阅读理解。
An independent college claimed to have become the first school in England to make Chinese a compulsory
(强制的) subject for its pupils.
Richard Cairns, the headmaster of Brighton College, said the move aims to recognize the importance of
China as the world's fastest growing economy.
Chinese will become one of the core subjects at the 1,200-pupil college from September. At present the
school has only a "handful" of native Chinese students, but it hopes to attract more in the future.
Mr. Cairns, who made the announcement in his first week as head of the high-achieving college, said,
"One of my key tasks is to make sure that the pupils at Brighton College are equipped for the realities of the
21st century, and one of those realities is that China has the fastest growing economy in the world."
"China has replaced Britain as the world's fourth-largest economy. We in Britain need to face up to this
challenge, see it for the trading opportunity that it is, and ensure that our nation's children are well-placed to
thrive (茁壮成长) in this new global reality.
"A better understanding of the language and culture of China will be hugely important to the advantage of
the children of Brighton College."
Mr. Cairns said he hoped the Chinese children already at the college would help and encourage their fellow
pupils to learn their language.
In order to lead the way, Mr. Cairns, a historian from Oxford, plans to take part in the first Chinese class
as a pupil."I have agreed to join the first Chinese class as a pupil. I think it is the best way for me to show
the pupils here how important I regard this new addition to our core subjects."
1. The passage mainly tells us _____. [ ]
A. how to face up to new challenges in the 21st century
B. the realities of the 21st century
C. the fastest growing economy in the world
D. about a school which will make all its pupils learn Chinese
2. The college makes its students learn Chinese mainly because _____.[ ]
A. Chinese is a language spoken by the largest population in the world
B. it realizes the importance of China as the world's fastest growing economy
C. Chinese is the easiest language for the students
D. there are many native Chinese students at the college
3. What is Mr. Cairns' attitude towards the development of China? [ ]
A. He sees it to be a threat.
B. He thinks of it as a danger.
C. He considers it to be an opportunity.
D. He regards it as an encouragement.
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? [ ]
A. The Chinese students at the college have already helped their fellow students to learn Chinese.
B. The school is the first in England to make Chinese a compulsory subject.
C. Mr. Cairns has just been made head of this high-achieving college.
D. In Mr. Cairns' opinion, learning Chinese will be a great help to his students.
