Contribution of Coeducation
Imagining being asked to spend twelve or so years of your life in a society which consisted only of members of own sex. How would you react? Unless there was something definitely wrong with you, you wouldn’t be too happy about it, to say the least. It is all the more surprising therefore that so many parents in the world choose to impose such abnormal conditions on their children – conditions which they themselves wouldn’t put up with for one minute!
Any discussion of this topic is bound to question the aims of education. Stuffing children’s heads full of knowledge is far from being foremost among them. One of the chief aims of educations is to equip future citizens with all they require to take their place in adult society. Now adult society is made up of men and women, so how can a segregated school possibly offer the right sort of preparation for it? Anyone entering adult society after years of segregation can only be in for a shock.
A co-educational school offers children nothing less than a true version of society in miniature. Boys and girls are given the opportunity to get to know each other, to learn to live together from their earliest years. They are put in a position where they can compare themselves with each other in terms of academic ability, athletic achievement and many of the extra-curricular activities which are part of school life. What a practical advantage it is ( to give just a small example ) to be able to put on a school play in which the male parts will be taken by boys and the female parts by girls! What nonsense co-education makes of the argument that boys are cleverer than girl or vice-versa. When segregated, boys and girls are made to feel that they are a race apart. Rivalry between the sexes is fostered. In a coeducational school, everything falls into its proper place.
But perhaps the greatest contribution of co-education is the healthy attitude to life it encourages. Boys don’t grow up believing that women are mysterious creatures – airy goddesses, more like book-illustrations to a fairy-tale, than human beings. Girls don’t grow up imagining that men are romantic heroes. Years of living together at school dispel illusions of this kind. There are no goddesses with freckles, pigtails, piercing voices and inky fingers. There are no romantic heroes with knobby knees, dirty fingernails and unkempt hair. The awkward stage of adolescence brings into sharp focus some of the physical and emotional problems involved in growing up. These can better be overcome in a co-educational environment. Segregated schools sometimes provide the right conditions for sexual deviation. This is hardly possible under a co-educational system. When the time comes for the pupils to leave school, they are fully prepared to enter society as well-adjusted adults. They have already had years of experience in coping with many of the problems that face men and women.What is the best title for this passage?
A only co-education can be in harmony with society.
B people are in great need of co-education.
C any form of education other than co-education is simply unthinkable.
D co-education has many features.what does co-education offer to children?
A A society. B A true small model of society.
C A real life. D True version of social condition.According to the passage, what is one of the chief aims of education?
A It is for students to acquire knowledge.
B It is to equip future citizens with scientific technology.
C It is to equip future citizens with what is required in getting a position in society.
D It is for students to get academic achievements.Why do boys and girls in co-education have no illusion about each other?
A They live together and know each other too well.
B Years of living together at school dismiss such illusion.
C co-education encourage them to have an healthy attitude toward life.
D They are familiar with each other’s problems.
SYDNEY (AFP) — Thousands of people sat down to breakfast on the Sydney Harbor Bridge on Sunday after the bridge was closed to traffic and carpeted with grass for the first time for a giant picnic.
About 6,000 early riser were on the steel bridge from 6:30 am to take part in the two-hour event designed to show Sydney’s best food and outdoor lifestyle.
As music performers provided the background music, those who had won tickets to the picnic in a random lottery (随机抽奖) began to feast on fruit, pastries, muesli, yoghurt ...
“It’s amazing to see the bridge in this perspective (角度),” said Don Fuchs who lives near the bridge, which is used by about 100,000 cars daily.
“Usually you sit in the car, you cross it, and that’s it.”
“It was beautiful,” said Linda Curnow who attended the picnic with her family. “The grass was so thick that it was like being in your backyard.”
New South Wales state Premier Nathan said the event was set to become a mark of an annual Sydney’s month-long October food festival.
About 45,000 people applied for tickets to the breakfast for which people brought their own food but were able to taste samples from some of the state’s best producers.
Organizers used about 40 percent of the grass on Sydney parks. The bridge reopened at about 1:00 pm.
67. What made Linda Curnow feel as if she were in her own backyard?
A. There being no cars passing by.
B. The thick grass covering the bridge.
C. So many people dining at the same time.
D. So much food offered by Australian producers.
68. Why was the event planned?
A. To improve the Australian life. B. To attract more tourists to Sydney.
C. To mark the Sydney food festival. D. To display the world’s best food.
69. We learn from the passage that _____.
A. the picnic is organized in London
B. the Sydney Harbour Bridge was open to traffic all day
C. the grass from Sydney parks was moved to the bridge
D. those who had won tickets to the picnic didn’t eat breakfast
70. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Welcome to Sydney
B. October — Sydney’s art festival
C. What is the feature of Sydney?
D. Thousands eat breakfast on Sydney Harbour bridge
America is growing older. Fifty-eight years ago, only 4 out of every 100 people in the United States were 65 or older. Today, 10 out of every 100 Americans are over 65. The aging (变老) of the population will affect (影响) American society in many ways — education, medicine, and business. Quietly, the aging of America has made us a very different society — one in which people have a quite different idea of what kind of behavior (行为) is suitable (合适) at various ages.
A person’s age no longer tells you anything about his/her social position, marriage or health. There’s no longer a particular year in which one goes to school or goes to work or gets married or starts a family. The social clock that kept us on time and told us when to go to school, get a job, or stop working isn’t as strong as it used to be. It doesn’t surprise us to hear of a 29-year-old university president or a 35-year-old grandmother, or a 70-year-old man who has been a father for the first time. Public ideas are changing.
Many people say, “I am much younger than my mother — or my father — was at my age.” No one says “Act your age” any more. We’ve stopped looking with surprise at older people who act in youthful ways.
64. According to the passage, the aging of the population in America _____.
A. has made people feel younger
B. has changed people’s social position
C. has changed people’s understanding of age
D. has slowed down the country’s social development
65. The underlined word “one” refers to _____.
A. a society B. a person C. a place D. population
66. If a 25-year-old man becomes general manager of a big firm, the writer of the text would most probably consider it _____.
A. normal B. wonderful C. unbelievable D. surprising
Summer camps provide boys and girls with a great summer experience. Whether you are seeking a traditional camp or an adventurous camp, there is a summer camp for you!
1. Camp Voyageur
Adventure Camp: Canoeing, Wilderness
Boys’ camp, operated since 1951 by the Erdmann family. Full in-camp program of land and water sports but 4 weeks or so will be spent paddling, hiking & camping at the nearby BWCA Wilderness. One trip leader stays with four campers. American Camping Associated Accredited. Address:
PO Box 420
Ely, Minnesota 55731
USA
(800) 950-7291
2. Rockbrook Camp for Girls
Girls Only — Overnight Camp
Rockbrook is a traditional overnight summer camp for girls located in the mountains of North Carolina. Established in 1921, it offers a diverse program of horseback riding, outdoor adventures, white water rafting, crafts and more. Girls ages 6-16 attend for 2-, 3- or 4-week sessions. Address:
4000 Greenville Highway
Brevard, North Carolina 28712
USA
(828) 884-6151
3. Glen Helen EcoCamp
Coed — Day and Overnight Camp
Choose from a variety of five-day-long overnight and day camps in the midst of a l,000-acre nature park with on-site raptor (猛禽) center. It features hands-on ＆ fun educational programming with trained naturalists. Camp sizes kept under 12. Day camps $180, overnights $275. Ages 5-l5. June 16-July 25. Address:
1075 St. Rte. 343
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
USA
(800) 538-4893
4. Backyard History Day Camp
Coed — Day Camp
Heritage House is featuring a series of 7 summer day camps, from July 8 till August 19. The camps are for children ages 6-12 and run from 9:30-3:30 on Wednesdays. Camps cost $20 per child/day if you register & pay by June 8 and $25 per child/day after. Each day features a different theme! Address:
11 Old Slys Rd
Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 4T6
Canada
(613) 283-8560
60. How long will Camp Voyageur last?
A. Five days. B. At most seven weeks.
C. Two weeks. D. At least four weeks.
61. Sixteen-year old Mary loves adventures in nature. Which number could she dial?
A. (800) 950-7291. B. (800) 538-4893.
C. (828) 884-6151. D. (613) 283-8560.
62. Susan always dreams of becoming another Charles Darwin when she grows up. Which camp would interest her most?
A. Camp Voyageur. B. Glen Helen EcoCamp.
C. Rockbrook Camp for Girls. D. Backyard History Day Camp.
63. How is Backyard History Day Camp different from other camps?
A. It is in Canada. B. It offers a 5% discount.
C. It is for both boys and girls. D. Campers gather on Sundays.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
第一节：阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
Since her husband died, Mrs. Jackson has lived alone in their big old suburban (郊区的) house. The house was bought by her husband almost fifty years ago.
For the sake of safety (为安全起见), her son has tried hard to ask her to sell the house and buy a new and small one in the town. But Mrs. Jackson doesn’t like the idea. She says that she has to look after her husband’s old house. But recently she often hears stories about unknown people stealing things around here.
That was a cold day before Christmas Eve. Around four o’clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Jackson was enjoying the Christmas music when someone knocked at the door. She heard the sound but didn’t move. Another knock. Who could it be? Mrs. Jackson was a bit afraid. She decided not to answer the door but keep waiting.
One minute another minute and yet another minute. Nothing happened and no more knocks. She walked quietly to the door, and listened. She heard nothing but the wind outside. She slowly unfastened the door and peeped (窥视) through the crack (小缝). She then gave a surprised cry and threw the door wide open! At the door she saw a tall, beautiful Christmas tree! In the tree stood a Christmas card with these words:
Merry Christmas!
Your new neighbor
56. The house bought by Mr. Jackson is _____.
A. in the town B. small but new C. outside the town D. small and old
57. Mrs. Jackson doesn’t want to sell the house because _____.
A. it is almost fifty years old B. it is big and old
C. she likes to live alone in it D. her husband left it to her
58. Why didn’t she move when she heard the knock at the door?
A. Because she was enjoying the Christmas music.
B. Because she thought it might be an unknown person.
C. Because it was not her son.
D. Because she hadn’t decided to answer the door.
59. When she found it was a Christmas tree, she _____.
A. cried in surprise and pushed the door wide open
B. was very excited
C. threw the door away
D. went out to stand in the tree
Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say “thank you” and it has become a habit — something we say automatically (自动地), along with “please”. And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fulfilled (感到满足的) lives.
Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as loving friends, good health, great holidays as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, TV, and clean water. The list, in fact, could go on and on.
Now focus on events that have made you angry — it’s raining, the car won’t start, and a colleague (同事) makes you annoyed. You start to feel unhappy, and that is something that certainly does not make you feel good！
In fact, we have the ability to choose how we feel — it’s just our perception (认识) of how things are. But for most of us, it just doesn’t seem easy.
Let me give you an example: it’s a rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, telling everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are also able to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables.
There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable — in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It all depends on what we think about things.
Realize what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That’s why gratitude is so special — use it to feel good!
68. What do we usually do automatically according to the author?
A. Focus on good things. B. Prefer to feel good.
C. Express thanks orally. D. Take many things for granted.
69. By the example in the fifth paragraph, the author advises us to _____.
A. see things in a different way B. refuse the unchangeable things
C. ignore the harm bad weather does D. listen to others’ complaints patiently
70. By writing the passage, the author mainly wants to tell us _____.
A. to think twice before we act
B. to be grateful for what we have
C. it is no use making complaints
D. saying “thank you” has many disadvantages