Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks. Many parents believe that they should begin to teach their children to read when they are (71) ________ more than toddlers. This is fine if the child shows a real interest but forcing a child could be counter-productive if she isn't ready. Wise parents will have a hopeful attitude and take the lead from their child. What they should ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Many parents believe that they should begin to teach their children to read when they are (71) ________ more than toddlers. This is fine if the child shows a real interest but forcing a child could be counter-productive if she isn't ready. Wise parents will have a hopeful attitude and take the lead from their child. What they should provide is a selection of stimulating toys, books and other activities. Nowadays there is plenty of good (72) ________ available for young children, and of course, seeing plenty of books in use about the house will also encourage them to read.

Of course, books are no longer the only source of stories and information. There is also a huge range of videos, which can reinforce and extend the pleasure a child finds in a book and are equally valuable in helping to increase vocabulary and concentration. Television gets a bad review as far as children are concerned, mainly because too many spend too much time watching programmes not intended for their age (73) ________. Too many television programmes induce an incurious, uncritical attitude that is going to make learning much more difficult. However, discriminating viewing of programmes designed for young children can be useful. Just as adults enjoy reading a book after seeing it serialised on television, so children will pounce on books which (74) ________their favourite television characters, and videos can add a new (75) ________to a story known from a book.