考查应试者理解在一定语境中单词或短语意义的能力。本部分为15个句子，每个句子中均有1个词或短语划有底横线，要求应试者从每个句子后面所给的4个选项中选择1个与划线部分意义最相近的词或短语。
1. America s emphasis on the importance of education for everyone has spurred scientific research. A) encouraged B) endangered C) endorsed D) enlarged 2. Photojournalist Margaret White became famous for her coverage of significant events during the Second World War. A) baggage B )orphanage C)reportage D ) usage 3. Below 600 feet ocean waters range from dimly lit to completely dark. A) inadequately B ) hardly C) faintly D) sufficiently 4. "I m not meddling ". Mary said mildly. "I m just curious". A) gently B )shyly C) weakly D) sweetly 5. In 1861 it seemed inevitable that the Southern states would break away from the Union. A) strange B) certain C) inconsistent D) proper 6. Many of novelist Carson McCullers characters are isolated, disappointed people. A) solitary B) gloomy C) feeble D) frugal 7. The workers finally called off the strike. A) put off B) ended C) cancelled D) participated in 8. John has made up his mind not to go to the meeting . A) wanted B) promised C) decided D) agreed 9. I catch cold now and then. A) always B) occasionally C ) constantly D) regularly 10. He often finds fault with my work. A) criticizes B) praises C) evaluates D) talks about 11. The little girl grasped her mother’s arm as she across the street. A) understood B) had a hold over C) took hold of D) left hold of 12. In judging our work you should take into consideration the fact that we have been very busy recently. A) thought B) mind C) account D) memory 13. I can no longer tolerate his actions. A) put up with B) accept C) take D) suffer from 14. The doctors have abandoned the hope to rescue the old man. A) left B) given up C) turned down D) refused 15. Have you talked to her lately? A) lastly B) shortly C) recently D) immediately KEY: ACCABACCBACCABC