广东省部分市2023-2024学年高三下学期二模英语统考试题汇编：阅读理解（含解析）

广东省部分市2023-2024学年高三下学期二模英语统考试题汇编：阅读理解
2024届广东省梅州市高三年级总复习质检（二模）英语试题
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
Free Community Swap
Contact:
Catherine Crawford, (718) 809-1603 ccrawford@grownyc.org
Jon Klar, (646) 530-0381 jklar@grownyc.org
New Yorkers looking to reduce, reuse, and save money this year are invited to participate in Stop ‘N’ Swap, a free community event organized by local nonprofit GrowNYC.
The average NYC household throws away about 2,000 pounds of waste a year. By reusing through events like Stop ‘N’ Swap, NYC residents can take part in saving over 40 million pounds of material from landfill every year. Take a break from shopping, support a cleaner future, and join the ever-growing reuse community!
WHAT: Free Stop ‘N’ Swap Community Reuse Event
WHEN: February 19th，12pm-3pm
WHERE: Bronx Works Classic Community Center-286 East 156th Street, Bronx, NY 10451
The public is invited to bring clean and reusable items. No one is required to bring something to take something-you can simply show up with a bag and see what’s free for the taking. Books, toys, clothing, and electronics are just some of the offerings. Furniture and other large items are not accepted at the swap. Anything leftover at the end of the day is donated or recycled.
Stop ‘N’ Swaps have developed a regular following among environmentally conscious New Yorkers. After almost two years without swaps, GrowNYC has set a goal of hosting one swap in each of the city’s 59 community districts each year, providing opportunities to make NYC truly livable-a place where every person can enjoy a healthier life.
1. What should you do to get more information from Catherine
A. Cal1 (646) 530-0381. B. Cal1 (718) 809-1603.
C. Email jklar@grownyc.org. D. Visit 286 East 156th Street, Bronx.
2. What items are unacceptable at the Stop ‘N’ Swap
A. Dry-as-dust books. B. Old-fashioned clothes.
C. Out-of-date electronics. D. Second-hand furniture.
3. What is the aim of GrowNYC’s Stop ‘N’ Swap
A. To make NYC a better place to live.
B. To enrich New Yorkers’ community life.
C. To reduce the cost of dealing with waste in NYC.
D. To encourage districts to compete in sustainability.
B
At first look, the playground at the Children’s Guild-Transformation Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, looks like any other. It has swings, slides, and places for children to climb and crawl. But the playground is not just a place for fun. It is also a place where students can learn, grow and gain independence. Everything — from the kind of surface it sits on, to the color of its sitting areas, to the placement of the surrounding fence — is specifically designed for kids with autism (自闭症).
Mark Rapaport is the managing director of autism services at the Transformation Academy. He said the school accepts students aged 5 to 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are lower-functioning.
Rapaport said the goal of Transformation Academy is to make the students as independent as possible in an effort to help them prepare for adult life. The school aims to provide help with developing communication and social skills, as well as practical abilities like cleaning or cooking.
The playground designed by Maryland company Sparks@Play, using structures manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. took a month to develop, said Dan Hack. He works for Sparks@Play and helped lead the playground’s design. Hack said he and others spent weeks getting to know the students and understanding their needs before any building was started. The design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. The huge $500,000 project was funded with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation.
Parts of the playground that seem small are very important for children with autism and other disabilities. The surrounding fence extends into a wooded area to make it seem more open. And the ground under the play areas is made of soft but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches. The benches on the outside of the playground look simple from far away, but are “one of our most inclusive sensory” elements, Hack said. They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.
4. Why is the playground in Baltimore designed with special materials
A To make it superior to other playgrounds. B. To better serve children with autism.
C. To improve the quality of the playground. D. To make it easier for kids to climb and crawl.
5. What can we learn from the playground project
A. It took a month to complete the project. B. The design process is simple and easy.
C. The result of the project is uncertain. D. It’s a money-consuming project.
6. What is the last paragraph mainly about
A. The scale and the structure of the playground.
B. Ways for kids to free from the stress and relax themselves.
C. The underlying logic and reasonable factors of the playground.
D. The advantages of the playground for autism and disabled kids.
7. Which best describes the playground in Baltimore
A. Advanced. B. Environmental-friendly. C. Functional. D. Convenient.
C
New findings suggest that when it-comes to learning, the snake may be quite a bit like humans. David Holtzman, a scientist at the University of Rochester, has found that snakes have a much greater capacity for learning than earlier studies had indicated.
Holtzman’s study challenged 24 snakes to escape from a black plastic container the size of a child’s pool. Cards mounted on the container’s walls and tape on its floor provided the snakes with visual and touchable signals to find their goal: holes in the container’s bottom that offer a dark, comfortable spot to hide.
Simply falling into a hole isn’t the only proof that the snakes are learning something, though. “Speed to find that goal is one of the measures which shows they’re learning,” Holtzman says. “On average, they take over 700 seconds to find the correct hole on the first day of training, and then go down to about 400 seconds by the fourth day of training. Some are actually very fast and find it in less than 30 seconds.”
Studies dating back to the 1950s interpreted snakes’ awkwardness with mazes(迷宫)as a poor reflection on their intelligence. “Early attempts to study snake intelligence were problematic because the studies used mazes as testing arenas(场地)-as though snakes might be expected to run through mazes in the same way mice run through mazes,” says Peter Kareiva, a professor of zoology. “Snakes do not encounter anything like mazes in nature, and they do not learn how to run mazes in laboratory conditions.”
Holtzman also found a few age-based differences in the signals the snakes use. Young snakes appear to be more adaptable and resourceful, using a variety of clues to find their way to the exit.But their elders seem to rely much more heavily on visual clues. “Actually, one of the amazing findings from our studies is that snakes do use vision in locating places,” says Holtzman. “They don’t just rely on the chemical clues picked up by sticking their tongues out, as many snake biologists assume.”
8. What is the function of the cards and tape
A. To direct the snakes to the exits.
B. To protect the snakes from bright lights.
C. To cover the holes at the container’s bottom.
D. To make the container a comfortable spot to stay.
9. What do the data in paragraph 3 show about the snakes according to Holtzman
A. They are skillful escapers. B. They are good learners.
C. They communicate with each other. D. They adapt to environments quickly.
10. What was the problem with early attempts to study snake intelligence
A. They chose the wrong testing arenas.
B. They failed to do tests in laboratory conditions.
C. They referred to studies dating back to the 1950s.
D. They compared snakes with a different kind of animal.
11. What astonishes Holtzman about snakes
A. They rely on sight to find their way.
B. They leave chemical clues everywhere.
C. The young beat their elders in many ways.
D. Their tongues are unable to recognize chemical clues.
D
Research led by ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam shows that birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve up to a distance of 10 km (6 miles) away.
With data from weather radars and bird counts an international team of researchers revealed how many birds take off immediately after the start of the fireworks, at what distance from fireworks this occurs and which species groups mainly react. “Birds take off as a result of an acute flight response due to sudden noise and light. We already knew that many water birds react strongly, but now we also see the effect on other birds throughout the Netherlands, ”says ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam. In the scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, the researchers therefore argue for large fireworks-free zones.
Last year, other researchers at IBED discovered that geese are so affected by fireworks that they spend an average of 10% longer looking for food than normal during at least the next 11 days. They apparently need that time to restore their energy to their former condition, after fleeing from the fireworks.
Because 62% of all birds in the Netherlands live within a radius of 2. 5 km of inhabited areas, the consequences of fireworks are high for all birds throughout the country. “Flying requires a lot of energy, so ideally birds should be disturbed as little as possible during the cold winter months. Measures to ensure this are especially important in open areas such as grasslands, where many larger birds spend the winter. The effects of fireworks on birds are less pronounced near forests and semi-open habitats. In addition, smaller birds such as tits and finches live there, which are less likely to fly away from disturbance.”
The authors argue for fireworks-free zones in areas where large birds live. Hoekstra: “These buffer zones could be smaller in areas where light and sound travel less far, such as near forests. Furthermore, fireworks should mainly be lit at central locations in built-up areas, as far away from birds as possible. It would be best for birds if we moved towards light shows without sound, such as drone shows or decorative fireworks without very loud bangs.”
12. What can we learn about the research
A. It’s the first one about fireworks’ effects on birds.
B. It’s conducted by collecting data from weather radars.
C. It shows the extent of the fireworks’ influence on birds.
D. It keeps track of birds throughout Netherlands and beyond.
13. Why did geese spend more time looking for food
A. To make up for the lost energy. B. To store more food in case.
C. To find a new source of energy. D. To find a place without fireworks.
14. What does the underlined word “pronounced” in Para. 4 mean
A. Predictable. B. Noticeable.
C. Admirable. D. Avoidable.
15. What can be the best title for the passage
A. Panic in the air B. Fireworks-free zones
C. Fireworks in the world D. Birds throughout the country
2024届广东省佛山市高三下学期二模英语试题
阅读下列短文， 从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
A city can become famous and experience a significant increase in visitors due to the influence of a well-liked film or a TV drama. For audiences, stepping into the scenes and experiencing the daily lives of the characters has become a new travel trend. Over the past year, several films and TV dramas have put their shooting locations into the public spotlight.
Qingdao in Shandong province
The Wandering Earth 2, a sci-fi that explores digital life and space journey, showcases impressive sci-fi scenes.90 percent of the film was shot in different places of Qingdao city, including the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge-the world’s longest cross-sea bridge, and the TAG Art Museum. For sci-fi fans, visiting Qingdao to explore the movie’s filming locations has become a popular trend.
Jiangmen in Guangdong province
The hit show The Knockout made Jiangmen an important tourism destination. As the hometown for many overseas Chinese, the city features historical cultural street scenes and South Asian-style architecture. The city has recorded more than 3.34 million trips in the past two months, which has generated over 3.4 billion yuan of tourism income, reflecting a notable rise of 124.3 percent compared to the same period the previous year.
Ningbo Museum in Zhejiang province
The primary setting for the sci-fi TV drama Three-Body Problem, Ningbo Museum, has caught significant attention. The museum integrates regional cultural features, traditional architectural elements, and modern techniques. Following the TV show’s release, daily visitor numbers rocketed to 5,000, marking a remarkable 220 percent year-on-year increase.
Taiyuan Ancient County in Shanxi province
Full River Red, directed by Zhang Yimou, set the Taiyuan Ancient County on fire with excitement. The movie highlights the county’s complex and narrow streets. The county now draws over 40,000 tourists every day, a significant rise compared to the daily 20,000 previously. Notably, one-third of these tourists were from outside Shanxi province, according to local statistics.
1. Which place best suits visitors who appreciate buildings of foreign style
A. Qingdao city. B. Jiangmen city.
C. Ningbo Museum. D. Taiyuan Ancient County.
2. What aspect of Taiyuan Ancient County does Full River Red emphasize
A. Its characteristic streets. B. Its disastrous fire.
C. Its increasing population. D. Its economic growth.
3 What do the four places have in common
A. Their income depends heavily on tourism. B. Their architecture integrates different cultures.
C. They are famous for their historical landmarks. D. They become a hit through films or TV dramas.
B
We’re often told to follow our dreams, and one person in Canada has done just that after building a wonderland for animals. In his own backyard, the eight water features which Robert Perkins dug into the ground are now a shelter for birds, frogs, beavers (河狸) and other animals in the middle of suburban development. But for Perkins, creating habitat for wildlife is not only about doing his part to help the environment. It’s a labor of love for a woman he met when he was 16 years old.
Perkins met Rhonda in 1974 and the two of them hit it off. They both loved animals, and she always wished to have a place where they could live in harmony with the land. Rhonda, whom Perkins stayed with all his life, passed away in 2006. Perkins resolved to build a wonderland where her spirit could stay in peace.
Ignoring planning departments and neighbors alike, Perkins began digging large holes for water to flow. Over the course of nine years his property went from being a neighborly headache to a perfect home for wildlife.
Perkins says he won’t take all the credit for the wetland he built. When Perkins started creating the wildlife habitat in the early 2000s, a family of beavers got wind of it soon and claimed the land. “When we built our subdivisions, we cleared all the trees, dried the hills, drove all the water down to the lakes... In turn, the beavers helped dam (筑坝) and purify the water.”
Wetland habitats not only attract wildlife, but probably offer the most complete package of ecosystem services, including preventing pollution, enriching the soil, and promoting the well-being of wildlife species.
Perkins says he doesn’t need to wonder what Rhonda might think of the place; he feels her presence whenever he walks alone among the trees, the grass, and the ponds, looking at birds or beavers, and listening to the songbirds and frogs. Perkins hopes his project will one day become an educational place that local people can visit to learn about the importance of wetlands.
4. Why did Perkins build the water features
A. To fulfill his childhood dream. B. To show his love for his wife.
C. To preserve endangered wildlife. D. To adapt to suburban development.
5. Which best describes Perkins’ wetland building process
A. Effortless but creative. B. Discouraging but efficient.
C. Painful but influential. D. Demanding but rewarding.
6. What can we infer about building the wetland from Perkins’ words
A. Perkins had a strategic plan for it. B. Human’s role in it was overvalued.
C. Nature itself also played a part in it. D. Beavers were invited to help with it.
7. What is Perkins’s expectation of the wetland
A. To help spread his story. B. To be a recreational spot.
C. To bring economic value. D. To serve as an inspiration.
C
Initial conversations can have a huge impact on how relationships develop over time. People are often stuck in the impressions they think they might have made the minute they finish speaking with someone for the first time: “Did they like me or were they just being polite ” “Were they deep in thought or deeply bored ”
To find out whether these worries are necessary, we have conducted nearly 10 years of research. In our studies, participants in the UK talked with someone they had never met before. Afterward, they were asked how much they liked their conversation partner and how much they believed that their conversation partner liked them. This allowed us to compare how much people believed they were liked to how much they were actually liked.
Time and time again, we found that people left their conversations with negative feelings about the impression they made. That is, people systematically underestimate how much their conversation partners like them and enjoy their company — a false belief we call the “liking gap”.
This bias (偏见) may seem like something that would occur only in initial interactions, but its effects extend far beyond a first impression. Surprisingly, the liking gap can constantly affect a variety of relationships, including interactions with coworkers, long after the initial conversations have taken place. Having a larger liking gap is associated with being less willing to ask workmates for help, less willing to provide workmates with open and honest feedback, and less willing to work on another project together.
There are numerous strategies to minimize your biased feelings. One place to start is shifting your focus of attention. Try to direct your attention to your conversation partner, be genuinely curious about them, ask them more questions, and really listen to their answers. The more you’re zeroed in on the other person, and the less you’re focused on yourself, the better your conversation will be and the less your mind will turn to all the things you think you didn’t do well.
8. Why did the author carry out 10 years of research
A. To dismiss national concerns. B. To check out a potential bias.
C To enhance human communication. D. To develop harmonious relationships.
9. What is one effect of people’s liking gap
A. Fewer chances of new projects. B. Underestimation of their ability.
C. Bad relationships with people around. D. Low willingness to interact with others.
10. What does the author intend to do in the last paragraph
A. Restate opinions. B. Deliver warnings. C. Give suggestions. D. Make a summary.
11. Which might be the best title for the text
A. Liking Gap May Influence Work Performances
B. First Impressions Rely On Initial Conversations
C. People Probably Like You More Than You Think
D. How People Like You Matters Less Than You Assume
D
Building artificial intelligences that sleep and dream can lead to more dependable models, according to researchers who aim to mimic (模仿) the behavior of the human brain.
Concetto Spampinato and his research members at the University of Catania, Italy, were looking for ways to avoid a phenomenon known as “disastrous forgetting”, where an AI model trained to do a new task loses the ability to carry out jobs it previously excelled at. For instance, a model trained to identify animals could learn to spot different fish species, but then might lose its ability to recognize birds. They developed a method of training AI called Wake-Sleep Consolidated Learning (WSCL), which mimics the way that our brains reorganize short-term memories of daily learning when we are asleep.
Besides the usual training for the “awake” phase, models using WSCL are programmed to have periods of “sleep”, where they analyze awake data from earlier lessons. This is similar to human spotting connections and patterns while sleeping.
WSCL also has a period of “dreaming”, which involves novel data made from combining previous concepts. This helps to integrate previous paths of digital “neurons (神经元)”, freeing up space for future concepts. It also prepares unused neurons with patterns that will help them pick up new lessons more easily.
The researchers tested three AI models using a traditional training method, followed by WSCL training. Then they compared performances for image identification. The sleep-trained models were 2 to 12 percent more likely to correctly identify the contents of an image. They also measured an increase in how much old knowledge a model uses to learn a new task.
Despite the results, Andrew Rogoyski at the University of Surrey, UK, says using the human brain as a blueprint isn’t necessarily the best way to boost AI performance. Instead, he suggests mimicking dolphins, which can “sleep” with one part of the brain while another part remains active. After all, an AI that requires hours of sleep isn’t ideal for commercial applications.
12. WSCL was developed to help improve AI’s ______.
A. reliability B. creativity C. security D. popularity
13. What do models using WSCL do during the “sleeping” periods
A. Generate new data. B. Process previous data.
C. Receive data for later analysis. D. Save data for the “awake” phase.
14. What is paragraph 5 mainly about
A. The application of WSCL. B. The benefits of AI research.
C. The findings of the research. D. The underlying logic of WSCL.
15. Which best describes Andrew’s attitude towards the sleep-trained models
A. Cautious. B. Prejudiced. C. Pessimistic. D. Unconcerned.
2024届广东省湛江市高三下学期二模考试英语试题
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
Here are some things that you can buy as gifts for your friends who are birdwatchers.
A window-mounted bird feeder
One way to guarantee a close-up look at the birds in your garden is to bring them all the way to the house. This bird feeder is solidly built with strong suction (吸) cups that you can tie to your windows, giving you a good view of your winged visitors.
A pair of binoculars
Binoculars are a birdwatcher’s best friend! They work like two small telescopes joined together, allowing you to use both eyes to see distant birds as if they were right in front of you. They’re perfect for spotting feathered friends in the wild, whether the birds are high up in the trees or soaring across the sky. When you peer through them, you get a view that makes every little detail of the birds—their colors, beaks, and even the texture of their feathers.
The Robin: A Biography by Stephen Moss
This beautifully illustrated book draws readers into the mysterious world of Britain’s favourite bird, the red robin—a familiar sight in all winter gardens, but as naturalist Stephen Moss demonstrates, one we hardly bining convincing storytelling with biological fact, Moss guides us through a year in the life of the robin, from the moment it hatches from its egg to its all too timely mortality (死亡) — the robin tends to live a mere 13 months, adding to its precious quality.
A reusable thermal bottle
Every good birding expedition needs a bottle of steaming hot tea. A reusable bottle decorated with lifelike drawings of classic British birds combines a natural aesthetic (美感)with practicality. It can keep not only hot drinks but also cold drinks.
1. What do we know about binoculars
A. They can attract birds to your house. B. They show images in black and white.
C. They can provide detailed views of birdwatching. D. They’re too heavy to carry for birdwatchers.
2. What does The Robin: A Biography tell us about
A. The birth of a bird. B. The death of a bird.
C. The quantity of a bird. D. The lifetime of a bird.
3. Which gift may attract birds to one’s house
A. A window-mounted bird feeder. B. A pair of binoculars.
C. The Robin: A Biography. D. A reusable thermal bottle
B
Lexi is just a little girl from Canada who found herself in a heart-stopping situation. It started off as a normal car trip. Angela Shymanski, Lexi’s mom, was at the wheel, navigating the tricky roads of the Rockies with her daughter Lexi and her baby Peter in the car. An unexpected animal ran into the road. Angela swerved (突然转向) to avoid the animal. Unfortunately, their car was off the road, falling down a steep embankment (路堤).
The crash was nothing short of terrifying. Angela ended up with a broken back. She was unconscious, and unable to help her babies. Meanwhile, baby Peter’s cries echoed in the chaos. But Lexi, only five years old, didn’t freeze. Instead, she showed courage that would leave many grown-ups in awe.
She quickly jumped into action. The little girl, without even shoes on her feet, wrestled free from her seatbelt and climbed the 40-foot embankment. Once she reached the top, Lexi did everything she could to flag down a passing car in order to get help for her mom and brother.
Lexi’s insistence finally paid off. A car stopped, and the people inside didn’t hesitate to help her call for emergency services. When the paramedics (护理人员) arrived, they found Angela in a severe state, and her heart had stopped. Thankfully, they managed to bring her back.
Lexi’s dad, reflecting on the incident, couldn’t help but be amazed by his daughter’s bravery. He stressed how important it is for kids to be prepared for emergencies, shocked at how Lexi remembered and acted on what she had been taught. It’s a powerful reminder of what kids can do when push comes to shove.
And Lexi’s heroism didn’t go unnoticed. She was awarded a Bronze Medal for Bravery by the police. But for the Shymanskis, the real prize was being back in each other’s arms, safe and sound.
4. What caused the accident
A. The tough road. B. The children’s noise.
C. A car that suddenly swerved. D. An animal appearing suddenly.
5. What was Lexi’s first move after the accident
A. Putting on her shoes. B. Managing to get out of the car.
C. Flagging down a passing car. D. Scaling the 40-foot embankment.
6. What can we learn about Lexi from paragraph 5
A. Her heroic action deserved recognition. B. Her dad knew her daughter well enough.
C. She had learned how to deal with emergencies. D. It was important for her to face some emergencies.
7. Which of the following can best describe Lexi
A. Brave and honest. B. Calm and courageous.
C. Thoughtful but stubborn. D. Caring but naughty.
C
A recent study reveals that flat-faced dogs, such as French bulldogs, have difficulty sleeping because of an unusual feature: their head shape. French bulldogs specifically suffer from increased daytime sleepiness, probably due to not getting enough night-time sleep.
With their big eyes staring right back at the owner, and wrinkles rolled over their noses, French bulldogs have shot up in popularity in recent years. But their distinct features and small size come with a number of health issues.
The researchers studied the sleep patterns of 92 dogs accompanied by their owners. They found that compared with other dogs, the flat-faced dogs experience a longer period of rapid eye movement (REM), regarded as the stage of sleep with most vivid dreams where the brain is active while the body remains still. Researchers said this was similar to the way babies sleep, suggesting that dogs, like French bulldogs, keep up the sleep patterns of puppyhood. Their night-time sleep is shorter and flat-faced dogs are also more likely to snoring (打鼾). “Sleep deprivation is increasingly recognized as a major cause of suffering in dogs with extreme brachycephaly (短头畸形),” said Dan O’Neill, an associate professor from the University of London.
The researchers employed an electroencephalogram (脑电图) throughout the dogs’ sleep. They looked particularly at sleep spindles (睡眠纺锤波). They found that dogs with brachycephaly had an increase in sleep spindles, which in dogs has been associated with poorer learning when it comes to training.
A researcher said, “We know that some of these dogs will sleep with a ball in their mouth, and people think it’s cute, but they’re actually doing it in order to keep their airways open.” O’Neill agreed, “Many owners find this phenomenon very funny and post videos online showing how comical their dogs are as they sleep with a toy in their mouth or with their neck extended or repeatedly waking up to breathe during sleep.”
8. What may lend to flat-faced dogs increased daytime sleepiness
A. Their tendency to sleep with owners.
B. Their preference for daytime napping.
C. Their shorter night-time sleep due to the head shape.
D. Their habit of sleeping in uncomfortable positions.
9. What do we say about flat-laced dogs from paragraph 3
A. They differ from human beings in REM.
B. They require less sleep than other species.
C. They’re less likely to suffer sleep disturbances.
D They maintain puppy-like sleep patterns as adults.
10. What does the increase in sleep spindles in flat-laced dogs imply
A. They have a stronger memory during sleep.
B. They have a strong desire to sleep during the night.
C. They are more likely to succeed in hard training.
D. They may face challenges in learning during training.
11. Why do some flat-faced dogs sleep with a toy in their mouths
A. They want to have pleasant dreams. B. It prevents them from snoring loudly.
C. It helps them maintain an open airway. D. They enjoy playing with toys while sleeping.
D
Researchers have developed a robotic sensor that combines artificial intelligence techniques to read Braille (盲文) at speeds roughly double that of most human readers. The research team, from the University of Cambridge, used machine learning algorithms (算法) to teach a robotic sensor to quickly slide over lines of Braille text.
The robotic sensor the researchers used has a camera in its “fingertip”, and reads by using a combination of the information from the camera and the sensors. “This is a hard problem for roboticists as there’s a lot of image processing that needs to be done to remove motion blur (模糊), which is time and energy-consuming,” said Parth Potdar from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.
“There are existing robotic Braille readers, but they only read one letter at a time, which is not how humans read, ” said Potdar. “Existing robotic Braille readers work in a static way: They touch one letter pattern, read it, pull up from the surface, move over, lower onto the next letter pattern, and so on. We want something that’s more realistic and far more efficient. ”
The team developed machine learning algorithms so the robotic reader would be able to “deblur” the images before the sensor attempted to recognise the letters. They trained the algorithms on a set of sharp images of Braille with fake blur applied. After the algorithms had learned to deblur the letters, they used a computer vision model to detect and classify each character.
Once the algorithms were incorporated, the researchers tested their render by sliding it quickly along rows of Braille characters. The robotic Braille render could read 315 words per minute with 87% accuracy, which is twice as fast and about as accurate as n human Braille reader.
“Braille reading speed is a great way to measure the dynamic performance of tactile(能触知的)sensing systems, so our findings could be applicable beyond Braille, for applications like detecting surface textures or slippage in robotic manipulation,” said Potdar.
In the future, the researchers are hoping to scale the technology to the size of a humanoid hand.
12. What is difficult for roboticists to deal with in the reading process
A. Ridding of motion blur. B. Teaching a robot to learn.
C. Processing robotic sensors. D. Fixing a camera on the fingertip.
13. What does the underlined word “static” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Still. B. Fast. C. Clever. D. Lazy.
14. What did Potdar want to express in paragraph 6
A. The good performance of the robot sensor.
B. The promising future of their research results.
C. The factors in making the tactile sensing systems.
D The way to ensure the accuracy of the technology.
15. Which can be the best title for the text
A. Technology to be scaled to the size of a humanoid hand
B. Robots trained to read Braille at twice the speed of humans
C. A great way to measure the performance of sensing systems
D. Machine learning algorithms expected to change Braille writing
2024届广东省韶关市高三下学期综合测试（二模）英语试题
阅读下列短文，从每小题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
The cuisine that marks Christmas is as diverse as the people feasting on it. Here’s a look at how the locals celebrate Christmas through cuisine in their countries, which will give you a glimpse of the celebrations.
England
The real festivities start on Christmas morning with champagne and smoked salmon. After the King’s or Queen’s annual Christmas speech, it’s time for the main meal, typically including a turkey or roast beef accompanied by various side dishes.
France
The French celebrate their Christmas Eve with a lavish meal, with seafood served first. The main course usually consists of a rooster that’s renowned for its tenderness. Fine red wine from Burgundy can’t be missed of course.
Italy
Similar to France, Italians celebrate Christmas on the eve. The locals typically attend midnight Mass and then indulge in a lavish meal before heading to church. For the main course, northern Italians often have stuffed turkey, while those in seaside areas may feast on a large baked sea bass accompanied by roasted potatoes and vegetables.
Greece
After attending an early morning holy communion in church on Christmas, Greeks go home for an all-day eating gathering. Families gather around the fireplace, feasting on a special wheat bread only made at Christmas. Later, the main course may include roast chicken stuffed with chestnuts.
1. What activity distinguishes England in Christmas celebration
A. The seafood-themed dinner. B. The yearly Royal address.
C. The religious ceremony. D. The main course featuring turkey.
2. To experience the religious atmosphere, you’d better spend Christmas in ________.
A. France and Italy. B. England and France.
C. England and Greece. D. Italy and Greece.
3. From which column of the magazine is the passage probably from
A. Religion and culture. B. Diet and health.
C. Festival and tradition. D. Sports and fitness.
B
For nearly two decades, a thin, sun-burnt postal worker could frequently be seen carrying packages along a dangerous mountain trail in the Taihang Mountains.
The 10-kilometer-long route, which is between 20 centimeters and 1 meter wide, is known as the “cat road” by locals, meaning that it is so dangerous that only cats could walk on it. Whereas, Zhao Yuefang, a postal worker in Ewu township in Huguan county, Shanxi province, had to walk the route every day to deliver mail.
Every day at the crack of dawn, he would start his journey along the “cat road”. From picking up the day’s post to delivering it to villagers and returning along the same route, it took Zhao four days. During rainy and snowy seasons, the mountain road, part of which hugs the cliffs, would become slippery and dangerous. One day in the winter of 2003, the “cat road” was covered in thick snow and he slipped off the trail. Fortunately, he was able to stop his sharp descent by grabbing a tree branch and slowly managed to climb to safety.
By 2012, Zhao had walked more than 300,000 km and delivered over 800,000 pieces of mail. Born and raised in the deep mountains, Zhao truly understands the significance of mail deliveries to villagers. “They depend on the mail to keep in touch with the outside world,” he said. “Their sheer joy written on their face while receiving any post struck me,” he added.
In 2012, a 67-km-long tourist highway was built and gone were those days when Zhao risked his life to walk on the “cat road”. But Zhao was even busier than before. “The number of packages I handle daily now exceeds the number I used to deal with in the past,” said Zhao, adding that villagers are turning to online shopping and ordering more and more goods by post.
4. Why is the mountain trail referred to as “cat road”
A. It’s shaped like a cat. B. It’s intended for cats.
C. It is too narrow and risky. D. It rains cats and dogs there.
5. What does the word “descent” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Fall. B. Pain.
C. Turn. D. Landing.
6. According to the passage, which words can best describe Zhao
A. Persistent and dedicated. B. Diligent and ambitious.
C. Considerate and confident. D. Courageous and generous.
7. What has always motivated Zhao’s enthusiasm for his job
A. The villagers’ respect for him.
B. His being born and raised there.
C. Today’s huge number of the packages.
D. The value of the deliveries to the locals.
C
Is life a story or a game Answers may vary from one to another. Over the course of life, we find things to love and commit to — a job, a partner or a community. At times, we struggle to learn from our misfortunes to grow in wisdom, kindness and grace.
Will Storr, a writer whose work I admire, says this story version of life is a misunderstanding. In his book The Status Game, he argues that human beings are deeply driven by status. Rather than about being liked or accepted, he writes, it’s about being better than others. “When people are obedient to us, offer respect, admiration or praise, that’s status. It feels good.”
Life is a series of games, he adds. There’s the high school game of competing to be the popular kid. The lawyer game to make partner. The finance game to make the most money. The academic game for fame. The sports game to show that our team is the best. Even when we are trying to do good, Storr claims, we’re playing the “virtue game” to show we are morally superior to others.
I think Storr is in danger of becoming one of those guys who ignore the noble desires of the human heart and the caring element in every friendship and family. The status-mad world that Storr describes is so loveless. In fact, gaming as a way of life is immature. Maturity means rising above the shallow desire — for status — that doesn’t really nourish us. It’s about cultivating the higher desires: the love of truth and learning; the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work, which is not about popularity, and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.
How do people gradually learn to cultivate these higher motivations To answer that, I’d have to tell you a story.
8. What lies in the core of Will Storr’s opinion about life
A. The pride in one’s virtue. B. The pursuit of superiority.
C. The desire for acceptance. D. The motivation by wealth.
9. What can be viewed as higher motivations in the text
A. Love and inspiration. B. Maturity and desire.
C Commitment and kindness. D. Friendship and popularity.
10. What’s the main purpose of the passage
A. To correct an attitude. B. To compare two values.
C. To explain two arguments. D. To criticize a viewpoint.
11. What story do you think the author will tell next
A. A king’s-comeback story. B. A rags-to-riches story.
C. A Yuan Longping-style story. D. An overnight-success story.
D
Would a person born blind, who has learned to distinguish objects by touch, be able to recognize them purely by sight if he regained the ability to see The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.
After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.
The researchers also did the opposite test with untrained bumblebees, first teaching them with rewards in the dark and then testing them in the light. Again, the bees were able to recognize the shape associated with the sugar reward, though they had to rely on sight rather than touch in the test. In short, bees have solved Molyneux’s problem because the fact suggests that they can picture object features and access them through sight or touch.
However, some experts express their warning s against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.
12. What is Molyneux’s problem about
A. Whether mankind’s sense of touch outweighs sight.
B. Whether mankind’s idea of shape is inborn or learned.
C. Whether blind people can identify the shape of an item.
D. Whether the blind can regain their sense of touch after recovery.
13. How did Lors Chittka and his colleagues try to figure out Molyneux’s problem
A. By experimentation on blind children.
B. By conducting controlled experiments.
C. By rewarding bumblebees with sugar.
D. By observing bumblebees in their nests.
14. What is Jonathan Birch’s attitude towards the conclusion of the bee experiments
A. Skeptical. B. Supportive.
C. Dismissive. D. Ambiguous.
15. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage
A. Scientists Found Senses Matter
B. Visual-Tactile Puzzle Has Been Solved
C. Experiments Will Help the Blind Regain Sight
D Bumblebees May Help Solve Molyneux’s Problem
2024届广东省揭阳市高三下学期二模考试英语试题
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项.
A
As the second largest city of the Republic of Korea, Busan draws global attention. Here are some routes for vis tors to have fun.
The First Route
Start off at the Haeundae Beach, where you can take a walk, sip a coffee, or try local fish cakes before heading up to BUSAN X the SKY. This observatory occupies the top floors of the city’s highest structure, where you’ll be attracted by the wonderful urban views. You can also visit the old Haedong Yonggunsa Temple along the route.
The Second Route
With its popular Songdo Cable Car moving quickly over the water to a park, this route offers amazing views of the city’s traditional core. It’s just a quick taxi to the Yeongdo Island, home to some of Busan’s oldest neighborhoods, including the Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Overlooking the water, the whole picture that you can see is arguably the most romantic scene.
The Third Route
As a port city, you should head to the old harbor district of Nampo-dong to find its real charm. This is where you’ll find the Jagalchi Market, the open-air seafood market that’s not only a strong wave to the senses but also the city’s living and beating heart. Walk along its gathering as you see fresh seafood from the sea, along with the vendors（摊贩）who sell it all.
The Fourth Route
Shinsegae Centum City is not far from the Gwangalli Beach, a crowded area of sand, cafes, and eateries looking out across the water to the Gwangan Bridge. There will be a cool drone（无人机）show on Saturday in the evening of a hot summer and a fireworks festival in November. For a unique experience, book a sunset stand up paddle boarding（SUP）trip to the bridge back with professional surfers.
21. What do the first two routes have in common
A. They both have cool drone shows.
B. They both have thrilling water parks.
C. They both have historical attractions.
D. They both have popular coffee stores.
22. What makes the third route special
A. Its impressive market. B. Its open and wide view.
C. Its scenic walking hotspot. D. Its SUP trip above the water.
23. Which route provides flying objects show
A. The First Route. B. The Second Route.
C. The Third Route. D. The Fourth Route.
B
Yu Zeling, an award-winning master of paper cutting, fills her studio with cutouts of an mals, people, and scenes that are so vivid that they seem to leap from the walls. Her art covers village life in Ansai, a rural district in Shaanxi Province.
Ms. Yu came to paper cutting in the late 1970s as naturally as she breathed the earthy air. “We were very poor, and when it was time to celebrate the New Year, we all put paper-cuts on the windows to decorate our houses,” she says, recalling the holiday at her childhood home. Ms. Yu and others are working to keep the folk art alive, even as it evolves away from its roots as adornment for farmhouses.
The art originated in China in the centuries after paper was invented in A. D. 105. Full of ausp c ous（吉利的）symbols from daily life, the decorations represented good weather, many offspring, long life, wealth, and happiness.
Using newspaper, Ms. Yu first practiced cutting the image of a Chinese national flag that she saw in a school textbook. She cut it 100 times before she was satisfied. Then her aunt took over, introducing her to increasingly complicated tradit onal themes.
Ms. Yu was later invited to train in the Ansai’s Cultural Center. After years of training, Ms. Yu became a master in her own right, w nning one award after another. Her works are on display n museums. But she’s humble about her achievements. “I was, and still am, a farmer,” she says with a smile.
Hoping to carry on and grow the folk art, Ms. Yu volunteers to teach at free community training sessions. Paper cutting is also taught in Ansai’s public schools. Ms. Yu is aware of the need to go beyond protecting traditions and embrace new paper-cut experiments.
24. What does the underlined word “adornment” in paragraph 2 mean
A. Celebration. B. Symbol.
C. Invention. D. Decoration.
25. What can be learned about paper cutting from the text
A. It has cultural value. B. It features animals.
C. It attracts the young. D. It remains in fashion.
26. Which word best describes Ms. Yu
A. Authoritative. B. Vain. C. Devoted. D. Competitive.
27. What is the text likely to be
A. A brief history of paper cutting.
B. A new approach to paper cutting.
C. An introduction to a paper cutting master.
D. The direction of a traditional paper cutting.
C
A recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology（MIT）has discovered that river erosion（侵蚀）can lead to increased biodiversity in areas with minimal tectonic（地壳构造的）activity. The researchers focused their attention on the Tennessee River Basin and examined how the erosion of various rock types by the river had led to the separation and diversification of a type of fish called the greenfin darter. As time passed, these separate fish populations evolved into distinct families with genetic differences.
Scientist Thomas Near observed that the greenfin darter was exclusively found in the southern half of the Tennessee River Basin. The researchers analyzed the genes of each fish in Near’s data set and constructed an evolutionary tree. This tree helped them comprehend the evolution and differences of the greenfin darter species. They discovered that the fish within the same branch of the river were more closely related to each other than to the fish in other branches.
This study provides evidence that river erosion significantly impacts biodiversity in regions with low tectonic activity. It illustrates how changes in the landscape caused by river erosion can lead to the division and diversification of species over time, even in peaceful environments. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms（机制）that drive biodiversity and evolution, even in areas that are not typically associated with intense tectonic activity.
Subsequently, the team discovered a strong correlation between the habitats of the greenfin darter and the type of rocks present. The southern half of the Tennessee River Basin consists of hard, tightly packed rocks, resulting in turbulent（湍急的）waves in the rivers that flow through it. This characteristic may be favored by the greenfin darter. As a result, the team assumed whether the distribution of greenfin darter habitats had been influenced by the changing rock types, as the rivers eroded the land over time. To test this assumption, the researchers developed a simulation model. Remarkably, the results confirmed their assumption.
28. What is new about the MIT study
A. It finds river erosion can enhance biodiversity.
B. It further proves the mechanisms of river erosion.
C. It proves the geographical features of biodiversity.
D. It classifies a type of fish called the greenfin darter.
29. What can we learn about the greenfin darter
A. Their appearances vary between families.
B. Their genetic constitutions have diversified.
C. They prefer the deep and slow-flowing river.
D. They go extinct in the changing landscape of rivers.
30. How did Near help the researchers reach their conclusion
A. By creating an evolutionary tree of the fish.
B. By offering the fish’s genetic data.
C. By reasoning out the time the fish evolve and separate.
D. By analyzing the genetic similarity between different fish.
31. What is the best title for the text
A. River Erosion Can Shape Fish Evolution
B. Genetic Change in the Greenfin Darter
C. Evolutionary Tree Analysis of the Greenfin Darter
D. The Impact of Climate Change on Fish Divers ty
D
A planet that suffers 475 ° C beneath a thick ac d atmosphere may be the last place you’d expect alien（外星的） life in our solar system. But one NASA scientist claims that extraterrestrials（天外来客）are most likely hiding on Venus amid conditions that are unbearable for humans. The new theory was put forward by the research scientist Dr Michelle Thaller. She says that possible signs of life have already been seen within the carbon-dioxide filled atmosphere, adding that she was absolutely certain that life exists somewhere.
Venus is often described as Earth’s twin due to its similar size and structure. But their conditions couldn’t be further apart, as astronomers believe it would be impossible for humans to exist on Venus. Positioned 67 million miles from the Sun, Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, suffering temperatures that can even melt lead. Its atmosphere also adds to the uninhabitable situation.
Desp te this, scientists have long debated whether Venus clouds may host microbial（微生物的）life forms that can survive. Many scientists think that photosynthesis（光合作用）is possible on the planet’s surface as Venus receives enough solar energy to pass through its thick clouds.
However, Professor Dominic Papineau, a biologist at the University College of London, believes Dr Thaller’s views are “difficult to realistically assume”. He explained, “For life-related chemical reactions to take place, liquid water is necessary. Hence, to find extraterrestrial life, we need to find liquid water, and to find extraterrestrial fossils requires looking for special rocks that were associated with liquid water in the past.”
This makes life on Venus today difficult to realistically assume, because its surface is too hot, although Venus might have had liquid water in its past. Even still, both Professor Papineau and Dr Thaller agree that the icy moons of our solar system could also be sites of potential m crob al life. NASA suggests there are 290 “traditional moons” in our solar system—excluding 462 smaller minor planets.
32. What can we know about Venus
A. Its atmosphere is thin acidic.
B. It is much bigger than Earth.
C. It is 77 million miles from the Sun.
D. Venus and Earth are considered as twins.
33. Which statement would Papineau agree with
A. Photosynthesis can happen on Venus’s surface.
B. Thick clouds make photosynthesis in Venus hard.
C. Liquid water is important for the extraterrestrials.
D. Some rocks can prove life exists on Venus.
34. What can we know from the last paragraph
A. The surface temperature of Venus is high.
B. It’s very easy to confirm life on Venus.
C. Venus might have liquid water now.
D. Many icy moons go around Venus.
35. In which section of a newspaper can you find this text
A. Education. B. Science. C. Culture. D. Sports.
答案
2024届广东省梅州市高三年级总复习质检（二模）英语试题
【答案】1. B 2. D 3. A
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了GrowNYC组织的免费社区交换活动。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。由文章Contact:部分中“Catherine Crawford, (718) 809-1603”可知，应该拨打(718) 809-1603才能从凯瑟琳那里得到更多的信息。故选B。
2题详解】
细节理解题。由文章倒数第二段中“Furniture and other large items are not accepted at the swap. (家具和其他大件物品不接受交换。)”可知，家具和其他大件物品在交换中是不可接受的。故选D。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。由文章最后一段中“After almost two years without swaps, GrowNYC has set a goal of hosting one swap in each of the city’s 59 community districts each year, providing opportunities to make NYC truly livable-a place where every person can enjoy a healthier life. (在近两年没有交换之后，GrowNYC设定了一个目标，即每年在纽约市的59个社区中每个社区举办一次交换，为纽约市真正的宜居提供机会——一个每个人都能享受更健康生活的地方。)”可知，活动的目的是让纽约成为更适合居住的地方。故选A。
【答案】4. B 5. D 6. C 7. C
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了马里兰州巴尔的摩市专门为患有自闭症和其他残障的学生设计了一家游乐场，旨在帮助他们学习、成长和获得独立性，使他们能够更好地融入社会并提高生活质量。
【4题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段中“Everything — from the kind of surface it sits on, to the color of its sitting areas, to the placement of the surrounding fence — is specifically designed for kids with autism (自闭症).(一切东西——从它提供的表面座位种类，到它的座位区域的颜色，到周围围栏的位置——都是专门为自闭症儿童设计的)”和最后一段中“And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches.(游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生)”和“They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.(它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动。该学院的Rapaport说，如果孩子开始感到不安，他们可以坐下来摸摸长凳，这可以帮助他们放松)”可知，巴尔的摩的游乐场要用特殊材料来设计是为了更好地服务自闭症儿童。故选B。
【5题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段的“The huge $500,000 project was funded with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation.(这个耗资50万美元的庞大项目得到了马里兰州和非营利组织小川基金会的支持)”可知，这个操场项目耗资巨大。故选D。
【6题详解】
主旨大意题。根据最后一段“Parts of the playground that seem small are very important for children with autism and other disabilities. The surrounding fence extends into a wooded area to make it seem more open. And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches. The benches on the outside of the playground look simple from far away, but are ‘one of our most inclusive sensory’ elements, Hack said. They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.(操场上看起来很小的部分对患有自闭症和其他残疾的孩子来说非常重要。周围的栅栏延伸到一个树木繁茂的区域，使它看起来更开放。游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生。Hack说，操场外面的长椅从远处看很简单，但却是‘我们最具包容性的感官元素之一’。它们有许多不同的颜色，给人带来平静和好奇的感觉。它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动。该学院的拉帕波特说，如果孩子开始感到不安，他们可以坐下来摸摸长凳，这可以帮助他们放松)”可知，最后一段主要讲的是游乐场的设计理念以及包含为自闭症患者带来舒适感觉的因素，即设计游乐场的潜在逻辑和合理因素。故选C。
【7题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段中“Hack said he and others spent weeks getting to know the students and understanding their needs before any building was started. The design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists.(Hack说，他和其他人花了几个星期的时间来了解学生，了解他们的需求，然后才开始建造任何建筑。设计过程涉及物理治疗师、职业治疗师和其他专家)”以及最后一段中“And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches.(游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生)”和“They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved.(它们有许多不同的颜色，给人带来平静和好奇的感觉。它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动)”可知，巴尔的摩的操场在建造之前充分了解学生的需求，按照他们的需求而建，故它是有着实用功能的。故选C。
【答案】8. A 9. B 10. A 11. A
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了科学家大卫·霍尔兹曼发现，蛇的学习能力比之前的研究表明的要大得多。
8题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“Cards mounted on the container’s walls and tape on its floor provided the snakes with visual and touchable signals to find their goal: holes in the container’s bottom that offer a dark, comfortable spot to hide.(容器墙壁上的卡片和地板上的胶带为蛇提供了视觉和可触摸的信号，以找到它们的目标：容器底部的洞，提供了一个黑暗、舒适的藏身之处)”可知，给蛇找到出口提供的指导性信息，这些东西可以指引蛇找到出口。故选A项。
【9题详解】
推理判断题。根据第三段“‘Speed to find that goal is one of the measures which shows they’re learning,’ Holtzman says. ‘On average, they take over 700 seconds to find the correct hole on the first day of training, and then go down to about 400 seconds by the fourth day of training. Some are actually very fast and find it in less than 30 seconds.’(‘找到目标的速度是显示它们正在学习的指标之一，’霍尔茨曼说。‘在训练的第一天，它们平均需要700多秒才能找到正确的洞，然后在训练的第四天减少到400秒左右。有些甚至非常快，不到30秒就找到了’)”可知，第三段数据主要表明蛇是有学习能力的。故选B项。
【10题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“Early attempts to study snake intelligence were problematic because the studies used mazes as testing arenas(场地)-as though snakes might be expected to run through mazes in the same way mice run through mazes(早期研究蛇智力的尝试是有问题的，因为研究用迷宫作为测试场所——好像蛇可能会像老鼠一样穿过迷宫一样)”可知，早期研究蛇的智力的尝试是选择的测验场地不对。故选A项。
【11题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段“‘Actually, one of the amazing findings from our studies is that snakes do use vision in locating places,’ says Holtzman. ‘They don’t just rely on the chemical clues picked up by sticking their tongues out, as many snake biologists assume.’(‘实际上，我们研究的一个惊人发现是，蛇确实利用视觉来定位位置，’霍尔茨曼说。‘它们不像许多蛇生物学家认为的那样，仅仅依靠伸出舌头获取的化学线索’)”可知，令霍尔茨曼感到惊讶的是蛇是靠视觉确定位置的。故选A项。
【答案】12. C 13. A 14. B 15. A
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了烟花对鸟类的影响。
【12题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“Research led by ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam shows that birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve up to a distance of 10 km (6 miles) away. (阿姆斯特丹大学的生态学家巴特·胡克斯特拉领导的研究表明，除夕夜大量燃放烟花爆竹会影响到10公里（6英里）外的鸟类。)”可知，这项研究告诉读者燃放烟花对鸟类的影响程度。故选C。
【13题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段“Last year, other researchers at IBED discovered that geese are so affected by fireworks that they spend an average of 10% longer looking for food than normal during at least the next 11 days. They apparently need that time to restore their energy to their former condition, after fleeing from the fireworks. (去年，IBED的其他研究人员发现，鹅受到烟花的影响很大，至少在接下来的11天里，它们寻找食物的时间平均比正常情况长10%。在逃离烟火之后，他们显然需要时间将精力恢复到以前的状态。)”可知，在逃离烟花之后，它们需要这段时间来补充失去的精力，以恢复到以前的状态。故选A。
【14题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第四段中“Because 62% of all birds in the Netherlands live within a radius of 2.5 km of inhabited areas, the consequences of fireworks are high for all birds throughout the country. (由于荷兰62%的鸟类生活在居民区半径2.5公里的范围内，因此烟花对全国所有鸟类的影响都很大。)”和划线词后“near forests and semi-open habitats (在森林和半开放的栖息地附近)”可知，烟花对离居民区近的鸟类影响很大，在森林和半开放的栖息地附近，烟花对鸟类的影响不那么明显。所以划线词的含义为“显著的、明显的”A. Predictable可预测的；B. Noticeable显著的；C. Admirable令人钦佩的；D. Avoidable可避免的。故选B。
【15题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是由文章第一段“Research led by ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam shows that birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve up to a distance of 10 km(6 miles)away. (阿姆斯特丹大学的生态学家巴特·胡克斯特拉领导的研究表明，除夕夜大量燃放烟花爆竹会影响到10公里（6英里）外的鸟类)”可知，文章主要介绍了烟花对鸟类的影响。A选项中in the air 暗指鸟类，panic 指烟花带来的影响，故选项A“Panic in the air (空气中弥漫着恐慌)”为最佳答案。故选A。
2024届广东省佛山市高三下学期二模英语试题
【答案】1. B 2. A 3. D
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了四个因为电视剧或电影而走红的地方。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段“As the hometown for many overseas Chinese, the city features historical cultural street scenes and South Asian-style architecture.(作为许多海外华人的家乡，这座城市以历史文化街景和南亚风格的建筑为特色)”可知，江门市最适合欣赏外国风格建筑的游客。故选B。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段“Full River Red, directed by Zhang Yimou, set the Taiyuan Ancient County on fire with excitement. The movie highlights the county’s complex and narrow streets.(张艺谋导演的《满江红》让太原古县城充满了激情。这部电影突出了这个县复杂而狭窄的街道)”可知，《满江红》强调了太原古县的特色街道。故选A。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“A city can become famous and experience a significant increase in visitors due to the influence of a well-liked film or a TV drama. For audiences, stepping into the scenes and experiencing the daily lives of the characters has become a new travel trend. Over the past year, several films and TV dramas have put their shooting locations into the public spotlight.(由于一部受欢迎的电影或电视剧的影响，一座城市可能会变得出名，游客也会大幅增加。对于观众来说，走进场景，体验角色的日常生活已经成为一种新的旅行趋势。在过去的一年里，几部电影和电视剧将其拍摄地点置于公众的聚光灯下)”可知，这四个地方的共同之处是都是通过电影或电视剧走红。故选D。
【答案】4. B 5. D 6. C 7. D
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇新闻报道。主要说明了加拿大人Robert Perkins为了为野生动物创造栖息地，同时表达对妻子的爱，建造了一个水景。
【4题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“It’s a labor of love for a woman he met when he was 16 years old.(这是为给他16岁时遇到的一个女人的爱的劳动)”以及第二段“Perkins resolved to build a wonderland where her spirit could stay in peace.(珀金斯决心建造一个仙境，在那里她的灵魂可以安息)”可知，珀金斯建造水景是为了表达他对妻子的爱。故选B。
【5题详解】
推理判断题。根据第三段“ Over the course of nine years his property went from being a neighborly headache to a perfect home for wildlife.(在九年的时间里，他的房子从一个让邻居头疼的地方变成了野生动物的完美家园)”以及倒数第二段“Wetland habitats not only attract wildlife, but probably offer the most complete package of ecosystem services, including preventing pollution, enriching the soil, and promoting the well-being of wildlife species.(湿地栖息地不仅吸引野生动物，而且可能提供最完整的生态系统服务，包括防止污染、丰富土壤和促进野生动物物种的福祉)”可推知，珀金斯的湿地建设过程费时费力但有回报。故选D。
【6题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段“When Perkins started creating the wildlife habitat in the early 2000s, a family of beavers got wind of it soon and claimed the land. “When we built our subdivisions, we cleared all the trees, dried the hills, drove all the water down to the lakes... In turn, the beavers helped dam (筑坝) and purify the water.”(当珀金斯在21世纪初开始创建野生动物栖息地时，一群海狸很快就听到了风声，并声称拥有这片土地。“当我们建造小区时，我们清除了所有的