Question

As graduation day approached, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I was finally coming of age. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I wanted without someone looking over my shoulder and it meant going to school with boys—a welcome change coming from an all-girl high school. There was never any question in my mind that I would go to a college away from home.

My mother’s idea, on the other hand, was just the opposite. Trying her best not to force her preferences on me, she would subtly ask whether I had considered particular schools—all of which happened to be located in or near my hometown of Chicago.

Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree turn. I really didn’t want to leave high school at all, and it was questionable whether I wanted to grow up after all. It had been nice being respected as a senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn’t enjoy the idea of being on the bottom rung of the ladder again.

Despite months of expectation, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar melody(旋律) of “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed(回聲) in the background, I looked around at the other figures in white caps and gowns as we seriously lined into the hall. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. As if in a daze(恍惚), I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a brand-new life. Exciting as the future of a new life seemed, it wasn’t easy saying good-bye to the old one—the familiar faces, the familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn’t particularly fond of and the long travel each day between home and school that I hated. Good or bad, it was what I knew.

Although going back is impossible, it’s comforting to know I can revisit my special memories any time.

1.Expectation and excitement suddenly changed into anxiety and fear. Which of the

following did the author NOT include as a reason for that change?

A. Growing homesick might seriously affect her academic performance at college.

B. She might make a wrong choice and enter a university she did not like at all.

C. Her being a top student at high school did not mean a successful academic career for her.

D. It might be hard for her to make friends under new circumstances.

2.The author’s mother ________.

A. did not care very much which college her daughter went to

B. was greatly disappointed at her decision to go to a college on the East Coast

C. willingly allowed her to go to a college of her own choice

D. wished that she would study at a college or university close to home

3.On the actual graduation day, ________.

A. she sang a song “Pomp and Circumstance”

B. reaching out for diploma, she was aware of a new stage in life ahead of her

C. she came to realize that she had a passion for her old school

D. she went through the whole ceremony in a daze

4.What does the underlined part “being on the bottom rung of the ladder” mean?

A. Being a freshman. B. Being an unpopular student.

C. Being a loser. D. Being a childish person

5.The author adopts a(n)________ tone in writing this article.

A. negative B. serious C. emotional D. cold-blooded

6.What does the author mainly describes in this article?

A. her happiness to be admitted to a wonderful university

B. her eagerness to go to a wonderful university far away from home

C. Her excitement during the months leading to the graduation ceremony.

D. her mixed feelings during the months before and on graduation day.

Answer 1