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Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)
Section B
Passage One Boys' schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and are more likely to get involved in activities such as art, dance and music, according to research released today.
Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity in which students either sink or swim, the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to conform to a stereotype, the US study says.
Boys at single sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their emotional expressiveness, rather than feeling they had to conform to the "boy code" of hiding their emotions to be a "real man".
The findings of the study go against received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls.
Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, warned that boys were being failed by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls. He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls.
The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills.
But in single-sex schools teachers can tailor lessons to boys' learning style, letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom, wrote the study's author, Abigail James, of the University of Virginia.
Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with specifically "boy-focused" approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them. Because boys generally have more acute vision, learn best through touch, and are physically more active, they need to be given "hands-on" lessons where they are allowed to walk around. "Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine and prefer the modern genre in which violence and sexism are major themes," James wrote.
Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to conform to a stereotype that men should be "masterful and in charge" in relationships. "In mixed schools, boys feel compelled to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means," the study reported.
57. The author believes that a single-sex school would _____________________.
A force boys to hide their emotions to be “real man”
B help to cultivate masculine aggressiveness in boys
C encourage boys to express their emotions more freely
D naturally reinforce in boys that traditional image of a man
58. It is commonly believed that in a mixed schools boys ____________________.
A perform relatively better B grow up more healthily
C behave more responsibly D receive a better education
59. What does Tony Little say about the British education system?
A It fails more boys than girls academically B It focuses more on mixed school education
C It fails to give boys the attention they need
D It places more pressure on boys than on girls
60. According to Abigail James, one of the advantages of single-sex schools is ______________.
A teaching can be tailored to suit the characteristics of boys
B boys can focus on their lessons without being distracted
C boys can choose to learn whatever they are interested in
D teaching can be designed to promote boys’ team spirit
61. Which of the following is characteristic of boys according to Abigail James’ report?
A They enjoy being in charge B They conform to stereotypes
C They have sharper vision D They are violent and sexist
