Question

    A pen has always been an important tool when we are taking exams. However, in the digital age, this traditional tool may become a thing of the past. Cambridge University in Britain is considering ending 800 years of written exams and allowing students to use laptops or iPads to take exams instead. The move comes after Cambridge teachers complained (抱怨) that students' handwriting is becoming too hard to recognize. The fall in writing clearly depends on laptops in lessons and elsewhere.

As a result, more and more students with poor handwriting are being forced to return to university during the summer holidays to read their answers aloud to their teachers. However, some criticized (批评) the move, fearing the handwritten word would become a lost art.

Tracey Trussell, a handwriting expert, asked Cambridge to ''make sure that students continue to write by hand, particularly in lessons''. She told The Telegraph that writing by hand could help students improve their memory and understand lessons better.

The move also draws the attention of Harvard professor Eric Mazur. He believes that the rise of mobile internet use means that we live in an age in which we don't need to remember anything.

So he encourages students to bring their laptops and mobile phones into exams. With them, students can ''look up whatever they want, whenever they want'' and be tested on their productive skills, rather than the ability of memory.

1.Why is Cambridge University considering ending written exams?

A.Because students' handwriting is too poor.

B.Because we are already in the digital age.

C.Because traditional tools are out of date.

D.Because writing on laptops is faster.

2.What does the underlined part in the 2^nd paragraph refer to?

A.Bringing mobile phones into exams.

B.Students' returning to university.

C.The rise of mobile internet use.

D.The end of written exams.

3.What is Tracey Trussells' attitude to students' writing by hand?

A.Unfavorable. B.Uncaring.

C.Supportive. D.Doubtful.

4.Which is true according to Professor Eric Mazur?

A.Mobile internet use is bad.

B.Students should write by hand.

C.The ability of memory is important.

D.Students can use mobile phones in exams.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。因为学生的书写很糟糕，剑桥大学结束了有800年历史的书面考试，允许学生用笔记本电脑或平板参加考试。针对剑桥的这一举措，一些专家发表了他们自己的看法。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段的The move comes after Cambridge teachers complained (抱怨) that students' handwriting is becoming too hard to recognize.可知，剑桥大学取消书面考试，是因为学生的书写很差，很难辨认。A. Because students' handwriting is too poor.(因为学生的书写太糟糕的)符合以上说法，故选A项。

2.

词义猜测题。结合上下文可知，划线部分指代的上文提到的Cambridge University in Britain is considering ending 800 years of written exams and allowing students to use laptops or iPads to take exams instead. (英国的剑桥大学考虑结束有800年历史的书面考生，允许学生用笔记本电脑和平板参加考试)剑桥大学结束书面考试的行动。D. The end of written exams.(结束书面考生)符合以上说法，故选D项。

3.

推理判断题。根据第三段的She told The Telegraph that writing by hand could help students improve their memory and understand lessons better.(她告诉《每日电讯》，手写可以帮助学生提高记忆能力，更好的理解课程)可推测，Tracey Trussell 对学生手写持支持的态度。C. Supportive.(支持的)符合以上推测，故选C项。

4.

细节理解题。根据最后一段的So he encourages students to bring their laptops and mobile phones into exams. (因此，他鼓励学生把笔记本电脑和手机带到考场)可知，Eric Mazur 教授认为学生可以把笔记本电脑和移动手机带到考场。D. Students can use mobile phones in exams.(学生可以在考场使用移动手机)符合以上说法，故选D项。