I’d been retired for four years, when a friend suggested university. I thought he was joking—I was rubbish at school and failed my 11-plus. But we love to compete over Mastermind and University challenge, and he thought I’d make it. And he was absolutely right!

I did a foundation course first, which was part time at the University Lifelong Learning Centre(LLC), two nights a week and the odd Saturday. I did quite well, and that gave me the confidence to do a full time, three year degree. I’m passionate about art and I always wanted to be here for the journey and not the destination. That sounds really corny, but it was the truth in my case.

Initially it was a bit strange fitting in with my course mates. They were all 18, straight out of sixth form or college. Over time, though, they’ve all been fine — now, we all get on really well and there is no issue. I’ve made plenty of friends as a member of the mature students society, and I do some volunteering through the LLC, chatting to prospective students about my experience of coming to university. I tell them my story and basically encourage them to give it a go because you’ve got nothing to lose. I like to think I’ve convinced a few of them.

I have no regrets at all. Enrolling in university was the best piece of advice I’ve received in years, especially post-retirement. I needed routine in my life; I needed purpose. I’m not going to spend my day in the bookies or the pub. If you’ve got a passion for something, you should pursue it.

【小题1】What do we learn from Paragraph 1?

A．The author often competed with his friend at university,

B．The author was satisfied with his performance at school,

C．The advice of his friend was a big challenge for the author.

D．The author’s friend told a joke when suggesting university.

【小题2】What was it that made him determined to pursue a full time degree?

A．His long held passion for art.

B．His boring retirement life.

C．His success in the foundation course.

D．His desire to travel to the destination.

【小题3】What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．How he got along with his course mates

B．How he helped his friends at university.

C．What activities he took part in at school

D．What he experienced as a volunteer.

【小题4】Which of the following can serve as the title of the passage?

A．Knowledge is power.

B．It’s never too old to learn.

C．Failure is the mother of success.

D．A friend in need is a friend indeed.