According to a new curriculum standard（課程標(biāo)準(zhǔn)）for labor education in compulsory（強制的；義務(wù)的）education made by the government，students in primary and middle schools have at least one course every week on basic household skills such as cooking.
    Cooking should be considered as art just like any other activity which requires skills and knowledge.It is often said that students are supposed to learn scientific facts as well as how to prepare meals.The following will explain why cooking should be taught in schools.

1.Cooking is an important skill in life.Schools are supposed to teach knowledge to the students so that they can lead successful independent lives when they are out of school.Also，they can step into the world knowing how to make a living. 2.Cooking helps discover future career.When schools offer cooking lessons，students will show an interest in it and might take cooking as a career.This will give them the chance to perfect their basic skills and be creative in the kitchen. 3.Cooking avoids wasting money.Students used to spend a lot of money on ready-made food，while in the real sense they can prepare a nice meal with less cost by buying the required ingredients.

Some students talk about their experience about the cooking classes.

Michael：By learning cooking skills like，I can learn how to take care of myself and live independently.For example，I can cook eggs while my parents are busy with their work.Some-times I can prepare meals for them. Linda：I made fried chicken by myself yesterday.First I mixed together some onions，salt and pepper.Next，I filled the chicken with the mix.Then，I put the chicken in a hot oven and cooked for a few minutes.Finally，I put the chicken on a plate and cut it into thin pieces.How delicious it was!

Cooking skills are much more useful than a lot of what is taught in schools，but it does require some fully equipped（配備齊全的）kitchens.I hope these classes will be good for students and not be seen as window dressing.

（1）What kind of activity is cooking？

Cooking is an important skill in life.

Cooking is an important skill in life.

（2）Why does cooking helps discover future career？

Cooking will give them the chance to perfect their basic skills and be creative in the kitchen.

Cooking will give them the chance to perfect their basic skills and be creative in the kitchen.

（3）What does cooking avoid？

Cooking avoids wasting money.

Cooking avoids wasting money.

（4）Who knows how to make fried chicken？

Linda.

Linda.

（5）What is the writer worried about when having cooking classes？

Be seen as window dressing.

Be seen as window dressing.

（6）What's your opinion of cooking classes？

I think cooking courses are very useful and can teach students how to make a living.

I think cooking courses are very useful and can teach students how to make a living.