When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I believed I could     tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he     in class.

When I took the first exam, I was     to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper,        English was my best subject. I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained     . I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that     because school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I       with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened patiently but wouldn’t change his     . One more test before the final exam. One more     to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts and, for the first time,     the meaning of the word “thorough”. But my     did no good and everything     as before.

The last hurdle(障碍) was the final. No matter what     I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the     goodbye. I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even     myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I’d have     with a test. A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into professor Jayne’s office. He     to be expecting me. “If I gave you the As you     , you wouldn’t continue to work as hard.” I stared at him,     that his analysis and strategy(策略) were correct. I had worked my head     , as I had never done before. I was speechless when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I’ve always remembered Professor Jayne’s lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.

1.A. take    B. discuss C. cover D. get

2.A. sought    B. presented   C. exchanged   D. obtained

3.A. shockedB. worried   C. scared  D. anxious

4.A. butB. so         C. for          D. or

5.A. unchangedB. unpleasant C. unfriendly  D. unmoved

6.A. reflected         B. meant     C. improved     D. affected

7.A. quarreledB. reasoned  C. bargained  D. chatted

8.A. attitude   B. mind    C. plan        D. view

9.A. choice   B. step      C. chance   D. measure 

10.A. memorized      B. considered C. accepted   D. learned

11.A. ambition   B. confidence  C. effort  D. method 

12.A. stayed      B. went     C. worked   D. changed

13.A. grade   B. answer     C. lesson  D. comment 

14.A. scholarship   B. course  C. degree     D. subject

15.A. helped    B. favored   C. treated    D. relaxed   

16.A. fun         B. luck     C. problems    D. tricks

17.A. happened     B. proved   C. pretended   D. seemed

18.A. valued    B. imagined  C. expected  D. welcomed

19.A. remembering B. guessing C. supposing D. realizing   

20.A. out     B. over     C. on       D. off

You can take the rest of the pie with you. ________, I wish you would, since I’m on a diet.

A. On the other hand B. As a matter of fact     

C. As a consequence D. In addition to it

With the word “ PM2.5” ________ appearing in media reports, people pay greater attention to it and seek health tips for smoggy days.

A. constantly B. consequently       C. permanentlyD. immediately

He is talking so much about America as if he _____ there.

A. has gone        B. has been                                C. was                                              D. had been  

---How about going for a walk?

--- ________ great. Let’s get going.

A. SoundB. SoundingC. To soundD. Sounds

The teacher demanded that the exam _____ before eleven.

A. must finish    B. be finished  C. would be finished    D. must be finished

He had a strange hairstyle and he instantly became the ________ of attention the moment he stepped into the classroom.

A. aim B. focusC. directionD. point

—How do you find this new movie?

—It's ________ interesting than expected.

A. a great deal much  B. a great deal of more C. a great deal of much D. a great deal more

It took us several hours to make the old man ________ of the safety of travelling by air.

A. believed      B. convincedC. informed  D. persuaded

No one can ________ how the election will turn out，as there are many unknown facts.

A. protectB. prepareC. prevent D. predict