北京高考英语阅读理解专项训练（含答案）

阅读理解
Europe’s Most Beautiful Places
From Norwegian islands high above the Arctic Circle to forest-covered mountains in Romania，windswept sandy beaches in Wales and icy lakes in the Balkans，Europe is a spectacularly varied place. The old continent’s historic cities and its Mediterranean beaches draw many of its visitors，but the best destinations are sometimes its more remote corners，known mainly to locals and a few brave travelers.
Lake Inari，Finland
High above the Arctic Circle and close to Finland’s border with Russia，Lake Inari is a year-round paradise. Dark，snowy winters make it ideal for catching a glimpse of the aurora borealis（北极光）.
Its tree-lined banks glow a burnt orange during autumn and in summer，you can swim in its chilly shallows. The center of local Sami culture，is as remote and traditional as Finland gets.
Unst，Shetland Isles，Scotland
The most northerly occupied island of the British Isles，Unst is a wild，rugged place where seas crash into the dramatic Muckle Flugga sea stacks.
The latter are a harbor for gannets（塘鹅）during breeding season，with birdwatchers also treated to the sight of searching skuas（贼鸥）.
Yorkshire Dales, England
Its narrow lanes lined with drystone walls designed specially to cyclists seeking marvelous adventures, while its moody hills continually attract walkers, no matter the weather.
Geological wonders such as the limestone spectacles of Malham Cove and Gordale Scar make it perhaps the most beautiful part of the British Isles.
The Greek Islands
There are plenty of places to visit in Greece. But I love the Greek Islands best. White houses and beautiful churches, beaches and Aegean Sea make this a very popular place to visit. However, there is more to do here than just sunbathe. I cannot wait to go back and check out the caves and culture that make the Greek Islands one of the best places in Europe.
Loire Valley, France
Chateau de Chambord and Chateau de Chenonceau are the most famous, filled with classic viewing towers, formal gardens and boating lakes. Throw in a tour of its graperies, where some of the world’s finest wines are produced, and its glamour is impossible to ignore.
1．According to the passage, the best destinations in Europe are _______.
A．historic cities and Mediterranean beaches
B．similar to each other with no obvious differences
C．familiar to natives and a handful of adventurers
D．known to people around the world
2．If you are a cyclist interested in adventures, you’d better choose _______.
A．Unst, Shetland Isles, Scotland
B．Yorkshire Dales, England
C．Loire Valley, France
D．Lake Inari, Finland
3．According to the passage, we learn that the Greek Islands _______.
A．hasn’t been visited by the writer yet
B．has many waterfalls and valleys
C．is merely worth exploring by those who like sunbathing
D．is a good place for sunbathing
I love my gas stove. There’s nothing quite like cooking over that beautiful blue flame, so quickly adjusted with a flick of a dial. But in recent years environmentalists have been warning that gas stoves are bad for the climate and also not great for our health. A new study this year has heightened health worries about noxious fumes (有毒烟尘) in our kitchens.
Broadly speaking, there are two categories of concern regarding gas stove emissions. First, there is the unburned natural gas that can escape before the flame ignites or leak from a gas hook-up. This gas is more than 90 percent methane (甲烷). Second, there are the pollutants created by combustion (燃烧) when a burner is on, most notably nitrogen oxides (氧化氮), which can upset the lungs.
The big surprise in the new study, conducted by environmental scientists at Stanford University, was the amount of unburned gas that leaks into kitchens when a stove is off. They found that more than three quarters of methane that escapes from a stove does so when it is not in use, most likely through imperfect pipe fittings. Only one out of 53 stoves measured for the study did not leak when turned off, says Rob Jackson, senior author of the study. Methane is not toxic, but it is a powerful greenhouse gas. With 40 million gas stoves across the country, Jackson and his co-authors estimate that the heat-trapping potential of the methane they discharge annually is equal to the carbon dioxide released by half a million gas-powered cars.
The Stanford study also looked at the amount of nitrogen oxides produced when using the stoves. In a matter of minutes, families who do not use their exhaust hoods(排气罩)and who have small, poorly aired kitchens can go beyond the Environmental Protection Agency’s outdoor exposure limit for nitrogen dioxide of 100 parts per billion(ppb)per hour. Even short exposures to excess nitrogen dioxide can worsen symptoms in people with respiratory conditions (呼吸系统疾病). And there is considerable evidence that long-term exposure raises the risk of developing asthma (哮喘).
What is the average home cook to make of all this They might take an idea from Michanowicz, a senior scientist at PSE Healthy Energy, who bought an induction burner and does much of his cooking on that $100 item. Jackson, for his part, is putting his money where his research is: “I’m replacing a perfectly good gas stove” with an induction stove. He would like governments to provide motivations for people to switch to electric ranges. As for me, I’ve switched to an electric kettle for boiling water.
4．According to the first paragraph, gas stove worries include___________.
A．the challenge of changing our cooking habits
B．the diseases brought by cooking on a gas stove
C．the environmental impact of cooking on a gas stove
D．the risk of catching fire while people are cooking on a gas stove
5．What can we learn from the passage
A．Gas may leak into kitchens with a stove on or off.
B．Nitrogen oxides may cause people to develop lung cancer.
C．Methane can escape into kitchens through wrong operation.
D．Kitchens can do harm to people without proper pipe fittings.
6．What does the underlined word “toxic” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean
A．Colorful. B．Useful. C．Harmful. D．Fruitful.
7．As for changing a cooking habit, the author is__________.
A．doubtful B．disapproving C．unconcerned D．supportive
International travel is popular, but visitors can run into trouble if they don’t know some basic “rules”. So, it’s important to learn about the cultures they’re visiting.
BRAZIL
In general, Brazilian culture is informal. Most Brazilians are very friendly, so it’s important to greet the people you meet. Normally women kiss on the cheek, but men usually just shake hands. Brazilians usually stand very close to each other while speaking. Even if this is unusual in your culture, try not to move away if it happens. If you go to a business meeting, you are not expected to take a gift.
On the other hand, if you are invited to someone’s house, you should take a gift — like flowers or chocolate. However, avoid anything purple or black, as these colors have to do with death.
If you are invited to dinner, arrive at least 30 minutes late, but always dress well, because a person’s appearance can be very important to Brazilians.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia is a very traditional country. It is important to greet the oldest or the most senior person first. People shake hands in business situations, but men and women do not touch in public.
In a business meeting, do not start with business matters at once. Instead, lead in the conversation by asking about people’s family or health. Arrive on time for business meetings, but don’t be surprised if others are late. Being on time is less important in Saudi Arabia than it is in most western countries. Business dress is formal.
Gifts are not expected at business meetings. If you are invited to a Saudi home, acceptable gifts are chocolate or coffee. Be careful not to admire the things the host owns, because he or she will feel necessary to give an item to you as a gift.
8．The underlined word “this” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A．kissing on the cheek when greeting
B．dressing formally when invited
C．preparing gifts at business meetings
D．standing very close when talking
9．Which of the following are mentioned in both countries in the passage
①lead-in topics ②greetings ③arriving time ④giving gifts ⑤dresses
A．①②③④ B．①②④⑤ C．①③④⑤ D．②③④⑤
10．Why does the writer write this passage
A．To ask more people to travel to different countries.
B．To introduce some basic rules in different cultures.
C．To teach tourists how to understand English culture.
D．To show different opinions about different cultures.
Wang Shuang was just five when her parents divorced, dropped her at her uncle’s and left. Football, as it often is, became an escape.
At seven, she was spotted by coach Xu Yilong, who found Wang quick in her playful behavior. As the only girl in the boys’ team, Wang’s performances were impressive, earning her the nickname “Iron Girl”. And soon, she sensed the sport’s power. Football allowed her to “release herself” and realize “whatever happens, football never leaves you alone”.
However, life was never smooth sailing. The constant jibes (嘲讽) from some people, who always tried to push her down and destroy her hopes, affected her so deeply that she lost confidence. “They were saying I had no talent at all. Gradually, I felt really so,” Wang once wrote. But never did she stop playing. When she was called up at the age of 17, Wang thought, “Me Are you sure ” When a world-famous club wanted to sign her, she was excited that an excellent coach thought she was good. It was only then that she felt confident in her abilities. “I felt recognized. Perhaps I had a bit of talent after all.”
Not any “bit of talent”; the genius is praised as China’s once-in-a-generation player.
China is a pioneer of women’s football in Asia and has won the continental championship nine times, including seven straight titles between 1986 and 1999. That was their golden age. Gradually, though, the dynasty declined (衰退). It is hoped that Wang will inspire the women’s football of the country to its former height.
Coaches are almost always hesitant to speak about individual players. But when coach Shui Qingxia was asked about Wang before the match against Vietnam, she couldn’t stop mentioning her influence on the team. Unfailingly performing on the big stage, Wang did not let her team down. When they lacked a quality ball，she delivered two high assists that finally led her team into the quarterfinal(四分之一决赛).
“Nobody knows how hard it was,” declared Wang after the match. “We overcame difficulties. We also showed our strong spiritual power. I am proud of my team. ”
11．What can we infer about Wang from the second paragraph
A．She earned a living on her own.
B．She was released from the team.
C．She was laughed at by the boys.
D．She found a sense of belonging.
12．How did Wang regain faith in her abilities
A．By winning recognition.
B．By obtaining inspiration.
C．By playing in the national team.
D．By ignoring other people’s jibes.
13．What’s the best title for the text
A．Wang Shuang: A Steel Rose
B．Wang Shuang: A Child Genius
C．Wang Shuang:A Football Pioneer
D．Wang Shuang: A Golden Age Creator
Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Japanese composer who died on March 28, 2023, was a talented musician. For many, his combination of noisy notes and joyous ones made him timeless and avant-garde (前卫的). But for me, Sakamoto was first and foremost a creator of complex emotions.
Before I learned to love Sakamoto, my mother loved him. After her days studying textiles (纺织) at a women’s college in our hometown of Nagoya, Japan, she would come home and play the Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence theme over and over. When she sat at her piano bench, she was trying to mold herself into the most attracting woman that she could be. Still, her childhood desire for a bigger life never died. Years later, when she played it again on that same piano, now transported to our Chicago home, her hands would crash down on Sakamoto’s drumming and upset bridge. It seemed that she buried herself in her younger dream and at the same time got lost in the reality of living away from her home and family. Both the joy of a fulfilled dream and the sorrow of its harsh realities mixed in Sakamoto’s score, pervading (弥漫) our living room.
Following in my mother’s footsteps, I too learned to play Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. I played it in an open music room at college, where I was quite depressed under the gaze of strangers as well as excited about becoming my own adult. I played Sakamoto again in my then-boyfriend’s grandparents’ sitting room, the piece now reflecting my struggle to see how my Japanese and American self could fit into this white family, even though I was in love.
Sakamoto’s genius for telling the contradictions (矛盾) of existence arises again and again. I’m still playing Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, now at the electric piano in my living room, as I puzzle through becoming a new mother, frightened and thrilled at the same time. Maybe someday my daughter will play Sakamoto’s music, and it will help her understand her life too.
14．The author loves Sakamoto for_________.
A．his Japanese identity
B．his talent as a composer
C．his way to combine notes
D．his creation of mixed emotions
15．How did the author’s mother feel when she played Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence in Chicago
A．Contented with her current life.
B．Joyful and sorry at the same time
C．Annoyed with the difficult bridge
D．Lonely and upset away from home.
16．What is this passage mainly about
A．The life and accomplishments of Ryuichi Sakamoto.
B．The challenges of being a Japanese-American woman.
C．Contradicting emotions aroused by Sakamoto’s music.
D．A mother and daughter’s shared love for playing the piano.
The question of whether it is possible to dissociate the artist from their work has been debated for a long time. Even though positive critical reviews about an artist’s behavior can improve their artistic accomplishments, people should treat artists as individuals who have lived apart from their work.
One of the reasons is that even artists have shortcomings. Like any other human being, an artist can err, and we cannot be severely judgmental of every person that falls into error. Cancel culture with endless criticism is concerned more with how we should disregard the artists when they make mistakes than with how their weaknesses can be used by the artists to create art that is unique.
Perhaps Kevin Hart’s words support this thought. He asks, “When did we get to a point where life was supposed to be perfect Where people were supposed to operate perfectly all the time ” When people start seeing artists as human beings, they’ll see them for who they are and review their behavior not on the basis of their art but on the basis of their humanity.
It should be also noted that there are works of art that are inspired by the artist’s experience. For example, the themes in the Harry Potter books are so connected with J. K. Rowling’s wicked worldview that it is virtually impossible to distinguish the two from each other. Since canceling artists based on their worldview would mean the reception to their art will suffer, artists become tense and unwilling to express themselves, which will kill creativity, eventually leading to the death of edians, singers or painters who should be integrating contemporary issues with their works become boring, and art stops functioning as the social mirror it ought to be.
An artist who makes mistakes still has art with intrinsic (内在的) value, benefiting entire communities or cultures. For instance, when Kendrick Lamar launched his album and frequently used the F-slur in one of his songs, there was much-heated discussion. He was entirely mistaken in using the F-slur, but as an artist, he still had a wide-reaching impact on society. Similarly, one can respect the late Michael Jackson because of how he impacted pop music and the inclusion of black musicians in mainstream media despite his personal weaknesses, opinions, worldviews and associations.
While these artists may engage in their terrible behavior, the art they produce today may serve as an example for others to produce outstanding work in the future. Some would refer to this process as a cycle. Good art should, therefore, be judged due to its value and not the value of the artist.
17．Which would Kevin Hart probably agree with
A．People should perform perfectly all the time.
B．Artists’ shortcomings might be their inspiration.
C．If artists have weaknesses, we’d better cancel them.
D．Artists should be evaluated based on their humanity.
18．Why will “cancel culture” lead to the death of art
A．Artists will be unwilling to create any artwork.
B．Artists will stop concerning with contemporary issues.
C．Artists will lose their desire for expression and creativity.
D．Artworks are unavoidably inspired by artists’ experiences.
19．How can an artist with mistakes benefit others
A．The artist may make some new words popular.
B．The artist’s opinions may provoke heated discussion.
C．The artist will benefit entire communities or cultures.
D．The artist’s art may give others ideas of artistic creation.
20．Which would be the best title of the passage
A．Judge Art Due to Its Value
B．Separate the Art From the Artist
C．Regard Artists as Human Beings
D．Stop Criticizing Artists’ Behavior
Earth Day: Kid Heroes for the Planet
On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. On that day, people around the world work to help our planet. But many people, including kids, protect the Earth all year long Read about five inspiring kid heroes for the planet.
Saving the Frogs
Justin Sather is from Los Angeles, California. He has always loved frogs. When Justin was 5, he learned that their habitats (栖息地) were in danger. Justin started a group called For the Love of Frogs. He sold toy frogs to raise money to help them. Up till now, he has raised more than $20, 000 to support frog protection.
Growing Right
Aadya Joshi lives in Mumbai, India. When she was 15, she turned a junk lot in her neighborhood into a garden. She used native plants. Joshi said native plants attract native insects and animals. Now, she’s the leader of the organization The Right Green. She founded it to educate people about growing native plants and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Joshi also created a database of more than 2,000 plants in India. Joshi’s database is a resource where people can learn which kinds of plants are native to their area.
Cleaning Up
Jeremy Muchilwa, 13, and Michelle Muchilwa, 15, are siblings. They live in Kenya In June 2020, they participated in the Ocean Heroes Bootcamp. This inspired them to fight plastic pollution. They decided to create a campaign to pick up plastic waste in nearby Lake Victoria. Also, they worked with a research institute to find new ways to draw attention to plastic waste.
Creating Energy
Eleven-year-old Xavier Iglesias is from Florida. One day, Xavier was playing with a friend on an Astroturf field (人造草坪). He noticed the field was much hotter than real grass. It inspired him to invent SoleX Turf, which uses the heat from Astroturf to make electricity. Xavier said his invention creates electricity in a way that’s less harmful to the environment.
21．What inspired Justin to build For the Love of Frogs
A．Taking part in the Ocean Heroes Bootcamp.
B．Knowing that the habitats of frogs were at risk.
C．Noticing the field was much hotter than real grass.
D．Discovering that native plants attract native insects and animals.
22．What qualities do the five kid heroes have in common
A．Observant and creative. B．Talented and humorous.
C．Emotional and self-focused. D．Optimistic and determined.
23．Where is this text probably taken from
A．A novel. B．A biography.
C．A news website. D．A scientific journal.
Chinese experts will head to Memphis Zoo in the United States to assist in the care of giant panda Ya Ya and ensure her health and well-being. The move comes after the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens received reports of Yaya’s poor health condition and was instructed by the country’s regulatory authorities to take action.
With it being decided that Yaya will come back home, this event raises the question of why giant pandas are so difficult to feed and breed. Although giant pandas only feed on bamboo, a low-nutrient food, they are known for their appetite.The Calgary Zoo in Canada sent two pandas back to China in 2020 due to a shortage of bamboo, reported CNN. According to the zoo,the animals together eat about 40 kilograms of fresh bamboo each day.
They also have trouble absorbing nutrients. Pandas digest food with the help of certain bacteria, instead of ensymes(酶)that most creatures have for digestion, according to a study in 2011. Even with the help of the bacteria, pandas can only digest 17 percent of the food they eat, so they live an energy-conserving lifestyle.
Their low reproductive rate is a crucial reason as well. Generally, giant pandas can breed when they reach 4 to 8 years old, according to the Pandas International website. Females breed once a year in the spring which lasts only about two or three days. In the wild, female pandas leave their scent on bamboo so that males can locate them. Even if a pair meets, successful breeding is not certain.
Females normally give birth to one or two cubs. If twins are born, the mother may only raise the stronger of the cubs. A newborn panda baby only weighs about 0.1 percent of the weight of a fully grown panda, making its survival extremely difficult.
Despite these issues, progress has been made in breeding and protecting the widely loved animals. Until 2022, there were about 673 giant pandas in captivity(圈养), and the wild population of giant pandas reaches more than 1,800, according to China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Duan Zhaogang at the center told Xinhua that they had sent 10 pandas back to the wild with nine of them surviving.
24．Why did the Calgary Zoo send two pandas back to China in 2020
A．They suffered from a skin disease.
B．They cost the zoo too much money.
C．There wasn’t enough food for them.
D．They failed to adjust to the local environment.
25．Why do giant pandas have trouble absorbing nutrients
A．They have a low appetite.
B．They only eat low-nutrient foods.
C．They have a delicate digestive system.
D．They don’t have enough enzymes for digestion.
26．What do we know about female pandas
A．They can’t breed until they reach 8 years old.
B．They breed once a year within a short time period.
C．They are likely to give birth to two or more cubs.
D．They have difficulty locating mates in the wild.
27．What is the article mainly about
A．The living habits of giant pandas.
B．The success of protecting giant pandas.
C．The controversy over captive giant pandas.
D．The difficulties giant pandas face to survive.
One day, when I was going to check in at an airport, I noticed there was a big problem. The counter person was telling everyone that all the planes were having problems and they would not be able to fly! And it was suggested that a bus would be provided to take us to Seattle. Everyone was worried, as we only had an hour and a half to make the connecting flight, and the bus was not even at the airport yet.
Finally, the bus pulled up, and the driver said, “They just pulled me out of bed after an all-night shift, and they expect me to get you to Seattle in time to catch your fight. Good luck!”
Needless to say, everyone was in a really bad mood. I was loading my baggage into the bus and had hung my banjo (班卓琴) over my back when the bus driver said, “What Are you going to play that on my bus ” “Well, I really did not plan on it,” I replied.“I was only kidding,”said the driver. But I started thinking about it, and I pulled out the banjo. A worried, angry woman said, “Well, what if I don’t like it ” “Then tell me and I’ll stop,” I replied.
We drove off, and the tension made the atmosphere inside the bus horrendous! Then I started performing the old standard Blue Skies. In a few minutes, I noticed everyone was singing along. I started to sing, too, and before long, the whole bus burst into song.
One song led to another. Everyone laughed and sang, with food passed around the bus, and before long, the airport was in sight.
The bus driver called, “We made it! We never would have done it without the help of our banjo player.” Shouts of approval rang through the bus. People exchanged addresses and invitations to visit, and a few even exchanged hugs.
A few weeks later, my mailbox was filled with letters from my new friends. Their letters reminded me of how, by reaching out with just a song or a bit of friendship, you can turn a very tense situation into a peaceful experience.
28．What can we learn from paragraph 2
A．The driver was glad to take them to Seattle.
B．The driver was too tired to send them to Seattle.
C．The driver was late because he just came off the night shift.
D．The driver thought they would have difficulty making it to Seattle.
29．What does the underlined word “horrendous” in paragraph 4 mean
A．Boring. B．Strange. C．Terrible. D．Cheerful.
30．What is the text mainly about
A．A great banjo play.
B．A wonderful musical bus ride.
C．The amazing friendship on a bus.
D．An unforgettable experience at the airport.
Even if you aren’t into artificial intelligence, it’s time to pay attention to ChatGPT, because this one is a big deal.
The tool, developed by Open AI, lets you type natural-language prompts (提示). ChatGPT then offers conversational responses. The robot remembers the information of your dialogue, using previous questions and answers to inform its next responses. It draws its answers from huge volumes of information on the internet.
ChatGPT seems pretty knowledgeable in areas where there’s good training data for it to learn from. It’s not omniscient (无所不知的) or smart enough to replace all humans yet, but it can be creative, and its answers can sound very authoritative (权威的). A few days after its launch, more than a million people were trying out ChatGPT.
But be careful, OpenAI warns. ChatGPT has all kinds of potential disadvantages, some easy to spot and some more subtle (不明显的).“It’s a mistake to be depending on it for anything important right now,” OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman said. “We have lots of work to do on robustness (稳定性) and truthfulness.”
As OpenAI emphasizes, ChatGPT’s answers can look authoritative but be wrong. “If you ask it a very well-structured question, with the intention that it gives you the right answer, you’ll probably get the right answer,” said Mike Krause, data science director at a different AI company, Beyond Limits. “It’ll be explained clearly and sound like it came from some professor at Harvard. But if you trick it, you’ll get nonsense.”
There have already been many students who use ChatGPT to help them cheat with their homework and essays, but as with many other technology developments, it’s not a simple black-and-white situation. Decades ago, students could copy encyclopedia (百科全书) entries and use calculators, and more recently, they’ve been able to use search engines. ChatGPT offers new abilities for everything from helping with research to doing your homework for you outright.
Many ChatGPT answers already sound like student essays, though often with an unnatural tone. High school teacher Daniel Herman concluded ChatGPT already writes better than most students today. He’s uncertain between admiring ChatGPT’s potential usefulness and fearing its harm to human learning. Dustin York, an associate professor of communication at Maryville University, hopes educators will learn to use ChatGPT as a tool and realize it can help students think critically.
31．Why does the author think ChatGPT is a big deal
A．Because it’s artificial intelligence that offers conversational responses.
B．Because it’s knowledgeable in areas with good training data to learn from.
C．Because it has all kinds of potential disadvantages, easy to spot or more subtle.
D．Because it helped students with their homework essays and wrote even better.
32．What did Mike Krause mean when he said the underlined words in paragraph 5
A．ChatGPT was not able to form indirect answers naturally.
B．ChatGPT was not able to answer indirect questions correctly.
C．ChatGPT was not able to reply to indirect questions quickly.
D．ChatGPT was not able to explain indirect answers properly.
33．Why did the author mention encyclopedia, calculators, and search engines
A．To show that ChatGPT is a tool that can be as helpful.
B．To show that ChatGPT is an invention that will be accepted.
C．To show that students should be allowed to use ChatGPT to write essays.
D．To show that students should be banned to use ChatGPT to write essays.
34．What does the author think of ChatGPT
A．potential and knowledgeable B．robust and truthful
C．imperfect yet promising D．authoritative yet misleading
The Covid-19 pandemic has been stressful in so many ways and increased work stress stands out as widespread consequence of it.
In a study titled “This job is killing me” conducted at Northern Illinois University and Indiana a University, the researchers discovered that two specific factors-having a high-stress job and low control over one’s work-were closely related with higher death rates.
During the 20-year period, over 3,000 Americans were tracked at three separate points by the Midlife in the United States Survey Analyzing that data, the study found that those with high-stress, low-control jobs were 43% more likely to die than those in lower-risk categories.
People who suffered from depression were 130% more likely to die early, according to Erik Gonzalez-Mulé, who co-authored the study. Those with high stress, low-autonomy jobs who died were likely to have suffered depression.
GonzalezMulé says his takeaway is not that everyone should quit their jobs in terror. Rather, he also says, those with influence over employees’ work experience-like company heads and managers-should do as much as possible to increase workers’ feelings of autonomy, especially for workers in high Lowering stress at work isn’t always possible: Some jobs are inherently stressful. But jobs adding a sense of autonomy is sometimes possible.
Gonzalez-Mulé says one simple option is to allow people to decide where to work, whether that’s from home or other non-office workspace. In that way, the Covid-19 pandemic may have actually moved things forward: Employers who were unwilling to take the step of allowing flexible working on employees’ terms have had to adapt fast and, in many cases have seen positive results.
There are other ways that companies can increase workers’ autonomy too, especially for those for whom working from home isn’t an option. “Allowing people to choose what they want to do is kind of a higher order level of autonomy, whereas just allowing people to prioritize tasks and tackle things in the order they want is kind of on the low end,” says Gonzalez-Mule
35．What does GonzalezMulé agree with
A．People should give up their stressful jobs.
B．Lowering employees’ stress at work is essential.
C．People under high pressure are likely to suffer depression.
D．Employees should be allowed to make their own decisions.
36．What is the positive outcome the Covid-19 pandemic has brought
A．Light workload. B．Less stressful jobs.
C．Increasing autonomy. D．Safe working environment.
37．Which belongs to the lower order level of autonomy
A．Doing whatever one wants. B．Deciding what to do first.
C．Choosing to work at home. D．Choosing among several jobs.
38．What can be a suitable title for the text
A．Have High Control Over Your Work B．High-stress Jobs Can Cause Death
C．Stay Away From Stress at Work D．Ways to Cope with High Stress
Thrown from his horse three times and repeatedly wet through while camping in a downpour, Chris Walker wondered whether the Mongol Derhy was really for him.
The property developer and farmer from Gloucestershire was, at 55, the oldest of the competitors in this year’s 1.000 km race across the grassland.
Despite the hardships of his eight-day journey, Walker was delighted to finish third in the annual equestrian (马术的 )endurance race.
Competitors race between checkpoints 22 miles apart, where they change horses. They spend nights at one of 28 stations, set up their own camp or enjoy the hospitality of friendly Mongolian families.
Walker, whose grandfather Neville Crump trained three Grand National winners, was an hour ahead of his rivals as the race entered its eighth day but was awarded a time penalty (判罚) because his horse had a high heart rate during one of the regular checks to ensure that the animals were healthy.
Walker said he had gone to Mongolia to “give it a go” but realized that he stood a chance of winning after teaming up with Patrick Heffron, a competitor from Ireland.
“The horses are quite wild. I got bucked off three times. I fell off in a hole,” he said. “You’re going along and suddenly disappear. You have to hang on to your horse for dear life or it goes off.”
Walker who has raised more than 7000 for the charity Riding for the Disabled Association, own horses and his son is a professional polo player.
Heffron, who met Walker as they went out for the race, finished third equal alongside his companion. He said it was important to form a team mainly because falling off alone means that there is no one to help you retrieve your horse.
“It is also a bloody long way to talk to yourself,”Heffron said. “Neither of us had prior ambitions win this race but we realized: “We’re in front, ” SP R pushed.
39．What can we learn about the Mongol Derby
A．It’s a 22-mile equestrian endurance race.
B．Competitors have to camp at stations.
C．There is an age limit to competitors.
D．Horses are switched at checkpoints.
40．What is the main reason for Walker’s falling behind
A．A time penalty. B．The wild horse. C．Poor teamwork. D．His ill health.
41．What does the underlined word “retrieve” mean in the text
A．Tie. B．Feed. C．Mount. D．Bring back
42．Which of the following words can best describe Walker
A．Enthusiastic but moody. B．Proud and stubborn.
C．Courageous and ambitious. D．Cooperative and generous.
Reading doesn’t come naturally to people, but most of us have learned how. Eighty-six percent of the world’s population is literate(有读写能力的)，and this rate has been increasing for centuries. Literacy makes it possible to navigate a world filled with books, websites, text messages, road signs and more.
Could a growing number of people participate in today’s world without reading or writing at all Technology makes it possible. Most of our devices now talk to us and take spoken commands. Smart cars ask for a destination and then give directions.Smart virtual assistants listen for requests to report the weather, play a song, set a timer, order groceries, and much more. Software can also read text aloud or turn speech into text. These interactions aren’t perfect-the software still makes silly mistakes. But it’s getting better and better. It’s possible to imagine a future world where all of our communication with our devices and each other is spoken.
But reading and writing are powerful tools.For one, most people read faster than they speak. A podcaster or audio book narrator speaks at around150to 160 words per minute, while a strong reader can cruise through a text at 300 to 400 words per minute. That’s twice as fast! Research has also found that people remember more information and stay more interested when they read as opposed to listen. Learning to read also creates new connections in the brain. In her book Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, Maryanne Wolf writes that with the invention of reading, human beings “rearranged the very organization of our brain, which in turn expanded the ways we were able to think, which changed the intellectual evolution of our species.” Would we really choose to give up that progress What do you think Do you hope people keep on reading and writing, or will technology make literacy obsolete(淘汰的)
43．What does the 2nd paragraph focus on
A．Technology makes up for illiteracy. B．Many people have problems with literacy.
C．Technology is a double-edged sword. D．Technology is changing fast.
44．Compared to listening, what will a person do when reading
A．Gather more information. B．Remember less clearly.
C．Show less interest. D．Learn more words.
45．Why does the author mention Maryanne’s book
A．To give an example of a book on reading.
B．To show the evolution of human beings.
C．To prove that reading is related with brain.
D．To illustrate the need for reading and writing.
46．Where is the text probably taken from
A．A textbook. B．A blog post.
C．A book review. D．An academic article.
We have a list of travel guidelines from health organizations around the world to help you consider measures you should take to help reduce health risks when you travel. Please review all information that you need to protect yourself.
Wash your hands often
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available,use a hand sanitizer (洗手液) that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wear a mask
Clean your hands with aleohol-based hand sanitizer, or soap and water, before putting on a mask. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or face covering and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands.
Coughing and sneezing etiquette
If you are not wearing a mask, cover your mouth or nose with a flexed elbow or use disposable tissue and discard immediately after use. Clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water after coughing or sneezing.
Social distancing
Maintain at least 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) distance between yourself and others.
Avoid traveling if unwell
If you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, a sore throat or have seen recent changes in taste or smell, medical professionals recommend you not travel. If you get sick during the trip, stay where you are and follow the advice of local officials.
Anticipate travel needs
Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip and have prescription paperwork with you if traveling internationally.Consider packing enough alcohol based hand sanitizer and keep it within easy reach; but remember some airports or airlines may have limitations on volume of liquids you can carry.Bring a cloth face covering or mask to wear in public places. Pack some food in case restaurants and stores are closed, but remember some airlines may limit your ability to carry food and drinks onboard.
47．What is the text intended to help people do
A．Travel smarter. B．Travel safer. C．Travel lighter. D．Travel for free.
48．What information does the author provide
A．Carrying a soap at all times. B．Coughing with your mask off.
C．Keeping a proper social distance. D．Going back home if you feel sick.
49．What does the author recommend carrying in case you need
A．Alcohol. B．Facecloth. C．Food and drinks. D．Medicine packaging.
Are you a recent graduate Do you have passion for helping others Are you looking for a solid work experience in a multicultural environment If so, you may be interested in the World Bank’s Junior Professional Associate (JPA) program.
The JPA program is a unique opportunity to gain entry-level professional experience and first-hand exposure to the challenges-and rewards-of international development. In your JPA assignment, you’ll work with more senior workmates and project teams on reducing poverty.
What are we looking for
You should be 28 years of age or younger. Your academic achievements are superior. Your analytical and research skills extend to areas of specialization such as: economics, finance, human development, social sciences, agriculture, environment, etc. An equivalent of a bachelor’s(学士)degree is the minimum.
You are fluent in English and, preferably, in at least one other bank language (Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Portuguese). You love technology and integrate it in your work.
What are we offering you
We will provide you with the opportunity to gain entry-level professional experience in a premier development institution, on a two-year contract with benefits. Since this program is highly competitive, applicants may be asked to submit academic records as well as references. The World Bank will contact only those whom hiring managers wish to interview. Positions may be located in any of the World Bank’s offices across the world.
How to apply
Interested candidates may apply online. Please note that applications will be kept active in our database for a period of six months. Should you still be interested in JPA program after six months, you will need to re-apply.
50．The JPA program helps the young ______.
A．graduate with high honors
B．find solid and well-paid jobs
C．get entry-level work experience
D．challenge their senior workmates
51．What is necessary to be qualified for the JPA program
A．Age 28 or under.
B．Superb technology skills.
C．Having a master’s degree.
D．Fluency in English and Latin.
52．What will the World Bank offer
A．A two-year contract with welfare.
B．Interviews with general managers.
C．Positions in applicants’ hometowns.
D．Analytical and research skills training.
For astronomers who are sighted, the Universe is full of visual wonders. From shimmering planets to shinning galaxies(星系), the universe is impressively beautiful. But those who are visually impaired cannot share that experience. So astronomers have been developing alternative ways to convey(传递)scientific information.
Recently, the journal Nature Astronomy published the latest in a series of articles on the use of sonification in astronomy. Sonification describes the change of data into digital audio(声音)files, which allows them to be heard, as well as read and seen.
In August, Kimberly Arcand, a data-visualization expert and science communicator at the Center for Astrophysics and others transformed some of the first images of the black hole at the centre of the Perseus cluster from the James Webb Space Telescope into sound. They worked under the guidance of people who are blind to map the intensity and colours of light in the headline-grabbing pictures into audio. The sonification of an image of gas and dust in a distant nebula(星云), for instance, uses loud high-frequency sounds to represent bright light near the top of the image, but lower-frequency loud sounds to represent bright light near the image’s centre. The black hole sonification translates data on sound waves travelling through space-created by the black hole’s impact on the hot gas that surrounds it-into the range of human hearing.
Scientists in other fields have also experimented with data sonification. Some have explored whether it can help with discovering Alzheimer’s disease from brain scans. Sound has even been used to describe ecological shifts caused by climate change in an Alaskan forest, with researchers assigning various musical instruments to different tree species.
In the long run, such approaches need to be strictly evaluated to determine what they can offer that other techniques cannot. For all the technical accuracy displayed in individual projects, the Nature Astronomy series points out that there are no universally accepted standards for sonifying scientific data, and little published work that evaluates its effectiveness.
53．What does the underlined word “impaired” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean
A．Appealing. B．Damaged. C．Directed. D．Impressive.
54．The examples in Paragraph 4 are intended to ______.
A．show the widespread use of sonification
B．introduce the common process of sonification
C．provide people with the cure for particular diseases
D．improve the application of sonification to more fields
55．As for sonification, which would the author agree with
A．The use of sonification helps to analyze data effectively.
B．The standardization of sonification has yet to be achieved.
C．Sonification can transform some data that other techniques cannot.
D．Lower-frequency sounds show bright light near the top of the image.
Clothes were once used until they fell apart-repaired and sewed to be re-used, ending their lives as dishcloths. Not today. Clothing, footwear and upholstered furniture are increasingly frequently bought, thrown away and replaced with new fashions, which are themselves soon abandoned and replaced.
‘Fast fashion’ is so called partly because the fashion industry now releases new lines every week, when historically this happened four times a year. Today, fashion brands(品牌)produce almost twice the amount of clothing that they did in 2000. But incredibly, more than 50 billion clothes are deserted within a year of being made.
The trend is having an astonishing environmental impact. Take water. The fashion industry, one of the world’s largest users of water, consumes anywhere from 20 trillion to 200 trillion litres every year. Besides, plastic fibres are released when we wash polyester(聚酯纤维)and other polymer-based textiles(纺织物), and make up between 20% and 35% of the microplastics choking the oceans. Added to this are specific chemicals used to make fabrics dirt resistant and the pesticides required to protect crops such as cotton.
Change is badly needed, but will require the fashion industry to work harder to embrace more of what is known as the circular economy. That will involve at least two things: refocusing on making things that last, and so encouraging reuse; and more rapidly expanding the technologies for sustainable manufacturing(制造)processes, especially recycling. There is work to be done for researchers on improving and expanding textiles recycling. Most used textiles go to landfill(废物填埋场), in part because there are relatively few systems that collect, recycle and reuse materials. Such recycling requires the manual separation of fibres, as well as buttons and zips. Different fibres are not easy to identify by eye, and overall such manual processes are time-consuming. Machinery is being developed that can help. Technologies also exist to recycle used fibres chemically and to create high-quality fibres that can be reused in clothing. But these are nowhere near the scale(规模)needed. Another challenge for researchers is to work out how to get consumers and manufacturers to change their behaviour.
Small steps are good, but big changes are needed. The shameful environmental cost of a new cupboard needs to be tackled immediately, at scale, with style.
56．What are the first two paragraphs mainly about
A．Clothes should be used until they fall apart.
B．Fashion brands are replaced with new ones frequently.
C．Fast fashion leads to a significant increase in fashion waste.
D．Fashion brands produce twice more clothing than necessary.
57．According to the author, what does the circular economy focus on
A．Improving the production of natural textiles.
B．Studying how fast fashion affects the environment.
C．Releasing new lines four times a year instead of every week.
D．Making durable things and expanding the technologies for recycling.
58．What can you infer from the passage
A．Consumers are fond of chemically recycled fibres.
B．Systems that collect, recycle and reuse are insufficient.
C．Manual separation of fibres is preferred by manufacturers.
D．Environment damage is mainly caused by using chemicals.
59．What does the author think of the future of fashion industry
A．Big changes are needed to follow fashion styles.
B．Huge steps should be taken for the needs of consumers.
C．More should be done to deal with the heavy environmental cost.
D．Consumers and manufacturers will change their behaviour immediately.
Orly Wahba is an educator, speaker, entrepreneur (企业家), author and community activist passionate about inspiring and motivating people to be the best that they can be.
As a young child, listening repeatedly to the song, “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson, Orly knew that she wanted to leave her mark and she wanted more than anything to bring people together under the name of peace, respect, and love. Since her teenage years, Orly has worked extensively with tweens and teens as well as local charities in her community providing a helping hand for those who need it most.
Orly began her career in kindness as a middle school educator at the Yeshivah of Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY, teaching the children to use the power they have to influence the world for good. With 8,000 cards, she started a wave of pay-it-forward kindness. Each card contained an act of kindness that once completed, would be passed onto another person. Her project succeeded, enhancing the lives of her students and raising their sense of self-worth as they saw their direct hand in causing a ripple (涟漪) effect. Even now, people may encounter Orly giving out her famed Acts of Kindness Cards on the subway.
Desiring to make a larger impact with her beneficent work and after having been inspired by a small sign on a plane labeled “Life Vest Inside”, Orly founded (2011) Life Vest Inside, a non-profit organization with a mission to encourage people to embrace (拥抱) the incredible power of giving and recognize that in times of hardship, kindness, like a life vest, keeps the world afloat (漂浮).
LVI shot to national attention when Orly’s short film Kindness Boomerang went viral, receiving more than 100 million views and coverage in media such as The TODAY Show, NBC, CBS, ADWEEK, International Business Times and more. In 2013 Orly was invited to speak at TED．
The magic that Orly spreads is undeniable! Through LVI, kind happenings are becoming more frequent. And more people are experiencing the addictiveness in the giving of kindness.
60．How did the song “Heal the World” influence Orly
A．She wanted to become an entrepreneur.
B．She decided to make a difference to the world.
C．She managed to raise money for local charities.
D．She started to work for a peace organization.
61．The Act of Kindness Cards project ______.
A．teaches people to play cards
B．remains a campus campaign
C．uses the power of an educator
D．encourages people to pass kindness
62．What inspired Orly to establish “Life Vest Inside”
A．A small sign on a plane.
B．A non-profit organization.
C．A life vest in a flight accident.
D．A sudden recognition of hardship.
63．What can we learn from the last two paragraphs
A．More people become addictive to magic.
B．Orly achieves amazing success in film career.
C．More people are inspired to show kindness to others.
D．Orly receives international awards for her contribution.
As a Ph. D．student in a new country, lockdown and homesickness combined to leave me feeling lonely and desperate to meet people. To find the connections I was missing, I searched for opportunities that would involve teamwork as a volunteer on the Internet. A position matching graduate students with jobs drew my attention. It needed someone who would lead teams of graduate student volunteers to help bring in industry partners, and work with the university administration and student applicants. The chances to interact with all these different groups were appealing. I had no relevant experience and worried a disturbance to my study, but I still decided I might as well go for it and apply.
The first few weeks in my new role were challenging. Along with my routine study, I was suddenly managing a team of four volunteers and meetings with industry professionals. At first, I was nervous in meetings with them, feeling I wasn’t prepared enough. But as I gained experience, the interactions became truly enjoyable and rewarding. Sometimes the conversations went beyond regular business to touch on career paths, personal challenges, and more. I began to enjoy the daily mix of activities.
I also learned about leadership. At the start, things seemed to go well until one of my team members told me I wasn’t including her fully in decision-making. I was upset; didn’t she trust my leadership But after I calmed down, I saw that maybe she had a point. So I began to ask team members to lead some of our meetings and encouraged them to express their views. This new approach allowed us to meet our targets while helping everyone feel more content and connected—as colleagues, but also as friends.
Beyond building relationships and skills, this experience expanded my horizons about my own professional future. Before I joined, I had only been exposed to academic career paths, and I assumed that was my future. Now I’ve realized I particularly enjoy feeling part of a team and affecting the lives of others. As I get closer to completing my Ph. D．, I’m approaching job searches with a good idea of what I want.
64．What made the author decide to apply for the volunteer work
A．The relevance to her study. B．The longing for a family.
C．The desire for social contact. D．The previous work experience.
65．What can we learn about the author’s volunteer work
A．It drives her away from her study. B．It teaches her how to conduct business.
C．It allows her to adjust her attitude to life and career. D．It helps her identify the professional paths.
66．From the passage, we can learn that the author is ________.
A．open to new challenges B．proud of academic success
C．brave to overcome prejudice D．demanding of group members
Is Positive Thinking Powerful
The $11 billion self-help industry is built on the idea that you should turn negative thoughts like “I never do anything right” into positive ones like “I can succeed”. But was the positive thinking advocate Norman Vincent Peale right Is there power in positive thinking
Researchers in Canada just published a study in Psychological Science that says trying to get people to think more positively can actually have the opposite effect: it can simply stress how unhappy they are. The study’s authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin by using older research showing that when people get feedback (反馈) which they believe is overly positive, they actually feel worse, not better. If you tell your friend who is not very clever that he has the potential of an Einstein, you’re just underlining his faults. In the 1990s, a team including psychologist Joel Cooper of Princeton conducted an experiment. The participants were asked to write essays opposing financial support for the disabled, expressing little sympathy for them. When these participants were later praised for their sympathy, they felt even worse about what they had written.
In this experiment, Wood, Lee and Perunovic measured 68 students’ self-respect. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings for four minutes. Every 15 seconds, one group of students heard a bell. When it rang, they were supposed to tell themselves, “I am lovable” Those with low self-respect didn’t feel better after the forced self-approval. In fact, their feelings turned significantly worse than those of members of the control group, who weren’t urged to think positive thoughts.
The study provides support for newer forms for psychotherapy (心理治疗) that urge people to accept their negative thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. In the fighting, we not only often fail but can make things worse. Meditation (静思) techniques, on the contrary, can teach people to realize their shortcomings from a larger, more realistic perspective. Call it the power of negative thinking.
67．What is the finding of the Canadian researchers
A．There can be no simple solutions to psychological problems.
B．Encouraging positive thinking may do harm to people.
C．The power of positive thinking is limited.
D．Unhappy people cannot think positively.
68．The underlined part in Paragraph 2 probably means _________.
A．you are pointing out the mistakes he has made
B．you are not taking his mistakes seriously enough
C．you are stressing the fact that he is not intelligent
D．you are not trying to make him feel better about his faults
69．What do we learn from the experiment of Wood, Lee and Perunovic
A．Self-approval can bring a positive change to one’s feelings.
B．People with low self-respect seldom write down their true feelings.
C．It is important for people to continually improve their self-respect.
D．Forcing people to think positive thoughts may lower their self-respect.
70．It can be learned from the last paragraph that _________.
A．people can avoid making mistakes through meditation
B．different people tend to have different ways of thinking
C．meditation may prove to be a good form of psychotherapy
D．the effects of positive thinking differ from person to person
参考答案：
1．C 2．B 3．D
【导语】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了欧洲最美的五个地方。
1．细节理解题。根据第一段“The old continent’s historic cities and its Mediterranean beaches draw many of its visitors，but the best destinations are sometimes its more remote corners，known mainly to locals and a few brave travelers. (这个古老大陆的历史名城和地中海海滩吸引了许多游客，但最好的目的地有时是更偏远的角落，只有当地人和一些勇敢的旅行者知道。)”可知，欧洲最好的目的地是当地人和少数冒险家所熟悉的。故选C。
2．细节理解题。根据Yorkshire Dales, England中的“Its narrow lanes lined with drystone walls designed specially to cyclists seeking marvelous adventures, while its moody hills continually attract walkers, no matter the weather. (它狭窄的小巷两旁是专为寻求奇妙冒险的骑自行车者设计的干石墙，而它的起伏的山丘不断吸引着步行者，无论天气如何。)”可知，如果你是一个喜欢冒险的骑行者，你最好选择英格兰的约克郡山谷。故选B。
3．细节理解题。根据The Greek Islands中的“However, there is more to do here than just sunbathe. (然而，除了日光浴，这里还有更多的事情可做。)”可知，希腊群岛是一个晒日光浴的好地方。故选D。
4．B 5．D 6．C 7．D
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍的是研究发现使用天然气灶做饭对气候和人的健康有危害，并指出如何解决这一问题。
4．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“But in recent years environmentalists have been warning that gas stoves are bad for the climate and also not great for our health. A new study this year has heightened health worries about noxious fumes (有毒烟尘) in our kitchens.(但近年来，环保人士一直在警告说，燃气灶对气候有害，对我们的健康也没有好处。今年的一项新研究加剧了人们对厨房有毒烟雾的健康担忧)”可知，天燃气灶担忧包括对天燃气做饭带来的疾病。故选B项。
5．推理判断题。根据第三段中的“They found that more than three quarters of methane that escapes from a stove does so when it is not in use, most likely through imperfect pipe fittings.(他们发现，超过四分之三的甲烷是在炉子不使用时逸出的，很可能是通过不完美的管道配件逸出的)”以及第四段中的“In a matter of minutes, families who do not use their exhaust hoods (排气罩) and who have small, poorly aired kitchens can go beyond the Environmental Protection Agency’s outdoor exposure limit for nitrogen dioxide of 100 parts per billion(ppb)per hour.(在几分钟内，不使用排气罩的家庭，以及拥有小而通风不良的厨房的家庭，可能会超过环境保护局(Environmental Protection Agency)规定的每小时10亿分之100 (ppb)的二氧化氮户外暴露限值)”可知，研究发现，不使用燃气灶时，3/4的甲烷会通过不完好的管道逸出，而在不使用排气罩或通风不佳的家庭厨房里可能会二氧化氮超标。由此推知，没有合适管道的厨房可能是有害的。故选D项。
6．词句猜测题。根据划线单词后的“but it is a powerful greenhouse gas.(但它是一种强大的温室气体)”可知，甲烷是一种强大的温室气体，根据but可知，该句话与划线单词所在句子为转折关系，结合选项可知，全句意思为“虽然甲烷不是有害气体，但它是一种强大的温室气体”符合逻辑，所以划线单词意为“有害的”。故选C项。
7．推理判断题。根据尾段中的“Jackson, for his part, is putting his money where his research is: “I’m replacing a perfectly good gas stove” with an induction stove. He would like governments to provide motivations for people to switch to electric ranges. As for me, I’ve switched to an electric kettle for boiling water.(就杰克逊而言，他把钱花在了他的研究上：“我正在用电磁炉取代一个非常好的煤气炉”。他希望政府为人们改用电动汽车提供动力。至于我，我已经改用电热水壶烧水了)”可知，一些科学家或研究者正在用电炉替换燃气灶或希望政府 转换为电器，而作者也开始用电壸烧水。由此推知，作者对改换做饭习惯持支持态度。故选D项。
8．D 9．D 10．B
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了不同文化中的一些基本规则。
8．词句猜测题。根据上文“Normally women kiss on the cheek, but men usually just shake hands. Brazilians usually stand very close to each other while speaking.(女人通常会亲吻脸颊，而男人通常只是握手。巴西人说话时通常站得很近)”可知，this指的是巴西人说话时通常站得很近这件事。故选D。
9．细节理解题。根据BRAZIL部分的“Most Brazilians are very friendly, so it’s important to greet the people you meet.(大多数巴西人都很友好，所以问候你遇到的人是很重要的)”、“If you go to a business meeting, you are not expected to take a gift.(如果你去参加一个商务会议，你不需要带礼物)”、“However, avoid anything purple or black, as these colors have to do with death.(然而，避免紫色或黑色，因为这些颜色与死亡有关)”、“If you are invited to dinner, arrive at least 30 minutes late, but always dress well, because a person’s appearance can be very important to Brazilians.(如果你被邀请去吃饭，至少迟到30分钟，但一定要穿着得体，因为一个人的外表对巴西人来说非常重要)”和SAUDI ARABIA部分的“It is important to greet the oldest or the most senior person first.(首先问候年龄最大或地位最高的人是很重要的)”、“Arrive on time for business meetings, but don’t be surprised if others are late.(商务会议要准时到达，但如果别人迟到也不要感到惊讶)”、“Business dress is formal.(商务着装是正式的)”、“Gifts are not expected at business meetings.(商务会议上不应该送礼物)”可知，这两个国家都提到的是问候、到达时间、着装和给礼物。故选D。
10．推理判断题。根据文章第一段“International travel is popular, but visitors can run into trouble if they don’t know some basic “rules”. So, it’s important to learn about the cultures they’re visiting.( 国际旅行很受欢迎，但如果游客不知道一些基本的“规则”，他们就会遇到麻烦。所以，了解他们所参观的国家的文化是很重要的)”可知，作者写这篇文章主要是为了介绍不同文化中的一些基本规则。故选B。
11．D 12．A 13．A
【导语】这是一篇记叙文。文章介绍了中国女子足球运动员王霜的个人经历和成就。
11．推理判断题。根据文章第二段内容“At seven, she was spotted by coach Xu Yilong, who found Wang quick in her playful behaviour. As the only girl in the boys’ team, Wang’s performances were impressive, earning her the nickname “Iron Girl.” And soon, she sensed the sport’s power. Football allowed her to “release herself” and realize “whatever happens, football never leaves you alone.”(7岁时，她被教练徐一龙（音译）看中，徐一龙发现王霜活泼好动。作为男队中唯一的女生，王霜的表现令人印象深刻，为她赢得了“铁妹”的绰号。很快，她就感受到这项运动的力量。足球让她“释放自我”，并意识到“无论发生什么，足球永远不会让你孤单。”)”可知，王霜认为足球能让她释放自己，意识到，无论发生什么，足球永远不会让她孤单。由此可推知，王霜从足球身上感受到了一种归属感。故选D项。
12．细节理解题。根据文章第三段中的“When she was called up to the national team, aged 17, Wang thought, “Me Are you sure ” When a world-famous club wanted to sign her, she was “excited that an excellent coach thought I was good.” It was only then that she felt confident in her abilities. “I felt recognized. Perhaps I had a bit of talent after all.”(17岁那年，当她被征召进国家队时，她想：“我？你确定吗？”当一家世界著名的俱乐部想要签下她时，她“很兴奋，因为一位优秀的教练认为我很出色。”直到那时，她才对自己的能力充满信心。“我觉得自己被认可了。也许我还是有点天赋的。”)”可知，在被招进国家队，自己的能力被认可时，王霜才对自己的能力充满信心。故选A项。
13．主旨大意题。根据文章内容可知，文章第一段提到了足球对儿时的王霜来说是一种逃避；第二段提到了王霜7岁时被教练看中，加入足球队进行训练；第三段提到了王霜曾受到周围人的打击和嘲笑而不自信，但被招进国家队后重拾了信心；第四、五、六、七段介绍了王霜的相关成就。由此可知，本文主要介绍了王霜的个人经历，跌宕起伏，但依然保持对足球的热情和初心，犹如绽放的铿锵玫瑰。A项“Wang Shuang: A Steel Rose(“铿锵玫瑰”王霜)”更符合文章主题。故选A项。
14．D 15．B 16．C
【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。主要通过讲述作者及其母亲对日本作曲家Ryuichi Sakamoto音乐的喜爱，介绍了其音乐引起的矛盾的思想情感。
14．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“But for me, Sakamoto was first and foremost a creator of complex emotions. (但对我来说，Sakamoto首先是一个复杂情感的创造者。)”可知，作者喜欢Sakamoto是因为他是复杂情感的缔造者。故选D项。
15．推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Years later, when she played it again on that same piano, now transported to our Chicago home, her hands would crash down on Sakamoto’s drumming and upset bridge. It seemed that she buried herself in her younger dream and at the same time got lost in the reality of livi