A
In high school I was very shy，content to hang around with my small group of friends and concentrate on my courses.I was quickly regarded as a “brain”．I did so well that by the end of the senior year I had perfect grades and enough credits to give up an entire quarter of coursework.
But in early June of the senior year，the principal called me into his office.He asked me to give a speech at graduation.I gaped(目瞪口呆地凝视) at him，my heart thumping.This was the reward for my hard work? I mumbled something and fled the office，blaming myself for staying away from physics，a subject sure to have ruined my perfect record.
I finally agreed to a compromise.I would share the honor with five other students.And my friend Judy would then give her own，fulllength speech.
Graduation day soon arrived.I'd been practicing my speech for days，and I had it memorized.The first half hour of the ceremony passed in a blur，and then my moment came.My name was announced.I managed to reach the podium(讲台) without falling down.I faced my classmates.My voice trembled a little，but mostly it was clear and strong.But within seconds，I was done and headed back to my seat.I accomplished something I'd never dreamed of—I spoke in front of hundreds of people.
Although I didn't realize it at the time，the successful completion of that speech gave me the confidence to participate in class at college，to give verbal reports，and to eventually break free from my shyness.I would never have chosen to give a speech at graduation.But I'm glad I did.I will no longer hesitate when I'm faced with the prospect of doing something I dread.I know it may very well turn out to be one of my shining moments.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇记叙文。“我”上高中时很羞怯，但由于学习成绩优秀，被校长要求在毕业典礼上演讲，“我”虽然害怕，但还是完成了这次演讲。这件事不仅使“我”摆脱了羞怯，增强了自信，而且让“我”在做“我”恐惧的事情时不再犹豫。
1．Why was the writer called a “brain”？
A．She was a bookworm all the time.
B．She was the head of her small group.
C．She did a good job in her studies.
D．She did more coursework for good grades.
C [细节理解题。根据第一段第三句可知，在高中毕业那年结束的时候“我”取得了优异的成绩，拿到了足够的学分，从而可以免去整整四分之一的课程作业。由此可推知，“我”被认为是一个“聪明的学生”是因为“我”在课业方面表现出色，故C项正确。]
2．What can we infer from the second paragraph?
A．She ruined her health because of studying hard.
B．She got the reward beyond expectation.
C．She was grateful for giving a speech.
D．She wasn't good at physics at school.
D [推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句可知，“我”咕哝了几句话就逃出了办公室，责怪自己远离了物理，这门学科肯定破坏了“我”的完美记录。据此可以判断，作者不擅长物理，故D项正确。]
3．How did the author feel at the beginning of the graduation speech?
A．Scared. B．Moved.
C．Excited. D．Embarrassed.
A [推理判断题。根据第四段第五、六、七句可知，“我”设法到达讲台而不至于跌倒，面对着同学们，“我”的声音有点颤抖。据此可以推断，演讲开始时“我”感到害怕。A项意为“害怕，恐惧”，故A项正确。]
4．What did the speech bring to the author at last?
A．She had nothing to fear in life.
B．She got rid of her sense of shyness.
C．She won enough college credits.
D．She desired to become a speaker.
B [细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句可知，高中毕业典礼上演讲的成功完成给了“我”最终摆脱羞怯的信心。故B项正确。]
