U1
1. The enormous oil spill on Alaska's North Slope region in 1989 was a(n) _disaster_ for
Alaskan sea animals.
2. Due to the lack of labor force, even women in this village were _compelled_ to work in the
coal mines.
3. The travel agency promised to offer foreign travellers everything from _historical_
monuments and castles to modern leisure activities.
4. According to the rules set by the company, anyone who is regularly late for work is likely to
be _disciplined_ or dismissed.
5. People in that area are already threatened with environmental _destruction_ since 60% of the
forest there has been destroyed.
6. The auto company has seen a huge increase in the _output_ of private cars this year due to the
improved working efficiency.
7. Under the severe attack from enemy aircraft, the troops were forced to _retreat_ from the
front.
8. The tennis match was _abandoned_ at half-time because of the harsh weather conditions.
9. The policemen searched the building thoroughly but did not find any _trace_ of the criminal.
10. Survival of the Fittest is a(n) _eternal_ truth of nature.
11. A series of new policies have been introduced in the region in the hope of attracting foreign
_investment_ .
12. The military government refused to _transfer_ power to a democratically elected civilian
government.
13. Many people tend to _justify_ the breakdown of their marriage on the grounds of conflict of
personalities.
14. The substance in the new medicine is believed to be safe, _nonetheless_ , the Food and Drug
Administration is going to examine it all the same.
15. It has been a long tradition for businesses in this area to make _contributions_ to the local
charities.
16. In order to achieve a higher GDP, the government has taken various measures to _accelerate_
the rate of economic growth.
17. Deforesting and global warming _threaten_ to ruin the current and future state of our
environment.
1. Shortly after the government's new policy was put into effect, the economy of our country
began to _show signs of_ recovery.
2. The citizens have _called upon_ the local authorities to minimize environmental destruction
by banning the use of all poisonous chemicals immediately.
3. It is known to all that military bases are _off limits_ to outsiders.
4. She never participated in any violent sports games _in fear of_ getting injured.
5. It seems that all of us are rushing around trying to get things done in a hurry – we all need to
_slow down_ and take it easy.
6. Many trees in this area have been _cut down_ to make room for buildings, which has
worsened our living environment.
7. In order to avoid possible infection by the unknown viruses, the researchers are protected _from head to foot_ with caps, face masks and white gowns.
8. The latest news becomes so easy to _come by_ thanks to the advanced network technology.
9. In the end we _lost out_ to a French company in the bidding because they could do the job
cheaper.
10. _As yet_ we haven't felt the need for any extra hands, but it's only a matter of time.
11. The vast majority of the local people there _reside in_ rural villages and survive on less than
one dollar a day.
U2
1. Patients who had been given the new drug were asked to _monitor_ their progress and report
to the doctor down to the smallest detail.
2. Private space travel is a relatively new _phenomenon_. It's difficult at the moment to assess its
effects.
3. All of us need to build up relationships with others unless we choose to live in complete
_isolation_ from the outside world.
4. Since sending her child to the kindergarten, she has been delighted to see a(n) _gradual_
change in the boy's character; he seems less self-centered now.
5. As an active environmentalist (环境保护主义者), Davis has earned a reputation as an
outspoken _opponent_ of any kind of nuclear waste dumping at sea.
6. Quills (羽毛笔) were the chief writing tool from the 6th century until the _advent_ of steel
pens in the mid 19th century.
7. Do you think it will ever be possible to alter human _genetic_ code in order to produce the
"perfect" human being?
8. I don't think she's _consciously_ rude to you – she has just lost her new car and feels bad
about it.
9. His political views are rather _extreme_; I hate to discuss anything with him.
10. The cheap perfume you see on special offer in petrol stations often smells _nasty_ after a
couple of hours.
11. The consumer _boom_ of the 1980s led to an explosion of shopping centre development in
big cities around the country.
12. You shouldn't use "Yours faithfully" – it's too _formal_ for this kind of personal letter.
13. Temperatures will _soar_ into 38°C over the weekend due to the heat wave, says the weather
forecaster.
14. According to a(n) _survey_ among 1000 residents, garbage collection service in the city is far
from satisfactory.
15. The cost of food and clothing has come down in recent years. _Similarly_, fuel prices have
fallen quite considerably.
16. The technicians are working hard to _modify_ the design of the new car to make it more
competitive in the overseas market.
17. In my childhood memories, we were living a(n) _rough_ but happy life, with no luxuries to
speak of.
1. The two runners reached the finish line almost _at the same time_; who came in first was
