单选题 .  The task of being accepted and enrolled (招收) in a university begins early for some students. Long     1    they graduate from high school. These students take special     2    to prepare for advanced study. They may also take one of more examinations that test how     3    prepared they are for the university. In the final year of high school, they     4    applications and send them, with their student records, to the universities which they hope to     5    . Some high school students may be     6    to have an interview with representatives of the university. Neatly     7    , and usually very frightened, they are     8    to show that they have a good attitude and the     9    to succeed.
    When the new students are finally     10    , there may be one more step they have to     11    before registering for classes and     12    to work. Many colleges and universities     13    an orientation (情况介绍) program for new students.     14    these programs, the young people get to know the     15    for registration and student advising, university rules, the     16    of the library and all the other     17    services of the college or university.
    Beginning a new life in a new place can be very     18    . The more knowledge students have     19    the school, the easier it will be for them to     20    to the new environment. However, it takes time to get used to college life.1. 
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】 此处构成惯用法long before(很久以前)。