A
When I was young，I loved going for a trail (小路) run.It was my favourite way to escape stress.So，when I was back in my hometown after a tough first year of my Ph.D.program，I thought a trail run was just what I needed.But instead of helping me relax，the run did just the opposite.
After I moved to the city for college，where my runs were on flat concrete paths instead of winding dirt trails，I used a GPS watch.When I went for a trail run again in the country，the watch constantly reminded me of the fact that I wasn't keeping up my usual pace.I turned my watch off，thinking that would allow me to enjoy my surroundings and find the peace I expected，but I still worried that I was underperforming.“Why can't I let go and just enjoy myself？” I wondered.After some introspection (反省)，I realised why I was struggling — both on trail runs and in graduate school.
When starting my Ph.D.，I had thought that my solid postgraduate track record would set me up for instant success.To my surprise，I was wrong.I lacked confidence in my research abilities which I thought stopped me performing well and I constantly felt my progress was too slow.Other students' selfconfidence and their excellent results made me feel insecure.Finally，one day I broke down in tears in my tutor's office.
Then came my visiting home.I was having trouble because I hadn't properly adjusted my expectations to the differences between an urban run and a trail run.
A Ph.D. is like a trail run.Sometimes you can run fast.Sometimes you might find yourself climbing up a steep，winding trail at a snail's pace.But that's OK.Barriers are unavoidable，and success looks and feels different on a challenging trail than it does on a smooth，flat path.Sometimes it's best to take a deep breath and do your best to meet the challenge.
语篇解读：本文是一篇夹叙夹议文。通过在乡间小路跑步这件小事，作者明白了自己在读博的道路上遇到的问题应该如何解决。
1．How did the author feel when he went for a trail run again?
A．Relaxed. B．Tired.
C．Anxious. D．Happy.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句以及第二段中的but I still worried that I was underperforming可知，再次到乡间小路上跑步让作者焦虑不安。
2．What resulted in the author's poor performance in the Ph.D.?
A．His lack of hard work.
B．His lack of confidence.
C．His poor research abilities.
D．His poor track record.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第三段中的I lacked confidence in my research abilities which I thought stopped me performing well and I constantly felt my progress was too slow.可知，因为缺乏自信心，作者在读博时的表现不够好。
3．What does the author want to show in the last paragraph?
A．His desire for success.
B．His confidence in trail runs.
C．His expectations in his study.
D．His realization after the trail run.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据最后一段可知，作者意识到攻读博士学位就像在乡间小路上跑步一样，途中你可能遇到不同的情况，需要自己作出调整以适应不同情况。
4．What does the author want to tell us?
A．Failure is the mother of success.
B．Working out regularly is beneficial.
C．It is vital to turn to others for help.
D．It's important to make necessary adjustments.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中的adjusted my expectations to the differences和最后一段的表述并结合文章其他内容可知，作者在攻读博士学位的过程中遇到了问题，在一次乡间小路上跑步之后，作者领悟到取得博士学位就像在乡间小路上跑步一样，可能会遇到不同的情况，需要作出调整，以适应形势。
