常州市联盟学校2023—2024学年度第二学期期中调研
高二年级英语试卷
2024.4
考试时间120分钟 满分150分
第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分50分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)
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
Mother Nature never fails to surprise us with something extraordinary and unusual from time to time. There will always be news about something completely different that will surely grab eyeballs.
Blood Falls (Antarctica)
As the name suggests, Blood Falls is a waterfall which shoots blood-red water into a river. The sight is a perfect backdrop for a horror film; mysterious and of course bloody. Previously, red algae (红藻) were believed to cause the water to change its colour and turn blood-red. Until 2017, the true origin of the so-called blood was revealed to be oxidized iron in saltwater.
Frozen Bubbles (Canada)
Impressive yet a dangerous sight, frozen bubbles (气泡) can be seen in winters at Abraham Lake in Canada. The phenomenon occurs when methane (甲烷) gas gets trapped underwater, freezes, and forms other-worldly visuals. Such a large amount of methane trapped is highly risky. So even a lit match nearby can cause a giant explosion.
Hidden Beach (Mexico)
Located only a few miles off Mexico’s coast, the hidden beach was caused by an explosion by the Mexican Government as part of target practice. The beach is now every lover’s dream destination. To get there, you must ride an hour-long boat. Once you land on the island, you have to travel through the waters to reach there.
Sky Mirror (Malaysia)
During the new moon and full moon periods, tourist can see a clear reflection of the sky in the waters of Sasaran Beach. This natural phenomenon occurs because the tides are the lowest during these days. The smooth sand and minimal water level create such an incredible sight. Also known as the “Mirror of the Sky”, this shallow water beach is an amazing place to click pictures and thus a perfect travel destination.
21. Why is the water shot by Blood Falls blood-red
A. Saltwater there contains oxidized iron.
B. The waterfall has supernatural powers.
C. Red algae causes the water to change its color.
D. A film factory reddened the water for a horror scene.
22. In which situation may you be warned to avoid fire
A. Admiring Blood Falls. B. Exploring Frozen Bubbles.
C. Boating along Hidden Beach. D. Taking pictures against Sky Mirror.
23. What do these natural phenomena have in common
A. They can be accessible only by water.
B. They attract millions of tourists across the world.
C. The causes of their formation have been revealed.
D. Tourists may enjoy a better travelling experience in winter.
【答案】21. A 22. B 23. C
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了大自然中一些奇怪的自然现象，并解释了他们的形成原因。
【21题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章“Blood Falls (Antarctica)”部分中“Until 2017, the true origin of the so-called blood was revealed to be oxidized iron in saltwater.(直到2017年，人们才发现所谓血液的真正来源是盐水中的氧化铁。)”可知，血瀑布喷出的水是血红色的，是因为那里的盐水含有氧化的铁。故选A项。
【22题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章“Frozen Bubbles (Canada)”部分“Such a large amount of methane trapped is highly risky. So even a lit match nearby can cause a giant explosion.(如此大量的甲烷被聚集在一起是非常危险的。因此，即使是附近点燃的火柴也会引发巨大的爆炸。)”可知，在探索冰冻气泡时，您可能会被警告避免用火，因为这里有大量甲烷，即使是点燃的火柴也会引发巨大的爆炸。故选B项。
【23题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章“Blood Falls (Antarctica)”部分“Until 2017,the true origin of the so-called blood was revealed to be oxidized iron in saltwater.(直到2017年，人们才发现所谓血液的真正来源是盐水中的氧化铁)”，“Frozen Bubbles (Canada)”部分“The phenomenon occurs when methane gas gets trapped underwater, freezes, and forms other-worldly visuals.(当甲烷气体被困在水下，结冰并形成超凡的视觉效果时，就会出现这种现象)”，“Hidden Beach (Mexico)”部分“Located only a few miles off Mexico’s coast, the hidden beach was caused by an explosion by the Mexican Government as part of target practice.(这座隐秘的海滩位于墨西哥海岸线外仅数英里的地方，它的形成源于墨西哥政府进行靶场训练时的一次爆炸)”以及“Sky Mirror (Malaysia)”部分“This natural phenomenon occurs because the tides are the lowest during these days.(之所以会出现这种自然现象，是因为这些天的潮汐最低)”可知，人们已经弄清楚这些自然现象形成的原因，即这些自然现象的形成原因已经被揭示。故选C项。
B
In 1975, a San Diego homemaker named Marjorie Rice came across a column in Scientific American about tiling (瓷砖). There is a problem which has interested mathematicians since ancient Greek times. After Rice’s chance encounter with tiling, family members often saw her in the kitchen constantly drawing shapes. “I thought she was just drawing casually,” her daughter Kathy said. But Rice who took only one year of math in high school, was actually discovering never-before-seen patterns.
Born in Florida, she loved learning and particularly her brief exposure to math, but tight budget and social culture prevented her family from even considering that she might attend college. “For Rice, math was a pleasure,” her son David once said.
Rice gave one of her sons a subscription to Scientific American partly because she could read it carefully while the children were at school. When she read Gardner’s column about tiling as she later recalled in an interview: “I thought it must be wonderful that someone could discover these beautiful patterns which no one had seen before.” She also wrote in an essay, “My interest was engaged by the subject and I wanted to understand every detail of it. Lacking a mathematical background, I developed my own symbol system and in a few months discovered a new type.”
Astonished and delighted, she sent her work to Gardner, who sent it to Doris, a tiling expert at Moravian College. Doris confirmed that Rice’s finding was correct.
Later, Rice declined to lecture on her discoveries, citing shyness, but at Doris’s invitation, she attended a university mathematics meeting, where she was introduced to the audience. Rice still said nothing of her achievements to her children, but they eventually found out as the awards mounted.
24. Why did Rice often draw shapes in the kitchen
A. To become a mathematician. B. To fill her leisure time.
C. To explore the secret of tiling. D. To show her passion for drawing.
25 What can we learn about Rice from Paragraphs 2 and 3
A. She longed to start a column. B. She succeeded in developing a system.
C. She was good at designing patterns. D. She was rejected from a college.
26. What is the text mainly about
A. The magic of math. B. The patterns of tiling.
C. The modesty of Rice. D. The efforts of Rice.
27. What can we learn from the Rice’s experience
A. Every cloud has a silver lining. B. Actions speak louder than words.
C. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. D. Great minds think alike.
【答案】24. C 25. B 26. D 27. C
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了，1975年，圣地亚哥一位名叫马乔里·赖斯（Marjorie Rice ）的家庭主妇在《科学美国人》杂志上偶然看到一篇关于瓷砖的专栏文章，因为想探索瓷砖的秘密，Rice经常在厨房里画形状，虽缺乏数学背景（高中只学了一年数学），但她凭借自己对数学的热情潜心研究，开发了自己的符号系统，坚持不懈，发现了以前从未见过的图案。
【24题详解】
推理判断题。由第一段中“After Rice’s chance encounter with tiling, family members often saw her in the kitchen constantly drawing shapes. (Rice偶然接触瓷砖后，家人经常看到她在厨房里不停地画形状)”和第三段中“She also wrote in an essay, “My interest was engaged by the subject and I wanted to understand every detail of it. (她还在一篇文章中写道，“我对这个主题很感兴趣，我想了解它的每一个细节)”可知，Rice对瓷砖这个主题很感兴趣，想了解它的每一个细节，可得出因为想探索瓷砖的秘密，所以Rice经常在厨房里画形状。故选C项。
【25题详解】
细节理解题。由第三段中“Lacking a mathematical background, I developed my own symbol system and in a few months discovered a new type. (由于缺乏数学背景，我开发了自己的符号系统，并在几个月内发现了一种新的类型)”可知，Rice成功地开发了一个系统。故选B项。
【26题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第一段“In 1975, a San Diego homemaker named Marjorie Rice came across a column in Scientific American about tiling (瓷砖). There is a problem which has interested mathematicians since ancient Greek times. After Rice’s chance encounter with tiling, family members often saw her in the kitchen constantly drawing shapes. “I thought she was just drawing casually,” her daughter Kathy said. But Rice who took only one year of math in high school, was actually discovering never-before-seen patterns.(1975年，一位名叫马乔里·赖斯(Marjorie Rice)的圣地亚哥家庭主妇在《科学美国人》(Scientific American)上看到了一篇关于瓷砖的专栏文章(瓷砖)。自古希腊时代起，就有一个问题一直引起数学家的兴趣。在赖斯偶然接触到瓷砖之后，家人经常看到她在厨房里不停地画画。“我以为她只是随便画画，”她的女儿凯西说。但赖斯在高中只学了一年数学，却发现了以前从未见过的模式。)”马乔里·赖斯（Marjorie Rice ）凭借自己对数学的热情潜心研究，开发了自己的符号系统，坚持不懈，发现了以前从未见过的图案，D项“赖斯的努力”符合文意。故选D项。
【27题详解】
推理判断题。通读全文可知，1975年，圣地亚哥一位名叫马乔里·赖斯（Marjorie Rice ）的家庭主妇在《科学美国人》杂志上偶然看到一篇关于瓷砖的专栏文章，因为想探索瓷砖的秘密，Rice经常在厨房里画形状，虽缺乏数学背景（高中只学了一年数学），但她凭借自己对数学的热情潜心研究，开发了自己的符号系统，坚持不懈，发现了以前从未见过的图案，文章告诉我们“世上无难事，只怕有心人（Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.）”。故选C项。
C
Like many people over the past few years, I have found myself turning to audiobooks as my main means of reading literature. I find it far more comfortable to “read with my ears” while my eyes are resting. My consumption of new books has doubled as a result--but a recent paper makes me wonder if this will come at the price of my comprehension.
The study comes from Boaz Keysar and Janet Geipel, both at the University of Chicago, and it draws from the “dual process model” of mental processing. According to this-view, we have two ways of assessing information. System 1 is intuitive (直觉的), relying on natural ability and feeling. It is quick, but likely exposed to misinformation. System 2 is analytical involving the use of logic reasoning. It is mentally demanding. When it is engaged, we think our way through the material step by step. For decades, psychologists have designed various tests to determine which of these two systems a person is using. As one example, consider the/ following question: How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark (方舟) If you answered two, you were probably only considering the core of the question, which is System 1 thinking. To get to the right answer-zero, you need to think more carefully about the wording, which would allow you to remember it was Noah who built the Ark, not Moses. That is the kind of analytical process.
Keysar and Geipel’s brilliant idea was to investigate whether the sensory form-seeing vs. hearing-of the information would make a difference. They found that it did: when answering these kinds of simple questions, participants were more likely to make errors when the sentences were spoken out loud, rather than written.
A greater reliance on our feelings could be a problem if we are consuming information that needs logical study. For this reason. I will return to reading non-fiction with my eyes rather than my ears. But I won’t stop listening to novels. I am quite happy to go with the flow of my emotions while my critical mind takes a break.
28. What does the author think of listening to audiobooks
A. It is economical. B. It is demanding.
C. It is time-consuming. D. It is relaxing.
29. Which of the following best describes System 2 model
A. Fairly reliable. B. Fully automatic.
C. Question-centered. D. Emotion-involved.
30. Why is the Ark mentioned in Paragraph 3
A. To present a fact. B. To illustrate a view.
C. To introduce a topic. D. To draw a conclusion.
31. What does the author intend to tell us
A. Listening to books comes at a price.
B. Reading non-fiction books benefits.
C. Critical thinking is a must in reading.
D. Ways of processing information differ.
【答案】28. D 29. A 30. B 31. A
【解析】
【导语】本文为一篇议论文。文章主要围绕作者使用有声书作为阅读方式的经历和体验展开，并引入了一项关于信息处理方式的研究，以此为基础探讨了有声书对阅读理解可能产生的影响。
【28题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第一段“Like many people over the past few years, I have found myself turning to audiobooks as my main means of reading literature. I find it far more comfortable to “read with my ears” while my eyes are resting.(像许多人一样，在过去的几年里，我发现自己把有声读物作为阅读文学作品的主要手段。我发现在眼睛休息的时候“用耳朵阅读”要舒服得多。)”以及最后一段“But I won’t stop listening to novels. I am quite happy to go with the flow of my emotions while my critical mind takes a break.(但我不会停止听小说。当我的批判性思维得到休息时，我很高兴随自己的情绪流动而去。)”可知，作者认为听有声读物会让人放松。故选D。
【29题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第二段“System 2 is analytical involving the use of logic reasoning. It is mentally demanding. When it is engaged, we think our way through the material step by step.(系统2是分析性的，涉及逻辑推理的使用。这是精神上的要求。当它参与时，我们一步一步地思考材料。)”可知，System 2涉及使用逻辑推理进行信息处理，它要求精神上的努力，通过一步一步地思考材料来得出结论。因此，System 2的结果相对可靠得多。故选A。
【30题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第二段“As one example, consider the/ following question: How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark（方舟） If you answered two, you were probably only considering the core of the question, which is System 1 thinking. To get to the right answer-zero, you need to think more carefully about the wording, which would allow you to remember it was Noah who built the Ark, not Moses. That is the kind of analytical process.(举个例子，考虑下面的问题：摩西带了多少种动物上了方舟？如果你回答了两个，你可能只考虑了问题的核心，即系统1思维。为了得到正确的答案——零，你需要更仔细地思考措辞，这将使你记住是诺亚建造了方舟，而不是摩西。这是一种分析过程。)”可知，作者提到方舟是为了举例说明一个观点，即System 1和System 2在处理信息时的不同方式。通过提出“摩西在方舟上带了多少种动物？”的问题，并解释正确答案是如何通过更仔细地考虑措辞得出的，作者展示了System 2涉及的逻辑推理过程。因此，方舟的提及是为了阐明关于信息处理方式的观点。故选B。
【31题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章内容可知，作者通过分享自己使用有声书作为阅读方式的经历，以及引入关于信息处理方式的研究，意在表明听书可能会带来理解上的代价。文章提到，尽管听书让作者增加了阅读量，但研究结果显示，听书在处理某些信息时可能不如阅读书面材料准确。特别是对于那些需要逻辑研究的信息，听书可能导致更多的错误。因此，作者认为听书是有代价的，特别是在理解方面。故选A。
D
When 2023 turned out to be the hottest year in history, it underlined the warnings of some outstanding climate scientists that the pace of global warming was accelerating and had entered a dangerous new phase. A new study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, suggests one reason for such an acceleration: Earth’s skies are getting clearer and letting in more sunshine.
The study was carried out by a set of NASA instruments in space that since 2001 have tracked the delicate balance of energy entering and leaving the planet. Over the past decade, the instruments, called the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES), have detected a marked rise in the amount of solar energy the planet has absorbed — well beyond the warming expected from rising greenhouse gases. The readings show the planet has become less reflective, as if it recently put on a darker shirt. One reason is a drop in light-reflecting pollution because of power-plant scrubbers (洗涤器) and cleaner fuels, the researchers say. They calculate that cleaner air could account for 40% of the increased energy warming the planet between 2001 and 2019.
Climate scientists have long known that pollution declines can lead to warming: Not only do the pollution particles (微粒), or aerosols, reflect light into space, but they can also increase the number of droplets in clouds, causing them to grow brighter or last longer. Two years ago, the decline of aerosols became detectable on a global scale. But the climate models used in the new study attributed a startling (惊人的) amount of warming to the pollution drop.
However, falling pollution may not be the only reason for the brighter skies detected by CERES, a trend that kicked up after 2015. The models were unable to explain up to 40% of the extra absorbed light, and the CERES data show reflectivity falling in both hemispheres (半球), whereas pollution has fallen the most in the north. Both of those observations suggest other factors might be reducing Earth’s reflectivity. The models in the new study may be overstating the influence of aerosols, says Bjorn Stevens, a climate scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. “If the models are too sensitive to aerosols, as some of us think, it will cause us to look in the wrong direction.”
The new study highlights the important role aerosols will play as Earth continues to warm, and the need to keep models updated, says Tiffany Shaw, a climate dynamicist at the University of Chicago. The skies will only get clearer, with pollution controls in China taking force, and India soon expected to follow. Aerosol declines will also reshape regional weather, with cleaner air leading to a weaker Asian monsoon and increased heat extremes in northern hemisphere.
32. According to the article, which of the following concerning CERES is true
A. CERES has been keeping track of the delicate balance of energy since the early 20th century.
B. CERES has discovered a noticeable increase in the amount of solar energy absorbed by the planet.
C. CERES has detected that the warming is exactly in line with the rising greenhouse gases.
D. CERES has provided data to fully explain where the extra absorbed light comes from.
33. Which of the following is not the property of the pollution particles
A. They can throw light to the earth back into space.
B. They can increase the number of clouds in the sky.
C. They can increase the brightness and duration of clouds.
D. They can give rise to more tiny drops of water in clouds.
34. What does Bjorn Stevens think of the new study
A. The models in the new study are too sensitive.
B. The result of the new study is misleading.
C. The findings of the new study may be unreliable.
D. The new study attaches great importance to the role aerosols will play.
35. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text
A. CERES has figured out the reason for global warming.
B. Aerosol declines will reshape regional weather.
C. Pollution declines are making the earth’s skies clearer.
D. Clearer skies may be accelerating global warming.
【答案】32. B 33. B 34. C 35. D
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文，主要讲述了地球的天空变得更清晰，让更多的阳光进入，这可能是全球变暖加速的一个原因。文章中提到了CERES的研究发现，以及对于气溶胶在全球变暖中的作用的讨论。
【32题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第二段“Over the past decade, the instruments, called the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES), have detected a marked rise in the amount of solar energy the planet has absorbed — well beyond the warming expected from rising greenhouse gases.”（在过去的十年中，被称为“云和地球辐射能量系统”（CERES）的仪器检测到地球吸收的太阳能量有显著的增加，远远超过了由于温室气体增加而预期的增温。）可知，CERES发现地球吸收的太阳能量有显著的增加。故选B。
【33题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第三段“Not only do the pollution particles, or aerosols, reflect light into space, but they can also increase the number of droplets in clouds, causing them to grow brighter or last longer.”（污染微粒或气溶胶不仅可以将光反射到空间，而且还可以增加云中的水滴数量，使它们变得更亮或持续更长时间。）可知，污染微粒可以将光反射到空间，可以增加云中的水滴数量，使它们变得更亮或持续更长时间，但文章并未提到它们可以增加云的数量。故选B。
【34题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第四段“If the models are too sensitive to aerosols, as some of us think, it will cause us to look in the wrong direction.”（如果模型对气溶胶过于敏感，如我们中的一些人所认为的那样，那将导致我们朝错误的方向看。）可知，Bjorn Stevens认为新研究的模型可能对气溶胶过于敏感，这可能导致我们的研究方向出错，因此他认为新研究的结果可能是不可靠的。故选C。
【35题详解】
主旨大意题。根据全文内容尤其是第一段“When 2023 turned out to be the hottest year in history, it underlined the warnings of some outstanding climate scientists that the pace of global warming was accelerating and had entered a dangerous new phase. A new study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, suggests one reason for such an acceleration: Earth’s skies are getting clearer and letting in more sunshine.”（当2023年被证明是历史上最热的一年时，它强调了一些杰出气候科学家的警告，即全球变暖的步伐正在加快，并已进入一个危险的新阶段。发表在《通信地球与环境》杂志上的一项新研究提出了这种加速的一个原因:地球的天空越来越晴朗，阳光越来越多），文章主要讲述了地球的天空变得更清晰，让更多的阳光进入，这可能是全球变暖加速的一个原因。故选D。
第二节 (共5小题;每小题2.5分，满分12.5分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Discovering Your True Self Is Vital to Happiness!
Have you found focusing on yourself is at the bottom of the to-do list because you feel everyone else in your life comes first ____36____ Now is exactly the perfect time to get to know yourself in order to understand yourself.
This isn’t just about identifying your favorite outfit, haircut or flavor of ice cream.____37____ It’s an opportunity for personal growth that can help you make better choices for your wellbeing and lifelong happiness.
There are many tools to help you develop a deeper sense of yourself, including journaling and other forms of creative expression. You can use a guided journal to explore your thoughts and feelings or just free write whatever comes to mind. It’s up to you what you want to do.____38____.
____39____ Take note of how you respond to people, what makes you happy, and what makes you unhappy. This can help you identify patterns that are holding you back, such as feeling insecure or being easily angered. Once you’ve identified these patterns, you can work to change them.
An often overlooked yet very important factor in self-discovery is having healthy boundaries in your personal life.____40____ Clearly communicating your boundaries is also a way to show others that you are in control of your own behavior and can expect the same from them. This is a sign of maturity and respect, two characteristics that are key to having healthy relationships.
A. It’s one thing to know your personality type.
B. It’s a great way to show that you care about others.
C. Taking time for ourselves has been looked down upon.
D. Another way is to observe your behavior in different situations.
E. It allows you to focus on the needs of yourself without ignoring others.
F. But try not to get caught up in the criticism or judgment of your writing.
G. It’s about understanding your inner world and how you fit into the outer world.
【答案】36. C 37. G 38. F 39. D 40. E
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文。本篇主要讲了探索自己的内心世界对于自己的重要性，文章列举了一些探索自己内心世界方法，并解释了为什么这些方法可以带来更好的人际关系。
【36题详解】
根据上文“Have you found focusing on yourself is at the bottom of the to-do list, because you feel everyone else in your life comes first (你是否发现关注自己被排在待办事项清单的最后，因为你觉得生活中的其他人都是第一位的？)”可知，上文提到生活中其他人都是第一位，故本句承接上文，说明没有给自己留时间。故C选项“给自己留点时间一直被人看不起”符合语境，故选C。
【37题详解】
根据上文“This isn’t just about identifying your favorite outfit, haircut or flavor of ice cream.(（关注自己）不仅仅是确定你最喜欢的衣服、发型或冰淇淋的味道)”可知，本句与上文构成转折，指出关注自己的真正含义。前一句的This isn’t just about identifying和G选项It’s about understanding构成句法上的转折关系。故G选项“这是关于了解你的内心世界，以及你如何适应外部世界”符合语境，故选G。
【38题详解】
根据上文“There are many tools to help you develop a deeper sense of yourself, including journaling and other forms of creative expression. You can use a guided journal to explore your thoughts and feelings or just free write whatever comes to mind. It’s up to you what you want to do.(有很多工具可以帮助你发展更深层次的自我意识，包括日记和其他形式的创造性表达。你可以使用指南来探索你的想法和感受，或者只是自由地写下任何想到的东西。你想做什么由你自己决定)”可知，本段在陈述写日记能够更好地探索你的内心世界，但是仅仅专注于写日记就好， 不要去批判日记中自己的想法。此处的writing与F选项中journaling可以构成同义替换。故F选项“但是尽量不要陷入对你写作的批评或评判中”符合语境，故选F。
【39题详解】
根据后文“Take note of how you respond to people, what makes you happy, and what makes you unhappy. This can help you identify patterns that are holding you back, such as feeling insecure or being easily angered. Once you’ve identified these patterns, you can work to change them.(注意你对别人的反应，什么让你快乐，什么让你不快乐。这可以帮助你识别阻碍你前进的模式，比如缺乏安全感或容易生气。一旦你确定了这些模式，你就可以努力改变它们)”可知，上一段陈述了一种关注自己内心世界的方法，而本段则是在陈述另外一种方法，因此D选项中Another way is to符合并列的条件，且本句的意思也与后面的“关注自己在人际交往中如何反应”相符合。故D选项“另一种方法是观察你在不同情况下的行为”符合语境，故选D。
【40题详解】
根据上文“An often overlooked yet very important factor in self-discovery is having healthy boundaries in your personal life.(自我发现的一个经常被忽视但非常重要的因素是在你的个人生活中有健康的界限)”以及后文“Clearly communicating your boundaries is also a way to show others that you are in control of your own behavior and can expect the same from them. This is a sign of maturity and respect, two characteristics that are key to having healthy relationships.(清楚地表达你的界限也是一种向别人表明你能控制自己的行为，并期望他们也能做到这一点的方式。这是成熟和尊重的标志，这两个特征是拥有健康关系的关键)”可知，前一句陈述要划定一个健康的人际关系界限，后一句则提及和别人划清界限意味着你能够很好地控制自己的行为并且也希望别人能够控制好自己的行为，这种行为能够既关注自己也关注别人，故E选项“它能让你专注于自己的需求，而不会忽视他人”符合语境，故选E。
第三部分 语言运用(共两节，满分30分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题1分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. My husband was taking care of our baby girl so that my six-year-old son and I could do some yard work, just the two of us. It was sure to be ____41____. But soon, the clouds of mosquitoes seemed ____42____ to our bug spray (喷雾). I was sweating, itchy, and arguing with my son about ____43____ to pull weeds. I had told him the “right” way — getting those weeds out from the bottom, by the roots, removing them entirely.
However, my son went about things in his own way. He pulled the ____44____ of the weeds off, moving quickly down the line as he left the remaining part still in the soil. Somehow, I found this to be incredibly ____45____. Why couldn’t he do it in my way and save me the time of having to ____46____ his portion (部分) Why did he do it at all if he wasn’t going to do it properly
“If you would do as told, we’d be done earlier and ____47____ a longer period before we would have to return and pull weeds next time.” I said, trying to keep my tone ____48____. He went back to his work, shaking dirt from his handful of growing things and throwing broken stems into our ____49____ basket. “People do things... ____50____, Mom.” He said innocently.
My fire soon faded, replaced by the ____51____ realization that I’d just received a valuable ____52____ from the person that I was supposed to be teaching. While trying to ____53____ my baby girl, my kindergartener, and the yard work, ____54____ was a lifeline for me, a coping mechanism. But my way was, perhaps, not the best way after all. His time shouldn’t be ____55____. His job was to be a kid and take his time, for as long as he was able.
41. A. disturbing B. relaxing C. urgent D. tough
42. A. sensitive B. addicted C. discouraged D. resistant
43. A. whether B. who C. how D. why
44. A. roots B. depths C. tops D. dots
45. A. amazing B. boring C. confusing D. annoying
46. A. redo B. recycle C. identify D. ignore
47. A. promised B. launched C. repeated D. clarified
48. A. nervous B. light C. influential D. harmonious
49. A. exceptional B. shared C. internal D. crucial
50. A. indirectly B. separately C. differently D. absolutely
51. A. satisfying B. humbling C. depressing D. conflicting
52. A. reminder B. warning C. behavior D. review
53. A. raise B. combine C. teach D. balance
54. A. discipline B. cooperation C. efficiency D. quality
55. A. run out of B. set limits to C. made up for D. weighed on
【答案】41. B 42. D 43. C 44. C 45. D 46. A 47. A 48. B 49. B 50. C 51. B 52. A 53. D 54. C 55. B
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇记叙文。主要讲述了作者和儿子在院子里除草时，作者建议儿子有效率地除草，而儿子则给了作者一个宝贵的提醒，儿子提醒作者自己的时间不应该被限制，他的工作就是做个孩子。
【41题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：这肯定会让人放松。A. disturbing令人不安的；B. relaxing令人放松的；C. urgent紧急的；D. tough艰难的。根据上文“It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. My husband was taking care of our baby girl so that my six-year-old son and I could do some yard work, just the two of us.(这是一个阳光明媚的星期天下午。我丈夫照顾我们的小女儿，这样我和六岁的儿子就可以在院子里干点活，就我们两个人)”可知，作者一开始以为天气好，两人干活会放松。故选B。
【42题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：但很快，成群的蚊子似乎对我们的杀虫剂产生了抗药性。A. sensitive敏感的；B. addicted沉迷的；C. discouraged沮丧的；D. resistant抵制的。根据上文“the clouds of mosquitoes seemed”可知，蚊子成群出现说明对杀虫剂有抗药性了。故选D。
【43题详解】
考查连词词义辨析。句意：我满头大汗，浑身发痒，和儿子争论着如何拔草。A. whether是否；B. who谁；C. how如何；D. why为什么。此处为“疑问词+不定式”结构，表示“如何”应用how。故选C。
【44题详解】
考查名词词义辨析。句意：他拔掉了杂草的顶端，沿着一排快速移动，剩下的部分仍然留在土壤里。A. roots根部；B. depths深度；C. tops顶端；D. dots点。根据后文“he left the remaining part still in the soil”可知，剩下的部分在土壤里，说明只拔掉了草长出来的顶端部分。故选C。
【45题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：不知何故，我发现这非常令人讨厌。A. amazing惊人的；B. boring无聊的；C. confusing令人困惑的；D. annoying烦人的。根据后文“Why couldn’t he do it in my way and save me the time of having to redo his portion ”可知，作者讨厌这种做法，因为要重新拔草。故选D。
【46题详解】
考查动词词义辨析。句意：为什么他不能按我的方式来做，这样我就不用重做他的那部分了？A. redo重做；B. recycle回收利用；C. identify识别；D. ignore忽视。根据上文可知儿子没有把草处理干净，作者不得不重做儿子的工作。故选A。
【47题详解】
考查动词词义辨析。句意：“如果你按我说的去做，我们就可以早点完工，而且保证在下次我们回来除草之前，我们可以有更长的时间。”A. promised承诺，保证；B. launched启动；C. repeated重复；D. clarified澄清。根据后文“a longer period before we would have to return and pull weeds next time”可知，把草连根拔起依靠保证草一段时间长不出来，即“保证在下次我们回来除草之前，我们可以有更长的时间”。故选A。
【48题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：我说，尽量让自己的语气保持轻松。A. nervous紧张的；B. light轻的；C. influential有影响力的；D. harmonious和谐的。根据上文“I said, trying to keep my tone”以及上文作者说的话可知，作者为了不伤害儿子的积极性，尽量语气轻松地建议。故选B。
【49题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：他继续干他的活，抖了抖他那一把正在生长的东西上的泥土，把折断的茎扔进我们共用的篮子里。A. exceptional出色的；B. shared共享的；C. internal内部的；D. crucial重要的。根据上文“throwing broken stems into our”可知，俩人同时在除草，所以是把折断的茎扔进共用的篮子里。故选B。
【50题详解】
考查副词词义辨析。句意：“人们做事……方式不同，妈妈。”他天真地说。A. indirectly间接地；B. separately单独地；C. differently不同地；D. absolutely绝对。根据后文“He said innocently.”以及作者对于儿子说的话的感悟到不应该限制儿子的时间，可知儿子说的是每个人做事的方式不同。故选C。
【51题详解】
考查形容词词义辨析。句意：我的怒火很快就消退了，取而代之的是一种谦卑的意识：我刚刚从我应该教的人那里收到了一个有价值的提醒。A. satisfying令人满意的；B. humbling令人羞辱的；C. depressing令人沮丧的；D. conflicting冲突的。根据后文“from the person that I was supposed to be teaching”可知，作者从儿子那里学到了人生道理，所以是感到了谦卑。故选B。
【52题详解】
考查名词词义辨析。句意：我的怒火很快就消退了，取而代之的是一种谦卑的意识：我刚刚从我应该教的人那里收到了一个有价值的提醒。A. reminder提醒物；B. warning警告；C. behavior行为；D. review复习。此处指儿子的话提醒了作者，应用reminder。故选A。
【53题详解】
考查动词词义辨析。句意：当我试图平衡我的小女儿、我的幼儿园孩子和院子里的工作时，效率对我来说是一条生命线，是一种应对机制。A. raise筹集；B. combine结合；C. teach教；D. balance平衡。根据后文“my baby girl, my kindergartener, and the yard work”指在三者中取得平衡。故选D。
【54题详解】
考查名词词义辨析。句意：当我试图平衡我的小女儿、我的幼儿园孩子和院子里的工作时，效率对我来说是一条生命线，是一种应对机制。A. discipline纪律；B. cooperation合作；C. efficiency效率；D. quality质量。根据上文“If you would do as told, we’d be done earlier and promised a longer period before we would have to return and pull weeds next time.(如果你按我说的去做，我们就能早点完工，而且保证在下次我们回来除草之前有更长的时间)”可知，作者看重的是除草的效率。故选C。
【55题详解】
考查动词短语辨析。句意：他的时间不应该被限制。A. run out of用完；B. set limits to设定限制；C. made up for弥补；D. weighed on使苦恼。根据后文“His job was to be a kid and take his time, for as long as he was able.(他的工作就是做个孩子，在力所能及的范围内慢慢来)”可知，作者意识到儿子的时间不应该被限制。故选B。
第二节(共10小题;每小题1.5分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Clear and Bright (Chinese:清明), the 5th solar term, is the only one ____56____ first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday ____57____(observe) to commemorate ancestors and honor the deceased. Falling on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox (春分), usually around early April, Qingming is ____58____(culture) significant in Chinese society. ____59____ history, Qingming has been evolving, combining traditional rituals with modern practices, reflecting the dynamic nature of Chinese culture.
____60____ Qingming tomb-sweeping often takes place in suburban areas, it ____61____(accompany) by leisure activities such as bathing, outings, feasting and water sports. People not only honor their ancestors ____62____cleanse themselves, pray for blessings and enjoy the beauty of spring.
So far, various regions ____63____(develop) unique customs and traditions around the festival. For instance, enjoying the beauty of blooming flowers and embracing nature during outings symbolizes vitality and renewal.
With changing times and evolving social norms, ____64____ people observe Qingming has undergone significant transformation. The modern _____65_____(adapt) of Qingming traditions reflect society’s evolving values while preserving the essence of cultural heritage.
【答案】56. whose
57. observed
58. culturally
59. Throughout
60. As##Because##Since
61. is accompanied
62. but 63. have developed
64. how 65. adaptations
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了中国传统节日清明节的起源、历史演变、传统习俗以及现代变化。
【56题详解】
考查定语从句。句意：清明是唯一一个第一天也是中国传统节日的节气，即清明节或扫墓节。分析句子结构，空处引导定语从句，先行词为Clear and Bright，先行词在从句中作定语，应用whose引导从句，故填whose。
【57题详解】
考查非谓语动词。句意：清明节是一个传统的中国节日，用来纪念祖先和纪念逝者。分析句子结构，空白处在句子中作定语，使用非谓语动词，因与其逻辑主语Qingming Festival之间为逻辑上的动宾关系，使用过去分词形式，故填observed。
【58题详解】
考查副词。句意：清明在中国文化中具有重要的文化意义。分析句子结构，应填入副词作状语，修饰形容词significant，故填culturally。
【59题详解】
考查介词。句意：纵观历史，清明节一直在演变，将传统仪式与现代习俗相结合，体现了中国文化的动态性。。根据下文“history, Qingming has been evolving, combining traditional rituals with modern practices, reflecting the dynamic nature of Chinese culture(……历史，清明节一直在演变，将传统仪式与现代习俗相结合，体现了中国文化的动态性)”可知下文说的是一段时期内发生的事，可推理出空白处应填表示“在整个……期间”含义的表达，throughout置于句首，首字母大写。故填Throughout。
【60题详解】
考查原因状语从句。句意：由于清明扫墓通常发生在郊区，它伴随着沐浴、出游、宴请和水上运动等休闲活动。分析句子结构，根据“Qingming tomb-sweeping often takes place in suburban areas (清明扫墓通常发生在郊区)”以及“leisure activities such as bathing, outings, feasting and water sports (沐浴、出游、宴请和水上运动等休闲活动)”可知上下文之间有因果关系，应用as或because或since引导原因状语从句，置于句首，首字母大写。故填As/Because/Since。
【61题详解】
考查被动语态。句意：由于清明扫墓通常发生在郊区，它伴随着沐浴、出游、宴请和水上运动等休闲活动。分析句子结构，空白处在句子中作谓语，根据句中takes可知，句子使用一般现在时，accompany与主语之间为被动关系，使用一般现在时的被动语态，故填is accompanied。
【62题详解】
考查连词。句意：人们不仅纪念他们的祖先，还净化自己，祈求祝福，享受春天的美丽。分析句子结构，“honor their ancestors (纪念他们的祖先)”和“cleanse themselves (净化自己)”之间是并列关系，not only…but also为固定短语，also可以省略，故填but。
【63题详解】
考查时态和主谓一致。句意：到目前为止，不同地区已经发展出了围绕节日的独特习俗和传统。分析句子结构，空白处在句子中作谓语，根据时间状语So far可知，句子表达的是过去发生的动作对现在的影响，应使用现在完成时，主语various regions是复数，谓语动词使用have developed。故填have developed。
【64题详解】
考查名词性从句。句意：随着时代的变化和社会规范的演变，人们庆祝清明的方式也发生了显著变化。分析句子结构，空处引导主语从句，空白处在从句中作状语，表示“如何”，使用连接副词how连接主语从句，故填how。
【65题详解】
考查名词的单复数。句意：现代清明传统的适应反映了社会不断演变的价值观，同时保留了文化遗产的精髓。分析句子结构，空白处在句子中作主语，使用名词，根据下文“Qingming traditions (清明的传统)”可知此处表示的是数目不确定的含义，名词应使用复数，故填adaptations。
第四部分 写作(共两节，满分40分)
第一节 (满分15分)
66. 你的朋友Jack对中国历史非常感兴趣，想读些中国历史类书籍，但是在通俗史书和学术史书之间纠结，不知道怎么选择。得知情况后，请你给他写封邮件，内容包括：
1. 你的推荐；
2. 你的理由(至少两点)。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：通俗史书 popular history books
Dear Jack,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
【答案】Dear Jack,
Learning that you are quite interested in Chinese history but confused about which type of history books to start with I’d like to offer my recommendation to you.
Considering the differences between popular history books and academic history books, it’s really a good idea for beginners, like you, to start with popular history books. (My reasons are as follows.) Firstly, popular history books presents historical information in a way that is more easily understood, seeking to inform and educate a wider audience about history. Besides, packed with vivid descriptions and fun facts, this type of history books will definitely make your reading an enjoyable and fruitful experience.
I sincerely hope my recommendation will be of some benefit to you. Wish you a wonderful reading experience!
Yours,
Li Hua
【解析】
【导语】本篇书面表达属于应用文。朋友Jack对中国历史非常感兴趣，想读些中国历史类书籍，但是在通俗史书和学术史书之间纠结，不知道怎么选择。要求得知情况后的考生给他写封邮件。
【详解】1.词汇积累
困惑的：confused→puzzled
提供：offer→provide
对……有好处：be of benefit to→be beneficial to
对……感兴趣：be interested in→be keen on
2.句式拓展
同义句
原句：Besides, packed with vivid descriptions and fun facts, this type of history books will definitely make your reading an enjoyable and fruitful experience.
拓展句：Besides, because this type of history books are packed with vivid descriptions and fun facts, it will definitely make your reading an enjoyable and fruitful experience.
【点睛】【高分句型1】I sincerely hope my recommendation will be of some benefit to you.（运用了省略that的宾语从句）
【高分句型2】Firstly, popular history books presents historical information in a way that is more easily understood, seeking to inform and educate a wider audience about history.（运用了that引导的定语从句和现在分词作状语）
第二节 (满分25分)
67. 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
Preparing for the upcoming Christmas season was truly annoying. Schedules to meet and deadlines to attend were pounding at the doorstep. The stores were jam-packed with people. The freeways, highways, main roads, and back roads seemed to fill as quickly as the opening of Disneyland’s theme park.
This was supposedly the season of giving and loving. Something needed to change — but what
Suddenly, a request from the local radio station playing in the background caught my attention. “This year, they’re forecasting a record for cold temperatures. The local homeless shelter is in desperate need of clothing — hats, scarves, and gloves especially. A three-day window has been set up to receive donations into the late hours of the night. ”
Something pulled at my heartstrings that very moment — a tinge of a feeling almost forgotten. This is the answer! I immediately thought. Then, as if flying on wings, I packed up my three-year-old son and headed out to the local discount store.
The crowds in the store didn’t change my determination. Four sets of hats, gloves, and scarves were found within a matter of minutes and purchased.
Back in the car, the same radio station was playing holiday music, but this time it seemed to capture my senses. My attention was again brought to the present as my patient three-year-old son finally asked where we were going. I explained that certain people needed warm gloves, hats, and scarves. They didn’t live in a house of their own and needed us to help. His face held a look of puzzlement. How does one explain such a thing to a three-year-old
My son carefully took his very first dollar bill from his pocket. It had been given to him a few days earlier — a possession so precious that if anyone even looked at it, he immediately retreated out of sight with the dollar in hand. It had become his priceless treasure.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
An hour later, we reached the entrance to the drop-off center.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With a wish of “Merry Christmas,” I turned to go back to the car.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
【答案】范文
Para. 1:
An hour later, we reached the entrance to the drop-off center. The line of cars wrapped around the block, but my heart was full of anticipation. My son clutched his dollar bill tightly in his hand, his face a mix of excitement and nervousness. As we got closer to the front, he quietly asked, “Mommy, are we really going to give away my dollar ” I smiled and nodded, explaining that together, our donations would help make someone’s Christmas warmer. Finally, we reached the front. My son hesitantly handed his dollar to the volunteer, his eyes wide with wonder. The volunteer smiled and thanked him, placing the dollar in a large box filled with other donations.
Para. 2:
With a wish of “Merry Christmas,” I turned to go back to the car. My son’s face was bright with pride and happiness. As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment. The radio station continued to play holiday music, but now it seemed even more cheerful and uplifting. I knew that we had done something special that day — not just for the homeless shelter, but for ourselves as well. The simple act of kindness had brought us both joy and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
【解析】
【导语】本文以人物为线索展开，讲述了作者和儿子在电台里听到给无家可归者募捐的广播，于是带着儿子其给他们买了帽子、手套和围巾，儿子也拿出了自己的零花钱捐了出来。母子俩得到了感谢，内心也感到满足。
【详解】1.段落续写：
①由第一段首句内容“一个小时后，我们到达了下车中心的入口”可知，第一段可描写作者和儿子捐赠的过程。
②由第二段首句内容“带着‘圣诞快乐’的祝福，我转身回到车上”可知，第二段可描写作者的内心感受和感悟。
2.续写线索：到达中心——儿子捐款——得到感谢——儿子高兴——带来成就感——作者感悟
3.词汇激活
行为类
①抓着：clutch/grasp
②继续：continue to/go on
③装满：be filled with /be full of
情绪类
①感谢：thank/show gratitude to
②高兴：cheerful/delighted
【点睛】[高分句型1] I smiled and nodded, explaining that together, our donations would help make someone’s Christmas warmer. (运用了that引导宾语从句)
[高分句型2] As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment. (运用了as引导时间状语从句)常州市联盟学校2023—2024学年度第二学期期中调研
高二年级英语试卷
2024.4
考试时间120分钟 满分150分
第一部分 听力(共两节，满分30分)
第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分50分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)
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
Mother Nature never fails to surprise us with something extraordinary and unusual from time to time. There will always be news about something completely different that will surely grab eyeballs.
Blood Falls (Antarctica)
As the name suggests, Blood Falls is a waterfall which shoots blood-red water into a river. The sight is a perfect backdrop for a horror film; mysterious and of course bloody. Previously, red algae (红藻) were believed to cause the water to change its colour and turn blood-red. Until 2017, the true origin of the so-called blood was revealed to be oxidized iron in saltwater.
Frozen Bubbles (Canada)
Impressive yet a dangerous sight, frozen bubbles (气泡) can be seen in winters at Abraham Lake in Canada. The phenomenon occurs when methane (甲烷) gas gets trapped underwater, freezes, and forms other-worldly visuals. Such a large amount of methane trapped is highly risky. So even a lit match nearby can cause a giant explosion.
Hidden Beach (Mexico)
Located only a few miles off Mexico’s coast, the hidden beach was caused by an explosion by the Mexican Government as part of target practice. The beach is now every lover’s dream destination. To get there, you must ride an hour-long boat. Once you land on the island, you have to travel through the waters to reach there.
Sky Mirror (Malaysia)
During the new moon and full moon periods, tourist can see a clear reflection of the sky in the waters of Sasaran Beach. This natural phenomenon occurs because the tides are the lowest during these days. The smooth sand and minimal water level create such an incredible sight. Also known as the “Mirror of the Sky”, this shallow water beach is an amazing place to click pictures and thus a perfect travel destination.
21. Why is the water shot by Blood Falls blood-red
A. Saltwater there contains oxidized iron.
B. The waterfall has supernatural powers.
C. Red algae causes the water to change its color.
D. A film factory reddened the water for a horror scene.
22. In which situation may you be warned to avoid fire
A. Admiring Blood Falls. B. Exploring Frozen Bubbles.
C. Boating along Hidden Beach. D. Taking pictures against Sky Mirror.
23. What do these natural phenomena have in common
A. They can be accessible only by water.
B. They attract millions of tourists across the world.
C. The causes of their formation have been revealed.
D. Tourists may enjoy a better travelling experience in winter.
B
In 1975, a San Diego homemaker named Marjorie Rice came across a column in Scientific American about tiling (瓷砖). There is a problem which has interested mathematicians since ancient Greek times. After Rice’s chance encounter with tiling, family members often saw her in the kitchen constantly drawing shapes. “I thought she was just drawing casually,” her daughter Kathy said. But Rice who took only one year of math in high school, was actually discovering never-before-seen patterns.
Born in Florida, she loved learning and particularly her brief exposure to math, but tight budget and social culture prevented her family from even considering that she might attend college. “For Rice, math was a pleasure,” her son David once said.
Rice gave one of her sons a subscription to Scientific American partly because she could read it carefully while the children were at school. When she read Gardner’s column about tiling as she later recalled in an interview: “I thought it must be wonderful that someone could discover these beautiful patterns which no one had seen before.” She also wrote in an essay, “My interest was engaged by the subject and I wanted to understand every detail of it. Lacking a mathematical background, I developed my own symbol system and in a few months discovered a new type.”
Astonished and delighted, she sent her work to Gardner, who sent it to Doris, a tiling expert at Moravian College. Doris confirmed that Rice’s finding was correct.
Later, Rice declined to lecture on her discoveries, citing shyness, but at Doris’s invitation, she attended a university mathematics meeting, where she was introduced to the audience. Rice still said nothing of her achievements to her children, but they eventually found out as the awards mounted.
24. Why did Rice often draw shapes in the kitchen
A. To become a mathematician. B. To fill her leisure time.
C. To explore the secret of tiling. D. To show her passion for drawing.
25. What can we learn about Rice from Paragraphs 2 and 3
A. She longed to start a column. B. She succeeded in developing a system.
C. She was good at designing patterns. D. She was rejected from a college.
26. What is the text mainly about
A. The magic of math. B. The patterns of tiling.
C. The modesty of Rice. D. The efforts of Rice.
27. What can we learn from the Rice’s experience
A. Every cloud has a silver lining. B. Actions speak louder than words.
C. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. D. Great minds think alike.
C
Like many people over the past few years, I have found myself turning to audiobooks as my main means of reading literature. I find it far more comfortable to “read with my ears” while my eyes are resting. My consumption of new books has doubled as a result--but a recent paper makes me wonder if this will come at the price of my comprehension.
The study comes from Boaz Keysar and Janet Geipel, both at the University of Chicago, and it draws from the “dual process model” of mental processing. According to this-view, we have two ways of assessing information. System 1 is intuitive (直觉的), relying on natural ability and feeling. It is quick, but likely exposed to misinformation. System 2 is analytical involving the use of logic reasoning. It is mentally demanding. When it is engaged, we think our way through the material step by step. For decades, psychologists have designed various tests to determine which of these two systems a person is using. As one example, consider the/ following question: How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark (方舟) If you answered two, you were probably only considering the core of the question, which is System 1 thinking. To get to the right answer-zero, you need to think more carefully about the wording, which would allow you to remember it was Noah who built the Ark, not Moses. That is the kind of analytical process.
Keysar and Geipel’s brilliant idea was to investigate whether the sensory form-seeing vs. hearing-of the information would make a difference. They found that it did: when answering these kinds of simple questions, participants were more likely to make errors when the sentences were spoken out loud, rather than written.
A greater reliance on our feelings could be a problem if we are consuming information that needs logical study. For this reason. I will return to reading non-fiction with my eyes rather than my ears. But I won’t stop listening to novels. I am quite happy to go with the flow of my emotions while my critical mind takes a break.
28. What does the author think of listening to audiobooks
A. It is economical. B. It is demanding.
C. It is time-consuming. D. It is relaxing.
29. Which of the following best describes System 2 model
A. Fairly reliable. B. Fully automatic.
C. Question-centered. D. Emotion-involved.
30. Why is the Ark mentioned in Paragraph 3
A. To present a fact. B. To illustrate a view.
C. To introduce a topic. D. To draw a conclusion.
31. What does the author intend to tell us
A. Listening to books comes at a price.
B. Reading non-fiction books benefits.
C. Critical thinking is a must in reading.
D. Ways of processing information differ.
D
When 2023 turned out to be the hottest year in history, it underlined the warnings of some outstanding climate scientists that the pace of global warming was accelerating and had entered a dangerous new phase. A new study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, suggests one reason for such an acceleration: Earth’s skies are getting clearer and letting in more sunshine.
The study was carried out by a set of NASA instruments in space that since 2001 have tracked the delicate balance of energy entering and leaving the planet. Over the past decade, the instruments, called the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES), have detected a marked rise in the amount of solar energy the planet has absorbed — well beyond the warming expected from rising greenhouse gases. The readings show the planet has become less reflective, as if it recently put on a darker shirt. One reason is a drop in light-reflecting pollution because of power-plant scrubbers (洗涤器) and cleaner fuels, the researchers say. They calculate that cleaner air could account for 40% of the increased energy warming the planet between 2001 and 2019.
Climate scientists have long known that pollution declines can lead to warming: Not only do the pollution particles (微粒), or aerosols, reflect light into space, but they can also increase the number of droplets in clouds, causing them to grow brighter or last longer. Two years ago, the decline of aerosols became detectable on a global scale. But the climate models used in the new study attributed a startling (惊人的) amount of warming to the pollution drop.
However, falling pollution may not be the only reason for the brighter skies detected by CERES, a trend that kicked up after 2015. The models were unable to explain up to 40% of the extra absorbed light, and the CERES data show reflectivity falling in both hemispheres (半球), whereas pollution has fallen the most in the north. Both of those observations suggest other factors might be reducing Earth’s reflectivity. The models in the new study may be overstating the influence of aerosols, says Bjorn Stevens, a climate scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. “If the models are too sensitive to aerosols, as some of us think, it will cause us to look in the wrong direction.”
The new study highlights the important role aerosols will play as Earth continues to warm, and the need to keep models updated, says Tiffany Shaw, a climate dynamicist at the University of Chicago. The skies will only get clearer, with pollution controls in China taking force, and India soon expected to follow. Aerosol declines will also reshape regional weather, with cleaner air leading to a weaker Asian monsoon and increased heat extremes in northern hemisphere.
32. According to the article, which of the following concerning CERES is true
A. CERES has been keeping track of the delicate balance of energy since the early 20th century.
B. CERES has discovered a noticeable increase in the amount of solar energy absorbed by the planet.
C. CERES has detected that the warming is exactly in line with the rising greenhouse gases.
D. CERES has provided data to fully explain where the extra absorbed light comes from.
33. Which of the following is not the property of the pollution particles
A. They can throw light to the earth back into space.
B. They can increase the number of clouds in the sky.
C. They can increase the brightness and duration of clouds.
D They can give rise to more tiny drops of water in clouds.
34. What does Bjorn Stevens think of the new study
A. The models in the new study are too sensitive.
B. The result of the new study is misleading.
C. The findings of the new study may be unreliable.
D. The new study attaches great importance to the role aerosols will play.
35. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text
A. CERES has figured out the reason for global warming.
B. Aerosol declines will reshape regional weather.
C. Pollution declines are making the earth’s skies clearer.
D. Clearer skies may be accelerating global warming.
第二节 (共5小题;每小题2.5分，满分12.5分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Discovering Your True Self Is Vital to Happiness!
Have you found focusing on yourself is at the bottom of the to-do list, because you feel everyone else in your life comes first ____36____ Now is exactly the perfect time to get to know yourself in order to understand yourself.
This isn’t just about identifying your favorite outfit, haircut or flavor of ice cream.____37____ It’s an opportunity for personal growth that can help you make better choices for your wellbeing and lifelong happiness.
There are many tools to help you develop a deeper sense of yourself, including journaling and other forms of creative expression. You can use a guided journal to explore your thoughts and feelings or just free write whatever comes to mind. It’s up to you what you want to do.____38____.
____39____ Take note of how you respond to people, what makes you happy, and what makes you unhappy. This can help you identify patterns that are holding you back, such as feeling insecure or being easily angered. Once you’ve identified these patterns, you can work to change them.
An often overlooked yet very important factor in self-discovery is having healthy boundaries in your personal life.____40____ Clearly communicating your boundaries is also a way to show others that you are in control of your own behavior and can expect the same from them. This is a sign of maturity and respect, two characteristics that are key to having healthy relationships.
A It’s one thing to know your personality type.
B. It’s a great way to show that you care about others.
C. Taking time for ourselves has been looked down upon.
D. Another way is to observe your behavior in different situations.
E. It allows you to focus on the needs of yourself without ignoring others.
F. But try not to get caught up in the criticism or judgment of your writing.
G. It’s about understanding your inner world and how you fit into the outer world.
第三部分 语言运用(共两节，满分30分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题1分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. My husband was taking care of our baby girl so that my six-year-old son and I could do some yard work, just the two of us. It was sure to be ____41____. But soon, the clouds of mosquitoes seemed ____42____ to our bug spray (喷雾). I was sweating, itchy, and arguing with my son about ____43____ to pull weeds. I had told him the “right” way — getting those weeds out from the bottom, by the roots, removing them entirely.
However, my son went about things in his own way. He pulled the ____44____ of the weeds off, moving quickly down the line as he left the remaining part still in the soil. Somehow, I found this to be incredibly ____45____. Why couldn’t he do it in my way and save me the time of having to ____46____ his portion (部分) Why did he do it at all if he wasn’t going to do it properly
“If you would do as told, we’d be done earlier and ____47____ a longer period before we would have to return and pull weeds next time.” I said, trying to keep my tone ____48____. He went back to his work, shaking dirt from his handful of growing things and throwing broken stems into our ____49____ basket. “People do things... ____50____, Mom.” He said innocently.
My fire soon faded, replaced by the ____51____ realization that I’d just received a valuable ____52____ from the person that I was supposed to be teaching. While trying to ____53____ my baby girl, my kindergartener, and the yard work, ____54____ was a lifeline for me, a coping mechanism. But my way was, perhaps, not the best way after all. His time shouldn’t be ____55____. His job was to be a kid and take his time, for as long as he was able.
41. A. disturbing B. relaxing C. urgent D. tough
42. A. sensitive B. addicted C. discouraged D. resistant
43. A. whether B. who C. how D. why
44. A. roots B. depths C. tops D. dots
45 A. amazing B. boring C. confusing D. annoying
46. A. redo B. recycle C. identify D. ignore
47. A. promised B. launched C. repeated D. clarified
48. A. nervous B. light C. influential D. harmonious
49. A. exceptional B. shared C. internal D. crucial
50. A. indirectly B. separately C. differently D. absolutely
51. A. satisfying B. humbling C. depressing D. conflicting
52. A. reminder B. warning C. behavior D. review
53. A. raise B. combine C. teach D. balance
54. A. discipline B. cooperation C. efficiency D. quality
55. A. run out of B. set limits to C. made up for D. weighed on
第二节(共10小题;每小题1.5分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Clear and Bright (Chinese:清明), the 5th solar term, is the only one ____56____ first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday ____57____(observe) to commemorate ancestors and honor the deceased. Falling on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox (春分), usually around early April, Qingming is ____58____(culture) significant in Chinese society. ____59____ history, Qingming has been evolving, combining traditional rituals with modern practices, reflecting the dynamic nature of Chinese culture.
____60____ Qingming tomb-sweeping often takes place in suburban areas, it ____61____(accompany) by leisure activities such as bathing, outings, feasting and water sports. People not only honor their ancestors ____62____cleanse themselves, pray for blessings and enjoy the beauty of spring.
So far, various regions ____63____(develop) unique customs and traditions around the festival. For instance, enjoying the beauty of blooming flowers and embracing nature during outings symbolizes vitality and renewal.
With changing times and evolving social norms, ____64____ people observe Qingming has undergone significant transformation. The modern _____65_____(adapt) of Qingming traditions reflect society’s evolving values while preserving the essence of cultural heritage.
第四部分 写作(共两节，满分40分)
第一节 (满分15分)
66. 你的朋友Jack对中国历史非常感兴趣，想读些中国历史类书籍，但是在通俗史书和学术史书之间纠结，不知道怎么选择。得知情况后，请你给他写封邮件，内容包括：
1. 你的推荐；
2. 你的理由(至少两点)。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：通俗史书 popular history books
Dear Jack,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
第二节 (满分25分)
67. 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
Preparing for the upcoming Christmas season was truly annoying. Schedules to meet and deadlines to attend were pounding at the doorstep. The stores were jam-packed with people. The freeways, highways, main roads, and back roads seemed to fill as quickly as the opening of Disneyland’s theme park.
This was supposedly the season of giving and loving. Something needed to change — but what
Suddenly, a request from the local radio station playing in the background caught my attention. “This year, they’re forecasting a record for cold temperatures. The local homeless shelter is in desperate need of clothing — hats, scarves, and gloves especially. A three-day window has been set up to receive donations into the late hours of the night. ”
Something pulled at my heartstrings that very moment — a tinge of a feeling almost forgotten. This is the answer! I immediately thought. Then, as if flying on wings, I packed up my three-year-old son and headed out to the local discount store.
The crowds in the store didn’t change my determination. Four sets of hats, gloves, and scarves were found within a matter of minutes and purchased.
Back in the car, the same radio station was playing holiday music, but this time it seemed to capture my senses. My attention was again brought to the present as my patient three-year-old son finally asked where we were going. I explained that certain people needed warm gloves, hats, and scarves. They didn’t live in a house of their own and needed us to help. His face held a look of puzzlement. How does one explain such a thing to a three-year-old
My son carefully took his very first dollar bill from his pocket. It had been given to him a few days earlier — a possession so precious that if anyone even looked at it, he immediately retreated out of sight with the dollar in hand. It had become his priceless treasure.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
An hour later, we reached the entrance to the drop-off center.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With a wish of “Merry Christmas,” I turned to go back to the car.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
