Directions:
You are going to read a list of headings and a text. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A-G for each numbered paragraph (41-45). Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)
In choosing a new home, Camille McClain’s kids have a single demand: a backyard.
McClain’s little ones aren’t the only kids who have an opinion when it comes to housing, and in many cases youngsters’ views weigh heavily on parents’ real estate decisions, according to a 2018 Harris Poll survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults.
While more families buck an older-generation proclivity to leave kids in the dark about real estate decisions, realty agents and psychologists have mixed views about the financial, personal and long-term effects kids’ opinions may have.
The idea of involving children in a big decision is a great idea because it can help them feel a sense of control and ownership in what can be an overwhelming process, said Ryan Hooper, a clinical psychologist in Chicago.
“Children may face serious difficulties in coping with significant moves, especially if it removes them from their current school or support system,” he said.
Greg Jaroszewski, a real estate brokers with Gagliardo Realty Associates, said he’s not convinced that kids should be involved in selecting a home --- but their opinions should be considered in regards to proximity to friends and social activities, if possible.
Younger children should feel like they’re choosing their home --- without actually getting a choice in the matter, said Adam Bailey, a real estate attorney based in New York.
Asking them questions about what they like about the backyard of a potential home will make them feel like they’re being included in the decision-making process, Bailey said.
Many of the aspects of home buying aren’t a consideration for children, said Tracey Hampson, a real estate agent based in Santa Clarita, Calif. And placing too much emphasis on their opinions can ruin a fantastic home purchase.
“Speaking with your children before you make a real estate decision is wise, but I wouldn’t base the purchasing decision solely on their opinions.” Hampson said.
The other issue is that many children - especially older ones - may base their real estate knowledge on HGTV shows, said Aaron Norris of The Norris Group in Riverside , Calif .
“They love Chip and Joanna Gaines just as much as the rest of us,” he said. “HGTV has seriously changed how people view real estate. It’s not shelter, it’s a lifestyle. With that mindset change come some serious money consequences.”
Kids tend to get stuck in the features and the immediate benefits to them personally, Norris said.
Parents need to remind their children that their needs and desires may change over time, said Julie Gurner, a real estate analyst with FitSmallBusiness.com.
“Their opinions can change tomorrow,” Gurner said. “Harsh as it may be to say, that decision should likely not be made contingent on a child’s opinions, but rather made for them with great consideration into what home can meet their needs best - and give them an opportunity to customize it a bit and make it their own.”
This advice is more relevant now than ever before, even as more parents want to embrace the ideas of their children, despite the current housing crunch.
41-45参考答案:
本篇文章的主题是家长在购置房产时是否该考虑孩子的意见,然后给出了各方对此问题的意见。题目要求为准确将各方意见进行选择概括。
41、【答案】A(remarks that significant moves may pose challenges to children)
【解析】题干考察Ryan Hooper的观点,回文定位Ryan Hooper这个人说的话,一共两句,很多同学容易根据第一句话(第四段)误选D选项。仔细观察D选项,原文第四段说的是应该给孩子a sense of control and ownership, D选项说的是a sense of involvement,属于偷换概念,因此排除;再看Ryan Hooper说的第二句话(第5段),根据第二句话,得出A选项是Ryan Hooper观点的等价代换,其中significant moves 对应原文中的significant moves,pose challenges to children就等于原文中的children may face serious difficulties. 故此题选A。
42、【答案】D(thinks that children should be given a sense of involvement in.....)
【解析】题干考察Adam Bailey的观点,回文定位Ryan Hooper这个人说的话在第七段,第八段。其实这两句话意思几乎一致,为同义复现,第七段中的 should feel like they are choosing their home 等同于第八段中的...will make them feel like they are being included in the decision-making process,D选项中的involvement 对应原文中的being included, in homebuying decisions对应原文的in the decision-making process. 故此题选择D。
43、【答案】C(advises that home purchases should not be based only on......)
【解析】 根据人名“Tracy Hampson”定位至第十段,“Speaking with your children before you make a decision is wise, but I wouldn’t base the purchasing decision solely on their opinions.”这句话中的 wouldn’t base the purchasing decision solely on their opinions是 should not be based only on children’s opinions 的同义改写。
44、【答案】G(assumes that many children’s views on real estate are .....)
【解析】定位Aaron Norris,在原文第十一段,往前看他的观点The other issue is that...on HGTV shows句意为很多孩子对房地产的知识基于HGTV的节目,再看下一段(也是Aaron Norris的观点),HGTV has...changed how people view real estate...首先HGTV shows为G选项中media的同义替换,其次view real estate三词均可在选项和原文中找到对应,最后选项中influenced对应文中的changed,所以正答为G。
45、【答案】F(believes that homebuying decisions should be based on .......)
【解析】本题问的是Julie Gurner的观点。定位至文章倒数第二、三段。倒数三段中说到parents need to remind their children that their needs and desires…在此提出了父母要向孩子说明needs需求以及desires欲望这两方面,而紧接着倒数二段中直接又提到their opinions can change tomorrow…能够确定JG这人对于opinions持否定态度正好对应到F选项中的rather than their opinions。因此确定F选项为正确答案。