话题阅读Topic 5 School Life (学校生活)

Topic 5 School Life (学校生活)

基础篇

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At first, there were no schools for children in the colonies. Boys and girls had to learn from their parents at home. However, not all parents could read or write.

The first schools in New England were called "dame schools," because housewives were teachers. Children gathered in their homes to learn reading, writing and spelling.

Public schools were started in New England in 1647. A new law was passed that every town of fifty or more families had to establish a grade school. A town with one hundred or more families had to have a high school, too.

Grade schools in New England were little log buildings. All of the children learned together in one room. Some students sat on wooden benches and studied quietly. At the same time, other students stood near the wall reciting their lessons. For textbooks, they used only the Bible and the New England Primer, which contained spelling words, short poems, and questions about the Bible.

Schoolhouses had no light except the light from the fireplace. All students had to bring wood for the fireplace, and if they did not, they had to sit farthest from it. The schoolmaster was very strict and whipped students if they made mistakes or did not behave well. They attended classes from seven or eight in the morning to four or five in the afternoon, Monday through Saturday.

Every church had its own school in New Netherland. These schools were supported mainly by the government, but wealthy parents paid a small fee. Most boys and girls attended these schools. However, when English people took over the colony, they stopped the government support.

Southern colonies established few schools. People lived far apart, and they did not think learning was important. Wealthy parents who wanted to educate their children hired tutors from England, but no one educated poor children.

During colonial times, only men went to college. Sons of wealthy Southern colonists studied at universities in England. There were also nine colleges in the colonies, most of which were started by churches to train ministers. Some of these later became famous universities.

1. Why did the “dame school” get its name?

A. For its teachers.

B. For its founders.

C. For the teaching contents.

D. For the teaching method.

2. Which of the following is true of the public schools in colonial times?

A. Schools refused support from the government.

B. Children were free to learn what they want.

C. Schools were tough places for children.

D. A variety of textbooks were available in the school.

3. Which of the following could best describe the teachers in the early public schools?

A. Strict and unsympathetic.

B. Generous and respectable.

C. Easy-going and hardworking.

D. rude and aggressive

4. It’s learned from the text that ______.

A. There were few schools in southern colonies

B. A majority of people in southern colonies lived in cities

C. People in southern colonies though much of education

D. Wealthy families paid a large fee for the church school

5. What could be the best title of the text?

A. Dame Schools.

B. Church Schools.

C. Public Schools.

D. Colonial Schools.

【篇章导读】早期北美殖民时期有各种各样的学校，文中介绍了Dame Schools, grade school, high school 以及Church Schools方面的情况。

【答案解析】

1. A。细节理解题。第二段中信息The first schools in New England were called "dame schools," because housewives were teachers.可知A项正确。

2. C。推理判断题。第四五段中信息Grade schools in New England were little log buildings. All of the children learned together in one room. …Schoolhouses had no light except the light from the fireplace. All students had to bring wood for the fireplace…可推知孩子在学校很艰苦。

3. A。推理判断题。第五段中信息The schoolmaster was very strict and whipped students if they made mistakes or did not behave well.可知老师严格又无情。

4. A。细节理解题。倒数第二段信息Southern colonies established few schools. People lived far apart, and they did not think learning was important.可知答案。

5. D。主旨大意题。文中介绍北美殖民时期的学校，所以D选项正确。

【难句分析】

1. A new law was passed that every town of fifty or more families had to establish a grade school. 句中that引导同位语从句。句意：通过了一项新法律，有50个家庭以上的乡镇都是要建立一所小学。

2. There were also nine colleges in the colonies, most of which were started by churches to train ministers. 句中most of which引导定语从句。句意：当时，殖民地也有九所大学，其中大多数是教堂创办的，主要训练牧师。

Through the week, we have visited every classroom in school and have worked with every teacher using lots of science skills along the way.

In 3S, we tried to solve the mystery of a missing laptop. There were a number of clues which were left by the criminal and through a number of tests we were able to solve the crime. Mrs.