单选题 Traditionally, universities have carried out two main activities: research and teaching. Many experts would argue that both these activities play a critical role in serving the community. The fundamental question, however, is how does the community want or need to be served?
In recent years universities have been coming under increasing pressure from both the governments and the public to ensure that they do not remain "ivory towers (象牙塔)" of study separated from the realities of everyday life. University teachers have been encouraged, and in some cases constrained (强逼), to provide more courses which produce graduates with the technical skills required for the commercial use. If Aristotle wanted to work in a university in the UK today, he would have a good chance of teaching computer science but would not be so readily employable as a philosopher.
A post-industrial society requires large numbers of computer programmers, engineers, managers and technicians to maintain and develop its economic growth but "man", as the Bible says, "does not live by bread alone." Apart from requiring medical and social services, which do not directly contribute to economic growth, the society should also value and enjoy literature, music and the arts. In these cost-conscious times, it has even been pointed out in justification for the funding of the arts that they can be useful money earners. A successful musical play, for instance, can contribute as much to the Gross National Product through tourist dollars as any other things.

单选题 What is the main idea of the passage?

单选题 According to the second paragraph, which of the following statements is TRUE?

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 根据第二段第一句“In recent years universities have been coming under increasing pressure from both the governments and the public to ensure that they do not remain "ivory towers" of study separated from the realities of everyday life. ”可知，近年来，大学受到了越来越多的来自政府和公众的压力。由此可推出，社会和公众对当前的大学教育是不满意的。故选A。

单选题 The author quoted Aristotle as an example in order to show that ______.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 根据第二段最后一句“If Aristotle wanted to work in a university in the UK today, he would have a good chance of teaching computer science but would not be so readily employable as a philosopher. ”可知，作者引用亚里士多德的例子是为了说明像哲学这种课程在当今的大学里可能不再受欢迎。故选B。

单选题 According to the passage, literature, music and the arts ______.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[解析] 根据最后一段最后两句“...that they can be useful money earners. A successful musical play, for instance, can contribute as much to the Gross National Product through tourist dollars as any other things. ”可知，文学、音乐和艺术等对经济增长也有贡献。故选C。