Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: High childcare costs are putting British mothers off going out to work. It really is that simple. Eurostat figures show that 66 per cent of mothers in the UK work, less than France (72 per cent), Denmark (86 per cent), the Netherlands (78 per cent) or Germany (69 per cent). This not only damages Britain's economic prosperity--it limits women's careers and squeezes family incomes. It would be fine if this is the choice parents want to make, but it isn't. Half of those surveyed want to go to work and the expense of childcare is one of the key reasons they couldn't. Despite claims made by Labour about childcare, a forthcoming report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) confirms the true legacy of their time in government. They left behind a childcare system with high costs to parents, variable quality and patchy coverage, despite soaring government spending. British parents now face the highest childcare bills in the world after Switzerland. In the Eighties and Nineties under Mrs Thatcher and John Major, the picture was very different. Mothers in England were more likely to go out to work than their Dutch or German counterparts. But the position has reversed, despite a huge rise in public spending. So why does the British Government spend more on childcare than France or Germany, even though the costs given to parents are sky-high? As always, under the previous government, money was frittered away without adequate focus on improving quality. Instead of clear and transparent funding, four separate funding streams were created, skewing the market and confusing parents and providers alike. The majority of the money was given away in cash benefits; so much of it did not get through to the front line. The IPPR report points out that continental systems, in countries such as Germany, France, Denmark and the Netherlands, manage to deliver better value for money. What all of these systems have in common is a focus on quality, with greater flexibility and autonomy given to local providers. They... Question: We can learn from the passage that _ . Options: A: in the Eighties and Nineties, mothers in the UK were likely to work B: there is a prejudice against mothers in the UK employment market C: most of the mothers surveyed in the UK don't want to work D: the percentage of mothers who work in the UK is the lowest in the world
A: B

Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: Babies who are slow to gain weight in the first months of their lives generally catch up to their peers by age 13,a large UK study shows, Researchers said the results would make parents whose babies fail to put on weight quickly less worried. The researchers looked at data from ,11,499 children who took part in a large study, It showed that 507 who were slow to gain weight in the first eight weeks of life recovered fairly quickly and had almost caught up by age 2. Another group of 480 who were slow to gain between eight weeks and nine months continued to put on weight slowly until they were seven years ,but then had a sudden increase and caught up by age 13, The different pattems of recovery between the two groups were likely due to different reasons for slow weight gain ,the researchers said, All the children were still lighter and shorter than their peers by the time they were teenagers ,but within the normal range. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring a baby's weight and height gain during the first few weeks and months ,but not creating anxiety with parents of slow-growing babies, said the study leader Prof Alan Emond from the University of Bristol. "In the past, a lot of parents have been caused unnecessary anxiety by heaith professionals and this is a positive and _ message."He said in many cases of slow growth where children do not follow the standard'curve' it is just because they are following their genetic potential. Dr Simon Newell, vice-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said he broadly agreed with the concluslons of the researchers but stressed that poor weight gain was something that needed to be monitored closely, "I would encourage parents to use growth charts but if measurements show your baby is smaller than averager it may be completely normal, "he said. Question: What can we know from the findings of the research? Options: A: All the cases of slow weight gain in the first months of the babies' lives are caused by the same reason B: Slow-growing babies will have the same height and weight with their peers by age13 C: Many cases of children whose growth don't meet the growing standard curve cannot be treated as abnormal D: The findings won't cause parents' anxiety so monitoring a baby's growth from his/her birth is unnecessary
A: C

Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: How to deal successfully with a child who shows outstanding musical ability?It's not always clear how best to develop and encourage his gift.Many parents may even fail to recognise and respond to their children's need until frustration explodes into difficult or uncooperative behaviour.And while most schools are equipped to deal with children who are specially able in academic subjects,the musically gifted require special understanding which may not always be available in an ordinary school--especially one where music is regarded as a secondary activity.Such children may well benefit from the education offered by a specialist music school. The five music schools in Britain are a relatively recent introduction.They aim to provide an environment in which gifted children aged between seven and eighteen can develop their skills to the full under the guidance of professional musicians. Children at specialist music schools spend between one third and one half of an average day on musical activities,for example,individual lessons,orchestras,chamber groups,voice training,conducting and theory.They also spend several hours a day practising in properly equipped private rooms,sometimes with a teacher.The rest of their time is taken up with the subjects:English,maths,basic sciences and languages.All five British specialist schools are independent,classes are small by normal school standards,with a high teacher/pupil ratio .Most children attending specialist schools tend to be boarders,leaving home to live,eat and sleep fulltime at school. What are the disadvantages?An obvious problem is the cost;the fees are high(PS12,000PS17,000 a year for boarders).However,each school will make every effort with scholarships and other forms of financial assistance,to help parents of outstandingly gifted children to find the necessary fees.Secondly,not all parents want to send their children to boarding school,especially at a very early age.Almost all the directors of the specialist schools express doubts about the wisdom of admitting... Question: What problem may musically gifted children face in ordinary schools? Options: A: Their academic work may suffer. B: Schools lack musical equipment. C: Music is not seen as an important subject. D: Parents and teachers do not work together.
A: C