Whether or not kids should get paid to do chores (家务活) has long been debated. Some parents think hard work deserves (值得) some money. Others believe chores mean being an active member of the family, not a payday.

▶Kerry Flatley

I have a 9-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. 【小题1】 This weekly payment, however, has nothing to do with their chores.

Doing chores is part of being a helpful member. 【小题2】 If kids decide the payment isn’t worth the effort of doing chores, what will happen? Parents can only let their kids stop doing chores or increase the amount of payment. That will be terrible.

▶John Crohn

【小题3】 I want to tell my kids that helping other people isn't always tied to money!

▶Shirley Pierce

My kids are still too young to do many chores. Once they are old enough, however, I plan to pay them for doing chores.

【小题4】 Doing “personal chores,” like making their own beds, won’t get paid. “Basic chores,” like doing the dishes, will result in a small “salary.” And they will be given a bit more money for “special chores,” like watering the plants and feeding the pet dogs.

▶Grace Murset

【小题5】 In the real world, work is always tied to money. I think we should prepare our kids for the real world.

Many people like to travel by plane, because it can save much time. But I don’t like it because an airport is usually far from the city. You have to get there early and wait for hours for the plane to take off and it is often late. You can’t open the windows. You can’t choose the food. Planes are fast, but they still take hours to get out of the airport and into the city.

I like traveling by train. I think trains are safe. Railway stations are usually in cities. When you are late for strain, you can take another one. You can walk around in the train and open the window. You can see many interesting things on your way. I know it takes a little more time.

I also like cars. You can start your trip when you want to, and you don’t need to get to a railway station or a bus stop. Also you can carry many things with you in a car. But sometimes there are too many cars on the road.

Populations of white-tailed deer（白尾鹿）are growing rapidly in many parts of the United States. As populations grow, food becomes a problem. Many deer die of hunger. Others grow up small and unhealthy. In search of food, hungry deer move closer to where humans live. They eat farm crops, vegetables and even trees. Besides, increased numbers of deer near roads can cause traffic accidents.

People admire the grace and fast speed of deer. Most people don't want these animals to be hungry and ill. Should people take action to control the growing deer populations?

*Should People Take Direct Action?

Many people think that hunting（打猎）is the best way to control the animal populations. Wildlife managers will see if there's enough food in an area and decide its carrying capacity（容量）. Then hunters with licenses are sent to help control the number of deer. Hunting is usually not allowed in cities or suburbs, however.

Some people have the idea to catch the deer and move them to other places. But this method is expensive and requires finding another place that can accept the deer without breaking the balance of ecosystem（生态系统）.

Scientists are also working to develop chemicals（化学药品）to control the birth rate（率）in deer populations. But this plan works for only one year at a time.

*Should People Take Indirect Action?

Some suggest bringing in natural enemies of deer, such as wolves, lions and bears, to areas with too many deer. But these animals could also hurt dogs, cats, and even humans. Other communities have built tall fences（篱笆）around areas to keep out the deer. However, this is impossible for farmers.

*Should People Do Nothing?

Some people are against any kind of action. They support leaving the deer alone. Animal populations in an area naturally go up and down over time. Doing nothing means that some deer will die of hunger or illness. But finally, the population will reach a size within the carrying capacity of the environment. So, let nature go its own way.