A
One of the latest trends(趋势) in American Childcare is Chinese au pairs. Au Pair in Stamford, Conn, for example, has got increasing numbers of request for Chinese au pairs from aero to around 4, 000 since 2004. And that’s true all across the country.
“I thought it would be useful for him to learn Chinese at an early age” Joseph Stocke
the managing director of a company, says of his 2-year old son. “I would at least like to give him the chance to use the language in the future,” After only six months of being cared by 25-year-old woman from China, the boy can already understand basic Chinese daily expressions, his dad says.
Li Drake, a Chinese native raising two children in Minnesota with an American husband, had another reason for looking for an au pair from China. She didn’t want her children to miss out on their roots.” Because I am Chinese, my husband and I wanted the children to keep exposed to(接触) the language and culture.” she says.
“Staying with a native speaker is better for children than simply sitting in a classroom,” says Suzanne Flynn, a professor in language education of Children. “But parents must understand that just one year with au pair is unlikely to produce wonders. Complete mastery demands continued learning until the age of 10 or 12.”
The popularity if au pairs from China has been strengthened by the increasing numbers of American parents who want their children who want their children to learn Chinese. It is expected that American demand for au pairs will continue to rise in the next few years.
1. What does the term “au pair” in the text mean?
A. A mother raising her children on her own
B. A child learning a foreign language at home
C. A professor in language education of children
D. A young foreign woman taking care of children.
2. Li Drake has her children study Chinese because she wants them ________.
A. to live in China some day B. to speak the language at home
C. to catch up with other children D. to learn about the Chinese culture
3. What can we infer from the text?
A. Learning Chinese is becoming popular In America
B. Educated woman do better in looking after children
C. Chinese au pairs need to improve their English Skills.
D. Children can learn a foreign language well in six months.
【答案】1. D 2. D 3. A
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章讲述们目前在美国流行为孩子找一个中国保姆，这会让孩子及早接触到中文，了解中国文化。这说明在美国学习中文越来越流行了。
【1题详解】
词义猜测题。根据第二段中After only six months of being cared by 25-year-old woman from China, the boy can already understand basic Chinese daily expressions, his dad says.以及第四段Staying with a native speaker is better for children than simply sitting in a classroom可知，au pair是指来自中国的照顾孩子的年轻女性，她们承担这教育孩子中文的任务。故选D。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中She didn’t want her children to miss out on their roots.” Because I am Chinese, my husband and I wanted the children to keep exposed to(接触) the language and culture.” she says.可知，她是一个中国人，她和丈夫都希望不要忘根，接触中文并了解中国文化。故选D。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第一句One of the latest trend(趋势) in American Childcare is Chinese au pairs.和最后一段The popularity if au pairs from china has been strengthened by the increasing numbers of American parents who want their children who want their children to learn Chinese. It is expected that American demand for au pairs will continue to rise in the next few years.可知，美国人对于学习中文的兴趣越来越大，为孩子寻找一个会讲中文保姆已经成为了一个趋势。这些都说明学习中文变得很流行了。故选A。
