There are few more sobering online activities than entering data college-tuition calculators and gasping as the Web spits back a six-figure sum. But economists say families about to go into debt to fund four years of partying, as well as studying, can comfort themselves with the knowledge that college is an investment that, unlike many bank stocks, should yield huge dividends.
A 2008 study by two Harvard economists notes that the “labor-market premium to skill”— to the amount college graduates earned—decreased for much of the 20th century, but he come back with a vengeance since the 1980s. In 2005, the typical full-time year-round U. S. worker with a four-year college degree earned $50,900, 62% more than $31,500 earned by a worker with only a high-school diploma.
There’s no question that going to college is a smart economic choice. But a look at the strange variations in tuition reveals that the choice about which college to attend doesn’t come down merely to dollars and cents. Does going to Columbia University (tuition, room and board $49,260 in 2007-2008) yield a 40% greater return than attending the University of Colorado at Boulder as an out-of-state student ($35,542)? Probably not. does being an out-of-state student at the University of Colorado at Boulder yield twice the amount of income as being an in-state student ($17,380) there? Not likely.
No, in this consumerist age, most buyers aren’t evaluating college as an investment, but rather as a consumer product —like a car or clothes or a house. And with such purchases, price is only one of many crucial factors to consider.
As with automobiles, consumers in today’s college marketplace have vast choices, and people search for the one that gives them the most comfort and satisfaction in line with their budgets. This accounts for the willingness of people to pay more for different types of experiences (such as attending a private liberal - arts college or going to an out-of-state public school that has a great marine - biology program). And just as two auto purchasers might spend an equal amount of money on very different cars, college students (or, more accurately, their parents) often show a willingness to pay essentially the same price for vastly different products. So which is it? Is college an investment product like a stock or a consumer product like a car? In keeping with automotive world’s hottest consumer trend, maybe it’s best to characterize it as a hybrid; an expensive sunburned product that, over time, will pay rich dividends.
1.What’s the opinion of economists about going to college?
A.Huge amounts of money is being wasted on campus socializing.
B.It doesn’t pay to run into debt to receive a college education.
C.College education is rewarding in spite of the shocking costs.
D.Going to college doesn’t necessarily bring the expected returns.
2.The two Harvard economists note in their study that, for much of the 20th century. _______.
A.enrollment kept decreasing in virtually all American colleges and universities
B.the labor market preferred high-school to college graduates
C.competition for university admissions was far more fierce than today
D.the gap between the earnings of college and high-school graduates narrowed
3.Students who attend an in-state college or university can _______.
A.save more on tuition B.receive a better education
C.take more liberal-arts courses D.avoid traveling long distances
4.What is the chief consideration when students choose a college today?
A.Their employment prospects after graduation. B.A satisfying experience within their budgets .
C.Its facilities and learning environment. D.Its ranking among similar institutions.
The easy way out isn’t always easiest. I learned that lesson when I decided to treat Doug, my husband of one month, to a special meal. I glanced through my cookbook and chose a menu which included homemade bread. Knowing the bread would take time, I started on it as soon as Doug left for work. As I was not experienced in cooking, I thought if a dozen was good, two dozen would be better, so I doubled everything. As Doug loved oranges, I also opened a can of orange and poured it all into the bowl. Soon there was a sticky dough (面团) covered with ugly yellowish marks. Realizing I had been defeated, I put the dough in the rubbish bin outside so I wouldn't have to face Doug laughing at my work, I went on preparing the rest of the meal, and, when Doug got home, we sat down to Cornish chicken with rice. He tried to enjoy the meal but seemed disturbed. Twice he got up and went outside, saying he thought he heard a noise. The third time he left, I went to the windows to see what he was doing. Looking out, I saw Doug standing about three feet from the rubbish bin, holding the lid up with a stick and looking into the container. When I came out of the house, he dropped the stick and explained that there was something alive in our rubbish bin. Picking up the stick again, he held the lid up enough for me to see. I felt cold. But I stepped closer and looked harder. Without doubt it was my work. The hot sun had caused the dough to double in size and the fermenting yeast (酵母) made the surface shake and sigh as though it were breathing. I had to admit what the ‘living thing’ was and why it was there. I don’t know who was more embarrassed by the whole thing, Doug or me.
1.The writer’s purpose in writing this story is ________.
A.to tell an interesting experience
B.to show the easiest way out of a difficulty
C.to describe the trouble facing a newly married woman
D.to explain the difficulty of learning to cook from books
2.Why did the woman’s attempt at making the bread turn out to be unsuccessful?
A.The canned orange had gone bad.
B.She didn’t use the right kind of flour.
C.The cookbook was hard to understand.
D.She did not follow the directions closely.
3.Why did the woman put the dough in the rubbish bin?
A.She didn’t see the use of keeping it
B.She meant to joke with her husband.
C.She didn’t want her husband to see it.
D.She hoped it would soon dry in the sun.
4.What made the dough in the rubbish bin look frightening?
A.The rising and falling movement.
B.The strange-looking marks.
C.Its shape.
D.Its size.
5.When Doug went out the third time, the woman looked out of the window because she was ________.
A.surprised at his being interested in the bin
B.afraid that he would discover her secret
C.unhappy that he didn't enjoy the meal
D.curious to know what disturbed him
When women do become managers, do they bring a different style and different ______ Are they better, or worse, managers than men? Are women more highly motivate committed than male managers?
Some research ______ the idea that women bring different attitudes and skills to management jobs. such as greater ______, an emphasis on attachment, and a willingness to involve ______ factors in making workplace decisions. These differences are seen to carry advantages for companies, because they expand the range of techniques that can be used to help the company ______ its workforce effectively.
A study undertaken by the International Women’s Forum discovered a management style used by some women managers that differs from the command-and-control style ______ used by male managers. Using this “interactive leadership” approach, women encourage______, share power and information, enhance other people’s self-worth, and get others excited about their work. All these things reflect their belief that ______ employees to contribute and to feel ______ and important is a win-win situation -- good for the employees and the organization. the study’s director predicted that “interactive leadership might emerge ______ the management style of choice for many organizations.”
1.A.assignments B.opportunities C.advantages D.techniques
2.A.supports B.drops C.opposes D.approves
3.A.authority B.competition C.aggressiveness D.cooperativeness
4.A.positive B.countless C.emotional D.commercial
5.A.employ B.manage C.assess D.arrange
6.A.barely B.traditionally C.effectively D.occasionally
7.A.participation B.concentration C.creativity D.imagination
8.A.requiring B.expecting C.commanding D.allowing
9.A.faithful B.powerful C.skillful D.thoughtful
10.A.into B.from C.as D.with
_______ they are nutritious is not a factor temping enough to get you eating more fruit and vegetables, here’s some news that may convince you -- they make you look good too.
A.That B.As whether C.Whether D.If that
The background music is such wonderful music _______ is played in the background to put you in a particular mood.
A.what B.that C.as D.which
When we start gazing into the night sky with a telescope, the realization will suddenly come over us _______ we and our world are part of this giant system.
A.as B.where C.that D.whether
