阅读下列短文,根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写一个适当的词,在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
Why was the ox chosen to be one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs( 生肖 )? Centuries ago, most people 1 . (earn)their living through farming. Today, the phrase "the spirit of ox" still refers to overcoming anything 2 . may present itself as an obstacle( 障碍 ). The spirit 3 . (praise) highly and many people follow it as their work principle. When someone achieves a great accomplishment( 成就 )through hard work , people often use "niu", meaning "awesome" 4 . (describe) him or her.
1 . earned
2 . that
3 . is praised
4 . to describe
【分析】
这是一篇说明文。文章对 “ 牛 ” 的精神和内涵进行了介绍。
1 .考查一般过去时。句意:几个世纪以前,大多数人靠务农为生。根据 Centuries ago 可知,此处应用一般过去时。故填 earned 。
2 .考查定语从句。句意:今天, “ 牛精神 ” 仍然是指克服任何可能出现的障碍。定语从句 “may present itself as an obstacle” 中缺少主语,且先行词 anything 为不定代词,所以只能用关系代词 that 。故填 that 。
3 .考查被动语态和一般现在时。句意:这种精神受到高度赞扬,许多人把它作为他们的工作原则。动词 praise 意为 “ 表扬 ” ,和主语 spirit 构成被动关系。此处描述客观事实,应用一般现在时。故填 is praised 。
4 .考查 to do 不定式。句意:当某人通过努力工作取得了巨大成就时,人们经常使用 “ 牛 ” (意思是 “ 令人敬畏的 ” )来描述他或她。表示用 “ 牛 ” 来描述他或她,应用 to do 不定式表目的。故填 to describe 。