Passage 1
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has achieved a remarkable feat by bringing back materials from asteroid Bennu. On 12 September, a capsule containing about 250 grams of space rock landed safely in the desert near Salt Lake City, Utah. This event could potentially shed light on how the solar system was formed.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been on its way back to Earth since 2020, after extracting samples from Bennu. The mission's final and riskiest part was the capsule's controlled freefall through Earth's atmosphere, reaching speeds of 44,500 kilometers per hour. “Boy, did we stick that landing,” said Dante Lauretta, an investigator of OSIRIS-REx.
After landing, the capsule was taken to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Scientists there will carefully open the canister and categorize the sample inside. Once the rocks are weighed and inventoried, they will be distributed to research groups around the world for further study.
Bennu was chosen as the target primarily because it is relatively close to Earth. At the time of launch in 2016, it was about 225 million kilometers away. Scientists are particularly interested in Bennu as it may contain organic molecules, which could be crucial in understanding what might have seeded life on Earth.
As one mission ends, another begins. NASA is set to launch its Psyche mission to an asteroid also named Psyche. The target asteroid is more than 300 kilometers across and takes about five Earth years to orbit the sun. Currently, we know very little about Psyche's surface, origins, or composition, but it is likely to be almost all metal.
What is the significance of the materials brought back from asteroid Bennu
A. They can help us understand the formation of the Earth.
B. They may explain how life started on other planets.
C. They could assist in understanding the formation of the solar system.
D. They might reveal the secrets of the universe.
Why was asteroid Bennu selected as the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission
A. It is the closest asteroid to Earth.
B. It is rich in organic molecules.
C. It has a unique orbit around the sun.
D. It is relatively near to Earth.
What do we know about the Psyche mission
A. The target asteroid is about 225 million kilometers away from Earth.
B. The target asteroid is likely to be mainly made of metal.
C. It has already been launched successfully.
D. It aims to bring back samples from the asteroid.
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage
A. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft landed on Earth in 2020.
B. The final part of the OSIRIS-REx mission was relatively safe.
C. Scientists will study the samples from Bennu all by themselves.
D. The samples from Bennu may contain organic molecules.
答案
C
解析：根据文中 “NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has brought back materials from asteroid Bennu that could help us understand how the solar system formed” 以及 “This event could potentially shed light on how the solar system was formed” 可知，从本努小行星带回的物质有助于我们理解太阳系的形成，C 选项正确。
D
解析：文中提到 “Bennu was chosen as the target primarily because it is relatively close to Earth”，说明选择本努小行星作为目标主要是因为它相对靠近地球，D 选项正确。文中未提及它是离地球最近的小行星，A 错误；文中说可能含有有机分子，并非确定富含，B 错误；未提及它的轨道独特，C 错误。
B
解析：依据 “NASA is set to launch its Psyche mission to an asteroid also named Psyche... but it is likely to be almost all metal” 可知，Psyche 任务的目标小行星可能几乎全部由金属构成，B 选项正确。2.25 亿公里是 2016 年本努小行星与地球的距离，A 错误；该任务还未发射，C 错误；文中未提及要带回样本，D 错误。
D
解析：从 “Scientists are particularly interested in Bennu as it may contain organic molecules” 可知，来自本努小行星的样本可能含有有机分子，D 选项正确。OSIRIS - REx 航天器在 2020 年开始返回地球，不是着陆，A 错误；文中说任务最后部分是 “riskiest”，并非相对安全，B 错误；带回的样本会分给世界各地的研究小组，不是科学家独自研究，C 错误。
Passage2
According to a study by Michael Le Page, almost all land mammals on Earth will die out in 250 million years. This prediction is based on modeling how the planet's continents will move and climate will change in the very long term.
Alexander Farnsworth at the University of Arkansas points out that if humans still exist on Earth at that time, with the help of technology, they could survive on a much more inhospitable planet. But for most mammals, the future looks grim.
There are two long - term trends contributing to this outcome. First, the Earth is gradually getting hotter. In 250 million years, the amount of heat reaching the Earth's surface will be about 2.5 per cent higher. Second, all the continents will merge into a single large landmass straddling the equator, named Pangaea Ultima, similar to the supercontinent that dinosaurs lived on. In the interior of such a large landmass, the climate will be extremely hot, and there will probably be no land near the poles to provide cool refuges.
As a result of these trends, carbon dioxide levels in the air are likely to decline. If it's a triple whammy with rocks reacting with CO , the world may become too hot even for dinosaurs. Farnsworth and his colleagues used a geochemical model to calculate future CO levels and then input these values into a climate model. They found that in almost all scenarios, the living conditions in the vast majority of the supercontinent would exceed the upper limits of survival for mammals.
Some land mammals might cling on around the edges of Pangaea Ultima, yet the extreme weather in these places would still make life tough. Even if birds, which descended from dinosaurs, could potentially take over the world, the future for mammals seems rather bleak.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. The future of humans on Earth.
B. The reasons for the extinction of dinosaurs.
C. The prediction that nearly all mammals will go extinct in 250 million years.
D. The changes of the Earth's climate and continents.
What are the two long - term trends that will lead to the extinction of mammals
A. The increase of carbon dioxide levels and the merging of continents.
B. The rise in temperature and the decline of carbon dioxide levels.
C. The decrease of heat reaching the Earth's surface and the formation of a new supercontinent.
D. The rise in temperature and the merging of continents.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Humans will definitely survive in 250 million years with the help of technology.
B. All mammals will die out completely in 250 million years.
C. The interior of Pangaea Ultima will be extremely hot.
D. Birds will not be affected by the changes on Earth.
Why are carbon dioxide levels in the air likely to decline
A. Because of the reaction between rocks and CO .
B. Because of the formation of Pangaea Ultima.
C. Because of the increase in heat reaching the Earth's surface.
D. Because of the evolution of mammals.
答案
C
解析：文章开篇点明 “According to a study by Michael Le Page, almost all land mammals on Earth will die out in 250 million years”，后文围绕这一预测展开阐述其原因等内容，所以文章主要讲的是几乎所有哺乳动物将在 2.5 亿年后灭绝的预测，C 选项正确。
D
解析：根据文中 “There are two long - term trends contributing to this outcome. First, the Earth is gradually getting hotter... Second, all the continents will merge into a single large landmass straddling the equator” 可知，导致哺乳动物灭绝的两个长期趋势是气温上升和大陆合并，D 选项正确。
C
解析：从 “Second, all the continents will merge into a single large landmass straddling the equator, named Pangaea Ultima... In the interior of such a large landmass, the climate will be extremely hot” 可以推断出，泛大陆终极版的内部将会极其炎热，C 选项正确。文中说人类借助技术可能存活，A 选项 “definitely” 表述过于绝对；一些陆地哺乳动物可能在泛大陆边缘生存，B 选项 “completely” 错误；文中说极端天气会让生活艰难，鸟类也会受影响，D 选项错误。
A
解析：依据 “As a result of these trends, carbon dioxide levels in the air are likely to decline. If it's a triple whammy with rocks reacting with CO , the world may become too hot even for dinosaurs” 可知，空气中二氧化碳水平可能下降是因为岩石与二氧化碳的反应，A 选项正确。
Passage 3
As countries brace for the northern winter, the question of who should receive a covid - 19 booster vaccine has led governments to reach varying conclusions.
In the US, the government has recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older should get a booster. This universal approach aims to prevent the most severe cases of covid - 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each additional hospitalization in people under 65 would require vaccinating far more individuals in this age group. However, the CDC also acknowledges that vaccinating people with and without underlying health conditions means resources may not be optimally used.
In contrast, the UK is taking a more targeted approach. Officials in the UK are restricting booster shots to older or vulnerable people. This includes those who are 65 and over, individuals with certain underlying health conditions, and frontline healthcare workers. Similar policies have been adopted in Germany and France as well.
The rationale behind the UK's strategy is efficiency. Amiravan Banerjee from University College London points out that more than 90 percent of the country's population already has some level of protection against the coronavirus. Booster shots for those with existing immunity might offer minimal additional benefit, while focusing on the vulnerable can save healthcare resources.
The trouble is, predicting whether previous immunity will protect against new variants is difficult, and immunity wanes over time. This uncertainty explains why the US chose universal vaccination, despite the higher costs involved. Research also indicates that vaccination can safeguard against long covid, potentially reducing the risk by up to 84 percent.
What is the main difference between the US and UK's covid - 19 booster vaccination policies
A. The US offers boosters to all over 6 months old, while the UK focuses on older or vulnerable people.
B. The US restricts boosters to certain groups, while the UK recommends them for everyone.
C. The US provides boosters for free, while the UK charges for them.
D. The US starts booster vaccination earlier than the UK.
Why does the UK adopt a targeted vaccination policy
A. Because the UK has limited vaccine supplies.
B. Because most of the UK's population already has some protection.
C. Because the UK wants to save the cost of vaccine production.
D. Because the UK government believes universal vaccination is ineffective.
What is the problem with covid - 19 booster vaccination according to the passage
A. The high cost of producing vaccines.
B. The difficulty in transporting vaccines.
C. The uncertainty of whether previous immunity can protect against new variants.
D. The low willingness of people to get vaccinated.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Universal vaccination is always the best approach.
B. The difference between the two vaccination policies will have a huge impact on public health.
C. Protecting vulnerable groups is important in covid - 19 vaccination.
D. Long covid is no longer a concern with vaccination.
答案
A
解析：根据文中 “In the US, the government has recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older should get a booster.” 以及 “In contrast, the UK is taking a more targeted approach. Officials in the UK are restricting booster shots to older or vulnerable people.” 可知，美国建议 6 个月及以上的所有人都接种加强针，而英国将加强针限制在老年人或弱势群体，A 选项正确。
B
解析：从 “The rationale behind the UK's strategy is efficiency. Amiravan Banerjee from University College London points out that more than 90 percent of the country's population already has some level of protection against the coronavirus. Booster shots for those with existing immunity might offer minimal additional benefit, while focusing on the vulnerable can save healthcare resources.” 可知，英国采取针对性接种政策是因为英国大部分人口已经有了一定的保护，B 选项正确。
C
解析：依据 “The trouble is, predicting whether previous immunity will protect against new variants is difficult, and immunity wanes over time.” 可知，新冠加强针接种存在的问题是无法确定以前的免疫力是否能抵御新变种，C 选项正确。
C
解析：文中提到英国等国家将加强针限制在老年人或弱势群体，美国全面接种也考虑到保护更多人，可推断出在新冠疫苗接种中保护弱势群体很重要，C 选项正确。文中说两种政策各有考虑，不能说全面接种总是最好的，A 错误；“the difference between the two approaches will probably be marginal” 表明两种政策差异的影响可能不大，B 错误；接种可降低长新冠风险，但长新冠仍是关注点，D 错误。
Passage 4
Do you ever find yourself lying in bed with an overwhelming urge to move your legs Or perhaps your lower limbs keep you up at night with sensations like itching, burning, or throbbing If so, you might be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological movement disorder that can disrupt your well - being.
“RLS can occur at any time of the day, but it's usually worse at night or when a person is at rest, such as on a long flight or car ride,” says Alon Y. Avidan, M.D., a neurologist and director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center in California. The reason RLS flares up in the evening may be related to the brain's circadian rhythm. The production of dopamine, which plays a role in movement, slows down at night. This natural decrease could lead to twitching and other symptoms that are hard to control, explains Kapil Sachdeva, M.D., a neurologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Illinois.
Besides the circadian - rhythm factor, other common causes of RLS include inactivity, low iron levels, and genetics. Moreover, RLS can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, and menopause.
However, there's no need to worry. There's an expert - approved plan to help you feel better, sleep more soundly, and keep your legs at peace. By following this plan, you can reduce the discomfort of RLS and improve your quality of life.
What is the main symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) according to the passage
A. Difficulty in falling asleep.
B. Strong desire to move the legs and strange sensations in lower limbs.
C. Pain in the knees and ankles.
D. Frequent twitching of the whole body.
Why does RLS usually get worse in the evening
A. Because people are more tired at night.
B. Due to the decrease in physical activities in the evening.
C. It may be linked to the change of the brain's circadian rhythm.
D. As a result of the increase in dopamine production at night.
Which of the following is NOT a cause of RLS
A. High iron levels in the body.
B. Genetics.
C. Chronic kidney disease.
D. Inactivity.
What can we infer from the passage
A. There is no way to deal with RLS currently.
B. RLS only affects people's sleep at night.
C. People with RLS can improve their condition by following an expert - approved plan.
D. RLS is a common mental disorder.
答案
B
解析：根据文中 “Do you ever find yourself lying in bed with an overwhelming urge to move your legs Or perhaps your lower limbs keep you up at night with sensations like itching, burning, or throbbing If so, you might be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)” 可知，RLS 的主要症状是强烈想要移动腿部以及下肢有奇怪的感觉，B 选项正确。
C
解析：从 “The reason RLS flares up in the evening may be related to the brain's circadian rhythm. The production of dopamine, which plays a role in movement, slows down at night” 可知，RLS 在晚上更严重可能与大脑的昼夜节律变化有关，C 选项正确。
A
解析：文中提到 “Besides the circadian - rhythm factor, other common causes of RLS include inactivity, low iron levels, and genetics. Moreover, RLS can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, and menopause”，可知高铁含量不是 RLS 的病因，A 选项正确。
C
解析：依据 “However, there's no need to worry. There's an expert - approved plan to help you feel better, sleep more soundly, and keep your legs at peace” 可推断出，患有 RLS 的人可以通过遵循专家认可的计划来改善状况，C 选项正确。文中说有专家认可的计划应对 RLS，A 错误；RLS 在白天也可能发生，B 错误；RLS 是一种神经系统运动障碍，不是精神障碍，D 错误。Passage 1
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has achieved a remarkable feat by bringing back materials from asteroid Bennu. On 12 September, a capsule containing about 250 grams of space rock landed safely in the desert near Salt Lake City, Utah. This event could potentially shed light on how the solar system was formed.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been on its way back to Earth since 2020, after extracting samples from Bennu. The mission's final and riskiest part was the capsule's controlled freefall through Earth's atmosphere, reaching speeds of 44,500 kilometers per hour. “Boy, did we stick that landing,” said Dante Lauretta, an investigator of OSIRIS-REx.
After landing, the capsule was taken to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Scientists there will carefully open the canister and categorize the sample inside. Once the rocks are weighed and inventoried, they will be distributed to research groups around the world for further study.
Bennu was chosen as the target primarily because it is relatively close to Earth. At the time of launch in 2016, it was about 225 million kilometers away. Scientists are particularly interested in Bennu as it may contain organic molecules, which could be crucial in understanding what might have seeded life on Earth.
As one mission ends, another begins. NASA is set to launch its Psyche mission to an asteroid also named Psyche. The target asteroid is more than 300 kilometers across and takes about five Earth years to orbit the sun. Currently, we know very little about Psyche's surface, origins, or composition, but it is likely to be almost all metal.
What is the significance of the materials brought back from asteroid Bennu
A. They can help us understand the formation of the Earth.
B. They may explain how life started on other planets.
C. They could assist in understanding the formation of the solar system.
D. They might reveal the secrets of the universe.
Why was asteroid Bennu selected as the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission
A. It is the closest asteroid to Earth.
B. It is rich in organic molecules.
C. It has a unique orbit around the sun.
D. It is relatively near to Earth.
What do we know about the Psyche mission
A. The target asteroid is about 225 million kilometers away from Earth.
B. The target asteroid is likely to be mainly made of metal.
C. It has already been launched successfully.
D. It aims to bring back samples from the asteroid.
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage
A. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft landed on Earth in 2020.
B. The final part of the OSIRIS-REx mission was relatively safe.
C. Scientists will study the samples from Bennu all by themselves.
D. The samples from Bennu may contain organic molecules.
Passage2
According to a study by Michael Le Page, almost all land mammals on Earth will die out in 250 million years. This prediction is based on modeling how the planet's continents will move and climate will change in the very long term.
Alexander Farnsworth at the University of Arkansas points out that if humans still exist on Earth at that time, with the help of technology, they could survive on a much more inhospitable planet. But for most mammals, the future looks grim.
There are two long - term trends contributing to this outcome. First, the Earth is gradually getting hotter. In 250 million years, the amount of heat reaching the Earth's surface will be about 2.5 per cent higher. Second, all the continents will merge into a single large landmass straddling the equator, named Pangaea Ultima, similar to the supercontinent that dinosaurs lived on. In the interior of such a large landmass, the climate will be extremely hot, and there will probably be no land near the poles to provide cool refuges.
As a result of these trends, carbon dioxide levels in the air are likely to decline. If it's a triple whammy with rocks reacting with CO , the world may become too hot even for dinosaurs. Farnsworth and his colleagues used a geochemical model to calculate future CO levels and then input these values into a climate model. They found that in almost all scenarios, the living conditions in the vast majority of the supercontinent would exceed the upper limits of survival for mammals.
Some land mammals might cling on around the edges of Pangaea Ultima, yet the extreme weather in these places would still make life tough. Even if birds, which descended from dinosaurs, could potentially take over the world, the future for mammals seems rather bleak.
What is the main idea of the passage
A. The future of humans on Earth.
B. The reasons for the extinction of dinosaurs.
C. The prediction that nearly all mammals will go extinct in 250 million years.
D. The changes of the Earth's climate and continents.
What are the two long - term trends that will lead to the extinction of mammals
A. The increase of carbon dioxide levels and the merging of continents.
B. The rise in temperature and the decline of carbon dioxide levels.
C. The decrease of heat reaching the Earth's surface and the formation of a new supercontinent.
D. The rise in temperature and the merging of continents.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Humans will definitely survive in 250 million years with the help of technology.
B. All mammals will die out completely in 250 million years.
C. The interior of Pangaea Ultima will be extremely hot.
D. Birds will not be affected by the changes on Earth.
Why are carbon dioxide levels in the air likely to decline
A. Because of the reaction between rocks and CO .
B. Because of the formation of Pangaea Ultima.
C. Because of the increase in heat reaching the Earth's surface.
D. Because of the evolution of mammals.
Passage 3
As countries brace for the northern winter, the question of who should receive a covid - 19 booster vaccine has led governments to reach varying conclusions.
In the US, the government has recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older should get a booster. This universal approach aims to prevent the most severe cases of covid - 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each additional hospitalization in people under 65 would require vaccinating far more individuals in this age group. However, the CDC also acknowledges that vaccinating people with and without underlying health conditions means resources may not be optimally used.
In contrast, the UK is taking a more targeted approach. Officials in the UK are restricting booster shots to older or vulnerable people. This includes those who are 65 and over, individuals with certain underlying health conditions, and frontline healthcare workers. Similar policies have been adopted in Germany and France as well.
The rationale behind the UK's strategy is efficiency. Amiravan Banerjee from University College London points out that more than 90 percent of the country's population already has some level of protection against the coronavirus. Booster shots for those with existing immunity might offer minimal additional benefit, while focusing on the vulnerable can save healthcare resources.
The trouble is, predicting whether previous immunity will protect against new variants is difficult, and immunity wanes over time. This uncertainty explains why the US chose universal vaccination, despite the higher costs involved. Research also indicates that vaccination can safeguard against long covid, potentially reducing the risk by up to 84 percent.
What is the main difference between the US and UK's covid - 19 booster vaccination policies
A. The US offers boosters to all over 6 months old, while the UK focuses on older or vulnerable people.
B. The US restricts boosters to certain groups, while the UK recommends them for everyone.
C. The US provides boosters for free, while the UK charges for them.
D. The US starts booster vaccination earlier than the UK.
Why does the UK adopt a targeted vaccination policy
A. Because the UK has limited vaccine supplies.
B. Because most of the UK's population already has some protection.
C. Because the UK wants to save the cost of vaccine production.
D. Because the UK government believes universal vaccination is ineffective.
What is the problem with covid - 19 booster vaccination according to the passage
A. The high cost of producing vaccines.
B. The difficulty in transporting vaccines.
C. The uncertainty of whether previous immunity can protect against new variants.
D. The low willingness of people to get vaccinated.
What can we infer from the passage
A. Universal vaccination is always the best approach.
B. The difference between the two vaccination policies will have a huge impact on public health.
C. Protecting vulnerable groups is important in covid - 19 vaccination.
D. Long covid is no longer a concern with vaccination.
Passage 4
Do you ever find yourself lying in bed with an overwhelming urge to move your legs Or perhaps your lower limbs keep you up at night with sensations like itching, burning, or throbbing If so, you might be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological movement disorder that can disrupt your well - being.
“RLS can occur at any time of the day, but it's usually worse at night or when a person is at rest, such as on a long flight or car ride,” says Alon Y. Avidan, M.D., a neurologist and director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center in California. The reason RLS flares up in the evening may be related to the brain's circadian rhythm. The production of dopamine, which plays a role in movement, slows down at night. This natural decrease could lead to twitching and other symptoms that are hard to control, explains Kapil Sachdeva, M.D., a neurologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Illinois.
Besides the circadian - rhythm factor, other common causes of RLS include inactivity, low iron levels, and genetics. Moreover, RLS can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, and menopause.
However, there's no need to worry. There's an expert - approved plan to help you feel better, sleep more soundly, and keep your legs at peace. By following this plan, you can reduce the discomfort of RLS and improve your quality of life.
What is the main symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) according to the passage
A. Difficulty in falling asleep.
B. Strong desire to move the legs and strange sensations in lower limbs.
C. Pain in the knees and ankles.
D. Frequent twitching of the whole body.
Why does RLS usually get worse in the evening
A. Because people are more tired at night.
B. Due to the decrease in physical activities in the evening.
C. It may be linked to the change of the brain's circadian rhythm.
D. As a result of the increase in dopamine production at night.
Which of the following is NOT a cause of RLS
A. High iron levels in the body.
B. Genetics.
C. Chronic kidney disease.
D. Inactivity.
What can we infer from the passage
A. There is no way to deal with RLS currently.
B. RLS only affects people's sleep at night.
C. People with RLS can improve their condition by following an expert - approved plan.
D. RLS is a common mental disorder.
