I decided to go back to school in the fall of 2008 after not being happy with my current job and financial status. I obtained my Associate’s Degree in May 2002 in Commercial Arts. After graduation, I had trouble obtaining a job in that field. For years, I was going from one job to another feeling unfilled, and I was not satisfied with the instability.
I decided to go back to school for either International Business or Psychology. I weighed the pros and cons of both professions and Psychology won. I like helping my friends and family, when they go through hard situations in their life by giving them sound advice and being honest with them. Also, I was interested in “the mind”.
I was searching for online schools because my work schedule at my current job would not allow me to attend a regular class. I was nervous about starting online classes because I heard mixed stories from other friends who were taking online classes. I decided to do it anyway to experience something different. I wanted to find an online school that was affordable and reputable. Through my search, I discovered Walden University, which is specially for working adults who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. The process of getting accepted was easy, which included writing an essay on why I wanted to attend their school, transferring my previous credits, etc.
I am currently enrolled in the Bachelors program for psychology, and I am paying for college via financial-aid loans and grants. This experience has been interesting yet trying as sometimes it was difficult to balance work, school and home life. I learned a lot about psychology and myself. For example, I like writing about current events, relationships and traveling. I thought my English position was ordinary, but after taking a few classes at Walden University, I improved my English position and it made me feel confident enough to start writing professionally so I became a freelance (自由撰稿) writer. Currently, I am only three classes away from obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology! It was one of the best decisions I made in my life.
【小题1】What did the author study originally when he was in college?A．PsychologyB．Commercial ArtsC．International BusinessD．English Composition【小题2】What do we know about the author from Paragraph 2?A．He decided to study International Business at first.B．He wanted to study two majors.C．He liked Psychology better.D．He chose his major with the help of his friends.【小题3】Why was the author nervous about starting online classes?A．Because he heard some negative remarks about it.B．Because he was worried that he didn’t have enough time to study.C．Because he feared he would fail the entrance exam.D．Because he was afraid that he didn’t have enough money.【小题4】Which of the following best describes the author’s learning experience?A．Dull and challenging.B．Interesting and easy.C．Interesting and challenging.D．Dull and easy【小题5】According to the passage, the author .A．was not able to find a full-time jobB．is most interested in writingC．pays for his schooling with the help of his familyD．is satisfied with his achievements.B
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(答案→)B
解析：
本文记叙了作者不满意自己的现状，决定继续读书并进而发现自我、实现自我的故事。作者原来的专业是商务，但是找不到对口的工作，只好不断换工作。后来参加一所学校的在线课程学习心理学。在这里，作者不但学到了许多心理学知识，而且对自己更为了解，并成为自由撰稿人。
【小题1】细节题。由文章第一段I obtained my Associate’s Degree in May 2002 in Commercial Arts.一句可知，作者2002年获得商务专业学位。故B项正确。
【小题2】推断题。从I like helping my friends and family… by giving them sound advice... Also, I was interested in “the mind”可知，作者热衷于以专业知识帮助朋友与家人，且对于“the mind”感兴趣。与“国际商务”比较起来，作者更喜爱“心理学”。故C项正确。
【小题3】细节题。由I was nervous about starting online classes because I heard mixed stories from other friends who were taking online classes.一句可知，作者从学习网络课程的朋友那里听到关于网络课程不同的说法，有些当然是负面的评价，故而作者感到“紧张不安”。所以A项正确。
【小题4】细节题。从This experience has been interesting yet trying as sometimes it was difficult to balance work, school and home life.一句可知，在线学习有趣但具有考验性，因为很难在工作、学习和家庭三者之间取得平衡。“有趣但有挑战性“，故C项正确。trying: 考验人的。
【小题5】推断题。从文章最后一句It was one of the best decisions I made in my life.可知，作者庆幸自己的选择，认为这是自己一生中最好的决定，由此断定作者对自己取得的成绩很满意。A项说作者找不到全职工作、B项说作者对写作最感兴趣，文章中都找不到依据；C项说学习费用来自家人，与原文不符。故D项正确。