Passage 1
A hidden landscape has been unveiled under the East Antarctic ice sheet. A landscape shaped by rivers and glaciers over millions of years seems to have been preserved beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet. The finding suggests that this area of Antarctica may have been covered in ice for more than 30 million years.
Apart from a few mountain peaks, almost all the geological features of Antarctica are covered in a sheet of ice more than 2 kilometres thick. Radar measurements have revealed the broad contours of this hidden landscape, but details remain largely obscure. Now, Stewart Jamieson at Durham University in the UK and his colleagues have used a satellite radar to get a new view of the surface of the East Antarctic ice sheet.
Jamieson says, “Any ice sitting on top is going to very generally undulate over those mountains or those hills.” Then they checked the topography against direct measurements from ice-penetrating radar recorded by aerial surveys.
Together, the radar measurements revealed a region dubbed Highland A, which was distinct from the surrounding landscape. The 32,000-square-kilometre area features three blocks of land, separated by “fjords” between the blocks of land that were shaped by rivers flowing through rifts created by the break-up, then carved out further by glaciers when the climate cooled around 34 million years ago.
The researchers posit that these features describe a geological history stretching back to the separation of Antarctica from the Gondwana supercontinent some 180 million years ago. As cooling accelerated and the ice sheet grew above the region, the topography in surrounding areas was scrubbed away. But Jamieson says the features of Highland A were preserved because the glaciers formed a cold base beneath the ice sheet that locked onto the rock and prevented erosion. “The glaciers switch from being an erosive mechanism to being a protective mechanism.”
The preserved landscape also suggests that the region has been covered in ice for at least 14 million years, if not 34 million years, says Jamieson. If you had a huge retreat of the ice sheet, then you would have got the features washed away. The findings could improve models of how the climate of East Antarctica has changed over time as climate change raises average temperatures.
What can we know about the hidden landscape under the East Antarctic ice sheet
A. It has been under ice for exactly 30 million years.
B. Most of its geological features are visible.
C. It was shaped by rivers and glaciers over a long time.
D. Radar measurements can clearly show all its details.
What is special about Highland A
A. It is part of the Gondwana supercontinent.
B. It has a distinct landscape from the surrounding area.
C. Its features were formed about 180 million years ago.
D. It was the first area discovered under the ice sheet.
Why were the features of Highland A preserved
A. Because the glaciers changed from an erosive to a protective role.
B. Because the ice sheet above it was very thick.
C. Because the climate around it didn't change much.
D. Because there was no erosion in the region.
What is the significance of the findings
A. They can help predict future climate change.
B. They can prove the history of the Gondwana supercontinent.
C. They can improve models of the climate change in East Antarctica.
D. They can explain the formation of all Antarctic landscapes.
Passage 2
Space, often described as the final frontier, is a realm full of dreams. Yet, in reality, it's a place fraught with danger and sometimes tragedy. British astronaut Tim Peake tells this dramatic human story in his book Space: The Human Story.
The book is not just about the rollercoaster experience of space travel but also delves into the “absurd normality” of what astronauts try to achieve. “It's ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs,” says Peake, who is currently an ambassador for the European Space Agency.
One of the most significant images in the book is arguably the first moon landing on 20 July 1969. This iconic shot of Neil Armstrong's boot on the lunar surface is well - known. However, the book also presents a more candid picture taken by Armstrong of Buzz Aldrin walking across the lunar surface.
Four days earlier, the Apollo 11 mission set off for the moon. A striking image of its launch shows Ed White during a spacewalk in June 1965. This spacewalk, which was part of the Gemini 4 mission, took place roughly 150 kilometres above Earth.
Gus Grissom was one of the astronauts selected for the Apollo 1 mission. The image at the top left shows the training capsule. Tragically, all three crew members died on 27 January 1967, when a fire broke out during a test.
Looking to the future, Peake says, “We're looking at establishing a lunar station and stepping stones to Mars. As the space shuttle programme comes to its retirement, it feels like the right time to bring the whole story up to date.” The exploration of space continues to be a remarkable journey, filled with both great achievements and heart - breaking setbacks.
What can we know about Tim Peake's book Space: The Human Story
A. It mainly focuses on the technical aspects of space travel.
B. It portrays astronauts as extraordinary people from the start.
C. It presents both the exciting and the ordinary sides of space exploration.
D. It only tells the stories of successful space missions.
Which of the following is related to the Apollo 11 mission
A. The first moon landing image.
B. The spacewalk of Ed White in June 1965.
C. The selection of astronauts for the Apollo 1 mission.
D. The training capsule shown in the top - left image.
What happened to Gus Grissom
A. He took the iconic shot of the first moon landing.
B. He was part of the Apollo 11 mission.
C. He died in a fire during a test for the Apollo 1 mission.
D. He conducted a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission.
What does Tim Peake think about the future of space exploration
A. The space shuttle programme should be extended.
B. Establishing a lunar station and moving towards Mars are the future goals.
C. There will be no more tragedies in space exploration.
D. The story of space exploration has come to an end.
Passage 3
How to support a friend with an eating disorder
Eating disorders are complex and often difficult to deal with. If you have a friend struggling with an eating disorder, there are several ways you can offer support.
Understand the disorder A helpful first step is to learn about eating disorders. This knowledge can enable you to recognize warning signs, like sudden weight changes or an unusual focus on food. 1.____ It also helps you understand your friend's feelings better, as eating disorders affect people differently.
Help them open up and get support Starting a conversation about eating disorders can be tricky. You can begin with general topics related to food to create a more comfortable atmosphere. If your friend isn't ready to talk, let them know you're there when they want to chat. 2.____ If they do open up, offer to help them find professional support, like going with them to a doctor's appointment or searching online for a therapist.
Help to reduce anxiety Once you're aware of your friend's difficulty with food, you can think of ways to support them during their recovery. The most important thing is to ask your friend how you can best assist them. 3.____Talking about topics outside of eating disorders can also be beneficial. Enjoying conversations about their hobbies or favorite shows can take their mind off the issue. 4.____
Can my friend be forced to get help If your friend with an eating disorder has lost a lot of weight and is at risk, their doctor may need to take certain actions according to the Mental Health Act. 5.____ But it's always better if your friend is willing to seek help on their own.
In conclusion, supporting a friend with an eating disorder requires patience, understanding, and the right approach. Your support can make a big difference in their journey to recovery.
A. This gives you the ability to reach out when needed.
B. They may have ideas for how you can help, or just need a reminder that you're there.
C. It's important to respect their feelings and not push them too hard.
D. This can lighten the mood and show your support in a more relaxed way.
E. However, forcing someone to get help may not always lead to a positive outcome.
F. You should also encourage your friend to eat more and exercise regularly.
G. Friends' support is crucial for those with eating disorders to recover completely.Passage 1
A hidden landscape has been unveiled under the East Antarctic ice sheet. A landscape shaped by rivers and glaciers over millions of years seems to have been preserved beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet. The finding suggests that this area of Antarctica may have been covered in ice for more than 30 million years.
Apart from a few mountain peaks, almost all the geological features of Antarctica are covered in a sheet of ice more than 2 kilometres thick. Radar measurements have revealed the broad contours of this hidden landscape, but details remain largely obscure. Now, Stewart Jamieson at Durham University in the UK and his colleagues have used a satellite radar to get a new view of the surface of the East Antarctic ice sheet.
Jamieson says, “Any ice sitting on top is going to very generally undulate over those mountains or those hills.” Then they checked the topography against direct measurements from ice-penetrating radar recorded by aerial surveys.
Together, the radar measurements revealed a region dubbed Highland A, which was distinct from the surrounding landscape. The 32,000-square-kilometre area features three blocks of land, separated by “fjords” between the blocks of land that were shaped by rivers flowing through rifts created by the break-up, then carved out further by glaciers when the climate cooled around 34 million years ago.
The researchers posit that these features describe a geological history stretching back to the separation of Antarctica from the Gondwana supercontinent some 180 million years ago. As cooling accelerated and the ice sheet grew above the region, the topography in surrounding areas was scrubbed away. But Jamieson says the features of Highland A were preserved because the glaciers formed a cold base beneath the ice sheet that locked onto the rock and prevented erosion. “The glaciers switch from being an erosive mechanism to being a protective mechanism.”
The preserved landscape also suggests that the region has been covered in ice for at least 14 million years, if not 34 million years, says Jamieson. If you had a huge retreat of the ice sheet, then you would have got the features washed away. The findings could improve models of how the climate of East Antarctica has changed over time as climate change raises average temperatures.
What can we know about the hidden landscape under the East Antarctic ice sheet
A. It has been under ice for exactly 30 million years.
B. Most of its geological features are visible.
C. It was shaped by rivers and glaciers over a long time.
D. Radar measurements can clearly show all its details.
What is special about Highland A
A. It is part of the Gondwana supercontinent.
B. It has a distinct landscape from the surrounding area.
C. Its features were formed about 180 million years ago.
D. It was the first area discovered under the ice sheet.
Why were the features of Highland A preserved
A. Because the glaciers changed from an erosive to a protective role.
B. Because the ice sheet above it was very thick.
C. Because the climate around it didn't change much.
D. Because there was no erosion in the region.
What is the significance of the findings
A. They can help predict future climate change.
B. They can prove the history of the Gondwana supercontinent.
C. They can improve models of the climate change in East Antarctica.
D. They can explain the formation of all Antarctic landscapes.
答案
C。根据文章第一段 “A landscape shaped by rivers and glaciers over millions of years seems to have been preserved beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet.” 可知，这个隐藏在东南极冰盖下的景观是经过数百万年由河流和冰川塑造而成的，C 选项正确。文中说这个地区可能被冰覆盖超过 3000 万年，并非正好 3000 万年，A 选项错误；从第二段 “Apart from a few mountain peaks, almost all the geological features of Antarctica are covered in a sheet of ice... Radar measurements have revealed the broad contours of this hidden landscape, but details remain largely obscure.” 可知大部分地质特征被冰覆盖，雷达测量也不能清楚显示所有细节，B、D 选项错误。
B。由第四段 “Together, the radar measurements revealed a region dubbed Highland A, which was distinct from the surrounding landscape.” 可知，Highland A 的特别之处在于它与周围地区有着截然不同的景观，B 选项正确。Highland A 所在地区是从冈瓦纳超大陆分离出来的，但它本身不是冈瓦纳超大陆的一部分，A 选项错误；文中提到这些特征的形成与约 3400 万年前的气候变化有关，1.8 亿年前是南极洲从冈瓦纳超大陆分离的时间，C 选项错误；文中未提及它是冰盖下第一个被发现的区域，D 选项错误。
A。根据第五段 “Jamieson says the features of Highland A were preserved because the glaciers formed a cold base beneath the ice sheet that locked onto the rock and prevented erosion. ‘The glaciers switch from being an erosive mechanism to being a protective mechanism.’” 可知，Highland A 的特征得以保存是因为冰川从侵蚀作用转变为保护作用，A 选项正确。文中未提及冰盖厚是其特征保存的原因，B 选项错误；该地区气候发生了变化，才导致冰川作用改变，C 选项错误；该地区之前存在侵蚀，后来冰川起到了保护作用，D 选项错误。
C。从文章最后一段 “The findings could improve models of how the climate of East Antarctica has changed over time as climate change raises average temperatures.” 可知，这些发现可以改进东南极地区气候变化的模型，C 选项正确。文章说的是改进过去气候变化的模型，而非预测未来气候变化，A 选项错误；虽然研究涉及到南极洲与冈瓦纳超大陆的分离，但并非是为了证明冈瓦纳超大陆的历史，B 选项错误；这些发现只是关于东南极冰盖下的部分景观，不能解释所有南极景观的形成，D 选项错误。
Passage 2
Space, often described as the final frontier, is a realm full of dreams. Yet, in reality, it's a place fraught with danger and sometimes tragedy. British astronaut Tim Peake tells this dramatic human story in his book Space: The Human Story.
The book is not just about the rollercoaster experience of space travel but also delves into the “absurd normality” of what astronauts try to achieve. “It's ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs,” says Peake, who is currently an ambassador for the European Space Agency.
One of the most significant images in the book is arguably the first moon landing on 20 July 1969. This iconic shot of Neil Armstrong's boot on the lunar surface is well - known. However, the book also presents a more candid picture taken by Armstrong of Buzz Aldrin walking across the lunar surface.
Four days earlier, the Apollo 11 mission set off for the moon. A striking image of its launch shows Ed White during a spacewalk in June 1965. This spacewalk, which was part of the Gemini 4 mission, took place roughly 150 kilometres above Earth.
Gus Grissom was one of the astronauts selected for the Apollo 1 mission. The image at the top left shows the training capsule. Tragically, all three crew members died on 27 January 1967, when a fire broke out during a test.
Looking to the future, Peake says, “We're looking at establishing a lunar station and stepping stones to Mars. As the space shuttle programme comes to its retirement, it feels like the right time to bring the whole story up to date.” The exploration of space continues to be a remarkable journey, filled with both great achievements and heart - breaking setbacks.
What can we know about Tim Peake's book Space: The Human Story
A. It mainly focuses on the technical aspects of space travel.
B. It portrays astronauts as extraordinary people from the start.
C. It presents both the exciting and the ordinary sides of space exploration.
D. It only tells the stories of successful space missions.
Which of the following is related to the Apollo 11 mission
A. The first moon landing image.
B. The spacewalk of Ed White in June 1965.
C. The selection of astronauts for the Apollo 1 mission.
D. The training capsule shown in the top - left image.
What happened to Gus Grissom
A. He took the iconic shot of the first moon landing.
B. He was part of the Apollo 11 mission.
C. He died in a fire during a test for the Apollo 1 mission.
D. He conducted a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission.
What does Tim Peake think about the future of space exploration
A. The space shuttle programme should be extended.
B. Establishing a lunar station and moving towards Mars are the future goals.
C. There will be no more tragedies in space exploration.
D. The story of space exploration has come to an end.
答案
C。根据文章第二段 “The book is not just about the rollercoaster experience of space travel but also delves into the ‘absurd normality’ of what astronauts try to achieve. ‘It's ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs,’ says Peake...” 可知，这本书既展现了太空探索令人激动的一面，也呈现了其平常的一面，C 选项正确。A 选项 “主要关注太空旅行的技术方面” 文章未提及；文中说宇航员是做着非凡工作的普通人，并非一开始就被描绘成非凡的人，B 选项错误；从文中提到的阿波罗 1 号的悲剧可知，这本书并非只讲述成功的太空任务，D 选项错误。
A。从第三段 “One of the most significant images in the book is arguably the first moon landing on 20 July 1969... the Apollo 11 mission set off for the moon.” 可知，首次月球登陆的图像与阿波罗 11 号任务相关，A 选项正确。Ed White 的太空行走是双子座 4 号任务的一部分，B 选项错误；Gus Grissom 是被选入阿波罗 1 号任务的宇航员，C 选项错误；左上角的图像展示的是阿波罗 1 号任务的训练舱，与阿波罗 11 号任务无关，D 选项错误。
C。根据第五段 “Gus Grissom was one of the astronauts selected for the Apollo 1 mission... Tragically, all three crew members died on 27 January 1967, when a fire broke out during a test.” 可知，Gus Grissom 在阿波罗 1 号任务的一次测试中因火灾丧生，C 选项正确。拍摄首次月球登陆标志性照片的不是他，A 选项错误；他是阿波罗 1 号任务的宇航员，并非阿波罗 11 号，B 选项错误；进行双子座 4 号任务太空行走的是 Ed White，D 选项错误。
B。由最后一段 “Looking to the future, Peake says, ‘We're looking at establishing a lunar station and stepping stones to Mars...’” 可知，Tim Peake 认为建立月球站并向火星迈进是未来的目标，B 选项正确。文中提到航天飞机项目即将退役，未说要延长，A 选项错误；太空探索中悲剧难以避免，C 选项过于绝对；太空探索还在继续，故事并未结束，D 选项错误。
Passage 3
How to support a friend with an eating disorder
Eating disorders are complex and often difficult to deal with. If you have a friend struggling with an eating disorder, there are several ways you can offer support.
Understand the disorder A helpful first step is to learn about eating disorders. This knowledge can enable you to recognize warning signs, like sudden weight changes or an unusual focus on food. 1.____ It also helps you understand your friend's feelings better, as eating disorders affect people differently.
Help them open up and get support Starting a conversation about eating disorders can be tricky. You can begin with general topics related to food to create a more comfortable atmosphere. If your friend isn't ready to talk, let them know you're there when they want to chat. 2.____ If they do open up, offer to help them find professional support, like going with them to a doctor's appointment or searching online for a therapist.
Help to reduce anxiety Once you're aware of your friend's difficulty with food, you can think of ways to support them during their recovery. The most important thing is to ask your friend how you can best assist them. 3.____Talking about topics outside of eating disorders can also be beneficial. Enjoying conversations about their hobbies or favorite shows can take their mind off the issue. 4.____
Can my friend be forced to get help If your friend with an eating disorder has lost a lot of weight and is at risk, their doctor may need to take certain actions according to the Mental Health Act. 5.____ But it's always better if your friend is willing to seek help on their own.
In conclusion, supporting a friend with an eating disorder requires patience, understanding, and the right approach. Your support can make a big difference in their journey to recovery.
A. This gives you the ability to reach out when needed.
B. They may have ideas for how you can help, or just need a reminder that you're there.
C. It's important to respect their feelings and not push them too hard.
D. This can lighten the mood and show your support in a more relaxed way.
E. However, forcing someone to get help may not always lead to a positive outcome.
F. You should also encourage your friend to eat more and exercise regularly.
G. Friends' support is crucial for those with eating disorders to recover completely.
答案
A：前文提到了解饮食失调能帮助识别预警信号，A 选项 “This gives you the ability to reach out when needed.”（这使你在需要的时候能够伸出援手）中的 “This” 指代前文了解饮食失调这件事，说明了了解它的作用，与前文衔接紧密，所以选 A。
C：该段主题是帮助朋友敞开心扉并获得支持，前文提到如果朋友还没准备好交谈，要让他们知道你在，C 选项 “It's important to respect their feelings and not push them too hard.”（尊重他们的感受，不要逼得太紧）进一步说明了对待朋友的态度，符合该段主旨，所以选 C。
B：前文说要问朋友你怎样能最好地帮助他们，B 选项 “They may have ideas for how you can help, or just need a reminder that you're there.”（他们可能对于你如何帮助有想法，或者只是需要一个你在身边的提醒）承接上文，说明了朋友可能的反应，与前文逻辑连贯，所以选 B。
D：前文提到谈论饮食失调以外的话题有益，D 选项 “This can lighten the mood and show your support in a more relaxed way.”（这可以缓和气氛，并以一种更轻松的方式表达你的支持）中的 “This” 指代前文谈论其他话题，说明了这样做的好处，所以选 D。
E：前文提到如果朋友因饮食失调有风险，医生可能会采取行动，E 选项 “However, forcing someone to get help may not always lead to a positive outcome.”（然而，强迫某人接受帮助并不总是会带来积极的结果）与前文形成转折，说明了强迫朋友接受帮助的情况，所以选 E。
