U.S. fourth－ and eighth－graders improved their math scores in a closely watched internat

U.S. fourth- and eighth-graders improved their math scores in a closely watched international test, but continued to lag well behind peers from top-performing Asian countries.

The U.S. and other governments on Tuesday 11 the results of the test, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, the world’s largest assessment of international achievement. Some 425,000 students in almost 60 countries took the exam, administered every four years, starting in 1995.

The test results come as businesses have warned that poor performance in math is eroding U.S. 12 , and as lawmakers in Washington prepare for a key battle over education policy.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and some experts said the 13 suggest a victory for tougher teaching standards, increased rigor in math instruction, and the frequent standardized testing 14 by President Bush’s No Child Left Behind law. Critics of the law found little evidence to support that conclusion.

In math, U.S. fourth-graders ranked No. 11 on the international test, 15 surpassed by eight countries, led by China, Singapore and Japan, researchers said.

U.S. fourth-graders on average scored 529 in 2007, up from 518 in both 2003 and 1995. The results are reported on a zero to 1,000-point scale, with 500 16 the international average. Top-performing China scored 607. U.S. eighth-graders ranked No. 9 in math with a score of 508, behind many of the 17 Asian countries atop the fourth-grade chart.

“In math, the U.S. is making 18 progress,” says Michael O. Martin, one of the directors of the study at Boston College, which 19_ the test. But Mr. Martin said he worried about the huge gap between the U.S. and Asian countries, which aren’t 20 on their laurels.

A) management I) representingB) truly J) takesC) steady K) promotedD) resting L) sameE) released M) administersF) rapid N) words

G) roughly O) competitivenessH) results