Question

    We know it’s good to learn another language，and it’s fun too. But to improve our language skills, many of us have to endure hours of school lessons or evening classes, with our heads buried in textbooks. It’s no wonder that technology appears to be providing a better and more accessible way of learning.

There is certainly a huge demand for language learning, and having a smart phone means you can have a virtual teacher with you wherever you go. Many app developers are keen to earn money on the demand, and there are numerous learning apps available.

Some educational apps offer languages not popular enough to be taught at evening classes, or at most universities. And others offer “invented” language courses in Esperanto, Elvish and Star Trek’s Klingon — lessons you might not find in a traditional classroom. Whatever you want to learn, apps allow you to go at your own pace and fit learning around other tasks. But they’re not perfect — you might not get your head round the grammar and will lack the partner support you could get in a classroom environment.

So, does technology imply the end of traditional classrooms and teachers? Guy Baron, head of modern languages at Aberystwyth University, thinks not. He thought that apps should be used alongside traditional classroom methods. And he adds: “The apps are not formal. . . they’re not designed for degrees, but they could be additional resources.”

Certainly, technology is going to help in and outside the classroom. But attending a real lesson, facing a real teacher, probably forces you to be more devoted. Motivation can be a problem when using an app. But if you have a genuine and practical reason to learn another language, you will no doubt stick with it.

1.What is the benefit of language learning apps?

A.You can learn with a partner.

B.You needn’t pay any money.

C.They provide grammar lessons.

D.They meet your personal demands.

2.What do the underlined words refer to in Paragraph 3?

A.Languages. B.Learning apps.

C.Universities. D.Teachers.

3.What is Guy Baron’s opinion about the learning apps?

A.They are of no help to learners.

B.They will replace traditional teaching.

C.They provide the most effective resources.

D.They should be combined with classroom methods.

4.Which does the author think is important in using the learning apps?

A.The instructor. B.Confidence.

C.The classroom. D.Motivation.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章对语言学习软件的好处、坏处和人们的态度等进行了介绍。

1.

细节理解题。根据“There is certainly a huge demand for language learning, and having a smart phone means you can have a virtual teacher with you wherever you go. Many app developers are keen to earn money on the demand”可知，人们对语言学习有很大的需求，拥有一部智能手机就意味着人们无论去哪里都有一个虚拟老师，很多软件开发者都热衷于在此需求上赚钱，所以语言学习软件的好处在于可以满足个人需求，故选D。

2.

词句猜测题。根据“And others offer “invented” language courses in Esperanto, Elvish and Star Trek’s Klingon — lessons you might not find in a traditional classroom.”可知，“Esperanto, Elvish and Star Trek’s Klingon”是在传统课堂中看不到的课程，破折号表示解释说明，故划线部分是指语言学习课程，故选A。

3.

细节理解题。根据“He thought that apps should be used alongside traditional classroom methods.”可知，他认为语言学习软件应该和传统教室方法一起使用，故选D。

4.

细节理解题。根据“Motivation can be a problem when using an app.”可知，动力会成为使用语言学习软件的最大问题，所以动力是最重要的，故选D。