I once studied at a major university in the Midwest United States. At the beginning of each term, I could see lots of undergraduates（大学生）accompanied by their parents gather around the dormitory buildings. Fathers often helped children with huge luggage; mothers took much concern over children’s necessities in university; while children were only absorbed in chatting with friends and getting to know each other, showing no sign of worrying about their future lives.

       In fact, compared with Chinese parents, American parents care equally about their children’s advanced education and make plans accordingly. It is true that some students begin to save money for their university education quite earlier ―― for example, Amy, the daughter of my workmate Stevenson, planned to continue her education after secondary school. However Stevenson earned little and could not afford the tuition. Amy had to find a part-time job, working from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on holiday ――but for most American students, at least the majority of undergraduates, they are still financed by their parents.

       Some parents not only take the financial burden for their children’s advanced education but also try every possible way to help them. I could still remember that our teacher once said that American parents seldom offered help to their children, by which she meant to say that Chinese parents might be too caring. However every coin has two sides. For example, my academic advisor successfully got money from a major scientific grant（资助金）to continue his research project, and then he hired an undergraduate Sarah to work with us. The fact is that research assistantship is usually competitive, especially to undergraduate students, and it turned out that Sarah was the daughter of my advisor! “When I apply to the graduate school next year, the money I make and the research experience I build up will benefit me a lot,” Sarah said. I used to think that American people behave like businessmen, but this small incident proves that they still might compromise（妥协）the rules for the benefit of their children as loving parents.

  41. The main idea of the passage is _________.

       A. American children have some difficulty in getting enough money to go to college

       B. Chinese parents give their children too much love

       C. American parents also care for their children going to university

       D. Life in American universities

  42. What’s the writer’s attitude toward the academic advisor?

       A. Angry                      B. Understandable          C. Unfair                      D. Disappointed

  43. Which of the following has the same meaning as the underlined part in the second paragraph?

       A. They still use money from their parents.

       B. They are still controlled by their parents.

       C. They are still supported by their parents.

       D. They are still cared by their parents.

  44. What benefit will Sarah get because of her father’s care?

       A. Good grades.                                 B. The chance of finding a good job in the future.

       C. Money and experience.                   D. Good relationship.

It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations”. I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.

Then I looked at my financial（财政的）package.

The cost of Dream School’s tuition（学费）, room and board was around $40 000— an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.

In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.

One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, and listen quietly. But I surprised myself.

At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus（校园）including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.

As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.

In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream”university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.

1.How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?

A. He was full of joy.

B.He was lost in his dream.

C.He was worried about the money.

D.He was uncertain which school to go to.

2.We can learn from the passage that the parents were __________.

A.honest　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B.strict

C.supportive　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D.decisive

3.Which of the following was not mentioned when the president of the university talked about the activities on campus at dinner?

A. Sports events.

B. Part-time jobs.

C. Clubs for students.

D. Free food.

4.In Paragraph 5,“offered me a full ride”can be replaced by “__________”.

A.would pay for transport to the school

B.would show me around the campus

C.would offer free meals at all events 

D.would charge me nothing for tuition

5.What does the author mainly want to say?

A.Your second-choice college may actually be your best fit.

B.You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.

C.You should try your best to attend your dream school.

D.Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.

阅读理解

It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations”. I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.

Then I looked at my financial（财政的）package.

The cost of Dream School’s tuition（学费）, room and board was around $40 000— an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.

In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.

One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, and listen quietly. But I surprised myself.

At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus（校园）including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.

As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.

In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream”university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.

1.How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?

A. He was full of joy.

B.He was lost in his dream.

C.He was worried about the money.

D.He was uncertain which school to go to.

2.We can learn from the passage that the parents were __________.

A.honest　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B.strict

C.supportive　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D.decisive

3.Which of the following was not mentioned when the president of the university talked about the activities on campus at dinner?

A. Sports events.

B. Part-time jobs.

C. Clubs for students.

D. Free food.

4.In Paragraph 5,“offered me a full ride”can be replaced by “__________”.

A.would pay for transport to the school

B.would show me around the campus

C.would offer free meals at all events 

D.would charge me nothing for tuition

5.What does the author mainly want to say?

A.Your second-choice college may actually be your best fit.

B.You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.

C.You should try your best to attend your dream school.

D.Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.