Question

    Timing is everything. This is especially true when a student is seeking admission to a college or university and it can often be a long and complex process in the United States.

Many people think the process begins in the final year of high school. However, students should start taking action well before that. In the US, young people generally attend high school for four years. It's suggested that students take their first step toward applying to college in the months before their third year. At this point, young people are still likely to have several unanswered questions in their mind. Those questions could be as complex as"What do you want out of your college experience? " or as simple as"Where do you want to study? Students can get closer to finding the answers by visiting any college or university.

The next step involves testing. Most US students take exams to prove their level of academic performance in the second half of their third year. After taking these tests, the period between the third and fourth years of high school is busy. This is the time when they should narrow the list of colleges and universities under consideration. Once they have made a shorter list, they should contact these schools

Then, students should begin working on a writing sample. Most US colleges and universities require applicants to provide a writing sample that does more than show off their writing ability. It should also tell admissions officers more about who the applicants are. So students should begin working on it even before their final year of high school

Finally, in the United States, most deadlines for college application materials are in early winter. Students should hand in all their application materials a week before the actual date. That way if any emergencies come up, students have plenty of time to contact the schools. Spring is when most schools make their decisions and inform students if they will accept them.

1.When should American high school students begin to apply to college?

A.In the final year

B.At the end of the second year.

C.In the second half of the third year

D.After the early winter of the third year.

2.Why may students be busy between the third and fourth years of high school?

A.To prepare a writing sample

B.To prepare application materials

C.To make a list of colleges and universities

D.To take tests to prove their academic abilities

3.What is the function of a writing sample?

A.It shows the student how to contact schools

B.It shows the student how to write an application

C.It helps admissions officers get to know the student

D.It helps the student solve some unanswered questions

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.College Life and Study

B.Time Arrangement in High School

C.High School Life: Valuing the Experience

D.College Application: Getting the Timing Right

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍美国高中生申请大学的时机。在美国申请大学要把握好时机。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段中It's suggested that students take their first step toward applying to college in the months before their third year.“建议学生在三年级前几个月向大学申请迈出第一步。”由此推断出可知，美国高中生在第二年年底开始申请大学。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段中After taking these tests, the period between the third and fourth years of high school is busy. This is the time when they should narrow the list of colleges and universities under consideration.“参加完这些考试后，高中三、四年级的这段时间很忙。这是他们应该缩小正在考虑的学院和大学名单的时候了。”可知，学生在高中三、四年级会很忙是因为要列出学院和大学的名单。故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段中Then, students should begin working on a writing sample. Most US colleges and universities require applicants to provide a writing sample that does more than show off their writing ability. It should also tell admissions officers more about who the applicants are.“然后，学生应该开始写一个写作样本。大多数美国学院和大学要求申请者提供一份写作样稿，这份样稿不仅仅是用来展示他们的写作能力。它还应该告诉招生人员更多关于申请人的信息。”可知，写作样本的功能是帮助招生人员了解学生。故选C。

4.标题判断题。根据第一段Timing is everything. This is especially true when a student is seeking admission to a college or university and it can often be a long and complex process in the United States.“时机就是一切。尤其是当一个学生想要被大学录取的时候，在美国这是一个漫长而复杂的过程。”由此可知，D. College Application: Getting the Timing Right“大学申请:把握好时机”是本文最佳标题。故选D。