VOA慢速：美国各州推动在高中禁止使用手机

US States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools

慢速 | 四级 偏难 | 677词 | 6min48s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. What is the main focus of this report?

A. The benefits of allowing cell phone use in high schools.

B. The push for cell phone bans in U.S. high schools.

C. The technological advancements in educational tools.

D. The differences in educational policies across states.

Q2. What reason did Governor Glenn Youngkin give for restricting cell phone use in Virginia schools?

A. To reduce the amount of time spent on social media.

B. To align with federal educational guidelines.

C. To increase physical activities among students.

D. Because students who use phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.

Q3. What was a common issue reported by teachers regarding student cell phone use?

A. Students frequently make phone calls during class.

B. Students use phones to cheat on exams.

C. Students are distracted by the content on their phones.

D. Students refuse to bring phones to school.

Q4. Why does James Granger believe that physically removing cellphones from students is effective?

A. It prevents students from losing their phones.

B. It ensures students follow school policies.

C. It eliminates the possibility of phone usage during class.

D. It teaches students to be more responsible.

Q5. How do some students feel about policies banning cell phone use in schools?

A. They believe it helps them focus better.

B. They think it increases their independence.

C. They feel it enhances communication with parents.

D. They see no benefit to such policies.

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

US States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools

(Q1) More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions in high schools. The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom.

In July, Virginia became the latest in a growing number of U.S. states to restrict cell phone use in public schools. The state’s governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order to establish guidance and policies for local school systems to follow by January.

executive n. 有执行权的；实施的；行政的

(Q2) Youngkin’s order said, “Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.” It also cited an “alarming mental health crisis” among young people driven by the use of cell phones and social media.

Last year, Florida became the first state to restrict the use of cell phones in school. A law that took effect in July requires all Florida public schools to ban student cell phone use during class time and block social media on the school’s wi-fi.

The states of Indiana and Ohio passed their own laws this year. Several others, including Oklahoma, Vermont, and Kansas, have also recently introduced what is being called “phone-free schools” legislation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she will push for legislation to ban cell phone use in the coming legislative session in 2025.

Cell phone distraction

In a recent public study, the Pew Research Center reported that 72 percent of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.

Teachers report less of a problem with younger students. About 33 percent of middle school teachers and six percent of elementary school teachers see cell phone use as problematic.

(Q3-1) The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling apps to place bets during the school day.

(Q3-2) Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.

James Granger is a science teacher at a Los Angeles-area high school. He told the AP, “Students used to have an understanding that you aren’t supposed to be on your phone in class. Those days are gone.” (Q4) Granger added, “The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student.”

Some students say such policies take away their independence and cut off their main method of communication with family and friends. Opposition also has come from parents who fear being cut off from their kids if there is a school emergency.

Jaden Willoughey is a student at Delta High School in rural Utah. He shares the concern about being out of contact with his parents if there is an emergency. But he also sees the upside, or good result, of turning in his phone at school.

upside n. 好的一面，积极面

At Delta High School, students are required to leave their phones at the door when entering every class. (Q5) “It helps you focus on your work, and it’s easier to pay attention in class,” Jaden said.

Kim Whitman is a leader of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group that advises schools. She told the AP she urges educators to make exceptions for students with special educational and medical needs.

Back in Virginia

Back in Virginia, school systems have been increasingly banning or severely restricting students’ phone use.

For example, Loudoun County Public Schools, in northern Virginia, passed a new policy last month that generally bans elementary school students from using phones during the school day.

Middle school students are permitted to use their phones before or after school, but they are expected to store their phones in their lockers. In high school, students are expected to silence their phones and place them in storage during instructional time.

In Richmond, Virginia, the school system started a cell phone ban last year in some of its high schools and middle schools.

Jason Kamras is head of the Richmond school system. He said, “We saw more student engagement in class and fewer distractions throughout the day.” Additionally, he said, “Students reported spending more time talking with their peers.”

Part III. KEY

Q1. B. 主旨题。题目出处为“More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions in high schools. The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom.”以及整篇文章内容。文章主要讨论了美国各州推动高中禁止使用手机的情况。因此答案为B。

Q2. D. 细节题。题目出处为“Youngkin’s order said, ‘Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.’” 意为：“Youngkin的行政令上写道，‘研究表明，在课堂上使用手机的学生学习效果较差，成绩也较低。’” 因此答案为D。

Q3. C. 细节题。题目出处为“The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling apps to place bets during the school day. Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.”意为：“美联社报道，加利福尼亚的一位老师抱怨学生在课堂上看Netflix。在马里兰州，一位老师说学生们在上课时使用赌博应用程序下注。美国还有很多教育者称，学生在上学日使用社交媒体，听音乐，网购。”因此答案为C，即学生会被手机里的内容吸引而分心。

Q4. C. 推理题。题目出处为“Granger added, ‘The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student.’” 意为：“格兰杰补充道，‘唯一有效的解决方案是把手机从学生身边拿掉。’” 推理可知，这样才能彻底阻止学生在课堂上使用手机，因此答案为C。

Q5. A. 细节题。题目出处为“It helps you focus on your work, and it’s easier to pay attention in class,” 意为：“它可以帮助你专注于你的工作，并且更容易在课堂上集中注意力。” 因此答案为A。

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