高三模拟阅读理解(说明文)试题汇总二 -2026届高三英语一轮复习专项

2025-2026高三模拟阅读理解(说明文)试题汇总二 目录 2026届浙江省宁波市镇海区镇海中学高三首考模拟考试英语试题 2 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 3 江苏省南京师范大学附属中学联考2025-2026学年高三上学期月考英语试题 6 安徽省县域高中合作共享联盟2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 7 浙江省杭州第二中学2025-2026学年高三上学期12月热身考英语试卷 9 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 11 安徽省合肥市第一中学2025-2026学年高三上学期1月英语考试试题 14 江苏省盐城市南京市2025-2026学年高三上学期期末调研测试英语试卷 15 2026届重庆市巴蜀中学高三上学期一模考试英语试卷 19 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区嘉兴市第一中学2024-2025学年高三上学期第三次模拟·英语A试题 20 山东省烟台市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 25 山东省淄博市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 28 龙岗区2025-2026学年第一学期高三期末质量监测 33 肇庆市2026届高中毕业班第一学期末教学质量监测 34 济南市2026届高三第一次模拟考试 36 2026届大湾区普通高中毕业年级联合模拟考试（一） 38 2025—2026学年佛山市普通高中教学质量检测（一） 39 2026届山东潍坊市高三一模考试英语试题 42 广东深圳外国语学校2025-2026学年度高三年级上学期第五次阶段性考试英语试题 46 广州名校联盟2026届高三2月调研测试一模英语试卷 47 2026届浙江省宁波市镇海区镇海中学高三首考模拟考试英语试题 D Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice. Many animals conceal illness for social reasons. Ant colonies, however, act as one “super-organism” which works to ensure the survival of all, similar to how infected cells in our bodies send out a “find-me and eat-me” signal, according to an Austria-led team of scientists. When adult worker ants get an illness, they leave the nest to die alone. Young ants, known as pupae, in contrast are still trapped inside a cocoon, making social distancing impossible. Scientists had already figured out that when these pupae are terminally ill, there is a chemical change that produces a particular smell. Adult worker ants then gather around, remove the cocoon, “bite holes in the pupae and insert poison,” Dawson said. For the research, the scientists wanted to figure out whether the pupae “were actively saying: ‘hey, come and kill me,’” Dawson said. First, the scientists extracted the smell from the sick pupae of a black garden ant. When they applied the smell to a healthy brood in the lab, the workers still destroyed them. Then, the team conducted an experiment showing that the sick pupae only produce the smell when worker ants are nearby, proving it is a deliberate signal for destruction. “While it is a sacrifice — a truly altruistic act — it’s also in their own interest, because it means that their genes are going to survive and be passed on to the next generation,” Dawson said. However, there is one member of the nest that does not sacrifice itself. When queen pupae are infected inside their cocoons, they do not send out the smelly warning signal, the team found. “Are they cheating the system?” Dawson said the team asked themselves. However, they found that the “queen pupae have much better immune systems than the worker pupae, and so they were able to fight off the infection — and that’s why we think that they weren’t signalling”, she said. Dawson hopes future research will investigate whether queen pupae sacrifice themselves when it becomes clear they will not beat their infection. 12. Why does the author mention the “find-me and eat-me” signal? A. To explain the self-sacrifice signal system of the ants. B. To contrast disease responses in insects and humans. C. To show how ants carry out social distancing in the nest. D. To describe the method scientists used in their experiment. 13. What does the word “altruistic” in Paragraph 4 most nearly mean? A. Driven by self-preservation instincts. B. Carried out for the benefit of others. C. Controlled by genetic programming. D. Triggered by external chemical signals. 14. Why don’t queen pupae emit the warning signal? A. They possess superior immune defenses against infection. B. They use a biological trick to avoid detection. C. They postpone signaling until the infection progresses. D. They rely on specialized protective mechanisms. 15. What is the best title for the text? A. Sick young ants invite destruction to save colony. B. Sick young ants send signals asking for treatment. C. Queen ants refuse to signal and avoid sacrifice. D. Different ant species show various sacrifice behaviors. 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C When did you last sit down for a meal without any distractions(分心)? Many of us multitask during meals, checking social media, watching TV, or even working. According to a study led by Stephen Lee Murphy, PhD, of Ghent University, this habit of distracted eating could lead to overconsumption. The study investigates “hedonic(享乐的) consumption”, where we buy and use products for the pleasure they bring rather than necessity. “On any given day, a person may take great pleasure from one or more of these activities, yet people often consume more hedonic goods than they want or than is good for them,” said Murphy. To understand how distraction affects our enjoyment, researchers conducted an experiment with 122 participants, mostly young adults. Participants were asked to eat their lunch under two different conditions: no distraction, and high distraction. After their meal, they reported their level of enjoyment, satisfaction, and desire for more satisfaction. The results were telling. Participants who ate while distracted reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, leading to increased snacking later in the day and a heightened desire for further satisfaction. Murphy called this effect “hedonic compensation”. When we are distracted, we experience less enjoyment from our activities, which drives us to seek more consumption to make up for the shortfall. “Overconsumption often results from a lack of self- control.” Murphy explained. “However, our findings suggest overconsumption may also often be driven by the simple human desire to reach a certain level of enjoyment from an activity. When distraction gets in the way, it’s likely we may try to make up for it by consuming more.” In a world where distractions are unavoidable, learning to be present and fully engaged in our pleasurable activities might be the key to enjoying them more and consuming less. So, next time you sit down for a meal, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and enjoy each bite. Your mind and body will thank you. 8. According to Murphy, what is the problem with “hedonic consumption”? A. It reduces enjoyment. B. It’s a waste of time. C. People do too much of it. D. People know little about it. 9. Which of the following shows the result of the experiment? A. No distraction, no satisfaction. B. High distraction, less satisfaction. C. Less distraction, less satisfaction. D. High distraction, more satisfaction. 10. What does the author recommend to reduce hedonic overconsumption? A. Trying to have more self-control. B. Avoiding eating pleasurable foods. C. Focusing fully on consumption experiences. D. Reducing the amount of food consumed. 11. What is the main topic discussed in the text? A. How overconsumption does harm to health. B. How distracted eating leads to overconsumption. C. How we can increase enjoyment while eating. D. How we can consume less food during the meal. D “Insects have personalities,” says Melinda Babits, a PhD student at the University of Debrecen. In her work with insects, Babits defines “personality” as “consistent individual differences”. Consistencies in individual behavior patterns can be observed in the same insects across time or across different situations. To understand the difference between human personality and insect personality, think about what personality means to you in terms of a dog or cat — you think about their playfulness, energy and level of attachment — in contrast to what it means in your friends — you think about their traits(特质) that stand out when you first meet them, and the ways they communicate. In her research, Babits puts firebugs(红蝽) into an experimental container. A computer program then analyzes the movement patterns of the individuals to see how much the insects have explored the container and interacted with the novel objects. Three days later, the same individuals are put into the container again to see if their behavior remains consistent. Two traits of a firebug’s personality are activity and explorativeness. “These are usually related. With activity, you can see how much time the individual spends exploring its surroundings,” Babits explains, “Explorativeness is more connected to the space — some individuals just like exploring a small section of the container, while others go around trying to explore the nooks and crannies.” Another trait is sociability. To assess it in firebugs, Babits maps the insects’ social networks. If two firebugs are in the same location at the same time and have a physical interaction, then they are considered in the same social network. Like humans, some firebugs are sociable and others prefer to keep to themselves. Diverse personalities could be the key to survival for insect species. “In different situations, different personality types are beneficial for the group or for the species itself. If there are individuals who are more explorative, they can discover new food sources,” says Babits. “Understanding insect personality can give us insight into other aspects of that insect’s behavior such as habitat expansion and social organization.” Next time an ant or fly pays you a visit, just remember: “What you see is indeed a truly unique individual,” says Babits. 12. Why does the author mention “a dog or cat” in paragraph 3? A. To support Babits’ definition of personality. B. To help readers better understand insect personality. C. To show the difference between pets and insects. D. To compare human personality with animal personality. 13. Why does Babits put the same firebugs into the container again after three days? A. To test the firebugs’ memory. B. To confirm the firebugs’ personality. C. To analyze the firebugs’ movement patterns. D. To train the firebugs to form their personality. 14. What does the underlined part “the nooks and crannies” in paragraph 5 imply? A. The firebugs are active in learning new tasks. B. The firebugs tend to form different social groups. C. The firebugs are looking for different food sources. D. The firebugs like exploring every part of the container. 15. What trait, according to the text, can most likely help insects find food? A. Explorativeness. B. Energy. C. Playfulness. D. Sociability. 江苏省南京师范大学附属中学联考2025-2026学年高三上学期月考英语试题 C When a person is trapped in an avalanche (雪崩), there is very little time before their oxygen supply runs out. A new safety device that channels air to the buried person’s face may extend survival and increase the chance of a successful rescue, a clinical trial suggests. Participants were buried face-down under at least 50 centimeters — about a foot and a half — of snow at a field site in northern Italy. The goal was to remain there safely for 35 minutes. No one in the group wearing a functioning safety device needed to be removed early due to low blood oxygen levels, researchers report October 8 in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Minutes after an avalanche burial, blood levels of oxygen begin to drop and those of carbon dioxide climb. The chance of survival decreases starting at 10 minutes. Around two-thirds of people whose head and chest are trapped under snow will die of insufficient oxygen within 35 minutes. The safety device, integrated into a backpack, has a fan that draws air from the surrounding snow and directs it to the face from outlets in the shoulder straps (肩带). Called Safeback SBX, the battery-operated device weighs a little over 500 grams, or about a pound. In the trial, researchers monitored participants’ oxygen levels, heart and respiratory (呼吸的) rates and other health measures during burial, which ended if anyone’s blood oxygen level became dangerously low,below 80 percent. This did not happen for the 12 people in the safety device group. Eleven remained buried for the full 35 minutes, while one asked to be removed early due to unexpected skin irritation (瘙痒). In contrast, seven of the 12 using a sham device (假装置) had to stop prematurely because they fell below the blood oxygen cutoff. Another four requested an early end：Three felt short of breath and one had a panic attack. The length of time the sham device group remained buried largely ranged from 5 to 13 minutes. Only one person in that group stayed under the snow for the full 35 minutes. Avalanches kill an average of 100 people in Europe each year, including skiers and mountain climbers. Avalanche deaths in the last several years in the United States have ranged from roughly one dozen to several dozen. 8. What is the primary function of the new safety device? A. To keep the buried person warm under the snow. B. To locate the position of the buried person accurately. C. To send emergency signals to rescue the buried person. D. To provide a continuous air supply to the buried person. 9. Which of the following can be Safeback SBX? A. B. C. D. 10. Compared to the sham device group, how did the group with the functioning device perform? A. They showed significantly lower heart rates. B. They maintained higher blood oxygen levels. C. They reported fewer instances of skin irritation. D. They were more likely to have trouble breathing. 11. The author mentions avalanche deaths in the last paragraph to . A. emphasize the importance of timely rescue B. justify the needs to use the new safety device C. warn mountain climbers of the danger of avalanches D. indicate the rising number of deaths caused by avalanches 安徽省县域高中合作共享联盟2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C A new study out of King’s College London is giving people more of a reason than ever to plan a museum date. It was conducted by the researchers from the university, who got half of the participants, including 50 volunteers, aged 18 to 40, to view pieces by world-famous artists Manet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin in The Courtauld Gallery in London. The control group, on the other hand, looked at copies of the same artworks in a non-gallery environment. All of the participants’ heart rate variability and skin temperatures were measured with sensors throughout the 20-minute art-viewing sessions, and saliva (唾液) samples were also taken before and after viewing. The researchers found that cortisol levels — a key stress hormone (荷尔蒙) in the human body — fell by an average of 22% in the gallery group, compared to just 8% in the control group. The participants viewing original art in the gallery also had more active heart activity, which shows that art attracts the body. Another key finding was that pro-inflammatory (促炎症) proteins IL-6 and TNF-alpha also dropped by 30% and 28% respectively for those viewing art in galleries, with no observable changes for the control group. “Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-alpha are related to many health problems, from heart disease to anxiety and depression,” explained Dr. Tony Woods, the study’s senior author. “The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.” Other previous studies have linked regular gallery visits to long-term well-being, but this study is the first to “capture real-time physiological benefits”, which shows an immediate positive impact. “This study proves for the first time that art really is good for you. What’s particularly exciting is that the findings show these benefits are pervasive — they can be experienced by anyone,” said Jenny Waldman, the director of Art Fund. “We want to encourage everyone to make time to visit their local museum or gallery, and discover just how good art can make you feel.” 28. What does the new study focus on? A. Differences between artistic styles. B. Participants’ preferences for artists. C. Effects of art on various environments. D. Participants’ physical reactions to art. 29. What is a finding of the study about viewing original art? A. It mainly improves creative thinking. B. It changes participants’ health indicators. C. It demands a certain art appreciation level. D. It has the greatest impact on mental health. 30. What does the underlined word “pervasive” in the last paragraph mean? A. Surprising. B. Predictable. C. Universal. D. Continuous. 31. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text? A. Museum Trips Bring Immediate Benefits. B. Copying Masterpieces Lowers Stress. C. London Leads World Gallery Tours. D. Sensors Reveal Visitors’ Secrets. D There are relatively few snow leopards (雪豹) in the world for a long time, and this situation increases their risk of extinction in a changing environment, according to a new Stanford-led study, which found that snow leopards developed low genetic diversity from having a small and stable population over a long period of time. The estimated population of less than 8,000 is highly specialized to their habitat in the mountainous regions of 12 Asian countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Nepal, and China. Previous to this research, not much was known about snow leopard genetics. Only four had ever been fully sequenced (测序). This study brings that number to 41, including 35 wild snow leopards and six from zoos around the world. Achieving that number required years of work and researchers and wildlife officials from 11 countries all contributed snow leopard blood and tissue samples for analysis at Stanford. Katie Solari, a research scientist in biology in Stanford working with Stanford biologist Dmitri Petrov and co-workers, found evidence that snow leopards not only had low genetic diversity, but also a significantly lower “homozygous load” — meaning that when leopards get genes from each parent, there’re fewer instances of them having copies of potentially harmful mutations (突变). This suggests that over time, snow leopards had a periodic clearing of bad mutations in their population: If a negative characteristic surfaced, those individuals died before reproducing or their children were less successful. This clearing allowed the snow leopard population to remain relatively healthy even at their small numbers. While snow leopards have been adaptive as a small population, that doesn’t mean they’ll stand future challenges. “Because their habitat is so uninhabitable, human population growth didn’t really affect snow leopards very much,” said Petrov. “However, the climate changes, which affects everyone and everything, even in such remote areas.” This knowledge will inform conservation efforts for snow leopards, considered a keystone species in their region. They primarily hunt mountain ungulates like the blue sheep of Tibet and smaller mammals, including the pika. “The loss of the leopards would indicate the decline of the whole ecosystem,” Petrov said. 32. What did the recent study reveal about snow leopards? A. Their reproduction rate is declining. B. They are losing their natural habitat. C. Their population is temporarily stable. D. They possess limited genetic variation. 33. What challenge did researchers face in their study? A. The little exposure to snow leopards. B. The complicated process of sequencing. C. Difficulty in obtaining enough samples. D. Opposition from wildlife organizations. 34. What might be the biggest future threat to snow leopards? A. Loss of genetic diversity. B. Worsening global warming. C. Increasing human activities. D. Competition for food resources. 35. What does the author intend to illustrate by mentioning snow leopards’ diet? A. Their ecological significance. B. Their unwelcoming habitats. C. Their rich food sources. D. Their unique way of life. 浙江省杭州第二中学2025-2026学年高三上学期12月热身考英语试卷 D China has achieved a major breakthrough in renewable energy by launching a world-record floating wind turbine (风力发电机). Developed by state-owned China Huaneng Group and Dongfang Electric Corporation, this new turbine can generate 17 megawatts (MW) of electricity each year — enough to power about 40, 000 households. This innovation could greatly expand the use of wind energy worldwide, helping countries move away from fossil fuels. Unlike traditional offshore wind turbines, which are fixed to the seabed in shallow waters, this floating model can be placed in deep ocean areas where winds are stronger and more steady. The turbine stands 152 meters tall, with blades spanning 262 meters. Each rotation (旋转) covers an area the size of 7.5 standard soccer fields, making it highly efficient. By producing more power per turbine, this design reduces the number of turbines needed, cutting costs and speeding up the setup of new wind farms. It is also built to survive tough ocean conditions, including waves over 24 meters high and typhoons at level 17. The turbine will soon undergo testing off the coast of Yangjiang in southern China. If successful, it could be used in deep-water regions around the globe. Most of the world’s offshore wind potential lies in deep water — about 80% — where fixed-bottom turbines cannot be used. This makes floating technology imperative for the future of wind energy. Countries like Japan, which aims to develop up to 45 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040, could benefit greatly from this technology. Floating wind power represents a key step toward a cleaner energy future. It allows more countries to access steady, powerful wind resources far from shore, supporting energy independence and reducing carbon emissions. This Chinese-built turbine is not just an engineering achievement — it offers a practical solution for generating large amounts of clean energy in places once considered unsuitable for wind farms. As the world looks for ways to fight climate change, innovations like this will play an important role in building a sustainable future. 32. What can we infer about the new floating wind turbine? A. It may contribute to global sustainable energy. B. It is an end result of international cooperation. C. It can provide electricity for 3, 300 homes daily. D. It will mainly generate power for coastal cities. 33. How does the new turbine differ from traditional ones? A. It can use winds in deep ocean areas. B. It is more affordable to construct. C. It requires minimal maintenance. D. It is fixed to the seabed in shallow seas. 34. What does the underlined word “imperative” in paragraph 4 probably mean? A. Standard. B. Vital. C. Distant. D. Unrealistic. 35. What is the text mainly about? A. How a new power source is being looked into. B. Why traditional wind turbines are low in productivity. C. What China’s breakthrough is in wind energy technology. D. Where some countries are competing for renewable energy. 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C When did you last sit down for a meal without any distractions(分心)? Many of us multitask during meals, checking social media, watching TV, or even working. According to a study led by Stephen Lee Murphy, PhD, of Ghent University, this habit of distracted eating could lead to overconsumption. The study investigates “hedonic(享乐的) consumption”, where we buy and use products for the pleasure they bring rather than necessity. “On any given day, a person may take great pleasure from one or more of these activities, yet people often consume more hedonic goods than they want or than is good for them,” said Murphy. To understand how distraction affects our enjoyment, researchers conducted an experiment with 122 participants, mostly young adults. Participants were asked to eat their lunch under two different conditions: no distraction, and high distraction. After their meal, they reported their level of enjoyment, satisfaction, and desire for more satisfaction. The results were telling. Participants who ate while distracted reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, leading to increased snacking later in the day and a heightened desire for further satisfaction. Murphy called this effect “hedonic compensation”. When we are distracted, we experience less enjoyment from our activities, which drives us to seek more consumption to make up for the shortfall. “Overconsumption often results from a lack of self- control.” Murphy explained. “However, our findings suggest overconsumption may also often be driven by the simple human desire to reach a certain level of enjoyment from an activity. When distraction gets in the way, it’s likely we may try to make up for it by consuming more.” In a world where distractions are unavoidable, learning to be present and fully engaged in our pleasurable activities might be the key to enjoying them more and consuming less. So, next time you sit down for a meal, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and enjoy each bite. Your mind and body will thank you. 8. According to Murphy, what is the problem with “hedonic consumption”? A. It reduces enjoyment. B. It’s a waste of time. C. People do too much of it. D. People know little about it. 9. Which of the following shows the result of the experiment? A. No distraction, no satisfaction. B. High distraction, less satisfaction. C. Less distraction, less satisfaction. D. High distraction, more satisfaction. 10. What does the author recommend to reduce hedonic overconsumption? A. Trying to have more self-control. B. Avoiding eating pleasurable foods. C. Focusing fully on consumption experiences. D. Reducing the amount of food consumed. 11. What is the main topic discussed in the text? A. How overconsumption does harm to health. B. How distracted eating leads to overconsumption. C. How we can increase enjoyment while eating. D. How we can consume less food during the meal. D “Insects have personalities,” says Melinda Babits, a PhD student at the University of Debrecen. In her work with insects, Babits defines “personality” as “consistent individual differences”. Consistencies in individual behavior patterns can be observed in the same insects across time or across different situations. To understand the difference between human personality and insect personality, think about what personality means to you in terms of a dog or cat — you think about their playfulness, energy and level of attachment — in contrast to what it means in your friends — you think about their traits(特质) that stand out when you first meet them, and the ways they communicate. In her research, Babits puts firebugs(红蝽) into an experimental container. A computer program then analyzes the movement patterns of the individuals to see how much the insects have explored the container and interacted with the novel objects. Three days later, the same individuals are put into the container again to see if their behavior remains consistent. Two traits of a firebug’s personality are activity and explorativeness. “These are usually related. With activity, you can see how much time the individual spends exploring its surroundings,” Babits explains, “Explorativeness is more connected to the space — some individuals just like exploring a small section of the container, while others go around trying to explore the nooks and crannies.” Another trait is sociability. To assess it in firebugs, Babits maps the insects’ social networks. If two firebugs are in the same location at the same time and have a physical interaction, then they are considered in the same social network. Like humans, some firebugs are sociable and others prefer to keep to themselves. Diverse personalities could be the key to survival for insect species. “In different situations, different personality types are beneficial for the group or for the species itself. If there are individuals who are more explorative, they can discover new food sources,” says Babits. “Understanding insect personality can give us insight into other aspects of that insect’s behavior such as habitat expansion and social organization.” Next time an ant or fly pays you a visit, just remember: “What you see is indeed a truly unique individual,” says Babits. 12. Why does the author mention “a dog or cat” in paragraph 3? A. To support Babits’ definition of personality. B. To help readers better understand insect personality. C. To show the difference between pets and insects. D. To compare human personality with animal personality. 13. Why does Babits put the same firebugs into the container again after three days? A. To test the firebugs’ memory. B. To confirm the firebugs’ personality. C. To analyze the firebugs’ movement patterns. D. To train the firebugs to form their personality. 14. What does the underlined part “the nooks and crannies” in paragraph 5 imply? A. The firebugs are active in learning new tasks. B. The firebugs tend to form different social groups. C. The firebugs are looking for different food sources. D. The firebugs like exploring every part of the container. 15. What trait, according to the text, can most likely help insects find food? A. Explorativeness. B. Energy. C. Playfulness. D. Sociability. 安徽省合肥市第一中学2025-2026学年高三上学期1月英语考试试题 D Science is always seen as hard-core and hard to understand. But could you imagine hundreds of people being attracted by the cover of a science magazine? The achievement was completed after Wang Yixi and his team made the cover of an October issue of Structure, a US-based Cell Press journal. The cover shows a Chinese ink painting that vividly shows the process in which a special enzyme (酶) involved in the biosynthesis (生物合成) of an important organic compound is activated―the latest breakthrough by a Chinese scientific research team. Another one of his popular works that carries distinctive Chinese elements is a composite image, describing a scientist as the folk goddess Nyuwa, carrying her newly discovered compound to fill a crack in the sky. While studying chemistry at university, Wang Yixi often came across an experimental preparation process that he had to explain, but the amount of text was too large and abstract. A she had been interested in drawing, and related software like Photoshop, he decided to turn his graphics into a fine art. He went on to study 3D graphics software in order to better display the microscopic structures in his field and improve the presentation of his papers. It didn’t take long before his classmates and professors noticed his talents and asked him to help them with their papers. By word of mouth, more people beat a path to Wang’s door and were willing to pay for his service. Over the past four years, Wang and his team have come up with more than 10,000 visual works for academic papers across a variety of fields, many of which have made their way to the world’s top academic journals, including Nature, Science and Cell. “Every scientific paper is innovative, and graphics are an essential part of scientific papers,” Wang says, adding that what he tries to achieve is an explanation of models or methods, to showcase experimental results, visually process data or compare differences among experiments. 32. What play a special role in Wang’s works? A. Fairytales. B. Chinese elements. C. Rich colors. D. Complex structures. 33. What can we learn about Wang Yixi from paragraph 3? A. He preferred painting to Chemistry. B. He developed useful mapping software. C. He had an active mind to solve problem. D. He had trouble conducting his experiment. 34. How does Wang make abstract papers easily understood? A. By visualizing them vividly. B. By showing them accurately. C. By explaining them in detail. D. By constructing them uniquely 35. Which is the best title for the text? A. The power of art B. Dilemmas of science C. Mysteries of Chemistry D. Inspiration from science 江苏省盐城市南京市2025-2026学年高三上学期期末调研测试英语试卷 A AI has officially moved out of sci-fi movies and into our daily work, changing how we solve problems. If you’re just starting out, a beginner’s AI course will help you get a handle on what AI is and how you can start using it. What exactly is a beginner’s AI course? A beginner’s AI course is not designed to turn you into an expert. You won’t be digging through complex academic papers. The point is to pull back the curtain on the fundamental ideas behind the technology in a way that just makes sense. Criteria for an ideal beginner’s AI course • Beginner focus: Cut technical terms and explain concepts clearly. • Practical learning: Provide examples and use cases that show how AI is being used. • Reliable instruction: Invite well-known institutions and experts in the field. • High engagement: Mix things up with videos, exercises, and projects. • Good value: Offer both free and paid options that really deliver. A comparison of the best beginner’s Al courses Course Name Best For Price Duration Elements of AI Anyone wanting to understand Free io the basics without math. Free 15-30 hours (self-paced) Generative AI for Everyone Interactive, practical learning for Gen AI. Paid subscription 3 hours Google AI Essentials Gaining practical skills for daily tasks. Free trial 5 hours Microsoft’s AI for Beginners Eager learners who want an advanced, structured course. Free 12 weeks (self-paced) Whatever you want, there’s an option that fits — and your AI learning journey starts now! 21. What is the aim of a beginner’s AI course? A. To teach AI basics. B. To guide academic research. C. To train IT experts. D. To solve technical problems. 22. What is a feature of an ideal beginner’s AI course? A. Live streaming from experts. B. Practical AI usage in reality. C. Free access to remote learning. D. Clear definition of technical terms. 23. Which course best suits learners who prefer the basics and a flexible schedule? A. Elements of AI. B. Generative AI for Everyone. C. Google AI Essentials. D. Microsoft’s AI for Beginners. C When it comes to cooling the planet, tropical forests serve as “carbon sinks”— their trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. Now, a new study finds one Australian rainforest is doing the opposite. The research, published in Nature, analyzed data from wet tropical rainforests in Australia, which scientists had tracked for nearly 50 years. By examining woody biomass from the rainforest, which typically holds a large amount of carbon, researchers found the forest is releasing more carbon than it absorbs, and this switch happened about 25 years ago. Since trees release stored carbon back into the atmosphere when they die and break down, this shift indicates that trees in this Australian rainforest are dying faster than they were decades ago, said lead author Hannah Carle, a forest ecosystem researcher at Western Sydney University. Drier air, higher temperatures and water shortages might all play a role. This is the first rainforest recorded as switching from a carbon sink to a carbon source, and Carle added the phenomenon could reflect a declining ecosystem in Australian wet rainforests overall. “The wet tropics in Australia occupy a bit of a warmer, drier climate space than tropical forests on other continents, thus potentially serving as an analog for what tropical forests will experience in other parts of the world,” said Carle. Previous research. suggested that tropical rainforests increase their capacity for carbon storage in response to consistently increasing CO2 in the atmosphere. This half-century of data challenges that. Raphael Trouve, who researches forest dynamics at the University of Melbourne in Australia and was not involved in the study, told The Guardian that data sets like this one can help track changes in the climate and environment. “It allows us to put the theory up against reality and better understand how these systems work.” 28. Which aspect of the Australian rainforest does the research focus on? A. The makeup of woody biomass. B. The effects on climate change. C. The level of carbon concentration. D. The change in carbon balance. 29. What does the shift in paragraph 3 show? A. Rising tree death rates. B. Stable weather patterns. C. Modest tropical rainfall. D. Instant ecosystem collapse 30. What does the underlined word “analog” in paragraph 4 mean? A. Different model. B. Sustainable system. C. Similar example. D. Historical background. 31. How does Raphael Trouve view these long-term data sets? A. They provide insights into the truth. B. They offer solutions to climate change. C. They are consistent with popular beliefs. D. They are independent of historical data. D Keeping food cold often comes with a hidden problem: Traditional ice melts (融化), leaving pools of water that can make drinks watery, damage products, or even spread dangerous bacteria. Now, researchers at the University of California, Davis, have created jelly ice, a reusable and biodegradable (可生物降解的) alternative that cools like ice but never melts into liquid. The new material is made of 90% water and can be shaped into various forms. It stays solid below freezing, softens at room temperature, and can be reused by simply washing and refreezing. “Compared to regular ice of the same shape and size, jelly ice has up to 80% of the cooling efficiency,” said Jiahan Zou, a study researcher, “We can reuse the material and maintain the heat absorbance across multiple cooling and warning cycles, an advantage that regular ice cannot offer.” The project began when UC Davis food scientists noticed how much ice was used in fish-processing plants and how meltwater could spread bacteria. Seeking a safer option for grocery seafood displays, the team turned to gelatin a food-safe material whose protein structure can trap water even as it freezes and thaws (解冻). After years of testing, the researchers perfected a simple, one-step process for making jelly ice. The material is made from natural components and can be biodegraded after use. It doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution, even offering a side benefit of improving tomato plant growth when added to soil. Beyond grocery stores, jelly ice could have wide applications. It could help preserve medical supplies during shipping, reduce waste in biotechnology, and provide reliable cooling options. It promises fresher food shipments without the mess of melting ice packs while also offering a sustainable alternative that reduces pollution risks and supports agriculture Although licenses for the technology have already been secured, jelly ice is not yet available for public purchase. It still requires market analysis, product design, and large-scale production testing. Inspired by its success, the team is now studying other natural polymers, such as plant-based proteins, to see if similar innovations can be developed. 32. What is one advantage of jelly ice over traditional ice? A. Fixed shape. B. Saving water. C. Repeated use. D. Cooling efficiency. 33. What does the author imply about jelly ice in paragraphs 3 and 4? A. It stretches tomato growing cycles B. It adopts a bacteria-free material. C. It shortens the freezing time. D. It lowers environmental impacts. 34. What can we learn from the last paragraph? A. The official approval is underway. B. Jelly ice needs further development. C. Traditional ice will soon disappear. D. Other natural polymers will be available. 35. What can be a suitable title for the text? A. A Game-changer That Controls Bacteria. B. A Cooling Alternative That We Can Order. C. A Cooling Material That Doesn’t Mell. D. A Quick Fix That Cuts Biological Pollution. 2026届重庆市巴蜀中学高三上学期一模考试英语试卷 A WHAT IS WIND CHILL? When you check the predicted temperature, you may sometimes be greeted with two values:the air temperature and the‘feels like’ temperature. The main temperature value represents how hot or cold the air is, but the second temperature takes the strength of the wind into account.Called wind chill, this value indicates how the air temperature will feel on your skin when you step outside. When there is more wind, heat escapes from you more quickly, lowering the wind chill temperature. Displaying this value on forecasts means that people can make a more informed decision on what to wear and even whether to go outside. When wind chill reduces the temperature far into negative values, skin temperature will decrease rapidly, followed by your internal body temperature. This increases the chances of developing hypothermia (体温过低) and frostbite. Wind chill not only impacts humans, but other animals and plants as well. In plants, wind chill stresses don't come from heat loss. Rather, wind chill increases the moisture (水分) loss from leaves and dries out the plant. Whether it's in the form of drying or freezing, wind chill calculations show the great influence of the wind on the temperature of your environment. Check this chart to see how the wind alters the temperature your body feels. 21. What does including wind chill in forecasts help to do? A. Track frostbite cases. B. Predict road safety. C. Guide clothing choices. D. Judge wind direction. 22. Which situation falls into the“5 minutes” frostbite zone? A. - 35℃ with a 20 km/h wind. B. - 30℃ with a 60 km/h wind. C. - 15℃ with a 70 km/h wind. D. - 10℃ with a 100 km/h wind. 23. Where does the text most probably appear? A. In a physics textbook. B. In a plant-care brochure. C. In a daily weather forecast. D. In a popular science magazine. 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区嘉兴市第一中学2024-2025学年高三上学期第三次模拟·英语A试题 B People are constantly absorbing information from their surroundings, including visual details and background sounds. Over time, the human brain learns to connect these environmental cues with what usually happens next. This process is known as associative learning (联想学习). Simply put, it means learning through repeated links between signals and results. In everyday life, this kind of learning assists people significantly in making faster and often better decisions. For instance, a familiar sign, sound, or setting can act as a signal, indicating whether a choice is likely to lead to a reward or a negative outcome. However, this helpful system does not function the same way for everyone. For people suffering from compulsive (强迫性的) disorders, addictions, or anxiety, these learned associations can become overly powerful. Instead of serving as useful guides, cues may start to control decision making. Individuals may feel a strong pull toward certain sights or sounds, or feel driven to avoid them, even when doing so leads to poor results. This behavior is described as maladaptive (适应不良的) decision making, referring to choices that continue to cause harm or disadvantage despite repeated bad consequences. To better understand how this happens, Giuseppe di Pellegrino from the University of Bologna led a study. The research examined how people learn from cues and how this learning can sometimes go wrong. As described in their paper, the researchers found that people differ widely in the degree to which they rely on environmental cues. Some individuals depend heavily on surroundings to guide choices, while others rely on them much less. The study also revealed an important problem for those who are highly cue-driven. When familiar cues start to signal riskier or less favorable outcomes, these individuals often struggle to adjust. They may have difficulty updating their beliefs about what those cues mean. In practical terms, this means the brain keeps responding as if nothing has changed, even when the situation clearly has. As a result, harmful decision making can persist over time. Instead of adapting to new information, people may repeat the same risky choices again and again. According to the researchers, these findings suggest that some people have stronger cue sensitivity than others, combined with a reduced ability to revise what they have learned. This combination helps explain why certain decision patterns are so hard to break. The research team plans to continue studying this in patient populations to better understand the harmful patterns that characterize addictions and anxiety. 24. What is associative learning defined as in the text? A. A method to ignore surroundings. B. A process to control decision making. C. Learning by linking signals with results. D. A way to avoid negative outcomes completely. 25. What problem do people with compulsive disorders face? A. They adapt quickly to new situations. B. They struggle to connect cues with results. C. They ignore negative outcomes completely. D. They are dominated by learned associations. 26. Why do cue-driven people often fail to adapt to changes? A. Their brains ignore familiar signals. B. They are too sensitive to rewards. C. They cannot update old beliefs easily. D. They dislike relying on surroundings. 27. What do the findings help to explain according to the text? A. Why associative learning varies. B. Why bad habits are difficult to change. C. How visual cues affect the brain. D. How addiction damages decision making. C For decades, pathology (病理学) has been the essential foundation of cancer diagnosis. A pathologist (a doctor who studies diseases) examines a very thin slice of human tissue under a microscope. To these trained specialists, the colorful image of pink swirls and purple dots is like a graded test without a student’s name attached to it. It contains vital information about the disease, but offers no clues about the patient’s identity, race, or background. Ideally, this medical evaluation should be completely objective. However, this assumption does not fully apply to artificial intelligence (AI). A recent study reveals that AI models designed to diagnose cancer can actually infer demographic (population) details directly from the tissue slides. This unexpected ability creates bias, causing the systems to perform differently for various groups. For instance, the models were less accurate in distinguishing lung cancer types in African American patients and males. They also showed reduced accuracy when identifying breast cancer subtypes in younger patients. These errors appeared in a significant portion of diagnostic tasks. The team pinpointed three key reasons for these biases. First, training data are often uneven because samples are easier to obtain from some groups than others. Second, differences in disease incidence (how often a disease happens) exist; some cancers are more common in specific populations, making the AI overly specialized for them. Third, AI models are powerful enough to detect subtle molecular (tiny biological) differences across groups. They use these signals as shortcuts to classify cancer, which leads to failure when those signals are less common in other populations. To address the problem, the team created a framework called FAIR-Path. Based on a method known as contrastive learning, it modifies the AI training process. This approach helps the AI focus on critical distinctions between cancer types while reducing attention to irrelevant personal characteristics like age or race. It adjusts how the system interprets what it sees, forcing it to prioritize disease features over demographic clues. The results are highly significant. When applied, FAIR-Path reduced diagnostic disparities by nearly 90 percent. This success suggests that improving fairness does not require major changes to existing systems. Instead, with careful design and routine evaluation for bias, we can develop medical AI tools that provide fast, accurate, and fair diagnoses for every patient, ensuring reliable health care for all society. 28. How do human pathologists differ from AI models in evaluating tissue samples? A. Humans ignore the disease signs to focus on patient identity. B. Humans are less accurate than AI in distinguishing cancer types. C. AI models rely entirely on the patient’s self-reported information. D. AI models can detect hidden demographic details from images. 29. Why do AI models struggle to diagnose certain cancers in specific populations? A. They fail to detect any molecular differences in the tissue. B. They are not trained with enough data from any group. C. They cannot identify the visual signs of the disease itself. D. They rely on shortcuts linked to demographic-specific signals. 30. How does the FAIR-Path framework function to reduce bias? A. By guiding the AI to focus on key disease features only. B. By replacing the existing AI systems with new ones entirely. C. By removing all personal information from the medical records. D. By balancing the number of samples from all demographic groups. 31. What does the author imply about the future of medical AI in the last paragraph? A. Fair AI systems are impossible without massive changes. B. AI will eventually replace human experts in pathology labs. C. Careful design can lead to fairer and more reliable AI tools. D. The bias in medical AI has been completely solved forever. D Our daily lives are deeply shaped by conscious experience, ranging from the pleasure of sunlight to the pain of injury. This raises a fundamental question: why did living beings evolve this ability? Experts describe consciousness as having three distinct forms. The first is basic arousal, which appeared earliest in evolution. Its primary function is to alert the body to life-threatening situations. For example, pain signals damage and triggers survival responses like fleeing to keep the organism alive. The second evolutionary development is general alertness. This form allows individuals to focus on one important signal while ignoring others. This ability helps humans learn about new connections, such as identifying complex causes and effects. The third form is self-consciousness. It allows individuals to think about themselves, remember the past, and anticipate the future. This advanced ability builds a mental self-image and guides decisions, which is essential for social integration. Interestingly, recent research suggests birds also possess forms of conscious perception. Studies show they have subjective experiences rather than just automatic reactions. For instance, pigeons interpret unclear images differently, much like humans do. Research on crows shows that their brain nerve signals reflect their internal experience. These findings highlight that birds have strong similarities to mammals in sensory consciousness. Although bird brains differ structurally from mammals’, they support conscious processing. The bird brain contains a specific structure equivalent to the prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮层). This part is highly connected and allows the brain to process information flexibly. The overall brain connections share many similarities with mammals. Therefore, birds meet many criteria of established theories regarding consciousness. Furthermore, experiments indicate that birds show signs of self-perception. While some bird species pass the classic mirror test, others show situational self-consciousness by distinguishing their reflection from a real companion. Taken together, these research findings suggest consciousness is an ancient and widespread feature. It demonstrates that conscious processing can occur without a cerebral cortex (大脑皮层) and different brain structures can achieve similar functional outcomes. 32. What is the primary function of basic arousal? A. To aid survival in dangerous situations. B. To support social integration with others. C. To learn complex scientific connections. D. To process information from the environment. 33. What does the study on crows suggest about bird consciousness? A. They react automatically to physical stimuli. B. They can only recognize themselves in mirrors. C. They possess internal experiences like humans. D. They have a brain structure identical to mammals. 34. How do bird brains support conscious processing? A. By relying on the cerebral cortex like humans. B. By using a different structure for similar functions. C. By having a much larger prefrontal cortex. D. By processing information without any connections. 35. What conclusion can be drawn from the findings on birds? A. Consciousness is a unique human feature. B. Evolution has not changed brain structures much. C. Consciousness is ancient and widespread in nature. D. Different structures cannot achieve the same function. 山东省烟台市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 C Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a rice-sized underwater tracking tag (装置), addressing a longstanding gap in studying small aquatic (水生的) species. The gap has blocked conservation efforts for decades, as tiny creatures often form the base of aquatic food webs but remain understudied due to technological limitations. Biologists have long depended on radio and satellite tags, which revolutionized animal behavior research. Yet underwater tracking of minute species like the endangered delta smelt, a silvery fish about 2.5 inches long, is seriously restricted. Existing tags are too burdensome for their size and need large batteries to make up for the loss of signals in water — a medium that weakens both radio and high-frequency sound waves. Directed by a critical scientific principle that tags should not exceed 2% of an animal’s body mass, PNNL targeted a weight of merely 0.002 ounces for smelt — ten times lighter than a pencil eraser and a quarter the weight of the lightest commercial alternative. PNNL’s new technology combines two key things: micro-batteries that hold vast quantities of electric power and better-designed signal senders. With this, the tag can work for about 40 days — sufficient to track full river migration cycles — and its signal can be picked up from hundreds of meters away. Scientists are already using this tag to study the young American shad, an endangered species threatened by dam construction, with plans to test it on delta smelt by next year. This tag will unlock insights into the small species that sustain entire ecosystems — and finally answer urgent questions about where they lay their eggs and migration routes — key to restoring their population amid pollution and habitat loss. Nevertheless, certain issues remain unresolved. Small tags send signals at a higher frequency, but most of the current tools that receive these signals are made for bigger tags that use lower frequencies. However, progress in standards for underwater sound sensors gives a way to create corresponding monitoring systems. 8. What does “The gap” in paragraph 1 refer to? A. Few aquatic species. B. Little study on food webs. C. Lack of conservation rules. D. No proper underwater trackers. 9. What’s the distinct characteristic of the micro-batteries in PNNL’s new technology? A. Long-lasting. B. Solar-powered. C. Water-resistant. D. Cost-effective. 10. What does the author highlight in paragraph 5? A. What species the tag targets. B. How the tag can contribute. C. Why aquatic species are conserved. D. How tiny species go extinct. 11. What challenge are the researchers facing concerning the new tag at present? A. Battery safety risks. B. Signal reception mismatch. C. Unstable radio signals. D. Low positioning accuracy. D In New Jersey’s suburban intersections, an immature Cooper’s hawk (鹰) was at work. It was unfolding a novel hunting strategy that would astonish even seasoned ethologists, which was documented by University of Tennessee researcher Vladimir Dinetes in his study Street smarts: a remarkable adaptation in a city-wintering raptor (猛禽). Over 18 freezing winter mornings, Dinetes observed from a parked vehicle as birds gathered on the sidewalk to eat food left by residents. In a nearby tree, a young hawk waited, listening, for a specific electric sound that signals it’s safe to cross the street. This high tone, tied to a red-light extension from 30 to 90 seconds, meant cars would stretch farther back along the block, forming a dense line. When that line reached a certain point, the hawk would launch an attack, flying low along the sidewalk, hidden by the line of waiting cars. Then it would slip, bursting into the birds’ feeding space and securing an exceptionally high hunting success rate. Critically, the hawk held off on attacks on weekends when cars didn’t line up sufficiently long to provide a visual barrier. This selectivity proved no accident: The hawk had learned to link the signal sound, traffic patterns and hunting opportunities. Cooper’s hawks, once restricted to deep woodlands, have inhabited North American cities since the 1970s, but only one urban-adapted behavior — hunting near sunset lights — was previously recorded. Dinetes’ finding adds a far more complex strategy, one that demands mapping environments, tracking time-based clues and carrying out plans. Dinetes explains, “The hawk doesn’t evolve urban skills anew but uses pre-existing problem-solving ability meant for forest hunts where it measures flight angles and escape paths amid branches. Its forest hunting skill translates into viewing city traffic as branches and crosswalks as tree gaps. This cross-contextual thinking — where a biological instinct (本能) is adapted to an artificial landscape — is one of the hallmarks of intelligence in the animal kingdom.” As cities grow, understanding how animals adapt will be crucial for conservation and coexistence strategies. The study highlights the interplay between wildlife and human environments. 12. What does the author primarily intend to tell us in paragraph 2? A. The hawk excels at timing its hunts. B. The residents take good care of birds. C. The hawk likes to launch attacks at will. D. Extended signal duration causes traffic jams. 13. Why did the hawk avoid its hunt on weekends? A. Birds didn’t seek food then. B. Traffic lights didn’t function. C. Light traffic couldn’t offer enough cover. D. Bystanders intervened its act. 14. What lesson can we learn from the hawk’s cross-contextual thinking? A. Don’t follow others blindly. B. The early bird catches the worm. C. Use available resources strategically. D. A patient heart eats the sweet fruit. 15. What kind of writing method is mainly used in the text? A. Telling a story in time order. B. Presenting a study with facts. C. Arguing a view with an experiment. D. Explaining a finding with data. 山东省淄博市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 A Battery Management Systems: From Conventional to Intelligent With the rapid development of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage, battery management systems (BMSs) have grown essential, ensuring battery safety, extending lifespan, and boosting performance. Battery cells, even from the same production line, vary due to manufacturing tolerances and usage habits, risking imbalance, overcharging, and uneven heating without proper management. Fig. 1 Influence of cell behaviour on vehicle performance Limitations of Conventional BMSs (CBMSs) Conventional BMSs, developed in the early 1990s, only conduct basic monitoring of voltage (电压) current, and temperature via simple state estimation algorithms. They lack advanced functions such as predictive maintenance and have low accuracy in complex conditions. Innovation of Intelligent BMS (IBMS) To solve these issues, technologies like cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things), and digital twin have been integrated, giving rise to Intelligent BMS (IBMS). It adopts an end-edge-cloud multi-layer architecture: end BMS collects real-time cell data, edge BMS processes time-sensitive tasks locally, and cloud BMS handles complex work. Artificial Intelligence further enhances monitoring accuracy. Fig. 2 Pyramid (金字塔) of hierarchy (分层结构) levels involved in building an advanced intelligent battery management system (IBMS) architecture. Challenges and Future of IBMS IBMS faces technical, social and commercial challenges. Yet it is the future of battery management, supporting EVs’ sustainable development. As technologies advance, these difficulties will be overcome, and IBMS is expected to become a standard for energy storage systems. 1. What is the main function of BMSs? A. To improve EV production efficiency. B. To collect weather data for vehicle operation. C. To ensure battery safety and enhance performance. D. To reduce manufacturing tolerances of battery cells. 2. What can we learn from Fig. 1? A. Pack Behaviour is completely determined by external Weather Profiles. B. Vehicle Outputs, like Efficiency, are influenced by Cell Behaviour. C. Cell Degradation has little effect on the Vehicle Behaviour. D. Drive Profiles are a component of Vehicle Outputs. 3. What can be inferred about the IBMS architecture? A. It features a multi-level architecture. B. It fails to integrate digital twin into the structure. C. It mainly relies on cloud computing to process tasks. D. It has been widely applied to energy storage systems. C Depression has long been attributed to (归因于) chemical imbalances in the brain. Yet, for many patients, standard treatments fail. This has fueled a search for alternative explanations, with the gut (肠道) bacteria emerging as a surprising candidate. Researchers from APC Microbiome, Ireland published a paper in the latest issue of Molecular Psychiatry, arguing that the community of tiny organisms in our gut produces substances that can signal the brain, influencing mood and behavior. Early animal studies were striking — transferring these organisms from depressed individuals into healthy mice could transfer depressive-like behaviors. Human studies soon followed, revealing distinct bacterial patterns in depressed patients. This research birthed the concept of “psychobiotics”: live bacteria intended to improve mental health. Early, small-scale trials reported promising results, capturing public imagination. Headlines declared bacteria as the new mood-improving drugs. However, the path from interesting association to proven treatment is difficult. Larger, more strict trials have produced mixed and modest outcomes. A critical obstacle is the bacterial community’s extreme individuality. What makes up a “healthy” bacterial community varies greatly between people, influenced by diet, genetics, and environment. A supplement (补充剂) containing good bacteria that helps one person may be ineffective for another. This complexity points to a deeper shift in perspective. The goal may not be to simply add a universal “happy bug”. Instead, the focus is shifting toward encouraging a healthy and diverse bacterial ecosystem as a whole. This ecosystem approach acknowledges that mental well-being might be supported not by a single type of bacteria, but by the collective function and stability of the entire community. Therefore, the real potential of this field may not be a simple pill, but a broader approach to mental healthcare. It suggests we view the body as a connected system, in which diet, lifestyle, and gut health are all tied to brain health. This doesn’t deny existing treatments but adds to the options available. Scientifically, the challenge is to go beyond mere links and establish clear cause and effect. For the public and patients, the task is to balance reasonable hope in new approaches with caution toward exaggerated or simplified solutions. 8. Why does the author mention the early animal studies? A. To demonstrate a direct cause of depression. B. To suggest a possible gut-brain influence. C. To highlight a breakthrough in treatment. D. To criticize the methods of animal testing. 9. What is the main challenge in developing “psychobiotics”? A. Insufficient researching funds. B. Negative effects of live bacteria. C. Public resistance to brand new ideas. D. Each person’s unique gut environment. 10. What is the author’s attitude towards “psychobiotics”? A. Cautious. B. Critical. C. Dismissive. D. Skeptical. 11. What is a suitable title for the text? A. The Gut-Mind Connection: A New Way to Cure Depression B. From Mice to Humans: How Gut Bacteria Influence Our Mood C. The Gut-Brain Link: Exploring a New Frontier for Mental Health D. The Excitement and Hope of Psychobiotics: Beyond the Clear Facts D The age-old belief that humans are superior to nature and non-human life is deeply rooted in traditions. Even in modern times, this belief continues, influencing how we view the natural world. Characteristics once considered unique to humans — such as intelligence, tool use, moral behavior, and the ability to feel pain — have now been observed in other species. Chimpanzees solve complex puzzles, crows craft and use tools, and fish exhibit clear responses to painful situations. Even plants, once thought passive, demonstrate sensory abilities comparable to our own. These discoveries challenge the long-held assumption of human exceptionalism. In The Arrogant Ape, primatologist Christine Webb critically examines this belief. She argues that the idea of human uniqueness contradicts evolutionary science, which emphasizes gradual differences between species rather than absolute distinctions. Webb warns that this mindset misleads scientific research — biologists often focus on primates (灵长类动物) and well-known mammals while neglecting the majority of Earth’s biodiversity. Additionally, unfair comparison — such as studying captive (圈养的) chimpanzees and free humans — further strengthen false ideas of superiority. Concerned about ethical issues and unreliable data from lab studies, Webb conducts her research only in natural habitats or refuges for apes. Her observations suggest that many non-human beings likely possess some form of consciousness. Critics dismiss such claims as anthropomorphism (类人化). However, Webb argues against that refusing to acknowledge cross-species similarities creates unnecessary barriers in science. She also points out the double standard: while human cognition is accepted without question, animal intelligence is often dismissed without sufficient evidence. Webb argues that abandoning human exceptionalism is crucial for solving global crises. Zoonotic diseases, mass extinctions, and climate change all result from humanity’s damaging relationship with nature. By recognizing our place within the natural world and integrating the knowledge of native people about ecological balance — we can rebuild sustainable connections with the environment. Eventually, letting go of outdated superiority myths may inspire stronger support for animal welfare and the planet’s health. 12. What does the first paragraph talk about? A. An explanation of a religious belief. B. New findings about animal behavior. C. Different views on human superiority. D. A comparison between humans and animals. 13. What view does Webb hold on human exceptionalism? A. It corresponds with evolutionary science. B. It leads to too many studies on primates. C. It encourages humans to treat animals better. D. It narrows research focuses and methods. 14. Why does Webb intend to study apes only in habitats or refuges? A. To avoid the ethical problems of captive research. B. To simplify the process of collecting research data. C. To prove apes are more intelligent than other animals. D. To focus on the most “popular favored” mammal species. 15. Which statement would Webb most likely to agree with? A. Beliefs about human superiority are updated. B. Humans need to change their sense of superiority. C. Economic growth holds greater significance than environment. D. The knowledge of natives about ecological balance is outdated. 龙岗区2025-2026学年第一学期高三期末质量监测 A Deforestation and the EU’s Response Forests play an important role on Earth. They cover about 31% of the world’s land area and are home to most land animals and plants. However, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, about 420 million hectares(公顷)of forest were lost worldwide between 1990 and 2020. As a major consumer of agricultural products, the European Union(EU)is closely connected to global deforestation. Causes Agriculture is the biggest driver in most parts of the world. Turning forests into farmland causes at least 50% of global deforestation. Urban development, including the building of houses and roads, accounts for a smaller part of forest loss. It represents slightly more than 6% of global deforestation, but in Europe it is the primary cause. Climate change is both a cause and a result of deforestation. Extreme events damage forests. At the same time, forest loss makes climate problems worse. The EU’s consumption also affects forests outside Europe and is responsible for about 10% of global deforestation. The chart below shows the main products imported by the EU from deforested land. Measures In July 2021, the EU introduced a forestry strategy to improve forest quality and strengthen forests’ role as carbon sinks. In April 2023, the EU approved new rules requiring companies to ensure that products sold on the EU market are not linked to deforestation. Although the rules were adopted in 2023, their application was delayed to allow businesses time to prepare. A phased timetable was later introduced: large companies are required to comply(遵守)from December 2026, while smaller companies are given additional time until June 2027. Companies that fail to meet the requirements may face fines of up to 4% of their annual income in the EU. 1. What is the main cause of deforestation in Europe? A. Urban development. B. Climate change. C. Agricultural expansion. D. Forest product consumption. 2. What is the percentage of the top two agricultural products imported from deforested land? A. 32. 8%. B. 34%. C. 66. 8%. D. 82. 9%. 3. Why did the EU put off the application of its new deforestation rules? A. To improve forest quality. B. To prevent economic losses. C. To give companies time to adjust. D. To promote deforestation-free products. 肇庆市2026届高中毕业班第一学期末教学质量监测 C Vic Wilcox has lazy workmates, a bad-tempered (易怒的) father and an unromantic, distant marriage. However, he owns a Jaguar (捷豹汽车) and feels happy when driving. As the main character of David Lodge’s novel Nice Work and head of an engineering firm, he often drives hundreds of miles for meetings being behind the wheel. The novel depicts a world that is fading away. According to the National Travel Survey, people now travel much less than they did 20 years ago, which reverses a long-term trend. David Metz points out that travel distances rose sharply in the late 20th century, a trend that started two centuries earlier with the launch of passenger railways. Wilcox and his peers once drove this change, but people’s travel has dropped significantly. In 2002, the average man traveled 8,245 miles; by 2024, this figure fell to 6,549 miles, a 21% decrease. The drop was almost entirely due to less driving. Women’s travel also fell by 9%, from 2002 levels to 5,633 miles in 2024. Both genders commute shorter distances and travel less for shopping, but work-related travel for men has plummeted by 45% — the biggest drop. Cliff Jackson, a former salesman, recalls driving 30,000 to 35,000 miles a year in the 1980s and 1990s. He and other salesmen traveled widely on motorways to meet clients, sometimes using pay phones to call the office. This “road-warrior” lifestyle has almost disappeared for several reasons. Tax officials tightened rules on company cars, while the Internet and video calls have made regular sales trips unnecessary. Companies and public bodies also encourage employees to use public transportation. This road-based culture is now mostly kept alive in novels and a great 1993 BBC documentary. Mr Wratten, who represents people who travel for work, does not mourn (哀伤) the road warriors. He thinks that travel has become more purposeful and determined. Companies have become more concerned about the health and happiness of their employees, and that concern extends to travel. Mr Wratten notes that firms increasingly tolerate or even encourage staff to take their partners on business trips. This would surely shock Vic Wilcox. 8. How does the author introduce the topic in the first paragraph? A. By quoting an expert. B. By providing statistics. C. By defining a concept. D. By giving an example. 9. What does the underlined word “plummeted” in paragraph 3 probably mean? A. Remained stable. B. Risen slowly. C. Decreased sharply. D. Changed randomly. 10. What led to the disappearance of the “road-warrior” lifestyle? A. Stricter rules on company cars. B. The high cost of owning private cars. C. The decline in the number of salesmen. D. The closing of many motorway service areas. 11. What can we infer from Mr Wratten’s words? A. Business travel will soon disappear. B. Modern business travel is more human-centered. C. Companies used to ignore employees’ travel safety. D. Vic Wilcox enjoys taking his wife on business trips. 济南市2026届高三第一次模拟考试 C Raindrops are more than a source of fresh water. They also carry mechanical energy that can be used for free. A research team from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics has developed a water-integrated floating droplet electricity generator (W-DEG) that uses natural water as part of its structure, offering clean energy harvesting. Unlike conventional DEGs, which rely on solid ground substance and costly metal parts, the new design allows the device to float on water. When a raindrop lands on the floating dielectric film (电介质膜), the water beneath it provides the strength needed to absorb the impact because of its surface tension. This lets the droplet spread more effectively across the surface. At the same time, the water layer operates as a reliable electrical conductor. This nature-integrated design cuts the device’s weight by about 80 percent and lowers the cost by about 50 percent while maintaining similar electrical output compared to conventional systems. Tests showed that the W-DEG continued to function under diverse temperatures and salt levels, and even in natural lake water. These should be put down to its chemically inert (惰性的) dielectric layer and its naturally flexible water-based structure. To improve reliability further, the team used water’s strong surface tension to design holes that let water move downward. This creates a self-adjusting way to stop water from building up that could affect performance. The system also charged capacitors (电容器) to useful electric tension only within minutes, showing its potential for powering small electronics and wireless sensors. Moreover, with continued development, similar systems could be positioned on lakes or coastal waters, providing renewable electricity without using any land-based space. Although the laboratory results are encouraging, extending the service life of large dielectric films in dynamic outdoor conditions will also require further engineering. “By letting water itself play both structural and electrical roles, we’ve opened the door to land free systems that can supplement other renewable technologies like solar and wind.” Professor Wanlin Guo, a corresponding author of the study said. 8. What is W-DEG aimed at? A. Improving electrical conductors. B. Generating power from raindrops. C. Increasing power storage capacity. D. Turning raindrops into green energy. 9. Why did the research team design the holes in the W-DEG? A. To make the device lighter. B. To produce more electricity. C. To prevent the standing water. D. To allow water into the device. 10. What is an advantage of W-DEG according to Paragraph 4? A. Easy operation. B. Low construction cost. C. Stable performance. D. Rapid charging capability. 11. What might be a direction of the follow-up research? A. Cost reduction. B. Material recycling. C. Durability enhancement. D. Structural transformation. 2026届大湾区普通高中毕业年级联合模拟考试（一） A The gradual return of the private buyer to the new car market helped to push up sales as number plates changed in March. Most car buyers in March also changed their preferences for vehicle types, with a particular focus on how the vehicles are powered. Electric vehicles, including fully electric cars and hybrids, are gaining significant popularity. Sales of petrol cars now account for less than half of the market. While the government policymakers have pushed people to buy fully electric zero-emission (排放) cars, many consumers appear to choose hybrids instead, which are partly battery-powered but also carry petrol engines. With the growing popularity, the sales of hybrids now are on the rise. Here is the pie chart illustrating the sales proportion of vehicle types in March 2025. Sales of fully electric cars hit a new monthly record, up to about 69,000 in March 2025, yet their market share dropped to just over 20% for the first quarter, as the popularity of hybrids grew even faster. That is a crucial number, because car makers have to sell 28 percent of their cars as zero-emission models in 2025 or face fines of up to £15,000 for every car they fail to sell to meet the government’s requirement. Nick, an analyst in the local auto industry, believes electric car sales are being artificially increased, mainly because car makers are cutting prices just to hit their sales targets. Meanwhile, many people rushed to buy cars before a new tax on expensive cars started this week. “Car makers remain committed to the market decarbonisation (碳减排) that the country and the environment demand but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble (泡沫) driven by unsustainable discounting and drivers rushing to avoid higher taxes,” said Nick. He also believed that the government policymakers should consider the “natural demand” for electric cars. 1. What was the percentage of electric vehicles sales in March 2025? A. 19%. B. 45%. C. 28%. D. 20%. 2. What is the major reason for the increase in electric car sales according to Nick? A. A new tax on cars. B. The change of number plates. C. The reduction of car prices. D. Policies pushing for electric cars. 3. What will Nick agree with about the government’s electric car policy? A. Ignoring the decarbonisation. B. Strengthening the discounting policy. C. Taking the market needs into account. D. Setting a lower zero-emission sales standard. 2025—2026学年佛山市普通高中教学质量检测（一） C On a typical sunny day at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), small native bushes (灌木) wave where tidy grasslands used to be, bees fly over flowers, and students walk on a campus alive with biodiversity. The new scenery marks a major milestone in campus sustainability. In 2025, UCLA became the first university in California to earn the Green Grounds Certification from the nonprofit Re: wild Your Campus, which recognizes the school’s efforts to improve human health and biodiversity. For years, colleges have used rewilding as a way to restore biodiversity and bring a more natural look to their grounds with native plants. But too often, they miss a critical piece of the puzzle: the chemicals being used elsewhere on campus. While wildflowers bring buzzing bees, true ecological restoration is weakened if pesticides (农药) and fertilizers are used. This is why Re: wild Your Campus created the Green Grounds Certification-to center both chemical elimination and rewilding and to link them together. Schools that are taking such a holistic approach to campus management can be honored and uplifted. Adopting a holistic approach to land care does more than just create healthier campus environments; it reinforces the reality that colleges are interconnected microcosms (缩影) of larger environmental systems. In many cities, universities offer some of the largest areas of open space, yet the chemicals applied to grasslands can impact nearby rivers, lakes, and drinking water. Students and all the teaching staff are increasingly recognizing this, leading to more advocacy for introducing native species and stopping using harmful pesticides. Beyond environmental health, a rewilding approach can help safeguard human health. Students are closely connected to the outdoor settings of their colleges where pesticides can stay in the air, settle on picnic tables, and be tracked into dorm rooms. Through a holistic approach, institutions can ensure that the grounds students walk on daily are free from poisonous substances, for the health of all. And that’s exactly what some schools like UCLA are doing. Their leadership shows that sustainability means finding new ways to care for the land responsibly-for people and for the planet. 8. How does the author introduce the topic of the passage? A. By discussing students’ activities. B. By describing a changed landscape. C. By showing students’ love for nature. D. By highlighting the function of plants. 9. What can we know about the holistic approach? A. It was initiated by UCLA. B. It avoids using pesticides. C. It focuses on students’ welfare. D. It is intended to connect schools. 10. Why does the author mention “picnic tables” in paragraph 6? A. To promote a healthy lifestyle. B. To suggest safety improvements. C. To discourage outdoor activities. D. To stress health risks to students. 11. What can be a suitable title for the text? A. Native Plants: Key to Preventing Pollution. B. UCLA’s Holistic Plan: For Safer Classrooms. C. The Holistic Method: Toward Sustainable Campuses. D. Sustainability Through Trees: For Greener Campuses. D For decades “Monday blues” has been a term for the collective groan (叹息) that greets the start of each workweek. Mondays come with higher rates of anxiety, stress and even suicide compared with other days. The stress and anxiety experienced on Monday seems to ease as the week unfolds. But is the stress and anxiety biologically distinct? Furthermore, could the fleeting changes in mood leave a mark on people’s body even after they stop working? To answer these questions, Professor Tarani Chandola from HKU, looked into the phenomenon, focusing on the stress hormone cortisol (皮质醇). When we experience a stressor, the brain activates the release of cortisol, which helps us to manage short-term stress. But constant high levels of cortisol disturb the brain and bodily systems, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Chandola studied 3,511 participants aged 50 and older in England, and the results were striking. Older adults who reported feeling anxious on Mondays had, on average, 23 percent higher levels of cortisol up to two months later, compared with those who felt anxious on other days. And the effect was not limited to those still working; retirees who felt anxious on Mondays also showed higher cortisol. Why might Mondays, in particular, have a powerful effect on the body? One possibility is that the shift from the weekend to the high demands of the week is essentially stressful. Also, some people become anxious on Mondays so routinely that it becomes an automatic bodily response. For some people, Monday blues are constant stressors. Hospitals may need to plan for the increased risk of heart attacks and other health events on Mondays, especially among older adults. In addition, international practices like meditation, mindfulness, regular physical activity or good sleep might help people adapt to the start of the week and have long-term health benefits. Finally, researchers will need to investigate why some people are resilient (适应力强) to Monday anxiety while others are not. That question might open the door to interventions that help people start the week not just with a groan but with greater resilience. 12. What does the underlined word “fleeting” in paragraph 2 mean? A. Extreme. B. Uncommon. C. Short-lived. D. Far-reaching. 13. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 3? A. To define a medical term. B. To show ways to handle stress. C. To explain how cortisol helps reduce stress. D. To reveal how stress harms health biologically. 14. What did Chandola’s study find about Monday anxiety? A. Its levels are closely related to age. B. It is a lifelong burden for some people. C. It is the primary challenge people face. D. Its effects are limited among the elderly. 15. Which is one of the author’s suggestions to address Monday blues? A. Researchers doing further studies. B. Hospitals keeping track of the old. C. Individuals seeking help from others. D. Companies reducing Monday workloads. 2026届山东潍坊市高三一模考试英语试题 A College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students in high school to pursue college-level studies — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both — before applying to college. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each ending in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue — skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree. Enrolling Students: Equity(公平) and Access Equitable access is a guiding principle for AP programs. All students should have access to academically challenging courses before they enroll in AP classes, which can prepare them for AP success. How AP Exams Are Scored While multiple-choice questions are scored by machine, the free-response questions and through-course performance assessments are scored by thousands of college professors and expert AP teachers. They are thoroughly trained, and their work is monitored for fairness and consistency. In each subject, a highly respected college member serves as Chief Consultant to maintain the accuracy of the scoring standards. Scores on the free-response questions and performance assessments are weighted and combined with the results of the computer-scored multiple-choice questions, and this raw score is translated into an overall AP score on a 1-5 scale. The Validity of AP Scores AP Score Credit Recommendation College Grade Equivalent (对等) 5 Extremely well qualified A 4 Well qualified A-, B+, B 3 Qualified B-, C+, C 2 Possibly qualified n/a (not available) 1 No recommendation n/a (not available) How to Apply Visit http://collegeboard.org/apreading for qualification requirements and to start the application process. 1. What can students gain by taking AP courses? A. Entry to college. B. A college degree. C. Teaching competence. D. Higher-order thinking skills. 2. What is a Chief Consultant responsible for? A. Training AP teachers. B. Guaranteeing scoring quality. C. Assessing student performance. D. Grading multiple-choice sections. 3. What is the minimum AP score for college grade equivalent? A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4. C In our fast-paced, stressful lives, we’re often turning to social media, online shopping, or gaming to escape daily pressures. However, the experience can often be the opposite, leaving us more exhausted. This begs the question: do we scroll because we’re stressed, or are we stressed because we scroll? To better understand the subtle (微妙的) relationship of stress a and internet use, particularly how specific online behaviors influence stress levels. Belal’s team, from Finland’s Aalto University, conducted one of the first studies. They recorded real-world internet usage through tracking software installed on participants’ devices. Combined with a large sample size and a lengthy observation period, the findings offer especially valuable insight into bow online habits tie in with stress. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, collected internet usage data from around 1,500 adults over a seven-month period, comprising nearly 47 million web visits and 14 million app sessions. When compared with participants’ self-reported stress levels from questionnaires, researchers found a strong link between internet use and increased stress, particularly among those who already experienced daily stress. Women consistently reported higher stress levels than men, while stress tended to decrease with age and wealth. Not all online activities were equal, though. The study found that extended time spent on social media, online shopping, and gaming platforms was associated with higher stress levels compared to activities like checking emails or reading the news. There are always concerns over internet life, especially increasing social media engagement, and some countries, such as Australia, banned social media for anyone under 16. The researchers hope that by gathering more detailed information about people’s internet habits, they can eventually develop concrete recommendations and tools that support healthier, more regulated online engagement. Juhi Kulshrestha, assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, cautions against oversimplified solutions. She believes that blanket bans on internet use may overlook the emotional support certain online spaces provide. And it’s really crucial to study these issues further so the chicken and egg problem can be solved. The research team plans to explore how different types of news — political, entertainment, or sports coverage — affect stress, helping further clarify the internet’s complex role in mental health. 8. Why did Belal’s team conduct their research? A. To compare job-related stress levels. B. To prove why internet use results in stress. C. To create apps to help lower stress in adults. D. To study how stress interacts with internet use. 9. What is a feature of the research method? A. Focusing on a specific age group. B. Conducting nationwide online interviews. C. Collecting large-scale real data over time. D. Using lab experiments to measure stress levels. 10. Which online activity likely causes the least stress according to the research? A. Checking emails. B. Shopping. C. Playing games. D. Chatting. 11. What does Juhi warn against? A. Judging a book by its cover. B. Sacrificing tomorrow for today. C. Painting everything with the same brush. D. Counting your chickens before they hatch. D For most, the sound of rain hitting rooftops is just noise, and the droplets are simply water to be channeled away. However, a team of researchers at UNIST, led by Young-Bin Park, has found a way to turn the energy of falling raindrops into a power source. To capture energy, the researchers turned to carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (聚合物), known as CFRP, which can both stand the natural elements and move electricity. It is incredibly lightweight, yet stronger than many metals. Using it as the foundation for their droplet-based electricity generator, or DEC, they created a device called the S-FRP-DEC. Falling through the atmosphere, each raindrop typically carries a positive charge. The surface of the S-FRP-DEG, however, is engineered to be negatively charged. When a raindrop a transfer of charges occurs. To make this process efficient, they applied a lotus-leaf-inspired coating to the device. As a droplet strikes, it spreads out and rolls away instantly. This quick motion is what drives an electric current through the carbon fibers. This way, the mechanical energy of the falling rain is translated into electricity. Through laboratory tests, the researchers found that a single raindrop — measuring roughly 92 microliters in volume — was capable of generating a surprising 60 volts of electricity. They proved its scalability by connecting four of these generator units in series, whose combined power can briefly illuminate 144 LED lights. When testing it on real-world rooftops, they discovered the S-FPR-DEG could act as a sensor to autonomously distinguish between a drizzle and a storm. When a storm hits, these signals can be used to automatically activate drainage pumps (排水泵) without needing any external electricity or batteries. Park suggests that this technology could one day be integrated into mobility systems. Imagine a car or a plane that harvests energy from the rain it passes through. By turning rain into a source of power, this research provides a sustainable, and autonomous way to protect our cities and keep our technology running, even in the middle of a storm. 12. Why did the researchers choose CFRP to capture energy? A. It is light and cost-effective. B. It is durable and conductive. C. It is sustainable and heat-absorbing. D. It is stretchable and environmental-friendly. 13. What is paragraph 3 mainly about? A. The working principle. B. The design inspiration. C. The surface engineering. D. The functional instructions. 14. How can the device help fight floods? A. It can collect falling rainwater. B. It can be a self-powered rain sensor. C. It can be an automatic drainage system. D. It can transport electricity to the LED lights. 15. What is Park’s suggestion about the invention? A. Apply it to vehicles. B. Make cities free of storms. C. Improve road facilities. D. Update self-driving system. 广东深圳外国语学校2025-2026学年度高三年级上学期第五次阶段性考试英语试题 B I’ll be honest: I’m not a science guy. Physics, for me, was mostly a fog of equations I tried to survive in school. But while reading Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark, I stumbled upon Fermat’s Principle — and it felt less like physics and more like a life lesson in disguise. Tegmark explains it with a brilliant analogy. Imagine a lifeguard on a beach spotting a swimmer in trouble. She doesn’t take the straight line. Why? Because she runs faster on sand than she swims in water. So she runs farther down the beach first — covering more ground where she’s fast — then dives into the water at an angle. That bent, two-part path is the fastest. Light does the same: bending as it enters water, following the path of least time, not least distance. This is where it clicked. Tegmark writes that the universe often behaves as if it’s optimizing something — minimizing energy, maximizing efficiency. It felt purposeful. Even if nature has no “goal,” its behaviour is goal-oriented. It made me look at my own life. How often do I chase the path that looks shortest, only to find it’s the most draining? I used to promise myself that I would read an hour daily, which seemed to be the “straight-line” way, But I burned out by day three. The “Fermat” way is different: start small, reduce friction, bend your path to match the environment where your progress flows faster. You might run farther on sand before diving in, but you’ll reach your destination sooner. The same applies to change. Whenever we try to change something, we often force confrontation: quit cold turkey, overhaul overnight, fix everything at once. But real change, like light, works better when it bends — when it adapts to the medium it moves through. Bending differently at work, at home is not weakness but wisdom. Maybe the key to improving our lives bit by bit isn’t about more force or straight-line speed. Maybe it’s about paying attention to the medium we’re moving through — our time, mood, health, energy — and adjusting our angle. Because, as nature shows us, the optimal path is rarely the straight one. 4. What did the author think of physics initially? A. It required genuine curiosity. B. It posed academic challenges. C. It provided intellectual rewards. D. It contained philosophical insights. 5. What does the lifeguard story in paragraph 2 mainly explain? A. The necessity of training for lifeguards. B. The methods of calculating running speed. C. The mechanism of light refraction in water. D. The difference between jogging and swimming. 6. What sets the “Fermat” way apart from the author’s prior way? A. Allowing minute changes. B. Highlighting direct methods. C. Demanding strong willpower. D. Advocating dramatic progress. 7. Which of the following does the author most probably agree with? A. Go with the flow. B. No pains, no gains. C. A rolling stone gathers no moss. D. Still water runs deep. 4. B 5. C 6. A 7. A 广州名校联盟2026届高三2月调研测试一模英语试卷 (A) The 138th Canton Fair: Resilience & Innovation in Global Trade Amid Shifts The fair’s highlights reflect China’s foreign trade transformation driven by policy dividends and tech innovation: Market Diversification & Policy Empowerment BRI countries remained the core market, contributing over 60% of the total turnover . RCEP’s tariff (关税) reduction and customs facilitation policies boosted trades, with many enterprises saving over $100,000 in tariffs via origin certificates .Major growth in high-potential markets: EU buyers rose by 32.7%, Brazil by 33.2%, showing restored confidence in Chinese products .406 leading enterprises formed purchasing delegations (代表团), a 7.9% increase, focusing on high-value-added goods . New Quality Productive Forces on Display Over 4.6 million exhibits featured prominent innovation, with new, green, and IP products each accounting for over 23% . Green products: 880,000 low-carbon items were showcased, with 63.5% of exhibitors holding international green certifications . Intelligent exhibits: Service robots, AI-assisted devices, and 3D-printed products gained popularity, with the first dedicated service robot zone attracting 46 enterprises . Digital & Green Service Upgrade The fair leveraged (利用) tech to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Digital empowerment: “Bluetooth+5G+Beidou” booth navigation and 30-second quick accreditation were adopted, with 477,000 users of the AI-enhanced app . Green operations: Modular booth construction cut costs by 50% and time by 75%, with over 90% recycling rate . A 3,000㎡ zone linked export products to domestic markets, facilitating dual circulation . 1. What is the combined share of BRI and RCEP buyers at the 138th Canton Fair? A. 69% B. 21% C. 90% D. 76% 2. What role did RCEP policies play in the 138th Canton Fair? A. Reduced tax expenses significantly B. Enhance the growth in top markets C. boosted overseas buyers’ trust in Chinese products D. promoted the display of green low-carbon goods 3. To find certified green intelligent products efficiently, a buyer should ________. A. Visit the 3,000㎡dual-circulation zone B. Contact 46 green-certified enterprises C. Choose exhibitors with modular booths D. Use the AI app with navigation tools (C) Gen Z has managed something no modern generation pulled off before. After more than a century of steady academic gains, test scores finally went the other direction. For the first time ever, a new generation is officially dumber than the previous one. The data comes from neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath, who has spent years reviewing standardized testing results across age groups. Horvath told the New York Post. The declines cut across attention, memory, literacy, numeracy, executive function, and general IQ. That’s not just one vulnerable spot. That’s the entire dashboard blinking at once. Horvath took the same message to Capitol Hill(国会) during a 2026 Senate hearing on screen time and children. His framing skipped the generational dunking and focused on exposure. “More than half of the time a teenager is awake, half of it is spent staring at a screen,” he told lawmakers. Human learning, he argued, depends on sustained attention and interaction with other people. Endless feeds and condensed content don’t offer either. Schools leaned hard into technology during the same window. Educational software replaced textbooks, long readings, and extended problem-solving. After class, students returned to phones, tablets, and laptops, bouncing between social feeds and bite-sized explanations of material they never sat with for very long. Horvath described the outcome as students trained to skim. Skimming feels efficient, but it doesn’t build depth. “I’m not anti-tech. I’m pro-rigor,” Horvath told the Post. Rigor, in his view, comes from friction. Reading full texts. Working through confusion. Spending time with material that doesn’t immediately reward you. Take that friction away, and cognitive skills dull. Brains adapt to the environment they’re given, and this one prizes speed over staying power. The same decline appears outside the United States. Horvath told senators that across roughly 80 countries, academic performance drops after digital technology becomes widely embedded in classrooms. The timing alone raises serious questions about how learning environments affect cognitive development. Horvath summed it up bluntly during his testimony. “A sad fact our generation has to face is this: Our kids are less cognitively capable than we were at their age.” His recommendation focused on restraint, dialin$ 2025-2026高三模拟阅读理解(说明文)试题汇总二教师版 目录 2026届浙江省宁波市镇海区镇海中学高三首考模拟考试英语试题 1 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 3 江苏省南京师范大学附属中学联考2025-2026学年高三上学期月考英语试题 5 安徽省县域高中合作共享联盟2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 7 浙江省杭州第二中学2025-2026学年高三上学期12月热身考英语试卷 10 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 11 安徽省合肥市第一中学2025-2026学年高三上学期1月英语考试试题 15 江苏省盐城市南京市2025-2026学年高三上学期期末调研测试英语试卷 16 2026届重庆市巴蜀中学高三上学期一模考试英语试卷 20 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区嘉兴市第一中学2024-2025学年高三上学期第三次模拟·英语A试题 22 山东省烟台市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 28 山东省淄博市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 31 龙岗区2025-2026学年第一学期高三期末质量监测 36 肇庆市2026届高中毕业班第一学期末教学质量监测 38 济南市2026届高三第一次模拟考试 40 2026届大湾区普通高中毕业年级联合模拟考试（一） 42 2025—2026学年佛山市普通高中教学质量检测（一） 43 2026届山东潍坊市高三一模考试英语试题 46 广东深圳外国语学校2025-2026学年度高三年级上学期第五次阶段性考试英语试题 51 广州名校联盟2026届高三2月调研测试一模英语试卷 53 2026届浙江省宁波市镇海区镇海中学高三首考模拟考试英语试题 D Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice. Many animals conceal illness for social reasons. Ant colonies, however, act as one “super-organism” which works to ensure the survival of all, similar to how infected cells in our bodies send out a “find-me and eat-me” signal, according to an Austria-led team of scientists. When adult worker ants get an illness, they leave the nest to die alone. Young ants, known as pupae, in contrast are still trapped inside a cocoon, making social distancing impossible. Scientists had already figured out that when these pupae are terminally ill, there is a chemical change that produces a particular smell. Adult worker ants then gather around, remove the cocoon, “bite holes in the pupae and insert poison,” Dawson said. For the research, the scientists wanted to figure out whether the pupae “were actively saying: ‘hey, come and kill me,’” Dawson said. First, the scientists extracted the smell from the sick pupae of a black garden ant. When they applied the smell to a healthy brood in the lab, the workers still destroyed them. Then, the team conducted an experiment showing that the sick pupae only produce the smell when worker ants are nearby, proving it is a deliberate signal for destruction. “While it is a sacrifice — a truly altruistic act — it’s also in their own interest, because it means that their genes are going to survive and be passed on to the next generation,” Dawson said. However, there is one member of the nest that does not sacrifice itself. When queen pupae are infected inside their cocoons, they do not send out the smelly warning signal, the team found. “Are they cheating the system?” Dawson said the team asked themselves. However, they found that the “queen pupae have much better immune systems than the worker pupae, and so they were able to fight off the infection — and that’s why we think that they weren’t signalling”, she said. Dawson hopes future research will investigate whether queen pupae sacrifice themselves when it becomes clear they will not beat their infection. 12. Why does the author mention the “find-me and eat-me” signal? A. To explain the self-sacrifice signal system of the ants. B. To contrast disease responses in insects and humans. C. To show how ants carry out social distancing in the nest. D. To describe the method scientists used in their experiment. 13. What does the word “altruistic” in Paragraph 4 most nearly mean? A. Driven by self-preservation instincts. B. Carried out for the benefit of others. C. Controlled by genetic programming. D. Triggered by external chemical signals. 14. Why don’t queen pupae emit the warning signal? A. They possess superior immune defenses against infection. B. They use a biological trick to avoid detection. C. They postpone signaling until the infection progresses. D. They rely on specialized protective mechanisms. 15. What is the best title for the text? A. Sick young ants invite destruction to save colony. B. Sick young ants send signals asking for treatment. C. Queen ants refuse to signal and avoid sacrifice. D. Different ant species show various sacrifice behaviors. 12. A 13. B 14. A 15. A 这是一篇说明文，介绍研究发现染病幼蚁会释放气味信号，促使工蚁消灭自己以保护蚁群，而蚁后幼蛹因免疫力强不会发出该信号的科学现象。文章开篇点明核心发现，接着将蚁群比作 “超有机体”，类比人体受感染细胞的信号机制解释该行为的本质，随后详细说明染病幼蚁的处境及工蚁的应对方式，再阐述实验过程与结果，证实该气味是幼蚁主动发出的利他信号，最后指出蚁后幼蛹不发信号的原因及后续研究方向。 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C When did you last sit down for a meal without any distractions(分心)? Many of us multitask during meals, checking social media, watching TV, or even working. According to a study led by Stephen Lee Murphy, PhD, of Ghent University, this habit of distracted eating could lead to overconsumption. The study investigates “hedonic(享乐的) consumption”, where we buy and use products for the pleasure they bring rather than necessity. “On any given day, a person may take great pleasure from one or more of these activities, yet people often consume more hedonic goods than they want or than is good for them,” said Murphy. To understand how distraction affects our enjoyment, researchers conducted an experiment with 122 participants, mostly young adults. Participants were asked to eat their lunch under two different conditions: no distraction, and high distraction. After their meal, they reported their level of enjoyment, satisfaction, and desire for more satisfaction. The results were telling. Participants who ate while distracted reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, leading to increased snacking later in the day and a heightened desire for further satisfaction. Murphy called this effect “hedonic compensation”. When we are distracted, we experience less enjoyment from our activities, which drives us to seek more consumption to make up for the shortfall. “Overconsumption often results from a lack of self- control.” Murphy explained. “However, our findings suggest overconsumption may also often be driven by the simple human desire to reach a certain level of enjoyment from an activity. When distraction gets in the way, it’s likely we may try to make up for it by consuming more.” In a world where distractions are unavoidable, learning to be present and fully engaged in our pleasurable activities might be the key to enjoying them more and consuming less. So, next time you sit down for a meal, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and enjoy each bite. Your mind and body will thank you. 8. According to Murphy, what is the problem with “hedonic consumption”? A. It reduces enjoyment. B. It’s a waste of time. C. People do too much of it. D. People know little about it. 9. Which of the following shows the result of the experiment? A. No distraction, no satisfaction. B. High distraction, less satisfaction. C. Less distraction, less satisfaction. D. High distraction, more satisfaction. 10. What does the author recommend to reduce hedonic overconsumption? A. Trying to have more self-control. B. Avoiding eating pleasurable foods. C. Focusing fully on consumption experiences. D. Reducing the amount of food consumed. 11. What is the main topic discussed in the text? A. How overconsumption does harm to health. B. How distracted eating leads to overconsumption. C. How we can increase enjoyment while eating. D. How we can consume less food during the meal. 8. C 9. B 10. C 11. B 这是一篇说明文，介绍根特大学的研究发现分心进食会降低用餐愉悦感与满足感，进而引发享乐性过度消费，阐释 “享乐补偿” 效应的原理并给出专注进食的建议。文章开篇以日常分心进食的现象引出研究结论，接着解释享乐性消费的概念及存在的问题，随后详述对比实验的过程与结果，进而提出 “享乐补偿” 效应的核心观点，分析过度消费的驱动因素，最后呼吁人们专注享受饮食，以此减少过量消费。 D “Insects have personalities,” says Melinda Babits, a PhD student at the University of Debrecen. In her work with insects, Babits defines “personality” as “consistent individual differences”. Consistencies in individual behavior patterns can be observed in the same insects across time or across different situations. To understand the difference between human personality and insect personality, think about what personality means to you in terms of a dog or cat — you think about their playfulness, energy and level of attachment — in contrast to what it means in your friends — you think about their traits(特质) that stand out when you first meet them, and the ways they communicate. In her research, Babits puts firebugs(红蝽) into an experimental container. A computer program then analyzes the movement patterns of the individuals to see how much the insects have explored the container and interacted with the novel objects. Three days later, the same individuals are put into the container again to see if their behavior remains consistent. Two traits of a firebug’s personality are activity and explorativeness. “These are usually related. With activity, you can see how much time the individual spends exploring its surroundings,” Babits explains, “Explorativeness is more connected to the space — some individuals just like exploring a small section of the container, while others go around trying to explore the nooks and crannies.” Another trait is sociability. To assess it in firebugs, Babits maps the insects’ social networks. If two firebugs are in the same location at the same time and have a physical interaction, then they are considered in the same social network. Like humans, some firebugs are sociable and others prefer to keep to themselves. Diverse personalities could be the key to survival for insect species. “In different situations, different personality types are beneficial for the group or for the species itself. If there are individuals who are more explorative, they can discover new food sources,” says Babits. “Understanding insect personality can give us insight into other aspects of that insect’s behavior such as habitat expansion and social organization.” Next time an ant or fly pays you a visit, just remember: “What you see is indeed a truly unique individual,” says Babits. 12. Why does the author mention “a dog or cat” in paragraph 3? A. To support Babits’ definition of personality. B. To help readers better understand insect personality. C. To show the difference between pets and insects. D. To compare human personality with animal personality. 13. Why does Babits put the same firebugs into the container again after three days? A. To test the firebugs’ memory. B. To confirm the firebugs’ personality. C. To analyze the firebugs’ movement patterns. D. To train the firebugs to form their personality. 14. What does the underlined part “the nooks and crannies” in paragraph 5 imply? A. The firebugs are active in learning new tasks. B. The firebugs tend to form different social groups. C. The firebugs are looking for different food sources. D. The firebugs like exploring every part of the container. 15. What trait, according to the text, can most likely help insects find food? A. Explorativeness. B. Energy. C. Playfulness. D. Sociability. 12. B 13. B 14. D 15. A 这是一篇说明文，介绍科研人员对昆虫存在个性的研究，阐释昆虫个性的定义、研究方法、红蝽的具体个性特质及个性多样性对昆虫物种生存的意义。文章开篇以研究者观点引出昆虫有个性的核心话题，接着定义昆虫个性为个体行为的一致性差异，通过类比猫狗个性帮助读者理解，随后详述红蝽的实验设计与过程，分析其活跃度、探索欲、社交性三种个性特质，最后说明个性多样性的生存价值，点明研究的深层意义。 江苏省南京师范大学附属中学联考2025-2026学年高三上学期月考英语试题 C When a person is trapped in an avalanche (雪崩), there is very little time before their oxygen supply runs out. A new safety device that channels air to the buried person’s face may extend survival and increase the chance of a successful rescue, a clinical trial suggests. Participants were buried face-down under at least 50 centimeters — about a foot and a half — of snow at a field site in northern Italy. The goal was to remain there safely for 35 minutes. No one in the group wearing a functioning safety device needed to be removed early due to low blood oxygen levels, researchers report October 8 in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Minutes after an avalanche burial, blood levels of oxygen begin to drop and those of carbon dioxide climb. The chance of survival decreases starting at 10 minutes. Around two-thirds of people whose head and chest are trapped under snow will die of insufficient oxygen within 35 minutes. The safety device, integrated into a backpack, has a fan that draws air from the surrounding snow and directs it to the face from outlets in the shoulder straps (肩带). Called Safeback SBX, the battery-operated device weighs a little over 500 grams, or about a pound. In the trial, researchers monitored participants’ oxygen levels, heart and respiratory (呼吸的) rates and other health measures during burial, which ended if anyone’s blood oxygen level became dangerously low,below 80 percent. This did not happen for the 12 people in the safety device group. Eleven remained buried for the full 35 minutes, while one asked to be removed early due to unexpected skin irritation (瘙痒). In contrast, seven of the 12 using a sham device (假装置) had to stop prematurely because they fell below the blood oxygen cutoff. Another four requested an early end：Three felt short of breath and one had a panic attack. The length of time the sham device group remained buried largely ranged from 5 to 13 minutes. Only one person in that group stayed under the snow for the full 35 minutes. Avalanches kill an average of 100 people in Europe each year, including skiers and mountain climbers. Avalanche deaths in the last several years in the United States have ranged from roughly one dozen to several dozen. 8. What is the primary function of the new safety device? A. To keep the buried person warm under the snow. B. To locate the position of the buried person accurately. C. To send emergency signals to rescue the buried person. D. To provide a continuous air supply to the buried person. 9. Which of the following can be Safeback SBX? A. B. C. D. 10. Compared to the sham device group, how did the group with the functioning device perform? A. They showed significantly lower heart rates. B. They maintained higher blood oxygen levels. C. They reported fewer instances of skin irritation. D. They were more likely to have trouble breathing. 11. The author mentions avalanche deaths in the last paragraph to . A. emphasize the importance of timely rescue B. justify the needs to use the new safety device C. warn mountain climbers of the danger of avalanches D. indicate the rising number of deaths caused by avalanches 8. D 9. C 10. B 11. B 这是一篇说明文，介绍一款可在雪崩时为受困者输送空气的新型安全装置 Safeback SBX，通过对比临床试验说明其能有效维持血氧水平、延长生存时间，凸显该装置的实用价值。文章开篇点明雪崩受困者缺氧的致命风险及新装置的救援作用，接着详述装置的工作原理、重量与设计，随后对比使用真、假装置的两组临床试验过程与结果，最后列举欧美雪崩致死数据，佐证新装置的研发必要性。 安徽省县域高中合作共享联盟2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C A new study out of King’s College London is giving people more of a reason than ever to plan a museum date. It was conducted by the researchers from the university, who got half of the participants, including 50 volunteers, aged 18 to 40, to view pieces by world-famous artists Manet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin in The Courtauld Gallery in London. The control group, on the other hand, looked at copies of the same artworks in a non-gallery environment. All of the participants’ heart rate variability and skin temperatures were measured with sensors throughout the 20-minute art-viewing sessions, and saliva (唾液) samples were also taken before and after viewing. The researchers found that cortisol levels — a key stress hormone (荷尔蒙) in the human body — fell by an average of 22% in the gallery group, compared to just 8% in the control group. The participants viewing original art in the gallery also had more active heart activity, which shows that art attracts the body. Another key finding was that pro-inflammatory (促炎症) proteins IL-6 and TNF-alpha also dropped by 30% and 28% respectively for those viewing art in galleries, with no observable changes for the control group. “Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-alpha are related to many health problems, from heart disease to anxiety and depression,” explained Dr. Tony Woods, the study’s senior author. “The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.” Other previous studies have linked regular gallery visits to long-term well-being, but this study is the first to “capture real-time physiological benefits”, which shows an immediate positive impact. “This study proves for the first time that art really is good for you. What’s particularly exciting is that the findings show these benefits are pervasive — they can be experienced by anyone,” said Jenny Waldman, the director of Art Fund. “We want to encourage everyone to make time to visit their local museum or gallery, and discover just how good art can make you feel.” 28. What does the new study focus on? A. Differences between artistic styles. B. Participants’ preferences for artists. C. Effects of art on various environments. D. Participants’ physical reactions to art. 29. What is a finding of the study about viewing original art? A. It mainly improves creative thinking. B. It changes participants’ health indicators. C. It demands a certain art appreciation level. D. It has the greatest impact on mental health. 30. What does the underlined word “pervasive” in the last paragraph mean? A. Surprising. B. Predictable. C. Universal. D. Continuous. 31. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text? A. Museum Trips Bring Immediate Benefits. B. Copying Masterpieces Lowers Stress. C. London Leads World Gallery Tours. D. Sensors Reveal Visitors’ Secrets. 28. D 29. B 30. C 31. A 这是一篇说明文，介绍伦敦国王学院的新研究发现，在美术馆观赏原作艺术品能显著降低人体压力激素与促炎蛋白水平，带来即时生理益处，印证文化体验对身心健康的积极作用。文章开篇点明研究核心与实验分组，接着说明实验监测的生理指标，随后公布美术馆组与对照组的对比数据，再引用研究者观点阐释指标变化的健康意义，最后结合过往研究强调该发现的突破性，呼吁人们走进美术馆。 D There are relatively few snow leopards (雪豹) in the world for a long time, and this situation increases their risk of extinction in a changing environment, according to a new Stanford-led study, which found that snow leopards developed low genetic diversity from having a small and stable population over a long period of time. The estimated population of less than 8,000 is highly specialized to their habitat in the mountainous regions of 12 Asian countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Nepal, and China. Previous to this research, not much was known about snow leopard genetics. Only four had ever been fully sequenced (测序). This study brings that number to 41, including 35 wild snow leopards and six from zoos around the world. Achieving that number required years of work and researchers and wildlife officials from 11 countries all contributed snow leopard blood and tissue samples for analysis at Stanford. Katie Solari, a research scientist in biology in Stanford working with Stanford biologist Dmitri Petrov and co-workers, found evidence that snow leopards not only had low genetic diversity, but also a significantly lower “homozygous load” — meaning that when leopards get genes from each parent, there’re fewer instances of them having copies of potentially harmful mutations (突变). This suggests that over time, snow leopards had a periodic clearing of bad mutations in their population: If a negative characteristic surfaced, those individuals died before reproducing or their children were less successful. This clearing allowed the snow leopard population to remain relatively healthy even at their small numbers. While snow leopards have been adaptive as a small population, that doesn’t mean they’ll stand future challenges. “Because their habitat is so uninhabitable, human population growth didn’t really affect snow leopards very much,” said Petrov. “However, the climate changes, which affects everyone and everything, even in such remote areas.” This knowledge will inform conservation efforts for snow leopards, considered a keystone species in their region. They primarily hunt mountain ungulates like the blue sheep of Tibet and smaller mammals, including the pika. “The loss of the leopards would indicate the decline of the whole ecosystem,” Petrov said. 32. What did the recent study reveal about snow leopards? A. Their reproduction rate is declining. B. They are losing their natural habitat. C. Their population is temporarily stable. D. They possess limited genetic variation. 33. What challenge did researchers face in their study? A. The little exposure to snow leopards. B. The complicated process of sequencing. C. Difficulty in obtaining enough samples. D. Opposition from wildlife organizations. 34. What might be the biggest future threat to snow leopards? A. Loss of genetic diversity. B. Worsening global warming. C. Increasing human activities. D. Competition for food resources. 35. What does the author intend to illustrate by mentioning snow leopards’ diet? A. Their ecological significance. B. Their unwelcoming habitats. C. Their rich food sources. D. Their unique way of life. 32. D 33. C 34. B 35. A 这是一篇说明文，介绍斯坦福大学主导的研究发现雪豹因长期种群规模小且稳定，存在遗传多样性低的特点，但同时有害突变基因也较少，种群得以维持健康；研究也指出气候变化将是其未来生存的最大威胁，强调雪豹作为关键物种的生态意义。文章开篇点明雪豹濒危现状与低遗传多样性的核心发现，接着说明研究样本收集的难度与规模，随后阐释雪豹低有害突变的种群特性及成因，进而指出气候变化的潜在威胁，最后点明雪豹的生态价值与研究对保护工作的指导意义。 浙江省杭州第二中学2025-2026学年高三上学期12月热身考英语试卷 D China has achieved a major breakthrough in renewable energy by launching a world-record floating wind turbine (风力发电机). Developed by state-owned China Huaneng Group and Dongfang Electric Corporation, this new turbine can generate 17 megawatts (MW) of electricity each year — enough to power about 40, 000 households. This innovation could greatly expand the use of wind energy worldwide, helping countries move away from fossil fuels. Unlike traditional offshore wind turbines, which are fixed to the seabed in shallow waters, this floating model can be placed in deep ocean areas where winds are stronger and more steady. The turbine stands 152 meters tall, with blades spanning 262 meters. Each rotation (旋转) covers an area the size of 7.5 standard soccer fields, making it highly efficient. By producing more power per turbine, this design reduces the number of turbines needed, cutting costs and speeding up the setup of new wind farms. It is also built to survive tough ocean conditions, including waves over 24 meters high and typhoons at level 17. The turbine will soon undergo testing off the coast of Yangjiang in southern China. If successful, it could be used in deep-water regions around the globe. Most of the world’s offshore wind potential lies in deep water — about 80% — where fixed-bottom turbines cannot be used. This makes floating technology imperative for the future of wind energy. Countries like Japan, which aims to develop up to 45 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040, could benefit greatly from this technology. Floating wind power represents a key step toward a cleaner energy future. It allows more countries to access steady, powerful wind resources far from shore, supporting energy independence and reducing carbon emissions. This Chinese-built turbine is not just an engineering achievement — it offers a practical solution for generating large amounts of clean energy in places once considered unsuitable for wind farms. As the world looks for ways to fight climate change, innovations like this will play an important role in building a sustainable future. 32. What can we infer about the new floating wind turbine? A. It may contribute to global sustainable energy. B. It is an end result of international cooperation. C. It can provide electricity for 3, 300 homes daily. D. It will mainly generate power for coastal cities. 33. How does the new turbine differ from traditional ones? A. It can use winds in deep ocean areas. B. It is more affordable to construct. C. It requires minimal maintenance. D. It is fixed to the seabed in shallow seas. 34. What does the underlined word “imperative” in paragraph 4 probably mean? A. Standard. B. Vital. C. Distant. D. Unrealistic. 35. What is the text mainly about? A. How a new power source is being looked into. B. Why traditional wind turbines are low in productivity. C. What China’s breakthrough is in wind energy technology. D. Where some countries are competing for renewable energy. 32---35 AABC 这是一篇说明文，介绍中国研发出全球最大功率的浮式风力发电机这一可再生能源领域的重大突破，阐述其技术特点、优势、测试计划及对全球清洁能源发展的重要意义。文章开篇点明核心突破与发电机的基本参数和价值，接着对比其与传统近海风机的差异，说明其深海适用、高效的特点，再介绍其降本、抗恶劣环境的优势和后续测试安排，随后指出全球深海风电潜力凸显该技术的必要性，最后强调其对清洁能源未来和应对气候变化的重要作用。 湖南省名校联考2025-2026学年高三上学期1月月考英语试题 C When did you last sit down for a meal without any distractions(分心)? Many of us multitask during meals, checking social media, watching TV, or even working. According to a study led by Stephen Lee Murphy, PhD, of Ghent University, this habit of distracted eating could lead to overconsumption. The study investigates “hedonic(享乐的) consumption”, where we buy and use products for the pleasure they bring rather than necessity. “On any given day, a person may take great pleasure from one or more of these activities, yet people often consume more hedonic goods than they want or than is good for them,” said Murphy. To understand how distraction affects our enjoyment, researchers conducted an experiment with 122 participants, mostly young adults. Participants were asked to eat their lunch under two different conditions: no distraction, and high distraction. After their meal, they reported their level of enjoyment, satisfaction, and desire for more satisfaction. The results were telling. Participants who ate while distracted reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, leading to increased snacking later in the day and a heightened desire for further satisfaction. Murphy called this effect “hedonic compensation”. When we are distracted, we experience less enjoyment from our activities, which drives us to seek more consumption to make up for the shortfall. “Overconsumption often results from a lack of self- control.” Murphy explained. “However, our findings suggest overconsumption may also often be driven by the simple human desire to reach a certain level of enjoyment from an activity. When distraction gets in the way, it’s likely we may try to make up for it by consuming more.” In a world where distractions are unavoidable, learning to be present and fully engaged in our pleasurable activities might be the key to enjoying them more and consuming less. So, next time you sit down for a meal, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and enjoy each bite. Your mind and body will thank you. 8. According to Murphy, what is the problem with “hedonic consumption”? A. It reduces enjoyment. B. It’s a waste of time. C. People do too much of it. D. People know little about it. 9. Which of the following shows the result of the experiment? A. No distraction, no satisfaction. B. High distraction, less satisfaction. C. Less distraction, less satisfaction. D. High distraction, more satisfaction. 10. What does the author recommend to reduce hedonic overconsumption? A. Trying to have more self-control. B. Avoiding eating pleasurable foods. C. Focusing fully on consumption experiences. D. Reducing the amount of food consumed. 11. What is the main topic discussed in the text? A. How overconsumption does harm to health. B. How distracted eating leads to overconsumption. C. How we can increase enjoyment while eating. D. How we can consume less food during the meal. 8. C 9. B 10. C 11. B 这是一篇说明文，介绍根特大学的研究发现分心进食会引发享乐性过度消费，阐释 “享乐补偿” 效应的原理，并提出专注享受饮食是减少过度消费的关键。文章开篇以日常分心进食的现象引出研究核心结论，接着解释享乐性消费的概念及存在的过度消费问题，随后详述对比实验的设计与结果，进而提出 “享乐补偿” 效应并分析其背后原因，最后结合现实给出专注饮食的具体建议，点明该做法对减少消费的作用。 D “Insects have personalities,” says Melinda Babits, a PhD student at the University of Debrecen. In her work with insects, Babits defines “personality” as “consistent individual differences”. Consistencies in individual behavior patterns can be observed in the same insects across time or across different situations. To understand the difference between human personality and insect personality, think about what personality means to you in terms of a dog or cat — you think about their playfulness, energy and level of attachment — in contrast to what it means in your friends — you think about their traits(特质) that stand out when you first meet them, and the ways they communicate. In her research, Babits puts firebugs(红蝽) into an experimental container. A computer program then analyzes the movement patterns of the individuals to see how much the insects have explored the container and interacted with the novel objects. Three days later, the same individuals are put into the container again to see if their behavior remains consistent. Two traits of a firebug’s personality are activity and explorativeness. “These are usually related. With activity, you can see how much time the individual spends exploring its surroundings,” Babits explains, “Explorativeness is more connected to the space — some individuals just like exploring a small section of the container, while others go around trying to explore the nooks and crannies.” Another trait is sociability. To assess it in firebugs, Babits maps the insects’ social networks. If two firebugs are in the same location at the same time and have a physical interaction, then they are considered in the same social network. Like humans, some firebugs are sociable and others prefer to keep to themselves. Diverse personalities could be the key to survival for insect species. “In different situations, different personality types are beneficial for the group or for the species itself. If there are individuals who are more explorative, they can discover new food sources,” says Babits. “Understanding insect personality can give us insight into other aspects of that insect’s behavior such as habitat expansion and social organization.” Next time an ant or fly pays you a visit, just remember: “What you see is indeed a truly unique individual,” says Babits. 12. Why does the author mention “a dog or cat” in paragraph 3? A. To support Babits’ definition of personality. B. To help readers better understand insect personality. C. To show the difference between pets and insects. D. To compare human personality with animal personality. 13. Why does Babits put the same firebugs into the container again after three days? A. To test the firebugs’ memory. B. To confirm the firebugs’ personality. C. To analyze the firebugs’ movement patterns. D. To train the firebugs to form their personality. 14. What does the underlined part “the nooks and crannies” in paragraph 5 imply? A. The firebugs are active in learning new tasks. B. The firebugs tend to form different social groups. C. The firebugs are looking for different food sources. D. The firebugs like exploring every part of the container. 15. What trait, according to the text, can most likely help insects find food? A. Explorativeness. B. Energy. C. Playfulness. D. Sociability. 12. B 13. B 14. D 15. A 这是一篇说明文，介绍德布勒森大学研究者 Babits 关于昆虫存在个性的研究，阐释其对昆虫个性的定义，以红蝽为实验对象的研究方法，分析红蝽的活跃度、探索欲、社交性三大个性特质，并说明昆虫个性多样性的生存价值与研究意义。文章开篇以研究者观点引出昆虫有个性的核心话题，接着定义昆虫个性为个体行为的一致性差异，类比猫狗个性帮助读者理解，随后详述红蝽的实验设计与过程，依次分析其三种个性特质，最后说明个性多样性对昆虫物种的生存意义，点明研究的深层价值。 安徽省合肥市第一中学2025-2026学年高三上学期1月英语考试试题 D Science is always seen as hard-core and hard to understand. But could you imagine hundreds of people being attracted by the cover of a science magazine? The achievement was completed after Wang Yixi and his team made the cover of an October issue of Structure, a US-based Cell Press journal. The cover shows a Chinese ink painting that vividly shows the process in which a special enzyme (酶) involved in the biosynthesis (生物合成) of an important organic compound is activated―the latest breakthrough by a Chinese scientific research team. Another one of his popular works that carries distinctive Chinese elements is a composite image, describing a scientist as the folk goddess Nyuwa, carrying her newly discovered compound to fill a crack in the sky. While studying chemistry at university, Wang Yixi often came across an experimental preparation process that he had to explain, but the amount of text was too large and abstract. A she had been interested in drawing, and related software like Photoshop, he decided to turn his graphics into a fine art. He went on to study 3D graphics software in order to better display the microscopic structures in his field and improve the presentation of his papers. It didn’t take long before his classmates and professors noticed his talents and asked him to help them with their papers. By word of mouth, more people beat a path to Wang’s door and were willing to pay for his service. Over the past four years, Wang and his team have come up with more than 10,000 visual works for academic papers across a variety of fields, many of which have made their way to the world’s top academic journals, including Nature, Science and Cell. “Every scientific paper is innovative, and graphics are an essential part of scientific papers,” Wang says, adding that what he tries to achieve is an explanation of models or methods, to showcase experimental results, visually process data or compare differences among experiments. 32. What play a special role in Wang’s works? A. Fairytales. B. Chinese elements. C. Rich colors. D. Complex structures. 33. What can we learn about Wang Yixi from paragraph 3? A. He preferred painting to Chemistry. B. He developed useful mapping software. C. He had an active mind to solve problem. D. He had trouble conducting his experiment. 34. How does Wang make abstract papers easily understood? A. By visualizing them vividly. B. By showing them accurately. C. By explaining them in detail. D. By constructing them uniquely 35. Which is the best title for the text? A. The power of art B. Dilemmas of science C. Mysteries of Chemistry D. Inspiration from science 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. A 这是一篇说明文，讲述Wang Yixi将艺术与科学结合，用融入中国元素的视觉作品呈现抽象科学内容，为众多学术论文创作可视化作品并登上顶级期刊封面，让硬核科学变得易懂的事迹。文章开篇以科学的晦涩引出其团队的创新成果，接着介绍其登刊的科学视觉作品及鲜明的中国元素，随后讲述其将绘画与专业结合、学习相关软件的缘起，再写其凭借才华获得认可，为多领域创作大量作品并登上顶级期刊，最后引用其话语点明科学视觉作品的核心作用与价值。 江苏省盐城市南京市2025-2026学年高三上学期期末调研测试英语试卷 A AI has officially moved out of sci-fi movies and into our daily work, changing how we solve problems. If you’re just starting out, a beginner’s AI course will help you get a handle on what AI is and how you can start using it. What exactly is a beginner’s AI course? A beginner’s AI course is not designed to turn you into an expert. You won’t be digging through complex academic papers. The point is to pull back the curtain on the fundamental ideas behind the technology in a way that just makes sense. Criteria for an ideal beginner’s AI course • Beginner focus: Cut technical terms and explain concepts clearly. • Practical learning: Provide examples and use cases that show how AI is being used. • Reliable instruction: Invite well-known institutions and experts in the field. • High engagement: Mix things up with videos, exercises, and projects. • Good value: Offer both free and paid options that really deliver. A comparison of the best beginner’s Al courses Course Name Best For Price Duration Elements of AI Anyone wanting to understand Free io the basics without math. Free 15-30 hours (self-paced) Generative AI for Everyone Interactive, practical learning for Gen AI. Paid subscription 3 hours Google AI Essentials Gaining practical skills for daily tasks. Free trial 5 hours Microsoft’s AI for Beginners Eager learners who want an advanced, structured course. Free 12 weeks (self-paced) Whatever you want, there’s an option that fits — and your AI learning journey starts now! 21. What is the aim of a beginner’s AI course? A. To teach AI basics. B. To guide academic research. C. To train IT experts. D. To solve technical problems. 22. What is a feature of an ideal beginner’s AI course? A. Live streaming from experts. B. Practical AI usage in reality. C. Free access to remote learning. D. Clear definition of technical terms. 23. Which course best suits learners who prefer the basics and a flexible schedule? A. Elements of AI. B. Generative AI for Everyone. C. Google AI Essentials. D. Microsoft’s AI for Beginners. 21-23 ABA 这是一篇说明文，介绍面向入门者的 AI 课程，阐释其核心定位、理想课程的评判标准，并对比四款优质初级 AI 课程的适配人群、价格与时长，为 AI 入门学习者提供选择参考。文章开篇点明 AI 的普及背景与初级课程的学习价值，接着解答初级 AI 课程的核心定义与定位，随后列出理想初级课程的五大评判标准，再以表格形式对比四款优质课程的关键信息，最后总结课程选择的多样性，鼓励读者开启 AI 学习之旅。 C When it comes to cooling the planet, tropical forests serve as “carbon sinks”— their trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. Now, a new study finds one Australian rainforest is doing the opposite. The research, published in Nature, analyzed data from wet tropical rainforests in Australia, which scientists had tracked for nearly 50 years. By examining woody biomass from the rainforest, which typically holds a large amount of carbon, researchers found the forest is releasing more carbon than it absorbs, and this switch happened about 25 years ago. Since trees release stored carbon back into the atmosphere when they die and break down, this shift indicates that trees in this Australian rainforest are dying faster than they were decades ago, said lead author Hannah Carle, a forest ecosystem researcher at Western Sydney University. Drier air, higher temperatures and water shortages might all play a role. This is the first rainforest recorded as switching from a carbon sink to a carbon source, and Carle added the phenomenon could reflect a declining ecosystem in Australian wet rainforests overall. “The wet tropics in Australia occupy a bit of a warmer, drier climate space than tropical forests on other continents, thus potentially serving as an analog for what tropical forests will experience in other parts of the world,” said Carle. Previous research. suggested that tropical rainforests increase their capacity for carbon storage in response to consistently increasing CO2 in the atmosphere. This half-century of data challenges that. Raphael Trouve, who researches forest dynamics at the University of Melbourne in Australia and was not involved in the study, told The Guardian that data sets like this one can help track changes in the climate and environment. “It allows us to put the theory up against reality and better understand how these systems work.” 28. Which aspect of the Australian rainforest does the research focus on? A. The makeup of woody biomass. B. The effects on climate change. C. The level of carbon concentration. D. The change in carbon balance. 29. What does the shift in paragraph 3 show? A. Rising tree death rates. B. Stable weather patterns. C. Modest tropical rainfall. D. Instant ecosystem collapse 30. What does the underlined word “analog” in paragraph 4 mean? A. Different model. B. Sustainable system. C. Similar example. D. Historical background. 31. How does Raphael Trouve view these long-term data sets? A. They provide insights into the truth. B. They offer solutions to climate change. C. They are consistent with popular beliefs. D. They are independent of historical data. 28-31 DACA 这是一篇说明文，介绍《自然》期刊的新研究发现澳大利亚一处热带雨林从碳汇变为碳源，分析其转变原因、背后的生态问题及该发现的全球参考意义，还提及学者对研究数据价值的评价。文章开篇点明研究核心结论，接着说明研究的样本、时长与关键发现，随后分析雨林碳平衡转变的原因及反映的生态问题，再指出该雨林对全球热带雨林的参考价值并推翻此前相关研究结论，最后引用未参与研究的学者观点，说明该长期数据集的研究价值。 D Keeping food cold often comes with a hidden problem: Traditional ice melts (融化), leaving pools of water that can make drinks watery, damage products, or even spread dangerous bacteria. Now, researchers at the University of California, Davis, have created jelly ice, a reusable and biodegradable (可生物降解的) alternative that cools like ice but never melts into liquid. The new material is made of 90% water and can be shaped into various forms. It stays solid below freezing, softens at room temperature, and can be reused by simply washing and refreezing. “Compared to regular ice of the same shape and size, jelly ice has up to 80% of the cooling efficiency,” said Jiahan Zou, a study researcher, “We can reuse the material and maintain the heat absorbance across multiple cooling and warning cycles, an advantage that regular ice cannot offer.” The project began when UC Davis food scientists noticed how much ice was used in fish-processing plants and how meltwater could spread bacteria. Seeking a safer option for grocery seafood displays, the team turned to gelatin a food-safe material whose protein structure can trap water even as it freezes and thaws (解冻). After years of testing, the researchers perfected a simple, one-step process for making jelly ice. The material is made from natural components and can be biodegraded after use. It doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution, even offering a side benefit of improving tomato plant growth when added to soil. Beyond grocery stores, jelly ice could have wide applications. It could help preserve medical supplies during shipping, reduce waste in biotechnology, and provide reliable cooling options. It promises fresher food shipments without the mess of melting ice packs while also offering a sustainable alternative that reduces pollution risks and supports agriculture Although licenses for the technology have already been secured, jelly ice is not yet available for public purchase. It still requires market analysis, product design, and large-scale production testing. Inspired by its success, the team is now studying other natural polymers, such as plant-based proteins, to see if similar innovations can be developed. 32. What is one advantage of jelly ice over traditional ice? A. Fixed shape. B. Saving water. C. Repeated use. D. Cooling efficiency. 33. What does the author imply about jelly ice in paragraphs 3 and 4? A. It stretches tomato growing cycles B. It adopts a bacteria-free material. C. It shortens the freezing time. D. It lowers environmental impacts. 34. What can we learn from the last paragraph? A. The official approval is underway. B. Jelly ice needs further development. C. Traditional ice will soon disappear. D. Other natural polymers will be available. 35. What can be a suitable title for the text? A. A Game-changer That Controls Bacteria. B. A Cooling Alternative That We Can Order. C. A Cooling Material That Doesn’t Mell. D. A Quick Fix That Cuts Biological Pollution. 32-35 CDBC 这是一篇说明文，介绍美国加州大学戴维斯分校研发的果冻冰这一新型制冷材料，阐述其相较传统冰块的优势、研发背景、制作特点、广泛应用前景及现阶段的研发进展。文章开篇以传统冰块融化的弊端引出果冻冰的核心优势，接着介绍其成分、制冷特性与重复使用的优点，随后说明研发初衷与原料选择，再讲制作工艺和环保特性，之后列举其在多个领域的应用价值，最后说明其技术许可情况、尚未上市的原因及团队后续的研发方向。 2026届重庆市巴蜀中学高三上学期一模考试英语试卷 A WHAT IS WIND CHILL? When you check the predicted temperature, you may sometimes be greeted with two values:the air temperature and the‘feels like’ temperature. The main temperature value represents how hot or cold the air is, but the second temperature takes the strength of the wind into account.Called wind chill, this value indicates how the air temperature will feel on your skin when you step outside. When there is more wind, heat escapes from you more quickly, lowering the wind chill temperature. Displaying this value on forecasts means that people can make a more informed decision on what to wear and even whether to go outside. When wind chill reduces the temperature far into negative values, skin temperature will decrease rapidly, followed by your internal body temperature. This increases the chances of developing hypothermia (体温过低) and frostbite. Wind chill not only impacts humans, but other animals and plants as well. In plants, wind chill stresses don't come from heat loss. Rather, wind chill increases the moisture (水分) loss from leaves and dries out the plant. Whether it's in the form of drying or freezing, wind chill calculations show the great influence of the wind on the temperature of your environment. Check this chart to see how the wind alters the temperature your body feels. 21. What does including wind chill in forecasts help to do? A. Track frostbite cases. B. Predict road safety. C. Guide clothing choices. D. Judge wind direction. 22. Which situation falls into the“5 minutes” frostbite zone? A. - 35℃ with a 20 km/h wind. B. - 30℃ with a 60 km/h wind. C. - 15℃ with a 70 km/h wind. D. - 10℃ with a 100 km/h wind. 23. Where does the text most probably appear? A. In a physics textbook. B. In a plant-care brochure. C. In a daily weather forecast. D. In a popular science magazine. 21-23 CBD 这是一篇科普说明文，介绍风寒指数的定义、测算原理，说明其对人们日常出行的参考价值，以及对人类、动植物的不同影响，还提及可通过图表查看风寒对体感温度的改变。文章开篇以气温与体感温度的差异引出风寒指数的概念，阐释其核心测算逻辑；接着说明该指数对人们穿搭、出行的指导意义，以及低温大风下的健康风险；随后补充风寒对动植物的不同影响，点明其对环境温度的重要作用；最后提示可通过图表直观了解风寒与体感温度的关联。 浙江省嘉兴市南湖区嘉兴市第一中学2024-2025学年高三上学期第三次模拟·英语A试题 B People are constantly absorbing information from their surroundings, including visual details and background sounds. Over time, the human brain learns to connect these environmental cues with what usually happens next. This process is known as associative learning (联想学习). Simply put, it means learning through repeated links between signals and results. In everyday life, this kind of learning assists people significantly in making faster and often better decisions. For instance, a familiar sign, sound, or setting can act as a signal, indicating whether a choice is likely to lead to a reward or a negative outcome. However, this helpful system does not function the same way for everyone. For people suffering from compulsive (强迫性的) disorders, addictions, or anxiety, these learned associations can become overly powerful. Instead of serving as useful guides, cues may start to control decision making. Individuals may feel a strong pull toward certain sights or sounds, or feel driven to avoid them, even when doing so leads to poor results. This behavior is described as maladaptive (适应不良的) decision making, referring to choices that continue to cause harm or disadvantage despite repeated bad consequences. To better understand how this happens, Giuseppe di Pellegrino from the University of Bologna led a study. The research examined how people learn from cues and how this learning can sometimes go wrong. As described in their paper, the researchers found that people differ widely in the degree to which they rely on environmental cues. Some individuals depend heavily on surroundings to guide choices, while others rely on them much less. The study also revealed an important problem for those who are highly cue-driven. When familiar cues start to signal riskier or less favorable outcomes, these individuals often struggle to adjust. They may have difficulty updating their beliefs about what those cues mean. In practical terms, this means the brain keeps responding as if nothing has changed, even when the situation clearly has. As a result, harmful decision making can persist over time. Instead of adapting to new information, people may repeat the same risky choices again and again. According to the researchers, these findings suggest that some people have stronger cue sensitivity than others, combined with a reduced ability to revise what they have learned. This combination helps explain why certain decision patterns are so hard to break. The research team plans to continue studying this in patient populations to better understand the harmful patterns that characterize addictions and anxiety. 24. What is associative learning defined as in the text? A. A method to ignore surroundings. B. A process to control decision making. C. Learning by linking signals with results. D. A way to avoid negative outcomes completely. 25. What problem do people with compulsive disorders face? A. They adapt quickly to new situations. B. They struggle to connect cues with results. C. They ignore negative outcomes completely. D. They are dominated by learned associations. 26. Why do cue-driven people often fail to adapt to changes? A. Their brains ignore familiar signals. B. They are too sensitive to rewards. C. They cannot update old beliefs easily. D. They dislike relying on surroundings. 27. What do the findings help to explain according to the text? A. Why associative learning varies. B. Why bad habits are difficult to change. C. How visual cues affect the brain. D. How addiction damages decision making. 24. C 25. D 26. C 27. B 这是一篇科普说明文，介绍联想学习的定义与日常作用，分析强迫性障碍等人群出现的适应不良决策问题，并通过博洛尼亚大学的研究揭示其背后的神经机制，说明部分人群因对环境线索高度敏感且难以更新旧有认知，导致有害决策模式难以改变。文章开篇定义联想学习并举例说明其对日常决策的帮助，接着转折指出该机制在部分人群中失控的问题，随后介绍研究发现的个体差异与核心缺陷，最后说明研究结果对解释不良习惯难以改变的作用及后续研究方向。 C For decades, pathology (病理学) has been the essential foundation of cancer diagnosis. A pathologist (a doctor who studies diseases) examines a very thin slice of human tissue under a microscope. To these trained specialists, the colorful image of pink swirls and purple dots is like a graded test without a student’s name attached to it. It contains vital information about the disease, but offers no clues about the patient’s identity, race, or background. Ideally, this medical evaluation should be completely objective. However, this assumption does not fully apply to artificial intelligence (AI). A recent study reveals that AI models designed to diagnose cancer can actually infer demographic (population) details directly from the tissue slides. This unexpected ability creates bias, causing the systems to perform differently for various groups. For instance, the models were less accurate in distinguishing lung cancer types in African American patients and males. They also showed reduced accuracy when identifying breast cancer subtypes in younger patients. These errors appeared in a significant portion of diagnostic tasks. The team pinpointed three key reasons for these biases. First, training data are often uneven because samples are easier to obtain from some groups than others. Second, differences in disease incidence (how often a disease happens) exist; some cancers are more common in specific populations, making the AI overly specialized for them. Third, AI models are powerful enough to detect subtle molecular (tiny biological) differences across groups. They use these signals as shortcuts to classify cancer, which leads to failure when those signals are less common in other populations. To address the problem, the team created a framework called FAIR-Path. Based on a method known as contrastive learning, it modifies the AI training process. This approach helps the AI focus on critical distinctions between cancer types while reducing attention to irrelevant personal characteristics like age or race. It adjusts how the system interprets what it sees, forcing it to prioritize disease features over demographic clues. The results are highly significant. When applied, FAIR-Path reduced diagnostic disparities by nearly 90 percent. This success suggests that improving fairness does not require major changes to existing systems. Instead, with careful design and routine evaluation for bias, we can develop medical AI tools that provide fast, accurate, and fair diagnoses for every patient, ensuring reliable health care for all society. 28. How do human pathologists differ from AI models in evaluating tissue samples? A. Humans ignore the disease signs to focus on patient identity. B. Humans are less accurate than AI in distinguishing cancer types. C. AI models rely entirely on the patient’s self-reported information. D. AI models can detect hidden demographic details from images. 29. Why do AI models struggle to diagnose certain cancers in specific populations? A. They fail to detect any molecular differences in the tissue. B. They are not trained with enough data from any group. C. They cannot identify the visual signs of the disease itself. D. They rely on shortcuts linked to demographic-specific signals. 30. How does the FAIR-Path framework function to reduce bias? A. By guiding the AI to focus on key disease features only. B. By replacing the existing AI systems with new ones entirely. C. By removing all personal information from the medical records. D. By balancing the number of samples from all demographic groups. 31. What does the author imply about the future of medical AI in the last paragraph? A. Fair AI systems are impossible without massive changes. B. AI will eventually replace human experts in pathology labs. C. Careful design can lead to fairer and more reliable AI tools. D. The bias in medical AI has been completely solved forever. 28. D 29. D 30. A 31. C 这是一篇科普说明文，介绍癌症诊断中病理学家的客观评估与 AI 模型的人口统计学偏见问题，分析 AI 诊断偏见的三大成因，阐述 FAIR-Path 框架的矫正原理及效果，指明医疗 AI 实现公平精准诊断的发展方向。文章开篇对比人类病理学家与 AI 的诊断特点，引出 AI 从组织切片推断人口信息并产生诊断偏见的问题；接着分析导致该偏见的三个核心原因；随后介绍 FAIR-Path 框架的设计原理与作用；最后说明其显著的矫正效果，强调通过精细设计和偏见评估可打造公平可靠的医疗 AI。 D Our daily lives are deeply shaped by conscious experience, ranging from the pleasure of sunlight to the pain of injury. This raises a fundamental question: why did living beings evolve this ability? Experts describe consciousness as having three distinct forms. The first is basic arousal, which appeared earliest in evolution. Its primary function is to alert the body to life-threatening situations. For example, pain signals damage and triggers survival responses like fleeing to keep the organism alive. The second evolutionary development is general alertness. This form allows individuals to focus on one important signal while ignoring others. This ability helps humans learn about new connections, such as identifying complex causes and effects. The third form is self-consciousness. It allows individuals to think about themselves, remember the past, and anticipate the future. This advanced ability builds a mental self-image and guides decisions, which is essential for social integration. Interestingly, recent research suggests birds also possess forms of conscious perception. Studies show they have subjective experiences rather than just automatic reactions. For instance, pigeons interpret unclear images differently, much like humans do. Research on crows shows that their brain nerve signals reflect their internal experience. These findings highlight that birds have strong similarities to mammals in sensory consciousness. Although bird brains differ structurally from mammals’, they support conscious processing. The bird brain contains a specific structure equivalent to the prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮层). This part is highly connected and allows the brain to process information flexibly. The overall brain connections share many similarities with mammals. Therefore, birds meet many criteria of established theories regarding consciousness. Furthermore, experiments indicate that birds show signs of self-perception. While some bird species pass the classic mirror test, others show situational self-consciousness by distinguishing their reflection from a real companion. Taken together, these research findings suggest consciousness is an ancient and widespread feature. It demonstrates that conscious processing can occur without a cerebral cortex (大脑皮层) and different brain structures can achieve similar functional outcomes. 32. What is the primary function of basic arousal? A. To aid survival in dangerous situations. B. To support social integration with others. C. To learn complex scientific connections. D. To process information from the environment. 33. What does the study on crows suggest about bird consciousness? A. They react automatically to physical stimuli. B. They can only recognize themselves in mirrors. C. They possess internal experiences like humans. D. They have a brain structure identical to mammals. 34. How do bird brains support conscious processing? A. By relying on the cerebral cortex like humans. B. By using a different structure for similar functions. C. By having a much larger prefrontal cortex. D. By processing information without any connections. 35. What conclusion can be drawn from the findings on birds? A. Consciousness is a unique human feature. B. Evolution has not changed brain structures much. C. Consciousness is ancient and widespread in nature. D. Different structures cannot achieve the same function. 32. A 33. C 34. B 35. C 这是一篇科普说明文，阐释意识的三种进化形式及各自功能，结合最新研究说明鸟类也具备不同层次的意识感知，分析鸟类大脑实现意识加工的结构基础，最终得出意识是自然界古老且普遍特征的结论。文章开篇提出意识进化的核心问题，依次介绍基础唤醒、一般警觉、自我意识三种意识形式的进化顺序与功能；接着通过鸟类实验研究，证明其拥有主观的意识感知且与哺乳动物感官意识高度相似；随后解析鸟类大脑的特殊结构与神经连接如何支撑意识加工；最后结合鸟类的自我感知实验，总结意识的进化特征与实现机制的多样性。 山东省烟台市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 C Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a rice-sized underwater tracking tag (装置), addressing a longstanding gap in studying small aquatic (水生的) species. The gap has blocked conservation efforts for decades, as tiny creatures often form the base of aquatic food webs but remain understudied due to technological limitations. Biologists have long depended on radio and satellite tags, which revolutionized animal behavior research. Yet underwater tracking of minute species like the endangered delta smelt, a silvery fish about 2.5 inches long, is seriously restricted. Existing tags are too burdensome for their size and need large batteries to make up for the loss of signals in water — a medium that weakens both radio and high-frequency sound waves. Directed by a critical scientific principle that tags should not exceed 2% of an animal’s body mass, PNNL targeted a weight of merely 0.002 ounces for smelt — ten times lighter than a pencil eraser and a quarter the weight of the lightest commercial alternative. PNNL’s new technology combines two key things: micro-batteries that hold vast quantities of electric power and better-designed signal senders. With this, the tag can work for about 40 days — sufficient to track full river migration cycles — and its signal can be picked up from hundreds of meters away. Scientists are already using this tag to study the young American shad, an endangered species threatened by dam construction, with plans to test it on delta smelt by next year. This tag will unlock insights into the small species that sustain entire ecosystems — and finally answer urgent questions about where they lay their eggs and migration routes — key to restoring their population amid pollution and habitat loss. Nevertheless, certain issues remain unresolved. Small tags send signals at a higher frequency, but most of the current tools that receive these signals are made for bigger tags that use lower frequencies. However, progress in standards for underwater sound sensors gives a way to create corresponding monitoring systems. 8. What does “The gap” in paragraph 1 refer to? A. Few aquatic species. B. Little study on food webs. C. Lack of conservation rules. D. No proper underwater trackers. 9. What’s the distinct characteristic of the micro-batteries in PNNL’s new technology? A. Long-lasting. B. Solar-powered. C. Water-resistant. D. Cost-effective. 10. What does the author highlight in paragraph 5? A. What species the tag targets. B. How the tag can contribute. C. Why aquatic species are conserved. D. How tiny species go extinct. 11. What challenge are the researchers facing concerning the new tag at present? A. Battery safety risks. B. Signal reception mismatch. C. Unstable radio signals. D. Low positioning accuracy. 8. D 9. A 10. B 11. B 这是一篇科普说明文，介绍美国 PNNL 实验室研发的米粒大小的水下追踪装置，阐述其研发背景、设计标准、技术创新点、实际应用价值及目前面临的技术挑战，说明该装置对小型水生生物研究与保护的重要意义。文章开篇点明研发背景与核心价值，解决小型水生生物研究的设备缺口；接着分析传统追踪设备的局限性；随后说明新装置的重量设计标准与核心技术创新；再介绍其应用现状与对生物保护的实际贡献；最后指出当前存在的信号接收匹配问题及解决方向。 D In New Jersey’s suburban intersections, an immature Cooper’s hawk (鹰) was at work. It was unfolding a novel hunting strategy that would astonish even seasoned ethologists, which was documented by University of Tennessee researcher Vladimir Dinetes in his study Street smarts: a remarkable adaptation in a city-wintering raptor (猛禽). Over 18 freezing winter mornings, Dinetes observed from a parked vehicle as birds gathered on the sidewalk to eat food left by residents. In a nearby tree, a young hawk waited, listening, for a specific electric sound that signals it’s safe to cross the street. This high tone, tied to a red-light extension from 30 to 90 seconds, meant cars would stretch farther back along the block, forming a dense line. When that line reached a certain point, the hawk would launch an attack, flying low along the sidewalk, hidden by the line of waiting cars. Then it would slip, bursting into the birds’ feeding space and securing an exceptionally high hunting success rate. Critically, the hawk held off on attacks on weekends when cars didn’t line up sufficiently long to provide a visual barrier. This selectivity proved no accident: The hawk had learned to link the signal sound, traffic patterns and hunting opportunities. Cooper’s hawks, once restricted to deep woodlands, have inhabited North American cities since the 1970s, but only one urban-adapted behavior — hunting near sunset lights — was previously recorded. Dinetes’ finding adds a far more complex strategy, one that demands mapping environments, tracking time-based clues and carrying out plans. Dinetes explains, “The hawk doesn’t evolve urban skills anew but uses pre-existing problem-solving ability meant for forest hunts where it measures flight angles and escape paths amid branches. Its forest hunting skill translates into viewing city traffic as branches and crosswalks as tree gaps. This cross-contextual thinking — where a biological instinct (本能) is adapted to an artificial landscape — is one of the hallmarks of intelligence in the animal kingdom.” As cities grow, understanding how animals adapt will be crucial for conservation and coexistence strategies. The study highlights the interplay between wildlife and human environments. 12. What does the author primarily intend to tell us in paragraph 2? A. The hawk excels at timing its hunts. B. The residents take good care of birds. C. The hawk likes to launch attacks at will. D. Extended signal duration causes traffic jams. 13. Why did the hawk avoid its hunt on weekends? A. Birds didn’t seek food then. B. Traffic lights didn’t function. C. Light traffic couldn’t offer enough cover. D. Bystanders intervened its act. 14. What lesson can we learn from the hawk’s cross-contextual thinking? A. Don’t follow others blindly. B. The early bird catches the worm. C. Use available resources strategically. D. A patient heart eats the sweet fruit. 15. What kind of writing method is mainly used in the text? A. Telling a story in time order. B. Presenting a study with facts. C. Arguing a view with an experiment. D. Explaining a finding with data. 12. A 13. C 14. C 15. B 这是一篇科普说明文，介绍田纳西大学研究者发现库珀鹰在城市中形成的新型复杂捕猎策略，分析其策略特点、背后的智力逻辑，并指出该发现对野生动物保护与人类共存的意义。文章开篇以鹰的新型捕猎策略引出相关研究；接着详细描述其借助城市交通信号和车流的捕猎过程与选择性策略；随后对比其过往城市适应行为，凸显该策略的复杂性；再阐释鹰的跨情境思考能力，说明其是将森林捕猎本能适配城市环境；最后点明研究对城市野生动物保护与共存的重要价值。 山东省淄博市2025-2026学年高三上学期1月期末英语试题 A Battery Management Systems: From Conventional to Intelligent With the rapid development of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage, battery management systems (BMSs) have grown essential, ensuring battery safety, extending lifespan, and boosting performance. Battery cells, even from the same production line, vary due to manufacturing tolerances and usage habits, risking imbalance, overcharging, and uneven heating without proper management. Fig. 1 Influence of cell behaviour on vehicle performance Limitations of Conventional BMSs (CBMSs) Conventional BMSs, developed in the early 1990s, only conduct basic monitoring of voltage (电压) current, and temperature via simple state estimation algorithms. They lack advanced functions such as predictive maintenance and have low accuracy in complex conditions. Innovation of Intelligent BMS (IBMS) To solve these issues, technologies like cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things), and digital twin have been integrated, giving rise to Intelligent BMS (IBMS). It adopts an end-edge-cloud multi-layer architecture: end BMS collects real-time cell data, edge BMS processes time-sensitive tasks locally, and cloud BMS handles complex work. Artificial Intelligence further enhances monitoring accuracy. Fig. 2 Pyramid (金字塔) of hierarchy (分层结构) levels involved in building an advanced intelligent battery management system (IBMS) architecture. Challenges and Future of IBMS IBMS faces technical, social and commercial challenges. Yet it is the future of battery management, supporting EVs’ sustainable development. As technologies advance, these difficulties will be overcome, and IBMS is expected to become a standard for energy storage systems. 1. What is the main function of BMSs? A. To improve EV production efficiency. B. To collect weather data for vehicle operation. C. To ensure battery safety and enhance performance. D. To reduce manufacturing tolerances of battery cells. 2. What can we learn from Fig. 1? A. Pack Behaviour is completely determined by external Weather Profiles. B. Vehicle Outputs, like Efficiency, are influenced by Cell Behaviour. C. Cell Degradation has little effect on the Vehicle Behaviour. D. Drive Profiles are a component of Vehicle Outputs. 3. What can be inferred about the IBMS architecture? A. It features a multi-level architecture. B. It fails to integrate digital twin into the structure. C. It mainly relies on cloud computing to process tasks. D. It has been widely applied to energy storage systems. 1. C 2. B 3. A 这是一篇科技说明文，介绍电池管理系统（BMS）的核心作用，分析传统 BMS 的局限性，阐释智能 BMS（IBMS）的技术创新、架构特点，同时指出其面临的挑战与未来发展前景。文章开篇点明 BMS 的重要性与核心功能，说明电池单体的差异性对管理的需求；接着介绍传统 BMS 的研发背景与功能局限；随后阐述 IBMS 的技术融合路径与端 - 边 - 云多层架构，及人工智能对其的优化作用；最后说明 IBMS 面临的多方面挑战，同时明确其作为电池管理未来的发展定位。 C Depression has long been attributed to (归因于) chemical imbalances in the brain. Yet, for many patients, standard treatments fail. This has fueled a search for alternative explanations, with the gut (肠道) bacteria emerging as a surprising candidate. Researchers from APC Microbiome, Ireland published a paper in the latest issue of Molecular Psychiatry, arguing that the community of tiny organisms in our gut produces substances that can signal the brain, influencing mood and behavior. Early animal studies were striking — transferring these organisms from depressed individuals into healthy mice could transfer depressive-like behaviors. Human studies soon followed, revealing distinct bacterial patterns in depressed patients. This research birthed the concept of “psychobiotics”: live bacteria intended to improve mental health. Early, small-scale trials reported promising results, capturing public imagination. Headlines declared bacteria as the new mood-improving drugs. However, the path from interesting association to proven treatment is difficult. Larger, more strict trials have produced mixed and modest outcomes. A critical obstacle is the bacterial community’s extreme individuality. What makes up a “healthy” bacterial community varies greatly between people, influenced by diet, genetics, and environment. A supplement (补充剂) containing good bacteria that helps one person may be ineffective for another. This complexity points to a deeper shift in perspective. The goal may not be to simply add a universal “happy bug”. Instead, the focus is shifting toward encouraging a healthy and diverse bacterial ecosystem as a whole. This ecosystem approach acknowledges that mental well-being might be supported not by a single type of bacteria, but by the collective function and stability of the entire community. Therefore, the real potential of this field may not be a simple pill, but a broader approach to mental healthcare. It suggests we view the body as a connected system, in which diet, lifestyle, and gut health are all tied to brain health. This doesn’t deny existing treatments but adds to the options available. Scientifically, the challenge is to go beyond mere links and establish clear cause and effect. For the public and patients, the task is to balance reasonable hope in new approaches with caution toward exaggerated or simplified solutions. 8. Why does the author mention the early animal studies? A. To demonstrate a direct cause of depression. B. To suggest a possible gut-brain influence. C. To highlight a breakthrough in treatment. D. To criticize the methods of animal testing. 9. What is the main challenge in developing “psychobiotics”? A. Insufficient researching funds. B. Negative effects of live bacteria. C. Public resistance to brand new ideas. D. Each person’s unique gut environment. 10. What is the author’s attitude towards “psychobiotics”? A. Cautious. B. Critical. C. Dismissive. D. Skeptical. 11. What is a suitable title for the text? A. The Gut-Mind Connection: A New Way to Cure Depression B. From Mice to Humans: How Gut Bacteria Influence Our Mood C. The Gut-Brain Link: Exploring a New Frontier for Mental Health D. The Excitement and Hope of Psychobiotics: Beyond the Clear Facts 8. B 9. D 10. A 11. C 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是肠道菌群与抑郁症的关联及相关研究进展，篇章结构为 “提出问题 — 探究分析 — 总结展望”。文章开篇提出传统抑郁症化学失衡归因的治疗局限这一问题，引出肠道菌群这一研究新方向；接着通过动物和人体实验佐证肠脑关联，介绍 “精神益生菌” 的概念、早期成果及研发中肠道菌群个体差异性的核心障碍；随后说明研究思路从 “单一菌剂” 转向 “菌群生态” 的转变；最后总结该领域潜在价值，强调需明确因果关系，提醒公众理性看待新方法，围绕心理健康新前沿展开，逻辑严谨。 D The age-old belief that humans are superior to nature and non-human life is deeply rooted in traditions. Even in modern times, this belief continues, influencing how we view the natural world. Characteristics once considered unique to humans — such as intelligence, tool use, moral behavior, and the ability to feel pain — have now been observed in other species. Chimpanzees solve complex puzzles, crows craft and use tools, and fish exhibit clear responses to painful situations. Even plants, once thought passive, demonstrate sensory abilities comparable to our own. These discoveries challenge the long-held assumption of human exceptionalism. In The Arrogant Ape, primatologist Christine Webb critically examines this belief. She argues that the idea of human uniqueness contradicts evolutionary science, which emphasizes gradual differences between species rather than absolute distinctions. Webb warns that this mindset misleads scientific research — biologists often focus on primates (灵长类动物) and well-known mammals while neglecting the majority of Earth’s biodiversity. Additionally, unfair comparison — such as studying captive (圈养的) chimpanzees and free humans — further strengthen false ideas of superiority. Concerned about ethical issues and unreliable data from lab studies, Webb conducts her research only in natural habitats or refuges for apes. Her observations suggest that many non-human beings likely possess some form of consciousness. Critics dismiss such claims as anthropomorphism (类人化). However, Webb argues against that refusing to acknowledge cross-species similarities creates unnecessary barriers in science. She also points out the double standard: while human cognition is accepted without question, animal intelligence is often dismissed without sufficient evidence. Webb argues that abandoning human exceptionalism is crucial for solving global crises. Zoonotic diseases, mass extinctions, and climate change all result from humanity’s damaging relationship with nature. By recognizing our place within the natural world and integrating the knowledge of native people about ecological balance — we can rebuild sustainable connections with the environment. Eventually, letting go of outdated superiority myths may inspire stronger support for animal welfare and the planet’s health. 12. What does the first paragraph talk about? A. An explanation of a religious belief. B. New findings about animal behavior. C. Different views on human superiority. D. A comparison between humans and animals. 13. What view does Webb hold on human exceptionalism? A. It corresponds with evolutionary science. B. It leads to too many studies on primates. C. It encourages humans to treat animals better. D. It narrows research focuses and methods. 14. Why does Webb intend to study apes only in habitats or refuges? A. To avoid the ethical problems of captive research. B. To simplify the process of collecting research data. C. To prove apes are more intelligent than other animals. D. To focus on the most “popular favored” mammal species. 15. Which statement would Webb most likely to agree with? A. Beliefs about human superiority are updated. B. Humans need to change their sense of superiority. C. Economic growth holds greater significance than environment. D. The knowledge of natives about ecological balance is outdated. 12. C 13. D 14. A 15. B 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是批判 “人类例外论”，篇章结构为 “提出现象 — 分析批判 — 阐述观点 — 总结意义”。文章先指出 “人类优于自然及其他物种” 的观念根深蒂固，再用动植物的相关发现挑战这一观念；接着介绍灵长类学家韦伯在著作中的批判，指出该观念违背进化论、局限研究范围且存在研究方法不公；随后说明韦伯的研究方式及对 “类人化” 批判的反驳，强调承认跨物种相似性的重要性；最后指出摒弃人类例外论对解决全球危机、重建人与自然可持续关系的关键意义。全文逻辑连贯，围绕批判人类例外论展开，兼具科学性与思辨性。 龙岗区2025-2026学年第一学期高三期末质量监测 A Deforestation and the EU’s Response Forests play an important role on Earth. They cover about 31% of the world’s land area and are home to most land animals and plants. However, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, about 420 million hectares(公顷)of forest were lost worldwide between 1990 and 2020. As a major consumer of agricultural products, the European Union(EU)is closely connected to global deforestation. Causes Agriculture is the biggest driver in most parts of the world. Turning forests into farmland causes at least 50% of global deforestation. Urban development, including the building of houses and roads, accounts for a smaller part of forest loss. It represents slightly more than 6% of global deforestation, but in Europe it is the primary cause. Climate change is both a cause and a result of deforestation. Extreme events damage forests. At the same time, forest loss makes climate problems worse. The EU’s consumption also affects forests outside Europe and is responsible for about 10% of global deforestation. The chart below shows the main products imported by the EU from deforested land. Measures In July 2021, the EU introduced a forestry strategy to improve forest quality and strengthen forests’ role as carbon sinks. In April 2023, the EU approved new rules requiring companies to ensure that products sold on the EU market are not linked to deforestation. Although the rules were adopted in 2023, their application was delayed to allow businesses time to prepare. A phased timetable was later introduced: large companies are required to comply(遵守)from December 2026, while smaller companies are given additional time until June 2027. Companies that fail to meet the requirements may face fines of up to 4% of their annual income in the EU. 1. What is the main cause of deforestation in Europe? A. Urban development. B. Climate change. C. Agricultural expansion. D. Forest product consumption. 2. What is the percentage of the top two agricultural products imported from deforested land? A. 32. 8%. B. 34%. C. 66. 8%. D. 82. 9%. 3. Why did the EU put off the application of its new deforestation rules? A. To improve forest quality. B. To prevent economic losses. C. To give companies time to adjust. D. To promote deforestation-free products. 1. A 2. C 3. C 这是一篇说明文，核心话题是全球森林砍伐的成因、欧盟的相关影响及应对措施，篇章结构为 “背景引入 — 成因分析 — 数据支撑 — 措施说明”。文章开篇介绍森林的重要性及全球森林流失现状，点明欧盟作为农产品主要消费国与森林砍伐的关联；接着从农业扩张、城市开发、气候变化三方面分析森林砍伐的成因，同时指出欧盟消费对全球森林的影响，并以图表展示其从毁林地区进口的主要产品；最后详细说明欧盟的森林战略及新规则的内容、实施时间表与违规处罚。 肇庆市2026届高中毕业班第一学期末教学质量监测 C Vic Wilcox has lazy workmates, a bad-tempered (易怒的) father and an unromantic, distant marriage. However, he owns a Jaguar (捷豹汽车) and feels happy when driving. As the main character of David Lodge’s novel Nice Work and head of an engineering firm, he often drives hundreds of miles for meetings being behind the wheel. The novel depicts a world that is fading away. According to the National Travel Survey, people now travel much less than they did 20 years ago, which reverses a long-term trend. David Metz points out that travel distances rose sharply in the late 20th century, a trend that started two centuries earlier with the launch of passenger railways. Wilcox and his peers once drove this change, but people’s travel has dropped significantly. In 2002, the average man traveled 8,245 miles; by 2024, this figure fell to 6,549 miles, a 21% decrease. The drop was almost entirely due to less driving. Women’s travel also fell by 9%, from 2002 levels to 5,633 miles in 2024. Both genders commute shorter distances and travel less for shopping, but work-related travel for men has plummeted by 45% — the biggest drop. Cliff Jackson, a former salesman, recalls driving 30,000 to 35,000 miles a year in the 1980s and 1990s. He and other salesmen traveled widely on motorways to meet clients, sometimes using pay phones to call the office. This “road-warrior” lifestyle has almost disappeared for several reasons. Tax officials tightened rules on company cars, while the Internet and video calls have made regular sales trips unnecessary. Companies and public bodies also encourage employees to use public transportation. This road-based culture is now mostly kept alive in novels and a great 1993 BBC documentary. Mr Wratten, who represents people who travel for work, does not mourn (哀伤) the road warriors. He thinks that travel has become more purposeful and determined. Companies have become more concerned about the health and happiness of their employees, and that concern extends to travel. Mr Wratten notes that firms increasingly tolerate or even encourage staff to take their partners on business trips. This would surely shock Vic Wilcox. 8. How does the author introduce the topic in the first paragraph? A. By quoting an expert. B. By providing statistics. C. By defining a concept. D. By giving an example. 9. What does the underlined word “plummeted” in paragraph 3 probably mean? A. Remained stable. B. Risen slowly. C. Decreased sharply. D. Changed randomly. 10. What led to the disappearance of the “road-warrior” lifestyle? A. Stricter rules on company cars. B. The high cost of owning private cars. C. The decline in the number of salesmen. D. The closing of many motorway service areas. 11. What can we infer from Mr Wratten’s words? A. Business travel will soon disappear. B. Modern business travel is more human-centered. C. Companies used to ignore employees’ travel safety. D. Vic Wilcox enjoys taking his wife on business trips. 8. D 9. C 10. A 11. B 这是一篇说明文，核心话题是现代社会人们出行里程大幅下降、职场 “公路勇士” 生活方式消亡的现象及成因，篇章结构为 “事例引入 — 数据佐证 — 原因分析 — 现状解读”。文章以小说人物维克的驾车出行经历引入话题，引出当下出行里程逆转长期增长趋势的现象；接着用具体数据说明 2002-2024 年男女出行里程均下降，男性工作出行降幅最大；再以销售员的经历印证过往的公路出行模式，分析该模式消亡的多重原因；最后借沃特滕先生的观点，指出如今商务出行更具目的性、企业更注重员工体验，呈现出行文化的新变化。 济南市2026届高三第一次模拟考试 C Raindrops are more than a source of fresh water. They also carry mechanical energy that can be used for free. A research team from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics has developed a water-integrated floating droplet electricity generator (W-DEG) that uses natural water as part of its structure, offering clean energy harvesting. Unlike conventional DEGs, which rely on solid ground substance and costly metal parts, the new design allows the device to float on water. When a raindrop lands on the floating dielectric film (电介质膜), the water beneath it provides the strength needed to absorb the impact because of its surface tension. This lets the droplet spread more effectively across the surface. At the same time, the water layer operates as a reliable electrical conductor. This nature-integrated design cuts the device’s weight by about 80 percent and lowers the cost by about 50 percent while maintaining similar electrical output compared to conventional systems. Tests showed that the W-DEG continued to function under diverse temperatures and salt levels, and even in natural lake water. These should be put down to its chemically inert (惰性的) dielectric layer and its naturally flexible water-based structure. To improve reliability further, the team used water’s strong surface tension to design holes that let water move downward. This creates a self-adjusting way to stop water from building up that could affect performance. The system also charged capacitors (电容器) to useful electric tension only within minutes, showing its potential for powering small electronics and wireless sensors. Moreover, with continued development, similar systems could be positioned on lakes or coastal waters, providing renewable electricity without using any land-based space. Although the laboratory results are encouraging, extending the service life of large dielectric films in dynamic outdoor conditions will also require further engineering. “By letting water itself play both structural and electrical roles, we’ve opened the door to land free systems that can supplement other renewable technologies like solar and wind.” Professor Wanlin Guo, a corresponding author of the study said. 8. What is W-DEG aimed at? A. Improving electrical conductors. B. Generating power from raindrops. C. Increasing power storage capacity. D. Turning raindrops into green energy. 9. Why did the research team design the holes in the W-DEG? A. To make the device lighter. B. To produce more electricity. C. To prevent the standing water. D. To allow water into the device. 10. What is an advantage of W-DEG according to Paragraph 4? A. Easy operation. B. Low construction cost. C. Stable performance. D. Rapid charging capability. 11. What might be a direction of the follow-up research? A. Cost reduction. B. Material recycling. C. Durability enhancement. D. Structural transformation. 8. B 9. C 10. D 11. C 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是南京航空航天大学研发的新型雨滴发电装置 W-DEG 的设计、优势、性能及发展前景，篇章结构为 “研发背景 — 设计创新 — 性能测试 — 应用潜力 — 研究展望”。文章开篇点明雨滴的机械能可利用，引出 W-DEG 这一清洁取电装置；接着对比传统设备，介绍其水融合的漂浮设计及成本、重量优势；随后说明其在不同环境下的稳定性能及防积水的自调节设计；再阐述其快充能力和无土地占用的应用潜力；最后指出户外耐用性的研发难点，同时说明该技术为无土地可再生能源系统开辟了新方向。 2026届大湾区普通高中毕业年级联合模拟考试（一） A The gradual return of the private buyer to the new car market helped to push up sales as number plates changed in March. Most car buyers in March also changed their preferences for vehicle types, with a particular focus on how the vehicles are powered. Electric vehicles, including fully electric cars and hybrids, are gaining significant popularity. Sales of petrol cars now account for less than half of the market. While the government policymakers have pushed people to buy fully electric zero-emission (排放) cars, many consumers appear to choose hybrids instead, which are partly battery-powered but also carry petrol engines. With the growing popularity, the sales of hybrids now are on the rise. Here is the pie chart illustrating the sales proportion of vehicle types in March 2025. Sales of fully electric cars hit a new monthly record, up to about 69,000 in March 2025, yet their market share dropped to just over 20% for the first quarter, as the popularity of hybrids grew even faster. That is a crucial number, because car makers have to sell 28 percent of their cars as zero-emission models in 2025 or face fines of up to £15,000 for every car they fail to sell to meet the government’s requirement. Nick, an analyst in the local auto industry, believes electric car sales are being artificially increased, mainly because car makers are cutting prices just to hit their sales targets. Meanwhile, many people rushed to buy cars before a new tax on expensive cars started this week. “Car makers remain committed to the market decarbonisation (碳减排) that the country and the environment demand but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble (泡沫) driven by unsustainable discounting and drivers rushing to avoid higher taxes,” said Nick. He also believed that the government policymakers should consider the “natural demand” for electric cars. 1. What was the percentage of electric vehicles sales in March 2025? A. 19%. B. 45%. C. 28%. D. 20%. 2. What is the major reason for the increase in electric car sales according to Nick? A. A new tax on cars. B. The change of number plates. C. The reduction of car prices. D. Policies pushing for electric cars. 3. What will Nick agree with about the government’s electric car policy? A. Ignoring the decarbonisation. B. Strengthening the discounting policy. C. Taking the market needs into account. D. Setting a lower zero-emission sales standard. 1. B 2. C 3. C 这是一篇新闻报道，核心话题是 2025 年 3 月英国新车市场的销量变化与动力类型偏好，篇章结构为 “现象引入 — 数据支撑 — 专家分析”。文章开篇点明私人买家回归推动销量上涨；接着说明消费者转向电动车型，并用饼图展示各类车型的销售占比，同时指出纯电车型销量虽创新高，但市场份额因混动车型更快速增长而下滑；随后分析车企面临的政策压力，以及分析师 Nick 对销量增长是人为推动的观点；最后引述 Nick 的建议，强调政策需关注市场自然需求，避免短期泡沫。 2025—2026学年佛山市普通高中教学质量检测（一） C On a typical sunny day at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), small native bushes (灌木) wave where tidy grasslands used to be, bees fly over flowers, and students walk on a campus alive with biodiversity. The new scenery marks a major milestone in campus sustainability. In 2025, UCLA became the first university in California to earn the Green Grounds Certification from the nonprofit Re: wild Your Campus, which recognizes the school’s efforts to improve human health and biodiversity. For years, colleges have used rewilding as a way to restore biodiversity and bring a more natural look to their grounds with native plants. But too often, they miss a critical piece of the puzzle: the chemicals being used elsewhere on campus. While wildflowers bring buzzing bees, true ecological restoration is weakened if pesticides (农药) and fertilizers are used. This is why Re: wild Your Campus created the Green Grounds Certification-to center both chemical elimination and rewilding and to link them together. Schools that are taking such a holistic approach to campus management can be honored and uplifted. Adopting a holistic approach to land care does more than just create healthier campus environments; it reinforces the reality that colleges are interconnected microcosms (缩影) of larger environmental systems. In many cities, universities offer some of the largest areas of open space, yet the chemicals applied to grasslands can impact nearby rivers, lakes, and drinking water. Students and all the teaching staff are increasingly recognizing this, leading to more advocacy for introducing native species and stopping using harmful pesticides. Beyond environmental health, a rewilding approach can help safeguard human health. Students are closely connected to the outdoor settings of their colleges where pesticides can stay in the air, settle on picnic tables, and be tracked into dorm rooms. Through a holistic approach, institutions can ensure that the grounds students walk on daily are free from poisonous substances, for the health of all. And that’s exactly what some schools like UCLA are doing. Their leadership shows that sustainability means finding new ways to care for the land responsibly-for people and for the planet. 8. How does the author introduce the topic of the passage? A. By discussing students’ activities. B. By describing a changed landscape. C. By showing students’ love for nature. D. By highlighting the function of plants. 9. What can we know about the holistic approach? A. It was initiated by UCLA. B. It avoids using pesticides. C. It focuses on students’ welfare. D. It is intended to connect schools. 10. Why does the author mention “picnic tables” in paragraph 6? A. To promote a healthy lifestyle. B. To suggest safety improvements. C. To discourage outdoor activities. D. To stress health risks to students. 11. What can be a suitable title for the text? A. Native Plants: Key to Preventing Pollution. B. UCLA’s Holistic Plan: For Safer Classrooms. C. The Holistic Method: Toward Sustainable Campuses. D. Sustainability Through Trees: For Greener Campuses. 8. B 9. B 10. D 11. C 这是一篇说明文，核心话题是大学校园通过 “整体化管理”（holistic approach）实现可持续发展，篇章结构为 “场景引入 — 认证背景 — 理念阐释 — 双重价值 — 案例总结”。文章开篇以加州大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）的校园新貌引入，介绍其获得 “绿色场地认证” 的背景；接着指出传统校园 “再野化” 的不足，引出同时强调消除化学品和再野化的整体化管理理念；随后从生态保护与人类健康两方面，阐述该理念对校园及周边环境的积极影响；最后以 UCLA 为例，总结可持续发展的核心是对土地和生态的负责任管理。 D For decades “Monday blues” has been a term for the collective groan (叹息) that greets the start of each workweek. Mondays come with higher rates of anxiety, stress and even suicide compared with other days. The stress and anxiety experienced on Monday seems to ease as the week unfolds. But is the stress and anxiety biologically distinct? Furthermore, could the fleeting changes in mood leave a mark on people’s body even after they stop working? To answer these questions, Professor Tarani Chandola from HKU, looked into the phenomenon, focusing on the stress hormone cortisol (皮质醇). When we experience a stressor, the brain activates the release of cortisol, which helps us to manage short-term stress. But constant high levels of cortisol disturb the brain and bodily systems, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Chandola studied 3,511 participants aged 50 and older in England, and the results were striking. Older adults who reported feeling anxious on Mondays had, on average, 23 percent higher levels of cortisol up to two months later, compared with those who felt anxious on other days. And the effect was not limited to those still working; retirees who felt anxious on Mondays also showed higher cortisol. Why might Mondays, in particular, have a powerful effect on the body? One possibility is that the shift from the weekend to the high demands of the week is essentially stressful. Also, some people become anxious on Mondays so routinely that it becomes an automatic bodily response. For some people, Monday blues are constant stressors. Hospitals may need to plan for the increased risk of heart attacks and other health events on Mondays, especially among older adults. In addition, international practices like meditation, mindfulness, regular physical activity or good sleep might help people adapt to the start of the week and have long-term health benefits. Finally, researchers will need to investigate why some people are resilient (适应力强) to Monday anxiety while others are not. That question might open the door to interventions that help people start the week not just with a groan but with greater resilience. 12. What does the underlined word “fleeting” in paragraph 2 mean? A. Extreme. B. Uncommon. C. Short-lived. D. Far-reaching. 13. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 3? A. To define a medical term. B. To show ways to handle stress. C. To explain how cortisol helps reduce stress. D. To reveal how stress harms health biologically. 14. What did Chandola’s study find about Monday anxiety? A. Its levels are closely related to age. B. It is a lifelong burden for some people. C. It is the primary challenge people face. D. Its effects are limited among the elderly. 15. Which is one of the author’s suggestions to address Monday blues? A. Researchers doing further studies. B. Hospitals keeping track of the old. C. Individuals seeking help from others. D. Companies reducing Monday workloads. 12. C 13. D 14. B 15. A 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是 “周一焦虑症” 对人体健康的长期影响及应对方向，篇章结构为 “现象引入 — 研究背景 — 机制阐释 — 研究发现 — 原因分析 — 应对建议”。文章开篇引出 “周一忧郁” 这一普遍现象，提出其是否会在生理上留下印记的问题；接着解释皮质醇在压力反应中的作用及长期高水平的危害；随后通过研究数据，证明周一焦虑会导致皮质醇水平持续升高，且影响不限于在职人群；再分析其成因，最后给出应对建议，包括医院预案、个人调节及进一步研究的必要性。 2026届山东潍坊市高三一模考试英语试题 A College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students in high school to pursue college-level studies — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both — before applying to college. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each ending in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue — skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree. Enrolling Students: Equity(公平) and Access Equitable access is a guiding principle for AP programs. All students should have access to academically challenging courses before they enroll in AP classes, which can prepare them for AP success. How AP Exams Are Scored While multiple-choice questions are scored by machine, the free-response questions and through-course performance assessments are scored by thousands of college professors and expert AP teachers. They are thoroughly trained, and their work is monitored for fairness and consistency. In each subject, a highly respected college member serves as Chief Consultant to maintain the accuracy of the scoring standards. Scores on the free-response questions and performance assessments are weighted and combined with the results of the computer-scored multiple-choice questions, and this raw score is translated into an overall AP score on a 1-5 scale. The Validity of AP Scores AP Score Credit Recommendation College Grade Equivalent (对等) 5 Extremely well qualified A 4 Well qualified A-, B+, B 3 Qualified B-, C+, C 2 Possibly qualified n/a (not available) 1 No recommendation n/a (not available) How to Apply Visit http://collegeboard.org/apreading for qualification requirements and to start the application process. 1. What can students gain by taking AP courses? A. Entry to college. B. A college degree. C. Teaching competence. D. Higher-order thinking skills. 2. What is a Chief Consultant responsible for? A. Training AP teachers. B. Guaranteeing scoring quality. C. Assessing student performance. D. Grading multiple-choice sections. 3. What is the minimum AP score for college grade equivalent? A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4. 1. D 2. B 3. C 这是一篇说明文，核心话题是美国大学理事会 AP 课程项目的核心内容、考试评分规则及相关阅卷者申请事宜，篇章结构为 “项目总述 — 招生原则 — 评分方式 — 分数效力 — 申请渠道”。文章开篇总述 AP 项目为具备学术基础的高中生提供大学水平课程，可获大学学分或进阶安置资格，还能培养高阶思维能力；接着说明项目以公平可及为招生原则，再介绍考试机改 + 人工阅卷的评分方式及首席顾问的监督作用，随后阐释 1-5 分制的分数效力与大学成绩对等标准，最后给出 AP 阅卷者的申请渠道，同时补充了阅卷者的资质、福利等相关信息。 C In our fast-paced, stressful lives, we’re often turning to social media, online shopping, or gaming to escape daily pressures. However, the experience can often be the opposite, leaving us more exhausted. This begs the question: do we scroll because we’re stressed, or are we stressed because we scroll? To better understand the subtle (微妙的) relationship of stress a and internet use, particularly how specific online behaviors influence stress levels. Belal’s team, from Finland’s Aalto University, conducted one of the first studies. They recorded real-world internet usage through tracking software installed on participants’ devices. Combined with a large sample size and a lengthy observation period, the findings offer especially valuable insight into bow online habits tie in with stress. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, collected internet usage data from around 1,500 adults over a seven-month period, comprising nearly 47 million web visits and 14 million app sessions. When compared with participants’ self-reported stress levels from questionnaires, researchers found a strong link between internet use and increased stress, particularly among those who already experienced daily stress. Women consistently reported higher stress levels than men, while stress tended to decrease with age and wealth. Not all online activities were equal, though. The study found that extended time spent on social media, online shopping, and gaming platforms was associated with higher stress levels compared to activities like checking emails or reading the news. There are always concerns over internet life, especially increasing social media engagement, and some countries, such as Australia, banned social media for anyone under 16. The researchers hope that by gathering more detailed information about people’s internet habits, they can eventually develop concrete recommendations and tools that support healthier, more regulated online engagement. Juhi Kulshrestha, assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, cautions against oversimplified solutions. She believes that blanket bans on internet use may overlook the emotional support certain online spaces provide. And it’s really crucial to study these issues further so the chicken and egg problem can be solved. The research team plans to explore how different types of news — political, entertainment, or sports coverage — affect stress, helping further clarify the internet’s complex role in mental health. 8. Why did Belal’s team conduct their research? A. To compare job-related stress levels. B. To prove why internet use results in stress. C. To create apps to help lower stress in adults. D. To study how stress interacts with internet use. 9. What is a feature of the research method? A. Focusing on a specific age group. B. Conducting nationwide online interviews. C. Collecting large-scale real data over time. D. Using lab experiments to measure stress levels. 10. Which online activity likely causes the least stress according to the research? A. Checking emails. B. Shopping. C. Playing games. D. Chatting. 11. What does Juhi warn against? A. Judging a book by its cover. B. Sacrificing tomorrow for today. C. Painting everything with the same brush. D. Counting your chickens before they hatch. 8. D 9. C 10. A 11. C 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是网络使用与压力之间的关联及相关研究发现，篇章结构为 “现象提出 — 研究开展 — 研究结果 — 研究启示与后续计划”。文章开篇引出人们常靠网络活动逃避压力却更疲惫的现象，提出网络使用与压力的因果疑问；接着介绍芬兰团队为探究二者关联开展的相关研究及研究方法；随后说明研究发现网络使用与压力升高相关，不同网络活动影响不同，且存在性别、年龄等差异；最后指出部分国家的相关举措，研究者给出建议并提出需进一步研究，团队也规划了后续探索方向。 D For most, the sound of rain hitting rooftops is just noise, and the droplets are simply water to be channeled away. However, a team of researchers at UNIST, led by Young-Bin Park, has found a way to turn the energy of falling raindrops into a power source. To capture energy, the researchers turned to carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (聚合物), known as CFRP, which can both stand the natural elements and move electricity. It is incredibly lightweight, yet stronger than many metals. Using it as the foundation for their droplet-based electricity generator, or DEC, they created a device called the S-FRP-DEC. Falling through the atmosphere, each raindrop typically carries a positive charge. The surface of the S-FRP-DEG, however, is engineered to be negatively charged. When a raindrop a transfer of charges occurs. To make this process efficient, they applied a lotus-leaf-inspired coating to the device. As a droplet strikes, it spreads out and rolls away instantly. This quick motion is what drives an electric current through the carbon fibers. This way, the mechanical energy of the falling rain is translated into electricity. Through laboratory tests, the researchers found that a single raindrop — measuring roughly 92 microliters in volume — was capable of generating a surprising 60 volts of electricity. They proved its scalability by connecting four of these generator units in series, whose combined power can briefly illuminate 144 LED lights. When testing it on real-world rooftops, they discovered the S-FPR-DEG could act as a sensor to autonomously distinguish between a drizzle and a storm. When a storm hits, these signals can be used to automatically activate drainage pumps (排水泵) without needing any external electricity or batteries. Park suggests that this technology could one day be integrated into mobility systems. Imagine a car or a plane that harvests energy from the rain it passes through. By turning rain into a source of power, this research provides a sustainable, and autonomous way to protect our cities and keep our technology running, even in the middle of a storm. 12. Why did the researchers choose CFRP to capture energy? A. It is light and cost-effective. B. It is durable and conductive. C. It is sustainable and heat-absorbing. D. It is stretchable and environmental-friendly. 13. What is paragraph 3 mainly about? A. The working principle. B. The design inspiration. C. The surface engineering. D. The functional instructions. 14. How can the device help fight floods? A. It can collect falling rainwater. B. It can be a self-powered rain sensor. C. It can be an automatic drainage system. D. It can transport electricity to the LED lights. 15. What is Park’s suggestion about the invention? A. Apply it to vehicles. B. Make cities free of storms. C. Improve road facilities. D. Update self-driving system. 12. B 13. A 14. B 15. A 这是一篇科普说明文，核心话题是韩国蔚山科学技术院研究团队研发的可将雨滴能量转化为电能的 S-FRP-DEC 装置，篇章结构为 “现象引入 — 装置研发 — 工作原理 — 实验成果 — 应用展望”。文章开篇引出大多数人眼中雨滴无实用价值，而研究团队找到将雨滴能量转化为电能的方法；接着介绍研究选用耐用且导电的 CFRP 材料，研发出 S-FRP-DEC 装置；随后阐释其利用雨滴与装置的电荷转移及荷叶灵感涂层发电的原理；再说明实验中该装置的发电效果及作为雨水传感器的功能；最后提及 Park 建议将其应用于交通工具，展$