UNIT 6
阅读 (外刊原味20) 体裁:说明文 主题语境:自然科学研究 难度:★★★☆ | The Economist
When it comes to architectural accomplishments, humans like to think they stand at the top of the pyramid. That is to underestimate the astonishing achievements of social insects: termites (白蚁) raise skyscraping nests and honeybees fashion geometric combs. The true master builders of the insect world, however, are the hundreds of species of stingless bee, which weave combs of unequalled variety and complexity.
A group of biologists led by Viviana Di Pietro in Belgium, reports that, like humans, these tiny creatures are capable of building according to different architectural traditions handed down over generations.
To collect their data, Ms Di Pietro and her colleagues observed over 400 colonies (群体) of the stingless bee species in a large apiary (养蜂场) in Brazil over two extended periods in 2022 and 2023. Around 95% of the colonies exhibited combs built in horizontal layers, like tiered (分层) wedding cakes, while the remainder adopted a spiral structure. In each case the tradition was maintained over many generations of worker bees. To rule out a genetic explanation for the different styles, the researchers transplanted workers from colonies built in one tradition to colonies built in the other. The imported workers soon switched to the local style.
Dr Wenseleers, who runs the lab, put forward a theory that the bees may switch styles to fix the extremely small construction errors made by their predecessors (前辈). In this process, multiple organisms indirectly affect each other’s behaviour through the traces they leave on their environment. To test it, the researchers introduced a hint of spiral to horizontal-layer combs, and found that it caused the bees to switch to building spirals. That is strong evidence in favour of Dr Wenseleers’s theory.
These results have left observers of animal culture abuzz, as they suggest that stingless bees can transmit different building traditions across generations without being instructed by their peers. For Dr Whiten, the new finding indicates that more complex animal behaviours—the building of nests by chimpanzees, for instance—may also have arisen through such indirect transmission.
1.Why does the author mention termites and honeybees in paragraph 1
A. To compare various species’ accomplishments.
B. To illustrate insects’ building capability.
C. To highlight the traditions of stingless bees.
D. To draw attention to certain social insects.
2.How was the study conducted
A. By comparing different comb structures. B. By analyzing the data collected.
C. By observing bees’ building behaviors. D. By importing worker bees.
3.What does the underlined word “it” refer to in paragraph 4
A. The assumption. B. The environment.
C. The process. D. The behavior.
4.What is the text mainly about
A. True master architects in nature. B. Architectural inspiration drawn from insects.
C. Bees’ ability to preserve traditions. D. Architectural wonders of the insect world.
七选五 (2025·浙江五校联考) 体裁:说明文 主题语境:环境保护 难度:★★★☆☆
In today’s fast-paced digital world, electronic waste, or e-waste, has become a significant environmental concern. According to the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP), a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was produced globally in 2019, increasing 21% in just five years. By 2050, the volume of e-waste could top 120 million tonnes annually. 1
The improper disposal of it poses serious threats to the environment and human health because of the presence of harmful materials such as lead and mercury. 2 It is due to their rapidly developing bodies, including their respiratory (呼吸的), immune and central nervous systems.
Luckily, many countries are turning to tackle the e-waste challenges. They commit to specializing in refurbishing (翻新) electronics, making them available to consumers at a lower cost. 3 By doing so, valuable materials such as gold, silver, and copper can be extracted from electronic devices, reducing the need for mining new resources.
Meanwhile, individuals can also contribute to e-waste disposal by being mindful of their electronic consumption. 4 Support electronic manufacturers committed to green technologies aiming for a sustainable cycle of production. Additionally, to ensure the safe and secure disposal of all sensitive information, prioritizing data security in e-waste disposal is necessary.
5 Do remember to reduce the environmental impacts of electronic products and share a greener and more sustainable future.
A. It is every small action that counts.
B. Prevention and management are needed.
C. Recycling efforts have also become a key component.
D. This includes buying quality products that last longer.
E. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
F. However, currently only 17.4% of it is recycled responsibly.
G. Only a small percentage of e-waste has been recycled globally.
语法填空 (外刊原味21) 体裁:说明文 主题语境:安全常识 难度:★★☆☆ | Reader’s Digest
The last time I cracked open my home’s first-aid kit, I had one thumb 1.__________ (wrap) in bloody paper towels after I’d accidentally cut it while chopping onions. 2.__________ (comb) through the zippered compartments as my thumb throbbed (抽痛), I discovered nothing but a few yellowed bandages, some gauze (薄纱), tape and a pair of scissors like the kind kids use in kindergarten.
Luckily, I 3.__________ (manage) to stop the bleeding with the gauze and went on to cook. But I’d come to the serious 4.__________ (realize) that my cheap, neglected first-aid kit would do my family no good in an honest-to-goodness emergency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans don’t own a first-aid kit. “First-aid kits are most 5.__________ (common) used for minor injuries like cuts, but they can also help you in less-common emergency situations, such as heart attacks 6.__________ life-threatening bleeding,” says Nathan Charlton, an emergency physician in Charlottesville, Virginia, 7.__________ serves on the Scientific Advisory Council for the American Red Cross.
Build 8.__________ (you) a good kit, then keep one at home and one in the car, and be sure to take one along if you go camping. It’s important to keep your kit 9.__________ (access) because you never know when you’ll need it. In the U.S., 10.__________ (many) medically reported injuries happen at home than in public places, at the workplace and on the road combined.
限时练
阅读
生物学家的一项研究表明,蜜蜂也能像人类一样保存并延续传统。
1.B 写作意图题。由第一段前两句“说到建筑成就,人类总认为自己站在金字塔的顶端。这是低估了群居昆虫的惊人成就:白蚁筑起高耸的巢穴,蜜蜂打造的几何体蜂房。由此可知, 提到白蚁和蜜蜂是为说明群居昆虫的建筑能力。故选B。
2.C 推理判断题。由第三段前三句“为收集数据,Di Pietro女士和她的同事在2022年和2023年的两个较长时期内,在巴西的一个大型养蜂场观察了400多个无刺蜜蜂群。大约95%的蜂群建的是水平层的蜂房,就像分层的婚礼蛋糕,而其余5%则采用螺旋结构。在这两种情况下,这种建造传统都由许多代的工蜂维持下来。”可知, 这项研究是通过观察无刺蜜蜂的建筑习性进行的。故选C。
3.A 代词指代题。第四段第一句提出Dr Wenseleers的理论, 然后研究人员把螺旋体放入水平蜂房之中,发现蜜蜂开始建造螺旋体蜂房。由此说明这种做法是为了验证他的假设,故A项正确。
4.C 主旨大意题。本文属于研究发现, 第二段“A group of biologists led by Viviana Di Pietro in Belgium, reports that, like humans, these tiny creatures are capable of building according to different architectural traditions handed down over generations.”宾语从句内容即为文章主旨:像人类一样,这些微小的生物能够根据世代相传的不同建筑传统筑巢,故C项正确。
积
①horizontal adj.水平的;与地面平行的;横的 ②transmission n.传送;传递;传达;传播;传染
七选五
电子垃圾已成为重大环境问题,全球产量持续增长,不当处理危害环境和人体健康。各国正通过翻新电子产品和回收材料应对挑战,个人也应支持绿色技术和安全处理电子垃圾,共同促进可持续发展。
1.F 由上文介绍可知,到2050年,电子垃圾会每年达到1.2亿吨。这是一个庞大的数字。下文介绍对电子垃圾的处理, 空处表转折,说明可回收的极少,F项“只有17.4%得到了回收” 提及一个微小的数字,两个数字形成强对比。
2.E 上文提到电子垃圾处理不当危害环境和人体健康, 下文due to后解释原因:他们的身体在迅速增长,包括他们的呼吸系统、免疫系统和中枢神经系统。E项说明孩子和孕妇尤其容易受到伤害。E项中的Children和pregnant women 和后句中的their呼应,且与后句为因果关系,说明电子垃圾中的铅和汞对孩子还有孕妇形成了很大程度的威胁。
3.C 空后一句中的doing so应对应选项中所采取的某种做法,即通过这种做法,我们可以提取宝贵的材料。由此推断出这种做法应该与回收相关。故C项“回收工作也已成为一个关键部分”符合语境,选项中的Recycling efforts与doing so呼应。
4.D 本段首句“与此同时,个人还可以通过注意他们的电子消费来为电子垃圾处理做出贡献”介绍个人在减少电子垃圾方面可做出的贡献。空后提及的是其他方面的贡献:支持绿色技术为主的电子制造商;优先考虑电子废物处理中的数据安全。D项“买耐用的优质产品”属于个体在减少电子垃圾方面可以做的贡献,与意群意思保持一致。
5.A 下文的“记住减少电子产品的环境影响,共享更环保、更可持续的未来” 属于倡议的内容,空处应总结上一段,故A项“所有小举措都重要”呼应第四段个人可以做到的一系列举措,同时引出下文的呼吁。
语法填空
作者利用自己的亲身经历说明备有急救包的重要性。
1.wrapped 考查非谓语动词。空处作宾补, wrap与thumb 是逻辑上的动宾关系,应用过去分词作宾补,填wrapped。
2.Combing 考查非谓语动词。 I 与comb through “查遍”是逻辑上的主谓关系,应用现在分词作状语,且位于句首,首字母需大写,故填Combing。
3.managed 考查动词的时态。 空处作谓语,且与上文时态一致,表过去发生的事情,应用一般过去时,故填managed。
4.realization 考查词形转换。 空处作宾语,且空前是形容词serious,故填名词realization。
5.commonly 考查词形转换。 空处作状语,修饰谓语used,应用副词,填commonly。
6.or 考查连词。 空前的heart attacks与life-threatening bleeding是选择关系,应用连词or。
7.who 考查定语从句。 空处引导非限制性定语从句。 从句先行词是physician,指人,从句中缺少主语,故用关系代词who引导定语从句。
8.yourself 考查代词。 空处作宾语,且与祈使句的逻辑主语you一致,故用反身代词,故填yourself。
9.accessible 考查词形转换。空处作宾补,应用形容词,表“可使用的”,填accessible。
10.more 考查比较级。 空后是比较级提示词than,故填many的比较级more。(共27张PPT)
限时练
选择性必修第二册 UNIT 6
阅读 (外刊原味20) 体裁：说明文 主题语境：自然科学研究 难度：★★★ ☆ | The Economist
When it comes to architectural accomplishments, humans like to think they stand at the top of the pyramid. That is to underestimate the astonishing achievements of social insects: termites (白蚁) raise skyscraping nests and honeybees fashion geometric combs. The true master builders of the insect world, however, are the hundreds of species of stingless bee, which weave combs of unequalled variety and complexity.
A group of biologists led by Viviana Di Pietro in Belgium, reports that, like humans, these tiny creatures are capable of building according to different architectural traditions handed down over generations.
To collect their data, Ms Di Pietro and her colleagues observed over 400 colonies (群体) of the stingless bee species in a large apiary (养蜂场) in Brazil over two extended periods in 2022 and 2023. Around 95% of the colonies exhibited combs built in horizontal layers, like tiered (分层) wedding cakes, while the remainder adopted a spiral structure. In each
case the tradition was maintained over many generations of worker bees. To rule out a genetic explanation for the different styles, the researchers transplanted workers from colonies built in one tradition to colonies built in the other. The imported workers soon switched to the local style.
Dr Wenseleers, who runs the lab, put forward a theory that the bees may switch styles to fix the extremely small construction errors made by their predecessors (前辈). In this process, multiple organisms indirectly affect each other’s behaviour through the traces they leave on their environment. To test it, the researchers introduced a hint of spiral to
horizontal-layer combs, and found that it caused the bees to switch to building spirals. That is strong evidence in favour of Dr Wenseleers’s theory.
These results have left observers of animal culture abuzz, as they suggest that stingless bees can transmit different building traditions across generations without being instructed by their peers. For Dr Whiten, the new finding indicates that more complex animal behaviours—the building of nests by chimpanzees, for instance—may also have arisen through such indirect transmission.
1.Why does the author mention termites and honeybees in paragraph 1
A. To compare various species’ accomplishments.
B. To illustrate insects’ building capability.
C. To highlight the traditions of stingless bees.
D. To draw attention to certain social insects.
生物学家的一项研究表明，蜜蜂也能像人类一样保存并延续传统。
写作意图题。由第一段前两句“说到建筑成就，人类总认为自己站在金字塔的顶端。这是低估了群居昆虫的惊人成就：白蚁筑起高耸的巢穴，蜜蜂打造的几何体蜂房。由此可知, 提到白蚁和蜜蜂是为说明群居昆虫的建筑能力。故选B。
答案与解析
2.How was the study conducted
By comparing different comb structures.
B. By analyzing the data collected.
C. By observing bees’ building behaviors.
D. By importing worker bees.
推理判断题。由第三段前三句“为收集数据，Di Pietro女士和她的同事在2022年和2023年的两个较长时期内，在巴西的一个大型养蜂场观察了400多个无刺蜜蜂群。大约95%的蜂群建的是水平层的蜂房，就像分层的婚礼蛋糕，而其余5%则采用螺旋结构。在这两种情况下，这种建造传统都由许多代的工蜂维持下来。”可知, 这项研究是通过观察无刺蜜蜂的建筑习性进行的。故选C。
答案与解析
3.What does the underlined word “it” refer to in paragraph 4
A. The assumption. B. The environment.
C. The process. D. The behavior.
代词指代题。第四段第一句提出Dr Wenseleers的理论, 然后研究人员把螺旋体放入水平蜂房之中，发现蜜蜂开始建造螺旋体蜂房。由此说明这种做法是为了验证他的假设，故A项正确。
答案与解析
4.What is the text mainly about
True master architects in nature.
B. Architectural inspiration drawn from insects.
C. Bees’ ability to preserve traditions.
D. Architectural wonders of the insect world.
主旨大意题。本文属于研究发现, 第二段“A group of biologists led by Viviana Di Pietro in Belgium, reports that, like humans, these tiny creatures are capable of building according to different architectural traditions handed down over generations.”宾语从句内容即为文章主旨：像人类一样，这些微小的生物能够根据世代相传的不同建筑传统筑巢，故C项正确。
答案与解析
积累
①horizontal adj.水平的；与地面平行的；横的
②transmission n.传送；传递；传达；传播；传染
七选五 (2025·浙江五校联考) 体裁：说明文 主题语境：环境保护 难度：★★★☆☆
In today’s fast-paced digital world, electronic waste, or e-waste, has become a significant environmental concern. According to the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP), a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was produced globally in 2019, increasing 21% in just five years. By 2050, the volume of e-waste could top 120 million tonnes annually.
1
The improper disposal of it poses serious threats to the environment and human health because of the presence of harmful materials such as lead and mercury. 2 It is due to their rapidly developing bodies, including their respiratory (呼吸的), immune and central nervous systems.
Luckily, many countries are turning to tackle the e-waste challenges. They commit to specializing in refurbishing (翻新) electronics, making them available to consumers at a lower cost. 3 By doing so, valuable materials such as gold, silver, and copper can be extracted from electronic devices, reducing the need for mining new resources.
Meanwhile, individuals can also contribute to e-waste disposal by being mindful of their electronic consumption. 4 Support electronic manufacturers committed to green technologies aiming for a sustainable cycle of production. Additionally, to ensure the safe and secure disposal of all sensitive information, prioritizing data security in e-waste disposal is necessary.
5 Do remember to reduce the environmental impacts of electronic products and share a greener and more sustainable future.
A. It is every small action that counts.
B. Prevention and management are needed.
C. Recycling efforts have also become a key component.
D. This includes buying quality products that last longer.
E. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
F. However, currently only 17.4% of it is recycled responsibly.
G. Only a small percentage of e-waste has been recycled globally.
电子垃圾已成为重大环境问题，全球产量持续增长，不当处理危害环境和人体健康。各国正通过翻新电子产品和回收材料应对挑战，个人也应支持绿色技术和安全处理电子垃圾，共同促进可持续发展。
1.F 由上文介绍可知，到2050年，电子垃圾会每年达到1.2亿吨。这是一个庞大的数字。下文介绍对电子垃圾的处理, 空处表转折，说明可回收的极少，F项“只有17.4%得到了回收” 提及一个微小的数字，两个数字形成强对比。
答案与解析
2.E 上文提到电子垃圾处理不当危害环境和人体健康, 下文due to后解释原因：他们的身体在迅速增长，包括他们的呼吸系统、免疫系统和中枢神经系统。E项说明孩子和孕妇尤其容易受到伤害。E项中的Children和pregnant women 和后句中的their呼应，且与后句为因果关系，说明电子垃圾中的铅和汞对孩子还有孕妇形成了很大程度的威胁。
答案与解析
3.C 空后一句中的doing so应对应选项中所采取的某种做法，即通过这种做法，我们可以提取宝贵的材料。由此推断出这种做法应该与回收相关。故C项“回收工作也已成为一个关键部分”符合语境，选项中的Recycling efforts与doing so呼应。
4.D 本段首句“与此同时，个人还可以通过注意他们的电子消费来为电子垃圾处理做出贡献”介绍个人在减少电子垃圾方面可做出的贡献。空后提及的是其他方面的贡献：支持绿色技术为主的电
答案与解析
子制造商；优先考虑电子废物处理中的数据安全。D项“买耐用的优质产品”属于个体在减少电子垃圾方面可以做的贡献，与意群意思保持一致。
5.A 下文的“记住减少电子产品的环境影响，共享更环保、更可持续的未来” 属于倡议的内容，空处应总结上一段，故A项“所有小举措都重要”呼应第四段个人可以做到的一系列举措，同时引出下文的呼吁。
答案与解析
语法填空 (外刊原味21) 体裁：说明文 主题语境：安全常识 难度：★★ ☆☆ | Reader’s Digest
The last time I cracked open my home’s first-aid kit, I had one thumb 1.__________ (wrap) in bloody paper towels after I’d accidentally cut it while chopping onions. 2.____________ (comb) through the zippered compartments as my thumb throbbed (抽痛), I discovered nothing but a few yellowed bandages, some gauze (薄纱), tape and a pair of scissors like the kind kids use in kindergarten.
wrapped
Combing
Luckily, I 3.__________ (manage) to stop the bleeding with the gauze and went on to cook. But I’d come to the serious 4.____________ (realize) that my cheap, neglected first-aid kit would do my family no good in an honest-to-goodness emergency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans don’t own a first-aid kit. “First-aid kits are most 5.____________ (common) used for minor injuries like cuts, but they can also help you in less-common emergency situations, such as heart attacks 6.__________ life-threatening bleeding,” says Nathan Charlton, an emergency physician in
managed
realization
commonly
or
Charlottesville, Virginia, 7.__________ serves on the Scientific Advisory Council for the American Red Cross.
Build 8.__________ (you) a good kit, then keep one at home and one in the car, and be sure to take one along if you go camping. It’s important to keep your kit 9.___________ (access) because you never know when you’ll need it. In the U.S., 10.__________ (many) medically reported injuries happen at home than in public places, at the workplace and on the road combined.
who
yourself
accessible
more
作者利用自己的亲身经历说明备有急救包的重要性。
1.wrapped 考查非谓语动词。空处作宾补, wrap与thumb 是逻辑上的动宾关系，应用过去分词作宾补，填wrapped。
2.Combing 考查非谓语动词。 I 与comb through “查遍”是逻辑上的主谓关系，应用现在分词作状语，且位于句首，首字母需大写,故填Combing。
3.managed 考查动词的时态。 空处作谓语，且与上文时态一致,表过去发生的事情，应用一般过去时，故填managed。
答案与解析
4.realization 考查词形转换。 空处作宾语，且空前是形容词serious，故填名词realization。
5.commonly 考查词形转换。 空处作状语，修饰谓语used，应用副词，填commonly。
6.or 考查连词。 空前的heart attacks与life-threatening bleeding是选择关系，应用连词or。
7.who 考查定语从句。 空处引导非限制性定语从句。 从句先行
答案与解析
词是physician，指人，从句中缺少主语，故用关系代词who引导定语从句。
8.yourself 考查代词。 空处作宾语，且与祈使句的逻辑主语you一致，故用反身代词，故填yourself。
9.accessible 考查词形转换。空处作宾补，应用形容词，表“可使用的”，填accessible。
10.more 考查比较级。 空后是比较级提示词than，故填many的比较级more。
答案与解析
