英语听力精选进阶版 6330

Is China the world's cleverest country?

China achieved 'remarkable¹' results in the Pisa international education tests, which measure pupils' key skills: reading, numeracy and science.

The results indicate that China's education system is not only above average, it's overtaking the performance of many Western countries. But why do Chinese students get top marks?

Andreas Schleicher, who is responsible for the Pisa tests, says Chinese students show incredible resilience to become high-flyers, regardless of their background. "North Americans tell you typically it's all luck. In Europe, it's all about social heritage: 'My father was a plumber² so I'm going to be a plumber.' In China, more than nine out of 10 children tell you: 'It depends on the effort I invest and I can succeed if I study hard.'"

Mr Schleicher adds it's a philosophical³ difference – we should expect the whole cohort to pass with flying colours, rather than just expecting the cream of the crop to succeed.

On a visit to a poor province in China, he noticed that schools were often the most impressive buildings. He says in the West, it's more likely to be a shopping centre.

So should other countries put their thinking caps on if they don't want their education system to flunk⁴? When it comes to education, China might be able to teach the world a lesson.

Quiz 小测验

1. Which skills are measured in the Pisa tests?

Key skills such are reading, numeracy and science are tested.

2. Is this statement true, false or not given? Only Chinese students from rich backgrounds try to do well at school.

False. Chinese students are determined⁵ to succeed "regardless of their background".

3. In which part of the world does students' academic success depend on the profession of their parents?

In Europe. Students tend to do the same jobs as their parents because "it's all about social heritage".

4. Which expression in the article refers to the best students within a group?

The cream of the crop.

5. What's the difference between school buildings in China and in the West?

In China, schools are often the most noticeable buildings, whereas in Western countries the most impressive buildings are usually shopping centres.

Glossary 词汇表

cleverest 最聪明的

key skills 关键技能

above average 高于平均水平

performance 成绩

top marks 高分

high-flyers 成功人士

social heritage 社会遗产

invest 投入

cohort 有共同点的一群人

pass with flying colours 高分通过

the cream of the crop 顶尖人才

put their thinking caps on 进入思考状态

flunk 失败（常指考试不及格）

teach (someone) a lesson 给（某人）一个教训

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 plumber   

n.(装修水管的)管子工

参考例句：

• Have you asked the plumber to come and look at the leaking pipe?你叫管道工来检查漏水的管子了吗？
• The plumber screwed up the tap by means of a spanner.管子工用板手把龙头旋紧。

3 philosophical   

adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的

参考例句：

• The teacher couldn't answer the philosophical problem.老师不能解答这个哲学问题。
• She is very philosophical about her bad luck.她对自己的不幸看得很开。

4 flunk   

v.(考试)不及格(=fail)

参考例句：

• I will flunk him if my student doesn't learn the material in the course.如果我的学生没有掌握课程的内容，我就会让他不及格。
• If you flunk finals,you don't get the chance to do them again.如果你没通过期末考试，就没有机会再考一次了。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。