Modern agriculture still follows the seasons, however powerful the machines become. In early spring farmers 11 seeds in fields that have rested all winter, hoping the soil is 12 enough to feed them. If it is not, they add 13, though too much can harm the river nearby. Summer brings weeks of waiting and worrying about rain. Then comes the 14, the busiest month of all, when the whole family works from dawn until dark. Afterwards the grain is dried and stored in the 15 behind the house, and the quiet season begins again for a few short weeks.
Questions 11–15
11
Ascrub
Binsert
Csow
Dextend
✔ 正確答案：(C) sow
解析sow seeds 是「播種」的固定搭配，且與 in early spring 相符。scrub 刷洗、insert 插入、extend 延長，都不能以 seeds 為受詞。
12
Aworn
Btemporary
Cspicy
Dfertile
✔ 正確答案：(D) fertile
解析由 enough to feed them 足以養活種子可知土壤要「肥沃 fertile」。temporary 暫時的、worn 用舊的皆不能形容土壤的養分；spicy 辛辣的是形容食物味道，用在土壤上不通。
A hundred years ago most people in this valley were 16 who owned no land of their own. They worked from sunrise to sunset and lived on the edge of 17, yet the village still held festivals every autumn. Families 18 a few pigs and chickens behind the house, while the older boys took the 19 up the hill each morning. Today only three farms remain, and the young are 20 to stay. The school has closed, but a small museum now tells visitors how the valley once fed a whole town.
Questions 16–20
16
Apeasants
Bshepherds
Ccriminals
Dguardians
✔ 正確答案：(A) peasants
解析who owned no land of their own（沒有自己的土地）說明了他們沒有自己的土地；peasants 指靠農作維生的貧苦農民。shepherds 牧羊人只是其中一小群人，criminals 罪犯、guardians 監護人更與務農無關。