Question

    For some people, higher education is not just a goal in life, but also an expectation. In the United States, if your parents attended a college or university, there is a good chance that you will, too. Even if your parents did not go to college, you still have a good chance of completing higher education if your family is wealthy.

But your chances are reduced if you come from a needy family, a community with limited educational resources or you simply have no one to follow as an example.

Helping those in need is one of the main ideas behind a strategy of behavioral science called nudge(轻推）theory or nudging. Nudging is a way of changing people’s behavior through indirect suggestion and by supporting positive actions.

A growing number of U.S. colleges and universities look to nudging as way to support poor, minority and first-generation students. They also are using it to increase overall graduation rates. Two common forms of nudging are emails to students and text messages to their mobile phones. Schools and other educational organizations keep in contact with students this way, offering advice and help when needed.

However, Alejandra Acosta---a higher education policy expert at New America notes that there are several qualities a nudge campaign must possess in order to be successful.

Acosta says messages must be timely, meaning they reach college students well before the date by which a student is required to take action. Additionally, nudges should be written clearly and provide as much information as possible. If students start to struggle in class, school officials should not just message them, saying they should seek academic support. The message should give information about what kinds of support the college or university offers and exactly how the student can make use of them. That is why nudges should possess interactive qualities, Acosta says. For example, students should be able to ask questions of school officials or be directed to a website for more information. In addition, colleges and universities must ensure their support services are in place and working as best they can.

When nudges work, they can do a lot of good. In 2018,a nonprofit group launched a nudging campaign at four U.S. community colleges. They worked with nearly 10,000 first-year students at three such colleges in Ohio and one in Virginia. A recent study found that older and minority students who agreed to receive these nudges were 16 to 20 percent more likely to continue into their second year than those who did not.

1.Who is most likely to receive and complete higher education according to the passage?

A.Tony, whose father is the only bread-winner in the family.

B.Jimmy, whose mother is a worker in a small factory.

C.Betty, whose grandmother is a housemaid of a famous university professor.

D.Cathy, whose parents failed to attend college but succeeded in starting a big company.

2.What can we know about nudging?

A.It is rooted in psychological science.

B.It is a way to improve people’s mind.

C.It offers useful and direct advice in time.

D.It helps students via emails and text messages.

3.What is the passage mainly talking about?

A.The problem with higher education.

B.A way for colleges to support students.

C.The popularity of nudging campaign.

D.A national campaign dealing with poverty.

4.Which of the following messages can be employed by nudging?

A.You are supposed to talk to your consultant about your English literature. If not, you are likely to fail the course. Do it as soon as possible.

B.Your performance in English literature is not good. It will be a good idea if you can share your difficulty with your classmates.

C.Dr. Smith is a professor in English literature. He is available every Thursday afternoon from 3 pm to 6 pm. Call 210-432-67 to make an appointment.

D.Do you need any assistance in English literature? If so, we can make an appointment with Dr. Smith for you. It is free of charge.

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.B

4.C

【解析】

本文是说明文。文章讲述了美国发起“助推运动”帮助接受高等教育存在困难的人以及“助推运动”要取得成功必须具备的因素。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Even if your parents did not go to college, you still have a good chance of completing higher education if your family is wealthy.”可知，即使你的父母没有上过大学，如果你的家庭富有，你仍然有很大的机会完成高等教育。结合选项可知，Cathy的父母虽然没有上大学，但是经营着一家大公司，家庭比较富裕，因此Cathy接受并完成高等教育的可能性最大。故选D项。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段的“Two common forms of nudging are emails to students and text messages to their mobile phones.”可知，两种常见的助推形式是发给学生的电子邮件和发给他们手机的短信。由此可知，这种“助推运动”是通过给学生发电子邮件和发手机短信的形式帮助学生的。故选D项。

3.主旨大意题。文章从有些接受高等教育的人存在困难的现象引出“助推运动”这一帮助高校学生的方法，并提出“助推运动”要取得成功，必须具备若干因素。因此文章是介绍高校帮助学生的一个方法，即“助推运动”。故选B项。

4.推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“Acosta says messages must be timely, meaning they reach college students well before the date by which a student is required to take action. Additionally, nudges should be written clearly and provide as much information as possible. If students start to struggle in class, school officials should not just message them, saying they should seek academic support. The message should give information about what kinds of support the college or university offers and exactly how the student can make use of them. That is why nudges should possess interactive qualities, Acosta says. For example, students should be able to ask questions of school officials or be directed to a website for more information. In addition, colleges and universities must ensure their support services are in place and working as best they can.”可知，Acosta说助推运动的消息必须及时，这意味着它们要在要求采取行动的日期之前很早就到达大学生。此外，推文应该写清楚并提供尽可能多的信息。如果学生开始在课堂上遇到困难，学校官员们不仅仅是向他们发送信息，还要告诉他们应该寻求学术支持。该信息还应该提供有关学院或大学提供何种支持以及学生将如何利用它们的确切信息。即“助推运动”应该具有互动性。例如，学生应该能够问学校官员问题或直接到网站获取更多信息。此外，学院和大学必须确保他们的支持服务到位并尽其所能做好服务。由此判断出，C项（Smith博士是英国文学教授，每周四下午3点至6点有空，请致电210-432-67进行预约。）可以通过助推来使用。故选C。