A
Research shows that young English language learners can do better in reading comprehension when exposed to culturally relevant books. Here are four great examples:
The Name Jar
Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids won’t like her. Her new classmates decide to help her choose a new name by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But they then discover her real name and its special meaning. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei finally chooses her own Korean name.
Chocolate Milk, Por Favor!
Gabe doesn’t speak any English. His classmates learn how to communicate with him through sports, food, and play. Chocolate milk ( Gabe’s favorite drink ) is a symbol in this heartwarming story about the importance of making friends and the power of kindness when they are working to overcome the language barrier (障礙).
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match
“My name is Marisol McDonald, and I don’t match.” No one would dare stop Marisol from being her own unique self. She redefines what it means to be a Peruvian-Scottish-American. Well-known author Monica Brown wrote this lively story to bring her own experience of being mismatched to life.
Jalapeno Bagels
Pablo has a difficult time deciding what food to take to school for International Day because his parents are of different races and cultures and there are many choices. This warm story comes complete with recipes for all the items that Pablo helps his parents make.
1. Who is certain about his/her identity?
A. Unhei. B. Gabe.
C. Pablo. D. Marisol.
2. Which book focuses more on the mixed families?
A. The Name Jar. B. Jalapeno Bagels.
C. Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! D. Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match.
3. What can we infer about the books mentioned in the text?
A. They provide familiar cultural backgrounds.
B. They’re full of approaches to learning English.
C. The characters are faced with cultural conflict.
D. They aim at encouraging children to learn English.
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. C
【解析】
【分析】這是一篇應(yīng)用文。給英語學(xué)習(xí)者介紹了四本書，其主人公都面臨著文化矛盾沖突。
【1題詳解】
細(xì)節(jié)理解題。第四段第三句“She redefines what it means to be a Peruvian-Scottish-American.”指出Marisol重新定義了成為秘魯人裔蘇格蘭裔美國人的意義。由此可知，她對自己的身份認(rèn)知清晰。故選D。
【2題詳解】
細(xì)節(jié)理解題。第五段第二句“Pablo has a difficult time deciding what food to take to school for International Day because his parents are of different races and cultures and there are many choices. ”可知Pablo因?yàn)楦改竵碜圆煌姆N族和文化，過幾日很難決定帶什么事物去學(xué)校。由此可知，這本書更多關(guān)注混合家庭。故選B。
【3題詳解】
推理判斷題。根據(jù)第二段第一句“Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids won’t like her.”可知第一本書的主人公是韓國人在美國；第三段第一句“Gabe doesn’t speak any English.”可知第二本書的主人公不會(huì)說英語，肯定也來自于別的國家；第四段第二句“She redefines what it means to be a Peruvian-Scottish-American.”可知，第三本書的主人公是秘魯裔蘇格蘭裔美國人；第五段第一句“... his parents are of different races and cultures”可知第四本書主人公的父母來自不同種族和文化。由此推知，他們的共同之處在于他們都面臨著文化沖突。故選C。
