9．High school students and families are increasingly questioning the value of higher education．Is investing（投资） in a college or university education still worth it？The short answer is"yes．"There is no doubt that college pays off financially．A wide range of statistics shows that economic advantage of a four-year college education．Over a lifetime，students who graduate from college can expect to make about 60% more than those who do not．College graduates also tend to lead more active lives．They vote more often，volunteer more often and are more likely to own a home．Education encourages people to engage as citizens and live healthier and longer lives．
But what about the benefits of college that are more difficult to measure？They are even more significant and add up to a lot of value over the course of a lifetime．
College takes students to places they've never been before．College is a passport to different places，different times，and different ways of thinking．It gives students a chance to understand themselves differently，seeing how their lives are both like and unlike those who lived in other ages and other lands．
College introduces students to people they've never met before．One of the most important ways in which students learn，at college and universities everywhere，is by interacting with people who are different from themselves both inside and outside of the classroom．
College teaches students the importance of slowing down．No one denies（否认） the value of speed，but"thinking"is a word that is too often forgotten．College teaches students to slow down，to transform information to insight and knowing to understanding．It develops critical engagement，enlightened skepticism，and an endless desire to self-educate，preparing students for a lifetime of considering information and growing in knowledge and in wisdom．
In these ways and in so many others，college helps students see themselves differently，giving them the room and license to imagine new possibilities．Yes，it opens opportunities reflected in earning and employment statistics．But，perhaps even more valuable，it opens minds and worlds in ways that cannot be measured．The value of higher education is embodied（体现）by people who dream bigger and achieve more，who create their own futures and shape their own fate．
49．According to the passage，a more important benefit of higher education is thatA
A．the benefits are hard to measure
B．graduates can be healthier
C．they get economic reward
D．graduates can know more places
50．What is the attitude of the author towards higher education？C
A．Doubtful
B．Indifferent
C．Positive
D．Negative
51．According to the passage，it is good to slow down because we canD
A．have less stress
B．transform information
C．work more efficiently
D．have time to think and reflect
52．The main purpose of the passage is toB
A．compare and evaluate
B．argue and discuss
C．examine and assess
D．inform and explain
53．Which is the best title for the passage？D
A．The Reason for Getting Education
B．Better Education Ensures Better Life
C．The Way of Making Higher Education Worthy
D．College Helps Students Dream of More Than a Salary．
分析 本文通过描述人们对高等教育的质疑，表明了大学四年教育带给人们的有益之处，指出人们通过高等教育创造自己的未来和塑造自己命运，并且塑造自己正确的价值观与人格．
解答 49．A；主旨大意题；由文中最后一段的The value of higher education is embodied by people who dream bigger and achieve more，who create their own futures and shape their own fate．可知高等教育的意义是人们所无法估计的，也是巨大的，所以说高等教育的意义是很难测量的，故选A．
50．C；细节理解题；由文中第一段的The short answer is"yes．"There is no doubt that college pays off financially．可知简短的回答是"是的"，毫无疑问，大学在经济上是有回报的．作者承认高等教育对人是有好处的，所以作者面对高等教育的态度是积极的，故选C．
51．D；细节理解题；由文中第二段的College teaches students to slow down，to transform information to insight and knowing to understanding．可知大学教学生慢下来，把信息转化为洞察力，并懂得理解．所以说我们要学会慢下来是因为要有时间去思考和反应，故选D．
52．B；主旨大意题；通读全文可知本文是在人们质疑大学教育的情况下对高等教育的意义进行讨论，使得人们承认高等教育存在的必要性，所以本文主要是为了争辩和讨论，故选B．
53．D；主旨大意题；由文中第一段的investing in a college or university education still worth 可知本文讲述的是大学教育的投资是值得的，由文中最后一段的The value of higher education is embodied by people who dream bigger and achieve more，who create their own futures and shape their own fate可知大学帮助学生实现梦想的意义大于拿到更多的薪水，故选D．
点评 本文考察学生的细节理解和概括能力以及细心程度，只要抓住文章的关键词，采用寻读的方法查找细节，就能找到正确答案．
