Question

 Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in the numbered blanks by using the information from the passage.

      Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

      An apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training that combines workplace experience and classroom learning. It can last anywhere from one to six years, but four years is typical for most. An apprentice spends the majority of the time in a workplace environment learning the practical skills of a career from a journeyman--someone who has done the job for many years. The rest of the apprentice's time is spent in a classroom environment learning the theoretical skills the career requires. Being an apprentice is a full-time undertaking.

     One of the advantages of apprenticeship is that it does not cost apprentices anything. The companies that hire them pay for school. What's more, it offers apprentices an "earn while you learn" opportunity. They usually start out at half the pay of a journeyman, and the pay increases gradually as they move further along in the job and studies. Near the end of the apprenticeship, their wages are usually 90 percent of what a journeyman would receive. Apprenticeship also pays off for employers. It can offer employers a pool of well-trained workers to draw from.

     Despite the advantages, apprentices are usually required to work during the day and attend classes at night, which leaves little time for anything else. Sometimes, they might be laid off(下岗) if business for the employers is slow.

     Once they have completed the apprenticeship and become journeymen, they receive a nationally recognized and portable certification and their pay also increases again. Some journeymen continue employment with the companies they apprenticed with; others go onto different companies or become self-employed contractors.

Answer

 Apprenticeship

 classroom learning

 the majority

 theoretical

 at the beginning

 a journeyman’s wages

 many well-trained workers

 being laid off

 Results

 another pay increase

【解析】

试题分析：介绍了学徒这一身份的优点和缺点。

 Apprenticeship 综合理解。 第一自然段解析了什么是apprenticeship，第二自然段说明了其优点，第三段说明了其不足，故文章是围绕apprenticeship而展开的。

 classroom learning细节理解题。 答案源于An apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training that combines workplace experience and classroom learning.  学徒是一种把工作经历和课堂学习结合起来在工作中得到培训的形式。

 the majority细节理解题。 根据An apprentice spends the majority of the time in a workplace environment learning the practical skills----，可知答案应为the majority

 theoretical细节理解题。 由本句The rest of the apprentice's time is spent in a classroom environment learning the theoretical skills the career requires.可得出答案。其余时间是在课堂上渡过的，学习工作中所要求的理论技能。

 at the beginning细节理解题。 由They usually start out at half the pay of a journeyman, and the pay increases gradually as they move further along in the job and studies.可知，是在刚开始的时候-----。

 a journeyman’s wages细节理解题。 由their wages are usually 90 percent of what a journeyman would receive.可知答案。他们的工资是一个熟练工人所得工资的百分之九十。

 many well-trained workers 细节理解题。 答案来源：It can offer employers a pool of well-trained workers to draw from.

 being laid off细节理解题。 文章的倒数第二自然段可以得出答案。（they might be laid off(下岗) if business for the employers is slow.）对于雇主来说，如果生意进行得太慢，他们也许会下岗。

 Results理解总结题 一旦他们完成了apprenticeship,就可以成为journeyman,可以领到证还可以增加收入，故应为结果result.

 another pay increase 细节理解题。 答案来源：heir pay also increases again

考点:考查总结归纳能力。