新科技使孩子们丧失握笔能力
A study shows that new technology is reducing children’s ability to use a pencil or pen. The study is from the National Health Service in the UK. Researchers said that nowadays, children spend so much time swiping iPad or mobile phone screens that they cannot hold a pencil properly. Children are not using pencils, so they now lack the muscle strength in their hands to be able to write properly. Researcher Dr Sally Payne said, “Children are not coming into school with the hand strength and ability they had 10 years ago. Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly not able to hold it because they don’t have the fundamental movement skills.”
The researchers said technology is changing the physical way that children write, draw or make things. Children are increasingly using technology to create. Dr Payne explained why. She said, “It’s easier to give a child an iPad than encourage them to do muscle-building play such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes. Because of this, they’re not developing the potential foundation skills they need to grip and hold a pencil.” Some experts say technology may be causing bigger problems. One expert said if a child isn’t strong enough to hold a pencil, perhaps their whole body is weak. She said it was better for children’s physical development to climb trees than to watch YouTube videos.
1.What do children spend a lot of time doing these days?
A Swiping iPad.
B Watching TV.
C Playing computer games.
D Doing homework.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第一段第三句Researchers said that nowadays, children spend so much time swiping iPad or mobile phone screens that they cannot hold a pencil properly.可知孩子们花时间滑动iPad或手机屏幕，故选A。
2.Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “reducing”?
A Increasing.
B Harming.
C Taking.
D Bringing.
解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。 根据第一段的最后一句Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly not able to hold it because they don’t have the fundamental movement skills.可知孩子们不能握笔，可以推断reducing（reduce 的-ing形式）表示“降低，损害”的含义，与B选项同义。故选B。
3.What are children using more to create?
A Pens.
B Clay.
C Pencils.
D Technology.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第二段第二句Children are increasingly using technology to create.可知孩子们越来越多地使用科技来进行创作，故选D。
4.Which part could be weak because of an inability to hold a pencil?
A The legs.
B The arms.
C The brain.
D The whole body.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第二段倒数第二句One expert said if a child isn’t strong enough to hold a pencil, perhaps their whole body is weak.可知如果一个孩子不够强壮，不能拿起铅笔，也许他们全身都很虚弱，故选D。
5.What was better for children’s development according to the passage?
A Visiting museums.
B Watching videos.
C Spending time with family.
D Climbing trees.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句She said it was better for children’s physical development to climb trees than to watch YouTube videos.可知爬树比看YouTube视频更有利于孩子的身体发育，故选D。