2006年VOA标准英语-American Youth Failing Geography

By Jeff Swicord
Washington, DC
11 May 2006
 
watch US Geography report

A geographic¹ literacy study released this week provides new evidence that young Americans have a disturbing lack of basic geographic knowledge about the world. 

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Business leaders and educators were at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington D.C. recently to unveil a new public education campaign designed to give kids the tools to become better world citizens.  

 

 
Janice Bell
  

Janice Bell is Research Director for the Roper public polling organization, which is part of the campaign, expresses concern. "You know, our futures² are much more tightly tied together including that of the United States and the world.  And we are really finding that young people are unprepared for this increasingly global future."

  
  
The survey included 510 people between the ages of 18 and 24 from all over the U.S. They were asked basic questions about world geography and current events using maps and other materials. The results were startling to some.

Ms. Bell adds, "Yes, young Americans had a hard time finding certain countries on a map or a region of the world.  But what was more important, this (demonstrates) a lack of a functional³ knowledge.  How do things relate together?  What do you know about people who live in different parts of the world?  And how does it impact back upon the United States?"

Despite the fact that the U.S. military has been in Iraq for more than three years, six out of ten young Americans couldn't find it on a map of the Middle East.  And nine out of ten couldn't find Afghanistan on a map of Central Asia. 

  
  
To try to do something about that, the National Geographic Society created an interactive⁴ web site called MyWonderfulWorld.org. 

Ana Weselak is president of the National Parent Teacher Association. "Children need to have the opportunity to understand other cultures around the world.  We have a tremendous need for understanding diverse cultures in our society, that is who children live with and play with.  And we need to see ways that children can learn about that."

The website contains a variety of games, online adventures, and classroom tips to help kids learn more about the world.

1 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

2 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

3 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。

4 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。