英闻天下——321 Spring and Autumn Break Draws Mixed Views

 　　China's State Council recently encouraged local governments to experiment with giving primary and high school students a spring and autumn break.

 

　　Students in China currently have only two breaks - usually two months in summer and one month in winter - in addition to national holidays.

 

　　The suggestion comes from the Outline on Developing National Tourism and Leisure which is approved by the State Council recently to boost the domestic tourism industry and improve the quality of travel and leisure. But the addition of a spring and autumn break will not increase the total number of students' vacations.

 

　　The outline also encouraged primary and high school students to take part in organized tour groups to expand their horizons.

 

　　But the suggestion has drawn¹ mixed views.

 

　　For:

 

　　"As a senior high school student, I am under great pressure to study. The test-oriented education just makes us into slaves of the text books. If spring and autumn breaks are approved, I will have more time to enjoy nature and will be able to relax."

 

　　"Those who study far sway from home can only go back home during the long vacations. The added breaks will give them more chances to return home."

 

　　"The longer the break is, the more difficult it will be for the students to concentrate on their study. The addition of spring and autumn breaks can shorten the length of summer and winter breaks."

 

　　Agasint:

 

　　"The added breaks will disrupt the school's teaching plans, and possibly involved changes in textbooks and examination arrangement."

 

　　"The first one or two weeks before and after holidays are students' 'happy hours.' It is also the period when teachers have to take the pain to rein² in students' hearts and make them concentrate on studying instead of thinking of playing around."

 

　　"Summer and winter breaks actually have already become a headache for parents. They have to work. So who's going to take care of their children? I suggest reducing students' holidays and arranging more extracurricular activities instead."

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 rein   

n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治

参考例句：

• The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
• He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。