It could happen to you
Many people think there is no need to take special care over home safety.
“I’ all right, I’m insured(投保).”
Maybe-----if you’re fully insured. Even then you can never recover the value you place upon your possessions, because you can’t insure against the suffering of mind that we all feel if our homes are torn apart by some strangers, our windows and doors broken, or our possessions ruined.
“It won’t happen to me.”
Won’t it? A house is broken into every three minutes of the day. Loss of all kinds, including cars and things stolen from cars, happens every 35 seconds.
“I’ve nothing worth stealing.”
You may think not. But in fact everyone has something worth a thief’s attention. And we all have things of personal value, even if they’re worth little or nothing inn hard cash.
“I’m only a tenant(房客) here.”
The thieves don’t care whether you’re a tenant or an owner. You’re just as weak either way. Have a word with the owner if you think extra safety fittings are necessary.
“They all get in anyway.”
Most thieves are on the lookout for easy pickings. They are soon discouraged by houses they can’t get into quickly and easily. So do pay special attention.
“This booklet(小册子) will help you…”
It’s based on the practical experience of police forces throughout the country. Most of the suggestions will cost you only a few minutes and thought. A few may cost some expense, but this is small compared with the loss and sadness you might otherwise suffer.
If you are in any doubt, ask for free advice from the crime Prevention Office at your local police station.

1. 1.

   The passage is mainly about _____.
   

   1. A.
      how to protect your home         
   2. B.
      how to take special care of ourselves
   3. C.
      how to hire a safe house in the country    
   4. D.
      how to escape being caught
2. 2.

   What does the sentence “A few may cost some expense” in the last two paragraphs mean?
   

   1. A.
      You should pay for some of the suggestions.
   2. B.
      Following the suggestions means you will have to spend some money on home protection.
   3. C.
      some people are willing to pay for the suggestions.
   4. D.
      Some of the suggestions are expensive.
3. 3.

   Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
   

   1. A.
      It’s impossible to prevent a house from being broken into.
   2. B.
      Few people would like to get advice from the local police station.
   3. C.
      Some thieves are only interested in stealing things from houses protected well.
   4. D.
      People should care more about home safety.
4. 4.

   This passage is probably a (an) _____.

   1. A.
      advertisement for selling safely-guarded houses             
   2. B.
      article on crime
   3. C.
      booklet from the Crime Prevention Office
   4. D.
      suggestion from insurance companies 

This is an important matter. I need at least a day or two __________.

　 A. of thinking over it　　　　　　　　 B. to think it over

　 C. of thinking it over　　　　　　　　 D. to think over it

Children start out as natural scientists, eager to look into the world around them．Helping them enjoy science can be easy; there’s no need for a lot of scientific terms or expensive lab equipment．You only have to share your children’s curiosity．Firstly, listen to their questions．I once visited a classroom of seven－year－olds to talk about science as a job．The children asked me “textbook questions” about schooling, salary and whether I liked my job．When I finished answering, we sat facing one another in silence．Finally I said, “Now that we’re finished with your lists, do you have questions of your own about science?”

       After a long pause, a boy raised his hand, “Have you ever seen a grasshopper （蚱蜢） eat? When I try eating leaves like that, I get a stomachache．Why?”

       This began a set of questions that lasted nearly two hours．

       Secondly, give them time to think．Studies over the past 30 years have shown that, after asking a question, adults typically wait only one second or less for an answer, no time for a child to think．When adults increase their “wait time” to three seconds or more, children give more logical, complete and creative answers．

       Thirdly, watch your language．Once you have a child involved in a science discussion, don’t jump in with “That’s right” or “Very good”．These words work well when it comes to encouraging good behavior．But in talking about science, quick praise can signal that discussion is over．Instead, keep things going by saying, “That’s interesting” or “I’d never thought of it that way before”, or coming up with more questions or ideas．

       Never push a child to “Think”．It doesn’t make sense, children are always thinking, without your telling them to．What’s more, this can turn a conversation into a performance．The child will try to find the answer you want, in as few words as possible, so that he will be a smaller target for your disagreement．

       Lastly, show; don’t tell．Real-life impressions of nature are far more impressive than any lesson children can learn from a book or a television program．Let children look at their fingertips through a magnifying glass, and they’ll understand why you want them to wash before dinner．Rather than saying that water evaporates, set a pot of water to boil and let them watch the water level drop．

According to the passage, children can answer questions in a more logical, complete and creative way if adults ______．

       A．ask them to answer quickly

       B．wait for one or two seconds after a question

       C．tell them to answer the next day

       D．wait at least for three seconds after a question

In which of the following paragraph（s） does the author tell us what to say to encourage children in a science discussion?

       A．The second and third．   B．The fourth and fifth．

       C．The fifth and sixth．       D．The seventh．

In the last sentence of the first paragraph, the word “lists” could best be replaced by

       A．any questions                   B．any problems

       C．questions from textbooks      D．any number of questions?

The author mentions all of the following techniques for adults to share with their children’s curiosity EXCEPT that adults should ______．

       A．tell their children stories instead of reciting facts

       B．offer their children chances to see things for themselves

       C．be patient enough when their children answer questions

       D．encourage their children to ask questions of their own