Every year, it costs British students more and more to attend university. Students are graduating with larger and larger debts. So is a college degree really worth it?
In 2006, the UK government started to allow universities in England and Wales to charge British students tuition fees (学费). As a result, more than 80 percent of students in England and Wales now take out a student loan (贷款) in order to go to university.
They use the loan to pay for tuition fees and living expenses. Although the interest on student loans is quite low, it begins as soon as the student receives the loan.
The average student in England and Wales now graduates from university with a debt of around $12,000 (122,952yuan). It means graduates have to struggle to pay rent on a flat, because they have to start paying back the student loan when they reach the April after graduating. If you start to earn over $ 15,000 (153,639yuan) a year, the government takes repayments directly from your monthly salary.
You might think that a person with a degree would find it easy to get a well-paid job. However, most people in “white collar jobs” seem to have a degree, so there is a lot of competition. Also, British companies tend to value work experience over a piece of paper.
All of the above is beginning to make British people question whether a university degree is really worth the money. Even before the credit crisis started, the BBC stated: “The number of British students at UK universities has fallen for the first time in recent history, from 1.97 million in 2007 to 1.96 million last year (2008).”
“Student poverty” is now considered a real problem. Meanwhile, the British universities offer more and more of the available places to richer international students rather than poorer British students. What does the future hold for British higher education?
1.What makes British students question the worth of a university degree?
A. Higher university expenses. B. Lower education quality.
C. A higher interest rate on student loans D. Grater difficulty obtaining student loans.
2.According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. University tuition fees in all parts of Britain have been on the rise since 2006.
B. Interest on a student loan starts as soon as the student receives it.
C. People have always questioned the worth of a university degree.
D. University graduates need to pay off their loans right upon graduation.
3.Which of the following is NOT a factor that concerns a British university graduate?
A. Fierce competition in the job market. B. The burden of a large debt.
C. Lack of experience. D. Fewer job openings.
4.What is the title of this passage?
A. Student poverty B. Is college worth it?
C. The UK government started to charge students tuition fees.
D. British students use the loan to pay for tuition fees and living expenses.
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
I ran into a stranger as he passed by. “I’m so sorry!” was my reply. Then he said, “Excuse me too… I wasn’t 1watching for you.” We were very polite, this stranger and I. Then we went 2our way after saying goodbye.
But at 3, a different story is told. How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later in the kitchen, as I 4the meal, my daughter walked up to me, very still. When I turned, I 5knocked her down. “Get out of the way!” I shouted with a frown (皱眉). She stepped away silently, with her little heart 6. I didn’t realize how rudely I had spoken.
That night, when I lay 7in bed, God’s quiet voice spoke to me and said, “While 8with a stranger, you are calm and polite, but with those you love, you are QUICK to excite… Go look around on the kitchen floor, you’ll find some flowers there by the 9. Those are the flowers she brought for you. She 10them herself — pink, yellow, and your favorite blue. She stood there quietly and you never saw the 11in her eyes.”
By this time, I felt sad and small and now my own tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt (跪) by her 12. “Wake up, my 七彩教育网,” I said. “Are these the flowers you picked up for me?” She smiled, “I found them out by the tree, I 13them in a napkin（纸巾）, just for you. I knew you’d like them, especially the 14.” I said, “I am so sorry that I missed them today… And I 15have fussed (大惊小怪) at you that way…”
And she whispered, “Mommy, that’s OK… I still love you 16.” I hugged her and said, “I love you, too and I LOVE the flowers.”
Do you know that: if you die tomorrow, the 17you are working for could easily replace you in a matter of days. But the family you leave 18will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into our 19than into our families--- an unwise investment (投资) indeed.
Remember that 20= (F)ATHER + (A)ND + (M)OTHER + (I ) + (L)OVE + (Y)OU.
1.A. ever B. even C. just D. right
2.A. to B. in C. on D. for
3.A. school B. work C. home D. office
4.A. cooked B. had C. ate D. took
5.A. already B. hardly C. rudely D. nearly
6.A. lost B. missed C. beaten D. broken
7.A. asleep B. awake C. afraid D. alive
8.A. dealing B. meeting C. going D. talking
9.A. floor B. kitchen C. window D. door
10.A. grew B. bought C. picked D. fetched
11.A. tears B. expressions C. smiles D. joy
12.A. desk B. bed C. body D. knees
13.A. wrapped B. covered C. put D. help
14.A. pink B. yellow C. blue D. black
15.A. needn’t B. shouldn’t C. mustn’t D. can’t
16.A. indeed B. besides C. anything D. anyway
17.A. company B. country C. place D. state
18.A. for B. with C. behind D. to
19.A. books B. loss C. meal D. work
20.A. RESPECT B. WARMTH C. FAMILY D. FRIEND
The teacher was angry about his being late for class, but he behaved ______ nothing had happened.
A. as B. even if C. as if D. even though
Candidates ______ remain in their seats until all the papers have been collected.
A. must B. shall C. may D. can
—Excuse me, Dad, but I’m going to the club to meet my friends in the football team.
—OK. ______
A. Have fun B. Congratulations C. With pleasure D. Gook luck
His ears are highly ______ to any unusual sound in the machine, that is how he found the fault.
A. sense B. sensitive C. sensitively D. insensitive
