Part Two Reading Comprehension

　　Directions:

　　In this part there are three passages and one table, each followed by five questions or unfinished statements. For each of them, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best one and mark your answer on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the cent.

　　Questions 11-15 are based on the following passage:

　　In the past, degrees were very unusual in my family. I remember the day my uncle graduated. We had a huge party, and for many years my mother called him "the genius" and listened to his opinion. Today in comparison, five of my brothers and sisters have degrees, and two are studying for their masters'. However, some people think that this increased access to education is devaluing degrees.

　　People have several arguments against the need for degrees. They say that having so many graduates devalues a degree. People lose respect for the degree holder. It is also claimed that education has become a rat race. Graduates have to compete for jobs even after years of studying. Another point is that studying for such a long time leads to learners becoming inflexible. They know a lot about one narrow subject, but are unable to apply their skills. Employers prefer more flexible and adaptable workers.

　　However, I feel strongly that this move to having more qualifications is a positive development. In the past education was only for the rich; and powerful. Now it is available to everyone, and this will have many advantages for the country and the individual. First of all, it is impossible to be overeducated. The more people are educated, the better the world will be, because people will be able to discuss and exchange ideas. A further point is that people with degrees have many more opportunities. They can take a wider variety of jobs and do what they enjoy doing, instead of being forced to take a job they dislike. Finally, a highly educated workforce is good for the economy of the country. It attracts foreign investment.

　　In conclusion, although there are undoubtedly some problems with increased levels of education, I feel strongly that the country can only progress if all its people are educated to the maximum of their ability.

　　11. What can we learn about the author's family?

　　A. They used to disregard education.

　　B. They are overeducated now.

　　C. Few members were allowed to go to school in the past.

　　D. There are now more educated members than in the past.

　　12. The word "it" in the last sentence of Paragraph 3 refers to" _____________.

　　A. education B. workforce

　　C. economy D. country

　　13. The author believes that education ____________.

　　A. reduces the value of degrees B. makes people inflexible

　　C. brings more job opportunities D. increases job competition

　　14. What is the author's purpose of writing this passage?

　　A. To argue about a disputed issue. B. To explain a complicated idea.

　　C. To describe a social phenomenon. D. To demonstrate a research result.

　　15. Which of the following is probably the best title for the passage?

　　A. Degree No Longer Matters B. Education is Still Valuable

　　C. Graduation and Jobs D. Problems with Education

　　Questions 16-20 are based on the following passage:

　　Ernest Hemingway wrote a short story called "The Capital of the World." In it he tells' about a Spanish father who wants to reconcile (和解) with his son who has run away to Madrid. In order to locate the boy he takes out this ad in the newspaper: "Paco, meet me at Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday. All is forgiven. Love, Papa."

　　Paco is a common name in Spain, and when the father goes to the square he finds 800 young men named Paco waiting for their fathers.

　　What drew them to the hotel? As Hemingway tells it, it was the words "All is forgiven." The father did not say, "All WILL BE forgiven IF you do this or that." Not, "All WILL BE forgiven WHEN you do such and such." He simply says, "All is forgiven." No strings attached.

　　And that's the hard part—un—attaching the strings. The origin of the expression "no strings attached" may go back to ancient times when documents were written on parchment (羊皮卷) that were rolled up and secured with a string.

　　The Babylonian Talmud (猶太法典) tells of a man who gives his wife a bill of divorce on such a parchment, but holds onto the string so that he can snatch it back, should he choose to do so. The divorce, therefore, is not considered valid since he will not give it freely. Similarly, love, forgiveness or friendship that is given with strings attached are not valid, since they can be snatched back at any time.

　　16. The father's ad in the newspaper __________.

　　A. touched the hearts of many sons

　　B. was a means to persuade the son

　　C., made the son apologize to him

　　D. solved the problem with his son

　　17. By saying "All is forgiven", the father intends to ____________.

　　A. win his son's forgiveness

　　B. reconsider his son's problems

　　C. leave his son alone

　　D. forget about the unpleasant past

　　18. The expression "no strings attached" means" _____________"

　　A. without treatment B. without conflict of interest

　　C. without explanations D. without conditions

　　19. It can be learned from the last paragraph that ____________.

　　A. the man wanted to give his wife freedom

　　B. the man gave his wife a restricted divorce

　　C. the wife did not want to divorce her husband

　　D. the wife refused to give her husband a free divorce

　　20. It can be concluded from the passage that ____________.

　　A. successful marriage requires complete freedom

　　B. family members should learn to forgive each other

　　C. tree love should be unconditional

　　D. human emotions should not be restricted

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