I decided to go back to school in the fall of 2008 after not being happy with my current job and financial status. I obtained my Associate’s Degree in May 2002 in Commercial Arts. After graduation, I had trouble obtaining a job in that field. For years, I was going from one job to another feeling unfilled, and I was not satisfied with the instability.

    I decided to go back to school for either International Business or Psychology. I weighed the pros and cons of both professions and Psychology won. I like helping my friends and family, when they go through hard situations in their life by giving them sound advice and being honest with them. Also, I was interested in “the mind”.

    I was searching for online schools because my work schedule at my current job would not allow me to attend a regular class. I was nervous about starting online classes because I heard mixed stories from other friends who were taking online classes. I decided to do it anyway to experience something different. I wanted to find an online school that was affordable and reputable. Through my search, I discovered Walden University, which is specially for working adults who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. The process of getting accepted was easy, which included writing an essay on why I wanted to attend their school, transferring my previous credits, etc.

    I am currently enrolled in the Bachelors program for psychology, and I am paying for college via financial-aid loans and grants. This experience has been interesting yet trying as sometimes it was difficult to balance work, school and home life. I learned a lot about psychology and myself. For example, I like writing about current events, relationships and traveling. I thought my English composition was ordinary, but after taking a few classes at Walden University, I improved my English composition and it made me feel confident enough to start writing professionally so I became a freelance (自由撰稿) writer. Currently, I am only three classes away from obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology! It was one of the best decisions I made in my life.

1.What did the author study originally when he was in college?

A. Psychology  B. Commercial Arts   C. International Business   D. English Composition

2.What do we know about the author from Paragraph 2?

A. He decided to study International Business at first.

B. He wanted to study two majors.

C. He liked Psychology better.

D. He chose his major with the help of his friends.

3.Why was the author nervous about starting online classes?

A. Because he heard some negative remarks about it.

B. Because he was worried that he didn’t have enough time to study.

C. Because he feared he would fail the entrance exam.

D. Because he was afraid that he didn’t have enough money.

4.Which of the following best describes the author’s learning experience?

A. Dull and challenging.             B. Interesting and easy.  

C. Interesting and challenging.        D. Dull and easy

5.According to the passage, the author _________.

A. was not able to find a full-time job

B. is most interested in writing

C. pays for his schooling with the help of his family

D. is satisfied with his achievements.

 

完型填空（共20小题；每小题1．5分，满分30分）

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。

My mother knew that she could not send me to college and pay for it．If I wanted to go to college, it was up to roe to find out how to get there．I found that I 36   for some grants （助学金）.There was enough to 37  school and books, but not enough for room and board．I accepted a job as part of a work-study program．I washed dishes in the school cafeteria．My grades went   38   ．It was the hardest work I had   39   done．

Just when I thought I was going to 40  of my college career, a friend told me that his grandmother needed help on the weekends． 41   that was required of me was cooking meals． Now I would have time to study．I went to meet his grandmother and accepted the job．My first   42 was his grandmother' s great love of music．One day, she told me I didn't have enough   43  in my life and decided to teach me the art．Grandma was 44  with my ability and encouraged me to continue．Weekends became more than just books and cooking; they were   45  the wonderful sounds of the piano and two singers．

When Christmas break came, Grandma got a chest cold 46  I was unwilling to leave her．I hadn't been home since Labor Day, and my family was 47  to see me．I said my good-bye, 48  for her temporary care and returned home． 49   I was loading my car to go back to school, the phone rang and my friend told me Grandma died．I hung up the phone feeling like my world had ended．I had 50  my friend, and that was   51  worse than knowing I would have to return to dishwashing．

Four weeks later, I asked to begin the work-study program again．The financial aid advisor looked at me   52  I had lost my mind．I   53 my position, then he smiled and slid me an envelope which was from Grandma．She had known how sick she was．In the envelope was enough money to pay for the rest of my school year and a request that I take piano lessons in her   54  ． Now, years later, when I walk by a piano, I   55  and think of Grandma．She is playing the piano in heaven, I am sure．

1.	A．fit B．matched C．suited D．qualified

 

2.	A．cover B．offer C．contain D．include

 

3.	A．back to front B．ins and outs C．up and down D．left to right

 

4.	A．even B．ever C．never D．still

 

5.	A．cut out B．drop out C．leave out D．turn out

 

6.	A．Everything B．Something C．All D．Anything

 

7.	A．idea B．job C．finding D．discovery

 

8.	A．money B．fun C．energy D．ambition

 

9.	A．persuaded B．stuck C．impressed D．beaten

 

10.	A．filled with B．covered with C．dotted with D．equipped with

 

11.	A．therefore B．then C．or D．and

 

12.	A．nervous B．surprised C．anxious D．shocked

 

13.	A．settled B．recommended C．organized D．arranged

 

14.	A．Before B．As C．After D．Since

 

15.	A．lost B．missed C．forgotten D．known

 

16.	A．far B．fairly C．very D．more

 

17.	A．as long as B．as if C．even if D．now that

 

18.	A．explained B．expressed C．realized D．announced

 

19.	A．way B．need C．memory D．response

 

20.	A．smile B．cry C．leave D．escape