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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #49011 Foreign Students English
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
* Select the correct answer into all dropdown fields. You need to answer all questions before clicking verify button.
Federal  Education  Minister  Julie  Bishop  says  she  has  seen  no  evidence  that  international  students  are  graduating  from  Australian  universities  with  poor  English  skills.  Research  by  Monash  University  academic  Bob  Birrell  has  found  a  third  of  international  students  are  graduating    a  competent  level  of  English.  But  Ms.  Bishop  says  Australian  universities  only  enroll  international  students  once  they  have  achieved  international  standards  of  language  .  "This  has  been  an  extraordinary  attack  by  Professor  Birrell  on  our  universities,’’  she  said.  "International  students  must  meet  international    in  the  English  language  in  order  to  get  a  place  at  a  university  in  Australia,  and  they  can't  get  into  university  without  reaching  that  international  standard."  University  of  Canberra  vice-chancellor  Roger  Dean  also  says  international  students  are  required  to  sit  an  English  test  before  being  admitted  to  nearly  all  Australian  universities.  "There  are,  of  course,  intercultural  difficulties  as  well  as  language  difficulties,"  he  said.  "There  are,  of  course,  also  many  Australian  students  who  don't  speak  such  fantastically  good  English  either."  "So  we're  trying  to  push  the  standard  even  higher  than  present,  but  it's  a  very  useful  one  already."  Ms.  Bishop  says  Australia's  university  system  has  high  standards.  "I've  seen  no  evidence  to  suggest  that  students  are  not  able  to  complete  their  courses  because  they're  failing  in  English  yet  they're  being  passed  by  the  universities,"  she  said.  "I've  not  seen  any    to  back  that  up."  "International  education  is  one  of  our  largest  exports,  it's  our  fourth  largest  export,  and  it's  in  the  interest  of  our  universities  to  maintain  very  high  standards  because  their  recognition  is  at  stake."

Result:

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Correct answer: without

Explanation: The word 'without' correctly indicates the absence of a competent level of English, fitting grammatically as it shows a lack of something, which is appropriate in this context.

Meaning: 'Without' means 'not having' or 'lacking,' indicating that a third of international students are graduating while lacking competent English skills.

Wrong options:

  • for: 'For' suggests a purpose or reason, which does not fit the context of lacking a skill.
  • into: 'Into' implies movement or transformation, which is not applicable here as it does not convey the absence of a skill.
  • by: 'By' indicates a means or method, which does not align with the context of students graduating without a certain level of English.
Correct answer: proficiency

Explanation: The term 'proficiency' is the correct choice as it refers to a high level of skill or competence in a language, aligning perfectly with the context of language standards.

Meaning: 'Proficiency' means having a high degree of skill or competence in a particular area, in this case, the English language.

Wrong options:

  • test: 'Test' refers to an assessment or examination, which does not fit as it does not describe the level of language ability required.
  • affinity: 'Affinity' suggests a natural liking or attraction, which is irrelevant in the context of language competence.
  • results: 'Results' refer to outcomes or findings, which do not convey the necessary level of language skill required for university admission.
Correct answer: benchmarks

Explanation: The word 'benchmarks' is appropriate as it refers to standards or points of reference against which things may be compared or assessed, fitting the context of language requirements.

Meaning: 'Benchmarks' are standards or criteria used to measure the quality or performance of something, in this case, the English language skills of international students.

Wrong options:

  • approaches: 'Approaches' refers to methods or ways of doing something, which does not fit the context of measuring language standards.
  • standard: 'Standard' is a singular term that does not convey the idea of multiple criteria or measures, which is implied by the context.
  • ways: 'Ways' suggests methods or manners of doing something, which does not align with the context of language assessment criteria.
Correct answer: evidence

Explanation: The word 'evidence' is the correct choice as it refers to information or proof that supports a claim, which fits the context of Ms. Bishop's statement about the lack of proof regarding students' English skills.

Meaning: 'Evidence' means information or facts that help to prove something, in this case, the assertion that students are failing in English.

Wrong options:

  • excuse: 'Excuse' refers to a reason given to justify a fault or offense, which does not fit the context of providing proof.
  • support: 'Support' implies assistance or backing, which does not convey the idea of proof or substantiation required in this context.
  • reason: 'Reason' refers to a cause or explanation, which does not align with the need for proof or evidence in the statement.

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