SIBLINGS
When we are children, our sibling - that is, our brothers and sisters - are our first friends and first
enemies. At the end of life, they are often our oldest friends and oldest enemies. The effect of sibling relationships in childhood can last a lifetime. Many experts say that the relationship among brothers and sisters explains a great deal about family life, especially today when brothers and sisters often spend more time with one another than with their parents.
Studies have shown that sibling relationships between sister-sister pairs and brother-brother pairs are different. Sister pairs are the closest. Brothers are the most competitive. Sisters are usually more supportive of each other. They are more talkative, frank, and better at expressing themselves and sharing their feelings. On the other hand, brothers are usually more competitive with each other.
Experts agree that the relationship among siblings is influenced by many factors. For example, studies have shown that both brothers and sisters become more competitive and aggressive when their parents treat them even a little bit differently from one another. But parental treatment is not the only factor. Genetics, gender, life events, people, and experiences outside the family all shape the lives of siblings. Recently, one researcher demonstrated another factor: in sibling relationships. It was discovered that children dislike watching their siblings fight. In fact, they respond to arguments by taking sides - supporting one sibling and punishing the other.
Question 7: What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A. Sibling relationships are among the most important relationships in life.
B. Siblings are our oldest enemies in life.
C. Some siblings have good relationships, but other siblings have bad relationships.
D. Siblings are our oldest friends in life.
Question 8: What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. Brothers usually tend to be competitive with sisters.
B. Siblings spend a lot of time together because they have to.
C. Females and males generally have different sibling relationships.
D. Sisters get along better with their sisters than with their brothers.
Question 9: What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
A. Siblings often support or punish one of their brothers or sisters in an argument.
B. There are many causes of good and bad sibling relationships.
C. Research has shown that siblings hate to fight.
D. Siblings are often indifferent to their parental treatment.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT true about siblings?
A. Brothers are more talkative than sisters.
B. Sister-sister pairs are the closest.
C. Brother-brother pairs are the most competitive.
D. Sibling relationships between sister-sister pairs and, brother-brother pairs are different.
Question 11: Which of the following is true about siblings?
A. Parental treatment is the only factor that influences the, relationships among siblings.
B. The relationship among brothers and sisters-explains a lot about family life.
C. Children avoid arguments that their siblings have.
D. Genetics and gender don't impact on the lives of siblings.
Question 12: The word "sibling" is closest in meaning to _____________.
A. the whole family B. brothers C. sisters D. brothers and sisters
Question 13: The word "they" in paragraph 2 refers to _______________.
A. siblings B. sisters C. relationships D. brothers
Question 14: The relationship among siblings is_______________.
A. competitive B. only influenced by personality C. influenced by many factors D. aggressive
