-
More students than ever before are taking a gap year (间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated (起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible.” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship—young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to £ 15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.
1.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A.It is flexible in length. B.It is a time for relaxation.
C.It is increasingly popular. D.It is required by universities.
2.According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year .
A.are better prepared for college studies
B.know a lot more about their future jobs
C.are more likely to leave university in debt
D.have a better chance to enter top universities
3.How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?
A.He’s puzzled. B.He’s worried.
C.He’s surprised. D.He’s annoyed.
4.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A.Attend additional courses. B.Make plans for the new term.
C.Earn money for their education. D.Prepare for their graduate studies.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
Basketball Statistician Help Wanted
The Athletic Department is looking for students to help assist staff during the Fall 2016, Winter 2016-17 and Spring 2017 semesters. Students in this position will be keeping live statistics during basketball games. Students must meet all of the following requirements:
•Good computer skills
•Available evenings and weekends
•Knowing basketball rules and statistics
Students interested in working for the Athletic Department should contact the Athletic Coordinator at their respective(各自的) campuses.
•TP/SS Athletic Coordinator, Michael Simone, 240-567-1308
•Rockville Athletic Coordinator, Jorge Zuniga, 240-567-7589
•Springfield Athletic Coordinator, Gary Miller, 240-567-2273
•Germantown Athletic Coordinator, Gauri Chavan, 240-567-6915
1.When will the job start?
A.In May 2016. B.In May 2017.
C.In September 2016. D.In September 2017.
2.Who is more likely to get the job?
A.Sam, English major, member of the college basketball team.
B.Judy, IT staff with night classes, children’s basketball team coach.
C.Ted, computer major, basketball fan, free on evenings and weekends.
D.Molly, part-time programmer, high school basketball player, new mother.
3.Whom should you contact if you want to apply for the job in Rockville?
A.Michael. B.Jorge.
C.Gauri. D.Gary.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
It was Mother’s Day morning last year and I was doing my shopping at our local supermarket with my five-year-old son, Tenyson. As we were leaving, we found that only minutes earlier an elderly woman had fallen over at the entrance and had hit her head on the concrete. Her husband was with her, but there was blood everywhere and the woman was embarrassed and clearly in shock.
Walking towards the scene, Tenyson became very upset about what had happened to the couple. He said to me, “Mum, it’s not much fun falling over in front of everyone.”
At the front of the supermarket a charity(慈善) group had set up a stand selling cooked sausages and flowers to raise funds. Tenyson suggested that we should buy the lady a flower. “It will make her feel better,” he said. I was amazed that he’d come up with such a sweet idea. So we went over to the flower seller and asked her if we could buy a flower for the lady to cheer her up. “Just take it,” she replied. “I can’t take your money for such a wonderful gesture.”
By now paramedics（救援人员）had arrived, and were attending the injured woman. As we walked up to her, my son became______by all the blood and medical equipment. He said he was just too scared to go up to her.
Instead I gave the flower to the woman’s husband and told him, “ My son was very upset for your wife and wanted to give her this flower to make her feel better.”
At that, the old man started crying and said, “Thank you so much, you have a wonderful son. Happy Mother’s Day to you.”
The man then bent down and gave his wife the flower, telling her who it was from. Though badly hurt and shaken, the old lady looked up at Tenyson with love in her eyes and gave him a little smile.
1.What dose the author intend to tell us?
A.One can never be too careful.
B.Actions speak louder than words.
C.Love begins with a little smile.
D.A small act of kindness brings a great joy.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.The elderly woman was knocked down by Tenyson.
B.Tenyson’s idea of buying a flower gained his mother’s support.
C.Tenyson’s care for the elderly woman puzzled the flower seller.
D.The elderly woman was moved to tears by Tenyson’s gesture.
3.The underlined word “intimidated” in the fourth paragraph probably means “___________”.
A.astonished B.struck C.frightened D.excited
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Flower Power
B.Mother’s Day
C.An Accidental Injury
D.An Embarrassing Moment
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
-
From the first use of the rocket to carry satellites into space to the setting up of space stations，human beings have achieved many successes.But there are still numerous tasks in front of us and we should not stop trying to progress.
The international space station is an important step we should take in space exploration.It is not only helpful but also necessary.It provides a proper space environment for many experiments that we have wanted to do for a long time.It is also a base for observing the earth and the universe.It could also be an important base for later travel to the moon and Mars.In a word，if we want to explore space more，the first thing we should do is to set up a space station.
As the space station costs a lot of money，it is hard for one country alone to establish one.The US seems to be the only country that has the ability to build a space station alone，and it has tried to do so，but not very successful.So it aggregated many other countries to work on it together.Though it is still extremely expensive，it is much cheaper than doing it alone.It is really a job that needs everyone’s effort and will benefit everyone.
But even so，the funds (资金) needed are still a big problem.As for the US，it seems that it has too many things to spend its money on.Although it is the richest country in the world，it has much debt every year.It has to try to find a balance in all these issues.
1.What is the author’s attitude towards building and developing the international space station？
A. Supportive. B. Doubtful.
C. Worried. D. Reserved.
2.From Paragraph 2 we can learn that ______________.
A. the necessity of building the international space station is not realized now
B. many experiments have been done in the international space station
C. the international space station is necessary for people to explore space further
D. people have travelled to Mars from the international space station
3.Which of the following is NOT a reason for countries’cooperation in building the international space station？
A. It will benefit every participating country.
B. No country is able to build it alone.
C. It needs everyone’s effort.
D. It requires a lot of money.
4.All the following aspects about building the international space station are mentioned EXCEPT ______________.
A. difficulties B. cost
C. importance D. waste
难度: 中等查看答案及解析