专题03 阅读理解（说明文）（期中真题汇编，湖南专用）高二英语下学期

专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 主题01 人与自然 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南娄底·期中） A physical examination usually begins with a series of questions. For instance, what foods do you eat? Do you smoke? Getting any exercise? A new research suggests another telling indicator could be added to that list: What was your college major? The research shows that the field one chooses to study in college can, statistically speaking, significantly predict one’s health in middle age. The researchers find four majors associated with the best midlife health are architecture/engineering, biology/life sciences, business, and — here’s a surprise — communications/journalism. Perhaps chasing after big stories keeps us journalists in shape. It has long been established that people with more education tend to be healthier. But does one’s major matter? To find out, the researchers analyzed data from the nationally representative American Community Survey. Their sample consisted of 3.7 million United States-born adults between the ages of 45 and 64 — the time of life when physical functioning problems start to appear. Participants noted whether they had difficulty walking or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing. A “yes” answer in any of those categories resulted in a grade of relatively poor health. The researchers focused on the 667,362 participants who earned a bachelor’s degree, but went no further in their education. They noted each person’s college major, which they placed into one of 15 categories. They found substantial differences in health across majors. Two majors are particularly disadvantaged in midlife. The chances of poor health are 1.9 times greater among psychology and law/public policy majors compared to business majors. The researchers argue this is likely due to several factors. Psychology majors tend to suffer from high unemployment and low earnings. Law/public policy majors often enter the field of law enforcement (执行). The researchers say that they have discovered associations, not proof of causality. But they make a convincing case that some majors lead people to live healthier lifestyles than others. Their findings might even inspire a warning country song: Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be psychology majors. 1．What can be learned from the first paragraph? A．Smoking can lead to poor health. B．Diet is more important than exercise. C．College major could be added to a checkup list. D．Regular physical checkups help maintain your well-being. 2．What is the main method used by the researchers to assess participants’ health? A．Blood tests. B．Physical fitness tests. C．Mental health evaluations. D．Questions about daily activities. 3．Which major is most likely bad for midlife health according to the researchers? A．Engineering. B．Psychology. C．Business. D．Journalism. 4．What is the best title of the passage? A．Your college major predicts midlife health. B．Your major can influence your career interests. C．The annual physical checkup is necessary to life. D．People with more education tend to be healthier. 【答案】1．C 2．D 3．B 4．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一项研究，指出大学所学专业在统计学上可以显著预测人的中年健康状况，并分析了部分专业与健康的关联。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“A physical examination usually begins with a series of questions. For instance, what foods do you eat? Do you smoke? Getting any exercise? A new research suggests another telling indicator could be added to that list: What was your college major?(体检通常以一系列问题开始。例如，你吃什么食物？你抽烟吗？有运动吗？一项新的研究表明，另一个能说明问题的指标可以添加到这个清单中：你大学的专业是什么?)”可知，大学专业可以添加到健康检查清单中。故选C项。 2．细节理解题。根据第四段中“Participants noted whether they had difficulty walking or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing. A “yes” answer in any of those categories resulted in a grade of relatively poor health.(参与者要说明自己在走路、爬楼梯、穿衣或洗澡方面是否有困难。在任何一项中回答“是”，都会被评定为相对健康状况不佳)”可知，研究人员评估参与者健康的主要方法是询问他们关于日常生活活动的问题。故选D项。 3．推理判断题。根据第五段中“Two majors are particularly disadvantaged in midlife. The chances of poor health are 1.9 times greater among psychology and law/public policy majors compared to business majors.(有两个专业在中年时期处于特别不利的地位。心理学和法律/公共政策专业的人健康状况不佳的几率是商科专业的1.9倍)”以及“Psychology majors tend to suffer from high unemployment and low earnings.(心理学专业的人往往面临高失业率和低工资的问题)”可推知，心理学专业最有可能对中年健康不利。故选B项。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，结合第一段中“The research shows that the field one chooses to study in college can, statistically speaking, significantly predict one’s health in middle age.(研究表明，从统计学角度来说，一个人在大学选择的专业可以显著预测其中年时期的健康状况)”可知，本文主要论述了大学专业与中年健康的关系。所以“A. Your college major predicts midlife health.(你的大学专业预示着中年健康状况)”最能概括文章内容，适合做标题。故选A项。 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） Massive flooding in America’s Yellowstone National Park caused widespread damage and resulted in many changes. The recent floodwaters changed the path of a river popular for fishing. It also damaged homes, bridges and roadways. Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872. It is known for its natural beauty that includes mountains, rivers and lakes. The forces of fire and ice have shaped the park for thousands of years. It is a place where visitors can get close to different kinds of wildlife. Flooding caused by heavy rains and melting mountain snow did cause a lot of damage. It drove more than 10,000 visitors out of the park. The rain also damaged hundreds of homes in nearby communities. Luckily, no one was reported hurt. However, the park could remain closed for up to one week. Some entrances might not open all summer. The water also washed away camp structures, flooded small towns and cut power to parts of southern Montana and northern Wyoming. The event happened as the park was beginning its busy summer season and received millions of summer visitors. The Yellowstone River was running at a historically high level of 4.9 meters as it flowed past Billings, Montana’s largest city. The city got its water from the river and was forced to close its treatment plant because it couldn’t operate effectively with water levels that high. Billings officials said the city only had a 24-hour supply of water. They were asking people to protect water until the river could drop and the plant could restart operations. “None of us planned a 500-year flood event on the Yellowstone when we designed the equipment,” said Debi Meling, the city’s director of public works. Yellowstone officials said, “The northern half of the park is likely to remain closed over the summer. This will greatly affect local economies that depend on summer tourists. But we have faith in the park repairs and economic recovery.” 1．What makes Yellowstone National Park special? A．It is America’s largest national park. B．It has rich cultural human activities. C．It possesses diverse natural scenery and wildlife. D．It suffers widespread damage and many changes. 2．What can we learn about flooding from paragraph 3? A．The bad effects it caused. B．The time it lasted. C．The repairs all the people did. D．The wildlife hurt in it. 3．What happened to the treatment plant in Billings after flooding? A．It had to stop working due to the water rising. B．It was forced to treat water for the city as usual. C．It was asked to restart the equipment to protect water. D．It merely cut down the city’s water supply for 24 hours. 4．What’s the attitude of Yellowstone officials to the rebuilding work after flooding? A．Keen. B．Incredible. C．Unconcerned. D．Confident. 【答案】1．C 2．A 3．A 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。本文主要讲述了美国黄石国家公园遭遇严重洪水灾害的情况，由此黄石公园北部可能整个夏季关闭，对依赖夏季游客的当地经济造成重大影响。 1．细节理解题。根据文章第二段“Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872. It is known for its natural beauty that includes mountains, rivers and lakes. The forces of fire and ice have shaped the park for thousands of years. It is a place where visitors can get close to different kinds of wildlife. (黄石公园于1872年成为美国第一个国家公园。它以其包括山脉、河流和湖泊在内的自然美景而闻名。几千年来，火与冰的力量塑造了这座公园。这是一个游客可以近距离接触各种野生动物的地方。) ”可知，黄石国家公园拥有多样的自然风景和野生动植物。故选C。 13．推理判断题。根据第三段“Flooding caused by heavy rains and melting mountain snow did cause a lot of damage. It drove more than 10,000 visitors out of the park. The rain also damaged hundreds of homes in nearby communities. Luckily, no one was reported hurt. However, the park could remain closed for up to one week. Some entrances might not open all summer. The water also washed away camp structures, flooded small towns and cut power to parts of southern Montana and northern Wyoming. (大雨和融化的山雪引发的洪水确实造成了很大的破坏。洪水迫使1万多名游客离开了公园。大雨还损坏了附近社区的数百所房屋。幸运的是，没有人员受伤的报道。然而，公园可能会关闭长达一周。一些入口可能整个夏天都不会开放。洪水还冲走了露营设施，淹没了小镇，并切断了蒙大拿州南部和怀俄明州北部的部分地区电力供应。)”可知，本段主要描述了洪水造成的恶劣影响，包括游客被迫离开、房屋受损、公园关闭等。因此，A选项“The bad effects it caused.(它造成的恶劣影响)”符合题意。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据第四段“The Yellowstone River was running at a historically high level of 4.9 meters as it flowed past Billings, Montana’s largest city. The city got its water from the river and was forced to close its treatment plant because it couldn’t operate effectively with water levels that high. (黄石河在流经蒙大拿州最大的城市比灵斯时，水位达到了历史最高的4.9米。这座城市从这条河取水，但由于水位太高，水处理厂无法有效运行，因此被迫关闭。)”可知，洪水后，由于水位太高，水处理厂无法有效运行，因此被迫关闭。因此，A选项“It had to stop working due to the water rising.(由于水位上涨，它不得不停止工作)”符合题意。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“Yellowstone officials said, ‘The northern half of the park is likely to remain closed over the summer. This will greatly affect local economies that depend on summer tourists. But we have faith in the park repairs and economic recovery.’ (黄石公园官员说：“公园北部可能会在整个夏天关闭。这将极大地影响依赖夏季游客的当地经济。但我们对公园的修复和经济复苏有信心。”)”可知，黄石公园官员对洪水后的修复和经济复苏持有信心。因此，D选项“Confident.(自信的)”符合题意。故选D。 Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南衡阳·期中） People have been enjoying the benefits of cycling (骑自行车) in Amsterdam for years. It is a good city for cycling because it is flat and there are plenty of places for bicycle parking. Today some people call Amsterdam the “City of Bicycles” because of the convenience for bicycles there. In the 1960s, a group of cycling fans had an idea. They believed that it would be better for everybody if cars weren’t allowed in the city centre and only bicycles were. They were hopeful that this would help to save energy, reduce pollution and provide free public transport. The group painted hundreds of bicycles white and placed them in lots of neighbourhoods around Amsterdam for people to use. Then a problem came- thieves took all the bicycles within weeks! However, more than thirty years later, the“ white bike” is back in town — this time with a computer chip (芯片) to record its every move! To take a bicycle, you have to insert (插入) a special card. The new “white bike” is not actually white but is an unusual design with bright colours. The bikes are parked at special parking places and people who want to use them have to take them to another special parking place that has enough room. There is already less traffic in central Amsterdam, because both locals and tourists have been using the white bikes. Instead, thanks to the good ideas of lots of people, like the cycling fans in the 1960s, many people around the world have been enjoying city centre streets without cars many years. 1．Amsterdam is called the “City of Bicycles” because of____. A．the cycling fans there B．the appearance of bicycles C．the quality of bicycles D．the convenience for bicycles 2．In the 1960s, some cycling fans hoped bikes could . A．help to save energy B．be specially designed C．be placed anywhere D．be painted in different colours 3．What do people use if they want to take a “white bike” in the city? A．A white key. B．A special card. C．A special computer. D．A common chip. 【答案】1．D 2．A 3．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要讲述阿姆斯特丹推广自行车出行的发展历程与创新举措。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段“Today some people call Amsterdam the “City of Bicycles” because of the convenience for bicycles there.(如今，有人将阿姆斯特丹称为“自行车之城”，这是因为那里骑自行车出行十分便捷)”可知，阿姆斯特丹被称为“自行车之城”，是因为自行车使用的便利性。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段“In the 1960s, a group of cycling fans had an idea. They believed that it would be better for everybody if cars weren’t allowed in the city centre and only bicycles were. They were hopeful that this would help to save energy, reduce pollution and provide free public transport.(在20世纪60年代，一群自行车爱好者有了一个想法。他们认为，如果城市中心禁止汽车通行，只允许自行车通行，那对所有人来说都会更好。他们满怀希望地认为，这将有助于节约能源、减少污染，并提供免费的公共交通服务)”可知，在20世纪60年代，一些自行车爱好者曾希望自行车能够有助于节约能源。故选A。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段“However, more than thirty years later, the“ white bike” is back in town — this time with a computer chip (芯片) to record its every move! To take a bicycle, you have to insert (插入) a special card.(然而，三十多年后，“白色自行车”又重新出现在这里了——这次它还装有电脑芯片，能够记录下每一处的骑行轨迹！要使用这辆自行车，你必须插入一张特殊的卡)”可知，如果人们想在城市里骑“白色自行车”，他们会使用一张特殊的卡。故选B。 主题02 人与社会 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） Tipping — the act of giving extra money to service workers — is common in many parts of the world, while in others, it is seen totally unnecessary. Even in countries where tipping is expected, debates arise over the proper amounts. As with any complex topics, opinions differ based on cultural and personal factors. Here is what people from different countries said when asked the question“Do you tip?” Maeia, Italy: “If I’m at a café and the service is very good, I’ ll leave a small tip — maybe 10 percent. But usually in Italy tipping is not expected. At most restaurants, they already add a service charge to the bill. I like it that way because then I don’t have to calculate it myself!” Javier, Mexico: “Oh yes, I definitely tip. For me and many others in Mexico, it’s a way of showing respect for hard work. Also, some people — like the people who pack your bags in the grocery store — get no money from their employer. So, if you neglect their tip, they don’t get paid!” Sophie, France: “I do, but I’m in the minority. In France, a service charge is usually included in the bill, so a tip isn’t necessary. But I used to work in a café, so Ialways leave a little something extra for the server.” Liam, the US: “Always. In the US, it’s really a must. But it’s also quite expensive. It used to be around 15 to 20 percent, but now it’s much higher because people got used to tipping more during the COVID years. We’re talking 25 to 30 percent in a restaurant. Honestly, I rarely eat out nowadays, because it breaks the bank. I just can’t afford the tip.” 1．In which countries is tipping not needed for most people? A．Italy& Mexico. B．Mexico& France. C．France& Italy. D．Mexico& the US. 2．In the US, if the bill for a meal is $ 120, what is the minimum tip now? A．$18. B．$24. C．$30. D．$36. 3．Where is this text probably taken from? A．A news report on cultural differences. B．A personal blog on travel expenses. C．An academic journal on social behaviors. D．A culture column in a lifestyle magazine. 【答案】1．C 2．C 3．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了不同国家人们对付小费的看法。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中“But usually in Italy tipping is not expected.(但在意大利，通常不需要付小费)”以及第四段中“In France, a service charge is usually included in the bill, so a tip isn’t necessary.(在法国，服务费通常已经包含在账单里，所以不需要付小费)”可知，在意大利和法国，大多数人不需要付小费。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据最后一段中“It used to be around 15 to 20 percent, but now it’s much higher because people got used to tipping more during the COVID years. We’re talking 25 to 30 percent in a restaurant.(过去大约是15%到20%，但现在要高得多，因为人们在新冠肺炎期间习惯了给更多的小费。我们说的是餐厅里25%到30%的小费)”可知，在美国，如果一顿饭的账单是120美元，现在最少要付的小费是120×25%=30美元。故选C。 3．推理判断题。根据第一段中“Tipping — the act of giving extra money to service workers — is common in many parts of the world, while in others, it is seen totally unnecessary. Even in countries where tipping is expected, debates arise over the proper amounts. As with any complex topics, opinions differ based on cultural and personal factors.(给服务人员额外的小费在世界许多地方都很常见，但在其他地方，这被认为完全没有必要。即使在期望付小费的国家，关于适当的金额也存在争议。和任何复杂的话题一样，由于文化和个人因素的不同，人们的观点也会有所不同)”以及全文可知，文章主要介绍了不同国家的人对于付小费的看法。可推知，文章可能选自一本生活方式杂志的文化专栏。故选D。 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally returned on March 19, having endured a nine-month wait on the International Space Station for a rescue mission to be organized. Seeing the difficulties the US government had in rescuing the astronauts, law experts are now questioning who would be responsible if privately-run space missions go wrong. According to the United Nations (UN), international space law dates back to the 1960s. At that time, space exploration was led by governments and mostly involved the US and the Soviet Union. Private companies going into space were not considered possible and so were not clearly included in international law, wrote Anna Brennan, a researcher at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, on The Conversation. However, the commercial space industry has grown quickly in recent years. The World Economic Forum said that by 2035, the space economy is expected to reach 1.8 trillion dollars (around 13 trillion yuan), rising from 630 billion dollars in 2023 and growing faster than global GDP. By the end of February, the US company Blue Origin had launched 52 civilians into space. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is also designed to allow civilians with little training to travel to space, said Euronews. These changes have revealed legal gaps. One significant issue lies in the wording. As noted in an article published in Khalifa University Science and Tech Review, the UN Outer Space Treaty (OST) and the related Rescue Agreement of 1968 state that, in emergencies, all countries are responsible for rescuing “astronauts”. In contrast, international maritime law uses the broader term “persons”, rather than specific words like “sailors”. This difference creates a gray area because it means civilians on private space missions are not technically covered by the universal rescue obligation, said the article. Although the 1979 Moon Treaty considers anyone on the moon an astronaut, none of the few countries with independent crewed launch capabilities (i.e. the US, Russia and China) have signed this treaty. This reduces the treaty’s relevance, the article further explained. Even in the US, the meaning of “astronaut” changes between agencies, reported NBC News. NASA requires a person to meet several standards, including finishing serious training, to earn the title. But the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, 美国联邦航空管理局) accepts anyone who flies above 80 kilometers on an FAA-licensed spacecraft. Experts are calling for a broader definition of “astronaut”, said New Scientist. Brennan also noted on The Conversation that space law must find a balance between keeping people safe and allowing space businesses to grow. 1．How does the author introduce the topic of the passage? A．By interviewing two astronauts. B．By quoting well-known experts. C．By discussing an international space law. D．By describing a recent return from space. 2．Why were private space companies not clearly included in international space law? A．They showed no interest in space travel. B．They refused to follow space regulations. C．The UN didn’t recognize private space flights. D．They were seen as being unable to go to space. 3．What do the underlined words “a gray area” in paragraph 5 refer to? A．The unclear legal status of space tourists. B．The dangerous conditions of space travel. C．The training requirements for space travel. D．The financial risks of commercial spaceflight. 4．What does Anna Brennan suggest about space law? A．It should redefine the word “astronaut”. B．It should adopt maritime rescue law to for space. C．It should protect people and support space businesses. D．It should restrict private spaceflights for safety reasons. 【答案】1．D 2．D 3．A 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要讲述了随着商业太空行业的快速发展，现有的国际太空法律在应对私人太空任务方面存在的法律空白和挑战。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally returned on March 19, having endured a nine-month wait on the International Space Station for a rescue mission to be organized. Seeing the difficulties the US government had in rescuing the astronauts, law experts are now questioning who would be responsible if privately-run space missions go wrong.(美国宇航局宇航员Suni Williams和Butch Wilmore终于在3月19日返回，他们在国际空间站忍受了9个月的等待，等待救援任务的组织。鉴于美国政府在营救宇航员方面遇到的困难，法律专家现在质疑，如果私营太空任务出错，谁来负责)”可知，文章开篇讲述了NASA宇航员Suni Williams和Butch Wilmore在国际空间站等待九个月后于2025年3月 19日返回地球这一事件，随后引出法律专家对私人太空任务出错责任归属的质疑，进而展开对太空法律相关问题的讨论，所以文章是通过描述一次近期的太空返回事件来引入主题，故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Private companies going into space were not considered possible and so were not clearly included in international law(私营公司进入太空被认为是不可能的，因此没有明确列入国际法)”可知，当时私人太空公司未被明确写进国际法，是因为人们认为它们进入太空是不可能的，故选D。 3．词句猜测题。根据第四段“the UN Outer Space Treaty (OST) and the related Rescue Agreement of 1968 state that, in emergencies, all countries are responsible for rescuing “astronauts”. In contrast, international maritime law uses the broader term “persons”, rather than specific words like “sailors”.(《联合国外层空间条约》（OST）和1968年的相关救援协定规定，在紧急情况下，所有国家都有责任营救“宇航员”。相比之下，国际海事法使用更广泛的术语“人”，而不是像“水手”这样的具体词汇)”和第五段“civilians on private space missions are not technically covered by the universalrescue duty(执行私人太空任务的平民在技术上不受普遍救援义务的保护)”可知，“a gray area”指的是私人太空任务中的平民在法律上的地位不明确，即太空游客不明确的法律地位，故选A。 4．推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“Brennan also noted on The Conversation that space law must find a balance between keeping people safe and allowing space businesses to grow.(Brennan还在“对话”节目中指出，太空法必须在保障人们的安全与允许太空企业发展之间找到平衡)”可知，Anna Brennan认为太空法必须在保障人们安全和促进太空商业发展之间找到平衡，也就是太空法要保护人们并支持太空商业，故选C。 Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南娄底·期中） Crime fiction books have been popular with readers for many decades. Commercial success, of course, does not impress everyone and there are those who believe crime fiction should not be held in such high regard. Well-known in this group is Sebastian Franklin, who has argued that most crime fiction books look more like crossword puzzles than literature. However, increasingly this is a minority opinion as crime fiction has become recognized around the world as a rich and dynamic literary genre (体裁) in its own right. Crime writing really came to the public’s notice in the 1920s and 1930s with the books of the British author Agatha Christie. Christie was a productive writer, publishing more than 60 detective novels over a 50-year period, beginning in 1920. Without a doubt, there are certain elements that tend to be repeated in Christie’s books. The stories generally focus on a well-off circle of people, whose peaceful lives are thrown into chaos by an unexplained crime. The location is often a restricted space of some sort: a train, an island, a boat, or a village. This is quite different, for example, to the world of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who often has the entire city of London as his hunting ground. The books are also action-packed, no less so than today’s most popular thrillers. Christie mastered the art of the page-turner: events unfold so quickly and unpredictably that we keep reading to find out what happens next. The most significant consequence is that it is so simple to overlook vital clues. It is worth reading a Christie book a second time just to notice how carefully she hides crucial information about the criminal’s identity. A survey of contemporary crime writing shows that Agatha Christie’s legacy is more important now than at anytime previously, at the very point when crime writing has become the most popular of all book genres. 1．What does Sebastian Franklin think of crime fiction books? A．They are overvalued. B．They are a rich literary genre. C．Their readers are a minority group. D．Their commercial success is impressive. 2．What does the author intend to do in paragraph 3? A．Contrast Christie’s different techniques. B．Reveal a weakness of Christie’s writing style. C．List some features of a typical Christie story. D．Identify a famous writer important to Christie. 3．Which words will the author use to describe Christie’s books? A．Quickly-written but popular. B．Interesting and unforeseeable. C．Popular and loosely-organized. D．Unforeseeable but comprehensible. 4．What can be a suitable title for the text? A．Agatha Christie Enjoys Wealth and Fame. B．Crime Writers Sharpen Their Writing Skills. C．The Surprising Rise of Crime Fiction Books. D．The Influence of Crime Writer Agatha Christie. 【答案】1．A 2．C 3．B 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍了犯罪小说这一文学体裁，以阿加莎・克里斯蒂的作品为例，阐述了犯罪小说的特点以及她对当代犯罪写作的重要影响。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“Well - known in this group is Sebastian Franklin, who has argued that most crime fiction books look more like crossword puzzles than literature.(在这个群体中，塞巴斯蒂安・富兰克林很出名，他认为大多数犯罪小说看起来更像填字游戏而不是文学作品)” 可知，Sebastian Franklin 认为犯罪小说被高估了，并不具备很高的文学价值。故选A。 2．推理判断题。根据第三段“Without a doubt, there are certain elements that tend to be repeated in Christie’s books.The stories generally focus on a well - off circle of people, whose peaceful lives are thrown into chaos by an unexplained crime. The location is often a restricted space of some sort: a train, an island, a boat, or a village.(毫无疑问，有些元素在克里斯蒂的作品中往往会重复出现。故事通常聚焦于一群富裕的人，他们平静的生活因一起不明原因的犯罪而陷入混乱。故事发生的地点通常是某种有限的空间：一列火车、一座岛屿、一艘船或一个村庄)”可知，作者通过描述故事聚焦的人群和发生地点等内容，列举了典型的克里斯蒂故事的一些特征。故选C。 3．推理判断题。根据第四段“Christie mastered the art of the page-turner: events unfold so quickly and unpredictably that we keep reading to find out what happens next.  The most significant consequence is that it is so simple to overlook vital clues.  It is worth reading a Christie book a second time just to notice how carefully she hides crucial information about the criminal’s identity.(克里斯蒂掌握了引人入胜的艺术：事件展开得如此迅速和不可预测，以至于我们不断阅读，以了解接下来会发生什么。最重要的后果是，人们很容易忽视重要线索。克里斯蒂的书值得再读一遍，只是为了注意她是如何小心翼翼地隐藏有关罪犯身份的关键信息)” 可知，作者认为克里斯蒂的书情节有趣，让人忍不住读下去，且事件发展不可预见。选项 B “有趣且不可预见” 符合推断。故选B。 4．主旨大意题。文章第一段以侦探小说几十年来一直深受读者欢迎引出第二段中的侦探小说家阿加莎•克里斯蒂, 第三段介绍了她的小说特点, 第四段将其小说与现代惊悚小说作比较, 说明其故事精彩, 最后一段谈到克里斯蒂对当代侦探小说的重要影响。综上可知, 本文主要探讨了阿加莎•克里斯蒂的影响。所以短文的标题为“犯罪小说作家阿加莎·克里斯蒂的影响”。故选D。 主题03 人与自我 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） What makes a person a giver or a taker? The idea of “give vs. take” takes shape in all interactions and relationships of our lives. We’re either giving advice, making time for people, or we’re on the receiving end. We keep changing between the two based on different situations on a daily basis, if not an hourly one. According to Adam Grant, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, most people are matchers. They make careful observations on takers and make it a point for them to pay something back. They hate to see people who act so generously towards others not receive any rewards. Actually, most matchers will try hard to promote and support givers so that they can get the good they should get. Is there a gender (性别) factor that plays a part in this? A study led by Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard University, focused on this question. She asked 200 senior managers to sit down in pairs where one person would act as the boss and the other as a worker to discuss salary promotions. Male “workers” asked for an average salary of $146k while the females asked for only $141k. But why did they not bargain (讨价还价) as hard as the men? Simply because they were more likely to be givers. As a woman, I do enjoy the act of giving up my time, my knowledge, and my care and attention to others. I don’t expect anything in return, but I do tend to pull myself away when I feel like I’m being taken for granted (被认为理所当然). I also tend to get upset when I see a loved one’s continuous actions of kindness go unnoticed. So, it’s safe to say I’m 50% giver, 35% matcher and 15% taker. I do know someone, however, who is 99% giver. They’re constantly giving their time, sharing valuable ideas and going out of their way for everyone who crosses their path. Although they’ve changed the lives of many people, they rarely see any of it returned. But the universe is slowly repaying them; they’re now extremely successful, well known for what they do. 1．Which can best describe the matchers? A．They hate receiving rewards. B．They see no point in giving generously. C．They can put up with unfair treat. D．They want to balance giving and taking. 2．What did Hannah’s study focus on? A．The role of giving and taking in jobs. B．The gender difference in giving and taking. C．The role of men and women in society. D．The salary difference between women and men. 3．What can we know about the author from paragraph 5? A．She is a complete giver. B．She hates wasting time. C．She takes helping others for granted. D．She gives herself an honest assessment (评价). 4．What can be inferred from the last paragraph? A．Giving is a short path to success. B．Sharing is a great human quality. C．No good deed goes undone. D．Only the selfless can be fearless. 【答案】1．D 2．B 3．D 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章探讨了人们在互动和人际关系中作为付出者、获取者或互利者的行为模式，指出性别可能影响付出倾向，并强调善意虽不总被即时回报，但终将带来积极结果。 1．推理判断题。根据第二段“According to Adam Grant, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, most people are matchers. They make careful observations on takers and make it a point for them to pay something back. They hate to see people who act so generously towards others not receive any rewards. Actually, most matchers will try hard to promote and support givers so that they can get the good they should get. (根据宾夕法尼亚大学教授Adam Grant的研究，大多数人属于“互利者”。这类人会仔细观察获取者的行为，并坚持要求对方有所回报。他们最不愿看到那些慷慨付出的人得不到任何回报。事实上，大多数互利者都会竭力提携和支持付出者，确保这些善行能获得应有的回报)”可知，互利者会观察获取者并确保对方有所回报，支持付出者，以确保善行得到回报。由此可知，互利者追求付出与获取的平衡。故选D项。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段“Is there a gender (性别) factor that plays a part in this? (是否存在性别因素在其中起作用呢)”和第四段中“A study led by Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard University, focused on this question. (哈佛大学教授Hannah Riley Bowles主导的一项研究专门探讨了这个问题)”可知，Hannah的研究重点是付出和获取的性别差异。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据第五段“As a woman, I do enjoy the act of giving up my time, my knowledge, and my care and attention to others. I don’t expect anything in return, but I do tend to pull myself away when I feel like I’m being taken for granted (被认为理所当然). I also tend to get upset when I see a loved one’s continuous actions of kindness go unnoticed. So, it’s safe to say I’m 50% giver, 35% matcher and 15% taker. (作为一个女性，我确实很享受将自己的时间、知识和关怀奉献给他人的过程。我从不期待回报，但当我感到付出被视作理所当然时，就会选择抽身而退。看到所爱之人持续的善举被忽视时，我也会感到难过。因此可以说，我的性格构成是50%的付出者、35%的互利者和15%的获取者)”可知，作者通过具体比例分析自己的行为模式，展现了客观的自我认知。由此可知，她进行了诚实的自我评估。故选D项。 4．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Although they’ve changed the lives of many people, they rarely see any of it returned. But the universe is slowly repaying them; they’re now extremely successful, well known for what they do. (虽然他们改变了许多人的生活，但他们很少看到任何回报。但宇宙正在慢慢地回报他们；他们现在非常成功，他们所做的事情众所周知)”可知，长期付出者可能不会立即获得回报，但善意终将以某种形式回馈。由此可知，善行终有善报。故选C项。 主题01 人与社会 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） The urban fruit flies that fly around the apples on your counter have to navigate (导航) a rich visual environment to find that food. Desert fruit flies, not so much. They fly through a mostly empty landscape with fewer predictable barriers to find certain fruit. Nonetheless, it has long been believed that other species of fruit flies navigate and maintain balance the same way as urban fruit flies. But a new study contradicts that belief. Flying fruit flies have two jobs: to head toward interesting things, and also stay stable during flight. Like humans, vision helps fruit flies move straight and stay stable while navigating toward attractive objects. Looking at interesting things interrupts the vision needed to stay stable. To study how the two types of fruit flies navigate, the researchers designed a system that let the flies interact with objects while tracking their body and eye movements with a camera. They glued a tiny piece of metal to the fly’s back and connected it to a magnet (磁铁) hanging from the top of a round, drum-like device. Another magnet at the bottom of the drum created a magnetic field that held the metal exactly in position while allowing the fly to move around within the drum. The walls of the drum were covered with LED lights and a computer created different moving shapes in various sizes and directions using the lights. The fly could choose how to interact with these virtual objects. One of the objects was a vertical bar (垂直条形物) that looked like something natural, like a tree. This was designed to test how the fly would use the bar and background to navigate. The desert flies ignored the background and moved to follow the vertical bar smoothly, while the urban flies only relied on the background to navigate smoothly.Desert and urban flies both made rapid eye movements, called saccades, to follow objects that moved along a continuous path. Fruit flies are often used in experiments studying visual perception and processing.The finding expands the possibilities for what scientists can learn about vision in humans and can also be used to aid the development of autonomous vehicles. 1．What belief about fruit flies has been held for a long time? A．They have wonderful hunting skills. B．They adopt the same navigating strategy. C．They can adapt to complex environments. D．They can handle predictable barriers well. 2．What is the fundamental flight challenge described in paragraph 2? A．Distinguishing food from blocking objects. B．Processing multiple visual signals at once. C．Limited visual sharpness in complex settings. D．Balancing target-tracking with flight stability. 3．Why were LED lights used in the experiment? A．To effectively observe the stability of fruit flies. B．To closely monitor the eye movements of fruit flies. C．To create virtual objects for fruit flies to interact with. D．To track the movement of fruit flies in the experiment. 4．Which of the following can be the best title for the text? A．The Visual Navigation Strategies of Fruit Flies B．Fruit Flies’ Visual Processing Preferences C．The Great Survival Ability of Fruit Flies D．Fruit Flies’ Environmental Adaptations 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．C 4．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了果蝇不同视觉导航策略的研究发现。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Nonetheless, it has long been believed that other species of fruit flies navigate and maintain balance the same way as urban fruit flies.(尽管如此，长久以来人们一直认为其他种类的果蝇和城市果蝇一样，以相同的方式导航和保持平衡)”可知，长期以来人们认为其他种类的果蝇和城市果蝇导航和保持平衡的方式相同，也就是它们采用相同的导航策略。故选B。 2．推理判断题。根据第二段“Flying fruit flies have two jobs: to head toward interesting things, and also stay stable during flight. Like humans, vision helps fruit flies move straight and stay stable while navigating toward attractive objects. Looking at interesting things interrupts the vision needed to stay stable.(飞行的果蝇有两项任务：一是飞向有趣的东西，二是在飞行过程中保持稳定。和人类一样，视觉能帮助果蝇在飞向有吸引力的物体时保持直线飞行和稳定。看有趣的东西会干扰保持稳定所需的视觉)”可推知，果蝇飞行时面临的基本挑战是在追踪目标和保持飞行稳定之间取得平衡。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The walls of the drum were covered with LED lights and a computer created different moving shapes in various sizes and directions using the lights. The fly could choose howto interact with these virtual objects.(鼓的墙壁上覆盖着LED灯，电脑用这些灯创造出不同大小和方向的运动形状。果蝇可以选择如何与这些虚拟物体互动)”可知，LED 灯是用来创造虚拟物体让果蝇与之互动的。故选C。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第一段的“The urban fruit flies that fly around the apples on your counter have to navigate (导航) a rich visual environment to find that food. Desert fruit flies, not so much. They fly through a mostly empty landscape with fewer predictable barriers to find certain fruit. Nonetheless, it has long been believed that other species of fruit flies navigate and maintain balance the same way as urban fruit flies. But a new study contradicts that belief.(在你柜台上的苹果周围飞行的城市果蝇必须在丰富的视觉环境中导航才能找到食物。沙漠果蝇，没那么多。它们飞过一片空旷的土地，没有多少可预测的障碍来寻找某些水果。尽管如此，长期以来人们一直认为，其他种类的果蝇与城市果蝇一样导航和保持平衡。但一项新的研究与这一观点相矛盾)”可知，文章主要介绍了一项关于果蝇视觉导航策略的研究，介绍了研究的过程和发现。所以A选项“果蝇的视觉导航策略”最符合文章标题。故选A。 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南衡阳·期中） A research team, led by Dr. Lee Seung-Hee, Associate Director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), has uncovered a fundamental principle of how the brain prioritizes vision and hearing differently depending on whether we are still or in motion. The study provides new insights into the brain’s sensory decision-making processes and how they adapt to behavioral states. In daily life, we constantly process visual and auditory (听觉的) information to explore the world. For example, when watching a movie, the brain integrates images and sounds to create a unified experience. However, during movement — such as walking down a busy street — the brain may prioritize visual input over sound to avoid obstacles. Until now, the neural mechanisms (神经机制) behind this sensory prioritization remained unclear. Understanding this process is particularly important for individuals with sensory processing disorders. such as autism or schizophrenia, where the brain may grapple with integrating sensory information effectively. By uncovering how the brain naturally shifts between sensory inputs, researchers hope to pave the way for better treatment for these conditions. To investigate this phenomenon, the research team conducted behavioral experiments on mice, monitoring real-time brain activity using miniature microscopes and optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control neurons. The mice were trained to respond to both visual and auditory cues while either stationary or running on a treadmill. The results revealed a striking shift in sensory reliance: When stationary, the ice relied more on auditory cues to make decisions. When moving, their brains prioritized visual input. This suggests that the brain dynamically adjusts sensory weighting based on behavioral context. Sound may be more useful for detecting nearby events when still, whereas vision becomes critical during movement for spatial navigation and stability. This discovery could have important implications for understanding and treating sensory processing disorders, where the brain may struggle to properly prioritize sensory inputs. Dr. Lee explained, “Our findings demonstrate how the brain flexibly shifts between vision and hearing depending on behavior. Understanding this natural adaptability could lead to improved treatments for those with sensory integration difficulties.” 1．What was the main focus of Dr. Lee’s research? A．How behavior boosts the brain function. B．How physical state affects sensory focus. C．How information is processed by the brain. D．How sensory input guides decision-making. 2．Why is this research particularly important for people with autism or schizophrenia? A．Because they rely more on hearing than vision. B．Because their movement speed affects their vision. C．Because their brains cannot process any sensory input. D．Because they may struggle to properly integrate sensory information. 3．How did the researchers investigate sensory prioritization in mice? A．By tracking their brain activity during sensory tasks. B．By monitoring their adaptation to light and sound. C．By recording their instant reactions to movement. D．By comparing corresponding human behavior. 4．Which of the following is the best title for the passage? A．“Autism and Its Effects on Sensory Perception” B．“The Role of Hearing in Human Communication” C．“How the Brain Processes Movement: A New Study” D．“Brain’s Sensory Switch: Vision or Hearing Depends on Movement” 【答案】42．B 43．D 44．A 45．D 【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章讲述了文章主要讲述了由李胜熙博士领导的研究团队揭示了大脑如何根据人体是静止还是处于运动状态，对视觉和听觉进行不同的优先级排序的基本原理。研究通过对老鼠的实验得出结论，这一发现对理解和治疗感官处理障碍有重要意义。 42．细节理解题。根据第一段中“A research team, led by Dr. Lee Seung-Hee, Associate Director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), has uncovered a fundamental principle of how the brain prioritizes vision and hearing differently depending on whether we are still or in motion.(由基础科学研究所（IBS）副所长李胜熙博士领导的一个研究小组发现了一个基本原理，即大脑如何根据我们是静止还是运动来区分视觉和听觉的优先级。)” 可知，李博士的研究主要关注身体状态（静止或运动）如何影响大脑对感官的关注重点。故选B项。 43．细节理解题。根据第三段中“Understanding this process is particularly important for individuals with sensory processing disorders, such as autism or schizophrenia, where the brain may grapple with integrating sensory information effectively.(了解这一过程对感觉处理障碍（如自闭症或精神分裂症）患者很重要，因为他们的大脑难以有效整合感官信息。)”可知，这项研究对自闭症或精神分裂症患者尤为重要是因为他们可能难以正确整合感官信息。故选D项。 44．推理判断题。根据第四段“To investigate this phenomenon, the research team conducted behavioral experiments on mice, monitoring real-time brain activity using miniature microscopes and optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control neurons. The mice were trained to respond to both visual and auditory cues while either stationary or running on a treadmill.(为了调查这一现象，研究小组在老鼠身上进行了行为实验，使用微型显微镜和光遗传学（一种利用光来控制神经元的技术）监测实时大脑活动。这些老鼠被训练对视觉和听觉线索做出反应，无论它们是静止的还是在跑步机上跑步)”可知，研究人员是通过在老鼠进行感官任务（静止或在跑步机上跑步并对视觉和听觉线索做出反应）时，跟踪它们的大脑活动来研究感官优先级的。故选A项。 45．主旨大意题。全文核心是大脑如何根据行为状态（静止/运动）动态调整视觉和听觉的优先级。选项D“大脑的感觉切换：视觉或听觉取决于运动”最全面概括文章主题，为最佳标题。故选D项。 主题02 人与自我 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南邵阳·期中） A new study by Japanese researchers concludes that listening to sad music may actually contribute to positive emotions. Researchers say the findings help to explain why people enjoy listening to sad music. Ai Kawakami and the colleagues from Tokyo University of the Arts and the RIKEN Brain Science Institute asked 44 volunteers, including both musicians and non-specialists, to listen to two pieces of sad music and one piece of happy music. Each participant was required to use a set of keywords to rate both his perception of the music and his own emotional state. The sad pieces of music included Glinka’s La Separation, Blumenfeld’s Etude Sur Mer and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. The happy music piece was Granados’s Allegro de Concierto or Tonci Huljic’s Croatian Rhapsody. As reported in the open access journal Frontiers in Psychology, sad music aroused contradictory emotions among the participants. “In general, sad music causes sadness in listeners, and sadness is regarded as an unpleasant emotion. If sad music actually arouses only unpleasant emotions, we would not listen to it,” the researchers wrote in the study. “Music that is regarded as a sad piece actually leads to romantic emotions as well as sad emotions. And people, regardless of their musical training, experience these contradictory emotions when listening to the sad music.” added the researchers. Also, unlike sadness in daily life, sadness experienced through art actually makes us feel pleasant, possibly because the latter does not do an actual threat to our safety. This could help people to deal with their negative emotions in daily life, concluded the authors. “Emotions experienced through music have no direct danger or harm unlike the emotions experienced in everyday life. Therefore, if we suffer from unpleasant emotions in daily life, sad music might be helpful to ease negative emotions.” they added. 1．The author in the passage wants to tell ________ . A．sad music may help us deal with negative emotions B．sad music can leave a person in a negative state C．researchers are devoted to studying music D．emotions play a vital role in our daily life 2．After listening to three pieces of music, ________ . A．the participants explained why they listened to music B．the participants described their feelings about the music C．the participants made a detailed summary of the music D．the participants got a lot of help from the happy music 3．According to the passage, to get rid of your depression, you should listen to ________ . A．Croatian Rhapsody B．Allegro de Concierto C．Moonlight Sonata D．The Blue Danube 4．While listening to the sad music, the participants ________ . A．can experience the less cheerful emotions deeply B．should keep themselves as cool as a cucumber C．can develop both kinds of emotions unconsciously D．should tell the difference between the two types of music 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．C 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了听悲伤音乐可能有助于缓解负面情绪。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“A new study by Japanese researchers concludes that listening to sad music may actually contribute to positive emotions. Researchers say the findings help to explain why people enjoy listening to sad music. (日本研究人员的一项新研究得出结论，听悲伤的音乐实际上可能有助于产生积极的情绪。研究人员表示，这些发现有助于解释为什么人们喜欢听悲伤的音乐)”以及最后一段“Therefore, if we suffer from unpleasant emotions in daily life, sad music might be helpful to ease negative emotions. (因此，如果我们在日常生活中遭受不愉快的情绪，悲伤的音乐可能有助于缓解负面情绪)”可知，文章主要想告诉我们听悲伤的音乐可能有助于我们处理负面情绪。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段“Ai Kawakami and the colleagues from Tokyo University of the Arts and the RIKEN Brain Science Institute asked 44 volunteers, including both musicians and non-specialists, to listen to two pieces of sad music and one piece of happy music. Each participant was required to use a set of keywords to rate both his perception of the music and his own emotional state. (Ai Kawakami和东京艺术大学以及理化学研究所脑科学研究所的同事们邀请了44名志愿者，其中包括音乐家和非专业人士，来聆听两首悲伤的音乐和一首欢快的音乐。每位参与者都被要求使用一组关键词来评价自己对音乐的感知以及自身的情绪状态)”可知，听完三首曲子后，参与者描述了他们对音乐的感受。故选B。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段中“The sad pieces of music included Glinka’s La Separation, Blumenfeld’s Etude Sur Mer and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. (悲伤的曲子包括格林卡的《离别》、布鲁门费尔德的《海上练习曲》和贝多芬的《月光奏鸣曲》)”以及最后一段“Therefore, if we suffer from unpleasant emotions in daily life, sad music might be helpful to ease negative emotions. (因此，如果我们在日常生活中遭受不愉快的情绪，悲伤的音乐可能有助于缓解负面情绪)”可知，为了摆脱抑郁，你应该听悲伤的音乐，如《月光奏鸣曲》。故选C。 4．细节理解题。根据第五段““Music that is regarded as a sad piece actually leads to romantic emotions as well as sad emotions. And people, regardless of their musical training, experience these contradictory emotions when listening to the sad music.” added the researchers. (“被认为是悲伤曲子的音乐实际上既会导致浪漫的情绪，也会导致悲伤的情绪。而且，无论是否受过音乐训练，人们在听悲伤的音乐时都会体验到这些矛盾的情绪。”研究人员补充道)”可知，在听悲伤的音乐时，参与者会不自觉地产生两种情绪。故选C。 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the development of environmental-friendly technologies. These innovative solutions are crucial in our fight against climate change and the degradation of our planet. One such example is the rise of solar-powered vehicles. Solar-powered vehicles harness the sun’s energy, converting it into electricity to power the vehicle’s engine. This technology has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Initially, solar-powered cars were more of an experimental concept, with limited speed and range. However, continuous research and development have led to significant improvements. Scientists and engineers have been working on enhancing the efficiency of solar panels, allowing them to capture more sunlight and generate more power. They’ve also been focusing on optimizing the energy- storage systems in these vehicles, ensuring a more stable and long-lasting power supply. Another area of progress is in waste-to-energy conversion. With the ever-increasing amount of waste generated globally, finding sustainable ways to manage it has become a pressing issue. Waste-to-energy plants use various methods to convert waste materials, such as biomass and municipal solid waste, into usable energy, like electricity or heat. This not only helps in reducing the volume of waste in landfills but also provides an alternative source of energy. The process involves technologies like incineration with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, and gasification. Each method has its own set of advantages and challenges, but all contribute to the overall goal of a more sustainable future. These environmental-friendly technologies teach us an important lesson. The pursuit of solutions to global problems requires continuous effort and innovation. Even when faced with initial setbacks, like the early limitations of solar-powered vehicles, perseverance in research and development can lead to substantial progress. By constantly exploring new ways and improving existing methods, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations. 1．What was the initial state of solar-powered vehicles? A．They were prototypes with high-speed capabilities but a short range. B．They were experimental models with restricted speed and a limited range. C．They were widely used in daily transportation despite being inefficient D．They were vehicles with advanced sunlight-capturing systems but weak engines. 2．What are scientists and engineers doing to improve solar-powered vehicles according to Paragraph 2 and 3? A．They are modifying the shape of solar panels to make them more lightweight. B．They are adding extra components to increase the weight of the vehicles for stability. C．They are enhancing solar panel efficiency and optimizing energy-storage systems. D．They are developing new types of engines that can run on both solar and fossil fuels. 3．What does the underlined word “pressing” in Paragraph 3 probably mean? A．Not requiring immediate attention. B．Demanding immediate action. C．Being relatively simple to solve. D．Being avoidable with proper planning. 4．What is the main message the author intends to convey? A．The significance of promoting the widespread use of solar-powered vehicles. B．The importance of waste-to-energy conversion methods in reducing environmental pollution. C．The necessity of continuous effort and innovation in solving global problems. D．The need for individuals to take more responsibility for reducing waste generation. 【答案】1．B 2．C 3．B 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了环保技术的发展，如太阳能汽车和废物能源转化，强调持续创新对解决全球问题的重要性。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“Initially, solar-powered cars were more of an experimental concept, with limited speed and range. (最初，太阳能汽车更多的是一个实验概念，速度有限，续航里程也有限。)”可知，太阳能汽车最初是速度受限、续航里程有限的实验模型。故选B项。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段“Scientists and engineers have been working on enhancing the efficiency of solar panels, allowing them to capture more sunlight and generate more power. They’ve also been focusing on optimizing the energy- storage systems in these vehicles, ensuring a more stable and long-lasting power supply. (科学家和工程师们一直在致力于提高太阳能电池板的效率，使它们能够捕捉更多的阳光并产生更多的电力。他们还一直专注于优化这些车辆的储能系统，以确保更稳定、更持久的电力供应。)”可知，科学家和工程师们正在提高太阳能电池板的效率并优化储能系统。故选C项。 3．词句猜测题。根据第三段“With the ever-increasing amount of waste generated globally, finding sustainable ways to manage it has become a pressing issue. (随着全球产生的垃圾数量不断增加，寻找可持续的管理方法已成为一个pressing问题)”可知，随着垃圾数量不断增加，寻找可持续的管理方法应是紧迫的问题，pressing在此处意为“紧迫的、急需处理的”，和Demanding immediate action意思相近。故选B项。 4．主旨大意题。根据最后一段“These environmental-friendly technologies teach us an important lesson. The pursuit of solutions to global problems requires continuous effort and innovation. (这些环保技术给我们上了重要的一课。寻求解决全球问题的方法需要不断的努力和创新。)”以及文章内容可知，本文主要介绍了环保技术的发展，如太阳能汽车和废物能源转化，强调持续创新对解决全球问题的重要性，作者想要传达的主要信息是解决全球问题需要不断的努力和创新。故选C项。 Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） At its core, art criticism is a rich and enlightening conversation about visual art. It involves a thoughtful evaluation and discussion of the artwork’s elements, principles, meaning, and impact. It’s not just about saying if you like or dislike an artwork. Instead, it requires you to engage deeply with the work. Diving straight into the first step, you’re tasked with capturing the artwork’s essence through your perspective. This means describing the piece so that anyone who hasn’t seen it can visualize it. Begin with the basics — the work’s title, artist’s name, medium used, and year created. Then, provide a detailed description of the artwork — colors used, shapes spotted, subjects described, and any noticeable techniques applied. After you’ve painted a vivid picture, it’s time to dig deeper into the piece with analysis. This part asks you to separate the artwork into its elemental parts — line, color, rhythm, harmony, and variety. Look closely at how the artist has used these elements and ask yourself what impact they have on the overall work. Do unique lines direct your gaze in a particular way? Is there an exciting interaction between different shapes? Next, you’re tasked with interpreting the artwork in question. Consider what the artist might be trying to communicate through their work. What emotions or themes do you notice? How does the artwork relate to your own experiences or worldview? It’s also crucial to remember there isn’t always an absolutely “right” interpretation since art is subjective and viewers may draw different conclusions. So, you’ve made it to the grand end of your journey — evaluation. Now’s the time to judge it and dish out some cold, hard truths about the piece. Is it a masterpiece that could bring tears to a stone sculpture? This is where you’re allowed to express freely — if you think the painting looks like a catastrophic color collision (碰撞), say so! But remember: no making pointless comment here! 1．What is the role of an art critic? A．A potential purchaser. B．A challenger to art theories. C．A reflective communicator. D．A witness to art creation. 2．What is the significance of describing an artwork? A．Fueling viewers’ curiosity and passion. B．Adding extra details and explanations. C．Making it attractive and comprehensible. D．Serving as eyes for absent viewers. 3．What does the author agree with about the interpretation of an artwork? A．It reveals the possible thoughts behind the artwork. B．It indicates the elemental parts of the artwork. C．It is based on the right analysis of the artwork. D．It plays a part in shaping the viewers’ worldviews. 4．What should be balanced in the evaluation process? A．Uninteresting truths and specific focus. B．Solid reasoning and personal opinions. C．Proper criticism and necessary praise. D．Honest remarks and strong defence. 【答案】1．C 2．D 3．A 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章围绕“艺术批评”展开，清晰地阐述了艺术批评的核心内涵，并且详细说明了进行艺术批评的步骤，向读者介绍和解释了艺术批评的相关知识和方法。 1．推理判断题。文章开篇指出“At its core, art criticism is a rich and enlightening conversation about visual art. It involves a thoughtful evaluation and discussion of the artwork’s elements, principles, meaning, and impact. It’s not just about saying if you like or dislike an artwork. Instead, it requires you to engage deeply with the work.(从本质上讲，艺术批评是一场关于视觉艺术的丰富且富有启发性的对话。它涉及对艺术作品的元素、原则、意义和影响进行深入思考的评估与讨论。这不仅仅是说说你喜欢或不喜欢某件艺术作品。相反，它要求你深度参与到作品当中)”，接着详细阐述了艺术批评的几个步骤，包括描述作品、分析作品元素、解读作品以及评估作品等，这表明艺术批评者需要深入思考和分析作品，并与他人进行关于作品的讨论。因此，艺术批评者的角色是一个善于思考的交流者。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据文章第二段“Diving straight into the first step, you’re tasked with capturing the artwork’s essence through your perspective. This means describing the piece so that anyone who hasn’t seen it can visualize it. Begin with the basics — the work’s title, artist’s name, medium used, and year created. Then, provide a detailed description of the artwork — colors used, shapes spotted, subjects described, and any noticeable techniques applied.(直接进入第一步，你的任务是通过自己的视角捕捉艺术作品的精髓。这意味着对作品进行描述，以便任何没有见过它的人都能在脑海中想象出它的样子。从基本信息入手——作品的标题、艺术家的名字、使用的媒介以及创作年份。然后，对艺术作品进行详细描述——使用的色彩、看到的形状、描绘的主题以及任何引人注目的创作手法)”可知，描述艺术作品的第一步是通过自己的视角捕捉作品的精髓，目的是让任何没有见过该作品的人都能在脑海中想象出它的样子，也就是要详细描述作品的基本信息和具体特征。因此，描述艺术作品的意义是充当没有看过作品的观众的眼睛。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据文章第四段“Next, you’re tasked with interpreting the artwork in question. Consider what the artist might be trying to communicate through their work. What emotions or themes do you notice? How does the artwork relate to your own experiences or worldview?(接下来，你的任务是解读正在讨论的这件艺术作品。思考一下艺术家可能试图通过他们的作品传达什么。你注意到了哪些情感或主题？这件艺术作品与你自己的经历或世界观有怎样的关联？)”可知，在解读艺术作品时，要思考艺术家通过作品想要传达的内容，注意作品中体现的情感或主题，以及作品与自身经历或世界观的联系。故选A。 4．细节理解题。根据文章最后一段“Now’s the time to judge it and dish out some cold, hard truths about the piece. Is it a masterpiece that could bring tears to a stone sculpture? This is where you’re allowed to express freely — if you think the painting looks like a catastrophic color collision (碰撞), say so! But remember: no making pointless comment here!(至此，你已经走到了这段历程的重要终点——评估。现在是时候对作品做出评判，并说出关于这件作品的一些残酷的事实了。它是一件能让铁石心肠之人也为之动容的杰作吗？在这一环节你可以自由表达——如果你觉得这幅画看起来像是一场灾难性的色彩碰撞，那就直说！但请记住：不要在这里发表毫无意义的评论！)”可知，在评估艺术作品时，既要如实表达自己的观点，又不能毫无根据，要有合理的推理和依据。故选B。 主题03 人与自然 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） As the planet warms up and oceans rise, extreme weather events are becoming the norm. Getting notified in time to prepare for a disastrous hurricane or heat wave could be the disparity between life and death. AI can help. Two studies published in the journal Nature described the benefit of two AI models that could improve weather forecasting. The first AI-based system is called Pangu-Weather, which was developed by the Huawei Cloud team. It was capable of predicting global weather a week in advance. A majority of countries use numerical (数值)weather prediction models. These models use math formulas to create computer models of the atmosphere and oceans for predicting future weather with data from them. What makes Pangu-Weather different is that the Pangu-Weather model is deeply trained with the help of 39-year global weather data, preparing it to forecast temperature, pressure, and wind speed. When compared to the numerical weather prediction method, Pangu-Weather was 10,000 times faster and no less accurate. Pangu-Weather also contains a 3D model, unlike past AI forecasting systems, that allows it to record atmospheric states at different pressure levels to further increase its accuracy. Pangu-Weather can predict weather patterns 5—7 days in advance. However, it can’t forecast precipitation (降水). As precipitation prediction is vital for extreme weather forecasting, a second Nature model, NowcastNet, fills this gap. It can accurately predict rainfall 6 hours ahead, helping meteorologists (气象学家)study weather patterns in real-time more effectively. NowcastNet focuses on detailed, realistic descriptions of extreme rainfall patterns in local regions. It uses radar observations from the US and China, as well as deep learning methods, to predict precipitation rates over a 1.6-million-square-mile region of the eastern and central US up to 3 hours in advance. 62 meteorologists from China tested NowcastNet and ranked it first, out of four other leading weather forecasting methods, in reliably predicting heavy rain, which it did 71 percent of the time. While generative AI models have good prospects in weather forecasting, experts point out that replacing existing systems has many challenges. However, in 5 — 10 years, these models may surprise us. 1．What does the underlined word “disparity” in paragraph 1 probably mean? A．Difference. B．Decision. C．Settlement. D．Struggle. 2．What is the advantage of Pangu-Weather compared with the numerical weather prediction method? A．It can predict precipitation more accurately. B．It can provide a 3D view of the weather. C．It is much faster and equally accurate. D．It can record more detailed atmospheric states. 3．What can we learn about NowcastNet from the text? A．It is mainly used to predict global weather patterns. B．It was developed by 62 meteorologists from China. C．It uses radar observations and deep learning to predict precipitation in the US. D．It ranks first among all weather forecasting methods in predicting heavy rain. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The impacts of climate change on extreme weather events. B．The challenges in using generative AI in weather forecasting. C．The explanation of the traditional numerical weather-prediction method. D．The introduction of two AI-based weather-forecasting models and their features. 【答案】1．A 2．C 3．C 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了两款能够提高天气预报准确性的AI模型：Pangu-Weather和NowcastNet。 1．词义猜测题。根据第一段“As the planet warms up and oceans rise, extreme weather events are becoming the norm. Getting notified in time to prepare for a disastrous hurricane or heat wave could be the disparity between life and death.(随着地球变暖，海平面上升，极端天气事件正成为常态。及时得到通知，为灾难性的飓风或热浪做好准备，可能是生与死的_____。)”可推知，此处是指提前为灾难性的飓风或热浪做好准备，可能是生与死的差别。划线词与A选项“Difference(差别)”为同义词。故选A项。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段“When compared to the numerical weather prediction method, Pangu-Weather was 10,000 times faster and no less accurate.(与数值天气预报方法相比，Pangu-Weather的速度要快1万倍，而且同样准确。)”可知，Pangu-Weather预报与数值天气预报方法相比，它的优势是更快且同样准确。故选C项。 3．细节理解题。根据第四段“NowcastNet focuses on detailed, realistic descriptions of extreme rainfall patterns in local regions. It uses radar observations from the US and China, as well as deep learning methods, to predict precipitation rates over a 1.6-million-square-mile region of the eastern and central US up to 3 hours in advance.(NowcastNet专注于对当地极端降雨模式的详细、逼真的描述。它利用来自美国和中国的雷达观测以及深度学习方法来预测美国东部和中部160万平方公里地区的降水量，可以提前3小时进行预测。)”可知，NowcastNet利用雷达观测和深度学习来预测美国的降水量。故选C项。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第一段“AI can help. Two studies published in the journal Nature described the benefit of two AI models that could improve weather forecasting.(人工智能可以提供帮助。发表在《自然》杂志上的两项研究描述了两种可以改善天气预报的人工智能模型的益处。)”可知，本文主要介绍了两种基于人工智能的天气预报模型及其特点。D选项“The introduction of two AI-based weather-forecasting models and their features.(介绍两种人工智能天气预报模式及其特点。)”概括文章主要内容，符合题意。故选D项。 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） Across the flat plateau of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, shades of gray-brown soil are dotted with areas of dark rock — and a clearly defined circle of stones. Unmistakably constructed by humans, this structure, called “standing stone circles” by archaeologists, was built around 7,500 years ago by a people we barely know for a purpose we have long misunderstood. In 2019, archaeologists from the University of Western Australia began excavating (发掘) these standing stone circles. Their initial idea was that these were structures built by Neolithic nomads (新石器时代的游牧民) for some long-forgotten religious practices. However, excavating at multiple sites, they found what turned out to be archaeological pay dirt — domestic rubbish. The remains of discarded animal bones, household tools, and even jewelry, have reclassified the standing stone circles as Neolithic homes. Standing stone circles seem to have sprung up around 5,800 to 5,500 B．C． This coincided with a warmer climate in the region that brought more regular rainfall and a landscape of rich grasses and trees, good conditions for raising cattle and goats. But these were also good conditions for building permanent structures. More abundant vegetation meant less pressure to keep moving the animals to fresh grasslands, which made building homes more worthwhile. This, and the plateau’s abundance of stones, may have encouraged the nomads to stay a while and build. Excavations of these settlements are revealing something of this people’s way of life. They kept cattle and goats for meat, but continued to hunt and gather to expand their diet with hare, fruits and nuts. The many grinding (磨碎) stones found on the sites suggest inhabitants were regularly grinding grains, but these were likely to be gathered rather than farmed. The plateau sites have also revealed tools made with materials from the sandstone valleys and jewelry shaped from shells from the Red Sea — these Neolithic people had a complex culture involving travel and probably exchange. The revelation overturns many of our assumptions about Neolithic AlUla. Here was a people more settled and more civilized than history has given them credit for. Their story is just beginning to be revealed, but already a very different picture of early AIUla is emerging. 1．What did the 2019 excavation finally identify the “standing stone circles” as? A．Religious sites. B．Rubbish stations. C．Domestic buildings. D．Natural wonders. 2．What was a contributing factor in the building of the standing stone circles? A．The worsening climate. B．The richness of plants. C．The desire to raise more animals. D．The need to store goods. 3．What is most likely TRUE about Neolithic people’s way of life in AlUla? A．They planted crops and kept cattle and goats. B．They relied entirely on hunting and gathering for food. C．They had interactions with other groups. D．They made tools and jewelry purely from local materials. 4．What is the purpose of the text? A．To provide some new insights. B．To introduce an ancient population. C．To promote a historical site. D．To argue for some long-held beliefs. 【答案】1．C 2．B 3．C 4．A 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了沙特一处新石器时代的建筑，该建筑的发掘让考古学家对沙特新石器时代的游牧民有了新的认识。 1．细节理解题。由文章第二段中的“The remains of discarded animal bones, household tools, and even jewelry, have reclassified the standing stone circles as Neolithic homes. (丢弃的动物骨骼、家用工具和甚至珠宝的残骸，使这些立石圈被重新归类为新石器时代的住所。)”可知，2019年的发掘最终确定了立石圈是新石器时代的住宅建筑。故选C。 2．细节理解题。由文章第三段中的“This coincided with a warmer climate in the region that brought more regular rainfall and a landscape of rich grasses and trees, good conditions for raising cattle and goats. But these were also good conditions for building permanent structures. More abundant vegetation meant less pressure to keep moving the animals to fresh grasslands, which made building homes more worthwhile. This, and the plateau’s abundance of stones, may have encouraged the nomads to stay a while and build. (这与该地区气候变暖、降雨更加规律以及草木茂盛的景观相吻合，为饲养牛和山羊提供了良好的条件。但这些条件同样适合建造永久性建筑。植被更加茂盛意味着游牧民不需要频繁地将牲畜转移到新的草地上，这使得建造房屋变得更加值得。这一点，再加上高原上丰富的石材，可能促使游牧民在此定居并建造房屋。)”可知，当地气候变暖，植被丰富，这可能是促使游牧民族建造立石圈的一个因素。故选B。 3．细节理解题。由文章第四段中的“The plateau sites have also revealed tools made with materials from the sandstone valleys and jewelry shaped from shells from the Red Sea — these Neolithic people had a complex culture involving travel and probably exchange. (高原遗址还发现了用砂岩山谷中的材料制成的工具和用红海贝壳制成的珠宝——这些新石器时代的人拥有一种涉及旅行和可能还有交换的复杂文化。)”可知，新石器时代的人与其他群体有交往和互动。故选C。 4．推理判断题。通读全文，尤其是由文章第一段中的“Unmistakably constructed by humans, this structure, called “standing stone circles” by archaeologists, was built around 7, 500 years ago by a people we barely know for a purpose we have long misunderstood. (这一结构无疑是人类建造的，考古学家称之为“立石圈”，大约7500年前由我们几乎一无所知的人们建造，而建造的目的我们长期以来都误解了。)”和最后一段“The revelation overturns many of our assumptions about Neolithic AlUla. Here was a people more settled and more civilized than history has given them credit for. Their story is just beginning to be revealed, but already a very different picture of early AIUla is emerging. (这一发现颠覆了我们关于新石器时代AlUla的很多假设。这里的人们比我们历史上所认为的更加定居和文明。他们的故事才刚刚开始被揭示，但早期AlUla的一幅截然不同的画面已经浮现出来。)”可知，本文介绍了沙特一处新石器时代的建筑，该建筑的发掘推翻了考古学家之前对于沙特新石器时代游牧民的设想，为该地区游牧民的生活方式提供了新的认识，因此文章旨在提供一些新的见解。故选A。 / 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ 专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 主题01 人与自然 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南娄底·期中） A physical examination usually begins with a series of questions. For instance, what foods do you eat? Do you smoke? Getting any exercise? A new research suggests another telling indicator could be added to that list: What was your college major? The research shows that the field one chooses to study in college can, statistically speaking, significantly predict one’s health in middle age. The researchers find four majors associated with the best midlife health are architecture/engineering, biology/life sciences, business, and — here’s a surprise — communications/journalism. Perhaps chasing after big stories keeps us journalists in shape. It has long been established that people with more education tend to be healthier. But does one’s major matter? To find out, the researchers analyzed data from the nationally representative American Community Survey. Their sample consisted of 3.7 million United States-born adults between the ages of 45 and 64 — the time of life when physical functioning problems start to appear. Participants noted whether they had difficulty walking or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing. A “yes” answer in any of those categories resulted in a grade of relatively poor health. The researchers focused on the 667,362 participants who earned a bachelor’s degree, but went no further in their education. They noted each person’s college major, which they placed into one of 15 categories. They found substantial differences in health across majors. Two majors are particularly disadvantaged in midlife. The chances of poor health are 1.9 times greater among psychology and law/public policy majors compared to business majors. The researchers argue this is likely due to several factors. Psychology majors tend to suffer from high unemployment and low earnings. Law/public policy majors often enter the field of law enforcement (执行). The researchers say that they have discovered associations, not proof of causality. But they make a convincing case that some majors lead people to live healthier lifestyles than others. Their findings might even inspire a warning country song: Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be psychology majors. 1．What can be learned from the first paragraph? A．Smoking can lead to poor health. B．Diet is more important than exercise. C．College major could be added to a checkup list. D．Regular physical checkups help maintain your well-being. 2．What is the main method used by the researchers to assess participants’ health? A．Blood tests. B．Physical fitness tests. C．Mental health evaluations. D．Questions about daily activities. 3．Which major is most likely bad for midlife health according to the researchers? A．Engineering. B．Psychology. C．Business. D．Journalism. 4．What is the best title of the passage? A．Your college major predicts midlife health. B．Your major can influence your career interests. C．The annual physical checkup is necessary to life. D．People with more education tend to be healthier. Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） Massive flooding in America’s Yellowstone National Park caused widespread damage and resulted in many changes. The recent floodwaters changed the path of a river popular for fishing. It also damaged homes, bridges and roadways. Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872. It is known for its natural beauty that includes mountains, rivers and lakes. The forces of fire and ice have shaped the park for thousands of years. It is a place where visitors can get close to different kinds of wildlife. Flooding caused by heavy rains and melting mountain snow did cause a lot of damage. It drove more than 10,000 visitors out of the park. The rain also damaged hundreds of homes in nearby communities. Luckily, no one was reported hurt. However, the park could remain closed for up to one week. Some entrances might not open all summer. The water also washed away camp structures, flooded small towns and cut power to parts of southern Montana and northern Wyoming. The event happened as the park was beginning its busy summer season and received millions of summer visitors. The Yellowstone River was running at a historically high level of 4.9 meters as it flowed past Billings, Montana’s largest city. The city got its water from the river and was forced to close its treatment plant because it couldn’t operate effectively with water levels that high. Billings officials said the city only had a 24-hour supply of water. They were asking people to protect water until the river could drop and the plant could restart operations. “None of us planned a 500-year flood event on the Yellowstone when we designed the equipment,” said Debi Meling, the city’s director of public works. Yellowstone officials said, “The northern half of the park is likely to remain closed over the summer. This will greatly affect local economies that depend on summer tourists. But we have faith in the park repairs and economic recovery.” 1．What makes Yellowstone National Park special? A．It is America’s largest national park. B．It has rich cultural human activities. C．It possesses diverse natural scenery and wildlife. D．It suffers widespread damage and many changes. 2．What can we learn about flooding from paragraph 3? A．The bad effects it caused. B．The time it lasted. C．The repairs all the people did. D．The wildlife hurt in it. 3．What happened to the treatment plant in Billings after flooding? A．It had to stop working due to the water rising. B．It was forced to treat water for the city as usual. C．It was asked to restart the equipment to protect water. D．It merely cut down the city’s water supply for 24 hours. 4．What’s the attitude of Yellowstone officials to the rebuilding work after flooding? A．Keen. B．Incredible. C．Unconcerned. D．Confident. Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南衡阳·期中） People have been enjoying the benefits of cycling (骑自行车) in Amsterdam for years. It is a good city for cycling because it is flat and there are plenty of places for bicycle parking. Today some people call Amsterdam the “City of Bicycles” because of the convenience for bicycles there. In the 1960s, a group of cycling fans had an idea. They believed that it would be better for everybody if cars weren’t allowed in the city centre and only bicycles were. They were hopeful that this would help to save energy, reduce pollution and provide free public transport. The group painted hundreds of bicycles white and placed them in lots of neighbourhoods around Amsterdam for people to use. Then a problem came- thieves took all the bicycles within weeks! However, more than thirty years later, the“ white bike” is back in town — this time with a computer chip (芯片) to record its every move! To take a bicycle, you have to insert (插入) a special card. The new “white bike” is not actually white but is an unusual design with bright colours. The bikes are parked at special parking places and people who want to use them have to take them to another special parking place that has enough room. There is already less traffic in central Amsterdam, because both locals and tourists have been using the white bikes. Instead, thanks to the good ideas of lots of people, like the cycling fans in the 1960s, many people around the world have been enjoying city centre streets without cars many years. 1．Amsterdam is called the “City of Bicycles” because of____. A．the cycling fans there B．the appearance of bicycles C．the quality of bicycles D．the convenience for bicycles 2．In the 1960s, some cycling fans hoped bikes could . A．help to save energy B．be specially designed C．be placed anywhere D．be painted in different colours 3．What do people use if they want to take a “white bike” in the city? A．A white key. B．A special card. C．A special computer. D．A common chip. 主题02 人与社会 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） Tipping — the act of giving extra money to service workers — is common in many parts of the world, while in others, it is seen totally unnecessary. Even in countries where tipping is expected, debates arise over the proper amounts. As with any complex topics, opinions differ based on cultural and personal factors. Here is what people from different countries said when asked the question“Do you tip?” Maeia, Italy: “If I’m at a café and the service is very good, I’ ll leave a small tip — maybe 10 percent. But usually in Italy tipping is not expected. At most restaurants, they already add a service charge to the bill. I like it that way because then I don’t have to calculate it myself!” Javier, Mexico: “Oh yes, I definitely tip. For me and many others in Mexico, it’s a way of showing respect for hard work. Also, some people — like the people who pack your bags in the grocery store — get no money from their employer. So, if you neglect their tip, they don’t get paid!” Sophie, France: “I do, but I’m in the minority. In France, a service charge is usually included in the bill, so a tip isn’t necessary. But I used to work in a café, so Ialways leave a little something extra for the server.” Liam, the US: “Always. In the US, it’s really a must. But it’s also quite expensive. It used to be around 15 to 20 percent, but now it’s much higher because people got used to tipping more during the COVID years. We’re talking 25 to 30 percent in a restaurant. Honestly, I rarely eat out nowadays, because it breaks the bank. I just can’t afford the tip.” 1．In which countries is tipping not needed for most people? A．Italy& Mexico. B．Mexico& France. C．France& Italy. D．Mexico& the US. 2．In the US, if the bill for a meal is $ 120, what is the minimum tip now? A．$18. B．$24. C．$30. D．$36. 3．Where is this text probably taken from? A．A news report on cultural differences. B．A personal blog on travel expenses. C．An academic journal on social behaviors. D．A culture column in a lifestyle magazine. 【 Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally returned on March 19, having endured a nine-month wait on the International Space Station for a rescue mission to be organized. Seeing the difficulties the US government had in rescuing the astronauts, law experts are now questioning who would be responsible if privately-run space missions go wrong. According to the United Nations (UN), international space law dates back to the 1960s. At that time, space exploration was led by governments and mostly involved the US and the Soviet Union. Private companies going into space were not considered possible and so were not clearly included in international law, wrote Anna Brennan, a researcher at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, on The Conversation. However, the commercial space industry has grown quickly in recent years. The World Economic Forum said that by 2035, the space economy is expected to reach 1.8 trillion dollars (around 13 trillion yuan), rising from 630 billion dollars in 2023 and growing faster than global GDP. By the end of February, the US company Blue Origin had launched 52 civilians into space. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is also designed to allow civilians with little training to travel to space, said Euronews. These changes have revealed legal gaps. One significant issue lies in the wording. As noted in an article published in Khalifa University Science and Tech Review, the UN Outer Space Treaty (OST) and the related Rescue Agreement of 1968 state that, in emergencies, all countries are responsible for rescuing “astronauts”. In contrast, international maritime law uses the broader term “persons”, rather than specific words like “sailors”. This difference creates a gray area because it means civilians on private space missions are not technically covered by the universal rescue obligation, said the article. Although the 1979 Moon Treaty considers anyone on the moon an astronaut, none of the few countries with independent crewed launch capabilities (i.e. the US, Russia and China) have signed this treaty. This reduces the treaty’s relevance, the article further explained. Even in the US, the meaning of “astronaut” changes between agencies, reported NBC News. NASA requires a person to meet several standards, including finishing serious training, to earn the title. But the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, 美国联邦航空管理局) accepts anyone who flies above 80 kilometers on an FAA-licensed spacecraft. Experts are calling for a broader definition of “astronaut”, said New Scientist. Brennan also noted on The Conversation that space law must find a balance between keeping people safe and allowing space businesses to grow. 1．How does the author introduce the topic of the passage? A．By interviewing two astronauts. B．By quoting well-known experts. C．By discussing an international space law. D．By describing a recent return from space. 2．Why were private space companies not clearly included in international space law? A．They showed no interest in space travel. B．They refused to follow space regulations. C．The UN didn’t recognize private space flights. D．They were seen as being unable to go to space. 3．What do the underlined words “a gray area” in paragraph 5 refer to? A．The unclear legal status of space tourists. B．The dangerous conditions of space travel. C．The training requirements for space travel. D．The financial risks of commercial spaceflight. 4．What does Anna Brennan suggest about space law? A．It should redefine the word “astronaut”. B．It should adopt maritime rescue law to for space. C．It should protect people and support space businesses. D．It should restrict private spaceflights for safety reasons. Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南娄底·期中） Crime fiction books have been popular with readers for many decades. Commercial success, of course, does not impress everyone and there are those who believe crime fiction should not be held in such high regard. Well-known in this group is Sebastian Franklin, who has argued that most crime fiction books look more like crossword puzzles than literature. However, increasingly this is a minority opinion as crime fiction has become recognized around the world as a rich and dynamic literary genre (体裁) in its own right. Crime writing really came to the public’s notice in the 1920s and 1930s with the books of the British author Agatha Christie. Christie was a productive writer, publishing more than 60 detective novels over a 50-year period, beginning in 1920. Without a doubt, there are certain elements that tend to be repeated in Christie’s books. The stories generally focus on a well-off circle of people, whose peaceful lives are thrown into chaos by an unexplained crime. The location is often a restricted space of some sort: a train, an island, a boat, or a village. This is quite different, for example, to the world of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who often has the entire city of London as his hunting ground. The books are also action-packed, no less so than today’s most popular thrillers. Christie mastered the art of the page-turner: events unfold so quickly and unpredictably that we keep reading to find out what happens next. The most significant consequence is that it is so simple to overlook vital clues. It is worth reading a Christie book a second time just to notice how carefully she hides crucial information about the criminal’s identity. A survey of contemporary crime writing shows that Agatha Christie’s legacy is more important now than at anytime previously, at the very point when crime writing has become the most popular of all book genres. 1．What does Sebastian Franklin think of crime fiction books? A．They are overvalued. B．They are a rich literary genre. C．Their readers are a minority group. D．Their commercial success is impressive. 2．What does the author intend to do in paragraph 3? A．Contrast Christie’s different techniques. B．Reveal a weakness of Christie’s writing style. C．List some features of a typical Christie story. D．Identify a famous writer important to Christie. 3．Which words will the author use to describe Christie’s books? A．Quickly-written but popular. B．Interesting and unforeseeable. C．Popular and loosely-organized. D．Unforeseeable but comprehensible. 4．What can be a suitable title for the text? A．Agatha Christie Enjoys Wealth and Fame. B．Crime Writers Sharpen Their Writing Skills. C．The Surprising Rise of Crime Fiction Books. D．The Influence of Crime Writer Agatha Christie. 主题03 人与自我 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） What makes a person a giver or a taker? The idea of “give vs. take” takes shape in all interactions and relationships of our lives. We’re either giving advice, making time for people, or we’re on the receiving end. We keep changing between the two based on different situations on a daily basis, if not an hourly one. According to Adam Grant, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, most people are matchers. They make careful observations on takers and make it a point for them to pay something back. They hate to see people who act so generously towards others not receive any rewards. Actually, most matchers will try hard to promote and support givers so that they can get the good they should get. Is there a gender (性别) factor that plays a part in this? A study led by Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard University, focused on this question. She asked 200 senior managers to sit down in pairs where one person would act as the boss and the other as a worker to discuss salary promotions. Male “workers” asked for an average salary of $146k while the females asked for only $141k. But why did they not bargain (讨价还价) as hard as the men? Simply because they were more likely to be givers. As a woman, I do enjoy the act of giving up my time, my knowledge, and my care and attention to others. I don’t expect anything in return, but I do tend to pull myself away when I feel like I’m being taken for granted (被认为理所当然). I also tend to get upset when I see a loved one’s continuous actions of kindness go unnoticed. So, it’s safe to say I’m 50% giver, 35% matcher and 15% taker. I do know someone, however, who is 99% giver. They’re constantly giving their time, sharing valuable ideas and going out of their way for everyone who crosses their path. Although they’ve changed the lives of many people, they rarely see any of it returned. But the universe is slowly repaying them; they’re now extremely successful, well known for what they do. 1．Which can best describe the matchers? A．They hate receiving rewards. B．They see no point in giving generously. C．They can put up with unfair treat. D．They want to balance giving and taking. 2．What did Hannah’s study focus on? A．The role of giving and taking in jobs. B．The gender difference in giving and taking. C．The role of men and women in society. D．The salary difference between women and men. 3．What can we know about the author from paragraph 5? A．She is a complete giver. B．She hates wasting time. C．She takes helping others for granted. D．She gives herself an honest assessment (评价). 4．What can be inferred from the last paragraph? A．Giving is a short path to success. B．Sharing is a great human quality. C．No good deed goes undone. D．Only the selfless can be fearless. 主题01 人与社会 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） The urban fruit flies that fly around the apples on your counter have to navigate (导航) a rich visual environment to find that food. Desert fruit flies, not so much. They fly through a mostly empty landscape with fewer predictable barriers to find certain fruit. Nonetheless, it has long been believed that other species of fruit flies navigate and maintain balance the same way as urban fruit flies. But a new study contradicts that belief. Flying fruit flies have two jobs: to head toward interesting things, and also stay stable during flight. Like humans, vision helps fruit flies move straight and stay stable while navigating toward attractive objects. Looking at interesting things interrupts the vision needed to stay stable. To study how the two types of fruit flies navigate, the researchers designed a system that let the flies interact with objects while tracking their body and eye movements with a camera. They glued a tiny piece of metal to the fly’s back and connected it to a magnet (磁铁) hanging from the top of a round, drum-like device. Another magnet at the bottom of the drum created a magnetic field that held the metal exactly in position while allowing the fly to move around within the drum. The walls of the drum were covered with LED lights and a computer created different moving shapes in various sizes and directions using the lights. The fly could choose how to interact with these virtual objects. One of the objects was a vertical bar (垂直条形物) that looked like something natural, like a tree. This was designed to test how the fly would use the bar and background to navigate. The desert flies ignored the background and moved to follow the vertical bar smoothly, while the urban flies only relied on the background to navigate smoothly.Desert and urban flies both made rapid eye movements, called saccades, to follow objects that moved along a continuous path. Fruit flies are often used in experiments studying visual perception and processing.The finding expands the possibilities for what scientists can learn about vision in humans and can also be used to aid the development of autonomous vehicles. 1．What belief about fruit flies has been held for a long time? A．They have wonderful hunting skills. B．They adopt the same navigating strategy. C．They can adapt to complex environments. D．They can handle predictable barriers well. 2．What is the fundamental flight challenge described in paragraph 2? A．Distinguishing food from blocking objects. B．Processing multiple visual signals at once. C．Limited visual sharpness in complex settings. D．Balancing target-tracking with flight stability. 3．Why were LED lights used in the experiment? A．To effectively observe the stability of fruit flies. B．To closely monitor the eye movements of fruit flies. C．To create virtual objects for fruit flies to interact with. D．To track the movement of fruit flies in the experiment. 4．Which of the following can be the best title for the text? A．The Visual Navigation Strategies of Fruit Flies B．Fruit Flies’ Visual Processing Preferences C．The Great Survival Ability of Fruit Flies D．Fruit Flies’ Environmental Adaptations Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南衡阳·期中） A research team, led by Dr. Lee Seung-Hee, Associate Director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), has uncovered a fundamental principle of how the brain prioritizes vision and hearing differently depending on whether we are still or in motion. The study provides new insights into the brain’s sensory decision-making processes and how they adapt to behavioral states. In daily life, we constantly process visual and auditory (听觉的) information to explore the world. For example, when watching a movie, the brain integrates images and sounds to create a unified experience. However, during movement — such as walking down a busy street — the brain may prioritize visual input over sound to avoid obstacles. Until now, the neural mechanisms (神经机制) behind this sensory prioritization remained unclear. Understanding this process is particularly important for individuals with sensory processing disorders. such as autism or schizophrenia, where the brain may grapple with integrating sensory information effectively. By uncovering how the brain naturally shifts between sensory inputs, researchers hope to pave the way for better treatment for these conditions. To investigate this phenomenon, the research team conducted behavioral experiments on mice, monitoring real-time brain activity using miniature microscopes and optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control neurons. The mice were trained to respond to both visual and auditory cues while either stationary or running on a treadmill. The results revealed a striking shift in sensory reliance: When stationary, the ice relied more on auditory cues to make decisions. When moving, their brains prioritized visual input. This suggests that the brain dynamically adjusts sensory weighting based on behavioral context. Sound may be more useful for detecting nearby events when still, whereas vision becomes critical during movement for spatial navigation and stability. This discovery could have important implications for understanding and treating sensory processing disorders, where the brain may struggle to properly prioritize sensory inputs. Dr. Lee explained, “Our findings demonstrate how the brain flexibly shifts between vision and hearing depending on behavior. Understanding this natural adaptability could lead to improved treatments for those with sensory integration difficulties.” 1．What was the main focus of Dr. Lee’s research? A．How behavior boosts the brain function. B．How physical state affects sensory focus. C．How information is processed by the brain. D．How sensory input guides decision-making. 2．Why is this research particularly important for people with autism or schizophrenia? A．Because they rely more on hearing than vision. B．Because their movement speed affects their vision. C．Because their brains cannot process any sensory input. D．Because they may struggle to properly integrate sensory information. 3．How did the researchers investigate sensory prioritization in mice? A．By tracking their brain activity during sensory tasks. B．By monitoring their adaptation to light and sound. C．By recording their instant reactions to movement. D．By comparing corresponding human behavior. 4．Which of the following is the best title for the passage? A．“Autism and Its Effects on Sensory Perception” B．“The Role of Hearing in Human Communication” C．“How the Brain Processes Movement: A New Study” D．“Brain’s Sensory Switch: Vision or Hearing Depends on Movement” 主题02 人与自我 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南邵阳·期中） A new study by Japanese researchers concludes that listening to sad music may actually contribute to positive emotions. Researchers say the findings help to explain why people enjoy listening to sad music. Ai Kawakami and the colleagues from Tokyo University of the Arts and the RIKEN Brain Science Institute asked 44 volunteers, including both musicians and non-specialists, to listen to two pieces of sad music and one piece of happy music. Each participant was required to use a set of keywords to rate both his perception of the music and his own emotional state. The sad pieces of music included Glinka’s La Separation, Blumenfeld’s Etude Sur Mer and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. The happy music piece was Granados’s Allegro de Concierto or Tonci Huljic’s Croatian Rhapsody. As reported in the open access journal Frontiers in Psychology, sad music aroused contradictory emotions among the participants. “In general, sad music causes sadness in listeners, and sadness is regarded as an unpleasant emotion. If sad music actually arouses only unpleasant emotions, we would not listen to it,” the researchers wrote in the study. “Music that is regarded as a sad piece actually leads to romantic emotions as well as sad emotions. And people, regardless of their musical training, experience these contradictory emotions when listening to the sad music.” added the researchers. Also, unlike sadness in daily life, sadness experienced through art actually makes us feel pleasant, possibly because the latter does not do an actual threat to our safety. This could help people to deal with their negative emotions in daily life, concluded the authors. “Emotions experienced through music have no direct danger or harm unlike the emotions experienced in everyday life. Therefore, if we suffer from unpleasant emotions in daily life, sad music might be helpful to ease negative emotions.” they added. 1．The author in the passage wants to tell ________ . A．sad music may help us deal with negative emotions B．sad music can leave a person in a negative state C．researchers are devoted to studying music D．emotions play a vital role in our daily life 2．After listening to three pieces of music, ________ . A．the participants explained why they listened to music B．the participants described their feelings about the music C．the participants made a detailed summary of the music D．the participants got a lot of help from the happy music 3．According to the passage, to get rid of your depression, you should listen to ________ . A．Croatian Rhapsody B．Allegro de Concierto C．Moonlight Sonata D．The Blue Danube 4．While listening to the sad music, the participants ________ . A．can experience the less cheerful emotions deeply B．should keep themselves as cool as a cucumber C．can develop both kinds of emotions unconsciously D．should tell the difference between the two types of music Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南长沙·期中） In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the development of environmental-friendly technologies. These innovative solutions are crucial in our fight against climate change and the degradation of our planet. One such example is the rise of solar-powered vehicles. Solar-powered vehicles harness the sun’s energy, converting it into electricity to power the vehicle’s engine. This technology has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Initially, solar-powered cars were more of an experimental concept, with limited speed and range. However, continuous research and development have led to significant improvements. Scientists and engineers have been working on enhancing the efficiency of solar panels, allowing them to capture more sunlight and generate more power. They’ve also been focusing on optimizing the energy- storage systems in these vehicles, ensuring a more stable and long-lasting power supply. Another area of progress is in waste-to-energy conversion. With the ever-increasing amount of waste generated globally, finding sustainable ways to manage it has become a pressing issue. Waste-to-energy plants use various methods to convert waste materials, such as biomass and municipal solid waste, into usable energy, like electricity or heat. This not only helps in reducing the volume of waste in landfills but also provides an alternative source of energy. The process involves technologies like incineration with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, and gasification. Each method has its own set of advantages and challenges, but all contribute to the overall goal of a more sustainable future. These environmental-friendly technologies teach us an important lesson. The pursuit of solutions to global problems requires continuous effort and innovation. Even when faced with initial setbacks, like the early limitations of solar-powered vehicles, perseverance in research and development can lead to substantial progress. By constantly exploring new ways and improving existing methods, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations. 1．What was the initial state of solar-powered vehicles? A．They were prototypes with high-speed capabilities but a short range. B．They were experimental models with restricted speed and a limited range. C．They were widely used in daily transportation despite being inefficient D．They were vehicles with advanced sunlight-capturing systems but weak engines. 2．What are scientists and engineers doing to improve solar-powered vehicles according to Paragraph 2 and 3? A．They are modifying the shape of solar panels to make them more lightweight. B．They are adding extra components to increase the weight of the vehicles for stability. C．They are enhancing solar panel efficiency and optimizing energy-storage systems. D．They are developing new types of engines that can run on both solar and fossil fuels. 3．What does the underlined word “pressing” in Paragraph 3 probably mean? A．Not requiring immediate attention. B．Demanding immediate action. C．Being relatively simple to solve. D．Being avoidable with proper planning. 4．What is the main message the author intends to convey? A．The significance of promoting the widespread use of solar-powered vehicles. B．The importance of waste-to-energy conversion methods in reducing environmental pollution. C．The necessity of continuous effort and innovation in solving global problems. D．The need for individuals to take more responsibility for reducing waste generation. Passage 3 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） At its core, art criticism is a rich and enlightening conversation about visual art. It involves a thoughtful evaluation and discussion of the artwork’s elements, principles, meaning, and impact. It’s not just about saying if you like or dislike an artwork. Instead, it requires you to engage deeply with the work. Diving straight into the first step, you’re tasked with capturing the artwork’s essence through your perspective. This means describing the piece so that anyone who hasn’t seen it can visualize it. Begin with the basics — the work’s title, artist’s name, medium used, and year created. Then, provide a detailed description of the artwork — colors used, shapes spotted, subjects described, and any noticeable techniques applied. After you’ve painted a vivid picture, it’s time to dig deeper into the piece with analysis. This part asks you to separate the artwork into its elemental parts — line, color, rhythm, harmony, and variety. Look closely at how the artist has used these elements and ask yourself what impact they have on the overall work. Do unique lines direct your gaze in a particular way? Is there an exciting interaction between different shapes? Next, you’re tasked with interpreting the artwork in question. Consider what the artist might be trying to communicate through their work. What emotions or themes do you notice? How does the artwork relate to your own experiences or worldview? It’s also crucial to remember there isn’t always an absolutely “right” interpretation since art is subjective and viewers may draw different conclusions. So, you’ve made it to the grand end of your journey — evaluation. Now’s the time to judge it and dish out some cold, hard truths about the piece. Is it a masterpiece that could bring tears to a stone sculpture? This is where you’re allowed to express freely — if you think the painting looks like a catastrophic color collision (碰撞), say so! But remember: no making pointless comment here! 1．What is the role of an art critic? A．A potential purchaser. B．A challenger to art theories. C．A reflective communicator. D．A witness to art creation. 2．What is the significance of describing an artwork? A．Fueling viewers’ curiosity and passion. B．Adding extra details and explanations. C．Making it attractive and comprehensible. D．Serving as eyes for absent viewers. 3．What does the author agree with about the interpretation of an artwork? A．It reveals the possible thoughts behind the artwork. B．It indicates the elemental parts of the artwork. C．It is based on the right analysis of the artwork. D．It plays a part in shaping the viewers’ worldviews. 4．What should be balanced in the evaluation process? A．Uninteresting truths and specific focus. B．Solid reasoning and personal opinions. C．Proper criticism and necessary praise. D．Honest remarks and strong defence. 主题03 人与自然 Passage 1 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） As the planet warms up and oceans rise, extreme weather events are becoming the norm. Getting notified in time to prepare for a disastrous hurricane or heat wave could be the disparity between life and death. AI can help. Two studies published in the journal Nature described the benefit of two AI models that could improve weather forecasting. The first AI-based system is called Pangu-Weather, which was developed by the Huawei Cloud team. It was capable of predicting global weather a week in advance. A majority of countries use numerical (数值)weather prediction models. These models use math formulas to create computer models of the atmosphere and oceans for predicting future weather with data from them. What makes Pangu-Weather different is that the Pangu-Weather model is deeply trained with the help of 39-year global weather data, preparing it to forecast temperature, pressure, and wind speed. When compared to the numerical weather prediction method, Pangu-Weather was 10,000 times faster and no less accurate. Pangu-Weather also contains a 3D model, unlike past AI forecasting systems, that allows it to record atmospheric states at different pressure levels to further increase its accuracy. Pangu-Weather can predict weather patterns 5—7 days in advance. However, it can’t forecast precipitation (降水). As precipitation prediction is vital for extreme weather forecasting, a second Nature model, NowcastNet, fills this gap. It can accurately predict rainfall 6 hours ahead, helping meteorologists (气象学家)study weather patterns in real-time more effectively. NowcastNet focuses on detailed, realistic descriptions of extreme rainfall patterns in local regions. It uses radar observations from the US and China, as well as deep learning methods, to predict precipitation rates over a 1.6-million-square-mile region of the eastern and central US up to 3 hours in advance. 62 meteorologists from China tested NowcastNet and ranked it first, out of four other leading weather forecasting methods, in reliably predicting heavy rain, which it did 71 percent of the time. While generative AI models have good prospects in weather forecasting, experts point out that replacing existing systems has many challenges. However, in 5 — 10 years, these models may surprise us. 1．What does the underlined word “disparity” in paragraph 1 probably mean? A．Difference. B．Decision. C．Settlement. D．Struggle. 2．What is the advantage of Pangu-Weather compared with the numerical weather prediction method? A．It can predict precipitation more accurately. B．It can provide a 3D view of the weather. C．It is much faster and equally accurate. D．It can record more detailed atmospheric states. 3．What can we learn about NowcastNet from the text? A．It is mainly used to predict global weather patterns. B．It was developed by 62 meteorologists from China. C．It uses radar observations and deep learning to predict precipitation in the US. D．It ranks first among all weather forecasting methods in predicting heavy rain. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The impacts of climate change on extreme weather events. B．The challenges in using generative AI in weather forecasting. C．The explanation of the traditional numerical weather-prediction method. D．The introduction of two AI-based weather-forecasting models and their features. Passage 2 （24-25高二下·湖南·期中） Across the flat plateau of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, shades of gray-brown soil are dotted with areas of dark rock — and a clearly defined circle of stones. Unmistakably constructed by humans, this structure, called “standing stone circles” by archaeologists, was built around 7,500 years ago by a people we barely know for a purpose we have long misunderstood. In 2019, archaeologists from the University of Western Australia began excavating (发掘) these standing stone circles. Their initial idea was that these were structures built by Neolithic nomads (新石器时代的游牧民) for some long-forgotten religious practices. However, excavating at multiple sites, they found what turned out to be archaeological pay dirt — domestic rubbish. The remains of discarded animal bones, household tools, and even jewelry, have reclassified the standing stone circles as Neolithic homes. Standing stone circles seem to have sprung up around 5,800 to 5,500 B．C． This coincided with a warmer climate in the region that brought more regular rainfall and a landscape of rich grasses and trees, good conditions for raising cattle and goats. But these were also good conditions for building permanent structures. More abundant vegetation meant less pressure to keep moving the animals to fresh grasslands, which made building homes more worthwhile. This, and the plateau’s abundance of stones, may have encouraged the nomads to stay a while and build. Excavations of these settlements are revealing something of this people’s way of life. They kept cattle and goats for meat, but continued to hunt and gather to expand their diet with hare, fruits and nuts. The many grinding (磨碎) stones found on the sites suggest inhabitants were regularly grinding grains, but these were likely to be gathered rather than farmed. The plateau sites have also revealed tools made with materials from the sandstone valleys and jewelry shaped from shells from the Red Sea — these Neolithic people had a complex culture involving travel and probably exchange. The revelation overturns many of our assumptions about Neolithic AlUla. Here was a people more settled and more civilized than history has given them credit for. Their story is just beginning to be revealed, but already a very different picture of early AIUla is emerging. 1．What did the 2019 excavation finally identify the “standing stone circles” as? A．Religious sites. B．Rubbish stations. C．Domestic buildings. D．Natural wonders. 2．What was a contributing factor in the building of the standing stone circles? A．The worsening climate. B．The richness of plants. C．The desire to raise more animals. D．The need to store goods. 3．What is most likely TRUE about Neolithic people’s way of life in AlUla? A．They planted crops and kept cattle and goats. B．They relied entirely on hunting and gathering for food. C．They had interactions with other groups. D．They made tools and jewelry purely from local materials. 4．What is the purpose of the text? A．To provide some new insights. B．To introduce an ancient population. C．To promote a historical site. D．To argue for some long-held beliefs. / 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $