III.Reading Comprehension

Section A

Today, there are many avenues open to those who wish to continue their education. However, nearly all require some __(50)__in one’s career in order to attend school full time. Part-time education, that is, attending school at night or for one weekend a month, tends to drag the__(51)__out over time and puts the completion of a degree program out of reach of many people. __(52)__, such programs require a fixed time commitment which can also impact __(53)__on one’s career and family time.

Of the many __(54)__to teaching and learning, however, perhaps the most flexible and accommodating is that called distance learning. Distance learning is an educational method, which allows the students the __(55)__to study at his or her own pace to achieve the __(56)__goals, which are so necessary in today’s world. The time required to study may be set aside at the student’s convenience with due __(57)__to all life’s other requirements. Besides, the student may __(58)__in distance learning courses from virtually any place in the world, while continuing to pursuetheir chosen career. Tutorial assistance may be __(59)__through regular airmail, telephone, fax machine, teleconferencing and over the Internet.

Good distance learning programs are characterized by the inclusionof a subject __(60)__tool with every subject. Thisprecludes（排除）the requirement for a student to travel away from home to take a test. Another characteristic of a good distance-learning program is the __(61)__of the distance-learning course with the same subject materials as those students taking the course on the home campus. The resultant diploma or degree should also be the same whether distance learning or on-campus study is employed.

In the final analysis, a good distance learning program has a place not only for the __(62)__students but also the corporation or business that wants to work in partnership with their employees for the educational benefit, professional development, and business growth of the organization. __(63)__distance learning programs for their employees gives the business the advantage of retaining（保留）career-minded people while __(64)__to their personal and professional growth through education.

50. A. experience       B. break               C. interest            D. change

51. A. process           B. progress          C. property          D. possibility

52. A. Surprisingly     B. Additionally      C. Fortunately             D. Traditionally

53. A. appropriately    B. reasonably           C. negatively        D. favorably

54. A. complaints        B. attitudes         C. difficulties        D. approaches    

55. A. individuality      B. responsibility   C. flexibility         D. visibility

56. A. professional     B. academic         C. relevant           D. separate

57. A. desire              B. ability             C. regard                    D. account

58. A. enroll               B. evolve                C. enclose           D. emerge

59. A. adequate         B. vacant                 C. available          D. reliable

60. A. registration      B. participation     C. investigation    D. evaluation

61. A. demonstration  B. equivalence     C. combination     D. qualification

62. A. distinguished    B. outstanding          C. independent    D. individual

63. A. Sponsoring       B. Requiring         C. Indicating         D. Protesting

A. objecting          B. responding             C. contributing           D. adding

Section B

(A)

A Teacher’s Lesson

When Mrs. Thompson stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.

But that was impossible, because there in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

One day Mrs. Thompson was reviewing each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a serious illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone(人造钻石) necklace with some of the stones missing. But she stopped the children's laughter when she said aloud how pretty the necklace was and put it on.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you looked just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried. From that very day, Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."

65. When Mrs. Thompson started teaching her 5th grade class, she thought Teddy was _______.

A. bright and smart                                  B. dirty and unpleasant            

C. quiet and shy                               D. sensitive and pitiful

66. What did Mrs. Thompson learn from Teddy's past records from other teachers?

A. Teddy had difficulty in learning.   B. Teddy was not interested in school.

C. Teddy changed for a reason.             D. Teddy was born in a poor family.

67. The underlined word “clumsily” is closest in meaning to_______.

A. gracefully         B. carefully           C. especially        D. awkwardly

68. Which of the following can best explain the lesson Mrs. Thompson learned from Teddy?

A.Warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.

B.A life without love is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.

C.It is the art of the teacher to awaken joy in difficult situation.

D.The best teachers are those who don’t stop teaching when the bell rings.