(Text 1)  Is an Only-Child a Lonely Child?

 

 1.  Many couples, who already have one healthy, happy child, are facing a dilemma, namely, the issue of whether or not to have a second child. They have demanding jobs and limited time and financial resources, but they are also very keen to ensure that their only child does not become a lonely child. So, what are the pros and cons of having a second child? Is an only child a lonely child? That is what so many couples are very much concerned about and eager to understand.

2.  The issue of whether to have a second child is one of the most difficult issues that parents nowadays face. A concern that is often heard with regard to single child is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child. Many single-child parents feel a stigma associated with their decision to have only one child. There are no other children in the family for the child to associate with, and this may lead to the child feelingl onely at times, especially during vacations.

3.  Another common argument against having justone child is that an only child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships. Some think this may leave the child less capable of interacting well with people his or her own age than one who has been raised with siblings.

4.  Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in many parts of the world. In the US, for example, 14 percent of women between 18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. The same trend can be seen in the UK. According to the Family Policy Studies Center, the overall number of British children being born each year has declined. In Japan,the average number of children born per family had declined to 1.42 by 1996, while latest statistics cite less than one child. This has led to government concerns about supporting an increasing population of elderly people in the future; it is predicted that, by 2020, a third of the population in Japan will be aged 65or over.

5.  For some single-child parents, particularlythose with busy careers, the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can seem too overwhelming, resulting in them electing to have no more children. For other parents, the financial burden of having a second child maybe the prime consideration. According to government surveys, many couples in Japan choose not to have large families as the cost of supporting a child up tothe age of 18 is estimated to be around 20 million yen, equivalent to around US$160,000.

6.  Advocates of single-child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well as the parents. With just one child, they suggest, there is no potential for family arguments arising from favoritism or sibling jealousy. Moreover, with only one child, the parents can give, and the child can receive, more quality time and attention. This often leads to increased self-esteem which, combined with increased independence, can lead to the child being more confident.

7.  Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child. The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique, and what is appropriate for one family may not be for another. The important thing, in the end, is to make a decision that both you and your spouse feel confident about.

  

 

Detailed Analysis of Paragraphs 1

 

Questions

      

1. What is the dilemma that many couples are faced with?

   The dilemma that many couples are confronted with is whether or not they should have a second child. On one hand, they have demanding jobs and limited time and financial resources; on the other hand, they are also very keen to ensure that their only child does not become alonely child. So they are plunged into this situation in which it is difficult for them to decide what to do.

 

2. What is the concern that weighs heavily on the minds of many couples?

    Many couples are very much concerned about whether an only-child necessarily becomes a lonely child.

 

 

                                           Words and Expressions

1. dilemma:  n.  a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do, because each choice has its advantages and disadvantages

 

e.g. The bad weather put us in a dilemma whether to leave or stay.

 

Collocation:  be in a dilemma

e.g. I’m in a dilemma aboutt his job offer. 我不知道是否要接受这份工作。

  

2. issue:  n.   a subject or problem that is often discussed or argued about

 

e.g. Unemployment is not the issue — the real problem ist he decline in public morality.

       I just got a raise, so money’s no longer anissue.

 

Collocation:   raise the issue: say that a problem should be discussed

e.g.We should raise the issue of discrimination with the council.

 

Synonyms:   subject, problem

  

3. demanding:  a.   needing alot of ability, effort, or skill

e.g. Climbing is physically demanding, while studying is mentally demanding.

       Many people agree that teaching is a demanding profession.

 Derivation:  demand n.& v.

 

4. keen:   adj. interested in sth. or eager to do it

 

e.g. John is a keen photographer.

 

Collocations: 

be keen on sth.

e.g. Daniel’s very keen on tennis.    

be keen to do sth.

e.g. She’s out of hospital and keen to get back to work.

 

Synonyms:   interested, eager

Derivation:  keenness   n.

  

5. concerned:   adj.  worried about something

 

e.g. Concerned parents approached the school about the problem.

 

Collocations:

  be concerned about

  e.g. Ross has never been particularly concerned about what other people think of him.

  be concerned for

  e.g. Rescuers are concerned for the safety of two men trapped in the mine.

  be concerned that

  e.g. He’s concerned that he won’t get his money back.

 Derivations:  concern n.& v.   concerning prep.

 

 

Paraphrasing and Translation

 

the pros and cons of having a second child(Paragraph 1)

Explanation: the pros and cons: the advantages and disadvantages  

e.g. Before we make a decision, we must weigh up the pros and cons.

      After hours’ discussion, everybody at the meeting could see clearly the pros and cons of the proposal.

Paraphrase: the advantages and disadvantages of having one more child

Translation: 生育第二个孩子的利与弊

 

 

Detailed Analysis of Paragraphs 2-3

                                                     Questions

1. What does the writer think of the issue of whether or not to have a second child? (Paragraph 2)

  The writer thinks that the issue is one of the most difficult issues that parents nowadays are confronted with.

 

2. Why does the writer think that an only child necessarily means a lonely child?  (Paragraph 2)

   As there are no other children in the family for the child to associate with, he may feel lonely at times, especially during vacations.

 

3. What is the main idea of the third paragraph? (Paragraph 3)

  The third paragraph states and supports another common argument against having just one child: an only-child may bemore spoiled than one with siblings.

 

  

Words and Expressions

 

6. concern:  n. a feeling of worry about sth. important; sth. that worries you

 

e.g. His main concern is to be able to provide for his family.

Collocation:

  concern about / over

  e.g. Thereis growing concern about the effects of pollution on health.

  concern for sb.

  e.g. A government spokesman expressed concern for the lives of the hostages.

  

7. stigma:  n. a mark of shame or disgrace; a shameful feeling or reputation

 

e.g. There is a strong stigma attached to suicide.

       In the past divorce and single parenthood carried a stigma.

       离异和单亲家庭在过去是令人感到羞耻的。

  

8. at times:  sometimes but not usually

e.g. At times I wonder if it’s worth all the effort.

 

Comparison: at no time, at all times

at no time: used to say strongly that something never happened or should never happen

at all times:used especially in official notices or announcements to say what always happens or should always happen

 

9. sibling:  n. (fml)  a brother or sister

 

e.g. A child with siblings seldom gets lonely.

    Most young smokers are influenced by their elder siblings’ smoking habits.

  

10. negotiate: v. discuss sth. in order to reach an agreement, esp. in business or politics

e.g. Union leaders have negotiated an agreement for a shorter working week.

Collocation:  negotiate with

e.g. The government refuses to negotiate with terrorists.

Derivations:  negotiation n.    negotiable  adj.

11. interact:  v.

1) (people) talk to each other and understand each other

e.g. He interacts well with other children in the class.

2) (things) have an effect on each other and work together

e.g. Social and economic factors are interacting to produce a recession.

Derivations:  interaction: n.    interactive: adj.

 

                               Paraphrasing and Translation

1. Many single-child parents feel a stigma associated with their decision to have only one child. (Paragraph 2)

Paraphrase: Many single-child families have a strong sense of shame in their decision to have only one child.

Translation: 许多只有一个小孩的父母都为自己只生一个小孩的决定感到羞愧。

       

2. …this may lead to the child feeling lonely at times, …? (Paragraph 2):

Explanation: lead to sb. doing sth.: cause sth. to happen to sb. or cause sb. to do sth.

e.g. His actions could lead to him losing his job.

Paraphrase:… such a situation will probably result in the child having a sense of loneliness from time to time, …?

Translation: 这样一种环境可能经常会让孩子感到孤独。

  

3. Another common argument against having just one child is that an only child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. (Paragraph 3):

Explanation: spoil: make sb., esp.a child, selfish from having too much attention or prais            

Paraphrase: Another reason some people usually hold against having only one-child is that an only child is more likely to be given too much love and care than one that has brothers and/or sisters.

Translation: 另外一个常用于反驳只养育一个孩子的理由是：一个孩子获得的溺爱要比那些有兄弟姐妹的孩子多得多。

  

4. respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships (Paragraph 3):

Paraphrase: realize the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding between themselves and other people in various situations

Translation: 认识到在各种关系中合作与相互了解的重要性。

  

 

Detailed Analysis of Paragraphs 4-5

                                                     Questions

1. What examples and statistics are given to show that more and more parents have decided to have only one child?  (Paragraph 4)

   In the US, for example, 14 percent of womenbetween 18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. The same trend can be seen in the UK. According to the Family Policy Studies Center, the overall number of British children being born each year has declined. In Japan, the average number of children born per family had declined to 1.42 by 1996, while the latest statistics cite less than one child.

  

2. What is the main idea of Paragraph 5?  (Paragraph 5)

   Paragraph 5 supplies two most typical reasons for the steady increase of the number of parents who have chosen to have only one child.

 

 

                                         Words and Expressions

12. decline: v.

1) decrease in quantity or importance

e.g. Spending on information technology has declined.

2) become gradually worse in quality

e.g. Do you think standards of education have declined in recent years?

Synonym: decrease

Derivation:  decline: n.

  

13. cite: v.

1) mention something as an example, esp. one that supports or explains an idea or a situation

e.g. Several factors have been cited as the cause of the student unrest.

2) give the exact words of something that has been written, esp. in order to support an opinion or prove an idea

e.g. The writer cited many quotations from different scholars.

Synonym:  quote

Derivation:  citation: n.

14. overwhelming: adj.

1) having such a great effect on you that you feel confused and at a loss what to do

e.g. She felt an overwhelming desire to hug her child.

      The sheer size of the place seems overwhelming and confusing at first.

  

2) (numbers, odds, etc.) very large

e.g. An overwhelming majority of the members were against the idea.

 

 Derivation:  overwhelm: v.

 

15. elect to do sth. : (fml) choose to do something

e.g. You can elect to delete the message or save it.

Translation:  Purchasers can elect to pay in monthly installments.

                       购买者可选择按月分期付款。

  

16. prime: adj. main; most important

e.g. Smoking is the prime cause of lung disease.

       Our prime concern is providing jobs for all young school leavers.

 

 Synonym:  major

 Derivations:  prime: n.    prime: v.

 

17. equivalent: adj. having the same value, purpose, etc. as a person or thing of a different kind

e.g. We could give you an equivalent amount in companyshares.

Collocation:  be equivalent to

e.g. This is a qualification which is equivalent to degree.

Comparison: equivalent, equal

equal: being the same in size, value, amount, number, etc. as something else

e.g. Jennifer cut the cake in to six equal pieces.

Derivation:  equivalence: n.

 

                                Paraphrasing and Translation

1. …,14 percent of women between 18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. (Paragraph 4)

Explanation: Use percent only with a number, e.g. 30 percent, 9 percent, etc. If you mean“an amount expressed as part of a total,” use percentage.

e.g. A high percentage of the population was illiterate.

Translation: 在18至34岁的女性中，14%的女性希望生育一个孩子，而且这一比例预计会更高。

 

2. while latest statistics cite less than one child (Paragraph 4)

Paraphrase: while latest statistics show that the average number of children born perfamily has declined to less than one child       然而最新的统计数据表明平均每个家庭孩子出生率已经低于一。

  

 

Detailed Analysis of Paragraphs 6

 

                                                    Questions

 

1. What advantages of having only one child are argued for by advocates of single-child families?

With just one child, there is no potential for family arguments arising from favoritism or sibling jealousy. The child can receive more quality time and attention from parents, which will increase their self-esteem, independence and confidence.

 

 

                                            Words and Expressions

18. advocate: n. someone who publicly support someone else or something

e.g. He is a strong advocate of “English only” in class.

Synonym:  support: [U] the people who support something

                   supporter: [C] someone who supports something

Derivation:  advocate: v.

 

19. potential: n. the possibility that something will develop in a certain way, or have a particular effect

e.g. The potential for abuse in such a system isenormous.

 Synonym:  potentiality: (fml)     possibility

Derivations:  potential: adj.    potentiality: n.

 

20. arise:  v. begin to happen

 

e.g. A crisis has arisen between the two countries.

 

Collocation:  arise from: be caused or started by asituation, event, etc.

  e.g. Can we begin by discussing matters arising from the last meeting?

Comparison: arise, rise

  rise: increase in number, amount or value

 

21. jealousy: n. anger and unhappiness because someone has something you wish you had

e.g. Polly felt a sharp pang of jealousy when she saw Paul with Suzanne.

Derivation:  jealous: adj.

 

22. self-esteem: n. the feeling of being satisfied with your own abilities, and that you deserve to be liked or respected

e.g. You ought to raise your self-esteem.

       Playing a sport can boot a girl’sself-esteem.

Synonym: self-respect

Antonym:  self-doubt: the feeling that you and your abilities are not good enough

 

Detailed Analysis of Paragraphs 7

                                                  Questions

1. Does the writer give a definite answer to the question of whether or not to have asecond child? Why?

   No. As the circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique, it is impossible to give a definite answer whether or not to have a second child.

 

2. What is the writer’s advice given to single-child parents?

  The writer’s advice is as follows: The important thing, in the end, is to make a decision that both you and your spouse feel confident about.

 

 

                                             Words and Expressions

23. unique: adj. the single one of its kind

e.g. Each person’s fingerprints are unique.

 

Comparison: unique, only

  unique: having features or qualities that make it different from anything else

  only: being the only one of something available in a particular place at a particular time

Derivation:  uniqueness: n.

  

24. spouse:  n. (fml) a husband or wife

e.g. The writer’s opinion is that you make a decision that both you and your spouse feel confident about.

       He never mentioned his spouse.

 

 

                                Paraphrasing and Translation

The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique, … (Paragraph7)

Paraphrase: The conditions that affect parents’ decisions concerning child-birth vary from family to family, …

Translation: 那些影响父母做出决定的因素各不相同。

 

 

                                            Activity: A Debate

Directions: Work in pairs and have a debate on the pros and cons of having a second child.You should use the following words and expressions in your debate.

dilemma;   demanding;  be keen to;   be concerned about;   sibling;   overwhelming;

electto;     prime;   equivalent;    arise;     jealousy;   self-esteem;    unique;     spouse.