48. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that __________.

A. A large number of some famous men went to Harvard University after success

B. Harvard University only brings up some journalists, actors and writers

C. General Kofi Annan acted as a professor at Harvard University after retirement

D. Jim Lehrer,John Lithgow and Kofi Annan are Gates’ brothers

C

Frankly, I very much appreciate myself. Yes, I admit I’m in many respects not as good as other people, but I don’t think I’m always not good. When I find what I’ve done or written is okay, I’ll remain pleased with myself for quite a few days, and in case I receive praise for it, I’ll even become so excited as to add a few words to glorify myself.

  True, I’m not modest at all. People may call me conceited (自负的). But I think otherwise.

  I also appreciate other people. I appreciate anything good. Isn’t it unfair to forget appreciating myself while appreciating others?

  We Chinese  generally tend to be modest, and we take pride in being so. For example, a Chinese will call his own wife zhuojing, meaning “my humble wife”, and his own writings zhuozuo, meaning “my poor writings”. But if you should call his wife a “rustic (乡巴佬的) woman” or his writings “trash”, he would, I’m sure, slap the table in a rage and declare he would make a clean break with you. As a matter of fact, there is probably no difference at all between what is said by him and you respectively.

  I don’t think it’s wrong for you to freely praise yourself if you’re really worthy of praise. As we know, there is an old Chinese saying disparaging (蔑视的) a melon peddler(商贩), named Lao Wang, who keeps praising his own goods. Well, why can’t he praise his melons if they are really sweet and juicy?

  Friends, Lao Wang sells melons for a living. How could he carry on business if he, by imitating the affectations of us intellectuals, were to show false modesty about his melons? He would sure enough die of starvation.

  Self-appreciation is therefore key to professional dedication (贡献) and enjoyment of work. One will lose confidence in continuing with writing when he pauses to admire his own essays.

  Needless to say, the same is true of those who make a living with their pen.

47. On this special day, Bill Gates has done all the following EXCEPT that _______.

A. he claimed a degree      B. he used much of his time and energy to his Foundation

C. he gave a speech.        D. he went to work with journalist Jim Lehrer

46. What is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation?

A. it claims a degree from the college one dropped out of

B. it delivers the commencement address at Harvard University.

C. it fixes its eyes on issues about health and education throughout the world.

D. it collaborates on great efforts to attend the commencement ceremony

45. We know from the text that Bill Gates__________.

A. got an important award from Harvard University

B. left the college for his career ahead of two years

C. addressed at Harvard University for the high-profile speaker

D. urged the graduates not to fight the AIDS in developing countries

  Recent past Harvard commencement speakers have included journalist Jim Lehrer in 2006, actor and writer John Lithgow in 2005 and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2004.

B

The richest man in the world can now also claim a degree from the college he dropped out of three decades ago.

  Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered the commencement (典礼) address at Harvard University on Thursday, and was awarded the L. L. D. honorary doctorate (博士头衔).

  “Our speaker is known as the most influential entrepreneur(企业家) of the personal computer revolution. He was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2007, ” said Harvard’s president, Derek Bok. Then Bok spoke more directly to Gates: “Just think what you could have achieved if you had stayed another two years.”

  Gates told the students, many of whom will soon be launching into full-time careers, that work isn’t the only thing of importance.

  “Judge yourself not on the professional accomplishments but on how well you have addressed the world’s inequities, how you have treated people who have nothing to do with you,” he said.

  In recent months, Gates has been giving a larger part of his time and energy to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on issues including global health and education. In 2008, he plans to make the foundation his chief responsibility.

  But for the most part, the Microsoft co-founder stuck to the serious message about trying to make the world a better place. He urged the graduates not to get discouraged about seemingly intractable (棘手的) challenges of poverty and poor health.

  As many as 30,000 people were expected to attend the outdoor commencement ceremony.

  Gates wasn’t the only high-profile speaker on the Cambridge campus this week. On Wednesday, former President Bill Clinton delivered Harvard’s Class Day speech. Gates and Clinton have collaborated (合作) on great efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic in developing countries.

C. manage their work well       D. test their power of self-control

A. learn to be money-conscious    B. increase their savings 

44. The purpose of writing the passage is to help people ___________.

A. dangerous        B. important        C. impossible         D. deadly