Making Peace with Your Parents

As a teen, you’re going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are expanding.  1    

Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are out in that world. These conflicts （矛盾） can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can’t be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents.

For instance, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted, or hungry. A good time to talk is when you’re all relaxed. Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you’d better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation -- for now. 2  Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you’re listening.3_ 

Respect is the building block of good communication. People who respect each other and care about each others’ feelings can disagree without things getting ugly. _4__ How do you build trust?  Trust comes by actually doing what you say you’re going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-makers—they’re interesting people who like to watch movies, and go shopping—just like their teenagers!

What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky? _5__ You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can lend an ear.

Remember you can only change your own behavior; your parents are the only ones who can change theirs. 

A．It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you’re not on the same page.

B．You can pick it up again when everyone’s more relaxed.

C．And then you’ll be able to accept what your parents say.

D．Faced with the challenge, children don’t know what to do.

E. You are more likely to get along with your parents and have more independence if your parents believe in you.

F. And your desire to take control of your own life is growing.

G. You may consider seeking outside help.

 

Making Peace with Your Parents
As a teen, you’re going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are expanding.  【小题1】 
Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are out in that world. These conflicts （矛盾） can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can’t be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents.
For instance, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted, or hungry. A good time to talk is when you’re all relaxed. Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you’d better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation -- for now. 【小题2】 Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you’re listening.【小题3】_ 
Respect is the building block of good communication. People who respect each other and care about each others’ feelings can disagree without things getting ugly. _【小题4】__ How do you build trust?  Trust comes by actually doing what you say you’re going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-makers—they’re interesting people who like to watch movies, and go shopping—just like their teenagers!
What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky? _【小题5】__ You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can lend an ear.
Remember you can only change your own behavior; your parents are the only ones who can change theirs.

A．It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you’re not on the same page.

B．You can pick it up again when everyone’s more relaxed.

C．And then you’ll be able to accept what your parents say.

D．Faced with the challenge, children don’t know what to do.

E. You are more likely to get along with your parents and have more independence if your parents believe in you.
F. And your desire to take control of your own life is growing.
G. You may consider seeking outside help.

In much society, there is often greater acceptance of light skin than dark
skin; Light skin may be seen as a mark of beauty, intelligence and success.
These beliefs can lead to social pressures even within the same group, if some members are darker than others. The result is that skin lightening has become very common across Africa, Asia and other areas of the world and more people with dark skin are using skin-lighting products, even if it means they may face health risks. They believe that having whiter skin will improve the quality of their lives. Many people think they will have a better family. Or they want to look like what their society generally considers beautiful.
Some beauty care（美容）products and soaps contain chemicals
that make skin lighter. However, some of the chemicals are extremely dangerous. The chemicals in the products block and break down the natural barrier(障碍) to protect against sunlight. Then the skin can become thick and discolored. Usually the person will use more of the product in an effort to correct the problem, which just makes things even worse. Doctor Ly says some chemicals are so dangerous that they may lead to blackened fingernails, infections(感染) and serious skin damage.
And these are not the only problems. Experts say some people who change their skin color suffer emotional damage. They feel regretful and sad. They feel that instead of risking their health, they should have learned to live and accept their skin color as it was.
【小题1】What’s the result of the wrong understanding of darker skin?

A．Many people with dark skin try to make their skin whiter.

B．Many people with whiter skin live a better life than others.

C．People with darker skin try to marry people with light skin.

D．People with darker skin try to protect themselves against social pressures.

【小题2】The third paragraph is about       .

A．some medical effects that skin-lightening products have brought about

B．the mental damage that skin-lightening products have caused

C．the physical damage that skin-lightening products have caused

D．the causes why skin-lightening products can make skin whiter

【小题3】Why are chemicals in beauty care products dangerous?

A．They can damage the skin’s color producing progress.

B．They can control people’s emotions and feelings.

C．They can make the fingernails and skin black.

D．They make more people decide to change their skin colors.

Americans are thinking about national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the effort.
　　The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. What is the reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to each state.
Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.
Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left behind Act.
　　Kara Schlosser is communications director for the CCSSO. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.
　　Forty--eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states refuse to accept the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the national standards will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal control.
　　Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify (取得资格) for some federal grant money.
【小题1】What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Local Control of Education Standards out of Date

B．American National Education Standards under Consideration

C．Education Standards in Each State--Good or Bad.

D．Acceptance of the New Standards in the United States

【小题2】Why is local control of education no 1onger a good idea today?

A．Because local standards are limited.

B．Because it is required by the federal government.

C．Because people today moves among states more often than before.

D．Because America has never had the same school standards throughout the country.

【小题3】Some people are against the nationa1 education standards because__________

A．the standards are higher than those of each state

B．they are not yet prepared for the new standards

C．the standards may prevent some students gaining excellence

D．they don't want the federal government to train their teachers

【小题4】If a state agrees to accept the national standards, it will probably get ________.

A．more students	B．advice on how to improve teaching
C．better textbooks	D．money from the federal government