In only two decades Asian Americans have become the fastest-growing U.S. minority. As their children began moving up through the nation schools, it became clear that a new class of academic achievers was emerging. Their achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where

mathematics, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. This special liking for mathematics and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students who began their education abroad arrived in the U. S. with a solid grounding in mathematics but little or no knowledge of English. They are also influenced by the promise of a good job after college. Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively. And the return on the investment in education is more immediate in something like engineering than with an arts degree.

Most Asian-American students owe their success to the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of what the American educational system has to offer.

An effective measure of parental attention is homework. Asian parents spend more time with their children than American parents do, and it helps. Many researchers also believe there is something in Asian culture that breeds success, such as ideals that stress family values and emphasize education.

Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image. Many can remember when Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants were the victims of social isolation. Indeed, it was not until 1952 that laws were laid down giving all Asian immigrants the right to citizenship.

1.While making tremendous achievements at college, Asian-American students ______.

A. feel they are mistreated because of limited knowledge of English

B. are afraid that their academic successes bear a strong Asian character

C. still worry about unfair treatment in society

D. generally feel it a shame to have to depend on their parents

Best Answer:C

详解：C）推理题。综观全文，尤其是作者在文章第三段第一句明确指出，“Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image.”此句中“feed a typical racial image”意为“培养了一种典型的种族形象”，即担心因与众不同更易受到歧视与孤立，因此C)“仍然担心社会的不公正对待”为正确答案。

2.What are the major factors that determine the success of Asian Americans?

A. A solid foundation in basic mathematics and Asian culture.

B. Hard work and intelligence.

C. Parents’help and a limited knowledge of English.

D. Asian culture and the American educational system.

Best Answer:A

详解：A)。推理题。亚裔美国人成功的主要因素是数学基础坚实，亚洲文化历来重视教育。文章前两段分析了亚裔学生主要在理工科方面学业突出的原因，即有坚实的数学基础和父母的言传身教。B)也是成功的因素之一，但文章并未提到；C)中“a limited knowledge of English”不是主要原因；D)中的“the American educational system”为所有学生提供的机会是均等的，不是亚裔学生成功的根本原因。

3.Few Asian-American students major in human sciences mainly because ______.

A. their English is not good enough

B. they are afraid they might meet with unfair judgment in these areas

C. there is a wide difference between Asian and Western cultures

D. they know little about American culture and society

Best Answer:B

详解：B)。推理题。亚裔学生很少主修人文科学是因为担心会受到不公正对待。根据文章第一段倒数第二句“Asian feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively”可推断，对人文科学成就的评价带有主观因素，因而更易受到不公正对待。A)，C)，D)并不是主要原因。

4. Why do “both explanations” (Line 1, Para.3) worry Asian Americans?

A. They are afraid that they would again be isolated from American society in general.

B. People would think that Asian students rely on their parents for success.

C. Asian Americans would be a threat to other minorities.

D. American academic achievements have taken on too strong an Asian character.

Best Answer:A

详解：A)。推理题。从更后一段判断，亚裔美国学担心自己的突出成就会使自己再次成为社会孤立的对象。因此A)为正确答案。

5. The author’s tone in this passage is ______.

A. sympathetic

B. doubtful

C. critical

D. objective

Best Answer:D

详解：D)。推理题。作者对亚裔学生的评价是客观的，不带有感情色彩。A)同情的；B)怀疑的；C)批评的；D)客观的。