Online education is becoming a popular learning choice to traditional colleges. Most colleges offer online programs in various fields and levels, which allows students to go on with their education over the Internet. Students must keep in mind that the college they wish to apply to must be approved by a related recognized organization.
So who can really benefit from an online program? Well, anybody, and everybody! Online programs can turn out to be a pocket-friendly choice to a traditional college for many people. Here’s a list of people who usually consider joining in an online degree program;
l Stay-at-home parents. Online education is perfect choice for stay-at-home parents and those who have very young kids. Online classes give them the flexibility to complete or further their education while looking after home and family and without worrying about childcare.
l Working professionals who want to further their education but travel a lot or have extremely busy schedules, as well as those who want to make a career change but do not have the time to enroll in a full-time degree program.
l People who cannot commute(乘车上下班)to a college campus.
l Shy students who might feel embarrassed among a group of people and prefer to study by themselves and at their own pace.
l People who want to save money. Online programs can turn out to be more cost-effective than attending a physical classroom.
l People who do not get distracted (分心的)easily — something many people overlook when considering online education. If you are someone who can easily ignore the ringing of a phone, stay away from TV, and resist all other things that may draw your attention, online programs are for you.
So do you think online education is for you? If you feel you belong to any of the above listed categories, then online education could work out very well for you.
【小题1】What should students consider when they apply to an online program?

Should students do the grading?

The Supreme Court says the practice doesn’t violate(侵犯) a student’s right to privacy, but is it right for students to grade one another?

Walter Potenza, California

The Supreme Court was absolutely correct to say it’s OK for students to grade one another’s homework, quizzes, and tests: in fact, it’s a great idea.

By grading one another’s papers and seeing the problems their classmates have, students double their exposure(暴露) to the troubles that they may meet on future exams and tests. Grading one another’s papers may be one of the best ways for students to reinforce within themselves the ways to master the most difficult parts of what they are learning.

Teachers are underappreciated and underpaid for the number of hours they have to work to be able to teach really well. Grading all their students’ papers can take hours. Some of that time and energy can be saved by spending a few minutes in class, while providing an extremely valuable learning experience.

I understand that some individuals are sensitive to their classmates seeing their work or grades. Any good teacher would be considerate of students who don’t want their classmates to grade their assignments.

Winston Smith, North Carolina

A girl moves back as her classmate announces her failing test grade and hands her the paper. The quiet classroom heats up.

With the increase in student grading over the past few years, scenes like this have become a bitter reality in schools across the nation. Teachers and schools should not advocate student grading and public announcement of grades because it provides a violation of privacy for students and causes unfair judgments and treatment by their classmates.

Since 1974, a law known as the Buckley Amendment has forbidden the release of education records in order to protect the privacy of students and their families. I strongly disagree with the Court’ s ruling that this law does not include student grading.

I can think of no greater violation of privacy than the exposure of one’s personal information to a group of peers(同龄人). This can be very embarrassing. Releasing this sort of personal information should be avoided, especially by institutions that seek to provide a supportive environment during essential years of human development.

1.The underlined word “reinforce” has the same meaning as “_________”.

A. change     B. imagine     C. strengthen       D. create

2.Walter Potenza suggests that ______________.

A. teachers should set aside some time to grade students’ papers

B. the Supreme Court should do more research on students grading

C. teachers should guide students on how to grade homework

D. teachers should be careful not to hurt those sensitive students

3.By mentioning the example of a girl, Winston Smith wants to ____________.

A. show her weak points

B. criticize the student grader

C. tell us she is not a good student

D. present the negative effect of student grading

4.What does Winston Smith seem to agree?

A. Student grading is not related to families’ privacy.

B. The Supreme Court should change its decision.

C. The Buckley Amendment doesn’t apply to student grading.

D. Student grading is OK, but not public announcement of grades.

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阅读下面的短文，然后按照要求写一篇150左右的英语短文。 
It was the end of my first day as a waitress in a busy New York restaurant. My cap had gone away, and my feet hurt. The loaded plates I carried seemed to be heavier and heavier. Tired and discouraged, I didn't seem able to do anything right. As I wrote out a check for a family with several children who had changed their ice-cream order a dozen times, I was ready to quit. Then the father smiled at me as he handed me my tip. “Well done”, he said, “you're looking after us really well.” Suddenly my tiredness disappeared. I smiled back, and later, when the manager asked me how I’d like my first day, I said, “Fine!” Those few words of praise had changed everything. Praise is like sunshine to the human spirit; no flower can grow without it. And yet, most of us are only too ready to apply to others the cold wind of criticism; we are unwilling to give our fellows the warm sunshine of praise. Why---when one word of praise can bring such benefit?
In fact, to give praise costs the giver nothing but a moment's thought and a moment's effort but will reward both the giver and the recipient（接受者） with a happy day. Let’s learn to give praise to people around us.
[写作内容]
1. 以约30个词概括短文的要点；
2. 然后以120个词就“The Power of Praise”为主题发表你的看法, 并包括如下要点：
1)  在你周围，人们对赞美的看法和做法；
2) 你的观点如何？你怎么做？举例说明赞美的力量。
[写作要求]
1. 可以使用自己的经历或听到的故事,可以参照阅读材料的内容, 但不得直接引用原文中的句子；
2. 标题已经给出。
[评分标准]
概括准确、语言规范、内容合适、篇章连贯。

BEIJING — China’s education authority will tighten the widely criticized policy of “extra credits” for the national college entrance examination to ensure a fairer chance for all exam-takers.

Under the policy, high school students who win awards in national Olympic competitions could get ‘‘extra credits’ up to 20 points for the national college entrance exam. Students with talent in sports and students who are from ethnic groups can also benefit from this policy. The extra credits have increased these students’ chances of being admitted by famous universities. Some parents were found to have helped their children fabricate(伪造)award experiences or falsify qualifications to get extra credits.

“It has harmed education equality，” the ministry said.

Xiong Bingqi, vice-chief of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the policy is designed to help students who have special talents but may be weak in academic performance to have a chance to receive higher education. uIt will still be needed but it is time to make the rules fairer," he said.

The ministry said it will reduce the range of competitions whose winners can get extra credits, and limit the winners, privileges(优先权).

The new policy will apply to students who begin high school in 2011, it said.

Chen Lei, a mother of a 10-year-old girl, said she welcomed the ministry's policy adjustment as she does not want her daughter to become an Olympic competition geek.

But not all the Chinese parents welcomed the new policy. “It is like a thunderbolt for me. My - 13-year-old son has spent so much time studying Olympic math，and participated in so many technological competitions during vacations. It is useless now,” said Dong Wen, a 43-year-old mother.

A student said, “Many students have changed the current study plan, and they can abandon the competition. I will be interested in learning the courses which can improve my abilities.”   

Yuan Guiren, minister of education, told China Daily that the reform is an attempt to consider  the overall quality of an applicant. “But the country will not stop the national college entrance  examination as it is still the most objective way to evaluate talent in China，” lie said.

1.It can be inferred from the passage that_____.

A．high school students with talent in sports are weak in academic performance

B．students who win awards in Olympic competitions can’t get extra credits in 2011

C．the number of competitions whose winners can get extra credits will be smaller

D．the extra credits have reduced students' chances of being admitted by famous colleges

2.What does the underlined word “geek” probably mean?

A．a winner          B．a smart learner     C．a competitor       D．a dull student

3.Which person in the passage was strongly against the new policy?

A．Xiong Bingqi       B．Chen Lei          C．Dong Wen         D．Yuan Guiren

4.What might be the best title for the text?

A．“Extra credits policy in China to be adjusted

B．Promotion of national Olympic competitions

C．Advice on the national college entrance exam

D．Chinese government to push education reform