Wednesday阅读理解 B

Bill Schaefer, a 77-year-old retired teacher, first started teaching spelling in the early 1970s. His work starts when he meets with groups of kids who have made the Colorado State Spelling Bee (拼字大赛). “They do what we call mini bees, which are little spelling bees with maybe four kids in it,” Schaefer says.

When it comes to what makes a good speller, Schaefer says his kids all share one thing. “The one thing they have in common is they’re readers, so they know what words are supposed to look like. And they like words,” he says.

Schaefer has become very popular as a coach. But years before he was a coach, he taught math. His friend was the semantics guru (语言大师) for the Denver Public School and while talking with her he took interest in the subject.

“When she left teaching to be a headmaster, none of the teachers in my school wanted to teach it. And it sounded to me like it might be fun, so I decided to give it a try,” he says. “And then everything has grown rapidly since then.”

When he retired in the early 1990s, Schaefer continued to direct the district’s program. His kids were so successful that he started a summer program for free. As much as Schaefer loves what he does, he says he does have plans to hand over it to others. “I’m getting old,” Schaefer says. “I have a teacher who is ready to take over when I retire. I will help for a while, and then she will take it from there.”

1. What is Bill Schaefer’s present work?

A. Helping kids to be readers.

B. Teaching kids to master spelling.

C. Serving as a judge in spelling bees.

D. Instructing kids to study math well.

2. What is important for a good speller, according to Schaefer?

A. He should have talents.

B. He should be active.

C. He must like spelling.

D. He must love reading.

3. Why did Schaefer’s friend stop teaching spelling?

A. Her position in the school had changed.

B. Her interest had turned to math.

C. She left the Denver Public School.

D. She didn’t want to teach it any more.

4. What can we know about Schaefer’s summer program?

A. It helps students to be successful.

B. He will close it after retirement.

C. Students don’t have to pay for it.

D. There is no other teacher in it.

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