My son ,Izzy, was a nine-year-old boy and had been begging me to please let him find his way home by subway, by himself. After all, we live in New York City, and getting around by public transportation is a basic part of life. It is also the first step toward feeling grown-up. So on that sunny Sunday,I gave him a subway map, a transportation card,$20 for emergencies, and a couple of coins so that he could call me if necessary. I didn’t give him a cell phone because nine-year-olds lose things. A few days later, I wrote about his adventure,or non-adventure for a newspaper. Little did I realize the idea that a kid could tour the city on his own, and that a mom would let him, was big news. It turned out that many TV shows called me and asked for an interview. Bloggers were going crazy, so I started a blog, too, and letters came pouring in. Finally I found out why this was such a big story: we have become fearful for our children. Fear is hardly a new thing for parents, of course. But the fear of letting our children out of sight for even a second-that’s new. How did this happen? How did it become too scary to let kids be kids? I asked the question when the reporter Trevor Butterworth interviewed me.

“News reports,” he answered. “News reports scare the pants off you. What is scarier than a kidnapped kid no matter how far away?Because there are so many such stories, it starts to feel as if kidnappings are happening all the time. That’s why the kid-on-the-subway story surprises the whole world.” Izzy probably did a good job. He simply proved that kids could leave home alone and return home safely! But he didn’t think it was a big deal. “It was fun,” he said. “But I missed some classes because of the interviews.” Sometimes it really pays to be brave.

1.Why did the author let her son take the subway alone?

A. Because she always let her son do whatever he wanted.

B. Because she believed that her son had memorized the subway map.

C. Because she thought it would be big news around the whole world.

D. Because she felt traveling by subway in New York was a basic life skill.

2.The author gave her son all the following when he traveled alone EXCEPT_______.

A. a map. B. a cell phone.

C. a transportation card D. some money.

3.The author didn’t expect that after she wrote her son’s story for a newspaper, _________.

A. a blog would be started in her name

B. her son would receive so many letters

C. many TV shows would want to interview her

D. many TV stations would want to film her son’s story

The Belief of a Teacher

When I say all children can learn, people sometimes misunderstand.

They think I am saying that_______you give a bright kid from a poor family good education, he can succeed. That's absolutely true, but that's not_______I mean.

I believe that all kids can learn, I believe it, I've seen it and I've even_______it.

Back in 1975 when I graduated, I worked for emotionally_______kids, kids that everyone—_______——their parents—had given up on.

What we would do was cook with the kids. These children didn't tell baking powder_______table salt, but_______they had eaten a warm biscuit, they wanted to learn how to make some more.

Suddenly, kids who couldn't focus were_______eyeballing ingredients(配料)as we measured them out, learning _______math and spelling lessons we could slip in along the way. By the end of the summer, I remember parents ________ when they saw the progress their children had ________.

Today I still remember the lesson they taught me: that if we, the adults, can find the right________for a child, there's hope for that child's education.

I don't accept excuses about kids not learning. That's________the kids with problems are not going to________start teaching themselves. We have to help them by finding out what________them and exploiting(利用) it shamelessly.

When I was growing up poor, I probably looked like I was heading ________. And I would have ended up dead or in jail________a couple of teachers. They________my fascination with reading and made sure I had great books________.

Because of that, I have devoted my life to the poorest communities _________making sure kids like me don't get written off.

(NPR's Tell Me More, November 6,2008.)

1.A. though B. if C. while D. unless

2.A. which B. where C. what D. that

3.A. tasted B. teased C. trusted D. tolerated

4.A. unexpected B. disturbed C. delighted D. unaffected

5.A. never B. always C. even D. ever

6.A. like B. in C. of D. from

7.A. once B. before C. until D. since

8.A. unwillingly B. carefully C. quickly D. strangely

9.A. interesting B. complex C. challenging D. simple

10.A. working out B. breaking down C. building up D. pulling up

11.A. made B. searched C. accepted D. provided

12.A. attention B. decision C. motivation D. determination

13.A. how B. when C. why D. because

14.A. relatively B. suddenly C. finally D. secretly

15.A. upsets B. inspects C. excites D. comforts

16.A. somewhere B. everywhere C. anywhere D. nowhere

17.A. but for B. because of C. regardless of D. except for

18.A. laughed B. shared C. equipped D. spotted

19.A. to read B. read C. reading D. being read

20.A. for B. or C. and D. but

Look at your three middle fingers of your left hand. Is your index finger(食指)longer than your ring finger? Is your ring finger longer than your index finger? Or are the two the same height? Find the scenes that best matches your hand and see if it is an accurate description of your personality

1..

If your ring finger is longer than your index finger, researchers shows that you’re likely a charming type, and you can probably talk yourself out of any situation. Others often find this personality type irresistible and will go to great lengths to help you. You’re more likely to take risks, and you’re good at problem-solving. People in this category make great engineers, soldiers and crossword-puzzle solves.

2..

If your index finger is longer than your ring finger, chances are you are full of confidence—possibly even to the point of being over-confident and arrogant. You are not necessarily introverted, but you do enjoy time to yourself, especially when you’re trying to complete a project. You are a goal-oriented(面向目标的)go-getter who can make things happen, but you may be shy when it comes to taking the first step in a relationship. You are also probably happy with what you have, but you’re always wishing for more.

3..

If your index finger and ring fingers are roughly the same length, you are likely to avoid conflict at all costs and seek to keep the peace in your relationships. You are well-organized, faithful and pitiful. But deep down under all of that caring and peace-loving, you also have a bad temper that can scold unexpectedly when you’re pushed too far. You will try your hardest to avoid a fight,hut God helps the person who pushes you into one!

A. Longer ring finger: The Hardworking One

B. Index and ring finger are the same length: The Peacemaker

C. Longer index finger: The (Over) Confident One

D. Longer ring finger: The Sweet Talker

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