第二部分：阅读理解 （40分）
I really love my job because I enjoy working with small children and like the challenges and awards from the job. I also think my work is important. There was a time when I thought I would never have that sort of career.
I wasn’t an excellent student because I didn’t do much schoolwork. In my final term I started thinking what I might do and found I didn’t have much to offer. I just accepted that I wasn’t the type to have a career.
I then found myself a job — looking after two little girls. It wasn’t too bad at first. But the problems began when I agreed to live in so that I would be there if my boss had to go out for business in the evening. We agreed that if I had to work extra hours one week, she’d give me time off the next. But unfortunately, it didn’t often work out. I was getting extremely tired and fed up, because I had too many late nights and early mornings with the children.
One Sunday, I was in the park with the children, and met Megan who used to go to school with me. I told her about my situation. She suggested that I should do a course and get a qualification（资格证书）if I wanted to work with children. I didn’t think I would be accepted because I didn’t take many exams in school. She persuaded me to phone the local college and they were really helpful. My experience counted for a lot and I got on a part-time course. I had to leave my job with the family, and got work helping out at a kindergarten.
Now I’ve got a full-time job there. I shall always be thankful to Megan. I wish I had known earlier that you could have a career, even if you aren’t top of the class at school.
21． What is the author’s present job?
A. Working part-time in a college. B. Taking care of children for a family.
C. Helping children with their schoolwork. D. Looking after children at a kindergarten.
22．When staying with the two girls’ family, the author ________.
A. was paid for extra work B. often worked long hours
C. got much help from her boss D. took a day off every other week
23．Why did the author leave her first job?
A. She found a full-time job. B. She was fed up with children.
C. She decided to attend a part-time course. D. She needed a rest after working extra hours.
24．What has the author learned from her own experiences?
A. Less successful students can still have a career. B. Qualifications are necessary for a career.
C. Hard work makes an excellent student. D. One must choose the job one likes.
