1. The first two stages in the development of civilized man were probably the invention of weapons and the discovery of fire, although nobody knows when he acquired the use of the _____.
A. latter B. latest C. later D. last

考点：易混淆词
辨析：latter --- being the second of two persons or things mentioned
latest --- something that is the most recent or current of its kind:
later --- comparative form of late
last --- coming after all others in time or order
答案：A

2. It will take us twenty minutes to go to the railway station, _____ traffic delays.
A. acknowledging B. affording C. allowing for D. accounting for

考点：词汇量
辨析：acknowledge --- admit the existence, reality, or truth of: acknowledge a mistake / They acknowledged having been defeated.
afford --- be able to meet the cost of: I can hardly afford to neglect my work. / I can ill afford to pay the dictionary. / I can only afford the cheapest.
allow for --- take a possibility into account: allow for the circumstances 考虑到具体情况/ The journey usually takes six days but you should allow for delays caused by bad weather. 这段旅程通常需要6天，但你应当考虑到坏天气造成的延误。
account for --- provide an explanation or justification: He is ill, that accounts for his absence. / How do you account for the accident?
答案：C

3. He will have to _____ his indecent behavior one day.
A. answer to B. answer for C. answer back D. answer about

考点：词组
辨析：answer to --- have the name of: The dog answer to the name of Tom. / correspond to: The man does not answer to the description given. / This dictionary answers precisely to our needs.
answer for --- be responsible for: You will answer for your wrongdoing one day.
answer back --- impolitely interrupt esp. when scolded: When your mother scolds you, you shouldn't answer (her back.
answer about ---
答案：B

4. With _____ exception, the former president does not appear in public now.
A. rare B. unusual C. extraordinary D. unique

考点：同义词
辨析：rare --- something that is rare does not happen often: The disease is rare, but very dangerous. / On the rare occasions when I do go to the theatre, I really enjoy it.
unusual --- not usual, common, or ordinary. different from what usually happens: We had a thunderstorm last night, which is unusual in the time of the year.
extraordinary --- highly exceptional; remarkable: extraordinary weather; / a man of extraordinary genius
unique --- unusual; being the only one of its kind [use this word especially about things or people that you think are extremely good]: The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see all of the artist's work.
答案： A
When we express "almost never", we have such words as hardly ever; rarely, seldom.
When we refer to "not what usually happens" we often use such words as unusual, special, exceptional, or uncommon.

5. We have been hearing _____ accounts of your work.
A. favored B. favorable C. favorite D. favoring

考点：形容词的特性
辨析：favored --- showing more favor to one (person, etc.) than to another:
favorable --- giving or showing approval; helpful: a favorable report on one's work; / Is he favorable to the proposal?
favorite --- liked or preferred above all others; regarded with special favor:
favoring --- supporting
答案：B