答案与解析
1.答案：B解析：根据文章第二段 “His artistic transformation came in 2011 when he took on a self-imposed challenge: to recreate Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’ using a tessellation of colour swatches. This seemingly simple experiment became a turning point in his life, leading him to abandon his interior design career and devote himself fully to fine art.” 可知，2011 年用色块重构沃霍尔的《玛丽莲》是他职业方向转变的转折点，B 选项与原文一致；A、C 是其后续的经典展览，非职业转折点；D 是其前期职业经历，未提及是转折点。
2.答案：A解析：根据后文对尼克 史密斯独特的像素化拼贴艺术、融合文字与图像的创作手法，以及其在英国当代艺术界的地位介绍，可知他在艺术界打造了属于自己的独特位置。“carved out a unique niche” 意为 “开辟了独特的领域 / 占据了独特的位置”，与 A 选项表述一致；B 遵循传统道路，C 面临激烈竞争，D 放弃有前途的职业，均与语境不符。
3答案：C解析：根据文章第四段，Purgatory 系列作品结合但丁的经典文学与现代消费文化，讽刺和反思社会对物质的过度追求，并引导观众反思自身选择和社会发展方向；同时其作品融合文字与图像，探索艺术历史概念，由此可推断尼克 史密斯用艺术反思社会问题和人类思想；A 与原文 “he believes the viewer’s personal understanding is an essential part of the artwork’s meaning” 相悖；B 与原文 “Unlike many artists who pursue pure visual expression” 相悖；D 原文提及他始终坚持色块拼贴的创作手法，故错误。
4.答案：B解析：文章主要介绍了英国当代艺术家尼克 史密斯的艺术特色、职业转变，重点阐述了其两大经典系列作品，既体现了他融合文字、图像与色块的独特艺术手法，也展现了其作品对经典艺术的重构和对社会问题的深刻反思，B 选项全面概括了文章核心内容，适合作为标题；A 仅提及像素化拼贴的发展，与文章主体无关；C 仅对比两个展览，片面；D 仅为文章部分背景内容，非核心主旨。
B篇核心词汇
influential adj. 有影响力的；polka dot 圆点图案；immersive adj. 沉浸式的；acclaim n. 赞誉；testament n. 证明；unity n. 团结
答案与解析
1.B 解析：根据第二段 “Her works from this period, such as Infinity Net Paintings, featured endless repeating patterns—a signature style that would define her career.” 可知，无限重复的图案是她的标志性风格。A、C、D 均与原文表述不符。
2.C 解析：根据后文 “allow viewers to step into her artistic world and experience a sense of infinity” 可知，她的艺术能让观众走进其中、身临其境，因此 “immersive” 意为 “沉浸式的、让观众有参与感的”。A 难以理解的；B 基于真实故事的；D 充满明亮色彩和形状的，均不符合语境。
3.D 解析：根据第一段 “her personal struggles with mental health, which she has turned into a source of creative inspiration” 和第二段 “creating works that reflected her vivid visual hallucinations” 可推知，她的心理问题成为了创作灵感，塑造了其艺术风格。A、B、C 均与原文 “坚持创作、获得国际赞誉” 相悖。
4.C 解析：文章按时间顺序介绍了草间弥生的出生、艺术生涯发展、个人经历与艺术的关联，以及她的艺术成就和影响力，核心是讲述其人生与艺术成就。A 偏离主体；B 仅为文章细节；D 过于宽泛，未聚焦草间弥生本人。
C篇核心词汇
artemisinin n. 青蒿素；malaria n. 疟疾；persistent adj. 坚持不懈的；pharmacy n. 药学；herbal extract 草药提取物；parasite n. 寄生虫；innovation n. 创新
答案与解析
1.B 解析：根据第三段 “Tu found a clue in Emergency Prescriptions Kept in the Pocket, a 4th-century TCM text that described using sweet wormwood to treat fever.” 可知，4 世纪的中医古籍为其提供了关键线索。A、C、D 均与原文不符。
2.C 解析：根据前文青蒿素的发现 “革新了疟疾治疗、拯救数百万人生命”，以及屠呦呦因此获诺贝尔奖，可知这一发现是 “开创性的、创新的”，故 “groundbreaking” 与 “innovative” 同义。A 有风险的；B 传统的；D 有争议的，均不符合语境。
3.A 解析：根据第三段 “Tu bravely volunteered to test the drug on herself first to prove its safety” 可推知，她敢于以身试药，体现了极大的勇气和强烈的社会责任感。B 与原文 “强调中西医结合” 相悖；C 与原文 “90 多岁仍继续研究” 相悖；D 与原文 “亲自试药” 相悖。
4.C 解析：文章讲述了屠呦呦的教育背景、发现青蒿素的研究过程、重大贡献，以及她晚年的研究和科研理念，核心是介绍其人物事迹和对医学的巨大贡献。A 仅为细节；B 偏离主体；D 文章未对比中西医疗效。
D篇
核心词汇
rags-to-riches adj. 白手起家的；wizard n. 巫师；welfare n. 福利；depression n. 抑郁症；rejection n. 拒绝；bestseller n. 畅销书；spin-off n. 衍生作品；stigma n. 污名；resonate v. 产生共鸣
答案与解析
C 解析：根据第二段 “In 1990, while on a delayed train from Manchester to London, the idea of a young wizard named Harry Potter suddenly came to her.” 可知，1990 年在曼彻斯特到伦敦的晚点火车上，她首次产生了哈利 波特的人物灵感。A、B、D 均与原文不符。
B 解析：根据后文 “donating millions to charities focused on children’s welfare, mental health, and gender equality” 可知，罗琳向多个慈善机构捐款，因此 “philanthropist” 意为 “慈善家”，即捐赠钱物帮助他人的人。A 作家；C 演员；D 心理医生，均不符合语境。
D 解析：根据最后一段 “it is about the power of love, courage, and hope—Themes that have resonated with readers of all ages” 可推知，《哈利 波特》系列有深刻的主题，吸引了各个年龄段的读者。A 与原文 “花 7 年写第一本书” 相悖；B 与原文 “译成 80 多种语言、全球畅销” 相悖；C 与原文 “创作于人生最黑暗的时期” 相悖。
C 解析：文章介绍了 J.K. 罗琳的早年经历、创作《哈利 波特》的背景与过程、文学上的巨大成功，以及她作为慈善家的社会贡献和科研理念，全面讲述了其人生、成就与贡献。A、B 仅为细节；D 仅为文章部分内容，未涵盖其文学成功和慈善贡献。
E篇阅读
核心词汇
ethic n. 准则；icon n. 偶像；draft n. 选秀；debut n. 首次亮相；extraordinary adj. 非凡的；relentless adj. 坚持不懈的；legendary adj. 传奇的；legacy n. 遗产；ambition n. 抱负
答案与解析
B 解析：根据第三段 “he defined as ‘rest at the end, not in the middle’” 可知，曼巴精神是坚持不懈、努力拼搏和心理韧性的人生哲学。A 与原文 “强调努力” 相悖；C、D 均与曼巴精神的定义无关。
A 解析：根据前文 “18 岁参加 NBA 选秀、被交易到湖人” 可知，此处指他成为 NBA 历史上最年轻的首次亮相的球员之一，“debut” 意为 “首次登场、首次亮相”。B 首次赢得总冠军；C 首次被交易；D 首次入选全明星，均不符合语境。
C 解析：根据第四段 “After retiring from basketball in 2016, Kobe did not slow down. He became a successful businessman, investor, and Oscar-winning screenwriter” 可推知，科比退役后在商业、投资、编剧等不同领域继续追求成功。A 与原文 “退役后跨界发展” 相悖；B 与原文 “为湖人效力 20 年” 相悖；D 原文未提及 “获得最多总冠军”，仅说明其成就非凡。
C 解析：文章讲述了科比的篮球生涯、NBA 赛场上的辉煌成就、退役后的跨界发展，以及他的曼巴精神带来的深远影响和不朽遗产，核心是介绍其篮球生涯、退役生活和持久影响。A 偏离主体；B 过于宽泛，未聚焦科比；D 仅为文章细节，未涵盖其人生全貌。A
Nick Smith, a distinguished contemporary British artist, has carved out a unique niche in the art world with his hand-made pixelated collages that fuse colour-chips, text and image. Unlike many artists who pursue pure visual expression, Smith’s creative roots are deeply tied to his 11-year career in interior design, a professional experience that has endowed his works with a precise sense of design aesthetic and colour application.
His artistic transformation came in 2011 when he took on a self-imposed challenge: to recreate Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’ using a tessellation of colour swatches. This seemingly simple experiment became a turning point in his life, leading him to abandon his interior design career and devote himself fully to fine art. What makes Smith’s works stand out is their multi-layered nature—he embeds narrative text beneath each colour swatch, which can be read in a sequential manner. This text does not merely serve as an accessory to the images; instead, it creates either complementary or subversive meanings, turning each artwork into a dialogue between visual form and linguistic expression. Smith once stated that he intentionally leaves his word-image works open to interpretation, as he believes the viewer’s personal understanding is an essential part of the artwork’s meaning.
Smith’s creative process is highly research-driven, with each new series rooted in thoroughly explored concepts. His P-series, a collection of his most representative works, includes Psycolourgy (2015) and Purgatory (2019), each addressing distinct themes and artistic questions. Psycolourgy, his first solo exhibition at Lawrence Alkin Gallery in London, was a groundbreaking moment in his career. In this exhibition, he reimagined 20th-century classic paintings such as da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and Hockney’s ‘The Bigger Splash’ into pixelated collages, examining how digitalisation reshapes people’s perception of classic art. The exhibition was an instant success, selling out completely and earning him a place among Britain’s most prominent contemporary artists.
Purgatory, exhibited at Art Miami in 2019, marked a deeper exploration of social issues. Smith wove excerpts from Dante’s epic poem Purgatory into vibrant collages of covetable consumer goods, symbolising the seven deadly sins. By combining literary classics with modern consumer culture, he creates a satirical and thought-provoking reflection on society’s obsession with excess, addictions and material desires. The works blend humour and nostalgia, urging viewers to question their own choices and the direction of modern society.
Today, Smith’s works continue to evolve, with his print editions selling out repeatedly and his large-scale collages being exhibited worldwide. He remains committed to his unique artistic language, proving that hand-made collages can still carry profound artistic and social connotations in the digital age.
When did Nick Smith have the turning point that changed his career direction
In 2015 when he held the Psycolourgy exhibition
In 2011 when he recreated Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’ with colour swatches
In 2019 when he presented the Purgatory exhibition in Miami
D. When he worked as an interior designer for 11 years
2.The underlined phrase “carved out a unique niche” in the first paragraph probably means ______.
A. created a special and unique position B. followed the traditional path
C. faced fierce competition D. gave up a promising career
3.It can be inferred from the passage that Nick Smith ______.
A. thinks the viewer’s interpretation is unimportant for his works
B. only focuses on visual expression in his collaged works
C. uses art to reflect on social issues and human thoughts
D. abandons the use of colour swatches in his later works
4.Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage
A. The Development of Pixelated Collages in the Digital Age
B. Nick Smith: A British Artist Blending Art and Social Reflection
C. The Comparison Between Psycolourgy and Purgatory
D. How Interior Design Shapes Contemporary Art
B
Yayoi Kusama, one of the most influential Japanese contemporary artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, is famous for her bold, colorful works filled with polka dots and infinite mirror rooms. Her artistic journey has been closely tied to her personal struggles with mental health, which she has turned into a source of creative inspiration throughout her life.
Born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama began painting at a young age, creating works that reflected her vivid visual hallucinations. In the late 1950s, she moved to New York City, where she quickly became a key figure in the pop art movement, alongside artists like Andy Warhol. Her works from this period, such as Infinity Net Paintings, featured endless repeating patterns— a signature style that would define her career. Kusama’s art is not just visual; it is immersive. Her Infinity Mirror Rooms, which use mirrors and LED lights to create the illusion of endless space, allow viewers to step into her artistic world and experience a sense of infinity.
Despite achieving international acclaim in the US, Kusama returned to Japan in the 1970s and checked herself into a psychiatric hospital, where she has lived voluntarily ever since. She works in a studio just a few steps from the hospital, creating art every day as a form of therapy and expression. Over the decades, her works have been exhibited in major museums worldwide, from the MoMA in New York to the Tate Modern in London. In 2021, she became the world’s top-selling living female artist, a testament to her enduring influence.
Kusama has always believed that art is a way to connect people across cultures and borders. Her polka dots, which she calls “the seeds of the universe”, are a symbol of unity and infinity. For her, creating art is not just a career; it is a lifelong mission to share her inner world with others and find beauty in the chaos of life.
What is the signature style that defined Yayoi Kusama’s artistic career
Creating realistic oil paintings of nature
Using endless repeating patterns in her works
Making simple black-and-white sketch works
D. Designing sculptures with natural materials only
The underlined word “immersive” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
hard to understand B. based on real stories
C. making viewers feel involved D. full of bright colors and shapes
3.We can infer from the passage that Yayoi Kusama’s mental health struggles ______.
A. stopped her from creating art for many years
B. made her give up her international artistic career
C. were a barrier to her success in the pop art movement
D. played an important role in shaping her artistic style
4.What is the main idea of the passage
A. The development of the pop art movement in the US and Japan
B. How Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms are designed and exhibited
C. The life and artistic achievements of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama
D. The influence of mental health on contemporary artists’ creative works
C
Tu Youyou, the first Chinese female scientist to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is renowned for her discovery of artemisinin, a life-saving drug that has revolutionized the treatment of malaria and saved millions of lives worldwide. Her success is the result of decades of persistent research and a deep respect for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Born in 1930 in Ningbo, China, Tu studied pharmacy at Peking University Health Science Center and graduated in 1955. In the 1960s, malaria was a deadly disease that affected millions of people in Asia and Africa, and there was no effective treatment at the time. In 1969, Tu was appointed the leader of a research team tasked with finding a new anti-malaria drug. Despite limited resources and difficult working conditions, she and her team turned to TCM for inspiration, combing through over 2,000 ancient Chinese medical texts and testing more than 380 herbal extracts.
After years of failed experiments, Tu found a clue in Emergency Prescriptions Kept in the Pocket, a 4th-century TCM text that described using sweet wormwood to treat fever. She and her team discovered that the active ingredient in sweet wormwood—artemisinin—was effective against malaria parasites, but the extraction process was challenging. Tu bravely volunteered to test the drug on herself first to prove its safety, a decision that later saved countless lives. In 1972, the team successfully extracted pure artemisinin, and in 2015, Tu was awarded the Nobel Prize for this groundbreaking discovery.
Even in her nineties, Tu Youyou continues to work in the field of medical research, focusing on improving the use of artemisinin and researching new treatments for other diseases. She has always emphasized that the combination of TCM and modern Western medicine is the key to medical innovation. Tu’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, curiosity, and the value of traditional knowledge in modern science.
What provided Tu Youyou and her team with the key clue to discover artemisinin
Modern Western medical research papers
A 4th-century traditional Chinese medical text
Experiments on over 380 chemical compounds
D. The research results of international scientists
2.The underlined word “groundbreaking” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. risky B. traditional C. innovative D. controversial
3.We can infer from the passage that Tu Youyou is a scientist with ______.
A. great courage and a strong sense of responsibility
B. a preference for Western medicine over traditional Chinese medicine
C. little interest in continuing research in her later years
D. no experience in testing drugs on human beings
4.What is the main purpose of the passage
A. To explain how artemisinin is extracted and used to treat malaria
B. To introduce the history of traditional Chinese medicine in medical research
C. To tell the story of Tu Youyou and her great contribution to medical science
D. To compare the effects of TCM and Western medicine in treating deadly diseases
D
Joanne Kathleen Rowling, better known as J.K. Rowling, is the British author of the Harry Potter series, one of the most popular and successful book series in the history of literature. Her rags-to-riches story—from a struggling single mother to a world-famous author—has inspired millions of people around the globe, and her work has redefined children’s literature and popular culture.
Born in 1965 in Gloucestershire, England, Rowling developed a love for writing at an early age, creating stories and poems for her family and friends. She studied French and Classics at the University of Exeter and worked as a secretary and English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. In 1990, while on a delayed train from Manchester to London, the idea of a young wizard named Harry Potter suddenly came to her. She spent the next seven years writing the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, during one of the darkest periods of her life: she was a divorced single mother, living on welfare, and struggling with depression.
Despite facing numerous rejections from publishers—12 in total for her first book—Rowling never gave up. In 1997, Bloomsbury Press finally published the book, which quickly became a bestseller in the UK. The series went on to include seven books, translated into over 80 languages and selling more than 600 million copies worldwide. The books were adapted into eight highly successful Hollywood films, and Rowling also created spin-off works, such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, expanding the “Wizarding World” she had built.
Beyond her literary success, Rowling is a well-known philanthropist, donating millions to charities focused on children’s welfare, mental health, and gender equality. She has often spoken publicly about her struggle with depression, using her platform to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. For Rowling, the success of Harry Potter is not just about magic and adventure; it is about the power of love, courage, and hope—Themes that have resonated with readers of all ages.
When did J.K. Rowling first get the idea of the character Harry Potter
When she was studying at the University of Exeter
When she was working as an English teacher in France
On a delayed train from Manchester to London in 1990
D. After she finished her first book and faced publisher rejections
2.The underlined word “philanthropist” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. a person who loves writing and creates famous works
B. a person who donates money and time to help others
C. a person who acts in Hollywood films and becomes famous
D. a person who studies mental health and treats patients
3.We can infer from the passage that the Harry Potter series ______.
A. was written and published in just seven years
B. only became popular among children in the UK
C. was inspired by Rowling’s happy childhood life
D. has deep themes that attract readers of all ages
4.What is the main idea of the passage
A. The creation and success of the Harry Potter book series
B. The influence of the “Wizarding World” on popular culture
C. J.K. Rowling’s life, literary success and social contributions
D. How J.K. Rowling overcame depression to become a famous writer
E
Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was a professional NBA player for 20 seasons, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. Nicknamed “Black Mamba”, he was known for his incredible work ethic, competitive spirit, and unmatched scoring ability—traits that made him a basketball icon and inspired generations of athletes around the world.
Born in 1978 in Philadelphia, USA, Kobe grew up in a basketball family: his father, Joe Bryant, was a former NBA player. Kobe started playing basketball at the age of three and developed a passion for the game that would shape his life. Instead of attending college, he declared for the 1996 NBA draft straight out of high school, becoming the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. At just 18 years old, he became one of the youngest players in NBA history to make his debut.
Over his 20-year career with the Lakers, Kobe achieved extraordinary success: he won five NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice and the regular-season MVP once. He was famous for his “Mamba Mentality”—a philosophy of relentless perseverance, hard work, and mental toughness that he defined as “rest at the end, not in the middle”. Kobe’s scoring ability was legendary; in 2006, he scored 81 points in a single game, the second-highest single-game score in NBA history.
After retiring from basketball in 2016, Kobe did not slow down. He became a successful businessman, investor, and Oscar-winning screenwriter—his short animated film Dear Basketball, based on his retirement poem, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. He also founded the Mamba Sports Academy, dedicated to training young athletes and passing on the Mamba Mentality. Tragically, Kobe died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Though his life was cut short, Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on. His Mamba Mentality has become a global symbol of perseverance and ambition, not just in sports, but in all areas of life. He once said, “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” This quote continues to inspire millions of people to chase their dreams relentlessly.
What is the “Mamba Mentality” defined by Kobe Bryant
A focus on natural talent over hard work in sports
A philosophy of relentless perseverance and mental toughness
The belief that college education is unnecessary for success
D. A strategy for improving one’s scoring ability in basketball games
2.The underlined word “debut” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. his first appearance in an NBA game B. his first NBA championship win
C. his first trade between NBA teams D. his first All-Star selection
3.We can infer from the passage that Kobe Bryant was a person who ______.
A. only focused on basketball and had no other interests
B. gave up his basketball career early due to injuries
C. continued to pursue success in different fields after retirement
D. won more NBA championships than any other player in history
4.What is the main theme of the passage
A. The history and development of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
B. The greatest achievements of the NBA’s all-time top basketball players
C. Kobe Bryant’s basketball career, post-retirement life and lasting legacy
D. How the “Mamba Mentality” was created and spread in the sports world
