Question

The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）after figures showed a drop of more than 6% in student applications with less than a month to go before the deadline for 2013 applications.
Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed there were 265,784 university applications by UK-based candiates up to 17 Decemeber, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before. While this is less than the 8.4% year-on-uear fall seen in earlier Ucas figures, released in mid-November, the coming January deadline makes it ever more likely that the total 2013 applicant figure will see a second sizeable fall following the introduction of annual fees of up to ￡9,000.
Nicola Dandridge, the chairman of Universities UK, said : “However, we must be concerned about any drops in the numbers applying to university and in particular, we must look closely at how the increase in graduate contributions in England may be affecting the decisions of promising students. However ,the December figures show a drop in numbers across the UK, suggesting that it is not only a question of tuition fees in England putting off from applying.”
A report of the Uncas figures to mid-December shows a 6.5% fall for applicants in England and 11.7% for those in Wales, with smaller drops of 3.9% for Scotland and 0.5% for Nortern Ireland. Scotiish students at home insitiutions pay on fees, while those from Nothern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.
Dandridge added: “No one should be put off applying to university because of worries about finance.”
“It is important that no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the student support available to them. Most new students don’t need to pay directly. There will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments thatn they do now once they are in well paid jobs.”

1. 1.
   A drop of more than 6% for 2013 applications is probably the effect of        
   1. A.
      the increased tuition fees
   2. B.
      the approaching deadline
   3. C.
      the concern from applicants
   4. D.
      the difficulties with applications
2. 2.
   Compared with the previous year, the fall in student applications is         
   1. A.
      3.9%
   2. B.
      6%
   3. C.
      6.3%
   4. D.
      8.4%
3. 3.
   Why is the fall for application the smallest in Soctoland and Northem lreland?
   1. A.
      Because they have more financial support
   2. B.
      Because the tuition is much cheaper for them
   3. C.
      Because the education is better there
   4. D.
      Because the universities are free for them
4. 4.
   Which of the following is true?
   1. A.
      The application for universities is on a rise continuously
   2. B.
      The fall for applications is due to family problems
   3. C.
      The education in Scotland and Northern Ireland is worse
   4. D.
      The rise of tuition fees has an effect on applications
5. 5.
   The last paragraph tells us that        
   1. A.
      everyone should apply to university
   2. B.
      students may get financial supports
   3. C.
      lower loan repayments is unavailable
   4. D.
      most new students will not pay fees

Answer 1

ACBDB
试题分析：本文报道了英国一个大学机构对2013以及近年来英国学生上大学申请人数逐年下降，并分析了下降的主要原因，同时也建议，学生应该上大学，并且可以寻求金融资助。
1.考查细节理解能力。理解文章第一段the potential effect of tuition fees可知选择答案A。
2.考查细节理解能力。根据文章第二段第一句话Data ...6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before.可知正确答案。
3.考查推理判断能力。根据第四段内容的简单推理可知那里的学费比较便宜。
4.考查推理判断能力。理解文章主旨可知申请上大学学生人数下降的原因是学费不不断上涨。
5.考查推理判断能力。理解文章最后一段可知学生应该上大学，并且可以寻求经济援助。
考点：新闻报导类文章。
点评：本文报道了2013以及近年来英国学生上大学申请人数逐年下降的主要原因，同时建议学生应该上大学，并且可以寻求金融资助。新闻类阅读要抓新闻发生的时间，地点，人物等要素，文章主要考查细节题和推理题。本文集中考查推理题，要求考生在阅读时体会字里行间的言外之意