A
Downey's mother spent one year studying abroad through an international exchange program with a French school.She often talked about how exciting and interesting the experience was.So, even before finishing high school, Downey had decided to follow suit one day.
Downey began studying architecture at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 2004.Near the end of her second year, she started to feel unhappy with her school and decided it was time to study abroad.
US colleges and universities commonly have joint programs with foreign schools that permit student exchanges.These programs usually last half a school year or sometimes a whole school year.The classes students take abroad usually give them credits toward their degree.In a fouryear degree program, the third year is the most common time for American college students to study abroad.Many students think they need a change before what is usually their final and most difficult year of study.
Downey said her school did not want her to go at first.The architecture program at Lehigh was very intense, and her professors were worried she might miss learning important material.However, she was eventually able to get special permission to study internationally for a whole year.During the fall term in 2006, she attended a Danish international school in Copenhagen, Denmark, explaining she did so because Danish architects are well known for their housing design.
Young adult as she was, she had to deal with travel documents and many other issues (问题) on her own.Overcoming the language barrier is the biggest challenge of studying abroad.However, she had a lot of emotional (情感的) and financial support from her family.She learned life lessons and made friendships and memories that have lasted to this day.She said, “The more you're out of your comfort zone, the more rewarding the experience is in the end.”
语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了美国女孩唐尼的出国留学之路。
1．What does Downey's mother mean to Downey?
A．A friend. B．A dreamer.
C．An example. D．An expert.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据第一段可知，唐尼的妈妈曾参加过一个法国学校的国际交流项目，在国外学习了一年，她经常谈论那次经历是多么令人兴奋和有趣，所以甚至在高中毕业之前，唐尼就已经决定有一天也要像妈妈一样出国留学，由此可知，唐尼的妈妈在她眼中是个优秀的榜样，故C项正确。
2．What made Downey choose the Danish international school?
A．The famous learned professors.
B．The casual learning environment.
C．The impressive academic reputation.
D．The favorable geographical location.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第四段中的During the fall term in 2006, she attended a Danish international school in Copenhagen, Denmark, explaining she did so because Danish architects are well known for their housing design.可知，2006年秋季学期，唐尼就读于丹麦哥本哈根的一所丹麦国际学校，她解释说她这样做是因为丹麦建筑师以房屋设计而闻名，故C项正确。
3．What can we infer according to the last paragraph?
A．It was not easy for Downey to study abroad.
B．The comfortable life is likely to ruin the future life.
C．Downey was too young to take care of herself.
D．Downey's parents could hardly afford her education.
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的she had to deal with travel documents and many other issues (问题) on her own.Overcoming the language barrier is the biggest challenge of studying abroad.及you're out of your comfort zone可知，唐尼在国外不得不独自处理包括旅行证件在内的许多问题，还要克服出国留学的最大挑战——语言障碍，还要走出自己的舒适区，也就是说唐尼的留学生活并不容易，故A项正确。
