1 . My father decided to start learning French when he was 57. On the surface, his retirement hobby seems a little random — our family has no connection to French-speaking countries — but his ______ ran deeper than a passion for cakes. My grandmother developed signs of Alzheimer’s disease (阿尔兹海默症) in her early 70s, and studies suggest that being bilingual, that is, being able to speak two languages equally well, can ______ the start of the condition by up to five years. Drawn by that ______ benefit, many people have attempted to pick up a new language in adulthood.

Lots of activities are linked to better brain health in old age, like getting more education when you’re younger and physical activity. Experts say regularly speaking multiple languages may be especially ______ though. “We use language in all aspects of daily life, so a bilingual brain is ______ working,” said Mark Antoniou, a professor at Western Sydney University who specializes in bilingualism.

The age at which you learn another language appears to be less important than how ______ you speak it. The cognitive (认知的) benefit is from having to ______ your mother tongue, which your brain is forced to do if you’re trying to recall the right words in another language. So if the second language is used a lot, you’re getting that cognitive ______. That process is called cognitive inhibition. In theory, by improving these types of processes, the brain becomes stronger to the ______ caused by diseases like dementia. The stronger your mental power, the thinking goes, the longer you can function normally, even if your brain health starts to ______.

However, evidence for the benefits of learning a second language as a hobby in your 60s is ______. Research by Dr. Antoniou and colleagues found that while Chinese adults 60 and up improved on cognition tests after a six-month language learning program, people who played games like Sudoku did as well. Two more recent studies on the topic found virtually no ______ in cognitive performance after people took part in language-learning programs.

The scientists who conducted those studies offered a few potential ______. One is that the participants were highly motivated volunteers, who may have already been at peak performance for their age, making it hard to see any ______. Another is that the language interventions were perhaps too short. The handful of studies looking into the issue have used language lessons that were very different in their ______ and frequency. Some studies taught participants for eight months, others for just one very intense week.

1.

A．affection

B．contribution

C．motivation

D．struggle

2.

A．delay

B．prevent

C．signal

D．stimulate

3.

A．additional

B．educational

C．lasting

D．potential

4.

A．beneficial

B．common

C．impractical

D．rare

5.

A．carelessly

B．constantly

C．creatively

D．delicately

6.

A．long

B．often

C．soon

D．well

7.

A．command

B．practice

C．restrict

D．spread

8.

A．function

B．psychology

C．system

D．training

9.

A．damages

B．operations

C．pains

D．signs

10.

A．decline

B．improve

C．matter

D．restore

11.

A．available

B．mounting

C．stronger

D．weaker

12.

A．difference

B．involvement

C．point

D．reduction

13.

A．applications

B．explanations

C．findings

D．suggestions

14.

A．diversities

B．improvements

C．outcomes

D．possibilities

15.

A．content

B．intention

C．length

D．requirement

2 . Picture this: you’re out to dinner with a friend who you know makes a lot more money than you do. When you open the _________, your heart sinks. There’s not a dish in sight that is less than $35, and even a soup is going to run you $18. You probably vow (发誓) to _________ dollar pizza slices the rest of the month to balance out this dinner. _________, this time, what if you just turned to your friend, closed the menu, and said, “Sorry, I have to be honest. I can’t afford this. Let’s go somewhere else?”

That’s the idea behind “loud budgeting”, a trend that could not only relieve you of the _________ burden, but help you deal with these sorts of stressful situations both mentally and emotionally. In an age when everybody is showing off nice things on social media and _________ to be something they’re not, it feels somewhat revolutionary to just tell the truth about what you can’t afford.

The term was first introduced by TikTok (抖音) comedian Lukas Battle. Battle explained his concept in an interview: simply put, loud budgeting is being _________ about what you do and don’t want to spend money on. Since his video, the concept has caught on rapidly among the _________, who are pointing out that it has come at a significant time when everything is uncontrollably expensive.

It’s not just a TikTok thing though. Even those in the financial services industry are on board with the _________. Nikolina Cuca, a financial advisor, says that she’s seen social media add pressure to her clients, causing them to spend _________ on luxury items. “There should be no shame about trying to match your spending to your means. This trend helps young people moderate spending by __________ the idea of living within budgets.”

Beyond just saving money, loud budgeting is also bringing people closer. Honest money talks lead to greater respect among friends and family. By __________ discussing money goals, people are creating stronger bonds based on mutual understanding for each other’s financial situations. And perhaps the most valuable part of the loud budgeting trend is that it provides a sense of __________. For example, if you tell a friend you are trying to cut back spending on drinks out, you are much __________ to stick with the goal than if you just keep it to yourself.

With its focus on being open, spending wisely, and building __________, loud budgeting is more than just a passing trend, but a cool way for the younger generation to __________ their finances. As more people adopt this approach, it is likely to stay a big part of how we handle money in the future.

1.

A．door

B．menu

C．bill

D．wallet

2.

A．appeal to

B．lead to

C．stick to

D．object to

3.

A．Otherwise

B．Meanwhile

C．Therefore

D．However

4.

A．financial

B．cultural

C．physical

D．economical

5.

A．refusing

B．pretending

C．agreeing

D．guaranteeing

6.

A．worried

B．angry

C．honest

D．excited

7.

A．male

B．female

C．young

D．old

8.

A．tradition

B．truth

C．treasure

D．trend

9.

A．below their standards

B．beyond their means

C．towards their goals

D．despite their differences

10.

A．normalizing

B．criticizing

C．memorizing

D．visualizing

11.

A．endlessly

B．intelligently

C．openly

D．formally

12.

A．belonging

B．accountability

C．flexibility

D．rigidity

13.

A．less motivated

B．less equipped

C．more hesitant

D．more likely

14.

A．connections

B．business

C．habitats

D．reputation

15.

A．lose faith in

B．take charge of

C．do away with

D．make up for

3 . Although many over-processed foods can satisfy the desire for sweet, fatty, salty foods, research suggests these items are particularly bad for the heart and brain, with mood and cognition taking a hit.

The most recent research looking at the _______ of over-processed food found the most far-reaching results. Researchers _______ direct links between higher consumption of over-processed foods and a greater risk of many health issues.

These results are _______ earlier studies. Diets high in these foods were linked to greater risk of depression and anxiety, according to an analysis published in the journal Nutrients. In one of these studies, risk rose from _______ just 33 percent of calories from over-processed food. A separate study found that taking in just 20 percent of calories from these foods was linked to a 28 percent faster rate of cognitive _______ compared with people who ate less processed food.

Also _______ is a study tracking about half a million people living in England, Scotland, and Wales that found the risk of dementia (痴呆) went up by 25 percent for every 10 percent increase in over-processed food. While the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still unknown, the strongest evidence from prospective studies _______ the idea that eating high amounts of over-processed foods increases the risk of depression in the future.

It is common knowledge that eating too much salt or sugar is linked to high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. What the public may not appreciate, _______, is that all these conditions affect the brain by raising the risk for dementia. _______ such as certain artificial sweeteners may also disturb the production and release of brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can negatively affect mental and emotional ________.

Another problem with over-processed foods is that they might be addictive. Over-processed foods have more in common with a(n) ________ than foods by Mother Nature. Humans have evolved to respond to foods that are sweet, fatty, and high in calories. For most of human existence this helped us ________. But in nature, foods are ________ modestly high in sugar — like berries — or high in fat, like nuts. You don’t find foods high in both sugar and fat. That’s a distinctive ________ of over-processed foods. Add in salt, artificial flavorings and bright colors, and our brain simply ________ these foods.

1.

A．recipe

B．flavor

C．preparation

D．impact

2.

A．promoted

B．identified

C．evaluated

D．dismissed

3.

A．contrary to

B．consistent with

C．concerned about

D．dependent on

4.

A．consuming

B．calculating

C．reducing

D．burning

5.

A．improvement

B．advantage

C．quality

D．decline

6.

A．reassuring

B．contradictory

C．alarming

D．sustainable

7.

A．goes against

B．casts doubt on

C．leans towards

D．puts forward

8.

A．however

B．therefore

C．by chance

D．for instance

9.

A．Decorations

B．Additives

C．Options

D．Contributors

10.

A．problem

B．capacity

C．outburst

D．well-being

11.

A．appetizer

B．cigarette

C．dessert

D．snack

12.

A．survive

B．emerge

C．venture

D．mature

13.

A．still

B．barely

C．only

D．rather

14.

A．nutrition

B．taste

C．dish

D．characteristic

15.

A．gains insight into

B．loses control over

C．shows concern for

D．gets hold of

4 . 4 Ways to Get That Vacation Feeling in Two Days

Going on vacation every week? It might sound like the _________ dream. But a simple mindset _________ can make it happen—no travel involved.

A few years ago, Holmes and her colleagues began _________ the importance of taking vacations. In a series of experiments, Holmes’ team _________ 441 U.S. workers to either spend the weekend like any other, or treat it like a vacation. When they were back at work on Monday, people who had adopted a vacation mindset reported being happier and less stressed.

“What was somewhat surprising is that the effect wasn’t driven by people spending time all that _________,” Holmes says. “It was this mindset that allowed them to be more present, _________ being in “doing” mode, it allowed people to settle in and be in the moment.

We asked people to share their favorite tips for adopting a vacation mindset at home.

1. Get creative about _________ time

Not everyone has Saturday and Sunday off work and actually some people often find their weekend schedules fully _________. You could still apply the philosophy. For example, devote an hour on Sunday morning to the _________, but protect the rest of the weekend as your vacation time.

2. Reflect on priorities

Focus on what makes a vacation different from a __________ weekend. “Does it mean turning off your email notifications? Spending money carelessly? “Maybe it means being able to spend time with people you don’t normally get to see, or giving yourself a break on a workout,” Holmes says. “It’s helpful to make a list of those things and be able to __________.”

3. Act like a __________

Decision scientist Nika Kabiri recommends doing something totally new so you can disconnect from the same old routines __________ your life. Among her favorite ideas: Drive to a part of town you’ve never been to before, go for a stroll, and grab lunch at the first cute café you see. “The spontaneity（自发性）is what makes experiences like this feel vacation-like,” Kabiri says.

4. Don’t put extra pressure on yourself

Treating your weekend like a vacation doesn’t mean it needs to be a complicated affair. If your “vacation” encounters a few problems or lasts for only a few hours—don’t worry. “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” Kabiri says. “Don’t put pressure on yourself to have this ‘perfect vacation.’” It’s __________ to be fun. __________, there’s always another one just a few days away.

1.

A．unattainable

B．inharmonious

C．incomplete

D．unprofessional

2.

A．study

B．shift

C．trend

D．proposal

3.

A．representing

B．ranking

C．exploring

D．predicting

4.

A．persuaded

B．challenged

C．motivated

D．instructed

5.

A．practically

B．literally

C．identically

D．differently

6.

A．In light of

B．Regardless of

C．In favor of

D．Instead of

7.

A．telling

B．killing

C．making

D．changing

8.

A．cleared

B．packed

C．removed

D．dominated

9.

A．laundry

B．recreation

C．movies

D．picnic

10.

A．regular

B．dramatic

C．primitive

D．peaceful

11.

A．identify with

B．depend on

C．follow through

D．substitute for

12.

A．resident

B．master

C．tourist

D．neighbor

13.

A．facilitating

B．governing

C．revealing

D．polishing

14.

A．proved

B．defined

C．described

D．meant

15.

A．Plus

B．Hence

C．Still

D．Finally

5 . A cure for the future in the past?

For over fifty years, the people of Britain have relied on the welfare state to make sure they have adequate health services. But now the National Health Service is sick. Government _____ and underfunding are forcing hospitals to close, and waiting lists for treatment are getting longer. Under such circumstances, it is no surprise that more people are turning to private (but expensive) healthcare.

For some, however, there are _____. They are turning their back on modern pills, tablets and resorting to other conventional medicine. It seems paradoxical, but in an age of microchips and high technology, traditional medicine, the old-fashioned cures that our grandparents relied on, is making a _____.

Consider these case studies:

Maude is 76 years old and has been suffering from arthritis for almost ten years. “The pain in my joints was almost _____, and my doctor referred me to a surgeon at the London Hospital. I was told that I needed _____, but would need to wait for at least two years before I could have the operation. In _____, I started having massage sessions. To my surprise, these were very therapeutic, and while they didn’t cure the disorder, they did _____ it to some extent”.

Ron is 46. His high-powered city job was _____ for a series of stress-related illnesses, and the drugs he took didn’t work well on the nervous strain. “I read about _____ which involve the whole person rather than the individual symptoms, but I had always doubted about such kind of medicine for all diseases. However, my friend _____ a dietician who told me that part of my problem was diet-related. Basically, the food I was eating was _____ to my disorder. She gave me a list of foods that would provide the right vitamins and minerals to keep me in good health. At the same time, she advocated a more _____ lifestyle-running, swimming, that kind of thing. I’ m a bit of a couch potato, and this kind of lifestyle I had lived was _____ the problem. Now I feel great!”

So is there still a place in our lives for modern medicine? While it is true that some infections and viruses may be _____ by turning to traditional medicine, more serious illnesses such as cancer need more extreme measures. We do need our health service at these times, and we shouldn’t stop _____ in its future. But we mustn’t forget that for some common illnesses, the cure may lie in the past.

1.

A．support

B．restrictions

C．cutbacks

D．concern

2.

A．programs

B．alternatives

C．measures

D．scales

3.

A．comeback

B．living

C．change

D．mess

4.

A．unique

B．uncertain

C．universal

D．unbearable

5.

A．permission

B．surgery

C．supervision

D．strength

6.

A．condition

B．desperation

C．general

D．particular

7.

A．protect

B．recover

C．relieve

D．treat

8.

A．eager

B．grateful

C．famous

D．responsible

9.

A．treatments

B．sources

C．spirits

D．comments

10.

A．supervised

B．declared

C．recommended

D．tempted

11.

A．contributing

B．adapting

C．subjecting

D．objecting

12.

A．moderate

B．active

C．negative

D．suitable

13.

A．identifying

B．investigating

C．estimating

D．worsening

14.

A．prevented

B．empowered

C．indicated

D．restored

15.

A．undertaking

B．invading

C．investing

D．evolving

6 . Artificially sweetened diet drinks make no difference to weight gain and should not be seen as healthier than their sugar-laden counterparts, according to a team of experts. A review of research evidence concludes there is nothing to support claims that sugar free versions of popular soft drinks can help _________obesity and related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Industry sponsored studies reporting “favourable” associations between diet drinks and weight loss may be biased, it claims.

There have been concerns that diet drinks, known as artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs), might lead people to consume more calories by ___________sweet flavour taste buds. The new study found that evidence ___________the healthiness of ASBs was inconclusive with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) producing mixed results. Senor investigator Professor Christopher Millett said: “A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because ‘diet’ drinks have no sugar, they must be healthier and aid weight loss when used as a(n) _________ for full sugar versions.” However, we found no solid evidence to support this.

The researchers pointed out that research supported by food or beverage companies was more likely to find no evidence of links between sugary drink ___________ and obesity than non-industry sponsored research. Similarly, ASB industry-sponsored research was “more likely to report favourable results and _________ regarding ASB effects on weight control”.

In many cases, researchers had failed to disclose ___________of interest relating to links with the food industry, it was claimed. Coauthor Dr Marin Carolina Borges said: “The lack of solid evidence on the health effects of ASBs and the potential influence of bias from industry funded studies should be taken seriously when discussing whether ASBs are ___________ alternatives to SSBs (sugar-sweetened beverages).”

Leading British nutritionist Professor Susan Jebb said despite the mixed evidence, there was no reason to believe that replacing sugary drinks with artificially sweetened ___________ did any harm. She said, “For people seeking to manage their weight, tap water is ______________the best drink to choose, for health and the environment, but for many people who are used to drinking sugary drinks, this will be loo hard a change to ____________. Artificially sweetened drinks are a step in the __________ direction to cut calories.” Dietitian Professor Tom Sanders, was also critical of the research, calling it “an opinion piece rather than a(n) ____________review of the evidence”. He ____________: “The conclusion that reduced sugar or sugar-free drinks should not be promoted or seen as part of a healthy diet seems unwarranted and likely to add to public ____________.”

1.

A．relieve

B．oppose

C．prevent

D．bother

2.

A．inserting

B．stimulating

C．enhancing

D．securing

3.

A．resulting from

B．referring to

C．depending on

D．relating to

4.

A．substitute

B．proposal

C．suspect

D．implication

5.

A．efficiency

B．consumption

C．distribution

D．modernization

6.

A．appointments

B．instructions

C．performances

D．conclusions

7.

A．threats

B．matters

C．conflicts

D．appeals

8.

A．adequate

B．essential

C．available

D．deliberate

9.

A．initiatives

B．alternatives

C．objectives

D．representatives

10.

A．without question

B．beyond description

C．around the corner

D．in consequence

11.

A．settle

B．route

C．mend

D．make

12.

A．wrong

B．right

C．proper

D．opposite

13.

A．democratic

B．automatic

C．systematic

D．dramatic

14.

A．transferred

B．ranged

C．accessed

D．added

15.

A．fascination

B．ambition

C．confusion

D．isolation

7 . Today’s youth will drive tomorrow’s growth. Young people have always confused their elders. Today’s youngsters are no different. They have thin wallets but ________ tastes. They long for authenticity while being constantly immersed in an artificial digital world. They ________ convenience and abundance. As they start spending in earnest, brands are trying to understand what these walking paradoxes (悖论) ________ and how they shop. The answers will define the next era of consumerism.

A good place to start analyzing the psyche of young consumer is to consider the ________ that has shaped them. At one end of the scale, today’s 30-somethings came of age in the midst of the global financial crisis of 2007-2009. Their younger peers were slightly ________, beginning their careers in years when tightening labour markets had pushed up wages until the covid-19 pandemic turned many of their lives upside down.

These two big ________ have contributed to pessimism among the young people who experienced them. A study found a widespread ________ among Gen Zs that they would be able to afford to retire. Less than half believed they would ever own a home.

In many ways youngsters’ shopping habits, like their lives, are defined by the “________ economy”. The popularity of social media means there are many new ways of attracting consumers’ eyeballs. Most young shoppers never knew a world without smartphones. More than two-thirds of 18- to 34-year-old Americans spend four hours or more on their devices each day.

These “always-on purchasers” often avoid a weekly shop so that they can have quicker ________ of everything from fashion to furniture. They like subscriptions, often favoring shared access to products over outright ownership, which has ________ online-rental sites and streaming services.

The internet has also changed how the young discover brands. Print, billboard or TV advertising has ________ social media. Instagram and TikTok are where the young look for inspiration, particularly for goods where ________ matter, such as beauty, fashion, and sportswear. ________ physical shops are not entirely out of favor. They can be successful as long as the experience feels personal and, ideally, integrates virtual and physical worlds.

How the young shop is clearly shifting. What they buy, too, is changing. What older generations consider optional, such as wellness and luxury, has become ________ for the young.

More broadly, young consumers claim to be more ________ than previous generations. Some of these values are centered around identity (race, gender and so on). Others stem from things the young care about, such as climate change.

1.

A．pleasant

B．expensive

C．mild

D．refreshing

2.

A．prize

B．boast

C．mix

D．challenge

3.

A．recycle

B．desire

C．deliver

D．package

4.

A．education

B．institution

C．family

D．economy

5.

A．busier

B．luckier

C．stronger

D．calmer

6.

A．reforms

B．ends

C．trends

D．shocks

7.

A．doubt

B．opposition

C．criticism

D．ignorance

8.

A．bubble

B．attention

C．knowledge

D．green

9.

A．refunds

B．possessions

C．fixes

D．trials

10.

A．approved

B．facilitated

C．reversed

D．updated

11.

A．made peace with

B．made up for

C．run parallel to

D．given way to

12.

A．looks

B．scents

C．textures

D．atmospheres

13.

A．However

B．Hence

C．Apparently

D．Otherwise

14.

A．souvenirs

B．essentials

C．memories

D．treasures

15.

A．dream-connected

B．hobbies-motivated

C．values-driven

D．money-focused

8 . “So …tell me about yourself. ”
     The toughest job interview question may seem like a softball from the interviewer’s perspective: It seems________because it feels like a free pass: no request for real-life examples, no technical challenge, not even the feared “What’s your biggest fault? ”Just…tell me anything.
     Receiving such an open invitation invites more ________than opportunities, because you’re given no framework for your response —just a blank, clue-free paper. I often see this________situation in my point-making workshops: communicating without a point.
What your prospective employer most needs from you is a point (“I am an important asset (资产) to the company”), not a________ (“All about me”). But how do you get from the interviewer’s broad question to a specific and________point?
     Start with realizing that your interviewer already knows your job history thanks to your resume (简历). So you should be more than your________. Remember that interviews are more about making strong________than proving qualifications. This is a two-step process that will require some homework. First, identify what the organization specifically needs from this role. Second, ________your response to position yourself as the best person to fill that need.
       Identifying the organization’s need means examining the job description like a treasure map. Phrases like “required, ”“must have, ”and “highly desired” mean what they say, so________those in your planning. Items further down the list or labeled “preferred” may be less important, even if you meet those standards. The________of a job description can be telling as well. Descriptions that sound personal, or come right out and say “sense of humor preferred” indicate a workplace where people like to have fun. ________, a very formal job posting might indicate a conservative workplace where people are expected to be serious about the work.
       Pulling from these soures, write down the three personal qualities they’re most looking for like “self-starter, ” “team player, ”or “interest in healthcare”. Now change the________slightly to “I’m a self-starter” or “At work, my approach is ... ” Then pick a story from your professional life that________you filling that particular need of the job. Feel free to add details, but don’t_________the primary elements. Assume they can smell a lie from a mile away, whether they can or can’t.
     In this way, you should do more than just widen eyes in the room. Why? Because you’ve matched who you are and your personal story with the company’s brand and primary need. You didn’t just tell them about you;you pointed out why you________to them.1.

A．hard

B．easy

C．huge

D．small

2.

A．missions

B．joys

C．comments

D．risks

3.

A．unlikely

B．favourable.

C．problematic

D．competent

4.

A．book report

B．phone call

C．desk lamp

D．lunch break

5.

A．declared

B．tailored.

C．rejected

D．assessed

6.

A．profile

B．criterion

C．dimension

D．nickname

7.

A．transitions

B．judgments

C．matches

D．distributions

8.

A．stabilize

B．customize

C．memorize

D．authorize

9.

A．diversify

B．approve

C．delete

D．highlight

10.

A．tone

B．format

C．picture

D．length

11.

A．For instance

B．By contrast

C．After all

D．In addition

12.

A．blogging

B．networking

C．messaging

D．wording

13.

A．illustrates

B．suspends

C．dismisses

D．circulates

14.

A．make up

B．put off

C．break down

D．get through

15.

A．submitted

B．extended

C．mattered

D．shifted

9 . I’m pretty good at sticking with things even when they get hard. Bad relationships, unpleasant workplaces, ______ sports — I’ve hung on for months and even years longer than I should have, convinced the situation would ______ if I refused to give up.

After all, isn’t every success story littered with ______? Didn’t Beyoncé lose Star Search, and didn’t Oprah get fired from her first TV job? Quitting is a sign that you lack patience and strong will, or so I was raised to believe.

______, if I look back on all the things I eventually quit, my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I’ve wasted immeasurable time and energy dragging my heels, determined that I could ______ everyone if I just kept going.

All of us are constantly making tricky choices between going further into familiar territory and ______ to expand our horizons. This is known as the exploration-exploitation trade-off. When we are younger, it’s advantageous to go far on the side of exploration, trying lots of new things because we have plenty of time to ______ later. But as we age, it’s often smarter to double down.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t quit something just because you’ve put a lot of time into it. Economists call this the sunk cost fallacy (谬误): People are more likely to ______ something if they’ve invested a lot of money or effort into it, even when it’s clear that they should ______ their losses and jump ship. This practice is normal and ______, but it’s also unreasonable. If an activity or relationship is making you miserable, that’s important information you shouldn’t ignore.

If you don’t get energy out of doing something, it can be a(n) ______ that this is not for you or that there’s something better you could be doing. Or it could be a sign that you should ______ your goals. Maybe your yogurt startup might not win over investors, but you could still make and sell yogurt at the farmers’ market on weekends.

In fact, dogged persistence in the face of energy-sucking disappointment can ______ depression, and then make you suffer from diseases in the long run.

But the good news is that people can learn to pay better attention to these moments when they’re happening and make ______. The art of quitting isn’t about just letting go whenever there’s an obstacle. It’s about being able to let go when there’s no ______ to success anymore.

1.

A．engaging

B．demanding

C．inevitable

D．leisure

2.

A．worsen

B．occur

C．improve

D．continue

3.

A．frustrations

B．determinations

C．attempts

D．inspirations

4.

A．Therefore

B．Additionally

C．For example

D．However

5.

A．amaze

B．scare

C．distress

D．compliment

6.

A．breaking up

B．looking up

C．standing up

D．backing up

7.

A．venture

B．specialize

C．explore

D．relax

8.

A．benefit from

B．approve of

C．stick with

D．withdraw from

9.

A．evaluate

B．avoid

C．overlook

D．cut

10.

A．human

B．crazy

C．sensible

D．tricky

11.

A．indication

B．desire

C．occasion

D．recognition

12.

A．accomplish

B．upgrade

C．modify

D．maintain

13.

A．prevent

B．trigger

C．relieve

D．contract

14.

A．researches

B．choices

C．changes

D．resolutions

15.

A．shortcut

B．barrier

C．guarantee

D．pathway

10 . Mathematics has an image problem: far too many people are put off by it and conclude that the subject just isn’t for them. But one of the biggest problems is how maths is ________, as cold and dry.

I have a different approach which is to relate abstract maths to questions of politics and social justice. I have taught fairly maths-phobic (恐惧) art students in this way and have seen their attitudes ________. They now believe maths is ________ them and can genuinely help them.

At a basic level, maths is founded on logic, so when I am teaching logic, I use examples from ________ events rather than the old-fashioned type of problem. Instead of studying the logic of a statement like “all dogs have four legs”, I might discuss the statement “all immigrants are illegal”.

But I do this with specific mathematical structures, too. ________, I teach a type of structure called an ordered set, which is subject to an order relation such as “is less than”. We then study and ask which functions are “order-preserving”. A typical example might be the function that takes a(n) ________ number and maps it to the number obtained from multiplying by 2. We would then say that if x < y then also 2x < 2y, so the function is order-preserving.

________, rather than sticking to this type of dry mathematical example, I introduce issues like privilege and wealth. If we think of one ordered set with people ordered by status, we can make a function to another set where the people are now ordered by ________ instead. If someone has a higher status, are they automatically wealthier? We can also ask about working hours and ________: if someone works more hours, do they ________ earn more? The answer there is clearly not.

My approach is controversial because, traditionally, maths is supposed to be ________ and apolitical (与政治无关的). I have been ________ by people who think my approach will be off-putting (令人烦恼的) to those who don’t care about social justice. However, the dry approach is off-putting to those who do care. In fact, I believe that all academic disciplines should address our most important issues. Abstract maths is about making thorough logical arguments, which is linked to everything. I don’t ________ that students agree with me about politics, but I do ask that they construct thorough arguments to back up their thoughts and develop the crucial ability to analyze the logic of people they ________.

Maths isn’t just about numbers and equations (方程式); it is about studying different ________ systems. We can apply it to balls rolling down different hills, but we can also apply it to pressing social issues. I think we should do both, for the sake of society and to be more inclusive towards different types of students in maths education.

1.

A．dismissed

B．presented

C．doubted

D．neglected

2.

A．transformed

B．defined

C．illustrated

D．examined

3.

A．credited to

B．relevant to

C．separated from

D．independent of

4.

A．economic

B．mathematical

C．current

D．virtual

5.

A．In particular

B．For example

C．After all

D．In addition

6.

A．ordinary

B．odd

C．absolute

D．limited

7.

A．However

B．Moreover

C．Otherwise

D．Therefore

8.

A．power

B．wealth

C．health

D．intelligence

9.

A．profit

B．status

C．income

D．promotion

10.

A．particularly

B．specifically

C．habitually

D．necessarily

11.

A．applicable

B．neutral

C．biased

D．theoretical

12.

A．criticized

B．tolerated

C．ignored

D．assessed

13.

A．oppose

B．claim

C．assume

D．demand

14.

A．disagree with

B．run across

C．rely on

D．benefit from

15.

A．legal

B．operating

C．logical

D．grading