中口0209聽(tīng)力原文

Questions 15-18

(Woman) In the United Kingdom, the Open University has already been the symbol and pride of further education in Britain. Its history can trace as far as the early 60's of the last century. In 1963 the leader of the Labour Party made a speech explaining plans for a "university of the air". It was an educational system which would make use of television, radio and correspondence courses. At first many people thought that the plan was unrealistic and they laughed at the idea. However, it was to become part of the Labour Party's programme, that is, to give educational opportunity to those people who, for one reason or another, had not a chance to receive further education. By August 1970 the Open University, as it is now called, had received 40, 000 applications. But only 25, 000 could be accepted for the first four 'foundation' courses offered that year. And the University had to add a fifth course to cater for the increasing number and demand of candidates.

In January 1971, the first teaching programmes appeared on the air and screen, with clerks, farm workers, housewives, teachers, policemen and many others as students. The Open University offered carefully-prepared correspondence units to its students and gave additional necessary equipment for a "mini" home laboratory to its science students. A number of study centres have been set up all over the country so that students can attend lectures once a week. Once a year the students are invited to spend a week or so at one of the university's summer schools. Although some critics complain of the cost, the availability of the subjects and the lack of suitable learning materials, Open University is probably the cheapest and most far-reaching method of spreading further education in Britain.

15. According to the talk, at what time were the first Open University programmes put on the air?

16. Which of the following are NOT given by the Open University?

17. What is one of the advantages of the Open University?

18. For what purpose were the study centres set up?