Section A: Banked Cloze
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.
大脑如何处理事实与可能性
Our brains respond to language expressing facts differently than they do to words conveying possibility, scientists at New York University have recently found. Their work offers new insights into the impact word choice has on how we (26) ______ between statements expressing what is real versus what is merely possible. The researchers assert their findings are important because we are presented with false information all the time. Some of this is (27) ______ , as is the case with deceptive advertisements, but the problem is (28) ______ by individuals who believe they are sharing correct information. Thus, it is more important than ever to separate the factual from the possible or merely (29) ______ in how we communicate. This is especially true as the study makes clear that information presented as fact (30) ______ special responses in our brains, which are distinct from when we process the same content with clear indicators of (31) ______ .
In their new study, the scientists intended to (32) ______ how the brain computes possibilities as expressed by words such as “may,” “might,” and “if”. The researchers compared brain responses to statements expressing actual (33) ______ and those expressing possibility. “There is a monster under my bed” exemplifies a factual statement. “I will stay home,” is also factual. This is opposed to statements that express possibility, like “There might be a monster under my bed,” or “If it rains, I will stay home.” The results of the study showed that factual language (34) ______ a rapid increase in brain activity, with the brain responding more powerfully and showing more engagement with factual phrases compared to those communicating possibility. Thus, facts rule when it comes to the brain. Brain regions involved in processing (35) ______ rapidly distinguish facts from possibilities. Further, these regions respond in a much more robust fashion to factual statements.
Answers & Explanations (答案与解析)
Section A: Banked Cloze
26. E (differentiate)。解析：空格在
how we 之后，需要动词原形。固定搭配 differentiate between A and B 意为“区分A和B”。句意：探讨词汇选择对我们如何“区分”表达真实与可能的陈述的影响。因此填入 differentiate。27. D (deliberate)。解析：空格在系动词
is 之后，需要形容词作表语。前文提到虚假信息，后文举例 deceptive advertisements (欺骗性广告)，说明这些虚假信息是“故意的”。因此填入 deliberate。28. B (aggravated)。解析：空格在
is 和 by individuals 之间，构成被动语态。句意：但那些自以为分享的是正确信息的个人，使得这个问题被“恶化/加剧”了。因此填入 aggravated (加重，恶化)。29. M (speculative)。解析：空格与
the factual (事实) 和 the possible (可能) 并列，受 merely 修饰。需要填入形容词。句意：将事实与可能或仅仅是“推测的”东西区分开来比以往更重要。因此填入 speculative。30. G (evokes)。解析：空格所在从句的主语是
information，需要填入谓语动词，且为单三形式。句意：作为事实呈现的信息会“唤起/引起”大脑特殊的反应。因此填入 evokes。31. O (uncertainty)。解析：空格位于介词
of 之后，需要填入名词。前文讨论事实与可能性，这里指带有明显“不确定性”标志的内容。因此填入 uncertainty。32. C (ascertain)。解析：空格位于不定式符号
to 之后，需要动词原形。句意：科学家们打算“查明/弄清”大脑是如何计算可能性的。因此填入 ascertain。33. L (scenarios)。解析：空格位于形容词
actual 之后，需要名词。与 those expressing possibility (表达可能性的) 对比，这里指表达实际“情景/情况”的陈述。因此填入 scenarios。34. A (activated)。解析：空格所在句的主语是
factual language，需要谓语动词的过去式。句意：研究结果显示，事实性语言“激活了/引发了”大脑活动的快速增加。因此填入 activated。35. F (discourse)。解析：空格在
processing (处理) 之后，需要名词作宾语。句意：参与处理“话语/论述”的大脑区域能够迅速区分事实与可能性。因此填入 discourse。【核心搭配与亮点句型】
differentiate between：区分（how we differentiate between statements）
as is the case with：正如...的情况一样（as is the case with deceptive advertisements）
when it comes to：当谈到...时（facts rule when it comes to the brain）
in a robust fashion：以强烈/稳固的方式（respond in a much more robust fashion）
opposed to：与...相反（This is opposed to statements that express possibility）