bleak a.阴冷的，凄凉的；没有希望的，暗淡的
【真题再现】The picture of the reading ability of the American people,drawn by the author, is rather bleak.
作者所描绘的美国人阅读能力的境况是相当不乐观的。
【CET-6,2001.06,阅读】
【联想记单词】形近：blear 模糊的，朦胧的
【活学活用】It is bleak to make a fortune by selling these apples.
靠卖苹果发财是没有希望的。