阅读理解之记叙文类限时练
(2023·江苏镇江·江苏省镇江第一中学统考二模)Eugene Newman Parker, a leading figure in heliospheric (日球层的) physics for the past half century, passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago on Mar. 15. He was 94.
Hailed (誉为) as a visionary in the field of heliophysics, Parker revolutionized our understanding of the sun and its effects on Earth and other bodies within the solar system. NASA even stated that “the field of heliophysics exists in large part because of Dr. Eugene Parker. In 2018, Parker became the first living scientist to witness the launch of a spacecraft that was named in his honor.
Parker is best known for his groundbreaking theory on the existence of a phenomenon called “solar wind”, a continuous stream of charged particles that flow off the sun. It can become violent, causing space weather that impacts the Earth. When Parker’s research was published in 1958, his theory was initially met with skepticism (怀疑) and ridicule by the scientific community. The general view at the time was that the space between planets was an absolute vacuum (真空), and was thus completely empty of any matter. But, there were no errors in his study or his calculations, and the theory was later proven to be correct in 1962, when a NASA spacecraft mission to Venus revealed the constant presence of a supersonic wind—exactly as Parker had predicted.
That experience likely led to the advice Parker often gave young researchers: “If you do something new or innovative, expect trouble. But think critically about it because if you’re wrong, you want to be the first one to know that.” Parker never co-authored a paper with his students, thus urging them to be independent.
Parker was humble, straightforward, and wise. His son Eric said, “My sister Joyce and I didn’t get a real feel for what a ‘big dog’ our dad was in the field.” They got an even better sense when a month after Parker’s death, they traveled to Lund, Sweden, to accept on his behalf the Crafoord Prize in Astronomy.
1. What can we learn from the second paragraph
A. A spacecraft was named in memory of Parker.
B. The sun has less effects on Earth than expected.
C. Parker deserved credit for his great contributions.
D. NASA provided new insights into the lunar effect.
2. Why did people view Parker’s theory of “solar wind” skeptically at first
A. It went against the popular opinion at that time.
B. Some mistakes were found in his calculations.
C. The presence of a supersonic wind was proven by NASA.
D. Matter was believed to exist in the space between planets.
3. What did Parker suggest young researchers do
A. Seek close cooperation. B. Avoid high expectations.
C. Learn by trial and error. D. Compete against others.
4. What words can be used to describe Parker according to the passage
A. Straightforward and generous. B. Responsible and accessible.
C. Intelligent yet conservative. D. Distinguished yet modest.
答案1. C 2. A 3. C 4. D
【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章介绍了日球物理学的领军人物，尤金·纽曼·帕克的贡献以及他对年轻人的影响。
1. 推理判断题。根据第二段中“Parker revolutionized our understanding of the sun and its effects on Earth and other bodies within the solar system. (帕克彻底改变了我们对太阳及其对地球和太阳系内其他天体的影响的认识。)”以及“NASA even stated that “the field of heliophysics exists in large part because of Dr. Eugene Parker. (美国宇航局甚至表示，“太阳物理学领域的存在在很大程度上要归功于尤金·帕克博士。”)”可知，帕克对整个日球物理学领域做出了极大的贡献，他是值得赞扬的。故选C。
2. 细节理解题。根据第三段中“ When Parker’s research was published in 1958, his theory was initially met with skepticism(怀疑) and ridicule by the scientific community.(当帕克的研究成果于1958年发表时，他的理论最初遭到了科学界的质疑和嘲笑。)”以及“The general view at the time was that the space between planets was an absolute vacuum(真空), and was thus completely empty of any matter. (当时的普遍观点是，行星之间的空间是绝对真空的，因此完全没有任何物质。)”可知，人们起初对帕克的“太阳风”理论持怀疑态度，因为它违背了当时的流行观点。故选A。
3. 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中“That experience likely led to the advice Parker often gave young researchers: “If you do something new or innovative, expect trouble. But think critically about it because if you’re wrong, you want to be the first one to know that.” (这段经历可能导致了帕克经常给年轻研究人员的建议：“如果你做了一些新的或创新的事情，预计会有麻烦。但要批判性地思考，因为如果你错了，你想成为第一个知道这一点的人。”)”可知，帕克给年轻人的建议是从错误和尝试中学习。故选C。
4. 推理判断题。根据第二段中“Hailed(誉为) as a visionary in the field of heliophysics, Parker revolutionized our understanding of the sun and its effects on Earth and other bodies within the solar system. (被誉为作为太阳物理学领域的梦想家，帕克彻底改变了我们对太阳及其对地球和太阳系内其他天体影响的理解。)”以及根据最后一段中“Parker was humble, straightforward, and wise.(帕克谦逊、直率、睿智。)”可知，帕克是杰出但谦逊的。故选D。
(2023·浙江·德清县高级中学校考模拟预测)Eliana Yi dreamed of pursuing piano performance in college, never mind that her fingers could barely reach the length of an octave (八度音阶). Unable to fully play many works by Romantic-era composers, including Beethoven and Brahms, she tried anyway — and in her determination to spend hours practicing one of Chopin’s compositions which is known for being “stretchy”, wound up injuring herself.
“I would just go to pieces,” the Southern Methodist University junior recalled. “There were just too many octaves. I wondered whether I was just going to play Bach and Mozart for the rest of my life.”
The efforts of SMU keyboard studies chair Carol Leone are changing all that. Twenty years ago, the school became the first major university in the U.S. to incorporate smaller keyboards into its music program, leveling the playing field for Yi and other piano majors.
Yi reflected on the first time she tried one of the smaller keyboards: “I remember being really excited because my hands could actually reach and play all the right notes,” she said. Ever since, “I haven’t had a single injury, and I can practice as long as I want.”
For decades, few questioned the size of the conventional piano. If someone’s hand span was less than 8.5 inches — the distance considered ideal to comfortably play an octave — well, that’s just how it was.
Those who attempt “stretchy” passages either get used to omitting notes or risk tendon (腱) injury with repeated play. Leone is familiar with such challenges. Born into a family of jazz musicians, she instead favored classical music and pursued piano despite her small hand span and earned a doctorate in musical arts.
A few years after joining SMU’s music faculty in 1996, the decorated pianist read an article in Piano and Keyboard magazine about the smaller keyboards. As Leone would later write, the discovery would completely renew her life and career.
In 2000, she received a grant to retrofit a department Steinway to accommodate a smaller keyboard, and the benefits were immediate. In addition to relieving injury caused by overextended fingers, she said, it gave those with smaller spans the ability to play classic compositions taken for granted by larger-handed counterparts.
Smaller keyboards instill many with new confidence. It’s not their own limitations that have held them back, they realize; it’s the limitations of the instruments themselves. For those devoted to a life of making music, it’s as if a cloud has suddenly lifted.
1. What is the similarity between Eliana Yi and Carol Leone
A. Their interest in jazz extended to classical music.
B. Short hand span used to restrict their music career.
C. They both joined SMU’s music faculty years ago.
D. Romantic-era composers’ music was easy for them.
2. Why did SMU initiate an effort to scale down the piano
A. To reduce the number of octaves. B. To incorporate Bach into its music program.
C. To provide fair opportunities for piano majors. D. To encourage pianists to spend more hours practicing.
3. How did Yi probably feel when she played the retrofitted piano
A. Confident. B. Frustrated. C. Challenging. D. Determined.
4. Which of the following is the best title of the passage
A. Who Qualifies as an Ideal Pianist B. Traditional or Innovative Piano
C. Hard-working Pianists Pays off D. The Story behind Retrofitted Pianos
答案 1. B 2. C 3. A 4. D
【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了南方卫理公会大学的音乐系教授Carol Leone如何引入小钢琴键盘来改变钢琴教育的现状和Eliana Yi使用小钢琴键盘的经历。
1. 推理判断题。根据第一段中“Eliana Yi dreamed of pursuing piano performance in college, never mind that her fingers could barely reach the length of an octave (八度音阶). ( Eliana Yi在大学时梦想着从事钢琴演奏，尽管她的手指几乎达不到一个八度音程的长度。)”以及第二段中““I would just go to pieces,” the Southern Methodist University junior recalled. “There were just too many octaves. I wondered whether I was just going to play Bach and Mozart for the rest of my life.” (“我会崩溃，”这位南卫理公会大学的大三学生回忆说。“八度太多了。我想知道我的余生是否只会演奏巴赫和莫扎特。”)”以及第六段中“Leone is familiar with such challenges. Born into a family of jazz musicians, she instead favored classical music and pursued piano despite her small hand span and earned a doctorate in musical arts. ( Leone Leone对这些挑战很熟悉。她出生在一个爵士音乐家的家庭，但她更喜欢古典音乐，并且尽管她的手指距离较小，她还是选择了追求钢琴，并获得了音乐艺术博士学位。)”可知，短手距限制了她们的音乐事业，这是Eliana Yi和Carol Leone之间的相似之处。故选B。
2. 细节理解题。根据第三段中“Twenty years ago, the school became the first major university in the U.S. to incorporate smaller keyboards into its music program, leveling the playing field for Yi and other piano majors.( 20年前，该校成为美国第一所将小型键盘纳入音乐课程的主要大学，为Yi和其他钢琴专业的学生创造了公平的竞争环境。)”可知，SMU将将小型键盘纳入音乐课程是为Yi和其他钢琴专业的学生创造了公平的竞争环境。故选C。
3. 细节理解题。根据最后一段中“Smaller keyboards instill many with new confidence. It’s not their own limitations that have held them back, they realize; it’s the limitations of the instruments themselves. (更小的键盘给许多人注入了新的信心。他们意识到，阻碍他们前进的不是他们自身的局限；这是仪器本身的局限性。)”可知，当她弹奏这架改装过的钢琴时，她感觉到非常有信心。故选A。
4. 主旨大意题。通读全文，文章主要讲述了南方卫理公会大学的音乐系教授Carol Leone如何引入小钢琴键盘来改变钢琴教育的现状。过去，人们对于传统钢琴的尺寸几乎没有质疑，导致手指长度不够的人无法舒适地演奏八度音阶。然而，通过引入小钢琴键盘，这些人可以更轻松地演奏，并且不再受到手指过度伸展而导致的伤害。这一改变不仅让那些手指长度较短的人有了更多的机会演奏经典作品，也给他们带来了新的信心和动力。D选项“The Story behind Retrofitted Pianos(改装钢琴背后的故事)”概括文章主要内容。故选D。
(2022·浙江·浙江大学附属中学校考模拟预测)That youngsters were glued to online games on their smart phones was a great concern for Ngurang Meena, a school teacher in Nirjuli. The 30 year old social science teacher, who ran the Ngurang Learning Institute, an adult literacy centre, said that she felt disheartened when she read student papers. “The graph of student performance is falling every year. It breaks my heart whenever I see answer sheets — basic grammar skills are missing and there’s an absence of any cohesive (连贯的) expression. They lack guidance and their reading culture is almost zero,” Meena said. When her school and the centre she ran had to close due to infectious diseases, she planned to do something to address the problem.
Inspired by a similar proposal in Mizoram, Meena set up a bookshelf with around 80 books as well as some benches on the side of the road in Nirjuli on 30 August 2020, where passers by could spend time reading. The selections included motivational books, biographies and novels as well as comics for young children. “I have to please the minors with sweets to sit and read, but that is okay,” she laughed.
Meena’s bookshelf became a hit among youngsters who spent hours in the reading corner. Within two months, her effort became the talk of the town.
Now, generous contributions of books come in from the public and she is even receiving requests to set up such libraries in other parts of the state, including one in the capital, Itanagar. Since the tiny libraries are far from the main town, she also lends books out to those who want to read at home.
“I never thought that this would become such a big inspiration,” Meena said. “Since childhood, we have been told that books are our best friends. The next generation of kids is focused on games and other things. I don’t want them to head on the wrong track,” she added.
1. What’s the aim of Meena’s reading program
A. To care for youngsters lacking in reading.
B. To help adults learn some cohesive expression.
C. To keep Ngurang Learning Institute running well.
D. To highlight the importance of reading for adults.
2. What did Meena do to encourage young kids to read more
A. She offered some rewards to them. B. She provided them with transportation.
C. She chose novels with beautiful covers. D. She selected books covering every category.
3. Which words can best describe Meena’s libraries
A. Small and useless. B. Influential and meaningful.
C. Large but impractical. D. Widespread but unwelcome.
4. What is the best title for the text
A. Books：Sources of Knowledge B. The Roadside Reading Corner
C. The Library：an Ideal place for the Young D. New Ideas about Setting a Reading Plan
答案 1. A 2. A 3. B 4. B
【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了一位名叫Meena的女教师发现孩子们缺乏阅读后，决定开设一个路边的读书角，以激励他们多读书的故事。
1. 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“They lack guidance and their reading culture is almost zero (他们缺乏指导，他们的阅读文化几乎为零)”以及第二段中的“Meena set up a bookshelf with around 80 books as well as some benches on the side of the road in Nirjuli on 30 August 2020, where passers by could spend time reading. (2020年8月30日，Meena在尼尔朱利的路边搭建了一个书架，书架上有大约80本书和一些长凳，路人可以在那里花时间阅读。)”可知，Meena阅读计划的目的是关心那些缺乏阅读条件的年轻人，故选A。
2. 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“I have to please the minors with sweets to sit and read, but that is okay(我必须用糖果来取悦未成年人，让他们坐下来看书，但这没关系)”可知，Meena通过给小孩子一些糖果作为奖励来鼓励他们多读书，故选A。
3. 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“generous contributions of books come in from the public and she is even receiving requests to set up such libraries in other parts of the state, including one in the capital, Itanagar. (公众慷慨捐赠书籍，她甚至收到在该州其他地区建立此类图书馆的请求，包括在首都伊塔那加的一个图书馆。)”可知，Meena的路边图书馆想法得到了外界的广泛支持与认可，人们想要更多这样的图书馆。因此，Meena的图书馆是非常有意义且有影响力的，故选B。
4. 主旨大意题。根据第二段中的“Inspired by a similar proposal in Mizoram, Meena set up a bookshelf with around 80 books as well as some benches on the side of the road in Nirjuli on 30 August 2020(受Mizoram类似提议的启发，Meena于2020年8月30日在Nirjuli的路边设立了一个书架，书架上有大约80本书以及一些长凳)”以及结合全文内容可知，文章主要讲述了Meena为了鼓励孩子们多读书，在路边开设了街边图书馆，故选B。
(2023·山东·山东省实验中学校考二模)My mother-in-law asked me to climb a mountain in her rural village. We went through tall and weedy expanse of grass, pulling ourselves up with the help of smooth bamboo trees. Weathered gray rocks dotted tracks only visible to an experienced hiker. The view we were rewarded with halfway up the mountain, fixing our eyes upon the colorful pieces of fields and whitewashed homes set against the deep green hills and a sky so blue that it looked digitally polished, was a side benefit of being there.
Our eyes were mostly on the wild eatable plants that grew on the mountainside. We first came upon the wild mountain bamboo, a plant that was the main part in my mother-in-law’s salted bamboo shoots that, once preserved, could be used all year long in cooking. Along the way, we also encountered another precious wild food — fiddlehead ferns (蕨菜). Those delicate leaves, when stir-fired, were a tasty treat. Once I had purchased fiddleheads at a market in the US. Yet there we were, picking this prized vegetable on our own, with only our labor as the cost.
What we had collected that afternoon looked the same as any other wild mountain bamboo shoots and fiddlehead ferns I had seen before in my mother-in-law’s kitchen. And yet, they felt different to me because I had used my own hands to help pick them and carry them back down the mountain. Spending time and energy gathering these wild plants gave me a deeper appreciation for the food that ends up on the dinner table.
“Many generations have kept this natural lifestyle. We depend on the mountains for our life,” my mother-in-law says. Those mountains and rivers supporting her life aren’t some abstract concept. They are right there, outside her door and within her rural village. Once I saw them through her angle that afternoon, I realized they are closer to me than I ever imagined.
1. Why was the author asked to climb a mountain
A. To pull some bamboo trees. B. To enjoy its beautiful scenery.
C. To get some wild vegetables. D. To lake some digital pictures.
2. What made the picked fiddlehead ferns different
A. The fresh leaves. B. The input of labor. C. The rich nutrition. D. The help from Mother-in-law.
3. What does the author want to show by quoting her mother-in-law
A. Nature feeds villagers and sustains their life. B. City people want to settle down in mountains.
C. Rural areas are inaccessible to some outsiders. D. Farmers dream of changing the natural lifestyle.
4. How does the author sound when telling the story
A. Humorous. B. Anxious. C. Satisfied. D. Tolerant.
答案 1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C
【导语】这是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了作者跟随婆婆去爬山，以采摘野生的蔬菜。从这次经历中，作者对餐桌上的食物有了更加深刻的认识，并感受到了大自然的博大。
1. 细节理解题。根据第二段“Our eyes were mostly on the wild eatable plants that grew on the mountainside. (我们的目光主要集中在山坡上生长的野生可食用植物上)”可知，作者被邀请爬山是要去采摘野生蔬菜。故选C项。
2. 细节理解题。根据第二段“Along the way, we also encountered another precious wild food — fiddlehead ferns (蕨菜). Those delicate leaves, when stir-fired, were a tasty treat. Once I had purchased fiddleheads at a market in the US. Yet there we were, picking this prized vegetable on our own, with only our labor as the cost.(一路上，我们还遇到了另一种珍贵的野生食物——菜蕨。那些娇嫩的叶子，一炒就是一道美味佳肴。有一次，我在美国的一个市场上买了菜蕨。然而，我们就在那里，独自采摘这种珍贵的蔬菜，只需要我们的劳动力作为成本)”可知，让采摘的蕨菜与众不同的是劳动力的投入，故选B项。
3. 推理判断题。根据最后一段“Many generations have kept this natural lifestyle. We depend on the mountains for our life,” my mother-in-law says. (“许多代人都保持着这种自然的生活方式。我们的生活依赖于山，”我的婆婆说)”可推知，作者引用婆婆的话是要表达大自然养活了村民，维持了他们的生活。故选A项。
4. 推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“Spending time and energy gathering these wild plants gave me a deeper appreciation for the food that ends up on the dinner table.(花时间和精力收集这些野生植物让我对餐桌上的食物有了更深刻的认识)”以及最后一段“Once I saw them through her angle that afternoon, I realized they are closer to me than I ever imagined.(那天下午，当我从她的角度看到它们时，我意识到它们比我想象的更靠近我)”可推知，作者在讲这个故事时听起来很满足。故选C项。
(2023·湖北荆门·荆门市龙泉中学校考三模)Todd Bol, a retired businessman, could never have expected that a wooden container he built in his front yard one day would have the global impact it does today.
Bol built a dollhouse-size structure that looked like a schoolhouse on a post and he put it in his yard as a free community library to remember his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol’s design gave birth to Little Free Library (LFL), a nonprofit organization that seeks to place small, accessible book exchange boxes in neighborhoods around the world. The concept is simple: Neighbors are invited to share a book, leave a book, or both. Today, there are over 50,000 of these libraries registered in 70 countries.
Almost everyone can register with LFL and start a library as long as the person keeps it in good shape and makes sure that book materials are appropriate for his/her neighborhood. Library owners can create their own library boxes; therefore, the libraries are usually unique in appearance, and there seems to be no limit to the possibilities. One library in California was built out of a used wine container; another in Texas had tiny stairs and bright colored walls. Once registered, libraries are assigned a number at LFL’s website. The LFL Index lists the locations of all libraries with GPS coordinates (坐标) and other information. Owners receive a sign saying “Little Free Library”.
People say they have been attracted to pick up a book when walking by a Little Free Library, out of curiosity and because it’s convenient. Some sidewalk librarians say they have met more neighbors since having a little library in their front yard. Bol is also most proud of the way Little Free Library is bringing communities together. “It’s started a neighborhood exchange. It gets people talking and more comfortable with their neighbors,” he says. “This leads to them helping each other.”
1. What does the underlined word “design” in Paragraph 2 refer to
A. A community center. B. A dollhouse on a post.
C. A book exchange box. D. A nonprofit organization.
2. What can we learn about the operation of a Little Free Library
A. There is no limit to the selection of books.
B. The library can come in any shape and color.
C. The library needs to hire many professional librarians.
D. The owner must first be assigned a number from the LFL website.
3. What can be inferred about Little Free Library
A. It helps improve GPS functions. B. It connects libraries around the world.
C. It makes reading accessible to the poor. D. It helps restore human connections.
4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text
A. LFL: A Booster to Shared Reading B. LFL: The Best Place to Meet Neighbors
C. Todd Bol: A Successful Book Businessman D. Reading: An Approach to Improving Yourself
答案 1. C 2. B 3. D 4. A
【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了Todd Bol退休之后为了纪念自己的母亲在自己家院子建立的供人阅读的木质容器催生了一个非营利组织——小小免费图书馆 ，旨在在世界各地的社区设置小型、方便的图书交换箱。
1. 词句猜测题。根据划线词上文“Bol built a dollhouse-size structure that looked like a schoolhouse on a post and he put it in his yard as a free community library to remember his mother, (Bol在柱子上建造了一个玩偶屋大小的建筑，看起来像校舍，他把它放在自己的院子里，作为一个免费的社区图书馆来纪念他的母亲)”和下文“The concept is simple: Neighbors are invited to share a book, leave a book, or both.(这个概念很简单：邀请邻居分享一本书，留下一本书，或者两者兼而有之)”可知，Bol设计的是装在柱子上的像玩偶屋大小的小小校舍，用来让邻居们交换书籍，所以他设计的是用来交换书箱的小箱子。故选C项。
2. 细节理解题。根据第三段中“Library owners can create their own library boxes; therefore, the libraries are usually unique in appearance, and there seems to be no limit to the possibilities. (图书馆所有者可以创建自己的图书馆盒；因此，图书馆在外观上通常是独一无二的，而且似乎没有任何限制) ”可知，免费图书馆外观上没有任何限制，可以有任何形状和颜色。故选B项。
3. 推理判断题。根据最后一段“It’s started a neighborhood exchange. It gets people talking and more comfortable with their neighbors. This leads to them helping each other. (它开始了邻里交流。它能让人们交谈，让他们和邻居相处得更舒服。这让他们互相帮助) ”可推知，小型免费图书馆帮助恢复人际关系。故选D项。
4. 主旨大意题。通读全文，结合第一段中“Todd Bol, a retired businessman, could never have expected that a wooden container he built in his front yard one day would have the global impact ii does today. (退休商人托德·博尔绝对没有想到，有一天他在自家前院建造的一个木箱会产生今天这样的全球影响) ”、第二段中“The concept is simple: Neighbors are invited to share a book, leave a book, or both. Today, there are over 50 ,000 of these libraries registered in 70 countries.(这个概念很简单：邀请邻居分享一本书，留下一本书，或者两者兼而有之。今天，在70个国家注册的图书馆超过50000个)”和第四段中“People say they have been attracted to pick up a book when walking by a Little Free Library, out of curiosity and because it’s convenient. (人们说，当他们经过一个小型免费图书馆时，他们会被吸引去拿一本书，一方面出于好奇，另一方面是因为它很方便) ”可知，文章主要介绍了在Todd Bol影响下建立的小小免费图书馆LFL (Little Free Library)，它推动了“共享阅读”这一理念的发展。A项“LFL：共享阅读的助推器”是本文最佳标题。故选A项。
19阅读理解之记叙文类限时练
(2023·江苏镇江·江苏省镇江第一中学统考二模)Eugene Newman Parker, a leading figure in heliospheric (日球层的) physics for the past half century, passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago on Mar. 15. He was 94.
Hailed (誉为) as a visionary in the field of heliophysics, Parker revolutionized our understanding of the sun and its effects on Earth and other bodies within the solar system. NASA even stated that “the field of heliophysics exists in large part because of Dr. Eugene Parker. In 2018, Parker became the first living scientist to witness the launch of a spacecraft that was named in his honor.
Parker is best known for his groundbreaking theory on the existence of a phenomenon called “solar wind”, a continuous stream of charged particles that flow off the sun. It can become violent, causing space weather that impacts the Earth. When Parker’s research was published in 1958, his theory was initially met with skepticism (怀疑) and ridicule by the scientific community. The general view at the time was that the space between planets was an absolute vacuum (真空), and was thus completely empty of any matter. But, there were no errors in his study or his calculations, and the theory was later proven to be correct in 1962, when a NASA spacecraft mission to Venus revealed the constant presence of a supersonic wind—exactly as Parker had predicted.
That experience likely led to the advice Parker often gave young researchers: “If you do something new or innovative, expect trouble. But think critically about it because if you’re wrong, you want to be the first one to know that.” Parker never co-authored a paper with his students, thus urging them to be independent.
Parker was humble, straightforward, and wise. His son Eric said, “My sister Joyce and I didn’t get a real feel for what a ‘big dog’ our dad was in the field.” They got an even better sense when a month after Parker’s death, they traveled to Lund, Sweden, to accept on his behalf the Crafoord Prize in Astronomy.
1. What can we learn from the second paragraph
A. A spacecraft was named in memory of Parker.
B. The sun has less effects on Earth than expected.
C. Parker deserved credit for his great contributions.
D. NASA provided new insights into the lunar effect.
2. Why did people view Parker’s theory of “solar wind” skeptically at first
A. It went against the popular opinion at that time.
B. Some mistakes were found in his calculations.
C. The presence of a supersonic wind was proven by NASA.
D. Matter was believed to exist in the space between planets.
3. What did Parker suggest young researchers do
A. Seek close cooperation. B. Avoid high expectations.
C. Learn by trial and error. D. Compete against others.
4. What words can be used to describe Parker according to the passage
A. Straightforward and generous. B. Responsible and accessible.
C. Intelligent yet conservative. D. Distinguished yet modest.
(2023·浙江·德清县高级中学校考模拟预测)Eliana Yi dreamed of pursuing piano performance in college, never mind that her fingers could barely reach the length of an octave (八度音阶). Unable to fully play many works by Romantic-era composers, including Beethoven and Brahms, she tried anyway — and in her determination to spend hours practicing one of Chopin’s compositions which is known for being “stretchy”, wound up injuring herself.
“I would just go to pieces,” the Southern Methodist University junior recalled. “There were just too many octaves. I wondered whether I was just going to play Bach and Mozart for the rest of my life.”
The efforts of SMU keyboard studies chair Carol Leone are changing all that. Twenty years ago, the school became the first major university in the U.S. to incorporate smaller keyboards into its music program, leveling the playing field for Yi and other piano majors.
Yi reflected on the first time she tried one of the smaller keyboards: “I remember being really excited because my hands could actually reach and play all the right notes,” she said. Ever since, “I haven’t had a single injury, and I can practice as long as I want.”
For decades, few questioned the size of the conventional piano. If someone’s hand span was less than 8.5 inches — the distance considered ideal to comfortably play an octave — well, that’s just how it was.
Those who attempt “stretchy” passages either get used to omitting notes or risk tendon (腱) injury with repeated play. Leone is familiar with such challenges. Born into a family of jazz musicians, she instead favored classical music and pursued piano despite her small hand span and earned a doctorate in musical arts.
A few years after joining SMU’s music faculty in 1996, the decorated pianist read an article in Piano and Keyboard magazine about the smaller keyboards. As Leone would later write, the discovery would completely renew her life and career.
In 2000, she received a grant to retrofit a department Steinway to accommodate a smaller keyboard, and the benefits were immediate. In addition to relieving injury caused by overextended fingers, she said, it gave those with smaller spans the ability to play classic compositions taken for granted by larger-handed counterparts.
Smaller keyboards instill many with new confidence. It’s not their own limitations that have held them back, they realize; it’s the limitations of the instruments themselves. For those devoted to a life of making music, it’s as if a cloud has suddenly lifted.
1. What is the similarity between Eliana Yi and Carol Leone
A. Their interest in jazz extended to classical music.
B. Short hand span used to restrict their music career.
C. They both joined SMU’s music faculty years ago.
D. Romantic-era composers’ music was easy for them.
2. Why did SMU initiate an effort to scale down the piano
A. To reduce the number of octaves. B. To incorporate Bach into its music program.
C. To provide fair opportunities for piano majors. D. To encourage pianists to spend more hours practicing.
3. How did Yi probably feel when she played the retrofitted piano
A. Confident. B. Frustrated. C. Challenging. D. Determined.
4. Which of the following is the best title of the passage
A. Who Qualifies as an Ideal Pianist B. Traditional or Innovative Piano
C. Hard-working Pianists Pays off D. The Story behind Retrofitted Pianos
(2022·浙江·浙江大学附属中学校考模拟预测)That youngsters were glued to online games on their smart phones was a great concern for Ngurang Meena, a school teacher in Nirjuli. The 30 year old social science teacher, who ran the Ngurang Learning Institute, an adult literacy centre, said that she felt disheartened when she read student papers. “The graph of student performance is falling every year. It breaks my heart whenever I see answer sheets — basic grammar skills are missing and there’s an absence of any cohesive (连贯的) expression. They lack guidance and their reading culture is almost zero,” Meena said. When her school and the centre she ran had to close due to infectious diseases, she planned to do something to address the problem.
Inspired by a similar proposal in Mizoram, Meena set up a bookshelf with around 80 books as well as some benches on the side of the road in Nirjuli on 30 August 2020, where passers by could spend time reading. The selections included motivational books, biographies and novels as well as comics for young children. “I have to please the minors with sweets to sit and read, but that is okay,” she laughed.
Meena’s bookshelf became a hit among youngsters who spent hours in the reading corner. Within two months, her effort became the talk of the town.
Now, generous contributions of books come in from the public and she is even receiving requests to set up such libraries in other parts of the state, including one in the capital, Itanagar. Since the tiny libraries are far from the main town, she also lends books out to those who want to read at home.
“I never thought that this would become such a big inspiration,” Meena said. “Since childhood, we have been told that books are our best friends. The next generation of kids is focused on games and other things. I don’t want them to head on the wrong track,” she added.
1. What’s the aim of Meena’s reading program
A. To care for youngsters lacking in reading.
B. To help adults learn some cohesive expression.
C. To keep Ngurang Learning Institute running well.
D. To highlight the importance of reading for adults.
2. What did Meena do to encourage young kids to read more
A. She offered some rewards to them. B. She provided them with transportation.
C. She chose novels with beautiful covers. D. She selected books covering every category.
3. Which words can best describe Meena’s libraries
A. Small and useless. B. Influential and meaningful.
C. Large but impractical. D. Widespread but unwelcome.
4. What is the best title for the text
A. Books：Sources of Knowledge B. The Roadside Reading Corner
C. The Library：an Ideal place for the Young D. New Ideas about Setting a Reading Plan
(2023·山东·山东省实验中学校考二模)My mother-in-law asked me to climb a mountain in her rural village. We went through tall and weedy expanse of grass, pulling ourselves up with the help of smooth bamboo trees. Weathered gray rocks dotted tracks only visible to an experienced hiker. The view we were rewarded with halfway up the mountain, fixing our eyes upon the colorful pieces of fields and whitewashed homes set against the deep green hills and a sky so blue that it looked digitally polished, was a side benefit of being there.
Our eyes were mostly on the wild eatable plants that grew on the mountainside. We first came upon the wild mountain bamboo, a plant that was the main part in my mother-in-law’s salted bamboo shoots that, once preserved, could be used all year long in cooking. Along the way, we also encountered another precious wild food — fiddlehead ferns (蕨菜). Those delicate leaves, when stir-fired, were a tasty treat. Once I had purchased fiddleheads at a market in the US. Yet there we were, picking this prized vegetable on our own, with only our labor as the cost.
What we had collected that afternoon looked the same as any other wild mountain bamboo shoots and fiddlehead ferns I had seen before in my mother-in-law’s kitchen. And yet, they felt different to me because I had used my own hands to help pick them and carry them back down the mountain. Spending time and energy gathering these wild plants gave me a deeper appreciation for the food that ends up on the dinner table.
“Many generations have kept this natural lifestyle. We depend on the mountains for our life,” my mother-in-law says. Those mountains and rivers supporting her life aren’t some abstract concept. They are right there, outside her door and within her rural village. Once I saw them through her angle that afternoon, I realized they are closer to me than I ever imagined.
1. Why was the author asked to climb a mountain
A. To pull some bamboo trees. B. To enjoy its beautiful scenery.
C. To get some wild vegetables. D. To lake some digital pictures.
2. What made the picked fiddlehead ferns different
A. The fresh leaves. B. The input of labor. C. The rich nutrition. D. The help from Mother-in-law.
3. What does the author want to show by quoting her mother-in-law
A. Nature feeds villagers and sustains their life. B. City people want to settle down in mountains.
C. Rural areas are inaccessible to some outsiders. D. Farmers dream of changing the natural lifestyle.
4. How does the author sound when telling the story
A. Humorous. B. Anxious. C. Satisfied. D. Tolerant.
(2023·湖北荆门·荆门市龙泉中学校考三模)Todd Bol, a retired businessman, could never have expected that a wooden container he built in his front yard one day would have the global impact it does today.
Bol built a dollhouse-size structure that looked like a schoolhouse on a post and he put it in his yard as a free community library to remember his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol’s design gave birth to Little Free Library (LFL), a nonprofit organization that seeks to place small, accessible book exchange boxes in neighborhoods around the world. The concept is simple: Neighbors are invited to share a book, leave a book, or both. Today, there are over 50,000 of these libraries registered in 70 countries.
Almost everyone can register with LFL and start a library as long as the person keeps it in good shape and makes sure that book materials are appropriate for his/her neighborhood. Library owners can create their own library boxes; therefore, the libraries are usually unique in appearance, and there seems to be no limit to the possibilities. One library in California was built out of a used wine container; another in Texas had tiny stairs and bright colored walls. Once registered, libraries are assigned a number at LFL’s website. The LFL Index lists the locations of all libraries with GPS coordinates (坐标) and other information. Owners receive a sign saying “Little Free Library”.
People say they have been attracted to pick up a book when walking by a Little Free Library, out of curiosity and because it’s convenient. Some sidewalk librarians say they have met more neighbors since having a little library in their front yard. Bol is also most proud of the way Little Free Library is bringing communities together. “It’s started a neighborhood exchange. It gets people talking and more comfortable with their neighbors,” he says. “This leads to them helping each other.”
1. What does the underlined word “design” in Paragraph 2 refer to
A. A community center. B. A dollhouse on a post.
C. A book exchange box. D. A nonprofit organization.
2. What can we learn about the operation of a Little Free Library
A. There is no limit to the selection of books.
B. The library can come in any shape and color.
C. The library needs to hire many professional librarians.
D. The owner must first be assigned a number from the LFL website.
3. What can be inferred about Little Free Library
A. It helps improve GPS functions. B. It connects libraries around the world.
C. It makes reading accessible to the poor. D. It helps restore human connections.
4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text
A. LFL: A Booster to Shared Reading B. LFL: The Best Place to Meet Neighbors
C. Todd Bol: A Successful Book Businessman D. Reading: An Approach to Improving Yourself
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