Question

A study of English learning problems was carried out among a total of 106 foreign students. It shows that most students considered understanding spoken English to be their biggest problem on arrival. This was followed by speaking. Writing increased as a problem as students discovered difficulties in writing papers that they were now expected to hand in. Reading remained as a significant(显著的) problem.  

The information gained helped us in determining where special attention should be paid in our course. Although many students have chosen to join the course with a reasonable motivation(动机), we considered it important to note what seemed to encourage interest. Nearly all the students have experienced some kind of grammar-based English teaching in their own country. To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past. Therefore a different method may help because it is different.

Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining(保持) or increasing motivation. Several years ago we had one timetable that operated throughout, but we soon found that both the students and the teachers lost interest by about halfway through the ten weeks. This led us to a major re-think, so finally we brought it into line with the expressed language needs of the students.

What is the text mainly about?

A. Foreign students have more problems.

B. There are many ways to improve English.

C. Teaching should meet students’ needs.

D. English learning problems should be studied again.

Writing became a bigger problem when foreign students________.

A. had to write their papers

B. became better at speaking

C. became less interested in reading

D. had fewer problems with listening

We may infer from the last two paragraphs that ________.

A. different teaching methods should be used

B. grammar-based teaching seems to be encouraging

C. English courses are necessary for foreign students

D. teaching content should be changed halfway.

Answer 1

【小题1】C

【小题2】A

【小题3】A

解析:

【小题1】本题考查概括文章主旨大意的能力。第一段所列出的调查结果是为了引出要讨论的话题。第二段 “To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past. Therefore a different method may help because it is different.”和第三段第一句 “Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining(保持) or increasing motivation.”可判断C项正确。

【小题2】本题考查理解细节信息的能力。根据第一段第四句“Writing increased as a problem as students discovered difficulties in writing papers that they were now expected to hand in.”可知A项正确。

【小题3】本题考查根据文章细节信息进行推理判断的能力。结合第二段最后两句 “Nearly all the students have experienced some kind of grammar-based English teaching in their own country. To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past. Therefore a different method may help because it is different.”和第三段第一句 “Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining(保持) or increasing motivation”.可以推断出A项正确。D项的干扰性最大,第二段提到不宜采用语法教学法，第三段则说一成不变的时间表让师生感到厌烦，由此可知是教学方式而不是“内容”需要更新，因此可以排除D项。