economic(经济的), racial(种族的), and geographical group.
Although some educators
object to
certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help,
though some teachers find
that problems arise when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional(偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic
understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories(理论) of its creators, the support by the government and private(私人的) businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that
mothers
watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
11. Why has “Sesame Street ”been called
“the longest street in the world ”?
A. The program has been shown ever since 1969
B. The program became one of America’s major exports soon after it appeared on TV C. The program is now being watched in most parts of the world
D. The program is made in the longest street in New York
12. Some educators are critical of the program because A. they don’t think it fit for children in every respect
B. it takes the children too much time to watch it
C. it causes problems between children who have watched it and those who have not
D. some parents attach too much importance to it
13. So many children in the United States
watch the program because
A. it uses songs, stories and jokes to give them basic knowledge
B. it is arranged for most children to watch it regularly
C. tests have shown that it is beneficial to them
D. both A and B
14. Mothers often watch the program along with their children because
A. they enjoy the program as much as their children
B. they find their children have benefited from watching the program
C. they are attracted by some famous adult stars on the show
D. they can learn some educational theories from the program
15. What is the most important reason for the
success of the program according to author？ A. The creators have good educational theories in making the program
B. The young viewers find they can learn something from it
C. Famous adult stars often appear in the program
D. It gets support from the government and private businesses
Passage Four
You will have no difficulty in making contact with the Agent. As you enter his office, you will be greeted immediately and politely asked what you are looking for. The Estate Agent’s Negotiator (房地产推销员)-as he is called – will probably check that you really know your financial position. No harm in that,
but you can always tell him that you
have confirmed the position with the XYZ Building Society. He will accept that.