I was sitting at an airport restaurant when I received the email.It informed me I had failed my qualifying exam on my third attempt,which meant dismissal(解雇)、from a science program.I knew things hadn't gone perfectly. 'But I was still
dumbfounded.How was it possible that one exam could deny all my other successes and define me as unfit to be a scientist?
As an Afro-Latinx first-generation college graduate,I didn't have family members who could tell me what Ph.D.program was like.But I struggled with my classes,spending countless hours studying in the library.I ended that year with increased confidence.But my confidence disappeared when I made my first attempt at the qualifying exam.Because I had never taken an oral(口頭的) exam before,the result was disappointing.
I switched research projects 5 months later because my first teacher left the university.This gave me no confidence in taking the exam again.Not surprisingly,I failed again.That's when I was told í'd have one more chance.
For the next 2 months,I did everything in my power to prepare.I even stopped doing lab work to focus on my exam preparations.I was all in.But I still failed.
I reflected(反思) on how different my experience going into the exam was from my peers'.This exam does not represent a lot.My teacher believed in me and persuaded the department to allow me to complete the Ph.D.degree.So I carried on with my research.I still have a little voice in the back of my head that I'm not good enough.But I try to quiet it by surrounding myself with teachers who support me and by staying focused on developing into the great scientist I know I can be.In the end,I am much more than that 1-hour exam.
(1)What does the underlined word "dumbfounded" in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A
A
A.Shocked.
B.Annoyed.
C.Embarrassed.
D.Excited.
(2)Why did the author fail the first exam?
D
D
A.He did not study very hard.
B.His teacher no longer worked there.
C.He was dismissed from his program.
D.He was not good at oral exams.
(3)How many times did the author attend the exam?
C
C
A.One.
B.Two.
C.Three.
D.Four.
(4)What does the author most probably agree with?
B
B
A.It is impossible for him to be a scientist.
B.One test cannot determine a person's life.
C.Exams can show a person's ability.
D.Support is more important than hard work.