★ Text A

Vocabulary

I.

1.

1) insert   2) on occasion   3) investigate  4) In retrospect   5) initial    6) phenomena  

7) attached  8) make up for  9) is awaiting  10) not…in the least  11) promote  12) emerged

2. 

1) There is a striking contrast between the standards of living in the north of the country and the south.

2) Natural fiber is said to be superior to synthetic fiber.

3) The city’s importance as a financial center has evolved slowly.

4) His nationality is not relevant to whether he is a good lawyer.

5) The poems by a little-known sixteenth-century Italian poet have found their way into some English magazines.

3. 

1) be picked up, can’t accomplish, am exaggerating

2) somewhat, performance, have neglected, they apply to

3) assist, On the other hand, are valid, a superior

II.

1. 1) continual  2) continuous  3) continual  4) continuous

2. 1) principal  2) principal    3) principle  4) principles  5) principal

III.

1. themselves    2. himself/herself    3. herself/by herself/on her own    4. itself    

5. ourselves      6. yourself/ by yourself/on your own

Comprehensive Exercise

I. Cloze

1. 1) contrast      2) exaggerating   3) priority      4) on the other hand    5) promoting

  6) pick up      7) assist          8) accomplish      9) on occasion     10) neglecting

  11) worthwhile  12) superior

2. 1) end          2) perform       3) facing       4) competent      5) equipped  

 6) designed      7) approach      8) rest         9) definitely       10) quality

II. Translation

1.

1) It takes an enormous amount of courage to make a departure from the tradition.

2) Tom used to be very shy, but this time he was bold enough to give a performance in front of a large audience.

3) Many educators think it desirable to foster the creative spirit in the child at an early age.

4) Assuming (that) this painting really is a masterpiece, do you think it’s worthwhile to buy/purchase it?

5) If the data is statistically valid, it will throw light on the problem we are investigating.

2.       

To improve our English, it is critical to do more reading, writing, listening and speaking. Besides, learning by heart as many well-written essays as possible is also very important. Without an enormous store of good English writing in your head you cannot express yourself freely in English. It is also helpful to summarize our experience as we go along, for in so doing, we can figure out which way of learning is more effective and will produce the most desirable result. As long as we keep working hard on it, we will in due course accomplish the task of mastering English.

★ Text B

Comprehension check: 

c c d a c b

Language Practice

1. g h e c f a b d

2. 1) adopt  2) account  3) from your point of view  4) ended up  5) furthermore  6) fund   7) annual   8) keeping track of     9) pace    10) intends

 11) perspective   12) devise