Question

    “What is the biggest challenge of graduate school?” an undergraduate asked the group of graduate students at an event I helped organize last summer. “Not letting the support from my community turn into pressure,” one member responded. That answer might have surprised some, who probably expected to hear about experiments that didn't work or trudging through academic materials. But I understood exactly what she meant.

Throughout my education, friends and family have expected me to take advantage of every opportunity I come across because I may not get the same chance again. They expect me to give outstanding performances everywhere I go because I represent them and our culture. Mentors(导师) expect that I will never give up. This has been a great source of motivation, but also of pressure.

I remembered a conversation with a mentor. At the end of my first year of graduate school, I struggled with a strong desire to leave the program with a master's degree. I was accustomed to hearing “Don't give up” and “You have to finish”-words that were meant to be motivational. Instead, they made me feel I would be a disappointment if I left. After I discussed the pros and cons of leaving with my mentor, she responded completely different from what I expected. “I support any decision you make,” she said. “I will always be proud of you and your achievements.” Hearing this simple, direct statement of support, I felt every muscle of my body loosen.

My mentor knew the right thing to say, but we can't expect the same from everyone. Sometimes, friends and family ask me, “How long until you get your degree?” As many graduate students will agree, this question is a stress starter. Now, when people in my community-always with the best intentions-say something that creates pressure and makes me feel bad, I tell them and we talk about it. I tell them that I prefer to hear, “Do you need someone to talk to? How can I help you through this rough time?” This was a bit awkward at first. But I've started to notice a change. These days, I get fewer stress-inducing(引起压力的) questions and comments.

1.Which can replace the underlined word “trudging” in paragraph 1?

A.Struggling. B.Seeing.

C.Breaking. D.Cutting.

2.What can be inferred from paragraph 3 about the author?

A.He was afraid to leave his program.

B.He appreciated what his mentor said.

C.He preferred to discuss pros and cons.

D.He had a strong desire to get a master's degree.

3.Which does the author prefer to hear when he needs support?

A.Never give up!

B.How about a chat?

C.Have you prepared for the result?

D.Go ahead! I will back you up!

4.What's the main idea of the text?

A.Value the source of inspiration from your community.

B.Communicate with your community more about study.

C.Find a way to block out support from your community.

D.Let support from your community become less stressful.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文属于夹叙夹议文。作者主要以自身的经历，叙述了很多人与作者一样面对着来自周围圈子的支持变成了压力。作者希望来自周围圈子的支持不要变成压力。

1.词义猜测题。根据上文That answer might have surprised some, who probably expected to hear about experiments that didn't work or trudging through academic materials.可知那样的回答可能会使一些人感到惊讶，他们可能希望听到的是“实验不顺利”或“在学术材料的学习中遇到一些困难”。由此可知，此处“trudging”的意思是“（因疲劳或负重而）步履沉重地走、费力地走”与A选项“Struggling”意思相近。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中Hearing this simple, direct statement of support, I felt every muscle of my body loosen.可知听到这个简单、直接支持的声明，我感到我身体的每一块肌肉都放松了。所以导师给他的回应出乎他的意料，使他感受到了真正的支持而非压力。由此可推知，作者感激他的导师所说的话。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段中I tell them that I prefer to hear, “Do you need someone to talk to? How can I help you through this rough time?” This was a bit awkward at first. But I've started to notice a change.可知我告诉他们我更喜欢听，“你需要找个人谈谈吗？我如何才能帮助你度过这段艰难的时光。” 一开始这有点尴尬。但我开始注意到一个变化。由此可推断出，当作者需要支持的时候，他更喜欢听到“聊聊怎么样？”这句话。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段中“What is the biggest challenge of graduate school?” an undergraduate asked the group of graduate students at an event I helped organize last summer. “Not letting the support from my community turn into pressure,” one member responded.可知“研究生院最大的挑战是什么?”去年夏天，在我帮助组织的一次活动中，一名本科生问一群研究生。“不要让我们周围圈子的支持变成压力，”一名成员回应道。由此可知，这篇文章的主旨是不要让来自周围圈子的支持变成压力。故选D。