Since 1964，colleges and universities in the U. S. have used Test of English as a Foreign Language，or TOEFL，to measure an international applicant's（申请人的）level of English. Universities in English-speaking European countries began using the International English Language Testing System，or IELTS，in 1989. These two tests have been the main choices for English ability testing in higher education admissions for international students until now.

In recent years，several companies have developed new English language tests that are low-cost and easy to use. And they aim to do more than just offer greater choices in the admissions process.

Founded in 2012, Duolingo creates software that teaches users many different languages, including English. In 2014, the company launched its own test of English language ability.

Jennifer Dewar works with Duolingo, helping to develop the test. She formerly worked as an admissions official at Washington University in St. Louis, Misouri. The school is one of hundreds of colleges, universities and other organizations in and outside the U. S. that now accept the test results for international admissions into their study programs.

Dewar says Duolingo created the test to lower the barriers to higher education for people worldwide, especially those in developing countries.

TOEFL and the IELTS cost about $ 300. They are given in a limited number of centers around the world. Some test-takers have to travel to take the tests, adding to the costs. Duolingo offers its test entirely over the Internet for $ 49. All test-takers need is access to a computer with a microphone，listening device and self-facing camera.

TOEFL，the IELTS and Duolingo measure a person's English reading，listening，speaking and writing abilities. But it takes about 45 minutes to complete a Duolingo test，compared to three or four hours for TOEFL or the IELTS. It is possible because Duolingo uses artificial intelligence（人工智能）to adapt to test-takers' abilities，using fewer questions to measure their skills.

   More than four decades ago，British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that groundbreaking moment，more than four million babies have been born through IVF（in vitro fertilization）（体外受精）and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The prize for Dr. Edwards，who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008，includes a ₤ 900，000check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as“a milestone in modern medicine”.

With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe，the Batley-born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world's first test-tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has given hope to millions of couples.

It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed-the lives of millions of couples. They said，“His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility，a disease which makes humans unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10%of all couples worldwide.”

Louise Brown，the world's first test-tube baby，made international headlines when she was born in Oldham，Greater Manchester，in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.

IVF is the process where egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb（子宫）. After a cycle of IVF，the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five — the same as healthy couples who conceive（怀孕）naturally.

Professor Edwards，who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren，began his research at the University of Cambridge in 1963，after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said,“The most important thing in life is having a child.  Nothing is more special than a child.”With the help of Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain receive IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.

But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists who said it was“unethical and immoral”.

Martin Johnson, professor of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said,“We couldn't understand why the Nobel Prize has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him.”

Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was“thrilled and delighted”.

Nowadays，there is a growing 【小题1】 (popular) of Internet surfing on college campus. 【小题2】 increasing number of students，【小题3】 (major) in science，engineering or liberal arts，spend many hours surfing the Internet with keen interest every day.

So far Internet surfing 【小题4】 (attract) college students like magnets（磁铁）for the reason 【小题5】 it is the world of Internet and the world of globalization. First，【小题6】 the global coverage of Internet，we can reach out to and touch anyone at any place of the world. Via Internet, we can send and receive e-mails at any time much faster, cheaper and more effective than 【小题7】 (tradition) means such as telephone, telex and fax. Next, access to the home pages makes it easy 【小题8】 (get) all kinds of information. Finally, by clicking the mouse, we are able to do such important things as shopping, finding jobs, making friends, and downloading files. What's more, Internet offers many chances.

In the Information Age, 【小题9】 is difficult to imagine modern life without Internet. With information technology industry developing 【小题10】 (rapid), successful dot-com companies appeared everywhere. Internet is revolutionizing our economy, our society and our life.

   Good learners can inspire students or anybody to learn well. Here are some characteristics of good learners.

Good learners are curious. They wonder about all sorts of things，often about knowledge beyond their areas of expertise（专长）. 【小题1】 Finding out about something they didn't know satisfies them for the moment，but their curiosity is addictive.

Good learners don't give up easily. A few things may come easily to learners but most knowledge arrivesafter effort. Good learners are willing to put in time. They try to search out new information. They read，analyze，and evaluate（评估）the information they've found. 【小题2】

Good learners know that a lot of learning isn't fun. The journey to understanding generally isn't all that exciting. 【小题3】 Others need boring attention to detail，and still others need periods of intense mental focus. Your back hurts，your arms and legs get tired，and your coffee gets cold.

【小题4】 There's always more to know. Good learners are never satisfied with how much they know about anything. They are surrounded by questions — the ones they still can't answer, or the ones without very good answers. Those questions follow them like day follows night with the answers bringing daylight.

Good learners share what they' ve learned. Good learners are teachers committed to sharing with others what they' ve learned. 【小题5】 Good learners can also explain what they know in ways that make sense to others. They are connected to the knowledge passed on to them and committed to leaving what they' ve learned with others.

I'm Li Hua. I plan to take part-time job in a foreign company during the summer holiday. I had already filled in the application form and have my resume ready for it. But I am not sure about the words and format（格式）. However，I am writing to ask for your help and professional advices. Would you please spare some time to read through the materials attaching？Would you mind find out the mistakes with regard as the words and format？Besides，I'd like you to correct the mistakes what are found in the materials and format.

I would appreciate it that if you could do me a favor.I am looking forward to you reply.

Yours,

Li Hua