An American educational expert, Frederick M. Hess, says that a long summer vacation doesn’t make sense in today’s world.
This summer, 50 million kids will spend much time talking online, watching TV, playing video games and asking older brothers or sisters to take them to the supermarket. They will also be putting their academic futures at risk.
During much of the 20th century, many Americans worked in factories that did not need a college degree but still offered a high salary. Also, in the 19th century, there was no air condition. And poor hygiene (衛(wèi)生) meant that crowded schools had health risks.
Things have changed. For today’s students, academic skills are key to future success. Many countries don’t give kids an American-style summer vacation. They offer no more than seven consecutive (連續(xù)的) weeks of vacation. Most American school districts offer up to 13 weeks. To compete in global marketplace, Americans must be prepared to go up against international competitors.
Summer vacation also causes challenges for today’s families. In the 1960s, more than 60% of families had a stay-at-home mum. Now, two-thirds of American children live families where every adult works. For these families, summer vacation can be more burden than break. Someone must watch the kids.
But the biggest problem may be how summer vacation hurts academic achievement. Scientist have found that disadvantaged students lose important ground in the summertime.
A school year can allow time-limited teachers to conduct richer and more imaginative lessons. Schools would have more time for sports, languages, music and the arts.
小題1:Before the 20th century, a long summer vacation might ______.
A．reduce income for Americans
B．reduce health risks for students
C．cause career failure for Americans
D．cause loss in global market for America
小題2: How long does an American-style summer vacation last？
A．No more than two months.
B．Less than three months.
C．As long as three months.
D．As long as four months.
小題3:According to the text, who will benefit from a long school year?
A．American students, teachers and parents.
B．American students, parents and shop owners.
C．American students, parents and international competitors.
D．American students, teachers and international competitors.
小題4:How many reasons did the writer give to support his/her opinion?
A．One.B．Two.C．Three.D．Four.

小題1:B
小題2:C
小題3:A
小題4:D

試題分析：作者在文章中介紹長暑假對學生沒有意義的觀點，主要因為：長暑假不利于學生的成績，增加父母的負擔，不利于老師安排課程，現(xiàn)在的學校設施齊備，不需要放長假。
小題1:細節(jié)題：從第三段的句子：Also, in the 19th century, there was no air condition. And poor hygiene (衛(wèi)生) meant that crowded schools had health risks.可知在20世紀前長暑假會讓學生減少健康的危害。選B
小題2:細節(jié)題:從第四段的句子：Most American school districts offer up to 13 weeks. 可知大部分美國的學校提供3個多月的暑假。選C
小題3:細節(jié)題：從倒數(shù)第三段的句子：Someone must watch the kids. 和最后一段的內(nèi)容，可知長學年可以使家長，學生和父母受益，選A
小題4:推理題：縱觀全文，文章先介紹了作者的觀點長暑假對學生沒有意義，然后給出了四個理由：長暑假不利于學生的成績，增加父母的負擔，不利于老師安排課程，現(xiàn)在的學校設施齊備，不需要放長假。選D
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