Teachers and parents usually call attention to the pictures when they read storybooks to preschool child. But a new study suggests that calling attention to the words and letters on the page may lead to better readers.

The two-year study compared children who were read in this way in class with children who were not. Those whose teachers most often discussed the print showed clearly higher skills in reading, spelling and understanding. These results were found one year and even two years later.

Shayne Piasta, an assistant professor of teaching and learning at Ohio State University, was an author of the study. She says most preschool teachers would find this method manageable and would need only a small change in the way they teach. They already read story-books in class. The only difference would be increased attention to the printed text. “If you get children to pay attention to letters and words, it makes sense that they will do better at word recognition and spelling.” But she says research suggests that very few parents and teachers do this in a systematic way.

More than 300 children aged four and five were observed in classrooms. They came from poor families and were below average in their language skills. For thirty weeks, the children took part in a program called Project STAR— Sit Together and Read. The project is based in Ohio State. It tests the short-term and long-term results of reading regularly to preschool children in their classrooms.

There are different ways that adults can talk to children about print. They can point to a letter and discuss it, and even trace the shape with a finger. They can point out a word and discuss the meaning of the print or how the words tell the story. And they can talk about the organization of the print-- for instance, showing how words are written left to right in English.

1.What do we know about the ways preschool children are usually taught?

A. Preference is given to the shape of the letters and the organization of the print.

B. More attention is paid to the picture, with words and letters being ignored.

C. The focus of the teaching is on bringing them up to be good readers.

D. Equal attention is paid to the texts and the pictures.

2.Shayne Piasta suggested that preschool teachers should _______.

A. read storybooks regularly in class.

B. learn to manage their class well

C. often discuss the printed words and letters

D. search for a better method of reading

3.The children who joined in Project STAR were _________.

A. very poor in their reading

B. mostly cleverer than others

C. especially good at language skills

D. worried about reading problems

4.Which of the following is TRUE about the study on language skills of preschool children?

A. Many teachers want to change their way of teaching preschool children.

B. Attention of the pictures has made the children uninterested in reading.

C. Teachers are often prevented from taking different approaches to language teaching.

D. Project STAR aims to research into the results of reading books to preschool children in the classroom.

5.The last paragraph mainly tells us ________.

A. why we should discuss the meaning of the print

B. the shape of the letter is the focus of teaching

C. how we can teach children about print

D. English words are usually written from left to right

The Come-back Coffeehouse The sign in the window read "Carl's Coffee Shoppe," spelled the old-fashioned way.Hallie shook her head and wondered how many times she had suggested an alternative.She entered the shop and saw only one person.

"I could help with the books, Dad", Hallie offered, "There's not much you could do." Her father signed."How about if you clean the counters instead?" His statement made her feel like a little girl instead of a senior in high school.Hallie sprayed some cleanser and ran a cloth over the worn countertops.After she had washed a few of the old eggshell-colored cups, she began her homework.At closing time, Hallie's parents sat beside her."You know the shop has not been profitable lately," Mr.Rhodes began."We need to decide if it is even worth keeping it open." "We're going to visit Uncle Harold over spring vacation." Mrs.Rhodes continued."He can look over the books and tell us what our options are.You and Aunt Tess will run the shop for the week."

By spring vacation Hallie was ready for an adventure.Hllie's parents gave some instructions, and said good-bye.Hallie stared absently out the window at the passersby: young people on their way to work, and kids on their school vacation.They were not the same people that her grandpa Carl had served.Suddenly Hallie had an idea.She confided in Aunt Tess, who approved.The two eagerly set to work.

At the end of the week, Hallie was coming out from the kitchen when she saw her parents standing in the shop, confused.She smiled as her parents stared at the teens around the counter and the young families seated at the tables.

"Welcome back!" Hallie swept her arms to present the restaurant's cheerful new decoration.Bright, attractive coverings spread over the tables, and modern posters hung on the walls, while, colorful mismatched dishes contributed to the pleasant atmosphere."

"I brought board games from home," Hallie added excitedly, "and the bookstore down the street donated the posters.When we talked to our friends about what we were doing, they were happy to give us some dishes." Hallie held her breath as she waited for her parents' reaction.

"Everyone certainly seems to like the changes," noted Mrs.Rhodes.

"Speaking of changes," Mr.Rhodes said, "I see our name has changed, too."

"Do you mind? I changed our name to 'Come-Back Coffeehouse' to make the shop sound welcoming, as in 'Please come back again'..."

A smile spread across her father's face."The new name is fitting.Thanks to you, this place certainly has made a comeback!"

1.What can we infer from the first two paragraphs?

A.Hallie trusted Aunt Tess very much.

B.Hallie took charge of the books for her parents.

C.Hallie's parents didn't take her opinions seriously.

D.Hallie's parents didn't count on the shop for a living.

2.What do we learn about "Carl's Coffee Shoppe"?

A.It is behind the times.

B.It has regular customers.

C.It is located on a quiet street.

D.It follows family traditions well.

3.What did Hallie do after her parents left?

A.She advertised for the shop.

B.She made the shop more attractive.

C.She invited her friends to the shop.

D.She turned the shop into an activity center.

4.What kind of girl in Hallie?

A.Smart and helpful.

B.Modest and out-going.

C.Optimistic and generous.

D.Faithful and hardworking.

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