2024新高考英语高考专题复习--专题四_词义猜测(含答案)

中小学教育资源及组卷应用平台
2024新高考英语高考专题复习
题型一　阅读理解
专题四　词义猜测
五年高考
A组　新高考题组
Passage 1（2023新课标Ⅰ，C）　词数314　
　　The goal of this book is to make the case for digital minimalism, including a detailed exploration of what it asks and why it works, and then to teach you how to adopt this philosophy if you decide it's right for you.
To do so, I divided the book into two parts. In part one, I describe the philosophical foundations of digital minimalism, starting with an examination of the forces that are making so many people's digital lives increasingly intolerable, before moving on to a detailed discussion of the digital minimalism philosophy.
Part one concludes by introducing my suggested method for adopting this philosophy: the digital declutter. This process requires you to step away from optional online activities for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, you will then add back a small number of carefully chosen online activities that you believe will provide massive benefits to the things you value.
In the final chapter of part one, I'll guide you through carrying out your own digital declutter. In doing so, I'll draw on an experiment I ran in 2018 in which over 1,600 people agreed to perform a digital declutter. You'll hear these participants' stories and learn what strategies worked well for them, and what traps they encountered that you should avoid.
The second part of this book takes a closer look at some ideas that will help you cultivate(培养) a sustainable digital minimalism lifestyle. In these chapters, I examine issues such as the importance of solitude(独处) and the necessity of cultivating high-quality leisure to replace the time most now spend on mindless device use. Each chapter concludes with a collection of practices, which are designed to help you act on the big ideas of the chapter. You can view these practices as a toolbox meant to aid your efforts to build a minimalist lifestyle that works for your particular circumstances.
1. What is the book aimed at
A. Teaching critical thinking skills.
B. Advocating a simple digital lifestyle.
C. Solving philosophical problems.
D. Promoting the use of a digital device.
2. What does the underlined word “declutter” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Clear-up.　　　B. Add-on.　　　C. Check-in.　　　D. Take-over.
3. What is presented in the final chapter of part one
A. Theoretical models.　　　B. Statistical methods.
C. Practical examples.　　　 D. Historical analyses.
4. What does the author suggest readers do with the practices offered in part two
A. Use them as needed.
B. Recommend them to friends.
C. Evaluate their effects.
D. Identify the ideas behind them.
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. C　4. A
Passage 2（2023新课标Ⅱ，C）　词数320　
　　Reading Art:Art for Book Lovers is a celebration of an everyday object—the book, represented here in almost three hundred artworks from museums around the world. The image of the reader appears throughout history, in art made long before books as we now know them came into being. In artists' representations of books and reading, we see moments of shared humanity that go beyond culture and time.
In this “book of books,” artworks are selected and arranged in a way that emphasizes these connections between different eras and cultures. We see scenes of children learning to read at home or at school, with the book as a focus for relations between the generations. Adults are portrayed (描绘) alone in many settings and poses—absorbed in a volume, deep in thought or lost in a moment of leisure. These scenes may have been painted hundreds of years ago, but they record moments we can all relate to.
Books themselves may be used symbolically in paintings to demonstrate the intellect(才智), wealth or faith of the subject. Before the wide use of the printing press, books were treasured objects and could be works of art in their own right. More recently, as books have become inexpensive or even throwaway,artists have used them as the raw material for artworks—transforming covers, pages or even complete volumes into paintings and sculptures.
Continued developments in communication technologies were once believed to make the printed page outdated. From a 21st-century point of view, the printed book is certainly ancient, but it remains as interactive as any battery-powered e-reader. To serve its function, a book must be activated by a user: the cover opened, the pages parted, the contents reviewed, perhaps notes written down or words underlined. And in contrast to our increasingly networked lives where the information we consume is monitored and tracked, a printed book still offers the chance of a wholly private, “off-line” activity.
1. Where is the text most probably taken from
A. An introduction to a book.
B. An essay on the art of writing.
C. A guidebook to a museum.
D. A review of modern paintings.
2. What are the selected artworks about
A. Wealth and intellect.　　　 B. Home and school.
C. Books and reading.　　　 D. Work and leisure.
3. What do the underlined words “relate to” in paragraph 2 mean
A. Understand.　　　 B. Paint.
C. Seize.　　　 D. Transform.
4. What does the author want to say by mentioning the e-reader
A. The printed book is not totally out of date.
B. Technology has changed the way we read.
C. Our lives in the 21st century are networked.
D. People now rarely have the patience to read.
答案　
1. A　2. C　3. A　4. A
Passage 3（2022新高考Ⅰ，C）　词数288　
　　The elderly residents in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people's wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said:“I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school.
“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they've gone to bed.
“It's good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I'm enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful.”
There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.
Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said:“Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here.”
Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said:“We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.”
1. What is the purpose of the project
A. To ensure harmony in care homes.
B. To provide part-time jobs for the aged.
C. To raise money for medical research.
D. To promote the elderly people's welfare.
2. How has the project affected Ruth Xavier
A. She has learned new life skills.
B. She has gained a sense of achievement.
C. She has recovered her memory.
D. She has developed a strong personality.
3. What do the underlined words“embark on” mean in paragraph 7
A. Improve.　　　B. Oppose.　　　C. Begin.　　　D. Evaluate.
4. What can we learn about the project from the last two paragraphs
A. It is well received.
B. It needs to be more creative.
C. It is highly profitable.
D. It takes ages to see the results.
答案　
1. D　2. B　3. C　4. A
Passage 4（2022新高考Ⅱ，B）　词数321　
　　We journalists live in a new age of storytelling, with many new multimedia tools. Many young people don't even realize it's new. For them, it's just normal.
This hit home for me as I was sitting with my 2-year-old grandson on a sofa over the Spring Festival holiday. I had brought a children's book to read. It had simple words and colorful pictures—a perfect match for his age.
Picture this: my grandson sitting on my lap as I hold the book in front so he can see the pictures. As I read, he reaches out and pokes(戳) the page with his finger.
What's up with that He just likes the pictures, I thought. Then I turned the page and continued. He poked the page even harder. I nearly dropped the book. I was confused: Is there something wrong with this kid
Then I realized what was happening. He was actually a stranger to books. His father frequently amused the boy with a tablet computer which was loaded with colorful pictures that come alive when you poke them. He thought my storybook was like that.
Sorry, kid. This book is not part of your high-tech world. It's an outdated, lifeless thing. An antique. Like your grandfather. Well, I may be old, but I'm not hopelessly challenged, digitally speaking. I edit video and produce audio. I use mobile payment. I've even built websites.
There's one notable gap in my new-media experience, however: I've spent little time in front of a camera, since I have a face made for radio. But that didn't stop China Daily from asking me last week to share a personal story for a video project about the integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.
Anyway, grandpa is now an internet star—two minutes of fame! I promise not to let it go to my head. But I will make sure my 2-year-old grandson sees it on his tablet.
1. What do the underlined words “hit home for me” mean in paragraph 2
A. Provided shelter for me.　　　 B. Became very clear to me.
C. Took the pressure off me.　　　 D. Worked quite well on me.
2. Why did the kid poke the storybook
A. He took it for a tablet computer.
B. He disliked the colorful pictures.
C. He was angry with his grandpa.
D. He wanted to read it by himself.
3. What does the author think of himself
A. Socially ambitious.　　　B. Physically attractive.
C. Financially independent.　　　D. Digitally competent.
4. What can we learn about the author as a journalist
A. He lacks experience in his job.
B. He seldom appears on television.
C. He manages a video department.
D. He often interviews internet stars.
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. D　4. B
Passage 5（2022新高考Ⅱ，C）　词数282　
　　Over the last seven years, most states have banned texting by drivers, and public service campaigns have tried a wide range of methods to persuade people to put down their phones when they are behind the wheel.
Yet the problem, by just about any measure, appears to be getting worse. Americans are still texting while driving, as well as using social networks and taking photos. Road accidents, which had fallen for years, are now rising sharply.
That is partly because people are driving more, but Mark Rosekind, the chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said distracted(分心) driving was “only increasing, unfortunately.”
“Big change requires big ideas,” he said in a speech last month, referring broadly to the need to improve road safety. So to try to change a distinctly modern behavior, lawmakers and public health experts are reaching back to an old approach: They want to treat distracted driving like drunk driving.
An idea from lawmakers in New York is to give police officers a new device called the Textalyzer. It would work like this: An officer arriving at the scene of a crash could ask for the phones of the drivers and use the Textalyzer to check in the operating system for recent activity. The technology could determine whether a driver had just texted, emailed or done anything else that is not allowed under New York's hands-free driving laws.
“We need something on the books that can change people's behavior,” said Félix W. Ortiz, who pushed for the state's 2001 ban on hand-held devices by drivers. If the Textalyzer bill becomes law, he said, “people are going to be more afraid to put their hands on the cell phone.”
1. Which of the following best describes the ban on drivers' texting in the US
A. Ineffective.　　　 B. Unnecessary.
C. Inconsistent.　　　 D. Unfair.
2. What can the Textalyzer help a police officer find out
A. Where a driver came from.
B. Whether a driver used their phone.
C. How fast a driver was going.
D. When a driver arrived at the scene.
3. What does the underlined word “something” in the last paragraph refer to
A. Advice.　　　 B. Data.
C. Tests.　　　 D. Laws.
4. What is a suitable title for the text
A. To Drive or Not to Drive Think Before You Start
B. Texting and Driving Watch Out for the Textalyzer
C. New York Banning Hand-Held Devices by Drivers
D. The Next Generation Cell Phone:The Textalyzer
答案　
1. A　2. B　3. D　4. B
Passage 6（2021新高考Ⅱ，B）　词数314　
　　I have worked as a keeper at the National Zoo for 11 years. Spot and Stripe are the first tiger cubs(幼兽) that have ever been born here. Globally, a third of Sumatran cubs in zoos don't make it to adulthood, so I decided to give them round-the-clock care at home.
I've got two children—the younger one, Kynan, was extremely happy about the tigers arriving—but all of us really looked forward to being part of their lives and watching them grow. I wasn't worried about bringing them into my home with my wife and kids. These were cubs. They weighed about 2.5 kg and were so small that there was absolutely no risk.
As they grew more mobile, we let them move freely around the house during the day, but when we were asleep we had to contain them in a large room, otherwise they'd get up to mischief. We'd come down in the morning to find they'd turned the room upside down, and left it looking like a zoo.
Things quickly got very intense due to the huge amount of energy required to look after them. There were some tough times and I just felt extremely tired. I was grateful that my family was there to help. We had to have a bit of a production line going, making up “tiger milk”, washing baby bottles, and cleaning the floors.
When Spot and Stripe were four months old, they were learning how to open doors and jump fences, and we knew it really was time for them to go. It was hard for us to finally part with them. For the first few days, Kynan was always a bit disappointed that the cubs weren't there.
I'm not sad about it. I'm hands-on with them every day at the zoo, and I do look back very fondly on the time that we had them.
1. Why did the author bring the tiger cubs home
A. To ensure their survival.
B. To observe their differences.
C. To teach them life skills.
D. To let them play with his kids.
2. What do the underlined words “get up to mischief” mean in paragraph 3
A. Behave badly.　　　B. Lose their way.
C. Sleep soundly.　　　D. Miss their mom.
3. What did the author think of raising the tiger cubs at home
A. Boring.　　　B. Tiring.　　　C. Costly.　　　D. Risky.
4. Why did the author decide to send Spot and Stripe back to the zoo
A. They frightened the children.
B. They became difficult to contain.
C. They annoyed the neighbours.
D. They started fighting each other.
答案　
1. A　2. A　3. B　4. B
Passage 7（2020新高考Ⅰ，D）　词数316　
　　According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, both the size and consumption habits of our eating companions can influence our food intake. And contrary to existing research that says you should avoid eating with heavier people who order large portions (份), it's the beanpoles with big appetites you really need to avoid.
To test the effect of social influence on eating habits, the researchers conducted two experiments. In the first, 95 undergraduate women were individually invited into a lab to ostensibly (表面上) participate in a study about movie viewership. Before the film began, each woman was asked to help herself to a snack. An actor hired by the researchers grabbed her food first. In her natural state, the actor weighed 105 pounds. But in half the cases she wore a specially designed fat suit which increased her weight to 180 pounds.
Both the fat and thin versions of the actor took a large amount of food. The participants followed suit, taking more food than they normally would have. However, they took significantly more when the actor was thin.
For the second test, in one case the thin actor took two pieces of candy from the snack bowls. In the other case, she took 30 pieces. The results were similar to the first test:the participants followed suit but took significantly more candy when the thin actor took 30 pieces.
The tests show that the social environment is extremely influential when we're making decisions. If this fellow participant is going to eat more, so will I. Call it the “I'll have what she's having” effect. However, we'll adjust the influence. If an overweight person is having a large portion, I'll hold back a bit because I see the results of his eating habits. But if a thin person eats a lot, I'll follow suit. If he can eat much and keep slim, why can't I
1. What is the recent study mainly about
A. Food safety.　　　 B. Movie viewership.
C. Consumer demand.　　　 D. Eating behavior.
2. What does the underlined word “beanpoles” in paragraph 1 refer to
A. Big eaters.　　　 B. Overweight persons.
C. Picky eaters.　　　 D. Tall thin persons.
3. Why did the researchers hire the actor
A. To see how she would affect the participants.
B. To test if the participants could recognize her.
C. To find out what she would do in the two tests.
D. To study why she could keep her weight down.
4. On what basis do we “adjust the influence” according to the last paragraph
A. How hungry we are.
B. How slim we want to be.
C. How we perceive others.
D. How we feel about the food.
答案　
1. D　2. D　3. A　4. C
B组　课标全国卷、地方卷题组
Passage 1（2023全国甲，B）　词数291　
　　Terri Bolton is a dab hand when it comes to DIY (do-it-yourself). Skilled at putting up shelves and piecing together furniture, she never pays someone else to do a job she can do herself.
She credits these skills to her late grandfather and builder Derek Lloyd. From the age of six, Terri, now 26, accompanied Derek to work during her school holidays. A day's work was rewarded with ￡5 in pocket money. She says:“I'm sure I wasn't much of a help to start with. But when Derek built our family house about eight years ago, I was heavily involved(参与), painting the rooms and putting down the flooring throughout the house. It took weeks and it was backbreaking work, but I know he was proud of my skills.”
Terri, who now rents a house with friends in Wandsworth, South West London, says DIY also saves her from losing any deposit when a tenancy(租期) comes to an end. She adds:“I've moved house many times and I always like to personalise my room and put up pictures. So, it's been useful to know how to cover up holes and repaint a room to avoid any charges when I've moved out.”
With millions of people likely to take on DIY projects over the coming weeks, new research shows that more than half of people are planning to make the most of the long, warm summer days to get jobs done. The average spend per project will be around ￡823. Two thirds of people aim to improve their comfort while at home. A fifth wish to increase the value of their houses. Though DIY has traditionally been seen as a male hobby, the research shows it is women now leading the charge.
1. Which is closest in meaning to “a dab hand” in paragraph 1
A. An artist.　　　B. A winner.　　　C. A specialist.　　　D. A pioneer.
2. Why did Terri's grandfather give her ￡5 a day
A. For a birthday gift.
B. As a treat for her work.
C. To support her DIY projects.
D. To encourage her to take up a hobby.
3. How did Terri avoid losing the deposit on the house she rented
A. By making it look like before.
B. By furnishing it herself.
C. By splitting the rent with a roommate.
D. By cancelling the rental agreement.
4. What trend in DIY does the research show
A. It is becoming more costly.
B. It is getting more time-consuming.
C. It is turning into a seasonal industry.
D. It is gaining popularity among females.
答案　
1. C　2. B　3. A　4. D
Passage 2（2022全国乙，C）　词数305　
　　Can a small group of drones(无人机) guarantee the safety and reliability of railways and, at the same time, help railway operators save billions of euros each year That is the very likely future of applying today's “eyes in the sky” technology to making sure that the millions of kilometres of rail tracks and infrastructure(基础设施) worldwide are safe for trains on a 24/7 basis.
Drones are already being used to examine high-tension electrical lines. They could do precisely the same thing to inspect railway lines and other vital aspects of rail infrastructure such as the correct position of railway tracks and switching points. The more regularly they can be inspected, the more railway safety, reliability and on-time performance will be improved. Costs would be cut and operations would be more efficient(高效) across the board.
That includes huge savings in maintenance costs and better protection of railway personnel safety. It is calculated that European railways alone spend approximately 20 billion euros a year on maintenance, including sending maintenance staff, often at night, to inspect and repair the rail infrastructure. That can be dangerous work that could be avoided with drones assisting the crews' efforts.
By using the latest technologies, drones could also start providing higher-value services for railways, detecting faults in the rail or switches, before they can cause any safety problems. To perform these tasks, drones for rail don't need to be flying overhead. Engineers are now working on a new concept: the rail drones of the future. They will be moving on the track ahead of the train, and programmed to run autonomously. Very small drones with advanced sensors and AI and travelling ahead of the train could guide it like a co-pilot. With their ability to see ahead, they could signal any problem, so that fast-moving trains would be able to react in time.
1. What makes the application of drones to rail lines possible
A. The use of drones in checking on power lines.
B. Drones' ability to work at high altitudes.
C. The reduction of cost in designing drones.
D. Drones' reliable performance in remote areas.
2. What does “maintenance” underlined in paragraph 3 refer to
A. Personnel safety.
B. Assistance from drones.
C. Inspection and repair.
D. Construction of infrastructure.
3. What function is expected of the rail drones
A. To provide early warning.
B. To make trains run automatically.
C. To earn profits for the crews.
D. To accelerate transportation.
4. Which is the most suitable title for the text
A. What Faults Can Be Detected with Drones
B. How Production of Drones Can Be Expanded
C. What Difficulty Drone Development Will Face
D. How Drones Will Change the Future of Railways
答案　
1. A　2. C　3. A　4. D
Passage 3（2022全国甲，C）　词数300　
　　As Ginni Bazlinton reached Antarctica, she found herself greeted by a group of little Gentoo penguins(企鹅) 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 (职业) 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 Fuego, 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.
1. Which of the following best explains “take the plunge” underlined in paragraph 2
A. Try challenging things.　　　 B. Take a degree.
C. Bring back lost memories.　　　 D. Stick to a promise.
2. What made Ginni decide on the trip to Antarctica
A. Lovely penguins.　　　 B. Beautiful scenery.
C. A discount fare.　　　 D. A friend's invitation.
3. 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 should be well preserved.
D. It needs to be fully introduced.
4. What is the text mainly about
A. A childhood dream.
B. An unforgettable experience.
C. Sailing around the world.
D. Meeting animals in Antarctica.
答案　
1. A　2. C　3. C　4. B
Passage 4（2021全国甲，C）　词数322　
　　When I was 9, we packed up our home in Los Angeles and arrived at Heathrow, London on a gray January morning. Everyone in the family settled quickly into the city except me. Without my beloved beaches and endless blue-sky days, I felt at a loss and out of place. Until I made a discovery.
Southbank, at an eastern bend in the Thames, is the center of British skateboarding, where the continuous crashing of skateboards left your head ringing. I loved it. I soon made friends with the local skaters. We spoke our own language. And my favorite: Safe. Safe meant cool. It meant hello. It meant don't worry about it. Once, when trying a certain trick on the beam(横杆), I fell onto the stones, damaging a nerve in my hand, and Toby came over, helping me up: Safe, man. Safe. A few minutes later, when I landed the trick, my friends beat their boards loud, shouting: “Safe!Safe!Safe!” And that's what mattered—landing tricks, being a good skater.
When I was 15, my family moved to Washington. I tried skateboarding there, but the locals were far less welcoming. Within a couple of years, I'd given it up.
When I returned to London in 2004, I found myself wandering down to Southbank, spending hours there. I've traveled back several times since, most recently this past spring. The day was cold but clear; tourists and Londoners stopped to watch the skaters. Weaving (穿梭)among the kids who rushed by on their boards, I found my way to the beam. Then a rail-thin teenager, in a baggy white T-shirt, skidded(滑)up to the beam. He sat next to me. He seemed not to notice the man next to him. But soon I caught a few of his glances. “I was a local here 20 years ago,” I told him. Then, slowly, he began to nod his head. “Safe, man. Safe.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Safe.”
1. What can we learn about the author soon after he moved to London
A. He felt disappointed.
B. He gave up his hobby.
C. He liked the weather there.
D. He had disagreements with his family.
2. What do the underlined words “Safe!Safe!Safe!” probably mean
A. Be careful!　　　B. Well done!
C. No way!　　　 D. Don't worry!
3. Why did the author like to spend time in Southbank when he returned to London
A. To join the skateboarding.
B. To make new friends.
C. To learn more tricks.
D. To relive his childhood days.
4. What message does the author seem to convey in the text
A. Children should learn a second language.
B. Sport is necessary for children's health.
C. Children need a sense of belonging.
D. Seeing the world is a must for children.
答案　
1. A　2. B　3. D　4. C
Passage 5（2020全国Ⅰ，B）　词数289　
　　Returning to a book you've read many times can feel like drinks with an old friend. There's a welcome familiarity—but also sometimes a slight suspicion that time has changed you both, and thus the relationship. But books don't change, people do. And that's what makes the act of rereading so rich and transformative.
The beauty of rereading lies in the idea that our bond with the work is based on our present mental register. It's true, the older I get, the more I feel time has wings. But with reading, it's all about the present. It's about the now and what one contributes to the now, because reading is a give and take between author and reader. Each has to pull their own weight.
There are three books I reread annually. The first, which I take to reading every spring, is Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. Published in 1964, it's his classic memoir of 1920s Paris. The language is almost intoxicating(令人陶醉的), an aging writer looking back on an ambitious yet simpler time. Another is Annie Dillard's Holy the Firm, her poetic 1975 ramble(随笔)about everything and nothing. The third book is Julio Cortázar's Save Twilight:Selected Poems, because poetry. And because Cortázar.
While I tend to buy a lot of books, these three were given to me as gifts, which might add to the meaning I attach to them. But I imagine that, while money is indeed wonderful and necessary, rereading an author's work is the highest currency a reader can pay them. The best books are the ones that open further as time passes. But remember, it's you that has to grow and read and reread in order to better understand your friends.
1. Why does the author like rereading
A. It evaluates the writer-reader relationship.
B. It's a window to a whole new world.
C. It's a substitute for drinking with a friend.
D. It extends the understanding of oneself.
2. What do we know about the book A Moveable Feast
A. It's a brief account of a trip.
B. It's about Hemingway's life as a young man.
C. It's a record of a historic event.
D. It's about Hemingway's friends in Paris.
3. What does the underlined word “currency” in paragraph 4 refer to
A. Debt.　　　B. Reward.　　　C. Allowance.　　　D. Face value.
4. What can we infer about the author from the text
A. He loves poetry.　　　 B. He's an editor.
C. He's very ambitious.　　　 D. He teaches reading.
答案　
1. D　2. B　3. B　4. A
Passage 6（2020全国Ⅱ，C）　词数325　
　　When you were trying to figure out what to buy for the environmentalist on your holiday list, fur probably didn't cross your mind. But some ecologists and fashion(时装)enthusiasts are trying to bring back the market for fur made from nutria(海狸鼠).
Unusual fashion shows in New Orleans and Brooklyn have showcased nutria fur made into clothes in different styles. “It sounds crazy to talk about guilt-free fur—unless you understand that the nutria are destroying vast wetlands every year,” says Cree McCree, project director of Righteous Fur.
Scientists in Louisiana were so concerned that they decided to pay hunters $5 a tail. Some of the fur ends up in the fashion shows like the one in Brooklyn last month.
Nutria were brought there from Argentina by fur farmers and let go into the wild. “The ecosystem down there can't handle this non-native species(物种). It's destroying the environment. It's them or us,” says Michael Massimi, an expert in this field.
The fur trade kept nutria in check for decades, but when the market for nutria collapsed in the late 1980s, the cat-sized animals multiplied like crazy.
Biologist Edmond Mouton runs the nutria control program for Louisiana. He says it's not easy to convince people that nutria fur is green, but he has no doubt about it. Hunters bring in more than 300,000 nutria tails a year, so part of Mouton's job these days is trying to promote fur.
Then there's Righteous Fur and its unusual fashions. Model Paige Morgan says, “To give people a guilt-free option that they can wear without someone throwing paint on them—I think that's going to be a massive thing, at least here in New York.” Designer Jennifer Anderson admits it took her a while to come around to the opinion that using nutria fur for her creations is morally acceptable. She's trying to come up with a label to attach to nutria fashions to show it is eco-friendly.
1. What is the purpose of the fashion shows in New Orleans and Brooklyn
A. To promote guilt-free fur.
B. To expand the fashion market.
C. To introduce a new brand.
D. To celebrate a winter holiday.
2. Why are scientists concerned about nutria
A. Nutria damage the ecosystem seriously.
B. Nutria are an endangered species.
C. Nutria hurt local cat-sized animals.
D. Nutria are illegally hunted.
3. What does the underlined word “collapsed” in paragraph 5 probably mean
A. Boomed.　　　 B. Became mature.
C. Remained stable.　　　 D. Crashed.
4. What can we infer about wearing fur in New York according to Morgan
A. It's formal.　　　 B. It's risky.
C. It's harmful.　　　 D. It's traditional.
答案　
1. A　2. A　3. D　4. B
Passage 7（2020全国Ⅱ，D）　词数331　
　　I have a special place in my heart for libraries. I have for as long as I can remember. I was always an enthusiastic reader, sometimes reading up to three books a day as a child. Stories were like air to me and while other kids played ball or went to parties, I lived out adventures through the books I checked out from the library.
My first job was working at the Ukiah Library when I was 16 years old. It was a dream job and I did everything from shelving books to reading to the children for story time.
As I grew older and became a mother, the library took on a new place and an added meaning in my life. I had several children and books were our main source(来源)of entertainment. It was a big deal for us to load up and go to the local library, where my kids could pick out books to read or books they wanted me to read to them.
I always read, using different voices, as though I were acting out the stories with my voice and they loved it! It was a special time to bond with my children and it filled them with the wonderment of books.
Now, I see my children taking their children to the library and I love that the excitement of going to the library lives on from generation to generation.
As a novelist, I've found a new relationship with libraries. I encourage readers to go to their local library when they can't afford to purchase a book. I see libraries as a safe haven(避风港)for readers and writers, a bridge that helps put together a reader with a book. Libraries, in their own way, help fight book piracy(盗版行为)and I think all writers should support libraries in a significant way when they can. Encourage readers to use the library. Share library announcements on your social media. Frequent them and talk about them when you can.
1. Which word best describes the author's relationship with books as a child
A. Cooperative.　　　 B. Uneasy.
C. Inseparable.　　　 D. Casual.
2. What does the underlined phrase “an added meaning” in paragraph 3 refer to
A. Pleasure from working in the library.
B. Joy of reading passed on in the family.
C. Wonderment from acting out the stories.
D. A closer bond developed with the readers.
3. What does the author call on other writers to do
A. Sponsor book fairs.　　　 B. Write for social media.
C. Support libraries.　　　 D. Purchase her novels.
4. Which can be a suitable title for the text
A. Reading:A Source of Knowledge
B. My Idea about Writing
C. Library:A Haven for the Young
D. My Love of the Library
答案　
1. C　2. B　3. C　4. D
Passage 8（2020全国Ⅲ，B）　词数234　
　　When “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was first shown to the public last month, a group of excited animal activists gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. But they weren't there to throw red paint on fur-coat-wearing film stars. Instead, one activist, dressed in a full-body monkey suit, had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers:“Thanks for not using real apes(猿)!”
The creative team behind “Apes” used motion-capture(动作捕捉)technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that records an actor's performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image(图像). In this case, one of a realistic-looking ape.
Yet “Apes” is more exception than the rule. In fact, Hollywood has been hot on live animals lately. One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment of animals in filmed entertainment, is keeping tabs on more than 2,000 productions this year. Already, a number of films, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Hangover Part Ⅱ” and “Zookeeper,” have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven't been treated properly.
In some cases, it's not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it's the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the States.
1. Why did the animal activists gather on Hollywood Boulevard
A. To see famous film stars.
B. To oppose wearing fur coats.
C. To raise money for animal protection.
D. To express thanks to some filmmakers.
2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about
A. The cost of making “Apes.”
B. The creation of digitalized apes.
C. The publicity about “Apes.”
D. The performance of real apes.
3. What does the underlined phrase “keeping tabs on” in paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Listing completely.　　　 B. Directing professionally.
C. Promoting successfully.　　　 D. Watching carefully.
4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about animal actors
A. They may be badly treated.
B. They should take further training.
C. They could be traded illegally.
D. They would lose popularity.
答案　
1. D　2. B　3. D　4. A
Passage 9（2020浙江二考，B）　词数298　
　　The traffic signals along Factoria Boulevard in Bellevue, Washington, generally don't flash the same length of green twice in a row, especially at rush hour. At 9:30 am, the full red/yellow/green signal cycle might be 140 seconds. By 9:33 am, a burst of additional traffic might push it to 145 seconds. Less traffic at 9:37 am could push it down to 135. Just like the traffic itself, the timing of the signals changes.
That is by design. Bellevue, a fast-growing city just east of Seattle, uses a system that is gaining popularity around the US: intersection(十字路口)signals that can adjust in real time to traffic conditions. These lights, known as adaptive signals, have led to significant declines in both the trouble and cost of travels between work and home.
“Adaptive signals can make sure that the traffic demand that is there is being addressed,” says Alex Stevanovie, a researcher at Florida Atlantic University.
For all of Bellevue's success, adaptive signals are not a cure-all for jammed roadways. Kevin Balke, a research engineer at the Texas A & M University Transportation Institute, says that while smart lights can be particularly beneficial for some cities, others are so jammed that only a sharp reduction in the number of cars on the road will make a meaningful difference. “It's not going to fix everything, but adaptive signals have some benefits for smaller cities,” he says.
In Bellevue, the switch to adaptive signals has been a lesson in the value of welcoming new approaches. In the past, there was often an automatic reaction to increased traffic:just widen the roads, says Mark Poch, the Bellevue Transportation Department's traffic engineering manager. Now he hopes that other cities will consider making their streets run smarter instead of just making them bigger.
1. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to
A. Increased length of green lights.
B. Shortened traffic signal cycle.
C. Flexible timing of traffic signals.
D. Smooth traffic flow on the road.
2. What does Kevin Balke say about adaptive signals
A. They work better on broad roads.
B. They should be used in other cities.
C. They have greatly reduced traffic on the road.
D. They are less helpful in cities seriously jammed.
3. What can we learn from Bellevue's success
A. It is rewarding to try new things.
B. The old methods still work today.
C. It pays to put theory into practice.
D. The simplest way is the best way.
答案　
1. C　2. D　3. A
Passage 10（2019课标全国Ⅰ，B）　词数290　
　　For Canaan Elementary's second grade in Patchogue, N.Y., today is speech day, and right now it's Chris Palaez's turn. The 8-year-old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking.
But he's nervous. “I'm here to tell you today why you should...should...” Chris trips on the “-ld,” a pronunciation difficulty for many non-native English speakers. His teacher, Thomas Whaley, is next to him, whispering support. “...Vote for...me...” Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion, Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him.
A son of immigrants, Chris started learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls(回想起)how at the beginning of the year, when called upon to read, Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom.
Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. “It takes a lot for any student,” Whaley explains, “especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say,‘I don't know, but I want to know.’”
Whaley got the idea of this second-grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast(夸耀) about themselves.
“Boasting about yourself, and your best qualities,” Whaley says,“is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident.”
1. What made Chris nervous
A. Telling a story.　　　 B. Making a speech.
C. Taking a test.　　　 D. Answering a question.
2. What does the underlined word “stumbles” in paragraph 2 refer to
A. Improper pauses.　　　 B. Bad manners.
C. Spelling mistakes.　　　 D. Silly jokes.
3. We can infer that the purpose of Whaley's project is to　　　.
A. help students see their own strengths
B. assess students' public speaking skills
C. prepare students for their future jobs
D. inspire students' love for politics
4. Which of the following best describes Whaley as a teacher
A. Humorous.　　　B. Ambitious.
C. Caring.　　　 D. Demanding.
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. A　4. C
Passage 11（2019课标全国Ⅲ，B）　词数284　
　　For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.
“It's no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.
Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.
“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion—they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today's top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.
For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion.“The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says.“China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”
1. What can we learn about the exhibition in New York
A. It promoted the sales of artworks.
B. It attracted a large number of visitors.
C. It showed ancient Chinese clothes.
D. It aimed to introduce Chinese models.
2. What does Hill say about Chinese women
A. They are setting the fashion.
B. They start many fashion campaigns.
C. They admire super models.
D. They do business all over the world.
3. What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean
A. learning from　　　
B. looking down on
C. working with　　　
D. competing against
4. What can be a suitable title for the text
A. Young Models Selling Dreams to the World
B. A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York
C. Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics
D. Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. D　4. D
Passage 12（2019浙江二考，B）　词数277　
　　Money with no strings attached. It's not something you see every day. But at Union Station in Los Angeles last month, a board went up with dollar bills attached to it with pins and a sign that read, “Give What You Can, Take What You Need.”
People quickly caught on. And while many took dollars, many others pinned their own cash to the board. “People of all ages, races, and socio-economic(社会经济的)backgrounds gave and took,” said Tyler Bridges of The Toolbox, which created the project. “We even had a bride in her wedding dress come up to the board and take a few dollars.” Most of the bills on the board were singles, but a few people left fives, tens and even twenties. The video clip(片段) shows one man who had found a $20 bill pinning it to the board.
“What I can say for the folks that gave the most, is that they were full of smiles,” Bridges said.“There's a certain feeling that giving can do for you and that was apparent in those that gave the most.” Most people who took dollars took only a few, but Bridges said a very small number took as much as they could.
While the clip might look like part of a new ad campaign, Bridges said the only goal was to show generosity and sympathy. He added that he hopes people in other cities might try similar projects and post their own videos on the Internet.
“After all, everyone has bad days and good days,” he said. “Some days you need a helping hand and some days you can be the one giving the helping hand.”
1. What does the expression “money with no strings attached” in paragraph 1 mean
A. Money spent without hesitation.
B. Money not legally made.
C. Money offered without conditions.
D. Money not tied together.
2. What did Bridges want to show by mentioning the bride
A. Women tended to be more sociable.
B. The activity attracted various people.
C. Economic problems were getting worse.
D. Young couples needed financial assistance.
3. Why did Bridges carry out the project
A. To do a test on people's morals.
B. To raise money for his company.
C. To earn himself a good reputation.
D. To promote kindness and sympathy.
答案　
1. C　2. B　3. D
Passage 13（2019北京，D）　词数387　
　　By the end of the century, if not sooner, the world's oceans will be bluer and greener thanks to a warming climate, according to a new study.
At the heart of the phenomenon lie tiny marine microorganisms(海洋微生物) called phytoplankton. Because of the way light reflects off the organisms, these phytoplankton create colourful patterns at the ocean surface. Ocean colour varies from green to blue, depending on the type and concentration of phytoplankton. Climate change will fuel the growth of phytoplankton in some areas, while reducing it in other spots, leading to changes in the ocean's appearance.
Phytoplankton live at the ocean surface, where they pull carbon dioxide(二氧化碳) into the ocean while giving off oxygen. When these organisms die, they bury carbon in the deep ocean, an important process that helps to regulate the global climate. But phytoplankton are vulnerable to the ocean's warming trend. Warming changes key characteristics of the ocean and can affect phytoplankton growth, since they need not only sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, but also nutrients.
Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a scientist in MIT's Center for Global Change Science, built a climate model that projects changes to the oceans throughout the century. In a world that warms up by 3℃, it found that multiple changes to the colour of the oceans would occur. The model projects that currently blue areas with little phytoplankton could become even bluer. But in some waters, such as those of the Arctic, a warming will make conditions riper for phytoplankton, and these areas will turn greener. “Not only are the quantities of phytoplankton in the ocean changing,” she said,“but the type of phytoplankton is changing.”
And why does that matter Phytoplankton are the base of the food web. If certain kinds begin to disappear from the ocean, Dutkiewicz said,“it will change the type of fish that will be able to survive.” Those kinds of changes could affect the food chain.
Whatever colour changes the ocean experiences in the coming decades will probably be too gradual and unnoticeable, but they could mean significant changes. “It'll be a while before we can statistically show that the changes are happening because of climate change,”Dutkiewicz said, “but the change in the colour of the ocean will be one of the early warning signals that we really have changed our planet.”
1. What are the first two paragraphs mainly about
A. The various patterns at the ocean surface.
B. The cause of the changes in ocean colour.
C. The way light reflects off marine organisms.
D. The efforts to fuel the growth of phytoplankton.
2. What does the underlined word “vulnerable” in Paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Sensitive.　　　 B. Beneficial.
C. Significant.　　　D. Unnoticeable.
3. What can we learn from the passage
A. Phytoplankton play a declining role in the marine ecosystem.
B. Dutkiewicz's model aims to project phytoplankton changes.
C. Phytoplankton have been used to control global climate.
D. Oceans with more phytoplankton may appear greener.
4. What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To assess the consequences of ocean colour changes.
B. To analyse the composition of the ocean food chain.
C. To explain the effects of climate change on oceans.
D. To introduce a new method to study phytoplankton.
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. D　4. C
三年模拟
A组　考点基础题组
Passage 1（2023山东新高考联合质量测评联考，C）
　　Once the red wolf's historic range stretched from Long Island to Missouri and down to the Texas-Mexico border. But by 1972 they could only be found in a small area along the Gulf Coast due to habitat loss and hunting.
To conserve the species, 14 individuals were caught as part of a reproducing program. In 1980 their wild relatives were declared extinct—the caught wolves were all that was left and thus lots of genetic variation was lost. You can't help it when you have so few founders.
Kristin Brzeski is an assistant professor at Michigan Technological University, whose research focuses on the conservation of genetics of wild animal populations. He thought this work had been an underdog scientifically and for conservation, for all wolves decreased in amount dramatically, especially the red wolves. Now, Brzeski and her co-workers have found a surprising new pool of red wolf genes that might help bring more diversity to the tiny population: they found the disappearing genes of red wolves in wild coyote populations. But why did this happen
Remember: when a population is dying out, it might find the closest related species as their own best mate, so a red wolf and a coyote can have offspring. As a result, people can rediscover their genes in their coyote hybrid offspring. As red wolves are released back into the wild, reproducing with these coyotes could help the critically endangered species regain some of its genetic diversity.
This would be kind of the opposite direction: take the existing small population that still has red wolf genes that are so critical, and put them into a wild landscape with new genetic variation that they haven't seen for 50 years or more. And all of a sudden, hopefully, this is like a super mix of genetic health and sort of rebound that these animals can be wild and be themselves again.
The next step will include how to release red wolves in a way that takes advantage of the genes red wolves hiding in coyote populations. There should be a philosophy in our mind that we created this problem, so we should be responsible for fixing it.
1. Why was much genetic variation of the red wolves lost
A. Their habitat loss.
B. Their limited number.
C. Their relatives' extinction.
D. Their poor adaptability.
2. What does the underlined word “underdog” in Paragraph 3 mean
A. Failure.　　　B. Success. C. Breakthrough.　　　D. Dilemma.
3. What is Brzeski's attitude to releasing red wolves into the wild
A. Disappointed.　　　 B. Favorable.
C. Pessimistic.　　　 D. Cautious.
4. What is the best title of the passage
A. A promising way to save red wolves
B. Red wolves—an endangered species
C. Wild coyotes—red wolves' perfect match
D. An unknown future to protect red wolves
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. B　4. A
Passage 2（2023江苏南京金陵中学、海安中学高三联考，C）
　　As the new year approaches, crowds around the world may be expecting whizzes and bangs to light up the sky. The appeal of fireworks could fizzle out with the growing use of drones (无人机) for light shows, though.
Ollie Howitt, a leader of SKYMAGIC, which used a team of 300 drones to create a display for London's new year celebration last year, said demand had increased substantially. “We do think it's going to be something that's ever catching on, as opposed to it being a short-lived sort of fashion people have suddenly got interested in. Drones are reusable and there's no fallout. In that sense they're a very good, sustainable option,” she said.
But not everyone agrees. A spokesperson from the British Fireworks Association said drones could also pose environmental problems. “Suggestions are that drones have less of an impact on the environment, but we have serious concerns about electrical demand and use of lithium batteries which are known not to be all that ‘green’,” they said.
An RSPCA spokesperson said that while drones were a possible idea to try to reduce the impact of displays on animals, there were downsides. “Drones are not without their own negative issues such as scaring horses or crashing into birds, and can cause disturbance to animals and members of the public. It's therefore important for their effects to be fully considered and measures taken to minimize the chance of accidents,” they said.
Some express the opinion that the use of fireworks and drones don't exclude each other. The sight, sound and gunpowder smell of fireworks will always provide its own unique thrill.
“We find fireworks work really well when teamed up with drones. But we don't really see it as a one-replacing-the-other at all. We feel as if it's just another tool in the chest for how you enliven the sky and what you want to do with the show you're putting on,” said Howitt, noting that while fireworks give a loud, emotive, big performance, drones offer the chance to tell stories in the sky by using a series of images.
1. What does the underlined phrase “fizzle out” in Paragraph 1 mean
A. Catch on.　　　B. Wind up.　　　C. Spring up.　　　D. Cancel out.
2. What does Howitt think about a drone display in Paragraph 2
A. It's definitely an upward trend.
B. It'll get us to reflect on energy crisis.
C. It's nothing but a temporary phenomenon.
D. It'll fuel the public curiosity about science.
3. Which of the following may Howitt suggest according to the last paragraph
A. Promoting the production of drones.
B. Diversifying the functions of drones.
C. Prohibiting the displays of fireworks.
D. Staging drone shows as an alternative.
4. In which section of a website can we read this text
A. Advertisement.　　　 B. Business.
C. Health.　　　 D. Environment.
答案　
1. B　2. A　3. D　4. D
Passage 3（2023湖北十堰高三上学期期末，D）
　　Jewel White, a 15-year-old student, gathers her books and signs herself out of a routine morning math class. She is not leaving school for the day, but is off to try some more challenging equations. This practice is not uncommon at Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where an unconventional learning approach is prevailing.
Westmount is one of the eight regular schools in the country where students work at their own pace and set their own direction, spending as much or as little time as they need on subjects. Teachers act as advisers. With the classroom teachers' permission, students can sign out of a class to work on other materials or walk into another class to catch up on another subject. And every two weeks they make plans for their own learning time, with support from their adviser.
At a time when a shrinking student population is causing boards to close schools. Westmount sits at 30 percent overcapacity with 1,500 students. Its bursting number led education officials to consider expanding the program to other locations.
“If students are interested, we are going to do our best to provide that sort of programming,” said Todd White, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
When students like Jewel are not in a classroom, they can usually be found in the school's learning commons, a study area for all students. There are teachers available to help, but generally students are working on their own assignments or projects.
Jewel said Westmount's self-paced style caught her attention when she was looking at high schools. Westmount is not the school close to her home. She said at elementary school she would often cause trouble in class because she would complete her work early and not have much else to do. “I find this kind of academic environment in Westmount is a lot better for me,” she said. “I like the thought of being able to work faster or slower if needed.”
1. What does the word “prevailing” underlined in Paragraph 1 mean
A. Catching on.　　　 B. Giving way.
C. Slowing down.　　　 D. Causing trouble.
2. Which of the following words can best describe the school's learning approach
A. Complex but familiar.　　　 B. Flexible and efficient.
C. Traditional and common.　　　 D. Difficult but interesting.
3. What is Todd White's attitude to Westmount's style of learning
A. Tolerant.　　　 B. Doubtful.
C. Positive.　　　 D. Unconcerned.
4. What did Jewel think of her elementary school
A. It was a school closest to her home.
B. It provided too much homework for students.
C. Its learning atmosphere was not very satisfying.
D. Its students did not work as fast as Westmount.
答案　
1. A　2. B　3. C　4. C
Passage 4（2023浙江台州高三二模，C）
　　Why do we choose to help one another There are many reasons. You may be a selfless person or lending a hand may be a cultural expectation.
Now, researchers are raising the possibility that good sleep may be a wonderful ingredient that promotes the alacrity to offer help between human beings. Indeed the better sleep you have, the more willing you will be to lend a hand. And a surprising new set of research studies have found that sleep loss may affect our generosity at different levels.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, led three small studies to explore generosity. In one study, they exposed a group of healthy adults to a night of 8 hours of sleep and a night with no sleep. Researchers scanned the participants' brains after each night. After a sleepless night, areas of the brain involved in empathy and helping behavior were less active. In fact, when the study participants were sleepless at night, 78% of them demonstrated a reduction in the desire to help others.
In the next study, researchers tracked 136 people through online questionnaires and sleep diaries for a few days. They wanted to see if nightly variations in sleep affected their desire to help others. They found that, when sleep quality worsened from one night to the next, there was a major decrease in “helping choices” and vice versa.
The third study looked at how sleep loss affected generosity on a larger scale. The researchers analyzed data from over 3 million charitable donations made in the US. They focused on donations during the transition to Daylight Saving Time (DST) in spring each year. During the spring time change, we lose an hour of sleep.
Interestingly, researchers found a 10% drop in donations in regions that change their clocks. This drop wasn't seen in regions that didn't observe the time change. It showed that insufficient sleep triggered by the time change impacted donation behavior.
All these results suggest that insufficient sleep makes us less compassionate and helpful. Throughout the world, more than half of adults don't get enough sleep during the workweek, but we should all start valuing adequate sleep rather than treating it like something optional or unproductive. If so, it will enable us to be more helpful and to be the best versions of ourselves.
1. What's the writing purpose of the first paragraph
A. To start a heated discussion.
B. To introduce the topic of the text.
C. To present a social phenomenon.
D. To show the author's conclusion.
2. What does the underlined word “alacrity” mean in the second paragraph
A. Understanding.　　　B. Ability.
C. Awareness.　　　 D. Eagerness.
3. What can we infer from the three studies
A. People observing DST are likely to donate less.
B. People change their clocks to have more empathy.
C. Sleep quality determines the desire to give a hand.
D. Sleep loss can severely affect helping behavior.
4. Which of the following is the best title for the text
A. Sleep Triggers Behavior
B. Adequate Sleep: A Healthy Person
C. Sleep Influences Generosity
D. Sound Sleep: A Productive Person
答案　
1. B　2. D　3. A　4. C
Passage 5（2022江苏南通基地学校联考三，B）
　　Growing up in an underdeveloped zone of Johannesburg, South Africa, Musa Motha says his surroundings weren't exactly ideal. Soccer was his favorite sport, and he fondly remembers the times he played for the local youth team. But when he was 10 years old, he injured his left leg. This changed everything.
A bone marrow biopsy(骨髓活检) revealed Motha had osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in his left leg. While his soccer injury was not the cause, it did draw attention to the already-present cancer. He chose the amputation(截肢) and decided he was going to approach life differently—more positively.
True to his word, Motha, now 26, can be seen twirling(转动) across stages around the world. He first encountered dance at a neighborhood party, where he asked a friend to teach him some modified moves. “Then I danced the whole night,” he recalled. His talents did not go unnoticed; he began appearing in South African TV ads and shows. He even appeared in Drake's One Dance music video.
Motha thinks that representation needs to extend beyond the performing arts. “The more we can see the disabled person in multiple aspects of life, such as helicopter pilots, engineers, chefs, choreographers and professors, the greater hope we can hold onto for a society where no one is on the margins,” he said. That's Motha's dream as well.
Though he said that dance gave him “a purpose”, he added, “I don't want to see myself as a dancer only.” He wants to create a space for other people with disabilities to go outside their comfort zone—from soccer to singing. He feels that greater representation will create more opportunities and inclusions, paving the way for people with disabilities to shine. “Instead of telling a sob story, I find that the most beautiful stories are after the amputation,” Motha said. He encourages others with disabilities that they, too, can do everything: “There're a whole lot of things that you can overcome and that actually define how strong you are.”
1. What caused the discovery of Motha's cancer
A. The terrible living environment.
B. The routine medical examination.
C. The accidental injury to his left leg.
D. The amputation of his left leg.
2. Why does Motha refuse to see himself as a dancer only
A. To indicate that dance is no longer his favorite.
B. To inspire the disabled to go beyond themselves.
C. To stress he hasn't gone outside his comfort zone.
D. To show off his talents in more aspects of his life.
3. What does the underlined sentence in Paragr