Many American youngsters earn their own allowance（零花钱）by doing temporary jobs for their neighbors. Babysitting is one of the mon of these jobs. Most couples do not have maids or relatives living with them, and they need to have someone watch the children if they want to go out.
Another way is by mowing lawn in summer and clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways in winter. Many people mow their own lawns，but often people prefer to give the job to a neighbor’s child. In winter, snow clearing from streets and highways is the government’s responsibility. Homeowners or tenants, however, must clear sidewalks and driveways. Since clearing snow is very tiring, many people prefer to hire teenagers for this job rather than do it themselves.
Besides, many American teenagers usually work two to three hours after school and all day on Saturday or Sunday at the local supermarket. They work as cashiers or stockroom clerks. Or they help customers carry things to their cars. Other favorite jobs are waiting on tables in restaurants or working part-time at stores or gas stations.
By earning their own allowance，teenagers acquire a feeling of independence and a sense of responsibility which prepares them for a productive life in society.
【小题1】What does “babysitting” mean in the first paragraph?A．Watching a baby when its parents are out.B．Working as a maid.C．Sitting with a baby.D．Selling something.【小题2】How do American youngsters earn their allowance? Which one is NOT one of the ways?A．By mowing lawn in summer.B．By clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways in winter.C．By working two to three hours after school and all day on Saturday or Sunday.D．By doing some housework for the family.【小题3】When it es to clearing snow，what do many people like to do?A．Hire teenagers for this job rather than do it themselvesB．They do it themselves.C．They hire their own children to do soD．They don’t clean it at all.【小题4】What is the advantage of youngsters earning allowance?A．They acquire a feeling of independence.B．They acquire a sense of responsibility.C．The actions prepare them for a productive life in society.D．All of the above.【小题5】Who will clear the snow on the streets?A．The inhabitants.B．The neighborsC．The government.D．The police.A
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(答案→)A
解析：本文叙述了美国的青少年通过为邻居做一些临时工作赚取零花钱的方法。他们通过在夏天割草坪和在冬季清除积雪的人行道和车道赚得零花钱。而且，许多美国青少年放学后通常工作两到三小时,周六或者周日整天在当地的超市工作。通过赚取自己的零用钱,青少年获得独立自主的感觉和一种责任感,他们为以后生产劳动的社会生活做好了准备。
【小题1】词义猜测题。根据第一段的Most couples do not have maids or relatives living with them, and they need to have someone watch the children if they want to go out.可知大多数夫妇如果外出，就让人照看他们的孩子。因此babysitting的意思是照顾孩子，当临时保姆。故选A。
【小题2】细节理解题。根据第二段的Another way is by mowing lawn in summer and clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways in winter. 可知孩子们通过在夏天割草坪和在冬季清除积雪的人行道和车道赚得零花钱。故排除AB。根据第三段的Besides, many American teenagers usually work two to three hours after school and all day on Saturday or Sunday at the local supermarket.可知许多美国青少年放学后通常工作两到三小时,周六或者周日整天在当地的超市工作。故排除C。D项做家务文章没提，因此它不属于美国青少年赚钱的方式。故选D。
【小题3】细节理解题。根据第二段的Since clearing snow is very tiring, many people prefer to hire teenagers for this job rather than do it themselves. 因为清理雪是很累的,很多人更愿意雇用青少年做这份工作而不愿意自己做。故选A。
【小题4】细节理解题。根据最后一段的By earning their own allowance，teenagers acquire a feeling of independence and a sense of responsibility which prepares them for a productive life in society. 通过赚取自己的零用钱,青少年获得独立自主的感觉和一种责任感,他们为以后生产劳动的社会生活做好了准备。故选D。
【小题5】细节理解题。根据第二段的In winter, snow clearing from streets and highways is the government’s responsibility. 政府负责清除街道和高速公路上的雪。故选C。