Passage 1
题源：New Scientist 字数：244 用时：9min
For most of our existence, Homo sapiens shared the planet with other types of human. Among them, the Neanderthals, our closest extinct relatives, died out about 40,000 years ago.
In his book The Naked Neanderthal, Ludovic Slimak, a paleo - anthropologist at the University of Toulouse in France, has made a profound study of the past 30 years of Neanderthal research. Once, Neanderthals were considered to be primitive, with a focus on survival, sex, and death. However, new evidence has changed this perception.
Neanderthals were far more advanced than we once thought. They used complex techniques, like making adhesives from birch bark, burying their dead, and creating cave art. These behaviors show that they had a high level of intellectual capabilities.
Slimak is skeptical of the previous view that Neanderthals were fundamentally different from ourselves. He argues that the evidence of Neanderthal - created art and symbolic objects, such as necklaces of shell beads, indicates a unique way of thinking.
In Slimak's view, while we know that Neanderthals buried their dead, questions remain. For example, did Neanderthals eat their dead during famine, or was it a ritualized handling of dead bodies
Most fascinating is the discovery in a cave where there was no sunlight. Here, fossil bones from deer carried in by Neanderthal hunters were found.
The extinction of Neanderthals might be related to climate change. Slimak suggests that as the climate changed, Neanderthals failed to adapt, leading to their disappearance from the planet.
What was the traditional perception of Neanderthals
A. They were highly intelligent with advanced techniques.
B. They were mainly concerned with survival, sex, and death.
C. They had a complex social structure.
D. They were similar to Homo sapiens in many ways.
What new evidence has changed our understanding of Neanderthals
A. The discovery of their simple tools.
B. The finding of their fossil bones in caves.
C. Their use of complex techniques and creation of art.
D. The research on their diet and hunting habits.
What can we infer from the passage about the extinction of Neanderthals
A. It was mainly due to competition with Homo sapiens.
B. They were unable to adapt to climate change.
C. They died out because of a sudden natural disaster.
D. The exact cause of their extinction is still unknown.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce a new book about Neanderthals.
B. To compare Neanderthals with Homo sapiens.
C. To discuss the latest research on Neanderthals and the change of our perception of them.
D. To explore the reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals.
1 答案：B
解析：细节理解题（直接信息题）。根据文章第三段 “Once, Neanderthals were considered to be primitive, with a focus on survival, sex, and death.” 可知，传统观点认为尼安德特人主要关注生存、性和死亡，B 选项正确。
2 答案：C
解析：细节理解题（直接信息题）。从文章第四段 “Neanderthals were far more advanced than we once thought. They used complex techniques, like making adhesives from birch bark, burying their dead, and creating cave art.” 可知，他们使用复杂技术以及创造艺术等新证据改变了我们对尼安德特人的理解，C 选项正确。
3 答案：B
解析：推理判断题（细节判断题）。由文章最后一段 “The extinction of Neanderthals might be related to climate change. Slimak suggests that as the climate changed, Neanderthals failed to adapt, leading to their disappearance from the planet.” 可推断出，尼安德特人灭绝可能是因为他们无法适应气候变化，B 选项正确。
4 答案：C
解析：主旨归纳题（文章主旨大意）。文章主要介绍了对尼安德特人的最新研究以及人们对他们看法的转变，C 选项正确。
Passage 2
题源：Positive News 字数：275 用时：8min
Tribalism has a strong influence on primitive humans, making loyalty and familiarity take precedence over reason and compassion in various situations. It can be enjoyable, like supporting a beloved sports team, but it can also lead people to extreme tribal - like behaviors.
However, new research offers hope. People have the potential to rise above tribal tendencies and greatly expand their "moral circle" of care, which refers to the range of people and things they care about.
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia invited people to participate in a two - hour workshop for themselves and others. They were required to complete a series of compassion - themed exercises for two weeks.
The results showed that the intervention made a significant difference. Participants' levels of concern for individuals beyond their immediate family and friends increased. This included people who were stigmatized, and even so - called "villains" such as murderers.
Crucially, the results of a three - month follow - up indicated that once people's circles of concern expanded, they continued to include new groups and communities over time.
Professor James Kirby, the lead researcher and a member of the Global Compassion Coalition, said, "We're showing that humans have the capacity to be deeply compassionate, caring, and cooperative — all attributes that we are going to need."
This research shows that under certain practices, like the two - hour workshop and the subsequent compassion exercises, humans' moral circles can be broadened. It implies that people don't have to be stuck in conflict and hostility. Instead, they have the ability to be more compassionate and caring towards a wider range of people.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. Tribalism is a common phenomenon among primitive humans.
B. People can break free from tribal tendencies and expand their moral circles.
C. A two - hour workshop can solve all human relationship problems.
D. Compassion - themed exercises are popular in Australia.
What does the underlined phrase "moral circle" in the second paragraph refer to
A. The range of people and things one cares about.
B. The level of one's loyalty to family and friends.
C. The ability to show compassion in different situations.
D. The boundary between good and evil in one's mind.
What can we infer from the research results
A. People's concern for others is always limited to their family and friends.
B. Stigmatized people and "villains" are not worthy of people's concern.
C. Once the moral circle is expanded, people will maintain their broadened care.
D. The two - hour workshop is the only way to expand people's moral circles.
What is Professor James Kirby's attitude towards the research results
A. Doubtful.
B. Positive.
C. Negative.
D. Neutral.
5 答案：B
解析：主旨归纳题。文章开篇介绍了部落主义的影响，接着重点阐述了新的研究表明人们有潜力摆脱部落主义倾向，扩大他们的 “道德关怀圈”，后文围绕该研究展开论述，所以 B 选项正确。
6 答案：A
解析：猜测词义题。根据第二段 “People have the potential to rise above tribal tendencies and greatly expand their'moral circle' of care, which refers to the range of people and things they care about.” 可知，“moral circle” 指的是一个人关心的人和事物的范围，A 选项正确。
7 答案：C
解析：推理判断题。从文章第五段 “Crucially, the results of a three - month follow - up indicated that once people's circles of concern expanded, they continued to include new groups and communities over time.” 可以推断出，一旦道德关怀圈扩大，人们会持续保持这种扩大后的关怀，C 选项正确。
8 答案：B
解析：态度倾向或评论题。根据倒数第二段 Professor James Kirby 所说的 “We're showing that humans have the capacity to be deeply compassionate, caring, and cooperative — all attributes that we are going to need.” 可知，他对研究结果持积极的态度，B 选项正确。
Passage 3
题源：Positive News 字数：287 用时：8min
In the southern Gaza Strip, many displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, but now they face the need to flee again. Amid this difficult situation, Alaa Al Dali, the captain and co - founder of the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team, is actively engaged in helping the displaced.
The Gaza Sunbirds, a non - profit organization formed in 2020 to support Palestinian para - athletes in international tournaments, has had to put its sports - related plans on hold due to the Israel - Hamas war that started in October following terrorist attacks by Hamas gunmen in Israel.
Despite the challenges of war and displacement, Al Dali is deep in negotiations with vegetable vendors in the Reqqa souk. With the help of his teammates, he rides from one shop to another, trying to get the best price for vegetables so that he can deliver parcels to as many displaced people as possible.
So far, the team has distributed $70,000 (￡56,000) worth of aid, including 53 tonnes of food, reaching more than 170,000 people in southern Gaza. The aid includes essential items such as duvets, sanitary products, and other necessities. Aid money is also used to pay stipends for the athletes and their families.
After hours of hard work, Al Dali finally agrees on a price with a vendor and starts packing the vegetables with the help of his teammates, eventually filling 200 parcels. The Sunbirds, who themselves have been displaced from different parts of the Gaza Strip, then distribute the food among the displaced.
This shows the unwavering spirit of the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team in the face of adversity, as they strive to bring some relief to the displaced Gazans.
What is the original purpose of the Gaza Sunbirds
A. To participate in international para - athletics tournaments.
B. To deliver aid to displaced Palestinians.
C. To negotiate with vegetable vendors for better prices.
D. To organize demonstrations calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza.
What can we learn about the aid distribution by the Gaza Sunbirds
A. They have only distributed food to the displaced.
B. The aid is mainly funded by international organizations.
C. They have reached over 170,000 people in southern Gaza with various types of aid.
D. The team members are all from the same area in the Gaza Strip.
What does the underlined phrase "against all odds" in the title mean
A. With all the necessary support.
B. Despite all the difficulties.
C. In line with all the rules.
D. According to all the expectations.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team.
B. To describe the difficult situation of displaced Gazans.
C. To show how the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team is delivering aid to displaced Gazans in face of the war.
D. To call on more people to support the displaced Gazans.
9 答案：A
解析：细节理解题（直接信息题）。根据文章第三段 “The Gaza Sunbirds, a non - profit organization formed in 2020 to support Palestinian para - athletes in international tournaments...” 可知，加沙太阳鸟队最初的目的是支持巴勒斯坦残疾运动员参加国际锦标赛，A 选项正确。
10 答案：C
解析：细节理解题（直接信息题）。从文章第五段 “So far, the team has distributed $70,000 (￡56,000) worth of aid, including 53 tonnes of food, reaching more than 170,000 people in southern Gaza. The aid includes essential items such as duvets, sanitary products, and other necessities.” 可知，他们向加沙南部超过 170,000 人发放了包括各种生活必需品在内的援助，C 选项正确。
11 答案：B
解析：猜测词义题（根据上下文）。文章讲述了加沙太阳鸟队在战争和人们流离失所的艰难情况下，努力为流离失所的加沙人提供援助，所以 “against all odds” 意思是 “尽管有所有的困难”，B 选项正确。
12答案：C
解析：主旨归纳题（文章主旨大意）。文章主要介绍了加沙太阳鸟残疾人自行车队在战争背景下，克服困难为流离失所的加沙人提供援助的情况，C 选项正确。Passage 1
题源：New Scientist 字数：244 用时：9min
For most of our existence, Homo sapiens shared the planet with other types of human. Among them, the Neanderthals, our closest extinct relatives, died out about 40,000 years ago.
In his book The Naked Neanderthal, Ludovic Slimak, a paleo - anthropologist at the University of Toulouse in France, has made a profound study of the past 30 years of Neanderthal research. Once, Neanderthals were considered to be primitive, with a focus on survival, sex, and death. However, new evidence has changed this perception.
Neanderthals were far more advanced than we once thought. They used complex techniques, like making adhesives from birch bark, burying their dead, and creating cave art. These behaviors show that they had a high level of intellectual capabilities.
Slimak is skeptical of the previous view that Neanderthals were fundamentally different from ourselves. He argues that the evidence of Neanderthal - created art and symbolic objects, such as necklaces of shell beads, indicates a unique way of thinking.
In Slimak's view, while we know that Neanderthals buried their dead, questions remain. For example, did Neanderthals eat their dead during famine, or was it a ritualized handling of dead bodies
Most fascinating is the discovery in a cave where there was no sunlight. Here, fossil bones from deer carried in by Neanderthal hunters were found.
The extinction of Neanderthals might be related to climate change. Slimak suggests that as the climate changed, Neanderthals failed to adapt, leading to their disappearance from the planet.
What was the traditional perception of Neanderthals
A. They were highly intelligent with advanced techniques.
B. They were mainly concerned with survival, sex, and death.
C. They had a complex social structure.
D. They were similar to Homo sapiens in many ways.
What new evidence has changed our understanding of Neanderthals
A. The discovery of their simple tools.
B. The finding of their fossil bones in caves.
C. Their use of complex techniques and creation of art.
D. The research on their diet and hunting habits.
What can we infer from the passage about the extinction of Neanderthals
A. It was mainly due to competition with Homo sapiens.
B. They were unable to adapt to climate change.
C. They died out because of a sudden natural disaster.
D. The exact cause of their extinction is still unknown.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce a new book about Neanderthals.
B. To compare Neanderthals with Homo sapiens.
C. To discuss the latest research on Neanderthals and the change of our perception of them.
D. To explore the reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals.
Passage 2
题源：Positive News 字数：275 用时：8min
Tribalism has a strong influence on primitive humans, making loyalty and familiarity take precedence over reason and compassion in various situations. It can be enjoyable, like supporting a beloved sports team, but it can also lead people to extreme tribal - like behaviors.
However, new research offers hope. People have the potential to rise above tribal tendencies and greatly expand their "moral circle" of care, which refers to the range of people and things they care about.
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia invited people to participate in a two - hour workshop for themselves and others. They were required to complete a series of compassion - themed exercises for two weeks.
The results showed that the intervention made a significant difference. Participants' levels of concern for individuals beyond their immediate family and friends increased. This included people who were stigmatized, and even so - called "villains" such as murderers.
Crucially, the results of a three - month follow - up indicated that once people's circles of concern expanded, they continued to include new groups and communities over time.
Professor James Kirby, the lead researcher and a member of the Global Compassion Coalition, said, "We're showing that humans have the capacity to be deeply compassionate, caring, and cooperative — all attributes that we are going to need."
This research shows that under certain practices, like the two - hour workshop and the subsequent compassion exercises, humans' moral circles can be broadened. It implies that people don't have to be stuck in conflict and hostility. Instead, they have the ability to be more compassionate and caring towards a wider range of people.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. Tribalism is a common phenomenon among primitive humans.
B. People can break free from tribal tendencies and expand their moral circles.
C. A two - hour workshop can solve all human relationship problems.
D. Compassion - themed exercises are popular in Australia.
What does the underlined phrase "moral circle" in the second paragraph refer to
A. The range of people and things one cares about.
B. The level of one's loyalty to family and friends.
C. The ability to show compassion in different situations.
D. The boundary between good and evil in one's mind.
What can we infer from the research results
A. People's concern for others is always limited to their family and friends.
B. Stigmatized people and "villains" are not worthy of people's concern.
C. Once the moral circle is expanded, people will maintain their broadened care.
D. The two - hour workshop is the only way to expand people's moral circles.
What is Professor James Kirby's attitude towards the research results
A. Doubtful.
B. Positive.
C. Negative.
D. Neutral.
Passage 3
题源：Positive News 字数：287 用时：8min
In the southern Gaza Strip, many displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, but now they face the need to flee again. Amid this difficult situation, Alaa Al Dali, the captain and co - founder of the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team, is actively engaged in helping the displaced.
The Gaza Sunbirds, a non - profit organization formed in 2020 to support Palestinian para - athletes in international tournaments, has had to put its sports - related plans on hold due to the Israel - Hamas war that started in October following terrorist attacks by Hamas gunmen in Israel.
Despite the challenges of war and displacement, Al Dali is deep in negotiations with vegetable vendors in the Reqqa souk. With the help of his teammates, he rides from one shop to another, trying to get the best price for vegetables so that he can deliver parcels to as many displaced people as possible.
So far, the team has distributed $70,000 (￡56,000) worth of aid, including 53 tonnes of food, reaching more than 170,000 people in southern Gaza. The aid includes essential items such as duvets, sanitary products, and other necessities. Aid money is also used to pay stipends for the athletes and their families.
After hours of hard work, Al Dali finally agrees on a price with a vendor and starts packing the vegetables with the help of his teammates, eventually filling 200 parcels. The Sunbirds, who themselves have been displaced from different parts of the Gaza Strip, then distribute the food among the displaced.
This shows the unwavering spirit of the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team in the face of adversity, as they strive to bring some relief to the displaced Gazans.
What is the original purpose of the Gaza Sunbirds
A. To participate in international para - athletics tournaments.
B. To deliver aid to displaced Palestinians.
C. To negotiate with vegetable vendors for better prices.
D. To organize demonstrations calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza.
What can we learn about the aid distribution by the Gaza Sunbirds
A. They have only distributed food to the displaced.
B. The aid is mainly funded by international organizations.
C. They have reached over 170,000 people in southern Gaza with various types of aid.
D. The team members are all from the same area in the Gaza Strip.
What does the underlined phrase "against all odds" in the title mean
A. With all the necessary support.
B. Despite all the difficulties.
C. In line with all the rules.
D. According to all the expectations.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. To introduce the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team.
B. To describe the difficult situation of displaced Gazans.
C. To show how the Gaza Sunbirds para - cycling team is delivering aid to displaced Gazans in face of the war.
D. To call on more people to support the displaced Gazans.
