¡¡¡¡Section ¢òReading Comprehension

¡¡¡¡Part A

¡¡¡¡Directions:

¡¡¡¡Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (40 points)

¡¡¡¡Text1

¡¡¡¡Of all the areas of learning the most important is the development of attitudes: emotional reactions as well as logical thought processes affect the behavior of most people. ¡°The burnt child fears the fire¡± is one instance; another is the rise of despots like Hitler. Both these examples also point up the fact that attitudes come from experience. In the one case the experience was direct and impressive; in the other it was indirect and cumulative. The Nazis were influenced largely by the speeches they heard and the books they read.

¡¡¡¡The classroom teacher in the elementary school is in a strategic position to influence attitudes. This is true partly because children acquire attitudes from those adults whose words are highly regarded by them.

¡¡¡¡Another reason it is true is that pupils often devote their time to a subject in school that has only been touched upon at home or has possibly never occurred to them before. To a child who had previously acquired little knowledge of Mexico his teacher¬ðs method of handling such a unit would greatly affect his attitude toward Mexicans.

¡¡¡¡The media through which the teacher can develop wholesome attitudes are innumerable. Social studies (with special reference to races, creeds and nationalities), science matters of health and safety, the very atmosphere of the classroom... these are a few of the fertile fields for the inculcation of proper emotional reactions.

¡¡¡¡However, when children go to school with undesirable attitudes, it is unwise for the teacher to attempt to change their feelings by cajoling or scolding them. She can achieve the proper effect by helping them obtain constructive experiences.

¡¡¡¡To illustrate, first-grade pupils afraid of policemen will probably alter their attitudes after a classroom chat with the neighborhood officer in which he explains how he protects them. In the same way, a class of older children can develop attitudes through discussion, research, outside reading and all-day trips.

¡¡¡¡Finally, a teacher must constantly evaluate her own attitudes, because her influence can be negative if she has personal prejudices. This is especially true in respect to controversial issues and questions on which children should be encouraged to reach their own decision as a result of objective analysis of all the facts. (377 words)

¡¡¡¡Notes: point up (=emphasize)Ç¿µ÷£¬Í»³ö¡£touch upon ´¥¼°¡£creed ÐÅÌõ£¬½ÌÒå¡£inculcation×»×»½Ì»å¡£cajoling ºåÆ­¡£

¡¡¡¡21. Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the text?

¡¡¡¡[A] An assertion is made and two examples are given to illustrate it.

¡¡¡¡[B] A controversy is stated and two opposite points of view are presented.

¡¡¡¡[C] A widely accepted definition is presented and two men are described.

¡¡¡¡[D] An idea is stated and two results of recent research are summarized.

¡¡¡¡22. The central idea conveyed in the above text is that

¡¡¡¡[A] attitudes affect our actions.

¡¡¡¡[B] teachers play a significant role in developing or reshaping pupils¬ð attitudes.

¡¡¡¡[C] attitudes can be modified by some classroom experiences.

¡¡¡¡[D] by their attitudes, teachers don't affect pupils' attitudes deliberately.

¡¡¡¡23. In paragraph 6 the author implies that

¡¡¡¡[A] the teacher should guide all discussions by revealing her own attitude.

¡¡¡¡[B] in some aspects of social studies a greater variety of methods can be used in the upper grades than in the lower grades.

¡¡¡¡[C] people usually act on the basis of reasoning rather than on emotion.

¡¡¡¡[D] children's attitudes often come from those of other children.

¡¡¡¡24. A statement not made or implied in the text is that

¡¡¡¡[A] attitudes can be based on the learning of untrue statements.

¡¡¡¡[B] worthwhile attitudes may be developed in practically every subject area.

¡¡¡¡[C] attitudes cannot easily be changed by rewards and lectures.

¡¡¡¡[D] the attitudes of elementary school-aged children are influenced primarily by the way they were treated as infants.

¡¡¡¡25. The text specially states that

¡¡¡¡[A] direct experiences are more valuable than indirect ones.

¡¡¡¡[B] whatever attitudes a child learns in school have already been introduced at home.

¡¡¡¡[C] teachers can sometimes have an unwholesome influence on children.

¡¡¡¡[D] teachers should always conceal their own attitudes.