考研英语完形填空专项练习30篇(含答案)

Table of Contents

Practice 1 (1)

Practice 2 (2)

Practice 3 (3)

Practice 4 (4)

Practice 5 (5)

Practice 6 (6)

Practice 7 (7)

Practice 8 (8)

Practice 9 (9)

Practice 10 (10)

Practice 11 (11)

Practice 12 (12)

Practice 13 (13)

Practice 14 (14)

Practice 15 (15)

Practice 16 (16)

Practice 17 (17)

Practice 18 (18)

Practice 19 (19)

Practice 20 (20)

Practice 21 (21)

Practice 22 (22)

Practice 23 (23)

Practice 24 (24)

Practice 25 (25)

Practice 26 (26)

Practice 27 (27)

Practice 28 (28)

Practice 29 (29)

Practice 30 (30)

Answer Keys (31)

Practice 1

Scientists typically submit their papers to the editorial board of a journal specializing in a particular field of research. 1 the paper is accepted for publication, the editorial board sends it out for peer review. During this procedure a panel of experts, or referees, 2 the paper, judging whether or not the research has been carried 3 in a fully scientific manner. If the referees are satisfied, publication 4 . If they have 5 , some of the research may have to be repeated, but if they 6 serious flaws, the entire paper may be rejected for publication.

The peer-review process plays a critical role because it 7 high standards of scientific method. 8 , it can be a controversial area, as it allows 9 views to become involved. Because scientists are human, they cannot avoid 10 personal opinions about the value of each other’s work. Furthermore, because referees 11 to be senior figures, they may be less than welcoming to new or unorthodox ideas.

Once a paper has been accepted and published, it becomes part of the vast and 12 body of scientific knowledge. In the early days of science, new research was always published in printed form, but today scientific information spreads by many different 13 . Most major journals are now available via the Internet, which makes them quickly 14 to scientists all over the world.

When new research is published, it often acts as a springboard for further work. Its impact can then be 15 by seeing how 16 the published research appears as a cited work. Major scientific breakthroughs are cited thousands of times a year, but at the other 17 , obscure pieces of research may be cited 18 or not at all. However, citation is not always a 19 guide to the value of scientific work. Sometimes a piece of research will go largely 20 , only to be rediscovered in subsequent years.

1. [A] When [B] Before [C] Since [D] If

2. [A] supervise [B] assess [C] value [D] administer

3. [A] over [B] off [C] on [D] out

4. [A] goes ahead [B] keeps up [C] takes over [D] turns up

5. [A] conceptions [B] expectations [C] reservations [D] limitations

6. [A] address [B] justify [C] identify [D] suppress

7. [A] assures [B] ensures [C] confides [D] guarantees

8. [A] Therefore [B] Hence [C] Indeed [D] However

9. [A] objective [B] sensitive [C] subjective [D] competitive

10. [A] developing [B] injecting [C] expressing [D] transmitting

11. [A] intend [B] tend [C] happen [D] fear

12. [A] ever-inflating [B] ever-expanding [C] ever-extending [D] ever-accelerating

13. [A] directions [B] times [C] versions [D] means

14. [A] amiable [B] accessible [C] agreeable [D] accountable

15. [A] gauged [B] counted [C] concealed [D] calculated

16. [A] soon [B] far [C] often [D] long

17. [A] point [B] aspect [C] extreme [D] level

18. [A] frequently [B] oddly [C] rarely [D] occasionally

19. [A] reliable [B] available [C] identifiable [D] suitable

20. [A] undoubted [B] unexpected [C] unsuspected [D] unnoticed

Practice 2

Money talk has long been considered unacceptable in the workplace, but it’s not just social norms that have kept such conversations in the dark. According to a 2011 survey, almost half of all American workers are either 1 prohibited or strongly discouraged by their employers from discussing their pay with coworkers.

2 when it’s not against the rules, experts warn

3 bringing up the pay scale with people in your office. For one, says career coach Carin Rockind, “if management ever found out, it makes you look

4 and could backfire.”

Rockind emphasizes that these 5 usually lead to disappointment and lower job satisfaction. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research reached the same 6 The researchers gave a random set of University of California employees 7 to a website that 8 University workers’ salary information. 9 workers who discovered that they made less than average 10 reported lower job satisfaction, there was no 11 increase in reported satisfaction among those who found out that their earnings were above average.

Pamela Teagarden, an expert in corporate behavioral psychology, says that salary comparison conversations often 12 because most workplaces 13 in what is known as a “Prisoner’s Dilemma.” 14 cooperating, colleagues are forced to compare and compete because everyone is trying for the next promotion, for the 15 .” Comparing salaries only 16 that dynamic, 17 a team’s ability to work together toward a common goal. To avoid this problem, Teagarden recommends that companies 18 other, non-monetary, “extrinsic motivators,” like encouraging friendship among coworkers and valuing employees’ opinions.

Rockind also emphasizes this non-monetary 19 . “There’s a 20 in our society that money leads to happiness,” Rockind says. “But it’s actually the other way around: It’s not that money leads to happiness; it’s that happy people make more money.”

1. [A] expressly [B] generally [C] implicitly [D] inevitably

2. [A] Only [B] But [C] Hence [D] Even

3. [A] over [B] against [C] for [D] on

4. [A] depressed [B] dissatisfied [C] eccentric [D] furious

5. [A] rumours [B] whispers [C] conversations [D] concepts

6. [A] decision [B] determination [C] conclusion [D] solution

7. [A] right [B] opportunity [C] credit [D] access

8. [A] listed [B] raised [C] performed [D] extended

9. [A] When [B] Since [C] While [D] If

10. [A] ultimately [B] essentially [C] immediately [D] cheerfully

11. [A] astonishing [B] considerable [C] reciprocal [D] dramatic

12. [A] increase [B] arise [C] proceed [D] suspend

13. [A] manipulate [B] manage [C] involve [D] operate

14. [A] Other than [B] No more than [C] More than [D] Rather than

15. [A] win [B] wealth [C] reputation [D] praise

16. [A] interferes [B] reinforces [C] breaks [D] activates

17. [A] undermining [B] influencing [C] shaping [D] paralyzing

18. [A] carry on [B] focus on [C] insist on [D] put on

19. [A] trend [B] fashion [C] approach [D] motivator

20. [A] prototype [B] convention [C] tradition [D] belief

Practice 3

The outcry over Internet firms’ habit of secretly tracking web surfers’ activities has clearly resonated inside the White House. On March 16th the Obama administration announced that it 1 to work with Congress to produce “a privacy bill of rights” giving American consumers greater 2 over how their information is collected and used by digital marketers. The bill will seek to 3 the basic principles of Internet privacy rights, 4 following recommendations published by the Department of Commerce. The department’s report said consumers should be told more about why data are being collected about them and how they are used; and it called for stricter 5 on what companies can do with information they collect.

Whatever legislation finally emerges is likely to give a broader 6 to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which will almost certainly be 7 with deciding how those principles are 8 into practice and with policing their implementation. Among other things, the FTC is known to be 9 on a formal “do not track” system, which would allow users to 10 certain sites from monitoring their online activities.

11 all this may decrease their revenues, America’s Internet giants could also benefit from the legislation if it helps them in their 12 with the European Union. The EU’s a lready fairly strict rules on privacy are being 13 further. The time-consuming and expensive legal hoops the EU makes American Internet firms jump 14 , to be allowed to 15 Europeans’ online data, will become more 16 .

17 by passing its own online-privacy “bill of rights” America can convince the EU to 18 this legal burden, then it will be an important 19 for American companies. Google, Facebook and others will no doubt be tracking—both online and offline—the progress of EU-American talks on this matter very 20 .

1. [A] urges [B] promises [C] conducts [D] intends

2. [A] emphasis [B] control [C] bargain [D] supervision

3. [A] lay down [B] figure out [C] take up [D] put in

4. [A] broadly [B] thoroughly [C] eventually [D] completely

5. [A] constitutions [B] measures [C] limits [D] means

6. [A] vision [B] sense [C] role [D] support

7. [A] charged [B] burdened [C] integrated [D] occupied

8. [A] introduced [B] taken [C] persuaded [D] translated

9. [A] decisive [B] enthusiastic [C] keen [D] predominant

10. [A] block [B] guard [C] supervise [D] remove

11. [A] Now that [B] Because [C] Although [D] Provided

12. [A] negotiations [B] dealings [C] associations [D] debates

13. [A] tightened [B] observed [C] hardened [D] challenged

14. [A] in [B] over [C] around [D] through

15. [A] analyse [B] handle [C] collect [D] trade

16. [A] reasonable [B] susceptible [C] demanding [D] complicated

17. [A] Since [B] Unless [C] If [D] While

18. [A] address [B] eliminate [C] ignore [D] ease

19. [A] conclusion [B] win [C] bonus [D] transition

20. [A] eagerly [B] hopefully [C] closely [D] cheerfully

Practice 4

The Treasury could pocket 20 million a year in extra fines once the country’s speed camera network is expanded. Motoring organizations warned that the 1 could become a poll tax on wheels’, 2 huge number of drivers. There could be many more incidents of deliberate damaging 3 cameras. The warnings came 4 a Daily Mail survey found almost all the 23 police forces in England and Wales were either 5 to expansion plans or considering 6 .

Nationwide, the number of speeding tickets is expected to increase threefold, 7 90 million a year. 8 the scheme, police keep some of the cash from fines to 9 the costs of fitting and maintaining extra cameras and 10 that existing ones always have film in them. The rest will go to the Treasury. Both Ministers and police insist the scheme is aimed 11 at making roads safer. They point to trials in eight areas which cut collisions by a quarter and deaths and serious injuries by 12 a half.

But motoring organizations 13 cameras will be sited on relatively safe but fast stretches to catch as many drivers as possible. Some forces are also expected to 14 the “threshold” speeds at which cameras are 15 to the absolute legal minimum—15 mph in a 10 mph limit, and 26 mph in a 20 mph zone. This could encourage drivers to stare at their speedometers instead of concentrating on the road, and 16 to more accidents. Sue Nicholson, h ead of campaigns at the RAC, said, “We don’t have a problem with speed cameras 17 . But we do have concerns about 18 they are sited. Police risk losing credibility 19 motorists if cameras are seen as revenue-raising 20 safety devices.”

1. [A] promotions [B] punishments [C] penalties [D] payments

2. [A] isolating [B] separating [C] alienating [D] detaching

3. [A] towards [B] against [C] before [D] over

4. [A] so [B] once [C] as [D] where

5. [A] subjected [B] engaged [C] intended [D] committed

6. [A] taking part [B] keeping silent [C] making exception [D] paying respect

7. [A] financing [B] profiting [C] funding [D] netting

8. [A] From [B] Under [C] On [D] With

9. [A] hide [B] cover [C] conceal [D] veil

10. [A] pledging [B] assuring [C] confirming [D] ensuring

11. [A] essentially [B] strongly [C] particularly [D] purely

12. [A] in all [B] fewer than [C] at most [D] up to

13. [A] fear [B] hope [C] expect [D] doubt

14. [A] fit [B] put [C] set [D] fix

15. [A] levered [B] geared [C] handled [D] triggered

16. [A] lead [B] add [C] contribute [D] resort

17. [A] any less [B] by itself [C] after all [D] as such

18. [A] who [B] when [C] where [D] which

19. [A] in [B] with [C] against [D] for

20. [A] in spite of [B] far from [C] rather than [D] by means of

Practice 5

The phrase “Mozart Effect” conjures an image of a pregnant woman who, sporting headphones over her belly, is convinced that playing classical music to her unborn child will improve the child’s intelligence. But is there science to 1 this idea?

A short paper published in Nature in 1993 unwittingly introduced the 2 Mozart effect to the masses. Psychologist Frances Rauscher’s study involved 36 college kids who listened to either 10 minutes of a Mozart sonata in D-major, a relaxation track or 3 before performing several spatial reasoning tasks. It found that students who had listened to Mozart seemed to 4 significant improvement in their performance.

5 in 1999 psychologist Christopher Chabris performed a meta-analysis on studies

6 to the Mozart effect to survey its overall

7 . He

8 that the improvement could simply be a result of the natural variability a person experiences between two test sittings.

Earlier this year, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany published a second review study 9 a cross-disciplinary team of 10 inclined scientists who declared the phenomenon 11 . “I would simply say that there is no 12 evidence that children who listen to classical music are going to have 13 improvement in cognitive abilities,” adds Rauscher.

14 its rejection by the scientific community, companies continue to 15 classical music to parents of children who can purportedly listen their way to greater smarts.

Chabris says the real danger isn’t in this 16 marketing, but in parents shirking roles they are evolutionarily meant to 17 . It takes away from other kinds of 18 that might be beneficial for children, such as playing with them and keeping them 19 via social activity. That is the 20 to a truly intelligent child, not the symphonies of a long-dead Austrian composer.

1. [A] put up [B] take up [C] back up [D] make up

2. [A] assumed [B] quoted [C] supposed [D] predicted

3. [A] silence [B] noise [C] twitter [D] bark

4. [A] cultivate [B] contain [C] release [D] show

5. [A] So [B] But [C] While [D]As

6. [A] opposite [B] beneficial [C] attached [D] related

7. [A] effectiveness [B] popularity [C] feasibility [D] complexity

8. [A] perceives [B] notes [C] realizes [D] recognizes

9. [A] about [B] on [C] under [D] from

10. [A] historically [B] artistically [C] musically [D] physically

11. [A] noncontroversial [B] nonprofessional [C] nonessential [D] nonexistent

12. [A] promising [B] compelling [C] outstanding [D] rewarding

13. [A] some [B] each [C] another [D] any

14. [A] Except [B] Like [C] Despite [D] Among

15. [A] introduce [B] hawk [C] offer [D] award

16. [A] diplomatic [B] questionable [C] vigorous [D] prudent

17. [A] serve [B] reinforce [C] satisfy [D] ensure

18. [A] assimilation [B] cooperation [C] consultation [D] interaction

19. [A] amused [B] focused [C] engaged [D] motivated

20. [A] right [B] key [C] shortcut [D] way

Practice 6

Working out exactly what students and taxpayers get for the money they spend on universities is a tricky business. Now the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is planning to make the 1 a bit easier, by producing the first international 2 of how successfully universities teach.

“ 3 assuming that because a university spends more it must be better, or using other proxy measures for 4 , we will look at learning outcomes,” explains Andreas Schleicher, the OECD’s head of education research. Just as the OECD 5 primary and secondary education by testing 6 chosen groups of youngsters from each country in reading and mathematics, it will 7 university students to see what they have learned. 8 enough universities are taking part, it may publish league tables showing where each country 9 , just as it now does for compulsory education.

The OECD plan 10 approval from an education ministers’ meeting in January. The first 11 are planned by 2010. They will be of interest not just as a guide for shoppers in the global market, but also as 12 of performance in domestic markets. They will help academics wondering whether to stay put or switch jobs, students 13 where to spend their time and money, and 14 university bosses who want a sharper competitive 15 for their institution.

The task the OECD has set itself is 16 . In many subjects, such as literature and history, the syllabus 17 hugely from one country, and 18 one campus, to another. But OECD researchers think that problem can be 19 by concentrating on the transferable skills that employers 20 , such as critical thinking and analysis, and testing subject knowledge only in fields like economics and engineering, with a big common core.

1. [A] task [B] acquisition [C] endeavor [D] equation

2. [A] qualification [B] requirement [C] comparison [D] illustration

3. [A] Other than [B] More than [C] Better than [D] Rather than

4. [A] reputation [B] quality [C] status [D] success

5. [A] values [B] assesses [C] instructs [D] reforms

6. [A] unconsciously [B] accidentally [C] randomly [D] previously

7. [A] sample [B] check [C] select [D] test

8. [A] Since [B] While [C] Although [D] Once

9. [A] performs [B] retains [C] stands [D] locates

10. [A] awaits [B] obtains [C] submits [D] embraces

11. [A] rankings [B] curricula [C] actions [D] meetings

12. [A] conductors [B] accelerators [C] indicators [D] coordinators

13. [A] studying [B] arranging [C] emphasizing [D] choosing

14. [A] benign [B] conscientious [C] eloquent [D] ambitious

15. [A] edge [B] pledge [C] recognition [D] change

16. [A] flexible [B] formidable [C] defensible [D] amiable

17. [A] shares [B] varies [C] originates [D] separates

18. [A] still [B] hence [C] indeed [D] even

19. [A] overcome [B] highlighted [C] worsened [D] ignored

20. [A] cultivate [B] offer [C] value [D] possess

Practice 7

As former colonists of Great Britain, the Founding Fathers of the United States adopted much of the legal system of Great Britain. We have a “common law,” or law made by courts 1 a monarch or other central governmental 2 like a legislature. The jury, a 3 of ordinary citizens chosen to decide a case, is an 4 part of our common-law system.

Use of juries to decide cases is a 5 feature of the American legal system. Few other countries in the world use juries as we do in the United States. 6 the centuries, many people have believed that juries in most cases reach a fairer and more just result 7 would be obtained using a judge 8 , as many countries do. 9 a jury decides cases after “ 10 or discussions among a group of people, the jury’s decision is likely to have the 11 from many different people from different backgrounds, who must as a group decide what is right.

Juries are used in both civil cases, which decide 12 among 13 citizens, and criminal cases, which decide cases brought by the government 14 that individuals have committed crimes. Juries are selected from the U.S. citizens and 15 . Jurors, consisting of 16 numbers, are called for each case requiring a jury.

The judge 17 to the case oversees the 18 of jurors to serve as the jury for that case. In some states, 19 jurors are questioned by the judge; in others, they are questioned by the lawyers representing the parties under rules 20 by state law.

1. [A] other than [B] rather than [C] more than [D] or rather

2. [A] agency [B] organization [C] institution [D] authority

3. [A] panel [B] crowd [C] bundle [D] flood

4. [A] innate [B] intact [C] integral [D] integrated

5. [A] discerning [B] distinguishing [C] determining [D] diminishing

6. [A] in [B] by [C] after [D] over

7. [A] that [B] which [C] than [D] as

8. [A] alike [B] alone [C] altogether [D] apart

9. [A] Although [B] Because [C] If [D] While

10. [A] deliberations [B] meditations [C] reflections [D] speculations

11. [A] outline [B] outcome [C] input [D] intake

12. [A] arguments [B] controversies [C] disputes [D] hostilities

13. [A] fellow [B] individual [C] personal [D] private

14. [A] asserting [B] alleging [C] maintaining [D] testifying

15. [A] assembled [B] evoked [C] rallied [D] summoned

16. [A] set [B] exact [C] equivalent [D] particular

17. [A] allocated [B] applied [C] admitted [D] assigned

18. [A] preparation [B] obligation [C] selection [D] execution

19. [A] inspective [B] irrespective [C] perspective [D] prospective

20. [A] maintained [B] dictated [C] explained [D] adopted

Practice 8

Advances in genetic technologies allow scientists to take an unprecedented glimpse into the genetic makeup of every person. The information from this testing can serve many valuable 1 : It can save lives, assist couples trying to decide whether or not to have children, and help law-enforcement officials solve a crime. 2 breakthroughs in genetic testing also 3 some troubling social concerns about privacy and discrimination. 4 , if an individual’s gene tic information becomes widely 5 , it could give health insurers cause to deny coverage to people with certain risk factors or encourage employers to reject certain high-risk job applicants. Furthermore, many genetically 6 problems are more common among certain racial and ethnic groups. Many minority groups fear that the 7 of genetic testing could create whole new 8 of discrimination.

Of particular concern are genetic tests that 9 light on traits such as personality, intelligence, and mental health or potential abilities. Genetic tests that 10 a person is unlikely to get along with other people could be used to limit a person’s professional advancement. In other cases, tests that 11 a genetic risk of heart failure could discourage a person 12 competing in sports.

New technologies that 13 the manipulation of genes have raised even more disturbing possibilities. Gene therapy advances, which allow scientists to replace 14 genes with normal alleles, give people with typically fatal diseases new hope for healthy lives. 15 , gene therapy has focused on manipulating the genetic material in body cells 16 gametes (the cells involved in reproduction), so the changes will not be 17 to future generations. However, the application of gene therapy techniques to gametes seems 18 . Such manipulation might help prevent the 19 of disease from one generation to another, but it could also 20 unforeseen problems with long-lasting consequences.

1. [A] purposes [B] perspectives [C] fields [D] vocations

2. [A] Yet [B] And [C] Therefore [D] Whereby

3. [A] decrease [B] settle [C] raise [D] keep

4. [A] In contrast [B] For example [C] In consequence [D] As usual

5. [A] reliable [B] identifiable [C] suitable [D] available

6. [A] integrated [B] complicated [C] combined [D] linked

7. [A] expansion [B] inflation [C] extension [D] verification

8. [A] passages [B] avenues [C] paths [D] tracks

9. [A] embody [B] shed [C] set [D] shoot

10. [A] conclude [B] predict [C] indicate [D] allege

11. [A] certify [B] rectify [C] identify [D] justify

12. [A] from [B] into [C] with [D] on

13. [A] preach [B] allow [C] fund [D] grant

14. [A] infective [B] effective [C] productive [D] defective

15. [A] As a result [B] In a sense [C] To date [D] In effect

16. [A] less than [B] more than [C] other than [D] sooner than

17. [A] passed on [B] given up [C] put forward [D] turned over

18. [A] invisible [B] inactive [C] inevitable [D] incapable

19. [A] observation [B] transmission [C] evaluation [D] demonstration

20. [A] lead [B] indicate [C] reflect [D] produce

Practice 9

The existence of the so-called halo effect has long been recognized. It is the phenomenon whereby we 1 that because people are good at doing A they will be good at doing B, C and D (or the 2 —because they are bad at doing A they will be bad at doing B, C and D). The phrase was first 3 by Edward Thorndike, a psychologist who used it in a study to describe the way that commanding officers 4 their soldiers. He found that officers usually judged their men as being either good right across the 5 or bad. There was little 6 of traits; few people were said to be good in one 7 but bad in another.

Later work on the halo effect suggested that it was highly influenced by first impressions. If we see a person first in a good light, it is difficult 8 to darken that light. The old well-known 9 that “first impressions count” seems to be true. This is used by advertisers who pay heroic actors and beautiful actresses to 10 products about which they have absolutely no 11 . We think 12 about the actor because he played a hero, or the actress because she was made up to look incredibly beautiful, and assume that they 13 have deep knowledge about car engines or anti-wrinkle cream.

In the 14 of recruitment, top-level people often fall into the 15 of making decisions about candidates based on lopsided or distorted information. Frequently they fall 16 to the halo effect: overvaluing certain attributes 17 undervaluing others.

And the effect also influences other areas of business. Car companies, 18 , will roll out what they call a halo vehicle, a 19 model with special features that helps to sell all the other models in the 20 .

1. [A] interpret [B] understand [C] assume [D] indicate

2. [A] following [B] inevitable [C] reverse [D] parallel

3. [A] coined [B] defined [C] accepted [D] forged

4. [A] treated [B] rated [C] recruited [D] handled

5. [A] square [B] line [C] land [D] board

6. [A] overlapping [B] displaying [C] storing [D] mixing

7. [A] perspective [B] respect [C] episode [D] domain

8. [A] consequently [B] accordingly [C] subsequently [D] presumably

9. [A] definition [B] phrase [C] assumption [D] insight

10. [A] promote [B] test [C] launch [D] publish

11. [A] skill [B] tactic [C] expertise [D] strength

12. [A] enviously [B] brightly [C] reasonably [D] positively

13. [A] therefore [B] indeed [C] likewise [D] instead

14. [A] scope [B] dimension [C] context [D] climate

15. [A] trap [B] stereotype [C] bias [D] situation

16. [A] adherent [B] disposition [C] limitation [D] prey

17. [A] for [B] while [C] though [D] or

18. [A] as usual [B] in contrast [C] for instance [D] by chance

19. [A] particular [B] common [C] typical [D] unique

20. [A] range [B] series [C] type [D] mould

Practice 10

Watchdogs are growling at the web giants, and sometimes biting them. In April ten privacy and data-protection commissioners from countries including Canada, Germany and Britain wrote a public letter to Eric Schmidt, Google’s boss, demanding 1 in Google Buzz, the firm’s social- networking service, which had been criticized for dipping 2 users’ Gmail accounts to find “followers” for them without clearly explaining what it was doing. Google 3 complied.

Such run-ins with regulators are likely to multiply—and 4 the freedom of global Internet firms. It is not just that online privacy has become a/an 5 issue. More importantly, privacy rules are national, 6 data flows lightly and instantly 7 borders, often thanks to companies like Google and Facebook, which 8 vast databases.

A recent scandal known as “Wi-Fi gate” 9 the problem. Google (accidentally, it insists) gathered data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in people’s homes as part of a 10 to capture images of streets around the world. A number of regulators 11 investigations. Yet their reaction 12 widely, even within the European Union, Some European watchdogs ordered Google to 13 the data it had collected in their areas; others 14 that information related to their countries be destroyed.

Despite such differences within Europe, the 15 is much greater between Europe and America. European regulations are inspired by the 16 that data privacy is a 17 human right and that individuals should be in control of how their data are used. America, 18 , takes a more relaxed view, allowing people to use consumer-protection laws to seek compensation if they feel their privacy has been 19 . It is this difference that explains why Silicon Valley firms that 20 abroad have sometimes been the targets of European Union data watchdogs.

1. [A] changes [B] details [C] procedures [D] references

2. [A] from [B] towards [C] into [D] beyond

3. [A] abruptly [B] promptly [C] reluctantly [D] deliberately

4. [A] win [B] limit [C] gain [D] deprive

5. [A] perplexing [B] ambiguous [C] mischievous [D] controversial

6. [A] but [B] and [C] while [D] so

7. [A] outside [B] on [C] by [D] across

8. [A] measure [B] share [C] manage [D] manipulate

9. [A] exemplifies [B] aggravates [C] reveals [D] certifies

10. [A] method [B] journey [C] project [D] plan

11. [A] completed [B] demanded [C] launched [D] embraced

12. [A] varied [B] swayed [C] mixed [D] permeated

13. [A] process [B] restore [C] exploit [D] preserve

14. [A] demanded [B] indicated [C] suggested [D] proposed

15. [A] conflict [B] gap [C] balance [D] debate

16. [A] tradition [B] assumption [C] conviction [D] vision

17. [A] universal [B] comprehensive [C] fundamental [D] perpetual

18. [A] on the whole [B] on the average [C] on the contrary [D] on the other hand

19. [A] violated [B] undermined [C] overthrown [D] distorted

20. [A] back off [B] strike out [C] carry over [D] take up

Practice 11

A university education costs a fortune. Student loan debt in America has been rising rapidly in an effort to 1 with the expense. 8.9% of households had student debt in 1989. In 2007, 2 , the share had risen to 16%. To make matters worse new graduates face a slack job market which could 3 their earnings for decades. 4 , the cost of dropping out may be even larger.

Students in California have a proposal. 5 charging tuition, they’d like public universities in California to take 5% of their salary for the first twenty years following graduation. 6 , rather than taking on debt students would like to sell equity in their future earnings. This means students who make more money after graduation will 7 lower-earning peers.

It is not clear if this will provide adequate 8 for the university. It also means the university bears more risk, 9 the tuition it will ultimately receive is uncertain. Moreover, degrees that 10 a higher value in the labor market, like engineering, will cost more than other degrees, like theatre arts. Faculty in high-value fields 11 to get paid more. Perhaps some of that cost should be passed 12 to the students.

Incentives would also change; maybe university departments would become more invested in 13 successful graduates. But this might 14 the mission of American universities, which is to provide a well-rounded liberal arts education. If universities become more income 15 , will low-yielding, but socially valuable fields like philosophy 16 short of resources? To some degree, the university-for-all model already undermines our ideal 17 of university. 18 more of the population goes to university, and must pay for it, more elusive subjects 19 become less popular.

Still, it’s an interesting proposal to 20 the rising cost of higher education.

1. [A] come up [B] put up [C] keep up [D] fill up

2. [A] as usual [B] by chance [C] in consequence [D] by contrast

3. [A] suppress [B] depress [C] oppress [D] repress

4. [A] However [B] Therefore [C] Furthermore [D] Indeed

5. [A] Sooner than [B] Other than [C] Rather than [D] Better than

6. [A] Simultaneously [B] Presumably [C] Essentially [D] Particularly

7. [A] subsidize [B] submit [C] subdue [D] supervise

8. [A] revenue [B] compensation [C] funds [D] benefits

9. [A] until [B] because [C] unless [D] although

10. [A] demand [B] acknowledge [C] involve [D] command

11. [A] tend [B] attempt [C] happen [D] intend

12. [A] by [B] on [C] down [D] up

13. [A] creating [B] producing [C] contributing [D] distributing

14. [A] undermine [B] distort [C] restore [D] suspend

15. [A] accustomed [B] integrated [C] complicated [D] focused

16. [A] turn out [B] put forward [C] end up [D] sum up

17. [A] version [B] myth [C] metaphor [D] exaggeration

18. [A] Since [B] As [C] Though [D] Provided

19. [A] unpredictably [B] duly [C] suddenly [D] naturally

20. [A] eliminate [B] ignore [C] exploit [D] address

Practice 12

Ageing poses a serious challenge to OECD countries, in particular, how to pay for future public pension liabilities. And early retirement places an 1 burden on pension financing. There is no easy solution, but 2 retirement could help.

Early retirement may seem like a 3 individual goal, but it is a socially expensive one, and makes the current public pensions system difficult to sustain for long. The 4 reason is that more people are retiring early and living longer. That means more retirees depending on the funding of those in work for their 5 . The 6 is worrying. In the next 50 years, low fertility rates and 7 life expectancy in OECD countries will cause this old-age dependency rate to roughly double in size.

Action is needed. Many governments are now looking at 8 people to stay in work until they are older. The approach makes 9 sense. For a start, 10 the extra labor resources from delayed retirement are put to work, then 11 the level of GDP will rise, thereby increasing the resources 12 for consumption. This is 13 of course: having more old people at work is not enough to improve productivity. 14 , some contend that the level of GDP could 15 , since delaying it could dampen the morale and productivity of would-be retirees. However, these 16 effects appear to be small, so on the whole retiring later would increase GDP in the longer term. Working people certainly 17 more income taxes and social security contributions than retired people, so a later effective retirement age would 18 more funds to pay for pensions. Likewise, there would be 19 pressure on those funds as delayed retirement means people start 20 their pensions later.

1. [A] unsustainable [B] unattainable [C] undetectable [D] unmissable

2. [A] hindering [B] planning [C] hastening [D] delaying

3. [A] tricky [B] handy [C] steady [D] worthy

4. [A] rough [B] apparent [C] essential [D] intricate

5. [A] bonus [B] stock [C] expenditure [D] income

6. [A] outcry [B] outlook [C] outlet [D] output

7. [A] soaring [B] rising [C] shortening [D] expanding

8. [A] requiring [B] changing [C] persuading [D] forcing

9. [A] economic [B] social [C] political [D] cultural

10. [A] in case that [B] as far as [C] as long as [D] for fear that

11. [A] in theory [B] in effect [C] in general [D] in particular

12. [A] suitable [B] reliable [C] available [D] identifiable

13. [A] true [B] logical [C] radical [D] simplistic

14. [A] Moreover [B] Indeed [C] Therefore [D] However

15. [A] fall [B] pause [C] steady [D] rise

16. [A] transparent [B] desirable [C] plausible [D] negative

17. [A] pay [B] harvest [C] devote [D] boost

18. [A] generate [B] enhance [C] aggregate [D] accumulate

19. [A] more [B] less [C] no [D] a lot of

20. [A] affording [B] collecting [C] paying [D] drawing

Practice 13

The Industrial Revolution is called a revolution because it changed society both significantly and rapidly. Over the 1 of human history, there has been only one other group of changes as 2 as the Industrial Revolution. This is what anthropologists call the Neolithic Revolution, which took place in the later part of the Stone Age. In this revolution, people moved from social systems based on hunting and gathering to much more complex communities that 3 on agriculture and the domestication of animals. This 4 the rise of permanent settlements and, 5 , urban civilizations. The Industrial Revolution brought a shift from the agricultural societies 6 during the Neolithic Revolution to modem industrial societies.

The social changes brought 7 by the Industrial Revolution were significant. 8 economic activities in many communities moved from agriculture to manufacturing, production shifted from its traditional 9 in the home and the small workshop to factories. Large portions of the population 10 from the countryside to the towns and cities where manufacturing centers were found. The overall amount of goods and services produced 11 dramatically, and new groups of investors, businesspeople, and managers took financial risks and 12 great rewards.

13 the Industrial Revolution has brought economic improvement for most people. Many enjoy greater prosperity and improved health, 14 those in the middle and the upper classes of society. There have been 15 , however. In some cases, the lower classes of society have 16 economically Industrialization has brought factory pollutants and greater land use. In particular, the 17 of machinery and science to agriculture has led to greater land use and, 18 , extensive loss of habitat for animals and plants. In addition, drastic population growth 19 industrialization has contributed to the decline of natural habitats and resources. These factors, 20 , have caused many species to become extinct or endangered.

1. [A] proceedings [B] advancement [C] course [D] progress

2. [A] significant [B] recognizable [C] dynamic [D] magnificent

3. [A] fed [B] lived [C] depended [D] focused

4. [A] amounted to [B] resulted from [C] came to [D] led to

5. [A] similarly [B] eventually [C] conversely [D] simultaneously

6. [A] produced [B] created [C] aroused [D] yielded

7. [A] down [B] forward [C] up [D] about

8. [A] As [B] Although [C] If [D] Whereas

9. [A] scenes [B] occasions [C] locations [D] positions

10. [A] relocated [B] altered [C] fluctuated [D] ranged

11. [A] expanded [B] extended [C] inflated [D] enlarged

12. [A] retained [B] retrieved [C] reclaimed [D] reaped

13. [A] In the long run [B] As a result [C] In addition [D] In a word

14. [A] obviously [B] definitely [C] especially [D] presumably

15. [A] inequalities [B] losses [C] difficulties [D] costs

16. [A] suffered [B] survived [C] staggered [D] slipped

17. [A] return [B] exposure [C] relation [D] application

18. [A] indeed [B] contrarily [C] likewise [D] therefore

19. [A] preceding [B] following [C] accelerating [D] facilitating

20. [A] in turn [B] in brief [C] in fact [D] by contrast

Practice 14

Although much is made of differences between the brains of adult males and females, the sources of these differences are a matter of controversy. Some people 1 cultural explanations and note, for example, that 2 girls are taught separately from boys they often do better in subjects such as maths than if classes are 3 . Others claim that the differences are rooted 4 biology, are there from birth, and 5 because girls’ and boys’ brains have evolved to 6 information in different ways.

Luigi Guiso of the European University Institute in Florence and his colleagues have just published the results of a study which suggests that culture 7 most of the difference in maths, 8 . They show that the gap in mathematics scores between boys and girls 9 disappears in countries with high levels of sexual equality, 10 the reading gap remains.

Yet on one hand, the one mathematical gap that did not disappear was the differences between girls and boys in geometry. This seems to have no 11 to sexual equality, and may allow men to 12 on to their famed 13 to be better at navigating than women are. On the other hand, the gap in reading scores not only remained, but got 14 as the sexes became more equal. 15 reading scores were higher for girls than for boys in all countries. But in more 16 societies, not only were the girls as good at maths as the boys, their 17 in reading had increased.

In other words, girls may 18 an absolute advantage over boys as a result of equal 19 . This is something that society, more broadly, has not yet 20 on board.

1. [A] put forward [B] insist on [C] abide by [D] remark on

2. [A] because [B] although [C] unless [D] when

3. [A] unprejudiced [B] mixed [C] privileged [D] qualified

4. [A] at [B] in [C] with [D] on

5. [A] abound [B] vanish [C] increase [D] exist

6. [A] obtain [B] receive [C] handle [D] collect

7. [A] presents [B] explains [C] displays [D] magnifies

8. [A] at large [B] at most [C] at least [D] at last

9. [A] quickly [B] virtually [C] ultimately [D] fortunately

10. [A] so [B] provided [C] though [D] since

11. [A] relation [B] contribution [C] exception [D] orientation

12. [A] cling [B] carry [C] live [D] keep

13. [A] declaration [B] report [C] proclamation [D] claim

14. [A] clearer [B] further [C] worse [D] bigger

15. [A] Normal [B] Average [C] Common [D] Expected

16. [A] advanced [B] equal [C] complicated [D] productive

17. [A] advantage [B] inclination [C] priority [D] interest

18. [A] harvest [B] feature [C] value [D] acquire

19. [A] behaviour [B] treatment [C] manner [D] attitude

20. [A] kept [B] put [C] taken [D] raised

Practice 15

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. tried to address growing concerns about ethical behavior and conflicts of interest on the Supreme Court in his annual report on the federal judiciary. But he 1 the heart of the problem: the justices are the only American judges not 2 by a code of ethics.

He 3 criticism that justices are 4 from the Judicial Conference’s Code of Conduct, contending that they do “consult” the code, which “plays the same role” for the court as it does for other federal judges.

But he 5 the code’s authority. 6 a justice can ignore the code, all other judges must obey it. If the Supreme Court is serious about 7 an ethics code, there are ways for it to do so without influencing the court’s independence and its 8 role.

9 , the justices should 10 to explaining in written opinions any decisions they make to deny 11 for their recusal, 12 on the most sensitive and confidential issues. They could also 13 adopt the judicial conduct code as they work to adapt it.

14 the court takes these steps, there will be 15 concerns about the justices’ impartiality. It is not enough for the justices to 16 on their own “constant vigilance and good judgment,” a s Chief Justice Roberts contends. It is insincere for him to claim that “no 17 of ethical rules can guarantee integrity” 18 no code currently applies to the court. Adopting a conduct code would 19 the rules that apply to the justices and greatly 20 public confidence in the court.

1. [A] acknowledged [B] skirted [C] denounced [D] struck

2. [A] caught [B] punished [C] advanced [D] bound

3. [A] dismissed [B] distorted [C] justified [D] endured

4. [A] absent [B] exempt [C] loose [D] safe

5. [A] misstates [B] underrates [C] admits [D] challenges

6. [A] Since [B] Although [C] If [D] While

7. [A] laying down [B] abiding by [C] depending on [D] conceiving of

8. [A] constitutional [B] outstanding [C] traditional [D] leading

9. [A] For example [B] Above all [C] For starters [D] In principle

10. [A] object [B] adjust [C] confess [D] commit

11. [A] motions [B] appeals [C] associations [D] conventions

12. [A] besides [B] despite [C] like [D] except

13. [A] closely [B] openly [C] passionately [D] reluctantly

14. [A] Until [B] Unless [C] If [D] Although

15. [A] unexpected [B] superfluous [C] private [D] continuing

16. [A] rely [B] comment [C] center [D] act

17. [A] revelation [B] compilation [C] succession [D] collection

18. [A] as [B] while [C] than [D] when

19. [A] clarify [B] observe [C] implement [D] stretch

20. [A] activate [B] manifest [C] enhance [D] aggravate

Practice 16

Despite the scandals over leaked e-mails at the University of East Anglia, UK, and flawed data in the most recent assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the scientific evidence for global warming remains strong. The question, then, is to what extent have the controversies 1 the public’s trust in climate science or, worse, in the scientists themselves?

There has 2 been some slippage. 3 , a closer look at the data across multiple polls shows that, broadly speaking, the public trusts scientists, believes in global warming and wants governments to do something about it. Yet few climate scientists are likely to take 4 in this news. For them, the real 5 of public trust is the level of political 6 on global warming: if people truly believe the science, then why have so few of them 7 action of their governments? Why is the world still in strong disagreement over climate change?

The problem is that people assess information from any number of 8 , not just scientists. And people—politicians included—make decisions on the basis of 9 and their own hopes, fears and values, which will not necessarily 10 what many researchers deem self-evident.

The scientific community must 11 that the issues surrounding climate change resonate with the public and politicians on many different levels. Facts do 12 . Scientists must continue to

13 the public in plain language whenever possible, 14 the evidence for climate change in a clear and 15 way. And they must provide policy-makers in both the public and private sectors with accurate, 16 and timely information. But, 17 the complexity of that evidence, and the many uncertainties that remain, scientists will be only as persuasive as they are 18 —which means that preserving and 19 the public’s trust must be the scientific community’s top 20 .

1. [A] betrayed [B] challenged [C] deceived [D] undermined

2. [A] subtly [B] undoubtedly [C] mysteriously [D] surprisingly

3. [A] However [B] Therefore [C] Hence [D] Indeed

4. [A] satisfaction [B] control [C] charge [D] advantage

5. [A] means [B] method [C] measure [D] medium

6. [A] improvement [B] judgment [C] sentiment [D] engagement

7. [A] took [B] supported [C] demanded [D] hindered

8. [A] perspectives [B] sources [C] chances [D] principles

9. [A] self-development [B] self-interest [C] self-discovery [D] self-image

10. [A] match [B] express [C] accord [D] indicate

11. [A] maintain [B] declare [C] recognize [D] demonstrate

12. [A] work [B] matter [C] multiply [D] disappear

13. [A] engage [B] spur [C] aid [D] persuade

14. [A] laying out [B] figuring out [C] writing out [D] rooting out

15. [A] elaborate [B] flexible [C] impressive [D] compelling

16. [A] unexpected [B] credible [C] prospective [D] confidential

17. [A] given [B] despite [C] except [D] unlike

18. [A] understood [B] expected [C] trusted [D] admitted

19. [A] cultivating [B] representing [C] confirming [D] reconciling

20. [A] tendency [B] advantage [C] attention [D] priority

Practice 17

Considering that anxiety makes your palms sweat, your heart race, your stomach turn somersaults, and your brain seize up like a car with a broken transmission, it’s no 1 people reach for a sleeping pill to defeat it. 2 in a surprise, researchers who study emotion regulation— how we cope, or 3 to cope, with the daily swirl of feelings—are discovering that many anxious people are bound and determined (though not always consciously) to 4 anxiety. The reason, studies suggest, is that for 5 people anxiety boosts cognitive performance, 6 for others it actually feels comforting.

In one recent 7 , psychologist Maya Tamir of Hebrew University in Jerusalem gave 47 undergraduates a stan dard test of neuroticism, which asks people if they agree with such statements as “I get stressed 8 easily.” She then 9 the volunteers with a list of tasks, either difficult (giving a speech, taking a test) or easy (washing dishes), and asked which emotion they would prefer to be feeling before each. The more neurotic subjects were 10 more likely to choose feeling worried before a demanding task; non-neurotic subjects chose other emotions. Apparently, the neurotics had a good 11 to choose for anxiety: 12 Tamir gave everyone anagrams (a game) to solve, the neurotics who had just written about an event that had caused them anxiety did 13 than neurotics who had 14 a happier memory. Among non-neurotics, 15 themselves in an anxious frame of mind had no 16 on performance.

In some cases, the need to experience anxiety can lead to a 17 that looks very much like addiction to anxiety. “There are people who have extreme 18 , but they can’t understand why,” says psychiatrist Harris Stratyner of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. 19 , they latch on to any cause to explain what they’re 20 .

1. [A] doubt [B] wonder [C] joke [D] use

2. [A] Hence [B] But [C] Even [D] Only

3. [A] continue [B] start [C] attempt [D] fail

4. [A] cultivate [B] enrich [C] elevate [D] advance

5. [A] most [B] all [C] some [D] every

6. [A] though [B] as [C] while [D] provided

7. [A] plan [B] study [C] journey [D] activity

8. [A] in [B] up [C] on [D] out

9. [A] helped [B] manifested [C] presented [D] left

10. [A] significantly [B] importantly [C] extremely [D] extensively

11. [A] excuse [B] reason [C] reputation [D] mood

12. [A] when [B] unless [C] though [D] if

13. [A] more [B] less [C] worse [D] better

14. [A] regarded [B] recalled [C] reserved [D] recognized

15. [A] putting [B] getting [C] setting [D] involving

16. [A] claim [B] opinion [C] effect [D] relation

17. [A] image [B] vision [C] state [D] thought

18. [A] disturbance [B] agony [C] agitation [D] mystery

19. [A] Therefore [B] Furthermore [C] Meanwhile [D] However

20. [A] learning [B] experiencing [C] choosing [D] feeling

Practice 18

Today’s politicians seem more comfortable invoking God and religion than they do presenting facts or numbers. Of course, everyone is 1 to his or her own religious beliefs. 2 when science and reason get short-changed, so does America’s future. As we 3 toward the next election, it’s important to keep an 4 on how our political leaders view science and its advances, because their attitudes frequently 5 their approaches toward rational decision-making itself.

When Rick Perry says evolution is merely “a theory that’s out there, it’s got some 6 in it,” he’s 7 a fundamental misunderstanding of scientific theory. And when he chooses to pray for the end of a drought 8 critically evaluate climate science, he is displaying the danger of 9 rational approaches with religion in matters of public policy.

What we are seeing in the current presidential race is not so much a 10 between religion and science as a fundamental disregard 11 rational and scientific thinking. All but two of the Republican front runners won’t even consider that man-made global warming might be causing climate change, 12 a great deal of evidence that it is. We know CO2 warms the planet through the greenhouse effect, and we know humans have 13 a huge increase in CO2 in the atmosphere by burning coal and oil. 14 man-made climate change is not proved with 100% certainty does not 15 its dismissal.

16 , an important part of science is understanding uncertainty. When scientists say we know something, we mean we have 17 our ideas with a degree of accuracy over a range of scales. Scientists also 18 the limitations of their theories and define and try to extend the range of 19 . When the method is applied properly, the right results 20 over time.

1. [A] converted [B] submitted [C] obliged [D] entitled

2. [A] And [B] But [C] Although [D] Or

3. [A] head [B] tilt [C] slide [D] rush

4. [A] agreement [B] emphasis [C] impact [D] eye

5. [A] determine [B] incur [C] mirror [D] resemble

6. [A] gaps [B] merits [C] virtues [D] truths

7. [A] dismissing [B] maintaining [C] demonstrating [D] abandoning

8. [A] other than [B] rather than [C] but rather [D] better than

9. [A] describing [B] proving [C] evading [D] replacing

10. [A] interaction [B] cooperation [C] clash [D] barrier

11. [A] for [B] with [C] on [D] by

12. [A] like [B] despite [C] with [D] except

13. [A] introduced [B] created [C] summoned [D] triggered

14. [A] What [B] As [C] Whether [D] That

15. [A] justify [B] excuse [C] veto [D] suspect

16. [A] In turn [B] In addition [C] In fact [D] In brief

17. [A] examined [B] promoted [C] shared [D] tested

18. [A] address [B] ignore [C] resist [D] exploit

19. [A] liability [B] observation [C] applicability [D] rationalization

20. [A] emerge [B] disappear [C] prosper [D] survive

Practice 19

Who is more likely to lie, cheat, and steal—the poor person or the rich one? It’s 1 to think that the wealthier you are, the more likely you are to act fairly. 2 research suggests the opposite is true: as people climb the social ladder, their compassionate feelings towards other people 3 .

Berkeley psychologist Paul Piff 4 several studies looking at whether social class 5 how much we care about the feelings of others. In a study, participants were asked to watch a video while having their heart rates 6 . The video showed children who were suffering from cancer. After watching it, participants 7 how much compassion they felt. The results of the study showed that participants at the lower end of the 8 , with less income and education, were more likely to report feeling compassion. 9 , their heart rates slowed down—a 10 that is associated with paying greater attention to the feelings and motivations of others.

The findings show how upper class individuals are 11 at recognizing the emotions of others and less likely to pay attention to people they are 12 with.

But why would wealth and status 13 our feelings of compassion? Piff 14 that the answer may have something to do with how wealth and 15 give us a sense of freedom and independence 16 others. The less we have to rely on others, the less we may care about their feelings. This leads us towards being more 17 . Another reason has to do with our attitudes towards greed. Upper-class people may be more likely to 18 the idea that “greed is good.” Wealthier people are more likely to agree with 19 that greed is justified, beneficial, and morally 20 .

1. [A] thrilling [B] tempting [C] encouraging [D] frustrating

2. [A] But [B] And [C] Though [D] Since

3. [A] increase [B] accumulate [C] expand [D] decline

4. [A] tracked [B] verified [C] ran [D] summarized

5. [A] hinders [B] generates [C] impresses [D] influences

6. [A] monitored [B] regulated [C] altered [D] moderated

7. [A] reflected [B] presented [C] indicated [D] concluded

8. [A] scale [B] latitude [C] range [D] dimension

9. [A] In brief [B] In fact [C] In addition [D] In turn

10. [A] reply [B] response [C] reference [D] return

11. [A] better [B] skilled [C] expert [D] worse

12. [A] interacting [B] acquainting [C] sympathizing [D] integrating

13. [A] strengthen [B] decrease [C] temper [D] spur

14. [A] concludes [B] stresses [C] suspects [D] denies

15. [A] abundance [B] fame [C] hierarchy [D] privilege

16. [A] with [B] from [C] against [D] upon

17. [A] self-reliant [B] self-satisfied [C] self-focused [D] self-fulfilling

18. [A] test [B] endorse [C] popularize [D] emphasize

19. [A] statements [B] formulations [C] announcements [D] sayings

20. [A] exceptional [B] vulnerable [C] identifiable [D] defensible