Acculturation, which begins at birth, is the process of teaching new generations of children the customs and values of the parents' culture. How people treat newborns, for example, can be indicative of cultural values. In the United States it is not uncommon for parents to put a newborn in a separate room that belongs only to the child. This helps to preserve parents' privacy and allows the child to get used to having his or her own room, which is seen as a first step toward personal independence. Americans traditionally have held independence and a closely related value, individualism, in high esteem. Parents try to instill these prevailing values in their children. American English expresses these value preferences: children should "cut the (umbilical) cord" and are encouraged not to be "tied to their mothers' apron strings." In the process of their socialization children learn to "look out for number one" and to "stand on their own two feet".
Many children are taught at a very early age to make decisions and be responsible for their actions. Often children work for money outside the home as a first step to establishing autonomy. Nine-or ten-year-old children may deliver newspapers in their neighborhoods and save or spend their earnings. Teenagers (13 to 18 years) may baby-sit neighbors' homes in order to earn a few dollar a week. Receiving a weekly allowance at an early age teaches children to budget their money, preparing them for future financial independence. Many parents believe that managing money helps children learn responsibility as well as appreciate the value of money.
21. According to this passage, the way people treat newborns _____.
A) is a sign of their customs
B) is an indication of their level of knowledge
C) symbolizes their social system
D) varies from culture to culture
22. The expression, "to cut the cord", is used to show that _____.
A) children don't like their parents
B) parents don't feel close to their children
C) parents would not like to live together with their children
D) independence from one's family is an important personal goal in USA
23. Children who are "tied to the apron strings" _____.
A) are caught in their mothers' aprons
B) must always wear an apron when they eat
C) are very dependent on their mothers
D) are independent from their parents
24. American people often let their children work for money outside the home at a very early age because _____.
A) children have to earn money to help the family
B) they need more money
C) they want them to begin establishing autonomy
D) children have to save money for future use
25. It can be inferred from this passage that _____.
A) Americans are money lovers
B) Americans admire independence
C) Americans are good at decision-making
D) Americans are all responsible
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