The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）after figures showed a drop of more than 6% in student applications with less than a month to go before the deadline for 2013 applications.
Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed there were 265,784 university applications by UK-based candidates up to 17 December, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before. While this is less than the 8.4% year-on-urea fall seen in earlier Ucas figures, released in mid-November, the ing January deadline makes it ever more likely that the total 2013 applicant figure will see a second sizeable fall following the introduction of annual fees of up to ￡9,000.
Nicola Dandridge, the chairman of Universities UK, said: “However, we must be concerned about any drops in the numbers applying to university and in particular; we must look closely at how the increase in graduate contributions in England may be affecting the decisions of promising students. However, the December figures show a drop in numbers across the UK, suggesting that it is not only a question of tuition fees in England putting off from applying.”
A report of the Uncas figures to mid-December shows a 6.5% fall for applicants in England and 11.7% for those in Wales, with smaller drops of 3.9% for Scotland and 0.5% for Northern Ireland. Scottish students at home institutions pay on fees, while those from Northern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.
Dandridge added: “No one should be put off applying to university because of worries about finance.”
“It is important that no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the student support available to them. Most new students don’t need to pay directly. There will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs.”
【小题1】A drop of more than 6% for 2013 applications is probably the effect of .A．The increased tuition feesB．The approaching deadlineC．The concern from applicantsD．The difficulties with applications【小题2】Compared with the previous year, the fall in student applications is .A．3.9%B．2.1%C．6.3%D．8.4%【小题3】Why is the fall for application the smallest in Scotland and Northern Ireland?A．Because they have more financial supportB．Because the tuition is much cheaper for themC．Because the education is better thereD．Because the universities are free for them.【小题4】The last paragraph tells us that .A．Everyone should apply to universityB．Students may get financial supportsC．Lower loan repayments is unavailableD．Most new students will not pay feesA
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(答案→)A
解析：本文主要讲述的英国大学学费的增加导致大学生入学申请数量的减少，以及人们对此现象的不同的看法和态度。
【小题1】A 细节题。根据文章第一段The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）after figures showed a drop of more than 6% in student applications with less than a month to go before the deadline for 2013 applications.可知学生申请上大学数字的下降是与大学学费增加有关系的。故A正确。
【小题2】C 细节题。根据文章第二段2,3行by UK-based candidates up to 17 December, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before.可知与前一年相比较数据下降了6.3%。故C正确。
【小题3】B 细节题。根据文章倒数第二段最后一句while those from Northern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.可知主要是因为苏格兰的学费较为便宜。故B正确。
【小题4】B 段落大意题。根据文章最后一段可知在大学里学生有很多的机会可以得到助学贷款，这些都有助于他们取得大学的文凭。故B正确。