(课外)高中英语阅读短文之《高考》.docx

(课外)高中英语阅读短文之《高考》 （课外）高中英语阅读短文之《高考》 阅读短文并回答问题 The air crackles with expectation in China’s tiny eastern town of Maotanchang ahead of the“gaokao”,the annual national college entrance exam.More than9million students are taking this year. The town is famous for a middle school that puts students through strict14-hour days in preparation for the exam,which is usually spread over two days. This year about9.4million students will appear,the Xinhua state news agency said,roughly the same number since2022and down from a peak of10.5million in2022.The fiercely competitive test is seen as a key to social mobility and the best chance for school leavers to land a white-collar job. Just40percent of students are expected to enrol in undergraduate degrees subsequently,however,Xinhua said,citing the 2022enrolment plan of the education ministry. But the exception is Maotanchang Middle School,whose website says80percent to90percent of its students have won college acceptances since2022. “My mother gave up her job and came here to keep me company,”said Xiang Licheng,a20-year-old who came to Maotanchang to prepare for a second attempt at the exam.He said the school had taught him endurance,among other life skills.“Every time I don’t feel like studying,I will not relax,as I see the hardship my mother goes through in caring for me,”Xiang said. Restaurant owner Zhang Xunze said he moved to Maotanchang three years ago so his son could attend the school.“We thought life was too boring and had nothing to do.So we gathered some money and started this restaurant,”said49-year-old Zhang,whose business is a short walk from the school gate. In the lead-up to the exams,students took part in incense-burning ceremonies to pray for good luck.They also released into the sky floating lanterns with“gaokao”messages. （课外）高中英语阅读短文之《高考》 阅读短文并回答问题 The air crackles with expectation in China’s tiny eastern town of Maotanchang ahead of the“gaokao”,the annual national college entrance exam.More than9million students are taking this year. The town is famous for a middle school that puts students through strict14-hour days in preparation for the exam,which is usually spread over two days. This year about9.4million students will appear,the Xinhua state news agency said,roughly the same number since2022and down from a peak of10.5million in2022.The fiercely competitive test is seen as a key to social mobility and the best chance for school leavers to land a white-collar job. Just40percent of students are expected to enrol in undergraduate degrees subsequently,however,Xinhua said,citing the 2022enrolment plan of the education ministry. But the exception is Maotanchang Middle School,whose website says80percent to90percent of its students have won college acceptances since2022. “My mother gave up her job and came here to keep me company,”said Xiang Licheng,a20-year-old who came to Maotanchang to prepare for a second attempt at the exam.He said the school had taught him endurance,among other life skills.“Every time I don’t feel like studying,I will not relax,as I see the hardship my mother goes through in caring for me,”Xiang said. Restaurant owner Zhang Xunze said he moved to Maotanchang three years ago so his son could attend the school.“We thought life was too boring and had nothing to do.So we gathered some money and started this restaurant,”said49-year-old Zhang,whose business is a short walk from the school gate. In the lead-up to the exams,students took part in incense-burning ceremonies to pray for good luck.They also released into the sky floating lanterns with“gaokao”messages. 。