Next autumn, studying for a degree in Britain will become more expensive, and the results are already clear. This week, figures from UCAS(the Universities and College Admissions service)show a 15-percent downturn in applications(申请) from this time last year. With fees having reached ￡9,000 a year, some students are beginning to consider other ways of getting higher education—including distance learning, which allows them to get a degree while still living, and earning money, at home.
That is important, because fees are only part of the picture. The National Union of Students says that UK students pay an average of ￡4,900 a year for basics such as rent, food, books, equipment, field trips and the like. If those costs can be reduced, the burden of fees will be lessened. Therefore, many people are thinking not only about what and where to study, but how—that is, whether they have to be on campus to get a degree.
Distance learning is best suited to certain subjects and to ultra-motivated(极有主动性的)student, according to Carrie-Anne Rice of Resource Development International(RDI).“The advantage is that the fee system is more flexible(灵活的), and you can have full-time work while studying, Rice says.”“You graduate three years ahead of possible competitors(竞争对手)— with the same degree, but with three years of work experience and without the debt.”
“I left school and went straight into work. But at the age of 23, I changed career and soon realized I needed a degree to advance. Because of lack of money ad time, full-time university wasn’t a good choice, but I discovered that distance learning was financially flexible and enabled me to work and gain skills from my workplace without affecting the quality of my life,” Andy Cain, a distance learning student says.
Although distance learning has many advantages, a campus-based university experience remains the dream of most school-leavers. There is no question that “being there” is not only fun, but rich in shared experience, pooled knowledge, and—perhaps most importantly—friendships that will go on long after the degrees have been awarded.
【小题1】The number of students applying to universities    compared to this time last year.

Next autumn, studying for a degree in Britain will become more expensive, and the results are already clear. This week, figures from UCAS(the Universities and College Admissions service)show a 15-percent downturn in applications(申请) from this time last year. With fees having reached ￡9,000 a year, some students are beginning to consider other ways of getting higher education—including distance learning, which allows them to get a degree while still living, and earning money, at home.

That is important, because fees are only part of the picture. The National Union of Students says that UK students pay an average of ￡4,900 a year for basics such as rent, food, books, equipment, field trips and the like. If those costs can be reduced, the burden of fees will be lessened. Therefore, many people are thinking not only about what and where to study, but how—that is, whether they have to be on campus to get a degree.

Distance learning is best suited to certain subjects and to ultra-motivated(极有主动性的)student, according to Carrie-Anne Rice of Resource Development International(RDI).“The advantage is that the fee system is more flexible(灵活的), and you can have full-time work while studying, Rice says.”“You graduate three years ahead of possible competitors(竞争对手)— with the same degree, but with three years of work experience and without the debt.”

“I left school and went straight into work. But at the age of 23, I changed career and soon realized I needed a degree to advance. Because of lack of money ad time, full-time university wasn’t a good choice, but I discovered that distance learning was financially flexible and enabled me to work and gain skills from my workplace without affecting the quality of my life,” Andy Cain, a distance learning student says.

Although distance learning has many advantages, a campus-based university experience remains the dream of most school-leavers. There is no question that “being there” is not only fun, but rich in shared experience, pooled knowledge, and—perhaps most importantly—friendships that will go on long after the degrees have been awarded.

1.The number of students applying to universities    compared to this time last year.

A．has increased greatly                    B．has decreased

C．hasn’t shown any change                D．has become zero

2.Students who study on campus spend      each year, on average.

A．￡9,000          B．￡4,900           C．￡13,900          D．￡4,100

3.Which of the following is NOT the benefit of distance learning?

A．Lower debt levels                       B．A head start on the job market.

C．Valuable friendships                     D．A flexible fee system.

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．The change in fees has had no effect on school-leavers.

B．Distance learning has the same advantages as campus-based learning.

C．Distance learning is so attractive that nobody wants to go to university any more.

D．Distance learning doesn’t suit all subjects or all students.

HOLLYWOOD(UPI)—Loni Anderson decided last year it was time to change her career around to play moms and comedy instead of pretty young girls.

So far, most people remember her as Jennifer Marlowe, the role she played in her first film in 1982.
This summer people will see Anderson in A Night as Roxbury, a film produced and directed by Amy Heckerlin.
“In the film I have two sons. One is 26, and the other is 30. Isn’t that interesting? I know I don’t look that old, but that’s what’s so fun about it.”
“My character dresses in clothes too short, too tight. Dan Hedaya plays my husband. We’re a couple with a lot of money and no taste. Our sons are complete idiots(白痴). Their purpose in life is to get into the Rich Young Man Club where everybody is proud of his wealth.”
“As you can tell, I’m doing things I’d never have done at the beginning of my career.”
“But I am who I am. I’ve worked as an actress a long time and now I can be anything I want. It’s a great time for me. I don’t have anything to prove.”
“I hadn’t done comedy in a long time. It’s what I do best and what I like best. At this point in my life I want to look a lit­tle bit foolish. I think that would be something new for me.”
【小题1】What had Loni Anderson probably played most in her past film career?