Passage One
Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.
Selective colleges and universities in the U.S.are under fire for being too elite and too expensive,and for not training graduates for the world of work.Such charges ignore the fact that these institutions continue to prepare students for success in their work,for thoughtful engagement in civic life,for lifelong learning,and for understanding the world and those with whom they live.
These colleges and universities must be doing something right.Applications are at record highs,and their financial aid programs make them more accessible than ever.This model of education has long played a central role in creating opportunity,driving economic growth,and spurring innovation.
Yet,there is growing skepticism about the value of this model.The recent tax reform bill is a wake-up call that our strongest colleges and universities are under assault by some in government.The initial proposals would have made education unaffordable for many by taxing tuition waivers for graduate students and ending deductions for student loan interest. Thankfully,these provisions were ultimately stripped from the bill,but lawmakers let stand a new tax on the investment income of some colleges and universities.
While these attacks are motivated by misguided ideas,we need to do a better job of explaining why these claims are false and why what we do is valuable.We cannot take for granted that any of this is obvious.
It is often said that elite colleges and universities do not train students,particularly those who study the liberal arts,for the workforce.But this can be refuted by scholarly research.The data are clear:a liberal arts education is great career preparation,both for excellent lifetime earnings and for satisfaction with the work.This education develops the skills of critical thinking,rigorous analysis of data and facts,communication with the written and spoken word,understanding of cultural differences and issues,and the ability to keep learning.In fact,liberal arts graduates do extremely well in every imaginable field.
Access to an education at selective colleges and universities is now more available than ever to low-and middle-income families.We have built endowments from donations by alumni(校友)and parents who understand and appreciate our mission to provide access and opportunity,and a significant portion of the returns from these endowments is used to fund financial aid.
Ironically,the new tax on endowments drains financial aid funds from the very schools most able to offer opportunity to those who have earned a spot but cannot otherwise afford this education.Beyond the virtue of access to those who have earned a place at these schools,the diversity of economic backgrounds enhances the education and experience of all of our students.
46.What fact does the author emphasize concerning selective colleges and universities?
A)They have been ignoring the training of graduates for the world of work.
B)They have been doing well in ensuring their students a successful future. C)They have been constantly attacked for being too elite and too expensive. D)They have been actively engaged in civic life beyond the school campus.
47.What does the author say in arguing for the model of education in the U.S.?
A)It has contributed substantially to the nation's overall development.
B)It has succeeded in maintaining sustainable financial aid programs. C)It has given priority to innovative programs for graduate studies.
D)It has played a central role in attracting international applicants.
48.What do we learn about the initial proposals concerning the recent tax reform bill?
A)They would have stripped many students of life's chances.
B)They would have deducted graduate student loan interest.
C)They would have added to many students' financial burden.
D)They would have increased the number of tuition waivers.
49.What do the data show about elite colleges and universities?
A)Their graduates lack the rigor required for doing statistical analysis.
B)Their students prove to be inadequately prepared for their future careers.
C)Their focus on research is conducive to developing students' critical thinking.
D)Their liberal arts education enables graduates to excel in whatever field they are in.
50.What is an advantage of providing financial aid for students?
A)Every student can choose the institution they wish to attend.
B)All students can benefit from a diversified student population.
C)All students will be able to earn a place on university campus.
D)Less privileged students will be more competitive at elite schools.
答案解析：
46. 由题干中的关键词“fact”和“selective colleges and universities”定位到第一段。第一段提到“Such charges ignore the fact that these institutions continue to prepare students for success in their work...”，即作者强调，这些院校持续为学生在工作上的成功做好准备，所以选B。
47. 由题干中的关键词“arguing for the model of education”定位到第二段。第二段提到“This model of education has long played a central role in creating opportunity, driving economic growth, and spurring innovation”，即作者认为这种教育模式在创造机会、推动经济增长和激励创新方面发挥了核心作用，所以选A。
48. 由题干中的关键词“initial proposals”和“tax reform bill”定位到第三段。第三段提到“The initial proposals would have made education unaffordable for many by taxing tuition waivers... and ending deductions for student loan interest”，即最初的提案会增加许多学生的经济负担，使教育变得难以负担，所以选C。
49. 由题干中的关键词“data show”和“elite colleges”定位到第五段。第五段提到“the data are clear: a liberal arts education is great career preparation... liberal arts graduates do extremely well in every imaginable field”，即数据显示，精英大学的文科教育能让毕业生在任何领域都表现出色，所以选D。
50. 由题干中的关键词“advantage”和“financial aid”定位到最后一段。最后一段提到“the diversity of economic backgrounds enhances the education and experience of all of our students”，即提供经济援助带来的学生经济背景多样性，能增强所有学生的教育和体验，所以选B。
