Section C

　　Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written。

　　Looking to improve your language skills, but don’t have the time to go overseas to attend school? More and more universities around the world are offering opportunities for students to obtain degrees online from the (36) comfort of their own homes, and many of these (37) institutions have met certain standards of (38) excellence。

　　If you decide to take language courses online (or any subject for that matter)， be sure to (39) evaluate the benefits of studying online (40) versus going abroad. The advantages of studying online are that the costs are usually lower, you can study at your own (41) pace, and you have(42)access to the materials 24 hours a day from almost any computer in the world. However, you won’t get the human (43) interaction of meeting people face to face like you would if (44) you were physically attending a school overseas。

　　On the other hand, the advantages of going overseas may include day-to-day opportunities to be exposed to a new culture, meet new friends with whom you can use and practice the language, and chances to see different parts of the world. However, there may be a number of disadvantages for some including(45) expense, time away from one’s school, family, or work, and the challenge of adapting to a new culture and way of life。

　　Whatever you do, consider a long-distance education program that (46) meets your educational needs, is within your budget, and equally important, provides you with opportunities to grow beyond the classroom through cultural and educational activities。