My cousin Tom used to like playing video games very much. He could spend the whole weekend playing video games without going out. At last, his parents became concerned. They wanted to change the situation. So they arranged some after- school programs for him At first, Tom didn’t like them. But as time went by, he fell in love with after-school programs. Now he no longer plays video games and spends most of his time attending after-school programs, through which he has gained many important skills. After-school programs can be very helpful. Here are some reasons.
Children need friends. But many of today’s children find it hard to make new friends because they haven’t enough opportunities. After-school programs are good for children to develop new friendships. Two of my close friends and I first met in a singing program. If I hadn’t attended that program, I might not have made friends with them.
Children need after-school programs because the programs often supplement(补充) the education children receive in school. This is particularly true for tutoring (辅导) programs. The tutors give children new ways of learning their material, and the children benefit from the encouragement tutors provide.
An important part of a child’s development is having healthy social skills, and after-school programs help develop this. For example, when a program participant takes painting lessons with fellow participants, he builds new friendships through this new skill and learns values of teamwork, honesty, selflessness and how to encourage others.
In after-school sports clubs, children get necessary exercise that will benefit their health in the future. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children should spend at least one hour a day on physical activities.
After-school programs may also help children become more well-rounded through taking part in various cultural activities. For example, children may go to a book signing at a public library, a free jazz concert in the park, or an exhibit at the museum.
If both parents work, after-school programs provide a safe place for children to attend until their parents return from work.
28. According to Paragraph 3, through going to after-school activities, children can __________.
A. meet more people B. be better educated
C. learn to be good examples D. learn to encourage others
29. What does the underlined word “this” in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. A child’s development. B. Building new friendships.
C. Having healthy social skills. D. Learning values of teamwork.
30. Which of the following benefits is NOT mentioned in the text?
A. Allowing children to be safer.
B. Helping children get the necessary exercise.
C. Helping children love going to school more.
D. Helping children become more well-rounded.
31. What is the text mainly about?
A. What children should do after school.
B. Why children shouldn’t play video games.
C. Where children can benefit from after-school programs.
D. Why after-school programs are important for children.