Section C: Reading Comprehension
Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.
As interdependent beings we cannot thrive independent of others. We like to work with people who are like-minded, with whom we share a common interest, or who also believe in a cause we are serious about. This is evident in how we have organised ourselves into various collective groups such as nations, regions, communities, organisations, and families.
Does the group you belong to have a strong collective consciousness or shared beliefs? Is there interdependence among its members? Do you consider this group a significant part of your existence? If your answers are affirmative, then you are experiencing a micro version of solidarity.
What is solidarity? Its simplest definition in the dictionary is: “…a unifying opinion, feeling, purpose or interest among a group of people.”
In this increasingly diverse society we live in, solidarity takes on a complex and multifaceted character as it forms bonds of interdependence among unique individuals living in a fast-changing environment and working within a complex division of labour.
One facet of solidarity fits well with the principles of communitarianism (社群主义). In this setting, individuals give up their own interests to serve the common good. However, its strict adherence to social cohesiveness and exclusiveness restricts expression and practice of individual differences and preferences. Consequently, individuality and autonomy is sacrificed to maintain the unity of the group.
Solidarity is also viewed as a reaction to the extreme emphasis on individualism and freedom of choice. It goes against the liberal idea of unrestricted individuals who see society as a hindrance to their freedom to make choices and to act according to what is good for them regardless of how these will affect others.
But despite its many facets, social theorists have viewed solidarity as a key factor in bringing about order and progress in society. They believe that for human society to survive as it becomes more diverse, more new bonds need to be formed based on the differences. In the light of this, they regard a genuine solidarity as more than just shallow relationships based on common interests. Solidarity is not just a product of strategic calculations of how much it will benefit the self. It is not an exclusive class founded on the you-and-me-against-the-world principle. Rather, it is inclusive and is not forced. Acting out of solidarity means supporting and standing up for each other — in recognition that one’s fate is in the fate of the other. It is a bond characterised by cooperative practices and strengthened by the concern for the well-being of others or the common good. It fights for the protection of human dignity and listens to and acts on the cries of the most vulnerable.
Passage Two
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.
People who repeatedly give unwanted advice can be well-meaning and genuinely want to help. Others might do this out of a sense of self-worth around the ability to influence others. One study found that people with a high tendency to seek power were more likely to give advice than those with an opposite tendency.
Under the guise (外表) of unselfishness, people may be driven to give you unwanted advice because it makes them feel powerful or in control. They may not be fully aware of this drive, however.
These people may also display a problematic degree of emotional vulnerability, becoming upset very quickly, and taking a long time to calm down. It is possible that their emotions were only validated in childhood when they were at their loudest, encouraging them to adopt responses to discomfort that are excessive in most situations.
When someone is giving advice in order to make themselves feel more powerful, there is underlying anxiety to their behavior that recipients of the advice tend to notice. It can be tempting in this situation to react harshly to the advice giver and to accuse them of being manipulative, but this approach might produce an undesirable result.
If the act of giving advice is contributing actively to someone’s feelings of self-worth, an outright (直率的) rejection may be perceived as a threat, activating their fight-or-flight response, possibly causing them to double down on their validation-seeking behavior, or leading to a larger conflict.
The key is to validate without over-identifying. You can let them know that you have heard them and appreciate where they are coming from without taking on the potentially damaging narrative that you could not have gotten by without their help. You had better say something like, “Thanks for the idea. I have my own plan for handling this, but I really appreciate your perspective and will take it into consideration. Can I let you know when I need help in the future?”
If you have trouble setting boundaries tactfully, prioritize working on your own ability to self-regulate. As uncomfortable as it may make you continuously receiving unwanted advice, if you can respond with compassion, the situation will likely diffuse much faster.
Though it is usually not the intended outcome of giving unsolicited advice, many who receive it often feel stressed, offended, or simply annoyed by unwanted suggestions. Setting a boundary in this regard, if you feel you need one, is perfectly reasonable and something that can bring you increased emotional safety.
It is best to set boundaries in a way that takes into account the individual’s underlying reasons for doing what they are doing to avoid unnecessary conflict and more stress.
Answers & Explanations (答案与解析)
Passage One
46. A。解析：题干问关于人类作者说了什么。定位至第一段首句：“As interdependent beings we cannot thrive independent of others.”（作为相互依赖的生物，我们无法脱离他人而繁荣）。选项A“如果不互相合作，他们就无法繁荣”完美同义替换了该句。
47. B。解析：题干问在一个日益多元化的社会中，我们对团结有什么了解。定位至第四段首句：“In this increasingly diverse society we live in, solidarity takes on a complex and multifaceted character...”（在我们生活的这个日益多元化的社会中，团结呈现出一种复杂和多层面的特征）。选项B“它涉及具有极大复杂性的许多方面”对应 complex and multifaceted character。
48. C。解析：题干问在社群主义的环境中我们会见证什么。定位至第五段第二句：“In this setting, individuals give up their own interests to serve the common good.”（在这种环境下，个人放弃自己的利益以服务于公共利益）。选项C“为了共同利益而牺牲个人利益”直接转述了这句话。
49. B。解析：题干问根据文章，团结蕴含着什么。定位至第六段首句：“Solidarity is also viewed as a reaction to the extreme emphasis on individualism...”（团结也被视为对极端强调个人主义的一种反应/对抗）。选项B“对个人主义的反对”准确表达了这一含义。
50. C。解析：题干问社会理论家如何看待团结。定位至最后一段首句：“...social theorists have viewed solidarity as a key factor in bringing about order and progress in society.”（社会理论家将团结视为在社会中带来秩序和进步的关键因素）。选项C“它对社会的进步和秩序至关重要”与原句完全一致。
Passage Two
51. D。解析：题干问一项关于不断给予不请自来建议的人的研究发现了什么。定位至第一段第三句：“One study found that people with a high tendency to seek power were more likely to give advice...”（一项研究发现，有强烈寻求权力倾向的人更有可能给出建议）。选项D“他们倾向于渴望权力”对应 seek power。
52. B。解析：题干问那些被驱使给你多余建议的人有什么问题。定位至第三段首句：“These people may also display a problematic degree of emotional vulnerability...”（这些人还可能表现出成问题的严重情感脆弱性）。选项B“他们可能在情感上很脆弱”对应 emotional vulnerability。
53. D。解析：题干问当注意到建议给予者潜在的焦虑时，建议接受者很容易做什么。定位至第四段第二句：“It can be tempting in this situation to react harshly to the advice giver and to accuse them of being manipulative...”（在这种情况下，人们很容易对给出建议的人做出严厉反应，并指责他们具有操纵性）。选项D“指责他们试图控制别人”对应 accuse them of being manipulative (manipulative 即试图操纵/控制别人)。
54. A。解析：题干问建议给予者可能对他们建议被拒绝作何反应。定位至第五段首句：“...an outright rejection may be perceived as a threat...”（直截了当的拒绝可能会被视为一种威胁）。选项A“他们可能认为它是一种威胁”完全契合原文。
55. C。解析：题干问为了避免不必要的冲突，建议接受者应该做什么。定位至文章最后一段最后一句：“It is best to set boundaries in a way that takes into account the individual’s underlying reasons for doing what they are doing to avoid unnecessary conflict...”（为了避免不必要的冲突，最好在设定界限时考虑到个人这么做的潜在原因）。选项C“理解为什么建议给予者提供建议”对应 takes into account the individual's underlying reasons。
核心搭配与高分句型
【核心搭配与高频短语】
take on：呈现(面貌、特征等)，承担（solidarity takes on a complex and multifaceted character）
serve the common good：服务于公共利益（give up their own interests to serve the common good）
go against：违背，反对（It goes against the liberal idea）
bring about：引起，导致（bringing about order and progress in society）
stand up for：支持，维护（supporting and standing up for each other）
under the guise of：在...的伪装/幌子下（Under the guise of unselfishness）
double down：加倍下注，变本加厉（causing them to double down on their validation-seeking behavior）
take into consideration / account：考虑到，顾及（will take it into consideration / takes into account the individual’s underlying reasons）
【亮点句型解析】
Not just... Rather... 对比递进结构：
"Solidarity is not just a product of strategic calculations... Rather, it is inclusive and is not forced."
（团结不仅仅是战略计算的产物……相反，它是包容的，并且不是强迫的。）这种结构常用于先否定一种表面的或错误的情况，然后用 `Rather` (相反，而是) 引出作者真正想强调的核心观点，增强论述的深度。
"Solidarity is not just a product of strategic calculations... Rather, it is inclusive and is not forced."
（团结不仅仅是战略计算的产物……相反，它是包容的，并且不是强迫的。）这种结构常用于先否定一种表面的或错误的情况，然后用 `Rather` (相反，而是) 引出作者真正想强调的核心观点，增强论述的深度。
It is possible that... 形式主语从句与时间状语从句嵌套：
"It is possible that their emotions were only validated in childhood when they were at their loudest..."
（有可能他们的情绪只在童年时期他们叫得最响亮的时候才得到认可……） `It is possible that...` 是非常客观的推测句型，其中 `when` 引导的时间状语从句进一步限定了主句发生的情境，逻辑层次分明。
"It is possible that their emotions were only validated in childhood when they were at their loudest..."
（有可能他们的情绪只在童年时期他们叫得最响亮的时候才得到认可……） `It is possible that...` 是非常客观的推测句型，其中 `when` 引导的时间状语从句进一步限定了主句发生的情境，逻辑层次分明。
As 引导的让步状语从句（倒装结构）：
"As uncomfortable as it may make you continuously receiving unwanted advice, if you can respond with compassion, the situation will likely diffuse much faster."
（尽管不断收到不想要的建议可能会让你感到非常不舒服，但如果你能以同情心回应，情况可能会缓解得快得多。） `Adj. + as + 主语 + 谓语` 是一种表示“尽管...”的高级让步状语从句倒装结构，比直接用 `Although` 更具语感和地道性。
"As uncomfortable as it may make you continuously receiving unwanted advice, if you can respond with compassion, the situation will likely diffuse much faster."
（尽管不断收到不想要的建议可能会让你感到非常不舒服，但如果你能以同情心回应，情况可能会缓解得快得多。） `Adj. + as + 主语 + 谓语` 是一种表示“尽管...”的高级让步状语从句倒装结构，比直接用 `Although` 更具语感和地道性。