[简答题]A college education is not only preparation for a career; it is also (or should be) preparation for life. In ad dition to courses in their major field of study, most students have time to take elective courses. They may take classes that help them understand more about human nature, government, the arts, sciences, or whatever else interests them.

[单项选择]Passage 3 A college education is not just preparation for a career, however. In addition to taking courses in their major field of study, students enroll in elective courses. They may take classes that help them understand more about people, nature, government, or the arts. Well-rounded people are likely to be better citizens, better parents and more interesing and interested individuals. Although two-thirds of American high school graduates go on to study in college, recent high school graduates no longer dominate the college campuses. Adults of all ages return to the classroom, either for new vocational skills or for personal growth. In 1966, for example, almost 20% of American college students were over age 35. Some 500,000 college students are over 50. American faith in the value of education is exemplified by the rising number of Americans who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Almost one-quarter of Americans over age 25 are college graduates. College att
A. well deve loped in a range of aspects
B. rounded in shape or well developed
C. well planned and balanced
D. full, varied, and satisfying

[单项选择]At the college level, the best preparation for management is a liberal arts education. Individuals who will guide the future of their companies must broaden and deepen their understanding of the world. This means covering the whole range of the liberal arts, from science to literature to mathematics to history. Today’s executives must have some grasp of economic realities and the political process, as well as some comprehension of the basic framework within which scientific and technological changes take place. They must gain an understanding of human nature, including its negative aspects, such as the sources of human conflict and the pitfalls of power.

The word grasp in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. understanding
B. communication
C. criticism
D. prediction

[单项选择]A college education is an investment in the future. But it can be a (47) one. The College Board (48) that the costs at a four-year public college in the United States increased 10% this past school year. That was less than the 13% increase the year before, but still much higher than the inflation (49) Public colleges and universities still cost a lot less than private ones. Financial aid often helps. But financial experts (50) parents to start college savings plans when their child is still very young, All fifty states and the District of Columbia (51) what are called 5-29 plans. These plans are named after the part of the federal tax law that created them in 1996. States use private investment companies to operate the (52) of the programs. Every state has it, s own rules (53) 5-29 plans. Some of the plans are (54) of state taxes. And all are not required to pay federal taxes. However, the government could start to tax withdrawals (取钱) in 2011 if Congress