Some African schools are adding programs that teach what officials are calling “soft skills” to students. Soft skills are personal qualities that help a person relate effectively to others. Officials say this kind of training can help students succeed in the job market and in life.
   The training is being offered at the St. Bernadette Kamonyi Secondary School in Kigali, Rwanda. For weeks, its students have been visiting neighborhood businesses. The goal of these field trips is for the young people to learn what is necessary to secure a job.
  For the secondary school students, this information is important. In a few months, they’ll complete their studies and try their best to find work. One of the Rwandan students is 22-year-old Aminadab Niyitegeka. He says he will look for any job available. He hopes that what he learns in his work readiness class will help. Traditionally, secondary schools in Africa have spent more time on subjects like mathematics and science, largely ignoring areas like public speaking and teamwork. But that is changing. Schools are exploring new teaching models to offer soft skills and professional training. It is part of an effort to perpare students to become better communicators, problem solvers and citizens(公民).
Rwanda has started a work readiness training program called Akazi Kanoze Access. It means “work well done” in Kinyarwanda, the official language of Rwanda. The program has trained more than 20,000 students to help make them more appealing to employers.
Emmanuel Ntagungira is a teacher and works as a trainer for Akazi Kanoze Access. He often visits employers who have given jobs to high schools. The employers are very happy because the graduates are ready to work. He says he hopes the program will help lower unemployment, which stands at over 13 percent nationwide. He also explains that the graduates have a healthy mindset and employers are satisfied with the job they’ve been doing.
24. Why do St. Bernadette Kamonyi Secondary School students visit neighborhood businesses?
A. To find some suitable jobs for them.
B. To explore new learning methods.
C. To help the neighbors with daily affairs.
D. To learn some skills to get a job.
25. What do secondary schools in Africa traditionally focus on?
A. Subjects like mathematics and science.
B. Public speaking and teamwork.
C. Communicating skills with employers.
D. New teaching models and skills.
26. What does Emmanuel Ntagungira think of the program?
A. Instructive. B. Beneficial. C. Persuasive. D. Controversial.
【答案】24. D    25. A    26. B
【解析】
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。文章叙述的是一些非洲学校正在增加项目，向学生教授官员们所说的“软技能”。软技能是帮助一个人有效地与他人建立联系的个人素质。官员们表示，这种培训可以帮助学生在就业市场和生活中取得成功。
【24题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中For weeks, its students have been visiting neighborhood businesses. The goal of these field trips is for the young people to learn what is necessary to secure a job.可知，之所以St. Bernadette Kamonyi中学的学生要去附近的商业区，是为了学习一些找工作的技能。故选D。
【25题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段中Traditionally, secondary schools in Africa have spent more time on subjects like mathematics and science, largely ignoring areas like public speaking and teamwork.可知，非洲的中学传统上注重像数学和科学这样的学科。故选A。
【26题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段He says he hopes the program will help lower unemployment, which stands at over 13 percent nationwide. He also explains that the graduates have a healthy mindset and employers are satisfied with the job they’ve been doing.可知，Emmanuel Ntagungira认为这个项目是有益的。故选B。