(2021·北京模拟)
Educators today are more and more often heard to say that computer literacy is absolutely necessary for college students. Many even argue that each incoming freshman should have his or her own microcomputer. What advantages do computers offer the college students?
Any student who has used a word processor will know one compelling reason to use a computer: to write papers. Although not all students feel comfortable composing on a word processor, most find revising and editing much easier on it. One can alter, insert, or delete just by pressing a few keys, thus eliminating the need to rewrite or re-type. Furthermore, since the revision process is less difficult, students are more likely to revise as often as is necessary to end up with the best paper possible. For these reasons, many freshman English courses require the use of a word processor.
Computers are also useful in the context of language courses, where they are used to drill students in basic skills. Software programs strengthen ESL(English as a Second Language ) instruction, as well as instruction in French, German, Spanish, and other languages. By using these programs on a regular basis, students can improve their skills in a language while proceeding at their own pace.
Science students take advantage of computers in many ways. Using computer graphic capabilities, for example, botany(植物学) students can represent and analyze different plant growth patterns. Medical students can learn to interpret computerized images of internal body structures. Physics students can complete complex calculations far more quickly than they could without the use of computer.
Similarly, business and accounting students find that computer spreadsheet programs are all but important to many aspects of their work, while students pursuing careers in graphic arts, marketing, and public relations find that knowledge of computer graphic is important. Education majors learn to develop grading systems using computers, while social science students use computers for analyzing and graphically displacing their research results.
It is no wonder, then, that educators support the purchase and use of microcomputers by students. A useful tool, the computer can help students learn. And that is, after all, the reason for going to college.
【文章大意】这是一篇说明文。文章首段中提到问题: 计算机给大学生提供哪些优势。接下来举例介绍: 计算机的文字处理器对学生写论文有帮助; 在语言课程中计算机帮助学生练习基本技能; 在有关科学、经管、教育的课程里都有帮助。
1. The word “literacy” (Paragraph 1) means ______.
A. the ability to read and write
B. the ability to use
C. literature
D. the knowledge of language
【解析】选 B。词义猜测题。literacy最基本的意思是the ability to read and write(读写能力), 但根据文章第一句话可知, 如今, 越来越多的教育工作者说, 对大学生来说, 计算机素养是绝对必要的。因此, 此处literacy引申为 “使用的能力”。故选B项。
2. According to the author, a word processor can be used to______.
A. revise papers
B. retype papers
C. reduce the psychological burden of writing papers
D. improve the writing skills of a student
【解析】选 A。细节理解题。根据第二段中的第二、三句可知, 虽然并非所有学生都喜欢在word文档里写东西, 但是大部分学生都发现在计算机上进行修改和编辑更加容易。只需按下几个键, 你就可以修改、插入或者删除, 无需重写或重新输入。可推知, word程序能帮助学生修改论文。故选A项。
3. According to the author, the reason for students to go to college is ______.
A. to learn something
B. to perfect themselves
C. to improve computer skills
D. to make the best use of computers
【解析】选 A。细节理解题。根据最后一段中的A useful tool, the computer can help students learn. And that is, after all, the reason for going to college. “作为一种多功能工具, 计算机能够帮助学生学习。毕竟, 这也就是读大学的原因。”可知上大学的终极目标也就是学习。故选A项。
4. The main purpose of this passage is to ______.
A. persuade the educators to increase computer use in their own classroom
B. analyze advantages and disadvantages of computer use among college students
C. identify some of the ways that computers benefit college students
D. describe how computers can be used to teach foreign languages
【解析】选 C。推理判断题。在第一段最后提出问题What advantages do computers offer the college students? “计算机能够给大学生带来什么好处呢? ”接着介绍了计算机的文字处理器对学生写论文有帮助; 在语言课程中计算机帮助学生练习基本技能; 在有关科学、经管、教育的课程里的帮助, 故C项(描述计算机使大学生受益的一些方式)为正确选项。B项也比较有迷惑性, 但文章并未提到disadvantages(劣势), 故排除。故选C项。
