TOEFL题目经验

Intro

TPO6-15作为25年9-10月份对托福题目的初见，整理完毕已经是11月的第二个周了，虽然只做了阅读和听力，且题目过时，但其难度是显而易见的，非常的细节，逻辑严谨，题材广泛。除去词汇量的不足，感觉上刷题越多越有题感（越能蒙对）下面是Reading Section和Listening Section的反思，或者说错题本罢。

TPO50+是11-12月的一些练习，虽说还是过时点了，但题目难度略有提升，重点是题型的变化。

2026年，一战前最后几天，做几套25年真题

Reading

TPO6

1.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

Only the last of these was suited at all to the continuous operating of machines, and although waterpower abounded in Lancashire and Scotland and ran grain mills as well as textile mills, it had one great disadvantage: streams flowed where nature intended them to, and water-driven factories had to be located on their banks, whether or not the location was desirable for other reasons.

第一句确定了主系表的结构，主语"last of these"对应了前一句话的"running water"，省略掉 "although"和"whether"引导的从句，即得出核心大意。

4.The word “exploited” in the passage is closest in meaning to ()

A. utilized

B. recognized

C. examined

D. fully understood

The source had long been known but not exploited.

"exploit"译为“利用;开发;发挥”，"utilize"译为“使用;利用;应用”

结合上下文来看，本段将介绍一种新的能源。第二段之后便开始介绍蒸汽机的起源，“early in the century"也对应了"had long been known”

7.The phrase “grew accustomed to” in the passage is closest in meaning to ()

A. began to prefer

B. wanted to have

C. became used to

D. insisted on

Coal gas rivaled smoky oil lamps and flickering candles, and early in the new century, well-to-do Londoners grew accustomed to gaslit houses and even streets.

"accustomed"译为“习惯的;适应了的”

原文说煤气胜过了油灯和蜡烛，因此易在A和C间犹豫，网站的解释是”前面已经提到了胜过，不必在用prefer比较“，AI的解释是”A选项有明显的情感倾向“，我认为关键在连词"and"，即”同时/并且，Londoners grew accustomed to gaslit houses … “，若连词换成"so"可能结果不同。

10.The Industrial Revolution would not have been possible without a new source of power that was efficient, movable, and continuously available.An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below …

第一段：在蒸汽机等发明前只有三种"sources of power"，其中"running water"适合机器持续运转但仍有“季节性”的缺点。

第二段：”大气压机“的原理，及浪费能源和效率低的不足之处，之后是对它原理的改进。

第三段：瓦特蒸汽机，导致了"possible deeper and deeper mining", “new form of nighttime illumination”, “motive force of the Industrial Revolution”

第四段：蒸汽机在19世纪的扩大使用，主要讨论了交通方面，水运的局限以及解决运输问题的火车的发明。

本题的三个错误选项，我认为是与文章主题的偏差问题，即并没反映题干

A: This “atmospheric engine,” invented by Thomas Savery and vastly improved by his partner, Thomas Newcomen …

D,E: 和"The Industrial Revolution would not have been possible without a new source of power that was efficient, movable, and continuously available."关系不大，即和蒸汽机关系不大，D依据第三段，E依据第四段第一句。

14.The word “meticulously” in the passage is closest in meaning to ()

A. carefully

B. quickly

C. frequently

D. obviously

Smith used mail coaches to travel as much as 10,000 miles per year. In 1815 he published the first modern geological map, “A Map of the Strata of England and Wales with a Part of Scotland,” a map so meticulously researched that it can still be used today.

"meticulously"译为”细致的,小心翼翼的“

从"it can still be used today"明显能看出和A近意

15.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

But as more and more accumulations of strata were cataloged in more and more places, it became clear that the sequences of rocks sometimes differed from region to region and that no rock type was ever going to become a reliable time marker throughout the world.

忽略掉"but"引导的从句，主语为"it"替代的"that"引导的两个从句，“that…and that…”

17.The word “endured” in the passage is closest in meaning to ()

A. vanished

B. developed

C. varied

D. survived

Some fossils endured through so many millions of years that they appear in many strata, but others occur only in a few strata, and a few species had their births and extinctions within one particular stratum.

"endure"译为“忍耐,忍受”，根据原句的"so…that…"易得D，A的"vanish"译为“消失,灭绝”

20.William Smith’s contributions to geology have increased our knowledge of the Earth’s history. An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below …

A选项依据在第一段，Smith出身于"poor family"

D选项"Smith was named “the father of English geology” for his maps rather than for his other contributions to the field." 和第三段第一句"not only…but also…"矛盾。

E选项依据在第四段的第二句，只体现出了"Particularly in the younger strata, the rocks were often so similar that he had trouble distinguishing the strata …" 而且"Cuvier"只出现在最后一段。

TPO6应该是国庆假期后刚开始做的模拟，做了两遍，再回看细节题都很简单，只有第一篇的六选三有点说法了。对于六选三这种题，大部分还是凭感觉或是找明显错误，第二篇是错误非常明显的那种。

TPO7

2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?

A. Most invertebrate species disappeared during a wave of extinctions.

B. A few hardy species wiped out many of the Mediterranean’s invertebrates.

C. Some invertebrates migrated to the Atlantic Ocean.

D. New species of fauna populated the Mediterranean when the old migrants returned.

A对应"Most of the older organisms were nearly wiped out…"

B偷换意思，原文为"a few hardy species survived"而不是"hardy species"“wipe out”“invertebrates”

C对应"A few managed to migrate into the Atlantic."

D对应"Somewhat later, the migrants returned, bringing new species with them."

3.What does the author imply by saying “Not a single pebble was found that might have indicated that the pebbles came from the nearby continent”?

A. The most obvious explanation for the origin of the pebbles was not supported by the evidence.

B. The geologists did not find as many pebbles as they expected.

C. The geologists were looking for a particular kind of pebble.

D. The different pebbles could not have come from only one source.

原句的前面讲了这个样本的组成，后面则先是指出样本中的成分来自沙漠，之后对"Mediterranean(地中海)"的挖掘，说明了地中海以前不是海。

而再看选项，需要对应到前一段的最后句"Were they salt domes such as are common along the United States Gulf Coast, and if so, why should there have been so much solid crystalline salt beneath the floor of the Mediterranean?"“它们是像美国墨西哥湾沿岸常见的盐丘吗？如果是的话，为什么地中海海底会有如此多的固体结晶盐？”

这也就解释了正确答案A的"The most obvious explanation for the origin"的来源，那么我选的D选项实则没有道理，"not have come from one source"并不能证明它来自多个地点，也可能是一个不同的地点。

4.Select the TWO answer choices from paragraph 3 that identify materials discovered in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin. To receive credit, you must select TWO answers.

A. Volcanic rock fragments

B. Thin silt layers

C. Soft, deep-sea mud

D. Crystalline salt

对应第三段最后两句"As they drilled into the central and deepest part of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists took solid, shiny, crystalline salt from the core barrel. Interbedded with the salt were thin layers of what appeared to be windblown silt."

而不能被本段的第二句欺骗，因为题干的"the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin"

7.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

As a result of crustal adjustments and faulting, the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean now connects to the Atlantic, opened, and water cascaded spectacularly back into the Mediterranean.

11.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

Like the stones of a Roman wall, which were held together both by the regularity of the design and by that peculiarly powerful Roman cement, so the various parts of the Roman realm were bonded into a massive, monolithic entity by physical, organizational, and psychological controls.

用了"just as A, so B"的类比句型，核心在于罗马怎么样，而非前面用于类比的罗马城墙如何。

15.Paragraph 3 suggests which of the following about the people of Latium?

A. Their economy was based on trade relations with other settlements.

B. They held different values than the people of Rome.

C. Agriculture played a significant role in their society.

D. They possessed unusual knowledge of animal instincts.

本段第三句"…that created the habits and skills of landed settlement, landed property, landed economy, landed administration, and a land-based society. "

18.Which of the following statements about leading Roman soldiers and statesmen is supported by paragraphs 5 and 6?

A. They could read and write the Greek language.

B. They frequently wrote poetry and plays.

C. They focused their writing on military matters.

D. They wrote according to the philosophical laws of the Greeks.

“It was absolutely accepted that an educated Roman should be fluent in Greek.”

误选D的时候，觉得A的"educated Roman"和题干的"Roman soldiers"相悖，但剩下的选项都没有提及

TPO7错了很多细节题，反而到6选3没有错，回看一下一般都是将原文信息换个有点相近的，但剩下的选项则是没有出现，就如第二篇的细节题。第一篇的细节题要把握上下文，如第3题是跨段落的问题，且意思略晦涩，第一次读未能注意"United States Gulf Coast"，以及第4题，需通读整段。

TPO11

6.According to paragraph 3, why were certain areas of a stone statue left uncarved?

A. To prevent damage by providing physical stability

B. To emphasize that the material was as important as the figure itself

C. To emphasize that the figure was not meant to be a real human being

D. To provide another artist with the chance to finish the carving

“left uncarved"对应到本段的第二句话末尾”…was not normally cut away.“问题出在"figures"在这里翻译为了“雕像”，导致我忽略了这个答案句”…this protected the figures against breakage…“后面有一生词"pillar"译为"起支撑作用的背柱”。这是古埃及、古希腊等文明雕像中常见的结构，一根连接在雕像背部的石柱。

9.Look at the four squares that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

In fact, it is the action and not the figure itself that is important.

Apart from statues representing deities, kings, and named members of the elite that can be called formal, there is another group of three-dimensional representations that depicts generic figures, frequently servants, from the nonelite population. [ ] The function of these is quite different. [ ] Many are made to be put in the tombs of the elite in order to serve the tomb owners in the afterlife.[ ] Unlike formal statues that are limited to static poses of standing, sitting, and kneeling, these figures depict a wide range of actions, such as grinding grain, baking bread, producing pots, and making music, and they are shown in appropriate poses, bending and squatting as they carry out their tasks.[ ]

答案是放在最后一空，“action"对应了最后一句的"actions,such as…”

其次是"In fact"要表达转折，但是第三空的前一句和下面的句子并无转折意

16.The experiment described in paragraph 5 caused Kramer to conclude that birds possess a biological clock because

A. when birds navigate they are able to compensate for the changing position of the Sun in the sky

B. birds’ innate bearings keep them oriented in a direction that is within 15 degrees of the Sun’s direction

C. birds’ migration is triggered by natural environmental cues, such as the position of the Sun

D. birds shift their direction at a rate of 15 degrees per hour whether the Sun is visible or not

题干对应段落最后一句的"This meant that some sort of biological clock was operating–and a very precise clock at that."而前一句"In other words, they were able to compensate for the Sun’s movement. "

难点在于这段话略晦涩难懂，是通过人造太阳和天然太阳的对比，以及鸟类15°的"compensate"(补偿)飞行，也突出了其生物钟的存在

19.Look at the four squares that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

He arranged the feed boxes at various positions on a compass.

So, in another set of experiments, Kramer put identical food boxes around the cage, with food in only one of the boxes.[ ] The boxes were stationary, and the one containing food was always at the same point of the compass.[ ] However, its position with respect to the surroundings could be changed by revolving either the inner cage containing the birds or the outer walls, which served as the background. [ ] As long as the birds could see the Sun, no matter how their surroundings were altered, they went directly to the correct food box.[ ] Whether the box appeared in front of the right wall or the left wall, they showed no signs of confusion.

答案是放第一个空，可能这题不能想的太复杂，把人名和"He"一对应即可，" arranged the feed boxes"对应了后面开始将"boxes"的属性…

TPO11算是罕见的错了2个填句子题，问题出在词汇量的问题，读着读着生词量多了就昏了，导致内在逻辑也没能理解，如第一篇的雕像和第二篇的鸟。6选3因为pad的浏览器问题没有做，就当跳过了吧。

TPO12

3.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

Most engravings, for example, are best lit from the left, as befits the work of right-handed artists, who generally prefer to have the light source on the left so that the shadow of their hand does not fall on the tip of the engraving tool or brush.

这句话的重点在于“左边的光源”，“befits the work of right-handed artists”"so that …"表明了为什么右撇子艺术家用左边光源。

4.All of the following are mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 as evidence of right-handedness in art and artists EXCEPT

A. the ideal source of lighting for most engravings

B. the fact that a left hand stenciled palm upward might look like a right hand

C. the prevalence of outlines of left hands

D. figures in prehistoric art holding objects with the right hand

A,D选项在第二段分别有体现，C若是知道"stencil"和"outline"的近义关系也不容易选错，"stencil"是印记，"outline"是外形、轮廓，在文章中都表示“手印”。

B选项比较神奇，第一段第4句确实有相同的内容"One also has to make the assumption that hands were stenciled palm downward—a left hand stenciled palm upward might of course look as if it were a right hand.“但重点在"make a assumption that…“是”假定所有手都是掌心向下印的“，破折号后的内容并非"fact"而是解释了前面为什么要"make a assumption that…”。如果不结合文章，那么手掌向上的左手(即用手背)产生的印记易被误以为成右手，就不会是题干的"evidence of right-handedness”。

6.In paragraph 5, why does the author mention the Ice Age rope found in the French cave of Lascaux?

A. As an example of an item on which the marks of wear imply that it was used by a right handed person

B. Because tressing is an activity that is easier for a right-handed person than for a left-handed person

C. Because the cave of Lascaux is the site where researchers have found several prehistoric tools made for right-handed people

D. As an example of an item whose construction shows that it was made by a right-handed person

Tools themselves can be revealing. Long-handed Neolithic spoons of yew wood preserved in Alpine villages dating to 3000 B.C. have survived; the signs of rubbing on their left side indicate that their users were right-handed. The late Ice Age rope found in the French cave of Lascaux consists of fibers spiraling to the right, and was therefore tressed by a right-hander.

直白的词汇量问题，一句话三个生词"fibers"“spiraling”"tressed"分别表示“纤维”“螺旋”“缕”，这句话也就是说“绳子(纤维)是右螺旋编织的”，即D选项。

A选项的内容是对前面的例子的概括，而不是题干这个。此外A选项的核心是指"marks imply that it was used by …"其中"used"就和D的"made"形成对比了。

TPO12的这篇大致就是词汇量不足，比如“手掌”的"palm"，以及第4题还是挺有逻辑的。

TPO15

4.The word “bulk” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. strength

B. effort

C. activity

D. mass

An adult leatherback is twice the size of the biggest cheloniid sea turtles and will therefore take longer to cool off. Maintaining a high body temperature through sheer bulk is called gigantothermy. It works for elephants, for whales, and, perhaps, it worked for many of the larger dinosaurs.

首先，"sheer"的意思在这里是“完全的，彻底的”，其它意思还有“陡峭的”，其实翻译后看四个选项都不太对，虽说得先了解"mass"是可以做名词表示“大量，大批”的，那么结合上下文，不难得出。

American paleontologists David Raup and John Sepkoski, who have studied extinction rates in a number of fossil groups, suggest that episodes of increased extinction have recurred periodically, approximately every 26 million years since the mid-Cretaceous period.

核心在于"every 26 million years"除了A选项外都错误表达了时间（但忘了我为什么会错）。

TPO56

R2Q7.According to paragraph 4, what was the response to criticisms of representative government in England?

A. Efforts were made to make the system better

B. Criticisms of the system were completely ignored.

C. An explanation was created to defend the system

D. Critics of the system were widely viewed as unpatriotic.

… Few could meet the test. A number of English people thought the situation and said so. But nothing was done to improve it; in fact, a theory was devised to justify it. A member of the House of Commons, it was said, represented not the people who chose him but the whole country, and he was not responsible for any particular constituency. Not all Englishmen could vote for representatives, but all were virtually represented by every member of the Commons.

将原文翻译，“但是，没有采取任何措施来改进它；事实上，有人设计出一种理论来为其辩护。”和选项C是一个意思，“justify”“defend"都是辩护的意思。错选B时看到前半句就选了，而忽略了重要的"In fact”。

TPO57

R1Q2.The word “annihilated” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. unaffected

B. strengthened

C. quickly weakened

D. completely eliminated

应选"D"“彻底消除”，回到原文，"In 1912, he compared how effective the sprays were in different parts … "要在不同的地区进行杀虫剂的对比，后文指出在"Washington"完全消除，而在"Clarkston"就不行。紧接着"On the other hand, the Clarkston scales were annihilated by a different pesticide made from fuel oil, just as the insects in other parts of Washington were."显然是D。

R1Q6.Why does the author mention “draining standing water or breeding resistant strains of crops” ?

A. To contrast the cost of DDT with the cost of old-fashioned ways of controlling pests

B. To present evidence that European agricultural activity had declined before 1941

C. To provide examples of farming practices that were abandoned due to the success of DDT

D. To indicate that certain farming practices were never explored because DDT was so effective

Between 1941 and 1976, 4.5 million tons of DDT were produced DDT was so powerful and cheap that farmers gave up old-fashioned ways of controlling pests, such as draining standing water or breeding resistant strains of crops.

R2Q4.The word “intangible” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. nonmaterial

B. independent

C. powerful

D. insignificant

Spallanzani showed that nutrient fluids heated after being sealed in a flask did not develop microbial growth. Needham responded by claiming the “vital force” necessary for spontaneous generation had been destroyed by the heat and was kept out of the flasks by the seals.

This intangible “vital force” was given all the more credence shortly after Spallanzani’s experiment, when Laurent Lavoisier showed the importance of oxygen to life. Spallanzani’s observations were criticized on the grounds that there was not enough oxygen in the sealed flasks to support microbial life.

第一段，根据Needham的说法，这种“生命力”是“自发发生”所必需的。他认为，Spallanzani的实验之所以失败，是因为加热破坏了这种“生命力”，并且密封的瓶塞将其阻挡在了烧瓶之外。从这里我们可以推断，Needham所认为的“生命力”是一种非物质的、看不见摸不着的存在。它不像灰尘或微生物那样是实体，而是一种可以被“阻挡”或“破坏”的“力量”或“原理”。

第二段，批评者认为，Spallanzani的密封烧瓶中没有足够的氧气来支持微生物生命。这实际上是为“生命力”无法起作用提供了一个科学的、物质上的解释（缺氧），从而间接支持了Needham的“生命力”理论（虽然是以一种新的方式）。

R2Q8.According to paragraphs 7 and 8, Pasteur’s experiment involving flasks with S-shaped necks proved that

A. air does not cause microorganisms to arise spontaneously from nonliving matter

B. microorganisms require access to nutrient fluids in order to arise spontaneously

C. the temperature of liquids has no effect on the presence or absence of microorganisms

D. microorganisms in the air cannot travel long distances

Pasteur next placed broth in open-ended long-necked flasks and bent the necks into S-shaped curves. The contents of these flasks were then boiled and cooled. The broth in the flasks did not decay and showed no signs of life, even after months. Pasteur’s unique design allowed air to pass into the flask, but the curved neck trapped any airborne microorganisms that might have contaminated the broth.

最后一句回答了本题“巴斯德这一独特的设计使得空气能够进入烧瓶，而弯曲的瓶颈则截留了所有可能污染肉汤的空气中微生物。”

TPO58

R2Q3.Which of the following can be inferred about pinyon pines from paragraph 2 ?

A. Seed predators other than pinyon jays feed on pinyon seeds

B. Pinyon jays must eat many pinyon seeds to obtain adequate nutrition

C. Seeds located in the interior regions of pinyon pines are particularly attractive to pinyon jays.

D. Pinyon pines signal jays to eat only those seeds that are unable to grow.

At first glance, the relationship between pinyon pine trees and the pinyon jay does not appear to be one of coevolution. Pinyon pines produce cones and seeds that attract seed predators, especially the pinyon jay.

暗示 pinyon jay 是最主要或者最典型的种子捕食者，但并没有说它是唯一的种子捕食者

Cones are positioned upward and outward on the tree, so the seeds inside are in plain sight of the jays, essentially inviting them to partake Pinyon seeds are unusually large, and each seed is high in energy.

并无证据表明attractive

R2Q4.According to paragraph 2, all the following are characteristics of pinyon pine seeds that make them attractive to seed predators EXCEPT:

A. The seeds are highly visible

B. The seeds contain a large amount of energy

C. The seeds pass unharmed through the predator’s alimentary system

D. The seed coat is thin.

In many plants, an indigestible seed coat permits the seed to pass unharmed through the bird’s alimentary system.

显然C选项对应的不是pinyon pine seeds而是其它植物

R2Q5.The word “providing” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. Once

B. since

C. whenever

D. if

首先看providing的原义：

to give someone something that they need

(of a law or decision) to say that something must happen if particular conditions exist

然后结合文章：This is a useful behavior for the jays, providing they can retrieve some of the buried seeds during winter, and good for the trees, as the unretrieved seeds are ready to germinate.

逻辑上，作者不是说“因为 jay 能在冬天找回种子，所以这对 jay 是好的行为”，而是说“这种行为对 jay 是好的，条件是它们冬天能找回一些”。

R2Q6.The phrase “so many seeds” in the passage refers to
A. a number of seeds greater than jays can eat immediately
B. a number of seeds greater than jays can bury immediately
C. the number of seeds produced by one tree
D. the number of seeds that jays in a region need to eat

Still, for the jays to bury any seeds, there must be an abundance of seeds far beyond the jays’ immediate needs. One tree could never produce so many seeds, but if all the pinyons in a region produced heavy seed crops at once, they would indeed “flood the market” with vastly more pinyon seeds than the local population of jays could consume.

选项 B：种子数量大于松鸦能立即埋藏的数量 —— 这里逻辑不对，因为“埋藏”本身就发生在种子充裕时，而“so many seeds”指的是充裕到超出当前食用需求，而不是超出它们“能埋”的物理能力。原文强调的是吃不完才埋，不是埋不完。

20250525

R1Q6.Paragraph 4 suggests which of the following about the possibility of tapping methane hydrate deposits through drilling?

A. Underwater oil and gas fields might get in the way of drilling.
B. Drilling vessels currently in existence cannot reach methane hydrate deposits.
C. Hot water or steam that is pumped into deposits will reduce the amount of methane that can be extracted.
D. Such drilling would have to be supported by government agencies because oil companies believe it to be too costly.

Para.4

Like conventional natural gas, the layers of methane hydrate could also be tapped by drilling. Several oil companies and government agencies are actively researching the possibility of such an endeavor. Because the deposits are far deeper than most underwater oil and gas fields, special deep water drilling vessels would have to be constructed. Nevertheless, drilling is at least a possible option, although the methane ice is under so much pressure, the challenge is akin to bursting a balloon and trying to capture all the escaping gas. One potential solution would be to expel the methane by pumping hot water or steam into the deposit through one drill hole and extracting the expelled methane through another. But once recovered, the methane would still have to be brought ashore, and this would pose an additional challenge.

甲烷水合物矿床位于比常规海底油气田更深的位置。

必须建造 特殊的深水钻井船

目前的钻井船（most underwater oil and gas fields 所用的船）不能达到 这个深度。

R1Q9.Look at the squares that indicate where the following sentence can be added to the passage.

Moreover, many methane hydrate deposits are located close to high-population areas, where energy demands greatest.

And it has been found in enormous quantities, off the east coast of the United States near the Carolinas, for example, the United States Geological Survey, a scientific agency that studies natural resources, has discovered two deposits of methane hydrate, each covering about 3,139 square kilometers. ()Together they are estimated to contain over 37 trillion cubic meters of methane gas, or more than 50 times the amount of natural gas consumed in the United States in 2012. **(√)**Is methane hydrate the fuel of the future? ()The sheer volume and richness of methane hydrate deposits make them a strong candidate for development as an energy resource. However, the challenges are enormous.()

Moreover通常用来连接两个同类性质的论点

显然第一个空后的"together"代指前句内容，不应将句子填这

第二个空前说明了这种资源的储量很大，填入句是指资源的位置好

R2Q2.According to paragraph 1, many scholars believe that iron smelting in Africa first began when the technique was

A. brought by Phoenicians who settled on the North African coast
B. discovered by the Berbers around 1,000 B.C.E
C. brought back from Phoenicia by seafaring African merchants
D. discovered in Carthage in modern Tunisia around 800 B.C.E

Many scholars believe that the secret of iron smelting (the process of extracting the iron from the rock that contains it) came with Phoenician merchants. The Phoenicians living on the shores of the Mediterranean were smelting iron by 1,000 B.C.E. They were a seafaring people whose square-rigged ships sailed along the North African coast, where they established settlements that became colonies.

虽说文章确实提到"merchant"，但我们要注意"Phoenician merchants"和"African merchants"的区别

再结合后文可知，Phoenician确实定居北非

R2Q4.The word “distinct” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. permanent.
B. basic.
C. clear.
D. fair.

在知道"distinct"原义为“明显的、清晰的”的情况下无需分析，但我错记成了“遥远的”（应为"distant"）

文中生词，“division of labor”，在社会学和经济学中，division of labor 指的是社会成员不再“每个人都做同样的事”，而是有了专门的职业划分。

20251206

R1Q2.According to paragraph 2, silk fibers have which of the following functions during the metamorphosis of silk moths?

A. They provide a source of energy during the process
B. They provide protein for the development of wings
C. They provide defense from threats.
D. They speed up biochemical processes.

The cocoon is both a receptacle for this complex biochemical process and a means of protecting the defenseless insect from the environment and predators while it is metamorphosing. The silk fibers render the cocoon less palatable while also making it more difficult for would-be predators to get at the tasty protein-rich prize inside.

R1Q8.Paragraph 4 suggests which of the following about juvenile hormones?

A. They lead to aggressive behavior in humans, wolves, and other mammals.
B. They are formed during the synthesis of silk.
C. They help spiders synthesize silk.
D. They do not interfere with silk making by silkworms.

It is equally fortuitous that at least some silkworms are even capable of coevolving with humans in a way that led to the animal partnership that we call domestication. In the case of silkworms, it led to silk farming, a practice first developed by the Chinese, who established a lucrative transcontinental silk trade near the end of the first millennium B.C.E. Domestication is always a two-way street in which another species must have the inherent capacity to tolerate and cooperate with humans. Silkworms’ ability to tolerate domestication becomes evident if we compare them to spiders. Spiders actually produce a superior silken fiber, yet modern attempts at domesticating spiders have largely failed because they are very territorial creatures and will often eat one another if forced to live in close proximity. Indeed, spiders’ need to make silk as adults—rather than just during a larval stage as with silkworms—may explain why they do not coexist well with other members of their own species. As is the case with mammals like wolves and humans, in many insects social behaviors are linked to juvenile hormones that make them more cooperative than aggressive.However, in spiders these juvenile hormones just happen to interfere with the biochemical synthesis of silk. So for spiders to enjoy the many adaptive advantages that come from a lifetime of silk making, it appears they had to give up the many potential benefits of social cooperation.

选项A由倒数第三局解释，选项C由倒数第二句的"interfere with"解释，意思是“干扰…”而我却将其当作选C的论证了。

既然家蚕既能表现出合作行为（意味着它们体内有起作用的幼年激素），又能成功大量造丝（silk farming），那么根据对比推论，家蚕体内的这种激素肯定没有干扰到它们的造丝过程。与倒数第二句蜘蛛被干扰造丝形成对比。

R2Q2.According to paragraph 1, radiocarbon dating is now the preferred method for determining the age of ancient biological specimens for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A. It can be used to date specimens that are tens of thousands of years old.
B. It is considered scientifically reliable.
C. It can be used to date all materials that have radiocarbon.
D. It can be used to determine whether organic acids have seeped into materials being tested.

Because all living things contain carbon, artifacts and organic remains from archaeological sites can often be dated by comparing the proportion of carbon-14 (radiocarbon) remaining in them (or in the location where they were found) to the proportion of non-radiocarbon (carbon-12 and carbon-13) in them, a method called radiocarbon dating. This technique is based on the fact that the amount of carbon-12 and carbon-13 stays constant in organisms, while the amount of carbon-14 declines at a steady rate once the organism dies. When an animal or plant dies, it stops exchanging gases with the atmosphere and its carbon-14 begins to decrease. Thus the amount of carbon-14 remaining indicates how long ago an organism died. Radiocarbon is the preferred method for dating the sites of the earliest Americans. Its range reaches back 50,000 years, which is the period of interest, and its reliability is well attested since variations in atmospheric carbon levels over time have been well studied and can readily be adjusted for in age calculations. Moreover, the technique can be applied to any material that incorporates radiocarbon, such as bone, wood, charcoal (burned wood), and even soils, the last by virtue of the organic acids that seep into them.

"by virtue of"的意思是“由于”，即把“酸的渗入”当作一个前提条件，使得土壤具备了被检测的资格；而选项 D 把碳定年当作了检测手段，去检测酸是否存在。这两者逻辑关系是颠倒的。碳定年的目的是测年份，而不是测酸的渗入过程。

Listening

TPO6

C1Q3.What does the woman imply about the small print on the career fair posters and flyers?

A. The information in the small print was incomplete.

B. The print was smaller than she expected it to be.

C. The information the small print contains will be updated.

D. The information in the small print will be presented in a more noticeable way.

对应原文"I mean, they all say where and when the fair is… just not who should attend.

FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Actually, they do. But it’s in the small print.

We should probably make that part easier to read, shouldn’t we?

I’ll make a note of that right now."

学生未能注意到"fair posters and flyers"上的小字，而不是没有相关的信息，所以不能选C而应该选D

C1Q4.What does the woman say is a good way for the student to prepare for speaking to companies’ representatives? Click on 2 answers.

A. Take some business classes

B. Familiarize himself with certain businesses beforehand

C. Have questions ready to ask the representatives

D. Talk to people who work for accounting firms

在学生提到"I was wondering if there’s anything you’d recommend that I do to prepare."后，老师问完"I was wondering if there’s anything you’d recommend that I do to prepare."后的"Well, I suggest that you get on the computer and learn more about the accounting companies, in particular, that will be attending.

You can learn a lot about companies from their Internet Web sites.

Then prepare a list of questions.

MALE STUDENT: Questions… hmm. So in a way I’ll be interviewing them?

FEMALE EMPLOYEE: That’s one way of looking at it."

也就分别对应了B和C选项内容。

C1Q5.Why does the student say this: “It looks like I’ve got some works to do.”

A. To acknowledge that he cannot go to this year’s career fair

B. To acknowledge the amount of preparation he will have

C. To indicate that he has school work he must complete before the career fair

D. To indicate that he needs to go to his job now

原句在材料末尾，是在学生老师的建议并弄清楚了应该着手准备的事项后说的

结合经验，即是C，最贴合原文主题的选项

L1Q1.What is the main purpose of the talk?

A. To show what happens after an economy has experienced a boom-and-bust cycle

B. To illustrate the conditions needed to produce a boom-and-bust cycle

C. To demonstrate how boom-and-bust cycles have changed over time

D. To explain why the boom-and-bust cycle is not a frequent historical occurrence

本材料通过“郁金香(tulip)”的例子解释了"boom and bust"，A和D明显有错，而C的观点只是被提到，但材料具体地只讲了一次"boom and bust"的例子。

L1Q6.The professor mentions the practice of trading promissory notes in the Netherlands in the 1630s. What does this practice explain? Click on 2 answers.

A. Why tulips replaced gold as a form of currency

B. Why buyers were no longer interested in owning actual tulips

C. Why borrowing in the Netherlands increased on a significant scale

D. Why the middle class in the Netherlands expanded in size

材料从"In other words, tulips were literally worth their weight in gold.“开始，后面就是” promissory notes"的相关内容，在"But that didn’t matter to the owner of the note. The owner only cared about having that piece of paper so it could be traded later at a profit. And people were borrowing, mortgaging their homes in many cases to obtain those bits of paper because they were sure they’d find an easy way to make money."反映了B和C的内容。

L2Q1.What topics related to the Nightcap Oak does the professor mainly discuss? Click on 2 answers.

A. Factors that relate to the size of the area in which it grows

B. The size of its population over the last few centuries

C. Whether anything can be done to ensure its survival

D. Why it did not change much over the last one hundred million years

主题问题，材料前段就提到了其数量"two hundred"

文章之后的讨论就是"factors to reproduce"

L2Q2.According to the professor, what led scientists to characterize the Nightcap Oak as primitive?

A. It has no evolutionary connection to other trees growing in Australia today.

B. It has an inefficient reproductive system.

C. Its flowers are located at the bases of the leaves.

D. It is similar to some ancient fossils.

定位到材料"Uh we found fossils that old that bear a remarkable resemblance to the tree."“So, it’s a primitive tree,a… a living fossil, you might say.”

错选的A和材料表达的意思相反"And… it—it’s probably a kind of tree from which other trees that grow in Australia today evolved."

L2Q3.What point does the professor make about the Nightcap Oak’s habitat?

A. It is stable despite its limited size.

B. Unlike the habitats of many plants, it is expanding.

C. Its recent changes have left the Nightcap Oak struggling to adapt.

D. Its size is much larger than the area where the Nightcap Oak grows.

“Uh, of course, you might think there might not be many areas where the tree could spread into, er … because … um … well, it’s very specialized in terms of the habitat. But, that’s not really the case here. Um … the suitable habitat, that is, the actual rainforest is much larger than the few hectares where the Nightcap Oak grows.”

在学生回答完问题后，教授的转折解释了"habitat"，并在后面解释了"the Nightcap Oak"种子的问题。

这开头的对话错的有些多，且两篇材料的"Why does the student(teacher) say this…"都有错，我认为随着做的题目增多，用意题和阅读是一个逻辑，大概率都在这句话的前文有提示。

Lecture1讲的内容比较有趣，且一开始做的时候几乎没听懂，但题目做的还行，主要是说了“郁金香经济”的问题。

Lecture2是个经典生物"habitat"类型的题，后面这种类型错的也不少，以本篇举例，重要的信息都在听力的“停顿”或者是“转折”上有所体现，且错的都是细节，只有多听了。

TPO8

C1Q1.Why does the man mention his classmates?

A. To explain how he obtained information about field research

B. To point out that many students like to do field research

C. To show that it is difficult to get intermediate-level credits

D. To emphasize his motivation to do field research in two of his courses

“My chair person told me that if I did independent field research in addition to the assigned work in each course; they would count as intermediate level courses. My classmates, um, some of my classmates, did this for an easy way to meet their intermediate course requirement, but I did it to get the kind of depth in those topics I was going for.”

L1Q1.What is the main purpose of the lecture?

A. To compare active habitat selection with passive habitat selection

B. To show that most habitat preferences in animals are learned

C. To compare the habitat requirements of several bird species

D. To examine the consequences of habitat selection by animals

不知道为什么错选，明显是D

“With active habitat selection, an organism is able to physically select where to live and breed, and because an animal’s breeding habitat is so important…”

L1Q3.What does the professor illustrate with the example of the blue warbler?

A. The relationship between human activity and habitat loss

B. The relationship between habitat and reproductive success

C. The advantages of habitats with low vegetation density

D. The reproductive advantage that young warblers have over older warblers

首先错选的C，"so they’re pretty close to the ground but these warblers also nest in forests that have low shrub density."虽然提到了"density"但和vegetation无关，"density"译为“密度”。

关于正确选项B，“**And the choice of habitat seems to affect reproductive success.**Because the older, more experienced birds, who nest in the high-density shrub areas, have significantly more offspring than those in low-density areas. Which suggests that the choice of where to nest does have an impact on the number of chicks they have.”

通过讲"blue warbler"的"younger warbler"和"older warbler"选择栖息地的密度不同，体现了栖息地对"offspring"译为“幼崽”的影响。

L1Q4.Why does the professor mention the population density of blackcaps in two different habitats?

A. To explain the similar reproductive rates in the two habitats

B. To explain the relation between a species’ population density and its nesting behavior

C. To illustrate the advantages of a preferred habitat over a secondary habitat

D. To illustrate the possible impact of making a poor habitat selection

首先要注意题干的"population density"，然后注意本题的重点在"blackcap"的前半部分，而非下一题所需的后半部分，即不选D。“Studies have been done on the reproductive success rates for the birds in both areas and the results showed—surprisingly—that the reproductive success was essentially the same in both areas—the preferred and the second choice habitat.”

C选项则和材料相反，B无关。

TPO8和TPO6都主要错在了生物题材的Lecture上，但TPO8的生物部分更加有逻辑且复杂一些，讲了几种鸟。至于对话题的错因和TPO6一样。

TPO9

C1Q3.The woman mentions a research study of milk packaging. What was the finding of the study?

A. Plastic containers may change the flavor of milk.

B. Light may negatively affect the quality of milk.

C. People prefer to buy milk in see-through containers.

D. Opaque containers are effective in protecting milk from bacteria.

对应材料"Yeah, and I read a study that showed how light can give milk a funny flavor and decrease its nutritional value."这句话语速很快且"light"不是很好听出来，容易错选成后面出现的"Well, consumers like being able to visually examine the color of the milk."相关的选项C，但这和研究无关。

L2Q2.According to the professor, what are two features of shrubs that allow them to grow well in Arctic regions? Click on 2 answers.

A. They have roots that can penetrate permafrost.

B. Their height allows them to absorb more sunlight.

C. They absorb nutrients from the soil efficiently.

D. They have a shallow root system.

首先，在女学生提出了永冻层之后，老师开始解释"shrub"的特性，及它的根不会很深，也就排除了A选项，选择了D。在男学生提出问题后，就是对"shrub"为什么在夏季成长的更好，以及选C的原因："Well, it may be biological processes that occur in the soil in the winter that cause increased shrub growth in the summer. And, here’s how: there are microbes, microscopic organisms that live in the soil.

These microbes enable the soil to have more nitrogen, which plants need to live, and they remain quite active during the winter."

这段语速较慢且有停顿，算是比较好听出来"nitrogen"来对应"nutrients"。

L2Q3.What is one reason for the increase in shrub growth in Arctic Alaska?

A. Decreases in grass and moss growth have altered the balance of nutrients in the soil.

B. Increases in ground temperature have led to increased microbial activity.

C. Increases in average winter temperatures have made permafrost permeable to water.

D. Increases in snowfall have provided more water for shrubs.

原因同L2Q2的C选项。

L2Q5.Why does the professor mention shrub expansion into other environments, such as semiarid grasslands?

A. To suggest that new shrubland may not convert back to tundra

B. To explain how shrubland can expand in a warm climate

C. To cite a similarity between the types of shrubs in semiarid grassland and tundra environments

D. To explain how a biological loop can cause shrub expansion

用意题，首先排除C，然后是注意在教授讲"expansion"的问题之前，女学生问了"But will it be long-term?I mean, maybe the shrubs will be abundant for a few years, and then it’ll change back to tundra."那么A是最直接的选项，至于B，原文的意思应该是有了"shrub"的生长，“shrubland"的扩张会持续下去，而不是因为"warm climate”。错选的D选项，虽然意思上没错且前文有提到，但如果学生不发出提问，则不会有这段"expansion"的解释。

L3Q2.What is the professor’s opinion about the conclusions of the recent study of the limestone formations in the Empty Quarter?

A. They have changed the way geologists study desert environments.

B. They contradict findings about similar desert lakes.

C. They explain the causes of monsoons in the desert.

D. They need to be confirmed by additional studies.

"limestone"出现在"But the Empty Quarter lakes disappeared thousands of years ago. They left behind their beds, or basins, as limestone formations that we can still see today. They look like low-lying white or gray buttes … long, narrow hills with flat tops … barely a meter high."结合后文"Keep in mind, though, that this study only looked at 19 formations … and about a thousand have been documented, so there’s a lot more work to be done."可得出D选项，难在要注意听到"limestone"一词。

L3Q3.According to the professor, what feature of the sand dunes made the formation of the lakes possible?

A. The degree of slope of the sides of the dunes

B. The presence of clay and silt particles in the dunes

C. The position of the dunes relative to the wind and rain

D. The narrowness of the valleys between the dunes

在明显的"Second…"后就是"sand dunes"的内容"Now, when the rain fell, water ran down the sides of the dunes, carrying clay and silt particles with it. And wherever these particles settled, they formed a pan … a layer that water couldn’t penetrate. Once this pan formed, further runoff collected and formed a lake.“逻辑还是很清晰的，要注意听到"clay and silt”“particles”“couldn’t penetrate”

L3Q5.What does the professor imply about the lack of water buffalo and hippopotamus fossils in the more recent lakes?

A. The level of water in the lakes was not sufficient for these animals.

B. The bottoms of the lakes were too sandy for these animals to stand in.

C. The location of the lakes made them too difficult for these animals to reach.

D. The vegetation near the lakes did not attract these animals.

文章最后的部分提到了"water buffalo and hippopotamus fossils"但先不需要知道其意思，接着听会发现，其大意是"lakes"只供饮用水，且动物种类少，最后"We’re not sure why. Uh, maybe there was a problem with the water … maybe it was too salty. That’s certainly true of other desert lakes.“指出了A选项。至于错选的C选项，与本段之前的内容矛盾"But … where did these animals come from? Well, the theory that has been suggested is that they migrated in from nearby habitats where they were already living.”

这套TPO9就是真的听不出细节的问题，听的时候应该也没有做逻辑笔记，然后关键词也听不到导致的。

TPO10

L2Q1.What is the main purpose of the lecture?

A. To describe the trade in food crops between Europe and the Americas

B. To describe the introduction of American food crops to Europeans

C. To describe the influence of American food crops on traditional European dishes

D. To describe the difficulties of growing American food crops in European climates

文章专注于介绍美洲的各种作物被引入欧洲，但没有提及欧洲菜肴的变化等，明显选B。

L2Q3.What does the professor imply about Thomas Jefferson’s attitude toward tomatoes?

A. It was typical of his unconventional way of thinking.

B. It helped to advance his political career.

C. It changed the eating habits of North Americans.

D. It helped to make tomatoes popular in Europe.

FEMALE PROFESSOR: Oh, sure—people didn’t really start eating them here until the mid-1800s.

FEMALE STUDENT: But, ah—seems like I heard…didn’t Thomas Jefferson grow them or something?

FEMALE PROFESSOR: Ah! Well, that’s true…but, then, Jefferson is known not only as the third President of the United States, but also as a scholar who was way ahead of his time—in many ways!

结合上下文，以及最关键的"scholar""way ahead of his time"可以得出"Jefferson"思想超前。

C2Q3.Why is the professor not going to discuss the book by Jane Bowles in the class?

A. There is not enough time left in the semester.

B. Not all of the students were able to get a copy of the book.

C. The professor miscalculated the difficulty level of the book.

D. The book was not on the course syllabus.

材料提到，"There’re only 2 weeks of classes left in the semester and there are like 6 books on the syllabus that we haven’t even touched."指向选项A，但错选的C选项在其前一句"Um… I think my professor really miscalculated. Anyway the syllabus, was way too ambitious in my opinion.“出现了"miscalculate"但其对象应该是"time"而非"difficulty”。

L3Q6.What does the professor mean when she says this:

A. She realizes that the students are struggling with the concept.

B. She is surprised that the student knew the answer to her question.

C. She thinks that the answer to the question is obvious.

D. She thinks that this phase of the cycle has an unusual name.

FEMALE PROFESSOR: Can anyone guess what it’s called? Nancy?

FEMALE STUDENT: Uh, well, if the one is called the land phase, then this has to be called the water phase, right?

FEMALE PROFESSOR: Yes. That’s such a difficult point, isn’t it?

看似是说其"difficult"实则是反义，从学生的回答也能看出"land phase"“then water phase”，加之教授的语气，并无错选的B选项表达的"surprised"，所以选C，教授这句话隐含的意思是“这个问题只有这样的难度”。

L4Q3.What does the professor imply about some of the explanations for childhood amnesia that she describes?

A. They can never be proved or disproved.

B. They were formed without proper evidence.

C. They explain only certain types of childhood amnesia.

D. They are contradicted by her own research.

“Well, once a popular explanation was that childhood memories are repressed … uh, the memories are disturbing so that as adults we keep them buried, and so we can’t recall them. And this is based on … well, well, it’s not based on, on, on the kind of solid research and lab testing I want to talk about today …”听力中有明显停顿来突出"not based on … "即这种说法并无根据。

L4Q4.The professor mentions some commonly held explanations for childhood amnesia. Indicate whether each of the following is one of the explanations she mentions.

A. Early memories are repressed.

B. Young children have few experiences to remember.

C. Young children are unable to form memories.

D. Children lose memories at a faster rate than adults.

E. Young children do not make an effort to remember events.

It—it could be that as children we do form memories of things prior to age 3, but forget them as we grow older. That’s one explanation.

Another possibility is that children younger than 3 lack, um, lack some cognitive capacity for memory. And that idea… um, that children are unable to form memories, um… that’s been the dominant belief in psychology for the past hundred years.

这段话中包含了正确的AC选项，但难在原题不会告诉要选几个，且D选项对应的答案在接近最后的"And childhood amnesia may reflect a high rate of forgetting. In other words, children under the age of 3 do form memories, and do so without language.

But they forget the memories at a fast rate, probably faster than adults do."

L4Q5.How was recall tested in children without language ability?

A. By recording children’s responses to familiar faces

B. By observing children’s reaction to a repeated series of actions

C. By having children imitate each other 's actions

D. By having children imitate an ordered sequence of actions

"Now, if the children can’t talk, how was recall tested?"在这之后一段讲解实验过程：“The children were asked to imitate the steps immediately, and then again after delays of 1 or more months. And, even after a delay, the children could-could recall, or replicate the action - the objects used, the steps involved and the order of the steps. Even children as young as 9 months!”

TPO10的Lecture4，是比较少见的心理学题材，且答案多藏于大段的对话中，难度较高。此外，Lecture3的"That’s such a difficult point, isn’t it?"要通过上下文和语气来判断，是道有趣的题目。

TPO11

C2Q2.Why does the student say he is interested in doing what the professor asks?

A. He thinks it may help him improve his research skills.

B. He thinks it will enable him to get a better grade in the professor’s class.

C. He thinks it may help him get into graduate school.

D. He thinks it will be good teaching practice for him.

FEMALE PROFESSOR: So I’d like to know if you’d be willing to join as a student representative on the interview committee. It’d be a good experience for you. You could… uh… put it on your résumé.

MALE STUDENT: Oh! That’d look good for my grad school application, I guess. So what do I have to do?

关键词"resume"和"grad school application"

C2Q4.Why does the professor mention that one of the applicants will give a talk on a topic the student is particularly interested in?

A. To see if the student would enjoy joining the applicant’s research team

B. To suggest that the student may not totally agree with what the applicant has to say

C. To persuade the student to come to a talk on Friday

D. To warn the student to focus on the applicant’s teaching ability

学生提到"That’s…that’s what my research is about!"，即可得出和C选项的时间无关，B选项无提及，而A选项在前面就已确定学生回去参加，但参加的理由和题干的意思无关。

回到材料"That’s why I feel it necessary to point out that even though this applicant’s research interests are similar to yours, we want you to tell us what you think about the teaching of all these applicants. Your perspective as a student – how the applicant teaches in the classroom --"教授在"how the applicant teaches in the classroom"进行强调，即确认参与者的教学情况，不难得出D选项。

TPO13

C2Q5.What does the woman imply?

A. She confused the man for another student who had visited the lab earlier in the day.

B. The man is mistaken about how many videos are in the series.

C. The language lab does not own the whole series of videos the man needs.

D. The man is not familiar with the procedures used at the language lab.

Student: So, I can just take….err……Can I take the whole series home? I think there are three of them.
Manager: I guess you haven’t been here before.

题干的音频对应文章开头部分的"I guess you haven’t been here before."错选时是把"haven’t"错听成了"have"导致和材料后面的内容联系起来了，但正确听到"haven’t"便不难选出D选项。

L3Q3.According to the professor what is true about the hero in chanson poetry and the in romance poetry? Click in the correct box for each phrase (A: Chanson hero B:Romance hero)

A. Is admired for loyalty country

B. Engages in conflict for adventure

C. Is willing to fact extreme dangers to protect the lord

D. Is concerned with individual improvement

“Well, there’s a hero, a knight, who goes to battle, and he is admired for his courage, bravery and loyalty, loyalty to the lord he serves, his country and his fellow warriors in the field. He’s …um… he has a, he’s a skilled fighter, willing to face the most extreme dangers, sacrificial, willing to sacrifice anything and everything to protect his king and country.”属于"Chanson poetry"特点，即AC。
“He does it for the sake of adventure, to improve himself, to show he’s worthy of respect and love from his lady. He’s very conscious of the particular rules of social behavior he has to live up to somehow. And all of his actions are for the purpose of proving that he is an upright, moral, well-mannered, well-behaved individual.”属于"Romance poetry"特点，即BD。

L3Q4.Why does the professor mention that romance poems often included biographical sketches?

A. To emphasize the similarities between chanson authors and romance authors

B. To explain why the social status of troubadours is known today

C. To point out why the biographical sketches are reliable sources of information

D. To provide evidence that many troubadours were also historians

首先要明确"romance poems"是指"troubadours", “Another name for romance poetry that’s often synonymous with it is troubadour poetry.”

之后注意关键词"And we know a lot more about the troubadours than we do about the chanson authors because they often had small biographical sketches added to their poems that gave pretty specific information about their social status, geographical location, and a small outline of their career."

TPO14

C2Q3.According to the advisor, how do newspaper editors evaluate an applicant for a reporting position? Click on 2 answers.

A. They ask the applicant to present ideas for news stories.

B. They ask the applicant to write a news story.

C. They review the applicant’s university course work.

D. They review a sample of the applicant’s published articles.

“mean when you apply for a reporting job, editors look at two things— they want to see clips, you know, some of your published articles, they’ll also want you to try out, they’ll give you an assignment like… covering a press conference or some other event, then see if you can craft a story about it, accurately, on deadline.”

C2Q5.What does the student imply when he says this:

A. He was surprised by the amount of effort required to write a newspaper article.

B. He feels that some of the editor’s changes were unnecessary.

C. He does not want to take credit that he does not deserve.

D. He will try to make sure his future articles are more accurate.

Student: “To be honest, the article got lots of editing. In fact I barely recognized a couple of paragraphs. But the editor explained why the changes were made. I learned a lot and my second article didn’t need nearly as many changes.”

定位到原文，是在教授"And I read that article, too. It was very good."后说的，所以学生的意思应该是表达自谦，那么关于"take credit that"的意思：

To take the credit for something means to claim recognition or praise for an achievement or action, often implying that one is taking credit for work that may not solely belong to them. For example, you might say, “I can’t take credit for this,” indicating that you do not believe you deserve the recognition. This phrase can also suggest a sense of self-promotion or appropriation of others’ efforts, as in “You took credit for my work”

TPO56

MALE PROFESSOR: With a major in philosophy…besides the possibility of grad school—which I think would be wonderful for you—you know lots of things that are valuable in any career

FEMALE STUDENT: Like what? How Johnson tried to refute Berkeley’s empiricism?

MALE PROFESSOR: Well… what did Johnson do?

FEMALE STUDENT: Well, you know… what Berkeley said was that we can’t really know any objects, we can just perceive them. It’s all about our senses perceiving things. Berkeley basically made the point that it doesn’t really make sense to believe in actual, physical matter… What Johnson did was, Johnson was trying to disprove that, so he kicked a big stone. He said that refuted Berkeley.

MALE PROFESSOR: Uh-huh. So, what do you think of that?

FEMALE STUDENT: Well, not that I’m convinced by Berkeley either, but I really don’t think Johnson refuted anything. And I think Berkeley would just say that Johnson still doesn’t know anything apart from what he senses. Seeing the stone, feeling his foot hurting after he kicked it—it’s all still just based on his perceptions. Johnson can’t argue that he knows anything other than what his senses have told him.

MALE PROFESSOR: You know what you just did?

FEMALE STUDENT: Told you something that’s not relevant anywhere but a philosophy class?

MALE PROFESSOR: No. You demonstrated well-developed analytical skills. Philosophy majors can critique other people’s reasoning, make a convincing argument, summarize… and communicate very effectively. These things are important in any career. And in life!

FEMALE STUDENT: OK, but… still! You don’t see any of that in job descriptions!

MALE: Really? Oh, I think you do. I’ve seen so many articles lately, by heads of companies in all kinds of fields, complaining that it’s hard to find employees who can do that. Ask at the career services office—they’ll tell you the same thing.

C1Q3.Why does the student mention Johnson and Berkeley?

A. To cast doubt on something the professor said

B. To get the professor’s opinion about a topic from class

C. To indicate that she wishes to change the subject

D. To check whether she has understood a philosophical argument

由"Like what? How Johnson tried to refute Berkeley’s empiricism?""Told you something that’s not relevant anywhere but a philosophy class?“这两句可知，学生讲了一个自己认为只和哲学有关而与就业无关的故事，来反驳材料上面，教授一开始提及的"you know lots of things that are valuable in any career”。

C1Q4.What does the student imply about Johnson’s argument?

A. It is more convincing than Berkeley’s argument.

B. It disproves an accepted theory.

C. it demonstrates the existence of physical matter

D. It fails to prove the point he was trying to make.

细节题"FEMALE STUDENT: Well, not that I’m convinced by Berkeley either, but I really don’t think Johnson refuted anything. And I think Berkeley would just say that Johnson still doesn’t know anything apart from what he senses. Seeing the stone, feeling his foot hurting after he kicked it—it’s all still just based on his perceptions. Johnson can’t argue that he knows anything other than what his senses have told him."

C1Q5.Why does the professor tell the student to go to the career services office?

A. To research summer internship opportunities

B. To ask how to include her skills on her resume

C. To read job descriptions for careers in philosophy

D. To confirm that her skills are valuable to employers

这里要注意"career services office"的内容不要和后面的"our department"的搞混，关于"career services office"只提到了"Ask at the career services office—they’ll tell you the same thing.“而这个"same thing"代指了前文的” … complaining that it’s hard to find employees who can do that."“很多公司高管抱怨找不到能够批判性思考的员工”

C2Q2.Why do the students want to get to the theater early?

A. To purchase their concert tickets

B. To avoid rush hour traffic

C. To be able to get good seats

D. To have time to eat dinner

细节题，但是和时间有关的信息有些多，错选的时候混掉了，“We already have tickets, but this theater doesn’t have assigned seating—so we need to get there early—like around seven thirty—to get good seats.”

C2Q5.What information will the woman give the man tomorrow?

A. The cost of the concert tickets

B. The hourly charges for van drivers

C. The amount of money the students need to deposit

D. The amount of money the students still owe

FEMALE EMPLOYEE: I’ll have to run a few numbers to get the final cost. Vans are a lot cheaper than buses but we’ll have to pay for two drivers—they’ll charge us by the hour. Of course, you’ll get the normal student discount from the van company, and I’ll deduct your deposit. I can let you know the balance tomorrow.

经济学的词汇不足问题，"deposit"表示钱的时候，有“存款；预付款，定金；押金”的意思，"deduct"为“减，减去；扣除”，"owe"为“欠债；该偿还”，"balance"为“结存，结余；差额”

雇员问学生今天有没有带押金(deposit)，学生说带了，说他同学都知道之后还得再付押金之外的更多的钱，雇员说我明天算好把差额(balance)告诉你。

L3Q1.What aspect of archaeology in Iceland does the professor mainly discuss?

A. Various techniques for dating archaeological sites

B. Causes of damage to a Viking-era house

C. Evidence of early agricultural tools

D. A method for locating buried structures

BC易排除，回看材料，前半部分都在交代冰岛的背景，以及移民"Thorfinsson"的故事，而后半部分，从"But, back to my point… one team of archaeologists working there decided to use an electromagnetic remote sensing tool to try to locate buried structures."介绍了这个工具的原理，以及考古学家如何用它来找到了遗迹。文章最后再点题"Thank goodness for the remote sensing tool, or this house might never have been found!“表明了重点是这个"tool"而没有"various techniques”。

L3Q4.According to the professor ,what kind of data does the remote sensing tool provide?

A. The approximate age of different types of buried structures

B. The electrical conductivity of the ground at different locations

C. The chemical composition of different types of soil and peat

D. The temperature of the ground at different depths

结合材料"So the tool sends down alternating currents of electricity and then measures how well the electric current travels though the ground in different places.

Then you look at all of your data… look for patterns of electrical resistance… and this reveals where walls are located." 可见与选项B同义。

这一套TPO的听力确实是难做，第一篇的哲学，一下子大段的"Johnson and Berkeley"，且充斥着"perceive"这样的哲学词汇，听了4遍才可以说是明白了。

第二篇对话就是最后算钱的部分，各种词汇量不足的问题了。

TPO57

L2Q2.Why does the professor mention rocks from Earth’s moon?

A. To compare the surface of Earth’s moon to the surface of a moon of Jupiter

B. To stress the need for further exploration of space

C. To explain a way of calculating the absolute age of surfaces of planets or moons

D. To show how to identify a secondary impact on the surface of Earth’s moon

But absolute age, actual age, is trickier. We have to know exactly how old one surface is. For example, we do have a very clear idea of the ages of some surfaces of the moon from rocks we brought back and then this information can allow us to extrapolate the age of another surface that has a similar concentration of craters.

L2Q6.What does the professor imply about information obtained from space probes?

A. The information was probably distorted during transmission to Earth

B. The information helped determine the age of most planetary surface features.

C. Some of the information is at present difficult to interpret correctly

D. The information applies only to the moons of Jupiter.

You know, we’re getting great information and photos from our space probes all the time, but they also remind us of just how much more we need to learn.

Lecture2是太空学话题，经典的听不太懂，然后在这一篇上试了下精听法，确实能把这篇听得很明白，但有些耗时间，换了新题效果就不好说。

20250531 - 1

C1Q5.Why does the man say this to the student:

I’d be happy to answer your question, but are you a psychology major?

A. To recommend an appropriate professor as her departmental advisor
B. To confirm that she has already taken an introductory psychology course
C. To let her know which psychology courses she is required to take
D. To determine if she is eligible to assist professors in the department

显然此句出现在对话的开始部分，那么结合后面说有两个不合适的工作来看，应该是选D的

I don’t doubt your interest in psychology. It’s just that unfortunately, the part time jobs we have for students are either grading homework or else being a research assistant for one of the professors. But you wouldn’t qualify for either of those until at least your third year. Have you tried the student employment office?

C2Q2.Why does the man mention that he saw a golden eagle in the wild?

A. To make a point about the rarity of golden eagles in the local area
B. To ask if course credit is given for independent fieldwork
C. To suggest a news item for the biology department’s Web site
D. To question a finding of a wildlife survey about golden eagles

And I actually saw a golden eagle at a tree near the river last winter. I’ve lived here in

Minnesota all my life and had never seen a golden eagle in the wild before.

(woman) I know. Golden eagles didn’t use to visit our area on any regular basis. But

according to winter wildlife surveys done over the past few years, around sixty had begun

hanging out around the cliffs overlooking the upper Mississippi river during the month of

January.

C2Q3.According to the woman, what prompted some members of the biology faculty to apply for a grant?

A. Their desire to increase the number of internships offered to biology students.
B. Their interest in upgrading the department’s radio-tracking technology
C. The recent appearance of golden eagles wintering nearby
D. A proposal by a graduate student to conserve the golden eagle’s winter habitat

(woman) When the winter survey showed a pattern, Professor Simmons and some other

faculty thought the first step of understanding these birds would be to track their

movements. So they applied for a research grant and got it.

L3Q3.Why does the professor mention Thomas Jefferson?

A. To cite a contemporary account of the weather written in 1816
B. To explain the origin of a theory about the Sun’s magnetic cycles
C. To give Jefferson credit for sending explorers to carefully study volcanoes
D. To show how the strange weather events affected Jefferson’s presidency

There was widespread snowfall in June, followed by more cold spells in July and

August. Historians can point to a number of contemporary diaries from the northeast and

beyond, including Jefferson’s, that’s Thomas Jefferson of course, a former president who

had retired to his home down in Virginia, diaries that recorded and remarked on the

extraordinarily cold temperatures that year.

A选项是指“引用1816年所写的一篇关于天气的当代记述”，即用名人Jefferson的记载来说明当年的情况。

20251015

C1Q5.What does the student imply when she says this:

Oh, you’re right! Oh, but no, I don’t think they actually let us take reserved books out of the library, like, you have to sit there and read them. So as much as I’d love to just live in the library these next couple of weeks!

A. She is already using too many library books.
B. She does not have time to do all of the reading in the library.
C. She would rather use a library book than buy her own copy.
D. She prefers studying in the library to studying in her room.

C2Q3.What does the professor emphasize about the play The Adding Machine?

A. It was the first Surrealist play.
B. It was more popular than other Expressionist plays.
C. Its characters sang or danced to express their happiness.
D. It used very few props.

(woman) Not really. Although that one play, The Adding Machine, that you were just alluding to with all the paper.
(man) Yeah?
(woman) That one did attract a large audience when it first came out, perhaps because it was more accessible than your typical expressionist play, which might have seemed even stranger.

L2Q6.What does the professor imply about the debate over Olmsted’s proposal?

A. It showed off Olmsted’s stubbornness in refusing to compromise his ideas.
B. It caused delays in the completion of the park.
C. It was motivated largely by economic considerations.
D. It led to the inclusion of ideas from some of the losing plans.

There was a great deal of debate, a lot of it political in nature, but, eventually, Olmsted accepted the compromise that actually turned out to work in the park’s favor.

原文中明确提到，批评者中有人希望修改方案，以“包含一些出现在落选方案（losing plans）中的想法”。教授接着说，奥姆斯特德最终“接受了妥协（accepted the compromise）”。

20251108

L3Q4.What is the professor’s attitude regarding the destruction of the Cassini spacecraft?

A. He suspects that it resulted from a mechanical problem.
B. He recognized that it was necessary.
C. He is surprised that it happened so quickly.
D. He is impressed by the efforts undertaken to avoid it.

And so in April 2017, the scientists and engineers in control of the mission used the remaining fuel to change Cassini’s orbit and send the spacecraft hurdling into Saturn, where it burned up in Saturn’s thick atmosphere. Couldn’t they have kept it going until it ran out of fuel?

科学家们是有意利用最后的燃料改变轨道，让它在土星大气层中烧毁，以彻底消除后文的风险（If that happened, we’d be changing the Enceladus environment before we had a chance to fully explore it. We’d never know what Enceladus was like originally.）。

L3Q6.Why does the professor make the point that the existence of liquid water on Enceladus was a discovery made by the Cassini spacecraft?

A. To argue for the importance of space missions such as the Cassini mission
B. To make a contrast between the Cassini mission and earlier missions to Saturn.
C. To emphasize the sophistication of the instruments on the Cassini spacecraft.
D. To justify a decision that was made before the Cassini spacecraft was launched.

Well, when Cassini was launched in 1997, we didn’t know yet about Enceladus’s ocean. That ocean was discovered in the course of the Cassini mission when the spacecraft orbited that moon.

教授说，消毒级别取决于该航天器进入支持生命的世界的可能性。而在 1997 年 Cassini 发射时，“我们还不知道土卫二有海洋（we didn’t know yet about Enceladus’s ocean）”。

教授强调这个发现是在任务过程中才做出的，是为了证明（justify）当初发射时为什么没有采取最高级别消毒措施这一决定是合理的——因为在当时的认知下，没有必要。

Speaking

TPO60

Q1.A university wants to require all students to have their own laptop computers. Do you agree or disagree with this policy? Give specific reasons to support your opinion.

[Main Point] “I strongly agree with the policy that all students should have their own laptops.”

[Transition] “I feel this way primarily because it creates a distraction-free and highly efficient learning environment.”

[Deep Support] “Specifically, having a personal device allows students to customize their study tools and access a vast number of online materials instantly during lectures. For example, last semester, when I was preparing for a complex math exam, I used my laptop to search for video tutorials and academic papers right in the library. In contrast, if I had to rely on school desktop computers, I would have wasted a lot of time queuing and transferring files, which is quite frustrating. By having my own laptop, I could stay focused, which helped me recharge my passion for the subject and ultimately achieve full marks.”

[Conclusion] “Thus, the convenience and efficiency it provides make it an indispensable tool for students.”

效率角度

TPO63

State Main Point “I disagree with the statement that teachers should not be too friendly to their students.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because a friendly teacher can significantly boost a student’s confidence and interest in learning.”

The Deep Support (核心展开) “Specifically, when a teacher is approachable and encouraging, students feel safe to ask questions without being judged. For example, I used to struggle with chemistry and was too shy to speak up because I feared making mistakes. However, my teacher was always smiling and comforting, which made me feel refreshed and more willing to study harder. In contrast, if she had been strict or distant, I would have stayed frustrated and likely failed the final exam. Thanks to her kindness, I finally obtained full marks and developed a lifelong interest in the subject.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe friendliness is an essential quality for effective teaching.”

心理角度

TPO64

Q1.Some people prefer to get information from books. Others prefer using a computer to access information via the Internet. Which do you prefer?

State Your Main Point “I definitely prefer using a computer to access information via the Internet rather than relying on books.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because the Internet offers unparalleled efficiency and a much wider variety of resources.”

The Deep Support (Reinforced) “Specifically, searching for information online allows for instant results, which eliminates the need to spend hours in a library. For example, last week I had to research a complex historical event for a class assignment. By simply typing keywords into a search engine, I accessed dozens of academic articles and primary sources in seconds. In contrast, if I had used physical books, I would have struggled to find updated information, making the process much more frustrating and time-consuming. This convenient access helped me complete my work early and obtain full marks.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe the speed and accessibility of the Internet make it a far superior tool for learning.”

效率角度

TPO65

Q1.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Having power and money is the best definition of success.

State Your Main Point “I strongly disagree with the idea that having power and money is the best definition of success.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because I believe true success is defined by personal fulfillment and making a positive impact on others.”

The Deep Support (Reinforced) “Specifically, relying solely on material wealth can lead to a hollow life, whereas pursuing one’s passion leads to long-term happiness. For example, I have an uncle who was a high-paid corporate executive with immense power, but he was always stressed out and rarely saw his family. Eventually, he quit to become a high school teacher. Although he earns less money now, he feels much more refreshed and fulfilled because he is helping students achieve full marks and grow. In contrast, if he had stayed in his powerful position, he would have remained miserable despite his bank account. This proves that personal growth and helping others provide a much deeper sense of accomplishment.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe that happiness and contribution are far better measures of success than mere wealth or status.”

TPO66

Q1.

State Your Main Point “I agree with the point of view that a college education is not strictly necessary for a successful career.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because real-world practical skills and personal passion often override theoretical knowledge in many industries.”

The Deep Support “Specifically, success is increasingly defined by one’s ability to solve problems rather than just holding a degree. For example, many successful entrepreneurs in the technology sector started their own businesses based on a unique idea and self-taught coding skills. In contrast, if they had spent four years only focusing on textbooks in a classroom, they might have missed the keen competition and fast-changing trends of the market. By following their own learning pace and gaining hands-on experience, they were able to achieve personal fulfillment and even create job opportunities for others. This proves that while college is valuable, it is not the only path to becoming a mature adult with a flourishing career.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe that determination and practical experience are the true drivers of success.”

TPO67

Q1.

State Your Main Point “I believe it is a much better idea for international students to stay with a host family rather than living on their own.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because it offers a cost-effective way to master a second language in a natural environment.”

The Deep Support (核心展开) “Specifically, living with locals is the most efficient way to improve speaking skills because you are forced to communicate in the target language daily. For example, instead of just learning from textbooks, you can practice real-life conversations during dinner, which helps broaden your horizons. Moreover, it significantly saves money and transportation fees. Host families often provide meals and furniture, which alleviates monetary pressure for students. In contrast, if a student lives alone, they not only pay higher rent but also lack the opportunity to interact with native speakers, often feeling isolated. This convenient arrangement ensures students can focus more on their studies and achieve full marks.”

Conclusion “Therefore, the linguistic and financial benefits make a host family the superior choice.”

经济 + 社交角度

TPO68

State Your Main Point “I disagree with the statement that all workers should be required to retire by age sixty-five.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because continuing to work can significantly improve mental health and utilize the valuable experience of older employees.”

The Deep Support (核心展开) “Specifically, many individuals at sixty-five are still physically active and find a great sense of personal fulfillment through their careers. For example, my grandfather continued to work as a consultant after sixty-five; this constant interaction with colleagues kept him refreshed and prevented the social isolation often associated with retirement. Moreover, older workers possess sophisticated skills and profound knowledge that younger staff may lack. In contrast, if companies force these experts to retire prematurely, they lose a wealth of wisdom, which can lead to inefficiency in the workplace. Staying active in one’s profession is a crucial way for seniors to stay connected to society.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe retirement should be a personal choice based on an individual’s health and capability rather than a fixed age.”

心理角度

TPO69

State Your Main Point “I personally prefer to take a lot of photographs during family gatherings or meetings with friends.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because photos serve as a lasting record of personal fulfillment and happiness.”

The Deep Support (Reinforced) “Specifically, capturing these special moments allows me to relive the joy whenever I feel stressed out in the future. For example, during our last family reunion, I took dozens of pictures of us laughing and sharing a meal. Now, whenever I face a heavy workload at school, looking at those photos helps me feel refreshed and reminds me of the support I have. In contrast, if I didn’t take any photos, those precious memories might fade over time, leaving me with nothing to look back on during challenging times. This simple act ultimately boosts my confidence and mental well-being.”

心理角度

TPO70

State Your Main Point “When I was a child, I much preferred playing games outdoors because I believe it is the most effective way to improve social skills.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because outdoor activities often require teamwork and constant interaction with peers.”

The Deep Support (核心展开) “Specifically, playing sports like soccer or hide-and-seek forces children to communicate, negotiate, and cooperate to achieve a common goal. For example, I remember spending every afternoon at the local park with a large group of neighborhood kids. Through these games, I learned how to resolve conflicts and support my teammates, which boosted my confidence in social situations. In contrast, if I had stayed inside playing video games alone, I would have missed these crucial opportunities to broaden my horizons and build lasting friendships. This early experience in a vibrant social environment eventually helped me become a more communicative and mature adult.”

Conclusion “Therefore, I believe outdoor play is essential for developing the interpersonal skills needed for future success.”

社交角度

TPO71

State Your Main Point “I personally agree with the statement that the process of doing something is more important than the final result.”

Transition “I feel this way primarily because the process is where true personal growth occurs and where we develop essential skills for the future.”

The Deep Support (核心展开) “Specifically, even if the end result is not perfect, the dedication and persistence we show during the process help foster a diligent personality. For example, I remember when I first started learning to play the piano. At first, I couldn’t play even a simple scale fluently, let alone beautiful melodies. However, I kept practicing unfamiliar passages for hours every day. Although I didn’t win any major competitions in the end, that constant interaction with the music and the effort I put in boosted my confidence and taught me the value of persistence. In contrast, if I only cared about the result, I would have felt frustrated by my early failures and given up, missing out on this chance to improve my characteristic. I believe these internal gains are much more valuable than any trophy.”

Conclusion “Therefore, the journey and the lessons learned along the way are what truly define success.”

Writing

20250315 - Integrated Writing

Reading

Fluoride, a chemical compound derived from the element fluorine, is added to public water supplies in some areas of the United States. Most public health experts have concluded that fluoride should continue to be added to public supplies because fluoride has proven health benefits.

It is well established, for example, that fluoride prevents dental cavities, a form of tooth decay. Many studies over the last 50 years have shown that people who have fluoride in their drinking water are considerably less likely to develop cavities than are people who drink nonfluoridated water. The apparent reason for this is that fluoride bonds to the surfaces of teeth, making teeth stronger and more resistant to the formation of cavities.

Another reason fluoride is commonly added to public drinking water is that it destroys harmful bacteria and organisms in the water supply. Because fluoride is mildly toxic, low levels of fluoride can be used to kill harmful bacteria without hurting humans. Thus the addition of fluoride to purify drinking water can safely prevent people from drinking water that could potentially be harmful.

Finally, fluoride can lower the risk of the bone disease known as osteoporosis, which is common in the elderly. People with osteoporosis are at high risk of bone fractures because they have low levels of bone mass and poor bone quality. Studies in Britain have shown that fluoride increases the activity of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. Increased osteoblast activity can lead to greater bone density and therefore fewer bone fractures among the elderly.

Listening

[00:00:00:7200] Narrator:

Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.

[00:00:06:88200] Professor:

As you discovered in the reading, fluoride has some potentially important health

benefits, but that’s not the issue. The issue is whether it’s a good idea to add fluoride

to public water supplies. A lot of people don’t think so.

[00:00:20:29700] Professor:

First, there are a lot of ways to obtain fluoride besides adding it to the public water

supply. For example, fluoride is often added to toothpaste. That makes sense

because fluoride prevents cavities when it’s applied to the surface of teeth. In fact,

when the fluoride is in the drinking water, most of it is simply swallowed. So for the

purpose of preventing cavities, it’s inefficient and wasteful to add fluoride to the

public water supply.

[00:00:47:32400] Professor:

Second, there are better ways to purify public water supplies than adding fluoride.

You see, public water typically travels through metal pipes that often contain lead.

Fluoride can react chemically with lead, and this chemical interaction, called leaching,

causes lead in the water pipes to enter into the water. Lead is potentially harmful if

ingested, and there’s just no good reason to expose people to this risk. There are

other, equally effective ways to purify water that do not raise the lead level of

drinking water.

[00:01:21:74700] Narrator:

Finally, too much fluoride can actually increase the risk of bone fracture. High doses

of fluoride can cause osteoblasts to become overactive, thereby making the bones

brittle and inflexible, and therefore even more likely to break. When fluoride is in the

water supply, individuals can’t control how much fluoride they’re taking in, and so

they have fewer defenses against the bone problems. Too much fluoride can cause

for fluoride to be effective as a preventative measure or treatment for bone disease.

It must be administered in known, carefully calculated doses, not simply put in all

supplies of drinking water.

Write-up

We can learn from the reading that fluoride is a chemical compound that is added to public water supplies in the United States and it has proven health benefits. Three theories are proposed in the reading showing its benefits, while all of them are refuted by the lecture, which states that it’s not a good idea to add fluoride to public water.

First, the reading claims that fluoride prevents dental cavities, a form of tooth decay, as fluoride bonds to the surface of teeth to make teeth stronger. However, the lecture claims that there is no need for people to obtain fluoride from public water. For example, toothpaste with fluoride can also prevent tooth decay and reduce the waste of fluoride. Besides, it’s wasteful because most of the fluoride is swallowed but does not remain on teeth.

Second, the reading indicates that fluoride destroys harmful bacteria and organisms since it’s mildly toxic without hurting humans. Nevertheless, the lecture counteracts the idea: fluoride shouldn’t be used to purify water as it reacts with other chemical elements in public water pipes, which poses potential risks to humans.

Third, the reading demonstrates that fluoride lowers the risk of osteoporosis, a kind of bone disease, which is reflected by that fluoride increases the activity of osteoblasts, leading to greater bone density. Still, the lecture argues against such opinion - too much fluoride could increase the risk of osteoporosis. Even the worse, it’s difficult for people to control how much fluoride they should obtain because it exists in public water.

Answer generated by LINGOLEAP AI

The reading outlines the benefits of adding fluoride, a chemical compound, to public water supplies in the United States, citing its health advantages. However, the lecture challenges these claims by arguing against the addition of fluoride to public water.

Firstly, the reading asserts that fluoride helps prevent dental cavities by bonding to tooth surfaces and strengthening them. In contrast, the lecture contends that obtaining fluoride from public water is unnecessary. It suggests that using fluoride toothpaste is a more efficient method for preventing tooth decay since it directly applies fluoride to teeth surfaces. Moreover, adding fluoride to water is deemed wasteful because most of it is ingested rather than retained on teeth.

Secondly, while the reading posits that fluoride can eliminate harmful bacteria due to its mild toxicity without harming humans, the lecture disputes this claim. It highlights that using fluoride for water purification poses risks because it can chemically react with lead in metal pipes, leading to potential lead contamination in drinking water. The lecture suggests alternative purification methods that do not increase lead levels.

Lastly, the reading argues that fluoride reduces osteoporosis risk by enhancing osteoblast activity and increasing bone density. However, the lecture refutes this by stating that excessive fluoride intake can make bones brittle and more prone to fractures. Since individuals cannot control their fluoride intake from public water supplies, they are at risk of consuming harmful amounts. Therefore, precise dosing is necessary for any therapeutic use of fluoride in bone disease prevention or treatment. (253 words)

Mind-Map

Essay Structure:
  - Introduction
    - Topic: Fluoride in public water
    - Reading's stance: Supports fluoride addition
    - Lecture's stance: Opposes fluoride addition

  - Body Paragraph 1: Dental Health
    - Reading: 
      - Fluoride prevents cavities
      - Bonds to tooth surfaces
    - Lecture:
      - Unnecessary from water
      - Toothpaste is more efficient
      - Wasteful ingestion

  - Body Paragraph 2: Water Purification
    - Reading:
      - Eliminates harmful bacteria
      - Mild toxicity safe for humans
    - Lecture:
      - Risks of lead contamination
      - Chemical reaction with pipes
      - Suggests alternative methods

  - Body Paragraph 3: Bone Health
    - Reading:
      - Reduces osteoporosis risk 
      - Enhances osteoblast activity 
    - Lecture:
      - Excessive intake makes bones brittle 
      - Risk of fractures 
      - Need for precise dosing

  Conclusion:
    Summary of conflicting views on fluoride use in public water.

AI Evaluation

1.Sub Scores

Task fulfillment: 4.0
Organization: 3.5
Coherence and Cohesion: 4.0
Language Use: 3.5

2.Estimated Scores

Estimated Score: 25 (out of 30)

3.Task completeness The essay does a good job of summarizing the points made in the lecture and explaining how they challenge the specific arguments presented in the reading passage. However, there is room for improvement in terms of providing more detailed explanations and examples from the lecture to support your points.

Suggestions for improvement:

Expand on the examples provided in the lecture to better illustrate your points.
Make sure to directly address each argument from the reading passage and explain how it is challenged by the lecture.

Examples:

Instead of just stating that fluoride reacts with other chemical elements in public water pipes, you could mention that fluoride can react chemically with lead, causing lead to enter into the water, which is potentially harmful if ingested.
You could mention that high doses of fluoride can cause osteoblasts to become overactive, making bones brittle and inflexible, increasing the risk of bone fractures.

4.Essay structure and organization The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing each point from the reading passage, and a conclusion. However, some transitions between ideas could be improved for better coherence.

Suggestions for improvement:

Use clearer transitions between ideas within paragraphs.
Ensure that each paragraph focuses on one specific point from the reading passage and its corresponding challenge from the lecture.

Examples:

In your second paragraph, you could use a transition like “On the other hand” or “In contrast” before presenting the counterargument from the lecture.
When discussing how fluoride reacts with other chemical elements in public water pipes, you could start a new paragraph focusing solely on this point instead of combining it with the previous point about purifying water.

20250315 - Academic Discussion

Reading

Your professor is teaching a class on sociology.Write a post responding to the
professor’s question.In your response,you should do the following:express and
support your personal opinion;make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Dr.Achebe:This week,we will be discussing space exploration.Some people think
that it is a waste of money for governments to fund space exploration.Others disagree
with this view arguing that space exploration is a valuable and necessary investment
for our future.They think that it is worthy for governments to fund space exploration.
I want to know what you think about this topic. Do you think that governments
should fund space exploration?Why or why not?

Kelly: I don’t think that governments should fund space exploration because it will be
too costly to build spaceships and develop related technologies.Though space
exploration tech costs billions,it doesn’t offer direct benefits to most people,which
makes its funding a controversial issue

Andrew: Personally, I do think that all the costs will be worth it. The potential scientific
discoveries and technological advancements could have far-reaching impacts that
justify the initial investment.Imagine the new inventions that might come from this
exploration.Such technology could greatly improve our everyday lives.

Write-up

As far as I am concerned, governments should fund space exploration, since it will definitely promote the development of technology and improve our daily lives.

To be more specific, space exploration drives technological innovations, and many space technologies are adapted for civilian use, directly improving people’s quality of life and promoting the prosperity of related industries.

For instance, there are seeds of organic vegetable being brought to space station or other plants like the Mars, result in more productive and highly adaptable species, due to space exploration.

Nevertheless, some state that it’s too costly for governments to fund space exploration. However, with the funding of government, space exploration will show its massive value, which promote economic increase and make civilian life better.

实际上手一写，发现语言匮乏，且Concession部分不是很会，所幸有AI帮助，我认为解决了总结段的重复问题

将 promote the development 改为 catalyzes technological breakthroughs（催化技术突破），表达更有力度。

将 seeds of organic vegetable being brought to space 修正为更专业的 agricultural experiments in microgravity environments。

使用了 incubator (孵化器) 和 economic dividends (经济红利) 等词汇，使论证从“科学研究”自然过渡到“经济价值”。

原稿最后一段只是在重复自己的观点。修改版使用了 “short-sighted view” (短视) 来定性 Kelly 的观点，并解释了“短期投入”与“长期回报”的关系。

Answer generated by Gemini

As far as I am concerned, governments should prioritize funding space exploration, as it inevitably catalyzes technological breakthroughs that refine our daily lives.

To be more specific, space research often acts as an incubator for civilian innovations, directly enhancing public welfare and industrial prosperity. For instance, agricultural experiments in microgravity environments—such as those conducted on the International Space Station—have led to the development of “space seeds.” These genetically resilient crops offer significantly higher yields and better resistance to pests, providing a tangible solution to global food security.

While Kelly argues that the exorbitant costs make space funding controversial, I believe this is a short-sighted view. Although the initial capital outlay is massive, the subsequent economic dividends—from job creation in high-tech sectors to the birth of entirely new industries—far outweigh the costs, making it a vital investment for any visionary government.