[2020·°²»ÕÎåУÁªÃ˼ì²â]While an entire month free of homework or tests may sound too good to be true, that is exactly what the students at Sturenskolan School in Boden, Sweden were treated to in April. What's more, if the results of the experiment prove encouraging, starting 2019, the middle schoolers will never have to worry about after­school work or tests, aside from the national examinations, which are compulsive for students across the country.

    The school's principal, Petronella Sirkka, who came up with the idea, said, “We are constantly receiving new reports that our children feel bad. And that's because they have a high level of stress all the time. This is our way of trying to reduce that stress.”

    The educator says that while banning homework and tests sounds radical(¼¤½øµÄ), it makes sense given the changes in the curriculum and approaches to education. While in the past students were primarily subjected to memorizing facts, learning today is all about reflection and analysis. As a result, it is often harder for kids, especially those with little support at home, to comprehend the material by themselves.

   Sirkka is not the only one who believes after­school work does not help students learn. In March 2018, another principal in Canada also decided to do away with homework. They hope parents will spend the extra time reading to their kids.

     While the long­term impact of the recent decisions made by the two educators remains to be seen, the experiment has already proved successful in Finland which has done away with homework, grades, and even teaching by subjects for many years. Yet, Finnish students always rank high in the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests especially in math and science but they have the least homework! Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before US educators follow their lead and ban after­school work as well!

1£®The students at Sturenskolan School had no homework in April because ________.

A£®the headmaster was experimenting with her idea

B£®they needed to do some experiments during the month

C£®they were busy preparing for the national examinations

D£®the headmaster had to carry out the government's policy

2£®What makes children's learning hard nowadays?

A£®Children have to do more analyzing.

B£®The approach to education is complex.

C£®Children get no support at home and school.

D£®There are many more facts to memorize.

3£®What does Petronella Sirkka most likely advise parents to do?

A£®Help children with their homework.

B£®Free children from after­school housework.

C£®Spend more time reading to their children.

D£®Communicate with teachers from time to time.

4£®What can we infer about the students in Finland?

A£®They study the hardest at school.

B£®They have a more relaxing school life.

C£®They enjoy great success after graduation.

D£®They all have a talent for math and science.