2 Read the following statements and then decide whether each of them is true or false based on the information in the text. Write T for True and F for False in the space provided before each statement. 1) T Without parental help, a student may be expected to have a large loan to pay back after graduation.

2) F Many students dream of becoming dentists.

(Many students don’t want to take pre-medical courses. So they go off to their labs as if they were going to see a dentist.)

3) T Knowledge in the humanities can help create leaders in all general fields.

4) T Lawyers, doctors and businessmen usually earn more than most of other people.

5) F Students who finish an assignment up to requirements will be given the same credits as those who have done more.

(When most students are doing more than they are expected to, those who are doing normal work can be perceived as not doing well.)

3 Listed in the left column are the four pressures faced by college students and in the right column are causes or consequences linked to the pressures. Relate the causes or consequences to the types of

pressure by following the example given. Some causes or consequences can be related to more than one type of pressure.

Types of Pressure A. economic pressure ( a, d )

B. parental pressure ( b, c )

C. peer pressure ( e, f, g )

D. self-induced pressure ( e, f, g )

Causes or Consequences

a. loans to pay

b. taking some courses unwillingly c. taking courses with “practical value” d. heavy tuition fees, expenses on rooms and books

e. thinking some fellow students are working harder

f. staying in the library till very late g. doing more work than required

4 Read the following sentences carefully and discuss in pairs what the author intends to say by the italicized parts.

1) But there are no villains; only victims. (Para. 1)

Nobody is to blame for the pressures college students are suffering; all involved are victims.

2) They go off to their labs as if they were going to the dentist. (Para. 4)

Many students who are taking pre-medical courses don’t like this major at all.

3) They are caught in one of the oldest webs of love and duty and guilt. (Para. 9)

Parents and children are trapped in an age-old struggle between feelings of love, duty and guilt arising out of their different outlooks.

4) “Will I get everything done?” (Para. 13)

The student is totally worn out and has become suspicious of his / her own ability.

5) Pity the poor student who is still just doing the assignment. (Para. 15)

The students who just fulfill what they are asked to do are put at a disadvantaged position.

6) The tactic works, psychologically. (Para. 16)

Teachers are likely to give a higher credit to students who do more than expected.

Optional Classroom Activities

1 Sit in groups of threes or fours and discuss each of the following questions.

1) Do college students in China suffer from the same pressures mentioned in Text B? Are there any differences?

Most students perhaps will say “yes” to this question as the four kinds of pressure mentioned in the text are also felt by Chinese university students. The only significant difference, perhaps, lies in the fact that Chinese university students enjoy more financial support from their parents than their American counterparts.

2) What is your major? Who chose this major, you or your parents? Are you happy with your major so far? Give reasons.

Answers will vary depending on who the student is and what family background he or she comes from.

3) Are you working part time while being a full-time student? If so, why are you working part time? If not, do you think it’s good to work part time while being a full-time student?

Some students in China are working part time while being full-time students. Some work because they need money to cover their expenses at college; some work because they think working experience is important for them.

2 Sit in groups and discuss with your classmates the learning methods effective in achieving academic excellence you agree with. Write down your answers in the space provided in the following table.

Learning Methods Effective in Achieving Academic Excellence

a. master and apply basic principles b. be organized c. schedule one’s time

d. treat every assignment seriously and participate in class

e. join in group study f. do supplementary readings …

3 Learning styles are different from person to person. Some people prefer to study individually while others prefer to study

collaboratively(合作地), that is, in a group. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Discuss this question in groups and put down your answers in the space provided.

Advantages of Studying

Individually

a. better concentration b. at one’s own pace

c. can study any time and anywhere …

Disadvantages of Studying

Individually

a. with no one to share ideas and ask questions

b. may feel bored sometimes c. …

Advantages of Studying

Collaboratively

Disadvantages of Studying

Collaboratively

a. discuss problems together and hence a. possible distractions

achieve better understanding b. may not be time-effective b. enjoyable to work with someone else sometimes c.

c.