Question

In Washington, DC, only 69 percent of public school students graduate from high school on time. Many factors influence that low rate. One of the most important ones is whether the people around the students expect them to succeed.

So, for the past 40 years, a DC organisation has stepped in to give around 10,000 students the support and positive environment they need to thrive (茁壮成长). This organisation, called Higher Achievement, provides students with a welcoming space, help with class work, and caring teachers. More than 95 percent of students who complete Higher Achievement graduate from high school on time.

Katherine Roboff is the group’s executive director in the DC area. She gives several reasons for the group’s success. One is timing. Higher Achievement does not work with students who are already in high school. It works with students in middle school. They start High Achievement at fifth or sixth grade—in the US, that is usually age 11 or 12.

Roboff says research shows that if students are doing well academically in eighth grade—around age 13—they will have a greater chance of graduating from high school and going to college. In other words, what happens in middle school has a huge impact. The years between ages 10 and 13 may affect a student’s future more than anything that happens academically in high school.

Roboff explains that students participate in Higher Achievement after school and during the summer, when public schools take a break of about two months. High Achievement students do homework, have community meetings, and work one-on-one with a mentor (导师).

“The purpose of the programme is to help them use those after school and summer hours to become better prepared academically and to develop their leadership skills and confidence so that by the time they get into eighth grade they are ready to get into some of the top high school.”

1.A little more than 30% of public school students in the US ______.

A. drop out of school

B. work hard at their lessons

C. can’t finish school on time

D. are expected to graduate from high school

2.What can we infer from the second paragraph?

A. Higher Achievement is a great success.

B. Higher Achievement works with college students.

C. Many students have doubts about the organisation.

D. Higher Achievement has spread throughout the US.

3.If students are doing well academically in eighth grade, ______.

A. they are certain to go to college

B. they are to succeed when they grow up

C. they don’t need any help in their studies

D. they are more likely to finish high school on time

4.What is the main aim of Higher Achievement?

A. To offer students advice.

B. To help student get into top schools.

C. To teach students how to behave at school.

D. To provide students with different activities.

Answer

1. C

2. A

3. D

4. B

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文，美国华盛顿特区里只有百分之69的学生能够完成高中学业，Higher Achievement给学生提供良好的环境以及有爱心的老师帮助这些学生完成学业，进入高校。

1.数据计算题。根据第一句“In Washington, DC, only 69 percent of public school students graduate from high school on time.”可知美国公立学校里只有百分之69的学生能够完成高中学业，也就是说超过百分之30的学生不能准时毕业。故C项正确。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句“More than 95 percent of students who complete Higher Achievement graduate from high school on time.”可知完成Higher Achievement的学生中超过百分之95的学生能够准时高中毕业。说明Higher Achievement取得了很大的成功。故A项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段第一句“Roboff says research shows that if students are doing well academically in eighth grade—around age 13—they will have a greater chance of graduating from high school and going to college.”可知Roboff认为如果学生在八年级的时候成绩比较好，他们就会有更大的可能性准时完成高中学业，然后进入大学。故D项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段前两句“So, for the past 40 years, a DC organisation has stepped in to give around 10,000 students the support and positive environment they need to thrive (茁壮成长). This organisation, called Higher Achievement, provides students with a welcoming space, help with class work, and caring teachers.”可知Higher Achievement给学生提供积极的环境以及有爱心的老师帮助这些学生完成学业，进入高校学习。故B项正确。