高考，舉國關注，外媒也熱烈圍觀。

不過看看他們的報道，總有一種隱隱的獵奇和迷之恐懼感撲面而來。

CNN用的詞是，gueling，讓人備受折磨、精疲力竭的……

正文里寫著：

Millions of Chinese high schoolers will sit the country's grueling two-day college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, this week.
數百萬中國高中生本周將參加為期兩天的令人疲憊的大學入學考試，也即高考。

BBC用的詞是“dreaded”，可怕的、令人恐懼的……

↑超過9百萬學生要參加中國高考，據說是世界上最難的考試之一。

美國全國廣播公司的報道說高考是a life-changing day，改變一生的一天。

↑他們全年無休地學習，從早7點到晚9點在教室里埋頭苦做“成噸的習題”。所有這些都只為這一場大考。

很多外媒也報道了霍金發微博祝福高考學子的新聞。

《時代周刊》：來看看霍金給壓力山大的（stressed）中國學生們發出的迷人訊息。

↑這個為期兩天的考試決定了年輕人是否能進入自己心儀的大學。

此外，今年高考被稱為“史上最嚴”，作弊首次入刑，最高可判7年。

外媒也對此進行了報道，路透社：

嚴重拘留：中國大學入學考試作弊或入監獄

↑中國國家媒體周二報道，在今年中國高考中作弊的學生將首次面臨入獄風險，政府此舉是為了打擊這一競爭激烈的考試中作弊泛濫的問題。作弊者最高可判7年，同時在三年內禁止參加其他國家級考試。

很多外媒引用了新華社報道的用詞，“a make-or-break challenge”，決定成敗的挑戰。

Called "gaokao" in Chinese, the examination is a make-or-break challenge for Chinese high school students, especially those from poor families.
對很多中國高中生來說，高考是成敗在此一舉的大挑戰，對于那些家境貧困的孩子尤其如此。還引述了一下高考時，全民助力的盛況：

So make-or-break that police would prevent drivers around the exam sites from blowing their horns, while hotels within easy reach of the Beijing exam centers were completely booked-out by parents who hoped to buy extra rest, or cram, time for their children.
這場考試太重要了，不成則敗，以至于警察會阻止考場附近的司機按喇叭，北京考場周圍的酒店會被家長一訂而空，只為能給孩子多一些的休息時間，或抓緊時間再學一點。

BBC還報道了“高考保姆”（Gaokao nannies）的現象：

Professional Gaokao nannies are highly educated students or recent graduates that move in with students to study with them in the run up to the exam.
專業“高考保姆”是受高等教育的學生或剛畢業的大學生，他們和高考生同住陪讀。

For example Zhao Yang, a Shanghai university freshman, is paid a daily wage of 300 yuan to chat with his client and stay up with him during all-nighters.
比如上海大學大一的趙陽（音譯），每天收入300元，專門陪客戶聊天，通宵達旦陪讀。

以及緊俏的“高考房”（'Top-Scorer' hotel rooms）：

To save on time spent travelling to the test centre - which can then be better spent revising - some parents opt to pay for a hotel for their child.
為了節省到考場的時間，把這些時間用來復習，有一些家長選擇為他們的孩子花錢住賓館。

Many hotels offer special Gaokao packages for students, with hotels in Beijing charging up to 2,000 yuan per night. Despite high prices, many rooms have been fully booked.
許多賓館都為考生提供了特殊的高考房套餐，北京的高考房要價高達兩千一晚。雖然價格貴，許多房間還是被預訂一空。

CNN甚至根據以往高考試卷翻譯了一套考題，讓外國人民感受中國考試的難度。要不要一起來試試。答案在最末。

1 Arts 文科

Literature and art are products of the times in which they are created that also reflect the spirit of those times. Choose the correct pair below:
文學藝術是時代的產物，同時又能反映時代的風貌。下列各項對應關系正確的是：

A. Dramatic changes in society following the Industrial Revolution -- rise of Modern Art
工業革命后社會的劇烈變革——現代主義繪畫興起

B. Spiritual crisis in the West post-WWI -- birth of Impressionism
第一次世界大戰引發的西方社會精神危機——印象派繪畫產生

C. Intensified social conflicts in Western capitalist countries in 19th century -- rise of Realism
19世紀上半期資本主義社會矛盾的激化——現實主義文學的興起

D. Prosperity of Western capitalism after WWII -- birth of Romanticism
第二次世界大戰后西方資本繁榮——浪漫主義文學產生

2 Geography 地理

Between June and August, a cruise ship travels from Fujian province to Venice, passing by Mumbai. Which of the following would it experience on the way?
在六月到八月之間，一艘大型游輪從福建省開往威尼斯，途徑孟買。途中會經歷什么樣的情況？

A. When passing through the South China Sea, the cruise will face continuous rain
當穿過中國南海時，這艘游輪將面臨連續降雨

B. When passing through the Arabian Sea, the cruise will sail against winds and currents
當駛過阿拉伯海的時候，游輪將逆風、逆洋流

C. When passing through the Red Sea, large stretches of forests will be seen alongside the coast
當穿過紅海時，海岸邊可以看到大片的森林

D. When passing through the Mediterranean Sea, the cruise will experience several days of rainstorms
當穿過地中海時，游輪將經歷好幾天的暴風雨

3 Grammar 英語語法

______ ourselves from the physical and mental tension, we each need deep thought and inner quietness.

A. Having freed

B. Freed

C. To free

D. Freeing

4 History 歷史

In a letter to James Madison in March 1787, George Washington wrote, "That a thorough reform of the present system is indispensable, none who have capacities to judge will deny—and with hand and heart I hope the business will be essayed in a full Convention." What does the "thorough reform" refer to?
華盛頓在1787年3月致麥迪遜的信中說：“凡是有判斷能力的人,都不會否認對現行制度進行徹底變革是必需的.我迫切希望這一問題能在全體會議上加以討論。”這里所說的“徹底變革”是指：

A. Eradicating the defects of the federal system
革除聯邦體制的弊端

B. Establishing a republican system with checks and balances of three powers
建立三權分立的共和體制

C. Abolishing constitutional monarchy
廢除君主立憲制

D. Changing the loose federal system
改變松散的邦聯體制

5 Math 數學

If x+y≥a, x-y≤-1 and the minimum value of z=x+ay is 7, a=?
如果x+y≥a，x-y≤-1，z=x+ay 的最小值是7, a=多少？

A. -5

B. 3

C. -5 or 3

D. 5 or -3

6 Biology 生物

Which of the statements below DOES NOT describe homeostasis and regulation within the human body?
下列關于人體內環境穩態與調節的敘述，錯誤的是：

A. The pituitary-derived hormothyrin is directionally delivered to the thyroid gland via bodily fluids
垂體分泌的促甲狀腺激素，通過體液定向運送到甲狀腺

B. When a human body encounters cold, both thyroid hormone and adrenaline participate in the body's heat production and regulation mechanisms
當人體遇冷時，甲狀腺激素和腎上腺素均可參與機體產熱調節

C. The secretion of insulin and glucagon is mainly regulation by blood glucose concentration as well as by the nervous system
胰島素和胰高血糖素的分泌主要受血糖濃度的調節，也受神經調節

D. Inadequate water intake could result in the pituitary gland's release of the antidiuretic hormone and accelerated water reabsoption in renal tubule and collecting duct
飲水不足會引起垂體釋放抗利尿激素，促進腎小管和集合管重吸收水

答案：CBCDBA

（來源：中國日報雙語新聞微信? 編輯：Julie）