IG听力2020 part1 SectionB音频

[00:05.98] As the country’s primary and secondary schools return for the autumn term,

[00:10.23] there are those who argue that the summer holidays have been too long

[00:14.22] and it would be less stressful for many

[00:16.87] if we cut back on their length.

[00:19.53] Working parents have to rely on a variety of plans to cover the holiday period,

[00:24.58] often including costly childcare,

[00:26.97] help from relatives and a range of planned activities.

[00:31.48] Many people think that long summer holidays link back to the Victorian era,

[00:36.53] when children were needed to help their parents on the family farm during the summer months.

[00:42.37] On the other hand, some people believe that the long summer holidays

[00:46.70] were really a consequence of the increasingly successful fight

[00:50.51] by the trade unions for more time off for workers.

[00:54.50] The development of the railways boosted the family holiday by the seaside

[00:58.75] and in Britain that meant the summer months.

[01:02.47] A survey of countries worldwide reveals a similar pattern to Britain,

[01:07.25] with most having long school breaks at some point in the year.

[01:12.47] Head teachers argue that both teachers and children benefit from long holidays.

[01:18.15] For exhausted teachers this is a time for them

[01:21.25] to prepare for the new academic year and to recharge their batteries.

[01:26.11] Children have experiences over the summer,

[01:28.77] which develop their own ways to fill the time,

[01:31.68] often engaging in new activities and interests.

[01:35.41] Holidays provide an opportunity to develop their social and communication skills outside of the school environment.

[01:43.64] Some think the United States have solved the problem of long school holidays,

[01:48.43] where summer camps provide a home from home and a chance for children

[01:52.94] to develop their confidence and learn new skills.

[01:56.39] In Britain there are similar organisations but these are costly.

[02:00.91] Without some support less privileged, poorer children would miss out.

[02:05.68] If we are to follow this route, who pays?

[02:10.20] For the time being, there remains the problem

[02:13.40] of how can our youngsters be safely, productively and affordably entertained

[02:19.15] throughout the long summer holiday.