专题十六　推测词义--2026天津版高考英语第二轮专题强化练（含答案与解析）

中小学教育资源及组卷应用平台
2026天津版高考英语第二轮专题
专题十六　推测词义
五年高考
天津卷专练
Passage 1(2024天津第一次,C) 主题 运动
　　Humans have evolved (进化) to spend long periods doing physical exercise. But why doesn't everyone enjoy exercising The complexity of the human brain is to blame.
　　Evolving an ability doesn't automatically mean we'll want to use it. While physical exercise isn't that bad, it's still typically unpleasant. It has to be: you're pushing your body to its physical limits, which leads to significant discomfort.
　　Another issue is that the human brain is highly sensitive to wasted effort. Studies have shown that it calculates the effort required for actions and tends to stop us from squandering vital resources on fruitless efforts, like walking over 30 km for a handful of berries.
　　The thing is, regular exercise to get “in shape” requires constant and considerable effort—all for gradual progress and uncertain rewards. So, your brain's tendency to ask, “Is it worth it ” will be hard to quieten. This particular feature also means we typically prefer things which offer minimum effort for maximum reward.
　　Thankfully, the human brain is a complex organ. It isn't ruled by its more primitive drives. While many species' thought processes are limited to “Food, eat it!”, “Danger, run!”, “Pain, avoid!”, we've evolved beyond that. Our brains can form multiple long-term goals and ambitions. We can imagine a desirable future scenario(情况), figure out how we'd achieve it, and do just that. Or at least work toward it. This directly impacts how our brain processes motivation and willpower. It makes us capable of delayed gratification(满足): we can recognize that rejecting a reward now can lead to a greater reward later, and act accordingly.
　　So how does the brain process motivation The self-discrepancy(自我差异) theory suggests we have several “selves” active in our minds at any given time: our “actual” self, our “ideal” self, and our “ought” self. Your “actual” self is how you are right now. Your “ideal” self is what you want to be. And your “ought” self is the self that does what you ought to be doing to become your “ideal” self. So, if your “ideal” self is a professional footballer, and your “actual” self isn't, your “ought” self is the one that spends a lot of time training, exercising, and getting better at football.
　　As far as your brain is concerned, there are processes that discourage exercise, and processes that encourage it. Ideally, you'll end up putting more weight on the latter than the former.
1. What can be learnt from the first two paragraphs
A. Some people are born physically weaker than others.
B. Some people dislike driving themselves too hard physically.
C. Most people have the habit of doing physical exercise.
D. Most people do physical exercise for comfort and pleasure.
2. Which is closest in meaning to the underlined word “squandering” in Paragraph 3 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
A. Conserving.　　　B. Mixing.　　　C. Misusing.　　　D. Sharing.
3. What is the author's purpose in writing Paragraph 4
A. To raise a question.　　　B. To provide a definition.
C. To make a comparison.　　　D. To further explain a point.
4. According to the author,how are humans different from many other species
A. Humans are able to picture a favorable future.
B. Humans benefit more from painful experiences.
C. Humans care more about immediate rewards.
D. Humans are skilled at avoiding dangers.
5. According to the self-discrepancy theory,who presents the most active “ought” self
A. A footballer dreaming of becoming a movie star.
B. A student eating potato chips while watching TV.
C. A professional dancer performing at a theatre.
D. A swimmer training to win an Olympic medal.
I love making art and looking at artworks. I've found myself wondering how we gain pleasure from art. And now neuroaesthetics, a combination of neuroscience(神经科学) and aesthetics(美学), may provide an answer.
Neuroaesthetics is a relatively young field of research on what happens in the brain when we make aesthetic assessments. Researchers use brain imaging technique to see which brain areas light up when we view paintings that we consider beautiful. Similar research has been done to understand the “neuronal fireworks” that occur when we look at inspiring sculptures, attractive faces, impressive dance, etc.
But why do we find some art beautiful and other art ugly According to research, it all comes down to the “aesthetic triad(三元组合)”.
The first part of the triad is sensory-motor. This involves perceiving things like colours, shapes and movements. Movement in art has an interesting role. If you see a painting of a movement, like of a man pulling his arm away after being bitten by a dog, you feel like going through a similar experience. The part of your brain that controls your own movements lights up in response.
Second is emotion-valuation. This is how a piece of art makes you feel, and whether or not you appreciate or enjoy that feeling. The part of the brain related to pleasure is activated in response to something we find beautiful. This system can be affected in fascinating ways, as found by research using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)(经颅磁刺激). If TMS is applied to a specific part of your brain behind your forehead that is particularly important for decision-making, you suddenly like different kinds of art. Such stimulation produces significant changes in aesthetic appreciation of faces, bodies and artworks.
The third part is meaning-knowledge. This is to do with how we can connect with a piece of art and what meaning we can create in it. Art is deeply personal, because when two people see the same artwork, our perception can create vastly different experiences of meaning. If we find meaning, then we often find pleasure. We also get enjoyment from the knowledge of how something was made. For the images that an artist creates, viewers will probably get far more enjoyment once they know the process used to create them.
Informed by neuroaesthetics, the next time I create my art I will value the process even more, enjoying the activation of the aesthetic triad in my brain as I admire the vivid images that I have created.
1. What does “neuronal fireworks” in Paragraph 2 refer to
A. A beautiful painting or sculpture.
B. The lighting-up of specific brain areas.
C. An advanced brain imaging technology.
D. The aesthetic assessment of modern art.
2. What effect does movement in art produce on the viewers
A. Certain part of their brain is activated.　　　B. Their experience of pain is reduced.
C. Their aesthetic sense is sharpened.　　　D. Their body reactions are delayed.
3. The application of TMS to the brain described in Paragraph 5 leads to 　　　.
A. raised memory capacity　　　B. enhanced painting skills
C. changed artistic taste　　　D. improved decision-making ability
4. According to the author,what increases our enjoyment of a piece of art
A. Knowing how it is created.　　　B. Having a pleasant personality.
C. Learning how science develops.　　　D. Understanding the meaning of life.
5. What is the author's purpose in writing the passage
A. To propose an abstract theory of art making.
B. To reveal the beauty of science in an artistic way.
C. To share some personal understanding of artworks.
D. To introduce a new research field for art appreciation.
Passage 3(2022天津第一次,B) 主题 社会交往
I work at Pearson, the largest and busiest airport in Canada. I am one of the faces of Toronto that welcome millions of air travellers from all over the world. My daily work is helping connecting (转乘) passengers, for example, answering their questions about the boarding gate or departure time. After a long non-stop flight, these passengers are tired and hungry. They need coffee, breakfast and a lounge (候机室) instead of confusion as they wait anxiously to get their luggage and board their next flights. My job is to keep them calm and informed.
Emotions can run high and the lounge is like a pressure cooker. Of course, connecting passengers don't want to miss their flights. They are usually in a hurry. They are stressed out. You see, a lot of them are travelling for pleasure and going to places like Miami Beach and Yellowstone Park. But now they are out of breath and sweating. Some shout angrily, some are even in tears. They don't seem to be having any fun at all.
That is when it is time for empathy. We put ourselves in the passengers' shoes and help them as much as we can. If we see the elderly trying to catch their planes but walking at a snail's pace, we find a wheelchair for them immediately. When a plane is leaving in 15 minutes and the door is closing, what else can we suggest but: “Run! Run!” A few times, I have run with passengers to their boarding gate. It's a race against time.
Since passengers are just passing through, our interactions are brief. I say “Ni hao” to the Chinese and “Hola” to the Spanish. A simple greeting in their mother tongue can guarantee a smile from a total stranger and a tired traveller. Once, a young woman, who was on her way to visit her family in South Africa, told me she was expecting her first baby. I offered my congratulations and good luck.
To all, I wish a pleasant trip, to groups off for a family wedding in Singapore, to seniors travelling to Rome for holiday, to children off to Disney World in Orlando... the airport is not a dull place. All kinds of human emotions are on display: sad (tearful goodbyes), happy (family get-togethers), anxious (waiting in a long line) and upset (missing a flight). Sometimes I think no matter where we come from, what colour our eyes, hair and skin, we are here to show our understanding and help. We are family.
1. What does the author's job involve 　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　
A. Cleaning the lounge.　　　B. Helping book hotels.
C. Providing information.　　　D. Selling food and drinks.
2. The lounge is like a pressure cooker because connecting passengers 　　　.
A. are under social pressure　　　B. are anxious about missing their flights
C. are pleased with the airport staff　　　D. are in high spirits after their journeys
3. What does the underlined word “empathy” in Paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Understanding others' feelings.　　　B. Following the passengers' steps.
C. Recalling the memories of the trips.　　　D. Avoiding giving unwise suggestions.
4. What can be inferred from Paragraph 4
A. A smile is no guarantee of quality service.　　　
B. Kindness does not always pay off.
C. Friendly interactions light up the day.　　　
D. Travellers need to know a second language.
5. The author says “the airport is not a dull place” because at the airport 　　　.
A. family relations are strengthened　　　
B. customs of the world are on display
C. there are recreational facilities for children　　　
D. moments of people's life are experienced
Passage 4(2020天津第一次,C) 主题 人与环境
Transport has a lot to answer for when it comes to harming the planet. While cars and trains are moving towards greener, electric power, emissions from air travel are expected to increase massively by 2050. If we want big green sky solutions, we need blue sky thinking. Fortunately, there's plenty of that happening right now, particularly the short-haul flights powered by batteries.
Harbour Air is the largest seaplane airline in North America, flying 30,000 commercial flights in 40 seaplanes each year. Significantly, all Harbour Air routes last less than 30 minutes, making it perfectly fit for electric engines. “As an airline, we're currently in the process of turning all our planes into electric airplanes.” says CEO Greg McDougall. To make this happen, the airline has partnered up with MagniX to create the world's first commercial flight with an electric engine.
Making the skies electric isn't just good for the environment, it also makes sound financial sense: a small aircraft uses $400 on conventional fuel for a 100-mile flight, while an electric one costs $8-12 for the same distance, and that's before you factor in the higher maintenance costs of a traditional engine. There's also the added bonus that electric planes are just much more pleasant to fly in. No loud engine noise, no smell of fuel, just environmentally friendly peace and quiet.
While there has been real progress in the e-plane industry, the technical challenges that remain are keeping everyone's feet firmly on the ground. A battery, even a lithium one, only provides 250 watt-hours per kilogram; compare this to liquid fuel, which has a specific energy of 11,890 watt-hours per kilogram. Carrying adequate batteries, however, would make the plane too heavy to get off the ground. In aircraft, where every bit of weight counts, this can't just be ignored.
The transition (过渡) from gas to electric in the automobile industry has been made easier by hybrids—vehicles powered by both fuel and electricity. Many believe the same pattern could be followed in the air. Fuel consumption could be reduced as the electric component is switched on at key parts of the journey, especially on take-off and landing.
It's certainly an exciting time for electric flying. With companies like Harbour Air taking the lead, battery-powered planes, especially on short-haul journeys, are set to become a reality in the next few years.
1. According to Para. 1, what is happening in air transport
A. New explorations of the sky are being launched.
B. Pollution caused by batteries is being controlled.
C. Efforts are being made to make air travel greener.
D. Demand for short-haul flights is increasing massively.
2. Why is Harbour Air fit for electric flights
A. It runs short routes.　　　B. It has a strong partner.
C. Its planes can land on the sea.　　　D. It has planes with powerful engines.
3. The expression “added bonus” refers to the fact that electric planes 　　　.
A. give passengers more pleasant views　　　
B. bring airlines more financial benefits
C. offer more enjoyable flying experiences　　　
D. cost less in maintenance than traditional ones
4. What might be the biggest challenge of electric flying
A. To improve the ground service for e-planes.
B. To find qualified technicians for e-plane industry.
C. To calculate the energy needed to power e-planes.
D. To balance power and weight of batteries in e-planes.
5. What could be done during the transition from gas to electric in air flight
A. To produce new electric components.　　　B. To increase battery consumption.
C. To use mixed-power technology.　　　D. To expand the landing field.
6. What is the author's attitude towards the prospect of electric flying
A. Short-sighted.　　　B. Wait-and-see. 　　　C. Optimistic.　　　D. Skeptical.
其他卷加练
Passage 1(2025全国一,B) 主题 完善自我
In my ninth-grade writing class last year, I met a cowboy who saved his town, a strict father who demanded his son earn straight A's, and a modern-day Juliet who died of heartbreak after her parents rejected the love of her young life. More than once, I found myself wondering just how my students, who'd created these people, knew their subjects so well.
But things were different for their first essay, which was about the question:“Why is writing important ” Most of the essays filled less than one page, and few contained a sentence that could be interpreted as a thesis(论点) statement. I was shocked. Then I realized that the problem was the question itself. They could have written pages on the necessity of computers, but writing, in and of itself, simply didn't strike them as important. This would have to change.
As a new unit started, I asked everyone to write a persuasive piece on a health-related topic of their choice. This time they found the exercise much more interesting. For the next two assignments, a personal-narrative unit followed by a creative-writing workshop, I only required that the piece meet the specifications of its genre(体裁) and that it contain a thesis. The results were staggering. The students took on diverse topics and turned in stories,10 to 20 pages each, with characters that broadened my view and touched my heart.
I walked into class believing that writing is important as a means of communication. However, my students demonstrated something more important to me. When the final bell rang in June, I walked away with a yearbook full of messages about writing's most powerful significance—the ability to connect people, to put us in another's skin, to teach us what it means to be human.
1. Who are the people mentioned at the beginning of paragraph 1
A. Ninth graders.　　　B. Students' parents.
C. Modern writers.　　　D. Fictional characters.
2. Why did the students perform poorly in writing their first essay
A. They were not given enough time.　　　B. They had a very limited vocabulary.
C. They misunderstood the question.　　　D. They had little interest in the topic.
3. What does the underlined word “staggering” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Mixed.　　　B. Amazing.　　　C. Similar.　　　D. Disturbing.
4. What does the author's experience show
A. Teaching is learning.　　　B. Still waters run deep.
C. Knowledge is power.　　　D. Practice makes perfect.
Passage 2(2025全国二,B) 主题 公益事业与志愿服务
Kathy Ho teaches high school inside Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (LPCH). “Sometimes I don't like saying that I'm a teacher,” says Ho. “People get in their minds an idea of what teachers do, but that's not really what it is here.”
“Here” is room 386, where each year, about 500 LPCH patients also become students. The hospital school is free of parents, doctors, and medical procedures. It's a place of learning. About half of Ho's students stay for a week or less; others are there for more than a year. Most of Ho's students will recover, which means that preparing them to return to school is an increasingly important component of care.
Still, in room 386, academics don't come first. Physical health and mental health are the priority. “If you're scared about something and thinking only about that, there's no way you're going to be able to learn,” Ho says. “I'm a coach, an adviser, and a comforter, and that's what it means to be a hospital teacher.”
There are up to 30 students at any given time in Ho's class. She generally works with their regular teachers to get lessons and tests being used at their home schools. Some teachers don't give the kids any assignments; they express sympathy instead. “I feel like it is a disservice to the kids,” Ho says. “They think their teachers don't care about their schoolwork.”
Ho recognizes the psychological benefit of helping kids keep up with their peers(同龄人) outside the hospital. “I actually think the medicine is only a small piece for some problems,” says Julie Good, director of pain management services at LPCH. “It's about problem-solving around what it means to have a full life. Those kids have dreams. School can keep those dreams alive by giving kids a way to learn and grow.”
1. Who does Ho teach at LPCH
A. Sick children.　　　B. Young nurses.
C. Medical students. 　　　D. Patients' parents.
2. What is a characteristic of Ho's job
A. Prioritizing academics. 　　　B. Encouraging innovation.
C. Treating various diseases.　　　D. Playing multiple roles.
3. What does the underlined word “it” refer to in paragraph 4
A. Offering regular lessons.　　　B. Paying extra attention.
C. Assigning no schoolwork.　　　D. Showing no sympathy.
4. How does the hospital school benefit the students according to Good
A. It eases peer pressure. 　　　B. It helps them live in hope.
C. It frees them from aches.　　　D. It entertains them with stories.
三年模拟
考点基础练
Passage 1(2025天津河西质量调查二,B) 主题 丰富自我,完善自我
　　Suzanne Heywood was just seven years old when her parents told her she, along with her younger brother Jonathan, would be pulled out of school to go on a three-year voyage around the world. The family of four from the UK set out on their exploration to recreate Captain Cook's voyage around the globe, which ended up taking a decade instead of the promised three years.
　　Now 55 years old, Suzanne has shared her tale of survival on TikTok, and recalled her 10 years at sea in her tell-all memoir Wavewalker: Breaking Free. “I spent that time trapped on a boat, unable to go to school or have normal friendships.” Despite her father assuring her the trip would be safe, Suzanne claimed it was “incredibly dangerous but great as well”, sharing details of a risky journey from South Africa to Australia where the boat hit an enormous storm.
　　In order to get through her very strange childhood, Suzanne recalled how she was determined to get an education to live a normal life. “As it became clear my parents had no intention of going back, I decided I had to educate myself as it was the only lifeline that I had,” she told the hosts of The Morning Show.
　　She began studying in the small cabin of the boat, which she found challenging both practically and academically, as she “had missed a lot of education”. Then, when she was 16, and her brother was 15, her parents enrolled the two teenagers in a school in New Zealand while they continued sailing.
　　Despite the gaps in her education, Suzanne landed a spot at Oxford University, and after saving up money she had earned working on a farm, Suzanne bought a one-way plane ticket back to the UK.
　　Since going public with her story, Suzanne's book instantly became a bestseller, and she continues to work through the trauma(创伤) caused by her “unstable” childhood. Suzanne's extraordinary tale has captured the hearts of millions, with thousands of online fans applauding her for her bravery.
1. Why did Suzanne's family set out on their voyage
A. To meet the challenges of their life.
B. To realize the dream of family traveling.
C. To admire the beauty of great oceans.
D. To follow in the footsteps of a great explorer.
2. What does the underlined word “memoir” mean in English
A. Personal experiences. 　　　B. Scientific research.　　　C. Extraordinary tales. 　　　D. Offshore exploration.
3. What did education mean to Suzanne during the voyage
A. An approach to pleasing her parents.
B. A tool for killing time on the vast sea.
C. A means of struggling for a better future.
D. A support of her admission into Oxford University.
4. What message does Suzanne's experience convey
A. A strong will can free a person from family support.
B. A lack of education can affect a person's intelligence.
C. A unique life can equip a person with special qualities.
D. A crazy upbringing always leads to greater achievements.
5. What's the author's purpose of writing the text
A. To analyze the impact of family decisions and give warnings.
B. To record Suzanne's remarkable life journey and inspire others.
C. To evaluate Suzanne's educational achievements and praise her.
D. To promote Suzanne's memoir Wavewalker: Breaking Free and excite readers.
Passage 2(2025天津河东一模,B) 主题 不同民族文化习俗与传统节日
Every November, as Thanksgiving Day approaches, one memory comes to my mind. At my big Turkish family's get-togethers, baklava(果仁蜜饼) is the norm on the dessert table. There is rolled baklava, nut-filled baklava and chocolate-dipped baklava.
One year, though, back when I was in high school, my cousin Johnny decided to change things up a bit. He showed up at my parents' house for Thanksgiving with two items that had never been served before—apple pie and a can of cream.
Those two items caused one of the biggest arguments. I distinctly remember my mom and aunts whispering in the kitchen.
“Apple pie ” one of my aunts said, “How to deal with this ”
I can still recall my mom's puzzled expression. If there's one thing in this world my mom distrusts, it's fruit-filled desserts, a no-no in our cuisine culture. “Why would you bake fruits into a dessert when you can eat them fresh ” she often says.
The cream only made things worse. My mom didn't want to hurt Johnny's feelings. In a true act of love, she put the pie out on the dining room table, accompanied by the cream. It went mostly untouched.
Nowadays, things are different. We actually have pie on Thanksgiving—my mom regularly makes pie (the fear of fruit-filled sweets continues, but desserts topped with fruits or nuts have been given the okay). We still laugh about the drama caused by Johnny's apple pie. I'll never forget it. It wasn't just about the pie for me. Growing up, I sometimes felt like an outsider because of my culture. That Thanksgiving, though, was one of the first times I realized that my family's oddness was actually a good thing. It's what made us. What about you Which Thanksgiving sticks out as your most memorable one
1. The purpose of the first paragraph is to introduce 　　　.
A. the unique family tradition　　　B. different kinds of baklava
C. the background of the story　　　D. the customs of Thanksgiving Day
2. Johnny's apple pie 　　　.
A. ruined the festival atmosphere　　　B. challenged family traditions
C. resulted in a family quarrel　　　D. contributed to a heavy meal
3. Which of the following is the best description of the author's mom
A. Serious and honest.　　　B. Generous and strict.
C. Humorous and caring.　　　D. Considerate and flexible.
4. What does the underlined word “oddness” in the last paragraph mean
A. Strangeness.　　　B. Chance.　　　C. Culture.　　　D. Habit.
5. What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph imply
A. The author is at ease with his family members.
B. The author is aware of the importance of customs.
C. Cuisine culture helps shape our identity.
D. Culture shocks make a harmonious family.
Passage 3(2025天津十二区重点学校联考,B) 主题 认识自我、丰富自我、完善自我
The afternoon air was thick and warm, and by the time my dad and I reached the bay, which we called a swimming palace, my clothes were damp and itchy on my skin. Dad dived with a splash, heading out toward the edge of our narrow bay. Overwhelmed, suddenly, with envy, I did what I hadn't done in years:I held my breath and pulled my own head underwater.
There, suspended beneath the glimmering(闪烁的光) surface, I remembered it all—my love of diving, swimming, rivers and lakes. I knew what it was like again:to be free and fully present in my own skin.
Though I've always loved the water, I had spent seven years prior to that day staying away from moments like this one. I was afraid. Struggling for a long time with unhelpful treatments, and the pressures of teenage girls' appearance, I had become entirely reliant on my makeup. I needed total control over how I looked, and going swimming meant washing this control away. My bare face and natural appearance were not something I identified with. I hated it, deeply, though I wished more than anything that I didn't.
But those 10 minutes of contentment I floated within were the fuel for the next chapter of my life.Suddenly, it didn't matter how I did it. Whether through medication or the mental attitude, I would find a way to have the kind of life that allows me to dive into the water.
That day was the beginning of a slow but determined journey back to my own body—the slow unlearning of my deep self-consciousness. Life didn't change in a heartbeat:I returned to the shore with all the same fears, but I clothed myself in new determination to change things. I felt the tide turned.
Reflecting on this moment again today, it seems strange to think that going bare-faced on an empty beach was such a challenge. But this is exactly the perspective I had once dreamed of reaching. I do my best never to take this freedom I have found for granted. I will sink under the surface of the water,embracing that swell of fear and joy and liberation.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph
A. The author and her father went camping.　　
B. The weather was cool and sunny.
C. What the author's father did inspired her.　　　
D. It was dangerous to swim in the bay.
2. The author avoided swimming for seven years because 　　　.
A. she had no access to the bay　　　B. she had to receive treatments
C. she hated to reapply her makeup　　　D. she felt insecure without makeup
3. What does the underlined word “it” mean in Paragraph 3
A. The author's appearance.　　　B. Going swimming in the sea.
C. Unhelpful treatments.　　　D. Pressure of teenage girls.
4. How did the author feel after she returned from the diving
A. Hesitant.　　　B. Determined.　　　C. Proud.　　　D. Joyful.
5. What message does the author want to convey in the passage
A. You can't judge a book by its cover.　　　B. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
C. Self-acceptance is the greatest gift.　　　D. Nothing is difficult to a willing heart.
Passage 4(2025天津河东二模,C) 主题 科学研究
　　Memory loss and cognitive decline are common concerns as people age. Medical research has been actively seeking ways to delay or even reverse these effects. Recently, a team of researchers from Harvard Medical School has made some intriguing findings that could lead to new approaches in treating age-related memory decline. While these discoveries may not be earth-shattering in the sense of introducing entirely new concepts, they do offer important insights that build upon existing knowledge.
　　Dr. Emily Rosenzweig and her colleagues focused their research on the role of neurotransmitters(神经递质), particularly acetylcholine(乙酰胆碱), in maintaining memory function. Acetylcholine is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and overall cognitive function. The researchers conducted a series of experiments using mice genetically engineered to have reduced levels of acetylcholine. These mice showed significant impairments in memory tasks compared to their normal counterparts.
　　In a follow-up study, the team administered a drug known to enhance acetylcholine levels in the brain. They found that the drug improved memory performance in the genetically engineered mice, suggesting that maintaining adequate acetylcholine levels could be key to preserving memory as we age. Rosenzweig emphasized that this is not a cure for memory loss but rather a potential strategy for delaying its onset.
　　Another study, led by Dr. James Carter, explored the effects of physical activity on cognitive function in elderly individuals. Carter's team conducted a randomized controlled trial involving hundreds of seniors. Participants were assigned to either a group that engaged in regular aerobic exercise or a control group that did not. After a year, the researchers assessed the cognitive function of both groups using standardized tests. They found that those in the exercise group performed significantly better on memory and attention tasks compared to the control group.
　　Despite these promising findings, experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between memory, aging, and lifestyle factors. Dr. Rosenzweig noted that while the drug showed promise in mice, it may not have the same effect in humans due to differences in biology and metabolism. Similarly, Dr. Carter acknowledged that while exercise seems to benefit cognitive function, it is unclear whether the benefits extend to all individuals or if there is a critical period during which exercise is most beneficial.
　　In conclusion, while the research from Harvard Medical School offers hope for improving memory in the elderly, it also underscores the need for continued investigation. As Dr. Rosenzweig put it, “We are still at the beginning of our understanding of how the brain ages and how we can intervene to slow down or reverse the process.”
1. What does the word “intriguing” in Paragraph 1 most likely mean
A. Confusing. 　　　B. Boring.　　　C. Fascinating. 　　　D. Disappointing.
2. What was the focus of Rosenzweig and her colleagues' research
A. The role of acetylcholine in maintaining memory function.
B. The effects of genetics on cognitive decline.
C. The benefits of aerobic exercise on the brain.
D. The use of drugs to cure memory loss.
3. According to Rosenzweig, the drug they administered is intended to be 　　　.
A. a cure for memory loss
B. a preventive measure for cognitive decline
C. a treatment for Alzheimer's disease
D. a strategy for delaying the onset of memory loss
4. What can we infer from Carter's study
A. Regular aerobic exercise guarantees improved cognitive function.
B. The benefits of exercise on cognitive function are immediate.
C. The relationship between exercise and cognitive function needs further research.
D. Exercise has no effect on cognitive function in elderly individuals.
5. What is the overall message of the article
A. Memory loss is inevitable as we age.
B. Exercise is the key to preventing cognitive decline.
C. Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating memory loss.
D. Research on memory and aging is ongoing and more has a long way to go.
Passage 5(2025天津部分区质量调查二,D) 主题 正确的人生态度
　　We often expect immediate results, but in reality, the fruits of our efforts are often delayed. After weeks or months of working your tail off and not seeing any fruits of your labor, it's easy to feel beaten down.
　　Breakthrough moments are typically the result of many smaller actions that build up over time, creating the energy needed to bring about significant changes. This pattern is evident everywhere. Cancer spends up to 80% of its life undetectable before it suddenly takes over the body in a matter of months. Bamboo spends the first five years barely visible above ground, using that time to develop a vast root system, before shooting up 15 meters in just six weeks.
　　Similarly, in the early and middle stages of any effort, there's often a “Valley of Disappointment”. It can feel like you're not making progress, until you push through a critical point and unlock a new level of achievement. This is a feature of any compounding process: the most powerful results are often delayed.
　　People make a few small changes, fail to see noticeable results, and decide to quit. You might think, “I've been running every day for a month, so why can't I see any change in my body ” But in order to make a meaningful difference, we need to keep going long enough to break through the plateau.
　　Complaining about not achieving success despite hard work is like complaining about an ice cube not melting after heating it from -6℃ to -1℃. Your efforts haven't been wasted; they've been building up potential. Mastery requires patience.
　　The San Antonio Spurs, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, have a quote from social reformer Jacob Riis hanging in their locker room: “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet, at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it—but all that had gone before.” Patience may be bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
1. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 1 mean
A. Pouring your heart into something.　　　B. Putting off enjoying the good result.
C. Cutting down something unnecessary.　　　D. Getting rid of the delayed workers.
2. The author mentions the example of bamboo to 　　　.
A. analyse why bamboo shoots up so quickly in six weeks
B. emphasize hidden preparation before visible growth
C. explain how bamboo develops a root system
D. make a comparison between bamboo and cancer
3. What does the “Valley of Disappointment” represent in the passage
A. A stage where results are immediately visible.
B. A place where people have to give up their goals.
C. A state when people feel fulfilled but frustrated.
D. A time when progress seems slow or non-existent.
4. What can we learn from the last paragraph
A. Better late than never.　　　B. Rome wasn't built in a day.
C. Every cloud has a silver lining.　　　D. Look before you leap.
5. What is the purpose of the passage
A. To criticize people who lack patience and give up easily.
B. To analyze the psychological challenges of delayed success.
C. To highlight long-term efforts before breakthroughs.
D. To describe the growth patterns of bamboo and cancer.
Passage 6(2025天津红桥一模,D) 主题 未来职业发展趋势
For generations, we've spent the first third of our lives acquiring the college degrees we need to find jobs. These degrees are the stamps on our professional passports that pave the way for the remaining two-thirds of our journey. However, the future of work won't be about college degrees, it'll be about job skills.
According to the World Economic Forum, over one billion jobs, almost one-third of all jobs worldwide, are likely to be transformed by technology in the next decade. We've already seen this happen. Think of the apps you use to shop, track orders and simply stay informed. The stores need to keep them up and running at all hours, day after day, all year round, meaning they need those who can analyze and secure customer data.
In these and other similar situations, people are the organizing force making sure technology works the way we want it to. This means a quick rise in new kinds of digital jobs. According to the Forum's Jobs of Tomorrow report, there'll be a rapid influx of roles at the forefront of the data and AI economy, as well as new roles in engineering, cloud computing and product development. These jobs need talent with relevant skills, and importantly these skills can be learnt even by those without college degrees.
Shifting our focus from degrees to skills will mean transitioning(过渡) to always-on skills-based education and employment organizations that acknowledge not just certification but fitness-for-job and employment as outcomes. In recent years, several companies have focused on continuous learning for the workforce—the trend will become stronger.
When it comes to skills, employers look for more than just technical panies want people who have an eye for detail, creative problem-solving skills, a collaborative mindset and an ability to handle complex issues. These also are skills that can be learnt. Anyhow, lifelong learners with ever-relevant skills will be in greater demand in the workplace.
1. What is the function of Paragraph 1
A. To propose a definition.　　　B. To present an argument.
C. To give an example.　　　D. To make a comparison.
2. How does technology influence the jobs
A. It calls for higher demands for degrees.　　　B. It makes many jobs less challenging.
C. It reduces their dependence on degrees.　　　D. It connects them with degrees closely.
3. What does the underlined word “influx” in Paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Increase.　　　B. Recovery.　　　C. Decline.　　　D. Change.
4. What will future employers value most concerning their staff
A. Their traditional technical skills.　　　B. Their continuous learning abilities.
C. Their certification-based education.　　　D. Their desire to start their own business.
5. What might be the best title for the text
A. Skills Are Different From Degrees　　　B. Degrees Will Be More Competitive
C. Degrees Will Shape the Future of Work　　　D. Skills Are More Vital for Future Work
综合提升练
Passage 7(2025天津南开“三月高考”,B) 主题 优秀品行
My dearest granddaughter,
By the time you read this, I'll be gone. But I want to share with you the story that shaped our family's legacy(遗产)—a tale of gratitude that echoed(流传) through generations.
It was 1955, and I was just a young girl of 12. Times were hard,and our family struggled to make ends meet. One particularly hard winter, we had nothing left but a few potatoes and a little candle. That's when a knock on the door changed everything. Mrs. Thompson, our neighbor, stood there with a basket full of food. “I'm thankful for good neighbors,” she said simply, pressing the basket into my mother's hands before hurrying away. That night, as we enjoyed our unexpected meal, my father declared, “When we have enough, we must remember this kindness and pass it on.”
Years passed, and our fortunes improved. True to his word, my father always found ways to help others, saying it was an echo of Mrs. Thompson's kindness. I watched as he slipped groceries onto the porches(门廊) of struggling families, secretly paid for children's school supplies, and volunteered at the local shelter.
One day, while volunteering, he met a young man named Jack—your grandfather. Jack had fallen on hard times but was determined to turn his life around. My father took him under his wing, helping him find a job and a place to live. Jack,filled with gratitude, threw himself into his work and studies. He often said, “I'm just echoing the kindness shown to me.” It was his gratitude and determination that first drew me to him.
As our family grew, your grandfather and I made sure to keep the echo alive. We taught your mother, and her siblings, the importance of being thankful and paying kindness forward.
Now, my dear Emma, I pass this story to you. Our family's echo of thankfulness has touched countless lives over the years. Some we know about, like the scholarship fund your mother started, but many more we'll never know.
Remember, gratitude is not just a feeling—it's an action. It has the power to create ripples(涟漪) that turn into waves, touching lives far beyond our own.
With all my love,
Grandma
1. How did the family feel about Mrs. Thompson's action
A. Puzzled.　　　B. Surprised.　　　C. Grateful.　　　D. Skeptical.
2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about
A. The way Grandma helped others.
B. Grandma watched her father helping others.
C. Over the years, the family's life has greatly improved.
D. Mrs. Thompson's kindness had a profound effect on Grandma's father.
3. By saying “It was his gratitude and determination that first drew me to him.” in Paragraph 4, Grandma means 　　　.
A. she fell in love with Jack　　　B. Jack was a determined person
C. Jack helped her with her work and studies　　　D. she could feel Jack's gratitude and determination
4. Grandma wrote this letter to 　　　.
A. recall her life　　　
B. point out the importance of being thankful
C. tell Emma the history of the family　　　
D. pass on a family tradition of echoing the kindness
5. What message does the letter convey
A. How the family legacy is formed.
B. People should learn to be grateful and echo the kindness.
C. Mrs. Thompson's kindness saved the family.
D. When life is rich, we must remember the difficulties.
Passage 8(2025天津十二区重点学校联考一,C) 主题 科学研究
Teen brains aged faster than normal from stress by at least three years, a study has found. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry:Global Open Science, was the first to compare examinations of the physical structures of teenagers' brains from before and after the stress started, and to document significant differences.
Researchers knew teens had higher levels of depression, anxiety and fearfulness than before the stress. But we knew nothing about the effects on their brains. The researchers found growth in brain areas that control access to some memories and help control fear, stress and other emotions.
Premature(过早的) aging of kids' brains isn't a positive development. Their stressful childhood experiences not only make people easier to suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses, but they can raise the risk of cancer, heart disease and other long-term negative outcomes.
The scientists tried to make out how the stress itself may have impacted the physical structure of the children's brains and their mental health. They matched pairs of children with the same age,gender and stress. “That allowed us to compare 16-year-olds before the stress with different 16-year-olds assessed after the stress,” said Ian Gotlib, a psychology professor at Stanford University.
To determine the brain age of their samples, the researchers fed their brain examinations into a machine-learning model for predicting brain age developed by the ENIGMA-Brain Age working group, the cooperation among scientists who share their brain image data sets. They also appraised mental health outcomes reported by the matched pairs. They found more severe symptoms of anxiety,depression and internalizing(内在化的) problems in the group that had experienced the stress.
Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, noted that many individuals experience post-traumatic(创伤后的) growth after a stressful experience. “This is a useful initial study,” agreed David Fassler,clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont. “I expect the results will inform the design of future research initiatives.”
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs
A. Researchers had a good knowledge of aging.　　　
B. Stress greatly influenced teenagers' brains.
C. Brain growth improved teenagers' happiness.　　　
D. Bad memories resulted in negative emotions.
2. What is the main idea of Paragraph 3
A. The positive development of teenage brains.　　　
B. The stressful childhood experience of teenagers.
C. The impact of premature aging of kids' brains.　　　
D. The mental illness that teenagers suffer.
3. Why was the machine-learning model developed
A. To satisfy the need of the market.　　　B. To analyze the brain age of samples.
C. To predict mental health outcomes.　　　D. To solve internalizing problems.
4. What's probably the meaning of the underlined word in Paragraph 5
A. Behaved.　　　B. Complained.　　　C. Objected.　　　D. Evaluated.
5. What was David Fassler's attitude to the study
A. Favorable.　　　B. Indifferent.　　　C. Doubtful.　　　D. Unclear.
Passage 9(2025天津部分区质量调查一,D) 主题 完善自我
It is widely recognized that self-discipline gives us freedom. Those who can control themselves have the ability to make the best use of their time, thus lost in the joy of freedom while other people suffer from “painful self-discipline”, stuck in a difficult situation where they feel guilty about not being able to complete the missions on their never-ending to-do lists.
But do these pains come from self-discipline Not exactly. The people who are anxious about being so-called self-disciplined masters are actually missing the point of this virtue. It's not a “the more the better” kind of thing. Rather, it's the capability to find a complicated balance between work and entertainment, which enables you to work more efficiently and to take control of your life. Thus, there's no need to push yourself too hard.
As a self-disciplined student, I think I understand the key to easing the sometimes painful learning process with all kinds of after-school activities. Self-discipline urges me to set aside adequate time for all of my required schoolwork and to efficiently finish it. What's more, having high learning efficiency means that if I am interested in a certain topic in my textbook or the knowledge of a specific field, I can spend more time exploring it in depth, while devoting myself to my own interests. However, each time the bell for the end of class rings, I'm always the first to grab the basketball and dash to the court to enjoy the thrill of a ball game with my friends until the sun sinks below the horizon.
As I said, the real freedom to enjoy a wonderful life is based on self-discipline. And the final aim of self-discipline is to enjoy a wonderful life. Being self-disciplined is about doing the proper thing at the proper time. You have to push yourself under the guidance of self-discipline to achieve high efficiency in your daily routine. But don't be too tough on yourself because unreasonable time management may drain you of the energy and passion you need to struggle on. Fit in adequate diversions from work within your carefully designed schedule, and I'm sure you can remove the obstacles that stand in your path to the ultimate freedom.
1. How does the author develop Paragraph 1
A. By giving an example.　　　B. By making a comparison.
C. By analyzing a reason.　　　D. By presenting a result.
2. What can we know about self-disciplined students in Paragraph 3
A. They have great trouble with the painful learning process.
B. They can hardly spare time to finish their assignments.
C. They can pursue their hobbies with high learning efficiency.
D. They spend most time enjoying ball games with their friends.
3. What is the ultimate goal of self-discipline in the author's view
A. To suffer mental pain.　　　B. To enjoy a happy life.
C. To manage time scientifically.　　　D. To achieve high efficiency.
4. What does the underlined word “drain” in the last paragraph probably mean
A. Exhaust.　　　B. Increase.　　　C. Provide.　　　D. Preserve.
5. What is the main idea of the passage
A. Self-discipline is the key to achieving high efficiency.
B. People should be strict with themselves to be self-disciplined.
C. The pursuit of self-discipline is a painful process.
D. Self-discipline is about finding a balance and leading to real freedom.
Passage 10(2024天津一中下学期月考五,B) 主题 完善自我
We were designing a wheelchair for a college engineering course. My classmates were certain that we needed to use steel and they felt only steel would be strong enough. I thought steel would be too heavy and aluminum would be a better option. But the student who strongly advocated steel worked at a bike shop. A few days later, when the big and heavy steel arm kept dropping down, I wished I had shown more determination to defend my position.
I enjoyed doing handiwork and my parents would come home and see artworks I had finished that day—paintings, clay sculptures, stuffed animals, etc. But when I studied engineering in college, these pursuits were deep-sixed. Not only was I stretched for time, but I didn't think they were relevant to my academic work. I hesitated to highlight my female crafting interests in the male-dominated engineering environment where I already felt like an outsider.
When I went on to pursue a Ph.D., I felt anxious and turned to crafting. One day I was making a set of dice as a gift for a friend. While putting the liquid resin(树脂) into the silicone mold(硅胶模具), I made a joke to my partner that I was “injection molding”—a standard engineering manufacturing process. I suddenly realized that although resin art is not injection molding in the technical sense, it shares the spirit and probably some skills.
Soon I saw connections between engineering and crafting that I had previously overlooked. When working on the wheelchair project, I used my sewing skills to create cushioned grips for the handles. I saw how crafting taught me to persevere when my product didn't match my initial vision and to consider the failed creation a learning experience, just as an engineer must.
Since then, I've built crafting back into my free time. I've also stopped hiding it from my colleagues. I mentioned my dice-making experience at a robotics conference and explained in a team meeting how we could gain inspiration from art experiences. I was glad that the responses were positive—not rude or dismissive, as I used to fear.
1. What can we know about the author and her classmates
A. They had a sort of love-hate relationship.
B. They worked part-time at a local bike shop.
C. They had disagreements when creating a wheelchair.
D. They knew nothing about the structure of wheelchairs.
2. What does the underlined word “deep-sixed” in Paragraph 2 probably mean
A. Put aside.　　　B. Backed up.
C. Followed through.　　　D. Dug out.
3. How did the author feel about the engineering environment in the past
A. It helped show off her talent.　　　B. It was unfriendly to females.
C. It helped promote cooperation.　　　D. It was beyond all her expectations.
4. What did the author realize after making a gift for a friend
A. She should take up more hobbies.　　　
B. Crafting needs great practical skills.
C. She should become more determined.　　　
D. Crafting can help make her a better engineer.
5. Which of the following words can best describe the author
A. Creative but sensitive.　　　B. Confident but stubborn.
C. Ambitious and strong-willed.　　　D. Emotional and straightforward.
Passage 11(2024天津九校联考一模,D ) 主题 正确的人生态度
Intelligence is not enough to create extraordinary work. The most creative people in history you admire approached problems differently. IQ alone cannot explain creative spark. “Creativity isn't a talent. It's a way of operating,” says John Cleese. It's a central source of meaning in our lives. Creative geniuses are able to bring seemingly contradictory elements together in unusual and unexpected ways. While there's no “typical” creative type,Einstein, Picasso and Mozart shared common traits.
You can be insanely talented but if you can't consistently hone your craft(打磨技能), you can't be great. The ability to stick with and pursue anything that means a lot to you over a long period of time is an important indicator(指标) of achieving anything worthwhile in life.
Einstein had extremely high intelligence but he genuinely loved his pursuit of relativity. He committed a great percentage of his productive years to pursuing the theory of relativity. And it meant everything to him. Creative people have a strong desire to work hard and long on what they love doing.
The willingness to take risks, to break with the safety of tradition, and to step outside the comfort zone is necessary for creativity. History's creative geniuses risked more to get results. Unless you aim for comfort and stagnation(停滞), taking risks is imperative to every creative process. They valued the process of their work as much as the destination. They enjoyed the process as much as the ultimate outcome. They viewed obstacles as opportunities to explore and make progress.
Picasso was once asked if he knew what a painting was going to look like when he started it. He answered, “No, of course not. If I knew, I wouldn't bother doing it.”
Curiosity is fundamental to your success. Einstein, Picasso and Mozart embraced curiosity. They were open to new ideas, and persistent despite career setbacks.
Mozart once wrote to a friend about his commitment to music and said, “People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.”
1. What can we know about creativity and intelligence
A. Intelligence is the decisive factor of success.　　　
B. Creativity has nothing to do with intelligence.
C. There is more to creativity than just intelligence.　　　
D. Creativity belongs to people with great intelligence.
2. Einstein's success indicates that 　　　.
A. perseverance is a better predictor of success　　　B. talent is necessary for one's achievements
C. high competence is key to high performance　　　D. innovation results from strong motivation
3. We can know that Picasso was 　　　.
A. good at career planning　　　B. sensitive to public criticism
C. satisfied with the present life　　　D. brave to embrace the unknown
4. The underlined word “imperative” in Paragraph 4 can be replaced by “　　　”.
A. difficult　　　B. important　　　C. controversial 　　　D. superficial
5. The best title for the text is “　　　”.
A. Einstein's Pursuit of the Theory of Relativity
B. The Creative Habits of Einstein, Picasso and Mozart
C. Dedication of an Unusual Degree to Achieve Greatness
D. The Great Contribution Made by Einstein, Picasso and Mozart
Passage 12(2024天津耀华中学一模,D ) 主题 积极的生活态度
How can we possibly cope with the large amount of information about virus spread, canceled plans and uncertainty about the future Some people are buried in fear, anxiety and sadness, checking news sites and social media constantly. Others try to prevent themselves from knowing it all and ignore the outside world.
There's a third option, though. Rather than fully getting involved in the negative or ignoring it, we can do our best to experience joy alongside everything else that is sad in the world. In fact, research that I and others have conducted suggests that allowing the two different emotions to coexist may actually benefit us in the long run.
Dr. Jeff Larsen and his colleagues invented an expression known as the “coactivation model of mixed emotions”, and the basic idea is that we may be able to deal with, and learn from negative emotions like sadness if we experience them concurrently with positive emotions like joy at the same time. Here, positive emotions provide a psychological buffer(缓冲), making it easier for people to deal with the things they don't want to face.
The comedian Mitch Hedberg proposed an analogy that captures this essence quite well, noting that it would be cool if you could eat a carrot with an onion ring and they would travel down to your stomach. Then they would get there, and the carrot would say,“It's cool. He's with me.” Applied to our emotional lives, we could do a better job in digesting, processing and gaining insight into the negative events in our lives if we could do so alongside the positive.
Several years ago, my partner Jon Adler and I set out to test this exact idea. Specifically, we looked at a sample of adult volunteers who signed up for weekly mental health therapy sessions. Between each week, they reported the feelings they were having and also took a few questionnaires that were meant to assess their overall health. This design allowed us to examine how different emotional experiences would impact mental health in a longitudinal fashion, over the course of 12 weeks.
It's worth noting first that everyone seemed to improve a bit as the weeks marched on: therapy helps and so does time. More to the point, though, mixed emotions at one time point were positively associated with improvements in psychological well-being at the next time point. The more of a mixture of, say, happiness and sadness someone experienced today, the better feeling they'd experience next week.
However, when we looked at mixed emotions that were experienced in a given week, they weren't associated with improved mental health in that same week.
The true benefit from mixed emotions may not happen immediately, but rather, likely happen sometime in the future.
1. What does the author recommend people do with a flood of bad news
A. Take no notice of it at all.
B. Make better plans to fight against it.
C. Take in all of the negative emotions.
D. Get involved in the negative and enjoy happiness as well.
2. Which of the following may Jeff Larsen agree with
A. Mixed emotions remain to be proved.
B. The negative emotion is easy to deal with.
C. The positive emotion makes it easier for people to succeed.
D. Mixed emotions allow people to handle the negative better.
3. What does the underlined word “analogy” in Paragraph 4 mean
A. Exhibition.　　　B. Promotion.　　　C. Similarity.　　　D. Requirement.
4. Why were lots of questions asked during the research
A. To measure the volunteers' health on the whole.
B. To record what the volunteers are experiencing.
C. To treat the mental diseases of the adults.
D. To overturn the theory of the “coactivation model of mixed emotions”.
5. What is the main idea of the passage
A. Ignore bad news completely to make you cut off from the outside and feel happy.
B. Make your negative emotions less severe by focusing on positive ones.
C. Negative emotions will eventually benefit people in the long run.
D. Positive and negative emotions can't coexist at the same time.
Passage 13(2023天津河西质量调查二,B) 主题 科技发展
For the first time in his life, Pete Peeks was able to use both hands to hang Christmas lights outside his house—thanks to the help of a high school robotics team. Peeks, 38, was born without the full use of his right hand, and though many may take hanging holiday lights for granted, Peeks said it was beyond his wildest dreams.
Peeks was a client of the Sequoyah High School Robotics Team in Canton, Georgia. The team has designed 3D-printed prostheses(假肢) to send for free to people around the world who need them.
Daniel McCrobie, the team leader, said that while the clients have said they are benefiting from the products, they are also benefiting by learning about the challenges other people face and how technology can make a difference. “Many of the prostheses people can get in the conventional way are very expensive, and even if you are fortunate enough to get coverage, children grow out of them like they grow out of shoes,” he said.
The inexpensive production through 3D printing opens up access to more people who need prostheses, and also means that the prostheses can be more customized to the clients' unique bodies and specific needs. Peeks said the team was able to make educated recommendations for his prosthesis when he met with them. “They went beyond expectations in terms of really assessing the situation and learning what my specific needs were,” he said. “They were able to make some measurements to make sure everything was fitted correctly.” And within a couple of weeks, he said, he had a prototype(原型) ready to try on. “Their eagerness to help and use technology to really transform people's lives has been a great example of humans helping humans,” Peeks said.
That practice of giving is something that McCrobie hopes will continue when he graduates. The team is currently working on documenting their processes to pass them on to future classes.
1. Why does the author mention Peeks' experience in the first paragraph
A. To support an argument.　　　B. To introduce the topic.
C. To describe the main character.　　　D. To add some background information.
2. What does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 3 refer to
A. Shoes.　　　B. Challenges.　　　C. Conventions.　　　D. Prostheses.
3. What can we say about the team's products
A. They are tailor-made.　　　B. They are mass-produced.
C. They cost a lot to make.　　　D. They take a long time to make.
4. What is Peeks' attitude to his 3D-printed prosthesis
A. Doubtful.　　　B. Concerned.　　　C. Satisfied.　　　D. Worried.
5. Which of the following can best describe McCrobie's team
A. Generous and honest.　　　B. Responsible and caring.
C. Productive and sensitive.　　　D. Cooperative and proud.
专题十六　推测词义
五年高考
天津卷专练
Passage 1(2024天津第一次,C) 主题 运动
　　Humans have evolved (进化) to spend long periods doing physical exercise. But why doesn't everyone enjoy exercising The complexity of the human brain is to blame.
　　Evolving an ability doesn't automatically mean we'll want to use it. While physical exercise isn't that bad, it's still typically unpleasant. It has to be: you're pushing your body to its physical limits, which leads to significant discomfort.
　　Another issue is that the human brain is highly sensitive to wasted effort. Studies have shown that it calculates the effort required for actions and tends to stop us from squandering vital resources on fruitless efforts, like walking over 30 km for a handful of berries.
　　The thing is, regular exercise to get “in shape” requires constant and considerable effort—all for gradual progress and uncertain rewards. So, your brain's tendency to ask, “Is it worth it ” will be hard to quieten. This particular feature also means we typically prefer things which offer minimum effort for maximum reward.
　　Thankfully, the human brain is a complex organ. It isn't ruled by its more primitive drives. While many species' thought processes are limited to “Food, eat it!”, “Danger, run!”, “Pain, avoid!”, we've evolved beyond that. Our brains can form multiple long-term goals and ambitions. We can imagine a desirable future scenario(情况), figure out how we'd achieve it, and do just that. Or at least work toward it. This directly impacts how our brain processes motivation and willpower. It makes us capable of delayed gratification(满足): we can recognize that rejecting a reward now can lead to a greater reward later, and act accordingly.
　　So how does the brain process motivation The self-discrepancy(自我差异) theory suggests we have several “selves” active in our minds at any given time: our “actual” self, our “ideal” self, and our “ought” self. Your “actual” self is how you are right now. Your “ideal” self is what you want to be. And your “ought” self is the self that does what you ought to be doing to become your “ideal” self. So, if your “ideal” self is a professional footballer, and your “actual” self isn't, your “ought” self is the one that spends a lot of time training, exercising, and getting better at football.
　　As far as your brain is concerned, there are processes that discourage exercise, and processes that encourage it. Ideally, you'll end up putting more weight on the latter than the former.
1. What can be learnt from the first two paragraphs
A. Some people are born physically weaker than others.
B. Some people dislike driving themselves too hard physically.
C. Most people have t