Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers, whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement.
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron cap and gown(方帽长袍).
Our principal, Mr. Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(对美国的忠孝宣誓).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. Then came the core (核心) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.
小题1:What’s the article mainly about?A．An American high school’s graduation ceremony.B．The opening ceremony of a sports meeting.C．A presentation of college diplomas. D．A US college’s farewell party.小题2:Which of the following statements about the author is FALSE?A．She was one of the graduates.B．She was a foreign exchange student.C．She was excited to receive her diploma. D．She felt it great to be at the ceremony.小题3:The right order of the following s is________.
a. Diplomas were presented to graduates.
b. Students gave farewell speeches.
c. The US national anthem was played.
d. The principal gave a short, warm speech.
e. Seniors went into the stadium.A．b-c-a-d-eB．c-d-b-e-aC．d-b-e-a-cD．e-d-c-b-a小题4:From the text, we can conclude that_______.A．a diploma ensures a good jobB．a diploma guarantees a bright futureC．the commencement symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in lifeD．everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma