V.5. Read the following passage and select the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Cambridge University is considering axing compulsory written exams, allowing students to use laptops or iPads instead, after tutors complained that students' handwriting is becoming illegible. Academics say the move, which would bring an end to over 800 years of tradition, has come about because students rely too heavily on laptops in lectures, and are losing the ability to write by hand.
Dr Sarah Pearsall, a senior lecturer at Cambridge University, said handwriting is becoming a ''lost art'' among the current generation of students. She added, ''It's increasingly hard for our examiners to read students' scripts. Those with illegible writing are forced to come back to their college during the summer holidays to read their answers aloud in the presence of two university administrators. It's extraordinarily commendable that the University is considering reforms to its examination practices.''
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, said it is inevitable that universities will move to computers as handwriting deteriorates in the coming years. ''We have to accept the reality. Handwriting has now become an optional, not a necessary part of education. There simply isn't the same time in the curriculum for learning elegant, beautiful handwriting. Life is so quick now. Everybody writes as if they were a doctor writing a prescription,'' he said. ''Handwriting is not necessary for great thought, great English, or great intelligence. Some of our finest wordsmiths today write using laptops, and we have to fight to preserve what is really important, such as the use of great English or great sentence structures.''
Others, however, were not very positive about the move. Tracey Trussell, a handwriting expert, urged Cambridge to ensure that students continue to write by hand. She said, ''It's vital that people continue to write by hand. Writing by hand improves memory and equates to a higher rate of comprehension and information retention.'' There is also concern that schools could follow Cambridge's example by moving away from handwriting. Dr Jane Medwell, Associate Professor of Education at the University of Nottingham, is concerned that scrapping handwritten exams in universities could prompt ''downward curriculum pressure'' on primary and secondary schools to follow suit. (Adapted from http://www.telegraph.co.uk)
Question 106: What policy is Cambridge University considering applying in exams?
A. Requiring students to write exam papers with hand
B. Permitting students to use laptops to type exam papers
C. Axing exams due to students’ illegible handwriting
D. Allowing take-home exam due to students’ illegible handwriting
Question 107: What is the reason why Cambridge University is ending the compulsory written exams?
A. Because teachers do not want to read students’ handwriting
B. Because teachers prefer reading students’ typed exam papers
C. Because teachers cannot read students’ handwriting
D. Because teachers do not like the written exams
Question 108: How long has the compulsory written exam been in place at Cambridge University?
A. 800 years B. Less than 800 years
C. About 700 years D. More than 800 years
Question 109: What is handwriting compared to, according to Dr. Sarah Pearsall?
A. A “lost art” B. a “lost generation” C. A “lost soul” D. a “lost cause”
Question 110: What do students who have illegible handwriting have to do during the summer holidays?
A. Reading their exam answers aloud to two university administrators
B. Reading their exam answers aloud to their classmates
C. Taking the exams again at the college
D. Rewriting the exam answers at the college
Question 111: According to Sir Anthony Seldon, what is the trend that universities will go through soon?
A. Universities will NOT allow students to use computers in exams.
B. Universities will allow students to use computers in exams.
C. Universities will axe all compulsory written exams.
D. Universities will require students to handwrite and type their exam answers.
Question 112: According to Sir Anthony Seldon, what should we fight to preserve?
A. written exams B. the use of great English
C. oral exams for schools D. handwriting
Question 113: According to Tracey Trussell, handwriting is utmost important because it helps to ______.
A. improve memory B. enhance comprehension
C. boost information retention D. all of the above
Question 114: What is Dr Jane Medwell concerned about Cambridge University’s decision to stop written exams?
A. Primary and secondary schools will reject the decision.
B. Primary and secondary schools will accept the decision
C. Primary and secondary schools will go on strike.
D. Primary and secondary schools will have to follow suit
