Question

In high school I was very shy, content to hang around with my small group of friends and to concentrate on my courses. I was quickly labeled a "brain." I did so well that by the end of senior year I had perfect grades and enough college credits to give up an entire quarter of coursework.

But in early June of senior year, the principal called me into his office. He asked me to give a speech at graduation. I was surprised to look at him, my heart thumping. This was the reward for my hard work? I murmured something and fled the office, blaming myself for staying away from physics, a subject sure to have broken up my perfect record.

I finally agreed to a compromise. I would share the honor with five other students. I agreed to introduce my friend Judy, who would then give her own, full-length speech.

Graduation day soon arrived, I’d been practicing my speech for days, and I had it memorized. The first half hour of the ceremony passed in a blur, and then my moment came. My name was announced. I managed to reach the stage without falling down. I faced my classmates. My voice trembled a little, but mostly it was clear and strong. But within seconds, I was done and heading back to my seat. I accomplished something I’d never dreamed of — I spoke in front of hundreds of people.

Although I didn’t realize it at the time, the successful completion of that speech gave me the confidence to take part in class at college, to give oral reports, and to eventually break free of my shyness. I never would have chosen to give a speech at graduation — or ever. But I’m glad I did. I no longer hesitate when I’m faced with the prospect of doing something I feared. I know it may very well turn out to be one of my shining moments.

1.Why was the writer called a "brain"?

A. She was the most intelligent student.

B. She was the head of her small group.

C. She was a bookworm all the time.

D. She did more coursework for good grades.

2.What can we learn from the second paragraph?

A. She ruined her health by studying hard.

B. She got the reward as was expected.

C. She was grateful for giving a speech.

D. She wasn't good at physics at school.

3.How did the author feel at the beginning of the graduation speech?

A. Excited.    B. Moved.

C. Scared.    D. Embarrassed

4.What did the speech bring to the author at last?

A. She had nothing to fear in life,

B. She won enough college credits.

C. She got rid of her sense of shyness.

D. She desired to become a speaker.

Answer

1. A

2. D

3. C

4. C

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。作者高中非常优秀，但是老师让她在高三毕业典礼上发表演讲，她感到胆怯，毕业演讲开始的时候坐着脚步不稳，声音发抖，非常害怕。通过这次演讲对作者在大学里参加课堂，发表口头报告有了信心，并最终摆脱羞怯。

1.细节理解题。结合第一段to concentrate on my courses 和后面I had perfect grades and enough college credits to give up an entire quarter of coursework 可知，作者上学时努力，成绩很好，是最聪明努力的孩子，所以被称为“brain”。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段blaming myself for staying away from physic s,a subject sure to have broken up my perfect record.可推知，作者的物理成绩不好，打破了她的完美记录。故选D。

3.细节理解题。结合第四段I managed to reach the podium without falling down.和My voice trembled a little 可知，毕业演讲开始的时候坐着脚步不稳，声音发抖，非常害怕。故选C。

4.推理判断题。结合最后一段Although I didn't realize it at the time,the successful completion of that speech gave me the confidence to participate in class at college,to give verbal reports,and to eventually break free of my shyness 可知，这次演讲给了作者在大学里参加课堂，发表口头报告的信心，并最终摆脱羞怯。故选C。