专题04 阅读理解之说明文15篇（北京专用）（中考真题+中考模拟）-2026年北京中考英语总复习(语法+题型)

专题04 阅读理解之说明文15篇 （北京专用） 内容导航 内容速递 中考真题练习 中考模拟练习 内容速递 本资料共15篇专项训练 中考真题练习 聚焦真题 明确考点 各地市联考真题练习 专注模拟 争夺高分 中考真题练习 Imagine a robot. What comes to your mind first? A machine stronger than the human body? However, this same quality is now causing a big problem—it’s creating tons of long-lasting e-waste that could flood our planet. What if, instead, the machines we use were designed to break down and disappear—just as living things do? For a study published in Science Advances, researchers made a robotic arm and a controller using materials from animals and plants. These materials are strong enough to work but can easily break down in a natural environment. After testing, both parts were gone in soil within weeks. Biodegradable (可生物降解的) robotics often falls under the umbrella of soft robotics, which takes ideas from nature. “This field started in materials science and chemistry rather than traditional robots that come from mechanical (机械的) engineering.” says Florian Hartmann, a materials scientist from Germany. However, many early soft robotics models still used man-made materials that cause pollution. Wei, a scientist who studies natural materials in Hangzhou, worked together with his friend Zhang, a robotics engineer in Shanghai, to build robots for the new study. They started with cellulose (纤维素) taken from cotton. Then, they added glycerol (甘油) to make a new material that is soft and easy to change shapes. After that they allowed it to dry so it became strong, “Cellulose is cheap and easy to work with,” says Wei. They found that the controller and the robotic arm stood up to both heavy use and a week of inactivity. Finally, they buried (埋) them both in a hole. Within eight weeks these two parts were almost completely gone. Wei and Zhang expect that robots like these can be used to deal with dangerous waste and then disappear naturally. They also hope that such robots can aid doctors in operations and then safely break down inside the body. However, it’s important to note that the technology is still in very early stages. “If we truly want to have a biodegradable robot,” Hartmann says, “we also need to make sure its electronics and power parts are biodegradable.” 1．What is special about the robotic arm and the controller in Paragraph 2? A．They are green.B．They are hard. C．They are intelligent. D．They are affordable. 2．What is mentioned in Paragraph 5 about soft robots? A．Their operation.B．Their applications. C．Their challenges. D．Their performance. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Soft robots are widely used to clean up e-waste. B．Soft robots have to rest for a week after heavy use. C．The designing of soft robots borrows ideas from nature. D．Mechanical engineering offers new ways to run soft robots. 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．C 【导语】本文主要介绍了可生物降解机器人的研究进展及其潜在应用，同时指出该技术仍处于早期阶段。 1．推理判断题。根据第二段“...researchers made a robotic arm and a controller using materials from animals and plants. These materials are strong enough to work but can easily break down in a natural environment. After testing, both parts were gone in soil within weeks.”可知，研究人员用动植物材料制作了机械臂和控制器，这些材料足够坚固，但可以在自然环境中轻松分解。由此可推知这些机械臂和控制器的特点是环保。故选A。 2．主旨大意题。根据第五段“Wei and Zhang expect that robots like these can be used to deal with dangerous waste and then disappear naturally. They also hope that such robots can aid doctors in operations and then safely break down inside the body.”可知，段主要讨论软体机器人的应用。故选B。 3．细节理解题。根据“Biodegradable (可生物降解的) robotics often falls under the umbrella of soft robotics, which takes ideas from nature.”可知，可生物降解机器人通常属于软体机器人范畴，其灵感来自自然。故选C。 中考模拟真题练习 “Oh, my God! Did I really just send that text?” Most people have said something that they wish they could take back. And if they had paused (暂停) to think about it first, they probably would have acted differently. Pausing doesn’t pay off just when you speak. Scientific studies have shown that making a habit of pausing before you do something can actually have a big effect on how your life turns out. In making decisions we depend on two areas of the brain. One area creates and processes emotions (情感); the other governs logical (逻辑的) thoughts. The type of decision, how we feel about it, and how prepared we are to deal with it help decide which brain area has the most influence. But our age also plays an important role. Thinking through the results of one’s actions is actually harder for teens because the area controlling logical thoughts is not fully developed until around age 25. This is why teens often feel a strong emotional drive to act impulsively—it’s how their brains are structured! Though this tendency (倾向) to act without considering the results can lead to problematic situations, impulsivity during the developmental years evolves (进化) because it makes teens more open to new experiences and ideas. This openness helps teens to become independent adults. The key to making impulsivity work for you instead of against you is to train your brain by practising pausing. This doesn’t mean you stop taking risks or being open to new experiences. But you won’t know if the risk is worth it until you think it through. Deciding to take a risk based on logic shows self-control, not impulsivity. What are different ways to pause? You might take a deep breath, count to 10, or ask “Is this worth it?” Different strategies (策略) work for different people. Whatever works for you, keep doing it! By practising pausing, you can actually change your brain. This means that over time, pausing, instead of immediately reacting, becomes your “natural” response (反应). And with this change, people are on their way to enjoying the life rewards (回报) that come with high levels of self- control—even if they weren’t natural-born pausers! 1．What challenges teenagers? A．Giving a natural response. B．Making logical decisions. C．Acting before in-depth thinking. D．Choosing brain-training strategies. 2．The word impulsively in Paragraph 3 probably means ______. A．carefully showing self-control B．unwillingly planning without thinking C．calmly weighing the differences D．suddenly acting without considering the effects 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Scientific studies have shown that pausing works well when you speak. B．An impulsive person tends to stop considering and accepting new ideas. C．Training the brain by practising pausing can reduce the influence of emotional drive. D．By practising pausing, people can become natural-born pausers with good self-control. 4．What is the best title for the passage? A．Push the Pause Button B．Impulsivity Works Well C．Discover the Brain Function D．Crying Over the Spilt Milk 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．C 4．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了养成做事前暂停思考的习惯对人生的积极影响，解释了青少年更易冲动行事的生理原因，同时说明了练习暂停可以训练大脑，帮助人们提升自控力，收获生活的回报。 1．根据文章第三段第二句“Thinking through the results of one’s actions is actually harder for teens because the area controlling logical thoughts is not fully developed until around age 25.”可知，对青少年而言，想清楚自身行为的后果实际上更为困难，因为控制逻辑思维的脑区直到25岁左右才会发育完全，故控制逻辑思维的脑区未发育完全，让做出符合逻辑的决定成为青少年需要面对的挑战。 2．根据前文提到青少年受情绪驱动、逻辑思维尚未发育完全，结合第三段第四句“act without considering the results can lead to problematic situations”可知，impulsively指不考虑影响就贸然行动，对应D选项的释义。 3．根据第四段第一句“The key to making impulsivity work for you instead of against you is to train your brain by practising pausing.”可知，通过练习暂停来训练大脑可以减少情感驱动的影响。 4．根据全文多次强调“pausing”、“pause before you do something”可知，全文围绕“做事前先暂停思考”这一核心展开，介绍了它的作用、训练方法和好处，核心主题是养成主动暂停思考的习惯，“Push the Pause Button（按下暂停键）”符合核心主旨。 At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone speak with confidence on a topic that they hardly know anything about. Psychologists have studied this topic, and they’ve come up with an explanation known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In 1999, Dunning and Kruger from Cornell University did a set of studies testing people’s abilities in certain areas, including grammar, humor, and logic. The people were also asked to grade their own abilities in each area. They found that people who scored very low on the tests were more likely to overestimate (高估) their abilities. In other words, those who don’t know much think they know more than they actually do. In an interview, Dunning explains that “the knowledge and intelligence required to be good at a task are often the same needed to recognize that one is not good at that task.” For example, it might be easy for a top dancer to tell that A dances a lot better than B, but if you know little about dancing, A and B probably look equally good in your eyes. Another reason that may explain this effect is that people wish to be better than others in as many areas as they can, and when someone really wants something to be true, it can be hard for them to admit that it isn’t. The opposite of this effect also happens when a skilled person feels as if they are faking (假装) their skills though they know exactly what they are doing. It’s called the Impostor Syndrome (假冒者综合征). You may think of the Dunning-Kruger Effect as a problem that other people have, but it may happen to you, too. Everyone has areas where they lack abilities—and the Dunning-Kruger Effect means they may be especially bad at identifying those areas. That’s why it’s important to stay humble and keep learning throughout your life. Keep digging for information even when you think you’ve found answers. Remember to check your ideas with other people. Receiving criticism can hurt, but if you’re willing to listen, it can help you grow. 1．Which of the following shows the Dunning-Kruger Effect? A．The math teacher says the math test is not difficult at all. B．The top student in your grade says she isn’t as good as you think she is. C．You work hard but your parents always think all other kids do better than you. D．You know little about acting but believe you can perform better than the actors. 2．What is Paragraph 3 mainly about? A．What the Dunning-Kruger Effect is. B．Why the Dunning-Kruger Effect happens. C．How the Dunning-Kruger Effect affects people. D．How the Dunning-Kruger Effect was discovered. 3．What is the writing purpose of this passage? A．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and how it is bad for people. B．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and why it is important for people. C．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and encourage life-long learning. D．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and build up the readers’ confidence. 【答案】1．D 2．B 3．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了邓宁-克鲁格效应的定义、产生原因，说明该效应对每个人都可能发生，最后呼吁人们保持谦逊、坚持终身学习。 1．根据第二段第四句“In other words, those who don’t know much think they know more than they actually do.”可知，知之甚少的人往往认为自己知道的比实际更多，这就是邓宁-克鲁格效应。对应选项D“你对表演知之甚少，却相信自己能比演员演得更好。” 2．根据第三段“Dunning explains that…Another reason that may explain this effect is that…”可知，第三段从两个角度介绍了邓宁-克鲁格效应产生的原因。 3．根据最后一段“That’s why it’s important to stay humble and keep learning throughout your life.”结合全文内容可知，本文先介绍了邓宁-克鲁格效应的相关信息，最终目的是鼓励人们终身学习。 In a new study, researchers have unveiled (揭示) interesting findings that link the consumption (消耗) of refined carbohydrates—such as sugary snacks and highly processed foods—with changes in facial attractiveness. They found that individuals who consumed a high glycemic (血糖的) load breakfast were rated as less attractive than those who consumed a low one. 104 participants were asked to attend the study early in the morning on an empty stomach. Upon arrival, they were assigned to consume one of two types of breakfasts having the same caloric values: one high in refined carbohydrates and the other low. About two hours later, they were photographed under standardized conditions to ensure consistency (一致性)in lighting, background, and positioning. A separate group of raters, who were carefully selected to minimize cultural bias (偏见), assessed the facial photographs, making judgments on overall attractiveness. To evaluate long-term dietary habits, the participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires concerning their consumption during breakfast, afternoon snacks, and between-meal snacks on the day before the study. This information was used to calculate (计算) the glycemic load and energy intake for these meals, providing a comprehensive (全面的) picture of their usual refined carbohydrate consumption. The researchers found that participants who consumed a breakfast rich in refined carbohydrates were less attractive than those who consumed a low-glycemic breakfast. This effect was observed for both male and female participants. The researchers explained that this could be related to the physiological (生理学的) effects of low blood sugar, such as changes in skin blood flow and colour, which happen following the consumption of high-glycemic foods. When examining long-term consumption of refined carbohydrates through glycemic load measures, the researchers found that a higher energy intake at breakfast was associated with increased attractiveness for both men and women, suggesting that foods high in fats and proteins, which do not lead to rapid glycemic responses, might contribute positively to attractiveness. However, the effects of refined carbohydrate consumption on attractiveness varied depending on the specific meal and the gender of the participants. For example, while high energy intake at breakfast increased attractiveness across both genders, the glycemic load of afternoon snacks had opposite effects for men and women. Men with a higher glycemic load during their afternoon snack were considered as more attractive, but for women, a lower glycemic load in this meal was related with increased attractiveness. While the study includes some limitations, the findings serve as a strong reminder of the far-reaching impact of dietary choices. Further research is needed to understand the broader social implications (暗示) of diet, which could provide valuable insights into the complex interplay (相互作用) between diet, biology, and social behaviour. 1．What are Paragraphs 2 and 3 mainly about? A．The research purpose. B．The research methods. C．The research question. D．The research background. 2．What did the researchers keep the same for both breakfasts in the study? A．The taste of the food. B．The amount of calories. C．The time they were eaten. D．The type of carbohydrates. 3．What can we learn about the research findings? A．Sharp glycemic reactions might reduce attractiveness. B．Low blood sugar could affect attractiveness positively. C．Men were less affected by refined carbohydrate consumption. D．High energy intake at meals had inconsistent effects on women. 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To present a dietary fact. B．To show a biological process. C．To explain a food preference. D．To explore a complex connection. 【答案】1．B 2．B 3．A 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇研究报告，主要讲述了研究人员揭示了精制碳水化合物 (如含糖零食和高度加工食品) 的消耗与面部吸引力变化之间的有趣联系，发现食用高血糖负荷早餐的人比食用低血糖负荷早餐的人被认为吸引力更低。 1．第二段指出研究方法：“104 participants were asked to attend the study early in the morning on an empty stomach…A separate group of raters, who were carefully selected to minimize cultural bias (偏见), assessed the facial photographs, making judgments on overall attractiveness.”以及第三段“To evaluate long-term dietary habits, the participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires...This information was used to calculate (计算) the glycemic load and energy intake for these meals, providing a comprehensive (全面的) picture of their usual refined carbohydrate consumption.”，这两段详细描述了研究过程中对参与者的安排、评估方式以及如何评估长期饮食习惯，说明了研究方法。 2．第二段明确提到：“Upon arrival, they were assigned to consume one of two types of breakfasts having the same caloric values”，这直接说明研究人员让两种早餐的卡路里量保持相同。 3．第四段说明研究发现：“The researchers explained that this could be related to the physiological (生理学的) effects of low blood sugar, such as changes in skin blood flow and colour, which happen following the consumption of high-glycemic foods.”，这表明血糖的急剧反应 (食用高血糖食物后) 可能与面部吸引力的降低有关，即急剧的血糖反应可能会降低吸引力。 4．最后一段指出写作目的：“Further research is needed to understand the broader social implications (暗示) of diet, which could provide valuable insights into the complex interplay (相互作用) between diet, biology, and social behaviour.”，这说明作者写这篇文章的主要目的是探索饮食、生物学和社会行为之间的复杂联系。 Children are born with the curiosity to explore. Yet over time they are becoming less curious about science. Why? This loss of interest may be partly the result of language cues (提示) children hear. And these cues don’t come just from parents; they can also come from school teachers who treat science as an identity rather than actions. When talking to children, many adults might say things like “Let’s be scientists today” or “You’re such a good scientist”. But this kind of identity-focused language, which focuses on science as an identity rather than activities and actions that people do, can be demoralizing for young children— in other words, it can lower their confidence and make them less willing to engage in science activities. One study showed that children as young as four, especially girls, kept their interest longer when their cue to participate in science activities was “Let’s do science” rather than “Let’s be scientists.” One possibility is that when thinking of a scientist, children might picture a white man. If they don’t share that identity, they lose interest in an activity designed for “scientists.” This stereotypical (刻板印象的) belief that science is reserved (保留) for only certain kinds of people emerges surprisingly early. By the first grade, when asked to draw a scientist, children tend to draw a white man. The good news is that language cues can also be directed to promote engagement with science. Describing science as actions that we take, for example, seems to protect young children’s interest in science over time. But it’s also true that teenagers are actively trying on and ultimately (最终) forming different identities for themselves. So in contrast to its demoralizing effects on young children, identity-focused language may help teens stay interested in science. In another study, cueing a future identity based on science (such as “scientist” or “doctor”) motivated middle schoolers to do more homework and was associated with higher grades. Consequently, adults had better use different language cues for children of different age groups to maintain their curiosity about science. 1．What does the underlined word “demoralizing” in paragraph 2 mean? A．unnecessary B．impolite C．discouraging D．unfair 2．Why was action-focused language especially effective for young girls? A．Because it avoids identity conflict in girls’ minds. B．Because stereotypical belief is reserved for girls. C．Because it enhances girls’ engagement in science. D．Because it shows the activity is designed for girls. 3．Which of the following could be the best title for the passage? A．Why Is Action Better than Identity? B．How Do Parents Raise Young Scientists? C．How Does Age Affect Science Learning? D．What Affects Children’s Interest in Science? 【答案】1．C 2．A 3．D 【导语】本文探讨了语言提示对不同年龄段孩子科学兴趣的影响，指出应根据年龄差异使用合适的语言以维持孩子的好奇心。 1．第二段指出：“this kind of identity-focused language...can be demoralizing for young children— in other words, it can lower their confidence and make them less willing to engage in science activities.”，破折号后的内容是对“demoralizing”的解释，即“降低自信、减少参与意愿”，与“discouraging”（令人气馁的）意思一致。 2．第二段提到：“One study showed that children as young as four, especially girls, kept their interest longer when their cue to participate in science activities was ‘Let’s do science’ rather than ‘Let’s be scientists.’”，第三段进一步解释原因：“When thinking of a scientist, children might picture a white man. If they don't share that identity, they lose interest...”，说明女孩对“成为科学家”缺乏认同感，而“做科学”则避免了这种身份冲突，从而保持了兴趣。 3．全文围绕“什么因素影响孩子对科学的兴趣”展开，因此，标题应概括这一核心问题。 The Attention Economy: What Are We Really Paying With? We often hear that “if you’re not paying for a product, then you are the product.” This saying is at the heart of the attention economy. In this digital age, many of the services we enjoy online are free. Social media platforms, search engines, and video apps don’t charge us money. Instead, their business is built on getting and selling our attention to advertisers. Think about it. The more time you spend on an app, the more advertisements you see. Your attention is gathered, measured and turned into a product that is sold to businesses. This model has created some of the world’s largest companies. However, the cost of these “free” services might be higher than we realize. The real price we pay is not in dollars, but in our focus and time. To keep our attention, these platforms are designed to be highly engaging. They use special parts like never-ending scrolling (滑动屏幕) and messages made just for you to make it hard for us to leave. Engineers work hard to create habits, encouraging us to check our phones again and again throughout the day. Some apps even use colors and sounds specifically chosen to keep us watching or playing longer than we planned. This non-stop need for our attention can have bad effects. Studies show that it can become harder for us to focus on deep work or enjoy real-world moments without being stopped. Our time, which is limited and valuable, can slip away without us noticing. We might find ourselves mindlessly scrolling instead of doing something we truly care about, like reading a book, learning a skill, or talking with family. This can even affect our mood, sometimes making us feel anxious or unhappy after long periods of use. The effect goes beyond single people. When attention becomes the main goal, the quality of information can suffer. What we see online that is surprising, angry, or too simple often gets more clicks than complex, balanced news. This can change how we see the world and discuss important problems. Also, for young people whose brains are still growing, learning to control their attention is a very important skill that non-stop digital distractions can make harder to learn. We can also take practical action. We can turn off unnecessary messages, set time limits for app use, and schedule periods of the day for focused work or relaxation without any digital distractions (让人分心的事物，干扰). A break from digital devices for a few hours, or even a full day during the weekend, can help reset our focus. By doing this, we take back control. We decide where our attention goes, instead of letting tech companies decide for us. Schools can also play a role by teaching students about how to understand and use online information well and how to manage their online time effectively. In the end, understanding the attention economy empowers us to make better choices. By being more mindful of how we use technology, we can protect our most valuable resource—our attention—and use it in ways that truly enrich our lives, build deeper connections with others, and help our personal growth. 1．Why does the writer mention the saying “if you’re not paying...you are the product” in Paragraph 1? A．To introduce a common business model. B．To explain why online services are expensive. C．To show that online products are low-quality. D．To encourage people to pay for their apps. 2．What does the word “engaging” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean? A．Easy to use. B．Free to access. C．Interesting and attractive. D．Difficult to understand. 3．According to the passage, which of the following is a way to protect our attention? A．Using only the most popular social media apps. B．Spending more money on digital services. C．Turning off notifications for some apps. D．Sharing personal data with advertisers. 4．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? A．The History of Social Media B．The Business of Your Attention C．How to Create Successful Apps D．Why We Need Free Online Services 【答案】1．A 2．C 3．C 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，文章主要探讨了注意力经济这一现象，指出在数字时代，许多在线服务看似免费，实则通过获取和出售用户的注意力来盈利。文章分析了这种商业模式对个人和社会的影响，并提出了保护注意力的方法。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“This saying is at the heart of the attention economy. In this digital age, many of the services we enjoy online are free. Social media platforms, search engines, and video apps don’t charge us money. Instead, their business is built on getting and selling our attention to advertisers.”可知，作者提到“如果你不付费，那么你就是产品”这句话是为了引出注意力经济的核心，即许多在线服务通过获取和出售用户的注意力来盈利，这是一种常见的商业模式。故选A。 2．词句猜测题。根据第三段“To keep our attention, these platforms are designed to be highly engaging. They use special parts like never-ending scrolling and messages made just for you to make it hard for us to leave.”可知，为了保持用户的注意力，这些平台被设计得非常吸引人，使用户难以离开。因此，“engaging”在这里的意思是“有趣且吸引人的”。故选C。 3．细节理解题。根据倒数第二段“We can turn off unnecessary messages, set time limits for app use, and schedule periods of the day for focused work or relaxation without any digital distractions.”可知，关闭一些应用程序的通知是保护我们注意力的一种方法。故选C。 4．最佳标题题。文章主要探讨了注意力经济这一现象，指出许多在线服务通过获取和出售用户的注意力来盈利，并分析了这种商业模式对个人和社会的影响。因此，最符合文章主旨的标题是“你的注意力的生意”。故选B。 The Power of “Not Yet”: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Growth Have you ever failed a test and thought, “I’m just not good at this subject”? Or have you faced a difficult task and said, “I can’t do this”? If so, you might be using a “fixed mindset”. But there is another way of thinking that can help you learn and grow: it’s called a “growth mindset”. What is the Difference? People with a fixed mindset believe that their basic abilities, like their intelligence or talent for sports, are fixed traits. They think they are born with a certain amount, and that’s it. Therefore, they often want to appear smart and avoid challenges where they might fail. For them, failure means they are not smart or good enough. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and help from others. They see challenges as opportunities to learn. They understand that not being able to do something now doesn’t mean they will never be able to do it. This is the power of adding the word “yet” to your thoughts. “I can’t solve this math problem” becomes “I haven’t learned how to solve this math problem yet.” How Does a Growth Mindset Help? This way of thinking changes how you react to difficulties. A student with a growth mindset who fails a test might think, “I need to try a different way of studying or ask my teacher for help.” They see effort as the path to getting better. Because they are not afraid to try hard things, their abilities actually grow over time. They build greater confidence because they have seen themselves improve through practice. Can You Change Your Mindset? The good news is that mindsets are not fixed; you can change yours. It starts with paying attention to your inner voice. When you hear yourself saying “I can’t,” add that magic word “yet.” Celebrate the process of learning, not just the final result. Praise yourself and others for effort and strategies, not just for being “smart. ” When you face a setback, instead of giving up, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? What strategy can I try next?” Scientists have found that when students learn about the growth mindset, their grades often improve. More importantly, they become more motivated and resilient. Adopting a growth mindset doesn’t mean you will be good at everything. It means you believe you can get better at anything with time and effort. This powerful idea can unlock your potential and help you on your journey of learning. 1．According to the passage, how would a person with a growth mindset most likely react to a difficult challenge? A．They would avoid it to prevent failure. B．They would see it as a chance to learn something new. C．They would believe it proves their lack of ability. D．They would feel upset and give up quickly. 2．What is the main purpose of the paragraph 5? A．To explain why some people are born smarter than others. B．To provide practical advice on developing a growth mindset. C．To list the disadvantages of having a fixed mindset. D．To show the scientific research behind different mindsets. 3．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? A．The Importance of High Intelligence B．Learning to Celebrate Your Successes C．How Your Thinking Can Help You Grow D．Why Failure Is Always a Bad Thing 【答案】1．B 2．B 3．C 【导语】本文介绍了成长型思维（growth mindset）与固定型思维（fixed mindset）的区别，阐述了成长型思维如何帮助人们应对挑战、实现成长，并提供了培养成长型思维的实用建议。 1．细节理解题。根据文章第三段“...people with a growth mindset…see challenges as opportunities to learn.”可知，拥有成长型思维的人会将挑战视为学习新事物的机会。故选B。 2．主旨大意题。第五段“Can You Change Your Mindset?”提供了培养成长型思维的具体方法，如在“我不能”后加上“yet”、关注学习过程、从挫折中学习等，目的是提供培养成长型思维的实用建议。故选B。 3．最佳标题题。文章核心论点是“你的思维方式如何塑造你的成长”，与标题“How Your Thinking Can Help You Grow”高度契合。故选C。 When the word exercise is seen or heard, most people think of the physical labor it involves, but there is so much more to it. Exercise is more than just a twenty-minute run. Exercising is one of the most important things someone can do to take care of themselves and their bodies. The benefits of exercise include more than just physical, but also emotional and health benefits. Exercise has positive effects on the brain’s functions. Exercise decreases anxiety, which is the body’s natural response to stress. Norepinephrine (去甲肾上腺素), which involves levels of stress, can be moderated (缓解) with exercise because exercise increases the amounts of it. Exercise improves brain health. The brain is the center of control for the body’s entire sense of functioning, and without it all that would be left is muscles and bones. The mental health is linked to exercise. Mental health can be strengthened by physical activity whether it is a casual walk in the park, or heavy weightlifting training. Exercise improves positive body images when increasing self-esteem, and helps increase the overall self-image. The emotional and mental benefits from exercise are vital and only growing, as more is being discovered about the brain’s functions. Exercise is complex, and constantly changing. The physical benefits of flexibility (灵活性), muscular strength and muscular endurance (肌肉耐力) are all important to creating a healthy body. The health benefits from exercise range from heart to immune system, and more are being discovered every day to help increase one’s life. Exercise is not limited to just the gym, but an entire existence. The combination of benefits is what makes exercise so primary. Exercise is one of the most important activities someone can introduce into their lives. A walk around a neighbourhood, or training for a team, any effort towards getting your heart rate going makes a difference. Exercise is universal and beneficial to everyone. 1．What can we learn from the first paragraph? A．Most people don’t pay much attention to exercise. B．Running is a very good kind of exercise. C．Exercise benefits people in several ways. D．We should care for ourselves when exercising. 2．Which of the following is TRUE about norepinephrine? A．It affects brain’s functions negatively. B．It shows people’s response to stress. C．It can make people forget anxiety. D．It can be raised by having exercise. 3．What is paragraph 3 mainly about? A．Mental health’s effect on people. B．Exercise’s effect on our brain. C．The importance of our brain. D．The functions of our brain. 4．What can we infer from the last paragraph? A．Exercise is hardly a complex activity. B．Exercise can bring many benefits to people. C．Exercise should increase people’s heart rate. D．Exercise should be changed constantly. 【答案】1．C 2．D 3．B 4．B 【导语】本文主要讲述了锻炼不仅有身体益处，还对大脑功能和情绪健康有积极作用，且锻炼形式多样、对所有人有益。 1．细节理解题。根据“The benefits of exercise include more than just physical, but also emotional and health benefits.”可知，锻炼有身体、情绪等多方面益处，故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据“Norepinephrine... can be moderated with exercise because exercise increases the amounts of it.”可知，去甲肾上腺素的含量可以通过锻炼来增加，故选D。 3．主旨大意题。根据“Exercise improves brain health.”及整段围绕锻炼对大脑健康、心理健康的积极作用展开可知，该段主要讲锻炼对大脑的影响，故选B。 4．推理判断题。根据“The physical benefits…are all important to creating a healthy body. The health benefits from exercise range from heart to immune system…Exercise is universal and beneficial to everyone.”可推知，锻炼能给人们带来诸多益处，故选B。 Sunshine does make people happier. Imagine how cheerful you are when it clears up after long cold rainy days. You may want to run outside, breathe the fresh air, or just sit on a bench and feel the warm light on your face. Let’s discover the science behind sunlight. Sunlight causes your body to produce a chemical called serotonin (血清素). When you are in the sun, your body makes more serotonin. Higher levels of serotonin keep you in good spirits—you’ll feel more active and less likely to feel down. At night, when there is little or no light, your body produces another chemical—melatonin (褪黑激素). It helps your body relax and makes you feel tired, which prepares you for a good night’s sleep. You need to keep a good balance between these two chemicals to stay healthy and happy. However, for many people, balancing sunlight and darkness is not easy. People who stay indoors a lot, like office workers or students who study at home all day, may not get enough sunlight. The light inside a house is usually about 100 times dimmer (更昏暗的) than that outside on a sunny day. That’s why experts (专家) suggest people should go outside in the sunshine as much as possible. Even a 15-minute walk in the sun can help—you can get some exercise, enjoy fresh air, and lift your mood all at the same time. There are places where it gets dark for a long time in winter. People living there are more likely to get seasonal affective disorder (SAD季节性情绪紊乱). Those with SAD often feel low in energy, sad, or even lose interest in things they used to enjoy. To help improve their moods, the most common treatment is that they sit under bright man-made lights instead of natural sunlight for a while each day. The roles sunshine plays in our lives are more than these. For example, your body makes Vitamin D from sunlight, which is important for strong bones and a healthy system. It also helps your skin fight off harmful bacteria (细菌). Besides, sunlight can make outdoor spaces feel warmer and more inviting, so we often want to meet friends or play sports outside on sunny days. In fact, there is more interesting science about sunlight waiting for you to discover. 1．What chemical does sunlight help the human body produce? A．Melatonin. B．Serotonin. C．Vitamin. D．Harmful bacteria. 2．Why do experts suggest people often go outside in the sunshine? A．Because sunlight kills all skin bacteria. B．Because outdoor stay makes us more sleepy. C．Because outdoor walking loses weight fast. D．Because indoor light is much dimmer than sunlight. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Vitamin D made from sunlight is useless for human bones. B．It’s easy for many people to balance sunlight and darkness. C．People with SAD can only be treated with natural light from the sun. D．People need to balance serotonin and melatonin for health and happiness. 4．What might be the best title for the passage? A．Relationships Between Sunlight and Vitamin D B．Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Treatment C．The Science Behind Why We Love Sunshine D．Differences Between Serotonin and Melatonin 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．D 4．C 【导语】本文主要介绍了阳光对人体的多种影响，包括促进血清素分泌、调节睡眠、缓解季节性情绪紊乱、合成维生素D等背后的科学原理。 1．细节理解题。根据“Sunlight causes your body to produce a chemical called serotonin (血清素).”可知，阳光帮助人体产生血清素。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据“The light inside a house is usually about 100 times dimmer (昏暗的) than that outside on a sunny day. That’s why experts (专家) suggest people should go outside in the sunshine as much as possible.”可知，专家建议多去户外的原因是室内光线比阳光暗很多。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据“You need to keep a good balance between these two chemicals to stay healthy and happy.”可知，人们需要平衡血清素和褪黑素这两种物质以维持健康和快乐。故选D。 4．最佳标题题。根据“Let’s discover the science behind sunlight.”及全文可知，本文主要介绍了阳光对人体的多种影响，包括促进血清素分泌、调节睡眠、缓解季节性情绪紊乱、合成维生素D等背后的科学原理，C选项“我们为什么喜爱阳光背后的科学原理”符合最佳标题。故选C。 For the past 50 years, the highest-paying jobs have focused on knowledge work—especially in science, technology and analytics. But the rapid rise of generative AI is beginning to change that. Companies are already considering replacing certain white-collar roles with AI. This change raises an important question: Will the future economy still need as many human workers? The impact (影响，冲击) affects not only future workers but also teachers and parents. For years, schools have focused on getting students ready for cognitive jobs (认知型工作). Now, with AI’s development, we need to decide which skills students truly need. In the past, machines took over simple physical tasks. But now, AI can write, create code, and process information in ways that seem human. As a result, some beginner-level knowledge jobs may decrease. However, AI still struggles with tasks that require deep reasoning, empathy (同理心), or dealing with new situations. It cannot truly understand human feelings. That’s why “soft skills” will become more important than ever. Collaboration (协作), emotional awareness and creative problem-solving are difficult for AI to learn. The good news is that these skills can be taught in schools together with traditional subjects such as math and reading. For example, teachers can use reflection (反思) exercises to help students recognize their own feelings. Tasks like “Write about a time you helped someone today” or “Describe how you solved a hard problem” encourage self-awareness and empathy. Students can also practice solving open-ended, real-world problems such as designing a social campaign (宣传活动) or discussing historical decisions. These activities help develop flexible (灵活的) thinking and teamwork—skills that AI cannot copy. A new challenge is that students may depend on AI to complete tasks, bypassing (绕过) the learning process. But true understanding requires effort. Teachers should stress the value of slower learning—through handwriting and hands-on projects—so that students can learn key skills before using AI tools. No one knows how AI will change the job market. However, the most important lesson schools can teach is this: Don’t let shortcuts (捷径) replace learning. Human abilities—especially the ability to work with others to solve difficult problems will always matter. 1．Compared with earlier machines, what is special about AI? A．It can do some cognitive jobs. B．It can finish work on its own. C．It can understand human emotions. D．It can take the place of physical work. 2．What can teachers do to help students build key skills? A．Show the importance of slower learning. B．Encourage students to do more exercises. C．Reduce the teaching of traditional subjects. D．Stop students from using AI to do homework. 3．How does the writer feel about the future of human workers? A．Worried. B．Optimistic. C．Doubtful. D．Uncaring. 【答案】1．A 2．A 3．B 【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。主要探讨了生成式AI兴起对传统知识型工作的冲击，并强调了未来人类在协作、同理心、创造性解决问题等“软技能”方面的重要性，以及教育应如何适应这一变化。 1．细节理解题。根据“In the past, machines took over simple physical tasks. But now, AI can write, create code, and process information in ways that seem human.”可知，与早期的机器（承担体力工作）不同，AI的特殊之处在于它可以做一些认知性的工作。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据“Teachers should stress the value of slower learning—through handwriting and hands-on projects—so that students can learn key skills before using AI tools.”可知，老师可以向学生展示缓慢学习（如手写和动手实践）的重要性，从而帮助他们掌握关键技能。故选A。 3．观点态度题。根据最后一段“However, the most important lesson schools can teach is this: Don’t let shortcuts replace learning. Human abilities—especially the ability to work with others to solve difficult problems will always matter.”可知，作者认为人类在协作解决复杂问题等方面的能力将始终重要，这表明作者对人类工作者未来的作用持乐观态度。故选B。 When it comes to personal change, most people focus on behavior, such as exercising more, eating healthier, and setting bigger goals. But real change can also begin with the way you talk to yourself—the inner dialogue that quietly but powerfully shapes your self-concept (自我概念). Psychologists (心理学家) describe self-concept as the set of beliefs that a person holds about who they are. These beliefs act like an inner blueprint that guides your feelings, choices, and behavior. Your self-concept is not fixed. It is malleable, especially when you become aware of the influences that shape it. And one of the biggest influences is the inner dialogue. Your inner dialogue, or self-talk, is like the narrator (叙述者) of your personal story. Each time you think “I can’t do this,” you add to that story, and over time, these repeated messages can feel like a natural part of your self-concept. More importantly, this inner story directly shapes your actions and results. For example, a boy keeps telling himself “I’m not good at public speaking.” This makes him avoid speaking up or feel very nervous during presentations. He then sees any difficulty as a sign that his belief is true. His inner story holds him back, even though he wishes to change. If you want to change your self-concept, you must start by changing your inner story on purpose. This doesn’t mean mindlessly repeating positive statements you don’t believe. It means carefully creating a more encouraging, truthful story about who you are—and who you are becoming. Here are some ways to start changing your inner dialogue. ·Pay close attention to the repeated statements you make about yourself. Are they empowering or limiting? What you say repeatedly becomes part of your self-concept. ·Be mindful of the statements that follow “I am” and “I can.” These phrases shape how you view yourself and what you believe is possible. Choose language that supports who you want to become. ·Create simple, believable statements that paint a picture of who you want to become. For example, turn “I am terrible with people” into “I am learning to connect with others.” Then, look for real facts—from present or past experiences—that support your new story. Changing your self-concept isn’t about acting like someone you’re not. It’s about recognizing that you already have the power to be more than the old stories you’ve been telling yourself. Start with your inner dialogue. That’s where real change begins. 1．What does the word “malleable” in Paragraph 2 most probably mean? A．Able to change. B．Hard to explain. C．Quick to form. D．Free to explore. 2．Why does the writer use the example of a boy in Paragraph 3? A．To introduce what inner dialogue is. B．To show the effects of inner dialogue. C．To explain the reason for avoiding challenges. D．To give advice on expressing a personal story. 3．Which of the following would the writer most probably agree with? A．Daily actions shape self-concept the most. B．Self-concept changes naturally on its own over time. C．Inner dialogue can be shaped without considering the past. D．Self-concept change starts with purposeful inner dialogue. 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To prove that positive self-talk leads to success. B．To discuss influential words in building self-concept. C．To encourage personal change through positive self-talk. D．To compare the influence of self-concept with that of self-talk. 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．D 4．C 【导语】本文是说明文。围绕自我概念展开，说明其并非固定，可通过刻意改变内心对话来转变，强调内在对话对自我改变的关键作用。 1．词句猜测题。根据第二段“Your self-concept is not fixed. It is malleable...”可知，你的自我概念不是固定的，它是malleable。由此可知，malleable在这里意为“可改变的”，和前文的“not fixed”对应。故选A。 2．推理判断题。根据第三段“More importantly, this inner story directly shapes your actions and results. For example, a boy...”可知，用男孩的例子来具体展示内在对话如何影响行为和结果，所以这个例子是为了展示内在对话的影响。故选B。 3．推理判断题。根据第四段首句“If you want to change your self-concept, you must start by changing your inner story on purpose.”可知，如果你想改变自我概念，你就必须开始有意识地去改变内心想法。由此可推出作者可能同意“自我概念的改变始于有意识的内心对话。”故选D。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文可知，文章开头提出真正的改变可以从内在对话开始，中间介绍了内在对话的影响，最后给出改变内在对话的方法，整体目的是鼓励人们通过积极的自我对话来实现个人改变。故选C。 Think about the night in a city. It is never fully dark because of the lights from streetlamps and buildings. But this comes at a cost for nature. A new study by scientists Neil Gilbert and Brent Pease shows that the artificial light is making birds sing for almost an hour longer every day. The two researchers were shocked by this increase. “The effect was more serious than we thought,” said Gilbert. Past research has shown that artificial light brings problems to wildlife. Birds that migrate (迁徙) at night can get lost because of the light. This can cause them to fly into buildings, and they may get hurt or even die. The cycle between day and night plays a part in controlling behavior and physical changes in some birds. Artificial light can mess with these natural rhythms (规律). That can change the timing of bird sleep. Some studies have shown that certain birds become active earlier in the day in light-polluted areas. Gilbert and Pease wanted to know how light affects (影响) birds in more places. Using a huge collection of bird calls from a worldwide project, they studied the daily start and end times of songs from 583 different kinds of birds and compared those times to the local light-pollution levels. They found that in the brightest places, birds sang an average 50 minutes longer than in the darkest places—about 18 minutes more in the morning and 32 minutes in the evening. The researchers also found that light’s effects were especially noticeable for birds with larger eyes. This may be because such birds feel the light more easily. It’s still unclear whether this extra singing is harmful to birds. “It might mess up their sleep”, says Gilbert. “But it could give birds more time to find food to feed their young”. The findings show just how much people can have an effect on wildlife without meaning to. “We more or less let our lights flood mindlessly into the night”, Pease says. “Yet these lights are quietly changing the lives of animals all around us.” 1．What was the main finding of Gilbert and Pease’s new study? A．Artificial light makes birds sing more loudly. B．Artificial light helps migrating birds find the way. C．Artificial light causes birds to sing longer each day. D．Artificial light leads to more daytime sleep in birds. 2．What is Paragraph 4 mainly about? A．Why light pollution is increasing in cities. B．How artificial light changes birds’ daily cycles. C．What can be done to reduce artificial light at night. D．How scientists control behavior changes in some birds. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Birds sing longer in dark than in bright areas. B．The extra singing is more helpful than harmful. C．Artificial light has a greater effect on big-eyed birds. D．Morning song mainly helps birds to find more food. 【答案】1．C 2．B 3．C 【导语】本文探讨了城市人工灯光对鸟类行为的影响。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段“the artificial light is making birds sing for almost an hour longer every day”可知，人工灯光使鸟类每天唱歌时间延长近一小时。故选C。 2．推理判断题。根据第四段“The cycle between day and night plays a part in controlling behavior… Artificial light can mess with these natural rhythms…”可知，第四段的核心内容是人工灯光如何干扰鸟类的自然昼夜节律。故选B。 3．推理判断题。根据第五段“light’s effects were especially noticeable for birds with larger eyes”可知，灯光的影响对大眼睛鸟类更明显，因为它们更容易感知光线。故选C。 Lard, which is made from pork fat by heating and cooling, is often viewed as unhealthy oil because it has a lot of saturated fat. But new ideas say it might have benefits for you if you just eat a little, as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Lard is rich in monounsaturated (单不饱和的) fats which are also found in olive oil. They are connected with heart health benefits such as improved cholesterol (胆固醇) levels and reduced inflammation (炎症) when lard is used to replace refined carbohydrates (精制碳水) in the diet. Lard has vitamin D and omega-9 fatty acids, and its saturated fat content can possibly give you energy and make you feel full, which might help in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake. In some traditional foods like Mexican and Spanish dishes, lard is valued for improving the taste and quality of food. A study reported an interesting experiment with mice. Researchers compared lard with other cooking oils like tea seed oil and peanut oil. They found that mice eating the right amount of lard were thinner—their total fat was less than that of those eating certain vegetable oils. Lard works like a “fat fighter” by increasing a special thing in the body that breaks down fat into energy. It also calms down cells that cause inflammation, keeping the body healthier. There are a few factors to keep in mind before making it a regular part of your cooking. Lard has saturated fats, which may raise bad cholesterol levels in some people. And it’s not suitable for people who don’t eat meat. Some processed (加工的) lard may include unhealthy additives, and some that’s been heavily processed usually delivers fewer nutrients. Overuse may also lead to an imbalanced fat intake. How to use it wisely? Experts suggest adults use 25 to 30 grams of cooking oil daily, with lard making up half. We can mix lard with vegetable oils for a balanced diet. Besides, not all lard is the same, and the quality varies greatly depending on how it’s sourced and processed. Choosing high-quality, less processed lard provides better nutrition and safer cooking. 1．According to Paragraph 2, monounsaturated fat in lard ________. A．causes heart health problems B．helps improve cholesterol levels C．is a type of refined carbohydrate D．increases inflammation in the body 2．What is mentioned about lard in Paragraph 4? A．The detailed steps of making lard. B．The related experiment of eating lard. C．The common cooking methods for lard. D．The considerations for the regular use of lard. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Lard is fit for people who don’t eat meat. B．Adults should use 25 to 30 grams of lard daily. C．Processed lard is more nutritious than unprocessed lard. D．Mixing lard with vegetable oils is suggested for balanced eating. 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．D 【导语】本文主要介绍了猪油的营养特点、潜在益处、相关研究，以及日常食用时的注意事项和合理建议。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“They are connected with heart health benefits such as improved cholesterol levels and reduced inflammation”可知，猪油中的单不饱和脂肪有助于改善胆固醇水平。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据第四段“There are a few factors to keep in mind before making it a regular part of your cooking.”可知，该段讲述了将猪油作为常规烹饪用油前的注意事项。故选D。 3．主旨大意题。通读全文并结合最后一段“We can mix lard with vegetable oils for a balanced diet.”可知，为了饮食均衡，建议将猪油和植物油混合使用。故选D。 A trip to Mars would take about eight months on a modern spaceship. That might seem like a great opportunity to catch up on your sleep. But a recent experiment finds that people may develop sleep problems on a long space journey, or at least on the pretend trip in these tests. “If we at some point really want to go to Mars and we want to send humans, then we need to know how they will cope (处理) , not just physically but also mentally,” Mathias Basner told Science News. He is a sleep researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia. His team published its new findings in early January. Their experiment was like a long-running game of make-believe: Six men spent 520 days—a little more than 74 weeks—on a pretend trip to Mars. In fact, they spent the entire time confined (封闭的) inside a small, windowless capsule in Moscow, Russia. The goal of this experiment was to learn how people would cope with living in close quarters, and facing the psychological pressure during travel to and from the Red Planet. During their trip, the travelers pretended to land on Mars, set up equipment, and carry out science tests. Throughout the pretend trip, other scientists were collecting data on their sleep, activity levels, mood, and cognitive function. Each participant wore a device on his wrist. Once every minute, that device recorded the man’s motions. From these data, Basner’s team found that the volunteers were less active and slept more as the mission continued. During the last 18. 5 weeks of the trial, most participants were sleeping more each day than they had during the first 18. 5 weeks. Four of the men also developed sleep problems. One man’s natural sleep cycle shifted from a roughly 24-hour day to almost 25 hours long. By coincidence, that time is closer to the length of a day on Mars. This meant that he was sometimes awake when his members were asleep, and vice versa. Another one of the six pretend travelers slept less over time. Tests showed that he became less alert (警觉的) . Messing with sleep can have serious consequences, says Jeffrey Sutton. He’s a doctor and scientist who worked on the study and also directs the Center for Space Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “When you are doing high-risk behavior in space, a performance deficit can be life threatening,” he told Science News, noting that even small mistakes could have extremely terrible results in the severe environment of space. The decrease in activity found by Basner’s team could also prove problematic in space, says Sutton. He suggests that astronauts may need to follow stricter exercise to stay healthy and maintain their sleep patterns during long space journeys. 1．Why was the experiment carried out? A．To test the safety in space travel. B．To record the length of a day on Mars. C．To explore long space journeys’ effects on humans. D．To measure how much sleep astronauts need during the trip. 2．What the main problem did some travelers face during long space journey? A．They lost their sense of time due to sleep disorders. B．They had to be disconnected from the outside world. C．They suffered from physical pain throughout the journey. D．They experienced sleep cycle changes or poorer sleep quality. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Reduced activity and sleep disorders may cause safety problems. B．Confined environments in space have a positive effect on human sleep. C．A 25-hour sleep cycle is more suitable for astronauts traveling to Mars. D．Most volunteers were more active during the last weeks of the experiment. 【答案】1．C 2．D 3．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，讲述了一项关于长时间太空旅行对人类影响的实验。实验模拟了前往火星的长时间旅行，发现参与者出现睡眠问题，如睡眠周期改变和睡眠质量下降。文章强调了这些问题对太空任务安全的潜在影响，并提出了保持锻炼和睡眠模式的重要性。 1．细节理解题。根据文章第三段“The goal of this experiment was to learn how people would cope with living in close quarters, and facing the psychological pressure during travel to and from the Red Planet.”可知，实验的目的是了解人们在长时间太空旅行中的心理和生理反应。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据文章第六段“Four of the men also developed sleep problems. One man’s natural sleep cycle shifted from a roughly 24-hour day to almost 25 hours long. Another one of the six pretend travelers slept less over time.”可知，一些旅行者面临的主要问题是睡眠周期改变或睡眠质量下降。故选D。 3．推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段“‘When you are doing high-risk behavior in space, a performance deficit can be life threatening,’ he told Science News, noting that even small mistakes could have extremely terrible results in the severe environment of space.”以及最后一段“The decrease in activity found by Basner’s team could also prove problematic in space, says Sutton.”可知，活动减少和睡眠障碍可能引发安全问题。故选A。 There are certainly facts that actors experience a mixture of their real self and their assumed (假定，设定) characters. For example, Benedict Cumberbatch said, “My mum says I’m much more impatient with her when I’m filming Sherlock.” Mark Seton, a researcher at the University of Sydney, has even coined the term “post-dramatic stress disorder” to describe the lasting effects experienced by actors who lose themselves in a role. “Actors may often lengthen habits of the characters they have represented,” he writes. A recent finding doesn’t involve acting, and it shows that just spending some time thinking about another person seemed to rub off on the volunteers’ sense of self, led by Meghan Meyer at Princeton University. Across several studies, these researchers asked volunteers to first score their own personalities, memories or physical qualities, and then to perform the same task from the perspective (角度，观点，想法) of another person. For example, they might score the emotionality of various personal memories, and then rate (评估) how a friend or relative would have experienced those same events. After taking the perspective of another, the volunteers scored themselves once again; the finding was that their self-knowledge had changed— their self-scores had shifted (偏离) to become more similar to those they’d given for someone else. For example, if they had firstly said the trait term “confident” was only reasonably related to themselves and then rated the term as being strongly related to a friend’s personality, when they came to rescore themselves, they now began to see themselves as more confident. Surprisingly, this change of the self with another was still clear even if a 24-hour gap was left between taking someone else’s perspective and re-rating oneself. “By simply thinking about another person, we may adapt our self to take the shape of that person,” said Meyer and her colleagues. That our sense of self should have this quality might be a little discouraging, especially for anyone who has struggled to build a firm sense of identity (身份，特性). Yet there is an optimistic message here, too. The challenge of improving ourselves— or at least seeing ourselves in a more positive light— might be a little easier than we thought. By roleplaying or acting out the kind of person we would like to become, or simply by thinking about and spending time with people who represent the kind of qualities we would like to see in ourselves, we can find that our sense of self changes in desirable ways. “As each of us chooses who to befriend, who to model, and who to take no notice of,” write Meyer and her colleagues, “we must make these decisions aware of how they shape not only the fabric (结构) of our social networks, but even our sense of who we are.” 1．The first two paragraphs mainly ________. A．state that acting requires skills B．explain the stress that an actor faces C．show that a role has effects on the actor D．stress the importance of putting oneself into a role 2．The words “rub off on” in Paragraph 3 are closest in meaning to ________. A．influence B．strengthen C．protect D．repair 3．According to the study, taking the perspective of another person ________. A．drives one to better understand himself B．brings changes to one’s self-knowledge C．helps people deal with their identity problems D．produces short-term effects on one’s character 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To share a means to improve ourselves. B．To offer instructions on making friends. C．To give advice on controlling one’s emotions. D．To present a way to deal with stress disorder. 【答案】1．C 2．A 3．B 4．A 【导语】本文主要介绍了“角色代入会影响自我认知”的研究发现，以及这一发现对自我提升的启示。 1．主旨大意题。根据前两段“actors experience a mixture of their real self and their assumed characters”“the lasting effects experienced by actors who lose themselves in a role”可知，这两段主要说明角色会对演员产生影响。故选C。 2．词句猜测题。根据后文“their self-scores had shifted to become more similar to those they’d given for someone else”可知，站在他人角度思考会“影响”志愿者的自我认知，“rub off on”与“influence”意思相近。故选A。 3．细节理解题。根据“After taking the perspective of another…their self-knowledge was now changed”可知，站在他人角度思考会改变一个人的自我认知。故选B。 4．主旨大意题。根据“By roleplaying or acting out the kind of person we would like to become…we can find that our sense of self changes in desirable ways”可知，作者的主要目的是分享一种自我提升的方法。故选A。 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 $ 专题04 阅读理解之说明文15篇 （北京专用） 内容导航 内容速递 中考真题练习 中考模拟练习 内容速递 本资料共15篇专项训练 中考真题练习 聚焦真题 明确考点 各地市联考真题练习 专注模拟 争夺高分 中考真题练习 Imagine a robot. What comes to your mind first? A machine stronger than the human body? However, this same quality is now causing a big problem—it’s creating tons of long-lasting e-waste that could flood our planet. What if, instead, the machines we use were designed to break down and disappear—just as living things do? For a study published in Science Advances, researchers made a robotic arm and a controller using materials from animals and plants. These materials are strong enough to work but can easily break down in a natural environment. After testing, both parts were gone in soil within weeks. Biodegradable (可生物降解的) robotics often falls under the umbrella of soft robotics, which takes ideas from nature. “This field started in materials science and chemistry rather than traditional robots that come from mechanical (机械的) engineering.” says Florian Hartmann, a materials scientist from Germany. However, many early soft robotics models still used man-made materials that cause pollution. Wei, a scientist who studies natural materials in Hangzhou, worked together with his friend Zhang, a robotics engineer in Shanghai, to build robots for the new study. They started with cellulose (纤维素) taken from cotton. Then, they added glycerol (甘油) to make a new material that is soft and easy to change shapes. After that they allowed it to dry so it became strong, “Cellulose is cheap and easy to work with,” says Wei. They found that the controller and the robotic arm stood up to both heavy use and a week of inactivity. Finally, they buried (埋) them both in a hole. Within eight weeks these two parts were almost completely gone. Wei and Zhang expect that robots like these can be used to deal with dangerous waste and then disappear naturally. They also hope that such robots can aid doctors in operations and then safely break down inside the body. However, it’s important to note that the technology is still in very early stages. “If we truly want to have a biodegradable robot,” Hartmann says, “we also need to make sure its electronics and power parts are biodegradable.” 1．What is special about the robotic arm and the controller in Paragraph 2? A．They are green.B．They are hard. C．They are intelligent. D．They are affordable. 2．What is mentioned in Paragraph 5 about soft robots? A．Their operation.B．Their applications. C．Their challenges. D．Their performance. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Soft robots are widely used to clean up e-waste. B．Soft robots have to rest for a week after heavy use. C．The designing of soft robots borrows ideas from nature. D．Mechanical engineering offers new ways to run soft robots. 中考模拟真题练习 “Oh, my God! Did I really just send that text?” Most people have said something that they wish they could take back. And if they had paused (暂停) to think about it first, they probably would have acted differently. Pausing doesn’t pay off just when you speak. Scientific studies have shown that making a habit of pausing before you do something can actually have a big effect on how your life turns out. In making decisions we depend on two areas of the brain. One area creates and processes emotions (情感); the other governs logical (逻辑的) thoughts. The type of decision, how we feel about it, and how prepared we are to deal with it help decide which brain area has the most influence. But our age also plays an important role. Thinking through the results of one’s actions is actually harder for teens because the area controlling logical thoughts is not fully developed until around age 25. This is why teens often feel a strong emotional drive to act impulsively—it’s how their brains are structured! Though this tendency (倾向) to act without considering the results can lead to problematic situations, impulsivity during the developmental years evolves (进化) because it makes teens more open to new experiences and ideas. This openness helps teens to become independent adults. The key to making impulsivity work for you instead of against you is to train your brain by practising pausing. This doesn’t mean you stop taking risks or being open to new experiences. But you won’t know if the risk is worth it until you think it through. Deciding to take a risk based on logic shows self-control, not impulsivity. What are different ways to pause? You might take a deep breath, count to 10, or ask “Is this worth it?” Different strategies (策略) work for different people. Whatever works for you, keep doing it! By practising pausing, you can actually change your brain. This means that over time, pausing, instead of immediately reacting, becomes your “natural” response (反应). And with this change, people are on their way to enjoying the life rewards (回报) that come with high levels of self- control—even if they weren’t natural-born pausers! 1．What challenges teenagers? A．Giving a natural response. B．Making logical decisions. C．Acting before in-depth thinking. D．Choosing brain-training strategies. 2．The word impulsively in Paragraph 3 probably means ______. A．carefully showing self-control B．unwillingly planning without thinking C．calmly weighing the differences D．suddenly acting without considering the effects 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Scientific studies have shown that pausing works well when you speak. B．An impulsive person tends to stop considering and accepting new ideas. C．Training the brain by practising pausing can reduce the influence of emotional drive. D．By practising pausing, people can become natural-born pausers with good self-control. 4．What is the best title for the passage? A．Push the Pause Button B．Impulsivity Works Well C．Discover the Brain Function D．Crying Over the Spilt Milk At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone speak with confidence on a topic that they hardly know anything about. Psychologists have studied this topic, and they’ve come up with an explanation known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In 1999, Dunning and Kruger from Cornell University did a set of studies testing people’s abilities in certain areas, including grammar, humor, and logic. The people were also asked to grade their own abilities in each area. They found that people who scored very low on the tests were more likely to overestimate (高估) their abilities. In other words, those who don’t know much think they know more than they actually do. In an interview, Dunning explains that “the knowledge and intelligence required to be good at a task are often the same needed to recognize that one is not good at that task.” For example, it might be easy for a top dancer to tell that A dances a lot better than B, but if you know little about dancing, A and B probably look equally good in your eyes. Another reason that may explain this effect is that people wish to be better than others in as many areas as they can, and when someone really wants something to be true, it can be hard for them to admit that it isn’t. The opposite of this effect also happens when a skilled person feels as if they are faking (假装) their skills though they know exactly what they are doing. It’s called the Impostor Syndrome (假冒者综合征). You may think of the Dunning-Kruger Effect as a problem that other people have, but it may happen to you, too. Everyone has areas where they lack abilities—and the Dunning-Kruger Effect means they may be especially bad at identifying those areas. That’s why it’s important to stay humble and keep learning throughout your life. Keep digging for information even when you think you’ve found answers. Remember to check your ideas with other people. Receiving criticism can hurt, but if you’re willing to listen, it can help you grow. 1．Which of the following shows the Dunning-Kruger Effect? A．The math teacher says the math test is not difficult at all. B．The top student in your grade says she isn’t as good as you think she is. C．You work hard but your parents always think all other kids do better than you. D．You know little about acting but believe you can perform better than the actors. 2．What is Paragraph 3 mainly about? A．What the Dunning-Kruger Effect is. B．Why the Dunning-Kruger Effect happens. C．How the Dunning-Kruger Effect affects people. D．How the Dunning-Kruger Effect was discovered. 3．What is the writing purpose of this passage? A．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and how it is bad for people. B．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and why it is important for people. C．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and encourage life-long learning. D．To introduce the Dunning-Kruger Effect and build up the readers’ confidence. In a new study, researchers have unveiled (揭示) interesting findings that link the consumption (消耗) of refined carbohydrates—such as sugary snacks and highly processed foods—with changes in facial attractiveness. They found that individuals who consumed a high glycemic (血糖的) load breakfast were rated as less attractive than those who consumed a low one. 104 participants were asked to attend the study early in the morning on an empty stomach. Upon arrival, they were assigned to consume one of two types of breakfasts having the same caloric values: one high in refined carbohydrates and the other low. About two hours later, they were photographed under standardized conditions to ensure consistency (一致性)in lighting, background, and positioning. A separate group of raters, who were carefully selected to minimize cultural bias (偏见), assessed the facial photographs, making judgments on overall attractiveness. To evaluate long-term dietary habits, the participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires concerning their consumption during breakfast, afternoon snacks, and between-meal snacks on the day before the study. This information was used to calculate (计算) the glycemic load and energy intake for these meals, providing a comprehensive (全面的) picture of their usual refined carbohydrate consumption. The researchers found that participants who consumed a breakfast rich in refined carbohydrates were less attractive than those who consumed a low-glycemic breakfast. This effect was observed for both male and female participants. The researchers explained that this could be related to the physiological (生理学的) effects of low blood sugar, such as changes in skin blood flow and colour, which happen following the consumption of high-glycemic foods. When examining long-term consumption of refined carbohydrates through glycemic load measures, the researchers found that a higher energy intake at breakfast was associated with increased attractiveness for both men and women, suggesting that foods high in fats and proteins, which do not lead to rapid glycemic responses, might contribute positively to attractiveness. However, the effects of refined carbohydrate consumption on attractiveness varied depending on the specific meal and the gender of the participants. For example, while high energy intake at breakfast increased attractiveness across both genders, the glycemic load of afternoon snacks had opposite effects for men and women. Men with a higher glycemic load during their afternoon snack were considered as more attractive, but for women, a lower glycemic load in this meal was related with increased attractiveness. While the study includes some limitations, the findings serve as a strong reminder of the far-reaching impact of dietary choices. Further research is needed to understand the broader social implications (暗示) of diet, which could provide valuable insights into the complex interplay (相互作用) between diet, biology, and social behaviour. 1．What are Paragraphs 2 and 3 mainly about? A．The research purpose. B．The research methods. C．The research question. D．The research background. 2．What did the researchers keep the same for both breakfasts in the study? A．The taste of the food. B．The amount of calories. C．The time they were eaten. D．The type of carbohydrates. 3．What can we learn about the research findings? A．Sharp glycemic reactions might reduce attractiveness. B．Low blood sugar could affect attractiveness positively. C．Men were less affected by refined carbohydrate consumption. D．High energy intake at meals had inconsistent effects on women. 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To present a dietary fact. B．To show a biological process. C．To explain a food preference. D．To explore a complex connection. Children are born with the curiosity to explore. Yet over time they are becoming less curious about science. Why? This loss of interest may be partly the result of language cues (提示) children hear. And these cues don’t come just from parents; they can also come from school teachers who treat science as an identity rather than actions. When talking to children, many adults might say things like “Let’s be scientists today” or “You’re such a good scientist”. But this kind of identity-focused language, which focuses on science as an identity rather than activities and actions that people do, can be demoralizing for young children— in other words, it can lower their confidence and make them less willing to engage in science activities. One study showed that children as young as four, especially girls, kept their interest longer when their cue to participate in science activities was “Let’s do science” rather than “Let’s be scientists.” One possibility is that when thinking of a scientist, children might picture a white man. If they don’t share that identity, they lose interest in an activity designed for “scientists.” This stereotypical (刻板印象的) belief that science is reserved (保留) for only certain kinds of people emerges surprisingly early. By the first grade, when asked to draw a scientist, children tend to draw a white man. The good news is that language cues can also be directed to promote engagement with science. Describing science as actions that we take, for example, seems to protect young children’s interest in science over time. But it’s also true that teenagers are actively trying on and ultimately (最终) forming different identities for themselves. So in contrast to its demoralizing effects on young children, identity-focused language may help teens stay interested in science. In another study, cueing a future identity based on science (such as “scientist” or “doctor”) motivated middle schoolers to do more homework and was associated with higher grades. Consequently, adults had better use different language cues for children of different age groups to maintain their curiosity about science. 1．What does the underlined word “demoralizing” in paragraph 2 mean? A．unnecessary B．impolite C．discouraging D．unfair 2．Why was action-focused language especially effective for young girls? A．Because it avoids identity conflict in girls’ minds. B．Because stereotypical belief is reserved for girls. C．Because it enhances girls’ engagement in science. D．Because it shows the activity is designed for girls. 3．Which of the following could be the best title for the passage? A．Why Is Action Better than Identity? B．How Do Parents Raise Young Scientists? C．How Does Age Affect Science Learning? D．What Affects Children’s Interest in Science? The Attention Economy: What Are We Really Paying With? We often hear that “if you’re not paying for a product, then you are the product.” This saying is at the heart of the attention economy. In this digital age, many of the services we enjoy online are free. Social media platforms, search engines, and video apps don’t charge us money. Instead, their business is built on getting and selling our attention to advertisers. Think about it. The more time you spend on an app, the more advertisements you see. Your attention is gathered, measured and turned into a product that is sold to businesses. This model has created some of the world’s largest companies. However, the cost of these “free” services might be higher than we realize. The real price we pay is not in dollars, but in our focus and time. To keep our attention, these platforms are designed to be highly engaging. They use special parts like never-ending scrolling (滑动屏幕) and messages made just for you to make it hard for us to leave. Engineers work hard to create habits, encouraging us to check our phones again and again throughout the day. Some apps even use colors and sounds specifically chosen to keep us watching or playing longer than we planned. This non-stop need for our attention can have bad effects. Studies show that it can become harder for us to focus on deep work or enjoy real-world moments without being stopped. Our time, which is limited and valuable, can slip away without us noticing. We might find ourselves mindlessly scrolling instead of doing something we truly care about, like reading a book, learning a skill, or talking with family. This can even affect our mood, sometimes making us feel anxious or unhappy after long periods of use. The effect goes beyond single people. When attention becomes the main goal, the quality of information can suffer. What we see online that is surprising, angry, or too simple often gets more clicks than complex, balanced news. This can change how we see the world and discuss important problems. Also, for young people whose brains are still growing, learning to control their attention is a very important skill that non-stop digital distractions can make harder to learn. We can also take practical action. We can turn off unnecessary messages, set time limits for app use, and schedule periods of the day for focused work or relaxation without any digital distractions (让人分心的事物，干扰). A break from digital devices for a few hours, or even a full day during the weekend, can help reset our focus. By doing this, we take back control. We decide where our attention goes, instead of letting tech companies decide for us. Schools can also play a role by teaching students about how to understand and use online information well and how to manage their online time effectively. In the end, understanding the attention economy empowers us to make better choices. By being more mindful of how we use technology, we can protect our most valuable resource—our attention—and use it in ways that truly enrich our lives, build deeper connections with others, and help our personal growth. 1．Why does the writer mention the saying “if you’re not paying...you are the product” in Paragraph 1? A．To introduce a common business model. B．To explain why online services are expensive. C．To show that online products are low-quality. D．To encourage people to pay for their apps. 2．What does the word “engaging” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean? A．Easy to use. B．Free to access. C．Interesting and attractive. D．Difficult to understand. 3．According to the passage, which of the following is a way to protect our attention? A．Using only the most popular social media apps. B．Spending more money on digital services. C．Turning off notifications for some apps. D．Sharing personal data with advertisers. 4．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? A．The History of Social Media B．The Business of Your Attention C．How to Create Successful Apps D．Why We Need Free Online Services The Power of “Not Yet”: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Growth Have you ever failed a test and thought, “I’m just not good at this subject”? Or have you faced a difficult task and said, “I can’t do this”? If so, you might be using a “fixed mindset”. But there is another way of thinking that can help you learn and grow: it’s called a “growth mindset”. What is the Difference? People with a fixed mindset believe that their basic abilities, like their intelligence or talent for sports, are fixed traits. They think they are born with a certain amount, and that’s it. Therefore, they often want to appear smart and avoid challenges where they might fail. For them, failure means they are not smart or good enough. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and help from others. They see challenges as opportunities to learn. They understand that not being able to do something now doesn’t mean they will never be able to do it. This is the power of adding the word “yet” to your thoughts. “I can’t solve this math problem” becomes “I haven’t learned how to solve this math problem yet.” How Does a Growth Mindset Help? This way of thinking changes how you react to difficulties. A student with a growth mindset who fails a test might think, “I need to try a different way of studying or ask my teacher for help.” They see effort as the path to getting better. Because they are not afraid to try hard things, their abilities actually grow over time. They build greater confidence because they have seen themselves improve through practice. Can You Change Your Mindset? The good news is that mindsets are not fixed; you can change yours. It starts with paying attention to your inner voice. When you hear yourself saying “I can’t,” add that magic word “yet.” Celebrate the process of learning, not just the final result. Praise yourself and others for effort and strategies, not just for being “smart. ” When you face a setback, instead of giving up, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? What strategy can I try next?” Scientists have found that when students learn about the growth mindset, their grades often improve. More importantly, they become more motivated and resilient. Adopting a growth mindset doesn’t mean you will be good at everything. It means you believe you can get better at anything with time and effort. This powerful idea can unlock your potential and help you on your journey of learning. 1．According to the passage, how would a person with a growth mindset most likely react to a difficult challenge? A．They would avoid it to prevent failure. B．They would see it as a chance to learn something new. C．They would believe it proves their lack of ability. D．They would feel upset and give up quickly. 2．What is the main purpose of the paragraph 5? A．To explain why some people are born smarter than others. B．To provide practical advice on developing a growth mindset. C．To list the disadvantages of having a fixed mindset. D．To show the scientific research behind different mindsets. 3．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? A．The Importance of High Intelligence B．Learning to Celebrate Your Successes C．How Your Thinking Can Help You Grow D．Why Failure Is Always a Bad Thing When the word exercise is seen or heard, most people think of the physical labor it involves, but there is so much more to it. Exercise is more than just a twenty-minute run. Exercising is one of the most important things someone can do to take care of themselves and their bodies. The benefits of exercise include more than just physical, but also emotional and health benefits. Exercise has positive effects on the brain’s functions. Exercise decreases anxiety, which is the body’s natural response to stress. Norepinephrine (去甲肾上腺素), which involves levels of stress, can be moderated (缓解) with exercise because exercise increases the amounts of it. Exercise improves brain health. The brain is the center of control for the body’s entire sense of functioning, and without it all that would be left is muscles and bones. The mental health is linked to exercise. Mental health can be strengthened by physical activity whether it is a casual walk in the park, or heavy weightlifting training. Exercise improves positive body images when increasing self-esteem, and helps increase the overall self-image. The emotional and mental benefits from exercise are vital and only growing, as more is being discovered about the brain’s functions. Exercise is complex, and constantly changing. The physical benefits of flexibility (灵活性), muscular strength and muscular endurance (肌肉耐力) are all important to creating a healthy body. The health benefits from exercise range from heart to immune system, and more are being discovered every day to help increase one’s life. Exercise is not limited to just the gym, but an entire existence. The combination of benefits is what makes exercise so primary. Exercise is one of the most important activities someone can introduce into their lives. A walk around a neighbourhood, or training for a team, any effort towards getting your heart rate going makes a difference. Exercise is universal and beneficial to everyone. 1．What can we learn from the first paragraph? A．Most people don’t pay much attention to exercise. B．Running is a very good kind of exercise. C．Exercise benefits people in several ways. D．We should care for ourselves when exercising. 2．Which of the following is TRUE about norepinephrine? A．It affects brain’s functions negatively. B．It shows people’s response to stress. C．It can make people forget anxiety. D．It can be raised by having exercise. 3．What is paragraph 3 mainly about? A．Mental health’s effect on people. B．Exercise’s effect on our brain. C．The importance of our brain. D．The functions of our brain. 4．What can we infer from the last paragraph? A．Exercise is hardly a complex activity. B．Exercise can bring many benefits to people. C．Exercise should increase people’s heart rate. D．Exercise should be changed constantly. Sunshine does make people happier. Imagine how cheerful you are when it clears up after long cold rainy days. You may want to run outside, breathe the fresh air, or just sit on a bench and feel the warm light on your face. Let’s discover the science behind sunlight. Sunlight causes your body to produce a chemical called serotonin (血清素). When you are in the sun, your body makes more serotonin. Higher levels of serotonin keep you in good spirits—you’ll feel more active and less likely to feel down. At night, when there is little or no light, your body produces another chemical—melatonin (褪黑激素). It helps your body relax and makes you feel tired, which prepares you for a good night’s sleep. You need to keep a good balance between these two chemicals to stay healthy and happy. However, for many people, balancing sunlight and darkness is not easy. People who stay indoors a lot, like office workers or students who study at home all day, may not get enough sunlight. The light inside a house is usually about 100 times dimmer (更昏暗的) than that outside on a sunny day. That’s why experts (专家) suggest people should go outside in the sunshine as much as possible. Even a 15-minute walk in the sun can help—you can get some exercise, enjoy fresh air, and lift your mood all at the same time. There are places where it gets dark for a long time in winter. People living there are more likely to get seasonal affective disorder (SAD季节性情绪紊乱). Those with SAD often feel low in energy, sad, or even lose interest in things they used to enjoy. To help improve their moods, the most common treatment is that they sit under bright man-made lights instead of natural sunlight for a while each day. The roles sunshine plays in our lives are more than these. For example, your body makes Vitamin D from sunlight, which is important for strong bones and a healthy system. It also helps your skin fight off harmful bacteria (细菌). Besides, sunlight can make outdoor spaces feel warmer and more inviting, so we often want to meet friends or play sports outside on sunny days. In fact, there is more interesting science about sunlight waiting for you to discover. 1．What chemical does sunlight help the human body produce? A．Melatonin. B．Serotonin. C．Vitamin. D．Harmful bacteria. 2．Why do experts suggest people often go outside in the sunshine? A．Because sunlight kills all skin bacteria. B．Because outdoor stay makes us more sleepy. C．Because outdoor walking loses weight fast. D．Because indoor light is much dimmer than sunlight. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Vitamin D made from sunlight is useless for human bones. B．It’s easy for many people to balance sunlight and darkness. C．People with SAD can only be treated with natural light from the sun. D．People need to balance serotonin and melatonin for health and happiness. 4．What might be the best title for the passage? A．Relationships Between Sunlight and Vitamin D B．Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Treatment C．The Science Behind Why We Love Sunshine D．Differences Between Serotonin and Melatonin For the past 50 years, the highest-paying jobs have focused on knowledge work—especially in science, technology and analytics. But the rapid rise of generative AI is beginning to change that. Companies are already considering replacing certain white-collar roles with AI. This change raises an important question: Will the future economy still need as many human workers? The impact (影响，冲击) affects not only future workers but also teachers and parents. For years, schools have focused on getting students ready for cognitive jobs (认知型工作). Now, with AI’s development, we need to decide which skills students truly need. In the past, machines took over simple physical tasks. But now, AI can write, create code, and process information in ways that seem human. As a result, some beginner-level knowledge jobs may decrease. However, AI still struggles with tasks that require deep reasoning, empathy (同理心), or dealing with new situations. It cannot truly understand human feelings. That’s why “soft skills” will become more important than ever. Collaboration (协作), emotional awareness and creative problem-solving are difficult for AI to learn. The good news is that these skills can be taught in schools together with traditional subjects such as math and reading. For example, teachers can use reflection (反思) exercises to help students recognize their own feelings. Tasks like “Write about a time you helped someone today” or “Describe how you solved a hard problem” encourage self-awareness and empathy. Students can also practice solving open-ended, real-world problems such as designing a social campaign (宣传活动) or discussing historical decisions. These activities help develop flexible (灵活的) thinking and teamwork—skills that AI cannot copy. A new challenge is that students may depend on AI to complete tasks, bypassing (绕过) the learning process. But true understanding requires effort. Teachers should stress the value of slower learning—through handwriting and hands-on projects—so that students can learn key skills before using AI tools. No one knows how AI will change the job market. However, the most important lesson schools can teach is this: Don’t let shortcuts (捷径) replace learning. Human abilities—especially the ability to work with others to solve difficult problems will always matter. 1．Compared with earlier machines, what is special about AI? A．It can do some cognitive jobs. B．It can finish work on its own. C．It can understand human emotions. D．It can take the place of physical work. 2．What can teachers do to help students build key skills? A．Show the importance of slower learning. B．Encourage students to do more exercises. C．Reduce the teaching of traditional subjects. D．Stop students from using AI to do homework. 3．How does the writer feel about the future of human workers? A．Worried. B．Optimistic. C．Doubtful. D．Uncaring. When it comes to personal change, most people focus on behavior, such as exercising more, eating healthier, and setting bigger goals. But real change can also begin with the way you talk to yourself—the inner dialogue that quietly but powerfully shapes your self-concept (自我概念). Psychologists (心理学家) describe self-concept as the set of beliefs that a person holds about who they are. These beliefs act like an inner blueprint that guides your feelings, choices, and behavior. Your self-concept is not fixed. It is malleable, especially when you become aware of the influences that shape it. And one of the biggest influences is the inner dialogue. Your inner dialogue, or self-talk, is like the narrator (叙述者) of your personal story. Each time you think “I can’t do this,” you add to that story, and over time, these repeated messages can feel like a natural part of your self-concept. More importantly, this inner story directly shapes your actions and results. For example, a boy keeps telling himself “I’m not good at public speaking.” This makes him avoid speaking up or feel very nervous during presentations. He then sees any difficulty as a sign that his belief is true. His inner story holds him back, even though he wishes to change. If you want to change your self-concept, you must start by changing your inner story on purpose. This doesn’t mean mindlessly repeating positive statements you don’t believe. It means carefully creating a more encouraging, truthful story about who you are—and who you are becoming. Here are some ways to start changing your inner dialogue. ·Pay close attention to the repeated statements you make about yourself. Are they empowering or limiting? What you say repeatedly becomes part of your self-concept. ·Be mindful of the statements that follow “I am” and “I can.” These phrases shape how you view yourself and what you believe is possible. Choose language that supports who you want to become. ·Create simple, believable statements that paint a picture of who you want to become. For example, turn “I am terrible with people” into “I am learning to connect with others.” Then, look for real facts—from present or past experiences—that support your new story. Changing your self-concept isn’t about acting like someone you’re not. It’s about recognizing that you already have the power to be more than the old stories you’ve been telling yourself. Start with your inner dialogue. That’s where real change begins. 1．What does the word “malleable” in Paragraph 2 most probably mean? A．Able to change. B．Hard to explain. C．Quick to form. D．Free to explore. 2．Why does the writer use the example of a boy in Paragraph 3? A．To introduce what inner dialogue is. B．To show the effects of inner dialogue. C．To explain the reason for avoiding challenges. D．To give advice on expressing a personal story. 3．Which of the following would the writer most probably agree with? A．Daily actions shape self-concept the most. B．Self-concept changes naturally on its own over time. C．Inner dialogue can be shaped without considering the past. D．Self-concept change starts with purposeful inner dialogue. 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To prove that positive self-talk leads to success. B．To discuss influential words in building self-concept. C．To encourage personal change through positive self-talk. D．To compare the influence of self-concept with that of self-talk. Think about the night in a city. It is never fully dark because of the lights from streetlamps and buildings. But this comes at a cost for nature. A new study by scientists Neil Gilbert and Brent Pease shows that the artificial light is making birds sing for almost an hour longer every day. The two researchers were shocked by this increase. “The effect was more serious than we thought,” said Gilbert. Past research has shown that artificial light brings problems to wildlife. Birds that migrate (迁徙) at night can get lost because of the light. This can cause them to fly into buildings, and they may get hurt or even die. The cycle between day and night plays a part in controlling behavior and physical changes in some birds. Artificial light can mess with these natural rhythms (规律). That can change the timing of bird sleep. Some studies have shown that certain birds become active earlier in the day in light-polluted areas. Gilbert and Pease wanted to know how light affects (影响) birds in more places. Using a huge collection of bird calls from a worldwide project, they studied the daily start and end times of songs from 583 different kinds of birds and compared those times to the local light-pollution levels. They found that in the brightest places, birds sang an average 50 minutes longer than in the darkest places—about 18 minutes more in the morning and 32 minutes in the evening. The researchers also found that light’s effects were especially noticeable for birds with larger eyes. This may be because such birds feel the light more easily. It’s still unclear whether this extra singing is harmful to birds. “It might mess up their sleep”, says Gilbert. “But it could give birds more time to find food to feed their young”. The findings show just how much people can have an effect on wildlife without meaning to. “We more or less let our lights flood mindlessly into the night”, Pease says. “Yet these lights are quietly changing the lives of animals all around us.” 1．What was the main finding of Gilbert and Pease’s new study? A．Artificial light makes birds sing more loudly. B．Artificial light helps migrating birds find the way. C．Artificial light causes birds to sing longer each day. D．Artificial light leads to more daytime sleep in birds. 2．What is Paragraph 4 mainly about? A．Why light pollution is increasing in cities. B．How artificial light changes birds’ daily cycles. C．What can be done to reduce artificial light at night. D．How scientists control behavior changes in some birds. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Birds sing longer in dark than in bright areas. B．The extra singing is more helpful than harmful. C．Artificial light has a greater effect on big-eyed birds. D．Morning song mainly helps birds to find more food. Lard, which is made from pork fat by heating and cooling, is often viewed as unhealthy oil because it has a lot of saturated fat. But new ideas say it might have benefits for you if you just eat a little, as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Lard is rich in monounsaturated (单不饱和的) fats which are also found in olive oil. They are connected with heart health benefits such as improved cholesterol (胆固醇) levels and reduced inflammation (炎症) when lard is used to replace refined carbohydrates (精制碳水) in the diet. Lard has vitamin D and omega-9 fatty acids, and its saturated fat content can possibly give you energy and make you feel full, which might help in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake. In some traditional foods like Mexican and Spanish dishes, lard is valued for improving the taste and quality of food. A study reported an interesting experiment with mice. Researchers compared lard with other cooking oils like tea seed oil and peanut oil. They found that mice eating the right amount of lard were thinner—their total fat was less than that of those eating certain vegetable oils. Lard works like a “fat fighter” by increasing a special thing in the body that breaks down fat into energy. It also calms down cells that cause inflammation, keeping the body healthier. There are a few factors to keep in mind before making it a regular part of your cooking. Lard has saturated fats, which may raise bad cholesterol levels in some people. And it’s not suitable for people who don’t eat meat. Some processed (加工的) lard may include unhealthy additives, and some that’s been heavily processed usually delivers fewer nutrients. Overuse may also lead to an imbalanced fat intake. How to use it wisely? Experts suggest adults use 25 to 30 grams of cooking oil daily, with lard making up half. We can mix lard with vegetable oils for a balanced diet. Besides, not all lard is the same, and the quality varies greatly depending on how it’s sourced and processed. Choosing high-quality, less processed lard provides better nutrition and safer cooking. 1．According to Paragraph 2, monounsaturated fat in lard ________. A．causes heart health problems B．helps improve cholesterol levels C．is a type of refined carbohydrate D．increases inflammation in the body 2．What is mentioned about lard in Paragraph 4? A．The detailed steps of making lard. B．The related experiment of eating lard. C．The common cooking methods for lard. D．The considerations for the regular use of lard. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Lard is fit for people who don’t eat meat. B．Adults should use 25 to 30 grams of lard daily. C．Processed lard is more nutritious than unprocessed lard. D．Mixing lard with vegetable oils is suggested for balanced eating. A trip to Mars would take about eight months on a modern spaceship. That might seem like a great opportunity to catch up on your sleep. But a recent experiment finds that people may develop sleep problems on a long space journey, or at least on the pretend trip in these tests. “If we at some point really want to go to Mars and we want to send humans, then we need to know how they will cope (处理) , not just physically but also mentally,” Mathias Basner told Science News. He is a sleep researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia. His team published its new findings in early January. Their experiment was like a long-running game of make-believe: Six men spent 520 days—a little more than 74 weeks—on a pretend trip to Mars. In fact, they spent the entire time confined (封闭的) inside a small, windowless capsule in Moscow, Russia. The goal of this experiment was to learn how people would cope with living in close quarters, and facing the psychological pressure during travel to and from the Red Planet. During their trip, the travelers pretended to land on Mars, set up equipment, and carry out science tests. Throughout the pretend trip, other scientists were collecting data on their sleep, activity levels, mood, and cognitive function. Each participant wore a device on his wrist. Once every minute, that device recorded the man’s motions. From these data, Basner’s team found that the volunteers were less active and slept more as the mission continued. During the last 18. 5 weeks of the trial, most participants were sleeping more each day than they had during the first 18. 5 weeks. Four of the men also developed sleep problems. One man’s natural sleep cycle shifted from a roughly 24-hour day to almost 25 hours long. By coincidence, that time is closer to the length of a day on Mars. This meant that he was sometimes awake when his members were asleep, and vice versa. Another one of the six pretend travelers slept less over time. Tests showed that he became less alert (警觉的) . Messing with sleep can have serious consequences, says Jeffrey Sutton. He’s a doctor and scientist who worked on the study and also directs the Center for Space Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “When you are doing high-risk behavior in space, a performance deficit can be life threatening,” he told Science News, noting that even small mistakes could have extremely terrible results in the severe environment of space. The decrease in activity found by Basner’s team could also prove problematic in space, says Sutton. He suggests that astronauts may need to follow stricter exercise to stay healthy and maintain their sleep patterns during long space journeys. 1．Why was the experiment carried out? A．To test the safety in space travel. B．To record the length of a day on Mars. C．To explore long space journeys’ effects on humans. D．To measure how much sleep astronauts need during the trip. 2．What the main problem did some travelers face during long space journey? A．They lost their sense of time due to sleep disorders. B．They had to be disconnected from the outside world. C．They suffered from physical pain throughout the journey. D．They experienced sleep cycle changes or poorer sleep quality. 3．What can we learn from the passage? A．Reduced activity and sleep disorders may cause safety problems. B．Confined environments in space have a positive effect on human sleep. C．A 25-hour sleep cycle is more suitable for astronauts traveling to Mars. D．Most volunteers were more active during the last weeks of the experiment. There are certainly facts that actors experience a mixture of their real self and their assumed (假定，设定) characters. For example, Benedict Cumberbatch said, “My mum says I’m much more impatient with her when I’m filming Sherlock.” Mark Seton, a researcher at the University of Sydney, has even coined the term “post-dramatic stress disorder” to describe the lasting effects experienced by actors who lose themselves in a role. “Actors may often lengthen habits of the characters they have represented,” he writes. A recent finding doesn’t involve acting, and it shows that just spending some time thinking about another person seemed to rub off on the volunteers’ sense of self, led by Meghan Meyer at Princeton University. Across several studies, these researchers asked volunteers to first score their own personalities, memories or physical qualities, and then to perform the same task from the perspective (角度，观点，想法) of another person. For example, they might score the emotionality of various personal memories, and then rate (评估) how a friend or relative would have experienced those same events. After taking the perspective of another, the volunteers scored themselves once again; the finding was that their self-knowledge had changed— their self-scores had shifted (偏离) to become more similar to those they’d given for someone else. For example, if they had firstly said the trait term “confident” was only reasonably related to themselves and then rated the term as being strongly related to a friend’s personality, when they came to rescore themselves, they now began to see themselves as more confident. Surprisingly, this change of the self with another was still clear even if a 24-hour gap was left between taking someone else’s perspective and re-rating oneself. “By simply thinking about another person, we may adapt our self to take the shape of that person,” said Meyer and her colleagues. That our sense of self should have this quality might be a little discouraging, especially for anyone who has struggled to build a firm sense of identity (身份，特性). Yet there is an optimistic message here, too. The challenge of improving ourselves— or at least seeing ourselves in a more positive light— might be a little easier than we thought. By roleplaying or acting out the kind of person we would like to become, or simply by thinking about and spending time with people who represent the kind of qualities we would like to see in ourselves, we can find that our sense of self changes in desirable ways. “As each of us chooses who to befriend, who to model, and who to take no notice of,” write Meyer and her colleagues, “we must make these decisions aware of how they shape not only the fabric (结构) of our social networks, but even our sense of who we are.” 1．The first two paragraphs mainly ________. A．state that acting requires skills B．explain the stress that an actor faces C．show that a role has effects on the actor D．stress the importance of putting oneself into a role 2．The words “rub off on” in Paragraph 3 are closest in meaning to ________. A．influence B．strengthen C．protect D．repair 3．According to the study, taking the perspective of another person ________. A．drives one to better understand himself B．brings changes to one’s self-knowledge C．helps people deal with their identity problems D．produces short-term effects on one’s character 4．What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? A．To share a means to improve ourselves. B．To offer instructions on making friends. C．To give advice on controlling one’s emotions. D．To present a way to deal with stress disorder. 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 $