Dear Daniel，

    I feel that I've grown up and should make my own decisions， but my parents disagree． My mom still helps me choose what clothes to wear． My dad asks me to pay attention only to study． I know they do this out of love， but I feel controlled． What should I do？

Amanda

    Dear Amanda，

    Your parents sound very strict． It's hard to believe that your mom chooses what you wear． Are you a Barbie doll？

    Try to take the first step when possible． Dress yourself before your mother has a chance to come in and choose your clothes． If she asks you to change， tell her you'll be late for school．

    You should also talk to her． Ask about her choices： What makes a set of clothes acceptable or unacceptable？ Tell her you will follow her rules， but you want to make the choices． You are not in first grade．You are a young lady in high school．

    As for your father， it's difficult to argue with his mind． After all， he is not totally wrong． How strict is he？ Does he lock you up with your textbooks？ Are you allowed to have a hobby？Are you allowed to have a smartphone？ Are you allowed to hang out with friends？

    Such strict parents should know the law of diminishing returns （收益递减）． A weightlifter，for example， can only lift for an hour or two each day． If she docs more，her muscles will not become stronger．She will just get tired． She may even hurt herself!

    Our brains also have limits． Some violin teachers say you should only practice a new skill for 15 minutes each day． Our brains need to relax and understand new information． Our brains also have a basic need to socialize （社交）． Ask your father： what is the meaning of so much studying if it makes you feel unhappy？

    Stay strong．

Daniel

（1）Why did Amanda write the letter？　　

A． To ask for some advice．

B． To fight against her parents．

C． To talk about her family rules．

D． To make friends with Daniel．

（2）Daniel finds it　　 that the mother decides on Amanda's clothes．

A． boring

B． important

C． unbelievable

D． funny

（3）The underlined word "limits"means "　　"in Chinese．

A．猜想

B．极限

C．决断

D．潜力

（4）The examples of "weightlifter" and "violin teachers" tell the parents　　．

A． to give the kids more praise

B． to hang out with the kids

C． not to protect the kids too much

D． not to push the kids so hard