1 . Online classes began to be popularized just a few decades ago. They are advertised as a way for adults to finish their education and students to learn the material at their own pace—it is far more suitable for people with busy schedules.
But after being enrolled in an online course last fall semester, I came to realize online classes were merely a means to fulfil course requirements.
First of all, students lack the desire to learn, and they simply complete their assignments to receive credit for a passing grade rather than genuinely engage with the course material.
As online courses tend to have more than 100 students, most of the assignments are short and simple. They are not designed for students to interact with the material in depth but designed to be graded easily to accommodate such a large number of students.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of taking an online class is the absence of face-to-face interaction between the teacher and their students. Live sessions are infrequent and are often scheduled during the middle of the day when students have to attend other classes or work. The office hours of the professor may also be during inconvenient times for many students as well. Most interaction with the professor has to be through email which is often impersonal. It is nearly impossible for students to build a relationship with their professor.
There is also little interaction among students. It can be harder for students to create study groups and form relationships with their peers.
Online classes also require either a computer or laptop and a reliable Internet connection. Not all students have access to these types of resources, whether it is for financial or other reasons, and some students can be put at a disadvantage. Offering online classes certainly helps students who would otherwise not be able to attend classroom sessions. However, they fail to provide a true education with an emphasis on convenience rather than critical thinking. We need restructure online classes in which students can have a learning experience that will actually provide quality education.
1. What can we infer about students enrolled in online classes?| A．They are unmotivated to learn, |
| B．They can access course materials easily. |
| C．They rarely fulfil the course requirements. |
| D．They can learn at their own pace. |
| A．They are meant to facilitate interaction. |
| B．They are made convenient to mark. |
| C．They are given to accommodate students` needs. |
| D．They are based on easily accessible material. |
| A．They make professors’ offices much less accessible. |
| B．They are frequently scheduled at irregular times. |
| C．They provide little chance for students to build relationships with each other. |
| D．They tend to increase professors’ burden of replying students’ emails. |
| A．Teachers will worry about poor Internet connections. |
| B．Most students may get critical thinking skills from it. |
| C．Schools with limited resources will be at a disadvantage. |
| D．Some students may have difficulty attending them. |
1.封控时间和原因；
2.居家生活状况；
3.网课时光。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3.参考词汇：新冠疫情the Covid-19 pandemic；封控on lockdown。
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3 . More schools around the USA are using online classes when communities run into troubles like wildfires, storms or water shortages.
In Jackson, Mississippi, a problem with the public water system left the city without safe water for several days. As a result, schools had to go online for one week in May. The time in online learning did not last long for the 20, 000 students in Jackson. Earlier this month, children went back to in-person learning when the city said water was safe for normal use.
However, online learning caused problems for children and teachers. At home, children attending online classes often had their whole family in the house. Early in 2020, school officials had high hopes for online learning. Since then, the problems with it have become clearer. The change to online learning has caused many students to fall behind where they should be in their studies. And it has added to new worries about students’ health.
In 2018, two powerful storms hit the same area, causing schools in some places to close. Some students were out of school for weeks. There were attempts(尝试) at online learning, but many children did not have laptop computers or other technology. For this reason, most schools tried to move students to other in-person buildings.
“Schools now will look first to online learning,” said Gary Henry. He is head of the University of Delaware and has been part of a research team studying online learning. For a period of a few weeks, he said it could be a step to keep students on schedule. But the pandemic(疫情) showed that it was not a good way over a long period of time. “It’s a difficult start,” said Henry. “It’s better to have the kids in the classroom so you can see how they are doing, and provide timely support to them.”
1. How long did the students in Jackson attend online courses in May?| A．For two days. | B．For one week. |
| C．For two weeks. | D．For one month. |
| A．The disadvantages of online classes. |
| B．Added worries about students’ health. |
| C．A challenge school officials must face. |
| D．High hopes parents have for their children. |
| A．They developed an online learning system. |
| B．They handed out computers to every student. |
| C．They tried their best to have in-person class. |
| D．They encouraged parents to work from home. |
| A．The storms cause all the schools to close every year. |
| B．Many schools in Mississippi were burned in a fire. |
| C．Online tests are more popular among students. |
| D．In-person learning is better for students’ study. |
1.网络对教育的影响（利与弊）；
2.你的建议。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
5 . Are you one of the increasing number of students who are struggling for college education online?
Many students assume that online classes require less work and are easier than traditional classes.
Arrangement according to class schedule is important. Log on to your course according to the required schedule. Manage your time just as you would in a traditional course.
During class, you are advised to be focused. Read and practice everything. Go through every screen Don’t run through a course skipping videos, animations (动画), and ungraded self-assessment activities. Be comfortable communicating through text. Most communication in an online course occurs through the written word. Discussion board posts, written assignments, and email are all common modes of communication in online courses.
Remember to be active. If you have questions or don’t understand an assignment, tell your instructor.
| A．Follow these tips to help you be a successful online learner. |
| B．Online classes require less work |
| C．You’ll understand the instructor better. |
| D．Be sure you have the required software and hardware. |
| E．Your instructor can help you better if you tell him or her. |
| F．In reality, they’re designed just as demanding as traditional courses. |
| G．This is different from traditional classes, where a lot of communication is oral. |
6 . Online master gardener programs allow you to learn more about plants and gardening. Some of them can also provide certification to those who wish to benefit their community in broader ways.
Advanced Permaculture Design
* Price: About $ 495（Plus $ 60 registration free）.
* Experience Level: Suitable for experienced learners.
* Reasons: If you are looking for something more in-depth, then these courses offer more advanced instruction in permaculture.
* Advantages: Opportunity to advance skills in permaculture; aid in professional development.
* Disadvantages: Not suitable for beginners.
Garden Tutor
* Price: Free.
* Experience Level: Suitable for beginners.
* Reasons: This course is free and it is suitable for beginners.
* Advantages: Completely free of charge; suitable for complete learners.
* Disadvantages: No route to certification; simpler and less comprehensive than paid courses.
Cornell Gardener Program
* Price: About $675 for a six-week organic gardening course.
* Experience Level: Suitable for beginners through to more experienced gardeners.
* Reasons: This is one of our top picks because of the institution’s excellent reputation.
* Advantages: Focus on organic, eco-friendly gardening, flexible online learning; small class sizes.
* Disadvantages: Costly option; full master gardener certification only available to local residents.
Skillshare Gardening Courses
* Price: Low prices which vary in courses.
* Experience Level: Suitable for beginners.
* Reasons: These courses offer various opportunities to learn more about gardening. If gardening is a hobby, taking one or more of them could be a great alternative to a full maste gardener program.
* Advantages: Affordable; flexible online schedules.
* Disadvantages: No route to certification.
1. Which of the following online programs charges nothing?| A．Advanced Permaculture Design. | B．Garden Tutor. |
| C．Comell Gardener Program. | D．Skillshare Gardening Courses. |
| A．It only offers a short-term course. |
| B．It doesn’t charge any registration fee. |
| C．It is known for environmental protection. |
| D．It is intended for learners of different levels. |
| A．Its teaching method. | B．Its route to certification. |
| C．Its flexible online schedules. | D．Its experienced masters. |
7 . Gerardo Ixcoy is a 27-year-old teacher in Guatemala. He teaches in the area where having electricity is something of a luxury and students have no access to mobile apps or computers, which became a problem when Guatemalan government had to choose distance education for students at home because of COVID-19 in mid-March.
Gerardo Ixcoy felt that he had to teach those children living far from the digital world. After all, education is a universal right. But what was the solution?
Gerardo bought himself a secondhand tricycle with his savings. Once he had the tricycle, the next step was to change it into a classroom on wheels. He put a roof with a solar panel（太阳能电池板）on it, along with a screen to avoid the spread of COVID-19. He fixed a whiteboard on it so he could explain to the students the basics of primary education： math, the local language and the national language Spanish.
The purpose of the solar panel is to provide constant power for a small loudspeaker so he can teach from a distance. It's a matter of respecting the healthy distance required to be safe from the virus. He, the teacher, stays outside, and the student participates from his or her house.
He tries to visit his students at least twice a week, riding his classroom — cycle. The children he serves say that, although he visits them for only a few hours a week, they look forward to it. They appreciate his visit because they know he has limited time he can devote to them. They must take advantage of it to learn.
1. What happened to Gerardo Ixcoy's students because of COVID-19?| A．They chose to have classes in groups. |
| B．They had to stop all the classes. |
| C．They continued to have classes online. |
| D．They started to learn about computers. |
| A．Because healthy distance is reqired. |
| B．Because he doesn't want to see his students. |
| C．Because he wants to show his authority. |
| D．Because the local custom reqiries him to. |
| A．In his own house. | B．In his student's house. |
| C．On the school playground. | D．Outside his student's house. |
| A．Love breaks down barriers. | B．Hard work pays off. |
| C．Time is money. | D．Education is the key to success. |
8 . The night before the first day of school is usually an exciting and sleepless one for me. This virtual (虚拟的) school year, however, didn't give me that same feeling. In my mind, I couldn't communicate with my classmates, and I couldn't have conversations with my favorite teachers. So I went to bed, filled with more curiosity (好奇) and uncertainty than anything else.
I woke up the next day at 9 a. m., as my first class that day didn't start until 10 a.m. I sat at my desk waiting for my first online class of the day: AP Statistics. The class could only be described as two things: awkward and a bit boring. Awkward because of the lasting silence that often fell over us, as most of the students, myself included, refused to discuss their summers, and boring because I had to look at a screen instead of truly communicating with my teacher.
I would have preferred sitting in a classroom wearing my picked first-day clothes, but, I didn't say anything. I knew it was much safer for us to learn from home.
Once the class ended, my one-hour lunch block began. My virtual lunch was at 11:20 a.m.
My next two classes flew by. They had the same awkwardness and boredom, with different levels of enjoyability based on the subject and teacher.
At the end of the day, I felt strange, and like I hadn't done anything at all or even actually gone to school. I never felt like I hadn't done anything with myself that day before. I didn't even feel like a student on a “pursuit (追求) of knowledge.” I just felt like I was watching something on my computer screen.
It wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but, it's the new normal (常态), and I and my classmates will have to get used to it.
1. How did the writer feel the night before the first day of school?| A．He was too excited to fall asleep. |
| B．He couldn't wait to meet his classmates. |
| C．He was unsure about what would happen. |
| D．He was looking forward to online learning. |
| A．He couldn't have real communication with the teacher. |
| B．He couldn't understand what the teacher said. |
| C．He felt the unhappiness of his classmates. |
| D．He thought the class was valueless. |
| A．He had got used to the new school life. |
| B．He preferred to have a class online. |
| C．He hated to do much homework. |
| D．He felt empty in his heart. |
| A．By giving examples. |
| B．By giving instructions. |
| C．By following time order. |
| D．By providing research results. |
9 . Welcome to the Electronic Village to explore new ways of language teaching and learning.
Electronic Village Program (Thursday, June 18, 2015)
Nearpod
◇ 9:00 am to 10:00 am
◇ Room 501
Nearpod is a software program that creates a rich context for students to learn vocabulary. The presenter will show how to use it.
TEO
◇ 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
◇ Room 502
Our students come from different backgrounds but have the same desire to learn on-line. The presenter will use examples from his first on-line class to explain how any teacher can begin teaching on-line with TEO.
Kahoot
◇ 10:30 am to 11:00 am
◇ Room 601
Kahoot software can be used to create grammar tests which can be graded on a network. It can provide students with instant feedback(反馈), including reports about their strengths and weaknesses.
Prezi
◇ 3:00 pm to 4:20 pm
◇ Room 602
Uses of Prezi in listening and speaking courses draw students’ attention to speaking more fluently. The presenter will show how students can use Prezi to confidently present on all kinds of topics, including introducing family, friends, and hobbies.
1. What can Nearpod be used to do?| A．Offer grammar tests. | B．Teach listening on-line. |
| C．Help vocabulary learning. | D．Gain fluency in speaking. |
| A．Room 501. | B．Room 502. | C．Room 601. | D．Room 602. |
| A．Nearpod. | B．Kahoot. | C．TEO. | D．Prezi. |
10 . Exercise plays a very important role in a healthy lifestyle. But you may not have time or money to go to a gym on a regular basis. Don't worry. Here is good news.
A quick Internet search will turn up thousands of online fitness classes. These classes let you listen to instructions.
Some virtual classes require a membership fee, but some are completely free.
Anyone can post a fitness video on the Internet. Not everyone knows what they are doing.
Virtual fitness classes feature convenience. You can do a class at any time of day. They are convenient, they are private, and you may even discover a new form of exercise that you enjoy.
| A．These classes are mostly free of charge. |
| B．So don't waste time watching useless videos. |
| C．And you can try a different one whenever you like. |
| D．Online fitness exercises take a wide variety of forms. |
| E．So it is important to think about who is teaching the class. |
| F．Today's technology let you access fitness from the comfort of your home. |
| G．Meanwhile, they also let you watch trainers demonstrate how to do exercises. |
