Question

The concept of solitude (独处) in the digital world is almost non-existent. In the world of digital technology, e-mail, social networking and online video games, information is meant to be 　 36 . Solitude can be hard to discover 　37 it has been given up. In this respect, new technologies have 　38 our culture.

The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) 　39 as we’ve known it. People have become so 　40 in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted 　41 they’d rather not be. Today we can talk, text, e-mail, chat and blog (写博客), not only from our 　42 , but from our mobile phones as well.

Most developed nations have become 　43 on digital technology simply because they’ve grown accustomed to it, and at this point not 　44 it would make them an outsider. 　45 , many jobs and careers require people to be 　46 . From this point of view, technology has changed the culture of work. Being reachable might feel like a 　47 to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.

I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who 　48 wants it. Computers can be shut 　49 and mobile phones can be turned off. The ability to be “connected” and “on” has many 　50 , as well as disadvantages. Travelers have ended up 　51 on mountains, and mobile phones have saved countless lives. They can also make people feel　 52　 and forced to answer unwanted calls or 　53 to unwanted texts.

Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society 　54 across generations, Some find today’s technology a gift. Others consider it a curse. Regardless of anyone’s view on the subject, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like 　55 daily advancements in technology.

36. A. updated　　 B. received　 　　 C. shared　　 　 D. collected

37. A. though　　 B. until　 　　　　 C. once　　　　 D. before

38. A. respected　 B. shaped　　　 C. ignored　　 　 D. preserved

39. A. edge　　　 　 B. stage　　　 　 C. end　　　　 　 D. balance

40. A. sensitive　　 B. intelligent　　 C. considerate　 D. reachable

41. A. even if　 　 B. only if　　　 C. as if　　　 　 D. if only

42. A. media　　 　 B. computers　 C. databases　　 D. monitors

43. A. bent　　　 B. hard　　　　 C. keen　　　 　 D. dependent

44. A. finding　　 B. using　　　 　 C. protecting　　 D. changing

45. A. Also　　　 B. Instead　　 　 C. Otherwise　 D. Somehow

46. A. connected　 B. trained　　　 C. recommended 　　　 D. interested

47. A. pleasure　 　　 B. benefit　　　 C. burden　　　 D. disappointment

48. A. slightly　　 　 B. hardly　　　 　 C. merely　　　 D. really

49. A. out　　　　 B. down　　　 C. up 　　　　　　　　　 D. in

50. A. aspects　　 B. weaknesses　 C. advantages　 　 D. exceptions

51. A. hidden　　 B. lost　　　　 C. relaxed　　　 D. deserted

52. A. trapped　　 B. excited　　　 C. confused　　 D. amused

53. A. turn　　　 B. submit　　　 C. object　　 　　 D. reply

54. A. vary　　　 B. arise　　　　 C. spread　　 　 D. exist

55. A. beyond　　 　 B. within　　　 C. despite　　 　 D. without

Answer 1

36-40 CCBCD         41-45 ABDBA      46-50 ACDBC    51-55 BADAD