Every year, it costs British students more and more to attend university.Students are graduating with larger and larger debts.So is a college degree really worth it?
In 2006, the UK government started to allow universities in England and Wales to charge British students tuition fees(学费).As a result, more than 80 percent of students in England and Wales now take out a student loan(贷款)in order to go to university.
They use the loan to pay for tuition fees and living expenses.Although the interest on student loans is quite low, it begins as soon as the student receives the loan.
The average student in England and Wales now graduates from university with a debt of around £12,000(122,952 yuan).It means graduates have to struggle to pay rent on a flat, because they have to start paying back the student loan when they reach the April after graduating.If you start to earn over £15,000(153,630 yuan)a year, the government takes repayments directly from your monthly salary.
You might think that a person with a degree would find it easy to get a well-paid job.However, most people in“white collar jobs”seem to have a degree, so there is a lot of competition.Also, British companies tend to value work experience over a piece of paper.
All of the above is beginning to make British people question whether a university degree is really worth the money.Even before the credit crisis started, the BBC stated:“The number of British students at UK universities has fallen for the first time in recent history, from 1.97 million in 2007 to 1.96 million last year [2008].”
“Student poverty”is now considered a real problem.Meanwhile, the British universities offer more and more of the available places to richer international students rather than poorer British students.What does the future hold for British higher education?
(1)
What makes British students question the worth of a university degree?
[ ]
A.
Higher university expenses.
B.
Lower education quality.
C.
A higher interest rate on student loans.
D.
Greater difficulty obtaining student loans.
(2)
According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?
[ ]
A.
University tuition fees in all parts of Britain have been on the rise since 2006.
B.
Interest on a student loan starts as soon as the student receives it.
C.
Britons have always questioned the worth of a university degree.
D.
University graduates need to pay off their loans right upon graduation.
(3)
Which of the following is NOT a factor that concerns a British university graduate?
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?