Passage 2

Every single student that applies for a class or course online has certain expectations and they are often extremely high. Unfortunately for most individuals, they will be disappointed. It is a fact that the majority of individuals believe that they will actually enjoy every aspect of their course. The truth is that there is very little in a degree to inspire until an individual actually completes the course and is awarded the degree or certificate that could change his or her life. This is no different with an online education and, in fact, the disappointment may be more obvious because they may face extra difficulties in an online course.

Online education expectations are often incredibly high, as previously stated, in terms of what an individual can get from it as well as the manageability of the content itself. However, although an individual will ultimately be proven right about what he or she can get from it, this will not be the case for manageability.  Most online education courses are anything but manageable for those who decide to take them. The level of work would be the same as any other degree or qualification course, but an individual is expected to manage it on his or her own instead of having a tutor or lecturer there to remind him or her about assignments and deadlines. Time management is extremely important, but the nature of these individuals’ life often makes it impossible to manage without feeling the stresses and strains of the burden.

It is important to be realistic with your expectations concerning an online education course, but many are completely unrealistic. If you read any of the accounts from students that have already taken and may have even passed an online education course, many will speak in glowing terms; but you should also read between the lines.

They claim that their expectations will ultimately be fulfilled in terms of the long-term benefits. However, in the short term they may say they found it difficult to cope with the workload, the lack of time that they actually had to complete it, an unsupportive employer and so on. This last point may not be an issue if you are doing it to advance yourself within your current workplace, but there will otherwise be some sort of resentment bubbling under the surface and that can indeed make your life a misery for a little while. If you expect it and prepare for it then it should not bother you too much, and if the resentment does not come then so much the better!

In terms of your own expectations, the best attitude to have is not to go in with any at all. If you do not expect anything then you may be pleasantly surprised. It can be difficult to fit an online education in with personal commitments, such as a family to look after or a job to go to every day whilst trying to study. It does take a lot of effort, but if you do not expect it to be easy or expect that you will just be able to do it without the balance of your life being upset as a result, then you will probably find that you do get a sense of satisfaction from it! Similarly, if you expect the worst then you will probably be pleasantly surprised! Managing your expectations can be difficult, but do not let them get the better of you !

46. The manageability is more difficult in online courses than in any other course because ______.

A. online courses require higher level of work

B. online courses bring much more assignments

C. online course takers have no way to contact their lecturers

D. online course takers have to rely on themselves for management

47. According to the passage, one may not have the problem of an unsupportive employer if ______.

A. he is fully prepared to deal with any resentment from his boss

B. his online education will be beneficial to his current workplace

C. his expectations will be fulfilled in the form of long-term benefits

D. he can discuss the issue width his boss openly and bravely on the table

48. According to the writer of this passage, one’s satisfaction in online education might come from ______.

A. high expectations                                       B. diligent efforts

C. a realistic attitude                                       D. a proper balance

49. In the last sentence of this passage, the phrase “get the better of you” probably means “______”.

A. make a fool of you                                     B. take advantage of you

C. get too fancy for you to imagine                  D. become too high for you to control

50. This passage is written mainly for the purpose of ______.

A. inspiring its readers to fulfill their expectations through hard work

B. persuading its readers to be more practical with their personal commitments

C. informing its readers about the disadvantages of the courses they take online

D. preparing its readers for the hardships they may encounter in online education

V. WORD DERIVATION

Complete each of the following sentences with a (compound) word derived from the one(s) given in brackets. Write your word on the answer sheet. (1 point each, 10 points in all)

51. The railway station has always been a fascinating place, representing departure as well as ______. (arrive)

52. A climate that is extreme in temperature, whether it be too hot or too cold, is not ______. (desire)

53. Tropical rainforest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round ______ and plentiful rainfall. (warm)

54. We often hear of people breaking down from ______, but in nine cases out of ten they are really suffering from worry or anxiety. (work, over)

55. The ______ red strawberries make a nice decoration on top of the cake. (juice)

56. More and more businessmen have realized that it is important to ______ their products in international trade. (standard)

57. The earthquake-stricken area received ______ help from its neighboring provinces. (time)

58. What is considered moral in one society may be ______ in another, depending on different social values. (moral)

59. Young people will need to learn to ______ the responsibility of their own decisions. (shoulder)

60. Special guidance and help need to be provided to the ______ members of the staff. (qualified)

VI. SENTENCE TRANSLATION

Turn the following sentences into English and write your sentences on the answer sheet. (3 points each, 15 points in all)

61.公司越来越多地借助高科技来保护计算机的安全。

62.学生们应该首先根据他们的兴趣来选专业。

63.名人生活压力很大，因为不管他们表面多光鲜，他们基本上没有隐私和安全感。

64.在应聘工作时，应聘者应积极参与谈话，但不应喧宾夺主。

65.经过三个月的投诉，我终于让百货商场经理退还了多收我的二十块钱。

VII. WRITING

Write a composition on the answer sheet in about 150 words, basing yourself on one of the texts you have learned. (15 points)

Topic: Describe the changes Barrentt experienced and explain the reason based on the text “Take Over, Bos’n!” Use the following outline:

·the situation the sailors were in

·the conflict between Snyder, the captain, and Barrentt, the third officer

·the role Barrentt played

·the cause for Barrentt’s change