TOEFL
CK English Aulas Particulares de inglês em Uberlândia ou online no Brasil
01 TOEFL
Listening
1. Why does the student go to see the professor?
A. She wants to ask why her exam grade was so low.
B. She wants to ask the professor about the course syllabus.
C. She wants to find out how she could participate better in class.
D. She wants to find out why the unit grade did not reflect her exam grade
2. What is the situation? Choose 2 answers.
A. The student's exam grade was high
B. The student's exam grade was low.
C. The student's unit grade was high.
D. The student's unit grade was low
3. Why does the professor mention the syllabus that he gave out on the first day of class?
A. Because the syllabus explains the professor's system of grading
B. Because the syllabus indicates what is in each of the three units.
C. Because the syllabus explains exactly what is on the exams.
D. Because the syllabus indicates that participation is an important part of the exam grade.
4. How could the student's problem best be described?
A. She had not learned the material well for the exam.
B. She had not attended class at all.
C. She knew the material but did not apply what she knew in class.
D. She liked to participate, but what she said was not very accurate.
5. What might this professor say?
A. "Attendance is not important as long as you learn the material."
B. "Being able to discuss issues with other students is a vital part of this class."
C. "You don't seem to understand that I put a huge amount of emphasis on exam grades in this course."
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Education Job Fair
Saturday, October 9 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Washington Center
The University of the Rockies has been offering our Placement Abroad Services for prospective teachers since 1980. This program is sponsored by the University of the Rockies' Career Services Center. Originally initiated to provide American schools abroad with certified teachers, the Placement Abroad Services now includes the U of R Recruitment Fair, credential and referral services, and the "Careers in Education" publication. We are dedicated to providing our graduates in Education the opportunity to meet and interview with recruitment staff from international schools. This service is free for all U of R students and alumni.
Task 3
Critical Period
It is generally believed that for many organisms, there is a specific time period, a so-called “window of opportunity,” during which the organism must receive crucial input from its environment in order for normal development to occur. This period is called the critical period. If the needed environmental input is not received during this period, the normal development of certain physical attributes or behaviors may never occur. In other words, if the organism is not provided with the needed stimulus or influence during the critical period, it may permanently lose the capacity to ever obtain a particular physical attribute or behavior.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Longevity
02 TOEFL
Listening
1. What are the student and the professor discussing?
A. Two characters from a story the student has read
B. The student's plan for a research assignment
C. A research study the student has read
D. Ways for the student to improve
2. What point does the professor make about the student's work?
A. The thesis could be stronger.
B. The thesis is a very ordinary idea.
C. The student will have to work very hard to prove the thesis
D. The thesis should be easy to prove.
3. What is the student's thesis?
A. One character appears in two different novels.
B. Two characters that seem alike are not really alike.
C. One character acts in two extremely different ways.
D. Two characters who do not seem to resemble each other actually have a lot in common
4. How does the professor seem to feel about the student's work?
A. She is unsure what the student is doing.
B. She is completely disgusted with the student's work.
C. She thinks the student's work may have potential
D. She is really impressed with the student's work.
5. What will the student most likely do next? Choose 2.
A. Work on ways to support his thesis and then share his ideas with the professor
B. Stop working on this thesis and start on another
C. Write down new ideas and submit his written ideas to the professor
D. Work on his thesis to improve it
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Professor Fox Accepts New Position
We are happy to announce that Professor Fox will be filling the vacant Dean of Students position. Strong organizational skills are important for this position. Professor Fox has demonstrated such skills in her role as Head of the Philosophy Department, where she has coordinated department affairs for five years. Additionally, the Dean of Students must be someone who is able to work well with students, since responsibilities include counseling and advising students who are dealing with personal problems. As our head women’s soccer coach, Professor Fox has proven to be a supportive role model for team members, always offering assistance when they ask for personal guidance.
Task 3
Mathematics and Children's Misconceptions
Analyses of children's misconceptions in mathematics indicate that children have considerable difficulties in dealing with fractions. Given the choice of 50 percent and 25 percent, and asked to choose which number is higher, children will correctly choose 50 percent. However, given the choice of 1/2 and 1/4, they will incorrectly choose 1/4. Their reasoning is that since 4 is a larger number than 2, 1/4 is larger than 1/2. Considering this misconception, it is highly likely that the correct answers they give to percentage questions aren't based on understanding the concept of percentages. Holding onto the misconception that 1/4 is a larger number than 1/2, the child often miscalculates the simple addition problem of 1/2 plus 1/2, coming up with the answer of 1/4 instead of 2/2 or 1.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Univeristy Spending
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Longevity
03 TOEFL
Listening
1. What does the advisor want to tell the student?
A. That he should apply for a particular program
B. That he needs to attend a meeting of the academic committee
C. That he has been admitted to a special program
D. That a program he has applied for has accepted him
2. What is true about the Honors Program? Choose 2.
A. The students in the program take all of their classes together.
B. The students in the program take some more in-depth classes
C. Admission to the program entitles students to attend some special events
D. The students in the program are given a large amount of money.
3. Why is the student concerned?
A. He is worried that he might not have high enough grades
B. He is concerned that he will not like being in classes with the other students in the program.
C. He is afraid that the program will not be competitive enough.
D. He thinks he does not need the program because he is not going to graduate school.
4. How does the advisor seem to feel about the student's concern?
A. She thinks he is right to be concerned.
B. She believes that the program is not good for the student.
C. She thinks it is better for him to go to graduate school than join the program.
D. She thinks that the program would be really good for him.
5. What does the advisor promise to do for the student?
A. Give him plenty of time to make a decision
B. Make arrangements for him to talk with other students in the program
C. Let him join in on some of the program courses before making a decision
D. Arrange for him to talk with the Academic Committee about why he was selected
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Legal Aid Project
Founded in 1968, the Legal Aid Project provides free legal services to students. This nonprofit organization was established in order to give law students practical experience in the application of the law. Students are required to work one semester of their senior year in the Project as part of their training. During the semester, students accompany attorneys and lawyers to the courthouse to observe ongoing cases. Many go on to work additional semesters in the Project on a volunteer basis. The Project staff assists the law students with their work and evaluates the job done.
Task 3
Keystone Species
Within a habitat, each species depends on other species, and contributes to the overall stability of that ecosystem. However, some species do more than others by providing essential services. Without the influence of these key species, the habitat changes significantly. Scientists refer to these important players in an ecosystem as keystone species. When a keystone species disappears from its habitat, the habitat changes dramatically. Their disappearance can then trigger the loss of other species. As some species vanish, others move in or become more abundant. The new mix of species changes the habitat’s appearance and character.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: City Spending
04 TOEFL
Listening
1. Why does the student go to see the professor?
A. To discuss something she read with the professor
B. To ask about something the professor discussed in class
C. To ask what she should read for the next class
D. To ask him to explain a particular test question
2. How did the professor misunderstand the student? Listen to the sound clip again
A. He thought the student was asking how the theory came to be.
B. He thought the student wanted to know what to read for the next class.
C. He thought the student was asking him to explain a particular theory.
D. He thought the student was asking why he discussed a particular theory.
3. What did the student really want to know?
A. How the theory came to be.
B. What the main point of the theory is.
C. Why the professor discussed this theory in class.
D. Where the theory could be found in the course materials
4. What does the professor mean when he says this: Listen to the sound clip again
A. It's really not important for you to understand this.
B. I'm quite sure you already understand this
C. I'm not sure you understand this, and you should.
D. You don't seem to understand this, and you don't need to.
5. What does the student say about what has happened in the past?
A. She's never had the same problem in the past.
B. She thought it was the professor's fault in the past, so she did not worry about it.
C. She knew what the problem was in the past and did not do anything about it.
D. She thought it was her own fault in the past, so she thought she would try harder in the future.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Plans for Campus Gym
The recreational services department will receive special funding from this year’s budget to increase the number of exercise machines in the campus gym. The increase is in response to numerous student complaints regarding the insufficient number of machines available. Recreational services agrees that, due to an increase in university enrollment, more students are using the gym. They, therefore, welcomed the proposal, adding that it would encourage even more students to exercise and would help to promote a healthier lifestyle among students.
Task 3
Transportation of Agricultural Goods
The availability of a transportation network has a considerable influence on the production and distribution of agricultural products. For commercial agriculture, the costs of transportation are a major restricting factor on what might be grown. Bulky items, because of their weight, and perishable food items, because of their need for refrigeration, are more expensive in terms of shipping costs. Such economic considerations are an important factor in many parts of the world. Even if a subsistence farmer managed to produce a surplus that could be sold, the transportation costs to get the supply to the market could be prohibitively high.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Corporate Impact
05 TOEFL
Listening
1. What is the student's problem?
A. She needs help using the computerized research station.
B. She cannot check out three books that have already been checked out.
C. She does not know where the reference section is.
D. She is having difficulty finding books in the library.
2. What step has the student NOT taken by the end of the conversation?
A. She has asked the librarian for help
B. She has searched for the books at the computerized research station
C. She has printed out a list of the books she had found at the research station
D. She has asked for the books at the main desk
3. What does the librarian mean when he says this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. It will take only half as long to find the book.
B. Half of what you said is correct, and half is not
C. You were successful in finding half of the books
D. You can check the book out for half as long as you wanted.
4. Indicate what is true about the various types of books in the library.
A. A book on limited loan cannot be checked
B. A reference book can be checked out for a few days only.
C. A book with a hold on it cannot be checked until it is returned.
D. One can place a hold on a reserve book
5. What does the student need to do at the main desk? Choose 2.
A. Ask for a book that has been placed on limited loan
B. Place a hold on a book that has been checked out
C. Find out when a book that has been checked out will be returned
D. Check a book out from the reference section
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Financial Aid Office Announcement
The Work-Study Program gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to earn money on campus to pay for their education-related expenses. The pay is based on minimum wage, but can be higher based on the job requirements. Students can earn up to $3,000 per year depending on financial need. To be eligible for consideration in the program, a student must be registered as a full-time student and must be able to demonstrate financial need. To obtain more information or to apply for one of the listed jobs, contact the Financial Aid Office in Buxley Hall.
Task 3
The Establishing Shot
Film directors use different types of camera shots for specific purposes. An establishing shot is an image shown briefly at the beginning of a scene, usually taken from far away, that is used to provide context for the rest of the scene. One purpose of the establishing shot is to communicate background information to the viewer, such as the setting—where and when the rest of the scene will occur. It also establishes the mood or feeling of the scene. Due to the context that the establishing shot provides, the characters and events that are shown next are better understood by the viewer.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Work from Home
Integrated Writing 02
Endotherms are animals such as modern birds and mammals that keep their body temperature constant. For instance, humans are endotherms and maintain an internal temperature of 37C, no matter whether the environment is warm or cold. Because dinosaurs were reptiles, and modern reptiles are not endotherms, it was long assumed that dinosaurs were not endotherms. However, dinosaurs differ in many ways from modern reptiles, and there is now considerable evidence that dinosaurs were, in fact, endotherms.
Polar dinosaurs
One reason for believing that dinosaurs were endotherms is that dinosaur fossils have been discovered in polar regions. Only animals that can maintain a temperature well above that of the surrounding environment could be active in such cold climates.
Leg position and movement
There is a connection between endothermy and the position and movement of the legs. The physiology of endothermy allows sustained physical activity, such as running. But running is efficient only if an animal's legs are positioned underneath its body, not at the body’s side, as they are for crocodiles and many lizards. The legs of all modern endotherms are underneath the body, and so were the legs of dinosaurs. This strongly suggests that dinosaurs were endotherms.
Haversian canals
There is also a connection between endothermy and bone structure. The bones of endotherms usually include structures called Haversian canals. These canals house nerves and blood vessels that allow the living animal to grow quickly, and rapid body growth is in fact a characteristic of endothermy. The presence of Haversian canals in bone is a strong indicator that the animal is an endotherm, and fossilized bones of dinosaurs are usually dense with Haversian canals.
06 TOEFL
Listening
1. Why does the student go to see the professor?
A. To tell the professor that he is getting married
B. To find out when the research project is due
C. To get permission to postpone the project due date
D. To explain why he was late turning in the paper
2. What excuse does the student use?
A. He is getting married.
B. He has an important family event to attend
C. The due date for the project is too soon.
D. The project is much harder than he had expected.
3. How does the professor seem to feel about this? Choose 2.
A. Missing a few days of class for the wedding is OK
B. Missing a few days of class for the wedding is not OK.
C. Delaying the research project is OK.
D. Delaying the research project is not OK
4. Which of the following might the professor say?
A. “You have plenty of time to complete the project before the wedding."
B. "Maybe the wedding could be postponed."
C. "That seems like a good reason to delay the project."
D. "I can't believe that the wedding is so soon."
5. What does the professor mean?
A. I'm not really doing you a big favor, but I'm telling you it is.
B. I'm sure you don't believe this because you never believe what I say.
C. It certainly seems like a big favor, but it's not.
D. You're not going to like this now, but you'll appreciate it later.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Required Work Experience
The business studies department at State University will now require all students enrolled in its program to complete one semester of work experience in a local corporation or small business. It is felt that students will benefit from this work experience by developing leadership and organizational skills that would not normally be learned in a classroom or campus setting. Furthermore, the relationships that students establish with the company that they work for may help them to secure permanent employment with that company once they have completed the program and graduated.
Task 3
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis refers to an intimate relationship between two organisms. This term does not indicate whether the relationship is beneficial or harmful to the organisms involved. Mutual symbiosis, or mutualism, occurs when both species gain some benefit from the relationship, whereas parasitism consists of a relationship in which one of the organisms benefits, while the other one is harmed. A third symbiotic relationship is that of commensalism. In commensalism, the relationship is beneficial to one of the organisms while the other neither benefits nor is harmed. A commensal organism can be either obligate or facultative. The obligate commensal cannot survive without its symbiotic partner. The facultative commensal can be found either living with its symbiotic partner or on its own.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Online Classes
07 TOEFL
Listening
1. What is true about the topics covered in the biology course? Choose 2.
A. Active poisoners were mainly covered in the previous class
B. Passive poisoners were mainly covered in the previous class.
C. Active poisoners will mainly be discussed at this class meeting.
D. Passive poisoners will mainly be discussed at this class meeting
2. How do active poisoners differ from passive poisoners?
A. Active poison is initiated by the attacker, while passive poison is initiated by the victim.
B. Active poisoners are animals, while passive poisoners are all plants.
C. Active poison is triggered by contact, while passive poison is triggered by consumption.
D. Active poisons are deadly, while passive poisons are not.
3. What are the two different methods by which passive poison is triggered? Choose 2.
A. Contraction of the passive poisoner
B. Contact with the passive poisoner
C. Consumption by the victim
D. Indigestion in the passive poisoner
4. Why does the instructor say the following:
A. He's trying to slow down the class discussion.
B. He's not sure what was just said.
C. He's realized that he said something incorrect
D. He would like the class to take a short break.
5. Active and passive poisoners are what types of living beings? Choose 2.
A. Plants may be active poisoners.
B. Animals may be passive poisoners
C. It is possible for a plant or an animal to be an active poisoner.
D. It is possible for a plant or an animal to be a passive poisoner
6. Indicate what type of poisoner each of these is.
1. Active poisoner JELLYFISH
2. Passive poisoner BEE
3. Passive poisoner through consumption MUSHROOM
7. What does the professor imply about the next class?
A. The discussion will be continued.
B. A quiz will be given
C. A new topic will be introduced.
D. The students will be able to ask questions.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Letter to the Editor
Most students are unaware of the employment conditions of our instructors. In fact, an ever increasing percentage of our university teachers have adjunct contracts. This means that they are only hired for a semester at a time, are underpaid, and receive no benefits. Although universities make great savings by following a policy of using temporary instructors, students do not benefit from these savings in the form of lower tuition fees. Considering how our university is exploiting teachers, we as students should be asking in what ways our education is suffering from this situation.
Task 3
Entertainment Merchandising
An effective, widely used marketing practice in the entertainment industry is entertainment merchandising. Entertainment merchandising is a form of marketing in which the brand or image from one product is also used to sell another. The practice of entertainment merchandising often occurs in connection with movies and television shows, especially those associated with children. For example, the success of a popular children’s television show may result in the marketing of toys that are designed to look like characters in the show. Or the situation may be reversed when a children’s television show is written to include characters that are based on popular children's toys.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Smart Phones
08 TOEFL
Listening
1. What is the main idea of the lecture?
A. All of the Mother Goose stories were probably written by Charlemagne's mother.
B. Though there may have been a real Mother Goose, the Mother Goose stories were not all written by her.
C. Two different versions of the Mother Goose stories have been published by different authors.
D. Two characters in Mother Goose stories are based on historical figures
2. Why does the professor say this: Listen to the sound clip again
A. To show that there is more to the topic than the students might think
B. To indicate that she thinks the students do not know anything about the topic
C. To clarify that they have already discussed this topic before
D. To encourage the students to say what they know about the topic
3. How does the professor seem to feel about the Mother Goose stories?
A. The only important stories in children's literature come from Mother Goose.
B. It is important to create a complete overview of children's literature.
C. The Mother Goose stories are an important part of children's literature.
D. The Mother Goose stories are too complex for children to understand.
4. Why does the professor say this: Listen to the sound clip again
A. To review material the students have read
B. To provide examples of a point she just made
C. To let the students know what their assignment is
D. To announce how the lecture will proceed
5. What two statements are true about the authorship of the Mother Goose books? Choose 2.
A. The Mother Goose rhymes probably had different authors
B. Perrault and Newbery contributed significantly to the writing of Mother Goose stories.
C. Charlemagne's mother wrote most of the Mother Goose rhymes.
D. Different Mother Goose stories were probably written at different times
6. Who is the real Mother Goose believed to be?
A. Charlemagne's pet
B. Bertha's goose
C. The mother of Charlemagne
D. A goose with multiple owners
7. What does the lecturer say is known about King Cole? Choose 2.
A. He was a famous musician.
B. He was a king of Britain
C. He lived more than 1,000 years ago
D. He was only a fictional character.
8. What does the lecturer say about Jack Horner?
A. He became King of England.
B. He ate 12 pies.
C. He became owner of an estate illegally.
D. He stole some plums.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Student Art Display
The university is currently considering possible locations on campus for displaying paintings and other artwork by students. I think the lobby at the entrance to the student center would be a great location. Since many students pass through the student center every day, artwork displayed in the lobby would be viewed by hundreds of people. Also, because the whole front of the building is made of glass windows, the lobby is filled with natural light. This makes it perfect for displaying artwork, which should have plenty of light to be seen and appreciated.
Task 3
Imprinting
Animal psychologists have long known that young geese and ducks instinctively follow their mother, but only if they have the opportunity to do so at an early point in their lives. If these goslings or ducklings are separated from their mothers during this sensitive period, they will not develop an attachment to her.
Konrad Lorenz, the scientist who developed our knowledge of this phenomenon, used the term imprinting to identify the process in which this bond is formed. Lorenz noted that imprinting appears immediately after hatching and that the period during which it can develop lasts for at most a couple of days. Moreover, Lorenz argued that imprinting was irreversible and that a hatchling will imprint on its mother, or, remarkably, on any suitable moving object if the mother is not available.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Learning Styles
09 TOEFL
Listening
1. What does the professor mean when he says this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. It is not something important.
B. The students should already know it
C. It will be explained later in the lecture.
D. The students need to answer his question.
2. Which sentence best describes how the speaker feels about the Winchester House? Listen to the sound clip again.
A. It was a fairly normal house for its time.
B. It appears to have been carefully planned.
C. It represents a common style of architecture.
D. It is notable for its haphazard design
3. Why does the professor say this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. To announce what he is about to explain
B. To encourage the students to respond
C. To indicate that the answer is unknown
D. To suggest that the students should have prepared more
4. How did Sarah seem to feel about the ghosts? Listen to the sound clip again.
A. The house was haunted because of the way the family had achieved its wealth
B. The house was not really haunted, but stories about ghosts helped the house to become famous.
C. The house may have been haunted, but she did not understand why.
D. She made up stories about the house being haunted to get sympathy
5. Which sentence best describes the professor's view of ghosts? Listen to the sound clip again.
A. He believes in them even more than Sarah did.
B. The fact that the house is haunted by ghosts makes it special.
C. He does not believe in them, but the fact that Sarah did is important.
D. He does not believe in them, and he thinks that Sarah did not either.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Important Notice for Shuttle Bus Users
Because of road repairs along Main Street, there will be some minor routing changes of the university shuttle buses. Effective Monday, April 10, buses that normally follow Main Street can be boarded at Pine Street and Sixth Avenue. Buses will return to their regular routes on Monday, April 17. This temporary change will not affect travel or schedule times. We are sorry for the inconvenience for those who use the shuttle buses to get to and from neighborhoods in and around campus. If you have questions or need more information, please call our University Transit Center at 555-8552.
Task 3
Outsider Art
Outsider Art is a term used to describe art that is made by people who choose to live and work outside society. The artists who produce this kind of art—Outsider Artists—work in isolation from other artists and have little or no formal artistic training. Because they do not learn conventional artistic techniques from teachers or other artists, Outsider Artists must invent their own ways of doing things. As a result of the unconventional methods that Outsider Artists often use, their work can look strange and not at all like traditional art to the observer.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Influencers
10 TOEFL
Listening
1. Why does the man say this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. To indicate the next topic for discussion
B. To suggest a new location for the discussion
C. To state what has previously been said
D. To clarify why they are having the discussion
2. How does the man seem to feel when he says this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. Unhappy
B. Incredulous
C. Incapable
D. Disturbed
3. Why does the woman say this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. To contradict what was in the book
B. To indicate that she is not sure what is correct
C. To restate what the man said
D. To correct an error by the man
4. What does the man mean when he says this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. What was said sounds plausible.
B. Marion's tortoise was not on the island of Mauritius.
C. There may be an alternate explanation
D. There was only one tortoise on the island.
5. Which sentence best describes how the woman feels when she says this: Listen to the sound clip again.
A. It is possible for a tortoise to live for 200 years
B. A tortoise could not possibly live to the age of 200.
C. No 200-year-old tortoise has ever been found.
D. Many types of tortoises live to be very old.
Speaking
Task 1
Task 2
Housing Renovations Planned
Over the last ten years, the number of Central College students living on campus in dormitories has decreased by twenty percent. In an effort to counteract the trend, the college has announced a plan to renovate its on-campus housing. The renovations will take two years, and they will include improvements to the bathrooms, lighting, and heating in the dormitories. “A lot of people are moving off campus because the dorms aren’t in great shape,” explained the college president. “By renovating the dorms, we can make them more appealing than off-campus housing, and more students will choose to remain on campus.”
Task 3
Regulating Pesticide Use
In 1996 Congress passed a law called the Food Quality Protection Act. Prior to this law farmers could use pesticides at levels that produced abundant crop yields. This law was enacted to ensure that pesticide use does not endanger the public, and in particular, children. To guarantee safe use, the toxicity of different pesticides must be determined. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has undertaken studies in an effort to identify the reference dose that is considered safe for the public's daily consumption and to reach a final risk assessment on which to base management decisions concerning the regulatory use of pesticides. These studies have resulted in the reevaluation of the safety of many pesticides.
Task 4
Writing
Task Academic Discussion
Click on the link and follow the instructions: Starting a Business
Integrated Writing 03
Communal online encyclopedias represent one of the latest resources to be found on the Internet. They are in many respects like traditional printed encyclopedias: collections of articles on various subjects. What is specific to these online encyclopedias, however, is that any Internet user can contribute a new article or make an editorial change in an existing one. As a result, the encyclopedia is authored by the whole community of Internet users. The idea might sound attractive, but the communal online encyclopedias have several important problems that make them much less valuable than traditional, printed encyclopedias.
First, contributors to a communal online encyclopedia often lack academic credentials, thereby making their contributions partially informed at best and downright inaccurate in many cases. Traditional encyclopedias are written by trained experts who adhere to standards of academic rigor that nonspecialists cannot really achieve.
Second, even if the original entry in the online encyclopedia is correct, the communal nature of these online encyclopedias gives unscrupulous users and vandals or hackers the opportunity to fabricate, delete, and corrupt information in the encyclopedia. Once changes have been made to the original text, an unsuspecting user cannot tell the entry has been tampered with. None of this is possible with a traditional encyclopedia.
Third, the communal encyclopedias focus too frequently, and in too great a depth, on trivial and popular topics, which creates a false impression of what is important and what is not. A child doing research for a school project may discover that a major historical event receives as much attention in an online encyclopedia as, say, a single long-running television program. The traditional encyclopedia provides a considered view of what topics to include or exclude and contains a sense of proportion that online "democratic" communal encyclopedias do not.