Looking to improve your language skills, but you don't have the time to go abroad to attend school? More and more universities around the world are offering opportunities for students to get degrees online (distance education) from the comfort of their own homes, and many of these colleges and universities are accredited (官方认可的), meaning that they have met certain standards of excellence. If you decide to take language courses online (or any subject for that matter), be sure there are advantages in studying online. Its costs are usually lower, and you can study at your own pace (节奏), and you can easily get the materials 24 hours a day from almost any computer in the world. However, you won't get the human interaction (互动) of meeting people face to face, as you would if you were attending a school abroad in person. On the other hand, the advantages of going abroad may include day-to-day chances to learn a new culture, to meet new friends with whom you can use and practice the language, and to see different parts of the world. However, there may be a number of disadvantages for some students, including high costs, time away from one's school, family, or work life, and difficulty in getting used to a new culture and way of life. Whatever you do, consider a distance education program that meets your educational needs, is what you can afford, and equally important, provides you with chances to grow beyond the classroom through cultural and educational activities.
单选题
What is the purpose of the author in writing the text?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】解析：主旨题。题干意为“作者写这篇文章的目的是什么?”文章首句提出问题Looking to improve your language skills，but you don't have the time to go abroad to attend school?想提高你的语言水平，却没有时间去国外上课?接着讲述了新的学习方式——网络课程。第二、三段分别讲述了网络课程和去国外上学的优缺点。通过这些可以推断本文的目的是给那些不能去国外上学的人介绍一种网络课程。故D为正确答案。
单选题
What is the disadvantage of studying a language online?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】解析：细节题。题干意为“网上学习一种语言的缺点是什么?”根据第二段最后一句“However，you won't get the human interaction of meeting people face to face，as you would if you were attending a school abroad in person”可知，通过网络学习一种语言我们不能像上课那样和人们面对面地互动。故B为正确答案。
单选题
The third paragraph mainly discusses the good and bad things about_____.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】解析：细节题。题干意为“第三段主要讨论了______的优点和缺点。”根据第三段第一句“On the other hand，the advantages of going abroad may…”和第二句However，there may be a number of disadvantages for some students．．．”可知，本段主要讨论了出国学习的优缺点。故A为正确答案。