精品解析：上海市育才中学2025-2026学年第二学期高二期中诊断英语试题

2025学年第二学期高二英语期中诊断试卷 2026. 4 (本试卷满分115分 考试时间105分钟) I. Grammar and Vocabulary (20’) Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank. Empires in Conversation Despite the thousands of miles separating them and the big differences in their peoples,two rulers in 17th-century Europe and China were nevertheless the driving force behind a grand cultural exchange. The two men were the Kangxi Emperor of China’s Qing Dynasty and King Louis XIV of France. A symbolic image from the period captured the exchange: European ambassadors (使臣), ____1____ (dress) in the robes of Qing officials, stood beside an armillary sphere in the court of the Kangxi Emperor. The astronomy, mathematics, physics, and chemistry they brought ____2____ (fascinate) the young emperor, who was particularly interested in the heavenly bodies. Through their instruction, Kangxi gained a rich knowledge. On one visit to southern China, he used a spirit level (水平仪) to measure the water, and found a mistake in ____3____ his ministers were controlling the water in the Hongze lake. It is natural for many of us ____4____ (marvel) at the Chinese emperor’s good knowledge of Western technologies. But Kangxi’s interests extended ____5____ the hard sciences: He tried to organize information about these foreign lands and spread ____6____among the public. He asked his third prince, Yinzhi, to establish a museum of mathematics ____7____ talented scholars would engage in research and observation of mathematical laws and the universe. In court speeches, Kangxi would hold forth on the natural sciences from Europe, ____8____ (lecture) young princes about astronomy, calendar systems and arithmetic. Outstanding students ____9____ (send) to the institution of astronomy or other key departments. _____10_____ the visitors from the West came to the East mainly to spread their culture, upon arriving in that ancient kingdom, they discovered its people already possessed their own well-established understanding of the world. There was the Golden Mean of Confucius, and the unknowable Tao of Lao Tzu. And these left a deep impression on the traveling Europeans. 【答案】1. dressed 2. fascinated 3. how 4. to marvel 5. beyond 6. it 7. where 8. lecturing 9. were sent 10. Although##Though##While 【解析】 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍17世纪康熙皇帝与路易十四推动的中欧文化交流及双方科技文化的相互影响。 【1题详解】 考查非谓语动词。句意：这一时期的一幅标志性画作记录了这场交流：身着清朝官员服饰的欧洲使臣，站在康熙皇帝朝堂上的一件浑天仪旁。此处为非谓语动词作定语，European ambassadors与dress为被动关系，用过去分词dressed。故填dressed。 【2题详解】 考查动词时态。句意：他们带来的天文学、数学、物理和化学知识令这位年轻的皇帝着迷，他对天体尤其感兴趣。此处为谓语动词，描述17世纪发生的事情，用一般过去时，所以谓语动词为fascinated。故填fascinated。 【3题详解】 考查宾语从句连接词。句意：在一次南巡时，他用水平仪测量水位，发现大臣们治理洪泽湖的方法存在一处错误。此处引导宾语从句，作介词in的宾语，从句中缺少方式状语，表“如何、怎样”，用连接副词how。故填how。 【4题详解】 考查非谓语动词。句意：我们很多人自然会惊叹于这位中国皇帝对西方技术的渊博学识。此处为固定句型“It is + adj. + for sb. to do sth.”，it作形式主语，真正的主语是后面的不定式，所以此处用to marvel作主语。故填to marvel。 【5题详解】 考查介词。句意：但康熙的兴趣不止于自然科学：他还试图整理这些域外之地的相关信息，并向公众传播。空后为名词，且无提示词，所以此处使用介词，结合句意，此处表示“超出、不止于”，用介词beyond。故填beyond。 【6题详解】 考查代词。句意：但康熙的兴趣不止于自然科学：他还试图整理这些域外之地的相关信息，并向公众传播。此处指代前面的information，为不可数名词，用代词it。故填it。 【7题详解】 考查定语从句。句意：他命三子胤祉建立一座算学馆，让才华出众的学者们可以在馆内研究和观测数学规律与宇宙。此处为关系词引导的定语从句，先行词为a museum of mathematics，表地点，在从句中作地点状语，用关系副词where。故填where。 【8题详解】 考查非谓语动词。句意：在朝堂讲学中，康熙会讲解来自欧洲的自然科学知识，向皇子们讲授天文、历法和算术。此处为非谓语动词作状语，Kangxi与lecture为主动关系，用现在分词lecturing。故填lecturing。 【9题详解】 考查动词时态和语态。句意：优秀的学子被送往钦天监或其他核心部门任职。此处为谓语动词，描述过去的情况，students与send为被动关系，用一般过去时的被动语态，主语为名词复数，所以谓语动词为were sent。故填were sent。 【10题详解】 考查连词。句意：尽管西方来客远赴东方主要是为了传播自身文化，但当他们抵达这个古老王国后，却发现这里的人们早已拥有自成体系的世界观。此处引导让步状语从句，表“尽管、虽然”，用连词Although/Though/While。故填Although/Though/While。 Section B Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need. A. persisted B. recognized C. contradicting D. unquestionably E. practical F. deliberately G. equipment H. limit I. underlying J. medium K. captured Fine art involves the application of skill and-imagination to produce aesthetic experiences. Photography is regarded by some as a form of fine art because it entails creative decision-making processes similar to those ____11____ painting or sculpture. Nevertheless, photography cannot be ____12____classified as art, because despite certain-similarities, a fundamental difference remains between creating images by hand — using paint, clay or other tools — and pointing a mechanical device at something interesting and clicking. It is arguable that photography can be appreciated on the same level as other ____13____ forms of visual art. Sometimes decisions involved in creating a photograph closely resemble those made by any other artist. A photograph is not always just a record of the world, but a(n) ____14____ created image with its own artistic features. Ansel Adams, the American photographer, commented on this point when he noted that take is not the right verb for a photograph. Instead, he said, one makes a photograph. To this end, there is a growing trend for photographers to identify themselves as artists. A photograph by artist Edward Steichen, for example, recently sold for $11.8 million. No one would likely pay that much for a photograph unless the photographer presents himself as an artist. Although some photography can be abstract, most photographs are basically records of events that occurred in particular places. While viewers may perceive beauty in a photograph, such beauty often derives from the time and place ____15____rather than from the photographer’s creative input. Also, sophisticated and expensive ____16____ often plays a greater role in the success of a photograph than the photographer’s creativity. Even some of the greatest photographers acknowledge that there is a(n) ____17____ to the amount of influence they can have on a final product. Henri Cartier-Bresson, the renowned French photographer, admitted that luck was the most important factor. Finally, photography is so widely used for ____18____functions that have little or nothing to do with art, such as police work, advertising and news reporting. The debate over whether photography qualifies as art has ____19____since its earliest practitioners presented their work. A photographer may make the same aesthetic choices as a fine artist: subject matter, lighting, colour or even a message. However, cameras can also be purely functional tools, capturing visual records and presenting information. All in all, photography is a(n) _____20_____ that can be used to make art, but that does not mean that all photography is art. 【答案】11. I 12. D 13. B 14. F 15. K 16. G 17. H 18. E 19. A 20. J 【解析】 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章探讨了摄影的艺术地位。尽管摄影具有创造性且可被视为艺术媒介，但由于其依赖设备、受环境限制且多用于实用功能，因此关于其是否属于纯艺术的争论一直存在。 【11题详解】 考查形容词。句意：有些人认为摄影是一种美术形式，因为它所涉及的创作决策过程与绘画或雕塑背后（潜在）的那些创作决策过程相似。根据“because it entails creative decision-making processes similar to those”可知应填underlying表示“潜在的、根本的”，用来修饰painting or sculpture，意思是“与绘画或雕塑背后（潜在）的那些创作决策过程相似”。故选I。 【12题详解】 考查副词。句意：然而，摄影不能毫无疑问地归类为艺术，因为尽管有某些相似之处，但手工创造图像——使用颜料、黏土或其他工具——与将机械设备指向有趣的东西并点击之间仍然存在根本的区别。根据句意“毫无疑问地”以及“because despite certain-similarities, a fundamental difference remains between creating images by hand”可知应填副词unquestionably，修饰classified。故选D。 【13题详解】 考查形容词。句意：可以说，摄影完全可以与其他被认可的视觉艺术形式相媲美，同样值得欣赏。根据句意“被认可的”以及“forms of visual art”可知应填形容词recognized，修饰名词forms。故选B。 【14题详解】 考查副词。句意：一张照片并不总是仅仅是对世界的记录，而是一种经过精心构思的、具有自身艺术特色的图像。根据前文提到的“像其他艺术家一样做决定”以及Ansel Adams 说的“make a photograph(制作照片)”，说明照片是故意/精心创造出来的，而非随意拍摄的。可知应填副词deliberately，修饰created。故选F。 【15题详解】 考查形容词。句意：尽管观众可能会从照片中感受到美，但这种美往往源自照片所捕捉的特定时间和地点，而非摄影师的创作投入。根据“所捕捉的”以及 “rather than from the photographer’s creative input”可知应填形容词captured，修饰名词the time and place。故选K。 【16题详解】 考查名词。句意：此外，精良且昂贵的设备在照片的成功中往往比摄影师的创意发挥着更大的作用。根据句意“设备”以及“often plays a greater role in the success of a photograph than the photographer’s creativity”可知应填名词equipment，作主语，故选G。 【17题详解】 考查名词。句意：甚至一些最杰出的摄影师也承认，他们对最终作品所产生的影响是有限的。根据句意“限制”以及“the amount of influence they can have on a final product”可知应填名词limit，作主语，故选H。 【18题详解】 考查形容词。句意：最后，摄影技术被广泛应用于诸多与艺术毫无关联的实用功能领域，比如警方工作、广告宣传以及新闻报道等。根据句意“实用的”以及“functions that have little or nothing to do with art, such as police work, advertising and news reporting”可知应填形容词practical，修饰名词functions。故选E。 【19题详解】 考查动词。句意：关于摄影是否属于艺术这一问题的争论，自其最早的创作者展出作品以来就一直存在。根据句意“存在”以及“since its earliest practitioners presented their work”可知应填动词persist，结合has可知为现在完成时。故选A。 【20题详解】 考查名词。句意：总之，摄影是一种可以用来创作艺术的媒介，但这并不意味着所有的摄影作品都是艺术作品。根据句意“媒介”以及“that can be used to make art”可知应填名词medium，作表语。故选J。 II. Reading Comprehension (45’) Section A (15’) Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context. People who live in cities are starting to get a lot more information to help plan their daily lives. Smarter City systems are telling residents about traffic jams, the time the next bus will arrive, the ____21____ for flooding, and other useful updates. This is happening because cities are ____22____ the streams of information from sensors to manage urban systems better. The number of ____23____ like these sensors will reach 50 billion by 2020. Cities are complex systems of systems that have always ____24____ vast amounts of information. Information flowing in from many small subsystems, such as local flood catch-basins, is integrated with other ____25____ to provide guidance on the overall operation of a city. This integrated data, from such systems of systems, is then given to city administrators in useful formats that can change ____26____ for the better. ____27____, in many cities, the coming population growth will challenge even the most skilled city managers, and the old infrastructure of many such cities is not equipped with the ability to gather the data needed to ____28____ city operations. Despite the seeming ____29____ of data gathering infrastructure, another option exists, considering the shift from desktop computing to mobile devices and tablets. Mobile technology has ____30____ dramatically in the past decade to the point where a lightweight smartphone may gather all kinds of data, such as its location, local temperature and background noise levels. Furthermore, in the near future, additional ____31____ are easily imagined, where sensors will be able to detect chemical pollution, local lighting conditions, vibration levels, and more. This will enable a new era where citizens are able to participate in city management, where the very data required to improve city operations is in part ____32____ provided by its citizens via smartphone apps. It also raises complex ____33____ issues that must be dealt with as we face this new era, but similarly provides opportunities for the citizens to play an active role in the improvement of their ____34____ , not only in the reporting of critical environmental and transportation data, but in taking an active role in solving the problems they have encountered. It will be a cooperative and informed effort, with information technology enabling social transformation, to ____35____ the growing challenges facing our cities in the coming decades. 21. A. reason B. potential C. hope D. occasion 22. A. upgrading B. enlarging C. altering D. employing 23. A. systems B. applications C. devices D. guides 24. A. weathered B. generated C. adored D. existed 25. A. sources B. users C. overseers D. means 26. A. city living B. urban planning C. traffic flow D. basic facilities 27. A. Therefore B. Besides C. However D. Thus 28. A. guide B. apply C. advise D. order 29. A. specialty B. need C. decrease D. lack 30. A. decreased B. reformed C. advanced D. increased 31. A. talents B. capabilities C. qualities D. performances 32. A. accidentally B. surprisingly C. willingly D. determinedly 33. A. confidential B. efficiency C. biological D. social 34. A. community B. performance C. unity D. recreation 35. A. overlook B. increase C. predict D. address 【答案】21. B 22. D 23. C 24. B 25. A 26. A 27. C 28. A 29. D 30. C 31. B 32. C 33. D 34. A 35. D 【解析】 【导语】文章介绍了智慧城市依托传感器、大数据优化城市管理，同时指出老旧城市基建存在不足，随着移动科技进步，普通市民可借助手机参与城市治理，既带来发展机遇，也伴随相关问题，需要多方协作应对城市发展挑战。 【21题详解】 考查名词。句意：智慧城市系统向居民播报交通拥堵、下一班公交车的抵达时间、洪水发生的可能性以及其他实用最新消息。A. reason原因；B. potential可能性；C. hope希望；D. occasion场合。根据后文“for flooding”可知，城市预警会提示洪水发生的潜在可能。 【22题详解】 考查动词。句意：这种情况正在出现，因为各大城市正运用传感器信息流，更好地管理城市系统。A. upgrading升级；B. enlarging扩大；C. altering改变；D. employing使用。根据后文“the streams of information from sensors to manage urban systems better” 可知，城市在利用传感器信息开展管理工作。 【23题详解】 考查名词。句意：到2020年，类似传感器这类设备的数量将达到500亿。A. systems系统；B. applications应用；C. devices设备；D. guides指南。根据后文“like these sensors”可知，传感器属于电子设备。 【24题详解】 考查动词。句意：城市是层层嵌套的复杂系统，一直以来都会产生海量信息。A. weathered经受；B. generated产生；C. adored喜爱；D. existed存在。根据前文“Cities are complex systems of systems”及后文“ vast amounts of information”可知，城市运行会不断产出各类信息。 【25题详解】 考查名词。句意：来自小型子系统（如城市小型蓄洪区）的流动信息，会与其他信息来源整合，为城市整体运转提供指导。A. sources来源；B. users使用者；C. overseers监督者；D. means方式。根据前文“Information flowing in from many small subsystems”提及各类小型信息系统，对应的是不同的信息来源。 【26题详解】 考查名词短语。句意：源自复合系统的整合数据，以实用形式呈现给城市管理者，助力城市生活更好发展。A. city living城市生活；B. urban planning城市规划；C. traffic flow车流量；D. basic facilities基础设施。根据前文“city administrators”及“in useful formats”可知，城市管理者以有用的形式利用这些数据肯定会让城市生活变的更好。 【27题详解】 考查连词。句意：然而，在许多城市，未来的人口增长将会给即便经验丰富的城市管理者带来挑战，许多城市陈旧的基础设施，并不具备收集所需数据的能力，无法指导城市运转。A. Therefore因此；B. Besides此外；C. However然而；D. Thus因此。根据后文“the coming population growth will challenge even the most skilled city managers, and the old infrastructure of many such cities is not equipped with the ability to gather the data”可知，前文讲述智慧城市的优势，本段转而介绍城市发展难题，前后为转折关系。 【28题详解】 考查动词。句意同上。A. guide指导；B. apply应用；C. advise建议；D. order命令。根据前文“provide guidance on the overall operation of a city”可知，数据的作用是指导城市运行。 【29题详解】 考查名词。句意：尽管收集数据的基础设施看似匮乏，但从台式电脑向移动设备转变的趋势下，我们仍有别的解决办法。A. specialty特色；B. need需求；C. decrease减少；D. lack缺乏。根据前文“ the old infrastructure of many such cities is not equipped with the ability to gather the data”可知，旧基建功能不足，说明数据基建存在短缺问题。 【30题详解】 考查动词。句意：在过去十年里，移动科技飞速发展，轻薄的智能手机能够收集各类数据，例如位置信息、当地温度以及环境噪音分贝。A. decreased减少；B. reformed改革；C. advanced发展；D. increased增加。根据后文“a lightweight smartphone may gather all kinds of data”可知，手机可多功能采集数据，说明移动技术取得巨大进步。 【31题详解】 考查名词。句意：此外，在不久的将来，更多功能不难实现，传感器将能够检测化学污染、局部光照、震动强度等指标。A. talents天赋；B. capabilities功能；C. qualities品质；D. performances表现。根据后文“sensors will be able to detect chemical pollution, local lighting conditions, vibration levels, and more”罗列传感器新增检测功能，说明未来设备有更多功能。 【32题详解】 考查副词。句意：这将开启一个全新的时代：市民能够参与城市管理，优化城市运行所需的部分数据，在一定程度上由市民通过手机应用自愿提供。A. accidentally意外地；B. surprisingly惊人地；C. willingly自愿地；D. determinedly坚定地。根据前文“citizens are able to participate in city management”可知，市民主动参与城市管理，是自发自愿分享信息。 【33题详解】 考查形容词。句意：这也催生了复杂的社会问题，在迈入新时代的过程中，这些问题亟待解决。A. confidential机密的；B. efficiency效率；C. biological生物的；D. social社会的。根据前文“citizens are able to participate in city management”可知，全民参与城市治理，涉及大众公共生活，属于社会层面问题。 【34题详解】 考查名词。句意：但与此同时，这也为市民创造了机会，让大家能够积极参与社区建设：不仅可以上报关键的环境与交通数据，还能主动行动，去解决身边遇到的各类问题。A. community社区；B. performance表现；C. unity团结；D. recreation娱乐。根据前文“for the citizens to play an active role in the improvement of their”可知，市民日常生活与社区紧密相关，参与治理可以改善社区环境。 【35题详解】 考查动词。句意：这将是一场协作共建、信息互通的行动，借助信息技术推动社会变革，以应对未来数十年城市日益严峻的各类挑战。A. overlook忽视；B. increase增加；C. predict预测；D. address应对。根据后文“challenges”可知，文章旨在说明合力解决城市发展困境。 Section B (22’) Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read. Just the Ticket Shetara Sims had weathered some tough years. In 2012, her eldest daughter was murdered during an argument in Kansas City, Missouri. Last year, the single mother lost her job in the recession (经济衰退). She had only $7 in her pocket as she headed into the grocery store one day last July with her 12-year-old daughter, Rakiya Edmondson. And then Lady Luck finally cut Sims some slack. She and her daughter found a dollar bill in the parking lot. Maybe this was their day, they told each other. So they bought a lottery ticket (彩票) --and won $100. But before they could spend their unexpected gain, Rakiya had an idea. The news in Kansas City that week had been filled with stories about a police officer, Tyler Moss, who had been shot in the head in the line of duty. He was in critical condition. Rakiya and her mother had never forgotten how kind the police had been after their own family member was killed. “The detectives were really there for us,” Sims says. “They came to see my kids. They were fathers, therapists. They were everything.” Rakiya wanted to give their lottery winning to Officer Moss’s family. Her mom readily agreed. On July 10, Sims called the police and made an anonymous (匿名的) donation. Moved by her generous expression of thanks, the officers did what they do best --they tracked Sims down. When she explained the family’s motivation, the officers could hardly believe it. “With her current financial hardship, we encouraged her to keep the money,” the department later explained. “She refused, saying the officer’s family needed it and police needed to know they were supported.” By then, that feeling of support was mutual. The police set up a GoFundMe page for Sims, whom they called “The Woman with the Heart of Gold.” Their goal was $10,000. As of January 11, they had raised $165,405. Even better: Officer Moss, who had a 1 percent chance of survival, is out of the hospital and recovering. 36. Which of the following is NOT one of the hardships Shetara Sims went through? A. Having to bring up children all by herself. B. Losing a lot of money buying lottery tickets. C. Losing her job during the economic decline. D. Her eldest daughter being killed in an argument. 37. The underlined phrase “cut Sims some slack” is closest in meaning to _________. A. gave Sims a break B. criticized Sims sharply C. ignored Sims completely D. conducted a test on Sims 38. Why was Sims called “The Woman with the Heart of Gold”? A. She supported Moss’s family with the money raised on GoFundMe. B. She wrote an anonymous letter to express her gratitude to Officer Moss. C. She donated all the lottery winning despite her own financial hardships. D. She forgave the murderer and encouraged Rakiya to embrace a new life. 39. Which of the following statement is TRUE? A. The police tracked Sims down secretly and returned the money to her. B. The police launched a fundraising campaign for Sims among policeman. C. Officer Moss got injured when arresting the man who killed Sims' daughter. D. Officer Moss’s survival was truly a miracle, given his slim chances. 【答案】36. B 37. A 38. C 39. D 【解析】 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲述了一位单亲妈妈Shetara Sims和女儿Rakiya在经济困难中，用意外获得的100美元彩票奖金匿名捐给受伤警官Tyler Moss家庭的故事。 【36题详解】 细节理解题。根据第一段“Shetara Sims had weathered some tough years. In 2012, her eldest daughter was murdered during an argument in Kansas City, Missouri. Last year, the single mother lost her job in the recession (经济衰退).(Shetara Sims经历了一些艰难的岁月。2012年，她的大女儿在密苏里州堪萨斯城的一次争吵中被谋杀。去年，这位单亲妈妈在经济衰退中失去了工作)”以及第二段“So they bought a lottery ticket (彩票) --and won $100.(于是她们买了一张彩票，中了100美元)”可知，Shetara Sims是一位单亲妈妈，不得不独自抚养孩子、在经济衰退期间失去了工作、她的大女儿在一次争吵中丧生，文章没有提及Shetara Sims买彩票亏了很多钱。故选B项。 【37题详解】 词句猜测题。根据第一段“Shetara Sims had weathered some tough years. In 2012, her eldest daughter was murdered during an argument in Kansas City, Missouri. Last year, the single mother lost her job in the recession (经济衰退). She had only $7 in her pocket as she headed into the grocery store one day last July with her 12-year-old daughter, Rakiya Edmondson.(Shetara Sims经历了一些艰难的岁月。2012年，她的大女儿在密苏里州堪萨斯城的一次争吵中被谋杀。去年，这位单亲妈妈在经济衰退中失去了工作。去年7月的一天，当她和12岁的女儿Rakiya Edmondson走进杂货店时，口袋里只有7美元)”以及第二段“She and her daughter found a dollar bill in the parking lot. Maybe this was their day, they told each other. So they bought a lottery ticket --and won $100.(她和女儿在停车场发现了一张一美元的钞票。也许这是她们的一天，她们告诉对方。于是她们买了一张彩票，中了100美元)”可知，在面临许多困难时，这对母女捡到一美元，买彩票之后中了100美元，可推知幸运女神给了Shetara Sims一个喘息的机会，划线句子表示“让Shetara Sims休息一下”。故选A项。 【38题详解】 推理判断题。根据第三段““With her current financial hardship, we encouraged her to keep the money,” the department later explained. “She refused, saying the officer’s family needed it and police needed to know they were supported.”(“鉴于她目前的经济困难，我们鼓励她保留这笔钱，”该部门后来解释道。“她拒绝了，说警察的家人需要，警察需要知道他们得到了支持。”)”以及第四段“By then, that feeling of support was mutual. The police set up a GoFundMe page for Sims, whom they called “The Woman with the Heart of Gold.”(到那时，这种支持感是相互的。警方为Sims建立了一个GoFundMe页面，他们称她为“有黄金之心的女人”)”可知，Sims被称为“有黄金之心的女人”，这是因为Sims在自己经济困难的时候，仍然捐赠了彩票中奖的钱。故选C项。 【39题详解】 细节理解题。根据第四段“Even better: Officer Moss, who had a 1 percent chance of survival, is out of the hospital and recovering.(更好的是：有1%的生还几率的Moss警官现在已经出院，正在康复中)”可知，Moss警官的生还几率渺茫，能够生还真是一个奇迹。故选D项。 (B) COOL INVENTIONS BETTER’LEATHER’ These shoes are ‘grown’ by bacteria! Leather is a material that’s made from the skin of animals. It’s used to create lots of products. From shoes to handbags to furniture. But the chemicals typically used to preserve the animal skins are bad for the environment. The chemicals pollute the water and air nearby, and they can make the leather workers sick. Plus, livestock farmers cut down trees in forests so the cows used for leather and meat have room to graze. But in the future, you might slip on a more sustainable pair of shoes. National Geographic Explorer Theanoe Schiros is experimenting with bacteria and living things — to “grow” shoes with a similar texture to real leather! The shoes are zero waste, chemical free, fully decomposable and still super strong. Discover how these cool kicks come to life. 3 Then the microbes spin the sugar into threads of cellulose (纤维素) to create protective shells around themselves to keep from drying out. (Cellulose is the same stuff that trees are made of! ) 2 The team places the microbes in a vessel like this beaker, along with food waste like fruit pulp. The microbes eat the sugar in the food. 1 Schiros and her team start with bacteria cells that are too small to see without a microscope. Seventy of these rod-shaped (杆状的) microbes would fit across the width of a human hair! 4 A lot of microbes + a lot of sugar =a mass of cellulose! 5 Next the team cleans the mass and treats it with a sunflower seed-based recipe to make the material soft and strong—similar to traditional leather. Then it’s dried flat. 6 Want it to be colored? A natural dye made of indigo will work. For black, use the bark (树枝) from the acacia tree followed by a dip in iron-filled water (The iron comes from old carpentry nails! ) Around a hundred billion pieces of clothing are made each year. Of that clothing, about 90percent eventually gets thrown away. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Don’t toss out damaged shoes! Instead, take them to a shoe mender to be fixed. You’ve outgrown them? Host a clothing exchange with friends. 7 Each piece of cellulose can be specially grown into the shape of the part of the shoe it will become. The pieces are then sewn together. These shoes grew in just 30 days, and they’ll last for years! 40. The bacteria-grown shoes have been developed to _________. ① produce shoes of better quality ② improve visual design ③ protect the health of leather workers ④ reduce environmental pollution A. ①③ B. ②④ C. ③④ D. ①④ 41. Which of the following statements is true about the procedure of growing leather? A. The raw materials include microbes about the width of a human hair. B. The microbes can be transformed into a mass of cellulose after consuming sugar. C. With a special treatment, the material can possess a texture similar to genuine leather. D. The material can be dyed black after a dip in natural dye made from indigo. 42. Who is this article most likely intended for? A. Chemistry majors. B. Materials science experts. C. Shoe manufacturers. D. General science readers. 【答案】40. C 41. C 42. D 【解析】 【导语】这篇文章主要介绍了传统皮革污染环境且危害工人健康，科学家研发出用细菌培养的环保皮革鞋，介绍了其制作过程与优势，并给出了实用的环保建议。 【40题详解】 细节理解题。根据第一个图表中“But the chemicals typically used to preserve the animal skins are bad for the environment. The chemicals pollute the water and air nearby, and they can make the leather workers sick. (但通常用于保存动物皮的化学物质对环境有害。这些化学物质会污染附近的水源和空气，还会让皮革工人生病。)”以及“But in the future, you might slip on a more sustainable pair of shoes. National Geographic Explorer Theanoe Schiros is experimenting with bacteria and living things — to “grow” shoes with a similar texture to real leather! The shoes are zero waste, chemical free, fully decomposable and still super strong. Discover how these cool kicks come to life. (但在未来，你可能会穿上一双更可持续的鞋子。《国家地理》探险家西奥纳·希罗斯正在尝试利用细菌和生物来“培育”具有与真皮革相似质地的鞋子！这些鞋子是零废弃、无化学物质、完全可分解的，而且仍然非常坚固。了解这些酷炫的鞋子是如何诞生的。)”可知，研发细菌培养鞋的核心目的是解决传统皮革产业的环境污染问题和工人健康问题。①“提升鞋子质量”和②“改进视觉设计”在原文中均未提及。 【41题详解】 细节理解题。根据第二个图表中“Next the team cleans the mass and treats it with a sunflower seed-based recipe to make the material soft and strong — similar to traditional leather. ( 接下来，团队会对这种材料进行清洗处理，并用一种以葵花籽为原料的配方对其进行处理，以使材料变得柔软且坚固——类似于传统的皮革。)”可知，原文明确提到用葵花籽配方处理后，材料会变得柔软坚固，质地与传统皮革相似，ABD选项均与原文实意不符。 【42题详解】 推理判断题。通读全文以及文章标题为“COOL INVENTIONS”（酷炫发明），可知，这篇文章语言通俗易懂，用图文结合的方式介绍环保新科技，还包含面向普通读者的环保小贴士，明显是为普通科学爱好者撰写的科普文章，而非面向专业学者或行业从业者。 (C) Sarcasm (讽刺) and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them. Sarcasm is mostly understood through tone of voice, which is used to portray the opposite of the literal words. For example, when someone says, “Well, that’s exactly what I need right now,” their tone can tell you it’s not what they need at all. Most frequently, sarcasm highlights an irritation or is, quite simply, mean. If you want to be happier and improve your relationships, cut out sarcasm. Why? Because sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor. Despite smiling outwardly, many people who receive sarcastic comments feel put down and often think the sarcastic person is rude, or contemptible (可鄙的). Indeed, it’s not surprising that the origin of the word sarcasm derives from the Greek word “sarkazein” which literally means “to tear or strip the flesh off.” Hence, it’s no wonder that sarcasm is often used after the word “cutting” and that it hurts. What’s more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity. After all, when you come right down to it, sarcasm can be used as a subtle form of bullying—and most bullies are angry, insecure, or cowardly. Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self-confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm. Now, I’m not saying all sarcasm is bad. It may just be better used sparingly—like a powerful spice in cooking. Too much of the spice, and the dish will be overwhelmed by it. Similarly, an occasional dash of sarcastic wit can spice up a chat and add an element of humor to it. But a big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient. So, tone down the sarcasm and work on clever wit instead, which is usually without any hostility and thus more appreciated by those you’re communicating with. In essence, sarcasm is easy while true, harmless wit takes talent. Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone’s unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its ridicule. Sarcastic statements are expressed in a cutting manner; witty remarks are delivered with undisguised and harmless humor. 43. Why does the author say sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common? A. Both are recognized when heard. B. Both have exactly the same tone. C. Both mean the opposite of what they appear to. D. Both have hidden in them an evident irritation. 44. What happens when a person consistently acts sarcastically? A. They feel their dignity greatly heightened. B. They feel increasingly insecure and hostile. C. They endure hostility under the disguise of humor. D. They taste bitterness even in pleasant interactions. 45. What does the author say about people quitting sarcastic comments? A. It makes others happier and more self-confident. B. It restrains them from being irritating and bullying. C. It benefits not only themselves but also those around them. D. It shields them from negative comments and outright hostility. 46. What is the chief difference between a speaker’s wit and sarcasm? A. Their intention. B. Their appreciation. C. Their emphasis. D. Their clarity. 【答案】43. A 44. B 45. C 46. A 【解析】 【导语】本文为议论文。文章通过类比讽刺与爵士乐的共性引入主题，论证 "减少讽刺、倡导善意机智" 的观点，剖析讽刺的本质危害、与机智的核心区别，最终给出沟通建议。 【43题详解】 细节理解题。根据文章第一段内容“Sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them.(讽刺和爵士乐之间竟有着惊人的相似之处：当你听到它们的时候，就能立刻辨别出来。)”可知，讽刺和爵士乐之间的相似之处在于“一听就能识别出来”。故选A项。 【44题详解】 细节理解题。根据文章第五段内容“What’s more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity.(此外，由于行为会极大地影响思想和情感，如果一个人总是以讽刺的方式行事，这可能只会加剧他们内心深处的敌意和不安感。)”可知，持续讽刺行为会强化内在的敌意和不安全感。故选B项。 【45题详解】 细节理解题。根据文章第六段内容“Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self-confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm.(另外，当一个人不再发表负面评论（尤其是带有讽刺意味的评论）时，他们很快就会开始感到更加快乐和自信。而且，他们生活中的其他人也会受益更多，因为他们不再需要听到那种充满情感伤害的讽刺话语了。)”可知，停止讽刺后，本人更快乐自信，周围人因免受伤害而获益更多，即，对自己，对周围的人都有益处。故选C项。 【46题详解】 推理判断题。根据文章末尾段内容“Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone’s unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its ridicule.(因此，机智与讽刺的主要区别在于：正如我们之前所说，讽刺往往是以幽默的形式来掩饰敌意的。它的目的往往在于伤害他人，并且通常带有尖刻和刺耳的意味。机智的言论通常是对他人无益的言论或行为的回应，其目的在于通过强调其荒谬之处来理清并阐明问题。)”可知，讽刺是“伪装成幽默的敌意”，意图伤人；机智则“无恶意且幽默”，无敌意，意图理清问题。由此推知，二者的主要区别在于意图不同。故选A项。 Section C (8’) Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need. Twilight of the Brands It’s a truism of business-book thinking that a company’s brand is its “most important asset,” more valuable than technology or patents or manufacturing prowess. But brands have never been more fragile. The reason is simple: consumers are supremely well informed and far more likely to investigate the real value of products than to rely on logos. Absolute Value, a new book by Itamar Simonson and Emanuel Rosen, shows that, historically, the rise of brands was a response to an information-poor environment. ____47____ If a car was made by G.M., or a ketchup by Heinz, you assumed that it was pretty good. It was hard to figure out if a new product from an unfamiliar company was reliable or not, so brand loyalty was a way of reducing risk. Today, consumers can read much research about whatever they want to buy. This started back with Consumer Reports, which did objective studies of products. ____48____ It has given ordinary consumers easy access to expert reviews, user reviews, and detailed product data, in an array of categories. A recent study found that eighty per cent of consumers look at online reviews before making major purchases, and a host of studies have logged the strong influence those reviews have on the decisions people make. ____49____ An undesirable product can become a laughingstock (笑柄) in a matter of hours. In the old days, you might buy a Sony television set because you’d owned one before, or because you trusted the brand. Today, such considerations matter much less than reviews on Amazon and Engadget and CNET. As Simonson said, “each product now has to prove itself on its own. ” It’s been argued that in a world where consumers are overwhelmed with information, the information will actually make brands more valuable. Indeed, the role a brand plays in people’s lives has become all the more important. But information overload is largely a myth. ____50____ And this has made customer loyalty pretty much a thing of the past. Only twenty-five per cent of American respondents in a recent study said that brand loyalty affected how they shopped. A. But what’s really weakened the power of brands is the Internet. B. For consumers this is ideal: heightened competition has raised quality and held down prices. C. When consumers had to rely on advertisements and their past experience with a company, brands served as a guarantee for quality. D. A large quantity of consumers fail to get a great deal of information efficiently and effectively. E. The rise of social media has sped up the trend to an astonishing degree. F. Most consumers figure out how to find what they’re looking for without spending huge amounts of time online. 【答案】47. C 48. A 49. E 50. F 【解析】 【导语】文章主要介绍了品牌影响力正在衰退，过去品牌因信息匮乏成为品质保障，而如今互联网、各类测评与社交媒体让消费者获取信息更便捷，人们不再依赖品牌，品牌忠诚度大幅下降。 【47题详解】 根据前文“Absolute Value, a new book by Itamar Simonson and Emanuel Rosen, shows that, historically, the rise of brands was a response to an information-poor environment.(Itamar Simonson和Emanuel Rosen的新书《绝对价值》指出，从历史上来看，品牌的兴起是对信息匮乏环境的一种回应。)” 以及后文“If a car was made by G.M., or a ketchup by Heinz, you assumed that it was pretty good.(如果一辆汽车由通用汽车生产，或是番茄酱由亨氏制造，你就会认为它的品质不错。)” 可知，空前追溯品牌的兴起，空后举例说明对品牌的依赖，故空格处需说明信息闭塞年代品牌的作用；选项C“When consumers had to rely on advertisements and their past experience with a company, brands served as a guarantee for quality.(当消费者只能依靠一家公司的广告和过往消费经验时，品牌就充当了品质的保障。)” 贴合上下文逻辑。 【48题详解】 根据前文“This started back with Consumer Reports, which did objective studies of products.(这一变化始于《消费者报告》，该刊物会对产品开展客观测评。)” 以及后文“It has given ordinary consumers easy access to expert reviews, user reviews, and detailed product data, in an array of categories.(它让普通消费者可以轻松获取各类产品的专业评测、用户评价和详细产品数据。)” 可知，空处需点明it的指代对象；选项A“But what’s really weakened the power of brands is the Internet.(但真正削弱品牌影响力的是互联网。)” 承接了上文的信息获取变化，又引出了下文互联网的具体作用，衔接自然。 【49题详解】 根据前文“A recent study found that eighty per cent of consumers look at online reviews before making major purchases, and a host of studies have logged the strong influence those reviews have on the decisions people make.(近期一项研究发现：八成消费者在进行大额消费前都会查看线上评价，且大量研究也记录表明，这些评价对人们的消费决策有着巨大影响。)”说明消费者依赖网络评价，后文“An undesirable product can become a laughingstock in a matter of hours.(一款劣质产品短短数小时内就会沦为笑柄。)” 说明信息传播速度变得极快；选项E“The rise of social media has sped up the trend to an astonishing degree.(社交媒体的兴起将这一趋势加速到了惊人的程度。)” 衔接了上文的评价影响与下文的快速传播。 【50题详解】 根据前文“But information overload is largely a myth.(但信息过载在很大程度上是一种谬论。)” 可知，消费者并不会被海量信息困扰；选项F“Most consumers figure out how to find what they’re looking for without spending huge amounts of time online.(大多数消费者都能高效找到自己需要的信息，无需花费大量上网时间。)” 解释了信息过载是谬论的原因，与前文观点保持一致，逻辑通顺。 III. Summary writing (10’) 51. Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point (s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible. Are touchscreens in cars dangerous? For years almost every new car sold has come with a high-tech, futuristic screen, which controls everything from the air conditioning to the music. Even safety features like automatic lane-keeping are sometimes screen-controlled. But are touchscreens safe? The case for the accusation is straightforward. If fiddling with the screen of a smartphone while driving is distracting, and therefore dangerous, then doing likewise with your car’s is probably risky too. Drivers can learn the location of physical controls, and press buttons or twiddle dials without taking their eyes off the road. A touchscreen offers no physical feedback, making that much harder. And because a screen must do dozens of jobs, finding a particular setting often means tapping through several sub-menus. The result, say critics, is a dangerous distraction built into the car itself. Research backs that up. A study, done in 2024 by researchers at SINTEF, a Norwegian contract-research organisation, used gaze-tracking cameras to compare how long drivers were distracted while performing different tasks on a touchscreen. Even the quickest job — changing the temperature — meant three and a half seconds, on average, of not looking at the road. Finding a new radio station took 11 seconds, and putting a new address into the satellite navigation took 16. An analysis published in 2020 by the Transport Research Laboratory, a British organisation, found that touchscreens impaired a driver’s reaction time more than driving over the legal alcohol limit. Safety organisations are beginning to notice. From January new rules from Euro NCAP, an organisation that provides safety ratings for cars sold in Europe, will mean no car can get a full five-star score unless certain crucial functions — indicators, for instance, or the windscreen wipers — are controlled by real switches. Euro NCAP’s safety guidelines have no legal force. But carmakers use its ratings as a selling-point. But innovation never stops. Even as touchscreens are falling out of favour, many manufacturers are turning their attention to voice control — though that is a subject for another story. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 【答案】 Most new cars are equipped with touchscreens controlling various functions, but they’re dangerous as they lack physical feedback and require complex sub-menu operations, distracting drivers. Studies show they cause long distraction and impair reaction time more than drunk driving. Euro NCAP will introduce new rules requiring real switches for key functions, while carmakers are shifting to voice control. 【解析】 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。主要围绕汽车触摸屏的安全性展开，指出其因缺乏物理反馈、操作复杂而分散司机注意力，相关研究证实其危害甚至超过酒驾，欧洲安全机构将出台新规规范关键功能控制方式，车企则转向语音控制技术。 【详解】1. 要点摘录 ①For years almost every new car sold has come with a high-tech, futuristic screen, which controls everything from the air conditioning to the music. ②But are touchscreens safe? The case for the accusation is straightforward.  ③A study, done in 2024 by researchers at SINTEF, a Norwegian contract-research organisation, used gaze-tracking cameras to compare how long drivers were distracted while performing different tasks on a touchscreen.  ④Euro NCAP’s safety guidelines have no legal force. But carmakers use its ratings as a selling-point. 2. 缜密构思 整合①②，③④要点 3. 遣词造句 Most new cars have touchscreens for diverse functions, but they’re dangerous owing to no physical feedback and complex sub-menu operations that distract drivers. Studies prove they lead to long distraction and impair reaction time more than drunk driving, so Euro NCAP will require real switches for key functions, with carmakers shifting to voice control. 【点睛】【高分句型 1】Most new cars are equipped with touchscreens controlling various functions, but they’re dangerous as they lack physical feedback and require complex sub-menu operations, distracting drivers. (运用 as 引导原因状语从句，现在分词短语作结果状语，对一二段部分内容进行总结) 【高分句型 2】Studies show they cause long distraction and impair reaction time more than drunk driving. (运用省略that的宾语从句，对第三段进行总结，句型高级) 【高分句型 3】Euro NCAP will introduce new rules requiring real switches for key functions, while carmakers are shifting to voice control. (运用while连接的时间状语从句，对第四，五段进行总结，表达高级) IV. Translation (15’) Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets. 52. 这个培训项目是为帮助初学者学习编程而量身定制的。 (tailor) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 【答案】This training program is tailored to help beginners learn programming. 【解析】 【详解】表示“这个培训项目”译为this training program，作主语；表示“为……量身定制”译为be tailored to；表示“帮助初学者学习编程”用短语help sb. do sth.，译为help beginners learn programming。陈述事实用一般现在时，主语为单数名词，谓语动词使用第三人称单数形式。 53. 我把手机充满电，以防老板突然给我强加一项紧急任务。(impose) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 【答案】I charged my phone to full capacity in case my boss suddenly imposed an urgent task on me. 【解析】 【详解】句子讲述过去发生的事情，用一般过去时态；“我把手机充满电”是主句，主语“我”是I，谓语“充电”用动词charge，使用过去式charged，“充满电”表述为charged my phone to full capacity，主句整体译为I charged my phone to full capacity；“以防老板突然给我强加一项紧急任务”是目的状语，用连词in case引导目的状语从句，从句主语“老板”表述为my boss，“突然”用副词suddenly作状语；从句谓语“给……强加”用动词短语impose…on…，动词使用过去式imposed，宾语“一项紧急任务”用名词词组an urgent task，从句整体译为in case my boss suddenly imposed an urgent task on me。 54. 我突然意识到，一个人越依恋故土，就越舍不得远走他乡。 (strike) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 【答案】It suddenly strikes me that the more attached one is to their hometown, the less willing they are to leave for a distant land. 【解析】 【详解】表示“我突然意识到”译为It suddenly strikes me that；表示“越……越……”译为the+比较级……，the+比较级……；前半句主语为the one，表示“依恋故土”译为be attached to their hometown；后一句主语为they，表示“舍不得远走他乡”译为be less willing to leave for a distant land，此处为倒装句，需要将比较级the more attached和the less willing 提前到主语one和they之前，构成the+比较级，the+比较级句型。陈述事实用一般现在时。 55. 破晓时分，摄影师把劳动者们真诚的微笑定格在时光里，创造了时代奋斗者的群像。 (freeze) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 【答案】At daybreak, the photographer froze the sincere smiles of the workers in time, creating a group portrait of the striving people of the era. 【解析】 【详解】“破晓时分”译为At daybreak，作时间状语；“摄影师”是主语，译为the photographer；谓语“定格”用动词freeze，讲述过去发生的事情，用一般过去时态froze；宾语“劳动者们真诚的微笑”译为the sincere smiles of the workers；地点状语“在时光里”译为介词短语in time；“创造了时代奋斗者的群像”是结果状语，用现在分词短语creating a group portrait of the striving people of the era表达，其中“时代奋斗者”译为the striving people of the era。 V. Guided Writing (25’) 56. Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese. 假设你是明启中学高三学生赵磊，你的外国朋友William一直对中国文化很感兴趣。近日，他在网上了解到有两个相关的线上节目（节目信息如下表所示），但他对节目选择有些茫然，想听听你的建议。请给William回复一封邮件，邮件内容须包括： （1）推荐其中一个节目； （2）通过比较两个节目的信息，说明你推荐该节目的理由。 节目名称 故宫里的国宝 Treasures of the Forbidden City 寻访中国美食 Exploring Chinese Cuisine 节目内容 介绍故宫里的国宝及其背后的故事 介绍中国传统美食及其烹饪方式 节目形式 纪录片 短视频 节目语言 英语解说 无字幕 (subtitles) 中文解说 英语字幕 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 【答案】Dear William, Having learnt you are interested in Chinese culture and that you cannot decide whether to opt for the Treasures of the Forbidden City or the Exploring Chinese Cuisine, I am writing to put forward my own idea that the second option might be more suitable for you. The reasons behind the choice, as far as I can see, can be analyzed in three aspects. To begin with, as is universally acknowledged, delicious cuisine is always a popular topic around the whole world. In this programme, you will be introduced the process of making Chinese traditional food, which is also a part of the Chinese culture. In addition, it won't cost you much time since it is presented by short video, so that you can choose your time freely. Last but not least, although the programme is spoken in Chinese, there are English subtitles for you to have a full understanding of the content. To sum up, it is advisable that you choose the second one. Hope the above might be of any help to you. Thank you for your time and wish you a great success in learning about the Chinese culture. Yours, Zhao Lei 【解析】 【导语】本篇书面表达属于应用文，要求考生给外国朋友William写一封邮件，给他提一些关于了解中国文化节目的选择建议。 【详解】1.词汇积累 选择：option→choice 总之：to sum up→in short 普遍地：universally→widely 有帮助的：be of help→be helpful 2.句式拓展 改为复合句 原句：The reasons behind the choice, as far as I can see, can be analyzed in three aspects.  拓展句：The reasons why I made the choice can be analyzed in three aspects.  【点睛】【高分句型1】Having learnt you are interested in Chinese culture and that you cannot decide whether to opt for the Treasures of the Forbidden City or the Exploring Chinese Cuisine, I am writing to put forward my own idea that the second option might be more suitable for you.(运用了现在分词短语作状语和idea后that引导的同位语从句) 【高分句型2】To begin with, as is universally acknowledged, delicious cuisine is always a popular topic around the whole world.(运用了as引导的非限制性定语从句) 第1页/共1页 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ 2025学年第二学期高二英语期中诊断试卷 2026. 4 (本试卷满分115分 考试时间105分钟) I. Grammar and Vocabulary (20’) Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank. Empires in Conversation Despite the thousands of miles separating them and the big differences in their peoples,two rulers in 17th-century Europe and China were nevertheless the driving force behind a grand cultural exchange. The two men were the Kangxi Emperor of China’s Qing Dynasty and King Louis XIV of France. A symbolic image from the period captured the exchange: European ambassadors (使臣), ____1____ (dress) in the robes of Qing officials, stood beside an armillary sphere in the court of the Kangxi Emperor. The astronomy, mathematics, physics, and chemistry they brought ____2____ (fascinate) the young emperor, who was particularly interested in the heavenly bodies. Through their instruction, Kangxi gained a rich knowledge. On one visit to southern China, he used a spirit level (水平仪) to measure the water, and found a mistake in ____3____ his ministers were controlling the water in the Hongze lake. It is natural for many of us ____4____ (marvel) at the Chinese emperor’s good knowledge of Western technologies. But Kangxi’s interests extended ____5____ the hard sciences: He tried to organize information about these foreign lands and spread ____6____among the public. He asked his third prince, Yinzhi, to establish a museum of mathematics ____7____ talented scholars would engage in research and observation of mathematical laws and the universe. In court speeches, Kangxi would hold forth on the natural sciences from Europe, ____8____ (lecture) young princes about astronomy, calendar systems and arithmetic. Outstanding students ____9____ (send) to the institution of astronomy or other key departments. _____10_____ the visitors from the West came to the East mainly to spread their culture, upon arriving in that ancient kingdom, they discovered its people already possessed their own well-established understanding of the world. There was the Golden Mean of Confucius, and the unknowable Tao of Lao Tzu. And these left a deep impression on the traveling Europeans. Section B Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need. A. persisted B. recognized C. contradicting D. unquestionably E. practical F. deliberately G. equipment H. limit I. underlying J. medium K. captured Fine art involves the application of skill and-imagination to produce aesthetic experiences. Photography is regarded by some as a form of fine art because it entails creative decision-making processes similar to those ____11____ painting or sculpture. Nevertheless, photography cannot be ____12____classified as art, because despite certain-similarities, a fundamental difference remains between creating images by hand — using paint, clay or other tools — and pointing a mechanical device at something interesting and clicking. It is arguable that photography can be appreciated on the same level as other ____13____ forms of visual art. Sometimes decisions involved in creating a photograph closely resemble those made by any other artist. A photograph is not always just a record of the world, but a(n) ____14____ created image with its own artistic features. Ansel Adams, the American photographer, commented on this point when he noted that take is not the right verb for a photograph. Instead, he said, one makes a photograph. To this end, there is a growing trend for photographers to identify themselves as artists. A photograph by artist Edward Steichen, for example, recently sold for $11.8 million. No one would likely pay that much for a photograph unless the photographer presents himself as an artist. Although some photography can be abstract, most photographs are basically records of events that occurred in particular places. While viewers may perceive beauty in a photograph, such beauty often derives from the time and place ____15____rather than from the photographer’s creative input. Also, sophisticated and expensive ____16____ often plays a greater role in the success of a photograph than the photographer’s creativity. Even some of the greatest photographers acknowledge that there is a(n) ____17____ to the amount of influence they can have on a final product. Henri Cartier-Bresson, the renowned French photographer, admitted that luck was the most important factor. Finally, photography is so widely used for ____18____functions that have little or nothing to do with art, such as police work, advertising and news reporting. The debate over whether photography qualifies as art has ____19____since its earliest practitioners presented their work. A photographer may make the same aesthetic choices as a fine artist: subject matter, lighting, colour or even a message. However, cameras can also be purely functional tools, capturing visual records and presenting information. All in all, photography is a(n) _____20_____ that can be used to make art, but that does not mean that all photography is art. II. Reading Comprehension (45’) Section A (15’) Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context. People who live in cities are starting to get a lot more information to help plan their daily lives. Smarter City systems are telling residents about traffic jams, the time the next bus will arrive, the ____21____ for flooding, and other useful updates. This is happening because cities are ____22____ the streams of information from sensors to manage urban systems better. The number of ____23____ like these sensors will reach 50 billion by 2020. Cities are complex systems of systems that have always ____24____ vast amounts of information. Information flowing in from many small subsystems, such as local flood catch-basins, is integrated with other ____25____ to provide guidance on the overall operation of a city. This integrated data, from such systems of systems, is then given to city administrators in useful formats that can change ____26____ for the better. ____27____, in many cities, the coming population growth will challenge even the most skilled city managers, and the old infrastructure of many such cities is not equipped with the ability to gather the data needed to ____28____ city operations. Despite the seeming ____29____ of data gathering infrastructure, another option exists, considering the shift from desktop computing to mobile devices and tablets. Mobile technology has ____30____ dramatically in the past decade to the point where a lightweight smartphone may gather all kinds of data, such as its location, local temperature and background noise levels. Furthermore, in the near future, additional ____31____ are easily imagined, where sensors will be able to detect chemical pollution, local lighting conditions, vibration levels, and more. This will enable a new era where citizens are able to participate in city management, where the very data required to improve city operations is in part ____32____ provided by its citizens via smartphone apps. It also raises complex ____33____ issues that must be dealt with as we face this new era, but similarly provides opportunities for the citizens to play an active role in the improvement of their ____34____ , not only in the reporting of critical environmental and transportation data, but in taking an active role in solving the problems they have encountered. It will be a cooperative and informed effort, with information technology enabling social transformation, to ____35____ the growing challenges facing our cities in the coming decades. 21. A. reason B. potential C. hope D. occasion 22. A. upgrading B. enlarging C. altering D. employing 23. A. systems B. applications C. devices D. guides 24. A. weathered B. generated C. adored D. existed 25. A. sources B. users C. overseers D. means 26. A. city living B. urban planning C. traffic flow D. basic facilities 27. A. Therefore B. Besides C. However D. Thus 28. A. guide B. apply C. advise D. order 29. A. specialty B. need C. decrease D. lack 30. A. decreased B. reformed C. advanced D. increased 31. A. talents B. capabilities C. qualities D. performances 32. A. accidentally B. surprisingly C. willingly D. determinedly 33. A. confidential B. efficiency C. biological D. social 34. A. community B. performance C. unity D. recreation 35. A. overlook B. increase C. predict D. address Section B (22’) Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read. Just the Ticket Shetara Sims had weathered some tough years. In 2012, her eldest daughter was murdered during an argument in Kansas City, Missouri. Last year, the single mother lost her job in the recession (经济衰退). She had only $7 in her pocket as she headed into the grocery store one day last July with her 12-year-old daughter, Rakiya Edmondson. And then Lady Luck finally cut Sims some slack. She and her daughter found a dollar bill in the parking lot. Maybe this was their day, they told each other. So they bought a lottery ticket (彩票) --and won $100. But before they could spend their unexpected gain, Rakiya had an idea. The news in Kansas City that week had been filled with stories about a police officer, Tyler Moss, who had been shot in the head in the line of duty. He was in critical condition. Rakiya and her mother had never forgotten how kind the police had been after their own family member was killed. “The detectives were really there for us,” Sims says. “They came to see my kids. They were fathers, therapists. They were everything.” Rakiya wanted to give their lottery winning to Officer Moss’s family. Her mom readily agreed. On July 10, Sims called the police and made an anonymous (匿名的) donation. Moved by her generous expression of thanks, the officers did what they do best --they tracked Sims down. When she explained the family’s motivation, the officers could hardly believe it. “With her current financial hardship, we encouraged her to keep the money,” the department later explained. “She refused, saying the officer’s family needed it and police needed to know they were supported.” By then, that feeling of support was mutual. The police set up a GoFundMe page for Sims, whom they called “The Woman with the Heart of Gold.” Their goal was $10,000. As of January 11, they had raised $165,405. Even better: Officer Moss, who had a 1 percent chance of survival, is out of the hospital and recovering. 36. Which of the following is NOT one of the hardships Shetara Sims went through? A. Having to bring up children all by herself. B. Losing a lot of money buying lottery tickets. C. Losing her job during the economic decline. D. Her eldest daughter being killed in an argument. 37. The underlined phrase “cut Sims some slack” is closest in meaning to _________. A. gave Sims a break B. criticized Sims sharply C. ignored Sims completely D. conducted a test on Sims 38. Why was Sims called “The Woman with the Heart of Gold”? A. She supported Moss’s family with the money raised on GoFundMe. B. She wrote an anonymous letter to express her gratitude to Officer Moss. C. She donated all the lottery winning despite her own financial hardships. D. She forgave the murderer and encouraged Rakiya to embrace a new life. 39. Which of the following statement is TRUE? A. The police tracked Sims down secretly and returned the money to her. B. The police launched a fundraising campaign for Sims among policeman. C. Officer Moss got injured when arresting the man who killed Sims' daughter. D. Officer Moss’s survival was truly a miracle, given his slim chances. (B) COOL INVENTIONS BETTER’LEATHER’ These shoes are ‘grown’ by bacteria! Leather is a material that’s made from the skin of animals. It’s used to create lots of products. From shoes to handbags to furniture. But the chemicals typically used to preserve the animal skins are bad for the environment. The chemicals pollute the water and air nearby, and they can make the leather workers sick. Plus, livestock farmers cut down trees in forests so the cows used for leather and meat have room to graze. But in the future, you might slip on a more sustainable pair of shoes. National Geographic Explorer Theanoe Schiros is experimenting with bacteria and living things — to “grow” shoes with a similar texture to real leather! The shoes are zero waste, chemical free, fully decomposable and still super strong. Discover how these cool kicks come to life. 3 Then the microbes spin the sugar into threads of cellulose (纤维素) to create protective shells around themselves to keep from drying out. (Cellulose is the same stuff that trees are made of! ) 2 The team places the microbes in a vessel like this beaker, along with food waste like fruit pulp. The microbes eat the sugar in the food. 1 Schiros and her team start with bacteria cells that are too small to see without a microscope. Seventy of these rod-shaped (杆状的) microbes would fit across the width of a human hair! 4 A lot of microbes + a lot of sugar =a mass of cellulose! 5 Next the team cleans the mass and treats it with a sunflower seed-based recipe to make the material soft and strong—similar to traditional leather. Then it’s dried flat. 6 Want it to be colored? A natural dye made of indigo will work. For black, use the bark (树枝) from the acacia tree followed by a dip in iron-filled water (The iron comes from old carpentry nails! ) Around a hundred billion pieces of clothing are made each year. Of that clothing, about 90percent eventually gets thrown away. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Don’t toss out damaged shoes! Instead, take them to a shoe mender to be fixed. You’ve outgrown them? Host a clothing exchange with friends. 7 Each piece of cellulose can be specially grown into the shape of the part of the shoe it will become. The pieces are then sewn together. These shoes grew in just 30 days, and they’ll last for years! 40. The bacteria-grown shoes have been developed to _________. ① produce shoes of better quality ② improve visual design ③ protect the health of leather workers ④ reduce environmental pollution A. ①③ B. ②④ C. ③④ D. ①④ 41. Which of the following statements is true about the procedure of growing leather? A. The raw materials include microbes about the width of a human hair. B. The microbes can be transformed into a mass of cellulose after consuming sugar. C. With a special treatment, the material can possess a texture similar to genuine leather. D. The material can be dyed black after a dip in natural dye made from indigo. 42. Who is this article most likely intended for? A. Chemistry majors. B. Materials science experts. C. Shoe manufacturers. D. General science readers. (C) Sarcasm (讽刺) and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them. Sarcasm is mostly understood through tone of voice, which is used to portray the opposite of the literal words. For example, when someone says, “Well, that’s exactly what I need right now,” their tone can tell you it’s not what they need at all. Most frequently, sarcasm highlights an irritation or is, quite simply, mean. If you want to be happier and improve your relationships, cut out sarcasm. Why? Because sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor. Despite smiling outwardly, many people who receive sarcastic comments feel put down and often think the sarcastic person is rude, or contemptible (可鄙的). Indeed, it’s not surprising that the origin of the word sarcasm derives from the Greek word “sarkazein” which literally means “to tear or strip the flesh off.” Hence, it’s no wonder that sarcasm is often used after the word “cutting” and that it hurts. What’s more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity. After all, when you come right down to it, sarcasm can be used as a subtle form of bullying—and most bullies are angry, insecure, or cowardly. Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self-confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm. Now, I’m not saying all sarcasm is bad. It may just be better used sparingly—like a powerful spice in cooking. Too much of the spice, and the dish will be overwhelmed by it. Similarly, an occasional dash of sarcastic wit can spice up a chat and add an element of humor to it. But a big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient. So, tone down the sarcasm and work on clever wit instead, which is usually without any hostility and thus more appreciated by those you’re communicating with. In essence, sarcasm is easy while true, harmless wit takes talent. Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone’s unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its ridicule. Sarcastic statements are expressed in a cutting manner; witty remarks are delivered with undisguised and harmless humor. 43. Why does the author say sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common? A. Both are recognized when heard. B. Both have exactly the same tone. C. Both mean the opposite of what they appear to. D. Both have hidden in them an evident irritation. 44. What happens when a person consistently acts sarcastically? A. They feel their dignity greatly heightened. B. They feel increasingly insecure and hostile. C. They endure hostility under the disguise of humor. D. They taste bitterness even in pleasant interactions. 45. What does the author say about people quitting sarcastic comments? A. It makes others happier and more self-confident. B. It restrains them from being irritating and bullying. C. It benefits not only themselves but also those around them. D. It shields them from negative comments and outright hostility. 46. What is the chief difference between a speaker’s wit and sarcasm? A. Their intention. B. Their appreciation. C. Their emphasis. D. Their clarity. Section C (8’) Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need. Twilight of the Brands It’s a truism of business-book thinking that a company’s brand is its “most important asset,” more valuable than technology or patents or manufacturing prowess. But brands have never been more fragile. The reason is simple: consumers are supremely well informed and far more likely to investigate the real value of products than to rely on logos. Absolute Value, a new book by Itamar Simonson and Emanuel Rosen, shows that, historically, the rise of brands was a response to an information-poor environment. ____47____ If a car was made by G.M., or a ketchup by Heinz, you assumed that it was pretty good. It was hard to figure out if a new product from an unfamiliar company was reliable or not, so brand loyalty was a way of reducing risk. Today, consumers can read much research about whatever they want to buy. This started back with Consumer Reports, which did objective studies of products. ____48____ It has given ordinary consumers easy access to expert reviews, user reviews, and detailed product data, in an array of categories. A recent study found that eighty per cent of consumers look at online reviews before making major purchases, and a host of studies have logged the strong influence those reviews have on the decisions people make. ____49____ An undesirable product can become a laughingstock (笑柄) in a matter of hours. In the old days, you might buy a Sony television set because you’d owned one before, or because you trusted the brand. Today, such considerations matter much less than reviews on Amazon and Engadget and CNET. As Simonson said, “each product now has to prove itself on its own. ” It’s been argued that in a world where consumers are overwhelmed with information, the information will actually make brands more valuable. Indeed, the role a brand plays in people’s lives has become all the more important. But information overload is largely a myth. ____50____ And this has made customer loyalty pretty much a thing of the past. Only twenty-five per cent of American respondents in a recent study said that brand loyalty affected how they shopped. A. But what’s really weakened the power of brands is the Internet. B. For consumers this is ideal: heightened competition has raised quality and held down prices. C. When consumers had to rely on advertisements and their past experience with a company, brands served as a guarantee for quality. D. A large quantity of consumers fail to get a great deal of information efficiently and effectively. E. The rise of social media has sped up the trend to an astonishing degree. F. Most consumers figure out how to find what they’re looking for without spending huge amounts of time online. III. Summary writing (10’) 51. Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point (s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible. Are touchscreens in cars dangerous? For years almost every new car sold has come with a high-tech, futuristic screen, which controls everything from the air conditioning to the music. Even safety features like automatic lane-keeping are sometimes screen-controlled. But are touchscreens safe? The case for the accusation is straightforward. If fiddling with the screen of a smartphone while driving is distracting, and therefore dangerous, then doing likewise with your car’s is probably risky too. Drivers can learn the location of physical controls, and press buttons or twiddle dials without taking their eyes off the road. A touchscreen offers no physical feedback, making that much harder. And because a screen must do dozens of jobs, finding a particular setting often means tapping through several sub-menus. The result, say critics, is a dangerous distraction built into the car itself. Research backs that up. A study, done in 2024 by researchers at SINTEF, a Norwegian contract-research organisation, used gaze-tracking cameras to compare how long drivers were distracted while performing different tasks on a touchscreen. Even the quickest job — changing the temperature — meant three and a half seconds, on average, of not looking at the road. Finding a new radio station took 11 seconds, and putting a new address into the satellite navigation took 16. An analysis published in 2020 by the Transport Research Laboratory, a British organisation, found that touchscreens impaired a driver’s reaction time more than driving over the legal alcohol limit. Safety organisations are beginning to notice. From January new rules from Euro NCAP, an organisation that provides safety ratings for cars sold in Europe, will mean no car can get a full five-star score unless certain crucial functions — indicators, for instance, or the windscreen wipers — are controlled by real switches. Euro NCAP’s safety guidelines have no legal force. But carmakers use its ratings as a selling-point. But innovation never stops. Even as touchscreens are falling out of favour, many manufacturers are turning their attention to voice control — though that is a subject for another story. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ IV. Translation (15’) Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets. 52. 这个培训项目是为帮助初学者学习编程而量身定制的。 (tailor) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 53. 我把手机充满电，以防老板突然给我强加一项紧急任务。(impose) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 54. 我突然意识到，一个人越依恋故土，就越舍不得远走他乡。 (strike) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ 55. 破晓时分，摄影师把劳动者们真诚的微笑定格在时光里，创造了时代奋斗者的群像。 (freeze) (汉译英) ________________________________________________________________ V. Guided Writing (25’) 56. Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese. 假设你是明启中学高三学生赵磊，你的外国朋友William一直对中国文化很感兴趣。近日，他在网上了解到有两个相关的线上节目（节目信息如下表所示），但他对节目选择有些茫然，想听听你的建议。请给William回复一封邮件，邮件内容须包括： （1）推荐其中一个节目； （2）通过比较两个节目的信息，说明你推荐该节目的理由。 节目名称 故宫里的国宝 Treasures of the Forbidden City 寻访中国美食 Exploring Chinese Cuisine 节目内容 介绍故宫里的国宝及其背后的故事 介绍中国传统美食及其烹饪方式 节目形式 纪录片 短视频 节目语言 英语解说 无字幕 (subtitles) 中文解说 英语字幕 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 第1页/共1页 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $