Chinese are very generous when it comes to educating their children. Not __1__ the money, parents often send their children to the __2__ schools or even abroad to England, the USA or Australia. They also want their children to take extra-course __3__ where they will either learn a musical instrument or ballet, or other classes which will give them a head start in life. The Chinese believe that the __4__ an education is, the better it is. So parents will spend a(n) __5__ amount of money on education. Even

　　__6__couples will buy a computer for their son or daughter.

　　__7__, what most parents __8__ to see is that the best early education they can give their children is usually very cheap.

　　Parents can see that their children’s skill vary, skilled in some areas while poor in others. What most parents fail to realize __9__, is that today’s children __10__ self-

　　respect and self-confidence (自信).

　　The problem is that parents are only __11__ their children on how to take multiple-choice (多项选择的) tests and how to study well, but parents are not teaching them the most important skills they need to be __12__, happy and clever.

　　Parents can __13__ this by teaching __14__ skills like cooking, sewing, and doing other housework.

　　__15__ a child to cook will improve many of the skills that he will need later in life. Cooking demands __16__ and time. It is an enjoyable but difficult __17__. A good cook always tries to improve his cooking, so he will learn to work hard and gradually finish his job __18__. His __19__, a well-cooked dinner, will give him much satisfaction and a lot of self-confidence.

　　Some old machines, such as a broken radio or TV set that you give your children to __20__ will make him curious and arouse his interest. Then he will think and use his mind. And that is more important.

　　1. A. offering B. spending C. caring about D. paying

　　2. A. ordinary B. best C. city D. good

　　3. A. parties B. sports C. clubs D. activities

　　4. A. more expensive B. more reasonable C. farther D. cheaper

　　5. A. small B. reasonable C. proper D. unreasonable

　　6. A. rich B. old C. poor D. young

　　7. A. Therefore B. Otherwise C. However D. Instead

　　8. A. fail B. try C. want D. manage

　　9. A. even if B. though C. unless D. or rather

　　10. A. gain B. own C. lose D. lack

　　11. A. advising B. educating C. persuading D. suggesting

　　12. A. unselfish B. polite C. friendly D. confident

　　13. A. achieve B. receive C. accept D. own

　　14. A. actual B. practical C. real D. true

　　15. A. Asking B. Promising C. Teaching D. Encouraging

　　16. A. space B. determination C. help D. patience

　　17. A. skill B. experience C. job D. housework

　　18. A. quickly B. carefully C. successfully D. accidently

　　19. A. idea B. conclusion C. wish D. result

　　20. A. play with B. throw away C. deal with D. work at

　　【答案与解析】

　　1. C。本文第一句告诉我们,父母在孩子的教育上很慷慨,不“在乎”钱。2. B。or前后应为并列关系。3. D。从其后的定语从句可知是参加课堂外的各种活动。4. A 5. D 6. C。从副词even可知,此处应选一个与“有钱人”相对的形容词,其它选项与句意不符。7. C。从行文逻辑来看,此处应为转折。8. A。然而,父母们“没能认识到的是:他们能给孩子们的最好的早期教育通常是很便宜的。9. B。表示“让步”。

　　10. D。父母没能意识到他们的孩子“缺少”自尊和自信。11. B。educate sb. on sth. “在……方面教育某人”。12. D。根据上文“孩子缺少自信”可知。13. A。对父母提出建议:可通过教孩子一些“实用”技能来让他们“获得”自信。14. B 15. C 16. D。做饭需要“耐心”和时间。17. B。18. C 19. D。a well-cooked dinner为选项的同位语,说明已完成的“结果”。20. A。把一些旧机器给孩子“玩”。

　　(文/万杰 英语辅导报高三年级版2004-2005学年第26期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)