Question

    Language learning apps are very popular now and offer opportunities to learn vocabulary and practice grammar. But there has been a discussion about just how effective such apps can be.

Among the most popular apps are Duolingo and Busuu. A former research found positive results on the use of them. But it mainly concentrated on studies with learners who had signed up for language courses and these apps worked as an after-class support, so the results were not always reliable. A recent study of 4,095 Busuu users has been carried out to find out if users can actually learn a language with an app.

Busuu provides learning materials for 12 different languages. It offers special models where some contents are ready for use for free while some contents are not. We find that its users are an even mix of men and women. More than half consider themselves to be at the beginner level because there is a reduction in users as their language levels go up. Most people use the app because of personal interest, or because they want to study or live abroad. Female users are likely to use it less often but for longer periods of time than male users.

Feedback in the app is highly thought of. More than 92% of the users say that the app has met their expectations and 86% consider the app as very good or good. In fact, more than 80% of the users surveyed strongly agree that using the app has helped them improve their knowledge of the language they are learning.

Besides, language learning apps also create an environment where mistakes are only known to the users, and this can address the performance nervousness that many learners suffer from when asked to speak a foreign language. So language teachers should encourage their students to use them to do the grammar work, leaving precious class time for more language communication.

1.What's the reason why the results of the former research weren't always reliable?

A.It only considered users of a limited kind.

B.It just focused on positive results.

C.It was only carried out before class.

D.It used out-of-date methods.

2.What can we learn about the app Busuu from the text?

A.It's used by more advanced learners.

B.. All the contents are free to use.

C.Most users consider it satisfying.

D.It's more popular with female learners.

3.The underlined word"address"in the last paragraph can be replaced by_____.

A.cause B.solve

C.increase D.practice

4.What is the main idea of the text?

A.Language learning apps are very popular with most language teachers.

B.Students won't suffer nervousness in learning languages by using Busuu.

C.Language learning apps are effective and satisfactory to language learners.

D.Students should be required to use apps for homework after class.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述语言学习应用程序的功能和作用，即对语言学习者积极、有效，让大部分用户感到满意。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段第三句“But it mainly concentrated on studies with learners who had signed up for language courses and these apps worked as an after-class support, so the results were not always reliable.”可知，它只关注已报名参加语言课程的学习者，并且只是作为课后的一种辅助，因此结果并不是都可靠。A项“它只考虑到有限的用户”符合题意。故选A项。

2.

推理判断题。根据第四段最后两句“More than 92% of the users say that the app has met their expectations and 86% consider the app as very good or good. In fact, more than 80% of the users surveyed strongly agree that using the app has helped them improve their knowledge of the language they are learning.”（超过92%的用户表示这款应用满足了他们的期望，86%的用户认为这款应用非常好或不错。事实上，超过80%的受访用户强烈认为，使用这款应用帮助他们提高了正在学习的语言知识。）由此可知，大部分用户对这款应用程序感到满意。故选C项。

3.

词义猜测题。根据前一个分句“Besides, language learning apps also create an environment where mistakes are only known to the users”可知，语言学习应用程序创造了一个只有用户知道自己错误的环境，这可以解决学习者被要求说外语时所遭受的紧张表现，由宾语“the performance nervousness that many learners suffer from”并结合语境可推知，address意为“解决”。故选B项。

4.

主旨大意题。通读文章可知，文章第一段点明了全文的主题，又结合文章的具体内容可知，本文主要讲述语言学习应用程序的功能和作用，即对语言学习者积极、有效，让大部分用户感到满意。故选C项。