1. pessimistic
【考点释义】adj.悲观的；悲观主义的
He remains pessimistic about the result of negotiation.他对和谈的结果持悲观的态度。
【习惯搭配】be pessimistic about 对……悲观
【联想记】optimistic adj.乐观的
2. petty
【考点释义】adj.小的，琐碎的，不重要的；心胸狭窄的
He doesn’t want to spend too much time on those petty details.他不想在那些细节方面花费太多时间。?petty squabbles 小口角
【联想记忆】
minor adj.小的，不的small-minded adj.小心眼的
3. phase
【考点释义】n.阶段；方面;相位 v.分阶段实行
a transitional phase from planned economy to market economy 从计划经济向市场经济的过渡期
The government is going to phase in the new pension system over the next five years.政府计划在今后五年内分阶段实施新的养老金制度。
Leaded gas was phased out in the 1970s.含铅汽油在20世纪70年代就被逐渐淘汰了。
【习惯搭配】
phase in 逐步采用phase out 逐步淘汰

4. pioneer
【基本释义】n.先驱，开拓者，创始人?the pioneers of the Women’s Liberation Movement 妇女解放运动的先驱【考点释义】 vt.开创，开发
The new cancer treatment was pioneered in the early eighties by Dr. Sylvia Bannerjee.这种新的癌症治疗方法是由西尔维娅?班纳基博士于80年代初期开创的。
【派生词】pioneering adj.开拓性的，探索性的
the pioneering work of NASA scientists 美国国家航空航天局科学家们的开创性工作
【联想记忆】
explore v.探索
exploration n.探索
5. plague
【基本释义】n.瘟疫，鼠疫；灾难
an outbreak of plague 鼠疫爆发?a plague of locusts 蝗灾【考点释义】vt.困扰，使痛苦；打扰，使苦恼
The community is plagued by street crimes.社区饱受街道犯罪的困扰。
Pollution plagued most countries for many years.污染多年来困扰着许多国家。
The journalists have been plaguing him with endless questions.记者们没完没了的提问令他备受困扰。
【习惯搭配】
be plagued by 受……困扰
plague sb. with sth.用……困扰某人
【联想记忆】epidemic n.传染病
6. plateau
【基本释义】n.高原
【考点释义】n.（上升后的）稳定时期；处于停滞状态 vi.保持稳定期，处于停滞状态
Inflation has reached a plateau.通货膨胀停了下来。
Unemployment has at last plateaued out.失业情况终于稳定了下来。

7. plausible
【考点释义】adj.似乎是真的，有道理的；能言善辩的，能说会道的
His explanation sounds plausible.他的解释听起来言之有理。
He is a plausible people and he can always make his explanations acceptable to others.他能说会道，总能让别人接受他的各种解释。
【派生词】plausibly adv.花言巧语地
【真题例句】
The American dream is most plausible during the periods of productivity and wealth generated by American capitalism.在美国资本主义带来生产率的提高与财富增加的那段时期，美国梦是最有可能实现的。
8. plea
【考点释义】n.恳求，请求；抗辩，申辩；借口，托词
He made a desperate plea for mercy.他请求宽恕。
We made a plea of “not guilty” at court.我们在法庭上作了“不承认有罪”的抗辩。
He was charged with murder, but got off on a plea of insanity.他被指控犯了谋杀罪，但是以精神错乱为由逃过惩罚。

9. plead
【考点释义】 vi.恳求；申诉，辩护 vt.为……辩护
All families of MF370 flight pleaded for the safe return of their relatives.所有MF370航班的家庭都祈求家人的平安归来。
He advised his client to plead insanity for his action.他建议他的当事人以精神不正常作为辩护理由。
Politicians pleaded that raising teacher’s salaries would make the job more attractive.政客辩解说提高教师的薪水会使这个工作更有吸引力。
The lawyer has agreed to plead their case.律师答应为他们的案件提供辩护。
【派生词】pleadingly adv.恳求地，祈求
【真题例句】
First, the object of our study pleads for definition.首先，我们研究的对象要求有个定义。
10. pledge [pled?]
【考点释义使】n.保证，誓言 v.保证，许诺
Obama fulfilled his pledge to withdraw the troops.奥巴马履行了撤军的诺言。
They have pledged to fight any changes to this law.他们竭力阻止对该项法律的任何改动。
The UK government has pledged that the wishes of the minority community in Northern Ireland will be respected.英国政府允诺将尊重北爱尔兰少数民族族群的愿望。
【习惯搭配】
make a pledge to do sth.发誓（允诺）做某事
fulfill one’s pledge to do sth.履行……的诺言
pledge to do sth.誓言做某事；允诺做某事
【联想记忆】
oath n.誓言
swear v.发誓
【真题例句】
Pledging to run Pilgrim safely, the company has applied for federal permission to keep it open for another 20years.该公司保证安全经营Pilgrim核电站，并已向联邦政府申请允许它再经营核电站20年。