In ancient times the most important examinations were spoken, not written. In the schools of ancient Greece and Rome, testing usually consisted of saying poetry aloud or giving speeches. In the European universities of the Middle Ages, students who were working for advanced degrees had to discuss questions in their field of study with people who had made a special study of the subject. This custom exists today as part of the process of testing candidates for the doctor's degree. Generally, however, modern examinations are written. The written examination, where all students are tested on the same question, was probably not known until the nineteenth century. Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population and the development of modern industry. A room full of candidates for a state examination, timed exactly by electric clocks and carefully watched over by managers, resembles a group of workers at an automobile factory. Generally, during examinations teachers and students are expected to act like machines. One type of test is sometimes called an "objective" test. It is intended to deal with facts, not personal opinions. To make up an objective test the teacher writes a series of questions, each of which has only one correct answer. Along with each question the teacher writes the correct answer and also three statements that look like correct answers to students who have not learned the material properly.
单选题
In the Middle Ages students______
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】答案依据第一段第一句话In ancient times the most important examinations were spoken，not written．即“在古代，最重要的考试都是口试，没有笔试。”所以D项在中世纪学生们“从来不参加笔试”正确。
【答案解析】答案依据文章第三段：The written examination…was…not known until the nineteenth century．Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population andthe development of modern industry．“可能性是由于人口的增加和现代工业的发展，笔试19世纪才为大家所知。”因此选B项。