Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.
That's Enough, Kids
It was a lovely day at the park and Stella Bianchi was enjoying the sunshine with her two children when a young boy, aged about four, approached her two-year-old son and pushed him to the ground.
I'd watched him for a little while and my son was the fourth or fifth child he'd shoved, she says. "I went over to them, picked up my son, turned to the boy and said, firmly, 'No, we don't push.'" What happened next was unexpected.
The boy's mother ran toward me from across the park, Stella says. "I thought she was coming over to apologise, but instead she started shouting at me for 'disciplining her child'. All I did was let him know his behavior was unacceptable. Was I supposed to sit back while her kid did whatever he wanted, hurting other children in the process?"
Getting your own children to play nice is difficult enough. Dealing with other people's children has become a minefield.
In my house, jumping on the sofa is not allowed. In my sister's house it's encouraged. For her, it's about kids being kids: "If you can't do it at three, when can you do it?"
Each of these philosophies is valid and, it has to be said, my son loves visiting his aunt's house. But I find myself saying "no" a lot when her kids are over at mine. That's OK between sisters but becomes dangerous territory when you're talking to the children of friends or acquaintances.
Kids aren't all raised the same, agrees Professor Naomi White of Monash University. "But there's still an idea that they're the property of the parents. We see our children as an extension of ourselves, so if you're saying that my child is behaving inappropriately, then that's somehow a criticism of me."
In those circumstances, it's difficult to know whether to approach the child directly or the parent first. There are two schools of thought.
I'd go to the child first, says Andrew Fuller, author of Tricky Kids. "Usually a quiet reminder that'we don't do that here' is enough. Kids have finely tuned antennae（直觉）for how to behave in different settings."
He points out that bringing it up with the parent first may make them feel neglectful, which could cause problems. Of course, approaching the child first can bring its own headaches, too.
This is why White recommends that you approach the parents first. "Raise your concerns with the parents if they're there and ask them to deal with it," she says.
Asked how to approach a parent in this situation, psychologist Meredith Fuller answers: "Explain your needs as well as stressing the importance of the friendship. Preface your remarks with something like：'I know you'll think I'm silly but in my house I don't want...'"
When it comes to situations where you're caring for another child, White is straightforward:"Common sense must prevail. If things don't go well, then have a chat."
There're a couple of new grey areas. Physical punishment, once accepted from any adult, is no longer appropriate. "Now you can't do it without feeling uneasy about it," White says.
Men might also feel uneasy about dealing with other people's children. "Men feel nervous," White says. "A new set of considerations has come to the fore as part of the debate about how we handle children."
For Andrew Fuller, the child-centric nature of our society has affected everyone. "The rules are different now from when today's parents were growing up," he says. "Adults are scared of saying, 'Don't swear', or asking a child to stand up on a bus. They're worried that there will be conflict if they point these things out—either from older children, or their parents."
He sees it as a loss of the sense of common public good and public courtesy（礼貌）, and says that adults suffer form it as much as children.
Meredith Fuller agrees. "A code of conduct is hard to create when you're living in a world in which everyone is exhausted from overwork and lack of sleep, and a world in which nice people are perceived to finish last."
It's about what I'm doing and what I need, Andrew Fuller says. "The days when a kid came home from school and said, 'I got into trouble,' and dad said, 'you probably deserved it,' are over. Now the parents are charging up to the school to have a go at teachers."
This jumping to our children's defense is part of what fuels the "walking on eggshells" feeling that surrounds our dealings with other people's children. You know that if you remonstrate（劝诫）with the child, you're going to have to deal with the parent. It's admirable to be protective of our kids, but is it good?
Children have to learn to negotiate the world on their own, within reasonable boundaries, White says."I suspect that it's only certain sectors of the population doing the running to the school—better-educated parents are probably more likely to be too involved."
White believes our notions of a more child-centred society should be challenged. "Today we have a situation where, in many families, both parents work, so the amount of time children get from parents has diminished," she says.
Also, sometimes when we talk about being child-centred, it's a way of talking about treating our children like commodities（商品）. We're centred on them but in ways that reflect positively on us. We treat them as objects whose appearance and achievements are something we can be proud of, rather than serve the best interests of the children.
One way over-worked, under-resourced parents show commitment to their children is to leap to their defence. Back at the park, Bianchi's intervention（干预）on her son's behalf ended in an undignified exchange of insulting words with the other boy's mother.
As Bianchi approached the park bench where she'd been sitting, other mums came up to her and congratulated her on taking a stand. "Apparently the boy had a longstanding reputation for bad behaviour and his mum for even worse behaviour if he was challenged."
Andrew Fuller doesn't believe that we should be afraid of dealing with other people's kids. "Look at kids that aren't your own as a potential minefield," he says. He recommends that we don't stay silent over inappropriate behaviour, particularly with regular visitors.
1.What did Stella Bianchi expect the young boy's mother to do when she talked to him?
A.Make an apology. B.Come over to intervene.
C.Discipline her own boy. D.Take her own boy away.
2.What does the author say about dealing with other people's children?
A.It's important not to hurt them in any way. B.It's no use trying to stop their wrongdoing.
C.It's advisable to treat them as one's own kids. D.It's possible for one to get into lots of trouble.
3.According to Professor Naomi White of Monash University, when one's kids are criticised, their parents will probably feel______.
A.discouraged B.hurt C.puzzled D.overwhelmed
4.What should one do when seeing other people's kids misbehave according to Andrew Fuller?
A.Talk to them directly in a mild way. B.Complain to their parents politely.
C.Simply leave them alone. D.Punish them lightly.
5.Due to the child-centric nature of our society,______.
A.parents are worried when their kids swear at them
B.people think it improper to criticise kids in public
C.people are reluctant to point out our kids' wrongdoings
D.many conflicts arise between parents and their kids
6.In a world where everyone is exhausted from overwork and lack of sleep,______.
A.it's easy for people to become impatient B.it's difficult to create a code of conduct
C.it's important to be friendly to everybody D.it's hard for people to admire each other
7.How did people use to respond when their kids got into trouble at school?
A.They'd question the teachers. B.They'd charge up to the school.
C.They'd tell the kids to calm down. D.They'd put the blame on their kids.
8.Professor White believes that the notions of a more child-centred society should be________________.
9.According to Professor White, today's parents treat their children as something they_______________.
10.Andrew Fuller suggests that, when kids behave inappropriately, people should not________________.
1.【答案】A
【解析】依据第三段第一句"The boy's mother ran toward me from across the park," Stella says. "I thought she was coming over to apologise, but instead she started shouting at me for 'disciplining her child'.”通过这段话可知，Stella本以为孩子的母亲是来道歉的，但事实并非如此。据此判断，应选择A。
2.【答案】D
【解析】依据第四段第二句“Dealing with other people's children has become a minefield.”通过这句话可知，管教别人的孩子如同进入雷区。据此判断，应选择D。
3.【答案】B
【解析】依据第七段最后一句“We see our children as an extension of ourselves, so if you're saying that my child is behaving inappropriately, then that's somehow a criticism of me.”通过这句话可知，我们将孩子看成是自己的延续，如果你说我的孩子做得不对，那就有些在批评我的意思了。据此判断，应选择B。
4.【答案】A
【解析】依据第九段第二句“Usually a quiet reminder that 'we don't do that here' is enough.”通过这句话可知，通常，一个温和的提醒"我们不能那样做"就够了。据此判断，应选择A。
5.【答案】C
【解析】依据第十六段“Adults are scared of saying, 'Don't swear,' or asking a child to stand up on a bus. They're worried that there will be conflict if they point these things out—either from older children, or their parents.”通过这段话可知，成年人害怕说“不要骂人”，或者在公交车上要求一个孩子站起来。他们担心这样做会引起矛盾，或者来自孩子，或者来自他们的父母。据此判断，应选择C。
6.【答案】B
【解析】依据第十八段“A code of conduct is hard to create when you're living in a world in which everyone is exhausted from overwork and lack of sleep, and a world in which nice people are perceived to finish last.”通过这段话可知，当你生活在每个人因为过度工作和缺乏睡眠而疲惫不堪，而且好人总是被发现排到最后的世界时，行动守则很难创建。据此判断，应选择B。
7.【答案】D
【解析】依据第十九段“The days when a kid came home from school and said, 'I got into trouble,' and dad said, 'you probably deserved it,' are over.”通过这段话可知，在过去，当孩子告诉父母遇到麻烦时，父亲会说"或许你是活该"，这样的时代已经过去了。据此判断，应选择D。
8.【答案】challenged
【解析】依据第二十二段“White believes our notions of a more child-centred society should be challenged.”通过这句话可知，怀特认为我们这个更多地以孩子为中心观点的社会应该受到挑战。据此判断，本题答案是challenged。
9.【答案】can be proud of
【解析】依据第二十三段最后一句“We treat them as objects whose appearance and achievements are something we can be proud of, rather than serve the best interests of the children.”通过这句话可知，我们将他们看成可以因其外貌和成就而感到骄傲的东西，而不是为了满足孩子们最佳的兴趣。据此判断，本题答案是can be proud of。
10.【答案】stay silent
【解析】依据最后一段最后一句“He recommends that we don't stay silent over inappropriate behaviour, particularly with regular visitors.”通过这句话可知，他建议我们不应该对不良行为忍气吞声，尤其是对那些“惯犯”。据此判断，本题答案是stay silent。
参考译文
够了，孩子们！
那天天气不错，斯特拉·比安奇（Stella Bianchi）带着两个孩子在公园里享受阳光。这时，一个四岁左右的男孩跑向她两岁的儿子并把他推倒在地。
“我已经盯他一阵了，我儿子是他推倒的第四、五个孩子，”她说。“我向他们走去，拉起我的儿子，转头对那男孩严厉地说‘不要这样，我们不能推别人。’”接下来却发生了令人意想不到的事情。
“男孩的妈妈穿过公园跑到我的身边，”斯特拉说。“我以为她是过来道歉的，但是她却开始朝我大声叫嚷，说我‘管教她儿子’。我所做的不过是让他知道自己的行为是不受欢迎的。难道我就该坐那里不动，看她的孩子为所欲为，一直伤害其他孩子吗？”
本来管好自己的孩子已经很难了，再管教别人的孩子就如同进了雷区。
在我家，不允许孩子跳到沙发上。在我妹妹家，却鼓励孩子们这样做。对她而言，孩子毕竟是孩子：“三岁的时候不这样玩，那要到什么时候呢？”
这些观点都有道理，而且不得不承认，我儿子喜欢去他姨妈家玩。而我妹妹的孩子在我家玩过头时，我总是阻止他们。这在姐妹之间是没问题的，但是当你跟朋友或者熟人的孩子这样说时，这就成为禁区了。
“孩子成长的方式不同，”莫纳什大学（Monash University）的娜奥米·怀特（Naomi White）教授也同意这一点。“但人们都把孩子看成是父母的财富。我们将孩子视为自己的延续，所以如果你说我的孩子做得不对，那就有些批评我的意思了。”
在那些情况下，很难明白是直接去找孩子还是先找父母。对此，存在两种观点。
“我会先找孩子，”《狡猾的孩子》的作者安德鲁·福勒（Andrew Fuller）说。“通常温和地提醒一句‘我们不能那样做’就够了。孩子们对不同情况下如何表现有着不错的直觉。”
他指出先同父母提出问题的话，会让孩子觉得自己被忽视了，这可能会导致一些问题。当然，先接近孩子也会有令人头疼的问题。
这也就是怀特建议大家先接近父母的原因了。她说：“如果父母在场，向他们提出你的顾虑并让他们来解决。”
在被问到如何在这种情况下接近孩子的父母时，心理学家梅瑞迪斯·福勒（Meredith Fuller）回答说：“在说明你的需要的同时，着重强调友谊的重要性。你可以这样开头‘我知道你会认为我很无聊，但是在我家，我不想……’”
在你护着另一个孩子的时候，怀特直截了当地说："理智占据上风。如果情况不妙，不妨聊聊天。”
现在有些新的灰色地带。过去任何一个大人都会进行体罚，但现如今不合适了。“现在你要是这样做，会感到心神不安的。”怀特说。
人们在教育别人家的孩子时也可能会觉得不安。“人们觉得紧张，”怀特说，“新的思考已经在如何处理孩子问题的争论中成为惹人注意的一部分。”
对安德鲁·福勒而言，以孩子为中心的社会本质已经影响到每个人。“现在的规则与家长们当年成长时的规则不同了。”他说，“成年人害怕说，‘别骂人’，或者让孩子在公交车上站起来。他们担心如果说出这些事情会引起矛盾——不管是与年纪大点的孩子还是他们的家长。”
他认为这是一种公共美德和公共礼貌的丧失，并谈到成人与孩子们承受的一样多。
梅瑞迪斯·福勒对此表示同意：“在你生活的世界中，每个人因为过度工作和缺乏睡眠而疲惫不堪，而且好人总是被发现排到最后时，便很难形成一种行动守则。”
“这是我现在做的和我需要做的事情。”安德鲁·福勒说，“过去孩子回家说，‘我有麻烦了’，而父亲会说‘也许你是活该’，这种日子已经结束了。现在家长会冲到学校去向老师抱怨。”
教育别人家的孩子时，这种贸然保护孩子的行为有几分地燃起了“如行走在蛋壳之上”的感觉。你知道，要是你劝诫孩子，你就得跟孩子的家长交涉。保护自己的孩子的确令人钦佩，但是这样做好吗？
“孩子必须自己学会在合理的范围内与这个世界沟通，”怀特说。“我怀疑只是一部分人会冲到学校这样做——受过良好教育的家长可能更容易牵涉其中。”
怀特相信我们这个社会更加以孩子为中心的观点应该受到挑战。她说：“现在的情况是，我们很多家庭，父母双方都在工作，所以可以分给孩子的时间减少了。”
“同时，有时当我们谈论以孩子为中心时，只是将孩子看做是商品的一种方式。我们以肯定我们自己的方式去关心孩子，我们将他们看成可以因其外貌和成就而感到骄傲的东西，而不是为了满足孩子们最好的兴趣。”
工作过度、资力不足的家长对孩子履行义务的一种方法就是贸然保护孩子。回到公园的故事，比安奇替儿子出头最终以两位母亲的毫无形象的“口水战”而收尾。
当比安奇回到她一直坐的公园长凳上时，其他一些孩子的母亲走过来，祝贺她可以站出来反抗。“很显然，那个男孩行为恶劣不是一时了，而在他遇到反对时，他母亲做得更差。”
安德鲁·福勒相信我们不应该担心处理与别人的孩子的事情。他说：“将别人的孩子看成潜在的雷区。”他建议我们不应该对不良行为忍气吞声，尤其是对那些“惯犯”。
