高三三校12月联考）

B

When their parents were children, they imagined a future standing in front of a class of pupils or doing the rounds (巡诊) as a doctor.

   But today’s British teenagers, a survey suggests, seem to have set their sights only on becoming the next Leona Lewis or Wayne Rooney.

   Researchers questioned 3,000 teenagers about their ambitions and also asked parents about their youthful career hopes.

   According to the survey, youngsters dream of a celebrity (明星) lifestyle, perhaps after finding fame through shows such as the X Factor, and of being actors or sports stars.

   Copying the likes of Rooney and David Beckham was the top career ambition of today’s teenagers, cited (说到) by 12 percent.

   Almost as many, 11 percent, wanted to be pop stars, and the same proportion (比例) dreamed of being actors.

   The success of celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay is likely to explain why becoming a chef is now the dream of 5 percent, a career ambition which did not figure in the list of 25 years ago.

   A quarter of a century back teaching was the top career choice, cited by 15 percent. These days the job is chosen by only 4 percent.

   Of the traditional professions (职业), only law has risen in popularity.

   The survey also suggests that more girls dream of becoming doctors and boys want careers as astronauts (宇航员) or firefighters.

   Child psychologist (心理学家) Laverne Antrobus said the findings reflect today's celebrity culture and warned children against unrealistic dreams.

   “Children see footballers, pop stars and actors on TV and their lives look exciting, glamorous (光鲜的) and fun,” she said. “It is hard for them to realize that they are the end product of a lot of ingredients including talent, determination and years of hard work. Wayne Rooney is not on the pitch (球场) by chance.”

   As Antrobus pointed out, there is absolutely nothing wrong with children having big dreams, but “these have to be based on reality,” she said.

   UK career ambitions of two generations

Today % citing

1. sports star 12         2 .pop star 11          3. actor 11        4. astronaut 9

5. lawyer 9             6. emergency services worker 7            7. medicine 6

8. chef 5               9. teacher 4           10 .vet 3

25 years ago % citing

1. teacher 15       2 .banking/ finance 9       3. medicine 7        4. scientist 6

5. vet 6           6. lawyer 6                7. sports star 5       8. astronaut 4

9. beautician/hairdresser 4                     10. archaeologist 3

61. The study suggests that today's British teenagers want to ______ sports stars, pop stars and actors.         

  A. have the talent of                B. work as hard as

  C. enjoy the celebrity lifestyles of     D. become successful by chance like

62.Which of the following statements is TRUE? 

A. 12 percent of British teenagers surveyed wanted to become chefs.

B. 22 percent of British teenagers surveyed wanted to be pop stars or actors.

C. None of the traditional professions are favored by today's British teenagers, the survey suggests.

D. Teaching, though less popular, seems to remain one of the top career choices on the list.

63. According to child psychologist Laverne Antrobus, the change in career ambitions suggested by the study ______.  

A. represents progress     B. mirrors today's celebrity culture

C. shows how materialistic youngsters are    

D. suggests British teenagers watch too much TV

64. What does the underlined sentence “Wayne Rooney is not on the pitch by chance.” mean?

A. Wayne Rooney does not get to play much today.  

B. Wayne Rooney didn't get into sport by chance.

C. Wayne Rooney doesn't believe in luck when he is playing.

D. Wayne Rooney didn't become successful by luck.

65. The expert quoted in the article believes ______.

A. there's no point in teenagers having dream 

B. it is wrong to desire to live the life of a celebrity

C. young Britons have the same ambitions as their parent

D. children should set practical goals when they think of their career