单选题 There can be few who would knowingly eon done waste, whether of energy, of manpower or of financial assets. So why does our educational system make so little provision for those who, given the opportunity, could best help society achieve its objectives and expand its horizons?
Support programmes have long been established for children with learning difficulties and under-achievers. People argue that the resources are inadequate to meet the existing need and that greater efforts must be made, but at least the problem is being faced.
At the opposite end of the ability scale is a group of children which one would logically expect to offer the greatest challenge and yield the greatest rewards, both for the children themselves and for society as a whole. Sadly, special provisions in this area are few and far between.
Regional and district child guidance departments are all too conscious of the fact that some 2 per cent of the school population falls within the "gifted" category. Many have ready prepared lists of children in their areas who have high ability, in the hope of a positive programme of action being initiated at national or regional level. Lack of funds cannot be held wholly responsible for the seeming indifference to the problem.
People think a "gifted" child has enough good fortune to be gifted and needs no further help. But such children are not always the happy and fulfilled young people one might expect. Classmates' derision, mental boredom and frustration are not easy to live with, at best creating apathy and resignation, at worst invoking a rebellious response in the form of anti-social behaviour.
Potential ability does not blossom without help and encouragement. All great artists and nusieians have needed to be taught the techniques of their craft and to explore the work of others, before embarking on their own creations. It has been said that a masterpiece is made up of 10 per cent genius and 90 per cent hard work. The power of concentration of these children and their capacity for work is extremely high and their thirst for wider experience apparently insatiable. With judicious handling they can produce amazing results in a short period of time.
It is said that many children of high intelligence do not allow themselves to be "discovered" — for fear of becoming an outcast. Rather than risk losing their friends because of their high ability, they often conceal their potential talents.

单选题 The author suggests that our education system ______.
A. spends money extravagantly
B. encourages children to expand their horizons
C. spends enough money on unusual children
D. neglects the needs of gifted children

单选题 According to the author, children with learning difficulties ______.
A. are given more help than gifted children
B. have too much money spent on them
C. must face up to their problems
D. deserve more support than other children

单选题 Child guidance departments in some areas ______.
A. are already helping gifted children
B. are aware of the needs of gifted children
C. have a high proportion of gifted children
D. want gifted children to be dealt with by central government

单选题 If gifted children are unhappy, they may ______.
A. reject further help
B. turn against their friends
C. start to misbehave
D. refuse to attend school

单选题 What is needed to bring out the best in gifted children?
A. A peaceful environment.
B. Stimulating teaching.
C. A knowledge of art and music.
D. Strict discipline.