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3) b

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4) a

Exercise 3 For reference

1) it appears that computers have made our life and work more convenient 2) meals prepared by either chefs or cooks can be equally delicious 3) have their idiosyncrasies

4) its crowdedness and inconvenience sometimes

UNIT 2

Listening and Speaking

1.

Although liberal arts colleges were 1) typically institutions created for wealthy white men in the early days of the American higher education system, there are 2) exceptions. For example, Smith College founded in 1871 was established in order to provide 3) the highest-quality undergraduate education for women”. The establishment of Smith College was primarily 4)a reaction to early prejudiced beliefs that 5) prohibited women from attending college. Liberal arts colleges today are a small but 6) well-regarded academic force in America which 7) seeksto create better people with a better balance of character through a broad range of study. Due to their 8) unique philosophy and teaching method, liberal arts colleges have over time become a unique part of the American education system. There are hundreds of liberal arts colleges available in the country, all of which are 9) dedicated to supporting a curriculum that wishes to create 10) well-rounded students. Text A

Reading Comprehension

1.

The students’ response 1. As the room filled with chattering voices, each one grew louder to compete with the clamor around them. Inference: The students were indifferent to the history class. 2. A soft murmur rippled across the room as students turned from side to side and whispered expressions of disbelief. Inference: The students doubted about the history teacher’s words. 3. The room grew still now. Inference: The students became serious about the history course. 4. No one dropped the course. Inference: The students were convinced to take the course. 2.

Cons of liberal education: A. Many students would reject the appeal of pursuing liberal education, for they believe that: 1) In an increasingly specialized world you must concentrate on a single area and become an expert in that field, forsaking all other subjects. 2) “Liberal arts” is like something you pursue if you don’t have a real major. 3) Liberal arts courses should be got out of the way, and the advisors should help students check off those requirements. 4) Schools exist only to get you the right certificate or degree, not to help you develop as a creative, critically intelligent, compassionate, and concerned human being. B. Many professors and deans also don’t understand why students should take all those general education requirements because they know very little about what the whole tradition of liberal education entails. C. Some influential policy-makers in Washington, D.C. dismiss liberal education as meaningless for they hold that: 1) The value of education is to prepare for a job. 2) The aim of higher learning is to train someone to do a task that would make them money. Pros of liberal education: Our most creative and productive subjects found great value in general and liberal education because: 1) It enables students to encounter a vast range of ideas and creations, so that they can recognize good ideas when meeting them. 2) It helps students to engage and stimulate their minds, and understand education as a developmental process in which they sought to grow the power of their minds. Language in Use 4.

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1) stimulating, stimuli

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2) implicate, implication

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3) compassion, compassionate 4) specialize, specialization

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5) reject, rejection

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6) defined, definite

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7) utilizing, utility

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8) influential, influence

5.

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1) by accident

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2) by turns

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3) By contrast 4) by definition

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5) in case of

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6) in terms of

7) in consideration of

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8) in honor of

6.

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1) groping for

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2) strive for