# 第2期 答案与范文（2026-08-01）

## Section A — True / False / Not Given

**1. TRUE**
原文："The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century..."
"late 18th century" = "end of the 1700s" → 完全一致。

**2. TRUE**
原文："most manufacturing was carried out in people's homes using hand tools."
hand tools 是主要生产工具 → TRUE。

**3. NOT GIVEN**
原文只说了工厂工人工资在1820-1850年间涨了约15%，完全没有提到农业工人的工资变化。无法比较 → NG。
（经典陷阱：凭空添加比较关系）

**4. NOT GIVEN**
原文提到了 steam-powered machinery，但没有说蒸汽是"唯一"能源。文章没提有没有其他能源 → NG。
（经典陷阱：题目加了限制定语 "only"，原文没有这个限定）

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## Section B — 填空题

**5. homes**
原文："most manufacturing was carried out in people's homes"
不超过两个词 → "homes" 即可。

**6. 16**
原文："working up to 16 hours a day"

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## Section C — 单选题

**7. B**
原文："By the 1850s, Britain had become the world's leading industrial power."
"leading industrial power" = "strongest industrial nation" → B。

A 没提工资是欧洲最高；C 没提禁止童工；D 没提人口最多。

**8. B**
原文："the working conditions in early factories were often dangerous, with employees—including children—working up to 16 hours a day."
"dangerous" = "unsafe"；特别提到了儿童 → B。

A 原文没提1850年后改善；C 没说工厂条件比家庭作坊好；D 没提罢工。

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## Section D — Task 2 范文

**题目：** Some people believe that technological progress has made our lives more complicated rather than simpler. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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**Band 7.5-8.0 范文**

Technology is often marketed as a tool to simplify our daily routines, yet there is a growing sentiment that it has instead made life more complex. In my view, while technology has undoubtedly streamlined certain aspects of life, its overall effect has been to increase complexity—particularly in terms of mental load, social expectations, and the pace of modern living.

On the one hand, it is true that technology has eliminated many traditional inconveniences. Tasks that once required hours—such as sending a letter, booking a flight, or looking up information—can now be completed in seconds via smartphones. Online banking, GPS navigation, and e-commerce have removed tedious errands from our schedules, freeing up time that previous generations could only dream of. In this narrow, functional sense, technology has indeed simplified life.

However, this surface-level simplification masks a deeper and more pervasive complexity. Firstly, the sheer number of choices technology presents has created what psychologists call "decision fatigue." Consider the simple act of watching a film: where once a person might browse a handful of television channels, streaming platforms now offer thousands of options, turning a relaxing activity into a mentally draining exercise. Secondly, the boundaries between work and personal life have dissolved. Smartphones and messaging apps mean that employees are expected to be reachable at all hours, making it difficult to truly disconnect. The convenience of working from anywhere has paradoxically led to the expectation that one should work everywhere. Finally, the speed of technological change itself is a source of stress. People must constantly learn new software, upgrade devices, and adapt to shifting digital norms—a continuous cycle that previous generations never faced.

In conclusion, while technology has made individual tasks quicker and more convenient, I believe it has fundamentally made our lives more complicated. The psychological burden of constant connectivity, overwhelming choice, and the pressure to keep pace with innovation outweighs the practical conveniences we have gained. True simplicity, it seems, cannot be achieved through more technology but perhaps through more mindful engagement with it.

(285 words)

**范文亮点（值得模仿的句式）：**
- "This surface-level simplification masks a deeper complexity" — 转折句式
- "paradoxically led to the expectation that..." — 引出矛盾论点
- "the pressure to keep pace with innovation" — 地道短语
- 结构：开头明确立场 → 让步段 → 两个论证段 → 强有力结论