In this age of Internet chat, videogames and reality television, there is no shortage of mindless activities to keep a child occupied.Yet, despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Rebecca wants to spend her leisure time writing short stories.She wants to enter one of her stories into a writing contest, a competition she won last year.
As a writer I know about winning contests, and about losing them.I know what it is like to work hard on a story only to receive a rejection slip from the publisher.I also know the pressure of trying to live up to a reputation created by previous victories.What if she doesn't win the contest again?That's the strange thing about being a parent.So many of our own past scars and dashed hopes can surface.
A revelation(启示)came last week when l asked her,”Don't you want to win again?”“No,”she replied,“I just want to tell the story of an angel(天使)going to first grade.”
I had just spent weeks correcting her stories as she spontaneously(自发地)told them.Telling myself that l was merely an experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall.I offered suggestions for characters, conflicts and endings for her tales.The story about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly“guided”by me into the tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson.I had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.
Staying back and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks.Because I know very little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had to accept the fact that I was co-opting(借用)my daughter's experience.
While stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that l will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough away to give her room but close enough to help if asked.All the while I will be reminding myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices.
(1)
What did the author say about her own writing experience?
[ ]
A.
Most of her stories had been rejected by publishers.
B.
She did not quite live up to her reputation as a writer.
C.
Her way to success was full of pains and frustrations.
D.
She was constantly under pressure of writing more.
(2)
Why did Rebecca want to enter this year's writing contest?
[ ]
A.
She wanted to share her stories with readers.
B.
She was sure of winning with her mother's help.
C.
She believed she possessed real talent for writing.
D.
She had won a prize in the previous contest.
(3)
The author took great pains to refine her daughter's stories because ________.
[ ]
A.
she was afraid Rebecca's imagination might run wild while writing
B.
she did not want to disappoint Rebecca who needed her help so much
C.
she believed she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance
D.
she wanted to help Rebecca realize her dreams of becoming a writer
(4)
What's the author's advice for parents?
[ ]
A.
Parents should keep an eye on the activities their kids engage in.
B.
Children should be allowed freedom to grow through experience.
C.
A writing career, though attractive, is not for every child to pursue.
D.
Children should be given every chance to voice their opinions.
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.