文体分类练(一) 应用文
Passage 1(2024广东佛山二模)
主题:免费社区交换活动 词数:242
难度:★★☆☆☆
Free Community Swap
Contact:
Catherine Crawford, (718) 809-1603 ccrawford@grownyc.org
Jon Klar, (646) 530-0381 jklar@grownyc.org
New Yorkers looking to reduce,reuse,and save money this year are invited to participate in Stop ‘N’ Swap,a free community event organized by local non-profit GrowNYC.
The average NYC household throws away about 2,000 pounds of waste a year.By reusing through events like Stop ‘N’ Swap,NYC residents can take part in saving over 40 million pounds of material from landfill every year.Take a break from shopping,support a cleaner future,and join the ever-growing reuse community!
WHAT:Free Stop ‘N’ Swap Community Reuse Event
WHEN:February 19th,12 pm-3 pm
WHERE:Bronx Works Classic Community Center-286 East 156th Street,Bronx,NY 10451
The public are invited to bring clean and reusable items.No one is required to bring something to take something—you can simply show up with a bag and see what’s free for the taking.Books,toys,clothing,and electronics are just some of the offerings.Furniture and other large items are not accepted at the swap.Anything leftover at the end of the day is donated or recycled.
Stop ‘N’ Swaps have developed a regular following among environmentally conscious New Yorkers.After almost two years without swaps,GrowNYC has set a goal of hosting one swap in each of the city’s 59 community districts each year,providing opportunities to make NYC truly livable—a place where every person can enjoy a healthier life.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了GrowNYC组织的免费社区交换活动。
1.What should you do to get more information from Catherine
A.Call (646) 530-0381.
B.Call (718) 809-1603.
C.Email jklar@grownyc.org.
D.Visit 286 East 156th Street,Bronx.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。由文章Contact部分中“Catherine Crawford,(718) 809-1603”可知,应该拨打(718) 809-1603才能从凯瑟琳那里得到更多的信息。
2.What items are unacceptable at the Stop ‘N’ Swap
A.Dry-as-dust books.
B.Old-fashioned clothes.
C.Out-of-date electronics.
D.Second-hand furniture.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。由文章倒数第二段中“Furniture and other large items are not accepted at the swap.”可知,家具和其他大件物品在交换中是不可接受的。
3.What is the aim of GrowNYC’s Stop ‘N’ Swap
A.To make NYC a better place to live in.
B.To enrich New Yorkers’ community life.
C.To reduce the cost of dealing with waste in NYC.
D.To encourage districts to compete in sustainability.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。由文章最后一段中“After almost two years without swaps,GrowNYC has set a goal of hosting one swap in each of the city’s 59 community districts each year,providing opportunities to make NYC truly livable—a place where every person can enjoy a healthier life.”可知,活动的目的是让纽约成为更适合居住的地方。
Passage 2(2024安徽合肥一模)
主题:香港的四座大楼 词数:304
难度:★★☆☆☆
Hong Kong has the largest collection of high-rise buildings on Earth,many of which have been designed by world-famous architects.
HSBC Headquarters Building
In 1979,the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation(HSBC) launched an international design competition for its new headquarters.Foster+Partners,headed by architect Sir Norman Foster,won the competition with an out-of-the-box idea.With a budget of roughly $667 million in the day’s currency,the British visionary had the modular (模块化的) pieces constructed in the US,Japan and the UK before shipping them to Hong Kong for assembly (组装).
The Henderson
Zaha Hadid Architects(ZHA) has revealed plans to replace a multi-story car park in Hong Kong’s central business district with a new 623-foot tower.Like so many of ZHA’s visionary projects,the office tower,completed in 2023,integrates technology with natural environments.For instance,there is a sky garden which is an outdoor recreational space with a running track and a planting network that acts as an effective biological air-purifying filter by consuming pollutants.
Two International Finance Centre
On a clear day,you can see straight across Hong Kong from the offices in Two International Finance Center(2IFC),completed in 2003.Designed by the late Cesar Pelli,the 1,352-foot tower was the tallest in the city upon its completion.It transformed the skyline when it opened with its breathtaking height and tapered(锥形的) shape,symbolizing Hong Kong’s rise.
Bank of China Tower
The 1,205-foot tower,completed in 1990,broke records at the time and became an instant landmark as the first tower over 985 feet outside North America.A vision of urban energy,expansion and geometry,the Bank of China Tower(BOC Tower) was designed to resemble a bamboo shoot,symbolizing strength,vitality and China’s emergence as a significant player in international finance.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了香港的四座大楼的情况。
4.What is special about the HSBC Headquarters Building
A.It was designed by several architect teams.
B.It was funded by countries across the world.
C.Its style was considered to be the most creative.
D.Its design was a winning work of a competition.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据HSBC Headquarters Building部分中“In 1979,the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation(HSBC) launched an international design competition for its new headquarters.Foster +Partners,headed by architect Sir Norman Foster,won the competition with an out-of-the-box idea.”可知,汇丰总部大楼的特别之处在于它的设计是一项竞赛的获奖作品。
5.Which building combines technology with nature
A.HSBC Headquarters Building.
B.The Henderson.
C.Two International Finance Centre.
D.Bank of China Tower.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据The Henderson部分中“Like so many of ZHA’s visionary projects,the office tower,completed in 2023,integrates technology with natural environments.”可知,The Henderson将技术与自然融合了。
6.What do the BOC Tower and 2IFC have in common
A.They are known for being eco-friendly.
B.They were completed in the same century.
C.They used to be the tallest in Hong Kong.
D.They were designed by the same architect.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中“Designed by the late Cesar Pelli,the 1,352-foot tower was the tallest in the city upon its completion.”以及最后一段中“The 1,205-foot tower,completed in 1990,broke records at the time and became an instant landmark as the first tower over 985 feet outside North America.”可知,中银大厦和第二国际金融中心的共同之处是它们都曾经是香港最高的建筑。
Passage 3 (2024浙江绍兴二模)
主题:不同寻常的雕塑 词数:342
难度:★★☆☆☆
Have you heard of these four monuments
Carhenge.Floralis Genérica.Traffic Light Tree.Hand of the Desert—these are four unusual monuments from around the world you might like to visit.
Carhenge
Carhenge is in Alliance,Nebraska(USA).As the name suggests,it has a lot in common with Stonehenge,the famous stone circle on Salisbury Plain.But while Stonehenge was built with stones,Carhenge was created with cars.The monument was made in 1987 by a local artist Jim Reinders and his family.He used old cars and even an ambulance.At first,the people of Alliance didn’t like it,but they soon changed their minds after it became popular with tourists,who brought lots of money to the town.
Floralis Genérica
Floralis Genérica is a massive statue of a flower.It stands in a pool of water in front of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires,Argentina.Eduardo Catalano,a native of Argentina,gave the statue as a gift to the city in 2002.Every morning,the flower opens.Ask anyone who has seen it and they’ll tell you that watching it open is an unforgettable sight.In fact,many people believe it is one of the most beautiful statues in the world.
Traffic Light Tree
The Traffic Light Tree is situated at Heron Quay,in one of London’s financial districts.The tree has 75 sets of traffic lights.It was created by French artist,Pierre Vivant,and was installed in 1998.A computer controls the lights,which are turned on and off randomly.The roundabout where the tree is was voted the most popular roundabout in the UK in a recent survey.
Mano del Desierto (Hand of the Desert)
The Hand of the Desert is in the Atacama Desert in Chile.The sculpture was designed by the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrazabal.From a distance,it looks as if there’s a giant in the sand who has stuck his hand out of the ground.
If you’re looking for something new to see,you know where to go!
【语篇导读】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了四座不同寻常的雕塑。
7.Why did the people of Alliance change their attitude toward Carhenge
A.It reminded them of Stonehenge.
B.It brought them financial benefits.
C.It added beauty to their community.
D.It displayed the creativity of the designer.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。由文章“ Carhenge”部分中“At first,the people of Alliance didn’t like it,but they soon changed their minds after it became popular with tourists,who brought lots of money to the town.”可知,人们改变了对巨车阵的态度是因为它给他们带来了经济利益。
8.Which of the four monuments was designed by a foreign artist
A.Carhenge.
B.Floralis Genérica.
C.Traffic Light Tree.
D.Mano del Desierto.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。由文章“ Traffic Light Tree”部分中“The Traffic Light Tree is situated at Heron Quay,in one of London’s financial districts.The tree has 75 sets of traffic lights.It was created by French artist,Pierre Vivant,and was installed in 1998.”可知,Traffic Light Tree是由外国艺术家设计的。
9.Where is the text probably from
A.A guide book.
B.A news report.
C.A science magazine.
D.An architecture advertisement.
答案 A
解析 推理判断题。通读全文,尤其是由文章第一段“Carhenge.Floralis Genérica.Traffic Light Tree.Hand of the Desert—these are four unusual monuments from around the world you might like to visit.”可知,文章介绍了世界各地四座不同寻常的雕塑;由此可推知,文章很可能来自一本旅游指南。文体分类练(二) 记叙文
Passage 1 (2024福建漳州三模)
主题:学习素描 词数:345 难度:★★★☆☆
Learning anything can be challenging,especially when it comes to figuring out how and what to practice.Repetition is usually essential.But you don’t want something that takes the joy out of you.I’ve been teaching myself to draw for a few years.I had improved a lot but for a long while was going nowhere.I’d tried lots of books and courses,and filled endless pages with boxes,parallel lines and figures.None of these seems to be working.
But something clicked when I started sketchbooking this year.The sketchbooks led to a shift in mindset.Rather than trying to practise,I was engaging in a practice—scribbling (涂鸦).The scribbles weren’t all good but they have become part of a whole.I’ve been absorbed ever since.I scribbled my breakfast,the fruit in the office,and other people on the train.
I spoke to Danny Gregory,a writer who blogs and makes videos about sketchbooking,to try to figure out why I had become so taken by my new practice.
“We think the practice in drawing is like that in piano,where you have to play through a series of musical notes step by step,” Gregory says.“But what if you think about practice in other terms—like a yoga practice or medical practice With those kinds of practices,you’ve learned some stuff,right Progress happens naturally.It’s not preparatory.So just follow the process and take pleasure in it.This is what matters.”
I have now filled two sketchbooks just with portraits—more than 100 scribbled over a couple of months.In them I challenged myself to include people on every page.Used to drawing ghost-town versions,the first few pages were a struggle.But I started varying my morning coffee routine to find new places where I could observe life.
My latest sketchbook will tackle the challenge of all my drawings—hands.I’ve always had problems drawing hands.It’s early days,but I’m not fearing it as I would have before because it isn’t just practice any more.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者学习素描的经历,以此来强调如何将生活与学习融为一体,以促进艺术学习的提升。
1.What was the challenge the author faced when learning to draw
A.Lack of interest in traditional practice methods.
B.Little progress despite extensive efforts.
C.Difficulty in obtaining necessary resources.
D.Inability to master specific drawing techniques.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。由第一段中“I’ve been teaching myself to draw for a few years.I had improved a lot but for a long while was going nowhere.I’d tried lots of books and courses,and filled endless pages with boxes,parallel lines and figures.None of these seems to be working.”可知,作者在学习绘画时面临的挑战是:尽管作者付出了巨大努力,但进展甚微。
2.What did the author benefit from scribbling
A.Improving hand control.
B.Enriching creative expression.
C.Grasping ways to paint details.
D.Accepting imperfections in art.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。由第二段中“The scribbles weren’t all good but they have become part of a whole.I’ve been absorbed ever since.”可知,虽然这些涂鸦并不都是好的,但作者接受它们成为整体的一部分,由此可推知,作者从涂鸦中获得的益处是接受了艺术的不完美。
3.According to Gregory,which attitude toward practice should be emphasized
A.Focus on specifics is essential.
B.Repetition is a fundamental key.
C.The emphasis lies in enjoying the process.
D.The highlight is in well-organized exercises.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。由第四段内容可知,对于练习,Gregory强调练习的重点在于享受过程。
4.What message does the story convey
A.Every beginning is difficult.
B.Tailored methods drive progress.
C.Art is the language of the soul.
D.Integrating life enhances learning.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。通读全文可知,本文讲述了作者学习素描时,有一段时间进步缓慢,后来通过涂鸦的方式将绘画与生活结合,取得了一定进展,在作者看来,这种方式有助于提升学习效果,由此可推知,这个故事传达了“融入生活,促进学习”的思想。
Passage 2 (2024湖北八市联考)
主题:让老太太搭便车 词数:357
难度:★★★☆☆
One day as I drove toward my home,I passed the local bus depot.I pulled up as a group of people crossed the road in front of me.As I watched,I noticed a thin,shabbily dressed older lady struggling with a large suitcase.
Witnessing this lady and remembering similar struggles I had experienced in the past when traveling,I pulled up alongside her and leaned over to call out through the open passenger window,“I’m going right into the town,” I said.“I can drop you off.That suitcase looks awfully heavy.” “Well,all right,” she answered.When we got there,she thanked me,“Well,God bless you,lady.No one has ever done me a kindness like that before.I hope someone will do a good turn for you one day.”
Shortly after the encounter with the suitcase lady,I decided to spend a day in the mountains alone.I set off with my dog in my pickup,which was elderly but still serviceable.After driving for nearly two hours,I heard a sudden loud noise and my truck came to a full stop.I found its axle was broken and needed to be towed.In a remote area,with no hope of finding another person,I knew I was in big trouble.Over and over,I blamed my own stupidity for being in a deserted area with no possible chance of help.I hoped that no wandering bear would come to investigate.Or a hungry mountain lion—with babies.My imagination ran riot.I started to panic.
Then faintly,in the distance,came the roar of motorbikes.As they drew nearer,I could see that they were a group of motorcycle riders.“Do you need help,ma’am ” I heard a concerned voice say.The rest is history.My pickup,my dog and I were all transported back to safety.I shall never forget the kindness of the motorcycle riders who stopped.Some people may think it was a happy coincidence,but personally I like to say,it was someone that really did a good turn for me,just as the suitcase lady said.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者某天让一个拿着行李的老太太搭了便车,结果在那之后不久,自己的车在半路坏了,也遇到了好心人帮助,作者认为这是善有善报。
5.How did the author help the old lady
A.She gave her a lift to the town.
B.She helped her cross the road.
C.She carried the suitcase for her.
D.She took her to a nearby hotel.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段内容可知,作者帮助老太太搭便车去镇上。
6.What happened to her pickup on the way to the mountains
A.It ran out of gas.
B.It crashed into a tree.
C.It broke down halfway.
D.It was attacked by animals.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据第三段中“After driving for nearly two hours,I heard a sudden loud noise and my truck came to a full stop.I found its axle was broken and needed to be towed.”可知,作者的车在去山里的路上坏了。
7.What was the author’s reaction to the incident in paragraph 3
A.She blamed it on the old road.
B.She lost her temper with the dog.
C.She stayed calm and asked for help.
D.She felt very uneasy and frightened.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第三段中“Over and over,I blamed my own stupidity for being in a deserted area with no possible chance of help.I hoped that no wandering bear would come to investigate.Or a hungry mountain lion—with babies.My imagination ran riot.I started to panic.”可知,作者对这次事件的反应是感到非常不安和害怕。
8.Which of the following is the best title for the story
A.Do as You Would Be Done by
B.A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
C.What Goes Around,Comes Around
D.God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
答案 C
解析 主旨大意题。文章主要讲述了作者某天让一个拿着行李的老太太搭了便车,结果在那之后不久,自己的车在半路坏了,也遇到了好心人帮助,作者认为这是善有善报。由此可知,C选项“善有善报”最适合作文章标题。
Passage 3 (2024安徽池州二模)
主题:保护真菌 词数:338 难度:★★★☆☆
In 1999,Giuliana Furci,founder and founding director of the Fungi (真菌) Foundation,developed a deep interest in fungi.They were everywhere,and the 20-year-old took particular joy in the variety of mushrooms:small and button-shaped;tall and umbrella-like;round with red caps topped with white flakes.Some were commonly found in people’s diets,for they were rich in nutrients such as vitamin,fiber,minerals and protein.
But Furci also quickly realized that these fungi went largely ignored in Chile,where there were few guidebooks and an almost total lack of policies and resources to protect them from over-harvesting and other human activities.Determined to correct this,Furci wrote a field guide and set up the Fungi Foundation—a non-profit dedicated to fungi conservation.In her guide,special attention went to the role of fungi in the ecosystem.
“Life on the planet wouldn’t exist without fungi,” said Greg Mueller,a mushroom conservation expert.“Because of their relationship with forests and trees,we can’t survive without fungi.In terms of the health of the planet,they’re incredibly important to humans and the overall ecosystem.” Fungi can break down plants and animals,thus cycling nutrients and increasing their availability in the soil.They are also important contributors to the soil carbon stock through the same process.What’s more,fungi have been found to help degrade(降解) various pollutants,such as plastic.And mycelium (菌丝体),which is the root structure of mushrooms,is now being used to replace unsustainable materials,such as plastic and animal-based products.
Because of these,exploration of fungi was expanded at a faster pace.However,some were already listed as critically endangered.In 2010,Furci took an even bigger step—with other environmental non-profits,she put forward a proposal for the government to systematically assess how large new developments such as housing,dams,and highways affect fungi.In 2012,a law was passed and Chile became the first country in the world to protect fungi by law.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述Furci意识到真菌对地球上生命的重要性后通过写指南、成立基金会等方式来呼吁人们关注并保护真菌。她和其他环保组织的行为甚至促使智利通过了一项保护真菌的法律。
9.What can we learn about Furci from the first two paragraphs
A.She enjoyed collecting mushrooms.
B.She was fond of cooking mushrooms.
C.She worried about the situation of fungi.
D.She had a habit of writing field guidebooks.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段中“But Furci also quickly realized that these fungi went largely ignored in Chile,where there were few guidebooks and an almost total lack of policies and resources to protect them from over-harvesting and other human activities.”可知,Furci担心真菌的现状。
10.What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about
A.The life on the earth without fungi.
B.The importance of fungi on the earth.
C.The relations between trees and fungi.
D.The practical uses of fungi in the future.
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。根据本段第一句“‘Life on the planet wouldn’t exist without fungi,’said Greg Mueller,a mushroom conservation expert.”并结合本段其他内容可知,本段主要介绍了真菌对地球上生命的重要性。
11.How did Furci protect the ecosystem
A.By writing free instructions on plants.
B.By starting a non-profit ecotourism company.
C.By raising awareness of the importance of fungi.
D.By passing laws to ban over-harvesting mushrooms.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第二段中“Determined to correct this,Furci wrote a field guide and set up the Fungi Foundation—a non-profit dedicated to fungi conservation.In her guide,special attention went to the role of fungi in the ecosystem.”可知,为了保护真菌,Furci写了指南并成立了真菌基金会。由此推知,Furci通过提高人们对真菌重要性的认识来保护真菌。
12.Which of the following best describes Furci’s work
A.Ground-breaking. B.Debatable.
C.Romantic. D.Unmatched.
答案 A
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段中“In 2010,Furci took an even bigger step—with other environmental non-profits,she put forward a proposal for the government to systematically assess how large new developments such as housing,dams,and highways affect fungi.In 2012,a law was passed and Chile became the first country in the world to protect fungi by law.”可知,Furci和其他环保组织的行为甚至促使智利通过了一项保护真菌的法律。由此推知,Furci的工作是有开创性的。文体分类练(三) 说明文之新发明/新产品类
Passage 1 (2024宁夏银川二模)
主题:发明创造 词数:324 难度:★★★☆☆
3M and Discovery Education announced Sean Jiang from Gilman School as one of the top ten finalists from across the nation for the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge.It’s a competition that encourages students to identify an everyday problem and submit a video showing the science behind the solution he or she came up with.
14-year-old Jiang decided to help those who can’t see.Blind people had a hard time navigating (导航) objects that are medium to far range.So Jiang wanted to design something to give them a heads-up on obstacles that may be incoming.
Jiang’s inspiration came from the powers of the hearing system.“I learned in school that bats and whales are able to use echolocation(回声定位) to help them navigate and just use their sense of hearing and I also saw on YouTube some very skilled blind people that use echolocation to help them walk,” said Jiang.
Jiang started with a virtual reality setting and then made it a reality.His creation uses a depth camera that can detect how close objects are,thus giving enough time to dodge the obstacles.When a blind is walking with the device,the sensor of the depth camera gathers the information regarding the obstacles’ position and distance.Then the AI system in it will turn the distance data into musical sound guidance.This could significantly increase the walking speed of a blind person as well as decrease the number of obstacles they hit.
Some other similar programs were alright at finding objects that were in close range,but Jiang still wanted the blind to experience the world even fuller so they were able to see stuff that was much further away than their circle of reach.
In October,the top ten finalists will compete in person in Minneapolis for the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” and a $25,000 prize.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇新闻报道。文章主要报道了一个青少年Sean Jiang的发明创造,他发明的设备能用声音帮助盲人顺利行走。
1.What can we learn about Jiang from the first two paragraphs
A.He was the champion of the 2023 3M event.
B.He invented technology to remove road obstacles.
C.He sought to assist the blind in walking smoothly.
D.He developed a new navigation app for his school.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第二段内容可知,Jiang设法帮助盲人顺利行走。
2.Why did Jiang mention “echolocation”
A.To show the development of technology.
B.To present the difficulties the blind face.
C.To stress the significance of hearing.
D.To explain the inspiration of his invention.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。根据第三段可知,Jiang提到“回声定位”是为了解释他的发明灵感。
3.What does the underlined word “dodge” mean in paragraph 4
A.Avoid. B.Encounter.
C.Challenge. D.Remove.
答案 A
解析 词句猜测题。画线词下文“When a blind is walking with the device,the sensor of the depth camera gathers the information regarding the obstacles’ position and distance.Then the AI system in it will turn the distance data into musical sound guidance.This could significantly increase the walking speed of a blind person as well as decrease the number of obstacles they hit.”说明该设备能够帮助盲人避开障碍物,从而推知画线词意思是“避开”。
4.What is the text mainly about
A.3M facilities intended for the blind.
B.A teen using sound to help the blind.
C.An invention to cure vision problems.
D.A competition to improve the blind’s life.
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。通读全文可知,本文主要介绍了一个青少年Sean Jiang的发明创造,他发明的设备能用声音帮助盲人顺利行走。
Passage 2
(2024广东湛江二模)
主题:机器人传感器 词数:357
难度:★★★☆☆
Researchers have developed a robotic sensor that combines artificial intelligence techniques to read Braille (盲文) at speeds roughly double that of most human readers.The research team,from the University of Cambridge,used machine learning algorithms (算法) to teach a robotic sensor to quickly slide over lines of Braille text.
The robotic sensor the researchers used has a camera in its “fingertip”,and reads by using a combination of the information from the camera and the sensors.“This is a hard problem for roboticists as there’s a lot of image processing that needs to be done to remove motion blur(模糊),which is time-and energy-consuming,” said Parth Potdar from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.
“There are existing robotic Braille readers,but they only read one letter at a time,which is not how humans read,” said Potdar.“Existing robotic Braille readers work in a static way:They touch one letter pattern,read it,pull up from the surface,move over,lower onto the next letter pattern,and so on.We want something that’s more realistic and far more efficient.”
The team developed machine learning algorithms so the robotic reader would be able to “deblur” the images before the sensor attempted to recognise the letters.They trained the algorithms on a set of sharp images of Braille with fake blur applied.After the algorithms had learned to deblur the letters,they used a computer vision model to detect and classify each character.
Once the algorithms were incorporated,the researchers tested their reader by sliding it quickly along rows of Braille characters.The robotic Braille reader could read 315 words per minute with 87% accuracy,which is twice as fast and about as accurate as human Braille reader.
“Braille reading speed is a great way to measure the dynamic performance of tactile(能触知的) sensing systems,so our findings could be applicable beyond Braille,for applications like detecting surface textures or slippage in robotic manipulation,” said Potdar.
In the future,the researchers are hoping to scale the technology to the size of a humanoid hand.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。剑桥大学的研究团队开发了一种机器人传感器,该传感器结合了人工智能技术,能以近似人类读者两倍的速度读取盲文。
5.What is difficult for roboticists to deal with in the reading process
A.Ridding of motion blur.
B.Teaching a robot to learn.
C.Processing robotic sensors.
D.Fixing a camera on the fingertip.
答案 A
解析 推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句“‘This is a hard problem for roboticists as there’s a lot of image processing that needs to be done to remove motion blur,which is time-and energy-consuming,’ said Parth Potdar from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.”可知,机器人专家在阅读过程中很难消除动态模糊。
6.What does the underlined word “static” in paragraph 3 mean
A.Still. B.Fast.
C.Clever. D.Lazy.
答案 A
解析 词义猜测题。根据第三段中的“‘There are existing robotic Braille readers,but they only read one letter at a time,which is not how humans read,’ said Potdar.”以及画线词下文“They touch one letter pattern,read it,pull up from the surface,move over,lower onto the next letter pattern,and so on.”可知,现有的机器人盲文阅读器是以静态的方式工作的。
7.What did Potdar want to express in paragraph 6
A.The good performance of the robot sensor.
B.The promising future of their research results.
C.The factors in making the tactile sensing systems.
D.The way to ensure the accuracy of the technology.
答案 B
解析 推理判断题。根据第六段内容可知,他们的研究结果可以应用到其他方面。由此可推断,该研究结果是有前景的。
8.Which can be the best title for the text
A.Technology to be scaled to the size of a humanoid hand
B.Robots trained to read Braille at twice the speed of humans
C.A great way to measure the performance of sensing systems
D.Machine learning algorithms expected to change Braille writing
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。本文主要介绍了剑桥大学研究团队开发的机器人传感器,该传感器结合了人工智能技术,能以近似人类读者两倍的速度读取盲文。B项“Robots trained to read Braille at twice the speed of humans (机器人被训练以两倍于人类的速度阅读盲文)”最能概括本文主旨。
Passage 3(2024湖南张家界二模)
主题:预测阅读困难的新工具 词数:306
难度:★★★☆☆
A study expands positive evidence for a new screening tool that directly engages preschool children during clinic visits to assess their early literacy skills.The tool,called The Reading House (TRH),is the first of its kind.It has the potential to identify reading difficulties as early as possible,according to researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
TRH is an assessment developed by John Hutton and his team for kids aged from 3 to 5.Screening takes just about five minutes and assesses performance levels for kids aged from 3 to 5.It addresses a significant gap in ways to screen early literacy skills efficiently and directly.The tool,which is fun for kids,could be used in places like primary care or preschool settings.The screening measures core skills typically appearing in the preschool age range,including vocabulary,rhyming,alphabet knowledge and print concepts.All are skills predictive of reading success and often associated with reading difficulties.
The study involved 70 healthy children—34 boys and 36 girls—between 3 and 5 years old from various socioeconomic background.The children completed standardized tests of important literacy skills:vocabulary,rhyming arid rapid automatized naming.Fifty-two of these children also successfully completed MRI (磁共振成像),including the measurement of the gray matter surface of their brains.The thicker cortex (皮质),particularly in left-sided areas supporting language and reading,has been associated with higher skills that are predictive of reading outcomes.
Many children arrive at kindergarten unprepared to learn to read,especially those from minorities and economically poor backgrounds—estimated at over 50% of children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the U.S.and over 25% overall.“By screening early during clinic visits,we can target effective interventions that help these children better prepare for kindergarten and improve reading outcomes—literally,snapping their brains to read,” said Hutton.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了一些研究人员研发出了一个新的工具,可以帮助预测3—5岁的小孩是否会有阅读困难。
9.What might be the purpose of creating TRH
A.To identify the best reading apps for kids.
B.To develop preschool kids’ literacy skills.
C.To discover kids’ reading problems early.
D.To study key factors in kids’ development.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段的“The tool,called The Reading House (TRH),is the first of its kind.It has the potential to identify reading difficulties as early as possible,according to researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.”可知,该工具可以确认学龄前儿童是否会有阅读困难。
10.What can we know about the new screening tool
A.It lacks reliability.
B.It has operational advantages.
C.It covers a wider target group.
D.It’s modelled after conventional tools.
答案 B
解析 推理判断题。根据第二段的“Screening takes just about five minutes and assesses performance levels for kids aged from 3 to 5.It addresses a significant gap in ways to screen early literacy skills efficiently and directly.”可推知,该工具有操作方面的优势——可操作性强。
11.Which participants may be more capable of reading
A.Older children from minority groups.
B.Younger children from economically advanced areas.
C.Children with complex cortical patterns in their brains.
D.Children with the thicker cortex in the left-sided areas of their brains.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第三段的“The thicker cortex,particularly in left-sided areas supporting language and reading,has been associated with higher skills that are predictive of reading outcomes.”可知,左边大脑皮质层较厚的孩子会有较强的阅读能力。
12.What attitude does Hutton have to TRH
A.Doubtful. B.Favorable.
C.Uncertain. D.Conservative.
答案 B
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段内容可知,Hutton认为该工具能帮助改善来自贫穷家庭孩子的阅读,因此他是满怀希望的。文体分类练(四) 说明文之研究报告/书评类
Passage 1(2024安徽安庆二模)
主题:利用藻类除碳 词数:335
难度:★★★☆☆
Nobody knows yet what the best way of removing all that carbon will be,but scientists around the world are developing a new method.The Swiss company Climeworks is building big extractor(抽油烟机) fans to remove carbon.
But other scientists are looking to nature’s carbon cycle for inspiration.They’re looking for ways to improve it,speed it up and help it take more carbon out of the air permanently.
One of those scientists is Professor Luke Mackinder,a plant biologist at the University of York.His research into carbon removal is inspired by ocean algae(海藻).“About half of carbon absorption takes place in the ocean,” he says.“Algae are extremely efficient at absorbing it.”
In order to do this,his team has studied the genetic code(基因密码) of algae to work out which genes play a vital role in carbon absorption.He believes they have now figured this out.“Now we have a list and we can start thinking about how to bring them together in different living things,” he says.“We place the genes into those of other plants.It’s genetic modification.”
Mackinder anticipates adding them to a range of crops and trees.The resulting increased production could be good for food security.Alternatively,they could help to enhance the influence of climate change.It all depends on what we do with the carbon once it’s trapped in those plants.Eating them would quickly return it to the atmosphere.But if instead we find ways to store it,we could keep it out of the atmosphere for good.
Dave Hillyard,chief administrator of the Carbon Technology Research Foundation that is funding Mackinder’s research,says that it is important to fund work on a wide range of carbon removal methods,because “some will not get the results they’re looking for and some will succeed.There are a lot of opportunities here but very little funding and research going into it.”
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了关于利用藻类除碳的研究。
1.What is discussed in the first paragraph
A.An approach to carbon removal.
B.A way to improve big extractor fans.
C.A means of joining a company.
D.A method of doing scientific research.
答案 A
解析 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段内容可知,第一段讨论了一种去除碳的方法。故选A项。
2.Why does Professor Luke Mackinder focus on ocean algae
A.It is secure. B.It is effective.
C.It is sufficient. D.It is accessible.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据文章第三段中“Algae are extremely efficient at absorbing it.”可知,卢克·麦金德教授关注海洋藻类是因为它是有效的。故选B项。
3.What can we know about the genes of algae from the fourth paragraph
A.They bring about great side effects.
B.They are useless for carbon absorption.
C.They help increase food production.
D.They have been put into other plants.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据文章第四段中“We place the genes into those of other plants.It’s genetic modification.”可知,藻类的基因被植入到其他植物中。故选D项。
4.What is required according to Dave Hillyard
A.The government’s permission.
B.More scientists’ participation.
C.Increasing experimental chances.
D.The input into the research.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中“There are a lot of opportunities here but very little funding and research going into it.”可知,根据Dave Hillyard的说法,对研究的投入是需要的。故选D项。
Passage 2(2024福建福州三模)
主题:机器学习研究 词数:367
难度:★★★☆☆
Our species’ incredible capacity to quickly acquire words from 300 by age 2 to over 1,000 by age 4 isn’t fully understood.Some cognitive scientists and linguists have theorized that people are born with built-in expectations and logical constraints (约束) that make this possible.Now,however,machine-learning research is showing that preprogrammed assumptions aren’t necessary to swiftly pick up word meanings from minimal data.
A team of scientists has successfully trained a basic artificial intelligence model to match images to words using just 61 hours of naturalistic footage (镜头) and sound—previously collected from a child named Sam in 2013 and 2014.Although it’s a small slice of a child’s life,it was apparently enough to prompt the AI to figure out what certain words mean.
The findings suggest that language acquisition could be simpler than previously thought.Maybe children “don’t need a custom-built,high-class language-specific mechanism” to efficiently grasp word meanings,says Jessica Sullivan,an associate professor of psychology at Skidmore College.“This is a really beautiful study,” she says,“because it offers evidence that simple information from a child’s worldview is rich enough to kick-start pattern recognition and word comprehension.”
The new study also demonstrates that it’s possible for machines to learn similarly to the way that humans do.Large language models are trained on enormous amounts of data that can include billions and sometimes trillions of word combinations.Humans get by on orders of magnitude less information,says the paper’s lead author Wai Keen Vong.With the right type of data,that gap between machine and human learning could narrow dramatically.
Yet additional study is necessary in certain aspects of the new research.For one,the scientists acknowledge that their findings don’t prove how children acquire words.Moreover,the study only focused on recognizing the words for physical objects.
Still,it’s a step toward a deeper understanding of our own mind,which can ultimately help us improve human education,says Eva Portelance,a computational linguistics researcher.She notes that AI research can also bring clarity to long-unanswered questions about ourselves.“We can use these models in a good way,to benefit science and society,” Portelance adds.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了现在机器学习研究表明,要从最少的数据中快速获取单词的含义并不需要预先编程的假设。
5.What is a significant finding of machine-learning research
A.Vocabulary increases gradually with age.
B.Vocabulary can be acquired from minimal data.
C.Language acquisition is tied to built-in expectations.
D.Language acquisition is as complex as formerly assumed.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据文章第一段中“Now,however,machine-learning research is showing that preprogrammed assumptions aren’t necessary to swiftly pick up word meanings from minimal data.”可知,机器学习研究的一个重要发现是词汇可以从最小的数据中获得。
6.What does the underlined word “prompt” in paragraph 2 mean
A.Facilitate. B.Persuade.
C.Advise. D.Expect.
答案 A
解析 词句猜测题。根据上文“A team of scientists has successfully trained a basic artificial intelligence model to match images to words using just 61 hours of naturalistic footage and sound—previously collected from a child named Sam in 2013 and 2014.”可知,虽然只是孩子生活中的一小部分,但显然足以促使人工智能弄清楚某些单词的意思。prompt意为“促使”。
7.What is discussed about the new research in paragraph 5
A.Its limitations. B.Its strengths.
C.Its uniqueness. D.Its process.
答案 A
解析 主旨大意题。根据文章第五段内容可知,第五段主要讲述了这项新研究的局限性。
8.What is Eva Portelance’s attitude to the AI research
A.Doubtful. B.Cautious.
C.Dismissive. D.Positive.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中“She notes that AI research can also bring clarity to long-unanswered questions about ourselves.‘We can use these models in a good way,to benefit science and society,’Portelance adds.”可推知,Eva Portelance对人工智能研究的态度是积极的。
Passage 3(2024河北保定一模)
主题:手势对听众的影响 词数:330
难度:★★★☆☆
Politicians,business bosses,and other types of leaders indeed tend to like speaking with their hands,but does the habit influence how others interpret those words To get to the bottom of it,a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics conducted a series of experiments on volunteers who viewed videos of people speaking with and without hand movements.
After showing the volunteers videos of people speaking under different conditions,the researchers asked them questions about what they had heard.Some conditions involved the speaker stressing different parts of words in a sentence.Other conditions involved the speaker making various types of hand gestures,such as pointing and sweeping movements.The team recorded the volunteers as they viewed the video recordings,questioning the volunteers afterward about what they had seen and heard.
Researchers found that the volunteers were more affected by syllables(音节) spoken with the conjunction of hand gestures:In 20 percent of the cases,the viewers were more likely to have heard and interpreted the word spoken with a hand gesture.Interestingly,however,volunteers were 40 percent more likely to hear the wrong sound when a mismatch between the word spoken and the hand gesture occurred.
Body language expert Carol Goman said,“Studies have found that speaking with your hands really can change the view of your character.People who communicate through active gesturing tend to be considered warm,agreeable,and energetic,while those who remain still are seen as logical,cold,and analytic.In fact,a 2015 study that studied TED Talks,which posts international talks online,found that the most popular speakers used nearly twice as many gestures as the least popular speakers used.”
The research team said that their findings suggest that hand gestures are an important part of in-person communication that have a direct impact on what the listener hears.Furthermore,they suggest that our responses to hand gestures may be something we learn as we grow up.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了研究人员通过实验发现,在谈话中使用或不使用手势会对听众产生很大影响。
9.What’s the researchers’ purpose of doing the experiments
A.To examine the volunteers’ interpreting skills.
B.To test the effect hand gestures have on speaking.
C.To record the volunteers’ questions for the speaker.
D.To confirm the influence hand movements have on leaders.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段内容可知,研究人员做实验的目的是测试手势对说话的影响。
10.What did the researchers find in the experiments
A.Hand movements affected what the listener heard.
B.The speaker stressed different parts of words in a sentence.
C.People speaking with different hand gestures had different effects.
D.The most popular speakers used more gestures than the least popular speakers did.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。根据第三段中“In 20 percent of the cases,the viewers were more likely to have heard and interpreted the word spoken with a hand gesture.Interestingly,however,volunteers were 40 percent more likely to hear the wrong sound when a mismatch between the word spoken and the hand gesture occurred.”可知,研究人员在实验中发现手的动作会影响听者听到的内容。
11.What does the underlined word “conjunction” mean in paragraph 3
A.Assistance. B.Combination.
C.Disturbance. D.Interpretation.
答案 B
解析 词句猜测题。根据第三段中的“In 20 percent of the cases,the viewers were more likely to have heard and interpreted the word spoken with a hand gesture.”可推知,此处是指志愿者更容易受到与手势相结合的音节的影响,所以conjunction意为“结合”。
12.What may the researchers agree with
A.Gestures can influence others’ view on one’s personality.
B.Understanding gestures is a must in every language.
C.In-person communication helps interpret gestures.
D.Responses to gestures are learning behavior.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Furthermore,they suggest that our responses to hand gestures may be something we learn as we grow up.”可推知,研究人员可能认同“对手势的反应是一种学习行为”的观点。文体分类练(五) 说明文之新概念类
Passage 1 (2024山东淄博一模)
主题:曝光效应 词数:348 难度:★★★☆☆
Would you rather watch a new movie,or an old favorite Would you rather try a dish you’ve never had at a restaurant,or stick with something you know you’ll like Researchers studying the “mere exposure effect” have found that we often prefer the familiar to the novel.
People didn’t need to experience a reward or positive outcome while around the object—simply being exposed to the object would be enough to make people like it.To test this,social psychologist Robert Zajonc had participants read words in a foreign language out loud and varied how often participants read each word (up to 25 repetitions).Next,after reading the words,participants were asked to guess at the meaning of each word by filling out a rating scale (indicating how positive or negative they thought the meaning of the word was).
He found that participants liked words that they had said more often,while words that participants hadn’t read at all were rated more negatively,and words that had been read 25 times were rated highest.Just the mere exposure to the word was enough to make participants like it more.
One place where the mere exposure effect occurs is in advertising.It explains why seeing the same advertisement multiple times could be more convincing than just seeing it once.Of course,there’s a caution here:the mere exposure effect doesn’t happen for things we initially dislike.Researchers have found that our liking for a variety of things (including pictures,sounds,foods,and smells) can be increased with repeated exposure,suggesting that the mere exposure effect isn’t limited to just one of our senses.Additionally,researchers have found that the mere exposure effect occurs in studies with human research participants as well as in studies with non-human animals.
Another key finding from this analysis was that participants eventually started to like objects less after many repeated exposures.In other words,a smaller number of repeated exposures will make you like something more——but,if the repeated exposures continue,you could eventually get tired of it.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。本文介绍了曝光效应,即一种我们会偏好自己熟悉的事物的心理现象。本文阐述了曝光效应的提出、应用及原理。
1.What is the key factor in Robert Zajonc’s test
A.Frequency. B.Preference.
C.Originality. D.Achievement.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段中“To test this,social psychologist Robert Zajonc had participants read words in a foreign language out loud and varied how often participants read each word (up to 25 repetitions).”可知,Robert Zajonc测试的关键因素是频率。
2.Which of the following is an example of the “mere-exposure effect”
A.We favor an advertisement at the first sight.
B.A student joined in the club because of love.
C.We are more convinced of what we met before.
D.A student read as many English words as possible.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第一段中“Researchers studying the ‘mere exposure effect’ have found that we often prefer the familiar to the novel.”可知,C选项“我们更相信以前遇见的”是曝光效应的例子。
3.What can we learn about the “mere exposure effect” according to paragraph 4
A.It is the result of advertising.
B.It has nothing to do with animals.
C.It is true of what we dislike at first.
D.It can be applied to multiple senses.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第四段中“Researchers have found that our liking for a variety of things (including pictures,sounds,foods,and smells) can be increased with repeated exposure,suggesting that the mere exposure effect isn’t limited to just one of our senses.”可知,“曝光效应”可以应用于多种感官。
4.What is the text mainly about
A.More love because of more exposures.
B.The study on the “mere exposure effect”.
C.Better results from the earlier exposures.
D.The application of the “mere exposure effect”.
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。本文介绍了曝光效应,即一种我们会偏好自己熟悉的事物的心理现象。本文阐述了曝光效应的提出、应用及原理。
Passage 2 (2024山东菏泽一模)
主题:多力多滋理论 词数:336难度:★★★★☆
The apparent complexities of the TikTok algorithm(算法) may actually be as simple as a bag of chips.In a video with more than 700,000 views,creator Celeste Aria laid out her “Dorito theory”,which she uses to explain the addictive nature of endlessly-scrolling social media feeds.
Everyone has a topic they just can’t stop thinking about,and Aria’s Roman Empire is Doritos.In her popular video,she expresses that TikTok scrolling is so addictive because it is never fully satisfying.Like a Dorito,a scrolling session on the For You Page is most stimulating during the first few bites.The end of the chip or video brings a desire to start consuming another one,thus returning to that first-bite feeling.
Essentially,the Dorito theory suggests that activities like eating Doritos,which provide a quick burst of pleasure but lack lasting satisfaction,can be highly addictive.Aria compared it to consuming foods that offer deeper satisfaction,like a hearty steak,where the feeling of fullness and contentment lasts longer.
The theory can apply to a lot of different experiences,but it’s particularly well-suited as a metaphor for the dopamine(多巴胺) boosts that occur while scrolling through social media feeds.Dr.Jamie Sorenson,a board-certified psychiatrist,said that the Dorito theory is consistent with existing ideas regarding addiction.“The more immediate the reward is,the more likely we are to repeat that behavior,whether it’s eating Doritos or scrolling on social media.”
Aria may not be a licensed medical professional,but she treats junk food the way any nutritionist would.“I’d recommend just trying to remove anything that you think falls into the Dorito category,” she says in her video.
The Dorito theory trend has led to reflections on the nature of addiction and the pursuit of instant satisfaction in today’s society,resonating(共鸣) with many TikTok users who recognize similar patterns in their own lives.So,it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Doritos responds to Aria’s theory.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了Aria用她提出的多力多滋理论解释了社交媒体无尽滚动信息流为何具有高度成瘾性,这一理论引起了广大群众的共鸣,已成为一个热点话题。
5.What do the underlined words “Roman Empire” in paragraph 2 probably refer to
A.A video.
B.A subject.
C.A country.
D.A snack.
答案 B
解析 词句猜测题。根据画线词前“Everyone has a topic they just can’t stop thinking about”可推知,Aria的话题是多力多滋薯片,故B项“话题”与画线词含义一致。
6.What makes Aria addicted to chips according to the text
A.Social media.
B.Different flavors.
C.Lasting satisfaction.
D.First-bite feeling.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据文章第二段中“Like a Dorito,a scrolling session on the For You Page is most stimulating during the first few bites.The end of the chip or video brings a desire to start consuming another one,thus returning to that first-bite feeling.”可知,Aria对薯片上瘾正是由于这种“第一口”的感觉。
7.How does Aria explain the Dorito theory
A.By introducing a concept.
B.By conducting an experiment.
C.By making a comparison.
D.By quoting an expert’s words.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据文章第二段中“In her popular video,she expresses that TikTok scrolling is so addictive because it is never fully satisfying.Like a Dorito,a scrolling session on the For You Page is most stimulating during the first few bites.The end of the chip or video brings a desire to start consuming another one,thus returning to that first-bite feeling.”可知,Aria通过类比的方式阐述了多力多滋理论。
8.What is a suitable title for the text
A.TikTok:an appealing platform
B.Celeste Aria:an insightful discoverer
C.Chips or steaks:a challenging choice
D.The Dorito theory:an ongoing hit online
答案 D
解析 主旨大意题。文章主要介绍了Aria的多力多滋理论,且这一理论引起了广大群众的共鸣,已成为一个热点话题,故D项“多力多滋理论:一个网络上持续走红的热点”适合作为文章的标题。
Passage 3 (2024浙江温州二模)
主题:宜家效应 词数:321 难度:★★★★★
When instant cake mixes first appeared in the 1950s,American housewives were doubtful.These mixes,promising easy cake-baking,felt too easy.The manufacturers discovered that requiring the addition of an egg in the baking process was just enough to make the housewives happy with their work.The greater sense of effort gained from a little extra labor is believed to have been essential to the later success of the cake mix.
This reflects the IKEA effect (宜家效应),which is identified by psychologist Michael I.Norton and his colleagues,suggesting we place greater value on things we have worked to create.They conducted four studies in which they asked participants to fold paper cranes and frogs,assemble IKEA boxes,and build sets of Legos.They then asked the builders to bid(出价) for their creations,and compared the prices with bids from people who hadn’t built them.The builders consistently outbid the non-builders.
Interestingly,the IKEA effect works even when people have no opportunity to fully personalize their creations.While most participants’ folding skills left much to be desired,they loved their imperfectly personalized products all the more.Builders valued their wrinkled crane-like creations nearly five times as much as non-builders.Beauty,it seems,is in the eye of the builder.
Today,as cities are suffering from severe housing crises,the IKEA effect can give us insight into the well-being benefits of a self-building approach to housing development.Projects like WikiHouse and the “half-a-house” approach pioneered by Alejandro Aravena’s architecture company Elemental are working to make housing more affordable and sustainable by making it easier for people to build and personalize their own homes.
“The moment people are involved with their built environment,they have a totally different relationship to it,” WikiHouse co-founder Alastair Parvin explained.“When the roof starts leaking or a door starts creaking,they have the power to fix it themselves.”
【语篇导读】本文是一篇说明文。本文通过讨论宜家效应以及几个实验研究的结果,论述了人们更加珍视自己亲手创造的东西,并由此引发了对自我建造住房的好处的思考。
9.What brought customers the joy of cake-baking according to paragraph 1
A.A better taste.
B.An easy approach.
C.A detailed recipe.
D.An additional effort.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段中“The manufacturers discovered that requiring the addition of an egg in the baking process was just enough to make the housewives happy with their work.The greater sense of effort gained from a little extra labor is believed to have been essential to the later success of the cake mix.”可知,额外的努力给顾客带来了蛋糕烘焙的乐趣。
10.What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 imply
A.Creations are based on skills.
B.Extra labor increases perceived value.
C.Beauty is found through contrast.
D.Strict management brings good quality.
答案 B
解析 词句猜测题。根据上文内容可知,本段主要讲述额外的劳动会让参与者更喜欢自己的作品,所以“Beauty,it seems,is in the eye of the builder.”意为“额外的劳动增加了感知价值”。
11.What is Alastair Parvin’s attitude towards public involvement in housing
A.Critical.
B.Objective.
C.Doubtful.
D.Supportive.
答案 D
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段内容可知,Alastair Parvin认为公众参与住房建设,他们与环境的关系就完全不同了,所以是持支持的态度。
12.What’s the purpose of this text
A.To promote a brand.
B.To make a proposal.
C.To explain a concept.
D.To introduce a study.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。纵观全文,尤其是第二段内容可知,本文主要解释什么是宜家效应(IKEA effect),所以本文的目的是解释一个概念。文体分类练(六) 议论文
Passage 1 (2024福建漳州三模)
主题:气候变化对体型的影响 词数:321
难度:★★★☆☆
The climate crisis may lead the human race to shrink in size,as mammals with smaller frames appear better able to deal with rising global temperatures,a leading fossil expert has said.
Professor Steve Brusatte,a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh,suggested that the way in which other mammals have previously responded to periods of climate change could offer an insight into humans’ future.He compared the potential problem of people as similar to that of early horses,which became smaller in body size as temperatures rose around 55 million years ago.
Writing in The Rise and Reign of the Mammals,Brusatte notes that animals in warmer parts of the world today are often smaller than those in colder areas,an ecological principle known as Bergmann’s rule.“The reasons are not entirely understood,but it is probably,in part,because smaller animals have a higher surface area relative to their volume than bigger animals and can thus improve the dissipation of the extra heat,” he writes.
Brusatte said that becoming smaller was “a common way that mammals deal with climate change”.He added,“That’s not to say every species of mammal would get smaller,but it seems to be a common survival trick of mammals when temperatures rise pretty quickly.That does raise the question:If temperatures do rise really quickly,might humans get smaller And I think that’s certainly reasonable.”
However,not all experts agree that rising temperature causes mammals to shrink.Professor Adrian Lister,of the Natural History Museum in London,said the relationship shown by the recent human remains study is weak.“We are not really controlled by natural selection,” he said.“If that was going to happen,you’d need to find large people dying before they could reproduce because of climate warming.That is not happening in today’s world.We wear clothes,and we have got heating,just as we have got air conditioning if it is too hot.”
【语篇导读】本文是一篇议论文。文章探讨了气候变化对哺乳动物尤其是人类的体型的影响。
1.How do mammals cope with climate change according to Brusatte
A.Moving to colder regions.
B.Reducing their body size.
C.Losing their weight.
D.Adapting their diet.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段“The climate crisis may lead the human race to shrink in size,as mammals with smaller frames appear better able to deal with rising global temperatures,a leading fossil expert has said.”及第四段中“Brusatte said that becoming smaller was ‘a common way that mammals deal with climate change’.”可知,根据Brusatte的说法,哺乳动物减小体型来应对气候变化。
2.What does the underlined word “dissipation” in paragraph 3 mean
A.Exchange.
B.Formation.
C.Absorption.
D.Emission.
答案 D
解析 词句猜测题。根据画线词上文“Writing in The Rise and Reign of the Mammals,Brusatte notes that animals in warmer parts of the world today are often smaller than those in colder areas,an ecological principle known as Bergmann’s rule.”和画线词所在句中“The reasons are not entirely understood,but it is probably,in part,because smaller animals have a higher surface area relative to their volume than bigger animals”可知,体型较小的动物比体型较大的动物更容易散热,从而推知画线单词意思是“散发”。
3.What is Adrian Lister’s attitude towards the recent study
A.Worried.
B.Objective.
C.Skeptical.
D.Approving.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段中“However,not all experts agree that rising temperature causes mammals to shrink.Professor Adrian Lister,of the Natural History Museum in London,said the relationship shown by the recent human remains study is weak.”以及“That is not happening in today’s world.”等内容可知,Adrian Lister对最近的研究持怀疑态度。
4.What is the best title of this text
A.The Threat of Climate Change to Human Survival
B.The Impact of Climate Change on Mammal Body Sizes
C.The Evolutionary Trends in Mammal Body Sizes
D.The Adaptive Strategies of Mammals to Climate Change
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。本文探讨了气候变化对哺乳动物尤其是人类的体型的影响。B项“气候变化对哺乳动物体型的影响”符合主题。
Passage 2 (2024广东韶关二模)
主题:对生活的看法 词数:314
难度:★★★☆☆
Is life a story or a game Answers may vary from one to another.Over the course of life,we find things to love and commit to—a job,a partner or a community.At times,we struggle to learn from our misfortunes to grow in wisdom,kindness and grace.
Will Storr,a writer whose work I admire,says this story version of life is a misunderstanding.In his book The Status Game,he argues that human beings are deeply driven by status.Rather than about being liked or accepted,he writes,it’s about being better than others.“When people are obedient to us,offer respect,admiration or praise,that’s status.It feels good.”
Life is a series of games,he adds.There’s the high school game of competing to be the popular kid.The lawyer game to make partner.The finance game to make the most money.The academic game for fame.The sports game to show that our team is the best.Even when we are trying to do good,Storr claims,we’re playing the “virtue game” to show we are morally superior to others.
I think Storr is in danger of becoming one of those guys who ignore the noble desires of the human heart and the caring element in every friendship and family.The status-mad world that Storr describes is so loveless.In fact,gaming as a way of life is immature.Maturity means rising above the shallow desire—for status—that doesn’t really nourish us.It’s about cultivating the higher desires:the love of truth and learning;the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work,which is not about popularity,and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.
How do people gradually learn to cultivate these higher motivations To answer that,I’d have to tell you a story.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇议论文。生活是一个故事还是一场游戏 作家Will Storr认为生活就是一系列的游戏,人类深受地位的驱使,作者指出这种生活态度是不成熟的,成熟意味着追求更高的愿望。
5.What lies in the core of Will Storr’s opinion about life
A.The pride in one’s virtue.
B.The pursuit of superiority.
C.The desire for acceptance.
D.The motivation by wealth.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段中“In his book The Status Game,he argues that human beings are deeply driven by status.Rather than about being liked or accepted,he writes,it’s about being better than others.‘When people are obedient to us,offer respect,admiration or praise,that’s status.It feels good.’”可知,Will Storr作品的核心在于追求更高的地位,要比别人更好,B项“追求卓越”符合题意。
6.What can be viewed as higher motivations in the text
A.Love and inspiration.
B.Maturity and desire.
C.Commitment and kindness.
D.Friendship and popularity.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第一段中“Over the course of life,we find things to love and commit to—a job,a partner or a community.At times,we struggle to learn from our misfortunes to grow in wisdom,kindness and grace.”和第四段中“It’s about cultivating the higher desires:the love of truth and learning;the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work,which is not about popularity,and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.”可知,C项“承诺和善良”可以被视为更高的动机。
7.What’s the main purpose of the passage
A.To correct an attitude.
B.To compare two values.
C.To explain two arguments.
D.To criticize a viewpoint.
答案 A
解析 推理判断题。文章首句“Is life a story or a game ”提出问题:生活是一个故事还是一场游戏 接着提到了作家Will Storr对此问题的回答,Will Storr认为生活就是一系列的游戏,人类深受地位的驱使,接着作者提到这种生活态度是不成熟的,故本文的目的是纠正一种态度。
8.What story do you think the author will tell next
A.A king’s-comeback story.
B.A rags-to-riches story.
C.A Yuan Longping-style story.
D.An overnight-success story.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第四段最后一句“It’s about cultivating the higher desires:the love of truth and learning;the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work,which is not about popularity,and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.”和最后一段“How do people gradually learn to cultivate these higher motivations To answer that,I’d have to tell you a story.”可知,更高的愿望是对真理和学习的热爱和对美好而有意义的生活的渴望,作者接下来要讲述如何培养这些更高动机,C项“一个袁隆平式的故事”符合更高动机的内涵。
Passage 3 (2024河北邯郸三模)
主题:善意的谎言 词数:349 难度:★★★★★
“Individuals of all ages who have empathy(共情) understand that sometimes telling little white lies can protect other people from getting hurt,” says Barbara Greenberg,a clinical psychologist in Connecticut.“Most people that I have come across tell these little white lies because they understand that 100 percent honesty all the time is not beneficial.A white lie,”she explains,“spares people from unnecessary hurt.”
At the same time,Dr.Julia Breur,a marriage and family therapist in Florida,emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the way we respond to someone.The fact is that not telling the truth can result in something unpleasant on you;it’s not just about the person the white lie is being told to.For example,she says someone who always tells others that “all is good” when it comes to a sick parent in an effort to avoid discussions about how serious their health issue really is,can eventually face stressful experiences.When that parent eventually passes away,the person who always gave an “all is good” response ends up emotionally broken.
Sometimes,telling white lies often depends on the situation,Dr.Breur says.For example,consider a woman who has not seen her mother for several months.The daughter has gained noticeable weight,yet the mother responds by excitedly declaring that she looks great.“I emphasize during psychotherapy sessions with my patients that context helps define meaning,” Dr.Breur says.“So when we look at the context of a mother saying you look great when she clearly sees that her daughter has gained weight,it can be acceptable.It reflects the intention of the white lie which is kindness,protection and unconditional love.Otherwise,white lies—especially when told to avoid personal accountability—can start a cycle of mistrust between people,ultimately compromising integrity,” she adds.
Therefore,it’s important to ask ourselves when it is and isn’t appropriate to deliver the honest truth,and when it’s best to step back and offer a more delicate response.More often than not,it’s about finding a balance between the two.
【语篇导读】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要阐述了善意的谎言可以让人们免受不必要的伤害,但有时候,善意的谎言往往取决于具体情况。因此,重要的是要问问自己,什么时候说实话是合适的,什么时候不合适,什么时候最好退一步,做出更微妙的回应,要在两者之间找到平衡。
9.What can be learned about white lies according to Barbara Greenberg
A.They are short-lived.
B.They are unidentifiable.
C.They are trouble-making.
D.They are common.
答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“‘Most people that I have come across tell these little white lies because they understand that 100 percent honesty all the time is not beneficial.A white lie,’she explains,‘spares people from unnecessary hurt.’”可知,根据芭芭拉·格林伯格的说法,善意的谎言很常见。
10.What message does Dr.Breur deliver in paragraph 2
A.White lies can harm both the liars and the listeners.
B.We must respond to our family members truthfully.
C.It’s wrong to tell white lies to a seriously ill parent.
D.The “all is good” response is effective in dealing with patients.
答案 A
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“At the same time,Dr.Julia Breur,a marriage and family therapist in Florida,emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the way we respond to someone.The fact is that not telling the truth can result in something unpleasant on you;it’s not just about the person the white lie is being told to.”可知,善意的谎言给说谎者和听者都会带来伤害。
11.What is Dr.Breur’s attitude towards the mother’s practice in paragraph 3
A.Uncaring.
B.Critical.
C.Supportive.
D.Doubtful.
答案 C
解析 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“‘I emphasize during psychotherapy sessions with my patients that context helps define meaning,’ Dr.Breur says.‘So when we look at the context of a mother saying you look great when she clearly sees that her daughter has gained weight,it can be acceptable.It reflects the intention of the white lie which is kindness,protection and unconditional love.Otherwise,white lies—especially when told to avoid personal accountability—can start a cycle of mistrust between people,ultimately compromising integrity,’ she adds.”可知,Breur博士对第三段中母亲的做法持支持态度,她认为它反映了善意谎言的意图,即善意、保护和无条件的爱。
12.Which of the following is the best title for the text
A.East or West,White Lies Are the Best
B.Think Twice Before You Tell White Lies
C.White Lies Signify Unconditional Love
D.White Lies Are Empathetic People’s Favorable Choice
答案 B
解析 主旨大意题。通读全文,本文主要讲了善意的谎言可以让人们免受不必要的伤害,但有时候,善意的谎言往往取决于具体情况。因此,在说善意的谎言之前要三思。B项“Think Twice Before You Tell White Lies”最能概括本文主旨,适合作为标题。
