E
Many children first learn the value of money by receiving an allowance (pocket money).The purpose is to let children learn from experiences at an age when financial mistakes are not very costly.
The amount of money that parents give to their children to spend as they wish differs from family to family Timing is another consideration .Some children get a weekly allowance Others get a monthly allowance
In any case,parents should make clear what,if anything,the child is expected to pay for with the money.At first, young children may spend all of their allowance soon after they receive it If they do this they will learn the hard way that spending must be done within a budget.Parents are usually advised not to offer more money until the next allowance.
The object is to show young people that a budget demands a choice between spending and saving Older children may be responsible enough to save money for larger costs,like clothing or electronics.Many people who have written on the subject of allowances say it is not a good idea to pay your child for work around the home .These jobs are a normal part of family life.
Paying children to do extra work around the house,however,can be useful.It can even provide an understanding of how a business works.
Allowances give children a chance to experience the three things they can do with money.They can share it in the form of gifts or giving to a good cause.They can spend it by buying things they want.Or they can save it.
Saving helps children understand that costly goals require sacrifice.You have to cut costs and plan for the future. Requiting children to save part of their allowances can also open the door to future saving and investing. Many banks offer services to help children and teenagers learn about personal finance.
A savings account is an excellent way to learn about the power of compound interest.
Compounding works by paying interest on interest.So,for example,one dollar invested at two percent interest for two years will earn two cents in the first year.The second year,the money will earn two percent of one dollar and two cents,and so on. That may not seem like a lot.But over time it adds up.
71.Giving an allowance,parents should consider all the following EXCEPT________.
A.how much the child should get each time
B.whether the child has made a budget
C.where the money really goes
D.how often a child can get it
72.According to the passage,how can a child learn to have a budget?
A.Through their own experiences.
B.Through parents' instruction.
C.By spending allowance.
D.By receiving allowance.
73.The author of the passage holds the opinion that_________.
A.what children learn by handling allowances may be beneficial in the future
B.children can learn to set up their own business with their allowances.
C.keeping allowances in the bank is the best choice for children
D.it is not a good idea to pay children to do housework at home
74.The underlined words “compound interest” in the passage probably means__________.
A.increasing curiosity to learn how to make more money
B.stronger power to hold one's attention to saving money
C.money paid by the bank on your original money and the gain from it
D.the sum of money that you earn from keeping your money in the bank
75.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Be Generous To Pay Your Children
B.Be Wise To Avoid Financial Mistakes
C.Saving Allowances Does Good To Children
D.Allowances Help Children Learn About Money
Hundreds of secondary schools are using a controversial reward scheme which “bribes” (贿赂)pupils with iPods and DVD players to turn up in classes and do homework.
Almost one million schoolchildren have been issued with supermarket-style reward cards which allow them to collect good-behavior “points” and cash them in for prizes.
Schools taking part in the “Vivo Miles” scheme are spending several thousand pounds a year in an attempt to cut truancy (逃学) and promote achievements. The prizes are ultimately funded by the taxpayer, through school budgets. Nearly 500 secondary schools, one in six, have decided to take part in the scheme, which is intended to replace old-style rewards such as stickers and golden stars.
But the extent of rewards being offered in schools brought a warning that a generation of children is growing up expecting to be rewarded at every stage. Many youngsters are collecting points for ordinary achievements such as remembering to bring their PE kit and wearing the correct uniform.
Under the scheme, teachers award Vivo points—worth 1 penny each—according to the school’s policy. Schools typically spend£4 to£6 on prizes per pupil each year, although some commit considerably more. Most pupils accumulate between 400 and 600 Vivos a year. Vivo Miles insists it is “pretty rare” for a pupil to accumulate enough points to buy an iPod, which requires 3,100 Vivos.
But Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the scheme amounted to “bribery”. “It misleads children into thinking anything which requires effort has to have a special reward,” he said. “This ‘all must have prizes’ view is damaging to children in the long-term.” The scheme amounted to an “admission of failure” by schools. He said. “It shows a school has failed to convince children education is important.”The “Vivo Miles” scheme is aimed at ______________.
A.increasing the income of the school |
B.encouraging students to perform well at school |
C.inviting more students to attend the school nearby |
D.encouraging parents to donate to the school |
The underlined word “controversial” in the first paragraph can be replaced by __________.
A.arguable | B.practical | C.strange | D.mature |
Those who oppose the “Vivo Miles” scheme think ______________.
A.it helps control the problem of truancy |
B.it teaches children the importance of saving |
C.it will mislead children about efforts and rewards |
D.it’s not easy to get more than 600 Vivos a year |
What’s the writer’s attitude towards the scheme?
A.Supportive. | B.Opposed. | C.Unconcerned. | D.Objective. |
The New York Aquarium (水族馆) offers a diverse collection and nice viewing experience for all our guests. Whether you’re observing penguins on their rocky coastline home or swimming underwater, looking at a coral reef (珊瑚礁) under the water, or cheering on California sea lions at the theater, you’ll find plenty to see and do during your visit. Your underwater adventure is waiting for you! This summer, head out to Coney Island to learn about the underwater world at the New York Aquarium.
Just off the Coney Island in Brooklyn, the New York Aquarium features more than 300 marine (海洋的) species, such as dolphins and seals. Meet some of our mammals and fish, and learn about their natural history, biology, and cultural roles.
Hours |
|
Summer hours May 28 – Sept. 5 |
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. , Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. , Weekends & Holidays |
Fall hours Sept. 6 – Nov. 6 |
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. , Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. , Weekends & Holidays |
Winter hours Nov. 7 – Mar. 31 |
10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. , Daily |
Spring hours Apr. 1– May 27 |
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. , Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. , Weekends & Holidays |
Total Experience Ticket
Adult $18.00
Child (Ages 3-12) $14.00
Senior (65+) $15.00
Groups (at least ten visitors) $8.00
﹡Includes admission to our 4-D Theater Plus General Admission.
﹡Children under 3 years old are free!
﹡To receive the group rate, you must make a reservation at least two weeks in advance of your group’s visit. Please call 718-741-1818.
Friday Afternoon Special
Admission on Fridays beginning at 3:00 p.m. is by donation. Suggested donation is $13 for adults, $9 for children, and $10 for seniors. Every dollar you give supports our work in caring for animals at the aquarium.
Aquarium Parking
Car $13.00
Bus $13.00
Please note:
﹡Due to rising costs, the Wildlife Conservation Society reserves the right to change all fees without notice.
﹡All Aquarium buildings and exhibits are wheelchair-accessible.
﹡For further information, please call 718-265-3454.Which animal can’t visitors probably see at the New York Aquarium?
A.Penguins. | B.Pandas. | C.Dolphins. | D.Seals. |
Six adults (including a man of 68) and two children (aged 2 and 10) are going to visit the New York Aquarium on Sunday. They will have to pay ______________ at least.
A.$144 | B.$133 | C.$64 | D.$119 |
The donation is used to ______________.
A.help the poor people |
B.help to save the endangered animals in the wild |
C.care for animals at the aquarium |
D.help the disabled visitors |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.You can visit the New York Aquarium at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas. |
B.A visitor in a wheelchair can get around at the New York Aquarium. |
C.Visitors can enjoy free parking service on Friday. |
D.To enjoy the group rate, visitors must make a reservation at least two weeks in advance by sending an e-mail. |
Most of us seem to reach our peak of alertness (警觉) around noon. Soon after that, alertness declines, and sleepiness may set in by mid-afternoon.
Your short-term memory is best during the morning—in fact, about 15 percent more efficient than at any other time of day. So, students, take notice: when you are faced with a morning exam, it really does pay to review your notes right before the test is given.
However, long-term memory is different. Afternoon is the best time for learning materials that you want to recall days, weeks or months later. Politicians, business executives or others who must learn speeches would be smart to do their memorizing during that time of day. You should try to do most of your studying in the afternoon, rather than late at night. Many students believe they memorize better while burning the midnight oil because their short-term recall is better during the early hours of the morning than in the afternoon. But short-term memory won’t help them much several days later, when they face the exam.
By contrast, we tend to do best on tasks related to the process of knowing, understanding, and learning numbers during the morning hours.
What about sports? During afternoon and early evening, you’re able to react the quickest to an outside stimulus—like a baseball speeding toward you. Studies have also shown that late in the day, when your body temperature is peaking, you will consider PE easier and less tiring—whether it actually is or not. That means you are more likely to work harder during a late afternoon or early evening workout, and therefore benefit more from it.
In fact, all of your senses—taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell—may be at their keenest during late afternoon and early evening. That could be why dinner usually tastes better to us than breakfast.
While all of us follow the same general pattern of ups and downs, the exact timing varies from person to person. It all depends on how your “biological” day is structured. Each of us can increase our knowledge about our individual rhythms. Learn how to listen to the inner beats of your body; let them set the pace of your day. You will live a healthier and happier life.What does the underlined “it really does pay” mean?
A.It will cost a lot. | B.It requires price. |
C.It is very painful. | D.It is worthwhile. |
If there is an English exam two weeks later, you should go over English ____________ for days before that.
A.in the afternoon | B.in the late evening |
C.in the early morning | D.right before the exam |
From the passage, it can be inferred that ______________.
A.we eat more food at noon |
B.we feel most tired if we exercise in the evening |
C.it is a good choice to study math in the morning |
D.we feel most sleepy before noon |
Which would be the best title for the passage?
A.What’s Your Best Time of the Day for Different Tasks |
B.How to Live a Healthier and Happier Life |
C.How to Study Efficiently |
D.How to Keep Your Best State of Learning |
Has Tiger Mom gone soft? One year after the release of her book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua is back in the spotlight, reflecting on how overnight infamy (恶名) affected her life, her family and her parenting.
“I have changed a lot,” she told the Huffington Post. “In October, we had 30 kids at our house! We have hosted parties with lots of food and music.”
Last January, the Wall Street Journal published an excerpt (节选) from Chua’s book with the headline “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”. In the excerpt, Chua described how her daughters were never allowed to have sleepovers (在外过夜的儿童聚会), appear in school plays, or earn any grade lower than an A. Chua, an author and professor at Yale Law School, spent much of 2011 on the defensive. In fact, many of her interviews seemed to lend fuel to her critics’ fire.
Now, with the book out in paperback, she said, “I put passages in the book and used very harsh words that I regret. Everybody has those moments you wish you could take back.”
For those who still read Battle Hymn as an advice guide, Chua argues that so-called tiger parenting should be employed mainly during a child’s early years, ideally between the ages of 5 and 12. These “super-strict parenting tactics” are not meant for all ages. Remaining strict after middle school makes you a helicopter parent, according to Chua. And she is quick to point out how different that is from being a tiger mom.
“By the time kids get to high school, helicopter parents are hiring all these tutors, carrying their kids’ sports bags. I never checked older daughter Sophia’s papers because I knew she knew how to sit down and focus,” Chua said.
As for younger daughter Lulu, 15, the rebel for whom the book was written, Chua has really backed off. Instead of forcing Lulu to practise violin for hours a day—the source of their biggest fights, Chua “let her give that up”. “My compromise (妥协) is that I’m going to still be as strict academically, but in exchange she has a lot of social freedom. Lulu has had four sleepovers in the last two months!” Chua said. Chua predicts she’ll only get more easygoing with age. What does the passage mainly tell us?
A.Tiger Mom has changed and wants to be soft. |
B.Tiger Mom persuaded readers to follow her example. |
C.How Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother came out. |
D.How Tiger Mom became the worldwide spotlight. |
From paragraph 1 we can know that after the publication of the book______________.
A.Tiger Mom became stricter with her children |
B.Tiger Mom was thought highly by the public |
C.Tiger Mom’s life and family were influenced |
D.Tiger Mom became wealthy and easygoing |
Lulu quarreled with her mother mainly over______________.
A.whether she could do well at school |
B.when she could have sleepovers |
C.what should be written in the book |
D.how long she practiced the violin |
My mother is a diligent and kind woman. She is very busy from morning till night. As a teacher, she works hard. 1Both my brother and I love her dearly as she loves us.
My mother has been teaching math at a middle school in my hometown. She goes to work early in the morning and does not return home until late in the afternoon. 2She treats them with patience and teaches them well. For her excellent quality and very good teaching results, she has been elected as a model teacher several times.
3Every day, when she comes back home from work, she sets about doing housework, sweeping the living room and bedrooms or cleaning the furniture, and putting everything in good order. She seems to be busy all the time. As she has been very busy working every day, she looks older than her age. But she looks as cheerful and happy as ever. Mother never buys expensive dresses for herself, but she often buys some inexpensive but high quality clothes for us. 4She just eats a plain meal outside when she is too busy to cook herself. She lives a busy yet simple life, without any complaints.
Often she says to us, “work while you work, and play while you play. That is the way to be happy and gay. If you do not work, you will become lazy and be of no use to society”. What a piece of good advice this is! 5This advice of hers will always serve as a guide to my behavior. My mother is great indeed, and I always feel proud of her.
A.She enjoys listening to classic music. |
B.As a mother, she takes good care of us and gives us every comfort. |
C.She loves her students and cares for them. |
D.She never goes to expensive restaurants to enjoy meals. |
E. My mother is hard-working and never wastes money.
F. I never forget it and always bear it in my mind.
G. Can you tell us something about your mother?