MIT Press

Table 2:

A C³-Mixed (C_M³) problem (left) and its English translation (right) (★: the correct option).

In 1928, recommended by Hsu Chih-Mo, Hu Shih, who was the president of the previous National University of China, employed Shen Ts’ung-wen as a lecturer of the university in charge of teaching the optional course of modern literature.

At that time, Shen already made himself conspicuous in the literary world and was a little famous in society. For this sake, even before the beginning of class, the classroom was crowded with students. Upon the arrival of class, Shen went into the classroom. Seeing a dense crowd of students sitting beneath the platform, Shen was suddenly startled and his mind went blank. He was even unable to utter the first sentence he had rehearsed repeatedly.

He stood there motionlessly, extremely embarrassed. He wrung his hands without knowing where to put them. Before class, he believed that he had a ready plan to meet the situation so he did not bring his teaching plan and textbook. For up to 10 minutes, the classroom was in perfect silence. All the students were curiously waiting for the new teacher to open his mouth. Breathing deeply, he gradually calmed down. Thereupon, the materials he had previously prepared gathered in his mind for the second time. Then he began his lecture. Nevertheless, since he was still nervous, it took him less than 15 minutes to finish the teaching contents he had planned to complete in an hour.

What should he do next? He was again caught in embarrassment. He had no choice but to pick up a piece of chalk before writing several words on the blackboard: This is the first time I have given a lecture. In the presence of a crowd of people, I feel terrified.

Immediately, a peal of friendly laughter filled the classroom. Presently, a round of encouraging applause was given to him. Hearing this episode, Hu heaped praise upon Shen, thinking that he was very successful. Because of this experience, Shen always reminded himself of not being nervous in his class for years afterwards. Gradually, he began to give his lecture at leisure in class.

Q1 In paragraph 2, “a dense crowd” refers to

A. the light in the classroom was dim.

B. the number of students attending his lecture was large. ★

C. the room was noisy.

D. the students were active in voicing their opinions.

Q2 Shen did not bring the textbook because he felt that

A. the teaching contents were not many.

B. his preparation was sufficient. ★

C. his mental pressure could be reduced in this way.

D. the textbook was likely to restrict his ability to give a lecture.

Q3 Seeing the sentence written by Shen, the students

A. hurriedly consoled him.

B. blamed him in mind.

C. were greatly encouraged.

D. expressed their understanding and encouraged him. ★

Q4 The passage above is mainly about

A. the development of the Chinese educational system.

B. how to make self-adjustment if one is nervous.

C. the situation where Shen gave his lecture for the first time. ★

D. how Shen turned into a teacher from a writer.

	In 1928, recommended by Hsu Chih-Mo, Hu Shih, who was the president of the previous National University of China, employed Shen Ts’ung-wen as a lecturer of the university in charge of teaching the optional course of modern literature.
	At that time, Shen already made himself conspicuous in the literary world and was a little famous in society. For this sake, even before the beginning of class, the classroom was crowded with students. Upon the arrival of class, Shen went into the classroom. Seeing a dense crowd of students sitting beneath the platform, Shen was suddenly startled and his mind went blank. He was even unable to utter the first sentence he had rehearsed repeatedly.
	He stood there motionlessly, extremely embarrassed. He wrung his hands without knowing where to put them. Before class, he believed that he had a ready plan to meet the situation so he did not bring his teaching plan and textbook. For up to 10 minutes, the classroom was in perfect silence. All the students were curiously waiting for the new teacher to open his mouth. Breathing deeply, he gradually calmed down. Thereupon, the materials he had previously prepared gathered in his mind for the second time. Then he began his lecture. Nevertheless, since he was still nervous, it took him less than 15 minutes to finish the teaching contents he had planned to complete in an hour.
	What should he do next? He was again caught in embarrassment. He had no choice but to pick up a piece of chalk before writing several words on the blackboard: This is the first time I have given a lecture. In the presence of a crowd of people, I feel terrified.
	Immediately, a peal of friendly laughter filled the classroom. Presently, a round of encouraging applause was given to him. Hearing this episode, Hu heaped praise upon Shen, thinking that he was very successful. Because of this experience, Shen always reminded himself of not being nervous in his class for years afterwards. Gradually, he began to give his lecture at leisure in class.

Q1	Q1 In paragraph 2, “a dense crowd” refers to
A.	A. the light in the classroom was dim.
B.	B. the number of students attending his lecture was large. ★
C.	C. the room was noisy.
D.	D. the students were active in voicing their opinions.
Q2	Q2 Shen did not bring the textbook because he felt that
A.	A. the teaching contents were not many.
B.	B. his preparation was sufficient. ★
C.	C. his mental pressure could be reduced in this way.
D.	D. the textbook was likely to restrict his ability to give a lecture.
Q3	Q3 Seeing the sentence written by Shen, the students
A.	A. hurriedly consoled him.
B.	B. blamed him in mind.
C.	C. were greatly encouraged.
D.	D. expressed their understanding and encouraged him. ★
Q4	Q4 The passage above is mainly about
A.	A. the development of the Chinese educational system.
B.	B. how to make self-adjustment if one is nervous.
C.	C. the situation where Shen gave his lecture for the first time. ★
D.	D. how Shen turned into a teacher from a writer.

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