2026届高考英语一轮复习外刊阅读专项练习：智力由谁决定？基因与环境的新解读

2026年高考一轮复习外刊专项练习 智力由谁决定？基因与环境的新解读 For decades, scientists have debated the extent to which intelligence is determined by genetics. Identical twins, who share nearly all of their DNA, were often seen as strong evidence that genes play a decisive role in shaping IQ. If their genetic code is virtually the same, many assumed their intelligence levels would be nearly identical as well. However, recent research has introduced a new layer of complexity to this discussion: epigenetics. Epigenetics refers to chemical modifications that attach to DNA and influence how genes function. Importantly, these changes do not alter the DNA sequence itself. Instead, they affect whether certain genes are activated or silenced. In other words, while DNA provides the blueprint, epigenetic processes help determine how that blueprint is carried out. In a large-scale study, scientists examined identical twin pairs and compared not only their IQ scores but also their epigenetic profiles. Although their DNA sequences were the same, measurable differences were found in their epigenetic markers. These differences were associated with variations in cognitive performance. In some cases, the gap in IQ scores between twins was surprisingly wide. Researchers believe that epigenetic patterns develop gradually over time. Factors such as diet, stress levels, educational opportunities, pollution exposure, and social experiences may influence how genes are expressed. As twins grow older and accumulate distinct life experiences, their epigenetic differences may become more pronounced. This discovery shifts the traditional “nature versus nurture” debate toward a more integrated perspective. Rather than competing forces, genes and environment appear to interact dynamically. Genes may establish a range of potential ability, but environmental influences help shape how that potential unfolds. The findings provide new insight into why individuals — even those with identical DNA — can develop unique cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Beyond twin research, these conclusions have broader implications. They suggest that intelligence is not a fixed trait determined solely at birth, but a dynamic outcome influenced by ongoing biological and environmental interactions throughout life. 一、阅读理解 1. What was the long-held belief about identical twins and intelligence? A. Their intelligence is mainly shaped by social environment. B. Their IQ levels are almost the same because of identical genes. C. Their IQ scores change dramatically with age. D. Their intelligence is unrelated to genetics. 2. According to the passage, what does epigenetics mainly affect? A. The structure of DNA itself. B. The number of genes in a cell. C. The way genes are expressed. D. The physical size of the brain. 3. What does the study suggest about the relationship between genes and environment? A. They work independently without influencing each other. B. The environment completely overrides genetic influence. C. They interact to shape cognitive development. D. Genetic factors are no longer important. 4. What is the main purpose of the passage? A. To criticize the traditional study of genetics. B. To introduce new research explaining IQ differences between identical twins. C. To argue that intelligence is entirely controllable. D. To describe the daily lives of identical twins. 2、 判断正误 1. The study proves that genes have no influence on intelligence. ( ) 2. Epigenetic markers can affect whether certain genes are turned on or off. ( ) 3. All identical twin pairs in the study showed large IQ differences. ( ) 4. Epigenetic differences between twins may increase as they grow older. ( ) 5. The research suggests that intelligence results from the interaction between genetic potential and life experiences. ( ) 3、 阅读表达 1.What does the phrase “moves beyond the traditional ‘nature versus nurture’ debate” imply? 2.What is the broader implication of this research beyond twins? 4、 语法填空 For many years, scientists have attempted to determine how much intelligence is influenced by genetic factors. Identical twins, who share almost all of their DNA, were long regarded as strong evidence that genes play a crucial role in shaping IQ. It was widely assumed that twins with the same genetic code ________ (1) (have) nearly identical levels of intelligence. Nevertheless, the development of epigenetics has added a new dimension to the debate. Epigenetics refers to chemical changes attached to DNA, ________ (2) regulate how genes function without altering the DNA sequence itself. In other words, DNA provides the basic structure, while epigenetic mechanisms decide how that structure ________ (3) (express). In a recent large-scale study, researchers examined pairs of identical twins and compared both their IQ scores and their epigenetic characteristics. Although their genetic sequences were the same, clear differences ________ (4) (find) in their epigenetic markers. These variations were closely related to differences in cognitive performance, with some twin pairs ________ (5) (show) surprisingly large IQ gaps. Scientists suggest that epigenetic differences develop gradually as individuals age. Environmental factors such as diet, stress, and education may influence gene expression, ________ (6) (lead) to long-term effects on intellectual development. As twins experience different life events, their biological differences tend to become ________ (7) (increase) obvious. This research encourages people to move beyond the simple “nature versus nurture” framework. Instead of viewing genes and environment as opposing forces, experts now see them as ________ (8) (close) interconnected. Genes may set certain limits, but environmental influences help determine how fully a person’s potential ________ (9) (realize). Overall, these findings indicate that intelligence is not a fixed quality present at birth, but rather a dynamic result of continuous interaction between biology and experience, ________ (10) shapes individual differences over time. 2026年高考一轮复习外刊阅读专项练习 参考答案及解析 一、阅读理解 1. B文章第一段指出，长期以来人们认为同卵双胞胎几乎拥有完全相同的DNA，因此智力水平也应该“nearly identical”。所以答案是 B（由于基因相同，IQ几乎一样）。 2. C第二段说明：表观遗传不会改变DNA序列本身，而是影响基因是否被激活或沉默，也就是影响基因表达方式。因此答案是 C（影响基因的表达方式）。 3. C文章强调研究“shifts the traditional nature vs. nurture debate”，说明基因与环境不是对立关系，而是相互作用。因此答案是 C（它们相互作用，共同塑造认知发展）。 4. B整篇文章围绕一项新研究展开，介绍其发现和意义，核心目的是说明：表观遗传学解释了为什么同卵双胞胎IQ可能不同。所以选 B（介绍解释双胞胎IQ差异的新研究）。 二、判断正误 1.F 文章并没有否定基因作用，而是强调“基因+环境相互作用”。“no influence”是绝对化错误。 2.T 文中明确说明表观遗传会影响基因是否被激活或沉默。 3.F 文章说“in some cases”差异很大，而不是“all pairs”。以偏概全。 4.T 文章提到随着生活经历积累，表观遗传差异可能更加明显。 5.T 文章核心观点就是基因设定潜力，环境精细调节，两者相互作用。 三、阅读表达 1.Genes and environment interact rather than compete. 2.Intelligence develops through ongoing gene-environment interaction. 四、语法填空 would have which is expressed were found showing leading increasingly closely is realized which 参考译文 几十年来，科学家们一直在争论智力在多大程度上由遗传决定。由于同卵双胞胎几乎共享全部DNA，他们常被视为基因在塑造智商方面起决定性作用的有力证据。如果他们的遗传密码几乎完全相同，许多人便认为他们的智力水平也应该几乎一致。 然而，最新研究为这一讨论引入了一个新的复杂层面——表观遗传学。表观遗传学是指附着在DNA上的化学修饰，这些修饰会影响基因的功能。重要的是，这些变化并不会改变DNA本身的序列。相反，它们会影响某些基因是被激活还是被“关闭”。换句话说，DNA提供的是蓝图，而表观遗传过程则决定这张蓝图如何被执行。 在一项大规模研究中，科学家们对多对同卵双胞胎进行了研究，不仅比较了他们的智商分数，还分析了他们的表观遗传特征。尽管他们的DNA序列相同，但在表观遗传标记方面却发现了可测量的差异。这些差异与认知表现的不同有关。在某些情况下，双胞胎之间的智商差距出人意料地大。 研究人员认为，表观遗传模式会随着时间逐渐形成。饮食、压力水平、受教育机会、污染暴露以及社会经历等因素，都可能影响基因的表达方式。随着双胞胎逐渐长大并积累各自不同的生活经历，他们之间的表观遗传差异可能会更加明显。 这一发现使传统的“先天与后天之争”转向一种更加综合的观点。基因与环境并非彼此对立，而是动态互动。基因或许设定了能力的潜在范围，而环境因素则帮助决定这种潜力如何展现。这些研究结果为解释为何即使拥有完全相同DNA的人也会发展出不同的认知优势和劣势提供了新的见解。 除了对双胞胎研究的意义之外，这些结论还具有更广泛的影响。它们表明，智力并不是一个在出生时就完全确定的固定特质，而是在人生过程中通过持续的生物与环境相互作用而形成的动态结果。 英语专项训练 第 1 页 共 1 页 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $