Many children would start school hungry without breakfast clubs, teachers have claimed. A new survey suggests these clubs are the only way many students can get a meal before lessons.
About 54% of the 552 school staff questioned by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers(ATL)said their school provides a breakfast club for pupils. The biggest reason for them to attend these clubs is that their parents or carer goes to work early, cited by 76.8% of those questioned.
About 22.6% said children attended due to lack of money at home because parents or carers are unemployed and 15.2% said lack of money at home due to changes or cuts to benefits.
About 17.6% said pupils mainly attend breakfast clubs to socialize.
The survey found that teachers believe that offering breakfast to pupils often helps improve their concentration and ability to learn. One primary school teacher said: “Although there is a charge for our breakfast club, we have accessed funding for those pupils on free school meals and the breakfast club had an effect on their attendance, concentration and being in school for the start of lessons.
ATL general secretary Dr Roper said a nutritious meal at the start of the day has a huge impact on pupils’ ability to learn. “Many schools do everything they can to ensure children eat well during school term-time. But there are many children living in poverty, who we fear won’t be getting a decent meal a day in the holidays and this is something the government needs to address,” she said.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We know how important it is for children to
have a good breakfast. We want schools and local authorities to use their budgets to best meet the needs of their children. Many provide breakfast clubs which offer a free meal to children from poorer families. The Pupil Premium, which will double to ￡ 2.5 billion in 2014-2015, targets extra money to help schools to provide support such as this to the most disadvantaged children. The free school meal scheme also ensures that these children have access to a nutritious lunch every day.
【小题1】How many factors are mentioned which can account for the popularity of breakfast clubs?A．Two.B．Three.C．Four.D．Five.【小题2】By getting breakfast offered by breakfast clubs, pupils can .A．perform better in their studyB．know how they can save moneyC．eat better for their lunch and supperD．make more friends with their classmates【小题3】The pupil Premium and the free school meal scheme are mentioned in order to show .A．every child should get access to a nutritious mealB．breakfast clubs play a key role in children’s growthC．many efforts are made to provide a good and free meal D．many schools can’t offer a good and free meal to children【小题4】In which part of a magazine can we probably read this passage?A．Entertainment.B．Education.C．Culture.D．Health.B
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(答案→)B
解析：文章介绍了早餐对孩子提高学习能力的注意力的重要作用，学校和政府应该采取更多措施如设立奖学金、开展免费学校餐计划等帮助更多弱势群体的孩子能够得到营养丰富且免费的早餐，甚至中餐来保障孩子们的身心健康。
【小题1】细节题：根据文章第二、三段可知有三种因素促使很多孩子去学校早餐俱乐部吃早点。一是父母或监护人要上早班；二是家里比较贫困；三是想在早餐俱乐部里进行社交。故选B。
【小题2】细节题：根据文章第四段第一句“The survey found that teachers believe that offering breakfast to pupils often helps improve their concentration and ability to learn.”调查发现,教师认为被提供早餐的学生会帮助提高他们的注意力和学习能力，可知会吃早餐使他们的学习表现更好。故选A。
【小题3】推理题： 根据最后一段内容可知奖学金和免费学校餐计划都是为了帮助最弱势的孩子可以获得免费而营养丰富的食物。故选C。
【小题4】推理题：阅读全文可知文章是在说早餐对孩子们身心健康的重要性，学校和政府应该采取更多措施如设立奖学金、开展免费学校餐计划等帮助更多弱势群体的孩子能够得到营养丰富且免费的早餐，甚至中餐来保障孩子们的身体健康。谈论的是健康问题。故选D。