C
Recently, a survey was done among 288,000 students, which shows that today’s traditional-age college freshmen are “more materialistic and less altruistic (利他主义的)” than at any time in the 19 years of the poll (民意调查).
Not surprisingly, in these hard times, the students’ major purpose “is to be financially well off. Developing a meaningful philosophy of life is less important than ever.” It follows then that today the most popular course is not literature or history but accounting.
Interest in teaching, social service and the “altruistic” fields is at a low. On the other hand, enrollment in business programs, engineering and computer science is way up.
That’s no surprise either. A friend of mine (a sales representative for a chemical company) was making twice the salary of her college instructors in her first year on the job---even before she completed her two-year associate degree.
Though it’s true that we all need a career, it is equally true that our civilization has accumulated an incredible amount of knowledge in fields far beyond our own and that it will be better for our understanding of these other contributions—either scientific or artistic.
Similarly, it is true that, in studying the diverse wisdom of others, we learn how to think. More importantly, perhaps, education teaches us to see the connections between things, as well as to see beyond our immediate needs.
Weekly we read of unions who went on strike for higher wages, only to drive their employer out of business. No company; No job. How shortsighted in the long run!
But the most important argument for a broad education is that in studying the accumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which shows a group of businessmen looking puzzled as they sit around a conference table; one of them is talking on the intercom (对讲机) : “Miss Baxter,” he says, “could you please send in someone who can distinguish right from wrong?”
From the long-term point of view, that’s what education really ought to be about.
51. According to the result of the survey, college students _______________.
A. take developing a meaningful philosophy of life more seriously
B. have a wide range of knowledge in many aspects
C. pay more attention to the study of literature
D. have never been so materialistic as today
52. The students’ criteria (标准) for choosing their majors today are largely based on _________.
A. their own understanding of the courses
B. the financial goals they seek in life
C. the influence of their instructors
D. the vast potential for the future educational development
53. What does the fifth paragraph imply?
A. Knowledge in other fields has nothing to do with one’s career.
B. Business management should be included in educational programs
C. The importance of a broad education should not be ignored
D. A good understanding of the civilization will make students rich.
54. The author’s attitude to the effect of studying the diverse wisdom of others is ______________.
A. positive B. indifferent C. doubtful D. negative
55. The writer wrote the passage in order to indicate that ______________.
A. college students today are not a diligent generation
B. people engaged in technical jobs lead a more meaningful life
C. career seekers shouldn’t focus on immediate interests only
D. working experience outside college counts a lot to one’s future career
