The Maum Sin Yong School says that they are the first in Colorado and the one of only two schools in the US to teach martial arts (武術) to students with mental diseases.
“They do everything that our regular classes do,” says Rob Hansen, Tae Kwon Do instructor. Hansen teaches the kids how to punch (拳打), kick, and block along with the values of the Korean martial arts. He says that they also learn confidence and how to improve their motor skills. “They’ve learned focus, just to be able to pick one item and pay attention to it.”
“Tae Kwon Do is pretty fun,” says Christina Hinkle. She was born with Down syndrome (唐氏綜合癥) and says she never wants to miss class. “Well, how come? It’s pretty fun.”
“Ever since she saw Karate Kid, she’s been running around the house, doing kicks and punches,” says Peggy Hinkle, Christina’s mother. Peggy says that her daughter processes information slowly and taking Tae Kwon Do lessons has helped her in all parts of her life. “It gives her a chance to be a regular kid.”
Wednesday’s class is not a normal class. Instead, it’s a day that all the students have been waiting for. “Today is actually the first day, and I’m actually going to be able to test these guys,” says Hansen. The students would receive their White Belts. However, in order to receive their belts, the students must show off their skills in front of a group of Black Belts.
“Nervous? No way. I’m so excited,” says Christina just before she displayed what she has learned over the past few months. She and the other students also answered questions about the history of Tae Kwon Do, as well as its philosophy (哲學).
“To me, it’s just really important for them to actively see that they are learning something,” says Hansen. “That they actually are able to be rewarded for everything that they’ve done in this class.” All the students passed. They received their White Belts.
“To see the joy in her face was very rewarding,” says Peggy. She videotaped the whole test and hugged her daughter telling her that she’s proud. “Christina feels like she could do anything,” she says.
Christina says that her next goal is to keep working on her skills so she can move up to a Gold Belt. She says, “Oh, my God, I can’t believe I got the first rank.”
小題1: The purpose of teaching the students with mental disease Tae Kwon Do is _______.
| A．to help them gain confidence and be skilled at concentration |
| B．to enable them to punch and kick the other opponents |
| C．to take part in tournament and win prize. |
| D．to get rid of their mental diseases and run motorcar |
小題2:Wednesday is the time ________ according to the text.
| A．when the students with mental disease will begin to learn Tae Kwon Do |
| B．when Hansen’s students will give a display of what they have learned. |
| C．when Hansen’s students will replace their black belts with white belts. |
| D．when the parents can see how Hansen teach their children with mental disease. |
小題3: The example of Christina in the passage suggests________.
| A．children are learning Tae Kwon Do with their parents’ company. |
| B．Rob Hansen is a strict coach of teaching Tae Kwon Do |
| C．children with mental disease are interested in Tae Kwon Do |
| D．Tae Kwon Do can cure mental disease. |
小題4:What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Learning Tae Kwon Do is beneficial to children with mental disease both in health and mind. |
| B．Any child with mental disease should come to learn Tae Kwon Do. |
| C．Parents understand why Rob Hansen teach children with metal disease. |
| D．More schools like The Maum Sin Yong School are needed in America. |
