Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. I feel there are a number of reasons for this.

Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. This has turned out a whole generation of grown­ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then probably children would buy less take­away food.

There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives.

There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.

The above are the main reasons for this problem, and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.

1. According to the text, what kind of children may eat more unhealthy food?

A. Those who often watch television. B. Those who often take exercise.

C. Those who often have meals at home. D. Those who often walk to school.

2. The word “steering undderlined in the last sentence most probably means ________.

A. forcing B. driving C. guiding D. moving

3. The main purpose of the text is to ________.

A. tell a story B. provide facts C. compare opinions D. give advice

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. How many children get overweight.

B. What is healthy eating.

C. Why children get overweight.

D. How to prevent children from getting overweight.

Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. I feel there are a number of reasons for this.

Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. This has turned out a whole generation of grown­ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then probably children would buy less take­away food.

There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives.

There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.

The above are the main reasons for this problem, and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.

1. According to the text, what kind of children may eat more unhealthy food?

A. Those who often watch television. B. Those who often take exercise.

C. Those who often have meals at home. D. Those who often walk to school.

2. The word “steering undderlined in the last sentence most probably means ________.

A. forcing B. driving C. guiding D. moving

3. The main purpose of the text is to ________.

A. tell a story B. provide facts C. compare opinions D. give advice

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. How many children get overweight.

B. What is healthy eating.

C. Why children get overweight.

D. How to prevent children from getting overweight.