株洲市2025年下半年全国英语等级考试（PETS）四级复习试题库

株洲市2025年下半年全国英语等级考试（PETS）四级复习试题库PartIListeningComprehension(25minutes)SectionADirections:Inthissection,youwillhear5shortdialogues.Attheendofeachdialogue,aquestionwillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Boththedialogueandthequestionwillbereadonlyonce.Aftereachquestion,therewillbeapause.Duringthepause,youmustreadthefoursuggestedanswersmarkedA,B,CandD,anddecidewhichisthebestanswer.1.M:I'mreallyworriedaboutthepresentationtomorrow.Ihaven'tfinishedtheslidesyet.W:Don'tpanic.Youstillhavethreehours.Focusonthekeypointsandleavethedetailsforlater.Q:Whatdoesthewomansuggestthemando?A.Cancelthepresentation.B.Finishthedetailsimmediately.C.Focusonthemainpointsfirst.D.Askformoretime.2.W:Therentforthisapartmentis$800amonth,excludingutilities.M:That'sabitsteepforme.Iwashopingtofindsomethingaround$650.Q:Whatdoesthemanmean?A.Hethinkstheapartmentistooexpensive.B.Hewantstopay$800includingutilities.C.Heissatisfiedwiththerent.D.Hethinksthelocationisnotgood.3.M:Iheardyouwenttotheconcertlastnight.Howwasit?W:Thecrowdwashuge,andthemusicwasfantastic,butthesoundsystemwasalittledisappointing.Q:Whatwasthewoman’sopinionoftheconcert?A.Itwasterrible.B.Itwasperfectineveryway.C.Itwasgooddespiteaminorflaw.D.Shedidn'tenjoythecrowd.4.W:ProfessorSmith,couldyouexplainthedifferencebetweenthesetwotheoriesagain?M:I'dloveto,butwehavetomoveontothenextchapter.Pleaseseemeduringofficehours.Q:Whatdoestheprofessorimply?A.Thetheoriesaretoodifficulttoexplain.B.Hedoesn'tknowthedifference.C.Hewillexplainitafterclass.D.Thestudentshouldaskhimlaterinprivate.5.M:Ican'tfindmypassportanywhere.I'mleavingforParistonight!W:Checkthedrawerwhereyoukeepyourtraveldocuments.YoumighthaveputittherewhenyoucamebackfromLondon.Q:Wheredoesthewomansuggestthemanlook?A.Inthedrawer.B.InParis.C.InLondon.D.Inhissuitcase.SectionBDirections:Inthissection,youwillhear3longconversations.Attheendofeachconversation,somequestionswillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Boththeconversationandthequestionswillbereadonlyonce.Aftereachquestion,therewillbeapause.Duringthepause,youmustreadthefoursuggestedanswersmarkedA,B,CandD,anddecidewhichisthebestanswer.ConversationOneM:Goodmorning,madam.I'dliketocheckin,please.W:Certainly.MayIhaveyournameandreservationnumber?M:Yes,it'sJohnMiller,reservationnumberCN-8829.W:Thankyou,Mr.Miller.Letmecheck...Ah,yes,adeluxeroomwithaseaviewforthreenights?M:That'scorrect.W:CouldIpleaseseeyourpassportandacreditcardforthedeposit?M:Hereyougo.Bytheway,Irequestedaquietroomawayfromtheelevator.W:Isee.Wehavenotedthatpreference.WehaveallocatedRoom305onthethirdfloor.It'sattheendofthecorridor,soitshouldbeveryquiet.M:Thatsoundsgreat.Whattimeisbreakfastserved?W:Breakfastisservedinthemainrestaurantfrom6:30amto10:00am.M:Andisthegymopen24hours?W:Yes,thefitnesscenterandthepoolareaccessible24/7withyourroomkey.Hereareyourkeys.Theelevatorisjusttoyourright.M:Thankyouverymuch.Questions6to8arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.6.Whatkindofroomdidthemanbook?A.Astandardroom.B.Adeluxeroomwithaseaview.C.Asuite.D.Asingleroom.7.Whereistheman'sroomlocated?A.Neartheelevator.B.Onthegroundfloor.C.Attheendofthecorridor.D.Nexttotherestaurant.8.WhichfacilityisNOTmentionedasbeingavailable?A.Arestaurant.B.Aswimmingpool.C.Afitnesscenter.D.Abusinesscenter.ConversationTwoW:HiTom,haveyoudecidedonyourtopicforthehistorypaper?M:HeySarah.I'mthinkingaboutwritingabouttheIndustrialRevolution.ButI'mworriedit'stoobroad.W:Itdefinitelyis.Youneedtonarrowitdown.Maybefocusonaspecificaspect,liketheimpactontransportationorthesocialchangesinurbanareas.M:That'sagoodidea.I'mactuallymoreinterestedinthesocialaspect.Howaboutthelivingconditionsoftheworkingclassin19th-centuryLondon?W:Thatsoundsmuchmoremanageable.Doyouhaveenoughsources?M:Ifoundafewprimarysourcesonline,diariesfromthatperiod.ButIneedsomeacademicjournalstosupportmyarguments.W:Youshouldcheckthelibrarydatabase.There'sagreatcollectionofdigitizednewspapersfromthe1800s.M:Really?Ididn'tknowthat.I'llgotherethisafternoon.Thanksforthetip.W:Noproblem.Also,makesuretociteyoursourcescorrectly.Theprofessorisverystrictaboutplagiarism.Questions9to11arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.9.Whatistheman'sinitialconcernabouthistopic?A.Itisnotinteresting.B.Itistoobroad.C.Itistoodifficult.D.Ithasbeendonebefore.10.Whatspecifictopicdoesthewomansuggest?A.Transportationinthe19thcentury.B.ThehistoryofLondon.C.Livingconditionsoftheworkingclass.D.ThecausesoftheIndustrialRevolution.11.Wheredoesthewomansuggestthemanfindacademicjournals?A.Inthebookstore.B.Ontheinternet.C.Inthelibrarydatabase.D.Fromtheprofessor.ConversationThreeW:Welcometo"TechTalk."TodaywehaveDr.Ray,aroboticsengineer,todiscussthefutureofAIinourhomes.Dr.Ray,willrobotsbedoingourhouseworksoon?M:It'scloserthanwethink.Wealreadyhaverobotvacuums.Butthenextstepis"generalpurpose"robotsthatcanfoldlaundry,cookdinner,andcleanthekitchen.W:Thatsoundsamazing,butisitsafe?Imean,havingamachinemovingaroundwithsharpobjects?M:Safetyisourtoppriority.Theserobotsareequippedwithadvancedsensorsandcameras.Theycandetecthumansandpetsandstopinstantlytoavoidcollisions.Theyusemachinelearningtonavigatecomplexenvironments.W:Whataboutthecost?Willaveragefamiliesbeabletoaffordthem?M:Currently,theyarequiteexpensive,mostlyforresearchorwealthyenthusiasts.However,likealltechnology,thepricewilldropasproductionscalesup.Ipredictwithin10years,theywillbeascommonasdishwashers.W:Andwhataboutthejobmarket?Willtheyreplacehumancleaners?M:Thereisarisk,yes.ButIthinktheywillmostlyreplacethedrudgeryofcleaning,allowingprofessionalcleanerstofocusonmorespecializedtasks,orperhapsshifttomaintainingtherobotsthemselves.Questions12to15arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.12.Whatisthemaintopicoftheconversation?A.Thehistoryofrobotics.B.ThefutureofAIinhouseholdchores.C.Industrialrobotsinmanufacturing.D.Thesafetyofautonomouscars.13.HowdofuturerobotsensuresafetyaccordingtoDr.Ray?A.Theymoveveryslowly.B.Theyaremadeofsoftmaterials.C.Theyusesensorsandmachinelearning.D.Theyarecontrolledbyhumansremotely.14.WhendoesDr.Raypredicttheserobotswillbecommon?A.In5years.B.In10years.C.In20years.D.Never.15.WhatisDr.Ray'sviewontheimpactonjobs?A.Robotswillcompletelyreplacehumancleaners.B.Therewillbenoimpactonthejobmarket.C.Jobswillshifttomorespecializedtasks.D.Onlywealthypeoplewillhavejobs.SectionCDirections:Inthissection,youwillhear4shortpassages.Attheendofeachpassage,youwillhearsomequestions.Boththepassageandthequestionswillbereadonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.PassageOneTheconceptof"emotionalintelligence"orEQ,referstotheabilitytoidentify,understand,andmanageone'sownemotions,aswellastheemotionsofothers.WhileIQfocusesoncognitiveabilities,EQiscrucialforsocialinteractionandleadership.ResearchsuggeststhathighEQislinkedtobetterjobperformance,mentalhealth,andrelationshipsatisfaction.PeoplewithhighEQareoftengoodatempathy,meaningtheycansensehowothersarefeelingandrespondappropriately.DevelopingEQinvolvespracticingself-awareness,self-regulation,motivation,empathy,andsocialskills.UnlikeIQ,whichisrelativelystable,EQcanbeimprovedwithpracticeandeffortthroughoutone'slife.Questions16to18arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.16.Whatisthemainideaofthepassage?A.ThedefinitionofIQ.B.TheimportanceandnatureofEQ.C.Howtogetapromotion.D.Thedifferencebetweenmentalhealthandrelationshipsatisfaction.17.Accordingtothepassage,howdoesEQdifferfromIQ?A.EQismoreimportantthanIQ.B.EQcannotbechanged.C.EQfocusesoncognitiveabilities.D.EQcanbeimprovedovertime.18.WhichofthefollowingisNOTacomponentofdevelopingEQmentioned?A.Self-awareness.B.Self-regulation.C.Mathematicalskills.D.Empathy.PassageTwoTheGreatBarrierReef,locatedoffthecoastofAustralia,istheworld'slargestcoralreefsystem.Itstretchesover2,300kilometersandconsistsofnearly3,000individualreefsand900islands.Itisvisiblefromouterspaceandisoneofthesevennaturalwondersoftheworld.Thereefishometoadiverserangeofmarinelife,includingover1,500speciesoffish,400typesofcoral,and4,000typesofmollusk.Unfortunately,thereefisunderthreatfromclimatechange,pollution,andoverfishing.Risingoceantemperaturescausecoralbleaching,aprocesswherecoralslosetheirvibrantcolorsanddie.Conservationeffortsareunderwaytoprotectthisfragileecosystemforfuturegenerations.Questions19to21arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.19.WhereistheGreatBarrierReeflocated?A.OffthecoastofBrazil.B.OffthecoastofSouthAfrica.C.OffthecoastofAustralia.D.IntheMediterraneanSea.20.Whatistheprimarycauseofcoralbleachingmentionedinthepassage?A.Overfishing.B.Pollution.C.Risingoceantemperatures.D.Touristactivities.21.Whatstatistichighlightsthesizeofthereef'sfishpopulation?A.Over2,300kilometers.B.Nearly3,000individualreefs.C.Over1,500speciesoffish.D.4,000typesofmollusk.PassageThreeMinimalismisalifestylechoicethatfocusesonlivingwithonlythethingsyouneed.Itpromotesfreedomfrommaterialpossessionsandthedesireformore.Minimalistsarguethatowninglessstuffreducesstress,savesmoney,andallowsformoretimeandenergytobespentonexperiencesandrelationships.Thisdoesn'tmeanlivinginanemptyhousewithnofurniture;itmeansbeingintentionalaboutwhatyoubringintoyourlife.Themovementgainedpopularityinthe2010sasareactiontoconsumerism.Bydeclutteringtheirhomesandminds,peoplereportfeelinglighterandmorefocusedonwhattrulymatterstothem.Questions22to24arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.22.Whatisthecoreprincipleofminimalism?A.Livinginanemptyhouse.B.Focusingonexperiencesoverpossessions.C.Buyingexpensive,high-qualityitems.D.Avoidingallformsofspending.23.Whydidminimalismgainpopularityaccordingtothepassage?A.Asareactiontoconsumerism.B.Becauseofeconomicnecessity.C.Topromoteinteriordesign.D.Duetogovernmentregulations.24.Howdominimalistsfeelafterdecluttering?A.Anxious.B.Bored.C.Lighterandmorefocused.D.Poor.PassageFourIntheworldoffinance,the"timevalueofmoney"isafundamentalconcept.Itstatesthatmoneyavailablenowisworthmorethanthesameamountinthefutureduetoitspotentialearningcapacity.Thiscoreprincipleprovidesthebasisforinterestrates,investmentvaluation,andfinancialplanning.Forexample,ifyouhave100todQuestions25to27arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.25.Whyismoneyavailablenowworthmorethanthesameamountinthefuture?A.Becauseofinflation.B.Becauseofitspotentialearningcapacity.C.Becauseitissafer.D.Becauseitisphysicalcash.26.Whatistheresultofinvesting$100ata5%interestrateforoneyear?A.$100.B.$105.C.$110.D.$95.27.Whatdoestheconceptof"discounting"referto?A.Reducingthepriceofanitem.B.Calculatingfuturevalue.C.Calculatingpresentvaluefromfuturemoney.D.Payingoffaloanearly.PartIIUseofEnglish(15minutes)Directions:Readthefollowingtext.ChoosethebestwordforeachnumberedblankfromA,B,CorD.Thedevelopmentofartificialintelligence(AI)hasbroughtaboutsignificantchangesinvarioussectors,fromhealthcaretofinance.However,asAIsystemsbecomemoresophisticated,theyalsoraisecomplexethicalquestions.Oneoftheprimaryconcernsistheissueofbias.AIalgorithmslearnfromdata,andifthedatausedtotrainthesesystemsis(28)______,theAIwillinevitablyreproduceandpotentiallyamplifythesebiases.Forinstance,ifahiringalgorithmistrainedonhistoricaldatawhereonegenderwas(29)______favoredforcertainroles,theAImaycontinuetodiscriminateagainsttheothergender,evenifthatwasnottheintentionofthedevelopers.Anothercriticalissueistransparency.ManyadvancedAImodels,particularlydeeplearningnetworks,operateas"blackboxes."Thismeansthateventheircreatorscannotfully(30)______howthemodelarrivesataspecificdecision.Thislackofexplainabilityisproblematicinhigh-stakesfieldslikemedicineorcriminaljustice,whereunderstandingthe"why"behindadecisioniscrucialfortrustandaccountability.Furthermore,thereisthequestionofjobdisplacement.WhileAIcreatesefficiency,italsothreatenstoautomatetasksthatwerepreviouslyperformedbyhumans.Thisshiftcouldleadtosignificant(31)______inthelabormarket.WhilesomearguethatAIwillcreatenewtypesofjobs,thetransitionperiodcouldbedifficultforworkerswhoseskillsbecomeobsolete.Educationandretrainingprogramswillbeessentialtohelptheworkforce(32)______tothisnewreality.Privacyisalsoamajorconcern.AIsystemsoftenrequirevastamountsofpersonaldatatofunctioneffectively.Thecollection,storage,anduseofthisdatamustbecarefullymanagedtoprotectindividuals'rights.RegulationssuchasGDPRinEuropehavebeenestablishedto(33)______thatcompanieshandledataresponsibly.However,technologyevolvesfasterthanlegislation,leavinggapsthatcanbeexploited.Inconclusion,whileAIholdsimmensepromiseforimprovingourlives,itmustbedevelopedanddeployedwithcaution.Ethicalconsiderationsshouldnotbeanafterthoughtbutafundamentalpartofthedesignprocess.Byaddressingthesechallengesproactively,wecan(34)______thebenefitsofAIwhileminimizingitsrisks.Itrequiresacollaborativeeffortfromgovernments,techcompanies,andcivilsocietytoensurethatthetechnologyserveshumanity(35)______.28.A.perfectB.biasedC.completeD.ancient29.A.historicallyB.historicallyC.historyD.historic30.A.seeB.watchC.explainD.ignore31.A.stabilityB.growthC.unemploymentD.disruptions32.A.adaptB.adoptC.addictD.adjust33.A.ensureB.insureC.assureD.secure34.A.maximizeB.minimizeC.realizeD.organize35.A.asawholeB.inwholeC.onthewholeD.thewholePartIIIReadingComprehension(40minutes)SectionADirections:Readthefollowingthreetexts.AnswerthequestionsoneachtextbychoosingA,B,CorD.Text1Thesharingeconomyhasrevolutionizedthewayweaccessgoodsandservices.PlatformslikeUberandAirbnbhavebecomehouseholdnames,allowingindividualstomonetizetheirunderutilizedassets—carsandsparerooms.Thispeer-to-peermodeloffersconsumersgreaterconvenienceandoftenlowerpricesthantraditionalserviceproviders.However,therapidgrowthofthesharingeconomyhassparkedintensedebateregardingregulation,laborrights,anditsimpactonlocalcommunities.Proponentsarguethatthesharingeconomyfostersentrepreneurshipandprovidesflexibleincomeopportunities.Forstudentsorstay-aters,drivingforUberorhostingonAirbnbcanbeaviablewaytoearnmoney.Moreover,theseplatformsoftenutilizeuserreviewstomaintainqualityandtrust,creatingaself-regulatingecosystemthatarguablyworksbetterthantraditionalinspections.Critics,however,pointtothedarkersideofthiseconomicshift.Onemajorconcernisthelackofregulation.Traditionaltaxiservicesandhotelsaresubjecttostrictsafetyandlicensingrequirements,whereassharingeconomyplatformsoftenoperateinalegalgrayarea.Thiscanleadtounfaircompetition,asUberdrivers,forexample,donothavetopayforexpensivemedallionsorcomplywiththesameinsuranceregulations.Furthermore,thegignatureoftheworkraisesquestionsaboutlaborrights.Driversandhostsareoftenclassifiedasindependentcontractorsratherthanemployees.Thismeanstheyarenotentitledtobenefitssuchashealthinsurance,paidleave,orminimumwageprotection.Intimesofeconomicdownturnorpersonalillness,theseworkersfindthemselvesvulnerablewithoutasafetynet.Finally,thereisthesocialimpact.Inpopulartouristdestinations,theproliferationofAirbnblistingshasbeenaccusedofdrivinguphousingpricesandreducingtheavailabilityoflong-termrentalsforlocals.Thisphenomenon,knownas"touristification,"canerodethecharacterofneighborhoodsanddisplacelong-termresidents.Insummary,whilethesharingeconomyoffersundeniablebenefitsintermsofefficiencyandflexibility,itpresentssignificantchallenges.Strikingabalancebetweeninnovationandregulationiscrucialtoensurethatthiseconomicmodelbenefitsallstakeholders.36.Whatisthemainideaofthetext?A.Thesharingeconomyispurelybeneficial.B.Thesharingeconomyhasrevolutionizedthetaxiindustry.C.Thesharingeconomypresentsbothbenefitsandchallenges.D.Airbnbisbetterthantraditionalhotels.37.Accordingtothetext,whatisabenefitofthesharingeconomy?A.Strictsafetyregulations.B.Flexibleincomeopportunities.C.Guaranteedhealthinsurance.D.Lowerhousingprices.38.Whydocriticsclaimthereisunfaircompetition?A.Traditionalserviceshavehighercostsduetoregulations.B.Sharingplatformsofferbetterquality.C.Uberdriversaremoreskilled.D.Traditionalservicesrefusetoinnovate.39.Whatdoesthe"gignature"oftheworkimplyforworkers?A.Theyhavehighjobsecurity.B.Theyareclassifiedasemployees.C.Theylacktraditionalemployeebenefits.D.Theyearnhighersalaries.40.Whatis"touristification"?A.Theprocessofbuildingmorehotels.B.Thepositiveimpactoftourismontheeconomy.C.Thedisplacementoflocalsduetoshort-termrentals.D.Anewtypeoftourismapp.Text2Graphene,asinglelayerofcarbonatomsarrangedinatwo-dimensionalhoneycomblattice,isoftenhailedasa"wondermaterial."Sinceitsisolationin2004,scientistshavebeenexploringitsextraordinaryproperties.Itisthethinnestmaterialknowntoman,yetitisalsooneofthestrongest—about200timesstrongerthansteel.Itisanexcellentconductorofheatandelectricity,anditisalmosttransparent.Theseuniquecharacteristicsmakegrapheneapromisingcandidateforamultitudeofapplications.Inelectronics,itcouldreplacesilicon,leadingtofaster,smaller,andmoreflexibledevices.Unlikesilicon,graphene'selectronsmovewithlittleresistance,whichcoulddrasticallyreduceenergyconsumptionincomputersandsmartphones.Inthefieldofbiomedicine,graphene'sbiocompatibilityandmechanicalstrengthmakeitsuitablefortissueengineeringanddrugdelivery.Researchersaredevelopinggraphene-basedsensorsthatcandetectdiseasesatanearlystagebyidentifyingspecificmoleculesintheblood.Furthermore,itsflexibilityallowsforthecreationofwearableelectronicsthatcanmonitorvitalsignsseamlessly.Energystorageisanotherareawheregraphenecouldmakeasignificantimpact.Batteriesincorporatinggraphenecouldchargemuchfasterandholdmorepowerthancurrentlithium-ionbatteries.Thiswouldbeagame-changerfortheelectricvehicleindustry,addressingrangeanxietyandlongchargingtimes.Despiteitsimmensepotential,themassproductionofhigh-qualitygrapheneremainsasignificanthurdle.Currentmethodsofproducinggrapheneareeithertooexpensiveorresultinmaterialthatisnotpureenoughforhigh-endapplications.Chemicalvapordepositionisacommonmethod,butitrequireshightemperaturesandspecificsubstrates,makingitcostlytoscaleup.Researchersareactivelyworkingonovercomingthesechallenges.Iftheysucceed,graphenecouldusherinanewtechnologicalera,transformingindustriesrangingfromconstructiontoaerospace.Thetransitionfromlaboratorywondertocommercialstapleiscomplex,buttherewardspromisetoberevolutionary.41.Whatmakesgraphene"strong"accordingtothetext?A.Itshoneycomblatticestructure.B.Itsthickness.C.Itstransparency.D.Itsabilitytoconductelectricity.42.Howcouldgraphenechangetheelectronicsindustry?A.Bymakingdevicesslowerbutcheaper.B.Byreplacingsilicontocreatefaster,flexibledevices.C.Byincreasingenergyconsumption.D.Bymakingdevicesopaque.43.Whatpotentialapplicationdoesgraphenehaveinbiomedicine?A.Replacinghumanorgans.B.Curingalltypesofcancer.C.Earlydiseasedetectionviasensors.D.Performingsurgery.44.Whatisthemainchallengefacingthewidespreaduseofgraphene?A.Itistooweak.B.Itisnottransparent.C.Massproductionisexpensiveanddifficult.D.Itdoesnotconductheatwell.45.Whatistheauthor'soveralltonetowardsthefutureofgraphene?A.Skeptical.B.Optimisticbutcautious.C.Indifferent.D.Negative.Text3Theconceptof"GrossNationalHappiness"(GNH)wasintroducedbytheKingofBhutaninthe1970sasanalternativetoGrossDomesticProduct(GDP)asameasureofacountry'sprogress.WhileGDPmeasuresthetotalmonetaryvalueofallgoodsandservicesproduced,itfailstoaccountforwell-being,environmentalsustainability,andculturalpreservation.GNHattemptstoaddresstheseshortcomingsbyproposingthatsustainabledevelopmentshouldtakeaholisticapproachtowardsprogressandgiveequalimportancetonon-economicaspectsofwell-being.GNHisbasedonninepillars:psychologicalwell-being,health,education,timeuse,culturaldiversityandresilience,goodgovernance,communityvitality,ecologicaldiversityandresilience,andlivingstandards.Thesepillarsaremeasuredthrough33indicators.Forexample,under"psychologicalwell-being,"surveysassessthefrequencyofpositiveandnegativeemotions.Under"ecologicaldiversity,"measurementsmightincludethepercentageoflandprotectedasnaturereserves.CriticsarguethatGNHistoosubjectiveanddifficulttoquantifycomparedtothehardnumbersofGDP.Howdoyoucomparethe"value"ofculturaldiversitytothe"value"ofindustrialoutput?Furthermore,theyclaimthatinaworlddrivenbyeconomiccompetition,focusingonhappinessmightdistractfromtheurgentneedforeconomicdevelopment,especiallyinpoorernations.Proponents,however,believethatGDPisaflawedmetricthatleadstounsustainablegrowth.Theypointoutthatanaturaldisaster,forinstance,canincreaseGDPduetoreconstructionspending,eventhoughitclearlydiminishessocietalwell-being.GNH,theyargue,providesamorecomprehensivepictureofanation'shealth.Itencouragespolicymakerstoconsiderthelong-termimpactoftheirdecisionsontheenvironmentandsociety,ratherthanjustshort-termeconomicgains.Severalcountriesandorganizationshavetakennotice.TheOECDhasitsown"BetterLifeIndex,"andtheUnitedNationshasadoptedthe"HumanDevelopmentIndex"(HDI),whichincorporateslifeexpectancyandeducationalongsideincome.WhiletheseindicesarenotidenticaltoGNH,theysignalaglobalshifttowardsrecognizingthateconomicdataalonecannotdefinethesuccessofasociety.Ultimately,GNHservesasaphilosophicalguideasmuchasastatisticalone.Itchallengestheassumptionthatmoremoneyalwaysequalsabetterlife.Byprioritizingthehappinessandwelfareofitscitizens,Bhutanhassparkedavitalglobalconversationaboutwhatwetrulyvalueandhowweshouldmeasuresuccessinthe21stcentury.46.WhywasGNHintroduced?A.ToincreaseBhutan'sGDP.B.Tomeasureeconomicoutputmoreaccurately.C.ToprovideaholisticalternativetoGDP.D.TocompetewiththeOECD.47.WhichofthefollowingisNOTapillarofGNH?A.Industrialoutput.B.Psychologicalwell-being.C.Ecologicaldiversity.D.Education.48.WhatisthemaincriticismofGNHmentionedinthetext?A.Itistoofocusedonmoney.B.Itistoosubjectiveandhardtomeasure.C.Itignoresenvironmentalissues.D.Itisonlyusefulforrichcountries.49.HowdoesthetextexplaintheflawofGDPregardingnaturaldisasters?A.GDPdecreasesafteradisaster.B.GDPignoresdisasterscompletely.C.GDPmightincreaseduetoreconstruction,maskingthenegativeimpact.D.GDPaccuratelyreflectsthelossoflife.50.WhatisthesignificanceofGNHaccordingtotheconclusion?A.Itistheonlycorrectwaytomeasureprogress.B.Itservesasaphilosophicalguidechallengingtheprimacyofmoney.C.IthasbeenadoptedbyallUNmembers.D.ItprovesthatBhutanistherichestcountry.SectionBDirections:ReadthefollowingtextandanswerthequestionsbychoosingA,B,CorD.TheImpactofRemoteWorkonUrbanPlanningThemassadoptionofremotework,acceleratedbytheglobalpandemic,hastriggeredaparadigmshiftinurbanplanning.Fordecades,citiesweredesignedaroundthecentralbusinessdistrict(CBD),wheremillionsofcommutersflockedeverymorningandlefteveryevening.This"hub-and-spoke"modeldictatedthelocationofresidentialsuburbs,transportationnetworks,andcommercialinfrastructure.However,astelecommutingbecomesapermanentfixtureformanyindustries,thismodelisbeingquestioned.(51)______.Withfewerpeoplecommutingdaily,therelianceonextensivepublictransportationsystemsandhighwaysisdiminishing.Transitauthoritiesarefacingbudgetdeficitsasridershipplummets.Consequently,urbanplannersarerethinkinginfrastructureinvestment.Insteadofexpandinghighwaysintothecitycenter,thereisagrowingdemandfor"15-minutecities"—neighborhoodswhereresidentscanaccesswork,shopping,education,andhealthcarewithina15-minutewalkorbikeride.Thisdecentralizationaimstoreducecarbonemissionsandimprovequalityoflife.Furthermore,thedemandforofficespaceincitycentershasdroppedsignificantly.Manycompanieshavedownsizedtheirphysicalfootprintoradoptedhybridworkmodels,requiringlessdeskspace.This