2023届上海高考英语阅读理解专项训练（含解析）

阅读理解
MAP ARTIST TUTORIAL:
HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM MAP
Map Artist is the perfect tool for creating customized maps to Include in research projects and reports. Map Artist offers endless possibilities Mop Artist has a huge collection of map styles to choose from, and they can be customized to suit your special needs. In this tutorial, we will assume you have been asked to create a map for a social studies report.
1. When you open Map Artist, a world map will be displayed. Type “North America” in the dialogue box or choose NORTH AMERICA from the list provided. Click GO. A map of North America will be displayed.
2. Type “United States” in the dialogue box or choose UNTED STATES from the drop—dawn menu to display a map of the 50 United States. Click GO. A map of the United States will be displayed.
3. Type “California” in the dialogue box or choose CALIFORNIA from the drop-down menu. Click Go. A map of California will be displayed.
4. Click on the drop—down menu need to the outline map of the state. Click on the type of map you need for your report. OUTUNE shows only the outline shape of the state with no highways or population centers indicated; HIGHWAY shows major cities, interstate highways, and major state highways. TOPOGRAPHIC indicates elevations as well as the location of major cities. SHADED RELIEF shows only natural landforms (mountains, valleys, rivers), as well as national parks. POLITICAL shows major cities, interstate, and major highways. HISTORICAL recalls the oldest maps on record. For the purposes of this tutorial, select OUTUNE. A map showing an outline of California will be displayed.
5. Click CUSTOMIZE on the menu bar down the left side of the screen. CUSTOMZE allows you to place custom data on the map you have selected. A tiny symbol will be placed on the map at the location you designate, and the text you type into the dialogue box at the bottom of the screen will appear next to it.
◆ First, click on the button next to the appropriate symbol. For practice, click on the shovel, which symbolizes archaeology.
◆ Next to the word TEXT, type “The Presidio,” which is an archaeological site near San Francisco.
◆ Now use your mouse to click on the spot on the map where you would like this data to be placed.
◆ Continue by typing “Woolen Mills” and clicking on the map near San Jose.
◆ Last, type “Emerald Bay” and click on the map near Lake Tahoe.
◆ You can add as many sites as you wish. Each time you dick your mouse on the map. It will place the symbol and text you have included to describe that location.
6. Click SAVE it you would like to save the map to a file. Later, after opening the saved document, click on the map with your right mouse button and select COPY. Open the file in the word processing program that contains your report. Insert a box at the location where you want the map to appear. Put your cursor inside the box, right—click the mouse, and select PASTE. Putting your graphic In the box will allow you to stretch or shrink the box to wrap text around it.
1．If your report is about Plants and Animals in New York, you may click _____ on map.
A．HISTORICAL
B．SHADED RELIEF
C．TOPOGRAPHIC
D．POLITICAL
2．When a specific location is placed on a customized map, which function is required
A．Clicking on GO. B．Cutting and pasting.
C．Inserting a box for the map. D．Clicking on the map.
3．Which sequence accurately presents the order of the steps suggested in the Map Artist tutorial
A． B．
C． D．
Humans are fascinated by the source of their failings and virtues. This state of mind inevitably leads to an old debate: whether nature or nurture(养育)frames us more. A revolution in genetics has poised this as a modem political question about the character of our society: if personalities are hard—wired into our genes, what can governments do to help us It feels morally questionable, yet claims of genetic selection by intelligence are making headlines.
This is down to “hereditarian”(遗传论的)science and a recent paper claimed “differences in exam performance between pupils attending selective and non—selective schools mirror the genetic differences between them”. With such an assumption, the work was predictably greeted by a lot of ridiculous claims about “genetics determining academic success”. What the research revealed was the rather less surprising result: the educational benefits of selective schools largely disappear once pupils’ inborn ability and socio—economic background were taken into account. It is a glimpse of the obvious—and there’s nothing to back strongly either a hereditary or environmental argument.
Yet the paper does say children are “unintentionally genetically selected” by the school system. Central to hereditarian science is a tall claim: that identifiable variations in genetic sequences can predict an individual’s capability to learn, reason and solve problems. This is problematic on many levels. Unlike—minded academics say the inheritability of human traits is scientifically unsound. At best there is a weak statistical association and not a causal link between DNA and intelligence. Yet sophisticated statistics are used to create a frightening atmosphere of scientific certainty.
While there’s an undoubted genetic basis to individual difference, it is wrong to think that socially defined groups can be genetically accounted for. The fixation on genes as destiny is surely false too. Medical predictability can rarely be based on DNA alone; the environment matters too. Something as complex as intellect is likely to be affected by many factors beyond genes. If hereditarians want to advance their cause, it will require more balanced interpretation and not just acts of backing.
Genetic selection is a way of exerting influence over others, “the ultimate collective control of human destinies,” as writer H.G. Wells put it. Knowledge becomes power and power requires a sense of responsibility. In understanding cognitive ability, we must not elevate discrimination(歧视)to a science: allowing people to climb the ladder of life only as far as their cells might suggest. This will need a more doubtful eye on the science. As technology progresses, we all have a duty to make sure that we shape a future that we would want to find ourselves in.
4．What did a recent research paper claim
A．The type of school students attend makes a difference to their future.
B．Genetic differences between students are far greater than supposed.
C．The advantages of selective schools are too obvious to ignore.
D．Students’ academic performance is determined by their genes.
5．What does the author think of the recent research
A．Its result was questionable. B．Its implication was positive.
C．Its analysis of the data was sound. D．Its conclusions were valid(有效的).
6．Which of the following statement is true according to the passage
A．The relationship between DNA and intelligence is one of scientific certainty.
B．Many factors influence a person’s intelligence.
C．Whether intelligence is decided by genes is based on interpretation of statistics
D．The importance of DNA is not fully examined by gene scientists.
7．What does the author warn against in the passage
A．Exaggerating the power of technology in shaping the world.
B．Losing sight of professional ethics in conducting research.
C．Misunderstanding the findings of human cognition research.
D．Promoting discrimination in the name of science.
By the twentieth century, New York City had long since reached its destiny of becoming the most powerful city in America. In less than 300 years it had grown from a tiny Dutch outpost in the wilderness to the business capital of the world. It was a city built on dreams,
But it was made out of bricks and cement that had come from the banks of the Hudson. The river which had fed all those dreams was now fading into the background. New York didn’t seem to need the river anymore, except as a sewer. And that’s what it became.
Industry on the river had made some New Yorkers filthy rich. But it had just made the river filthy. Garbage, factory waste, plant chemicals and the raw sewage of the cities and towns along its banks were dumped directly into the river. The water turned greenish brown, except by the GM plant, where it turned red or yellow or whatever color they were painting the cars that day.
The fishing industry collapsed. The few fish that survived were too poisonous to eat. Smog from the factory smoke and dust from the cement plants blanketed the valley. And it was all legal.
Most people don’t start out which dreams of polluting a river. But it was often the result of people chasing their dreams of wealth with little care of how they reached it. The Hudson Valley had always drawn them.
But now there were other dreamers in the valley, with their own dreams of wealth. They dreamed of the wealth of wildlife in a healthy forest, the abundance of fish in oxygen—rich water, and the great fortune of living in a beautiful river valley.
So perhaps it was a matter of time before the two types of dreamers would meet each other—in court. In 1963, Con Edison, New York City’s power company, proposed a plan for constructing the largest hydroelectric pumping station ever built. The plan called for carving out a gigantic hole in the side of majestic Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River.
But then they met Franny Reese, a longtime valley resident with a simple point to make: the mountain could not speak for itself. If she didn’t speak for it, who would
Franny and a group of like—minded people founded Scenic Hudson and took on the power company in a landmark court case. Con Ed challenged the right of private citizens to participate, but the court sided with the citizens, in the ruling now known as the Scenic Hudson Decision.
After dragging out the case for seven years, Con Ed finally gave up and Storm King survived unblemished. It was the beginning of the environmental movement in this country, and and again, the Hudson Valley was the birthplace.
8．According to the first two paragraphs, the Hudson River that once helped realize people’s dreams was now ______.
A．disappearing from view
B．losing its importance in people’s minds
C．moving farther and farther away from the city
D．remaining important only to those who want to seek their fortune
9．Which of the following is NOT the factor contributing to the pollution of the river
A．The automotive plant. B．The raw sewage.
C．The fishing industry. D．The cement plants.
10．What does the underlined word “unblemished” probably mean
A．Unaware. B．Unknown. C．Unharmed. D．Unstable.
11．What can we infer from the passage
A．Scenic Hudson may be an environmental organization that protects the Hudson River.
B．Con Ed and Franny Reese settled the case out of court.
C．Two types of dreamers signed an agreement in court.
D．The Hudson Valley, once a magnet for dreamers, is now completely abandoned.
Are you interested in robot-science What do you think robots are capable of Let’s have a review of world-leading technology gathered at the World Robot Conference (WRC) 2022.
Technology in agriculture
A fruit-picking robot attracted visitors’ attention. With the help of various sensors and an AI system, the robot can collect fruit according to its ripeness, quality and size. The robot first locates the fruit and then uses sensors to decide whether it is ripe, with a robotic arm picking the fruit gently. The fruit is then categorized, ending up in a basket according to its size. It is said that more robotic technology will be used in agriculture in the future, including robots for daily inspection and weeding.
Robots fighting Covid-19
Medical staff conducting nucleic acid tests often find their work toilsome, especially under the summer heat. A nucleic acid test robot developed by Tsinghua University and a Chinese biotech company was presented at the WRC． It looks like a vending machine, but the robot can collect throat swabs (拭子), process samples, as well as produce and upload the results within 45 minutes. The whole process will not require the involvement of humans or laboratories.
Inventions of the youth
Those visiting the exhibit also witnessed the intelligence of a new generation. Wang Zirun, a junior student at the school, designed a three-dimensional parking facility model. Since there are usually too few parking spaces in older residential areas, Wang’s work aims to fit more cars into current parking spots. The facility works like a sky wheel with six parking spots. When cars need to be picked up, the facility rotates steadily, placing the car on the ground.
12．Where is the text probably taken from
A．A travel brochure.
B．A technology textbook.
C．A science magazine.
D．A product advertisement.
13．Why is the parking facility designed like a sky wheel
A．To save building materials.
B．To prevent cars from being stolen.
C．To increase ground parking spaces.
D．To make the most of limited space.
14．What can we infer from the text
A．Both the fruit-picking robot and the nucleic acid test robot can save manpower.
B．The WRC is intended to inspire the intelligence of a young generation.
C．All the inventions mentioned have been put into practical use.
D．Human can be replaced by the robot in the future.
In my everyday life, I am on an ongoing journey to figure out different ways to reduce my carbon footprint on the planet. A carbon footprint is the measure of influence our activities have on the environment, in particular climate change. It is calculated by the amount of greenhouse gas we produce in our daily lives. Fortunately, nowadays it is much easier to make eco-friendly lifestyle choices than, let’s say, 20 years ago. But one question has been on my mind a lot lately: is it better to buy new eco-friendly products or used traditionally produced goods
After doing some research, I have decided that some things are better new and others are better used. Let me try to explain.
A carbon footprint is made up of two parts, the primary footprint and the secondary footprint. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions(排放)of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of fuels, including household energy consumption and transportation. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole life cycle of products we use-those related to their production and breakdown.
Based on this understanding, we have a good deal of control and responsibility over our carbon footprint. Things like dishes, clothes and furniture fall into the “secondary footprint” group, so less is more and we can focus on finding used goods to avoid the added production. However, for the car and the other appliances(设备) that we need we can go with new, energy-saving models. I heard somewhere that electronics and appliances give off 90% of their carbon footprint after they leave the factory. So it seems most reasonable to go for the energy-saving models. The main concern here is the amount of energy that goes into the making of new products and whether or not that extra carbon is worth the footprint the product will make once it gets to you.
15．What is the text mainly about
A．How to make eco-friendly lifestyle choices.
B．What a carbon footprint means in our life.
C．How to identify different carbon footprints.
D．What appliances to buy to save energy.
16．What do we know about the secondary carbon footprint
A．It is related to our consumption of fuels.
B．It is counted as ours though not directly made by us.
C．It is less harmful than the primary carbon footprint.
D．It is made when we are buying the products.
17．Which of the following helps reduce our carbon footprint according to the author
A．Buying new but cheap clothes.
B．Using old and expensive cars.
C．Using second-hand textbooks.
D．Buying new wooden furniture.
Artificial intelligence or AI is called artificial for a good reason. Facebook made that point last week by ending its attempt to rely heavily on software algorithms to select news items for its 2 billion users.
It announced on Jan.19 that the Facebook community will be asked to rank news outlets by their trustworthiness. “This reader feedback will promote high quality news that helps build a sense of common ground in a world with so much division”, said chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.
The first surveys have started in the United States and will soon expand to other countries. The company plans to include the local news outlets of users in its surveys. Like many digital platforms that act as news providers, Facebook had great faith in a belief that programmed electrons in computer servers can discern qualities of thought such as trust, fairness and honesty. Even in respected newsrooms, however, these traits of character require constant upkeep among journalists and feedback from paying customers. Good judgment on news relies on orders of consciousness beyond what a machine can do.
Rather than move toward becoming a hands-on gatekeeper of news, Facebook now hopes its “diverse and representative” sampling of users can lead to a ranking of news outlets and that would bring a measure of objectivity in its news feed. The company may be in the news business, but it has chosen to outsource news credibility to the collective wisdom of individuals and their ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. By placing its trust in people as seekers of truth, Facebook could earn greater trust from its users. This is also a lesson for many companies especially digital platforms or those in the media business.
According to the latest survey of trust in institutions worldwide by Edelman communications firm, “media has become the least-trusted institution for the first time more so than other businesses or government”. “In particular, the US is enduring an unprecedented crisis of trust among many of. its institutions”, says Richard Edelman, president and CEO of Edelman. “The root cause of this fall is the lack of objective facts and rational discourse”, he adds. Facebook’s shift away from computer-driven news selection is a welcome step toward restoring trust in the overall business of news. This is not a new problem. “Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper”, wrote Thomas Jefferson in 1807. Yet the Digital Age has forced the issue of trust for news providers. By inviting readers to participate in solving this problem, Facebook has itself set a new bar for earning trust.
18．According to Paragraph 4, Facebook hopes to _______.
A．measure the objectivity of news feed on its own
B．improve its ability to tell truth from falsehood
C．shed off the responsibility of a news provider
D．entrust news credibility to its massive users
19．In the last paragraph, Thomas Jefferson’s words are cited to indicate _______.
A．the poor quality of newspapers nowadays
B．the long-standing trust issue in news businesses
C．the problems arising from Facebook’s shift
D．the issue of trust in the Digital Age
20．The author holds that Facebook’s shift is _______.
A．a lesson for news providers on filtering news
B．the cause of the trust crisis across business of news
C．a step toward restoring user’s trust in news business
D．the result of lacking objective facts and rational discourse
21．To which of the following would Mark Zuckerberg most probably agree
A．Common grounds among users are the sources of high-quality news.
B．Programmed electrons can make good judgment on news quality.
C．Computers cannot replace human beings in news selection.
D．Reader feedback is not needed in respected newsrooms.
The person who set the course of my life was a school teacher named Marjorie Hurd. When I stepped off a ship in New York Harbor in 1949, I was a nine-year-old war refugee, who had lost his mother and was coming to live with the father he did not know. My mother, Eleni Gatzoyiannis, had been imprisoned and shot for sending my sisters and me to freedom.
I was thirteen years old when I entered Chandler Junior High. Shortly after I arrived, I was told to select a hobby to pursue during “club hours.” The idea of hobbies and clubs made no sense to my immigrant ears, but I decided to follow the prettiest girl in my class. She led me into the presence of Miss Hurd, the school newspaper adviser and English teacher.
A tough woman with salt-and-pepper hair and determined eyes, Miss Hurd had no patience with lazy bones. She drilled us in grammar,assigned stories for us to read and discuss, and eventually taught us how to put out a newspaper. Her introduction to the literary wealth of Greece gave me a new perspective on my war-torn homeland, making me proud of my origins. Her efforts inspired me to understand the logic and structure of the English language. Owing to her inspiration, during my next twenty-five years, I became a journalist by profession.
Miss Hurd retired at the age of 62. By then, she had taught for a total of 41 years. Even after her retirement, she continually made a project of unwilling students in whom she spied a spark of potential. The students were mainly from the most troubled homes, yet she alternately bullied and charmed them with her own special brand of tough love, until the spark caught fire.
Miss Hurd was the one who directed my grief and pain into writing. But for Miss Hurd, I wouldn’t have become a reporter. She was the catalyst that sent me into journalism and indirectly caused all the good things that came after.
22．What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph Two most probably mean
A．Hobbies and clubs did not interest the author.
B．The author turned a deaf ear to joining clubs.
C．Hobbies and clubs were inaccessible to immigrants like the author.
D．The author had no idea what hobbies and clubs were all about.
23．Which of the following caused the author to think of his homeland differently
A．Stepping on the American soil for the first time.
B．Her mother’s miserable death.
C．Being exposed to Greek literary works.
D．Following the prettiest girl in his class.
24．It can be inferred from Paragraph Four that _______.
A．Miss Hurd’s contribution was recognized across the nation
B．Students from troubled homes preferred Miss Hurd’s teaching style
C．The students Miss Hurd taught were all finally fired
D．Miss Hurd employed a unique way to handle these students
25．The passage is mainly concerned with _______.
A．how the author became a journalist B．the importance of inspiration in one’s life
C．the teacher who shaped the author’s life D．factors contributing to a successful career
Working at the British Museum
Current vacancies
We are always looking for talented people to join us in jobs from visitor assistants to curators, scientists to administrators, sales assistants to fundraisers. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment (骚扰). We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which you can view by clicking on the benefits tab above.
If you want to find out more about a specific vacancy, click on the job title in the list of current vacancies in the British Museum or the British Museum Company below. You can also log in to continue and track a previous application. You can use the search function on the bottom left of this tab to search for jobs according to their location, job category or employment type.
How to apply
To apply for a job, you need to register an account. Once you have an account you can use this to apply for any job by logging in to the candidate area using your email address and chosen password.
As part of any recruitment process, the British Museum collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. The Museum is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. You can find further information on this subject on the job applicant privacy notice tab.
If your application is successful you will be subject to relevant disclosure checks for the job. You will also be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.
You can apply for a job by clicking on the corresponding job title. You can resume an application which you have started but are yet to finish. The online application form has been designed so that you can save, review and amend it, before submission.
Selection
Once we receive your application it will be reviewed and evaluated. If you are shortlisted for the job you will be invited to an interview: this could be a telephone interview, a face-to-face interview or in the format of an assessment centre, depending on the position you are applying for. If your application is unsuccessful we will contact you to let you know.
We usually operate a two-stage interview process depending on the job you have applied for. For certain jobs you may also he asked to undertake an exercise to demonstrate your suitability for the position.
All vacancies will close at 12 noon on the closing date and late applications will not be accepted. If you have further queries, please contact the Museum’s Human Resources department on 020 73238396 or bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
26．You cannot search a job on this website by ________.
A．employment type B．job category C．salary D．location
27．If you want to explore more about the transparency of the data collecting, you can click on the ________ tab.
A．current vacancies B．job applicant privacy notice
C．benefits D．volunteer
28．Which of the following statements is TRUE
A．The Museum promotes equality for its staff and job applicants.
B．When submitted, the online application form can’t be revised.
C．The Museum will contact you only if your application is successful.
D．The candidates will go through a telephone interview and then a face-to-face one.
As Ginni Bazlinton reached Antarctica, she found herself greeted by a group of little Gentoo penguins longing to say hello. These gentle, lovely gatekeepers welcomed her and kick-started what was to be a trip Ginni would never forget.
Ever since her childhood, Ginni, now 71, has had a deep love for travel. Throughout her career as a professional dancer, she toured in the UK, but always longed to explore further. When she retired from dancing and her sons eventually flew the nest, she decided it was time to take the plunge.
After taking a degree at Chichester University in Related Arts, Ginni began to travel the world, eventually getting work teaching English in Japan and Chile. And it was in Chile she discovered she could get last-minute cheap deals on ships going to Antarctica from the islands off Tierra del Fugeo, the southernmost tip of the South American mainland. “I just decided I wanted to go,” she says. “I had no idea about what I’d find there and I wasn’t nervous. I just wanted to do it. And I wanted to do it alone as I always prefer it that way.”
In March 2008, Ginni boarded a ship with 48 passengers she’d never met before, to begin the journey towards Antarctica. “From seeing the wildlife to witnessing sunrises, the whole experience was amazing. Antarctica left an impression on me that no other place has,” Ginni says. “I remember the first time I saw a humpback whale; it just rose out of the water like some prehistoric creature and I thought it was smiling at us. You could still hear the operatic sounds it was making underwater. ”
The realization that this is a precious land, to be respected by humans, was one of the biggest things that hit home to Ginni.
29．Which of the following best explains “take the plunge” underlined in paragraph 2
A．Bring back lost memories. B．Take a degree.
C．Try challenging things. D．Stick to a promise.
30．What made Ginni decide on the trip to Antarctica
A．Lovely penguins B．A discount fare.
C．Beautiful scenery. D．A friend’s invitation.
31．What does Ginni think about Antarctica after the journey
A．It could be a home for her. B．It should be easily accessible.
C．It needs to be fully introduced. D．It should be well preserved.
32．What is the text mainly about
A．A childhood dream. B．Meeting animals in Antarctica.
C．Sailing around the world. D．An unforgettable travel experience.
The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn’t an either/or proposition (命题), although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) - related fields can make it seem that way.
The latest congressional report acknowledge the critical importance of technical training, but also argues that the study of the humanities and social sciences must remain central components of America’s educational system at all levels. Both are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides.
Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates’ job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under these circumstances, it’s national to look for what may appear to be the most “practical” way out of the problem. “Major in a subject designed to get you a job” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as “soft” often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily.
Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there’s little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight - picked up from science, arts, and technology - to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States.
33．What does the latest congressional report suggest
A．STEM-related subjects help students find jobs in the information society.
B．Higher education should be adjust ed to the practical needs of society.
C．The liberal arts in higher education help enrich students’ spiritual life.
D．The humanities and STEM subjects should be given equal importance.
34．What is the main concern of students when they choose a major
A．Their chances of getting a good job.
B．The academic value of the courses.
C．The quality of education to receive.
D．Their interest in relevant subjects.
35．What kind of job applicants do employers look for
A．Those who have a strong sense of responsibility.
B．Those who are good at solving practical problems.
C．Those who have received a well-rounded education.
D．Those who are likely to become innovative leaders.
36．What advice does the author give to college students
A．Seize opportunities to tap their potential.
B．Try to take a variety of practical courses.
C．Prepare themselves for different job options.
D．Choose a flexible job.
The human thirst for knowledge is the driving force behind our successful species. But curiosity can also be dangerous, leading to setbacks or even downfalls. Given curiosity’s complexity, scientists have found it hard to define.
While pinning down a definition has proven tricky, the general consensus is it’s some means of information gathering. Psychologists also agree curiosity is intrinsically(内在地)motivated.
Curiosity covers such a large set of behaviors that there probably isn’t any single “curiosity gene” that makes humans wonder about and explore their environment. That said, curiosity does have a genetic component. Genes and environment interact in many complex ways to shape individuals and guide their behavior, including their curiosity.
Regardless of their genetic makeup, infants have to learn an incredible amount of information in a short time, and curiosity is one of the tools humans have found to accomplish that gigantic task.
Hundreds of studies show that infants prefer novelty. It’s what motivates non-human animals, human infants and probably human adults to explore and seek out new things before growing less interested in them after continued exposure.
But curiosity often comes with a cost.
In some situations, the stakes are low and failure is a healthy part of growth. For instance, many babies are perfectly proficient crawlers, but they decide to try walking because there’s more to see and do when they stand upright. But this milestone comes at a small cost. A study of 12- to 19-month-olds learning how to walk documented that these children fell down a lot. Seventeen times per hour, to be exact. But walking is faster than crawling, so this motivates expert crawlers to transition to walking.
Sometimes, however, testing out a new idea can lead to disaster. For instance, the Inuit people of the Arctic regions have created incredible modes to deal with the challenges of living in northern climates, but what we forget about are the tens of thousands of people that tried and failed to make it in those challenging landscapes.
37．What does the author say about curiosity
A．It is too complex for non-scientists to understand.
B．It is the force that pushes human society forward.
C．It is a unique trait specific to the human race.
D．It is often the major cause for human failures.
38．What do we learn about how genes shape people’s behavior
A．They determine people’s way of thinking.
B．They account for age differences in learning.
C．They enable people to undertake massive tasks.
D．They work in conjunction with the environment.
39．What do numerous studies show about infants
A．They are far more curious than adults.
B．They prefer to go after all that is novel.
C．They have different interests than adults.
D．They show non-human animal behaviors.
40．What does the example of the Inuit people of the Arctic regions illustrate
A．The cost of human’s curiosity to explore.
B．The incredible harshness of cold weather.
C．The innovative ideas stemming from curiosity.
D．The importance of learning from past failures.
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41．With help from a Mr. H, you can ________.
A．stop using batteries B．finish your homework on time
C．remember your teacher’s instructions D．get your room tidied on your way home
42．A PENGO WATCH CONTROL can help you to ________.
A．repair your TV B．organize your homework
C．be a James Bond D．know what the weather is like
43．Where would you be most likely to find the two texts
A．On a notice board. B．In a company introduction book.
C．On a teenage website D．In a college newspaper.
When you are little, it’s not hard to believe you can change the world. I remember my enthusiasm when, at the age of 12, I addressed the people at the Rio Earth Summit. “I am only a child” I told them. “Yet I know that if all the money spent on war was spent on ending poverty and finding environmental answers, what a wonderful place this world would be. At school you teach us not to fight with others, to work things out, to respect others, to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share, not to be greedy. Then, why do you go out and do the thing you tell us not to do You grown-ups say you love us, but I challenge you, please, to make our actions reflect your words.”
I spoke for six minutes and received a standing ovation. Some of the delegates even cried. I thought that maybe had reached some of them, that my speech might actually spur(激励)action. Now, ten years from Rio, after I’ve sat through many more conferences, I’m not sure what has been accomplished. My confidence in the people in power and in the power of an individual’s voice to reach them has been deeply shaken.
When I was little, the world was simple. But as a young adult, I’m learning that as we have to make choices - education, career, lifestyle - life gets more and more complicated. We are beginning to feel pressure to produce and be successful. We are taught that economic growth is progress, but we aren’t taught how to pursue a happy, healthy on sustainable way of living. And we are leaning that what we wanted for the future when we were 12 was idealistic and innocent.
Today I’m no longer a child, but I’m worried about what kind of environment my children will grow up in. I know change is possible, because I am changing, still figuring out what think. I am still deciding how to live my life. The challenges are great, but if we accept individual responsibility and make sustainable choices, we will rise to the challenges, and we will become part of the positive tide of change.
44．The purpose of what the speaker said at the age of 12 was to ________.
A．end poverty and make school beautiful
B．end poverty and solve the problems about environment
C．find a wonderful place and clean it up
D．find environmental answers and keep the words that they always told themselves
45．What does the underlined word “ovation” in the second paragraph refer to ________.
A．a long period of laughing B．a warm welcome
C．a long period of clapping and applauses D．an expression used for greeting
46．Which of the following is true according to the passage
A．the writer thinks what he thought at the age of 12 is mature.
B．the writer’s children will certainly live in an ideal environment.
C．the writer’s confidence in the people in power has deeply shaken their voice.
D．the writer’s belief does not change when he grows up.
There are some typical of trains you’ll find yourself traveling on in France. SNCF (法国国家铁路公司) operates a mix of high-speed services on major routes and slower regional services between smaller stations around France. Find out more about each train type below.
TGVHigh-speed: up to 320 km/h Connects Paris with major cities in France Double-decker trains One of the most popular modes of transport for long-distance travel in France. These modern trains run on around 50 high-speed routes and always require a reservation in advance.
Inter-citesStops at cities not part of the TGV network Day and night services Night trains between Paris and Toulouse, Rodez, Briancon and Latour-de-Carol Inter-cites trains are mainly used for medium-distance journeys across France. Although not as fast as TGV trains, they service a lot of stations across the country that aren’t on TGV routes. Reservations are usually required on most Inter-cites services.
TERRegional trains (one for each region in France) Low-cost Stops at smaller stations around France TER stands for Transport Express Regional and there are 20 different regional TER services operating across France. Popular with commuters (远距离通勤的人), you’ll likely board one of these trains for shorter distance travel to smaller cities and towns throughout France. You won’t need a reservation to board a TER train.
Sleeper trains Overnight travel to several destinations in France Comfortable and secure cabins Opportunity to save on accommodation Operated by Thello, the popular night train route in France starts in Paris and works its way down into Italy. If you want to save money on accommodation during your trip, taking a sleeper train lets you wake up feeling refreshed at your next destination.
47．What do TGV trains and Inter-cites trains have in common
A．Both can travel at 320 km/h. B．Both are double-decker trains.
C．Both usually require a reservation. D．Both connect big cities in Europe.
48．What is special about TER service
A．It features night services. B．It travels as fast as TGV trains.
C．It is suitable for long-distance travel in France. D．It offers regional services at relatively low costs.
49．Which best suits people who travel to Italy and want to save money
A．TGV trains. B．Inter-cites trains.
C．TER trains. D．Sleeper trains.
Green fingers
It never occurred to me when I was little that gardens were anything less than glamorous places. Granddad’s garden was on the bank of a river and sloped gently down towards the water. You couldn’t reach the river but you could hear the sound of the water and the birds that sang in the trees above. I imagined that all gardens were like this - a place of escape, peace and solitude. Granddad’s small plot of land was nothing out of the ordinary when it came to features. He had nothing as grand as a greenhouse, unlike some of his neighbors. However, this little piece of land bore a great part of my carefree and joyful childhood.
At home, his son, my father, could be quiet and withdrawn. I wouldn’t want to make him sound humorless. He wasn’t. Silly things would amuse him. I came to realize that, deep down, he was probably disappointed that he hadn’t made more of his life. He left school without qualifications and became a plumber apprentice(学徒). Plumbing was not something he was passionate about. It was just what he did. He was never particularly ambitious, though there was a moment when he and Mum thought of moving to Canada, but it came to nothing. Where he came into his own was around the house. He had an “eye for the job”. Be it bookshelves or a cupboard - what he could achieve was astonishing. My parents moved house only once in their entire married life. But my father made up for this lack of daring when it came to furniture. You would have just got used to the shape of one chair when another appeared.
As for me, school didn’t appeal to me much. I wanted to leave school as soon as possible but that seemed an unlikely prospect until one day my father announced, “They’ve got a vacancy for an apprentice gardener in the Parks Department. I thought you might be interested.” In one brief moment Dad had gone against his better judgment. He might still have preferred it if I became a carpenter. But I like to feel that somewhere inside him was a feeling that things might just turn out for the best. Maybe I’m deceiving myself, but I prefer to believe that in his heart, although he hated gardening himself, he’d watched me doing it for long enough and noticed my unfailing passion for all things that grew and flowered and fruited.
50．When the writer describes his granddad’s garden, he is ________.
A．proud that his granddad was such a good gardener
B．embarrassed that the garden was not as good as others nearby
C．annoyed that items in the garden were often damaged
D．positive about the time he spent in the garden
51．What is the writer’s attitude to his father in the second paragraph
A．He was regretful that his father had not achieved more.
B．He was annoyed that his father used words he didn’t understand.
C．He was sympathetic to the reasons why his father behaved as he did.
D．He was grateful that his father had not taken the family to Canada.
52．What does the writer mean by the underlined phrase “came into his own”
A．was able to do something by himself
B．was able to show how talented he was
C．was able to continue his day job
D．was able to forget his failure
53．What does the writer think is the reason behind his father’s decision in the last paragraph
A．His father did not manage to make a better judgment.
B．His father was tired of disagreeing with his son.
C．His father had been impressed by his son’s love of gardening.
D．His father came to realize the charm of gardening.
How can the train operators possibly justify yet another increase to rail passenger fares It has become a grimly reliable annual ritual: every January the cost of travelling by train rises, imposing a significant extra burden on those who have no option but to use the rail network to get to work or otherwise. This year’s rise, an average of 2.7 percent, may be a little bit lower than last year’s, but it is still well above the official Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation(通货膨胀).
Successive governments have permitted such increases on the grounds that the cost of investing in and running the rail network should be borne by those who use it, rather than the general taxpayer. Why, the argument goes, should a car-driving pensioner from Lincolnshire have to subsidise(补贴)the daily commute(通勤)of a rail traveller from Surrey Equally, there is a sense that the sufferings of commuters in the South East, have received too much attention compared to those who must endure the relatively poor infrastructure of the Midlands and the North.
However, over the past 12 months, those commuters have also experienced some of the worst rail strikes in years. It is all very well train operators boasting about the improvements they are making to the network, but passengers should be able to expect a basic level of service for the substantial sums they are now paying to travel. The responsibility for the latest wave of strikes rests on the unions. However, there is a strong case that those who have been worst affected by industrial action should receive compensation for the disruption they have suffered.
The Government has promised to change the law to introduce a minimum service requirement so that, even when strikes occur, services can continue to operate. This should form part of a wider package of measures to address the long-running problems on Britain’s railways. Yes, more investment is needed, but passengers will not be willing to pay more indefinitely if they must also endure cramped, unreliable services, along with regular chaos when timetables are changed, or planned maintenance is managed incompetently. The threat of nationalisation may have been seen off for now, but it will return with a revenge if the justified anger of passengers is not addressed in short order.
54．The author holds that this year’s increase in rail passengers fares ________.
A．creates extra burden on taxpayers.
B．has kept pace with inflation.
C．is beyond the expectation of commuters
D．remains an unreasonable practice.
55．According to the passage, which of the following is right
A．Compensations are to be given to the commuters affected by the strikes.
B．A minimum service requirement will be likely to settle the railway problems.
C．In terms of service, there is a conflict between train operator’s claim and the reality.
D．Train operators have suffered huge losses owing to the strikes.
56．If unable to calm down passengers, the railways may have to face ________.
A．the loss of investment. B．the collapse of operations.
C．a reduction of revenue(收入) D．a change of ownership.
57．Which of the following would be the best title for the text
A．Who Are to Blame for the Ever-rising Fares
B．Rail Strikes Need to Be Stopped
C．Enhance Railway Service, Ease Passenger Anger
D．Ever-rising Fares Are Unreasonable
Columbus College, 241 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Kowloon City MEMO
To: All staff
From: Jakie Mok, Secretary; Sports Development Committee
Date: May 20, 2010
A week ago, “Sports for Life” programme was sent to the parents, requiring them to select a sport they wanted their child to play. Since then, our staff have received lots of calls from parents asking for more information about it. Here is a memo for your reference when you answer the phones.
Sport 1: Basketball
We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. Therefore, students should be advised to sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from KwunTong Sports Park. To cover the cost of hiring a bus, each student will have to pay $10 each time. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game.
Sports 2: Gym
We will be using St. Peter’s Memorial Park. Thee are two reasons for choosing this park. First, it is not very busy and crowded before 6 :00 p.m.. Second, it has lot of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent thirst. Three activities, skipping, jogging, outdoor aerobics (有氧运动), all of which are free of charge, will be arranged. And there will be a teacher on duty for each of the activities.
Sport 3: Hiking
Hiking will take place at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 p.m. and finish 90 minutes later. Three teachers will accompany the students, and a hiking instructor will accompany each group of 15 hikers. Each instructor will cost $75/hr.
Sport 4: Swimming
The Kowloon City Aquatic Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school. Four teachers will go the pool and conduct the goings-on from the poolside. We will only be able to reserve the pool for one hour (i. e. 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.). Only students skillful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards present. Girls must wear a swimming suit. The cost is $10 per visit.
58．Which can be inferred from the passage ________.
A．Students taking part in basketball will walk to the courts
B．Every student can gain admission to one of the four sports
C．Hiking students can have a regular rest in the shade of trees
D．Students taking up the four sports should bring bottles of water
59．Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage
A．Students selecting basketball had better register early.
B．Students participating in gym should arrive at 6:00 p.m.
C．Hiking usually begins at 2:30 p.m. and lasts 2 hours.
D．Students having swimming suits can take up swimming.
60．The memo aims to ________.
A．attract students’ interest in the programme
B．help the staff explain the programme to the parents
C．require the parents to select a sport for their child
D．remind teachers and lifeguards to be present on time
Searching Venus’ sky
From the moon to Mars, scientists have been hunting for alien life in the solar system for decades.
However, Venus was not regarded as an ideal place because of its hot temperature and dry atmosphere.
But a recent discovery of traces of a gas in the clouds of Venus has excited astronomers, as it may serve as a potential sign of life.
On Sept 14, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada announced that scientists have detected phosphine(磷化氢) in the clouds of Venus. Phosphine is a colorless, toxic(有毒的)gas that has an odor of garlic. Though toxic, it is viewed as a possible sign of life because on Earth the gas is made by microorganisms that live in oxygen-free environments.
“I was very surprised - stunned, in fact,” astronomer Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in Wales and lead author of the research, told MSN. “There is a chance that we have detected some kind of living organism in the clouds of Venus.”
This layer of clouds is about 48 kilometers above the Venus surface, with its temperature ranging from 30 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (about -1 to 93℃). Scientists have speculated that if life exists on Venus, this cloud deck(云盖)is likely the only place where it would survive.
Scientists went through every possibility that could have led to the formation of phosphine gas in Venus’ clouds, including volcanoes, lightning strikes, small meteorites(陨石)falling into the atmosphere. But they ruled all of them out. It was concluded that there is no explanation for the existence of this gas in Venus’ clouds, other than the presence of life, USA Today reported.
Although the detection of phosphine is not robust(强有力的)evidence for life, this finding is great enough to change scientists’ view on Venus, which is thought to be a completely inhospitable planet.
What signs of life we looking for
1. Liquid water: It can dissolve a huge range of molecules needed for life and facilitate their chemical reactions.
2. Mild temperatures: Temperatures higher than 122 C will destroy most complex organic molecules, and make it almost impossible for carbon-based life to form.
61．What is the text mainly about
A．A newly detected gas may indicate possible existence of life on Venus.
B．Scientists found the most hospitable place on Venus.
C．The environment on Venue changed in favor of life.
D．Phosphine formed on Venus means alien life is present.
62．What can we learn about phosphine from the text
A．It has no smell at all. B．It only exists on Venus.
C．It can be produced by microorganisms. D．It is a sign of the existence of oxygen.
63．What can we infer from paragraphs 5 and 6
A．Various living organisms have been detected on Venus.
B．The higher the cloud is above Venus, the warmer it is.
C．The cloud deck is rich in phosphine.
D．If life exists on Venus, it is likely in the cloud deck.
64．What did scientists conclude about the phosphine gas detected on Venus
A．It could be formed as a result of the falling of meteorites.
B．It could be a sign that there is life in Venus’ clouds.
C．It could be caused by volcanoes and lighting strikes.
D．It proves that Venus is another hospitable planet.
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Which Way Home, a documentary by Rebecca Cammisa, charts the journeys to Mexican and Central American children who leave their home countries to come to the United States riding on top of a train they call “La Bestia” (the beast). All of the children dream of a better life for themselves and their families. Some of them hope to reunite with family members in the U. S. Others have dreams of going to school or getting a job so they can send money back home.
Kevin
Fourteen-year-old Kevin is from Honduras. A seemingly happy-go-lucky guy, Kevin is the group’s ring leader, telling jokes, making leaps across car roofs, and providing some comic relief in the film. Kevin has a strong sense of duty to his family. His mother, Lupe, tells him to buy a house for them in the U. S., so she can escape Kevin’s violent stepfather. He plans to head to Manhattan once he crosses the border, but during the filming he is taken off of the train by American border agents who send him back to Honduras. Without hesitation, Kevin leaves Honduras again and jumps on the train. Throughout his journey, Kevin encounters violence and brutality that should never be a part of childhood.
Juan Carlos
Juan Carlos is a 13-year-old from Guatemala. When we meet him, we learn that his father abandoned the family years ago and moved to America for a better life, leaving Juan Carlos’s mother, Esmeralda, to care for several children on her own. His younger brother, Francisco, made it into the U. S. a month earlier and now lives with their grandmother in Los Angeles. Juan Carlos feels responsible for providing for his mother and his other family members and decides he must do something to help support them. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he writes a letter telling Esmeralda that he, too, is leaving for the U. S.
Olga
Olga is the only female migrant featured in the film. She is nine years old and travelling with her friend, Freddy, who is also nine. They are being taken to the U. S. illegally. Both are headed for Minnesota, where Olga hopes to reunite with her mother, and Freddy hopes to find his father. During the making of the documentary, the film crew loses track of Olga and Freddy, and we never find out what becomes of them.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Feature-Length Documentary. Director Rebecca Camissa said her goal for the film was to create public awareness of child migration, and to “promote a dialogue that leads to creating humane immigration policy reform in the United States
68．Which of the following is true of Which Way Home
A．It is adapted from a book which tells stories about three child migrants.
B．It won an Academy Award for its theme that corresponds to the reality.
C．It aims to make viewers conscious of the phenomenon of child migration.
D．Its director has managed to create humane immigration policy reform
69．While the documentary was being made, the crew lost touch with ________.
A．Kevin and Juan Carlos B．Juan Carlos and Olga
C．Juan Carlos and Freddy D．Olga and Freedy
70．What can be learned from the passage about Kevin and Juan Carlos
A．Both of them felt responsible for their families
B．Neither of them managed to get to the United States
C．Neither of them had any relative in the United States
D．Both of them were found on the way to their destinations
参考答案：
1．B 2．D 3．D
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了一种新型的设置个性化地图的新程序MAP ARTIST的使用方法。
1．细节理解题。根据“4.”即第四步中的“SHADED RELIEF shows only natural landforms (mountains, valleys, rivers), as well as national parks.(SHADED RELIEF仅显示自然地貌（山脉、山谷、河流）)和自然公园)”可知，想要看到纽约的动植物，应该点击SHADED RELIEF。故选B项。
2．细节理解题。根据“4.”即第四步中“Click on the drop-down menu next to the outline map of the state. Click on the type of map you need for your report.(单击州轮廓图旁边的下拉菜单。单击报告所需的地图类型。)”可知，定制地图时需要在特定的位置点击地图。故选D项。
3．细节理解题。根据文章叙述可知，如果你要使用MAP ARTIST这个软件，步骤是“1. When you open Map Artist, a world map will be displayed. Type “North America” in the dialogue box or choose NORTH AMERICA from the list provided.(1.当你打开地图艺术家，世界地图将显示。在对话框中键入“North America”或从提供的列表中选择North America。”)即，首先选择地图地点；其次“Click on the type of map you need for your report.(单击你的报告所需的地图类型。)”选择地图类型；然后是“A tiny symbol will be placed on the map at the location you designate, and the text you type into the dialogue box at the bottom of the screen will appear next to it.(一个小符号将被放置在地图上你指定的位置，你在屏幕底部的对话框中输入的文本将出现在它旁边。”)选择符号、输入文本，并给具体位置做标记；最后“Click SAVE it you would like to save the map to a file.(单击“保存”，将映射保存到文件中。)”保存。故选D项。
4．D 5．A 6．B 7．D
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。本文主要介绍了遗传论学说的主张以及作者对这一观点的看法。
4．细节理解题。根据文章第二段第一句“This is down to “hereditarian”(遗传论的)science and a recent paper claimed “differences in exam performance between pupils attending selective and non—selective schools mirror the genetic differences between them”.（这要归结于“遗传”科学，最近的一篇论文称，“就读名牌学校和非名牌学校的学生在考试成绩上的差异反映了他们之间的基因差异”。）”可知，最新的这篇研究论文认为学生的学习成绩由他们的基因决定。故选D项。
5．推理判断题。根据文章第三段第三句“This is problematic on many levels.（这在很多层面上都存在问题。）”和第五句“At best there is a weak statistical association and not a causal link between DNA and intelligence.（DNA和智力之间充其量只有微弱的统计关联，而不是因果关系。）”可推知，作者认为最近的那项研究结果，认为学生成绩由基因决定，是值得怀疑的。故选A项。
6．细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段倒数第二句“Something as complex as intellect is likely to be affected by many factors beyond genes.（像智力这样复杂的东西很可能受到基因以外的许多因素的影响。）”可知，影响一个人智力的因素有很多。故选B项。
7．细节理解题。根据文章倒数第三句“In understanding cognitive ability, we must not elevate discrimination(歧视)to a science: allowing people to climb the ladder of life only as far as their cells might suggest.（在理解认知能力的过程中，我们不能把歧视上升为一门科学：允许人们在生命的阶梯上爬到细胞所能达到的极限。）”根据最后一段“ As technology progresses, we all have a duty to make sure that we shape a future that we would want to find ourselves in.”（随着技术的进步，我们都有责任确保我们塑造一个我们想要的未来。）可知，作者警告我们不能以科学的名义宣扬歧视。故选D项。
8．B 9．C 10．C 11．A
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。本文讲述曾经帮助美国实现梦想的哈德逊河流遭受严重的污染，但是现在住在山谷里的梦想家们开始反抗，争取权益保护哈德逊河，开启环保运动。
8．细节理解题。根据第一二段，尤其是第二段“But it was made out of bricks and cement that had come from the banks of the Hudson. The river which had fed all those dreams was now fading into the background. New York didn’t seem to need the river anymore, except as a sewer. And that’s what it became. (但它是用来自哈德逊河岸的砖块和水泥建造的。哺育了所有这些梦想的河流，现在渐渐消失在背景之中。纽约似乎不再需要这条河了，除了用作下水道。这就是后来的情况。)”可知，曾经帮助人们实现梦想的河流现在好像不那么重要了，故选B。
9．细节理解题。根据第三段“But it had just made the river filthy. Garbage, factory waste, plant chemicals and the raw sewage of the cities and towns along its banks were dumped directly into the river. The water turned greenish brown, except by the GM plant, where it turned red or yellow or whatever color they were painting the cars that day. (垃圾、工厂废料、工厂化学品和河岸城镇的未经处理的污水被直接排入河中。水变成了绿棕色，除了通用汽车的工厂，在那里它变成了红色或黄色，或者他们那天给汽车涂的任何颜色。)”和第四段“The fishing industry collapsed. The few fish that survived were too poisonous to eat. Smog from the factory smoke and dust from the cement plants blanketed the valley. And it was all legal. (渔业崩溃了。幸存下来的几条鱼毒性太大，无法食用。来自工厂的烟雾和水泥厂的灰尘覆盖了整个山谷。)”可知汽