Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 23 to 27.
The use of computers has meant that students can study language programmes (23) _________ their own speed when and for how long they want. What’s more, in the virtual classrooms of the future the student will put on their headset, and be transported into an imaginary school, choose their class, take the books they need off the shelf and hold conversations with other computerised students. They might instead choose to pay a visit to the supermarket or the train station, the bank or the restaurant. At the (24) _________ of a button they would be transported to (25) _________ realistic settings where they could practice their English, maybe getting a hand from a virtual English companion. All this perhaps, at the computer, from the comfort of their home: no (26) _________to catch the bus to college, or a plane to England. Exciting? Certainly, and it’s an interesting alternative to traditional classroom lessons. But would it ever (27)_________the classroom? Hopefully not. Surely the need to relate to real people talking about real issues and generally learning a little more about others will always lead language learners to uzcx be exc eg at least a little of their time with real people.
