Many teenagers have hobbies.But sometimes these hobbies can get in the way of schoolwork,and parents might worry about their child's success at school.Teenagers often think they should be allowed to practice their hobbies as much as they want.Do you agree?
Liu Yu,a fifteen-year-old from Shandong,is a running star.He is in his school running team,and has always wanted to be a professional athlete.However,his parents won't allow him to train as much as he would like to."Of course we want to see Liu Yu achieve his dreams,” says Mr Liu,“and we know how much he loves running.That's great,and my wife and I watched him in every one of his races.We have nothing against running!But we do think that our son needs to be realistic.Now he is getting older,he needs to think about what will happen if he doesn't become a professional runner in the end.”
Liu Yu doesn't really agree.“Well,I think I should be allowed to make decisions for myself,” he says.“ My parents have always taught me the importance of working hard and not just to do what I enjoy.I understand this.But I'm serious about running.Being a professional runner is the only thing I have ever wanted to do.”
Mr and Mrs Liu believe that Liu Yu should study hard in the evenings,and so they don't allow him to practice running on school nights.“I know this might seem strict,” says Mrs Liu,“but we think we're doing the right thing.He has to understand that very few people can become professional athletes.It's a very difficult dream to achieve.We don't allow him to practice every day because we think he needs to spend time on his homework.”
But Liu Yu still doesn't agree.“I know my parents care about me,” he says.“But they are always talking about what will happen if I don't succeed.But I will succeed!I think I should be allowed to make this decision myself.Only then will I have a chance of achieving my dream.”
After you read,read aloud the text again,to yourself,or to the tape and copy down all the expressions,too.