The practice of students endlessly copying letters and sentences from a blackboard is a thing of the past. With the coming of new technologies like computers and smart phone, writing by hand has become something of nostalgic (懷舊的 )skill. However, while today’s educators are using more and more technology in their teaching, many believe basic handwriting skills are still necessary for students to be successful---both in school and in life.
Virginia Berninger, professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington, says it’s important to continue teaching handwriting and help children acquire the skill of writing by hand.
Berninger and her colleagues conducted a study that looked at the ability of students to complete various writing tasks---both on a computer and by hand. The study, published in 2009, found that when writing with a pen and paper, participants wrote longer essays and more complete sentences and had a faster word production rate.
In a more recent study, Berninger looked at what role spelling plays in a student’s writing skills and found that how well children spell is tied to know well they can write. “Spelling makes some of the thinking parts of the brain active which helps us access our vocabulary, word meaning and concepts. It is allowing our written language to connect with ideas.” Berninger said.
Spelling helps students translate ideas into words in their mind first and then to transcribe (轉(zhuǎn)換) “those words in the mind written symbols on paper or keyboard and screen,” the study said. Seeing the words in the “mind’s eye” helps children not only to turn their ideas into words, says Berninger, but also to spot (發(fā)現(xiàn)) spelling mistakes when they write the words down and to correct then over time.
“In our computer age, some people believe that we don’t have to teach spelling because we have spell checks,” she said. “But until a child has a functional spelling ability of about a fifth grade level, they won’t have the knowledge to choose the correct spelling among the options given by the computer.”
【小題1】What makes writing by hand a thing of the past? ______________.

A．The absence of blackboard in classroom.

B．The use of new technologies in teaching.

C．The lack of practice in handwriting.

D．The popular use of smartphones.

【小題2】Berninger’s study published in 2009 ___________.

A．focused on the difference between writing by hand and on a computer.

B．indicated that students prefer to write with a pen and paper.

C．found that good essays are made up of long sentences.

D．discussed the importance of writing speed.

【小題3】Which of the following best shows the role of spelling? 

A．Spelling improves one’s memory of words.

B．Spelling abilityis closely related to writing ability.

C．Spelling benefits the translation from words into ideas.

D．Spelling slows down finding exact words to express ideas.

【小題4】What does “mind’s eye” in paragraph 5 mean? ______________.

A．Window.

B．Soul

C．Picture.

D．Imagination.

【小題5】What conclusion could be drawn from the passage? ______________.

A．Computers can help people with their choice of words.

B．Spell checks can take the place of spelling teaching.

C．Handwriting still has a place in today’s classrooms.

D．Functional spelling ability develops fast in the fifth grade.

The arts, especially music, should be part of every school's lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.
Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang (團(tuán)伙). Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.
Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.
Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.
【小題1】According to the passage, music could make students smarter by _______________.

A．improving their classroom skills and paying attention

B．improving their classroom skills and imagination

C．improving their attention, direction and imagination

D．learning music, making music and trying out their own ideas

【小題2】What does the underlined phrase "glued to" in the second paragraph mean?

A．unwilling to turn on	B．a(chǎn)lways looking
C．unwilling to leave	D．a(chǎn)lways playing

【小題3】The third paragraph mainly tells us that music could _______________.

A．give children self-expression and self-confidence

B．bring to children achievement and success

C．give children something to be proud of

D．develop children's self-confidence

【小題4】What's the best title of this passage？

A．Music is a must as a course at school

B．Music builds children's self-confidence

C．Music makes students much smarter

D．Learning music and making music

After commuting, cooking dinner and doing household chores, the average parent has just 30 minutes to devote to their children in the evenings, according to a new study. One in four working parents worry that half an hour simply isn’t enough, while almost half fret that they aren’t a good enough parent during the week.
However, parenting experts believe just 12 minutes a day may be enough for mothers and fathers to fully reconnect with their child — as long as they ask the right questions. Child psychologist Dr Claire Halsey said asking a series of open-ended questions can help improve parents’ relationship with their children.
Among the questions recommended in the research are: “How many times have you smiled today — what made you laugh?”; “Can you act out what you did at breaktime?”; “Who is taller — mummy or your teacher?” and “What are the names of the toys you played with today?” Parents of older children are advised to start up a conversation with: “I’ve got a great story for you but I want one in return… you first!” or “Tell me some school gossip … I’m all ears!”
Dr Halsey, working with the makers of Ribena Plus, who commissioned the research, said: “There is no one as tough on their own parenting skills as a parent — but this study shows there is no need for parents to be so harsh. It’s hard for working parents to juggle all their responsibilities and it can feel like guilt is simply a parent’s lot — but it’s absolutely not. By using clever tactics such as a little preparation alongside use of open-ended questions — such as ‘Tell me what the best bit about your day was?’ — parents can reduce the time worrying about chores and work and spend more time learning about their children’s day.”
【小題1】The underlined word reconnect in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ________.

A．discuss

B． communicate

C． understand

D． combine

【小題2】According to Paragraph 1, almost half of the working parents ________.

A．can spare only about half an hour to be with their kids every day

B．spend their daytime commuting, cooking dinner and doing household chores

C．worry that half an hour’s stay with their kids is far from enough

D．fear that they aren’t a good enough parent during the week

【小題3】What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．I will be glad to listen.

B．I will be very interested.

C．I will listen carefully.

D．I will call your teacher at school.

【小題4】Which of the following open-ended questions is for a three-year-old child?

A．Where are you off to with your friends this weekend?

B．Who played the best in your football match today?

C．What science project are you doing at the moment and can I help with it?

D．What are the names of the toys you played with today?

【小題5】What does Dr Halsey intend to tell us in this passage?

A．It is not necessary for parents to spend too much time with their children.

B．It is natural that working parents do not afford more time to reconnect with kids.

C．It is important that working parents learn more parenting skills.

D．It is clever that parents ask their kids questions instead of doing chores.

I am a strong believer that if a child is raised with approval (準(zhǔn)允), he learns to love himself and will be successful in his own way. Several weeks ago, I was doing homework with my son in the third grade and he kept standing up from his chair to go over the math lines. I kept asking him to sit down, telling him that he would concentrate better. He sat but seconds later, as if he didn’t even notice he was doing it, he got up again. I was getting frustrated (受挫), but then it hit me. I started noticing his answers were much quicker and accurate when he stood up. Could he be more absorbed while standing up?
This made me start questioning myself and what I had been raised to believe. I was raised to believe that a quiet, calm child was a sure way to success. This child would have the willpower to study hard, get good grades and become someone important in life.
Now those same people perhaps come to realize that their kids are born with their own sets of DNA and personality qualities, and all you can do is loving and accepting them. As parents, throughout their growing years and beyond that, we need to be our kids’ best cheerleaders, guiding them and helping them find their way.
I have stopped asking my son to sit down and concentrate. Obviously, he is concentrating just in his own way and not mine. We need to learn to accept our kids’ ways of doing things. Some way may have worked for me but doesn’t mean we need to carry it through generations. There is nothing sweeter than being personal and unique (獨(dú)特的). It makes us free and happy and that’s just the way I want my kids to live their own life. 
【小題1】Time and again the author got his son seated in order to make him ______.

A．work fast

B．go polite

C．stay relaxed

D．keep attentive

【小題2】The underlined “it” (in the first paragraph) probably refers to ______.

A．his son’s doing better while standing up

B．his failure in keeping his son under control

C．his own experience as a school boy

D．his disappointment with his active child

【小題3】By this passage, the author attempts to tell other parents to ______.

A．correct their kids’ manners from the early ages

B．respect and trust their kids’ ways of behaviors

C．develop a good relationship with their children

D．guarantee their children’s freedom at home

【小題4】Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?

A．Parental help with teens’ study

B．Adult influence on teen growth

C．Kids’ success in their own styles

D．Friendship between generations

Many people don't realize the importance of music education in the schools today．A new study showed, however, music education is extremely important．
In college, music education is one of the largest programs．Teachers have to learn general education materials and techniques． They must learn to play every instrument; they must learn music history and music theory; they must learn instrument repair and teaching methods; they must learn conducting and so much more．At the same time, much of our culture and tradition is absorbed in music．
Music plays a very important role in our education．
Music helps with math and science． Students learn to count, and how to multiply and divide．Students also use science to help them discover what sounds good together and what doesn't．Students also need science to understand something called the “overtone series", which is about how music is produced by vibration（顫動(dòng)）and why．
Students learn a lot about languages through music．Many songs are written in other languages, including ancient ones．Students must learn to translate these works to understand what they are singing about． A song is likely to be a famous short work set to music; so students are exposed to that very often while singing．
Students learn a huge amount of cooperation （協(xié)作）of body parts through music, so parts of the body can work better together．Students must use motor（肌肉運(yùn)動(dòng)的）skills in order to play an instrument．Singers and wind（管樂器）players must learn breath control and be in good shape to play．
Students learn about art． Some famous pieces were written about important pieces of art, and students learn about the artists and styles as they're playing the music．
Music education also brings higher thinking to our children．It allows them to think about complex patterns．Students have to be aware of what every other musician does at every time．In that way, it develops cooperation, as well．They tend to develop more ability for learning．
As one can see, music is very important to education．
【小題1】According to the passage, learning music in college will be quite         ．

A．easy

B．stressful

C．a(chǎn)ttractive

D．useless

【小題2】As to the benefits from music, which of the following is NOT included in the passage?

A．Calculation．	B．Language study．
C．Relaxation．	D．Cooperation of body parts．

【小題3】The underlined word "that" in Para．5 refers to“            "．

A．the music	B．the language
C．the culture	D．the work

【小題4】What can we know from the passage?

A．Science and music are extreme poles．

B．Only the wisest person can learn music well．

C．Music is good to our all-round development．

D．All of us know the importance of music clearly．

Like a backward tape, time returns to my mom's teens．She is waiting for admission results from a famous high school．She has studied for the test but with joy, since she feels no suffering in learning．Suddenly I spy her jumping and laughing, waving a paper in her hand while her family stands nearby, more shocked than happy．No one else from their village has ever passed the test．
Later, at her new high school, I proudly watch as she continues to rise to the top．Many of her essays are published in newspapers, and her classmates seek her advice when a test is approaching． She never refuses them, and I feel honored to be related to such an intelligent person．
As I walk with her through her journey, I finally come to the point I have been looking forward to most: her life in America． After passing several tests and finding a kind boss to sponsor her, she becomes a college student at University of California, Los Angeles． At first, I sense her loneliness and panic as she tries to adapt to her new surroundings．Though her English is broken and she knows little about American culture, I can tell she is more than grateful to be here． Here she has access to electricity and running water, and most importantly, better schools． At UCLA, she has so many opportunities to grow and advance in her field．
Her journey to America was for just one reason: education．Though having an education will better her life, I know she doesn't do it for herself．My mom wants her children to have an easier life that will not require hard labor．I see what my mom goes through, and I'm filled with gratitude that she has made the brave choice to move here．
【小題1】According to the first paragraph, the writer's mother considers learning to be        .

A．easy and joyful	B．bitter but rewarding
C．costly and boring	D．exciting but fruitless

【小題2】Which of the following does the writer's mother do at high school?

A．Working as a newspaper deliverer．

B．Feeling proud of her intelligence．

C．Working hard to be honored and awarded．

D．Giving her classmates advice before tests．

【小題3】How does the writer's mother pay for her college education?

A．By doing a part-time job．

B．By asking her parents for support．

C．With the financial support from a kind boss．

D．With the help from her teachers and classmates．

【小題4】What is the final aim of the writer's mother's going to America?

A．To accumulate wealth．

B．To benefit her children．

C．To make her parents live better．

D．To become famous in her field of study．

A MENTORING (導(dǎo)師制) program is giving life changing opportunities to Banbury youth.
Young Inspirations was founded two years ago to provide mentoring sessions for students and unemployed young adults aged 11 to 21.
Alex Goldberg，the program’s founder，said：“We set up Young Inspirations because we wanted to give young people experiences which will potentially be life changing and broaden their outlook.
“We try to create work experience opportunities that will really make a difference to our youth.For example，we’ve secured internships (實(shí)習(xí)) with world­famous firms such as Honda.
“At a time of funding cutbacks where schools are finding it more and more difficult to offer this kind of mentoring，it is extremely important that these opportunities are available both to help youth with their school work and grades and to give them opportunities which may help shape their futures.”Kieran Hepburn,14，is one of a group of Banbury youth who has benefited from the program so far.In October the Banbury School pupil was accompanied by Young Inspirations staff to Paris where he was an observer at the United Nations Educational，Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Youth Forum (論壇)．
The event was held for young people from around the world，to seek their views on how the future of youth and education should look.Kieran joined several hundred observers mostly in their 20s and was the only UK school pupil to attend the event.Kieran thinks the trip was a life changing experience.“Before we left I didn’t quite know what to make of it but when we got there we didn’t stop，it was amazing，”he said，“We went to three or four hours of debates each day and then did something cultural each afternoon.”
The main theme of the forum was how youth can drive change in political and public life.It dealt with issues (問題) such as drug abuse，violence and unemployment.
Kieran said：“ It has really helped me to improve my confidence and social skills as well as my school grades and I was voted most improved pupil at school in August.”
The Young Inspirations mentoring sessions take place each Friday in Banbury.For details visit www.younginspirations.com.
【小題1】The Young Inspirations mentoring program aims to ________.

A．train staff for world­famous firms

B．offer job opportunities to young adults

C．provide youth with unique experiences

D．equip the unemployed with different skills

【小題2】．According to Alex Goldberg，it is difficult for schools to offer the mentoring due to ________.

A．the lack of support from firms

B．the cultural differences

C．the effect of unemployment

D．the shortage of money

【小題3】According to the passage，the forum focused on how youth can ________.

A．build up their confidence at school

B．find work experience opportunities

C．improve their social skills for the future

D．play an active role in the change of society

【小題4】We can learn from the passage that ________.

A．the visit to the United Kingdom was amazing

B．Kieran has made great progress in many aspects

C．the youth have found a way to solve their problems

D．the mentoring sessions are held every day except Friday

【小題5】What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Alex Goldberg，F(xiàn)ounder of Young Inspirations

B．Young People Find a World of Opportunity

C．Kieran，Banbury School Pupil to Paris

D．Debates Help Youth with Their Grades

We are all interested in equality, but while some people try to protect the school and examination system in the name of equality, others, still in the name of equality, want only to destroy it.
Any society which is interested in equality of opportunity and standards of achievement must regularly test its pupils. The standards may be changed—no examination is perfect — but to have no tests or examinations would mean the end of equality and of standards. There are groups of people who oppose this view and who do not believe either in examinations or in any controls in schools or on teachers. This would mean that everything would depend on luck since every pupil would depend on the efficiency, the values and the purpose of each teacher.
Without examinations, employers will look for employees from the highly respected schools and from families known to them--- a form of favoritism will replace equality. At the moment, the bright child from ill-respected school  can show certificates to prove he or she is suitable for the job, while the lack of certificate indicates the unsuitability of a dull child attending a well-respected school. This defence of excellence and opportunity would disappear if examinations were taken away, and the bright child from a poor family would be a prisoner of his or her school’s reputation, unable to compete with the child from the favored school.
The opponents of the examination system suggest that examinations are an evil force because they show differences between pupils. According to these people, there must be no special, different, academic class. They have even suggested that there should be no form of difference in sport or any other area: all jobs or posts should be filled by unsystematic selection. The selection would be made by people who themselves are probably selected by some computer.
【小題1】The underlined word “favoritism” in paragraph three is used to describe the phenomenon that _______.

A．bright children also need certificate to get satisfying jobs.

B．children from well-respected schools tend to have good jobs.

C．poor children with certificates are favored in job markets.

D．children attending ordinary schools achieve great success.

【小題2】What would happen if examinations were taken away according to the author?

A．Schools for bright children would lose their reputation.

B．There would be more opportunities and excellence.

C．Children from poor families would be able to change their schools.

D．Children’s job opportunity would be affected by their school reputation.

【小題3】The opponents of the examination system will agree that _______.

A．jobs should not be assigned by systematic selection.

B．computers should be selected to take over many jobs.

C．special classes are necessary to keep the school standards.

D．schools that win academic subjects should be done away with.

【小題4】The passage mainly focuses on __________.

A．schools and certificates.	B．examination and equality.
C．opportunity and employment.	D．standards and reputation.

During adolescence(青春期), peers（同齡人） play a large part in a young person's life and typically replace family as the center of a teen's social activities. Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" may influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind. 
As children grow, develop, and move into early adolescence, contacts with one's peers and the attraction of peer identification (認(rèn)同)increases. As pre-adolescents begin rapid physical, emotional and social changes, they begin to question adult standards and the need for parental guidance. They find it good to turn for advice to friends who understand— friends who are in the same position themselves. By trying new things and testing their ideas with their peers, there is less fear of being laughed at.
There are two levels of peer pressure. The first is in the large group: for most teens a school or a youth group are examples. This is the situation that gets the most attention. The second is in the close relationship with one or several best friends. This is the situation that is sometimes disregarded. The large group puts a general pressure on its members. It sets the standard for clothing, music, entertainment, and "political correctness". The pressure can be avoided by keeping quiet or by putting on the appearance of agreement.
【小題1】Why can’t some children follow their common sense?

A．Because they want to be liked by everybody.

B．Because they don’t want to make fun of others.

C．Because they are curious about their new friends.

D．Because they think all the children will do the same.

【小題2】When in pre-adolescence, who may children ask for suggestions?

A．Parents

B．Teachers

C．Friends

D．Classmates

【小題3】Which word can replace the underlined word disregarded in the last paragraph?

A．unnoticed

B．mentioned

C．disagreed

D．a(chǎn)voided

【小題4】What might be discussed in the following paragraph?

A．The reasons of peer pressure.

B．The advantages of peer pressure.

C．Peer pressure from close friends.

D．Peer pressure from a youth group.

A good teacher is many things to many people. In my own experience, the people I respect the most and think about the most are the teachers who demanded (要求) the most discipline (紀(jì)律) from their students.
I miss one teacher in particular that I had in high school. I think she was a good teacher because she was a very strict person. I remember very vividly (清晰地) a sign over her classroom door. It was a simple sign that said, “Laboratory—in this room the first five letters of the word was emphasized (強(qiáng)調(diào)), not the last seven.” In other words, I guess, labor for her was more important than oratory, which means making speeches.
She prepared her work very carefully and demanded us to do the same. We got lots of homework from her. Once she had broken her arm, and everybody in the class thought that maybe the homework load would be reduced, but it continued just the same. She checked our work by stamping her name at the bottom of the papers to show that she had read them.
I think sometimes teachers who demand the most are liked the least. But as time goes by, this discipline really seems to benefit (有益于) the students.
【小題1】Which of the following is considered a good teacher by the writer?

A．A patient teacher.	B．An honest teacher.
C．A strict teacher.	D．A hard-working teacher.

【小題2】The teacher put up the sign over her classroom door ___.

A．to remind the students that this room was a laboratory

B．to advise the students to follow the disciplines

C．to warn the students not to be careless

D．to tell the students to work hard in the classroom

【小題3】When the teacher’s arm was broken, she ___.

A．gave her students the usual amount of homework

B．gave her students less homework

C．a(chǎn)sked her students to check the homework themselves

D．gave her students more homework

【小題4】What’s the writer’s opinion of discipline?

A．It makes the students dislike their teachers.

B．It does good to the students in the long run.

C．It’s too much for young children.

D．It does more harm than good to the students.