四级真题2020年9月第二套 Passage Two
四级真题2020年9月第二套 Passage Two


①　The practice of paying children an allowance became popular in America about 100 years ago. Nowadays, American kids on average receive about $800 per year in allowance. But the vast majority of American parents who pay allowance tie it to the completion of housework. Although many parents believe that paying an allowance for completing chores benefits their children, a range of experts expressed concern that tying allowance very closely to chores may not be ideal. In fact, the way chores work in many households worldwide points to another way.

②　Suniya Luthar, a psychologist, is against paying kids for chores. Luthar is not opposed to giving allowances, but she thinks it’s important to establish that chores are done not because they will lead to payment, but because they keep the household running. Luthar’s suggested approach to allowance is compatible with that of writer Ron Lieber, who advises that allowances be used as a means of showing children how to save, give, and spend on things they care about. Kids should do chores, he writes, “for the same reason adults do, because the chores need to be done, and not with the expectation of compensation.”
③　This argument has its critics, but considering the way chores are undertaken around the world may change people’s thinking. Professor David Lancy of Utah State University has studied how families around the world handle chores. At about 18 months of age, Lancy says, most children become eager to help their parents, and in many cultures, they begin helping with housework at that age. They begin with very simple tasks, but their responsibilities gradually increase. And they do these tasks without payment. Lancy contrasts this with what happens in America. “We deny our children’s bids to help until they are 6 or 7 years old,” Lancy says, “when many have lost the desire to help and then try to motivate them with payment. The solution to this problem is not to try to use money as an incentive to do housework, but to get children involved in housework much earlier, when they actually want to do it.”

1.1. What do some experts think about paying children for doing chores?

A It may benefit children in more ways than one.

B It may help children learn the worth of labor.

C It may not turn out to be the best thing to do.

D It may not be accepted by low-income parents.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。由题干中的 some experts、paying children和 chores 定位到首段第四句。定位句指出，尽管很多父母认为因为完成家务活而给孩子零用钱对他们的孩子来说是有益的,但很多专家担心把零用钱和做家务联系得太紧密了可能并不理想。由此可知:专家认为给孩子钱让他们做家务可能不是最好的办法,故答案为 C。

2.2. According to Suniya Luthar, doing chores will help children learn to ____.

A share family responsibilities

B appreciate the value of work

C cultivate the spirit of independence

D manage domestic affairs themselves

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。由题干中的 Suniya Luthar 定位到第二段第一、二句。定位句提到，心理学家苏妮娅·卢瑟反对因为做家务而给孩子钱。卢瑟不反对给孩子零用钱,但是她认为重要的是应该明确不是因为做家务能得到钱而做家务，而是因为做家务能让一个家庭正常运转。由此可知，苏妮娅·卢瑟认为做家务能帮孩子学会分担家庭责任,故答案为 A。

3.3. What does Ron Lieber think should be the goal of giving children allowances?

A To help to strengthen family ties.

B To teach them how to manage money.

C To motivate them to do more housework.

D To show parents’ appreciation of their help.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。由题干中的 Ron Lieber 定位到第二段第三句。定位句指出,罗恩·利伯建议零用钱被用作一种向孩子展示如何节省、给予和花在他们在乎的东西上的方法。由此可见，罗恩·利伯认为零花钱教会孩子如何管理金钱，故答案为 B。

4.4. What does David Lancy say about 18-month-olds?

A They have a natural instinct to help around the house.

B They are too young to request money for what they do.

C They should learn to understand family responsibilities.

D They need a little incentive to get involved in housework.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。由题干中的 David Lancy 和 18-month-olds 定位到第三段第三句。定位句提到，兰西认为大多数孩子在大约18个月的时候会渴望帮助他们的父母。由此可见，18个月的孩子本能地想在家里帮忙,故答案为 A。

5.5. What does David Lancy advise American parents to do?

A Set a good example for children in doing housework.

B Make children do housework without compensation.

C Teach children how to do housework.

D Accept children’s early bids to help.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。由题干中的 David Lancy 和 advise 定位到第三段最后一句。定位句指出兰西的观点:解决这个问题的办法不是试图用金钱来激励孩子做家务,而是当他们真正想做的时候,让他们更早地参与到家务中。由此可知，兰西认为美国父母应接受孩子早期想帮忙的尝试,故答案为 D。