20.The first year of school in America,known as kindergarten,usually begins between the ages of five and six.Among rich countries such a late start is very strange.President Obama believes it is an economic and social problem; his education secretary goes as far as to say that it is"morally wrong".This statement has some support,as it is clear from research into vocabulary that youngsters from poor families enter kindergarten well behind those from rich families-a disadvantage that usually lasts a lifetime.Children from households on welfare knew 525words by the age of three,while the children of professionals had mastered 1,116.
Preschool can help close this gap.So in a speech last month,Mr,Obama called for a partnership between the federal government and the states to expand it to every American child.It later became known that"every"meant those who come from families with incomes of up to 200% above the poverty line-equal to an income of $47,000for a family of four.
Some critics say that sending children to school at the age of four does not work.The evidence suggests otherwise.For example,on March 20th new results were announced from a study of 9to 11year olds in New Jersey.This report found that disadvantaged children who had attended preschool had better literacy (讀寫能力),language,maths and science skills.And two years of prekindergarten were better than one.Some studies also follow the effects of early learning over lifetimes,such as its effect on crime rates and other factors that may eventually burden society.Critics have singled out a government scheme called Head Start,created in 1965,which provides poor households with a range of services including school-based early education.
24.Kindergarten in rich countries other than America usually begins at the age ofA
A.four
B.six
C.seven
D.eight
25.According to the passage,which of the following is TRUE?B
A.Poor preschool kids have a larger vocabulary than rich kids.
B.Rich preschool kids have a richer vocabulary than poor kids.
C.President Obama believes that early education can solve all economic and social problems.
D.President Obama's education secretary thinks it is morally wrong to let kids start kindergarten early.
26.Which of the following about the New Jersey study is TRUE?A
A.Two years of prekindergarten were better than one.
B.New Jersey has created a new Head Start to help disadvantaged kids.
C.Sending children to school at the age of four is not going to help.
D.There is no evidence to support the New Jersey study.
27.Which of the following is an appropriate title for this passage?C
A.Secondary Education
B.Poor Kids'Education
C.Preschool Education
D.Rich Kids'Education.
分析 文章探討了美國學前教育的一些情況,并指出學前教育對孩子以后學習的重要性.
解答 ABAC
24.A 細節(jié)題.第一段第一句說美國的幼兒園一般在五到六歲開始,第二句說在富裕國家里這么晚才開始是十分奇怪的,所以是在五歲以前,綜合答案選擇A,四歲.
25.B 細節(jié)題.Rich pre-school kids have a richer vocabulary than poor kids.第一第四句中提到,根據(jù)調(diào)查,貧困家庭的孩子在詞匯方面要落后于富有家庭的孩子,而這種差距往往會持續(xù)一生.所以選B.
26.A 細節(jié)題.Two years of pre-kindergarten were better than one.倒數(shù)第二段第三四句講到,參加學前教育的孩子在讀寫能力、語言能力、數(shù)學能力和科學能力上均有更好的表現(xiàn),而有兩年的學前教育效果要好于一年,所以選A.
27.C 主旨大意概括.根據(jù)全文的內(nèi)容來看,通篇都在探討的是學前教.A選項未提到,CD均為學前教育研究的一部分,所以選C.
點評 在做閱讀理解時,考生可快速閱讀短文,通讀測試題,明確考察點,在對應(yīng)細讀,加快做題速度.有時間還可以復查校對答案.