加载中...Section B
Directions: In this section, you are required to read one quoted blog and the comments on it. The biog and comments arc followed by questions or unfinished statements, each with four suggested answers A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer and mark your answer on the Answer Sheet.
A fascinating new study reveals that Americans are more likely to call their children “intelligent,” while European parents focus on happiness and balance.
Here’s what one parent had to say about the intelligence of her 3-year-old, which was apparent to her from the very first moments of her life:
“I have this vivid memory, when she was born, of them taking her to clean her off... And she was looking all around... She was alert from the very first second... I took her out when she was six weeks old to a shopping mall to have her picture taken people would stop me and say, “What an alert baby.” One guy stopped me and said, “Lady, she was an intelligent baby.”
Not only are Americans far more likely to focus on their children’s intelligence and cognitive skills, they are also far less likely to describe them as “happy” or “easy” children to parent.
The U.S.’s unhealthy interest in cognitive development in the early years overlooks so much else,” the researchers told us.
Comment 1:
Probably indicates more about differences in cultural attitudes towards humility and boasting than about parenting styles. Here in the Netherlands if someone called their child “intelligent” I’d be rolling my eyes, both because it’s probably biased and overstated and because it’s just a rotten thing to draw attention to; as if it’s all about whose child is “Better”. Life isn’t that much of a damn contest to us.
Comment 2：
Agreed! That would apply in Sweden too. Parenting is more focused on the child’s well-being than social competition (there may be pressures here too, but it is not socially acceptable to express those things).
Comment 3:
I agree and I live in the U.S. Parent’s opinions of their children’s intellect are definitely biased and overstated. It is the most annoying thing to listen to. Being “advanced” at a young age has little if anything to do with their ability to learn as they get older and EVERY child is a genius if you give them a chance and an ear to listen to them. The happier the kid is, the smarter they will be. Happy and healthy is key.
41. The passage is mainly concerned with cultural differences in _____.
A. describing one’s children
B. bringing up one’s children
C. social contests
D. choosing a place to live in
42. The word “alert” (Para. 3) is closest in meaning to “_____.”
A. intelligent B. easy-going
C. happy D. quick at noticing things
43. According to Comment 1, in the Netherlands, calling one’s own child “intelligent” is_____.
A. acceptable B. boasting
C. encouraging D. reasonable
44. What nationality is the writer of Comment 2?
A. Dutch. B. American.
C. French. D. Swedish
45. All of the following are true of Comment 3 EXCEPT that _____.
A. it agrees with all the other comments
B. being happy and healthy is important
C. children’s intellect varies from person to person
D. being intelligent at a young age makes no sense
