Dear Daniel,
I feel that I've grown up and should make my own decisions, but my parents disagree. My mom still helps me choose what clothes to wear. My dad asks me to pay attention only to study. I know they do this out of love, but I feel controlled. What should I do?
Amanda
Dear Amanda,
Your parents sound very strict. It's hard to believe that your mom chooses what you wear. Are you a Barbie doll?
Try to take the first step when possible. Dress yourself before your mother has a chance to come in and choose your clothes. If she asks you to change, tell her you'll be late for school.
You should also talk to her. Ask about her choices: What makes a set of clothes acceptable or unacceptable? Tell her you will follow her rules, but you want to make the choices. You are not in first grade. You are a young lady in high school.
As for your father, it's difficult to argue with his mind. After all, he is not totally wrong. How strict is he? Does he lock you up with your textbooks? Are you allowed to have a hobby? Are you allowed to have a smartphone? Are you allowed to hang out with friends?
Such strict parents should know the law of diminishing returns (收益递减). A weightlifter, for examplc, can only lift for an hour or two each day. If she does more, her muscles will not become stronger. She will just get tired. She may even hurt herself!
Our brains also have limits. Some violin teachers say you should only practice a new skill for 15 minutes each day. Our brains need to relax and understand new information. Our brains also have a basic need to socialize (社交). Ask your father: what is the meaning of so much studying if it makes you feel unhappy?
Stay strong.
Daniel
30. Why did Amanda write the letter?
A. To ask for some advice. B. To fight against her parents.
C. To talk about her family rules. D. To make friends with Daniel.
31. Daniel finds it ________ that the mother decides on Amanda's clothes.
A. boring B. important C. unbelievable D. funny
32. The underlined word "limits" means "________"in Chinese.
A. 猜想 B. 极限 C. 决断 D. 潜力
33. The examples of "weightlifter" and "violin teachers" tell the parents ________.
A. to give the kids more praise B. to hang out with the kids
C. not to protect the kids too much D. not to push the kids so hard
这是信件，阿曼达写信给丹尼尔讲述自己认为自己已经长大，想自己做决定，但是父母不同意，母亲甚至帮她选择穿着，父亲要求她只注意学习，感觉自己被控制，想寻求帮助。丹尼尔回信发表自己的看法并给出建议。
30.A【解析】推理判断题。根据Amanda的信“What should I do”可知她在寻求建议，故选A。
31.C【解析】细节理解题。根据“It's hard to believe that your mom chooses what you wear”可知母亲决定Amanda的穿着，丹尼尔觉得难以置信。故选C。
32.B【解析】词义猜测题。根据“Some violin teachers say you should only practice a new skill for 15 minutes each day. Our brains need to relax and understand new information.”小提琴老师说你应该每天只练习新技能15分钟，我们的大脑需要休息放松和理解新的信息。可知limits表示“极限”。故选B。
33.D【解析】推理判断题。根据倒数第三段“Such strict parents should know the law of diminishing returns”以及倒数第二段“what is the meaning of so much studying if it makes you feel unhappy”可知举重和小提琴老师的例子是为了说明父母不能让孩子推动压迫的太紧了，让孩子不开心。故选D。