Is China’s gaokao the world’s toughest school exam?中国高考是世界上最难的升学考试吗？
For two days in early June every year, China comes to a standstill as high school students who are about to graduate take their college entrance exams. Literally the “higher examination”, the gaokao is a national event on a par with a public holiday, but much less fun. Construction work is halted near examination halls, so as not to disturb the students, and traffic is diverted. 每年6月初的两天，中国就会陷入“停滞”，因为即将毕业的高中生们在参加大学入学考试。高考，字面意思是“更高的考试”，是一个与公共假日相媲美但远没有那么有趣的国家性事件。为了不打扰考生，考场附近暂停施工，交通也进行了分流。
standstill [ˈstændstɪl] (n.) 停滞，静止
👉a situation where all activity or movement stops; a halt
⭐The traffic came to a standstill after the accident.
事故发生后，交通陷入了停滞。
on a par with: 与...相等，与...媲美
👉equal to or comparable with
⭐The quality of their products is on a par with the leading brands.
他们的产品质量与领先品牌相媲美。
divert [daɪˈvɜːrt] (v.) 转移，使分心
👉to change the direction or route of something; to distract or entertain
⭐They had to divert the river to prevent flooding.
他们不得不改道河流以防止洪水。
👂本段有慢速发音精讲，请竖起耳朵
Ambulances are on call outside in case of nervous collapses, and police cars patrol to keep the streets quiet. When the results come out, the top scorers are feted nationally. A high or low mark determines life opportunities and earning potential. That score is the most important number of any Chinese child’s life, the culmination of years of schooling, memorisation and constant stress.救护车随时待命以防紧张过度导致的昏倒，警车时刻巡逻以保持街道安静。当成绩公布时，最高分者会在全国范围内受到表彰。高低分决定了人生机会和收入潜力。这个分数是中国孩子们生活中最重要的数字，是多年学习、背诵和承受压力的顶点。
collapse [kəˈlæps] (v.) 倒塌，崩溃
👉to fall down suddenly; to break down or fail suddenly
⭐The old building collapsed due to structural weaknesses.
那座旧楼因结构薄弱而倒塌。
feted [fiːtɪd] (adj.) 受到赞扬的，受宠的
👉celebrated, honored, or praised
⭐The renowned scientist was feted for his groundbreaking discoveries.
这位著名科学家因其开创性的发现而受到赞扬。
With so much to gain or lose, cheating is a big problem. Spy cameras, radio devices and earpieces that transmit questions and receive answers have been found hidden in jewellery, spectacles, wallets, pens, rulers and underwear. Most examination rooms install CCTV cameras, and some use metal detectors.由于得失巨大，作弊是一个大问题。隐蔽的摄像头、无线电设备和可传输问题并接收答案的耳机被发现隐藏在珠宝、眼镜、钱包、钢笔、尺子和内衣等物品中。大多数考场安装了闭路电视摄像头，有些还使用金属探测器。
spectacles [ˈspɛktəkəlz] (n.) 眼镜
👉eyeglasses or a pair of glasses
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