Question

Forest Schools originated in Sweden in the 1950s and spread to other countries, particularly Denmark where they have become an important part of the Danish early years program.

In a typical Danish Forest School, young children from 3 years are taken into the forest for 4 hours each day of the week. They take no toys with them, but instead use only what the forest provides (and their imaginations) to develop their games. There is a primitive hut in the forest, which is used in extreme weather. Activities are child­led and fun, such as finding small animals or stomping in puddles. Because of high adult to child ratios, children can safely try out activities which are often considered too dangerous, such as climbing trees or lighting fires, and by dressing the children in good protective clothing, they are able to play freely. By setting children small manageable tasks at which they are unlikely to fail, and giving genuine praise, children’s independence and confidence grow.

A Swedish scientific study found that children in the Forest School are more balanced and socially capable, have fewer sick days, are more able to concentrate and have better co­ordination than the city nursery children. The primary reason appeared to be the greater opportunities to play in nature, so that children play for longer at a time, tending not to disturb each other as much as children in the city nursery. The study observed that where children were interrupted, they became irritable, their stress level rose, and their ability to concentrate fell.

The study also showed that the Forest School children had 25% fewer sick days than the city children. One reason for this is that the air is nearly always better outside than indoors. Outside a child is not so exposed to virus and bacteria and not so likely to be infected by other children. Another reason may be that, since stress has been shown to have a negative effect on the immune system, high stress levels may be weakening the city children. The Forest School children, on the other hand are in a pleasant, natural, fun and less stressful environment.

1.What kind of activities do the Forest School children have?

A. Activities usually played by braver kids.

B. Activities which are designed for adults.

C. Grade­improving activities.

D. Activities with fun and a certain level of danger.

2.The Forest School children are more able to concentrate because ________.

A. they have more interesting things to do

B. they are accompanied by adults

C. they are not disturbed so often

D. they are playing in small groups

3.What does the last paragraph intend to tell us?

A. Why the Forest School children are healthier.

B. The Forest School children have a healthy diet.

C. What affects the city children.

D. Why the Forest School children have less stress.

4.Which of the following best describes the Forest School children?

A. Free and wild.

B. Confident and happy.

C. Polite and calm.

D. Strong and adventurous.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，在北欧的瑞典和丹麦，人们让小孩进入森林学校，研究发现森林学校的学生比城里学生更健康更自信更加独立，文章分析了出现这一情况的原因。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第二段45句Activities are child­led and fun, such as finding small animals or stomping in puddles. Because of high adult to child ratios, children can safely try out activities which are often considered too dangerous, such as climbing trees or lighting fires…可知森林里的活动十分有趣但是有些活动是很危险的。故D项正确。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段最后一句The study observed that where children were interrupted, they became irritable, their stress level rose, and their ability to concentrate fell.可知如果孩子经常被打扰，那么他们的压力水平会上升，集中注意力的能力下降了。而在森林学校的孩子很少被打扰，所以他们的注意力集中的水平很高。故C项正确。

3.段落大意题。本段第一句“The study also showed that the Forest School children had 25% fewer sick days than the city children.”告诉我们森林学校的学生要城里学生患病率低百分之25.接下来分析了出现这个情况的原因。所以本段主要解释森林学校的学生更加健康的原因。故A项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据文章第二段最后一句“By setting children small manageable tasks at which they are unlikely to fail, and giving genuine praise, children’s independence and confidence grow.”可知森林学校的学生更加独立更加自信。第三段最后一句“The study observed that where children were interrupted, they became irritable, their stress level rose, and their ability to concentrate fell.”告诉我们森林学校的学生压力水平更低，更开心。故B项正确。