A few decades ago, entry to university meant studying a strictly academic subject – a science, or perhaps literature, a foreign language or the classics. These days, (1) ________ education establishments offer (2) _________ conceivable subject from Chinese medicine to crime scene science. In Britain, this trend coincided with a dramatic increase in the number of universities and more relaxed entry requirements, (3) _________ more students to experience tertiary education. Many feared these measures would result in a (4) _______ down of degree-level courses and the press seized every opportunity to ridicule such courses. The creation in 1999 of a bachelor’s degree in surfing studies was taken as the ultimate proof that universities were prepared to give degrees in anything (5) _______ an attempt to attract young people, thereby (6) _______Britain’s academic reputation. In reality, the course, run by Plymouth University in South-West England, is highly scientific, and the curriculum is demanding (7) _______ oceanography, meteorology, materials technology and business management. Students on this course and other seemingly more practical courses have (8) ________ performed better in tests than those doing straight science degrees. Far from having an adverse effect on higher education, these new disciplines (9) _______students and aid learning by offering the opportunity to (10) _______ theoretical knowledge directly. Many of today’s graduates have a broad base of knowledge and are well placed to enter the job market.

1. A. higher B. primary C. special D. greater

2. A. many B. some C. all D. every

3. A. enhancing B. benefiting C. letting D. allowing

4. A. lowering B. dumbing C. detracting D. clamping

5. A. on B. of C. in D. at

6. A. messing B. dragging C. ruining D. cramming

7. A. consisting B. compromising C. including D. insisting

8. A. virtually B. actually C. ideally D. merely

9. A. lighten B. motivate C. hinder D. grasp

10. A. apply B. wrestle C. consume D. indulge