Primary schools could be told to remove some traditional subject-based lessons and replace them with “personal development” classes to encourage children to improve their social and practical skill. Parents, teachers and pupils, who took part in the investigation carried out for the biggest ever official review of the primary curriculum, argued that the number of subjects taught to very young people should be reduced.
The review, being conducted by the government’s school’s director Sir Jim Rose, will consider how to redesign the primary school day to handle concerns that too many pupils leave primary school unable to read, write and do maths at the level expected of them. It will also address criticisms that pupils are expected to study so many subjects there is little time for creative learning.
The 60 focus groups brought together 1,500 parents, pupils and school staff and is expected to heavily influence the thinking of the Rose review, which the government is promising to back. Instead of a broad range of subjects, pupils should study in-depth literacy and maths lessons alongside a more creative curriculum that encourages pupils to develop personal, learning and thinking skills, they say. Such lessons might include “healthy lifestyles, sex and relationships education, drugs and alcohol education”.
“Child and personal development as priorities have been shamefully neglected in recent years in the rush to hit targets in the basics.” John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said, “The worst thing would be to evaluate child development through the current high stakes testing system. That would weaken the capacity of teachers to meet children’s unique needs.”
However, the shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said, “If lessons on lifestyle are given the same status as traditional subjects, it is the most disadvantaged children who will be worst affected.” “Children are not able to personally develop and succeed in the future if they don’t have a grasp of basic subjects such as maths and English early on in primary school. Removing high requirement from the primary curriculum would increase the inequality gap between less well-off pupils and the rest.” Nick added. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said, “This is a summary of stake holder’s view, not the views of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF, and has been submitted to Sir Jim Rose’s review as evidence to consider.” According to the focus groups, the result of learning too many subjects is most likely to be that __________.
| A．children may not have any freedom |
| B．children may not have enough time for personal interest |
| C．children may not know anything outside the classroom |
| D．children may not have creative ability |
Which of the following is False about the review conducted by Sir Jim Rose?
| A．It will greatly influence the country’s future primary curriculum. |
| B．It will remove high requirement from the primary curriculum. |
| C．It is supported by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the DCSF. |
| D．It needs to take fully into account varied views from the society. |
John Bangs’s attitude towards the current high stakes testing system is __________.
| A．negative | B．positive |
| C．uncertain | D．cautious |
According to Nick Gibb, grasp of basic subjects early on in primary school is important for _______.
| A．the primary curriculum reform |
| B．children’s development in the future |
| C．children’s educational equality |
| D．increasing the children’s confidence |
四、阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每小题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在机读卡上将该项涂黑。
Watson entered Mr Smith’s office. The Boss was a hard man. He fired people who didn’t do well without giving them a second chance.
“Watson,” said Mr Smith, “this past year your department hasn’t earned money. We’re going to drop that department. It’s finished. I’ m sorry, —but you’ll have to go.” “But, sir—if I just had a little more time. For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School.”
“What’s that!” said the Boss. “Riverside! I didn’t know you had a boy there. That’s an expensive school for a man with your salary.”
“1 know, sir. But he likes it there so much! He’s a star trackman（田径运动员） and the best boxer in the school. The boys call him Champ（冠军） there.”
The Boss sat perfectly still for a long time—a faraway （恍惚的） look in his eyes. Then, suddenly, he said, “We’ve got to close your department, Watson. But you’ll take over a new job in another department. It means longer hours—maybe more pay. Now get out. You’re here for life.”
Watson got out, with surprise in his face. Then the Boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk. It was Herbie’s last letter from Riverside School —written a few days before he died. He had read it over and over again with sick pain. The letter read:
I can’t say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were. I guess it’s the same everywhere when you’re a cripple (跛脚的人). But don’t worry about me, Dad. They’ve got a good chemistry department here. And there’s one boy here who is really great. He’s a track star and boxing champ and just tops in chemistry. The boys call him Champ. He made them stop throwing my books around. And he knocked a boy down who hit me. He is the best friend I ever had. Dad, when I grow up, I want to do something for Champ. Something big—that he won’t even know about.
Your son,
Herbie
56. The underlined word “drop” in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ________.
A. fall B. close C. punish D. sell
57. It can be inferred from the text that Champ is_______.
A. Watson’ s son B. Mr Smith’ s son
C. a teacher of Mr Smith’s son D. the son of Mr Smith’s friend
58. From the text we know that Herbie_______.
A. was a college student B. didn’t live to grow up
C. made friends with many boys D. died from a car accident
59. Watson was given a second chance because_______.
A. Mr Smith wanted to help Watson’s son
B. a man was needed in another department
C. Herbie told Mr Smith to do so in his letter
D. Mr Smith wanted to realize his son’s dream
South Korean Films
An audience can view five new South Korean films, all with Chinese subtitles(字幕) until April 19 at the Tuixin Cinema in the Beijing National Library grounds.
Two other South Korean films completed their full runs at the Tuuixin Cinema earlier this month.
Location: Tuixin Cinema, Beijing National Library, 39 Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District.
Tel: 86415566
“My Love My Bride”
April 15: 9:00, 13:00, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30
“Kim’s War”
April 16: 9:00, 13:30, 18:15
“Because You Are a Woman”
April 17: 13:30, 18:15
“Marriage Story”
April 18: 9:00, 13:30, 15:30, 18:15
“Sopyoneje”
April 19: 9:00, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30
Leon’s show
Hong Kong pop stat—Leon Lai will give a personal performance at 7:30pm from tomorrow through to September 21 at the Shanghai Gymnasium. The show is to celebrate the opening of the 93rd Huangpu Tourism Festival.
Tickets: 60, 90, 120, 180 yuan RMB, available(有票) at 66 Jiangning Road.
Address: Shanghai Gymnasium, 1111 Gaoxi Road N.
Tel: 29189188, 29171145, 49384952, 29197113
Russian concert
The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra(管弦乐队) will put on some excellent Russian Orchestra works at 7:15pm on September 26 and 27 at the Shanghai Concert Hall. They will sing Russian folk songs and mass under a Russian Conductor who is very famous for conducting choirs(歌唱队) and has given a successful choral concert in Beijing.
Tickets: 6, 8, 10, 12 yuan RMB, available at the hall’s ticket office.
Address: 523 Yan’an Road W. Shanghai.
Tel: 32275694.
Korean songs
The Song and Dance Troupe of North Korea will give a song and dance show at 7:30pm tonight at the Shanghai Center Theater.
Tickets: 10, 20, 30 yuan RMB, available at the theater’s ticket office.
Address: 1376 Nanjing Road W. Shanghai.
Tel: 29798663
64. ____ will be on April 18. The cinema’s telephone number is ____.
A. Kim’s War; 9798663 B. My Love, My Bride; 32275694
C. Because You Are a Woman; 29189188 D. Marriage Story; 86415566
65. An audience can watch the performance given by Leon Lai from tomorrow through to September 21 in ____.
A. Beijing B. South Korea C. Shanghai D. Hong Kong
66. The address of the Shanghai Center Theater is ____.
A. 1111 Caoxi Road N B. 1376 Nanjing Road W
C. 523 Yan’an Road W D. 66 Jiangning Road
67. According to the advertisement, a six-yuan ticket is for ____.
A. Russian concert B. Korean songs C. South Korean films D. Leon’s show
He met her at a party. She was so outstanding, with many boys around her, while he was so normal, with nobody paying attention to him.
At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him. She was surprised, but due to being polite, she agreed. They sat in a nice coffee shop. He was too nervous to say anything, and she felt uncomfortable, thinking, “Please let me go home.”
Suddenly he asked the waiter, “Would you please give me some salt? I’d like to put it in my coffee.”
Everybody stared at him—so strange！His face turned red, but, still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it.
She asked him curiously, “Why do you have this hobby?”
He replied, “When I was a little boy, I was living near the sea. I liked playing in the sea, and I could feel the taste of the sea, just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I always think of my childhood. I miss my hometown so much. I miss my parents who are still living there.” While saying that tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched. That’s his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart. A man who can tell out his homesickness, he must be a man who loves home, cares about home, and has responsibility of home. Then she also started to speak, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story.
They continued to date. She found that actually he was a man who meets all her demands; he was kind-hearted, warm and careful. He was such a good person but she almost missed him! Thanks to the salty coffee! Then the story was just like every beautiful love story, the princess married the prince, then they were living a happy life… And, every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee.
After 40 years, he passed away, leaving her a letter which said, “My dearest, please forgive my whole life lie. This was the only lie I said to you—the salty coffee.”
“Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time. Actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt. It was hard for me to change so I just went ahead.”
“I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you for anything.”
“Now I’m dying, I’m afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don’t like the salty coffee. What a strange bad taste! But I have had the salty coffee for my whole life!”
“Since I knew you, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you. Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life. If I can live for a second time, I still want to know you and have you for my whole life, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again.”
Her tears made the letter totally wet.
Someday, someone asked her, “What’s the taste of salty coffee?”
“It’s sweet,” she replied.
60. After ordering some salt to put into the coffee, the young man must have felt ___.
A. touched B. satisfied C. disappointed D. embarrassed
61. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Salt coffee is more delicious and sweeter than sugar coffee.
B. The man ordered the salt coffee in order to create a chance to date with the girl.
C. The man had to have the salty coffee all his life to keep his word.
D. The woman hardly believed the man’s explanation at the first date.
62. From the passage we can see that the man is ___.
A. caring and kind-hearted B. shy and sly
C. dishonest but responsible D. warm and understanding
63. It is implied in the passage that the woman ___ when reading the letter left by her husband.
A. was cheated by his husband’s behavior
B. was touched by his husband’s white lie
C. felt sorry to know the truth too late
D. felt angry about his dishonesty
I came to live here where I am now between Wounded Knee Greek and Grass Greek. Others came too, and we made these little grey houses of logs that you see, and they are square. It is a bad way to live, for there can be no power in a square.
You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the respectful circle of the nation, and so long as the circle was unbroken, the people were getting rich. The flowering tree was the living center of the circle, and the circle of the four quarters nursed it. The east gave peace and strength and continuous power. This knowledge came to us from the outer world with our brief. Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. Birds make their nests in circle, for theirs are the same as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our places were like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation’s circle, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to nurse our children.
But the Wasichus (Indian word for “white people”) have put us in these square boxes. Our power is gone and we are dying, for the power is not in us any more. You can look at our boys and see how it is with us. Where we were living by the power of the circle in the way we should, boys were men at twelve of thirteen years of age. But now it takes them very much longer to be bull grown.
72. The title of this passage is ____.
A. Round Houses B. Square Houses
C. Round Houses and Square Houses
D. Power or Houses
73. Two things being compared in the passage are ____.
A. the Indians’ past and present living conditions
B. the Indians’ past and modern beliefs
C. the Indians’ old and new power
D. people and nature
74. In the second paragraph “the four quarters” refers to ____.
A. the four rooms of the Indian’s house B. the four kinds of natural power
C. the four seasons D. the four directions
75. According to the author, once the Indians moved into square houses, _____.
A. they had to move to other houses B. boys took more time to grow into men
C. they forgot the old way of life D. everyone was not happy
Many people think the search for cleaner energy leads only to renewable resources like sun, wind and water. But it also leads to a fossil fuel. Natural gas is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels, the fuel created by plant and animal remains over millions of years. Burning it releases fewer pollutants than oil or coal. The gas is mainly methane (甲烷). It produces half the carbon dioxide of other fossil fuels. So it may help cut the production of carbon gases linked to climate change.
Russia is first in what are called "proved reserves" of natural gas. The United States is sixth. Over the years, big oil and gas companies recovered much of the easily reached supplies of gas in America. They drilled straight down into formations where gas collects. As these supplies were used up, big drillers looked for similar formations in other countries.
But now the industry is taking a new look. Companies are developing gas supplies trapped in shale (页岩) rock two to three thousand meters underground. They drill down to the shale, then go sideways and inject high-pressure water, sand or other material into the rock. This causes the rock to fracture, releasing the gas. Huge fields of gas shale are believed to lie under the Appalachian Mountains, Michigan and the south-central states. Gas shale exploration is being done mainly by small to medium sized companies. Eric Potter, a program director, says more than half the gas in the United States is now coming from these new reserves.
But hydraulic (液压的) fracturing can also produce debate and anger over the risk of groundwater pollution. This method of drilling is not federally supervised under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Some in Congress want to end that exemption (豁免) from the law.
Natural gas provides Americans with about one fourth of their energy. And, unlike oil, most of it is produced in America. Gas producers invested heavily in reaching new supplies when prices were high. But prices are down sharply now because the depression cut demand for energy. So energy expert Eric Potter says it is too early to know how the changing market prices will affect the market for gas shale exploration.
68. We can learn from the first paragraph that ________.
A. natural gas releases methane and carbon dioxide
B. natural gas is considered as the cleanest energy
C. natural gas is more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels
D. natural gas is a renewable source of energy
69. The word “fracture” in Paragraph 4 probably means _______.
A. create B. break C. change D. decrease
70. Gas shale exploration may cause disagreement because ______.
A. it may cause water pollution B. it brings too high profits
C. it breaks the law D. it is out of states’ control
71. According to Eric Potter, the new gas shale exploration ______.
A. will provide America with about one fourth of their energy
B. will increase demand for energy
C. will make gas producers invest a big sum of money
D. may be influenced by the changing market prices