2024年北京卷高中英语真题阅读理解变式题-天体和宇宙

The notion that we live in someone else’s video game is irresistible to many. Searching the term “simulation hypothesis” (模拟假说) returns numerous results that debate whether the universe is a computer simulation — a concept that some scientists actually take seriously. Unfortunately, this is not a scientific question. We will probably never know whether it’s true. We can, instead, use this idea to advance scientific knowledge. The 18th-century philosopher Kant argued that the universe ultimately consists of things-in-themselves that are unknowable. While he held the notion that objective reality exists, he said our mind plays a necessary role in structuring and shaping our perceptions. Modern sciences have revealed that our perceptual experience of the world is the result of many stages of processing by sensory systems and cognitive (认知的) functions in the brain. No one knows exactly what happens within this black box. If empirical (实证的) experience fails to reveal reality, reasoning won’t reveal reality either since it relies on concepts and words that are contingent on our social, cultural and psychological histories. Again, a black box. So, if we accept that the universe is unknowable, we also accept we will never know if we live in a computer simulation. And then, we can shift our inquiry from “Is the universe a computer simulation?” to “Can we model the universe as a computer simulation? ” Modelling reality is what we do. To facilitate our comprehension of the world, we build models based on conceptual metaphors (隐喻) that are familiar to us. In Newton’s era, we imagined the universe as a clock. In Einstein’s, we uncovered the standard model of particle (粒子) physics. Now that we are in the information age, we have new concepts such as the computer, information processing, virtual reality, and simulation. Unsurprisingly, these new concepts inspire us to build new models of the universe. Models are not the reality, however. There is no point in arguing if the universe is a clock, a set of particles or an output of computation. All these models are tools to deal with the unknown and to make discoveries. And the more tools we have, the more effective and insightful we can become. It can be imagined that comparable to the process of building previous scientific models, developing the “computer simulation” metaphor-based model will also be a hugely rewarding exercise. 1．What does the author intend to do by challenging a hypothesis? A．Make an assumption. B．Illustrate an argument. C．Give a suggestion. D．Justify a comparison. 2．What does the phrase “contingent on” underlined in Paragraph 2 probably mean? A．Accepted by. B．Determined by. C．Awakened by. D．Discovered by. 3．As for Kant’s argument, the author is _________. A．appreciative B．doubtful C．unconcerned D．disapproving 4．It is implied in this passage that we should _________. A．compare the current models with the previous ones B．continue exploring the classical models in history C．stop arguing whether the universe is a simulation D．turn simulations of the universe into realities up. You look up at the sky on a clear and dark night, you’ll see more stars than your eyes can count. Most of these stars have planets, similar to our own, orbiting them. With so many celestial bodies floating out in space, you can’t help but question whether other forms of life exist in the universe. And if that’s the case, is it possible to contact them? Science is still somewhat divided on this issue. Currently, no evidence exists to suggest that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. Yet with an estimated one trillion planets in our galaxy alone, it seems highly likely that Earthlings aren’t the only intelligent creatures out there. Some claim that life can only develop under perfect circumstances, and Earth is perhaps the only example of this. Other scientists object to this claim, and point out that even on Earth, life can find a way under the most extreme circumstances. Some people believe that aliens have already visited our planet, but this information is being kept secret by governments. The most famous incident of this kind occurred in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. On that date, many residents reported seeing an unusual flying disc streak through the sky, before it crashed in a field. When the military heard about the crash, they quickly sealed off the area. A few hours later, the army base announced that it had recovered a flying disk. Shortly after, this statement was retracted and it was said that it was a weather balloon that crashed. However, years later one local mortician even claimed that the military had him secretly perform an autopsy on a dead alien body. Others believe that there certainly are other life forms out there, but the distance between us is too great. Even if we could somehow create a spaceship that travels at the speed of light, it would still probably take several lifetimes to reach them. Then again, we might never have to do this if aliens reach us first. 5．Why do some scientists think there is life on other planets? A．Because an unusual flying disc was ever witnessed. B．Because life exists despite extreme conditions as those on the Earth do. C．Because the government’s statement seemed suspicious. D．Because there are a great number of planets in the universe. 6．What does the underlined word “retracted” in paragraph 3 mean? A．Examined again to guarantee the correctness. B．Emphasized again to persuade people. C．Formally taken back what has been said. D．Seriously criticized due to poor evidence 7．Which of the following might be the best title for the text? A．Are we alone in the universe? B．Is it possible to contact aliens? C．Intelligent life in the universe. D．Planets floating out in space. 8．How does the author sound in the passage? A．Objective. B．Humorous. C．Cautious. D．Anxious. A new study suggests that dark markings on the planet Mars represent sand — not water. The research in 2015 suggested that lines on some Martian hills were evidence of water. Yet American scientists now say these lines appear more like dry flows of sand. If water is present, it is likely to be a small amount. Water in liquid form would be necessary for microbial (微生物的) life. NASA, the American space agency, said more research is needed. Michael Meyer is the lead scientist for NASA’s Mars exploration programme. He noted that the latest study does not reject the presence of water. But he admitted, “It just may not be as exciting as the idea of rivers going down the sides of cliffs (悬崖).” The new findings come from a team led by Colin Dundas of the United States Geological Survey. His team measured 151 of these lines in 10 areas. Most of the lines end with slopes (倾斜) between 28 degrees and 35 degrees. These measurements are similar to active sand dunes (沙丘) on both Mars and Earth. A small covering of dust that moves and sometimes becomes lighter might help explain the markings. They usually appear in the Martian summertime, and then disappear until the next year. If these lines are dry, this suggests that recent Mars bas not had large amounts of liquid water. Dundas and his research team say that many questions remain. “I still think that Mars has great potential for having had life early on in its history,” Meyer said. “As long as that’s true, we also have a reasonable possibility of life still being on Mars. It just happens to be cryptic or well hidden.” NASA currently has no robotic — either on Mars or in development — with the ability to climb steep slopes. The lack of such equipment has engineers coming up with ideas like Martian helicopters or planes without pilots. 9．What do American scientists find on Mars now according to their study? A．A lot of little life. B．An amount of water. C．Some Martian hills. D．Dark markings are sand. 10．When do the markings come out? A．In Martian spring. B．In Martian summer. C．In Martian autumn. D．In Martian winter. 11．What’s Meyer’s opinion about having life on Mars? A．Doubtful. B．Trustful. C．Unconcerned D．Objective. 12．What does the underlined word “cryptic” in Paragraph 4 mean? A．Undiscovered. B．Strange. C．Magical. D．Icy. Should humans explore space? If you ask me, I’ll definitely give a positive answer. The exploitation (开发) of space has a direct impact on the lives of humans, as well as the state of our world. Satellites moving around the earth enable communication across the world. connecting people of different continents and broadcasting information worldwide. The Global Positioning System (GPS) can identify our location anywhere. Furthermore, weather satellites can forecast harmful weather conditions which allows humans to prepare for deadly natural disasters and save lives. Space programs can also indirectly contribute to the solution to poverty and world hunger. For example, large plots of land could be used far better if humans applied technologies. The most effective tool is the artificial earth satellite. It can screen areas of land within a very short time, indicating useful measures such as the condition of crops, soil rainfall, and droughts. It can then transmit this information to ground stations on the earth for better use. In recent years, space-based technologies have become an important factor to reach and expand global health objectives. Information provided by remote technologies can be applied to study the epidemiology (流行病学). This data provided by space technologies can monitor disease patterns, understand the environmental causes that spread it, make predictions about where it can spread in the future, and make plans to fight it efficiently. Furthermore, access to better education means better life prospects and opportunities for human beings. Rural communities have disadvantaged access to education and satellite communication technologies are trying to bridge this gap. With the advancement of technology, students can now access any information and connect with peers and teachers in different parts of the world via video conferences and the creation of virtual classrooms. Space exploration is something we can do for future generations. Mankind is using the resources provided on the planet, but these will run out one day. Overpopulation can be an existential threat for all mankind. With the advancement of space technology, it will be wise to use and explore the vast potential of other planets, such as the availability of mining resources on asteroids or other planets. For the exploration of the universe, perhaps the most advantageous of all is that it will unite us to work together for a common purpose, regardless of our differences. 13．What can space exploitation do according to Paragraph 2? A．Improve the traffic on the earth. B．Promote travel between countries. C．Help prevent deadly natural disasters. D．Help humans communicate and exchange information. 14．How can space programs help with poverty and world hunger? A．By benefiting crop production with artificial earth satellites. B．By transporting food worldwide more easily. C．By creating job opportunities for the poor. D．By protecting available land resources. 15．What does the author think of mining resources on other planets? A．Time-wasting B．Arguable. C．Necessary. D．Educational 16．What would be the best title for the text? A．Why Space Exploration Is Important? B．Why Humankind Should Keep Exploring? C．Why We Should Improve Space Technology? D．Why Humans Should Keep Developing Technologies? Mars is no stranger to life. Seven U. S. spacecraft have successfully landed there, and all of them took microbes to the planet’s surface(though the bugs probably did not survive for long). Yet the world’s space agencies continue to maintain strict spacecraft sterilization (消毒) procedures in the hope of minimizing the spread of Earth life beyond our planet. For decades this idea — known as planetary protection—is widespread. Now, some scientists say, these procedures are preventing the search for life beyond Earth by raising costs and preventing innovative missions-without meaningful benefits. Of all missions to Mars to date, only the Vikings, the first trip to the Red Planet, were intended to test for life. Spacecraft that went later did not have that ability. But a future mission will, and the protectionist thinking goes, a spacecraft might not be able to distinguish between a life form native to Mars and one with origins on Earth. In July 2013 astrobiologists Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Alberto Fairen argued against this in Nature Geoscience. “If Earth life can thrive on Mars, they almost certainly already do,” the authors write. “If they cannot, the transfer of Earth life to Mars should be of no concern, as it would simply not survive.” With clear evidence of a water y history and some signs of water present, Mars could be where we find life in our solar system. And with the development of Curiosity’s precise landing system, we can finally reach the mysterious parts of the planet. But it’s these areas that require a craft sterilization process. In the 1970s Vikings 1 and 2 revealed what seemed like a dead planet, so planetary-protection requirements were relaxed. Now, with more knowledge of Mars’ environment, missions set to visit areas with evidence of flowing water below the surface have to meet the strict-and more costly- Vikings standards. Finally, there’s the philosophical problem of what responsibility, if any, we have to other planets and any life we leave there. The truth is we’re never going to be able to fully protect Mars if we intend to explore it. And spreading is simply what life does. “If we want to survive for a long time, we have to expand beyond Earth,” Schulze-Makuch says. “There’s no other way.” 17．Strict spacecraft sterilization procedures are meant to ______. A．decrease the costs of space exploration B．help the search for life forms beyond Earth C．contribute to innovative missions in the universe D．prevent Earth life being transferred to other planets 18．Planetary-protection requirements were relaxed in the 1970s because ______. A．there was no preclse landing system B．Mars was considered to be a lifeless planet C．the mysterious parts of Mars remained unknown D．flowing water was found below the surface of Mars 19．Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Alberto Fairen are most likely to agree that ______ A．Mars is now on the edge of being destroyed B．human beings are too ambitious to expand beyond Earth C．there is no need to worry about bringing Earth life to Mars D．we need to be responsible for keeping Mars what it is like now 20．Schulze-Makuch takes a(n)______attitude towards planetary protection. A．optimistic B．relaxed C．debatable D．negative For those of us who grew up watching Star Trek, exploring space has been about discovering strange new worlds. And there are plenty of worlds to explore in time, but we still need major technological advancements to reach planets that are light years away. What we are doing in space today is providing unbelievable benefits right now, right here on Earth. From space, we can monitor, manage and care for our planet. Satellite-based sensors show us the short- and long-term effects of human activity on our environment. Many companies are using their interest in space to help solve problems here, from using hyperspectral imaging(高光谱成像), which enable us to map vegetation(植被) and rain forests, to microsatellites that provide global connectivity for the network of things. My company, OneWeb, is focusing on what I believe is one of the world’s most important issues: the need for equal access to the Internet. The Internet has become our economic lifeblood. And yet, nearly half of the world’s population doesn’t have Internet access. Space is playing a key role in bridging this digital divide. OneWeb is launching 1,980 satellites to help bring Internet access to people everywhere, and our first production satellites are already flying in space and have shown very high download speeds. Fiber and cable Internet access technologies already cover most financially viable(可行的) major cities. Similarly, these regions will also be the first to be served with 5G. Poor communities are the last to get connected, and without connectivity, those communities have no chance to lift themselves from poverty. OneWeb’s satellites will reach every community in the world and enable equal access to the Internet for the world’s less developed places. Fifty years from the day when man first walked on the moon, we are still only approaching the possible. There will be tens of thousands of new satellites, space stations and factories in the coming years to bring advancements in communications, scientific research, monitoring the earth, exploring space and more. This is exciting, but we must take action carefully. 21．What is the second paragraph mainly about? A．Benefits space exploration can bring to us. B．Problems space exploration leads to. C．Steps of space exploration requires. D．Equipment space exploration needs. 22．What is OneWeb aiming to do? A．Increase download speeds. B．Narrow the gap in Internet learning. C．Help people set up and maintain a website. D．Enable people to make use of the Internet equally. 23．What can be inferred from the text? A．More than six decades ago, man first walked on the moon. B．More than half of the world’s people have no access to the Internet. C．OneWeb’s satellites will make it possible for most people to be served with 5G. D．Without the Internet, poor communities can hardly help themselves out of poverty. 24．What will the writer probably continue to write about in the following paragraph? A．The risks of furthering space exploration. B．The value of setting up space stations. C．The way we could monitor our earth. D．The features of microsatellites. In one horrible film plot, Al eventually outsmarts humans and takes over computers and factories. In another, large language models (LLMs) of the sort that power generative AI like ChatGPT give bad guys the know-how to create destructive cyberweapons. It is time to think hard about these film plots, not because they have become more probable but because policymakers around the world are considering measures to guard against them. The idea that AI could drive humans to extinction is speculative—no one yet knows how such a threat might materialise and no common methods exist for determining what counts as risky. Plenty of research needs to be done before standards and rules can be set. Governments cannot ignore a technology that could change the world deeply. Regulators have been too slow in the past, but there is danger, too, in acting hurriedly. If they go too fast, policymakers could create global rules that are aimed at the wrong problems and are ineffective against the real ones. Because of the computing resources and technical skills required, only a handful of companies have so far developed powerful “frontier” models. New hurried regulations could easily block out competitors to the “handful of companies”, especially because these companies are working closely with governments on writing the rule book. A focus on extreme risks is likely to make regulators careful of open -source models, which are freely available and can easily be revised. The best that governments can do now is to set up the basic systems to study the technology and its potential risks, and ensure that those working on the problem have enough resources. As AI develops further, regulators will have a far better idea of what risks they are guarding against, and consequently what the rule book should look like. A fully mature body could eventually take shape. But creating it will take time and reflection. 25．What does the first paragraph function as? A．An argument. B．An explanation. C．A comment. D．A lead-in. 26．What does the underlined word “speculative” in paragraph 2 mean? A．Theoretical. B．Common. C．Unique. D．False. 27．What is the harm of regulators’ going too fast on the AI issue? A．Competition in this area is prevented. B．The development of AI is restricted. C．AI will be applied to a limited degree. D．The public will be misled about danger. 28．Which can be the best title of the text? A．AI: a Real Threat? B．Don’t Rush into Policing AI C．AI: Humans’ Friend or Enemy? D．Time for Government to Regulate AI A few years ago, the City Council of Monza, Italy, barred pet owners from keeping goldfish in curved fishbowls. The sponsors of the measure explained that it is cruel to keep a fish in such a bowl because the curved sides give the fish a distorted view of reality. Aside from the measure’s significance to the poor goldfish, the story raises an interesting philosophical question: How do we know that the reality we perceive is true? Physicists are finding themselves in a similar trouble to the goldfish’s. For decades they have been pursuing an ultimate theory of everything—one complete and consistent set of fundamental laws of nature that explain every aspect of reality. It now appears that this pursuit may generate not a single theory but a family of interconnected theories, each describing its own version of reality, as if it viewed the universe through its own fishbowl. This concept may be difficult for many people to accept. Most people believe that there is an objective reality out there and that our senses and our science directly convey (传达) information about the material world. In philosophy, that belief is called realism. In physics, realism is becoming difficult to defend. Instead, the idea of alternative realities is a mainstay of today’s popular culture. For example, in the science-fiction film The Matrix the human race is unknowingly living in a simulated (模拟的) virtual reality created by intelligent computers. How do we know we are not just computer-generated characters living in a Matrix-like world? If—like us—the beings in the simulated world could not observe their universe from the outside, they would have no reason to doubt their own pictures of reality. Similarly, the goldfish’s view is not the same as ours from outside their curved bowl. For instance, because light bends as it travels from air to water, a freely moving object that we would observe to move in a straight line would be observed by the goldfish to move along a curved path. The goldfish could form scientific laws from their frame (框架) of reference that would always hold true and that would enable them to make predictions about the future motion of objects outside the bowl. If the goldfish formed such a theory, we would have to admit the goldfish’s view as a reasonable picture of reality. The goldfish example shows that the same physical situation can be modeled in different ways, each employing different fundamental elements and concepts. It might be that to describe the universe we have to employ different theories in different situations. It is not the physicist’s traditional expectation for a theory of nature, nor does it correspond to our everyday idea of reality. But it might be the way of the universe. 29．What does the underlined word “distorted” in Paragraph most probably mean? A．Original. B．Accurate. C．Distant. D．False. 30．What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us? A．The need for a complete theory. B．The lasting conflict in physics. C．The existence of the material world. D．The conventional insight of reality. 31．What can we learn from the passage? A．Nature’s mysteries are best left undiscovered. B．An external world is independent of the observers. C．People’s theories are influenced by their viewpoints. D．It is essential to figure out which picture of reality is better. 32．According to the passage, the author may agree that ________. A．various interpretations of the universe are welcomed B．physicists have a favorite candidate for the final theory C．multiple realities can be pieced together to show the real world D．there is still possibility to unify different theories into a single one If you live on this planet, there’s a decent chance you’ve seen the classic Star TrekEpisode, in which captain Kirk and several members find themselves in what appears to be another universe. These days, it seems the idea of the multiverse—many worlds—is having its Hollywood moment. Its appeal as a storytelling device is obvious—characters explore a multi-world with varying degrees of similarity to our own, as well as different versions of themselves. Hence, it has been fully established in mainstream pop culture. While Hollywood can’t seem to get enough of the multiverse, it remains deeply controversial (有争议的) among scientists. Advocates on the two sides show no mercy toward each other in their books, on their blogs. But physicists didn’t pull the idea out of thin air—rather, several distinct lines of reasoning seem to point to the multiverse’s existence. However, critics warn that making the multiverse legal could make it harder for the public to distinguish speculative (推测性的) theories from established fact, making it more difficult to keep pseudo-science (伪科学) at bay. Giving credit to such speculation risks “turning fundamental physics into pseudo-science”. The multiverse controversy is rooted in the idea of test ability. If we can’t interact with these other universes, or detect them in any way, some experts insist that reduces them to mere philosophical speculation. But Carroll, an advocate for “many worlds”, argues that mathematics is the language describing our physical theories. Since Schrdinger’s equation (方程), on which Quanturr (量子) mechanic rests, predicts the existence of many worlds, so be it. Could a more expansive view of the universe itself be the next breakthrough? As Siegfried puts it: “Every time in the past that we’ve thought, ‘We’ve got it; this is what the whole universe is’—the people who’ve said, ‘Maybe there’s more than one of those’ have always turned out to be right.” 33．Why is Hollywood so occupied with the multiverse? A．It makes for engaging plots. B．It is a much-talked-about topic. C．It is helpful to popularize science. D．It dominates the mainstream pop culture. 34．What do the underlined words in paragraph 3 probably mean? A．Out of date. B．Out of place. C．Out of nowhere. D．Out of question. 35．According to the opponents, the basic standard of fundamental physics is that ______. A．it can be detected somehow B．it can be reasoned logically C．it can be interpreted philosophically D．it can be predicted by mathematics equation 36．What might be the author’s attitude toward the multiverse? A．Doubtful. B．Dismissive. C．Unclear. D．Approving. In the annals of human history, few subjects have generated as much excitement, debate, and guess as artificial intelligence (AI). This revolutionary technology, which enables machines to perform tasks that once required human intelligence, has the potential to transform every part of our society, from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment. At its heart, AI is all about data. Massive amounts of data are fed into algorithms that learn from this data, allowing them to make predictions, recognize patterns, and even make decisions. This “machine learning” is the driving force behind many of the AI applications we see today, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to more advanced systems like IBM’s Watson, which can analyze vast amounts of information to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases. The transformative potential of AI is undeniable. In the medical field, for instance, AI can assist in early detection of diseases, predict patient outcomes, and even suggest treatment options. In finance, algorithms can predict stock market trends, and provide personalized financial advice. In transportation, self-driving cars equipped with AI systems promise to reduce accidents, ease traffic jams, and transform urban landscapes. However, with great potential comes great responsibility. The rise of AI has caused debates about is ethical implications (道德含义). The machines are only as good as the data they are fed, and there’s a growing concern about biases (偏见) being built into AI systems. For instance, facial recognition technologies, used in everything from unlocking phones to police monitoring cameras, have come under check for misidentifying individuals based on race or gender. Moreover, the widespread adoption of AI could lead to significant job displacement. While new roles and industries might emerge as a result of AI, it is not sure that these will pay off the jobs lost. This could increase income inequalities and causes difficulties to social systems. Another major concern is the “black box” nature of AI. Many AI systems operate in ways that even their creators don’t fully understand. This can be problematic, especially in critical applications like healthcare or criminal justice where understanding the logic behind a decision is important. Then there’s the potential for AI to be weaponized. In the hands of evil actors, AI could be used to spread misinformation, control public opinion, or even engage in internet warfare. The global community must come together to set standards and regulations to prevent such misuse. On the brighter side, many experts believe that by setting the right frameworks and investing in education and retraining, we can use the power of AI for the greater good. By fostering (促进) a culture of continuous learning and staying abreast (并排的，并肩的) of technological advancements, society can benefit from the promise of AI while avoiding its potential dangers. In conclusion, artificial intelligence stands as one of the most profound inventions of our time. While it offers vast opportunities, it also poses significant challenges that we, as a society, must welcome. As we stand at this technological crossroads, our choices will determine whether AI serves as a benefit or a harm for humanity. 37．Which of the following best describes the method by which machines acquire the capability to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence? A．By programming predefined rules. B．Through user interactions every day. C．By ingesting and processing vast amounts of data. D．Via regular software updates from developers. 38．In the context of the article, how does the author primarily demonstrate the effect of artificial intelligence? A．By citing numerous statistical data. B．By presenting both the positive potential and the challenges of AI. C．Through personal experiences. D．By focusing on the negative effects of AI. 39．Which of the following is the best title? A．The Rise of Virtual Assistants: Siri and Alexa B．Understanding the Mechanisms Behind AI Algorithms C．Artificial Intelligence: Charting the Course for Tomorrow’s Tech D．Balancing the Potential and challenges of AI in Modern Society 40．What can we learn from the passage? A．AI has already replaced most human jobs and is the leading cause of unemployment. B．The global community has taken measures to prevent AI misuse. C．The operation of many AI systems is easily understood by their creators. D．The solving to the dilemma brought by AI needs collective efforts of our society. 试卷第1页，共3页 试卷第1页，共3页 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 参考答案： 1．C 2．B 3．A 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要讨论了哲学家对于宇宙的认知和信息时代下的作者对于宇宙争论的看法。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“Searching the term “simulation hypothesis” (模拟假说) returns numerous results that debate whether the universe is a computer simulation —— a concept that some scientists actually take seriously. Unfortunately, this is not a scientific question. We will probably never know whether it’s true. We can, instead, use this idea to advance scientific knowledge.(搜索“模拟假说”这一术语会得到许多关于宇宙是否是计算机模拟的争论结果——一些科学家实际上认真对待这个概念。不幸的是，这不是一个科学问题。我们可能永远都不知道这是不是真的。相反，我们可以利用这个想法来推进科学知识)”可知，作者对于模拟假说提出质疑，是为了提出自己的建议，建议使用这一想法来推进科学知识。故选C项。 2．词句猜测题。根据第二段“If empirical (实证的) experience fails to reveal reality, reasoning won’t reveal reality either since it relies on concepts and words that are contingent on our social, cultural and psychological histories. Again, a black box.(如果经验不能揭示现实，推理也不会揭示现实，因为它依赖于contingent on我们的社会、文化和心理历史的概念和词语)”可知，句中that引导限制性定语从句，指代先行词concepts and words，且结合常识，概念和词语取决于我们的社会、文化和心理历史，推测划线短语表示“取决于”，与determined by意义相近。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据第二段“The 18th-century philosopher Kant argued that the universe ultimately consists of things-in-themselves that are unknowable. While he held the notion that objective reality exists, he said our mind plays a necessary role in structuring and shaping our perceptions. (18世纪的哲学家康德认为，宇宙最终由不可知的事物本身组成。虽然他认为客观现实是存在的，但他说，我们的大脑在构建和塑造我们的感知方面发挥着必要的作用)”以及第三段“So, if we accept that the universe is unknowable, we also accept we will never know if we live in a computer simulation.(因此，如果我们接受宇宙是不可知的，我们也接受我们永远不会知道我们是否生活在计算机模拟中)”可知，作者引用康德的观点，并在客观陈述后利用该观点来构建自己的论述，由此可知，作者对康德的论点持欣赏的态度。故选A项。 4．推理判断题。根据第四段“There is no point in arguing if the universe is a clock, a set of particles or an output of computation. All these models are tools to deal with the unknown and to make discoveries. And the more tools we have, the more effective and insightful we can become. (争论宇宙是否是一个时钟、一组粒子还是计算输出的产物是没有意义的。所有这些模型都是处理未知事物和发现事物的工具。我们拥有的工具越多，我们就能变得越有效、越有洞察力)”以及第五段“It can be imagined that comparable to the process of building previous scientific models, developing the “computer simulation” metaphor-based model will also be a hugely rewarding exercise.(可以想象，与之前构建科学模型的过程相比，开发基于“计算机模拟”隐喻的模型也将是一项非常有益的工作)”可知，作者认为争论宇宙是否是虚拟的，这是没有意义的，我们应该停止争论宇宙是否为模拟，而应该着手于将其作为一个模型来探索和理解，这样会更有助于科学的进步。故选C项。 5．D 6．C 7．A 8．A 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章主要论述了太空中是否还存在其它形式的生命，论述了不同的人对此的不同看法。 5．细节理解题。根据第二段中“Yet with an estimated one trillion planets in our galaxy alone, it seems highly likely that Earthlings aren’t the only intelligent creatures out there.(然而，据估计，仅在我们的星系中就有一万亿颗行星，地球人似乎很有可能不是唯一的智慧生物)”可知，有些科学家认为其他星球上有生命是因为宇宙中有大量的行星。故选D。 6．词句猜测题。根据画线词上文“A few hours later, the army base announced that it had recovered a flying disk. Shortly after, this statement was”以及后文“it was said that it was a weather balloon that crashed(据说是一个气象气球坠毁)”可知，该军事基地宣布他们找到了一个飞碟。不久之后，这一声明被撤回，据说是一个气象气球坠毁。故画线词意思是“正式收回说过的话”，故选C。 7．主旨大意题。根据第一段中“With so many celestial bodies floating out in space, you can’t help but question whether other forms of life exist in the universe. And if that’s the case, is it possible to contact them?(太空中漂浮着这么多天体，你不禁要问宇宙中是否存在其他形式的生命。如果有的话，能联系上他们吗？)”结合文章主要论述了太空中是否还存在其它形式的生命，论述了不同的人对此的不同看法。可知，A选项“我们是宇宙中唯一的存在吗？”最符合文章标题。故选A。 8．推理判断题。根据第二段中“Science is still somewhat divided on this issue.(科学界在这个问题上仍然存在分歧)”；第三段中“Some people believe that aliens have already visited our planet, but this information is being kept secret by governments.(有些人认为外星人已经访问过我们的星球，但这些信息被政府保密)”以及最后一段中“Others believe that there certainly are other life forms out there, but the distance between us is too great.(另一些人认为肯定有其他生命形式存在，但我们之间的距离太大了)”可推知，文中没有提到作者的观点，即作者是客观的语气。故选A。 9．D 10．B 11．B 12．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了美国科学家的一项新的研究发现：火星上黑色的斑点是沙子而不是水。 9．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“A new study suggests that dark markings on the planet Mars represent sand — not water.(一项新的研究表明，火星上的黑色斑点代表的是沙子，而不是水)”可知，科学家发现火星上的黑色斑点是沙子不是水。故选D。 10．细节理解题。根据第三段中的“They usually appear in the Martian summertime, and then disappear until the next year.(它们通常在火星的夏季出现，然后直到第二年才消失)”可知，这样的斑点会出现在火星的夏季。故选B。 11．推理判断题。根据倒数第二段““I still think that Mars has great potential for having had life early on in its history,” Meyer said. “As long as that’s true, we also have a reasonable possibility of life still being on Mars. It just happens to be cryptic or well hidden.”(“我仍然认为火星在其早期历史上存在生命的可能性很大，”Meyer说。“只要这是真的，我们就有合理的可能性在火星上仍然存在生命。它只是碰巧是神秘的或隐藏得很好。”)”可推知，Meyer还是相信火星上有生命。故选B。 12．词句猜测题。根据划线词上文““I still think that Mars has great potential for having had life early on in its history,” Meyer said. “As long as that’s true, we also have a reasonable possibility of life still being on Mars.(“我仍然认为火星在其早期历史上存在生命的可能性很大，”Meyer说。“只要这是真的，我们就有合理的可能性在火星上仍然存在生命)”可知，目前火星上存在生命的证据还没有被发现。而且划线词与or后面的well hidden是并列关系，由此推知，划线词cryptic的意思是“隐藏的，没被发现的”，与undiscovered意思接近。故选A。 13．D 14．A 15．C 16．A 【导语】这是一篇议论文。主要讲的是人类是否应该探索太空为此话题而展开的讨论，论述了探索太空的重要性。 13．细节理解题。根据第二段“The space exploration has a direct impact on the lives of humans, as well as the state of our world. Satellites moving around the earth enable communication across the world, connecting people of different continents and broadcasting information worldwide.   The Global Positioning System(GPS) can identify our location anywhere. Furthermore, weather satellites can forecast harmful weather conditions, which allows humans to prepare for deadly natural disasters and save lives.”（太空探索直接影响着人类的生活，也影响着我们这个世界的现状。环绕地球运行的卫星使全世界的通信成为可能，将不同大陆的人们联系起来，向全世界广播信息。全球定位系统(GPS)可以在任何地方确定我们的位置。此外，气象卫星可以预测有害的天气状况，这使人类能够为致命的自然灾害做好准备，挽救生命。）可知，根据第二段，太空探索可以帮助人类交流和传播信息。故选D。 14．细节理解题。根据第三段“Space programs can also indirectly lead to the solution to poverty and world hunger. For example, large plots of land could be used far better if humans applied technologies. The most effective tool is the artificial earth satellite. It can screen areas of land within a very short time, indicating useful measures, such as the condition of crops, soil, rainfall, and droughts. It can then transmit this information to ground stations on the earth for better use.”（太空计划还可以间接地解决贫困和世界饥饿问题。例如，如果人类应用技术，大片土地可以得到更好地利用。最有效的工具是人造地球卫星。它可以在很短的时间内筛选土地面积，显示有用的措施，如作物状况、土壤、降雨和干旱。然后，它可以将这些信息传输到地球上的地面站，以便更好地使用。）可知，太空计划利用人造地球卫星造福农作物生产来帮助解决贫困和世界饥饿问题。故选A。 15．推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中“With the advancement of space technology, it will be wise to use and explore the vast potential of other planets, such as the availability of mining resources on asteroids or other planets.”（随着太空技术的进步，利用和探索其他行星的巨大潜力将是明智的，例如小行星或其他行星上的采矿资源的可用性。）可推知，作者对在其他星球上开采资源这一行为认为是有必要的。故选C。 16．主旨大意题。根据第一段“Should humans explore space? If you ask me, I’ll definitely give a positive answer.(人类应该探索太空吗？如果你问我，我一定会给你肯定的答复)”以及最后一段“For the exploration of the universe, perhaps the most advantageous of all is that it will unite us to work together for a common purpose, regardless of our differences.(对于宇宙的探索来说，也许最有利的是它将把我们团结起来，为了一个共同的目标而努力，不管我们有什么分歧)”结合文章主要讲的是人类是否应该探索太空为此话题而展开的讨论，论述了探索太空的重要性。可知，A选项“为什么太空探索很重要？”最符合文章标题。故选A。 17．D 18．B 19．C 20．D 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章主要了对“行星保护”的这种看法的不同观点。 17．细节理解题。由文章第一段中“Yet the world’s space agencies continue to maintain strict spacecraft sterilization (消毒) procedures in the hope of minimizing the spread of Earth life beyond our planet. (然而，世界上的空间机构继续保持严格的航天器消毒程序，希望尽量减少地球生命在我们星球之外的传播。)”可知，航天器消毒程序是希望尽量减少地球生命在我们星球之外的传播。故选D。 18．推理判断题。由文章倒数第三段中“In the 1970s Vikings 1 and 2 revealed what seemed like a dead planet, so planetary-protection requirements were relaxed. (在20世纪70年代，维京人1号和2号揭示了一颗似乎已经死了的行星，所以对行星保护的要求被放宽了。)”可知，行星保护要求在20世纪70年代被放宽了是因为火星被认为是一个没有生命的星球。故选B。 19．推理判断题。由文章第二段中“In July 2013 astrobiologists Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Alberto Fairen argued against this in Nature Geoscience. (2013年7月，天体生物学家德克•舒尔茨-马库克和阿尔贝托•法伊伦在《自然地球科学》杂志上反对这一观点。)”文章第三段中“ “If Earth life can thrive on Mars, they almost certainly already do,” the authors write. “If they cannot, the transfer of Earth life to Mars should be of no concern, as it would simply not survive.” (作者写道：“如果地球生命能在火星上蓬勃发展，它们几乎肯定已经成功了，”“如果他们不能，将地球生命转移到火星应该无关紧要，因为它根本无法生存下来。”)”可知，他们认为没有必要担心把地球上的生命带到火星。故选C。 20．推理判断题。由文章最后一段““If we want to survive for a long time, we have to expand beyond Earth,” Schulze-Makuch says. “There’s no other way.” (舒尔茨-马库奇说：“如果我们想在地球之外长期生存下去，我们就必须向外扩张。”“没有别的办法了。”)”可知，舒尔茨-马库奇支持扩张，对行星保护采取了一种反对的态度。 故选D。 21．A 22．D 23．D 24．A 【导语】本文是一篇议论文，主要讲述了我们在太空中取得的进步给地球带来了难以置信的好处，但我们仍然需要谨慎。 21．主旨大意题。根据第二段首句“What we are doing in space today is providing unbelievable benefits right now, right here on Earth.(我们今天在太空中所做的一切，在地球上此时此地正在提供令人难以置信的好处。)”并结合下文内容可知，本段主要讲述了太空探索带来的好处。故选A。 22．细节理解题。根据第三段中的“My company, OneWeb, is focusing on what I believe is one of the world’s most important issues: the need for equal access to the Internet. (我的公司OneWeb正专注于我认为是世界上最重要的问题之一：平等访问互联网的需要。)”可知，OneWeb致力于让人们能够拥有平等使用互联网的机会。故选D。 23．推理判断题。根据第四段中的“Poor communities are the last to get connected, and without connectivity, those communities have no chance to lift themselves from poverty.(贫困社区是最后一个建立连接的社区，如果没有连接，这些社区就没有机会摆脱贫困。)”可推出，如果没有网络，贫困社区很难摆脱贫困。故选D。 24．推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“There will be tens of thousands of new satellites, space stations and factories in the coming years to bring advancements in communications, scientific research, monitoring the earth, exploring space and more. This is exciting, but we must take action carefully.(未来几年，将有数以万计的新卫星、空间站和工厂，为通信、科学研究、地球监测、太空探索等领域带来进步。这是令人兴奋的，但我们必须谨慎地采取行动。)”可知，作者在文章最后提到，虽然未来我们将继续在太空中取得进度，但我们需要谨慎采取行动，由此可推测，接下来可能会讲述进一步探索太空有可能遇到的风险，这属于导致要谨慎行动的潜在因素。故选A。 25．D 26．A 27．A 28．B 【导语】本文是议论文，主要讲的是世界各地的政策制定者正在考虑采取措施来防范人工智能发展太快，但是监管机构在人工智能问题上走得太快是会带来一些坏处的。 25．推理判断题。第一段“In one horrible film plot, Al eventually outsmarts humans and takes over computers and factories. In another, large language models (LLMs) of the sort that power generative AI like ChatGPT give bad guys the know-how to create destructive cyberweapons.(在一部恐怖的电影情节中，人工智能最终战胜了人类，接管了电脑和工厂。在另一种情况下，为ChatGPT等生成式人工智能提供动力的大型语言模型(LLMs)为坏人提供了制造破坏性网络武器的技术。)”提到了两个电影情节中人工智能的行为，第二段“It is time to think hard about these film plots, not because they have become more probable but because policymakers around the world are considering measures to guard against them.(现在是认真思考这些电影情节的时候了，不是因为它们变得更有可能发生，而是因为世界各地的政策制定者正在考虑采取措施防范它们。)”说到世界各地的政策制定者正在考虑采取措施防范它们，故第一段的作用就是充当引子，引出主题。故选D。 26．词句猜测题。画线词所在部分“The idea that AI could drive humans to extinction”表示“人工智能可能导致人类灭绝的想法是⋯⋯”，接着后面补充说道“no one yet knows how such a threat might materialise and no common methods exist for determining what counts as risky(没有人知道这样的威胁是如何实现的，也没有通用的方法来确定什么是危险的)”，由此可知，画线词所在句子表示“人工智能可能导致人类灭绝的想法是推测性的”，画线词应表示“猜测的，猜想的”，和Theoretical意思相近。故选A。 27．细节理解题。根据第三段“If they go too fast, policymakers could create global rules that are aimed at the wrong problems and are ineffective against the real ones.(如果们走得太快，政策制定者可能会制定针对错误问题的全球规则，而对真正的问题则无效。)”和第四段“Because of the computing resources and technical skills required, only a handful of companies have so far developed powerful “frontier” models. New hurried regulations could easily block out competitors to the “handful of companies”, especially because these companies are working closely with governments on writing the rule book.(由于需要计算资源和技术技能，迄今为止只有少数公司开发了强大的“前沿”模型。匆忙出台的新法规很容易将“少数公司”的竞争对手拒之门外，尤其是因为这些公司正与政府密切合作制定规则。)”可知，监管机构在人工智能问题上走得太快的坏处是这一领域的竞争受到阻碍。故选A。 28．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第三段“If they go too fast, policymakers could create global rules that are aimed at the wrong problems and are ineffective against the real ones.(如果他们走得太快，政策制定者可能会制定针对错误问题的全球规则，而对真正的问题则无效。)”，第四段“Because of the computing resources and technical skills required, only a handful of companies have so far developed powerful “frontier” models. New hurried regulations could easily block out competitors to the “handful of companies”, especially because these companies are working closely with governments on writing the rule book.(由于需要计算资源和技术技能，迄今为止只有少数公司开发了强大的“前沿”模型。匆忙出台的新法规很容易将“少数公司”的竞争对手拒之门外，尤其是因为这些公司正与政府密切合作制定规则。)”和最后一段“As AI develops further, regulators will have a far better idea of what risks they are guarding against, and consequently what the rule book should look like. A fully mature body could eventually take shape. But creating it will take time and reflection.(随着人工智能的进一步发展，监管机构将对自己要防范的风险有更好的了解，从而知道规则手册应该是什么样子。一个完全成熟的身体最终会成形。但创造它需要时间和思考。)”可知，本文主要讲的是世界各地的政策制定者正在考虑采取措施来防范人工智能发展太快，但是监管机构在人工智能问题上走得太快是会带来一些坏处的，因此B项“Don’t Rush into Policing AI(不要急于监管人工智能)”作文章标题最合适。故选B。 29．D 30．D 31．C 32．A 【导语】本文是篇议论文。文章以鱼缸里的金鱼为例，讨论了现实主义以及人们应该如何描述宇宙。 29．词句猜测题。根据划线词所在句“The sponsors of the measure explained that it is cruel to keep a fish in such a bowl because the curved sides give the fish a distorted view of reality.”（这项措施的发起人解释说，把鱼养在这样的鱼缸里是残忍的，因为弯曲的侧面会让鱼对现实有一种distorted看法。）中的“cruel”和“curved”可以推断，发起人认为弯曲的侧面会让鱼对现实产生错误的观点，因而把鱼养在这样的鱼缸里是残忍的，所以“distorted”意为：错误的，即“false”。故选D。 30．主旨大意题。根据第二段“Most people believe that there is an objective reality out there and that our senses and our science directly convey (传达) information about the material world. In philosophy, that belief is called realism.”（大多数人相信客观现实存在，我们的感官和科学直接传达了物质世界的信息，在哲学中，这种信念被称为现实主义。）可知，本段主要讲述了人们对现实的传统见解。故选D。 31．推理判断题。根据第二段“It now appears that this pursuit may generate not a single theory but a family of interconnected theories, each describing its own version of reality, as if it viewed the universe through its own fishbowl. ”（现在看来，这种追求可能产生的不是单一的理论，而是一系列相互关联的理论，每个理论都描述了自己的现实版本，就像从自己的鱼缸里看宇宙一样。）和第三段“If—like us—the beings in the simulated world could not observe their universe from the outside, they would have no reason to doubt their own pictures of reality.”（如果模拟世界中的生物像我们一样不能从外部观察它们的宇宙，它们就没有理由怀疑自己对现实的想象。）可知，人们视角和观点不同，会有着不同的理论。故选C。 32．推理判断题。根据最后一段“It might be that to describe the universe we have to employ different theories in different situations.”（也许为了描述宇宙，我们必须在不同的情况下运用不同的理论。）和“But it might be the way of the universe.”（但这可能就是宇宙的规律。）可知，作者认为人们可以用多种理论描述宇宙，可得出作者也许会许赞同“欢迎对宇宙的不同解释”这个观点。故选A。 33．A 34．C 35．A 36．D 【导语】本文是一篇议论文，主要讲述了虽然近来好莱坞似乎对多元宇宙欲罢不能，但它在科学家中仍然存在着深刻的争议。 33．细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Its appeal as a storytelling device is obvious—characters explore a multi-world with varying degrees of similarity to our own, as well as different versions of themselves.(作为一种讲故事的手段，它的吸引力显而易见——角色探索了一个与我们自己不同程度相似的多元世界，以及不同版本的自己。)”可知，多元宇宙作为一种讲故事的手段，非常具有吸引力。故选A。 34．词句猜测题。根据划线短语后面的“rather, several distinct lines of reasoning seem to point to the multiverse’s existence(相反，几个不同的推理路线似乎指向了多元宇宙的存在)”可知，rather前后表示转折，后面说有推理路线证明多元宇宙是存在的，由此可推测出，前面说的是物理学家们并不是凭空得出了这个想法。out of thin air意为“凭空，无中生有地”，和out of nowhere(突然出现)意思相近。故选C。 35．推理判断题。根据第三段中的“However, critics warn that making the multiverse legal could make it harder for the public to distinguish speculative(推测性的) theories from established fact, making it more difficult to keep pseudo-science(伪科学) at bay. Giving credit to such speculation risks ‘turning fundamental physics into pseudo-science’.(然而，批评者警告说，使多元宇宙合法化可能会使公众更难区分推测性理论和既定事实，从而更难遏制伪科学。相信这种推测有可能‘把基础物理学变成伪科学’。)”可知，批评者认为让多元宇宙合法化可能会使公众难以区分推测性理论和既定事实，相信这种推测有可能导致基础物理学变成伪科学。由此可推测出，基础物理学是以既定事实为基础的，可以通过某种方式发现。故选A。 36．推理判断题。根据第四段中的“Since Schrdinger’s equation (方程), on which Quanturr (量子) mechanic rests, predicts the existence of many worlds, so be it.(既然量子力学所依据的薛定谔方程预测了许多世界的存在，那就顺其自然吧。)”和最后一段中的“Could a more expansive view of the universe itself be the next breakthrough? As Siegfried puts it: “Every time in the past that we’ve thought, ‘We’ve got it; this is what the whole universe is’—the people who’ve said, ‘Maybe there’s more than one of those’ have always turned out to be right.”(正如齐格弗里德所说：“在过去，每当我们想，‘我们明白了；这就是整个宇宙的样子’——那些说‘也许不止一个’的人总是被证明是对的。”)”可知，作者认为既然有理论预测了许多世界的存在，那就顺其自然吧，那些说“也许不止一个”的人总是被证明是对的；由此推知，作者对多元宇宙的概念持支持态度。故选D。 37．C 38．B 39．D 40．D 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章主要讲述了人工智能的潜力和挑战。作者呼吁全球社区共同努力，通过制定标准和规定，投资教育和再培训，以确保AI的潜力得到最大限度的利用，同时避免潜在的危险。 37．细节理解题。根据文章第二段“At its heart, AI is all about data. Massive amounts of data are fed into algorithms that learn from this data, allowing them to make predictions, recognize patterns, and even make decisions.(人工智能的核心是数据。大量的数据被输入到算法中，从这些数据中学习，使它们能够做出预测，识别模式，甚至做出决策。)”可知，机器获得执行传统上需要人类智能的任务的能力的方法是通过摄取和处理大量数据。故选C。 38．推理判断题。根据文章第三段“The transformative potential of AI is undeniable. In the medical field, for instance, AI can assist in early detection of diseases, predict patient outcomes, and even suggest treatment options. In finance, algorithms can predict stock market trends, and provide personalized financial advice. In transportation, self-driving cars equipped with AI systems promise to reduce accidents, ease traffic jams, and transform urban landscapes.(人工智能的变革潜力是不可否认的。例如，在医疗领域，人工智能可以帮助早期发现疾病，预测患者的预后，甚至提出治疗方案。在金融领域，算法可以预测股票市场趋势，并提供个性化的理财建议。在交通方面，配备人工智能系统的自动驾驶汽车有望减少事故，缓解交通拥堵，并改变城市景观。)”、第四段“However, with great potential comes great responsibility. The rise of AI has caused debates about is ethical implications (道德含义).(然而，潜力越大，责任越大。人工智能的兴起引发了关于其道德含义的争论。)”、第五段“Moreover, the widespread adoption of AI could lead to significant job displacement.( 此外，人工智能的广泛应用可能会导致大量的工作岗位流失。)”以及第六段“Another major concern is the “black box” nature of AI.(另一个主要问题是人工智能的“黑匣子”性质。)”可推知，作者通过展示人工智能的积极潜力和挑战来论证人工智能的影响。故选B。 39．主旨大意题。根据文章最后一段“In conclusion, artificial intelligence stands as one of the most profound inventions of our time. While it offers vast opportunities, it also poses significant challenges that we, as a society, must welcome. As we stand at this technological crossroads, our choices will determine whether AI serves as a benefit or a harm for humanity.(总之，人工智能是我们这个时代最深刻的发明之一。虽然它提供了巨大的机会，但它也带来了我们作为一个社会必须欢迎的重大挑战。当我们站在这个技术的十字路口时，我们的选择将决定人工智能对人类是有益还是有害。)”可知，文章主要讲述了人工智能的潜力和挑战。作者呼吁全球社区共同努力，通过制定标准和规定，投资教育和再培训，以确保AI的潜力得到最大限度的利用，同时避免潜在的危险。由此可知，D项：Balancing the Potential and challenges of AI in Modern Society(平衡人工智能在现代社会中的潜力和挑战)是最好的标题。故选D。 40．推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段“On the brighter side, many experts believe that by setting the right frameworks and investing in education and retraining, we can use the power of AI for the greater good. By fostering (促进) a culture of continuous learning and staying abreast (并排的，并肩的) of technological advancements, society can benefit from the promise of AI while avoiding its potential dangers.(从好的方面来看，许多专家认为，通过建立正确的框架，投资于教育和再培训，我们可以利用人工智能的力量为更大的利益服务。通过培养一种持续学习的文化和跟上技术进步的步伐，社会可以从人工智能的前景中受益，同时避免其潜在的危险。)”可知，解决人工智能带来的困境需要我们社会的共同努力。故选D。 答案第1页，共2页 答案第1页，共2页 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$