Question

The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）after figures showed a drop of more than 6% in student applications with less than a month to go before the deadline for 2013 applications.
Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed there were 265,784 university applications by UK-based candidates up to 17 December, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before. While this is less than the 8.4% year-on-urea fall seen in earlier Ucas figures, released in mid-November, the coming January deadline makes it ever more likely that the total 2013 applicant figure will see a second sizeable fall following the introduction of annual fees of up to ￡9,000.
Nicola Dandridge, the chairman of Universities UK, said : “However, we must be concerned about any drops in the numbers applying to university and in particular, we must look closely at how the increase in graduate contributions in England may be affecting the decisions of promising students. However ,the December figures show a drop in numbers across the UK, suggesting that it is not only a question of tuition fees in England putting off from applying.”
A report of the Uncas figures to mid-December shows a 6.5% fall for applicants in England and 11.7% for those in Wales, with smaller drops of 3.9% for Scotland and 0.5% for Northern Ireland. Scottish students at home institutions pay on fees, while those from Northern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.
Dandridge added: “No one should be put off applying to university because of worries about finance.”
“It is important that no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the student support available to them. Most new students don’t need to pay directly. There will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs.”

1. 1.
   A drop of more than 6% for 2013 applications is probably the effect of        
   1. A.
      the increased tuition fees
   2. B.
      the approaching deadline
   3. C.
      the concern from applicants
   4. D.
      the difficulties with applications
2. 2.
   Compared with the previous year, the fall in student applications is         
   1. A.
      3.9%
   2. B.
      6%
   3. C.
      6.3%
   4. D.
      8.4%
3. 3.
   Why is the fall for application the smallest in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
   1. A.
      Because they have more financial support
   2. B.
      Because the tuition is much cheaper for them
   3. C.
      Because the education is better there
   4. D.
      Because the universities are free for them
4. 4.
   Which of the following is true?
   1. A.
      The application for universities is on a rise continuously
   2. B.
      The fall for applications is due to family problems
   3. C.
      The education in Scotland and Northern Ireland is worse
   4. D.
      The rise of tuition fees has an effect on applications
5. 5.
   The last paragraph tells us that        
   1. A.
      everyone should apply to university
   2. B.
      students may get financial supports
   3. C.
      lower loan repayments is unavailable
   4. D.
      most new students will not pay fees

Answer 1

ACBDB
试题分析：本文主要报道了英国大学学费的上涨导致高中生申请读大学的数量在下降。
1.A 细节题。根据文章第一段前两行The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）说明主要是受学费上涨的影响，故A正确。
2.C 细节题。根据第二段前三行Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed there were 265,784 university applications by UK-based candidates up to 17 December, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before.说明下降的数据是6.3%，说明C项正确。
3.B 推理题。根据文章倒数第三段A report of the Uncas figures to mid-December shows a 6.5% fall for applicants in England and 11.7% for those in Wales, with smaller drops of 3.9% for Scotland and 0.5% for Northern Ireland. Scottish students at home institutions pay on fees, while those from Northern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.中的have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.以及第三段中的the total 2013 applicant figure will see a second sizeable fall following the introduction of annual fees of up to ￡9,000.说明这两个地方的学费比英格兰要低了很多，这是主要的原因。故B正确。
4.D 主旨大意题。本题的解析同第一题。根据文章主题段第一段说明学费的上升是导致学生大学申请减少的主要原因。故D项正确。
5.B 细节题。根据文章最后三行There will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs.”说明这些贫穷的学生可以获得经济支持而完成他们的学业。故B正确。
考点：考查新闻报告类短文阅读
点评：本文主要报道了英国大学学费的上涨导致高中生申请读大学的数量在下降。要求考生在阅读理解整体语篇的基础上，把握文章的真正内涵。要吃透文章的字面意思，从字里行间捕捉有用的提示和线索，这是推理的前提和基础;要对文字的表面信息进行挖掘加工，由表入里，由浅入深，从具体到抽象，从非凡到一般，通过分析、综合、判定等，进行深层处理，符合逻辑地推理。不能就是论事，断章取义，以偏概全。要忠实于原文，以文章提供的事实和线索为依据。