The
value of childhood is easily blurred (模糊) in today's world. Consider some recent
developments, the child-murders in the Jonesboro, Ark, schoolyard shooting case
were convicted and sentenced. Two boys, 7 and 8, were charged in the murder of
an 11-year-old girl in Chicago. Children who commit horrible
crimes appear to act of their own will. Yet, as legal proceedings in Jonesboro
showed, the one boy who was "to address the court couldn't begin to explain his
acts, though he tried to apologize. There may have been a motive youthful
jealousy and resentment. But a deeper question remains. Why did these boys and
others in similar trouble apparently lack any inner, moral restraint
(束缚)? That question echoes for the accused in Chicago, young as
they are. They wanted the girl's bicycle, a selfish impulse (冲动) common enough
among kids. Redemption (拯救) is a practical necessity. How can
value be restored to young lives distorted (扭曲) by acts of violence? The boys in
Jonesboro and in Chicago will be confined in institutions for a relatively short
time. Despite horror at what was done children are not—cannot be dealt with as
adults, not if a people wants to consider itself civilized. That's why
politicians' cries for adult treatment of youthful criminals ultimately miss the
point. But the moral void (真空) that invites violence has many
sources. Family instability (不稳定) contributes. So does economic stress. That
void, however, can be filled. The work starts with parents, who have to ask
themselves whether they're doing enough to give their children a firm sense of
right and wrong. Are they really monitoring their activities and their
developing processes of thought? Schools, too, have a role in
building character. So do youth organizations. So do law enforcement agencies,
which can do more to inform the young about laws, their meaning. And their
observance(遵守).
单选题
The two boys in Chicago were ______.
A. shot
B. murdered
C. accused
D. set free
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】
单选题
The boys Jonesboro and Chicago apparently lacked a sense of ______.
A. right and wrong
B. humor
C. gratitude
D. safety
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】
单选题
According to politicians, when children commit crimes, they should be
treated in the same way as ______.
A. murderers
B. criminals
C. victims
D. adults
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】
单选题
Which of the following does the writer cite as a source of moral void?
A. Official corruption.
B. Social injustice.
C. Family instability.
D. Racial prejudice.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】
单选题
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Parents should give their children instruction in morality.
B. Schools should help create a moral sense in children.
C. Law enforcement agencies should do more to help children understand
laws.
D. Youth organizations have no role to play in building character.