Section B (20×0.5%=10%)

Directions: There are 20 sentences in this section. In each sentence there is a word or a phrase underlined. Below each sentence there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the answer that can replace the underlined part of each sentence without changing the original meaning.

21. He admitted that he had invented a cock and bull story. (      )

A. absurd                                                     B. true

C. interesting                                                D. reasonable

22. He was obviously in good condition.(      )

A. state                                                        B. circumstance

C. situation                                                   D. illness

23. The pressure for change continued to mount.(      )

A. persuasion                                               B. stress

C. anxiety                                                    D. difficulty

24. The harvest was set back by bad weather.(      )

A. delayed                                                    B. destroyed

C. propelled                                                  D. reduced

25. She is far and away one of the best actresses in the country.(      )

A. doubtfully                                                B. gradually

C. definitely                                                  D. abroad

26. Chinese national folk music is an important part of human intangible cultural heritage. (      )

A. hypothetical                                             B. valuable

C. nonmaterial                                              D. unchangeable

27. The government lifted the ban under the pressure of the public.(      )

A. removed                                                  B. alleviated

C. strengthened                                            D. changed

28. The children were too full of beans to sit still. (      )

A. very young                                              B. very energetic

C. very noisy                                                D. very naughty

29. That car model has become obsolete. (      )

A. outmoded                                                B. out of stock

C. popular                                                    D. modern

30. Current demographic trends, such as the fall in the birth rate, should favourably accelerate economic growth in the long run. (      )

A. modern                                                    B. rapid

C. contemporary                                           D. nowadays

31. The film “On Golden Pond” portrays to a certain extent the mentality of the old people. (      )

A. activities                                                  B. ideas

C. opinions                                                   D. attitude of mind

32. Beautiful as it is, synthetic silk will not supplant cotton apparel. (      )

A. replace                                                    B. remove

C. misplace                                                  D. take away

33. My colleague, Mr. Hill, has a small but well-chosen library, where it is said he spends most of his spare time cultivating his mind. (      )

A. nourishing                                                B. tilling

C. developing                                               D. raising

34. If you think photography is my hobby, your belief is quite mistaken. (      )

A. fraudulent                                                B. erroneous

C. deceitful                                                  D. illegal

35. What appears to the laymen as unimportant and unrelated facts is often precious to the archaeologist. (      )

A. minute                                                     B. trivial

C. diminutive                                                D. unpopular

36. The lounge has a seating capacity of 30 people but it is too dark to read there.(      )

A. dim                                                         B. dingy

C. gloomy                                                    D. depressed

37. The constable was severely reprimanding the two young tobacco addicts.(      )

A. criticizing                                                 B. scorning

C. reproaching                                              D. punishing

38. A policeman is sometimes is a pompous figure in children’s story books but as a matter of fact, he is very helpful in enforcing law and order.(      )

A. courageous                                              B. egotistic

C. gallant                                                     D. swaggering

39. The crowd swelled until the noise made could be heard for miles. (      )

A. grew                                                       B. shouted

C. cheered                                                   D. scattered

40. Thus our conviction is reinforced that only socialist revolution can really solve the problems of the people. (      )

A. argument                                                 B. proposal

C. belief                                                       D. theory