专题06时文报道类-五年高考（2014-2018年）英语阅读理解话题分类解读与训练

专题06时文报道类
在信息时代的今天，我们必须关注国内外的重要事件。因而时文报道类(也称新闻报道类)文章也是阅读理解中必不可少的。时文报道类文章一般以记叙文为主。文章的特点是用非常简练的语言清楚地向读者阐述一件事。这类文章的写作思路往往是这样的：简述某个事件(何时、何地、何人、何事、结果)——具体描述该事件(细节内容)——作者或其他人的看法和评价。不过，在表达方式上，作者会运用各种表达方式，如倒叙、插叙等，思维的跳跃性较大。另外，这种文章中往往出现大量的陌生的人名或地名，在阅读时，要学会排除干扰。
时文报道类是历年高考英语的必考话题，主要题型为阅读理解，体裁一般为说明文，分值所占比重也比较高。如2018年新课标卷I阅读理解C篇；2018年新课标卷II阅读理解D篇； 2018年新课标卷III阅读理解C篇等
时文报道类
重视时文类的标题
标题通常点明短文的主题思想。
重视时文类的导语
由于高考试卷中的大部分时文类文章都会有意识地删掉标题，因此全文的主题和论点必须通过理解和分析导语部分来获得。
重视每个段落的衔接
时文类文章通常结构看似比较松散，而实际上并非如此。时文类的正文主要对导语部分所提供的主题信息的相关细节进行叙述或议论。
【高考探究】
高考试题经常以阅读理解的形式出现新闻报道类的文章。
【典例剖析】
A schoolgirl saved her father’s life by kicking him in the chest after he suffered a serious allergic (过敏的) reaction which stopped his heart.
Izzy, nine, restarted father Colm’s heart by stamping (踩) on his chest after he fell down at home and stopped breathing.
Izzy’s mother, Debbie, immediately called 999 but Izzy knew doctors would never arrive in time to save her father, so decided to use CPR.
However, she quickly discovered her arms weren’t strong enough, so she stamped on her father’s chest instead.
Debbie then took over with some more conventional chest compressions (按压) until the ambulance arrived.
Izzy, who has been given a bravery award by her school, said: ＂I just kicked him really hard. My mum taught me CPR but I knew I wasn’t strong enough to use hands. I was quite scared. The doctor said I might as well be a doctor or a nurse. My mum said that Dad was going to hospital with a big footprint on his chest.＂
＂She’s a little star,＂ said Debbie. ＂I was really upset but Izzy just took over. I just can’t believe what she did. I really think all children should be taught first aid. Izzy did CPR then the doctor turned up. Colm had to have more treatment on the way to the hospital and we’ve got to see an expert.＂
Truck driver Colm, 35, suffered a mystery allergic reaction on Saturday and was taken to hospital, but was sent home only for it to happen again the next day. The second attack was so serious that his airway swelled, preventing him from breathing, his blood pressure dropped suddenly, and his heart stopped for a moment.
He has now made a full recovery from his suffering.
1.Izzy kicked her father in the chest 　　　　.
A.to express her helplessness B.to practise CPR on him
C.to keep him awake D.to restart his heart
2.What’s the right order of the events?
①Izzy kicked Colm.
②Debbie called 999.
③Izzy learned CPR.
④Colm’s heart stopped.
A.③①②④ B.④②③① C.③④②① D.④③①②
3.What does Paragraph 8 mainly talk about?
A. What Colm suffered. B. Colm’s present condition.
C. What caused Colm’s allergy. D. Symptoms of Colm’s allergic reaction.
4.Why does the author write the news?
A. To describe a serious accident.
B. To prove the importance of CPR.
C. To report a 9-year-old girl’s brave act.
D. To call people’s attention to allergic reaction.
【语篇解读】本文为新闻报道。文中报道了9岁女童勇敢救父的故事。Izzy的父亲因过敏反应心脏停止工作，Izzy采取急救措施挽救了父亲的生命。
2.C【解析】考查细节理解。由上下文可知，Izzy先前了解了一些CPR(心肺复苏术)，后来她父亲因过敏反应心脏停止了工作，Izzy的母亲Debbie拨了999急救电话，然后Izzy采取了急救措施。
3.A【解析】考查段落大意。第八段主要讲Colm所患的疾病，即奇怪的过敏反应。所以A项正确。
4.C【解析】考查写作目的。文章为新闻报道，第一段中的＂A schoolgirl saved her father’s life by kicking him in the chest＂为导语，所以作者的写作目的是报道9岁女童勇敢救父的故事。
【长难句解读】A schoolgirl saved her father’s life by kicking him in the chest after he suffered a serious allergic(过敏的)reaction which stopped his heart.
分析：该句为主从复合句,句中＂A schoolgirl saved her father’s life by kicking him in the chest＂为主句，after引导时间状语从句，＂which stopped his heart＂为定语从句修饰先行词reaction。
Passage 1（2018年新课标卷I）
体裁
话题
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建议时间
说明文
人类语言越来越少及其原因
350
★★★☆☆
7分钟
Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going. When the world was still populated by hunter-gatherers, small, tightly knit (联系)groups developed their own patterns of speech independent of each other.Some language experts believe that 10,000 years ago, when the world had just five to ten million people, they spoke perhaps 12,000 languages between them.
Soon afterwards, many of those people started settling down to become farmers, and their languages too became more settled and fewer in number. In recent centuries, trade, industrialization, the development of the nation-state and the spread of universal compulsory education, especially globalisation and better communications in the past few decades, all have caused many languages to disappear, and dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.
At present, the world has about 6,800 languages. The distribution of these languages is hugely uneven. The general rule is that mild zones have relatively few languages, often spoken by many people, while hot, wet zones have lots, often spoken by small numbers. Europe has only around 200 languages; the Americas about 1,000; Africa 2 400; and Asia and the Pacific perhaps 3,200, of which Papua New Guinea alone accounts for well over 800. The median number (中位数)of speakers is a mere 6,000, which means that half the world’s languages are spoken by fewer people than that.
Already well over 400 of the total of, 6,800 languages are close to extinction(消亡), with only a few elderly speakers left. Pick, at random, Busuu in Cameroon (eight remaining speakers),Chiapaneco in Mexico(150), Lipan Apache in the United States(two or three)or Wadjigu in Australia (one, with a question-mark): none of these seems to have much chance of survival.
28. What can we infer about languages in hunter-gatherer times?
A. They developed very fast. B. They were large in number.
C. They had similar patterns. D. They were closely connected.
29. Which of the following best explains "dominant " underlined in paragraph 2？
A. Complex. B. Advanced.
C. Powerful. D. Modern.
30. How many languages are spoken by less than 6, 000 people at present?
A. About 6,800 B. About 3,400
C. About 2,400 D. About 1,200
31. What is the main idea of the text?
A. New languages will be created.
B. People’s lifestyles are reflected in languages.
C. Human development results in fewer languages.
D. Geography determines language evolution.
【文章大意】文章讲述了随着社会的发展人类语言越来越少及其原因。
29.C 【解析】猜测词义题。根据文章第二段中的dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.可知，英语、西班牙语和汉语正在替代其他语言。由此推知dominant languages意为：强有力的语言。故选C。
30.B 【解析】细节理解题。根据文章第三段中的At present, the world has about 6,800 languages.和The median number (中位数) of speakers is a mere 6,000, which means that half the world’s languages are spoken by fewer people than that. 可知，目前世界上大约有6800种语言，但是讲的人数少于6000人的占一半即3400.故选B。
31.C 【解析】主旨要义题。根据文章第一段中的主题句Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going.可知，语言的产生和消失进行了几千年，但最近时代语言产生的少，消失的太多。故选C。
Passage 2（2018年新课标卷II）
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说明文
青少年和年幼的孩子们读书的乐趣大大减少
300
★★★☆☆
7分钟
Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.
While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2—8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
28. What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?
A. Children’s reading habits.
B. Quality of children’s books.
C. Children’s after-class activities.
D. Parent-child relationships.
29. Where can you find the data that best supports "children are reading a lot less for fun"?
A. In paragraph 2. B. In paragraph 3.
C. In paragraph 4. D. In paragraph 5.
30. Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
A. E-books are of poor quality.
B. It could be a waste of time.
C. It may harm children’s health.
D. E-readers are expensive.
31. How should parents encourage their children to read more?
A. Act as role models for them.
B. Ask then to write book reports.
C. Set up reading groups for them.
D. Talk with their reading class teachers.
【文章大意】据本周一公布的a Common Sense Media report报告显示，青少年和年幼的孩子们读书的乐趣大大减少。文中从阅读的乐趣，阅读的时间，阅读方式和父母对孩子阅读的影响等角度展示了该报告的内容。
28.A 【解析】推理判断题。题干问的是这篇报道可能是关于什么内容。根据整篇文章，我们可以看出这篇报道讲述了孩子们阅读的乐趣，孩子们阅读的时间，孩子们阅读方式和父母对孩子阅读的影响。A项意为：孩子们的阅读习惯；B项意为：孩子们所读书籍的质量；C项意为：孩子们的课后活动；D项意为：父母与孩子的关系。故选A。
30.C 【解析】推理判断题。根据倒数第三段最后一句many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time可知，许多家长仍然限制电子阅读，主要是由于担心看一些电子屏幕的时间越来越多，也即是担心会伤害孩子们的健康。故选C。
31.A 【解析】细节理解题。根据倒数第二段The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading.可知，有明显的证据表明，父母为孩子们做榜样并为孩子们作重要指导能培养孩子的阅读习惯。也即是说，父母可以通过给孩子们作榜样来鼓励孩子们阅读的。故选A。
Passage 3（2017·新课标卷III）
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说明文
美国黄石公园重新引进灰狼
300
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
After years of heated debate, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Fourteen wolves were caught in Canada and transported to the park. By last year, the Yellowstone wolf population had grown to more than 170 wolves.
Gray wolves once were seen here and there in the Yellowstone area and much of the continental United States, but they were gradually displaced by human development. By the 1920s, wolves had practically disappeared from the Yellowstone area. They went farther north into the deep forests of Canada, where there were fewer humans around.
The disappearance of the wolves had many unexpected results. Deer and elk populations — major food sources (来源) for the wolf — grew rapidly. These animals consumed large amounts of vegetation (植被), which reduced plant diversity in the park. In the absence of wolves, coyote populations also grew quickly. The coyotes killed a large percentage of the park’s red foxes, and completely drove away the park’s beavers.
As early as 1966, biologists asked the government to consider reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone Park. They hoped that wolves would be able to control the elk and coyote problems. Many farmers opposed the plan because they feared that wolves would kill their farm animals or pets.
The government spent nearly 30 years coming up with a plan to reintroduce the wolvers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service carefully monitors and manages the wolf packs in Yellowstone. Today, the debate continues over how well the gray wolf is fitting in at Yellowstone. Elk, deer, and coyote populations are down, while beavers and red foxes have made a comeback. The Yellowstone wolf project has been a valuable experiment to help biologists decide whether to reintroduce wolves to other parts of the country as well.
28. What is the text mainly about?
A. Wildlife research in the United States.
B. Plant diversity in the Yellowstone area.
C. The conflict between farmers and gray wolves.
D. The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park.
29. What does the underlined word ＂displaced＂ in paragraph 2 mean?
A. Tested. B. Separated.
C. Forced out. D. Tracked down.
30. What did the disappearance of gray wolves bring about?
A. Damage to local ecology. B. A decline in the park’s income.
C. Preservation of vegetation. D. An increase in the variety of animals.
31. What is the author’s attitude towards the Yellowstone wolf project?
A. Doubtful. B. Positive.
C. Disapproving. D. Uncaring.
【话题解读】本文是一篇时文报道，该文报道了美国黄石公园重新引进灰狼的事情。人类活动的影响使灰狼的数量逐渐减少，鹿群数量逐渐增加，从而导致植被被大量破坏。
【名师点睛】词义猜测题是高考英语阅读理解中常见的题型，一般考查考生对生词、熟词生义词、短语、代词的指代的猜测以及对句子的理解等。要求考生熟练掌握构词法，还要学会利用上下文语境、利用定义、解释、举例和对比转折等线索来进行判断。另外构词法也是一种猜词的办法，比如通过前缀：dis-，un-，im-等，如本题中的displace。
31.B 【解析】推理判断题。根据文章末段的最后一句可知，作者认为引进灰狼的项目是很有价值的实验，因此可推知作者对这一举措持肯定的态度。
Passage4（2017·新课标全国卷II）
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Terrafugia公司研制出了飞车
316
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
Terrafugia Inc. said Monday that its new flying car has completed its first flight, bringing the company closer to its goal of selling the flying car within the next year. The vehicle —named the Transition – has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. The Transition, which flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes last month, can reach around 70 miles per hour on the road and 115 in the air. It flies using a 23-gallon tank of gas and burns 5 gallons per hour in the air. On the ground, it gets 35 miles per gallon.
Around 100 people have already put down a $10,000 deposit to get a Transition when they go on sale, and those numbers will likely rise after Terrafugia introduces the Transition to the public later this week at the New York Auto Show. But don’t expect it to show up in too many driveways. It’s expected to cost $279,000.And it won’t help if you’re stuck in traffic. The car needs a runway.
Inventors have been trying to make flying cars since the 1930s, according to Robert Mann, an airline industry expert. But Mann thinks Terrafugia has come closer than anyone to making the flying car a reality. The government has already permitted the company to use special materials to make it easier for the vehicle to fly. The Transition is now going through crash tests to make sure it meets federal safety standards.
Mann said Terrafugia was helped by the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision five years ago to create a separate set of standards for light sport aircraft, which are lower than those for pilots of larger planes. Terrafugia
says an owner would need to pass a test and complete 20 hours of flying time to be able to fly the Transition, a requirement pilots would find relatively easy to meet.
28. What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. The basic data of the Transition.
B. The advantages of flying cars.
C. The potential market for flying cars.
C. The designers of the Transition.
29. Why is the Transition unlikely to show up in too many driveways?
A. It causers traffic jams.
B. It is difficult to operate.
C. It is very expensive.
D. It burns too much fuel.
30. What is the government’s attitude to the development of the flying car?
A. Cautious B. Favorable.
C. Ambiguous. D. Disapproving.
31. What is the best title for the text?
A. Flying Car at Auto Show B. The Transition’s First Flight
C. Pilots’ Dream Coming True D. Flying Car Closer to Reality
【话题解读】本文是一篇新闻报道。主要介绍了Terrafugia公司研制出了飞车，试飞成功，预计将于明年进行销售。本文主要对飞车的历史由来及其构架进行了介绍。
29.C 【解析】细节理解题。根据“But don’t expect it to show up in too many driveways. It’s expected to cost
$279,000”可知，因为Transition 的价格较高，所以不太可能在太多的马路上出现。故选C。
30.B 【解析】细节理解题。根据“he government has already permitted the company to use special materials to
make it easier for the vehicle to fly”以及“Mann said Terrafugia was helped by the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision five years ago to create a separate set of standards for light sport aircraf”可知，政府对于飞车的研发是比较支持的。故选B。
31.D 【解析】标题归纳题。浏览全文，主要从飞车的试飞成功、飞车的构架以及多年以前人们对飞车的
设想至今成为现实展开说明。故选D。
Passage 5 （2017·天津卷）
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无人驾驶的自动化车辆
348
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
This month, Germany’s transport minister, Alexander Dobrindt, proposed the first set of rules for autonomous vehicles(自主驾驶车辆). They would define the driver’s role in such cars and govern how such cars perform in crashes where lives might be lost.
The proposal attempts to deal with what some call the “death valley” of autonomous vehicles: the grey area between semi-autonomous and fully driverless cars that could delay the driverless future.
Dobrindt wants three things: that a car always chooses property(财产) damage over personal injury; that it never distinguishes between humans based on age or race; and that if a human removes his or her hands from the driving wheel — to check email, say — the car’s maker is responsible if there is a crash.
“The change to the road traffic law will permit fully automatic driving,” says Dobrindt. It will put fully driverless cars on an equal legal footing to human drivers, he says.
Who is responsible for the operation of such vehicles is not clear among car makers, consumers and lawyers. “The liability(法律责任) issue is the biggest one of them all,” says Natasha Merat at the University of Leeds, UK.
An assumption behind UK insurance for driverless cars, introduced earlier this year, insists that a human “be watchful and monitoring the road” at every moment.
But that is not what many people have in mind when thinking of driverless cars. “When you say ‘driverless cars’, people expect driverless cars.” Merat says. “You know — no driver.”
Because of the confusion, Merat thinks some car makers will wait until vehicles can be fully automated without operation.
Driverless cars may end up being a form of public transport rather than vehicles you own, says Ryan Calo at Stanford University, California. That is happening in the UK and Singapore, where government-provided driverless vehicles are being launched.
That would go down poorly in the US, however. “The idea that the government would take over driverless cars and treat them as a public good would get absolutely nowhere here,” says Calo.
46. What does the phrase “death valley” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. A place where cars often break down.
B. A case where passing a law is impossible.
C. An area where no driving is permitted.
D. A situation where drivers’ role is not clear.
47. The proposal put forward by Dobrindt aims to __________.
A. stop people from breaking traffic rules
B. help promote fully automatic driving
C. protect drivers of all ages and races
D. prevent serious property damage
48. What do consumers think of the operation of driverless cars?
A. It should get the attention of insurance companies.
B. It should be the main concern of law makers.
C. It should not cause deadly traffic accidents.
D. It should involve no human responsibility.
49. Driverless vehicles in public transport see no bright future in _________.
A. Singapore B. the UK
C. the US D. Germany
50. What could be the best title for the passage?
A. Autonomous Driving: Whose Liability?
B. Fully Automatic Cars: A New Breakthrough
C. Autonomous Vehicles: Driver Removed!
D. Driverless Cars: Root of Road Accidents
【话题解读】这是一篇新闻报道。文章记叙了德国交通部长的对于自主驾驶车辆的规章制度的一个提议，引出说明了位于科技前沿的无人驾驶的自动化车辆在英国、新加坡和美国的不同前景。
48.D 【解析】考查细节理解。根据第六、七、八段内容可知选D。
49.C 【解析】考查细节理解。根据最后一段That would go down poorly in the US, however. “The idea that the government would take over driverless cars and treat them as a public good would get absolutely nowhere here,” says Calo.可知选C。
50. A 【解析】考查标题归纳。通读全文可以知道，本文主要讲述了谁来对无人驾驶的机动车辆负责。故选A。
【名师点睛】这篇文章的内容和每个人的生活都密切相关，讲的是谁对新型交通工具——无人驾驶的全自动化的车辆负责，各国意见不一，学生应该有兴趣阅读。材料涉及科技前沿，文章篇幅适中，设题考查比较全面，除了理解细节题，还需要适当的推理，还有词义辨析类的题目，对学生的能力考查得比较全面。
Passage 6（2015·新课标卷II）
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上大学之前采取了“间隔年”的方式
265
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
More students than ever before are taking a gap year(间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated(起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25，310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service(UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible，” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students(NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship—young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to ￡15，000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods，” he said.
29. What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A. It is flexible in length.
B. It is a time for relaxation.
C. It is increasingly popular.
D. It is required by universities.
30. According to Tony Higgins，students taking a gap year________.
A. are better prepared for college studies
B. know a lot more about their future jobs
C. are more likely to leave university in debt
D. have a better chance to enter top universities
31. How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?
A. He's puzzled. B. He's worried.
C. He's surprised. D. He's annoyed.
32. What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A. Attend additional courses.
B. Make plans for the new term.
C. Earn money for their education.
D. Prepare for their graduate studies.
【话题解读】 本文主要介绍了越来越多的学生们在上大学之前采取了“间隔年”的方式，即推迟上大学的时间，在此期间挣钱赚取上学的学费等，以及人们对于这种做法的赞成和反对的观点。
31.B　【解析】推理判断题。最后一段的 “evidence of student hardship(学生们的艰难)”和“young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education(学生们被迫在完成教育之前挣钱)”，说明了Owain James对此现象的担心，故B项正确。
32.C　【解析】细节理解题。根据最后一段的 “NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods…”可知C项正确。
Passage 1
体裁
话题
词数
难度
建议时间
说明文
野生动物保护
346
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
Illegally traded endangered species that escape, forming secondary populations, offer hope to their long-term survival, a study suggests. "This first came to my attention when I read a news story about the seizure of an illegal shipment of 23 yellow-crested cockatoos," said Luke Gibson, a college teacher. He learned that the species was critically endangered, which surprised him.
This encouraged Dr. Gibson and his colleague to investigate(调查) how a critically endangered species had become self-sustaining outside of its natural range. They discovered 49 cases of a globally threatened species becoming established as a separate population, including the yellow-crested cockatoo in their city.
"This is a species which is primarily threatened by wildlife trade," he told BBC News. "Poachers(偷猎者) go out into the forest in its native range in eastern Indonesia and capture the birds and then ship them off, usually up to our city where there is a strong demand for pet birds. This is what has fueled the decline of this species in its native range. But it’s really interesting because that same cause also had another effect: some of the people who were keeping this species here accidentally or intentionally released them." As a result of enough of the birds being set free, it allowed a new self-sustaining population to be established in this city.
The government of Dr. Gibson’s city has made it illegal to capture the species, even though it is a non-native species. Because the city is affluent and relatively well educated, the cases of people breaking the law are extremely rare, explained Dr. Gibson. Unlike in its native range in Indonesia where capturing birds forms a major source of income.
However, there can be downsides(缺点) to the newly established population of endangered species, such as a limited genetic pool, and suffering from novel diseases. It did also present a possible "very interesting" opportunity for conservationists, Dr. Gibson suggested. This would involve "harvesting" some of the newly established secondary population, which may provide a way to help slow global biodiversity loss.
1.What happened unexpectedly when the birds were shipped abroad?
A. They formed a separate population.
B. They were kept as pet birds.
C. They were traded illegally.
D. They were killed for research.
2.Which can replace the underlined word "affluent"?
A. Peace-loving. B. Rich.
C. Free. D. Environment-friendly.
3.For what purpose did the author write the passage?
A. To appeal to everyone to stop the wildlife trade.
B. To explain the challenge the wild birds are facing.
C. To introduce an unexpected way of conserving wildlife.
D. To raise people’s awareness of protecting endangered species.
【文章大意】本文为新闻报道，涉及野生动物保护话题。濒临灭绝的小葵花凤头鹦鹉遭非法交易，但幸运地被饲养这一物种的一些人释放，因此得以生存繁衍，形成次生种群，这也为自然环境保护主义者提供了一种缓解生物多样性丧失的途径。
2.B 【解析】考查词义猜测。根据画线词后的"and relatively well educated, the cases of people breaking the law are extremely rare"及"Unlike in its native range in Indonesia where capturing birds forms a major source of income"可知，画线词意为"富裕的"。故选B。
3.C 【解析】考查作者意图。根据文章内容尤其是第一段的"Illegally traded endangered species that escape, forming secondary populations, offer hope to their long-term survival, a study suggests"及最后一段的"It did also present a possible ‘very interesting’ opportunity for conservationists... which may provide a way to help slow global biodiversity loss"可知，濒临灭绝的小葵花凤头鹦鹉由于社会环境的干预，形成了次生种群，而这可能会为保护野生动物提供一种意想不到的方法。
Passage 2
体裁
话题
词数
难度
建议时间
记叙文
马里亚纳海沟的一次探测
274
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
In the western Pacific Ocean lies the deepest place on the planet — the Mariana Trench, which runs as deep as about 7 miles below the ocean’s surface. That’s greater than the height of Mount Everest measuring about 5 and a half miles above sea level. The Mariana Trench is home to a variety of sea life. Coral reefs and underwater volcanoes are all found there. But because few humans have been able to go far into the trench, scientists know little about it.
Now they are working to change that. Recently, the Okeanos Explorer has been on an exploration there. It’s very dark, so the animals must use many other senses other than sight to understand their surroundings, find food and escape from enemies. The water is also very cold — slightly above freezing — and its pressure is extremely high. That means only certain animals can live there, like shrimp, crabs, and starfish.
Scientists hope this expedition will help them unlock the mysteries of the Mariana Trench. They’ll learn about the deep-sea animals and plants found there. They’ll also study its unique features, including underwater mountains, mud volcanoes, and hot springs produced by the volcanoes.
They say that this knowledge will also help scientists better understand how the deepest part of the ocean affects the rest of the world. "The ocean plays a role in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the transportation of the goods we buy — not to mention the weather and climate change," a scientist said. "The deep sea may also hold cures for diseases. How will we know what is out there if we aren’t looking into it?"
1.What do we know about the Mariana Trench?
A. Creatures cannot live there.
B. It has never been explored by humans.
C. Its depth is twice the height of Mount Everest.
D. It’s lively even as the deepest place in the world.
2.What is the life in the Mariana Trench like?
A. It is by no means easy. B. It is dangerous.
C. It makes creatures weak. D. It damages creatures’ sight.
3.What is implied in the scientist’s words?
A. He feels proud of his work.
B. It’s worthwhile to explore the Mariana Trench.
C. Humans should study the ocean at all costs.
D. The ocean affects the weather and climate.
4.Which is the best title for this text?
A. The Most Mysterious Ocean
B.A Special Experiment on the Ocean
C. Searching for Precious Animals
D. Exploring the Deep Sea
【文章大意】本文是说明文。最近，科学家们对世界上最深的地方——马里亚纳海沟进行了一次探测。通过探测，他们对世界上最深的地方的生态有了初步的了解。
2.A 【解析】考查推理判断。根据第二段的内容，尤其是"It’s very dark, so...The water is also very cold — slightly above freezing — and its pressure is extremely high" "only certain animals can live there"等信息可知，马里亚纳海沟的生存条件是很恶劣的。故选A项。
3.B 【解析】考查推理判断。根据最后一段科学家所说的话可知，海洋同人类的生活息息相关，且深海可能会为某些疾病提供治疗方法。故可推知，他认为花费精力探索马里亚纳海沟是非常值得的，故选B项。
4.D 【解析】考查主旨要义。纵观全文可知，本文主要讲的是最近，科学家们对世界上最深的地方——马里亚纳海沟进行了一次探测。通过探测，他们对世界上最深的地方的生态有了初步的了解。故D项作本文标题最佳。
Passage 3
体裁
话题
词数
难度
建议时间
记叙文
将要过期的食物捐赠给当地的食品银行
333
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
On January 13, 2016, France became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring supermarkets to donate (捐赠) food that is nearing its expiration date (截止日期) instead of throwing it away. The law requires supermarkets over 4,000 square feet to make an agreement with local food banks.
The law also does not allow stores to crush (压碎) or pour water over food that is about to expire, or store it inside until it is picked up by garbage trucks. These actions are often taken by supermarkets to keep away the hungry from finding this kind of food in the rubbish.
Also, factories producing products like milk for supermarkets, are now allowed to donate goods directly to the food banks. Though they have always been able to do that, the former law made it difficult for them to give away the food in a timely manner.
The law also requires the charities receiving the donations to store the food in a safe and clean manner and, more importantly, give it out with dignity. This means that they should send it to people in need from a food bank where they can communicate with them, instead of just handing it out on the streets.
France’s food banks are of course excited about the possibility of receiving extra food, like meat, vegetables, and fruit. Jacques Bailet, who heads a network of French food banks, says that of the 110,000 tons of goods received every year, only 36,000 tons come from supermarkets. Bailet guesses that just a 15% increase in supermarket donations would change to over 10 million additional meals to feed the hungry each year.
Though this is a great first step, Arash Dermabarsh, the activist responsible for the movement that led to the law, points that it is not done. He now wants to extend (扩展)the law to other places like restaurants, bakeries, and school cafeterias.
1. What law did France pass in January, 2016?
A. People must not eat food that is nearing its expiration date.
B. Supermarkets must donate food that is close to its expiration date.
C. Supermarkets must throw away food that is close to its expiration date.
D. Supermarkets must make an agreement with food banks to ensure food safety.
2. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A. France’s food banks are against the law
B. it is difficult to carry out the new law
C. poor people in France are looked down upon
D. the hungry people will benefit from the new law
3. Which of the following is NOT included in the new law?
A. Allowing factories to donate goods directly to the food banks.
B. Allowing more people to find help and food in local supermarkets.
C. Requiring the charities to store the food in clean and safe places.
D. Requiring the charities to give out the donated food with dignity.
【语篇解读】文章介绍法国通过一项法律要求超市将要过期的食物捐赠给当地的食品银行而不是将它们扔了。
1.B【解析】细节理解题。根据文章第一段的句子＂On January 13, 2016, France became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring supermarkets to donate (捐赠) food that is nearing its expiration date (截止日期) instead of throwing it away.＂可知，2016年1月法国通过法律规定超市必须捐赠那些要到截止日期的食物。故选B。
2.D【解析】推理判断题。根据文章第四段的句子＂This means that they should send it to people in need from a food bank where they can communicate with them, instead of just handing it out on the streets.＂可知，挨饿的 人将受益于这项新的法律。故选D。
Passage 4
体裁
话题
词数
难度
建议时间
记叙文
用猫消灭老鼠的计划
335
★★☆☆☆
6分钟
Like many thickly populated urban neighborhoods, Lincoln Park also has rats. A lot of rats. “Every night when I walk down the sidewalk, I see rats, ” says 36-year-oId Kelly McGee, who has come to accept this aspect of city living. “It’s an urban area; I don't know what else we can expect.”
McGee lives just down the block from the old Children's Memorial Hospital, which is about to be torn down as part of a massive redevelopment project. “Construction all over the city often disturbs rats that are living underground,” says Lincoln Park’s City Council representative, Alderman Michele Smith. “Every developer has to do active rat reduction on site, ”Smith says. Already, there are poisonous and inviting food boxes all around the old hospital complex. But the developer of the hospital site still warned residents in a recent community meeting that when digging begins later this month, the rat problem could be awful.
Victoria Thomas, who lives a few miles north of Lincoln Park in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood, says she tried everything from underground fencing to poison traps to wipe out rats, but nothing worked until she got some cats. From the first day she got the cats, Thomas says the rats started to disappear.
“The cats will kill off a great deal of the initial population of the rats, ”says Paul Nickerson, who manages the Cats at Work program for Tree House Humane Society. “And through spreading their pheromones, a chemical produced by an animal, the cats will keep other rats from filling their absence.” Nickerson says?that?is what makes the cat program so successful in keeping rats away for the long term. ” The rats are far from stupid. They smell the cats’ pheromones so they’ll stay out of the cats’ territory(领域).”
After Smith highlighted the program in a recent newsletter, Nickerson and Tree House Humane Society have been getting lots of calls from people seeking their own cat colonies. That means a lot more wild cats that might otherwise be killed out of pity will be cared for while doing something that they love: hunting rats.
1.What is McGee’s attitude towards the rat problem?
A. Indifferent B. Tolerant
C. Annoyed D. Frightened
2.What does the underlined word in the last but one paragraph refer to?
A. Rats’ stupidity. B. Tree House Humane Society.
C. Cat’s nature of killing rats. D. The smell of cat’s pheromones.
3.What does the last paragraph suggest?
A. The program is a win-win thing.
B. Cats should be taken good care of.
C. Wild cats are more skilled at hunting.
D. It’s important to keep the ecological balance.
【文章大意】本文要通过讲述林肯公园老鼠肆虐，人们认为是用猫消灭老鼠是一个不错的方法，也是一个双赢的计划。
2.D 【解析】代词指代题。根据倒数第二段句子“And through spreading their pheromones, a chemical produced by an animal, the cats will keep other rats from filling their absence.”可知，猫所分泌的一种化学物质可以阻止老鼠进入猫的领地，因此推断画线句句意为：那就是用猫来灭鼠这个计划能够长期有效的原因，that指代上文提到的猫的气味。故选D。
3.A 【解析】推理判断题。根据最后一段句子“That means a lot more wild cats that might otherwise be killed out of pity will be cared for while doing something that they love; hunting rats.”可知，许多原本会处于同情被杀死的野猫可以通过帮助人类灭鼠而得到照顾，因此推断这个计划是一件双赢的事情。故选A。