四、阅读短文，回答问题
For most people, graduation is an exciting day, but my graduation day was not.
I remember that weekend two years ago. Just like everyone else in my class, I had degrees (学位), but very uncertain future.
The road ahead wasn't easy. I knew my small town couldn't offer me any job, so I packed up my things and drove to Southern California to find work. But what I thought would take a week lasted for two weeks, and then four, and then months.
You know that feeling when you wake up in fear? That feeling never went away. No matter how much I tried, there was no hope. So what did I do to keep my good sense? I decided to write. Something about putting words on a page made everything seem a little clearer. Something about writing gave me hope. And if you want something badly enough, sometimes a little hope is all you need!
I put my dissatisfaction into a children's book. Beyond the River is the story of a little fish, who refuses to give up his dream.
And then one day, without any writing degree or contacts with the writing world—just a lot of hard work and a strong will—I got a chance to publish my first book! After that, things began to fall into place slowly. I was offered a second book chance. Then, a few months later, I got an interview with the Walt Disney Company and was hired shortly after.
Don't give up. Even if things look difficult now, don't give up. If we work hard, things will always get better. Often our dreams are just a little further ahead, waiting for us to keep going. All we need is the courage to push beyond the river.
1. Why was the writer's graduation day not exciting?
Because he had very uncertain future.
2. How did the writer feel during the months after graduation?
He felt afraid./He was in fear.
3. What helped the writer during hard times?
Writing./Putting words on a page.
4. When did things start to get better?
After publishing the first book.
5. What made the writer succeed at last?
Hard work, courage and never giving up.
