了全身力气来搬动它。句中的it代指前面的the stone。

　　10．surprise　考查词性的转换。根据句意可知此处是表达他的吃惊，应该是用名词。

　　Ⅴ.阅读理解

　　More students than ever before are taking a gap year(间隔年) before going to university. It used to be the "year off" between school and university. The gap­year phenomenon originated(起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.

　　This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS)．

　　That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. "Students who take a well－planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible，" he said.

　　But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship-young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. "New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to ￡15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacating periods，" he said.

　　【文章大意】　本文提到大学的学费高使得很多大学生在上大学前就要先去挣钱然后在上大学学习，这样的好处是让学生更珍惜大学的时光，更成熟更有责任感，但是也给人们带来了思考。

　　1．What do we learn about the gap year from the text?

　　A. It is flexible in length.

　　B. It is a time for relaxation.

　　C. It is increasingly popular.

　　D. It is required by universities.

　　答案与解析：C　推理判断题。由短文第一段及第三段第一句话可知间隔年越来越受到欢迎。因此选C。

　　2．According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year ________.

　　A. are better prepared for college studies

　　B. know a lot more about their future job

　　C. are more likely to leave university in debt

　　D. have a better chance to enter top universities

　　答案与解析：A　细节理解题。由人名定位到短文第三段。第三段在说它的优点，有间隔年之后再去上大学，会让人更成熟有责任感，对大学的学习有帮助。故选A。

3．How does Owain James feel about the gap－year phenomenon?