Question

Hundreds of secondary schools are using a controversial reward scheme which “bribes” (賄賂)pupils with iPods and DVD players to turn up in classes and do homework.

Almost one million schoolchildren have been issued with supermarket-style reward cards which allow them to collect good-behavior “points” and cash them in for prizes.

Schools taking part in the “Vivo Miles” scheme are spending several thousand pounds a year in an attempt to cut truancy (逃學) and promote achievements. The prizes are ultimately funded by the taxpayer, through school budgets. Nearly 500 secondary schools, one in six, have decided to take part in the scheme, which is intended to replace old-style rewards such as stickers and golden stars.

But the extent of rewards being offered in schools brought a warning that a generation of children is growing up expecting to be rewarded at every stage. Many youngsters are collecting points for ordinary achievements such as remembering to bring their PE kit and wearing the correct uniform.

Under the scheme, teachers award Vivo points—worth 1 penny each—according to the school’s policy. Schools typically spend￡4 to￡6 on prizes per pupil each year, although some commit considerably more. Most pupils accumulate between 400 and 600 Vivos a year. Vivo Miles insists it is “pretty rare” for a pupil to accumulate enough points to buy an iPod, which requires 3,100 Vivos.

But Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the scheme amounted to “bribery”. “It misleads children into thinking anything which requires effort has to have a special reward,” he said. “This ‘all must have prizes’ view is damaging to children in the long-term.” The scheme amounted to an “admission of failure” by schools. He said. “It shows a school has failed to convince children education is important.”

1.The “Vivo Miles” scheme is aimed at ______________.

A. increasing the income of the school

B. encouraging students to perform well at school

C. inviting more students to attend the school nearby

D. encouraging parents to donate to the school

2.Those who oppose the “Vivo Miles” scheme think ______________.

A. it helps control the problem of truancy

B. it teaches children the importance of saving

C. it will mislead children about efforts and rewards

D. it’s not easy to get more than 600 Vivos a year

3.What’s the writer’s attitude towards the scheme?

A. Supportive.                   B. Opposed.               C. Unconcerned.             D. Objective.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

 

1.B

2.C

3.D

【解析】

試題分析：文章講述了很多中學采取頗有爭議的“Vivo Miles”獎勵機制來避免避免學生逃學，提高學業成績，這一教育想象引起了廣泛爭議，很多人認為這樣會誤導孩子，以為任何要求努力去做的事情都必須有特殊的回報。

1.細節題：從第三段第一句。。。in an attempt to cut truancy (逃學) and promote achievements說明The “Vivo Miles” scheme的目的是避免學生逃學，提高學業成績，故選擇B，即鼓勵學生在學校表現好。選B。

2.細節題：從最后一段Chris McGovern的觀點“It misleads children into thinking anything which requires effort has to have a special reward,”可得知答案C。

3.作者態度題：縱觀全文，作者只是客觀的描述The “Vivo Miles” scheme的好的出發點及發對者的聲音，而并沒有發表自己個人的觀點，故作者的態度是客觀的。選D。

考點：教育類短文閱讀。