Question

Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn’t mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias (恐惧症） much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological (心理的）. It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything-a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: “Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence as they grow up.” So don’t make the same old mistake of treating them as if they’re silly for being a “scared cat”. Handling the fears is essential.

Children can be born nervous and if you have such a baby, you’ll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, You’ll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: “You shouldn’t force, for example, an anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke (抚摸） it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that’s good with children, of course-then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for‘being brave’.”

1.Children’s fears are usually taken lightly because    .

A. they will not develop into phobias    B. their influence is psychological

C. they exist widely in the world    D. they will disappear gradually

2.If we fail to help children to overcome fears, they will   .

A. make the same old mistake    B. overcome them by themselves

C. experience the worst of things    D. grow up lacking self-confidence

3.According to Dr. Andy Field, if a child is afraid of a cat, parents should    .

A. tell the child not to be afraid of it    B. show the child it’s safe to approach it

C. keep the child away from it    D. ask the child to stroke it

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。短文主要讲述了父母如何帮助孩子克服恐惧，从而使他们健康快乐地成长。

1.细节理解题。由第一段But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn’t mean they can be taken lightly虽然这种恐惧很常见且平常，但不应该轻被忽视。可知，孩子的恐惧被忽视的原因是因为它是普遍存在的。故C选项正确。

2.推理判断题。由第一段It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything-a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence as they grow up可知，这种恐惧可以增强，导致他们害怕一切事物。 因此，如果我们不帮助孩子们克服这种恐惧，那他们有可能变得什么都怕，可能总是觉得最坏的事情会发生，对自己没有一点儿信心。故D选项正确。

3.推理判断。由最后一段Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment和下文与狗接近的例子。我们可以推理判断出，如果孩子怕猫，虽然不能强迫孩子接近它，但是父母可以示范去接近它，来消除孩子的恐惧。故B选项正确。