B

　　Last fall was a first-of-its-kind season. I did not arrange (安排) any after-school classes for my children. No swimming. No music lessons. No play dates. Nothing.

　　Once they finished their homework, they were free to do what they pleased, but only one hour of TV. In the beginning, my sons, Ben, 11, and Nick, 9, were anxious about this sudden, unplanned freedom. I had to push them out of the door with a ball, a bike, and so on. "Play? I ordered.

　　I learned that this new plan takes time, patience and a lot of faith in the theory that having excellent grades isn't really important.

　　When my older kids, now in college and high school, were young, I brought in the rules of modern parenting. They are unspoken, but followed carefully. First, you must let your child have a variety of activities. After all, you never know where you'll find a genius (天才). Second, if the child shows the slightest talent (才能), the activity must be pushed with lessons, special coaching (輔導(dǎo)) and practice of several days a week. Every minute should be taken and every minute has a purpose. That was really too much for my children.

　　Now with the new plan, we told stories, We listened to music. And' the. kids played with bikes, balls, and whatever was handy. Nobody kept score. In fact, the boys played outside so much that the lawn was worn down to the soil in places. They've made friends with those who come from all over the neighborhood to play games.

　　We like those peaceful evenings. Ben and Nick have a good time this fall, maybe that's because the time off has allowed us to enjoy each other's company;

　　40. What was new for the family last fall?

　　A. The children began to learn music when school was over.

　　B. The writer arranged no' extra lessons for the children.

　　C. The writer found no time to play with the sons.

　　D. The children had nothing to do after school.

　　41. At the beginning of that season the children

　　A. hated to spend more time on their homework

　　B. felt excited about making their own decisions

　　C. were pleased to have more freedom

　　D; were worried about the change

　　42. According to “modern parenting” discussed in Paragraph 4, parents should

　　A. make use of every minute to be with the children

　　B. provide coaching and practice for each, activity .

　　C. try extra means to find a child's real talent

　　D. know the rules but never talk about them

　　43. From the passage we learn that _________

　　A. children like story-telling more than bike-riding

　　B. parents should teach their children how to make a plan

　　C. children should have time to enjoy themselves after school

　　D. parents can enjoy their evenings when children play with others