2024届高考英语复习外刊精读：Should we fear maths 我们有必要害怕数学吗？ 学案

2024届高考备考 外刊精读 Day 74 Should we fear maths 我们有必要害怕数学吗？ 学案 文本导读： 并非人人都喜欢或懂得数学。自上学起，不少人就开始害怕这门科目，并且从未克服这种感觉。究竟是什么让我们对数字产生恐惧？怎样才能战胜这种心理？本文探讨人们惧怕数学的原因和改变这种心态的方法。 Step 1:词汇温习 puzzle 谜题，智力游戏 Sudoko 数独游戏 calculate 计算 figures 数字 maths anxiety 数学焦虑症 ability 能力 nervous 紧张的，担忧的 problem 习题，问题 homework 家庭作业 role model 榜样 underperform 表现不佳 solve 解决 mental arithmetic 心算 articulate 清楚表达 challenge 挑战 a second chance 第二次机会 Step 2: 原文精听+精读 How good are you at maths? Some people love the challenge of algebra or enjoy working out number puzzles such as Sudoko. Maths is all around us, from working out how to split the bill after a meal, to calculating your household bills. But many dread the moment when they have to deal with numbers and figures and feel a real sense of worry and confusion. It can seem daunting, but this ‘maths anxiety’ is perfectly normal, and you’re definitely not alone. And anyway, our worries and fears don’t necessarily reflect our ability. The problem really starts in childhood, at school. Research has found that maths teachers who are nervous about teaching the subject can pass on their anxiety to the pupils, and girls may be more likely to be affected. The Programme for International Student Assessment found around 31% of 15 and 16-year-olds across 34 countries said they got very nervous doing maths problems, 33% said they got tense doing maths homework, and nearly 60% said they worried maths classes would be difficult. Shulamit Kahn, from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, told the BBC she believes giving students, particularly girls, good role models “is critical, especially at a young age”. She thinks the key is to get people, especially women, who love teaching maths to younger children. Writing for BBC Future, David Robson says “It’s not clear why maths arouses so much fear compared to geography. But the fact that there’s a right or wrong answer – there’s no room for bluffing – might make you more worried about underperforming.” And once we a