Breathe, wave and smile.Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10.The audience burst into deafening cheers.The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage.And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment.Each deserved it.The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment-the commencement(graduation ceremony).
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address.As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma.However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things.Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron cap and gown.
Our principal, Mr Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting.The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(
美国的爱国誓言).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches.The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion.It was as the class motto says,“Life brings us tears, smiles and memories.The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”
Then came the core(the most important part)of the commencement.Hundreds of names were announced.Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal.From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring.A girl sitting next to me even started yawning.But it wasn't boring for those receiving the diploma:they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person's life had turned.They were glimpsing their futures:futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.
(1)
What's the article mainly about?
[ ]
A.
An American high school's graduation ceremony.
B.
The opening ceremony of a sports meeting.
C.
A presentation of college diplomas.
D.
A US college's farewell party.
(2)
Which of the following statements about the author is FALSE?
[ ]
A.
She was one of the graduates.
B.
She was a foreign exchange student.
C.
She was excited to receive her diploma.
D.
She felt it great to be at the ceremony.
(3)
The right order of the following events is ________.
a.Diplomas were presented to graduates.
b.Students gave farewell speeches.
c.The US national anthem was played.
d.The principal gave a short, warm speech.
e.Seniors went into the stadium.
[ ]
A.
b,c,a,d,e
B.
c,d,b,e,a
C.
d,b,e,a,c
D.
e,d,c,b,a
(4)
From the text, we can conclude that ________.
[ ]
A.
a diploma ensures a good job
B.
a diploma guarantees a bright future
C.
the commencement symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life
D.
everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma
(5)
According to the passage, which of the following statement is true?
[ ]
A.
Hollywood superstars went to attend the commencement.
B.
Every single senior became a superstar on the commencement day.
C.
All graduates would treasure the diploma for the rest of their lives.
D.
When each graduate got his or her diploma, there were loud cheers.
Below is a page adapted from an English dictionary.
stick
verb(stuck, stuck)
push sth in
[+adv./prep.] to push sth, usually a sharp object, into sth; to be pushed into sth:[VN] The nurse stuck the needle into my arm.◆ Don't stick your fingers through the bars of the cage.◆ [V] I found a nail sticking in the tyre.
attach
[+adv./prep.] to fix sth to sth else, usually with a sticky substance; to become fixed to sth in this way:[VN] He stuck a stamp on the envelope.◆ We used glue to stick the broken pieces together.◆ I stuck the photos into an album.◆ [V] Her wet clothes were sticking to her body.◆ The glue's useless-the pieces just won't stick.
put
[VN +adv./prep.](informal)to put sth in a place, especially quickly or carelessly:Stick your bags down there.◆ He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled off.◆ Can you stick this on the noticeboard? ◆ Peter stuck his head around the door and said, 'Coffee, anyone?' ◆(spoken)Stick 'em up!(=put your hands above your head-I have a gun)
become fixed
[V]~(in sth)to become fixed in one position and impossible to move:The key has stuck in the lock.◆ This drawer keeps sticking.
difficult situation
(BrE, informal)(usually used in negative sentences and questions)to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation or person:[VN] I don't know how you stick that job.◆ They're always arguing-I can't stick it any longer.◆ The problem is, my mother can't stick my boyfriend.◆ [V -ing] John can't stick living with his parents.
become accepted
[V] to become accepted:The police couldn't make the charges stick(=show them to be true).◆ His friends called him Bart and the name has stuck(=has become the name that everyone calls him).
[V] to not take any more cards
Idioms:stick in your mind(of a memory, an image, etc.)to be remembered for a long time:One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.
stick in your throat/craw(informal)
(of words)to be difficult or impossible to say:She wanted to say how sorry she was but the words seemed to stick in her throat.
(of a situation)to be difficult or impossible to accept; to make you angry
stick your neck out(informal)to do or say sth when there is a risk that you may be wrong:I'll stick my neck out and say that Bill is definitely the best candidate for the job.
stick to your guns(informal)to refuse to change your mind about sth even when other people are trying to persuade you that you are wrong
Phrasal Verbs:stick around(informal)to stay in a place, waiting for sth to happen or for sb to arrive:Stick around; we'll need you to help us later.
stick at sth to work in a serious and determined way to achieve sth:If you want to play an instrument well, you've got to stick at it.
stick by sb [no passive] to be loyal to a person and support them, especially in a difficult situation:Her husband was charged with fraud but she stuck by him.
stick by sth [no passive] to do what you promised or planned to do:They stuck by their decision.
stick sth<->down(informal)to write sth somewhere:I think I'll stick my name down on the list.
stick out to be noticeable or easily seen:They wrote the notice in big red letters so that it would stick out.
stick sth<->out(of sth)to be further out than sth else or come through a hole; to push sth further out than sth else or through a hole:His ears stick out.◆ She stuck her tongue out at me.◆ Don't stick your arm out of the car window.
stick to sth
to continue doing sth in spite of difficulties:She finds it impossible to stick to a diet.
to continue doing or using sth and not want to change it:He promised to help us and he stuck to his word(=he did as he had promised).◆ 'Shall we meet on Friday this week?' 'No, let's stick to Saturday.' ◆ She stuck to her story.
stick together(informal)(of people)to stay together and support each other:We were the only British people in the town so we tended to stick together.
stick up to point upwards or be above a surface:The branch was sticking up out of the water.
stick with sb/sth [no passive](informal)
to stay close to sb so that they can help you:Stick with me and I'll make you a millionaire!
to continue with sth or continue doing sth:They decided to stick with their original plan.
noun
from tree
[C] a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been broken from a tree:We collected dry sticks to start a fire.◆ The boys were throwing sticks and stones at the dog.◆ Her arms and legs were like sticks(=very thin).
for walking
[C](especially BrE)=WALKING STICK:The old lady leant on her stick as she talked.
in sport
[C] a long thin object that is used in some sports to hit or control the ball:a hockey stick
long thin piece
[C](often in compounds)a long thin piece of sth:a stick of dynamite ◆ carrot sticks ◆(AmE)a stick of butter
[C](often in compounds)a thin piece of wood or plastic that you use for a particular purpose:pieces of pineapple on sticks ◆ The men were carrying spades and measuring sticks.
in plane/vehicle
[C](informal, especially AmE)the control stick of a plane
[C](informal, especially AmE)a handle used to change the GEARS of a vehicle
for orchestra
[C] a BATON, used by the person who CONDUCTS an orchestra
criticism
[U](BrE, informal)criticism or harsh words:The referee got a lot of stick from the home fans.
country areas
(the sticks)[pl.](informal)country areas, a long way from cities:We live out in the sticks.
person
[C](old-fashioned, BrE, informal)a person:He's not such a bad old stick.
(1)
When Jimmy says:“Every morning, I have to take the crowded bus to school, which I really can't stick.”, he may feel _________.
[ ]
A.
worried
B.
curious
C.
annoyed
D.
discouraged
(2)
Due to her fashionable dress, the woman stuck out when she was walking in the street.“stuck out” in this sentence means “_________”.
[ ]
A.
be noticeable
B.
be followed
C.
be admired
D.
be envied
(3)
When I was in trouble, Paul was the only one who _________ to help me.
[ ]
A.
stuck in his throat
B.
stuck together
C.
stuck up
D.
stuck his neck out
(4)
Sally said to me:“Try a peaceful life out in the sticks, and you will experience something totally different.” She means _________.
[ ]
A.
I should go to the woods to enjoy a new life.
B.
I should ignore the criticism and enjoy myself.
C.
I should go to the remote areas to have a change.
D.
I should go out by plane instead of by train to change my feelings.