In a survey of school-district administrators, roughly a third said their districts had reduced outdoor play in the early 2000s. Disadvantaged kids have been the most likely to be shortchanged (克扣). According to a 2003 study, just 56 percent of children living at or below the poverty line had break, compared with 83 percent of those above the poverty line a similar disparity (差异) existed between black children and their white peers.

The benefits of break might seem obvious-time to run around helps kids stay fit. But a large body of research suggests that it also promotes cognition (认知). Many studies have found that regular exercise improves mental function and academic performance. And an analysis of studies that focused specifically on break found positive associations between physical activity and the ability to concentrate in class.

In one series of experiments. researchers controlled break start times. Some days children were let out at 10 am. and other days at 10: 30. The kids attentiveness decreased when they had to wait longer for break and refreshed themselves after they played. And when fourth-graders in a break-free school were given a weekly break. Another group of researchers found that they had an easier time staying on task and were much less restless. These experimental findings are supported by an analysis of 10,000 questionnaires filled out by third-grade teachers: Even a single 15-minute daily break was connected with more-positive ratings of classroom behavior.

Perhaps most important, break allows children to design their own games. to test their abilities,to role-play and to settle their own conflicts-activities that are key to developing social skills and managing complicated situations. Initial results from an ongoing study in Texas suggest that elementary-school children who are given four 15-minute breaks a day are significantly more sympathetic toward their peers than are kids who don,t get break.

【1】What causes "the break moms" to start a fight?

A. Pupils lack of outdoor play.B. Poor school management.

C. Absence of education laws.D. Inequality among students.

【2】In one series of experiments,researchers find that .

A. children behave better when let out earlier

B. kids waiting longer are unable to stay focused again

C. third-graders have difficulty in focusing on task

D. fourth-graders are more concentrated without a break

【3】What can we infer if we can ensure children a certain amount of daily break?

A. They escape from life conflicts

B. They may strengthen dependence

C. They are more considerate towards others

D. They are eager to manage complicated situations.

【答案】

【1】A

【2】A

【3】C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文。文章谈论的是关于学生的“休息”。 或许最重要的是，“休息”允许孩子们设计自己的游戏。测试他们的能力，角色扮演和解决他们自己的冲突——这些活动是发展社会技能和管理复杂情况的关键。

【1】推理判断题。根据第一段中a group of parents known as"the break moms"has been fighting to pass a law guaranteeing the state's elementary-school students at least 20 minutes of daily free play.可知，小学生缺乏户外活动导致“the break moms”开始打架。故选A。

【2】推理判断题。根据第四段中In one series of experiments. researchers controlled break start times. Some days children were let out at 10 am. and other days at 10: 30. The kids attentiveness decreased when they had to wait longer for break and refreshed themselves after they played.可知，在一系列的实验中，研究人员发现，孩子们被放得越早表现得越好。故选A。

【3】推理判断题。根据最后一段中Initial results from an ongoing study in Texas suggest that elementary-school children who are given four 15-minute breaks a day are significantly more sympathetic toward their peers than are kids who don,t get break.可知，如果我们能保证孩子们每天有一定的休息时间，我们能推断出“他们对别人更体贴”。故选C.