阅读理解
I heard many parents complaining that their teenage children are rebelling. I wish it were so. At your
age you ought to be growing away from your parents. You should be learning to stand on your own two
feet. But take a good look at the present rebellion. It seems that teenagers are taking the same way of
showing that they disagree with their parents. Instead of striking out boldly on their own, most of them
are clutching (紧握) at one another's hands for reassurance.
They claim they want to dress as they please. But they all wear the same clothes. They set off in new
directions in music. But somehow they all end up huddled (聚在一起) round listening to the same record. Their reason for thinking or acting in thusandsuch a way is that the crowd is doing it. They have come out
of their cocoon (蚕茧) into a larger_cocoon.
It has become harder and harder for a teenager to stand up against the popularity wave and to go his
or her own way. Industry has firmly carved out a teenage market. These days every teenager can learn
from the advertisements what a teenager should have and be. And many of today's parents have come to
award high marks for the popularity of their children. All this adds up to a great barrier for the teenager
who wants to find his or her own path.
But the barrier is worth climbing over. The path is worth following. You may want to listen to
classical music instead of going to a party. You may want to collect rocks when everyone else is
collecting records. You may have some thoughts that you don't care to share at once with your
classmates. Well, go to it. Find yourself. Be yourself. Popularity will come-with the people who respect
you for who you are. That is the only kind of popularity that really counts.
1. In this passage, the author wants to tell ________.
A. teenagers to try to pursue their real selves
B. readers to try to be popular with people around
C. parents to try to control and guide their children
D. people to try to understand and respect each other
2. The author disapproves of rebelling teenagers ________.
A. growing away from their parents
B. following the popularity trend
C. walking a new way on their own
D. turning to their friends for help
3. The phrase "larger cocoon" at the end of the second paragraph refers to ________.
A. the distractive and variable society
B. the dazzling music world
C. the parental care and love
D. the popularity wave in the society
4. What does the author think of advertisements?
A. Convincing.
B. Instructive.
C. Influential.
D. Authoritative.
5. According to the author, what might happen when a teenager stands up against the popularity
wave and follows his/her own path?
A. He/She falls behind the time.
B. He/She loses good friends.
C. He/She faces all kinds of criticism.
D. He/She gains valuable popularity.
