Question

I usually doubt about any research that concludes that people are either happier or unhappier or more or less certain of themselves than they were 50 years ago.While any of these statements might be true, they are practically impossible to prove scientifically. Still, 1 was struck by a report which concluded that today’s children are significantly more anxious than children in the 1950s. In fact, the analysis showed, normal children between 9 and 17 have a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago.
Why are America’s kids so stressed? The report cites two main causes: increasing physical isolation (孤独) brought on by high divorce rates and less involvement in community, and a growing perception that the world is a more dangerous place.
Given that we can’t turn the clock back, adults can still do plenty to help the next generation to cope.
At the top of the list,nurturing (培育) is a better appreciation of the limits of individualism. No child is an island. Strengthening social ties helps build communities and protect individuals against stress.
To help kids build stronger connections with others, you can pull the plug on TVs and computers. Your family will thank you later.They will then have more time for face-to-face relationships, and they will get more sleep.
Limit the amount of virtual (虚拟的) violence your children are exposed to. It’s not just video games and movies; children see a lot of murder and crime on the local news.
Keep your expectations for your children reasonable. Many highly successful people never attended Harvard or Yale.
Make exercise part of your daily routine. It will help you deal with your own anxieties and provide a good model for your kids. Sometimes anxiety is unavoidable,but it doesn’t have to ruin your life.
【小题1】What does the author thinks of the conclusion that people in America are unhappier than 50 years ago?

A．Surprising

B．Confusing

C．Illogical

D．Questionable

【小题2】What does the author mean by saying “ we can’t turn the clock back(Para. 3)?

A．It’s impossible to slow down the pace of the change.

B．The social reality children are facing cannot be changed.

C．Lessons learned from the past should not be forgotten.

D．It’s impossible to forget the past.

【小题3】According to an analysis, compared with normal children today, children 50 years ago __________.

A．were less isolated physically

B．were probably less self-centered

C．probably suffered less from anxiety

D．were considered less individualistic

【小题4】What is the first and most important thing parents should do to help their children?

A．To provide them with a safer environment.

B．To lower their expectations for them.

C．To get them more involved socially.

D．To set a good model for them to follow.

【小题5】What conclusion can be drawn from the passage?

A．Anxiety, though always unavoidable, can be coped with.

B．Children’s anxiety has been enormously exaggerated(夸大).

C．Children’s anxiety can be removed with more parental care.

D．Anxiety, if properly controlled, may help children become mature.

Answer 1

【小题1】D
【小题2】B
【小题3】C
【小题4】C
【小题5】C

解析试题分析：本文叙述了今天的孩子在精神上要比50年前的孩子紧张得多，其原因是：一是高离婚率和很少参加社会活动使孩子们感到孤独;二是因为孩子们认为这个世界越来越危险。作者指出指出虽然我们不能改变现实,但可以想办法帮助孩子们脱离困境.，其方法是：首先是让孩子们认识到个人主义的局限性;帮助他们建立良好的人际关系;减少暴力对他们的不良影响;对孩子的期望值要合理;带领孩子积极锻炼身体。
【小题1】细节理解题。根据I usually doubt about any research that concludes that people are either happier or unhappier or more or less certain of themselves than they were 50 years ago.While any of these statements might be true, they are practically impossible to prove scientifically.可知,作者对于这一类研究结论的态度是"skeptical(对……持怀疑态度的,不相信的)".因此,正确答案为选项D。
【小题2】句意理解题。根据作者说"我们不能倒拨时钟"这句话是什么含义?可以推知孩子面临的社会现实无法改变，故选B。
【小题3】细节理解题。根据In fact, the analysis showed, normal children ages 9 to 17 exhibit a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago.(实际上,有分析表明,今天9-17岁的正常儿童精神上比50年前精神上有病的儿童还要紧张.)，故选C。
【小题4】细节理解题。根据At the top of the list is nurturing ( 培育 ) a better appreciation of the limits of individualism. No child is an island. Strengthening social ties helps build communities and protect individuals against stress.(首先是让孩子们认识到个人主义的局限性，任何一个孩子都不是一座孤岛，加强社会联系能帮助他们更多地参与社会活动,使他们免受精神紧张的压力.)"故选C。
【小题5】推理判断题。根据Sometimes anxiety is unavoidable. But it doesn't have to ruin your life.(有时精神上紧张和焦虑是难免的,但它不至于毁掉你的生活.)，可推出父母的关怀可以去掉除儿童的焦虑。故选C。
考点：社会现象类短文阅读。
点评：句意题考查考生通过上下文猜测词句意思的能力，这类题型不仅考查考生词汇量的多少，而且考查考生把握篇章逻辑衔接的能力；句意题，顾名思义，考查考生对句子含义的把握。该题型常涉及对谚语、俗语以及对难句的正确理解。（1）以重述为线索猜测词义。
有时作者在讲述某个概念或某一事情时,为了讲得更清楚,可能采取另一种方式重述一下前面的内容。重述往往使用比前面一种表达更为简单易懂的词句，也就为较难的句子提供了猜测的线索。表重述的常用短语有：in other words, to put it another way, that is to say, that is, i.e., to be precise等。（2）以前后文提供的解释或说明为线索。有时作者在阐述某人、某物或某一现象的特点时,先是一般地或概括性地说一下,然后再具体说明或解释；或者反过来，先具体阐述，然后再进行归纳、总结。如果能抓住作者的思路，就能从那些具体说明、解释或归纳中找出猜测的线索来。