The social education of young children tries to make them accept the idea that human beings in a society need to work together for their common good. So the emphasis is on co-operation rather than competition throughout most of this process. This may seem curious, in view of the fact that American society is highly competitive; however, the need for making people sociable in this sense has come to be regarded as one of the functions of education. Most Americans do grow up with competitive ideas, and obviously quite a few as criminals, but it is not fair to say that the educational system fails. Ti probably does succeed in making most people sociable and ready to help one another both in material ways and through kindness and friendliness.
11. According to the passage, the U.S. elementary education is supposed to make children _____.
A. sensible and sensitive B. competitive and interested
C. curious and friendly D. happy and co-operative
12. Some Americans complain about elementary schools because they think _____.
A. children are reluctant to help each other
B. schools lay too much emphasis on co-operation
C. children should grow up with competitive ideas
D. schools give little actual instruction to children
13. The author’s attitude towards American education can be best described as _____.
A. favorable B. negative C. tolerant D. unfriendly
14. The American educational system emphasizes _____.
A. material wealth B. competition C. co-operation D. personal benefit
15. The word “sociable” (Line 8, Paragraph2) most probably means _____.
A. fond of talking freely
B. friendly with other people
C. concerned about social welfare
D. happy at school
Part Ⅱ Vocabulary and Structure (30%)
Directions: In this part there are 30 incomplete sentences. For each sentence there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the ONE answer that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.
16. Since he left the university, he _____ in an accounting company.
A. has been working B. had worked
C. had been working D. was working
17. The weather in China is different from ____.
A. America B. in America C. that in America D. one in America
18. It was not until dawn _____ their way out of the forest.