In a country where many girls are still discouraged from going to school, Sushma Verma is having anything but a typical childhood.

The 13-year-old girl from a poor family in north India has enrolled in (入学登记) a master’s degree in microbiology, after her father sold his land to pay for some of his daughter’s tuition to help her to be part of India’s growing middle class.

Verma finished high school at 7 and earned an undergraduate degree at age 13 with the encouragement of her uneducated and poor parents. “They allowed me to do what I wanted to do,” Verma said, “I hope that other parents don’t make their children accept their choices.”

Sushma lives with her family in a crowded single-room apartment in Lucknow. Their only income is her father’s daily wage of up to 200 rupees (less than $3. 50) for laboring on construction sites. Their most precious possessions include a study table and a second-hand computer. It is not a great atmosphere for studying, she admitted. But having no television and little else at home has advantages, she said. “There is nothing to do but study.”

Her first choice was to become a doctor, but she cannot take the test to qualify for medical school until she is 18. “So I chose the master’s of science and then I will do a doctor’s degree,” she said.

In another family, Sushma might not have been able to receive higher education. Millions of Indian children are still not enrolled in grade school, and many of them are girls whose parents choose to hold them back in favour of advancing their sons. Some from conservative (守旧的) village cultures are expected only to get married. “The girl is an inspiration for students who are born with everything”, said Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak of Sulabh International, who decided to help after seeing a local television program on Sushma. She is also receiving financial aid from well-wishing civilians and other charities.

【小题1】Which word can best describe Sushma Verma’s father?

A．Strict.	B．Educated.
C．Understanding.	D．Supportive.

【小题2】Why does the writer mention a study table and a second-hand computer?

A．To show her family enjoy a simple life.

B．To show her family live a very poor life.

C．To tell us her room is poorly furnished.

D．To tell us her room is a great place to study in.

【小题3】What made Sushma not qualified to take the test for medical school?

A．Her age.	B．Her choice.
C．Her interest.	D．Her poverty.

【小题4】What can we infer from paragraph 6?

A．Indian parents treat their sons and daughters equally.

B．Indian parents spend much of their income on education.

C．Indian boys have more chances to receive higher education.

D．Indian girls in the countryside get married when they leave primary school.