Read the passage about the author’s experience with massive open online courses (MOOCs) and then answer this factual question: “Which of the following is the name of a university, and not the name of an online education platform or delivery company, as described in the passage?”

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Johns Hopkins

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is based on a passage in which the narrator describes taking a massive open online course, or MOOC, provided through a well known platform. The passage mentions both online education companies and traditional universities that partner with them. The question asks you to distinguish between these two categories and to identify which name among the options refers to a university rather than to an online platform.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The passage states that the course the author took was “offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera.”
  • It then lists Coursera, EdX, and Udacity as examples of platforms that offer MOOCs in partnership with various educational institutions.
  • The text explains that Coursera was founded by two Stanford professors and works with universities around the world.
  • Johns Hopkins is mentioned in the context of being a university that offers a course, not as a platform.
  • The options are Coursera, Johns Hopkins, EdX, and Udacity.


Concept / Approach:
The key concept here is to distinguish between a university and an online delivery platform. The platforms are technology based companies or consortia that host courses, while universities are educational institutions that design and teach the courses. By paying attention to how each name is used in the passage, you can identify which one is a university. The phrase “offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera” clearly separates the university (Johns Hopkins) from the platform (Coursera).


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the passage introduces Coursera, EdX, and Udacity as providers of MOOCs in partnership with educational institutions. Step 2: Notice the line that says the course “was on clinical trials and ethical practices, offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera.” Step 3: From this, infer that Johns Hopkins is the name of the university offering the course. Step 4: Recognize that Coursera is the online platform hosting the course and not itself a university. Step 5: Remember that EdX and Udacity are presented alongside Coursera as similar online learning platforms. Step 6: Conclude that among the options, the only university is Johns Hopkins.


Verification / Alternative check:
As an additional check, you can think about general knowledge. Coursera, EdX, and Udacity are widely known as global online learning platforms, not as brick and mortar universities. Johns Hopkins, however, is recognized as a prestigious university in the United States. This matches the way the passage pairs Johns Hopkins with Coursera, reinforcing the distinction between course provider and course host. Both the context of the passage and outside knowledge support the same conclusion.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Coursera is described in the passage as an online MOOC platform founded by two Stanford professors, not as a university. EdX is another online learning platform that partners with various universities; it is not itself a university. Udacity is also an online education company that offers MOOCs and nano degree programmes, not a traditional university.


Common Pitfalls:
Some test takers may confuse well known educational brands with universities, especially when they are not fully familiar with the names. Others may rely more on guesswork than on the passage, thinking that any unfamiliar name might be a university. To avoid such mistakes, pay close attention to phrases like “offered by” and “on,” which indicate who created the course and which platform hosts it. Always base your choice on relationships described in the passage rather than assumptions.


Final Answer:
The name that refers to a university, not an online platform, is “Johns Hopkins”.

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