Directions： Read the following passage． Summarize the main idea and the main point（s） of the passage in no more than 60 words． Use your own words as far as possible．

Learning by Rote in the Digital Age

   Rote learning has become seen as an outdated method of teaching． The dictionary defines learning 'by rote' as：'from memory， without thought of the meaning： in a mechanical way'．

   The decline of rote learning has been quickened by technology． No one needs to memorize friends' phone numbers or email addresses because such data is conveniently stored and accessible electronically． And why remember when and where World War Two broke out when you can find the answer on the Internet in about 6 seconds？ But now there are voices for a need to return to rote learning．

   In fact， memorizing key data is essential to learning any skill． Doctoring requires knowledge of medicine and lawyering requires knowledge of cases and laws． Of course， being able to recall things will not further your understanding of those things， but without memorizing these foundation elements， you cannot progress to a deeper understanding of a subject．

   While the Internet and computers have weakened the need for us 10 remember things， it may well be that mobile learning can help bring this style of learning back to life by making it more convenient and more fun．

   Drilling yourself with flashcards or by repetition is usually hard and boring work， which is why most people need their multiplication tables to be drilled into them by teachers or parents． Rote learning without a willing third party can be a battle of discipline and motivation． But mobile learning can make those flashcards and drills more appropriate to individual study； our digital devices can challenge and inform us at the same time and also keep us motivated， whether through game﹣like structures or recording our progress．

   Once you've acquired the essentials of a subject by rote learning， you will find it easier to go deeper in the application of knowledge which is important．