156、None of these students, including the one who passed today's test is ______ the standard of last year's students.（财科所2018年）
- To
- up to
- With
- On
答案：B
解析：固定搭配题。up to the standard表示“达到标准”，是一个固定搭配，选B。
157、The slow pace of job creation was without precedent for the period on recovery from a recession, but the conditions that conspired to cause the recession were also ______.（财科所2018年）
- Heartening
- Fascinating
- Ambiguous
- Atypical
答案：D
解析：形容词辨析题。heartening“令人振奋的”；fascinating“迷人的”；ambiguous“含糊的，模棱两可的”；atypical“非典型的”。由空前的also可知空白处填的形容词要与前面的without precedent“无先例的，前所未有的”同义，选D。
158、The stock market declined sharply, and rampant business investment slumped. Then an ensuing spate on scandals ______ public trust in the way companies were run.（财科所2018年）
- Consolidated
- Illuminated
- Weakened
- Celebrated
答案：C
解析：动词辨析题。consolidate“巩固”；illuminate“照亮，阐明”；weaken“削弱”；celebrate“庆祝”。根据句中出现的动词decline“下降”、slump“下跌”可知空白处应该填上类似意义的单词。另根据常识亦可知“丑闻会削弱公众的信任度”可知选C。
159、And yet, despite these powerful ______ to growth, the recession proved surprisingly mild.（财科所2018年）
- Counterforce
- Stimulants
- Concomitants
- Manipulation
答案：A
解析：名词辨析题。counterforce“反作用力”；stimulants“兴奋剂，刺激物；” concomitants“伴随物，共存”；manipulation“操纵，控制”。由despite可知这里有转折的意义，由mild“的对立面可知应该是具有“强大的反作用力”，选A。
160、The governor might conceivably find a genuine resolution to the budgetary dilemma, but she may be tempted to engage in a deception: a ______ exercise in fiscal prudence.（财科所2018年）
- Rigorous
- Blatant
- Specious
- Convincing
答案：C
解析：形容词辨析题。rigorous“严密的，缜密的”；blatant“公然的，露骨的”；specious“似是而非的”；convincing“有说服力的”。根据engage in a deception可知是一场骗局，故应该是采用一场“似是而非的运动”来掩盖预算困境的情况，选C。