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Acculturation, which begins at birth, is the process of teaching new generations of children the customs and values of the parents' culture. How people treat newborns, for example, can be indicative of cultural values. In the United States it is not uncommon for parents to put a newborn in a separate room that belongs only to the child. This helps to preserve parents' privacy and allows the child to get used to having his or her own room, which is seen as a first step toward personal independence. Americans traditionally have held independence and a closely related value, individualism, in high esteem. Parents try to instill these prevailing values in their children. American English expresses these value preferences: children should " cut the (umbilical) cord " and are encouraged not to be "tied to their mothers' apron (围裙) strings." In the process of their socialization children learn to "look out for number one" arid to "stand on their own two feet. "
Many children are taught at a very early age to make decisions and be responsible for their actions. Often children work for money outside the home as a first step to establishing independence. Nine-or-ten-year-old children may deliver newspapers in their neighborhoods and save or spend their earnings. Teenagers may baby-sit at neighbors' homes in order to earn a few dollars a week. Receiving a weekly allowance at an early age teaches children to budget their money, preparing them for future financial independence. Many parents believe that managing money helps children learn responsibility as well as appreciating the value of money.
21. Financial independence for American youth is one way of_______.
A. establishing self-independence
B. rebelling against parents
C. learning to deliver newspapers
D. going to get prepared for attending college
22. "To cut the cord" is_______.
A. to become dependent on one's parents B. to cut a piece of string
C. an expression used by electricians D. to become independent of one's parents
23. Children who are "tied to their mothers' apron strings"
A. are those caught in their mothers' aprons
B. must always wear an apron when they eat
C. are very dependent on their mothers
D. are those who are busy with making aprons
24. Teenagers are children_______.
A. from 13 to 17 B. from 12 to 18
C. from 13 to 19 D. from 13 to 18
25. What could be the best title for this passage?
A. Independence for Children. B. Child Raising in America.
C. How to Look After the Newborns. D. How to Be a Good Mother.
答案：21. A 22. D 23. C 24. C 25. B
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