The American dream is the faith held by many people in the United States of America that through hard work, courage, creativity and determination, they can achieve a better life for themselves. More specifically, they agree on how to get ahead in America: get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy their own house. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?
The most recent National Journal poll asked participants about the American dream, what it takes to achieve their goal, and whether or not they felt the control over their ability to be successful. Obviously, the results show that today, the idea of the American dream looks quite different from that in the late 20th century. Generally speaking, people felt that their actions and hard work decide their lives. But the participants had definitely mixed feelings about what actions make for a better life in the current economy.
In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic(悲观的) about the power of education to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievable goal, a majority 52 percent think that young people do not need a 4-year college education in order to be successful.
Miguel Maeda, 42, who has a master's degree and works in public health, was the first in that his family to go to college, which has allowed him to achieve a sense of financial stability(稳定) that his parents and grandparents never did. While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of degree rather than the education itself, others still see college as a way to gain new viewpoints and life experiences. To Fendley, a sense of drive and purpose, as well as an effective high-school education, and basic life skills, like balancing a checkbook(支票簿), are the necessary elements for a successful life in America.
1.It used to be commonly acknowledged that to succeed in America, one had to have 　　　　. 
A.a sense of drive and purpose     B.a firm belief in their dream
C.an advanced academic degree    D.an ambition to get ahead
2.What is the finding of the latest National Journal poll concerning the American dream?
A.More and more Americans are finding it hard to realize.
B.It remains alive among the majority of American people.
C.An increasing number of young Americans are abandoning it.
D.Americans' idea of it has changed over the past few decades.
3.What do Americans now think of the role of college education in achieving success?
A.It is no longer as important as it used to be.
B.It has proved to be beyond doubt.
C.It is much better understood now than ever.
D.It still remains open to debate.
4.How do some people view college education these days?
A.It needs to be strengthened.      B.It helps broaden their minds.
C.It widens cultural diversity.      D.It promotes gender equality.
　I.1.C　细节题。根据第1段中的“More specifically, they agree on how to get ahead in America: get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy their own house.”可知,过去人们普遍认为,要想在美国取得成功,就必须有高学位。
2.D　细节题。根据第2段第2句可知答案。
3.A　推断题。根据第3段可知,在过去的七年里,美国人对教育决定成功这一观点感到越来越悲观。虽然他们认为上大学是一个相当容易实现的目标,但是52%的人认为为了成功年轻人不需要四年的大学教育。由此可判断出美国人认为大学教育在取得成功中所起的作用不再像过去那样重要了。
4.B　推断题。根据最后一段第2句可知,虽然一些人强调学位的价值而不是教育本身的价值,但其他人仍然把大学视为获得新观点和生活经历的一种方式。由此可推断,现在一些人认为大学教育有助于开阔他们的视野。