A
For students at the Farm School in Hamilton, Virginia, the classroom is outside every day. Jaclyn Jenkins is the founder of the school. “The No.1 question we get immediately from parents is ‘What happens if it rains?’ And we say, ‘Bring an extra set of clothes!’ ” Jenkins adds, “We still educate them. Their brains are working when they’re moving. So unlike other schools, our goal is to always be outside.” The Farm School is a preschool, a place for 3- to 4-year-olds to learn and play.
Alison Huff has taught at other schools. She says the Farm School gives its students more of hands-on learning experiences. For example, children use pumpkins to learn about colors and counting. They learn about measurement by planting seeds 30 centimeters apart. Huff adds, “We can use everything a regular preschool uses, but out in the garden.” In addition to planting vegetables and fruits, children help prepare food and clean up afterwards. The school teaches the children to cook using the food they have grown. “They can see the benefits of what they have in the garden and taste it then instead of going to the grocery store and buying it,” says Huff.
The preschoolers also learn words in languages other than English. Huff speaks in both English and Spanish. Her assistant speaks French and Arabic. A 3-year-old in her class speaks four different languages.
Farm animals are also an important part of the education program. Jenkins says the children learn about a different animal every month. Two months ago, she says, that animal was a cow. “We do actually have a cow that we bring to the school. They get to see what the cow is like, and learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.
The idea for a school like this started after Jenkins and her husband bought a farm in Hamilton, with a late 18th-century house. They called it “One Day Farm” because years earlier they had hoped that “one day” they would have a farm. “That’s when it started, the spark of a farm school,” said Jenkins.
1. What is the biggest difference between the Farm School and others?
A. There are many plants and animals this school.
B. This school is mainly for students to learn farming.
C. Almost all the activities take place outside at this school.
D. This school is quite popular among parents and children.
2. What don’t the children do at this school?
A. Raise turkeys and cows. B. Plant vegetables and fruits.
C. Prepare food and clean up. D. Recognize colors and count.
3. How is Paragraph 4 developed in the text?
A. By listing. B. By comparison. C. By logic. D. By example.
【答案】1. C 2. A 3. D
【解析】
这是一篇新闻报道。短文报道了弗吉尼亚州汉密尔顿的农场学校的相关信息。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“the classroom is outside every day. So unlike other schools, our goal is to always be outside.”可知，教室是在户外。所以不像其他学校，我们的目标是永远在户外。由此可知，这所农场学校和其他学校最大的区别是几乎所有的活动都在学校外面进行。故选C项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“Jenkins says the children learn about a different animal every month. Two months ago, she says, that animal was a cow. “We do actually have a cow that we bring to the school. They get to see what the cow is like, and learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.”可知，詹金斯说，孩子们每个月都了解一种不同的动物。她说，两个月前，那只动物还是一头母牛。“我们确实有一头牛，我们把它带到学校。他们可以看到牛是什么样的，了解牛吃什么。他们戴着小手套，假装真的在挤牛奶。他们制作黄油和酸奶。”孩子们又和一只大鸟——火鸡呆了一个月。由此可知，孩子们只是观察火鸡和奶牛，而不是养火鸡和奶牛。故选A项。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“They get to see what the cow is like, and learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.”可知，他们可以看到牛是什么样的，了解牛吃什么。他们戴着小手套，假装真的在挤牛奶。他们制作黄油和酸奶。孩子们又和一只大鸟——火鸡呆了一个月。由此判断出，第四段是通过举例子来展开的。故选D项。
