When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I believed I could __1__ tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he __2__ in class.

When I took the first exam, I was __3__ to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper, for English was my best subject. I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained __4__.

I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that means __5__ school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I _6__ with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened __7_ but wouldn’t change his mind.

One more test before the final exam. One more __8_ to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts and, for the first time, learned the meaning of the word “  9  ”. But my __10__ did no good and everything went as before.

The last hurdle was the final. No matter what grade I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the __11__ goodbye.

I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even __12__ myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I’d have fun with a test.

A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into Professor Jayne’s office. He  __13__ to be expecting me. “If I gave you the grade as you expected, you wouldn’t continue to work as hard.”

I stared at him, __14__ that his analysis and strategy were correct. I had worked my head off, as I had never done before.

I was __15__ when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I’ve always remembered Professor Jayne’s lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.

1．A．take                      B．discuss                C．cover                  D．get

2．A．sought                  B．presented             C．exchanged           D．obtained

3．A．shocked                B．worried               C．scared                 D．anxious

4．A．unchanged            B．unpleasant           C．unfriendly            D．unmoved

5．A．when                    B．because               C．if                        D．though

6．A．quarreled               B．reasoned              C．bargained            D．chatted

7．A．angrily                  B．patiently              C．surprisedly          D．naturally

8．A．choice                  B．step                    C．chance                D．measure

9．A．tough                    B．difficult               C．final                    D．thorough

10．A．ambition              B．confidence           C．effort                  D．method

11．A．scholarship          B．course                 C．degree                 D．subject

12．A．helped                 B．favored               C．treated                D．relaxed

13．A．happened             B．proved                C．pretended            D．seemed

14．A．remembering       B．guessing              C．supposing            D．realizing

15．A．anxious               B．touched               C．speechless           D．correct