川大博士生考试英语模拟试题教程分析.doc

博士研究生入学考试英语模拟试题一 Part Ⅰ Reading comprehension Passage 1 States are considering major changes in prepaid college tuition programs-raising prices, restricting participation or canceling them as they grapple with financial woos. Nationwide, families will likely have to pay more to participate, or accept that they might not cover tuition when children go to college. Colorado has closed its prepaid plan to new investors and told existing ones that it may not cover future tuition increases. Wisconsin stopped selling its plan on Dec.20. Maryland and Illinois are states hiking prices by 20％ or more. Prepaid plans let parents lock in tuition by paying for it now, protecting them against rising costs. But the bear market has hurt investment returns, leaving the plans unable to keep up with big increases in tuition. So far, Colorado is the only state that has told participants their investments may not cover tuition, and no plan has missed a payment. Other states have said they will fulfill obligations, even if it requires a legislative bailout. Still, the financial programs have forced thousands to grapple with uncertainty something prepaid plans were designed to avoid. More than 1 million families have an estimated $8 billion invested in the plans, says (S) . Some states, including Colorado, may replace the prepaid plan with a guaranteed investment contract, a CD-like investment that has backed by an insurance company. Investors get a minimum rate of return, but no guarantee that it will cover tuition. Wisconsin, s EdVest program is encouraging investment in a state value fund, which is similar to a guaranteed investment contract , in its investment plan. Wisconsins prepaid plan never guaranteed to cover tuition inflation. It also never g