Read each passage and answer the question that follow
The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in other subjects; the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention for developing the ear for tone and pitch), the logical thinking for solving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of learning the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the reward for being able to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and custom all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.
According to the passage the main reward for foreign language learner is
The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in other subjects; the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention for developing the ear for tone and pitch), the logical thinking for solving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of learning the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the reward for being able to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and custom all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.
According to the passage the main reward for foreign language learner is
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Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Explanation:
- The passage emphasizes that learning a foreign language provides excellent training for the mind, improving skills needed in other subjects like music, mathematics, and philosophy. It suggests that the process of learning a foreign language stretches the mind and helps in acquiring new knowledge and skills.
- Option D best reflects this idea by highlighting the expansion of the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills, which is central to the argument in the passage.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- A. the ability to speak another language – While the passage mentions the ability to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language, it focuses more on the broader cognitive benefits of learning the language rather than just the ability to speak it.
- B. being able to speak the language – This option is too narrow because the passage stresses both cognitive benefits and cultural understanding, not just speaking the language.
- C. being able to learn mathematics or music in a foreign language – The passage mentions that skills from foreign language learning can help in other subjects, but the primary focus is on the overall cognitive and cultural benefits rather than just learning these subjects in a foreign language.
- E. none of the above – This is incorrect because D correctly reflects the central idea of the passage.
Correct answer: D. expanding the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills
Explanation:
- The passage emphasizes that learning a foreign language provides excellent training for the mind, improving skills needed in other subjects like music, mathematics, and philosophy. It suggests that the process of learning a foreign language stretches the mind and helps in acquiring new knowledge and skills.
- Option D best reflects this idea by highlighting the expansion of the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills, which is central to the argument in the passage.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- A. the ability to speak another language – While the passage mentions the ability to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language, it focuses more on the broader cognitive benefits of learning the language rather than just the ability to speak it.
- B. being able to speak the language – This option is too narrow because the passage stresses both cognitive benefits and cultural understanding, not just speaking the language.
- C. being able to learn mathematics or music in a foreign language – The passage mentions that skills from foreign language learning can help in other subjects, but the primary focus is on the overall cognitive and cultural benefits rather than just learning these subjects in a foreign language.
- E. none of the above – This is incorrect because D correctly reflects the central idea of the passage.
Correct answer: D. expanding the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills