HECS is an Australian invention. Since it was introduced in 1989, it has been copied in other countries including Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Thailand. "It's one of the best things about Australia," exclaimed Justine Davies, 26, an Australian girl. "Without it, I simply wouldn't have been able to get tertiary (三等的) education. It makes university education in reach of everybody who wants it."

Davies said she paid only about A$400 each term for her tuition which was "several thousand dollars a year".

One HECS-HELP advantage is that students don't have to begin repaying until their income is above a certain amount (A$38,148 in 2006-2007), according to the government website. So, a person making A$39,000 in 2006-2007 would pay 4 percent of their income, or A$1,560.

The size of repayments rises with income. If the person's income falls below A$38,000, the repayments stop until they are gainfully(有收入的) employed.

27. The aim of HECS-HELP is to _____.

A. help students get a higher score

B. make everybody receive university education

C. improve students' ability of earning money

D. make students live a better life

28. Which of the following countries does NOT carry out HECS-HELP?

A. Australia. B. New Zealand C. South Africa. D. India.

29. One advantage of this program is that _____.

A. students needn't pay off the loan from the government

B. students don't have to repay until they get a certain income

C. it will help students to get a good job

D. it is widely carried out all over the world

30. If a person's income is A$35,000 in 2007, the repayment should be _____.

A. A$1,560 B. A$1,650 C. A$1,400 D. zero

七选五阅读

The jobs of the future have not yet been invented. __31¬¬¬___ By helping them develop classic skills that will serve them well no matter what the future holds.

1. Curiosity

Your children need to be deeply curious. __32__ Ask kids, "What ingredients(配料) can we add to make these pancakes even better next time?" and then try them out. Did these ingredients make the pancakes better? What could we try next time?

2. Creativity(创造力)

True creativity is the ability to take something existing and create something new from it. __33__ There are a dozen different things you can do with them. Experimenting with materials to create something new can go a long way in helping them develop their creativity.