专题03 阅读理解（说明文）（学考真题汇编，江苏专用）高中英语

专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 题号 难度 知识点 1 适中 公益活动（组织机构）,方法/策略,说明文 2 适中 人与动植物,说明文 3 适中 语言与文化 ,说明文 4 适中 动物,说明文 5 适中 人与动植物,说明文 6 适中 发明与创造 ,说明文 7 适中 环境保护,政治政策,说明文 8 较难 科普知识 ,说明文 9 较难 人与动植物,说明文 10 较难 动物,说明文 Passage 1 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）There are many volunteer opportunities to choose from. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. Besides, the opportunities that match both your goals and interests are most likely to be fun and successful. Consider several volunteer possibilities Don’t limit yourself to just one organization or one specific type of job. Try to visit different organizations if necessary. Where to find volunteer opportunities ● Libraries or senior centers ● Local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife centers. ● Youth organizations, sports teams, and after-school programs. How much time should you volunteer? Volunteering doesn’t have to take over your life to be beneficial. In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about 100 hours a year, can be the most beneficial — to both you and your chosen causes. The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. Getting the most out of volunteering Ask questions. You can ask if the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you have to spend. Don’t be afraid to make a change. Don’t force yourself into a bad fit or feel forced to stick with a volunteer role you dislike. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or look for a different organization that’s a better fit. Enjoy yourself. If you’ re not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why. Finding what’s bothering you can help you decide how to go forward. 1．What might be the most important for a person to be a volunteer? A．His safety. B．His family. C．His salaries. D．His interests and goals. 2．How much time is needed to volunteer according to the passage? A．2 months a year. B．10 hours a day. C．2 or 3 weeks a month. D．The amount of time suitable to you. 3．What should you do when the voluntary work is not what you expect? A．Ask questions. B．Find the reason. C．Look for a new post. D．Enjoy every day as usual. 4．What does the passage mainly talk about? A．How to apply for a job. B．What to expect from a voluntary position. C．How to find the right volunteer opportunity. D．How much time to spend on the volunteering cause. Passage 2 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）So, how do pets have such a great positive effect on both our physical and mental health? It’s likely that there are a number of factors at play. First. pets offer company. Research shows that being alone can have a hugely harmful effect on our physical and mental health, with studies linking it to heart disease, anxiety, depression and so on. It also appears that pets promote (促进) social connections. Studies have shown that walking out with a dog result in much more conversations with passing strangers than walking alone. But, it’s not just dogs that can increase our social connections. A 1975 study gave a group of elderly individuals either a plant or a bird to look after over a period of three years. They found that those caring for a bird had built up a significantly bigger community of friends and visitors than those with a plant. Pet ownership can also come with increased exercise, which may help to explain some of the heart and mental health benefits. And it may explain why dogs, who need to be taken out regularly for walks, appear to be more beneficial for heart health than other pets. Although the exact mechanism (机制) of health promotion is still-unknown, one thing is clear: pets are great for our health and well worth bringing into our homes if we’ re looking to make new friends, add a spring to our step and perhaps even days to our life. 1．What will happen when you walk out with a dog? A．The dog will attack other animals. B．The dog will get excited outside home. C．Strangers will walk past you at a safe distance D．There will be more chances of talking with strangers 2．Why does the writer mention “a 1975 study” in Paragraph 3? A．To support an idea. B．To tell a story. C．To present a fact. D．To make a guess. 3．What will the writer probably recommend? A．Study the mechanism of health promotion. B．Grow some plants at home. C．Keep a pet at home. D．Do more exercise 4．How many positive effects of pets does the passage show? A．Two. B．Three. C．Four. D．Five. Passage 3 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）The Chinese character “he” (和) was selected as the most Chinese of Chinese ideograms (表意文字), carrying the most meaning for Chinese culture. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, you can infer a nation’s spirit from its language. The character “he” reveals that China aims at building a “harmonious (和谐) society.” A good example may be that the words “harmony” and “peace” featured heavily in the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The character “he” (和) has two parts: “禾” (he), which means standing grain (and gives the character its pronunciation “hé”) and the character “口” (kou), which means mouth. The character has deeper roots in the Chinese spirit. It has been a favorite of Chinese philosophers (哲学家) — including Confucius — for at least thousands of years. It also appears in “fairness”, “balance”, “warmth” and a host of other terms that reflect the long-held desires of many Chinese people. Here are common expressions and proverbs with the Chinese character “he” (和)： 和谈 (hétán)  — peace talks 和好 (hébǎo) — become friends again 君子和而不同 (jūnzǐhé’érbùtóng) — Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity. 1．The writer reveals China’s spirit of “harmony” in Paragraph 2 by ______. A．giving descriptions B．providing an example C．comparing opinions D．explaining its meaning 2．What does the part “禾” in the character “和” (he) mean? A．Mouth. B．Standing grain. C．Harmony. D．Warmth. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Language has a close relationship with culture. B．The Chinese character usually has two parts C．Language changes with time and the world. D．The Chinese character has the longest history. 4．In what situation can we say “héhǎo”? A．We insist on our own points of view. B．We stop quarreling and be friends again. C．We live and work in a peaceful country. D．We always have the same opinion on the matter. Passage 4 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）The continent of Antarctica has two seasons—winter and summer. Every winter, the emperors penguins (帝企鹅) return to Antarctica from the ocean to breed (繁殖). They’re the only penguins big, strong and tough enough to battle winter and raise their chicks on Antarctica’s vast plains of open ice. Winter brings with it strong snowstorms, six months of almost 24-hour darkness, and freezing temperatures. The penguins travel up to 120km across the ice to reach their land. There, they pair up and in May the female lays an egg. She gives the egg to the male for safekeeping and returns to the sea to hunt. For the egg to survive, the male must make sure it doesn’t touch the icy ground. And that’s a huge challenge. No trees or bushes exist on Antarctic—it’s almost entirely covered in snow and ice. So, to create a nest, an emperor penguin dad uses his feet, where it hatches at a cosy 36°C． But he must not let the egg touch the ground for the next two months! When the weather becomes worse, male emperors take advantage of what they have around them—each other. The protective fathers crowd together to create a break from the wind and cold, and to capture body heat. Amazingly, the temperature inside a large emperor penguin group can reach 37°C! Up to 5,000 male penguins group together moving continuously by taking small steps every 30–60 seconds. These steps make the emperor huddle move in a kind of wave, with each bird slowly working its way to the middle of the group, then out again. This ensures every penguin gets a spell at the centre, keeping warm. 1．Why do emperor penguins return to Antarctica in winter? A．To search for various foods. B．To lay eggs and raise babies. C．To enjoy the special weather. D．To stay together with others. 2．What is the role of the male emperor penguin according to this passage? A．Building nests for the egg. B．Teaching the unborn chick. C．Keeping the egg warm. D．Finding food for the female. 3．Why do the emperor penguin dads crowd together? A．They are lacking in individual survival skills. B．They gather to overcome extreme conditions. C．They need to stay together to search for food. D．They have got used to the fixed social pattern. 4．What is mainly talked about in this passage? A．The terrible climate of Antarctica. B．The difficulties emperor penguins face. C．The different penguins in Antarctica. D．The breeding behavior of emperor penguins. Passage 5 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）In May, China Railway conducted a survey on the demand for pet transportation on high-speed trains. The survey gained widespread attention far beyond potential train passengers. While many pet owners looked forward to the possibility of bringing pets onboard, some people were worried that the pets might cause injuries and spread diseases. The industry surrounding pets is considered to have begun in 1992, the year in which the country’s first organization devoted to small animal protection was founded. According to a recent report, China’s pet economy was valued at 592.8 billion yuan ($83 billion) in 2023. In May, some new standards for lost animal rescue and pet funerals were proposed. A month later, Shanghai became the first city in the country to issue rules for the display of animals in indoor commercial places. These developments have highlighted the shifting role of animals in China’s cities and the necessity for more regulation of the pet economy. The rising number of pets in cities over the past three decades has caused heated debates over the use of public resources and spaces. As more and more people see pets as not just animals living under the same roof, but as close members of their families and communities, finding the right balance for people and animals to coexist in a city environment becomes an increasingly important task. 1．Why did China Railway conduct the survey? A．To analyse the needs of pets traveling on trains. B．To know the exact number of pets in China. C．To find the cause of people’s keeping pets. D．To conclude the response of the owners of pets. 2．What can we know about pet economy in China? A．Most of the people are worried about it. B．It was valued at 592.8 billion dollars in 2023. C．It was first started in Shanghai before 2023. D．More rules are needed for its development. 3．How does the author develop the second paragraph? A．By following space order. B．By following time order. C．By giving some examples. D．By making comparison. 4．What could be the best title for the passage? A．Pets in the city. B．China Railway’s survey. C．Pets on the train. D．China Railway’s worry. Passage 6 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）In the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack (喷气背包). It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created. Now that we are living in the 21st century, people still aren’t using jetpacks to get around. Lots of inventors have tried to build working jetpacks over the years, but none of them have ever worked as well as the one Buck Rogers wore in the comic books. One jetpack that was recently shown was the Martin jetpack. This jetpack was built by an inventor from New Zealand named Glenn Martin. Martin’s 120 kilogram jetpack holds about twenty liters of gasoline and can fly for about thirty minutes. Two large fans pointing toward the sky create a jet of air that the jetpack operator flies on. The Martin jetpack may be too loud and too heavy for the taste of some people. However, it really works, and it is on the market today. Another jetpack that was shown recently is Raymond Li’s Jetlev-Flyer. This is a jetpack that propels (推进) a person into the air by shooting out a jet of water rather than a jet of air. The Jetlev-Flyer is smaller and lighter than the Martin jetpack. This is due to the fact that the engine and water pump for the jetpack is on a boat that is pulled along behind the operator. In a test of his jetpack, Li flew almost ten meters high and could travel forward at a speed of 35 kph. Neither the Martin jetpack nor the Jetlev-Flyer are going to be big sellers. Both costing over $100,000 each, they are just too expensive for the average person. 1．What can we learn from the first paragraph? A．Buck Rogers is still popular. B．People can’t fly with jetpacks. C．People don’t travel with jetpacks. D．Better jetpacks are invented later. 2．Which of the following is a feature of the Martin jetpack? A．It is designed with one large fan on it. B．It can hold more than fifty liters of gas. C．It propels the operator on jets of water. D．It makes too much noise for some people. 3．What can be inferred about Raymond Li? A．He is not afraid of height. B．He works with Glenn Martin. C．He knows how to fly a plane. D．He works to make boats. 4．What can we conclude about the two jetpacks? A．Their inventors came from the same country. B．Thy are both operated in the same way. C．They are certain to sell well in the market. D．Their prices will scare away many people. Passage 7 （江苏省普通高中2022-2023学年学业水平合格性考试英语试题）With the increasing number of Everest mountain climbers, more litter is left behind on this natural wonder. Fortunately, Nepalese (尼泊尔的) officials are working to deal with this environment disaster. Mount Everest has brought much-needed income to Nepal, but a lot of waste has gathered as a result. Climbers need a lot of equipment to successfully climb the mountain. A typical team of climbers can easily use up hundreds of oxygen containers and as many as 15 plastic tents and other equipment during the climb. In addition, there is the problem with human waste. This has been a growing problem and has put life in danger. The waste problem now spreads from the base camp to the river below, polluting the local water supply. In 2014, the Nepalese government tried to solve this pollution problem, requiring that climbers bring back 18 pounds of rubbish on their way down the mountain. But this solution did not work well. Mount Everest officials and the city of Kathmandu put forward a new proposal. First of all, dustbins have been placed along the mountain paths. In addition, heavy fines will be given to climbers who pollute the mountain. These climbers risk losing their $4,000 waste deposit (保证金) if caught throwing things. In this way, careless throwing will surely be reduced. Finally, the rubbish will be removed from the mountain. A local plane company has agreed to use its planes to carry the waste from the mountain to the capital city, where it will be treated. Now, with these new rules in place, the mountain should see a return to its former self. 1．What caused the Mount Everest environment disaster? A．The increasing number of villagers. B．Litter left behind by the climbers. C．Nepalese officials who work there. D．Rubbish produced by nature itself. 2．Which of the following pollute(s) the local water supply according to paragraph 2? A．Human waste. B．Plastic tents. C．Oxygen containers. D．Climbing equipment. 3．What were the climbers required to do in 2014? A．Limit the use of oxygen containers. B．Use wood and metal to put up tents. C．Avoid drinking water from the river below. D．Take 18 pounds of litter down the mountain. 4．How many new rules are put forward in the last paragraph? A．Two. B．Three. C．Four. D．Five. Passage 1 （江苏省南京市金陵中学河西学校2025-2026学年高二上学期十月英语月考试题）A watched pot never boils, but time has wings when you’re having fun. The familiar saying has a basis in solid science — our sense of time does expand and contract depending on the way we experience the world. Even delicate visual features can affect how we perceive time. New research shows more memorable images seem to last longer. Martin Wiener, head of the research, says the finding helps reveal how the brain’s timebending strategy allows it to process and remember more information. While what is actually happening in the brain when time seems to expand remains unclear, scientists suspect it may have something to do with helping the brain process more information in limited time. This is especially relevant for the brain’s visual system which, subjected to information overload, has to rank in order of importance, allowing for limited resources. Recent research has shown some images are more naturally memorable than others. To understand how this memorability of an image, along with a few simpler visual features such as scene size and disorder, might relate to our subjective sense of time, Wiener and his colleagues conducted related experiments, in which subjects were shown images with varying duration and were asked to categorize whether the length of time on the screen was either “short” or “long”. The next day they were given a surprise memory test to see which images they recalled seeing. The researcher’s found larger scene sizes seemed to extend time while more disorderly scenes seemed to contact it. Besides, the subjects perceived that more memorable images remained on the screen longer, even if they were all presented for the same amount of time. To find the underlying factor, the team fed the same memorability ranked images to a neural network modeled after the brain’s visual system and found more memorable images were processed faster. The explanation for why our brain’s faster processing would slow time is that it’s increasing the amount of information it can take in at once. Limited resources to process information may act as a sort of bottleneck, which the brain can widen when it needs to absorb more information, thus dilating time. 1．What does the saying “A watched pot never boils” describe? A．The unnoticed passage of time. B．The feeling that time slows down. C．The hardship of preparing food. D．The perception that time awaits no one. 2．How does the brain’s visual system handle information? A．By setting priorities. B．By comparing similar scenes. C．By sorting randomly. D．By screening out complex images. 3．Which of the images seems to last longest if known on the screen for equal duration based on the study? A．The most colorful one. B．The most memorable one. C．The most disordered one. D．The largest one. 4．What does the underlined word “dilating” in the last paragraph mean? A．Using up. B．Cutting down. C．Stretching out. D．Clearing away. Passage 2 （江苏省南京市第一中学2025-2026学年高二上学期10月月考英语试题）Humans have always assumed that there is a huge gulf between animal behavior and human development. However, recent research into animals shows that animals are continuously designing innovative methods to finish their tasks. Examining the nature and results of their creativity can help us understand evolution. Research shows that animals too can be creative. By inventing new behavioral patterns and adjusting their behavior to new contexts, as well as to changes in social and ecological environments, researchers show that animal innovation too can be diverse. For instance, chimpanzees (猩猩) use tools such as sharp spines and stalks to remove the hearts of palm vegetables from trees. Herring gulls (鲜鱼海鸥) found out quite a cruel way of killing rabbits — drowning them in the sea. Innovative species tend to survive when they enter new places, but novel behavior cannot be recognized unless “normal” behavior is studied. Researchers can now count and document the innovations that have been created by species, which would help them to quantify their creativity. Studies also show us that all animals are not equally inventive, with primates (灵长目动物) tending to be more innovative due to their bigger brains. The greatest scientific significance has been the innovation shown by animals such as apes, capuchins and macaques among primates. These species of primates possess the biggest brains in proportion to their body sizes. They are also heavy tool users. Their broad diets and complex forms of learning are also insightful. They indicate an evolutionary strategy that gave them new solutions to life’s challenges. However, even if these animals show innovativeness, they do not have the ability to improve upon solutions of others. Unless they share information accurately and copy each other’s inventions, their creative inventions are likely to vanish before they can be innovated further. This ability can be managed only by humans, for we are able to build on shared knowledge. 1．What can we learn from the story? A．Save for a rainy day. B．All we have is now. C．Nothing is impossible. D．Fortune favors the bold. 2．What does the underlined word “gulf” in the first paragraph mean? A．Difference. B．Conflict. C．Balance. D．Connection. 3．Why does the author mention “chimpanzees” and “Herring gulls” in Paragraph 2. A．They are both creative. B．They are both heavy tool users. C．They create innovations in different ways. D．They kill other animals in the same cruel way. 4．What can we learn about animal creativity? A．It is equally distributed among animals. B．It helps animals adapt to the environment. C．Animals’ innovations are easy to be identified. D．Animals’ innovations are facing huge challenges. 5．What aspect of animals does the last paragraph mainly talk about? A．Their ability to share information accurately. B．Their willingness to learn from each other. C．Their inability to take creativity forward. D．Their unwillingness to cooperate effectively. Passage 3 （江苏省镇江中学镇江一中2025-2026学年高二上学期10月联考英语试题）Sometimes, the best thing for a penguin is to go with the flow. Magellanic penguins change their strategy for directing themselves home based on the strength of ocean currents: swimming almost straight back to their colonies (栖息地) in calm waters, but following currents when they are strong — traveling farther but conserving energy, researchers report in PLOS Biology. From September to February, Magellanic penguins raise their young in coastal colonies of Chile and Argentina. Adult penguins travel more than 100 kilometers in one trip to find small fish to feed their babies. Such long ocean journeys require not only a keen sense of direction but skills in dealing with ocean currents, which can either aid movement — like how sea turtles use currents for their seasonal movements — or sweep animals off course. While penguins can swim against strong currents, study coauthor Wilson notes that it’s not wise: “Why catch all that fish just to waste energy swimming against the current?” To uncover their strategies, Wilson and coworkers monitored 27 adult penguins from Argentina’s San Lorenzo colony using GPS and movement trackers under varying current conditions. After nearly 30 hours of fishing, their return trips — lasting up to 16 hours — always began with the penguins pointing directly toward their colonies, but their following path depended on the day’s ocean conditions. In calm waters, they maintained a nearly straight line. However, in strong currents, they adopted S-shaped paths following the area’s natural current patterns. As currents changed direction during their journey, they avoided being carried too far off course. These longer trips not only provided extra fishing opportunities but saved energy, according to estimates of the effort required to swim at specific speeds. This behavior suggests penguins assess current strength and direction to select the best paths to follow. Their ability likely originates from a mix of natural tendency — genetically built rough guides to the sea — and learning, with young penguins observing and copying adult behavior to refine their skills. 1．How does the author present the fact in the first paragraph? A．By referring to a report. B．By explaining a term. C．By giving examples. D．By comparing data. 2．What determines the penguins’ next path to follow according to the research? A．The distance of fishing trips. B．The conditions of daily currents. C．The effort required to swim. D．The length of fishing time. 3．What does the author try to illustrate by mentioning “S-shaped paths” in paragraph 4? A．The method of avoiding strong currents. B．The consequence of wasting energy. C．The strategy of adapting to strong currents. D．The opportunity for extra fishing. 4．What can be a suitable title for the text? A．Ocean currents: keys to penguin survival B．Magellanic penguins: smart current users C．Magellanic penguins: masters of long trips D．Ocean currents: calm tides and rough waves 3 / 18 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ 专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 题号 难度 知识点 1 适中 公益活动（组织机构）,方法/策略,说明文 2 适中 人与动植物,说明文 3 适中 语言与文化 ,说明文 4 适中 动物,说明文 5 适中 人与动植物,说明文 6 适中 发明与创造 ,说明文 7 适中 环境保护,政治政策,说明文 8 较难 科普知识 ,说明文 9 较难 人与动植物,说明文 10 较难 动物,说明文 Passage 1 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）There are many volunteer opportunities to choose from. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. Besides, the opportunities that match both your goals and interests are most likely to be fun and successful. Consider several volunteer possibilities Don’t limit yourself to just one organization or one specific type of job. Try to visit different organizations if necessary. Where to find volunteer opportunities ● Libraries or senior centers ● Local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife centers. ● Youth organizations, sports teams, and after-school programs. How much time should you volunteer? Volunteering doesn’t have to take over your life to be beneficial. In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about 100 hours a year, can be the most beneficial — to both you and your chosen causes. The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. Getting the most out of volunteering Ask questions. You can ask if the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you have to spend. Don’t be afraid to make a change. Don’t force yourself into a bad fit or feel forced to stick with a volunteer role you dislike. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or look for a different organization that’s a better fit. Enjoy yourself. If you’ re not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why. Finding what’s bothering you can help you decide how to go forward. 1．What might be the most important for a person to be a volunteer? A．His safety. B．His family. C．His salaries. D．His interests and goals. 2．How much time is needed to volunteer according to the passage? A．2 months a year. B．10 hours a day. C．2 or 3 weeks a month. D．The amount of time suitable to you. 3．What should you do when the voluntary work is not what you expect? A．Ask questions. B．Find the reason. C．Look for a new post. D．Enjoy every day as usual. 4．What does the passage mainly talk about? A．How to apply for a job. B．What to expect from a voluntary position. C．How to find the right volunteer opportunity. D．How much time to spend on the volunteering cause. 【答案】1．D 2．D 3．C 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了如何找到合适的志愿机会及相关注意事项。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“Besides, the opportunities that match both your goals and interests are most likely to be fun and successful.(此外，那些既符合你的目标又契合你兴趣的志愿机会，极有可能既有趣又能取得成功)”可知，对于一个人来说，成为志愿者的最重要因素是他的兴趣和目标。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据“How much time should you volunteer?”标题下“The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you.(重要的是，只在你觉得舒适的时长范围内去做志愿服务)”可知，志愿服务的时间应该是你觉得舒服的时间量，即适合你的时间量。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据“Getting the most out of volunteering”标题下的“Don’t force yourself into a bad fit or feel forced to stick with a volunteer role you dislike. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or look for a different organization that’s a better fit.(不要强迫自己去做不适合的事情，也不要觉得非得勉强自己继续从事一个你不喜欢的志愿者工作。和所在的组织沟通，谈谈改变你的工作重点，或者寻找一个更适合你的不同组织)”可知，当志愿工作不是你所期望的时候，你应该寻找一个新的岗位。故选C。 4．主旨大意题。根据全文内容，尤其是第一段“There are many volunteer opportunities to choose from. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. Besides, the opportunities that match both your goals and interests are most likely to be fun and successful.(有很多志愿者机会可供选择。关键在于找到一个你会喜欢的岗位。确保你投入的精力能符合该组织的需求，这一点也很重要。此外，那些既符合你的目标又与你的兴趣相契合的机会，极有可能既充满乐趣又能取得成功)”可知，文章主要讲述了如何找到适合的志愿者机会，包括考虑多种可能性、寻找志愿者机会的地方、志愿服务的时间以及如何从志愿服务中获得最大收益等。故选C。 Passage 2 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）So, how do pets have such a great positive effect on both our physical and mental health? It’s likely that there are a number of factors at play. First. pets offer company. Research shows that being alone can have a hugely harmful effect on our physical and mental health, with studies linking it to heart disease, anxiety, depression and so on. It also appears that pets promote (促进) social connections. Studies have shown that walking out with a dog result in much more conversations with passing strangers than walking alone. But, it’s not just dogs that can increase our social connections. A 1975 study gave a group of elderly individuals either a plant or a bird to look after over a period of three years. They found that those caring for a bird had built up a significantly bigger community of friends and visitors than those with a plant. Pet ownership can also come with increased exercise, which may help to explain some of the heart and mental health benefits. And it may explain why dogs, who need to be taken out regularly for walks, appear to be more beneficial for heart health than other pets. Although the exact mechanism (机制) of health promotion is still-unknown, one thing is clear: pets are great for our health and well worth bringing into our homes if we’ re looking to make new friends, add a spring to our step and perhaps even days to our life. 1．What will happen when you walk out with a dog? A．The dog will attack other animals. B．The dog will get excited outside home. C．Strangers will walk past you at a safe distance D．There will be more chances of talking with strangers 2．Why does the writer mention “a 1975 study” in Paragraph 3? A．To support an idea. B．To tell a story. C．To present a fact. D．To make a guess. 3．What will the writer probably recommend? A．Study the mechanism of health promotion. B．Grow some plants at home. C．Keep a pet at home. D．Do more exercise 4．How many positive effects of pets does the passage show? A．Two. B．Three. C．Four. D．Five. 【答案】1．D 2．A 3．C 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了宠物对人类身心健康的多方面积极影响。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中“Studies have shown that walking out with a dog result in much more conversations with passing strangers than walking alone.(研究表明，与独自散步相比，带着狗外出散步会带来更多与路过陌生人的交谈机会)”可知，当你带着狗出去散步时，会有更多与陌生人交谈的机会。故选D。 2．推理判断题。根据第三段“But, it’s not just dogs that can increase our social connections. A 1975 study gave a group of elderly individuals either a plant or a bird to look after over a period of three years. They found that those caring for a bird had built up a significantly bigger community of friends and visitors than those with a plant.(但是，并非只有狗能够增进我们的社交关系。一项 1975 年的研究让一群老年人在三年的时间里要么照料一株植物，要么照料一只鸟。研究人员发现，那些照料鸟的人比照料植物的人建立起了规模大得多的朋友圈子，也有更多人来探访他们)”可知，作者提到1975年的研究是为了支持“宠物能促进社交联系”这一观点，说明不仅仅是狗能增加我们的社交联系，照顾鸟的老人也建立了更大的朋友和访客社区。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Although the exact mechanism (机制) of health promotion is still-unknown, one thing is clear: pets are great for our health and well worth bringing into our homes if we’ re looking to make new friends, add a spring to our step and perhaps even days to our life.(尽管促进健康的确切机制仍然未知，但有一点是明确的：宠物对我们的健康大有裨益。如果我们想要结交新朋友、让自己步伐轻快起来，甚至有可能延长寿命，那么宠物是非常值得养在家里的)”可知，作者认为宠物对我们的健康有好处，如果我们想结交新朋友，给我们的生活增添活力，甚至延长我们的寿命，那么把宠物带回家是值得的。因此，作者可能会推荐在家里养宠物。故选C。 4．细节理解题。根据第一段的“First. pets offer company.(宠物提供陪伴)”；第二段的“It also appears that pets promote (促进) social connections.(宠物促进社交联系)”以及最后一段的“Pet ownership can also come with increased exercise, which may help to explain some of the heart and mental health benefits.(养宠物会增加锻炼，这可能有助于解释对心脏和心理健康的一些好处)”可知，文章中提到宠物的积极影响一共有三个方面。所以选 B。 Passage 3 （2024年江苏省普通高中学业水平合格性考试英语试卷）The Chinese character “he” (和) was selected as the most Chinese of Chinese ideograms (表意文字), carrying the most meaning for Chinese culture. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, you can infer a nation’s spirit from its language. The character “he” reveals that China aims at building a “harmonious (和谐) society.” A good example may be that the words “harmony” and “peace” featured heavily in the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The character “he” (和) has two parts: “禾” (he), which means standing grain (and gives the character its pronunciation “hé”) and the character “口” (kou), which means mouth. The character has deeper roots in the Chinese spirit. It has been a favorite of Chinese philosophers (哲学家) — including Confucius — for at least thousands of years. It also appears in “fairness”, “balance”, “warmth” and a host of other terms that reflect the long-held desires of many Chinese people. Here are common expressions and proverbs with the Chinese character “he” (和)： 和谈 (hétán)  — peace talks 和好 (hébǎo) — become friends again 君子和而不同 (jūnzǐhé’érbùtóng) — Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity. 1．The writer reveals China’s spirit of “harmony” in Paragraph 2 by ______. A．giving descriptions B．providing an example C．comparing opinions D．explaining its meaning 2．What does the part “禾” in the character “和” (he) mean? A．Mouth. B．Standing grain. C．Harmony. D．Warmth. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Language has a close relationship with culture. B．The Chinese character usually has two parts C．Language changes with time and the world. D．The Chinese character has the longest history. 4．In what situation can we say “héhǎo”? A．We insist on our own points of view. B．We stop quarreling and be friends again. C．We live and work in a peaceful country. D．We always have the same opinion on the matter. 【答案】1．B 2．B 3．A 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了汉字“和”(hé)在中国文化中的重要性及其象征意义，展示了它如何体现中国追求和谐社会的精神。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中的句子“A good example may be that the words ‘harmony’ and ‘peace’ featured heavily in the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.(一个很好的例子是，在2008年北京奥运会的开幕式上，“和谐”和“和平”这两个词被大量提及。)”可知，作者通过提供一个具体的例子来揭示中国“和谐”的精神。故选B项。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段的句子“The character “he” (和) has two parts: “禾” (he), which means standing grain (and gives the character its pronunciation “hé”) and the character “口” (kou), which means mouth.(汉字“和”由两部分构成：左侧的“禾”（本义为成熟的谷物，同时标示“hé”的发音）与右侧的“口”（表示人的嘴巴）。)”可知，可知，“禾”意味着成熟的谷物。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据文章内容，特别是第一段“The Chinese character “he” (和) was selected as the most Chinese of Chinese ideograms (表意文字), carrying the most meaning for Chinese culture.(汉字“和”被选为最具中国特色的表意文字（“和”字），承载着中国文化的最大意义。)”和第二段的句子“Like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, you can infer a nation’s spirit from its language. The character “he” reveals that China aims at building a “harmonious (和谐) society.”(正如拉尔夫·沃尔多·爱默生曾经说过的那样，你可以从一个民族的语言中推断出这个民族的精神。“和”字揭示了中国的目标是建设一个“和谐社会”。)”可知，文章通过介绍汉字“和”及其在中国文化中的重要性，强调了语言与文化之间的紧密联系。（虽然汉字确实常由两部分组成，但这并不是文章的主要观点；文章也没有提到语言随时间和世界的变化，也没有提到汉字的历史长度。）故选A项。 4．推理判断题。文章最后提到“和好”(héhǎo)意为“become friends again(重修旧好)”。所以，“héhǎo”用于描述停止争吵并重新成为朋友的情况。故选B项。 Passage 4 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）The continent of Antarctica has two seasons—winter and summer. Every winter, the emperors penguins (帝企鹅) return to Antarctica from the ocean to breed (繁殖). They’re the only penguins big, strong and tough enough to battle winter and raise their chicks on Antarctica’s vast plains of open ice. Winter brings with it strong snowstorms, six months of almost 24-hour darkness, and freezing temperatures. The penguins travel up to 120km across the ice to reach their land. There, they pair up and in May the female lays an egg. She gives the egg to the male for safekeeping and returns to the sea to hunt. For the egg to survive, the male must make sure it doesn’t touch the icy ground. And that’s a huge challenge. No trees or bushes exist on Antarctic—it’s almost entirely covered in snow and ice. So, to create a nest, an emperor penguin dad uses his feet, where it hatches at a cosy 36°C． But he must not let the egg touch the ground for the next two months! When the weather becomes worse, male emperors take advantage of what they have around them—each other. The protective fathers crowd together to create a break from the wind and cold, and to capture body heat. Amazingly, the temperature inside a large emperor penguin group can reach 37°C! Up to 5,000 male penguins group together moving continuously by taking small steps every 30–60 seconds. These steps make the emperor huddle move in a kind of wave, with each bird slowly working its way to the middle of the group, then out again. This ensures every penguin gets a spell at the centre, keeping warm. 1．Why do emperor penguins return to Antarctica in winter? A．To search for various foods. B．To lay eggs and raise babies. C．To enjoy the special weather. D．To stay together with others. 2．What is the role of the male emperor penguin according to this passage? A．Building nests for the egg. B．Teaching the unborn chick. C．Keeping the egg warm. D．Finding food for the female. 3．Why do the emperor penguin dads crowd together? A．They are lacking in individual survival skills. B．They gather to overcome extreme conditions. C．They need to stay together to search for food. D．They have got used to the fixed social pattern. 4．What is mainly talked about in this passage? A．The terrible climate of Antarctica. B．The difficulties emperor penguins face. C．The different penguins in Antarctica. D．The breeding behavior of emperor penguins. 【答案】1．B 2．C 3．B 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了帝企鹅在南极洲的繁殖行为，包括它们如何返回南极洲繁殖、如何保护蛋不受寒冷影响以及如何通过聚集在一起保持温暖等。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“Every winter, the emperors penguins (帝企鹅) return to Antarctica from the ocean to breed (繁殖). (每年冬天，帝企鹅都会从海洋返回南极大陆进行繁殖)”可知，帝企鹅在冬季返回南极是为了繁殖，即产卵和养育幼崽。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“For the egg to survive, the male must make sure it doesn’t touch the icy ground. (为了使蛋存活，雄性必须确保它不接触冰冷的地面)”和“So, to create a nest, an emperor penguin dad uses his feet, where it hatches at a cosy 36°C. But he must not let the egg touch the ground for the next two months! (所以，为了筑起一个巢，帝企鹅爸爸会用双脚托住蛋，那里能保持舒适的36摄氏度来孵化。但在接下来的两个月里，他绝不能让蛋碰到地面！)”可知，雄性帝企鹅的角色是确保蛋保持温暖，不让它接触到冰冷的地面。故选C。 3．细节理解题。根据最后一段中“When the weather becomes worse, male emperors take advantage of what they have around them—each other. The protective fathers crowd together to create a break from the wind and cold, and to capture body heat. (当天气变差时，雄性帝企鹅会利用身边现有的东西——彼此。这些具有保护意识的父亲们聚集在一起，以避开寒风，并相互取暖)”可知，帝企鹅爸爸们聚集在一起是为了共同抵御恶劣的天气条件，如强风和寒冷。故选B。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第一段中“Every winter, the emperors penguins (帝企鹅) return to Antarctica from the ocean to breed (繁殖). (每年冬天，帝企鹅都会从海洋返回南极大陆进行繁殖)”、第二段中“There, they pair up and in May the female lays an egg. She gives the egg to the male for safekeeping and returns to the sea to hunt. (在那里，它们结成伴侣，到了五月，雌性会产下一枚蛋。她把蛋交给雄性保管，然后返回大海捕猎) ”以及最后一段中“When the weather becomes worse, male emperors take advantage of what they have around them—each other. The protective fathers crowd together to create a break from the wind and cold, and to capture body heat. (当天气变差时，雄性帝企鹅会利用身边现有的东西——彼此。这些具有保护意识的父亲们聚集在一起，以避开寒风，并相互取暖) ”可知，文章主要描述了帝企鹅在南极冬季的繁殖行为，包括它们如何返回南极、如何孵化蛋以及如何通过聚集来抵御恶劣天气。因此，文章的主要内容是关于帝企鹅的繁殖行为。故选D。 Passage 5 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）In May, China Railway conducted a survey on the demand for pet transportation on high-speed trains. The survey gained widespread attention far beyond potential train passengers. While many pet owners looked forward to the possibility of bringing pets onboard, some people were worried that the pets might cause injuries and spread diseases. The industry surrounding pets is considered to have begun in 1992, the year in which the country’s first organization devoted to small animal protection was founded. According to a recent report, China’s pet economy was valued at 592.8 billion yuan ($83 billion) in 2023. In May, some new standards for lost animal rescue and pet funerals were proposed. A month later, Shanghai became the first city in the country to issue rules for the display of animals in indoor commercial places. These developments have highlighted the shifting role of animals in China’s cities and the necessity for more regulation of the pet economy. The rising number of pets in cities over the past three decades has caused heated debates over the use of public resources and spaces. As more and more people see pets as not just animals living under the same roof, but as close members of their families and communities, finding the right balance for people and animals to coexist in a city environment becomes an increasingly important task. 1．Why did China Railway conduct the survey? A．To analyse the needs of pets traveling on trains. B．To know the exact number of pets in China. C．To find the cause of people’s keeping pets. D．To conclude the response of the owners of pets. 2．What can we know about pet economy in China? A．Most of the people are worried about it. B．It was valued at 592.8 billion dollars in 2023. C．It was first started in Shanghai before 2023. D．More rules are needed for its development. 3．How does the author develop the second paragraph? A．By following space order. B．By following time order. C．By giving some examples. D．By making comparison. 4．What could be the best title for the passage? A．Pets in the city. B．China Railway’s survey. C．Pets on the train. D．China Railway’s worry. 【答案】1．A 2．D 3．B 4．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了中国铁路对高铁宠物运输需求的调查，以及围绕宠物行业在中国的发展、相关标准的提出、规则的制定等，强调了动物在中国城市中角色的转变以及对宠物经济进行更多监管的必要性。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段中“In May, China Railway conducted a survey on the demand for pet transportation on high-speed trains. (5月，中国铁路对高铁宠物运输需求进行了调查)”提到中国铁路进行了高铁宠物运输需求调查，结合后文“While many pet owners looked forward to the possibility of bringing pets onboard, some people were worried that the pets might cause injuries and spread diseases. (虽然许多宠物主人期待着带宠物上车的可能性，但也有人担心宠物可能会造成伤害并传播疾病)”可知，调查是为了了解宠物主人对宠物乘坐高铁的需求情况，以便做出相关决策。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据最后一段中“These developments have highlighted the shifting role of animals in China’s cities and the necessity for more regulation of the pet economy. (这些发展突显了动物在中国城市中角色的转变，以及加强对宠物经济监管的必要性)”可知，宠物经济的发展需要更多的规则来进行规范。故选D。 3．推理判断题。根据第二段“The industry surrounding pets is considered to have begun in 1992, the year in which the country’s first organization devoted to small animal protection was founded. According to a recent report, China’s pet economy was valued at 592.8 billion yuan ($83 billion) in 2023. In May, some new standards for lost animal rescue and pet funerals were proposed. A month later, Shanghai became the first city in the country to issue rules for the display of animals in indoor commercial places. (宠物行业被认为始于1992年，这一年，中国第一个致力于小动物保护的组织成立了。根据最近的一份报告，2023年中国宠物经济价值5928亿元人民币（830亿美元）。5月，提出了一些关于走失动物救援和宠物葬礼的新标准。一个月后，上海成为全国首个出台室内商业场所动物展示规定的城市)”可知，本段是按照时间顺序，从1992年宠物行业开始，到2023年宠物经济价值，再到5月和6月的相关标准和规则的提出，进行了阐述。故选B。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其根据第一段中“In May, China Railway conducted a survey on the demand for pet transportation on high-speed trains. (5月，中国铁路对高铁宠物运输需求进行了调查)”提到中国铁路进行了高铁宠物运输需求调查；以及最后一段中“These developments have highlighted the shifting role of animals in China’s cities and the necessity for more regulation of the pet economy. (这些发展突显了动物在中国城市中角色的转变，以及加强对宠物经济监管的必要性)”可知，文章主要围绕城市中的宠物角色变化及宠物经济监管展开；A选项“城市中的宠物”符合文章主旨，最适合作为本文标题。故选A。 Passage 6 （江苏省扬州市2024-2025学年高中学业水平合格性模拟考试英语试题）In the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack (喷气背包). It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created. Now that we are living in the 21st century, people still aren’t using jetpacks to get around. Lots of inventors have tried to build working jetpacks over the years, but none of them have ever worked as well as the one Buck Rogers wore in the comic books. One jetpack that was recently shown was the Martin jetpack. This jetpack was built by an inventor from New Zealand named Glenn Martin. Martin’s 120 kilogram jetpack holds about twenty liters of gasoline and can fly for about thirty minutes. Two large fans pointing toward the sky create a jet of air that the jetpack operator flies on. The Martin jetpack may be too loud and too heavy for the taste of some people. However, it really works, and it is on the market today. Another jetpack that was shown recently is Raymond Li’s Jetlev-Flyer. This is a jetpack that propels (推进) a person into the air by shooting out a jet of water rather than a jet of air. The Jetlev-Flyer is smaller and lighter than the Martin jetpack. This is due to the fact that the engine and water pump for the jetpack is on a boat that is pulled along behind the operator. In a test of his jetpack, Li flew almost ten meters high and could travel forward at a speed of 35 kph. Neither the Martin jetpack nor the Jetlev-Flyer are going to be big sellers. Both costing over $100,000 each, they are just too expensive for the average person. 1．What can we learn from the first paragraph? A．Buck Rogers is still popular. B．People can’t fly with jetpacks. C．People don’t travel with jetpacks. D．Better jetpacks are invented later. 2．Which of the following is a feature of the Martin jetpack? A．It is designed with one large fan on it. B．It can hold more than fifty liters of gas. C．It propels the operator on jets of water. D．It makes too much noise for some people. 3．What can be inferred about Raymond Li? A．He is not afraid of height. B．He works with Glenn Martin. C．He knows how to fly a plane. D．He works to make boats. 4．What can we conclude about the two jetpacks? A．Their inventors came from the same country. B．Thy are both operated in the same way. C．They are certain to sell well in the market. D．Their prices will scare away many people. 【答案】1．C 2．D 3．A 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了两种喷气背包的发明情况，包括它们的特点、性能、价格等。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段中“In the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack (喷气背包). It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created. Now that we are living in the 21st century, people still aren’t using jetpacks to get around. (20世纪20年代，科幻英雄巴克·罗杰斯用喷气背包飞过漫画书的书页。这是一个尚未实现的未来愿景。现在我们生活在21世纪，人们仍然没有使用喷气背包出行)”可知，第一段主要告诉我们人们现在还没有使用喷气背包出行。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段中“The Martin jetpack may be too loud and too heavy for the taste of some people. (马丁喷气背包可能对一些人来说声音太大、太重)”可知，马丁喷气背包对一些人来说噪音太大。故选D。 3．推理判断题。根据第三段中“In a test of his jetpack, Li flew almost ten meters high and could travel forward at a speed of 35 kph. (在一次喷气背包测试中，李飞到了近10米高，并能以每小时35公里的速度向前飞行)”可知，李飞到了近10米高，由此可以推断出他不恐高。故选A。 4．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Neither the Martin jetpack nor the Jetlev-Flyer are going to be big sellers. Both costing over $100,000 each, they are just too expensive for the average person. (马丁喷气背包和Jetlev-Flyer都不会成为大卖品。它们的价格都超过10万美元，对于普通人来说太贵了)”由此可推断出，它们的价格会让很多人望而却步。故选D。 Passage 7 （江苏省普通高中2022-2023学年学业水平合格性考试英语试题）With the increasing number of Everest mountain climbers, more litter is left behind on this natural wonder. Fortunately, Nepalese (尼泊尔的) officials are working to deal with this environment disaster. Mount Everest has brought much-needed income to Nepal, but a lot of waste has gathered as a result. Climbers need a lot of equipment to successfully climb the mountain. A typical team of climbers can easily use up hundreds of oxygen containers and as many as 15 plastic tents and other equipment during the climb. In addition, there is the problem with human waste. This has been a growing problem and has put life in danger. The waste problem now spreads from the base camp to the river below, polluting the local water supply. In 2014, the Nepalese government tried to solve this pollution problem, requiring that climbers bring back 18 pounds of rubbish on their way down the mountain. But this solution did not work well. Mount Everest officials and the city of Kathmandu put forward a new proposal. First of all, dustbins have been placed along the mountain paths. In addition, heavy fines will be given to climbers who pollute the mountain. These climbers risk losing their $4,000 waste deposit (保证金) if caught throwing things. In this way, careless throwing will surely be reduced. Finally, the rubbish will be removed from the mountain. A local plane company has agreed to use its planes to carry the waste from the mountain to the capital city, where it will be treated. Now, with these new rules in place, the mountain should see a return to its former self. 1．What caused the Mount Everest environment disaster? A．The increasing number of villagers. B．Litter left behind by the climbers. C．Nepalese officials who work there. D．Rubbish produced by nature itself. 2．Which of the following pollute(s) the local water supply according to paragraph 2? A．Human waste. B．Plastic tents. C．Oxygen containers. D．Climbing equipment. 3．What were the climbers required to do in 2014? A．Limit the use of oxygen containers. B．Use wood and metal to put up tents. C．Avoid drinking water from the river below. D．Take 18 pounds of litter down the mountain. 4．How many new rules are put forward in the last paragraph? A．Two. B．Three. C．Four. D．Five. 【答案】1．B 2．A 3．D 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了随着珠穆朗玛峰登山者人数的增加，山上遗留的垃圾问题日益严重，尼泊尔官方正在采取措施应对这场环境灾难。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“With the increasing number of Everest mountain climbers, more litter is left behind on this natural wonder. Fortunately, Nepalese (尼泊尔的) officials are working to deal with this environment disaster. (随着珠穆朗玛峰登山者人数的增加，这座自然奇观上留下了更多的垃圾。幸运的是，尼泊尔官员正在努力应对这场环境灾难) ”可知，珠穆朗玛峰环境灾难的原因是登山者留下的垃圾。故选B项。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段中的“In addition, there is the problem with human waste. This has been a growing problem and has put life in danger. The waste problem now spreads from the base camp to the river below, polluting the local water supply. (此外，还有人类排泄物的问题。这是一个日益严重的问题，已经危及生命。排泄物问题现在从大本营蔓延到下面的河流，污染了当地的供水) ”可知，污染当地水源的是人类排泄物。故选A项。 3．细节理解题。根据第二段中的“In 2014, the Nepalese government tried to solve this pollution problem, requiring that climbers bring back 18 pounds of rubbish on their way down the mountain. (2014年，尼泊尔政府试图解决这一污染问题，要求登山者在下山时带回18磅的垃圾)” 可知，2014年要求登山者下山时带走18磅的垃圾。故选D项。 4．细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“First of all, dustbins have been placed along the mountain paths. In addition, heavy fines will be given to climbers who pollute the mountain.(首先，沿着山路放置了垃圾桶。此外，对于污染山区的登山者将处以重罚)” 和 “Finally, the rubbish will be removed from the mountain. (最后，垃圾将被从山上移走)” 可知，最后一段提出了三条新规定：放置垃圾桶、对污染者处以重罚和移除山上的垃圾。故选B项。 Passage 1 （江苏省南京市金陵中学河西学校2025-2026学年高二上学期十月英语月考试题）A watched pot never boils, but time has wings when you’re having fun. The familiar saying has a basis in solid science — our sense of time does expand and contract depending on the way we experience the world. Even delicate visual features can affect how we perceive time. New research shows more memorable images seem to last longer. Martin Wiener, head of the research, says the finding helps reveal how the brain’s timebending strategy allows it to process and remember more information. While what is actually happening in the brain when time seems to expand remains unclear, scientists suspect it may have something to do with helping the brain process more information in limited time. This is especially relevant for the brain’s visual system which, subjected to information overload, has to rank in order of importance, allowing for limited resources. Recent research has shown some images are more naturally memorable than others. To understand how this memorability of an image, along with a few simpler visual features such as scene size and disorder, might relate to our subjective sense of time, Wiener and his colleagues conducted related experiments, in which subjects were shown images with varying duration and were asked to categorize whether the length of time on the screen was either “short” or “long”. The next day they were given a surprise memory test to see which images they recalled seeing. The researcher’s found larger scene sizes seemed to extend time while more disorderly scenes seemed to contact it. Besides, the subjects perceived that more memorable images remained on the screen longer, even if they were all presented for the same amount of time. To find the underlying factor, the team fed the same memorability ranked images to a neural network modeled after the brain’s visual system and found more memorable images were processed faster. The explanation for why our brain’s faster processing would slow time is that it’s increasing the amount of information it can take in at once. Limited resources to process information may act as a sort of bottleneck, which the brain can widen when it needs to absorb more information, thus dilating time. 1．What does the saying “A watched pot never boils” describe? A．The unnoticed passage of time. B．The feeling that time slows down. C．The hardship of preparing food. D．The perception that time awaits no one. 2．How does the brain’s visual system handle information? A．By setting priorities. B．By comparing similar scenes. C．By sorting randomly. D．By screening out complex images. 3．Which of the images seems to last longest if known on the screen for equal duration based on the study? A．The most colorful one. B．The most memorable one. C．The most disordered one. D．The largest one. 4．What does the underlined word “dilating” in the last paragraph mean? A．Using up. B．Cutting down. C．Stretching out. D．Clearing away. 【答案】1．B 2．A 3．B 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍研究发现人类对时间的感知会受视觉特征影响，且更易记忆的图像会让人感觉持续时间更长。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“A watched pot never boils, but time has wings when you’re having fun. The familiar saying has a basis in solid science — our sense of time does expand and contract depending on the way we experience the world. (心急水不沸，欢乐时光总觉短。这句俗语有科学依据——我们的时间感知确实会随着体验世界的方式而扩展或收缩。)”可知，当人们专注于某件事情时，如等待水烧开，会感觉时间过得很慢，而当人们享受某件事时，时间似乎过得很快，说明人对时间的感知因体验不同而变化。谚语“心急水不沸”描述等待时感觉时间漫长。故选B项。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中的“This is especially relevant for the brain’s visual system which, subjected to information overload, has to rank in order of importance, allowing for limited resources.(这与大脑的视觉系统尤其相关，该系统在面临信息过载时，由于资源有限，必须按重要性排序。)”可知，大脑视觉系统通过设定优先级来处理信息。故选A项。 3．细节理解题。根据第五段中的“Besides, the subjects perceived that more memorable images remained on the screen longer, even if they were all presented for the same amount of time.(此外，受试者认为，即使所有图像展示的时间相同，更易记忆的图像在屏幕上停留的时间似乎更长。)”可知，在屏幕上展示时间相同的情况下，最易记忆的图像会让人感觉持续时间最长。故选B项。 4．词句猜测题。根据最后一段中的“The explanation for why our brain’s faster processing would slow time is that it’s increasing the amount of information it can take in at once. Limited resources to process information may act as a sort of bottleneck, which the brain can widen when it needs to absorb more information, thus dilating time.(大脑处理速度更快却会让人感觉时间变慢，原因在于它增加了一次性接收的信息量。处理信息的有限资源可能是一种瓶颈，当大脑需要吸收更多信息时，就会拓宽这个瓶颈，从而_____时间。)”可知，大脑拓宽处理信息的瓶颈，目的是让人感觉时间变长以吸收更多信息，“dilating”应意为“延长、拉伸”，与“Stretching out”意思相近。故选C项。 Passage 2 （江苏省南京市第一中学2025-2026学年高二上学期10月月考英语试题）Humans have always assumed that there is a huge gulf between animal behavior and human development. However, recent research into animals shows that animals are continuously designing innovative methods to finish their tasks. Examining the nature and results of their creativity can help us understand evolution. Research shows that animals too can be creative. By inventing new behavioral patterns and adjusting their behavior to new contexts, as well as to changes in social and ecological environments, researchers show that animal innovation too can be diverse. For instance, chimpanzees (猩猩) use tools such as sharp spines and stalks to remove the hearts of palm vegetables from trees. Herring gulls (鲜鱼海鸥) found out quite a cruel way of killing rabbits — drowning them in the sea. Innovative species tend to survive when they enter new places, but novel behavior cannot be recognized unless “normal” behavior is studied. Researchers can now count and document the innovations that have been created by species, which would help them to quantify their creativity. Studies also show us that all animals are not equally inventive, with primates (灵长目动物) tending to be more innovative due to their bigger brains. The greatest scientific significance has been the innovation shown by animals such as apes, capuchins and macaques among primates. These species of primates possess the biggest brains in proportion to their body sizes. They are also heavy tool users. Their broad diets and complex forms of learning are also insightful. They indicate an evolutionary strategy that gave them new solutions to life’s challenges. However, even if these animals show innovativeness, they do not have the ability to improve upon solutions of others. Unless they share information accurately and copy each other’s inventions, their creative inventions are likely to vanish before they can be innovated further. This ability can be managed only by humans, for we are able to build on shared knowledge. 1．What can we learn from the story? A．Save for a rainy day. B．All we have is now. C．Nothing is impossible. D．Fortune favors the bold. 2．What does the underlined word “gulf” in the first paragraph mean? A．Difference. B．Conflict. C．Balance. D．Connection. 3．Why does the author mention “chimpanzees” and “Herring gulls” in Paragraph 2. A．They are both creative. B．They are both heavy tool users. C．They create innovations in different ways. D．They kill other animals in the same cruel way. 4．What can we learn about animal creativity? A．It is equally distributed among animals. B．It helps animals adapt to the environment. C．Animals’ innovations are easy to be identified. D．Animals’ innovations are facing huge challenges. 5．What aspect of animals does the last paragraph mainly talk about? A．Their ability to share information accurately. B．Their willingness to learn from each other. C．Their inability to take creativity forward. D．Their unwillingness to cooperate effectively. 【答案】1．C 2．A 3．A 4．B 5．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了动物也具有创新能力，这种能力有助于它们适应环境，但动物无法像人类一样进一步改进创新成果。 1．推理判断题。通读全文，尤其是由文章第二段中“Research shows that animals too can be creative. By inventing new behavioral patterns and adjusting their behavior to new contexts, as well as to changes in social and ecological environments, researchers show that animal innovation too can be diverse.(研究表明，动物同样具有创造力。研究者发现，动物通过发明新的行为模式，并依据新的情境以及社会和生态环境的变化来调整自身行为，这表明动物的创新能力同样多种多样。)”和倒数第二段“The greatest scientific significance has been the innovation shown by animals such as apes, capuchins and macaques among primates. These species of primates possess the biggest brains in proportion to their body sizes. They are also heavy tool users. Their broad diets and complex forms of learning are also insightful. They indicate an evolutionary strategy that gave them new solutions to life’s challenges.(在灵长目动物中，类人猿、卷尾猴和猕猴等动物所展现出的创新能力具有最大的科学意义。这些灵长目物种的大脑相对于它们的身体尺寸而言是最大的。它们也是频繁使用工具的动物。它们广泛的食谱和复杂的学习形式同样具有启发性。这些特征表明了一种进化策略，使它们能够找到应对生活挑战的新方法。)”可知，文章讲述了动物展现出的各种创新行为，说明没有什么是不可能的，动物也能有令人惊叹的创造力表现，与“Nothing is impossible.(没有什么是不可能的)”意思相符。故选C。 2．词句猜测题。根据第一段中“Humans have always assumed that there is a huge gulf between animal behavior and human development. However, recent research into animals shows that animals are continuously designing innovative methods to finish their tasks.(人类一直认为动物行为和人类发展之间存在巨大的gulf。然而，最近对动物的研究表明，动物一直在设计创新的方法来完成它们的任务。)”可知，However表转折，后文“动物有创新行为”与前文“人类认为两者有……”形成转折，所以人类一直认为动物行为和人类发展之间存在巨大的差距，gulf应指“差异，差距”，与Difference含义一致。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据第二段“Research shows that animals too can be creative. By inventing new behavioral patterns and adjusting their behavior to new contexts, as well as to changes in social and ecological environments, researchers show that animal innovation too can be diverse. For instance, chimpanzees (猩猩) use tools such as sharp spines and stalks to remove the hearts of palm vegetables from trees. Herring gulls (鲜鱼海鸥) found out quite a cruel way of killing rabbits — drowning them in the sea.(研究表明，动物也可以有创造力。通过发明新的行为模式，并根据新的环境和社交及生态环境的变化调整其行为，研究人员表明，动物的创新能力也是多种多样的。例如，黑猩猩使用锋利的刺和茎等工具从树上摘下棕榈蔬菜的心。鲱鱼海鸥发现了一种相当残忍的杀兔方法——把它们淹死在海里。)”可知，作者提到黑猩猩和鲱鱼海鸥是为了说明它们都很有创造力。故选A。 4．细节理解题。根据第三段“Innovative species tend to survive when they enter new places, but novel behavior cannot be recognized unless “normal” behavior is studied.(当创新物种进入新地方时，它们往往能够生存下来，但除非研究“正常”行为，否则无法识别新行为。)”可知，动物的创新能力有助于它们适应环境。故选B。 5．主旨大意题。根据最后一段“However, even if these animals show innovativeness, they do not have the ability to improve upon solutions of others. Unless they share information accurately and copy each other’s inventions, their creative inventions are likely to vanish before they can be innovated further. This ability can be managed only by humans, for we are able to build on shared knowledge.(然而，即使这些动物表现出创新能力，它们也没有能力改进其他动物的解决方案。除非它们准确地共享信息并复制彼此的发明，否则它们的创造性发明很可能在进一步创新之前就消失了。这种能力只有人类才能掌握，因为我们能够建立在共享知识的基础上。)”可知，最后一段主要谈论了动物无法将创造力向前推进的方面。故选C。 Passage 3 （江苏省镇江中学镇江一中2025-2026学年高二上学期10月联考英语试题）Sometimes, the best thing for a penguin is to go with the flow. Magellanic penguins change their strategy for directing themselves home based on the strength of ocean currents: swimming almost straight back to their colonies (栖息地) in calm waters, but following currents when they are strong — traveling farther but conserving energy, researchers report in PLOS Biology. From September to February, Magellanic penguins raise their young in coastal colonies of Chile and Argentina. Adult penguins travel more than 100 kilometers in one trip to find small fish to feed their babies. Such long ocean journeys require not only a keen sense of direction but skills in dealing with ocean currents, which can either aid movement — like how sea turtles use currents for their seasonal movements — or sweep animals off course. While penguins can swim against strong currents, study coauthor Wilson notes that it’s not wise: “Why catch all that fish just to waste energy swimming against the current?” To uncover their strategies, Wilson and coworkers monitored 27 adult penguins from Argentina’s San Lorenzo colony using GPS and movement trackers under varying current conditions. After nearly 30 hours of fishing, their return trips — lasting up to 16 hours — always began with the penguins pointing directly toward their colonies, but their following path depended on the day’s ocean conditions. In calm waters, they maintained a nearly straight line. However, in strong currents, they adopted S-shaped paths following the area’s natural current patterns. As currents changed direction during their journey, they avoided being carried too far off course. These longer trips not only provided extra fishing opportunities but saved energy, according to estimates of the effort required to swim at specific speeds. This behavior suggests penguins assess current strength and direction to select the best paths to follow. Their ability likely originates from a mix of natural tendency — genetically built rough guides to the sea — and learning, with young penguins observing and copying adult behavior to refine their skills. 1．How does the author present the fact in the first paragraph? A．By referring to a report. B．By explaining a term. C．By giving examples. D．By comparing data. 2．What determines the penguins’ next path to follow according to the research? A．The distance of fishing trips. B．The conditions of daily currents. C．The effort required to swim. D．The length of fishing time. 3．What does the author try to illustrate by mentioning “S-shaped paths” in paragraph 4? A．The method of avoiding strong currents. B．The consequence of wasting energy. C．The strategy of adapting to strong currents. D．The opportunity for extra fishing. 4．What can be a suitable title for the text? A．Ocean currents: keys to penguin survival B．Magellanic penguins: smart current users C．Magellanic penguins: masters of long trips D．Ocean currents: calm tides and rough waves 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．C 4．B 【导语】这是一篇说明文，文章介绍了麦哲伦企鹅在返航时根据洋流强度调整导航策略的研究发现。研究表明，麦哲伦企鹅会“顺势而为”：在平静水域几乎直线返回栖息地，而在强洋流中则沿洋流走S形路线，虽增加路程但节省能量。企鹅的这一行为源于本能与后天学习的结合，体现了它们对洋流环境的适应能力。 1．推理判断题。第一段开头“Sometimes, the best thing for a penguin is to go with the flow.(有时候，对企鹅来说，最好的办法就是顺势而为)”提出企鹅“随波逐流”的现象，随后“Magellanic penguins change their strategy for navigating home based on the strength of ocean currents: swimming almost straight back to their colonies（栖息地）in calm waters, but following currents when they are strong — traveling farther but conserving energy, researchers report in PLOS Biology.(研究人员在《公共科学图书馆·生物学》杂志上报告说，麦哲伦企鹅会根据洋流的强度改变它们回家的策略：在平静的水域里，它们几乎会直接游回自己的栖息地，但在洋流很强的时候，它们会跟随洋流——走得更远，但会节省能量)”可知，第一段引用研究报告呈现这一事实。故选A。 2．细节理解题。第三段中“After nearly 30 hours of fishing, their return trips — lasting up to 16 hours — always began with the penguins pointing directly toward their colonies, but their following path depended on the day’s ocean conditions. (在将近30个小时的捕鱼后，它们的回程——长达16个小时——总是以企鹅直接指向它们的栖息地开始，但它们的路线取决于当天的海洋状况。)”提到，企鹅返程最初都指向栖息地，但它们的路线取决于当天的海洋状况，第四段中“In calm waters, they maintained a nearly straight line. However, in strong currents, they adopted s-shaped paths following the area’s natural curent patterns. As currents changed direction during their journey, they avoided being carried too far off course. (在平静的水面上，它们几乎保持直线行驶。然而，在强烈的水流中，它们采用了S形的路径，遵循该地区的自然水流模式。)”进一步说明平静水域和强洋流中路径不同。由此可知，后续导航路径由“每日洋流状况”决定。故选B。 3．推理判断题。第四段中“However, in strong currents, they adopted s-shaped paths following the area’s natural current patterns. As currents changed direction during their journey, they avoided being carried too far off course. These longer trips not only provided extra fishing opportunities but saved energy, according to calculations of the effort required to swim at specific speeds. (然而，在强烈的水流中，它们采用了S形的路径，遵循该地区的自然水流模式。由于洋流在航行中改变了方向，它们避免被带离航线太远。根据对以特定速度游泳所需努力的计算，这些较长的行程不仅提供了额外的捕鱼机会，而且节省了能量。)”指出，在强洋流中企鹅采用“S形路径”，并提到这种路径遵循该地区的自然水流模式、节省能量，可见这是企鹅适应强洋流的策略。故选C。 4．主旨大意题。根据全文内容，结合第一段中“Magellanic penguins change their strategy for navigating home based on the strength of ocean currents: swimming almost straight back to their colonies (栖息地) in calm waters, but following currents when they are strong — traveling farther but conserving energy, researchers report in PLOS Biology. (研究人员在《公共科学图书馆·生物学》杂志上报告说，麦哲伦企鹅会根据洋流的强度改变它们回家的策略：在平静的水域里，它们几乎会直接游回自己的栖息地，但在洋流很强的时候，它们会跟随洋流——走得更远，但会节省能量，研究人员在《公共科学图书馆・生物学》杂志上发表报告。)”可知，文章核心是麦哲伦企鹅根据洋流调整导航策略，体现其“聪明的洋流导航者”特质。B项“麦哲伦企鹅：聪明的洋流导航者”为最佳标题，故选B。 3 / 18 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $