Question

    Definition of adult learning vary, but according to the European Commission, it is defined as all forms of learning undertaken by adults after having left initial education and training, however far this process may have gone.

Education and training are important factors in achieving the strategic goal of raising economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion. However, with some expectations, implementation(实现，履行) remains weak. Most education and training system still largely focus on the education and training of young people and limited progress has been made in changing systems to mirror the need for learning throughout the life span. An additional 4 million adults would need to participate in lifelong learning. Recent research confirms the importance of investing in adult learning. Research on older adults indicates that those who engage in learning are healthier, with a consequent decrease in health care costs.

Europe’s key economic challenge is to raise its growth and employment performance while preserving social cohesion(凝聚力). Rapid progress in other regions(地区) of the world shows the importance of innovative (创新的), advanced and quality education and training as a key factor in economic competitiveness. General levels of competence must increase, both to meet the needs of the employment market and to allow citizens to function well in society.

Europe is facing unheard-of demographic changes that will have a major impact on society and on the economy and consequently on education and training provision and needs. The European population is aging: over the next 30 years the number of younger Europeans(up to 24 years old)will fall by 15%. One in three Europeans will be over 60 years old, and  about one in then will be over 80.

Raising the overall level of skills of the adult population by offering more and better learning opportunities throughout adult life is important for both efficiency and equity reasons given the challenges identified above. Not only does adult learning help make adults more efficient workers and, better-informed and more active citizens, it also contributes to their personal well-being.

1.What dose the author say about adult learning?

A.It reduces health care costs greatly.

B.The young need take it seriously.

C.It hasn’t been given enough attentions.

D.More adults have realized its importance.

2.What must we do to do well in today’s society ?

A.Upgrade(提高) general levels of our abilities

B.Face various challenges bravely.

C.Copy what other regions have done.

D.Be sensitive to the labour market.

3.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A.Change in the education system B.Changes in the job market

C.Changes in the population D.Changed in society

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了欧洲的成人教育的现状和存在的问题，并指出为成人提供更多的学习机会有助于提高他们的幸福感以及应对人口老龄化带来的挑战。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段中的“However, with some expectations, implementation(实现，履行) remains weak. Most education and training system still largely focus on the education and training of young people and limited progress has been made in changing systems to mirror the need for learning throughout the life span. An additional 4 million adults would need to participate in lifelong learning.”可知，然而，在一些情况下，执行力仍然很弱，大多数教育和培训系统仍然主要侧重于年轻人的教育和培训，在改变反映终身学习需要的制度方面取得的进展有限，另外仍有400万成年人需要参与终身学习的教育和培训项目，也就是说，作者认为成人学习并没有得到足够的重视，故C项正确。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的“General levels of competence must increase, both to meet the needs of the employment market and to allow citizens to function well in society.”可知，为了满足就业市场的需要，并使公民在社会中发挥良好作用，必须提高综合能力水平，也就是说，在当今社会，我们应该提高综合能力水平以更好地发挥作用（服务社会），故A项正确。

3.

词义猜测题。根据画线词后的“The European population is aging: over the next 30 years the number of younger Europeans(up to 24 years old)will fall by 15%. One in three Europeans will be over 60 years old, and about one in ten will be over 80.”可知，欧洲人口正在老龄化：在未来30年内，在欧洲，24岁以下的年轻人的数量将下降15%，三分之一将超过60岁，十分之一将超过80岁，这说明欧洲正面临前所未有的人口变化，由此可知画线词词义为“人口变化”，故C项正确。