Should Students Wear Uniforms?

“What should I wear today?” That's a question you might ask yourself in the morning. For some kids, the answer is the same every day—a school uniform. Officials in Elmira, New York, are currently debating whether students should wear uniforms in the next school year. Uniforms would contribute to “building pride within our school and community”, Elmira superintendent (地区教育主管) Raymond Bryant told WR News .

Elmira is one of many school districts across the country considering a uniform policy. More than 10 years ago, three per cent of all public schools mandated, or required, that students wear uniforms. That number is closer to 10 per cent. Some school officials support the policy, hoping that uniforms will encourage students to focus on their work. Opponents, however, say students should be allowed to express themselves through their clothing.

Yes!

Uniforms make schools better places in which to learn, supporters say. They argue that dress codes often improve discipline and lessen bullying and teasing. “I think uniforms help students focus on their academics and not the latest fashion,” said principal Megan Mannion. Her school, Rankin Elementary School in Akron, Ohio, has had a uniform policy since 1995.

“The best thing I like about our uniform is the style, especially the shirts and sweaters,” says Rankin fourth grader Clifton Harris. It's not just the look that makes the grade. Others argue that the new uniforms cut costs. “You save money to buy casual clothes for home,” adds Rankin student Asmar.

No!

A uniform requirement violates, or disregards, the right to freedom of expression, say some people. That right is protected by the First Amendment (修正) to the US Constitution. Fifth grader Kaylie believes that students should choose their own clothing styles, rather than be told to wear a specific uniform. Her classmate Wade agrees, “Kids should be allowed to wear different styles of clothes.”

Some parents are worried about the expense. Elmira would offer uniforms at a price between $16 and $26. “What's the school district going to do for people who can't afford them?” asked one Elmira father at a recent public meeting.

Reading Comprehension

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. Who is Raymond Bryant?

A. The principal of Rankin Elementary School.

B. A journalist from WR News .

C. The superintendent of Elmira.

D. The father of an Elmira student.

2. What does the word “bullying” mean in paragraph 4?

A. Loneliness.

B. Dislike.

C. Insult.

D. Comparison.

3. What is Clifton Harris’ attitude towards his uniform?

A. Positive.

B. Rejective.

C. Not care.

D. Worried.

4. How many per cent of public schools in Elmira required students to wear uniforms 10 years ago?

A. 2%.

B. 3%.

C. 5%.

D. 10%.

5. Why do some people oppose the uniform policy?

A. They think the uniforms are ugly.

B. They think the uniforms are too expensive.

C. They think the uniforms are not in good quality.

D. They think it hinders the freedom of expression.

答案：CCABD

Vocabulary 基础词

uniform [ˈjuːnɪfɔːm]

n. 制服 adj. 相同的，一致的

记 词根记忆：uni(单一)+form(形式)→单一形式的→一致的

搭 in uniform 穿着制服

official [əˈfɪʃl]

n. 官员；高级职员

记 来自office(n. 政府机关，部)

搭 government official 政府官员

debate [dɪˈbeɪt]

n./v. 辩论，争论，讨论

记 词根记忆：de(表加强)+bat(打，击)+e→强烈打击→辩论，争论

搭 political debate 政治辩论 television debate 电视辩论

pride [praɪd]

n. 自豪，骄傲 v. 以…自豪，对…感到得意

搭 sense of pride 自豪感

district [ˈdɪstrɪkt]

n. 地区，区域；区，行政区

搭 business district 商业区 the district sports meet 地区运动会

encourage [ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ]

vt. 鼓励，激励

记 词根记忆：en(使…)+courage(勇气)→使有勇气→鼓励，激励

例 Watson encouraged me to have a try. 沃森鼓励我试一下。

focus [ˈfəʊkəs]

n. 焦点；中心点；重点 v. 集中；(使)聚焦

例 The company is to focus on developing new techniques. 这家公司将着眼于新技术的开发。

allow [əˈlaʊ]

vt. 允许，准许

英 to let sb/sth do sth; to let sth happen or be done

requirement [rɪˈkwaɪəmənt]

n. 要求，规定；需要

记 词根记忆：require(要求)+ment(表名词)→要求

搭 meet the requirements 符合要求 academic requirement 学术要求

constitution [ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃn]

n. 宪法；章程

记 词根记忆：con(共同)+stitut(建立，放)+ion(表物)→国无法不立→宪法

expense [ɪkˈspens]

n. 费用，开支

英 the money that you spend on sth

记 词根记忆：ex(出)+pens(花费)+e→费用，开支

搭 at the expense of... 以…为代价

afford [əˈfɔːd]

vt. 买得起；有能力支付

搭 afford to do sth 承担得起做某事

Vocabulary 进阶词

currently [ˈkʌrəntli]

adv. 当前，现时，目前

记 词根记忆：current(当前的)+ly(表副词)→当前

contribute [kənˈtrɪbjuːt]

v. 捐赠，捐助；促成，造成

英 to give sth, especially money or goods, to help achieve or provide sth

记 词根记忆：con(共同)+tribut(给予)+e→大家共同给予→捐赠，捐助

例 Industrial emissions and automobile exhausts contribute to heavy pollution. 工业排放物和汽车尾气共同造成了重污染。

mandate [ˈmændeɪt]

n. 授权(令)；委托书；任期 vt. 强制执行；授权于；命令

英 an official order given to sb to perform a particular task

记 词根记忆：mand(命令)+ate(表动词)→命令

opponent [əˈpəʊnənt]

n. 敌手，对手；反对者 adj. 对立的，敌对的

英 a person that you are playing or fighting against in a game, competition, argument, etc

记 词根记忆：op(反)+pon(放)+ent(…的)→处于对立面的→对立的

express [ɪkˈspres]

vt. 表达；表示 adj. 特快的；明确的n. 快车；快运；快递

记 词根记忆：ex(出)+press(挤压)→把(思想)挤出来→表达

例 The chart on the wall expresses the economic movements differently from the last year. 墙上的这张图表反映了经济趋势与去年的不同。

discipline [ˈdɪsəplɪn]

vt. 训练，训导 n. 学科；纪律；自制力

记 联想记忆：dis(不)+cip+line(线)→不站成一条线就要受惩罚→必须遵守纪律→纪律

搭 historical discipline 历史学科

casual [ˈkæʒuəl]

adj. 偶然的，碰巧的；不经意的；临时的，非正式的

英 not formal

记 联想记忆：平常(usual)时候可以穿非正式的(casual)服装

搭 casual clothes 便装 a casual worker 一名临时工

violate [ˈvaɪəleɪt]

vt. 违反，违犯，违背；亵渎；侵犯，打扰

英 to upset or not respect sb's peace, privacy, etc

disregard [ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːd]

vt. 不理会，漠视，无视 n. 忽视，漠视

英 to not consider sth; to treat sth as unimportant

记 词根记忆：dis(不)+regard(关心)→不关心→不理会 q0xgFXv1co/RZtY3q4U6Wbq1EWZ051KDYnnK7kV5al4nk8Msv4dIK2f2Sy6pD6Qg