Today，perhaps more than ever，America is a nation of racial and ethnic diversity．For example，the 1980s and l 990s saw a huge increase in the number of Hispanics and Asians who immigrated to the United States and changed the complexion of our society．Furthermore，indications suggest that the trend toward racial and ethnic diversity will continue．
Because of the dramatic change in America’s population，it is likely that when children go to school， the mall or the park，they will meet children who are racially or culturally different．These differences may be visible in skin color，hair texture，dress or some combination of these or other characteristics． Unfortunately，racism and prej udice tOO often influence how children relate to people they view as different．
Racism and prejudice are based on exaggerated myths and stereotypes．African-Americans，for instance，are particularly victimized by racism and prejudice．During the time of slavery，many white Americans considered Africa the“dark continent”．inhabited by savages who needed rescued from their wicked ways by Christians．③These types of myths and stereotypes formed the basis for racism and prejudice against Africans and served to justify the indignity and harsh treatment imposed upon them during slavery．④
Despite the passing of more than 300 years，the numerous contributions of African-Americans to society，the passing of the Civil Rights Act，and continued efforts to eliminate institutional racism，many imyths and stereotypes still form the basis for racism and prejudice against people of African descent．
Myths and stereotypes exist not only for African-Americans but also for many other American ethnic and racial groups such as Jewlsh-Americans，Italian-Americans，Asian-Americans，Mexican-Americans and Puerto Rican-Americans．Myths and stereotypes cannot be ignored．They form the very basis of racism and prejudice and affect how children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds relate to one another．
Prej udiced children have a selbimposed limitation on their educational，social and political development．Prej udice interferes with the learning and development of healthy relationships and can lead to psychological，social or physical harm to others．In essence，the effects of racism and prejudice on children affect both individual and societal potential，thus limiting us all．[354 words]
1．The sharp increase of Hispanic and Asian immigrants to the U．S．is given to show______.
A．the prevalence of racial and ethnic diversity in the u．s．
B．the potential change of the complexion of American people
C．the overwhelming appeal of the U．S．for Hispanics and Asians
D．the primary reason for the expansion of the American population
2．It can be inferred from the text that______．
A．racism justifies the prejudice against immigrants
B．African-Americans are still treated unfairly in the U．S．
C．children racially different rarely study in the same school
D．people with racial diversity are living harmoniously in the U．S．
3．Which of the following can be thought of as an example of myths and stereotypes?
A．America has always been a nation of racial and ethnic diversity．
B．During slavery most Africans were treated harshly by white colonists．
C．African-Americans are particularly victimized by racism and prej udice．
D．Africa was once a dark place，where lived only savages who were to be saved．
4．Which of the following can account for racism and prejudice against African-American children?
A．The numerous contributions of African-Americans to America．
B．The still existing myths and stereotypes for African-Americans．
C．The indignity and harsh treatment imposed upon them in daily life．
D．The persistent efforts to eliminate racism and prej udice institutionally．
5．The text is chiefly about______．
A．the effects of racism and prej udice on children
B．the basis for racism and prej udice against Africans
C．the myths and stereotypes about African-Americans
D．the trend toward racial and ethnic diversity in America
Because of the dramatic change in America’s population，it is likely that when children go to school， the mall or the park，they will meet children who are racially or culturally different．These differences may be visible in skin color，hair texture，dress or some combination of these or other characteristics． Unfortunately，racism and prej udice tOO often influence how children relate to people they view as different．
Racism and prejudice are based on exaggerated myths and stereotypes．African-Americans，for instance，are particularly victimized by racism and prejudice．During the time of slavery，many white Americans considered Africa the“dark continent”．inhabited by savages who needed rescued from their wicked ways by Christians．③These types of myths and stereotypes formed the basis for racism and prejudice against Africans and served to justify the indignity and harsh treatment imposed upon them during slavery．④
Despite the passing of more than 300 years，the numerous contributions of African-Americans to society，the passing of the Civil Rights Act，and continued efforts to eliminate institutional racism，many imyths and stereotypes still form the basis for racism and prejudice against people of African descent．
Myths and stereotypes exist not only for African-Americans but also for many other American ethnic and racial groups such as Jewlsh-Americans，Italian-Americans，Asian-Americans，Mexican-Americans and Puerto Rican-Americans．Myths and stereotypes cannot be ignored．They form the very basis of racism and prejudice and affect how children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds relate to one another．
Prej udiced children have a selbimposed limitation on their educational，social and political development．Prej udice interferes with the learning and development of healthy relationships and can lead to psychological，social or physical harm to others．In essence，the effects of racism and prejudice on children affect both individual and societal potential，thus limiting us all．[354 words]
1．The sharp increase of Hispanic and Asian immigrants to the U．S．is given to show______.
A．the prevalence of racial and ethnic diversity in the u．s．
B．the potential change of the complexion of American people
C．the overwhelming appeal of the U．S．for Hispanics and Asians
D．the primary reason for the expansion of the American population
2．It can be inferred from the text that______．
A．racism justifies the prejudice against immigrants
B．African-Americans are still treated unfairly in the U．S．
C．children racially different rarely study in the same school
D．people with racial diversity are living harmoniously in the U．S．
3．Which of the following can be thought of as an example of myths and stereotypes?
A．America has always been a nation of racial and ethnic diversity．
B．During slavery most Africans were treated harshly by white colonists．
C．African-Americans are particularly victimized by racism and prej udice．
D．Africa was once a dark place，where lived only savages who were to be saved．
4．Which of the following can account for racism and prejudice against African-American children?
A．The numerous contributions of African-Americans to America．
B．The still existing myths and stereotypes for African-Americans．
C．The indignity and harsh treatment imposed upon them in daily life．
D．The persistent efforts to eliminate racism and prej udice institutionally．
5．The text is chiefly about______．
A．the effects of racism and prej udice on children
B．the basis for racism and prej udice against Africans
C．the myths and stereotypes about African-Americans
D．the trend toward racial and ethnic diversity in America