Part1时事热点
（2024·浙江·二模）US Army veteran (退伍老兵) Mazyck remembers when doctors told her she would never walk again. She’d been paralyzed from the waist down after a serious accident while parachuting in 2003.The doctors never said anything about floating, though. In 2021,she got to do just that.
Mazyck was one of 12 participants in a Zero G flight, organized by the group AstroAccess. This type of flight recreates the weightlessness that astronauts experience without going all the way to space. Flying over the Pacific Ocean off Southern California, the modified 747 jet airplane made 15 steep dives and climbs, allowing the flyers multiple periods of weightlessness.
The experience left Mazyck feeling joyful. “The flight was something that I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would’ve experienced,” she says, “especially the floating, the weightlessness.”
Traditionally, strict physical requirements have prevented disabled people from becoming astronauts. AstroAccess is working to make space accessible to all. “Space removes the barriers between people; now is the time to remove the barriers to space itself,” says Mazyck, “It is sending a message to people who have historically been excluded from STEM that not only is there room for you in space, there is a need for you.”
During the flight, she says, the participants did experiments and made observations. They took note of things that people without certain disabilities might not realize are issues. For example, people who couldn’t grip with their legs needed another way to hold themselves still while weightless. The group also experimented with signaling lights for the deaf and with ways of using braille (盲文) for the blind.
These types of issues are easy enough to address. Now is the time to make space accessible — before space tourism or space settlements become commonplace. “I am so proud and elated about what’s happening here,” Mazyck adds. “We are paving the way for the future.”
1．What do we know about AstroAccess
A．It redesigns jet airplanes. B．It offers weightlessness experience.
C．It provides physical treatment. D．It trains the disabled to be astronauts.
2．What is required in the flights for the participants
A．Astronaut experience. B．Steep dives and climbs.
C．Weightlessness periods. D．Trials and observations.
3．Which of the following words can best describe Mazyck
A．Generous and determined. B．Caring and persistent.
C．Courageous and optimistic. D．Ambitious and innovative.
4．Which of the following can be the best title of the passage
A．Paving the Way for the Future B．Disabled Americans Make It to Space
C．Making Space a Place for Everyone D．US Veterans Experience Zero G Flight
（2024·湖南岳阳·二模）Predicting extreme weather events is a tricky business. Changing climate conditions have increased the frequency of severe storms, floods, and heatwaves, along with larger wildfires. As a result, scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for more accurate forecasts that help to minimize damage and save lives.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have worked together with meteorologists (气象学家) to analyze more than 50,000 weather satellite images to quickly identify storms. They found comma-shaped cloud formations that often lead to severe weather such as hail, blizzards, high winds, and thunderstorms.
Computers were then taught using computer vision and machine learning to automatically detect these clouds from satellite images, with almost 100 percent accuracy, in less than a minute. By refocusing meteorologists’ attention on potential storm cloud formation the AI tool helped predict 64 percent of severe weather events and beat established detection systems.
Expensive supercomputers are often used to process vast amounts of data needed for accurate weather prediction. But powerful AI methods can run on smaller computers. Climate risk and planning company ClimateAI uses a technique to downscale global weather forecasts to a local scale, cutting down on costs and computing power.
It uses a machine learning technique that pits two neural networks against each other. The neural networks - designed to work like neurons connected in the brain - fight and train each other using global weather data until they get a result.
Using this method ClimateAI researchers generate highly accurate and inexpensive local forecasts for hours or days ahead. And because it is not as costly, it allows poorer countries
affected by climate change to use forecasts to change the way they farm, build bridges, roads, or homes, and adapt to extreme weather.
Average costs associated with extreme weather events in the United States have increased steadily since 1980. These have costly impacts on cities’ basic services, infrastructure, housing, human livelihoods, and health. AI helps us to calculate that risk and can be used as a preventive measure.
5．What can be inferred from Para.1
A．Inaccurate forecasts minimize the destruction.
B．AI enhances accuracy in making weather prediction.
C．Less natural disasters are caused by climate change.
D．Changeable climate decreased the frequency of serious storms.
6．Which is NOT an advantage of AI tool
A．Being steadier. B．Being cheaper.
C．Being quicker. D．Being more precise.
7．What is the function of Para.5
A．To explain how Climate AI works.
B．To introduce why AI methods are used.
C．To show where ClimateAI can be applied.
D．To identify what effects of the AI tool has.
8．What is the author’s attitude towards AI techniques in predicting extreme weather
A．Critical. B．Approving. C．Objective. D．Indifferent.
（2024·江苏盐城·模拟预测）Just after hatching, many birds learn to identify and follow the first moving object they encounter—a process called imprinting, which can offer protection in the wild as it helps them stay near a parent. It doesn’t take much visual information for a bird to learn to prefer one object and follow it. Researchers wanted to know whether AI models called transformers could do a similar task with limited inputs.
Transformers are generic learning systems that can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, making them useful in both AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and in computer vision applications, such as autonomous car navigation.
“To directly compare learning algorithms (计算程序) to brains, we need to train them on the same experiences,” says Samantha Wood at Indiana University Bloomington. She first raised chicks in a box where the only visual stimulation came from a rotating 3D object presented on a screen. After the first week, she ran each chick through hundreds of test trials that showed that same object on one screen－presented from both familiar and unfamiliar perspectives－and displayed a second unfamiliar object on another screen. The chicks spent more of their time near the first object, suggesting they had imprinted on it.
The researcher then created a virtual simulation (仿造物) of the set-up and used a virtual agent to move through it while looking around and recording a first-person view. That provided tens of thousands of simulated images for training and evaluating four transformer models.
The AI models had just 300 milliseconds to learn from each simulated image－approximating (接近于) how long biological neurons (神经元) fire after being presented with an image. The researcher found that the AIs could learn to recognise a 3D object as quickly and accurately as the chicks.
The study is “a great piece of work” in comparing machine performance with biological brains, says Antone Martinho-Truswell at the University of Sydney. But he also notes, “We might be able to say that the chick ‘saw’its imprinting object, but that will have a component (成分) of experience to it. Particularly as imprinting is to do with identifying its mother, it would be unsurprising if that visual experience were combined with a suite of other components of experience: fear yielding to comfort, for example, as the chick comes to regard the object as its imprinted ‘mother’.”
9．Why do newborn birds engage in imprinting
A．To enhance their navigation skills.
B．To develop their social behaviour.
C．To improve their communication with other birds.
D．To establish a protective connection with a guardian.
10．How did Samantha Wood conduct the initial experiment with chicks
A．She raised them in an environment with a rotating visual element.
B．She exposed them to various visual stimulations in the wild.
C．She showed them various moving objects on screens.
D．She observed their behaviour in a natural habitat.
11．What role did the virtual simulation play in the research
A．To imitate the natural behaviour of birds.
B．To assess the effectiveness of virtual agents.
C．To examine the Al models’ability to identify a 3D object.
D．To create a visually diverse environment for the chicks.
12．According to Antone Martinho-Truswell, what poses a challenge in comparing machine performance with biological brains
A．Rapid learning pace of AI models.
B．Recreating real-world environments for experiments.
C．The complexity and diversity of biological experiences.
D．Conducting additional experiments with a range of animals.
（2024·陕西安康·三模）During space missions, astronauts can experience a loss of some of the inner structural support in their bones. For trips in space lasting at least six months, that loss is equal to about 20 years of aging. Luckily, a new study finds a year back on Earth rebuilds half of the strength lost in the affected bone.
Exercise scientist Leigh Gabel was part of a team that tracked 17 astronauts, each of whom had spent four to seven months in space. The team measured the 3-D structure of bone. They focused on the structure of the tibia (胫骨) and the lower-arm bone. The researchers took images of the bones 3 times—before spaceflight and again six months and one year later when the astronaut s returned home from space. From these pictures, Gabel’s team calculated an astronaut’s bone strength and density (密度) at each of those times.
What did they find through comparison of the pictures Astronauts in space for less than six months regained their preflight bone strength after a year back on Earth. But those who stayed in space longer suffered permanent hone loss in their tibias. That loss was equal to a decade of aging. The lower-arm bones showed almost no loss. That was likely because these aren’t weight-bearing hones on Earth, Gabel explains. In fact, those arms can get a bigger workout in space than on Earth as astronauts use them to move around their craft by pushing off handles and doors.
“Inereasing weight-lifting exercises in space could help alleviate (缓解) bone loss in the
legs,” says Steven Boyd, also in exercise scientist.
“With longer spaceflight, we can expect bigger bone loss—and probably a bigger problem with recovery,” says physiologist Laurence Vico. “Space agencies should also consider other bone health measures, such as nutrition, to reduce bone loss and increase bone formation.”
13．Why did Gabel’s team take pictures at different times
A．To offer evidence for their predictions.
B．To show their respect for the astronauts.
C．To compare the changes in the astronauts’ bones.
D．To find out the proper length of staying in space for astronauts.
14．Which of the following may Gabel agree with
A．A spaceflight in less than half a year does no harm to astronauts.
B．Astronauts coming back from a spaceflight look much older.
C．Astronauts can avoid bone loss through doing enough exercise.
D．There is almost no difference in the astronauts’ lower-arm bones.
15．What can we conclude from this text
A．People on Earth never suffer bone loss.
B．The finding of the new study is good news for astronauts.
C．The 17 astronauts knew the bone loss before their spaceflights.
D．Astronauts can regain their bone strength as soon as they return to Earth.
16．What does the text mainly talk about
A．How to prevent bone loss in space.
B．Problems faced by astronauts in space.
C．Astronauts’ suffering from bone loss in space.
D．Astronauts’ contributions to the development of science.
Part2人与自我
（2024·浙江·二模）A diet high in protein is often promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle, and many diets encourage consumers to reduce fats in favor of protein to lose weight and gain lean muscle.
For the study in Nature Metabolism, Bettina Mittendorfer and colleagues found that while increasing the proportion of protein in daily calorie intake is beneficial, consuming protein too much not only doesn’t add to the development of lean muscle but can cause unintended negative health effects.
“Consumers are being led to believe that they can never get too much protein in their diet,” says Mittendorfer. “However, our research shows that specific amino acids (氨基酸), which are the building blocks of protein, can trigger heart disease through a signaling mechanism at the cellular level in the blood.”
An amino acid found in animal-protein foods, such as beef, eggs, and milk, was found to be responsible for signaling activity in cells that typically clear away rubbish in blood vessels. As consumption of dietary protein increases, so does the consumption of leucine (亮氨酸), the specific amino acid responsible for triggering this cellular activity in the blood.
When functioning normally, these cells work to keep blood vessels free from plaque (血小板) buildup. When their production becomes overactive, the resulting accumulation of spent cells in the vascular system can cause the plaque buildup and blockages they are supposed to prevent. The resulting hardening of the arteries (动脉) is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
“Our hope is to eventually find the Goldilocks approach for maximizing the health benefits of dietary protein, such as building lean muscle, while avoiding the health drawbacks from overconsumption.” says Mittendorfer.
The researchers found that consuming more than 22% of daily calories from protein carries more downside risk than dietary benefit. For a normal adult, 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal, or 60 to 90 grams of protein per day is adequate to support health.
The study combined human trials with experiments in mice and cells.
17．Which of the following is the finding of the research
A．It is beneficial to take in protein in daily diets.
B．A diet high in protein is always considered as a healthy lifestyle.
C．Many consumers are in favor of protein to lose weight and gain muscle.
D．Consuming protein too much doesn’t do good to the lean muscle development.
18．Which of the following is most likely to cause heart attack and stroke
A．The plaque buildup. B．Animal-protein foods.
C．The hardening of the arteries. D．Overactive cellular activity in the blood.
19．What is the proper way to make good use of protein
A．To take in proper amount of protein per meal.
B．To exercise everyday in order to build lean muscle.
C．To consume more than 22% of daily calories from protein.
D．To do more experiments in mice and cells to provide evidence.
20．What do we know about the study
A．It is conducted in a relatively scientific way.
B．It finally finds a proper approach to keep fit.
C．It is totally against what people have believed.
D．It offers a diet standard for people of all ages all over the world.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）What is a barrier It usually refers to an obstacle or a difficulty that prevents you from achieving something. Whether it was in your past, or you’ re presently facing one, you have to resolve it. While many people avoid barriers, deny their existence or let barriers control themselves, what stand you take on barriers will define the outcome of whether you rise from the challenge, or remain stuck in it. Here are some more great things to love about barriers.
First of all, barriers give you motivations. Sometimes barriers can reset your goals. You might be faced with setbacks or difficulties, you’ re forced to re-think, and re-examine your path. You may end up focusing on something new and exciting. Or, you may concentrate on something that you otherwise wouldn’t have if not for the particular setback. By having to overcome an obstacle, you’ll be fulfilling a purpose, rather than just going through the motions.
Also, barriers prepare you for the unexpected. They serve as guides for where to go next. Even though barriers can bring out many negative emotions in us, such as frustration, anger, or sadness, it’s important to realize that they don’t stop you from reaching your intended goals. Instead, they, in a way, give you time to stop and think if perhaps there is a new and better path to take and what you can prepare for what will happen along the way. Barriers shift your perspective.
Barriers, more often than not, are unavoidable. Life will never stop throwing you new barriers. So, the best thing to do is know how to better see and approach these obstacles, and
transform them into opportunities for self-improvement. The more you’re able to see barriers as being an advantage to your life, the better you’ll be at managing them.
It will be rewarding to accept barriers, which will make you constantly change and adapt to new situations, thus allowing you to grow into a better version of yourself.
21．What is the determining factor of the outcome when facing barriers
A．Your specific goals. B．Your own attitude.
C．Your diverse preparations. D．Your strong will power.
22．Which of the following is true about barriers
A．They bring you positive emotions.
B．They prevent you from realizing your goals.
C．They are avoidable if you prepare for them well.
D．They enable you to view things in a different way.
23．What does the underlined word “approach” in paragraph 4 mean
A．To cope with. B．To go over.
C．To come near to sb. D．To speak to sb about sth.
24．What’s the main idea of the passage
A．Life is always throwing us barriers. B．Barriers are double-edged swords.
C．Embracing barriers benefits a lot. D．Meeting barriers is actually avoidable.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）What to taste in Kuala Lumpur 2024
Great restaurants in Kuala Lumpur offer a genuine global dining experience. Whether you are looking to enjoy hearty comfort food or some local delicacies (佳肴), the city’s dining scene satisfies all comers.
Cantaloupe
Situated about 20 minutes from downtown Malacca, it is a home-based eatery (餐馆) with about 10 tables manned by four operators. Unlike most restaurants, food is self-service here, with dishes placed on catering pans for customers to choose from. It serves traditional Malaysian dishes with distinct Chinese influences. You will find rice dumplings and chicken rendang among the offerings. It has two branches in the city. Their dishes sell out fast, so it’d be best to head there before lunch time.
Mum’s Place
Nothing brings more comfort than mom’s cooking. With recipes inspired by the owners’ mother, this restaurant brings you Nyonya dishes that are genuinely Malaysian. Lying in the district of Damansara Perdana, Mum’s Place is a neighbourhood restaurant with its main customers from residents nearby. Some of the best dishes include cencaru fish; devil curry chicken and beef rendang.
YumYum Restaurant
Situated in the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel, Yum Yum Restaurant is among the locals’ many favourite spots to dine at. It offers an interesting Nyonya and Thai food with Chinese influences that make them stand out. The classic dishes include sambal petai prawns, assam fish head and Yum Yum egg. It can get crowded here, so it’d be best to head there early or call ahead for reservations.
Troika Sky Dining
Offering fine dining, the amazing Troika Sky Dining undoubtedly stands out from the pack. Set on the 23rd floor of Tower B of The Troika, it goes without saying that the cloud-skimming views here are something else entirely. The food is what helps it stand out. It serves award-winning French, Italian, Greek, and Spanish food and adventurous menu of high-end pizzas and pasta.
25．What’s unique about Cantaloupe？
A．It is a cafeteria. B．It is a hotel-based eatery.
C．It has a branch in the city. D．It requires reservations in advance.
26．Where are the dishes combined with Chinese style available
A．Cantaloupe and Mum’s Palace.
B．Cantaloupe and YumYum Restaurant.
C．Mum’s Place and Troika Sky Dining.
D．YumYum Restaurant and Troika Sky Dining.
27．What can customers do while eating in Troika Sky Dining
A．Help serve food. B．Win an award.
C．Play adventurous games. D．Enjoy breathtaking views.
（2024·江西吉安·一模）Every year over the Christmas holiday, I declutter and organize my kids’ rooms. I just can’t stand the thought of adding more clutter (杂物) to their cabinets when they’re already fully packed with all that stuff. It’s no secret that clutter weighs on us mentally, and when it’s not dealt with, the problem only worsens. All that stuff can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed. And if it’s in our bedrooms, it can even keep us from sleeping well. Research has shown that those with cluttered bedrooms have more trouble getting enough sleep.
I separate their toys, books, and clothing into one of three piles: for donations, friends with younger children, and, finally, that which is too damaged to keep at all. The process can take hours, but when I’m done, there’s a huge weight lifted as all the clutter finds a new home.
Organizing and decluttering our space gives us a sense of control over our surroundings, says Jourdan Travers, a psychotherapist and clinical director of Awake Therapy in New York City. “Mess is stress. Humans have limited bandwidth, and it isn’t easy to focus on essential tasks when we are in messy or unclean spaces,” says Travers. The research backs this up. A study published in the September 2017 issue of Current Psychology found that “clutter problems led to a significant decrease in satisfaction with life among older adults.” The study found that those who delay decluttering because of “indecision” end up with a mounting issue that weighs on their mind.
Sometimes, however, we have trouble parting with our stuff. It can start to mount up because the task of decluttering and reorganizing can start to feel overwhelming and intense. There are various reasons why we hold onto stuff, some of which are valid. If something is a family heirloom, for example, and has deep meaning, we may not want to part with it.
Maybe it’s that outfit you hope one day you’ll fit into. Maybe the items were expensive, and even though you don’t wear them anymore, you hate the idea of parting with them. If there are some items you have trouble parting with, try getting rid of the easy stuff first.
28．What is a direct consequence of cluttering
A．One will feel out of control over his life.
B．One will feel burden piling up in his brain.
C．One will feel unable to deal with all the stuff.
D．One will feel relieved by his mental problems.
29．Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “bandwidth” in
paragraph 3
A．Brain capacity.
B．Work efficiency.
C．Energy level.
D．Learning competence.
30．In what way is decluttering rewarding
A．It can boost our well-being.
B．It can bring hope to the needy.
C．It can guarantee a sound sleep.
D．It can teach children how to organize.
31．What can be the best title for the text
A．Decluttering-A Lifestyle in fashion.
B．Decluttering-A Psychological Therapy.
C．Decluttering-A Solution to “Indecision”.
D．Decluttering-A Way to Clear Our Mind Out.
Part3人与社会
（2024·浙江·二模）The sun near the equator is never-ceasing, bearing down as I lead Elaine, a dark brown horse, through thick bushes. It’s been a long day on horseback. My legs ache and our camp signals across a ridge of ancient folding hills in the Lolldaiga Range of northern Kenya, a mosaic (马赛克) of twisted landscapes and communities.
Suddenly Elaine’s ears flick into alert, and the muscles of her body tense beneath me. Our guide Nicholus stretches out a lean arm toward a bush just meters away. My eyes focus, trying my best to see what the others already have: two amber balls glowing from a shadowed form. It’s a young lion, quick and strong, in the middle of the high grass.
A wild silence hangs between us.
Without the defensive hunting vehicle, I feel completely exposed. Peering into the bush, I’m suspended between wonder and terror, the distance between myself and the Savannah’s most notorious hunter unbelievably small. Usually, I’m the one tracking the lion, camera in hand. Now,
the lion shifts in my consciousness from object to subject. I shift, too, strongly aware of the soft flesh of my own body.
Nicholus nods his head in the other direction, a safer distance away. He points to shallow holes in the dust. “Look, this is a big lion, and these are young ones, some cubs,” he says. “Probably a mother.” Pawprints marked the earth, each telling the story of more lions, moving in different directions.
It was time to go.
Horseback safaris are still the most immersive way to view wildlife in Kenya. To journey on horseback is to break down the walls—meant to protect, but also to separate us from the natural world. And as we’re absorbed in the thrill of the experience, we’re vividly reminded of the importance of protecting these wild spaces.
Out here your horse is your translator, responding to the low hiss of a leopard, the soft scent of an elephant herd, the cool morning breeze descending from Mount Kenya’s glacial peaks. Your job is to learn how to listen.
32．Which words can NOT describe my horseback journey
A．Thrilling. B．Tiring. C．Breathtaking. D．Boring.
33．What can we learn from paragraph 3 and 4
A．I regretted not having driven a vehicle.
B．I felt extremely tense in case of lions’ attack.
C．There will be a big battle between lions and us.
D．It was out of my expectation to break into a lion’s world.
34．Why do people still love engaging horseback travelling in Kenya today
A．Horses are much cheaper than vehicles.
B．Visitors will experience the wildlife anytime.
C．It is a safe and exciting way to enjoy the wildlife.
D．It offers a chance to reconsider the connection between humans and wildlife.
35．What does the author suggest in the last paragraph
A．Find more animals to feed. B．Ask your horse for translation.
C．Feel nature with your heart. D．Listen to the sound of every animal.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）As AI technology is improving by leaps and bounds, a low-cost computer training program can help older persons drive less dangerously, according to a recent research.
“It is Drive Smart, a training program, that is developed by us, which could be used by anyone who has a computer,” says Jing Feng, co-author of the study and a professor of psychology at Stanford University. “Drive Smart is a cognitive (认知的) training program that can help older persons notice traffic risks more effectively. Our goal of recent study was to see to what degree Drive Smart changes trainees’ driving behaviors when they get behind the wheel.”
The researchers sought out 24 persons aged 65 and up to test Drive Smart. In a driving simulator (模拟器), all of the study participants experienced a basic driving exam. The “active training” group was made up of eight of the study participants. Every two weeks, the active training group had two Drive Smart trainings. A group of eight additional study participants was asked to take “passive training” where this group watched videos of others receiving the Drive Smart instruction. This happened twice, with each lasting about a week. The control group, which was made up of the remaining eight study participants, received no training. After that, all 24 study participants performed a second driving exam in the simulator.
Compared with the other two groups, the study participants in the active training group experienced 23% fewer “unsafe incidents” following the training, according to the researchers. There was no obvious change in the number of dangerous incidents among study participants in the passive training and control groups.
“This testing was conducted with a fairly limited number of study participants,” Feng says in the interview. “If we can succeed in getting sufficient fund, we’d like to further our testing with more people to clearly prove how effective this training is at reducing accidents among older drivers.”
36．Where might the text most probably be taken from
A．A website. B．A newspaper.
C．A science fiction. D．A test report.
37．What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about
A．The specific pattern of the test.
B．The underlying meaning of the test.
C．The driving behavior of three training groups.
D．The theoretical basis for the training program.
38．Jing Feng found that the “Passive training” group rarely changed their driving behavior though ________.
A．they had reduced dangerous incidents apparently
B．they had experienced insecure incidents previously
C．they had been shown instructive videos about two weeks
D．they had received Drive Smart trainings every other week
39．What is Feng’s attitude towards the testing result
A．Disapproving. B．Frustrated. C．Critical. D．Optimistic.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World—Katherine Hayhoe’s new book, proposes to fight climate change through better communication. It is a follow-up to her awesome TED talk in 2018, when she declared the most important thing any individual can do to fight climate change is to talk about it.
Of many refreshing aspects of this book, one is that Hayhoe recounts both her successes and her failures to communicate, through which she has gathered evidence about what works and what does not. Much of the book’s advice is common sense, all backed up not just by Hayhoe’s experience but also with convincing research by psychologists and social scientists.
Hayhoe advises against trying to engage with a small minority, the “Dismissives”, who angrily reject the idea that human-caused climate change is a threat. Hayhoe pays special attention to Dismissives early on, noting that their aggressive posture online may create the impression that they’re everywhere. However, she argues, Dismissives account for only 7% of all American adults. The other 93% are more receptive by degree.
The book includes amusing examples of her encounters with the “Dismissives”, including an engineer who was unconvinced about the evidence but with whom she was able to establish mutual (相互的) respect through a shared passion for knitting (打毛线衣). It is also packed with inspiring accounts of how she has won over even the crowds who are the most suspicious. Her motto is “bond, connect and inspire”, which represents her approach of always looking for point s of common ground.
She also tells of a man who approached her after an event in London in 2019. Inspired by her TED talk, he had started to speak to everybody he could in his neighborhood of Wandsworth. He showed her details of 12,000 conversations that had taken place, claiming that they had helped to convince the council to declare a climate emergency and to switch investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
And so, while it may feel difficult to influence the outcome of the COP26, Hayhoe’s uplifting book makes a persuasive case that we can all do our bit to bring about success just by talking about the issue.
40．What does the book mainly focus on
A．Explaining critical talking through literature.
B．Teaching communication skills with TED talks.
C．Sharpening people’s insight into climate change.
D．Sharing communication-centered tips for climate problems.
41．Which of the following best describes the advice in the book
A．Serious and challenging. B．Well-based and workable.
C．Approachable but one-sided. D．Practical but unacknowledged.
42．How did Hayhoe win over the “Dismissives”
A．By upgrading their social position.
B．By seeking shared interests or hobbies.
C．By changing their fundamental beliefs.
D．By offering more facts about climate change.
43．What does the author want to say by telling the story in paragraph 5
A．Turning to clean energy is inevitable.
B．We should raise people’s awareness of the climate crisis.
C．Conversations have an impact on climate decision-making.
D．A shy man began to speak to everybody motivated by Hayhoe.
（2024·陕西西安·模拟预测）Each year, our education team works to create a brand-new STEM curriculum. In our 2023 program—Wonder, campers build confidence and work together to take on four exciting challenges, exploring innovation, creative problem solving and design thinking,
all while developing persistence and having fun!Catching Air
In a high-energy adventure combining physics and creativity, kids design and build a mini skate park! They will have to pick out their own mini skateboard. Then, they’ll practice persistence by constructing an awesome skate park complete with ramps, rails, ledges and other features that will put their wheels to the test.Invention Celebration
In this festive experience, kids take on the role of event planners as they learn about the importance of celebrating. They’ll investigate the science of sights, sounds and circuitry (线路) as they plan their party with light-up party hats, colorful bubbles, art banners and musical instruments. They will also learn about the efficiency of machines.MimicBot (模拟机器人)
Exploring nature, genetics and adaptive innovation, kids will turn a MimicBot into an animatronic (电子动物) stuffie. After receiving their bot, they take it apart to investigate its inner mechanics and what makes it move. Once they put it back together, they will personalize their stuffies and use problem-solving skills and intellectual property to protect it from the idea-stealing Copy Cat!Pop-Up Venture
The sky is the limit as kids discover what it takes to develop and run a business of their dreams! In this creative challenge, they’ll build their own pop-up shop, making decisions and using original strategies to attract customers. Children will communicate through marketing and advertising, learning how to launch and operate their own venture.
44．What can kids learn at Catching Air
A．Plan a celebration. B．Design and build a skate park.
C．Set up and run a business. D．Look into the inner side of machines.
45．What do the four activities all have in common
A．They are only designed to amuse kids.
B．They need adults to provide guidance.
C．They call for the same ability to finish.
D．They teach kids something while having fun.
46．What is the purpose of the text
A．To educate. B．To advise. C．To introduce. D．To advertise.
Part3人与自然
（2024·浙江·二模）“Please would you tell me,” asks the heroine of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, “why your cat grins like that ” Alice is surprised when told that all Cheshire cats can grin and that “most of ‘em do”.
We can only wonder, then, what she would make of a new study that claims that our pet cats actually have nearly 300 facial expressions — far larger than many experts had expected and which may have evolved as a result of them living alongside humans.
The study involved dozens of cats being filmed at the CatCafe Lounge in Los Angeles, where homeless cats live together while up for adoption. More specifically, they logged each occurrence of 26 facial muscle movements, including blinks and half blinks, nose licks, and various ear positions. They identified 276 combinations of those movements, each of which represents a cat facial expression.
That was not far away from the 357 expressions a similar study had previously seen in chimpanzees, and it easily beat the 80 from gibbons (长臂猿). Dogs are said to be capable of 27 facial movements.
According to the researchers, the number of cat facial expressions was a surprise and indicates a hidden depth to how cats express themselves. “Thanks to the development of Facial Action Coding Systems, we are now able to uncover communicative complexity among mammals that may have been previously overlooked.” they said.
The studies showed that about 45 per cent of them were clearly friendly: These tended to involve eyes being closed and ears and whiskers (胡须) being tilted forwards, towards another cat, during a friendly encounter. Another 37 per cent were obviously aggressive or defensive.
The researchers suggest that pet cats have a greater range of facial expressions in part because being close to people often also means living in close places with other cats — and being able to communicate can avoid conflict. And they believe it should be possible to read more subtle messages. “We plan to study how cats produce facial signals during specific interactions, such as play, fighting, and so on.”
47．What do paragraph 1 and 2 mainly tell us
A．Alice actually made a study on cats’ grins.
B．Cats are often heroes in famous fairy tales.
C．Alice has a cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
D．People do not know much about cats facial expressions.
48．Why does the author mention chimpanzees and dogs
A．To show that these animals are all mammals.
B．To show that cats can express themselves in special ways.
C．To show that cats are cleverer than chimpanzees and dogs.
D．To show that cats have unbelievable quantities of facial expressions.
49．What does the study say about the cats’ facial expressions
A．Eyes being closed to another cat is defensive.
B．Almost all the cat facial expressions are friendly.
C．Living with humans influences cats’ facial expression.
D．Cats’ facial expressions can be regarded as just simple.
50．What would be the best title for the text
A．Cats Pull 276 Different Faces. B．Most of the Cats Can Grin.
C．The Ways Cats Produce Facial Signals. D．Cats’ Facial Muscle Movement.
（2024·江西吉安·一模）As a mushroom scientist, you are vastly outnumbered, with estimates suggesting that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi (真菌), the majority of which are yet to be identified. However, professionals in the field are not alone in their efforts to uncover new species. An enthusiastic community of amateurs has emerged, bridging the gap between professionals and non-professionals. These amateurs have even made significant discoveries. One such amateur is Taylor Lockwood, a 74-year-old mushroom enthusiast and professional photographer.
In 1984, while living on the Mendocino coast of California, Taylor Lockwood developed a fascination with mushrooms. “Outside my cottage were these amazing mushrooms,” he says. “And it was as if these mushrooms looked at me and said, ‘Taylor, go out and tell the world how pretty we are.’” Lockwood answered their call and purchased camera equipment to capture their true nature. His passion for photographing mushrooms was so intense that he would even dig holes next to the mushrooms to get the perfect angle for his shots.
In the Monongahela National Forest, Taylor Lockwood discovered an unusual mushroom that looked like tiny fingers wearing off-white gloves. Upon deeper investigation, fungi researcher Amy Rossman confirmed that it was a “hazel glove” mushroom, which is a rare find. “Mushrooms are not like plants,” Rossman says. “They don’t come up at the same time every year, and so sometimes it can be decades between when a fungus fruits.” Rossman says that’s why it’s so valuable to have people like Taylor Lockwood searching through the forest with a trained eye.
A few years ago, Taylor Lockwood realized that still photos weren’t sufficient, so he chose to create time-lapse (延时拍摄的) videos of mushrooms. “When I do time-lapse, I see so much life happening around the mushrooms—insects, worms and other small creatures interacting with them,” he says. Lockwood’s love for art is evident in his approach to filming mushrooms over time. Although he appreciates the scientific aspect of his work, he identifies himself as an artist at heart.
51．What can we learn about mushroom amateurs from paragraph 1
A．They keep close track of the growth of fungi.
B．They help identify new species of mushroom.
C．They replace professional scientists in the field.
D．They classify the majority of mushroom species.
52．What inspired Lockwood to photograph mushrooms
A．His desire for knowledge.
B．His curiosity about nature.
C．The beauty of nearby mushrooms.
D．The appeal of outdoor photography.
53．Which of the following best describes Lockwood according to paragraph 3
A．Skilled and observant.
B．Focused and flexible.
C．Talented and optimistic.
D．Organized and responsible.
54．Why did Lockwood decide to make time-lapse videos of mushrooms
A．To improve his photography techniques.
B．To capture dynamic life in an artistic way.
C．To collect biological data for deeper research.
D．To use a new approach to scientific studies.
（2024·陕西西安·模拟预测）In a new study, researchers found that invasive insects in the United States could kill approximately 1.4 million urban trees by 2050, which would cost over $900 million to replace, reports Vishwam Sankaran for the Independent.
Hot spots predicted to have the most urban tree mortality (死亡率) were Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; and New York, New York. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, is the first nationwide forecast of street tree mortality from invasive insects.
The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle native to Asia. It was first detected in 2002 in southeastern Michigan, and experts suspect it was brought into the United States on wood packing material carried on cargo ships or airplanes traveling from Asia. Since then, the bug has been damaging ash trees. In the last two decades since the insect was first detected, numerous trees have been killed in North America.
Data collected from 30,000 communities across the country was used to estimate tree mortality in the next 30 years. The researchers combined this data with a model that predicted the spread of 57 different invasive insect species. Their results show emerald ash borers alone could cause 90% of the estimated 1.4 million tree deaths. Ash borers are already predicted to “kill virtually all ash trees” in over 6,000 urban areas, according to Newsweek.
Less than 25% of 30,000 urban areas in the U.S. are expected to experience 95% of all street-tree mortality, reports Adam Barnes for the Hill. The areas that will experience the most tree loss include cities in the Midwest and East Coast. These locations are expected to have the most tree loss because large numbers of ash trees occupy the streets and parks in these areas, reported the Independent.
When it comes to how to save urban areas from becoming treeless, study author Emma Hudgins, a biologist at McGill University, says, “These results can hopefully provide a cautionary tale against planting a single species of tree throughout entire cities, as has been done with ash trees in North America. Planting various trees provides resilience against pest infestations (侵扰).”
55．What can we know about the emerald ash borer
A．It is an invasive beetle in Asia.
B．It was first found by the Michigan people.
C．It has killed numerous trees in America.
D．They definitely enter the U.S. by cargo ships or airplanes.
56．What is the fourth paragraph intended to describe
A．The purpose of the research. B．The conclusion of the research.
C．The significance of the research. D．The process and result of the research.
57．What can be inferred from the fifth paragraph
A．Pest infestations are taking place across the country.
B．The insect’s invasion won’t spread equally in America.
C．Tree loss is the main cause of environmental problems.
D．Ash trees are being removed from many areas in the U.S.
58．What suggestion does Emma Hudgins provide
A．Getting different types of trees planted.
B．Replacing foreign trees with local ones.
C．Getting more trees planted in more areas.
D．Planting trees resistant to pest infestations.Part1时事热点
（2024·浙江·二模）US Army veteran (退伍老兵) Mazyck remembers when doctors told her she would never walk again. She’d been paralyzed from the waist down after a serious accident while parachuting in 2003.The doctors never said anything about floating, though. In 2021,she got to do just that.
Mazyck was one of 12 participants in a Zero G flight, organized by the group AstroAccess. This type of flight recreates the weightlessness that astronauts experience without going all the way to space. Flying over the Pacific Ocean off Southern California, the modified 747 jet airplane made 15 steep dives and climbs, allowing the flyers multiple periods of weightlessness.
The experience left Mazyck feeling joyful. “The flight was something that I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would’ve experienced,” she says, “especially the floating, the weightlessness.”
Traditionally, strict physical requirements have prevented disabled people from becoming astronauts. AstroAccess is working to make space accessible to all. “Space removes the barriers between people; now is the time to remove the barriers to space itself,” says Mazyck, “It is sending a message to people who have historically been excluded from STEM that not only is there room for you in space, there is a need for you.”
During the flight, she says, the participants did experiments and made observations. They took note of things that people without certain disabilities might not realize are issues. For example, people who couldn’t grip with their legs needed another way to hold themselves still while weightless. The group also experimented with signaling lights for the deaf and with ways of using braille (盲文) for the blind.
These types of issues are easy enough to address. Now is the time to make space accessible — before space tourism or space settlements become commonplace. “I am so proud and elated about what’s happening here,” Mazyck adds. “We are paving the way for the future.”
1．What do we know about AstroAccess
A．It redesigns jet airplanes. B．It offers weightlessness experience.
C．It provides physical treatment. D．It trains the disabled to be astronauts.
2．What is required in the flights for the participants
A．Astronaut experience. B．Steep dives and climbs.
C．Weightlessness periods. D．Trials and observations.
3．Which of the following words can best describe Mazyck
A．Generous and determined. B．Caring and persistent.
C．Courageous and optimistic. D．Ambitious and innovative.
4．Which of the following can be the best title of the passage
A．Paving the Way for the Future B．Disabled Americans Make It to Space
C．Making Space a Place for Everyone D．US Veterans Experience Zero G Flight
（2024·湖南岳阳·二模）Predicting extreme weather events is a tricky business. Changing climate conditions have increased the frequency of severe storms, floods, and heatwaves, along with larger wildfires. As a result, scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for more accurate forecasts that help to minimize damage and save lives.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have worked together with meteorologists (气象学家) to analyze more than 50,000 weather satellite images to quickly identify storms. They found comma-shaped cloud formations that often lead to severe weather such as hail, blizzards, high winds, and thunderstorms.
Computers were then taught using computer vision and machine learning to automatically detect these clouds from satellite images, with almost 100 percent accuracy, in less than a minute. By refocusing meteorologists’ attention on potential storm cloud formation the AI tool helped predict 64 percent of severe weather events and beat established detection systems.
Expensive supercomputers are often used to process vast amounts of data needed for accurate weather prediction. But powerful AI methods can run on smaller computers. Climate risk and planning company ClimateAI uses a technique to downscale global weather forecasts to a local scale, cutting down on costs and computing power.
It uses a machine learning technique that pits two neural networks against each other. The neural networks - designed to work like neurons connected in the brain - fight and train each other using global weather data until they get a result.
Using this method ClimateAI researchers generate highly accurate and inexpensive local forecasts for hours or days ahead. And because it is not as costly, it allows poorer countries
affected by climate change to use forecasts to change the way they farm, build bridges, roads, or homes, and adapt to extreme weather.
Average costs associated with extreme weather events in the United States have increased steadily since 1980. These have costly impacts on cities’ basic services, infrastructure, housing, human livelihoods, and health. AI helps us to calculate that risk and can be used as a preventive measure.
5．What can be inferred from Para.1
A．Inaccurate forecasts minimize the destruction.
B．AI enhances accuracy in making weather prediction.
C．Less natural disasters are caused by climate change.
D．Changeable climate decreased the frequency of serious storms.
6．Which is NOT an advantage of AI tool
A．Being steadier. B．Being cheaper.
C．Being quicker. D．Being more precise.
7．What is the function of Para.5
A．To explain how Climate AI works.
B．To introduce why AI methods are used.
C．To show where ClimateAI can be applied.
D．To identify what effects of the AI tool has.
8．What is the author’s attitude towards AI techniques in predicting extreme weather
A．Critical. B．Approving. C．Objective. D．Indifferent.
（2024·江苏盐城·模拟预测）Just after hatching, many birds learn to identify and follow the first moving object they encounter—a process called imprinting, which can offer protection in the wild as it helps them stay near a parent. It doesn’t take much visual information for a bird to learn to prefer one object and follow it. Researchers wanted to know whether AI models called transformers could do a similar task with limited inputs.
Transformers are generic learning systems that can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, making them useful in both AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and in computer vision applications, such as autonomous car navigation.
“To directly compare learning algorithms (计算程序) to brains, we need to train them on the same experiences,” says Samantha Wood at Indiana University Bloomington. She first raised chicks in a box where the only visual stimulation came from a rotating 3D object presented on a screen. After the first week, she ran each chick through hundreds of test trials that showed that same object on one screen－presented from both familiar and unfamiliar perspectives－and displayed a second unfamiliar object on another screen. The chicks spent more of their time near the first object, suggesting they had imprinted on it.
The researcher then created a virtual simulation (仿造物) of the set-up and used a virtual agent to move through it while looking around and recording a first-person view. That provided tens of thousands of simulated images for training and evaluating four transformer models.
The AI models had just 300 milliseconds to learn from each simulated image－approximating (接近于) how long biological neurons (神经元) fire after being presented with an image. The researcher found that the AIs could learn to recognise a 3D object as quickly and accurately as the chicks.
The study is “a great piece of work” in comparing machine performance with biological brains, says Antone Martinho-Truswell at the University of Sydney. But he also notes, “We might be able to say that the chick ‘saw’its imprinting object, but that will have a component (成分) of experience to it. Particularly as imprinting is to do with identifying its mother, it would be unsurprising if that visual experience were combined with a suite of other components of experience: fear yielding to comfort, for example, as the chick comes to regard the object as its imprinted ‘mother’.”
9．Why do newborn birds engage in imprinting
A．To enhance their navigation skills.
B．To develop their social behaviour.
C．To improve their communication with other birds.
D．To establish a protective connection with a guardian.
10．How did Samantha Wood conduct the initial experiment with chicks
A．She raised them in an environment with a rotating visual element.
B．She exposed them to various visual stimulations in the wild.
C．She showed them various moving objects on screens.
D．She observed their behaviour in a natural habitat.
11．What role did the virtual simulation play in the research
A．To imitate the natural behaviour of birds.
B．To assess the effectiveness of virtual agents.
C．To examine the Al models’ability to identify a 3D object.
D．To create a visually diverse environment for the chicks.
12．According to Antone Martinho-Truswell, what poses a challenge in comparing machine performance with biological brains
A．Rapid learning pace of AI models.
B．Recreating real-world environments for experiments.
C．The complexity and diversity of biological experiences.
D．Conducting additional experiments with a range of animals.
（2024·陕西安康·三模）During space missions, astronauts can experience a loss of some of the inner structural support in their bones. For trips in space lasting at least six months, that loss is equal to about 20 years of aging. Luckily, a new study finds a year back on Earth rebuilds half of the strength lost in the affected bone.
Exercise scientist Leigh Gabel was part of a team that tracked 17 astronauts, each of whom had spent four to seven months in space. The team measured the 3-D structure of bone. They focused on the structure of the tibia (胫骨) and the lower-arm bone. The researchers took images of the bones 3 times—before spaceflight and again six months and one year later when the astronaut s returned home from space. From these pictures, Gabel’s team calculated an astronaut’s bone strength and density (密度) at each of those times.
What did they find through comparison of the pictures Astronauts in space for less than six months regained their preflight bone strength after a year back on Earth. But those who stayed in space longer suffered permanent hone loss in their tibias. That loss was equal to a decade of aging. The lower-arm bones showed almost no loss. That was likely because these aren’t weight-bearing hones on Earth, Gabel explains. In fact, those arms can get a bigger workout in space than on Earth as astronauts use them to move around their craft by pushing off handles and doors.
“Inereasing weight-lifting exercises in space could help alleviate (缓解) bone loss in the
legs,” says Steven Boyd, also in exercise scientist.
“With longer spaceflight, we can expect bigger bone loss—and probably a bigger problem with recovery,” says physiologist Laurence Vico. “Space agencies should also consider other bone health measures, such as nutrition, to reduce bone loss and increase bone formation.”
13．Why did Gabel’s team take pictures at different times
A．To offer evidence for their predictions.
B．To show their respect for the astronauts.
C．To compare the changes in the astronauts’ bones.
D．To find out the proper length of staying in space for astronauts.
14．Which of the following may Gabel agree with
A．A spaceflight in less than half a year does no harm to astronauts.
B．Astronauts coming back from a spaceflight look much older.
C．Astronauts can avoid bone loss through doing enough exercise.
D．There is almost no difference in the astronauts’ lower-arm bones.
15．What can we conclude from this text
A．People on Earth never suffer bone loss.
B．The finding of the new study is good news for astronauts.
C．The 17 astronauts knew the bone loss before their spaceflights.
D．Astronauts can regain their bone strength as soon as they return to Earth.
16．What does the text mainly talk about
A．How to prevent bone loss in space.
B．Problems faced by astronauts in space.
C．Astronauts’ suffering from bone loss in space.
D．Astronauts’ contributions to the development of science.
Part2人与自我
（2024·浙江·二模）A diet high in protein is often promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle, and many diets encourage consumers to reduce fats in favor of protein to lose weight and gain lean muscle.
For the study in Nature Metabolism, Bettina Mittendorfer and colleagues found that while increasing the proportion of protein in daily calorie intake is beneficial, consuming protein too much not only doesn’t add to the development of lean muscle but can cause unintended negative health effects.
“Consumers are being led to believe that they can never get too much protein in their diet,” says Mittendorfer. “However, our research shows that specific amino acids (氨基酸), which are the building blocks of protein, can trigger heart disease through a signaling mechanism at the cellular level in the blood.”
An amino acid found in animal-protein foods, such as beef, eggs, and milk, was found to be responsible for signaling activity in cells that typically clear away rubbish in blood vessels. As consumption of dietary protein increases, so does the consumption of leucine (亮氨酸), the specific amino acid responsible for triggering this cellular activity in the blood.
When functioning normally, these cells work to keep blood vessels free from plaque (血小板) buildup. When their production becomes overactive, the resulting accumulation of spent cells in the vascular system can cause the plaque buildup and blockages they are supposed to prevent. The resulting hardening of the arteries (动脉) is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
“Our hope is to eventually find the Goldilocks approach for maximizing the health benefits of dietary protein, such as building lean muscle, while avoiding the health drawbacks from overconsumption.” says Mittendorfer.
The researchers found that consuming more than 22% of daily calories from protein carries more downside risk than dietary benefit. For a normal adult, 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal, or 60 to 90 grams of protein per day is adequate to support health.
The study combined human trials with experiments in mice and cells.
17．Which of the following is the finding of the research
A．It is beneficial to take in protein in daily diets.
B．A diet high in protein is always considered as a healthy lifestyle.
C．Many consumers are in favor of protein to lose weight and gain muscle.
D．Consuming protein too much doesn’t do good to the lean muscle development.
18．Which of the following is most likely to cause heart attack and stroke
A．The plaque buildup. B．Animal-protein foods.
C．The hardening of the arteries. D．Overactive cellular activity in the blood.
19．What is the proper way to make good use of protein
A．To take in proper amount of protein per meal.
B．To exercise everyday in order to build lean muscle.
C．To consume more than 22% of daily calories from protein.
D．To do more experiments in mice and cells to provide evidence.
20．What do we know about the study
A．It is conducted in a relatively scientific way.
B．It finally finds a proper approach to keep fit.
C．It is totally against what people have believed.
D．It offers a diet standard for people of all ages all over the world.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）What is a barrier It usually refers to an obstacle or a difficulty that prevents you from achieving something. Whether it was in your past, or you’ re presently facing one, you have to resolve it. While many people avoid barriers, deny their existence or let barriers control themselves, what stand you take on barriers will define the outcome of whether you rise from the challenge, or remain stuck in it. Here are some more great things to love about barriers.
First of all, barriers give you motivations. Sometimes barriers can reset your goals. You might be faced with setbacks or difficulties, you’ re forced to re-think, and re-examine your path. You may end up focusing on something new and exciting. Or, you may concentrate on something that you otherwise wouldn’t have if not for the particular setback. By having to overcome an obstacle, you’ll be fulfilling a purpose, rather than just going through the motions.
Also, barriers prepare you for the unexpected. They serve as guides for where to go next. Even though barriers can bring out many negative emotions in us, such as frustration, anger, or sadness, it’s important to realize that they don’t stop you from reaching your intended goals. Instead, they, in a way, give you time to stop and think if perhaps there is a new and better path to take and what you can prepare for what will happen along the way. Barriers shift your perspective.
Barriers, more often than not, are unavoidable. Life will never stop throwing you new barriers. So, the best thing to do is know how to better see and approach these obstacles, and
transform them into opportunities for self-improvement. The more you’re able to see barriers as being an advantage to your life, the better you’ll be at managing them.
It will be rewarding to accept barriers, which will make you constantly change and adapt to new situations, thus allowing you to grow into a better version of yourself.
21．What is the determining factor of the outcome when facing barriers
A．Your specific goals. B．Your own attitude.
C．Your diverse preparations. D．Your strong will power.
22．Which of the following is true about barriers
A．They bring you positive emotions.
B．They prevent you from realizing your goals.
C．They are avoidable if you prepare for them well.
D．They enable you to view things in a different way.
23．What does the underlined word “approach” in paragraph 4 mean
A．To cope with. B．To go over.
C．To come near to sb. D．To speak to sb about sth.
24．What’s the main idea of the passage
A．Life is always throwing us barriers. B．Barriers are double-edged swords.
C．Embracing barriers benefits a lot. D．Meeting barriers is actually avoidable.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）What to taste in Kuala Lumpur 2024
Great restaurants in Kuala Lumpur offer a genuine global dining experience. Whether you are looking to enjoy hearty comfort food or some local delicacies (佳肴), the city’s dining scene satisfies all comers.
Cantaloupe
Situated about 20 minutes from downtown Malacca, it is a home-based eatery (餐馆) with about 10 tables manned by four operators. Unlike most restaurants, food is self-service here, with dishes placed on catering pans for customers to choose from. It serves traditional Malaysian dishes with distinct Chinese influences. You will find rice dumplings and chicken rendang among the offerings. It has two branches in the city. Their dishes sell out fast, so it’d be best to head there before lunch time.
Mum’s Place
Nothing brings more comfort than mom’s cooking. With recipes inspired by the owners’ mother, this restaurant brings you Nyonya dishes that are genuinely Malaysian. Lying in the district of Damansara Perdana, Mum’s Place is a neighbourhood restaurant with its main customers from residents nearby. Some of the best dishes include cencaru fish; devil curry chicken and beef rendang.
YumYum Restaurant
Situated in the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel, Yum Yum Restaurant is among the locals’ many favourite spots to dine at. It offers an interesting Nyonya and Thai food with Chinese influences that make them stand out. The classic dishes include sambal petai prawns, assam fish head and Yum Yum egg. It can get crowded here, so it’d be best to head there early or call ahead for reservations.
Troika Sky Dining
Offering fine dining, the amazing Troika Sky Dining undoubtedly stands out from the pack. Set on the 23rd floor of Tower B of The Troika, it goes without saying that the cloud-skimming views here are something else entirely. The food is what helps it stand out. It serves award-winning French, Italian, Greek, and Spanish food and adventurous menu of high-end pizzas and pasta.
25．What’s unique about Cantaloupe？
A．It is a cafeteria. B．It is a hotel-based eatery.
C．It has a branch in the city. D．It requires reservations in advance.
26．Where are the dishes combined with Chinese style available
A．Cantaloupe and Mum’s Palace.
B．Cantaloupe and YumYum Restaurant.
C．Mum’s Place and Troika Sky Dining.
D．YumYum Restaurant and Troika Sky Dining.
27．What can customers do while eating in Troika Sky Dining
A．Help serve food. B．Win an award.
C．Play adventurous games. D．Enjoy breathtaking views.
（2024·江西吉安·一模）Every year over the Christmas holiday, I declutter and organize my kids’ rooms. I just can’t stand the thought of adding more clutter (杂物) to their cabinets when they’re already fully packed with all that stuff. It’s no secret that clutter weighs on us mentally, and when it’s not dealt with, the problem only worsens. All that stuff can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed. And if it’s in our bedrooms, it can even keep us from sleeping well. Research has shown that those with cluttered bedrooms have more trouble getting enough sleep.
I separate their toys, books, and clothing into one of three piles: for donations, friends with younger children, and, finally, that which is too damaged to keep at all. The process can take hours, but when I’m done, there’s a huge weight lifted as all the clutter finds a new home.
Organizing and decluttering our space gives us a sense of control over our surroundings, says Jourdan Travers, a psychotherapist and clinical director of Awake Therapy in New York City. “Mess is stress. Humans have limited bandwidth, and it isn’t easy to focus on essential tasks when we are in messy or unclean spaces,” says Travers. The research backs this up. A study published in the September 2017 issue of Current Psychology found that “clutter problems led to a significant decrease in satisfaction with life among older adults.” The study found that those who delay decluttering because of “indecision” end up with a mounting issue that weighs on their mind.
Sometimes, however, we have trouble parting with our stuff. It can start to mount up because the task of decluttering and reorganizing can start to feel overwhelming and intense. There are various reasons why we hold onto stuff, some of which are valid. If something is a family heirloom, for example, and has deep meaning, we may not want to part with it.
Maybe it’s that outfit you hope one day you’ll fit into. Maybe the items were expensive, and even though you don’t wear them anymore, you hate the idea of parting with them. If there are some items you have trouble parting with, try getting rid of the easy stuff first.
28．What is a direct consequence of cluttering
A．One will feel out of control over his life.
B．One will feel burden piling up in his brain.
C．One will feel unable to deal with all the stuff.
D．One will feel relieved by his mental problems.
29．Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “bandwidth” in
paragraph 3
A．Brain capacity.
B．Work efficiency.
C．Energy level.
D．Learning competence.
30．In what way is decluttering rewarding
A．It can boost our well-being.
B．It can bring hope to the needy.
C．It can guarantee a sound sleep.
D．It can teach children how to organize.
31．What can be the best title for the text
A．Decluttering-A Lifestyle in fashion.
B．Decluttering-A Psychological Therapy.
C．Decluttering-A Solution to “Indecision”.
D．Decluttering-A Way to Clear Our Mind Out.
Part3人与社会
（2024·浙江·二模）The sun near the equator is never-ceasing, bearing down as I lead Elaine, a dark brown horse, through thick bushes. It’s been a long day on horseback. My legs ache and our camp signals across a ridge of ancient folding hills in the Lolldaiga Range of northern Kenya, a mosaic (马赛克) of twisted landscapes and communities.
Suddenly Elaine’s ears flick into alert, and the muscles of her body tense beneath me. Our guide Nicholus stretches out a lean arm toward a bush just meters away. My eyes focus, trying my best to see what the others already have: two amber balls glowing from a shadowed form. It’s a young lion, quick and strong, in the middle of the high grass.
A wild silence hangs between us.
Without the defensive hunting vehicle, I feel completely exposed. Peering into the bush, I’m suspended between wonder and terror, the distance between myself and the Savannah’s most notorious hunter unbelievably small. Usually, I’m the one tracking the lion, camera in hand. Now,
the lion shifts in my consciousness from object to subject. I shift, too, strongly aware of the soft flesh of my own body.
Nicholus nods his head in the other direction, a safer distance away. He points to shallow holes in the dust. “Look, this is a big lion, and these are young ones, some cubs,” he says. “Probably a mother.” Pawprints marked the earth, each telling the story of more lions, moving in different directions.
It was time to go.
Horseback safaris are still the most immersive way to view wildlife in Kenya. To journey on horseback is to break down the walls—meant to protect, but also to separate us from the natural world. And as we’re absorbed in the thrill of the experience, we’re vividly reminded of the importance of protecting these wild spaces.
Out here your horse is your translator, responding to the low hiss of a leopard, the soft scent of an elephant herd, the cool morning breeze descending from Mount Kenya’s glacial peaks. Your job is to learn how to listen.
32．Which words can NOT describe my horseback journey
A．Thrilling. B．Tiring. C．Breathtaking. D．Boring.
33．What can we learn from paragraph 3 and 4
A．I regretted not having driven a vehicle.
B．I felt extremely tense in case of lions’ attack.
C．There will be a big battle between lions and us.
D．It was out of my expectation to break into a lion’s world.
34．Why do people still love engaging horseback travelling in Kenya today
A．Horses are much cheaper than vehicles.
B．Visitors will experience the wildlife anytime.
C．It is a safe and exciting way to enjoy the wildlife.
D．It offers a chance to reconsider the connection between humans and wildlife.
35．What does the author suggest in the last paragraph
A．Find more animals to feed. B．Ask your horse for translation.
C．Feel nature with your heart. D．Listen to the sound of every animal.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）As AI technology is improving by leaps and bounds, a low-cost computer training program can help older persons drive less dangerously, according to a recent research.
“It is Drive Smart, a training program, that is developed by us, which could be used by anyone who has a computer,” says Jing Feng, co-author of the study and a professor of psychology at Stanford University. “Drive Smart is a cognitive (认知的) training program that can help older persons notice traffic risks more effectively. Our goal of recent study was to see to what degree Drive Smart changes trainees’ driving behaviors when they get behind the wheel.”
The researchers sought out 24 persons aged 65 and up to test Drive Smart. In a driving simulator (模拟器), all of the study participants experienced a basic driving exam. The “active training” group was made up of eight of the study participants. Every two weeks, the active training group had two Drive Smart trainings. A group of eight additional study participants was asked to take “passive training” where this group watched videos of others receiving the Drive Smart instruction. This happened twice, with each lasting about a week. The control group, which was made up of the remaining eight study participants, received no training. After that, all 24 study participants performed a second driving exam in the simulator.
Compared with the other two groups, the study participants in the active training group experienced 23% fewer “unsafe incidents” following the training, according to the researchers. There was no obvious change in the number of dangerous incidents among study participants in the passive training and control groups.
“This testing was conducted with a fairly limited number of study participants,” Feng says in the interview. “If we can succeed in getting sufficient fund, we’d like to further our testing with more people to clearly prove how effective this training is at reducing accidents among older drivers.”
36．Where might the text most probably be taken from
A．A website. B．A newspaper.
C．A science fiction. D．A test report.
37．What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about
A．The specific pattern of the test.
B．The underlying meaning of the test.
C．The driving behavior of three training groups.
D．The theoretical basis for the training program.
38．Jing Feng found that the “Passive training” group rarely changed their driving behavior though ________.
A．they had reduced dangerous incidents apparently
B．they had experienced insecure incidents previously
C．they had been shown instructive videos about two weeks
D．they had received Drive Smart trainings every other week
39．What is Feng’s attitude towards the testing result
A．Disapproving. B．Frustrated. C．Critical. D．Optimistic.
（2024·辽宁·模拟预测）Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World—Katherine Hayhoe’s new book, proposes to fight climate change through better communication. It is a follow-up to her awesome TED talk in 2018, when she declared the most important thing any individual can do to fight climate change is to talk about it.
Of many refreshing aspects of this book, one is that Hayhoe recounts both her successes and her failures to communicate, through which she has gathered evidence about what works and what does not. Much of the book’s advice is common sense, all backed up not just by Hayhoe’s experience but also with convincing research by psychologists and social scientists.
Hayhoe advises against trying to engage with a small minority, the “Dismissives”, who angrily reject the idea that human-caused climate change is a threat. Hayhoe pays special attention to Dismissives early on, noting that their aggressive posture online may create the impression that they’re everywhere. However, she argues, Dismissives account for only 7% of all American adults. The other 93% are more receptive by degree.
The book includes amusing examples of her encounters with the “Dismissives”, including an engineer who was unconvinced about the evidence but with whom she was able to establish mutual (相互的) respect through a shared passion for knitting (打毛线衣). It is also packed with inspiring accounts of how she has won over even the crowds who are the most suspicious. Her motto is “bond, connect and inspire”, which represents her approach of always looking for point s of common ground.
She also tells of a man who approached her after an event in London in 2019. Inspired by her TED talk, he had started to speak to everybody he could in his neighborhood of Wandsworth. He showed her details of 12,000 conversations that had taken place, claiming that they had helped to convince the council to declare a climate emergency and to switch investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
And so, while it may feel difficult to influence the outcome of the COP26, Hayhoe’s uplifting book makes a persuasive case that we can all do our bit to bring about success just by talking about the issue.
40．What does the book mainly focus on
A．Explaining critical talking through literature.
B．Teaching communication skills with TED talks.
C．Sharpening people’s insight into climate change.
D．Sharing communication-centered tips for climate problems.
41．Which of the following best describes the advice in the book
A．Serious and challenging. B．Well-based and workable.
C．Approachable but one-sided. D．Practical but unacknowledged.
42．How did Hayhoe win over the “Dismissives”
A．By upgrading their social position.
B．By seeking shared interests or hobbies.
C．By changing their fundamental beliefs.
D．By offering more facts about climate change.
43．What does the author want to say by telling the story in paragraph 5
A．Turning to clean energy is inevitable.
B．We should raise people’s awareness of the climate crisis.
C．Conversations have an impact on climate decision-making.
D．A shy man began to speak to everybody motivated by Hayhoe.
（2024·陕西西安·模拟预测）Each year, our education team works to create a brand-new STEM curriculum. In our 2023 program—Wonder, campers build confidence and work together to take on four exciting challenges, exploring innovation, creative problem solving and design thinking,
all while developing persistence and having fun!Catching Air
In a high-energy adventure combining physics and creativity, kids design and build a mini skate park! They will have to pick out their own mini skateboard. Then, they’ll practice persistence by constructing an awesome skate park complete with ramps, rails, ledges and other features that will put their wheels to the test.Invention Celebration
In this festive experience, kids take on the role of event planners as they learn about the importance of celebrating. They’ll investigate the science of sights, sounds and circuitry (线路) as they plan their party with light-up party hats, colorful bubbles, art banners and musical instruments. They will also learn about the efficiency of machines.MimicBot (模拟机器人)
Exploring nature, genetics and adaptive innovation, kids will turn a MimicBot into an animatronic (电子动物) stuffie. After receiving their bot, they take it apart to investigate its inner mechanics and what makes it move. Once they put it back together, they will personalize their stuffies and use problem-solving skills and intellectual property to protect it from the idea-stealing Copy Cat!Pop-Up Venture
The sky is the limit as kids discover what it takes to develop and run a business of their dreams! In this creative challenge, they’ll build their own pop-up shop, making decisions and using original strategies to attract customers. Children will communicate through marketing and advertising, learning how to launch and operate their own venture.
44．What can kids learn at Catching Air
A．Plan a celebration. B．Design and build a skate park.
C．Set up and run a business. D．Look into the inner side of machines.
45．What do the four activities all have in common
A．They are only designed to amuse kids.
B．They need adults to provide guidance.
C．They call for the same ability to finish.
D．They teach kids something while having fun.
46．What is the purpose of the text
A．To educate. B．To advise. C．To introduce. D．To advertise.
Part3人与自然
（2024·浙江·二模）“Please would you tell me,” asks the heroine of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, “why your cat grins like that ” Alice is surprised when told that all Cheshire cats can grin and that “most of ‘em do”.
We can only wonder, then, what she would make of a new study that claims that our pet cats actually have nearly 300 facial expressions — far larger than many experts had expected and which may have evolved as a result of them living alongside humans.
The study involved dozens of cats being filmed at the CatCafe Lounge in Los Angeles, where homeless cats live together while up for adoption. More specifically, they logged each occurrence of 26 facial muscle movements, including blinks and half blinks, nose licks, and various ear positions. They identified 276 combinations of those movements, each of which represents a cat facial expression.
That was not far away from the 357 expressions a similar study had previously seen in chimpanzees, and it easily beat the 80 from gibbons (长臂猿). Dogs are said to be capable of 27 facial movements.
According to the researchers, the number of cat facial expressions was a surprise and indicates a hidden depth to how cats express themselves. “Thanks to the development of Facial Action Coding Systems, we are now able to uncover communicative complexity among mammals that may have been previously overlooked.” they said.
The studies showed that about 45 per cent of them were clearly friendly: These tended to involve eyes being closed and ears and whiskers (胡须) being tilted forwards, towards another cat, during a friendly encounter. Another 37 per cent were obviously aggressive or defensive.
The researchers suggest that pet cats have a greater range of facial expressions in part because being close to people often also means living in close places with other cats — and being able to communicate can avoid conflict. And they believe it should be possible to read more subtle messages. “We plan to study how cats produce facial signals during specific interactions, such as play, fighting, and so on.”
47．What do paragraph 1 and 2 mainly tell us
A．Alice actually made a study on cats’ grins.
B．Cats are often heroes in famous fairy tales.
C．Alice has a cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
D．People do not know much about cats facial expressions.
48．Why does the author mention chimpanzees and dogs
A．To show that these animals are all mammals.
B．To show that cats can express themselves in special ways.
C．To show that cats are cleverer than chimpanzees and dogs.
D．To show that cats have unbelievable quantities of facial expressions.
49．What does the study say about the cats’ facial expressions
A．Eyes being closed to another cat is defensive.
B．Almost all the cat facial expressions are friendly.
C．Living with humans influences cats’ facial expression.
D．Cats’ facial expressions can be regarded as just simple.
50．What would be the best title for the text
A．Cats Pull 276 Different Faces. B．Most of the Cats Can Grin.
C．The Ways Cats Produce Facial Signals. D．Cats’ Facial Muscle Movement.
（2024·江西吉安·一模）As a mushroom scientist, you are vastly outnumbered, with estimates suggesting that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi (真菌), the majority of which are yet to be identified. However, professionals in the field are not alone in their efforts to uncover new species. An enthusiastic community of amateurs has emerged, bridging the gap between professionals and non-professionals. These amateurs have even made significant discoveries. One such amateur is Taylor Lockwood, a 74-year-old mushroom enthusiast and professional photographer.
In 1984, while living on the Mendocino coast of California, Taylor Lockwood developed a fascination with mushrooms. “Outside my cottage were these amazing mushrooms,” he says. “And it was as if these mushrooms looked at me and said, ‘Taylor, go out and tell the world how pretty we are.’” Lockwood answered their call and purchased camera equipment to capture their true nature. His passion for photographing mushrooms was so intense that he would even dig holes next to the mushrooms to get the perfect angle for his shots.
In the Monongahela National Forest, Taylor Lockwood discovered an unusual mushroom that looked like tiny fingers wearing off-white gloves. Upon deeper investigation, fungi researcher Amy Rossman confirmed that it was a “hazel glove” mushroom, which is a rare find. “Mushrooms are not like plants,” Rossman says. “They don’t come up at the same time every year, and so sometimes it can be decades between when a fungus fruits.” Rossman says that’s why it’s so valuable to have people like Taylor Lockwood searching through the forest with a trained eye.
A few years ago, Taylor Lockwood realized that still photos weren’t sufficient, so he chose to create time-lapse (延时拍摄的) videos of mushrooms. “When I do time-lapse, I see so much life happening around the mushrooms—insects, worms and other small creatures interacting with them,” he says. Lockwood’s love for art is evident in his approach to filming mushrooms over time. Although he appreciates the scientific aspect of his work, he identifies himself as an artist at heart.
51．What can we learn about mushroom amateurs from paragraph 1
A．They keep close track of the growth of fungi.
B．They help identify new species of mushroom.
C．They replace professional scientists in the field.
D．They classify the majority of mushroom species.
52．What inspired Lockwood to photograph mushrooms
A．His desire for knowledge.
B．His curiosity about nature.
C．The beauty of nearby mushrooms.
D．The appeal of outdoor photography.
53．Which of the following best describes Lockwood according to paragraph 3
A．Skilled and observant.
B．Focused and flexible.
C．Talented and optimistic.
D．Organized and responsible.
54．Why did Lockwood decide to make time-lapse videos of mushrooms
A．To improve his photography techniques.
B．To capture dynamic life in an artistic way.
C．To collect biological data for deeper research.
D．To use a new approach to scientific studies.
（2024·陕西西安·模拟预测）In a new study, researchers found that invasive insects in the United States could kill approximately 1.4 million urban trees by 2050, which would cost over $900 million to replace, reports Vishwam Sankaran for the Independent.
Hot spots predicted to have the most urban tree mortality (死亡率) were Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; and New York, New York. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, is the first nationwide forecast of street tree mortality from invasive insects.
The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle native to Asia. It was first detected in 2002 in southeastern Michigan, and experts suspect it was brought into the United States on wood packing material carried on cargo ships or airplanes traveling from Asia. Since then, the bug has been damaging ash trees. In the last two decades since the insect was first detected, numerous trees have been killed in North America.
Data collected from 30,000 communities across the country was used to estimate tree mortality in the next 30 years. The researchers combined this data with a model that predicted the spread of 57 different invasive insect species. Their results show emerald ash borers alone could cause 90% of the estimated 1.4 million tree deaths. Ash borers are already predicted to “kill virtually all ash trees” in over 6,000 urban areas, according to Newsweek.
Less than 25% of 30,000 urban areas in the U.S. are expected to experience 95% of all street-tree mortality, reports Adam Barnes for the Hill. The areas that will experience the most tree loss include cities in the Midwest and East Coast. These locations are expected to have the most tree loss because large numbers of ash trees occupy the streets and parks in these areas, reported the Independent.
When it comes to how to save urban areas from becoming treeless, study author Emma Hudgins, a biologist at McGill University, says, “These results can hopefully provide a cautionary tale against planting a single species of tree throughout entire cities, as has been done with ash trees in North America. Planting various trees provides resilience against pest infestations (侵扰).”
55．What can we know about the emerald ash borer
A．It is an invasive beetle in Asia.
B．It was first found by the Michigan people.
C．It has killed numerous trees in America.
D．They definitely enter the U.S. by cargo ships or airplanes.
56．What is the fourth paragraph intended to describe
A．The purpose of the research. B．The conclusion of the research.
C．The significance of the research. D．The process and result of the research.
57．What can be inferred from the fifth paragraph
A．Pest infestations are taking place across the country.
B．The insect’s invasion won’t spread equally in America.
C．Tree loss is the main cause of environmental problems.
D．Ash trees are being removed from many areas in the U.S.
58．What suggestion does Emma Hudgins provide
A．Getting different types of trees planted.
B．Replacing foreign trees with local ones.
C．Getting more trees planted in more areas.
D．Planting trees resistant to pest infestations.
