阅读理解。
In a society such as the United States or Canada, which has many national, religious, and cultural differences,
people highly value individualism (个人主义)-the differences among people. Teachers place a lot of importance
on the qualities that make each student special. The educational systems in these countries show these values.
Students do not memorize information. Instead, they work individually and find answers themselves. There is
often discussion in the classroom. At an early age, students learn to form their own ideas and opinions.
In most Asian societies, on the contrary, people have the same language, history, and culture. Perhaps for
this reason, the educational system in much of the Orient (东方的) reflects society' s belief in group goals and
purposes rather than individualism. Children in China, Japan, and Korea often work together and help one
another on assignments. In the classroom, the teaching methods are often very formal. The teacher lectures,
and the students listen. There is not much discussion. Instead, the students repeat rules or information that they
have memorized.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these systems of education. For example, one advantage
to the system in Japan is that students there learn much more math and science than American students learn
by the end of high school. They also study more hours each day and more days each year than North
Americans do. The system is difficult, but it prepares students for a society that values discipline and self-
control. There is, however, a disadvantage. Memorization is an important learning method in Japanese schools,
yet many students say that after an exam, they forget much of the information they have memorized.
The advantage of the educational system in North America, on the other hand, is that students learn to think
for themselves. The system prepares them for a society that values creative ideas. There is, however, a
disadvantage. When students graduate from high school, they haven't memorized as many basic rules and facts
as students in other countries have.
1. The reason why American teachers attach much importance to individualism is that _____. [ ]
A. they are required to do so
B. their students do not memorize information
C. the United States is a country of many cultures
D. their students work individually
2. Which of the following statements applies to Asian methods of education? [ ]
A. Each child in a classroom draws a different picture.
B. students have to find information themselves.
C. Students are prepared for a society that values discipline.
D. Teachers serve as a guide in discussion.
3. A good educational system would be the one that _____. [ ]
A. has more advantages
B. is the combination of Western and Oriental methods
C. is based on the Western system
D. rests on the Asian system
4. The author believes that _____.[ ]
A. different educational systems reflect different culture of the societies
B. students from Western countries are creative but selfish
C. Asian students are merely interested in math and science
D. there are more advantages to Western system of education than to Oriental one
5. The author focuses on _____. [ ]
A. the differences in methods of education orient and west
B. the advantages and disadvantages to both of the Western and Asian educational system
C. how Asian school systems reflect group goals
D. how Western school systems reflect the value of individualism
