(A)

　　(Words: 415; Time: 8')

　　The term "formal learning" refers to all learning which takes place in the classroom regardless of whether such learning is informed by conservative or progressive ideologies(思想意识). "Informal learning", on the other hand, is used to refer to learning which takes place outside the classroom.

　　These definitions(定义)provide the basic difference between the two modes of learning. Formal learning is separated from daily life and may actually promote ways of learning and thinking which often run counter to those obtained from practical daily life. A characteristic feature of formal learning is the centrality of activities which can prepare for the changes of adult life outside the classroom, but it cannot, by its nature, consist of these challenges.

　　In doing this, language plays an important role as a major channel for information exchange. The language of the classroom is more similar to the language used by middle-class families than that used by working-class families. Middle-class children thus find it easier to gain the language of the classroom than their working-class classmates.

　　Informal learning, in contrast, occurs in the setting to which it relates, making learning immediately relevant(相关的). In this context, language does not occupy such an important role: the child's experience of learning is more direct, involving sight, touch, taste, and smell-senses that are not used in the classroom. Whereas formal learning is transmitted by teachers selected to perform this role, informal learning is gained as a natural part of child's socialization. Adults or older children who are proficient(熟练的)in skill or activity provide-sometimes unintentionally(无意义地)-target models of behavior in the course of everyday activity. Informal learning, therefore, can take place at any time and place.

　　The motivation of learner provides another important difference between the two models of learning. The formal learner is generally motivated by some kind of external goal such as parental approval, social status, and possible financial reward. The informal learner, however, tends to be motivated by successful completion of the task itself and the partial knowledge of adult status(身份).

　　Given that learning systems develop as a response to the social and economic contexts in which they are firmly, it is understandable that modern, high urbanized(城市化)societies have concentrated almost specially on the establishment of formal education systems. What these societies have failed to recognize are the ways in which formal learning inhibits the child's multi-sensory acquisition of practical skills. The failure to provide a child with a direct education may in part account for many of the social problems which trouble our societies.

　　1. Formal learning and informal learning are mainly told differences by ________.

　　A. the place where they take place

　　B. the kind of knowledge to be obtained

　　C. the people who learn

　　D. the language used in instruction

　　2. The language used in classroom instruction explains ________.

　　A. how learning can take place efficiently

　　B. why it is not easy for children of working-class families to get high scores

　　C. why informal learning is more important

　　D. why formal learning does not work with children of middle-class families

　　3. In informal learning ________.

　　A. children usually follow the examples of adults to shape their own behaviour

　　B. children's learning is more direct

　　C. children are highly motivated by the learning activity itself

　　D. all of the above

　　4. The author's attitude towards the present state of formal learning is ________.

　　A. agreeable B. critical

　　C. suspecting D. indifferent

　　(B)

　　(Words: 418; Time: 8')

　　The Ford family came from Ireland to the United States in 1847. Their child Henry was born in 1863. He had an interest in mechanics. He invented a car called the quadricycle which had four wheels. It essentially(实质上)had four bicycle tires and no cab(司机室).

　　Henry built race cars in the 1890's and even became a race car driver. But he wanted to build cars for everyone to use, so he began the Ford Motor Company in 1903. He had formulated(制定)a business motto which would be the reason for his success. "The way to make automobiles is to make one automobile like another automobile, to make them all alike. " His company declared that they could make automobiles in any color, as long as it was black.

　　Henry gave much credit to his wife whom he called "The Believer". From the earliest days of their relationship she was the one who encouraged him to build a horseless carriage. Her belief in him was a constant encouragement to produce what would become the primary mode of transportation in the future.

　　Henry's greatest task was to produce a gasoline engine that would be the power for his cars. He finally produced so many hours each day that his friends called him crazy Henry. He was inspired to work until his invention would work effectively.

　　When he designed the Model T, he decided he could build it cheaply for what he called "the great multitude(批量)". To do this he had to design an assembly line where many cars could be built in a single day. Each worker would have only his individual parts to put on each car. Then he could limit himself to the few tools needed for the task.

　　The Model T was introduced in 1908 and began to be produced on an assembly line in 1913. Henry Ford was the major figure in the auto industry for the next fifteen years.

　　On May 26, 1927, Henry watched the 15 millionth Model T Ford roll off the assembly line. He had become the richest man in America. He was able to bring the price low enough so that most Americans could buy his car. This gave every family much independence, for they could move about freely without the aid of others' transporting them.

　　Because he did not change his Model T, others began experimenting with different types of cars. However, the Ford Motor Company still exists and all car owners are indebted(受惠于)to the creation of the automobile by Henry Ford.

　　5. To make cars, Henry first of all needed ________.

　　A. his wife's encouragement

　　B. a lot of money to buy equipment

　　C. engineers and technicians

　　D. to produce a gasoline engine that would be the power for his car

　　6. Henry Ford gave much credit to his wife for his car-making business because ________. A. he called her "The Believer"

　　B. her belief in him was a constant encouragement

　　C. from the earliest days of their relationship, she always encouraged her husband to build a horseless carriage

　　D. she often reminded her husband that the way to make automobiles is to make them all alike

　　7. An assembly line is ________.

　　A. a production line where each worker does only a small part of work to complete a product

　　B. a house where many cars could be

　　built in a single day

　　C. a place where Henry could limit himself to the few tools for the task

　　D. a workshop where the Model T was first produced in 1913

　　8. Henry Ford brought great benefit to car owners because ________.

　　A. he created wealth for them

　　B. he made cars with all kinds of colors

　　C. his mass production was able to bring the price down

　　D. he produced a gasoline engine as the power for his cars

　　答案：

　　(A)本文主要讲的是正规与非正规学习的区别。1. A。第一段谈到了这一点:两种学习在形式上的区别是"在课堂内还是课堂外"。2. B。第三段告诉我们,课堂教学用语更贴近中产阶级家庭的孩子的生活,而劳工家庭的孩子难以适应,所以成绩常常很差。3. D。倒数第二段最后一句说:"非正规学习"者一方面受社会竞争心理的驱使(motivate),一方面受成人意识的影响(答案A、C);第四段第二句是B项的直接答案。所以答案应为D。4. B。从末段最后两句说,现代的、高度城市化的社会所关注的只是如何建立和完善课堂正规教育,而忽略了课堂教育应使孩子多渠道获取实际技能的方法。不能给孩子们提供一个直接从社会获取知识的渠道,这正是导致很多社会问题的原因之一。从以上可知,作者对正规教育持批评态度。

　　(B)5. D。第4段第1句Henry's greatest task was to produce a gasoline engine...说的就是这个意思。6. C。第3段是答案的依据。7. A。第5段最后三句对此作了解释。8. C。见倒数第2段第3句到句末。福特的汽车装配线使大批量生产汽车成为可能,由此将车价大幅度降了下来,为美国的车民们带来了福音。题干中的bring great benefit to意为"为某人带来利益"。

　　(文/陈觉法；英语通高三版2004年第2期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)