1 . Girls are better at reading and writing than boys as early as fourth grade, according to a study, and the gap continues to widen until senior year.
Scientists generally agree that boys and girls are psychologically more alike than they are different. But reading seems to be a(n)
David Reilly, lead author of the study, said the study
Factors explaining the results could include learning
To investigate how
A.distinction | B.exception | C.objection | D.limitation |
A.pattern | B.standard | C.circumstance | D.feature |
A.strategy | B.signal | C.sign | D.evidence |
A.confirmed | B.represented | C.questioned | D.introduced |
A.underestimated | B.overemphasized | C.underrepresented | D.justified |
A.increasing | B.promoting | C.accepting | D.reducing |
A.objectives | B.drills | C.difficulties | D.advantages |
A.contributions | B.differences | C.communications | D.similarities |
A.literacy | B.literary | C.academic | D.cognitive |
A.pulled down | B.settled down | C.turned down | D.broke down |
A.granted | B.measured | C.designed | D.engineered |
A.Likewise | B.Overall | C.However | D.Besides |
A.overtake | B.discourage | C.parallel | D.distinguish |
A.psychological | B.emotional | C.behavioral | D.mental |
A.in line with | B.at the mercy of | C.on account of | D.in favor of |
2 . Female penguins get stranded
Every year, thousands of Magellanic penguins (麦哲伦企鹅) get stranded along the coast of South America, but,
Magellanic penguins finish breeding in Patagonia in February, and, during the
Writing in the journal Current Biology, researchers in Japan and Argentina report how they
Previously it was unknown whether male and female’s took different paths or not. “Although some
The results from the study offer a clearer picture.
The authors offer a number of reasons why males and females may head to different areas— including to avoid
While researchers are still trying to understand why penguins end up stranded, Yamamoto and colleague’s suggest those that end up further north may have used more energy swimming or catching
“
While the findings may not help prevent strandings, Yamamoto said it could help with
A.desperately | B.puzzlingly | C.obviously | D.undoubtedly |
A.combination | B.frustration | C.conflict | D.imbalance |
A.following | B.previous | C.starting | D.finished |
A.dismissed | B.withdrawn | C.airlifted | D.extended |
A.attached | B.equipped | C.lifted | D.injected |
A.evaluations | B.assumptions | C.descriptions | D.conclusions |
A.deep-rooted | B.ice-covered | C.storm-stricken | D.female-biased |
A.Because | B.While | C.After | D.When |
A.legally | B.physically | C.typically | D.simply |
A.searching | B.competing | C.asking | D.defending |
A.widths | B.levels | C.depths | D.rates |
A.lighter | B.heavier | C.rougher | D.smoother |
A.fixed | B.scared | C.deposited | D.scattered |
A.After all | B.In addition | C.However | D.For example |
A.perseverance | B.conversation | C.conservation | D.reservation |
3 . There are often many assumptions made about young people aged 15 to 21, but only a few can be proved with hard evidence. Now, new research has been published to help people get a better idea of these
According to an international survey in 2016, young people in emerging (新兴的) economies like China and India have a
The survey was
It was found that 53 percent of those questioned in China thought the world was becoming a better place – the highest percentage among the countries surveyed. Some 93 percent of them also felt
Indian youth were the second most
“At a time of nationalist and populist (民粹主义的) movements (such as Brexit (脱欧) or US President Donald Trump’s plans to build a wall along the US border) that focus on the
“They are a generation that is deeply
As for young people in China, what they
Pota said it was
“This is surely a hopeful development. The young population of China is more aware than anyone of the seriousness of the climate crisis – and will be
The overall survey showed a sense of optimism in the
“They are more likely to travel, to migrate across borders and to forge (建立) friendships in other countries than any
A.undereducated | B.misunderstood | C.overestimated | D.well-disciplined |
A.greater | B.fainter | C.simpler | D.safer |
A.enforced | B.operated | C.demonstrated | D.conducted |
A.hopeful | B.fearful | C.concerned | D.eager |
A.fantastic | B.realistic | C.optimistic | D.enthusiastic |
A.As a result | B.Without doubt | C.Beyond that | D.In contrast |
A.exchanges | B.agreements | C.differences | D.similarities |
A.routinely | B.traditionally | C.surprisingly | D.slightly |
A.pessimistic | B.optimistic | C.excited | D.passionate |
A.fear | B.suffer | C.consider | D.expect |
A.question | B.survey | C.attitude | D.movement |
A.amazing | B.encouraging | C.depressing | D.puzzling |
A.preparing | B.looking | C.pressing | D.waiting |
A.attitudes | B.emotions | C.dreams | D.interests |
A.original | B.present | C.next | D.previous |
4 . It was a long way up the humble zipper (拉链) to become the mechanical wonder that has kept our lives “together” in many ways. The zipper had passed through the hands of several gifted inventors, though none
The story began when Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, received a patent (专利) in 1851 for an “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” However, it didn’t go much further beyond that simple
Perhaps it was the success of the sewing machine, that stopped Elias from
Forty-four years later, inventor Whitcomb Judson marketed a “Clasp Locker” device
It was an electrical engineer named Gideon Sundback who helped make the zipper the hit it is today.
In the 1930s, a sales campaign began for children’s clothing featuring zippers. The campaign advertised zippers as a way to promote
Today the zipper is everywhere and is used in clothing, luggage, leather goods and
A.convinced | B.advised | C.permitted | D.invited |
A.manufacturer | B.function | C.price | D.material |
A.imagining | B.delaying | C.pursuing | D.rewarding |
A.recognized | B.upgraded | C.interpreted | D.pretended |
A.agreeable | B.familiar | C.similar | D.inferior |
A.edition | B.credit | C.method | D.wealth |
A.commercial | B.private | C.domestic | D.potential |
A.Purposefully | B.Generally | C.Originally | D.Decidedly |
A.brand | B.assessment | C.packing | D.improvement |
A.profitable | B.scarce | C.modern | D.noticeable |
A.Moreover | B.For example | C.However | D.On the contrary |
A.self-awareness | B.self-reliance | C.self-defense | D.self-guidance |
A.avoid | B.worsen | C.balance | D.personalize |
A.mechanical | B.countless | C.reliable | D.portable |
A.in name of | B.thanks to | C.in addition to | D.in case of |
5 . One of the roles of the Nobel Prize for literature is to shine a light on someone who has been less visible than they deserve. That role was
Unlike previous popular recipients living in Britain, he is not a
There is a(n)
He began and stuck to writing to
In this sense, Gurnah’s work, which
A.assumed | B.fulfilled | C.interpreted | D.handled |
A.household name | B.black horse | C.new face | D.walking dictionary |
A.demanded | B.tended | C.qualified | D.failed |
A.cast doubt on | B.shown sympathy for | C.taken any notice of | D.put trust in |
A.bridge | B.gulf | C.opposition | D.association |
A.illustration | B.definition | C.navigation | D.accusation |
A.prizing | B.initiating | C.fighting | D.escaping |
A.take care | B.take charge | C.make sense | D.make sure |
A.repeatedly | B.periodically | C.scarcely | D.accidentally |
A.bother with | B.contribute to | C.consist of | D.admit to |
A.spite | B.knowledge | C.empathy | D.necessity |
A.Obviously | B.Naturally | C.Consequently | D.Strikingly |
A.imposed | B.healed | C.received | D.examined |
A.psychological | B.geographical | C.ideological | D.demographical |
A.discounts | B.awards | C.spotlights | D.evaluates |
6 . Digital Heaven
If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you take it? The
How? One plan
As a further step, Ray Kurzweil also consider the nano transmitters being able to connect you to a world of virtual reality on the Internet, similar to what was depicted in the film ‘Matrix’. With the nano transmitters in place, by thought alone, you could log on to the Internet and instead of the pictures coming up on your screen they would play inside your mind.
For Ray this would be, quite
Generations of Christians believed in Christ partly because his rebirth held out the
Who needs faith when you’ve got
A.devotion | B.reference | C.obstacle | D.priority |
A.possibility | B.challenge | C.pressure | D.judgment |
A.revealed | B.adapted | C.preserved | D.ceased |
A.In consequence | B.In effect | C.In contrast | D.In total |
A.relevant | B.identical | C.distinctive | D.limited |
A.creative | B.ambitious | C.previous | D.conscious |
A.relies on | B.applies to | C.sums up | D.figures out |
A.proposes | B.predicts | C.quotes | D.recognizes |
A.processed | B.admitted | C.injected | D.turned |
A.update | B.promote | C.arrange | D.detect |
A.translate | B.transmit | C.transplant | D.transform |
A.Regardless of | B.Aside from | C.Other than | D.Instead of |
A.typically | B.literally | C.instantly | D.faithfully |
A.strength | B.request | C.clue | D.promise |
A.mind | B.soul | C.broadband | D.data |
7 . Switzerland is surrounded by three of Europe’s major—and most populous—countries: France, Germany and Italy. For thousands of years, the region has been a busy trade
Switzerland is a popular place to do business, a center of education and a favorite travel destination. At the heart of this success story lies a stable political system. The county has not gone through any major political changes since the foundation of the federal state inn 1848. This has created space for economic, social and artistic development. Federalism, the successful integration of different cultures, and the mechanisms of direct democracy are all means to increase the
Political stability is also
Stability, a well-developed sense of service and discretion, and a strong currency have turned Switzerland into a leading financial center. From a historical
In terms of income, assets and per capita gross national product. Switzerland ranks among the top in the world.
The
All these factors make Switzerland a safe country with a low crime rate. The Swiss
A.business | B.partner | C.route | D.channel |
A.boasts | B.brags | C.occupies | D.claims |
A.networks | B.links | C.planes | D.tourBys |
A.welfare | B.consciousness | C.participation | D.obligation |
A.complication | B.diversity | C.liberation | D.simplicity |
A.manageable | B.negligible | C.expandable | D.exhaustible |
A.undermined | B.eliminated | C.underrated | D.expressed |
A.Crimes | B.Strikes | C.Accidents | D.Appeals |
A.Thanks to | B.Contrary to | C.In combination with | D.In case of |
A.argument | B.perspective | C.attitude | D.stance |
A.few | B.boundless | C.abundant | D.nonexistent |
A.exceeding | B.variable | C.resulting | D.unbelievable |
A.By contrast | B.To sum up | C.As a rule | D.Put differently |
A.value | B.deny | C.consider | D.suspect |
A.Tie | B.Contribute | C.Add | D.Adjust |
8 . Last week, I taught a case study on the decline of Nokia to my MBA students. I asked them, “Why did Nokia fall from industry
“They lost touch with their customers.” True, but almost tautological-and interesting to note that this is the same Nokia that in the early 2000s was praised for its
“They
“They didn’t recognize that the basis of competition was shifting from the hardware to the ecosystem.”
Through this period, the people at Nokia were
The failure of big companies to
In such cases, the final responsibility for
A.leadership | B.companionship | C.craftsmanship | D.citizenship |
A.acceptable | B.imaginable | C.changeable | D.predictable |
A.customer | B.product | C.technology | D.capital |
A.transformed | B.failed | C.attempted | D.resolved |
A.greatly | B.really | C.competitively | D.technologically |
A.Thus | B.Again | C.Unfortunately | D.Basically |
A.platform | B.basis | C.software | D.service |
A.absorbed in | B.shocked at | C.aware of | D.accustomed to |
A.thoughts | B.words | C.spirit | D.confidence |
A.look | B.apply | C.contribute | D.adapt |
A.foster | B.benefit | C.bankrupt | D.reshape |
A.implement | B.cultivate | C.undertake | D.advocate |
A.management | B.achievement | C.failure | D.enterprise |
A.horizons | B.pensions | C.executives | D.changes |
A.maintain | B.challenge | C.doubt | D.examine |
9 . Most of us have no difficulty recognizing luck when it’s on apparent display, as when someone wins the lottery. But
Consider the history of the Mona Lisa. After having staved in the
One’s date of birth
To acknowledge the power of chance events is not to suggest that success is independent of
Of course, luck counts too. Being born in a good education system is a kind of luck we can control— that is, at least we can decide how lucky our children will be. But in America, we’ve been doing a bad job as the budget for education has
Luckily, there is a solution. Guiding people to
A.randomness | B.potential | C.masterpiece | D.success |
A.emergency- | B.maintenance | C.review | D.shade |
A.accidental | B.unsolved | C.official | D.objective |
A.protest | B.suspicion | C.publicity | D.investigation |
A.previous | B.negative | C.realistic | D.entire |
A.virtually | B.sustainably | C.adequately | D.negatively |
A.occurs | B.contracts | C.matters | D.approaches |
A.accessible | B.original | C.superior | D.secure |
A.effort | B.logic | C.relationship | D.investment |
A.deserve | B.evaluate | C.modify | D.exploit |
A.shone | B.shrunk | C.ballooned | D.flown |
A.preserve | B.popularize | C.underestimate | D.revolutionize |
A.challenge | B.luck | C.motivation | D.experience |
A.reflect on | B.save on | C.adjust to | D.live on |
A.mutual understanding | B.mental fitness | C.family value | D.common good |
10 . It is a tradition of corporate architecture. A company’s top executives get offices on the top floor with the biggest windows and best views. However, nowadays some bosses choose to “hot-desk”(轮用办公桌) with everyone else.
One argument for such a(n)
But the bosses present all the time may
You also have to wonder whether executives will really spend every morning searching for a place to sit. Some hot desks will be a lot hotter than others. Once the chief financial officer has picked a desk on day one, the junior staff will
The lingering(逗留不走的)boss presents other
One study found that at firms that
A.image | B.shift | C.community | D.assembly |
A.spill | B.surface | C.suffer | D.survive |
A.reliable | B.capable | C.manageable | D.visible |
A.initially | B.definitely | C.officially | D.equally |
A.management | B.development | C.experiment | D.department |
A.unclear | B.unwelcome | C.uneasy | D.unfortunate |
A.At least | B.After all | C.In fact | D.In short |
A.steer clear of | B.keep track of | C.fall short of | D.get rid of |
A.reminded | B.tempted | C.assured | D.warned |
A.purposes | B.promises | C.protests | D.problems |
A.comment | B.concentrate | C.calculate | D.communicate |
A.signal | B.conceal | C.reverse | D.avoid |
A.subjected | B.applied | C.switched | D.admitted |
A.presence | B.relevance | C.absence | D.preference |
A.crediting | B.interpreting | C.substituting | D.indicating |