The most dramatic expansion of schooling in recent decades has been in higher
education. 21 World War II, the size of many leading universities has tripled or
quadrupled, and the previously 22 predominance of undergraduate teaching has
given way to more emphasis 23 research and graduate training. In many of the
great research institutions, the concerns of undergraduates probably occupy only a
small part of the time and attention of most administrators and some of the faculty.
24 , these institutions see themselves as producing and disseminating the new
knowledge 25 which economic growth and social betterment ultimately depend.
Universities do fundamental research on the frontiers of knowledge, but they also do a
great deal of applied research for the specific needs of a variety of clients: the U.S.
Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, private businesses and
foundations, and even local communities. The role of the university in modern society,
therefore, 26 the teaching of undergraduates. Because of its increasing role in
producing new knowledge and new kinds of specialized skills, it 27 , some
theorists maintain, the key institution of our emerging knowledge-based society. 【題組】23. (A) in (B) at
(C) on (D) of