Selective colleges and universities in the U.S. are under fire for being too elite and too expensive, and for not training gradu

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问题     Selective colleges and universities in the U.S. are under fire for being too elite and too expensive, and for not training graduates for the world of work. Such charges ignore the fact that these institutions continue to prepare students for success in their work, for thoughtful engagement in civic life, for lifelong learning, and for understanding the world and those with whom they live.
    These colleges and universities must be doing something right. Applications are at record highs, and their financial aid programs make them more accessible than ever. This model of education has long played a central role in creating opportunity, driving economic growth, and spurring innovation.
    Yet, there is growing skepticism about the value of this model. The recent tax reform bill is a wake-up call that our strongest colleges and universities are under assault by some in government. The initial proposals would have made education unaffordable for many by taxing tuition waivers for graduate students and ending deductions for student loan interest. Thankfully, these provisions were ultimately stripped from the bill, but lawmakers let stand a new tax on the investment income of some colleges and universities.
    While these attacks are motivated by misguided ideas, we need to do a better job of explaining why these claims are false and why what we do is valuable. We cannot take for granted that any of this is obvious.
    It is often said that elite colleges and universities do not train students, particularly those who study the liberal arts, for the workforce. But this can be refuted by scholarly research. The data are clear: a liberal arts education is great career preparation, both for excellent lifetime earnings and for satisfaction with the work. This education develops the skills of critical thinking, rigorous analysis of data and facts, communication with the written and spoken word, understanding of cultural differences and issues, and the ability to keep learning. In fact, liberal arts graduates do extremely well in every imaginable field.
    Access to an education at selective colleges and universities is now more available than ever to low-and middle-income families. We have built endowments from donations by alumni (校友) and parents who understand and appreciate our mission to provide access and opportunity, and a significant portion of the returns from these endowments is used to fund financial aid.
    Ironically, the new tax on endowments drains financial aid funds from the very schools most able to offer opportunity to those who have earned a spot but cannot otherwise afford this education. Beyond the virtue of access to those who have earned a place at these schools, the diversity of economic backgrounds enhances the education and experience of all of our students.
What do the data show about elite colleges and universities?

选项 A、Their graduates lack the rigor required for doing statistical analysis.
B、Their students prove to be inadequately prepared for their future careers.
C、Their focus on research is conducive to developing students’ critical thinking.
D、Their liberal arts education enables graduates to excel in whatever field they are in.

答案D

解析 由题干中的data 和elite colleges and universities定位到第五段。事实细节题。第五段最后一句提到,事实上,文科毕业生在任何可以想象到的领域都做得非常好。故答案为D。文章第五段第四句提到,这种教育培养了学生的批判性思维能力,对数据和事实的严谨分析能力,书面和口头交流能力,对文化差异和问题的理解能力,以及持续学习的能力。根据该句内容,A项不符合文章意思,故排除;本段第三句提到,文科教育提供了很好的职业准备,学生既能终身获得丰厚收入,对工作满意度也很高,B项不符合文章意思,故排除;本段第四句中提到,“美国教育模式”而非“它们对研究的重视”有利于培养学生的批判性思维,C项偷换主语,故排除。
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