Some American parents might think their children need better educations to compete with China and other countries. But how much do the parents themselves need to change?

A new book called Battle Hymn(圣歌) of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua has caused a debate about cultural differences in parenting. Ms. Chua is a professor at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, and the mother of two daughters. She was raised in the American Mid-west by immigrant Chinese parents.

In the Chinese culture, the tiger represents strength and power. In her book, Ms Chua writes about how she demanded excellence from her daughters. For example, she threatened to burn her daughter’s stuffed animals unless she played a piece of music perfectly. She would insult her daughters if they failed to meet her expectations.

Ms. Chua told NBC television that she had a clear list of what her daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were not permitted to do.

“Attend a sleepover, have a playdate, watch TV or play computer games, be in a school play, get any grade less than an ‘A’.”

Many people have criticized Amy Chua. Some say her parenting methods were abusive. She even admits that her husband, who is not Chinese, sometimes objected to her parenting style. But she says that was the way her parents raised her and her three sisters.

Ms. Chua makes fun of her own extreme style of parenting. She says she eased some of the pressure after her younger daughter rebelled and shouted, “I hate my life! I hate you!”

Ms. Chua says she decided to retreat when it seemed like there was a risk that she might lose her daughter. But she also says American parents often have low expectations of their children’s abilities.

“One of the biggest differences I see between Western and Chinese parenting is that Chinese parents assume strength rather than fragility.”

Stacey DeBroff has written four books on parenting. “I think that the stirring of intense debate has to do with what it means to be a successful parent and what it means to be a successful child.”

Ms. DeBroff says Amy Chua’s parenting style is not limited to Chinese families. She says it represents a traditional way of parenting among immigrants seeking a better future for their children.

But she also sees a risk. When children have no time to be social or to follow their own interests, they might not develop other skills that they need to succeed in life. Stacey DeBroff advises parents to develop their own style of parenting and not just repeat the way they were raised.

1.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE about American parents?

A.Some of them expect their children to be competitive.

B.Some of them need to educate themselves better.

C.They should learn from Chinese parents.

D.They care their kids more than Chinese.

2.What can we learn about Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother?

A.It is a list of things for children to do.

B.It is a book about cultural differences.

C.It is a heated debate about parenting.

D.It is a book about how to raise children.

3.Based on the passage, Ms. Chua’s parenting is exposed to the following EXCEPT           

A.pressure          B.management       C.recreation         D.compromise

4. Which of the following agrees with Ms. DeBroff?

A.Different cultures have different concepts of values.

B.Chua’s parenting is followed by many American families.

C.Immigrants are always bitterly struggling abroad.

D.Parents had better raise their children in person.

5. What’s the author’s attitude towards Ms. Chua’s parenting?

A.Positive           B.Inactive           C.Indefinite         D.Negative

 

One silly question I simply can’t stand is “How do you feel?” Usually the question is asked of a man in action—a man on the go, walking along the streets, or busily working at his desk. So what do you expect him to say? He’ll probably say, “Fine, I’m all right,” but you have put a bug  in his ear—maybe now he’s not sure. If you are a good friend, you may have seen something in his face, or his walk, that he overlooked(忽略) that morning. It starts worrying him a little. First thing you know, he looks in a mirror to see if everything is all right, while you go merrily on your way asking someone else “How do you feel?” Every question has its time and place. It’s perfectly acceptable, for instance, to ask “How do you feel?” if you’re visiting a close friend in the hospital. But if the fellow is walking on both legs, hurrying to take a train, or sitting at his desk working, it’s silly to ask him that silly question. When George Bernard Shaw, the famous writer of plays, was in his eighties, someone asked him. “How do you feel?” Shaw put him in his place. “When you reach my age”, he said, “either you feel all right or you’re dead.”

1.According to the writer, greetings such as “How do you feel?” _______.

A. show one’s consideration for others    

B. are a good way to make friends

C. are proper to ask a man in action           

D. generally make one feel uneasy

2.The question “How do you feel?” seems to be correct and suitable when asked of  _______.

A. a man working at his desk   

B. a person having lost a close friend

C. a stranger who looks somewhat worried

D. a friend who is ill

3.George Bernard Shaw’s reply in the passage shows his _______.

A. cheerfulness                                B. cleverness   

C. ability                                    D. politeness

4.“You’ve put a bug in his ear” means that you’ve _______.

A. made him laugh                           

B. shown concern for him

C. made fun of him                       

D. given him some kind of warning

 

The party began shortly after Mr. Wood ,who lived in the flat below ,signed (叹息)to himself as he heard excited voices and the noisy music. Luckily he had ___36___ some work home from the office, ___37___ he kept himself busy for a couple of hours ,thus managing to pay no attention to the noise___38___ . But by eleven o’clock he felt ___39___ and was ready to go to bed ,though from his earlier experience he knew it was ___40___ trying to get to sleep. He undressed and lay for a while on the bed ,trying to read ,but he___41___ himself reading the same page over and over again. He then turned off the light and ___42___ his head in the pillow(枕头). But ___43___ he could not shut ___44___ the noise ,finally after __45____ seemed hours his___46___ was gone.

He jumped out of bed ,__47__ some clothing, marched ___48___ up the stairs and walked into his neighbor’s flat. The owner of the flat, who ___49___ him in his dressing gown came ___50___ the room and__51___ Mr. Wood could say anything, cried “My dear fellow ,come and ___52___. I know our parties ___53___ you. I meant to send you ___54___.” Mr. Wood’s anger disappeared then and there. He said “I’d better go and get __55_.” Minutes later, he returned properly dressed, only to find that the party was nearly over.

1.

A.taken

B.carried

C.brought

D.fetched

 

2.

A.with which

B.from which

C.where

D.when

 

3.

A.outside

B.overhead

C.downstairs

D.nearby

 

4.

A.bad

B.tired

C.sick

D.hopeless

 

5.

A.useless

B.necessary

C.possible

D.helpful

 

6.

A.had

B.found

C.caught

D.felt

 

7.

A.buried

B.rested

C.shook

D.turned

 

8.

A.till then

B.worse still

C.strange enough

D.even so

 

9.

A.away

B.off

C.down

D.up

 

10.

A.it

B.what

C.that

D.which

 

11.

A.sleep

B.strength

C.patience

D.anger

 

12.

A.pulled on

B.dressed up

C.selected

D.wore

 

13.

A.sadly

B.proudly

C.quietly

D.firmly

 

14.

A.made fun of

B.stared at

C.was angry with

D.caught sight of

 

15.

A.across

B.around

C.towards

D.by

 

16.

A.as

B.before

C.though

D.until

 

17.

A.meet as

B.sit here

C.join us

D.scold me

 

18.

A.may trouble

B.would trouble

C.may bother

D.must bother

 

19.

A.a notice

B.a message

C.an invitation

D.an apology

 

20.

A.washed

B.changed

C.dressed

D.prepared

 

 

 

Section C 

Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need.

 

A. The factors leading to a good speaker

B. The importance of enunciation

C. Talk with strangers

D. Pronunciation, the other important assistant in conversation

E. A famous master of conversation

F. The great use of dictionary

 

1. _________________________

The ancient Greeks were very good at making conversations, and the greatest talker of them all was philosophers Socrates. His student Plato surpassed some of his supposed conversations, and we read them in The Dialogue of Plato. In many classrooms today, Socrates’ method of teaching is used.

2. _________________________

The best talkers appear to have had a great interest in and love for their follow creatures, a curiosity about the world in general, some powers of observation and tolerance for those of others, and quick thinking. And they talk for the fun of it, not to show off their knowledge.

3. _________________________

A good voice must have the help of good speech, whose two assistants are clear enunciation and correct pronunciation. Poor enunciation may suggest to your listeners that you lack consideration, and that you are not especially concerned about their opinion of you.

4. _________________________

Pronunciation is settled by common agreement of the community of group speaking the particular language or dialect. For standard pronunciations of words, a dictionary is your best friend.

5. _________________________

Think of meeting a stranger as a chance to have a good time to talk, to make a friend. Look with a smile directly into the other’s eyes when you are introduced, and shake hands with a firm, friendly clasp (紧握). This will give you confidence. Then try to have a smooth and pleasant conversation with him.

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网