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专题02阅读理解(说明文)
基础必练
主题语境01人与社会-历史、社会与文化
【答案】1.B2.A3.D4.A
主题语境02人与社会-科学与技术
【答案】1.C2.D3.C4.B
主题语境03人与自我-做人与做事
【答案】1.B2.C3.A4.C
主题语境04人与自我-生活与学习
【答案】1.B2.A3.A4.B
主题语境05人与自然-宇宙探索
【答案】1.C2.B3.B4.D
主题语境06人与自然-环境
【答案】1.D2.C3.C4.D
进阶提升
主题语境01人与社会-历史、社会与文化
【答案】1.D2.A3.B4.A
1/3
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主题语境02人与社会-科学与技术
Passage 1
【答案】1.C2.D3.C4.A
Passage 2
【答案】1.A2.C3.D4.B
Passage 3
【答案】1.A2.B3.B4.D
Passage 4
【答案】1.C2.A3.D4.A
主题语境03人与自我-生活与学习
【答案】1.D2.B3.C4.D
主题语境04人与自然-宇宙探索
【答案】1.D2.B3.D4.A
主题语境05人与自然-环境
【答案】1.B2.A3.C4.C
主题语境06人与自然-自然生态
Passage 1
【答案】1.D2.B3.B4.C
Passage 2
【答案】1.C2.D3.C4.B
拓展培优
主题语境01人与社会-科学与技术
213
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【答案】1.B2.B3.D4.B
主题语境02人与自我-生活与学习
【答案】1.B2.D3.C4.D
主题语境03人与自然-环境
【答案】1.C2.C3.A4.A
主题语境04人与自然-自然生态
【答案】1.A2.B3.C4.D
3/3
专题02 阅读理解(说明文)
主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联考·期中)In the past five years or so, classical music’s popularity has grown among young people,with listeners both streaming and at in-person concerts appealing much more to the younger generations.
A ClassicFM article published in 2020 showed that while, a decade ago, less than 10% of classical listeners were under 30, in 2020 that percentage had grown to a third of overall listeners. A more recent article from ClassicFM published in 2025 showed that 65% of people under 35 were now regular listeners of classical music.
A handful of critics attribute (归因) the new-found passion in classical music to the pandemic, where the rise of social media subcultures drew in the masses as people were stuck in their houses. This has resulted in a re-popularization of cultured pursuits among young people, such as listening to classical music, attending the ballet, reading more frequently, and visiting art museums.
Whether this return to classical roots is directly due to any of these factors, as opposed to a general cultural shift, is hard to say. Regardless, many attribute this classical music trend in part to the rise of TikTok and other social media, as they have made it easier to access information about classical music, interact directly with young classical musicians.
Social media has not only increased classical music’s popularity as a whole among young people, but it has also significantly aided in promoting younger classical musicians in the industry. Anna Lapwood, a British organist, has over 2 million followers across social media platforms, and has worked with the BBC Proms to relaunch #ClassicalMusic on TikTok, as a way to break down barriers to entry for classical music and make it more accessible to young people.
So, why does this comeback of classical music even matter? Why should we listen to classical music at all? Again, I am by no means here to argue that classical music is in any way a superior art form, or that it should be pushed upon young people as being so. However, it lies at the heart of much of our modern music’s development.
1.Why are the ClassicFM articles mentioned?
A. To illustrate the impact of streaming media.
B. To demonstrate the re-popularization of classical music.
C. To display the purchasing power of the young.
D. To prove the success of classical music concerts.
2.Which is most widely believed to have contributed to the change concerning classical music?
A. The accessibility of online information.
B. The change of taste of the public.
C. The limitations of the pandemic.
D. The publicizing campaigns by TikTok.
3.What can be inferred about Anna Lapwood?
A. She promotes other young classical musicians.
B. She remained little known prior to the trend.
C. She has a large following across age groups.
D. She has built up popularity through social media.
4.What might be talked about in the following paragraph?
A. The significance of classical music.
B. The fans of classical music.
C. The future of modern music.
D. The development of modern music.
【答案】1. B 2. A 3. D 4. A
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了近年来古典音乐在年轻人中重新流行及其原因和意义。
(1)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段“A ClassicFM article published in 2020 showed that while, a decade ago, less than 10% of classical listeners were under 30, in 2020 that percentage had grown to a third of overall listeners. A more recent article from ClassicFM published in 2025 showed that 65% of people under 35 were now regular listeners of classical music.(ClassicFM 2020年发表的一篇文章显示,十年前,不到10%的古典音乐听众年龄在30岁以下,而到了2020年,这一比例已增长到整体听众的三分之一。ClassicFM 2025年发表的一篇更新的文章显示,35岁以下的人群中,现在有65%的人经常听古典音乐。)”可知,提到ClassicFM的文章是为了展示古典音乐的重新流行。故选B。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段中“Regardless, many attribute this classical music trend in part to the rise of TikTok and other social media, as they have made it easier to access information about classical music, interact directly with young classical musicians.(无论如何,许多人将这种古典音乐趋势部分归因于TikTok和其他社交媒体的兴起,因为它们使获取古典音乐信息、直接与年轻古典音乐家互动变得更加容易。)”可知,人们普遍认为在线信息的可获取性对古典音乐的变化贡献最大。故选A。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第五段“Social media has not only increased classical music’s popularity as a whole among young people,but it has also significantly aided in promoting younger classical musicians in the industry. Anna Lapwood, a British organist, has over 2 million followers across social media platforms, and has worked with the BBC Proms to relaunch #ClassicalMusic on TikTok, as a way to break down barriers to entry for classical music and make it more accessible to young people.(社交媒体不仅提高了古典音乐在年轻人中的整体受欢迎程度,而且极大地帮助了业内年轻古典音乐家的推广。英国管风琴家安娜·拉普伍德在社交媒体平台上有超过200万粉丝,她与BBC逍遥音乐会合作,在TikTok上重新推出了#ClassicalMusic,以此打破古典音乐的入门障碍,使其更易于年轻人接触。)”可知,安娜·拉普伍德通过社交媒体建立了人气。故选D。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段“So, why does this comeback of classical music even matter? Why should we listen to classical music at all? Again, I am by no means here to argue that classical music is in any way a superior art form, or that it should be pushed upon young people as being so. However, it lies at the heart of much of our modern music’s development.(那么,为什么古典音乐的回归如此重要呢?我们为什么要听古典音乐呢?再次强调,我绝不是在这里争辩古典音乐是一种优越的艺术形式,或者应该把它强加给年轻人。然而,它处于我们现代音乐发展的核心。)”可知,接下来可能会讨论古典音乐的重要性。故选A。
主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联盟·期中)Siddarth Nandyala, a 14-year-old from Texas, has invented a smartphone-based app called Circadian AI that can detect potential heart abnormalities in just seven seconds.
To develop a real working product, Nandyala frequented various hospitals and institutions, discussing issues related to heart disease with hospital staff, patients and others. There, he collected the necessary data for his app. The next step was to create a strong artificial intelligence model, training and then retraining it again until he was completely satisfied with the results.
To operate the app, the user simply places a smartphone near their heart, where it records the sound of the heartbeat. The app has enhanced noise- cancellation techniques to move background noise sounds, enabling accurate readings even in loud environments. The recorded sounds are processed and then sent over to a machine-learning model hosted on the cloud, which gives an overall summary of the user’s heart health. A visible screen displays the results, with explanations about what is normal and what may need medical attention. The app detects early signs of heart failure, and heart abnormalities.
“There is incredible potential for heart-monitoring devices and apps such as Circadian AI to advance medical care,” says Jameel Ahmed, an electrophysiologist (电生理学家) at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Nandyala’s app can reach populations where access to care is limited, he adds. Yet, Ahmed also considers the app’s shortcomings. One potential limitation may arise from the quality of the microphone on the device being used, he says. Historically, he explains, medical professionals have used stethoscopes(听诊器) to make diagnoses. “Sometimes, these patterns, even with an expert, can be inaccurate.”
Currently, Nandyala is working to obtain approvals for a broader rollout in the U. S., India, and other countries. Not content to stop there, he is already adapting the technology to analyze lung sounds to detect conditions like pneumonia(肺炎). “I don’t want to stop here,” he says.
1.What is Circadian AI mainly designed for?
A. Moving background noise.
B. Detected potential diseases.
C. Early heart-disease detection.
D. Treating early heart-disease.
2.How did Nandyala get the data for his app?
A. By collecting from the websites.
B. By cooperating with the institutions.
C. By creating a strong artificial intelligence model.
D. By communicating with medical staff and patients.
3.What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. Circadian AI’s unique technology.
B. Nandyala’s data collection for the app.
C. Circadian AI’s usage and working principles.
D. Reasons for Nandyala’s app development.
4.What is Nandyala planning to do immediately after obtaining approvals?
A. Approve the app in the United States.
B. Go on developing medical-related apps.
C. Improve the app’s quality of the microphone.
D. Enhance the app to detect pneumonia.
【答案】1. C 2. D 3. C 4. B
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍14岁少年Siddarth Nandyala发明的基于智能手机的Circadian AI应用,包括其研发过程、使用方法、工作原理、潜在价值与局限,以及他后续的研发计划。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Circadian AI that can detect potential heart abnormalities in just seven seconds. (Circadian AI能在短短7秒内检测出潜在的心脏异常。)”以及第三段中的“The app detects early signs of heart failure, and heart abnormalities. (该应用可检测心力衰竭和心脏异常的早期迹象。)”可知,Circadian AI主要用于心脏疾病的早期检测。故选C项。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Nandyala frequented various hospitals and institutions, discussing issues related to heart disease with hospital staff, patients and others. There, he collected the necessary data for his app. (Nandyala经常出入各种医院和机构,与医护人员、患者等人讨论心脏病相关问题。在那里,他为自己的应用收集了必要的数据。)”可知,Nandyala通过与医护人员和患者交流获取应用所需数据。故选D项。
(3)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据第三段“To operate the app, the user simply places a smartphone near their heart, where it records the sound of the heartbeat. The app has enhanced noise- cancellation techniques to move background noise sounds, enabling accurate readings even in loud environments. The recorded sounds are processed and then sent over to a machine-learning model hosted on the cloud, which gives an overall summary of the user’s heart health. A visible screen displays the results, with explanations about what is normal and what may need medical attention. The app detects early signs of heart failure, and heart abnormalities.(使用这款应用时,用户只需将智能手机靠近心脏部位,手机会在此处记录心跳声。该应用配备了增强型降噪技术来消除背景噪音,即便在嘈杂环境中也能实现精准读取。记录的声音经处理后,会发送至云端托管的机器学习模型,该模型会给出用户心脏健康的整体总结。可视化屏幕会显示检测结果,并附上关于正常指标及可能需要医疗关注情况的说明。这款应用可检测心力衰竭和心脏异常的早期迹象)。可知,该段主要介绍了Circadian AI的使用方法和工作原理。故选C项。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Currently, Nandyala is working to obtain approvals for a broader rollout in the U. S., India, and other countries. Not content to stop there, he is already adapting the technology to analyze lung sounds to detect conditions like pneumonia (肺炎). (目前,Nandyala正努力获得批准,以便在美国、印度和其他国家更广泛地推广该应用。但他并不满足于此,已经在调整这项技术,通过分析肺部声音来检测肺炎等疾病。)”可知,获得批准后,Nandyala计划继续开发医疗相关应用,将技术应用于肺部疾病检测。故选B项。
主题语境03 人与自我-做人与做事
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙部分学校·期中)Nothing is more important than keeping your child safe. If you and your child are new to China, the following suggestions may give you some help.
Take good care of your child when taking public transportation. In China, buses and subways may be more crowded than you have imagined, especially in rush hours. It is important to stand in line. Never try to squeeze (挤进) in with your child when the door is closing and make sure your child is always beside you on the train, bus or subway.
Teach your child the traffic rules in China as soon as possible. It is wise to set an example for your child.Always cross the road with great caution. There is so much traffic running which may get you and your child hurt. Never jump the traffic lights. Do not let children cross the road alone unless they are old enough.
Use a child safety belt when driving a car. Never leave your child alone in a locked car. In summer, the temperature in a closed car can become extremely high in a short period of time and put your child in danger. Besides, oxygen is quickly becoming less and less when the car is completely closed so that your child is choking even to death.
You may find a number of places of attraction to visit in China, but consider carefully how suitable they are for your child before setting out. It may be an improper choice to take your young kids to faraway mountains on a cold day or to a popular museum during a crowded vacation. Decisions should depend on the weather, distance and specific situation.
While you and your child visit an amusement park, remember to keep your child safe as well. Read the height and weight rules carefully. Follow the directions of the staff (工作人员) in charge. Think it over before accepting the child’s demand for a thrilling game or ride.
1.What are the suggestions given in the text about?
A. Saving money.
B. Children’s safety.
C. Adults’ convenience.
D. Ways of staying healthy.
2.Which paragraph gives suggestions to parent drivers?
A. Paragraph 2. B. Paragraph 3. C. Paragraph 4. D. Paragraph 5.
3.Which of the following is advisable according to the text?
A. Asking staff in charge for directions.
B. Visiting the Palace Museum on October 1.
C. Taking kids to faraway mountains on a cold day.
D. Letting two-year-olds cross roads independently.
4.Who is the text written for?
A. Volunteers in China.
B. Young tourists in China.
C. Foreign parents in China.
D. Parents of Chinese children.
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. A 4. C
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。主要针对初到中国的外国父母,提供了多项关于儿童安全的实用建议,涵盖公共交通出行、交通规则教育、驾车安全、景点选择及游乐园游玩等场景。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Nothing is more important than keeping your child safe. If you and your child are new to China, the following suggestions may give you some help.(没有什么比保证孩子的安全更重要的了。如果你和你的孩子是初到中国,以下建议可能会给你一些帮助)”可知,全文围绕“儿童安全”展开,所提建议均是为了保障孩子的安全。故选B项。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段中的“Use a child safety belt when driving a car. Never leave your child alone in a locked car.(驾车时请使用儿童安全带。切勿将孩子单独留在锁好的车里)”可知,该段专门针对驾车的父母给出了安全建议。故选C项。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Follow the directions of the staff (工作人员) in charge.(听从负责工作人员的指示)”可知,向负责的工作人员询问方向或遵循其指引是可取的。故选A项。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第一段中的“If you and your child are new to China, the following suggestions may give you some help.(如果你和你的孩子是初到中国,以下建议或许能为你提供一些帮助)”可推知,本文的目标读者是初到中国的外国父母。故选C项。
主题语境04 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南湘一名校·期中)Most people already know that nature feels good. But now, science has put numbers behind that feeling. A new study shows that exercise in green surroundings — like parks, forests, or beaches — actually makes your body and brain feel better than working out indoors or in city streets.
In this study, researchers asked 25 young men to walk quickly in three different places: a green natural area, a busy street through the city, and indoors at a fitness center. The walking pace (速度) stayed the same across all three settings. But everything else was different. After each walk, scientists checked their stress hormone (激素) levels, mood, heart rate, and how hard the walk felt. The differences were clear.
“The participants (参与者) felt significantly more relaxed and had lower levels of the stress hormone after walking in nature. At the same time, they reported greater joy and less tiredness,” said study co-author Professor De Dominicis from the University of Copenhagen.
There’s a reason why nature works so well. Humans were born in nature and we have undergone most of our evolution in it. Therefore, it is not surprising that we feel good when we are in it. Our brains still recognize nature as a place of safety and peace. The noise and pace of city life can stress us out without us even noticing. Walls and man-made light just can’t compete with sunlight, trees, and fresh air.
This doesn’t mean indoor workouts are bad. Gyms and sports teams offer social connection and structure. But mixing in some outdoor time could bring extra benefits.
“The mental and physical benefits seem to be significantly greater when exercising in nature, so people can benefit greatly from replacing just one of their weekly indoor workouts with 30 minutes of exercise in green surroundings,” said Professor De Dominicis. “We see great potential in using nature as a driving force for physical activity — especially for those who find it difficult to get started.”
1.What might be the purpose of the new study?
A. To persuade the public to exercise more.
B. To prove the benefits of exercise in nature.
C. To test the safety of green surroundings.
D. To distinguish different types of exercises.
2.Which factor of the participants was controlled in the study?
A. Walking speed. B. Mood state. C. Hormone levels. D. Heart rate.
3.Why does exercising in nature make people feel better?
A. Humans are deeply rooted in nature.
B. People can exercise at their own pace.
C. The sound in nature makes humans relaxed.
D. It provides more social connection than gyms.
4.What might Professor De Dominici s support?
A. Following a specific schedule strictly.
B. Exercising in nature for half an hour a week.
C. Joining team sports instead of running alone.
D. Replacing all indoor exercise with nature workout.
【答案】1. B 2. A 3. A 4. B
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍一项新研究证实了在自然环境中锻炼比室内或城市街道锻炼更有益身心,并解释了背后原因及相关建议。
(1)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第一段中的“A new study shows that exercise in green surroundings — like parks, forests, or beaches — actually makes your body and brain feel better than working out indoors or in city streets.(一项新研究表明,在公园、森林或海滩等绿色环境中锻炼,实际上比在室内或城市街道上锻炼更能让你的身心感到舒适。)”可知,该研究的核心是对比不同环境锻炼的效果,目的是证明在自然环境中锻炼的益处。故选B项。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段中的“In this study, researchers asked 25 young men to walk quickly in three different places: a green natural area, a busy street through the city, and indoors at a fitness center. The walking pace (速度) stayed the same across all three settings.(在这项研究中,研究人员让25名年轻男性在三个不同的地方快速行走:绿色自然区域、城市繁忙街道和室内健身中心。在这三种环境中,行走速度保持一致。)”可知,研究中控制的变量是参与者的行走速度。故选A项。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段中的“Humans were born in nature and we have undergone most of our evolution in it. Therefore, it is not surprising that we feel good when we are in it. Our brains still recognize nature as a place of safety and peace.(人类诞生于自然,并且在自然中经历了大部分进化过程。因此,当我们身处自然中时感到舒适也就不足为奇了。我们的大脑仍然将自然视为安全与宁静之地。)”可知,人类与自然有着深厚的根源联系,这是在自然中锻炼让人感觉更好的原因。故选A项。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中的““The mental and physical benefits seem to be significantly greater when exercising in nature, so people can benefit greatly from replacing just one of their weekly indoor workouts with 30 minutes of exercise in green surroundings,” said Professor De Dominicis. (De Dominicis教授表示:“在自然环境中锻炼时,所带来的身心益处似乎明显更大,因此,人们只需将每周一次的室内锻炼替换为 30 分钟的绿色环境锻炼,就能获得极大益处。”)”可知,De Dominicis教授认为用每周30分钟的自然环境锻炼替代一次室内锻炼能带来显著益处,支持这种锻炼方式。故选B项。
主题语境05 人与自然-宇宙探索
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联考·期中)Think of pollution and your mind’s eye might conjure up smoke-emitting factories, car exhausts (尾气) and those plastic garbage you see on beaches. What probably doesn’t spring to mind is the mesosphere, a slice of sky far above the height any plane flies. And yet a growing number of scientists are sounding the alarm that this could be the site of a worrying new form of pollution.
There are currently more than 15,000 satellites circling around our planet, and almost all are bound to be de-orbited (使脱离轨道), a nice way of saying they will burn up in the atmosphere. In doing so, they will release clouds of metals and reactive chemicals that could have worrying effects, mainly damaging our protective ozone (臭氧) layer.
Over the past decade or so, the cost of launching satellites has decreased, thanks to the rise of reusable rockets. Both factors have led to the launch of a huge number of satellites. Foremost among them is the Starlink, which currently consists of around 8000 satellites used to provide broadband internet.
Why does this pose a problem? The lifetime of these satellites is often only about five years, partly because they are designed to carry limited fuel, which they require to stay in the air. To prevent the old satellites from crowding into near-Earth space, risking crashing into each other, the satellite companies direct them into the atmosphere to burn up. However, when burned in air, the reaction will cause damage to the ozone known for absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun that would otherwise be harmful to life.
Stefan Löhle, a leading scientist at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, proposes that simply changing the path of a satellite as it de-orbits could change the air resistance it experiences, potentially reducing the amount and composition of material left behind.
Satellite pollution may not have become a serious threat yet, but for Löhle it isn’t OK for companies to set aside this concern.“It’s all a bit like,‘ let’s think about this later’,” he says.“But later is now.”
1.What does the underlined phrase mean in Paragraph 1?
A. Expose. B. Upgrade. C. Visualize. D. Ignore.
2.What has contributed to the new form of pollution?
A. Harming the ozone layer.
B. Advancement in rocket technology.
C. Founding of the Starlink.
D. Burning up of the atmosphere.
3.What do we know about the satellite companies?
A. They are profit-driven.
B. They are in a tough spot.
C. They are risk-taking.
D. They are technologically advanced.
4.Which of the following best describes Stefan Löhle’s attitude?
A. Many hands make light work.
B. No use crying over spilt milk.
C. It’s never too late to mend.
D. Prevention is better than cure.
【答案】1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一种新型的污染——太空垃圾污染,并探讨了其成因、危害以及可能的解决措施。
(1)题解析:
词句猜测题。根据第一段“Think of pollution and your mind’s eye might conjure up smoke-emitting factories, car exhausts and those plastic garbage you see on beaches. (想到污染,你的脑海中可能会conjure up发出浓烟的工厂、汽车尾气以及你在海滩上看到的塑料垃圾)”可知,conjure up后面接的是具体的污染场景实例,是人们“想到污染”时脑海中呈现的画面。所以conjure up此处意为“想象、使显现”,与“visualize(使形象化、想象)”含义一致。故选C项。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第三段“Over the past decade or so, the cost of launching satellites has decreased, thanks to the rise of reusable rockets. Both factors have led to the launch of a huge number of satellites. (在过去十年左右的时间里,由于可重复使用火箭的兴起,发射卫星的成本降低了。这两个因素导致了大量卫星的发射)”可知,火箭技术的进步使得卫星发射成本降低、数量激增,进而引发了高层大气的新型污染。故选B项。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第四段“To prevent the old satellites from crowding into near-Earth space, risking crashing into each other, the satellite companies direct them into the atmosphere to burn up. However, when burned in air, the reaction will cause damage to the ozone. (为了防止旧卫星挤满近地空间,面临相互碰撞的风险,卫星公司将它们送入大气层燃烧。然而,当在空气中燃烧时,这种反应会对臭氧层造成破坏)”可知,卫星公司面临两难困境:若不处理旧卫星,会导致近地空间拥挤、碰撞风险;若让卫星在大气层燃烧,又会破坏臭氧层。因此,卫星公司处于左右为难的“困境”中。故选B项。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段“Satellite pollution may not have become a serious threat yet, but for Löhle it isn’t OK for companies to set aside this concern.“It’s all a bit like,‘ let’s think about this later’,” he says.“But later is now.”(卫星污染可能还没有成为严重的威胁,但对Löhle来说,公司忽视这一担忧是不可接受的。他说:“这有点像‘以后再考虑’,但现在就是那个‘以后’了。”)”可知,Löhle认为卫星污染问题虽尚未严重,但应提前重视、及时应对,避免后续恶化,体现了“预防胜于治疗”的态度。故选D项。
主题语境06 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南湘一名校·期中)CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere keep rising, and the world’s oceans are flooded with plastics, which puts marine(海洋的)environments and ecosystems at risk. The key global problems are often interconnected, and typically, the solution to one problem brings about another problem while the clock keeps ticking. But what if we could solve several problems at the same time?
It’s almost too good to be true, but a new cutting-edge invention promises to do just that. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method, where one man’s trash really does become another man’s “treasure”, when PET plastic that is broken down becomes the main ingredient in efficient CO₂ capture (捕获).
“The beauty of this method is that we solve a problem without creating a new one. By turning waste into a raw material that can actively reduce greenhouse gases, we make an environmental issue part of the solution to the climate crisis,” says Margarita Poderyte from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen.
The solution is a potential win-win on a global scale, where plastic waste not only does not end up in nature but also becomes an active player in climate improvement. With the new chemical technology, researchers can transform PET plastic waste that is thought little of by recyclers into a primary resource in a now form of CO₂ sorbent(吸附剂)they have developed. The process “upcycles” it to a new material the researchers have named BAETA, which can absorb CO₂ out of the atmosphere so efficiently that it easily compares with existing carbon capture technologies.
The BAETA material features a powder-like structure and a chemically “upgraded” surface, which enables it to very effectively combine and chemically capture CO₂. Once it reaches the maximum volume, CO₂ can be released(释放)through a heating process, allowing the CO₂ to be concentrated, collected and stored or changed into a sustainable resource. Compared with existing technologies, this process is relatively mild and highly suitable for industrial-scale applications.
1.What can we know about the global environmental problems?
A. Their solutions often and in failure.
B. Ocean pollution is the toughest one to deal with.
C. They are rooted in increasing CO₂ concentrations.
D. They may create new challenges when one is solved.
2.What does the author think of the new method?
A. It is based on existing technologies.
B. It badly needs further improvement.
C. It sounds unrealistic but works well.
D. It is only for industrial applications.
3.What does the text imply about BAETA?
A. It can transform plastic waste into valuable materials.
B. It is more efficient than existing CO₂ capture technologies.
C. It allows the captured CO₂ to be released for certain purposes.
D. It involves a process too difficult for industrial-scale applications.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. More Efforts to Reduce Plastic Waste.
B. Inventing New Materials for Daily Use.
C. The Harm of CO₂ to Marine Ecosystems.
D. Turning Plastic Waste into Climate Savers.
【答案】1. D 2. C 3. C 4. D
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了全球环境问题,特别是二氧化碳浓度上升和海洋塑料污染问题,并介绍了一种将塑料垃圾转化为二氧化碳捕获剂的新方法,这种方法有望同时解决多个环境问题。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段“The key global problems are often interconnected, and typically, the solution to one problem brings about another problem while the clock keeps ticking.(全球关键问题往往是相互关联的,通常,解决一个问题会带来另一个问题,而时间却在不断流逝。)”可知,解决一个全球环境问题可能会带来新的挑战。故选D。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段“It’s almost too good to be true, but a new cutting-edge invention promises to do just that.(这听起来好得令人难以置信,但一项新的尖端发明承诺能做到这一点。)”可知,作者认为这个新方法听起来不切实际但效果很好。故选C。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段“Once it reaches the maximum volume, CO₂ can be released (释放) through a heating process, allowing the CO₂ to be concentrated, collected and stored or changed into a sustainable resource.(一旦达到最大容量,二氧化碳可以通过加热过程释放,使二氧化碳能够被浓缩、收集和储存或转化为可持续资源。)”可知,BAETA允许捕获的二氧化碳为了特定目的而释放。故选C。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。文章主要介绍了一种将塑料垃圾转化为二氧化碳捕获剂的新方法,这种方法有望同时解决多个环境问题,特别是二氧化碳浓度上升和海洋塑料污染问题,因此,选项D“将塑料垃圾转化为气候拯救者”最能概括文章主旨,可作为文章标题。故选D。
主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化
(25-26高二上·湖南衡阳一中·期中)In the mid-20th century, maps of the world showed continents surrounded by vast, featureless oceans. Beneath the waves, the ocean floor was largely unknown. That all changed thanks to the work of Marie Tharp, a pioneering cartographer and geologist.
In the 1940s, few women were accepted in science. Tharp, however, was determined to make her mark. She partnered with oceanographer Bruce Heezen, who collected sonar (声呐) data from ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The data was just a string of numbers and graphs — without someone to translate it into a visual format, it was difficult to interpret. That was where Tharp came in. She began plotting thousands of data points, a painstaking process that required a mix of mathematical skill and artistic intuition.
In the process of her mapping, Tharp discovered the central valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a place where the ocean floor was pulling apart. This was exactly the kind of evidence that could support the controversial (争议的) theory of continental drift, which was largely dismissed by the scientific community at the time.
Convincing the scientific community would prove difficult, since many geologists had long believed that the ocean floor was flat and featureless. Tharp and Heezen turned to art to create visual representations of the ocean floor. This produced stunning maps that brought Tharp’s findings to life in a way that no scientific paper could. The beauty of these maps captured the imaginations of scientists and the public alike. Tharp’s maps, and the evidence they provided, became a cornerstone of the modern understanding of geology. Her work proved that the ocean floor was not static (静态的) but a dynamic, changing landscape.
For many years, Tharp’s contributions were overshadowed by her male colleagues — it was Bruce Heezen’s name that often appeared on scientific papers. Tharp worked behind the scenes,receiving little recognition for her groundbreaking work.
Today, satellite and sonar technology enable us to map the ocean floor with incredible precision, but none of this would have been possible without Tharp’s pioneering efforts.
1.What underlying reason motivated Tharp’s commitment to science?
A. A request from Heezen.
B. A need to store sonar data.
C. A belief in continental drift.
D. A desire to establish herself.
2.Why was Tharp’s discovery of the central valley significant?
A. It backed a then-dismissed theory.
B. It showed sonar data was unreliable.
C. It confirmed the ocean floor was flat.
D. It questioned a once-popular technology.
3.How did Tharp and Heezen make Tharp’s findings widely accepted?
A. By giving public lectures.
B. By visualizing data points.
C. By consulting geology experts.
D. By publishing scientific papers.
4.How was Tharp’s work treated by her contemporaries?
A. It was credited to others.
B. It was viewed as accidental.
C. It was briefly acknowledged.
D. It was ignored as lacking evidence.
【答案】1. D 2. A 3. B 4. A
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍20世纪中期,Marie Tharp绘制大西洋海底地图,发现大西洋中脊的中央山谷,支持大陆漂移说,其成果成了现代地质学的基石,虽曾被忽视,却具开创性。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段中“In the 1940s, few women were accepted in science. Tharp, however, was determined to make her mark. (在20世纪40年代,很少有女性被科学界接受。然而, Tharp决心要留下自己的印记)”可知,想要确立自身地位的愿望促使Tharp投身于科学事业。故选D。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第三段“In the process of her mapping, Tharp discovered the central valley of the Mid-AtlanticRidge, a place where the ocean floor was pulling apart. This was exactly the kind of evidence that could support the controversial (争议的) theory of continental drift, which was largely dismissed by the scientific community at the time.(在绘制地图的过程中,萨普发现了大西洋中脊的中央山谷,在那里海底正在分裂。这正是能支持有争议的大陆漂移理论的证据,该理论在当时基本上被科学界所忽视)”可知,Tharp关于中央山谷的发现之所以重要是因为它为一个争议的理论提供了证据。故选A。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段中“Tharp and Heezen turned to art to create visual representations of the ocean floor. This produced stunning maps that brought Tharp’s findings to life in a way that no scientific paper could. The beauty of these maps captured the imaginations of scientists and the public alike. Tharp’s maps, and the evidence they provided, became a cornerstone of the modern understanding of geology.(Tharp和Heezen转向艺术来创造海底的视觉表现。这产生了令人惊叹的地图,以一种任何科学论文都无法做到的方式,使萨普的发现栩栩如生。这些地图的美丽俘获了科学家和公众的想象力。萨普的地图和它们提供的证据,成为现代地质学理解的基石)”可知,Tharp and Heezen通过让数据可视化,使得Tharp的发现被广泛接受。故选B。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据倒数第二段“For many years, Tharp’s contributions were overshadowed by her male colleagues — it was Bruce Heezen’s name that often appeared on scientific papers. Tharp worked behind the scenes, receiving little recognition for her groundbreaking work.(多年来,萨普的贡献被她的男性同事所掩盖——Bruce Heezen的名字经常出现在科学论文上。萨普在幕后工作,她的开创性工作几乎没有得到认可)”推知,同时代的人将Tharp的成就归功于他人。故选A。
主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术
Passage 1
(25-26高二上·湖南省长沙市天心区长沙市明德中学·期中)This is a story about two kinds of intelligence: artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence. How often do we hear these two terms together?
But now SoftBank, a Japanese company, is using AI to create a tool known as SoftVoice. This tool adjusts the voices of angry customers so that call center employees can avoid dealing with trouble.
The new tool, SoftVoice, will monitor caller’s voices in real time, detect if they become abusive and change their tone of voice to make it easier on the employee’s ears. SoftBank insists it won’t change the words that customers say, but instead will do things like lowering an angry voice to make it less grating.
SoftVoice supposedly won’t remove 100 percent of the angry tone, so that call center employees will know objectively that a customer is angry. But it will remove enough to remove any sign of abuse. As an added feature, the SoftVoice AI product will also detect if a customer’s abuse has gone on too long, and play an automated message that says: “We regret to inform you that we are going to discontinue our service.”
Now, as much as this is an artificial intelligence development, it’s also a great example of using AI to increase emotional intelligence. And that’s what this AI product does: remove the expression of other people’s unhelpful emotions, making it easier for employees to do their jobs. The possibilities seem endless — and I admit, potentially working.
Imagine a future where many people in the same conversation could use technology like SoftVoice in real time to change each other’s emotions — or even their word choice. Or imagine people using AI to change the tone of what they say. The tone sometimes determines the content; would companies be on the hook (担负责任) for an employee’s AI-driven promise to a customer if it slightly changed the meaning? Still, at least it sounds like it’s designed to improve people’s lives.
1.What does the underlined word “grating” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A. Hurried. B. Pleasant. C. Annoying D. Understandable.
2.How does SoftVoice work?
A. By giving staff advice.
B. By recording conversations.
C. By changing wrong words automatically.
D. By detecting abuse and lessening its effects.
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph about the use of SoftVoice?
A. It will break promises.
B. It will mainly be used in call centers.
C. It may cause potential problems later.
D. It may completely remove customers’ anger.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. A new type of AI in managing emotions.
B. An AI tool and the concern it may cause.
C. Future risks of AI in daily communication.
D. How AI solves problems for angry customers.
【答案】1. C 2. D 3. C 4. A
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了日本软银公司开发的人工智能工具SoftVoice,探讨了其工作原理、潜在影响及引发的思考。
(1)题解析:
词句猜测题。根据第三段“SoftBank insists it won’t change the words that customers say, but instead will do things like lowering an angry voice to make it less grating. (软银坚称不会改变客户说的话,而是会做一些诸如降低愤怒的声音之类的事情,使其不那么grating)”可知,该工具通过降低愤怒的音量,来使其不那么grating,这说明grating是愤怒声音所具备的负面特性,而工具的目的就是缓解此特性。因此,grating的词义最接近“令人不快的”或“刺耳的”。故选C。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第三段第一句“The new tool, SoftVoice, will monitor caller’s voices in real time, detect if they become abusive and change their tone of voice to make it easier on the employee’s ears. (新工具SoftVoice将实时监控呼叫者的声音,检测他们是否变得无礼,并改变他们的语调,让员工听起来更舒服)”及第四段“SoftVoice supposedly won’t remove 100 percent of the angry tone, so that call center employees will know objectively that a customer is angry. But it will remove enough to remove any sign of abuse. (据称,SoftVoice不会完全消除愤怒的语气,这样呼叫中心的员工就能客观地知道客户生气了。但它会消除足够多的内容,以消除任何辱骂的迹象)”可知,SoftVoice的原理是通过检测辱骂行为并减轻其影响。故选D。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段“Imagine a future where many people in the same conversation could use technology like SoftVoice in real time to change each other’s emotions — or even their word choice. (想象一下,未来在同一场对话中,许多人可以实时使用像SoftVoice这样的技术来改变彼此的情绪,甚至是他们的措辞选择)”以及“would companies be on the hook (担负责任) for an employee’s AI-driven promise to a customer if it slightly changed the meaning? (如果人工智能驱动的员工对客户的承诺略有改变,公司会为此负责吗)”可推知,SoftVoice的使用未来可能会引发潜在问题。故选C。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。文章开篇“This is a story about two kinds of intelligence: artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence. (这是一个关于两种智能的故事:人工智能和情商)”引出话题,随后围绕软银公司的AI工具SoftVoice展开,介绍其在管理情绪方面的作用,倒数第二段也提到“And that’s what this AI product does: remove the expression of other people’s unhelpful emotions (这就是这款人工智能产品的作用:消除他人无益的情绪表达)”。由此可知,文章主要介绍了一种管理情绪的新型人工智能。故选A。
Passage 2
(25-26高二上·湖南省长沙市天心区长沙市明德中学·期中)Most people typically get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Now, studies show some lucky people have rare genetic mutations (基因突变) that enable them to feel well-rested after just four hours of sleep. Researchers have identified one of these mutations, called SIK3-N783Y, in a human super-sleeper. The team then studied the mutation in genetically modified mice and found that the mice carrying this mutation also got less sleep.
Researchers tested the mutation by giving it to lab mice. They found that mice with the mutation slept around 31minutes less than those without it and 54 minutes less following a period of sleep deprivation (睡眠剥夺). Mice normally sleep for around 12 hours per day, which is significantly longer than humans. Therefore, this new mutation-linked sleep reduction of up to 54 minutes is less than observed in human subjects with naturally short sleep patterns. The researchers noted that this could be due to mice usually experiencing more fragmented (碎片化的) sleep than humans.
There are a variety of negative effects associated with not getting enough sleep, from feeling tired and being more forgetful to an increased risk of heart problems. Study co-author Dr. Ying-Hui Fu suggests that the bodies of these natural short sleepers might simply be more efficient at the restorative processes that occur during sleep. “Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage,” she said, “All these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, these people can perform at a higher level.”
For the rest of us who need our solid eight hours, understanding the genetics of naturally short sleepers could have important significance. Scientists hope that by investigating these genetic mechanisms, they can develop better treatments for the millions who struggle with sleep disorders. “These findings advance our understanding of the genetic basis of sleep and provide further support for potential therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency,” the team noted.
1.How do people with SIK3-N783Y differ from most people?
A. They require much less sleep.
B. They feel a bit more energetic.
C. They have better sleep quality.
D. They fall into deep sleep faster.
2.What can we infer about SIK3-N783Y from the experiment on mice?
A. It has the same effect on humans’ sleep as on mice’s.
B. It makes mice’s sleep patterns as continuous as humans’.
C. It reduces mice’s sleep more remarkably after sleep deprivation.
D. It enables mice to-sleep 4 hours a day like human super-sleepers.
3.What does Dr. Ying-Hui Fu intend to state in paragraph 3?
A. The outcomes of lacking enough sleep.
B. The significance of having longer sleep.
C. The challenges of being a super-sleeper.
D. The reasons for short sleepers’ less sleep.
4.What do scientists hope to achieve with this research?
A. Improve humans sleep efficiency.
B. Explore solutions to sleep disorders.
C. Adjust human sleep patterns scientifically.
D. Analyze the impact of other genes on sleep.
【答案】1. A 2. C 3. D 4. B
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了研究人员发现了一种名为SIK3-N783Y的基因突变,拥有这种基因突变的人睡眠时间更短,同时介绍了关于这种基因突变的相关实验和研究意义。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段中“Now, studies show some lucky people have rare genetic mutations (基因突变) that enable them to feel well-rested after just four hours of sleep. Researchers have identified one of these mutations, called SIK3-N783Y, in a human super-sleeper.(现在,研究表明,一些幸运的人有罕见的基因突变,使他们只需睡四个小时就能感觉休息得很好。研究人员在一个超级睡眠者身上发现了其中一种突变,称为SIK3-N783Y)”可知,拥有SIK3-N783Y基因突变的人与大多数人不同的是他们需要的睡眠时间要少得多。故选A项。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段中“Researchers tested the mutation by giving it to lab mice. They found that mice with the mutation slept around 31 minutes less than those without it and 54 minutes less following a period of sleep deprivation (睡眠剥夺).(研究人员通过将这种突变基因植入实验室小鼠体内来测试这种突变。他们发现,带有这种突变基因的小鼠比没有这种突变基因的小鼠睡眠时间少31分钟,而在睡眠剥夺后,睡眠时间少了54分钟)”可知,从对老鼠的实验中可以推断出SIK3-N783Y在睡眠剥夺后更能显著减少老鼠的睡眠时间。故选C项。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第三段中“Study co-author Dr. Ying-Hui Fu suggests that the bodies of these natural short sleepers might simply be more efficient at the restorative processes that occur during sleep. “Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage,” she said, “All these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, these people can perform at a higher level.”(研究合著者傅瑛慧博士指出,天生短睡眠者的身体或许能更高效地执行睡眠期间的修复过程。“入睡后身体仍在持续工作——排毒与修复损伤,”她解释道,“这些在睡眠中完成的身体机能,短睡眠者能以更高效率实现。”)”可知,傅瑛慧博士想在第三段说明短睡眠者睡眠少的原因。故选D项。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中“Scientists hope that by investigating these genetic mechanisms, they can develop better treatments for the millions who struggle with sleep disorders.(科学家们希望,通过研究这些遗传机制,他们能够为数百万患有睡眠障碍的人开发出更好的治疗方法)”可知,科学家们希望这项研究能为解决睡眠障碍找到方法。故选B项。
Passage 3
(25-26高二上·湖南名校联考联合体·期中)Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered a new way that brown fat can improve the body’s metabolism (新陈代谢). This process allows cells to use more fuel and produce heat, improving overall metabolic health. Conducted in mice, the research points to new possibilities for using brown fat to address metabolic conditions.
Brown fat is known for its ability to turn energy from food into heat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, or muscle, which uses energy immediately, brown fat helps keep the body warm in cold environments. Being exposed to cold can increase the amount of brown fat, and scientists have long suggested that turning it on could support weight loss by increasing calorie burning.
“We’ve identified the body can burn more energy by helping brown fat produce more heat,” said senior author Irfan Lodhi, PhD. Promoting this kind of metabolic process could support weight loss or weight control in a way that is perhaps easier to maintain over time than traditional dieting and exercise. It’s a process that basically wastes energy — increasing resting energy use — but that’s a good thing if you’re trying to lose weight.”
While human bodies can produce fatty acids (酸) (the ones brown fat uses for heat generation), they are also found in dairy products and human breast milk. Lodhi said this raises the possibility that a dietary intervention (干预) based on these fatty acids — such as a special food or “nutritional supplement” — could strengthen this heat-production pathway and enlarge its potential benefits.
“While our studies are in mice, there is evidence to suggest this pathway is useful in people,” Lodhi said. “Previous studies have found that individuals with higher levels of these fatty acids tend to have lower potentials to be overweight. But since one does not cause the other, our long-term goal is to test whether dietary or other treatments could be helpful in dialing up this heat production pathway in peroxisomes (过氧化物酶体) and helping people lose weight and improve their metabolic health.”
1.How is paragraph 2 developed?
A. By making comparisons.
B. By explaining reasons.
C. By giving examples.
D. By presenting data.
2.What would the author agree with according to the text?
A. Brown fat harms metabolism.
B. Brown fat aids weight loss.
C. White fat produces heat.
D. Muscle stores energy.
3.Which is the research’s future focus according to the last paragraph?
A. To increase brown fat amount.
B. To test if dietary treatments are effective.
C. To produce more fatty acids.
D. To prove the mice study true.
4.What is Lodhi’s attitude to the research?
A. Critical. B. Unclear. C. Doubtful. D. Positive.
【答案】1. A 2. B 3. B 4. D
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了华盛顿大学医学院的科学家发现棕色脂肪通过产生热量改善新陈代谢,并探讨了其在体重管理和代谢健康方面的潜在应用。
(1)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段中“Brown fat is known for its ability to turn energy from food into heat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, or muscle, which uses energy immediately, brown fat helps keep the body warm in cold environments.(棕色脂肪以其将食物中的能量转化为热量的能力而闻名。与储存能量的白色脂肪或立即使用能量的肌肉不同,棕色脂肪有助于在寒冷环境中保持身体温暖。)”可知,第二段通过将棕色脂肪与白色脂肪和肌肉进行对比,说明了棕色脂肪的独特功能。故选A。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第三段中“Promoting this kind of metabolic process could support weight loss or weight control in a way that is perhaps easier to maintain over time than traditional dieting and exercise.(促进这种代谢过程可能有助于减肥或控制体重,这种方式可能比传统的节食和锻炼更容易长期维持。)”可知,作者认为棕色脂肪有助于减肥。故选B。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中“But since one does not cause the other, our long-term goal is to test whether dietary or other treatments could be helpful in dialing up this heat production pathway in peroxisomes (过氧化物酶体) and helping people lose weight and improve their metabolic health.(但由于两者并非因果关系,我们的长期目标是测试饮食或其他治疗方法是否有助于提高过氧化物酶体中的这种产热途径,帮助人们减轻体重并改善代谢健康状况。)”可知,研究的未来重点是测试饮食或其他治疗方法是否有效。故选B。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段““While our studies are in mice, there is evidence to suggest this pathway is useful in people,” Lodhi said. “Previous studies have found that individuals with higher levels of these fatty acids tend to have lower potentials to be overweight. But since one does not cause the other, our long-term goal is to test whether dietary or other treatments could be helpful in dialing up this heat production pathway in peroxisomes (过氧化物酶体) and helping people lose weight and improve their metabolic health.”(“虽然我们的研究是在老鼠身上进行的,但有证据表明这一途径对人类也有用。”Lodhi说,“先前的研究发现,这些脂肪酸水平较高的人超重的可能性往往较低。但由于两者并非因果关系,我们的长期目标是测试饮食或其他治疗方法是否有助于提高过氧化物酶体中的这种产热途径,帮助人们减轻体重并改善代谢健康状况。”)”可知,Lodhi认为研究对人类也有用,并表示了长期的研究目标,说明他对这项研究持积极态度。故选D。
Passage 4
(25-26高二上·湖南名校联考联合体·期中)Most of us rarely question the accuracy (准确性) of the GPS dot that shows our location on a map. Yet when visiting a new city and using our phone to navigate (导航), it can seem as if we are jumping from one spot to another, even though we are walking steadily along the same sidewalk.
“Cities are hard for satellite navigation,” explained Ardeshir Mohamadi. Mohamadi, a doctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), is researching how to make affordable GPS receivers (like those found in smartphones and fitness watches) much more accurate without depending on expensive external correction services.
High accuracy is especially important for vehicles that drive themselves — autonomous or self-driving cars. Mohamadi and his team at NTNU have developed a new system that allows autonomous vehicles to navigate safely through busy city environments.
“In cities, glass and concrete (混凝土) make satellite signals reflect back and forth. Tall buildings block the view, and what works perfectly on an open motorway is not so good when you enter a built-up area,” said Mohamadi. When GPS signals reflect off buildings, they take longer to reach the receiver. This delay (延迟) throws off the calculation of distance to the satellites, which makes the reported position inaccurate. Such urban environments are known as “urban canyons”. It is similar to being at the bottom of a deep valley, where signals reach you only after multiple reflections from the walls.
“For autonomous vehicles, this makes the difference between confident, safe behavior and hesitant, unreliable driving. That is why we developed SmartNav, a type of positioning technology designed for ‘urban canyons’,” explained Mohamadi.
Not only are the satellite signals disrupted (受干扰) down between the tall buildings, but the signals that are correct do not have enough accuracy. In order to solve this problem, the researchers have combined several different technologies to correct the signal. The result is a computer program that can be integrated(合并) into the navigation system of autonomous vehicles.
1.What is Mohamadi’s research goal?
A. To cut GPS cost.
B. To make new smartphones.
C. To improve GPS receivers’ accuracy.
D. To create new correction services.
2.Why do GPS signals fail in cities?
A. Signals reflect and are blocked.
B. Satellites work poorly in cities.
C. Phones lack navigation apps.
D. Users walk too slowly.
3.What can we infer about SmartNav?
A. It’s a cheap phone app.
B. It needs new satellites.
C. It’s for open motorways.
D. It helps self-driving safety.
4.What will be the result of the research probably?
A. A signal-correcting program.
B. A user-friendly type of self-driving car.
C. A new GPS receiver.
D. Special building material.
【答案】1. C 2. A 3. D 4. A
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文,介绍了GPS在城市环境中定位不准确的问题,分析了原因,并阐述了挪威科技大学的穆罕默迪及其团队为此研发的适用于“城市峡谷”的定位技术SmartNav,以及通过结合多种技术修正信号以提高自动驾驶汽车导航准确性的方法。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段“Mohamadi, a doctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), is researching how to make affordable GPS receivers (like those found in smartphones and fitness watches) much more accurate without depending on expensive external correction services.(穆罕默迪是挪威科技大学(NTNU)的一名博士生,他正在研究如何使价格实惠的全球定位系统接收器(比如那些安装在智能手机和健身手环中的接收器)具备更高的精度,同时又无需依赖昂贵的外部校正服务)”可知,Mohamadi的研究目标“是提高GPS接收器的准确性”。故选C。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段“In cities, glass and concrete (混凝土) make satellite signals reflect back and forth. Tall buildings block the view, and what works perfectly on an open motorway is not so good when you enter a built-up area(在城市中,玻璃和混凝土会促使卫星信号来回反射。高楼大厦会阻挡视线,而在开阔的高速公路上效果良好的情况,在进入建筑物密集区域时就未必适用了)”可知,城市中GPS信号失效的核心原因是信号反射且被阻挡。故选A。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第五段““For autonomous vehicles, this makes the difference between confident, safe behavior and hesitant, unreliable driving. That is why we developed SmartNav, a type of positioning technology designed for ‘urban canyons’,” explained Mohamadi.(“对于自动驾驶汽车而言,这关乎其是能表现出自信、安全的驾驶行为,还是会出现犹豫、不可靠的情况。这就是我们开发 SmartNav 的原因,这是一种专为‘城市峡谷’设计的定位技术。”莫哈马迪解释道)”可知,对自动驾驶汽车而言,定位准确性决定“安全行驶”与“不可靠行驶”的区别,而SmartNav正是为解决这一问题开发的,由此可推断其“有助于自动驾驶安全”。故选 D。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第六段“The result is a computer program that can be integrated(合并) into the navigation system of autonomous vehicles.(其结果是开发出了一款能够与自动驾驶车辆的导航系统相融合的计算机程序)”可知,研究通过“结合多种技术校正信号”,最终成果是“可集成到自动驾驶汽车导航系统中的计算机程序”,即“信号校正程序”。故选 A。
主题语境03 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南衡阳一中·期中)For decades, scientists thought of the brain as the most valuable and consequently most closely guarded part of the body. Locked safely behind the blood-brain barrier, it was broadly free of the harm of viruses and the battles started by the immune system (免疫系统). Then, about 20 years ago, some researchers began to wonder: is the brain really so separated from the body? The answer, according to a growing body of evidence, is no.
The list of brain conditions that have been associated with changes elsewhere in the body is long and growing. Changes in the makeup of the microorganisms in the digestive system have been linked to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. There is also a theory that infection during pregnancy could lead to brain diseases in babies.
The effect is two-way. There is a lengthening list of symptoms not typically viewed as disorders of the nervous system, but the brain plays a large part in them. For example, the development of a fever is influenced by a population of nerve cells that control body temperature and appetite. Evidence is mounting that cancers use nerves to grow and spread.
The interconnection between the brain and body has promising implications for our ability to both understand and treat illnesses. If some brain disorders start outside the brain, then perhaps treatments for them could also reach in from outside. Treatments that take effect through the digestive system, the heart or other organs, would be much easier and less risky than those that must cross the blood-brain barrier.
It also works in the opposite direction. Study shows mice have healthier hearts after receiving stimulation to a brain area involved in positive emotion and motivation. Activation of the brain reward centre — called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) — seems to cause immune changes that contribute to it. Working out how this happens could help to destroy cancers, enhance responses to vaccines and even re-evaluate physical diseases that, for centuries, have not been considered as being psychologically driven.
1.What do the researchers focus on about the brain?
A. Its protecting system.
B. Its exposure to diseases.
C. Its controlling function.
D. Its connection to the body.
2.How does the author support his idea in paragraph 2?
A. By explaining a theory.
B. By providing examples.
C. By making comparisons.
D. By presenting cause and effect.
3.Which best describes treatments that do not cross the blood-brain barrier?
A. Cheaper. B. More specific. C. Safer. D. More direct.
4.What does the study suggest in the last paragraph?
A. Brain health depends on immune changes.
B. Brain stimulation leads to negative emotions.
C. The brain can help enhance psychological health.
D. The brain may be key to treating physical diseases.
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. C 4. D
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍一些研究人员发现大脑并不是身体中保护最严密的部分,它和身体的其它部分产生的疾病是有联系的。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段“Then, about 20 years ago, some researchers began to wonder: is the brain really so separated from the body? The answer, according to a growing body of evidence, is no. (然后,大约20年前,一些研究人员开始怀疑:大脑真的与身体如此分离吗?根据越来越多的证据,答案是否定的。)”可知,研究人员主要研究大脑与身体的联系。故选D。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段“The list of brain conditions that have been associated with changes elsewhere in the body is long and growing. Changes in the makeup of the microorganisms in the digestive system have been linked to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. There is also a theory that infection during pregnancy could lead to brain diseases in babies. (与身体其他部位变化相关的大脑状况清单很长,而且还在不断增加。消化系统中微生物组成的变化与帕金森病等疾病有关。还有一种理论认为,怀孕期间的感染可能会导致婴儿脑部疾病。)”可知,这一段作者主要通过消化系统和怀孕期间的感染2个例子来论证自己的观点,说明大脑并不是身体中保护最严密的部分。故选B。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第四段中“Treatments that take effect through the digestive system, the heart or other organs, would be much easier and less risky than those that must cross the blood-brain barrier. (通过消化系统、心脏或其他器官进行的治疗比必须穿过血脑屏障的治疗更容易,风险更小。)”可知,不通过血脑屏障的治疗风险更小。故选C。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段“Study shows mice have healthier hearts after receiving stimulation to a brain area involved in positive emotion and motivation. Activation of the brain reward centre — called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) — seems to cause immune changes that contribute to it. Working out how this happens could help to destroy cancers, enhance responses to vaccines and even re-evaluate physical diseases that, for centuries, have not been considered as being psychologically driven. (研究表明,在大脑中涉及积极情绪和动机的区域受到刺激后,小鼠的心脏更健康。大脑奖赏中心——被称为腹侧被盖区(VTA)——的激活似乎会导致免疫变化。弄清楚这种情况是如何发生的,可以帮助摧毁癌症,增强对疫苗的反应,甚至重新评估几个世纪以来一直不被认为是心理驱动的物理疾病。)”可知,大脑可能是治疗身体疾病的关键。故选D。
主题语境04 人与自然-宇宙探索
(25-26高二上·湖南平高教育集团·期中)It is widely thought that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is certain to collide (碰撞) with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy sometime around 5 billion years from now. But according to new research, maybe we shouldn’t count on this multigalactic collision happening as previously expected.
In a study published recently in Nature Astronomy, researchers who analyzed data from the European Space Agency’s space telescope and NASA’s telescope say the event is more of a coin flip than a given: The team suggests there’s just about a 50-50 chance of the two galaxies colliding within the next 10 billion years or so. When you look at the next 4 — 5 billion years, that chance drops down to around 2%.
In other space news, scientists are discussing about a star that is small in mass but huge in energy. TOI-6894 is a red dwarf (红矮星) that is roughly 20% as massive as our sun. But in another study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers say they’ve spotted a giant planet orbiting the little star. The planet, called TOI-6894b, is described as a low-density gas giant. Astronomers say the presence of a gas giant that surrounds such a small star is so surprising that it challenges the most widely accepted theory of planet formation.
The theory, called core accretion (积聚), suggests that giant planets are born when their solid cores get massive enough to start pulling in lots of gas. Smaller stars generally lack enough gas and dust to allow for such a process, but this red dwarf ended up with a gas giant going around it anyhow. Because red dwarf stars are super common in our galaxy, this could mean gas giants are more plentiful than we thought.
The researchers will use the James Webb Space Telescope to study the planet’s atmosphere, which should provide more clues about its formation.
1.How does the author begin paragraph 1?
A. By comparing the data.
B. By quoting from documents.
C. By concluding from some previous research.
D. By mentioning a common astronomical belief.
2.What does the underlined part “a coin flip” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A. A given chance.
B. An uncertain situation.
C. A constant rule.
D. An apparent choice.
3.What do we know about TOI-6894?
A. There is little energy in it.
B. It is orbiting TOI-6894b.
C. It is twice as massive as the sun.
D. There is a huge planet around it.
4.What can we infer from paragraph 4?
A. There may exist more huge gas planets in space.
B. Smaller stars do not form satellites.
C. Red dwarfs are rare in the universe.
D. Gas giants require no solid cores.
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. D 4. A
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文。文章介绍两项天文研究:一是银河系与仙女座星系未来碰撞概率不确定性较高;二是红矮星TOI-6894周围发现气态巨行星,挑战现有行星形成理论,或意味着气态巨行星更普遍。
(1)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第一段“It is widely thought that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is certain to collide (碰撞) with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy sometime around 5 billion years from now.(人们普遍认为,我们的银河系(即“银河”)很可能会在大约50亿年后与邻近的仙女座星系发生碰撞)”可知,作者通过提及一种常见的天文学观点开头。故选D。
(2)题解析:
词句猜测题。根据划线词后文“The team suggests there’s just about a 50-50 chance of the two galaxies colliding within the next 10 billion years or so.(该团队表示,这两颗星系在接下来约100亿年内发生碰撞的可能性大约为50%)”可知,后文明确说明两星系在未来100亿年左右碰撞的概率约为50%,可见碰撞并非确定事件。故划线词指的是“一种不确定的状况”。故选B。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第三段“TOI-6894 is a red dwarf (红矮星) that is roughly 20% as massive as our sun. But in another study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers say they’ve spotted a giant planet orbiting the little star. The planet, called TOI-6894b, is described as a low-density gas giant. Astronomers say the presence of a gas giant that surrounds such a small star is so surprising that it challenges the most widely accepted theory of planet formation.(TOI-6894是一颗红矮星,其质量约为太阳的20%。但在另一项发表于《自然·天文学》的研究中,研究人员称他们发现了围绕这颗小恒星运行的一颗巨大行星。这颗行星被称为TOI-6894b,被描述为一种低密度气态巨行星。天文学家表示,围绕如此小的恒星存在一颗气态巨行星这一现象如此令人惊讶,以至于它挑战了目前最被广泛接受的行星形成理论)”可知,TOI-6894周围有一颗巨大的行星。故选D。
(4)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第四段“Smaller stars generally lack enough gas and dust to allow for such a process, but this red dwarf ended up with a gas giant going around it anyhow.(较小的恒星通常缺乏足够的气体和尘埃来促成这样的过程,但这个红矮星最终还是拥有了围绕其运行的气态巨行星)”可知,红矮星这颗较小的恒星能围绕运行,说明太空中或许还存在着更多巨大的气态行星。故选A。
主题语境05 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联盟·期中)NESLE, FRANCE — On the world’s biggest insect farm, roughly 10 billion bugs (虫子) move toward the day they’ll be broken, dried and sold as an alternative form of protein powder. One of these insects will find its way into your smoothie. They’ re marketed as a more sustainable ingredient for fish feed, livestock feed and pet food. Along the way, they are tasked with eating food waste — helping to address a source responsible for a tenth of global greenhouse emissions.
In nature, black soldier fly worms are gifted recyclers, feeding themselves on dead plants and animals, and turning rot (腐烂物) into a source of protein that feeds fish, birds and other creatures. The French start- up Innovationfeed wants the fly worms to do the same for human society on an industrial scale, clearing out thousands of tons of food waste and turning it into animal feed on super-efficient, mechanized farms. The bug farm could serve as a model for a future industry that mixes insect evolution with high-tech robot monitoring to help lower carbon emissions and limit the environmental damage from our food system.
In the biggest area of the bug farm, a machine sprinkles insect eggs into plastic trays along with all the food they’ ll need to fuel the first stage of their growth as worms. Black soldier fly worms feed on dead animals, decaying (腐烂) plants and they’ve developed broad immunity to diseases, producing proteins that fight harmful microbes and encourage the growth of helpful ones.
“ Being able to incorporate insect farming into waste management and use the by-products as safe and nutritious ingredients would be great, rather than hauling so many trucks of trash out to the landfill,” said Christine Picard, a biologist who studies insects at Indiana University Indianapolis.“ If this really takes off, I’d love to see this implemented at multiple levels including community areas where you could bring your food waste to be recycled.”
1.What do bugs mainly do in the insect farm?
A. Be human food directly.
B. Turn food waste into protein.
C. Take the place of livestock.
D. Check food system emissions.
2.Why are black soldier fly worms considered“ gifted recyclers” in nature?
A. They feed on waste.
B. They can prevent diseases.
C. They can monitor the farms.
D. They can reduce CO₂ emissions.
3.What does Christine Picard expect from the development of insect farming?
A. Large- scale industrial farms.
B. The production of protein powder.
C. Application in food waste recycling.
D. A replacement for traditional landfill systems.
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Bugs: A New Threat to the Environment.
B. Black soldier Fly Worms: The Future of Human Food.
C. Insect Farm s: A Solution to Food Waste and Emissions.
D. Food Waste: The Main Cause of Global Greenhouse Emission.
【答案】1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了法国昆虫农场利用虫子将食物垃圾转化为蛋白质,助力减排,获专家认可并有望推广。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段“On the world’s biggest insect farm, roughly 10 billion bugs (虫子) move toward the day they’ll be broken, dried and sold as an alternative form of protein powder. (在世界上最大的昆虫养殖场,大约有100亿只昆虫正在等待它们被打碎、晒干,然后作为一种替代形式的蛋白粉出售的那一天。)”和“Along the way, they are tasked with eating food waste — helping to address a source responsible for a tenth of global greenhouse emissions.( 在此过程中,他们的任务是吃掉食物垃圾——帮助解决占全球温室气体排放量十分之一的来源。)”可知,昆虫在昆虫养殖场主要核心是将食物垃圾转化为蛋白质。故选 B。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段“In nature, black soldier fly worms are gifted recyclers, feeding themselves on dead plants and animals, and turning rot (腐烂物) into a source of protein that feeds fish, birds and other creatures.(在自然界中,黑水虻虫是天生的回收者,它们以死去的植物和动物为食,并将腐烂转化为蛋白质来源,为鱼类、鸟类和其他生物提供食物。)”可知,黑水虻幼虫被认为是“有天赋的回收者”是因为它们以垃圾(死植物和动物等腐烂物)为食。故选A。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段““ Being able to incorporate insect farming into waste management and use the by-products as safe and nutritious ingredients would be great, rather than hauling so many trucks of trash out to the landfill,” said Christine Picard, a biologist who studies insects at Indiana University Indianapolis.“ If this really takes off, I’d love to see this implemented at multiple levels including community areas where you could bring your food waste to be recycled.”(印第安纳大学印第安纳波利斯分校研究昆虫的生物学家克里斯汀·皮卡德说:“能够将昆虫养殖纳入废物管理,并将副产品作为安全和营养的成分使用,这将是伟大的,而不是把这么多卡车的垃圾运到垃圾填埋场。”“如果这真的成功,我希望看到它在多个层面得到实施,包括社区地区,你可以把食物垃圾带到回收利用的地方。”)”可知,克里斯汀·皮卡德期望昆虫养殖能应用于食物垃圾回收。故选C。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据全文可知,文章主要介绍了昆虫农场,虫子吃食物垃圾并转化为蛋白质,既解决了食物垃圾问题又有助于降低碳排放,C选项“Insect Farms: A Solution to Food Waste and Emissions(昆虫农场:解决食物浪费和排放问题。)”符合主旨,适合用作标题。故选 C。
主题语境06 人与自然-自然生态
Passage 1
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙长郡中学-11月·期中)A new study has revealed that a prehistoric sea cow was the target of two different predators (捕食动物) — an ancient crocodile and a tiger shark, providing rare insights into the complex food chains from millions of years ago. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists and published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, uncovers one of the few known instances where a single prey (猎物) was attacked by many predators.
The sea cow, belonging to the extinct group Culebratherium, was first attacked by a crocodile. Evidence then shows that after the initial attack, the sea cow’s remains were searched by a tiger shark, a tooth of which was found near the unlucky animal’s neck.
“Have you seen the Batman movie? There is a scene where he and Alfred are shooting bullets to try and figure out which specific type of bullet they are trying to find, ” said Benites-Palomino, lead author of the research. “Our research was conducted in exactly the same way. We have these experiments in the wild where predators are attacking their prey, and then afterwards we try to compare which is the best scene for what we’re finding there.”
The find is particularly significant as it adds to the limited fossil record of multiple predators interacting with a single prey. Such interactions are common in today’s ecosystems, but are rarely documented in the fossil record, making this discovery an important piece of the puzzle in understanding ancient food webs.
“We have been unsure as to which animals would have served this purpose as a food source for multiple predators. Our previous research has identified sperm whales searched by several shark species, and this new research highlights the importance of sea cows within the food chain, ” Benites- Palomino said in a statement.
The digging, directed by Marcelo Sanchez- Villagra, head of the Palaeontological Institute and Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, was both challenging and rewarding. The site was initially discovered by a local farmer who spotted unusual rocks, inspiring the team to investigate further and eventually unearth the sea cow fossils.
1.What do we know about the prehistoric sea cow?
A. It reached the top of food chains.
B. It is thought to have complex teeth.
C. It belongs to an endangered species.
D. It was attacked by two different animals.
2.What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
A. The scene of animal fights.
B. The method of the research.
C. The introduction of a movie.
D. The danger of the experiments.
3.What does the importance of the study lie in?
A. Challenging the current ecosystems.
B. Offering insights into ancient food webs.
C. Clarifying the misunderstanding of sea cows.
D. Figuring out the link between man and nature.
4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A. The Batman Movie Inspired a Research
B. A Puzzle in Complex Ancient Food Chains
C. Shark and Crocodile Ate Unlucky Sea Cow
D. An Important Biological Discovery of a Farmer
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. B 4. C
【解析】【导语】
这是一篇说明文。本文主要讨论了一项关于史前海牛的研究,这种海牛被两种不同的捕食者捕食,提供了对数百万年前复杂食物链的罕见见解。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段“A new study has revealed that a prehistoric sea cow was the target of two different predators (捕食动物) — an ancient crocodile and a tiger shark, providing rare insights into the complex food chains from millions of years ago.(一项新的研究表明,史前海牛是两种不同捕食者的目标——一种古代鳄鱼和一种虎鲨,这为数百万年前复杂的食物链提供了难得的见解)”可知,史前海牛被两种不同的动物攻击。故选D。
(2)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据第三段““Have you seen the Batman movie? There is a scene where he and Alfred are shooting bullets to try and figure out which specific type of bullet they are trying to find, ” said Benites-Palomino, lead author of the research. “Our research was conducted in exactly the same way. We have these experiments in the wild where predators are attacking their prey, and then afterwards we try to compare which is the best scene for what we’re finding there.”(“你看过蝙蝠侠电影吗?有一个场景,他和阿尔弗雷德正在射击子弹,试图找出他们试图找到的特定类型的子弹,”该研究的主要作者贝尼特斯-帕洛米诺说。“我们的研究是以完全相同的方式进行的。我们在捕食者攻击猎物的野外进行了这些实验,然后我们试图比较哪种场景最适合我们在那里发现的东西。”)”可知,第三段主要讲了研究的方法。故选B。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第四段“The find is particularly significant as it adds to the limited fossil record of multiple predators interacting with a single prey. Such interactions are common in today’s ecosystems, but are rarely documented in the fossil record, making this discovery an important piece of the puzzle in understanding ancient food webs.(这一发现意义重大,因为它增加了有限的多种捕食者与单一猎物相互作用的化石记录。这种相互作用在今天的生态系统中很常见,但很少有化石记录,这使得这一发现成为理解古代食物网的重要拼图)”可知,这项研究的重要性在于提供对古代食物网的见解。故选B。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据第一段“A new study has revealed that a prehistoric sea cow was the target of two different predators (捕食动物) — an ancient crocodile and a tiger shark, providing rare insights into the complex food chains from millions of years ago.(一项新的研究表明,史前海牛是两种不同捕食者的目标——一种古代鳄鱼和一种虎鲨,这为数百万年前复杂的食物链提供了难得的见解)”结合本文主要讨论了一项关于史前海牛的研究,这种海牛被两种不同的捕食者捕食,提供了对数百万年前复杂食物链的罕见见解。故C选项“鲨鱼和鳄鱼吃了倒霉的海牛”符合文章标题。故选C。
Passage 2
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙长郡中学-11月·期中)A corn plant knows how to find water in soil with the very tips of its roots, but some varieties, including many used for developing high-output corn in the U.S., appear to have lost part of that ability, according to a Stanford-led study. With climate change increasing droughts, the findings hold potential for developing more drought-resistant (抗旱的) varieties of corn.
The study, published in the journal Science, uncovers genetic-mechanisms (遗传机制) behind “hydropatterning (水力模式)”, or how plant roots branch toward water and avoid dry spaces in soil. In particular, the researchers discovered that ethylene, a plant hormone (激素) known to help bananas ripen, also influences how roots grow to seek water.
For this study, the researchers developed a new, simplified way to study water sensitivity in roots. They found corn varieties adapted to hot and wet regions like Mexico were very good at making new root branches toward water and avoiding dry areas. In contrast, the varieties adapted to moderate regions of North America frequently grew roots randomly without distinguishing between dry and wet areas in the soil.
“Interestingly, the plants that are better at sensing where the water is are also making deeper root systems,” said lead author Johannes Scharwies. “One idea is that if the plant doesn’t waste time growing root branches into places where it doesn’t find any water and nutrients, then it has more energy to grow deeper down where water is more likely.”
Genetic analyses reveal two plant hormones, auxin and ethylene, play a role in how corn roots respond to water. While auxin was already known to help control this process, ethylene’s involvement was a new discovery. In experiments with thale cress—a model plant often used in research—the researchers found auxin signaling promotes root branch development toward water, while ethylene stops branching when the root is exposed to air.
Further research is needed to better understand the interaction of these genetic pathways before corn varieties can be developed with more drought-resistant root systems, but the findings highlight the significance of studying these localized responses at root tips, researchers said.
1.What is the primary focus of the Stanford-led study?
A. Drought-resistant corn varieties.
B. Ethylene’s effect on fruit ripening.
C. Genetic control of root branching.
D. Impact of climate change on plant roots.
2.What can be inferred from Johannes Scharwies’ remarks?
A. Plant hormones make a big difference to root growth.
B. Nutrients guarantee better water-seeking root systems.
C. Root branching conserves energy for higher production.
D. Stronger hydropatterning was linked to greater root depth.
3.What can we learn about ethylene from paragraph 5?
A. It has long been known to control corn roots’ response to water.
B. It works with auxin to promote root branching toward water.
C. It prevents root branching when the root comes into contact with air.
D. It is the only plant hormone affecting corn roots’ water response.
4.What does the last paragraph suggest future research do?
A. Prioritize development of new corn varieties.
B. Work out the mechanisms of genetic interactions.
C. Concentrate merely on localized root responses.
D. Expand practical applications of hydropatterning.
【答案】1. C 2. D 3. C 4. B
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文,主要介绍了一项由斯坦福大学领导的研究,该研究揭示了玉米根系如何感知并趋向土壤中的水分,以及这一能力在不同玉米品种中的差异,尤其是与抗旱性相关的遗传机制。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段“The study, published in the journal Science, uncovers genetic-mechanisms (遗传机制) behind “hydropatterning (水力模式)”, or how plant roots branch toward water and avoid dry spaces in soil.(这项发表在《科学》杂志上的研究揭示了“水模式”背后的遗传机制,即植物的根是如何向水分支并避开土壤中的干燥空间的。)”可知,斯坦福大学领导的这项研究的主要焦点是根分枝的遗传控制。故选C。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第四段“Interestingly, the plants that are better at sensing where the water is are also making deeper root systems(有趣的是,更善于感知水源的植物根系也更深)”和“One idea is that if the plant doesn’t waste time growing root branches into places where it doesn’t find any water and nutrients, then it has more energy to grow deeper down where water is more likely.(一种想法是,如果植物不浪费时间将根分支生长到没有水和营养的地方,那么它就有更多的能量生长到更有可能有水的地方。)”可知,从Johannes Scharwies的话中可以推断出更强的水模式与更大的根深有关。故选D。
(3)题解析:
细节理解题。根据倒数第二段“In experiments with thale cress — a model plant often used in research—the researchers found auxin signaling promotes root branch development toward water, while ethylene stops branching when the root is exposed to air.(在研究中经常使用的模式植物拟南芥的实验中,研究人员发现生长素信号促进根分支向水方向发育,而乙烯则在根暴露于空气中时停止分支。)”可知,从第5段我们可以了解当根部接触到空气时,乙烯可以防止根部分叉。故选C。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段“Further research is needed to better understand the interaction of these genetic pathways before corn varieties can be developed with more drought-resistant root systems, but the findings highlight the significance of studying these localized responses at root tips, researchers said.(研究人员说,在培育出具有更抗旱根系的玉米品种之前,需要进一步的研究来更好地了解这些遗传途径的相互作用,但是这些发现强调了研究根尖上这些局部反应的重要性。)”可知,最后一段建议未来的研究找出基因相互作用的机制。故选B。
主题语境01 人与社会-科学与技术
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭湘钢一中·期中)Hiromu Yakura, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, first became aware of differences in his own vocabulary about a year after ChatGPT came out. Researchers had previously found that use of large language models (LLMs), such as those that power ChatGPT, was changing vocabulary choices in written communication, and Yakura and his colleagues wanted to know whether spoken communication was being affected, too.
Researchers first used ChatGPT to edit large amounts of text like emails and articles using instructions such as “polish” or “improve clarity.” They identified words ChatGPT added frequently, like “delve,” labeling these GPT words. Next, the team analyzed over 360,000 YouTube videos and 770,000 podcast (播客) episodes from before and after ChatGPT’s release to track the use of GPT words over time. They compared the GPT words with “synthetic (合成) controls,” which were formed by mathematically weighting synonyms (同义词) that weren’t frequently used by the chatbot-such synonyms for “delve,” for example, could include “examine” and “explore.”
The team’s results show a significant rise in GPT words in the 18 months after ChatGPT’s release. The words didn’t just appear in formal, scripted videos or podcast episodes; they were peppered into natural conversation, too. “The patterns stored in AI technology seem to be sending back to the human mind,” notes co-author Levin Brinkmann, describing a cultural feedback cycle: humans train AI on text, AI returns statistically remixed versions, and then people unconsciously adopt its patterns. “It’s natural for humans to imitate one another, but we’re more likely to copy what someone else is doing if we perceive them as being knowledgeable or important,”
Brinkmann says. As more people look to AI as a cultural authority, they may rely on and imitate it over other sources, resulting in a likeness of language styles and expressions.
Tracking LLMs’ cultural impact is critical, according to the University of Chicago expert James Evans. “In this moment in the evolution (进化) of LLMs, looking at word distribution is the right methodology to understand how the technology is affecting the way we communicate,” he says, “But as the models mature, these distributions are going to be harder to distinguish.” Scientists may need to look at broader linguistic trends beyond word choice, such as sentence structure and how ideas are presented.
1.What made Yakura begin the new research?
A. Desire to explore potentials of LLMs.
B. Changes in personal vocabulary choices.
C. Previous research on written communication.
D. Dissatisfaction over poor performance of ChatGPT.
2.Why were the GPT words tracked in the research?
A. To show how diverse they are.
B. To measure their influence on language.
C. To check if they work in various contexts.
D. To compare them with human word choices.
3.Brinkmann mentions the trend of the cultural feedback cycle to illustrate ________.
A. it provides a different approach to learning
B. it results in misjudgment of cultural authorities
C. it is a natural part of technological development
D. it carries a hidden risk to the richness of language
4.What is suggested in the last paragraph?
A. A notable increase in sample size.
B. A probable shift in the future research focus.
C. A timely application of the research findings.
D. A thorough evaluation of the current research.
【答案】1. B 2. B 3. D 4. B
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了研究者针对ChatGPT等大型语言模型是否影响口头交流展开研究,以及研究过程、结果和相关专家看法。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Hiromu Yakura, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, first became aware of differences in his own vocabulary about a year after ChatGPT came out. Researchers had previously found that use of large language models (LLMs), such as those that power ChatGPT, was changing vocabulary choices in written communication, and Yakura and his colleagues wanted to know whether spoken communication was being affected, too.(马克斯·普朗克人类发展研究所的博士后研究员弘木矢仓(Hiromu Yakura)在ChatGPT问世大约一年后,首次意识到自己的词汇使用的差异。研究人员此前发现,像为ChatGPT提供支持的那些大型语言模型(LLM)的使用,正在改变书面交流中的词汇选择,而矢仓和他的同事们想知道口头交流是否也受到了影响)”可知,矢仓开始这项新研究是因为他发现自己的词汇选择发生了变化,且受此前书面交流相关研究启发,想探究口头交流是否受影响,核心触发点是个人词汇选择的变化。故选B项。
(2)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Next, the team analyzed over 360,000 YouTube videos and 770,000 podcast (播客) episodes from before and after ChatGPT’s release to track the use of GPT words over time. They compared the GPT words with “synthetic (合成) controls,” which were formed by mathematically weighting synonyms (同义词) that weren’t frequently used by the chatbot — such synonyms for “delve,” for example, could include “examine” and “explore.”(接下来,该团队分析了ChatGPT发布前后的超过36万个YouTube视频和77万个播客剧集,以追踪GPT词汇随时间的使用情况。他们将GPT词汇与“合成对照词汇”进行比较,后者是通过对聊天机器人不常使用的同义词进行数学加权形成的——例如,“delve”的同义词可能包括“examine”和“explore”)”以及第三段中对追踪结果的分析可知,研究中追踪GPT词汇是为了了解其在不同时间段、不同场景中的使用变化,进而衡量大型语言模型对人类语言(包括口头交流)的影响。故选B项。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第三段中的“The patterns stored in AI technology seem to be sending back to the human mind,” notes co-author Levin Brinkmann, describing a cultural feedback cycle: humans train AI on text, AI returns statistically remixed versions, and then people unconsciously adopt its patterns. “It’s natural for humans to imitate one another, but we’re more likely to copy what someone else is doing if we perceive them as being knowledgeable or important,” Brinkmann says. As more people look to AI as a cultural authority, they may rely on and imitate it over other sources, resulting in a likeness of language styles and expressions.(合著者莱文·布林克曼(Levin Brinkmann)指出:“人工智能技术中存储的模式似乎正在反馈给人类思维。”他描述了一个文化反馈循环:人类用文本训练人工智能,人工智能返回经过统计重组的版本,然后人们无意识地采用这些模式。布林克曼说:“人类相互模仿是很自然的,但如果我们认为某人知识渊博或地位重要,就更有可能模仿他们的行为。”随着越来越多的人将人工智能视为文化权威,他们可能会更多地依赖和模仿人工智能,而非其他来源,从而导致语言风格和表达方式的趋同)”可推知,布林克曼提到文化反馈循环的趋势,是为了说明人们因将AI视为权威而模仿其语言模式,导致语言风格趋同,这对语言的丰富性存在潜在风险。故选D项。
(4)题解析:
细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“In this moment in the evolution (进化) of LLMs, looking at word distribution is the right methodology to understand how the technology is affecting the way we communicate,” he says, “But as the models mature, these distributions are going to be harder to distinguish.” Scientists may need to look at broader linguistic trends beyond word choice, such as sentence structure and how ideas are presented.(他说:“在大型语言模型发展的这个阶段,观察词汇分布是了解该技术如何影响我们交流方式的正确方法。但随着模型的成熟,这些分布将更难区分。”科学家可能需要关注词汇选择之外更广泛的语言趋势,例如句子结构和思想的呈现方式)”可知,最后一段暗示,随着大型语言模型的成熟,未来的研究重点可能会从当前的词汇分布转向更广泛的语言趋势,即研究重点可能会发生转变。故选B项。
主题语境02 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭县第一中学·期中)Stanford assistant professor Ruike Zhao published a groundbreaking medical breakthrough in Nature: using a tiny 2 mm micro-robot, she increased the success rate of blood clot (血块) removal from a mere 11% to an amazing 90%, sending shockwaves through the medical world.
In modern society, about one in every dozen people may experience a blood clot in their lifetime. It is widely known that blood clots are the leading cause of strokes and heart attacks. During treatment, the ability to quickly and effectively restore blood flow becomes a matter of life and death.
Unfortunately, traditional mechanical methods have a low success rate. The process is like trying to pick up broken tofu with chopsticks — not only is success unlikely, but the situation may even worsen. Blood clots may break apart while being deformed, resulting in small pieces stuck in hard-to-reach areas.
However, Professor Zhao’s 2 mm micro-robot enters blood vessels (血管) and, using high-speed rotation (旋转), generates forces to reduce the clot size to 5%. It’s like when you press and rub soft things, like hair, between your hands. The force makes them stick together into a small ball. The micro-robot works similarly, using pressure to bring the clot components together, making them easier to remove. This process requires no drugs, causes no vessel damage, and effectively releases trapped red blood cells back into blood.
What’s astonishing is that this innovation is inspired from subway TBMs, tunnel-boring machines (盾构机). The way tunnel-boring machines efficiently handle hard soil and rock in narrow spaces inspired the creation. This brilliant Chinese researcher miniaturized the enormous underground machine to a size tens of thousands of times smaller and adapted it for use in human blood vessels.
Currently, the technology has been successfully tested on pigs. While most of these studies remain in the laboratory phase, the breakthrough itself is exciting. This technology may soon extend beyond blood clots to address issues like kidney stones or gallstones.
1.How does the author present the breakthrough in paragraph 1?
A. By explaining a technical term.
B. By contrasting the statistics.
C. By providing the study’s background.
D. By citing an authority.
2.What is the advantage of Zhao’s micro-robot over traditional methods?
A. It generates blood more rapidly.
B. It prevents clots from forming again.
C. It is recyclable and economical.
D. It raises success rate and reduces side effects.
3.What does the author try to illustrate by mentioning TBMs?
A. The cost of medical robotics.
B. The reason behind the numerous trials.
C. The inspiration behind the innovation.
D. The importance of modern machinery.
4.What is the last paragraph about?
A. Choice of new research methods.
B. Possible direction for further study.
C. Necessity for tests on more animals.
D. Potential application of the invention.
【答案】1. B 2. D 3. C 4. D
【解析】【导语】
本文为一篇说明文,讲述了斯坦福大学Ruike Zhao教授研发2毫米微型机器人,将血栓清除成功率从11%提升至90%,灵感来自盾构机技术,未来或可应用于肾结石等治疗。
(1)题解析:
推理判断题。根据文章第一段“Stanford assistant professor Ruike Zhao published a groundbreaking medical breakthrough in Nature : using a tiny 2 mm micro-robot, she increased the success rate of blood clot (血块) removal from a mere 11% to an amazing 90%, sending shockwaves through the medical world.(斯坦福大学助理教授赵瑞克在《自然》杂志上发表了一项具有开创性的医学突破成果:她利用一个仅有 2 毫米大小的微型机器人,将血块清除的成功率从原本的 11%大幅提升至令人惊叹的 90%,这一成果在医学界引起了巨大轰动。)”可知,文章第一段通过比较数据说明。故选B。
(2)题解析:
细节理解题。根据文章第四段“However, Professor Zhao’s 2 mm micro-robot enters blood vessels (血管) and, using high-speed rotation (旋转), generates forces to reduce the clot size to 5%. It's like when you press and rub soft things, like hair, between your hands. The force makes them stick together into a small ball. The micro-robot works similarly, using pressure to bring the clot components together, making them easier to remove. This process requires no drugs, causes no vessel damage, and effectively releases trapped red blood cells back into blood.(然而,赵教授研发的2毫米微型机器人能够进入血管内部,并通过高速旋转产生力量,将血块缩小至 5%。这就好比你用手掌相互按压并揉搓柔软的物体,比如头发,从而让它们粘连成一个小球。微型机器人的工作原理也是如此,它利用压力将血块成分挤压在一起,使其更容易被清除。这个过程无需药物,不会对血管造成损伤,并能有效地将被困住的红细胞重新释放回血液中。)”可知,赵教授的微型机器人相较于传统方法提高了成功率,并减少了副作用。故选D。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段“What’s astonishing is that this innovation is inspired from subway TBMs, tunnel-boring machines (盾构机). The way tunnel-boring machines efficiently handle hard soil and rock in narrow spaces inspired the creation.(令人惊讶的是,这一创新的灵感来源于地铁中的隧道掘进机。隧道掘进机能够在狭窄空间内高效地处理坚硬的土壤和岩石,这一特点激发了这一创新的诞生。)”可知,作者提及TBMs是为了说明这项创新背后的灵感来源。故选C。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据文章最后一段“Currently, the technology has been successfully tested on pigs. While most of these studies remain in the laboratory phase, the breakthrough itself is exciting. This technology may soon extend beyond blood clots to address issues like kidney stones or gallstones.(目前,该技术已在猪身上成功进行了测试。虽然这些研究大多仍处于实验室阶段,但这一突破本身令人振奋。这项技术或许很快就会从治疗血栓领域拓展到解决诸如肾结石或胆结石等问题。)”可知,最后一段讲到了这项发明的潜在应用。故选D。
主题语境03 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南平高教育集团·期中)Researchers from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden will study the carbon capture (碳捕获) effects of soil additives on agricultural fields.
For the world to meet the global average temperature goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement, we need to actively decrease carbon emissions (排放). Earth and planetary sciences professor Andy Jacobson suggests Earth science can help it and that one possible way is to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and lock it away for a few thousand years.
The chemical weathering of rocks is a natural phenomenon that transforms atmospheric CO2 into a stable mineral form. When CO2 dissolves in water, it creates a substance that can break down rocks. This transformation releases elements from certain rocks and changes CO2 into a stable form. Over time, these elements combine to form minerals that are the building blocks of many natural structures and rocks. This transformation helps to lock carbon in a solid form, which plays an important part in stabilizing Earth’s climate over the long term.
“Over much shorter human timescales, this stable form of CO2 acts as a sink for atmospheric CO2,” says Jacobson. Can we speed up the weathering process and actively remove carbon from the atmosphere at rates fast enough to help reduce the impact of modern climate change?
Enhanced rock weathering was proposed as a strategy of decreasing carbon emissions decades ago but only recently gained interest. An article in a 2020 magazine estimated that enhanced weathering could remove up to 2 billion tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere by 2050.
Jacobson is leading a team of researchers to investigate this negative emissions technology. In a series of experimental systems that simulate natural conditions at the garden, researchers will test the effects from adding different types of rock to soils used to grow various crops. The soil additives will include a volcanic rock that chemically weathers faster than other rocks and minerals, potentially speeding up CO2 capture and storage.
1.What does Jacobson stress about Earth science in paragraph 2?
A. Its scientific origin as a principle.
B. Its present limitations in carbon capture.
C. Its potential role in achieving climate goals.
D. Its logical accuracy in temperature prediction.
2.What is mainly discussed in paragraph 3 concerning rocks?
A. Their natural structures.
B. The reasons for their formation.
C. The process of their weathering.
D. Their stable chemical composition.
3.What is the main function of the question in paragraph 4?
A. To introduce the following solution.
B. To doubt the content of a magazine.
C. To summarize the previous paragraph.
D. To show the fast rate of climate change.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Is Farming the Key to Carbon Capture?
B. Can Humans Stabilize the Climate of Earth?
C. What Is the Chemical Weathering of rocks?
D. How Do Carbon Emissions Speed up Global Warming?
【答案】1. C 2. C 3. A 4. A
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了西北大学和芝加哥植物园的研究人员通过研究土壤添加剂(尤其是增强岩石风化)对农田碳捕获的影响,探索利用地球科学手段实现气候目标的可能性。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段“For the world to meet the global average temperature goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement, we need to actively decrease carbon emissions (排放). Earth and planetary sciences professor Andy Jacobson suggests Earth science can help it and that one possible way is to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and lock it away for a few thousand years.(要实现2015 年《巴黎协定》设定的全球平均气温目标,全球需积极减少碳排放。地球与行星科学教授安迪・雅各布森提出,地球科学可为此提供助力,其中一种可行方案是捕获大气中的二氧化碳,并将其封存数千年。)”可知,Jacobson强调地球科学在实现气候目标中具有潜在作用。故选C项。
(2)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据第三段“The chemical weathering of rocks is a natural phenomenon that transforms atmospheric CO2 into a stable mineral form. When CO2 dissolves in water, it creates a substance that can break down rocks. This transformation releases elements from certain rocks and changes CO2 into a stable form. Over time, these elements combine to form minerals that are the building blocks of many natural structures and rocks. This transformation helps to lock carbon in a solid form, which plays an important part in stabilizing Earth’s climate over the long term.(岩石的化学风化是一种自然现象,能将大气中的二氧化碳转化为稳定的矿物形态。二氧化碳溶于水后会形成一种可分解岩石的物质,这一转化过程会从特定岩石中释放出元素,并将二氧化碳转化为稳定形态。久而久之,这些元素会结合形成矿物,而这些矿物是许多自然构造和岩石的基本组成部分。这种转化有助于将碳锁定在固态形式中,对长期稳定地球气候起着重要作用。)”可知,该段主要围绕岩石的化学风化过程展开,介绍了其如何将大气中的二氧化碳转化为稳定的矿物形式。故选C项。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据第四段中“Can we speed up the weathering process and actively remove carbon from the atmosphere at rates fast enough to help reduce the impact of modern climate change?(我们能否加速风化过程,并以足够快的速度主动从大气中清除碳,从而帮助减轻现代气候变化的影响?)”以及第五段开头“Enhanced rock weathering was proposed as a strategy of decreasing carbon emissions decades ago but only recently gained interest.(几十年前,增强岩石风化就被提出作为减少碳排放的策略,但直到最近才引起人们的关注。)”可知,第四段的问题提出了“能否加速岩石风化以快速固碳”的疑问,而第五段随即介绍了“增强岩石风化”这一策略,由此可判断该问题的主要作用是引出后续的解决方案。故选A项。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。根据第一段“Researchers from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden will study the carbon capture (碳捕获) effects of soil additives on agricultural fields.(来自西北大学和芝加哥植物园的研究人员将研究土壤添加剂在农田中的碳捕获效果。)”可知,文章开篇点明研究主题,探究土壤添加剂(岩石)对农田的碳捕获效果,结合全文内容可知,随后围绕岩石风化固碳原理、增强岩石风化技术及研究计划展开。A选项“农业是碳捕获的关键吗?”既体现了研究的应用场景(农田/农业),又点出核心主题(碳捕获),符合文章主旨。故选A项。
主题语境04 人与自然-自然生态
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭湘钢一中·期中)A decline in bird populations is responsible for the change in the natural sounds of spring, according to a new study published recently in the journal Nature Communications.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia used annual bird monitoring surveys to access data on bird populations in 200,000 sites. They then used this data to identify the total number of birds per species in every selected site during a year and downloaded the calls and songs of each of the bird species from Xeno-Canto, the world’s largest database of bird calls. By layering (叠加) the appropriate number of sound files for all species at each location, the scientists were then able to recreate what spring would have sounded like in each of the studied sites over the last 25 years.
The results show that springtime has become not only quieter but also more monotonous — the diversity and intensity of birdsong has declined over time. “We can think of birds as nature’s orchestra (管弦乐队),” said Simon Butler, lead author of the study. “And what we’re finding is that we’re losing key players and instruments from the orchestra, so the music that they’re generating is becoming poorer.” The reason for this shift, according to Butler, is the rapid decline in bird communities, both in number and variation.
This trend is consistent with a climate report from the National Audubon Society, which warns that two-thirds of North American bird species are at the risk of extinction due to rising global temperatures. “We are on our way to the ‘silent spring’ just like Rachel Carson predicted in 1962. I hope we can stop the decline and do the birds and ourselves a big favor,” said Butler.
“In our failure to conserve songbird species, we are changing our experience of the surrounding world,” said Aaron Weed, an ecologist at the National Park Service. “The preservation of natural sounds is an important part of protecting national parks. The unique value is in not just the land but the water that’s there or the mammals or other species that are there for us.”
1.Which of the following is one of the researchers’ approaches?
A. Taking advantage of a database.
B. Collecting some bird calls on site.
C. Carrying out some online surveys.
D. Identifying the living places of bird species.
2.What does the underlined word “monotonous” in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Dynamic. B. Boring. C. Special. D. Popular.
3.What does Aaron Weed try to illustrate in the last paragraph?
A. Joint efforts are needed to maintain biodiversity.
B. National parks should focus on protecting the land.
C. Protecting natural sounds is key to preserving ecosystems.
D. Providing quality service is important for the national park.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Could Birdsong Be a Sign of Spring?
B. How Do Birds Adapt to a Changing Climate?
C. National Parks’ Efforts to Protect Endangered Songbirds
D. Loss of Songbirds Is Shifting People’s Experience of Nature
【答案】1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D
【解析】【导语】
本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了鸟类数量减少导致自然声音变化,进而影响人类对自然的体验。
(1)题解析:
细节理解题。根据第二段中“They then used this data to identify the total number of birds per species in every selected site during a year and downloaded the calls and songs of each of the bird species from Xeno-Canto, the world’s largest database of bird calls.(然后,他们利用这些数据来确定每个选定地点一年内每个物种的鸟类总数,并从世界上最大的鸟类叫声数据库Xeno-Canto下载了每个鸟类的叫声和歌曲)”可知,研究者利用了一个数据库来获取鸟类叫声和歌曲的数据。故选A。
(2)题解析:
词句猜测题。根据第三段中“The results show that springtime has become not only quieter but also more monotonous — the diversity and intensity of birdsong has declined over time.(结果表明,春季不仅变得更安静,而且变得更加monotonous——鸟鸣的多样性和强度随着时间的推移而下降)”可知,春天鸟鸣的多样性和强度下降,说明鸟鸣更单调。因此,monotonous在此处的意思是“单调的,乏味的”。A. Dynamic动态的;B. Boring无聊的,单调的;C. Special特别的;D. Popular流行的。故选B。
(3)题解析:
推理判断题。根据最后一段““In our failure to conserve songbird species, we are changing our experience of the surrounding world,” said Aaron Weed, an ecologist at the National Park Service. “The preservation of natural sounds is an important part of protecting national parks. The unique value is in not just the land but the water that’s there or the mammals or other species that are there for us.”(美国国家公园管理局的生态学家Aaron Weed说:“由于我们未能保护鸣禽物种,我们正在改变我们对周围世界的体验。保护自然声音是保护国家公园的重要组成部分。其独特价值不仅在于那里的土地,还在于那里的水、哺乳动物或其他为我们而存在的物种。”)”可知,Aaron Weed试图说明保护自然声音对于保护生态系统至关重要。故选C。
(4)题解析:
主旨大意题。通读全文,尤其是根据第一段中“A decline in bird populations is responsible for the change in the natural sounds of spring, according to a new study published recently in the journal Nature Communications.(根据最近发表在《自然通讯》杂志上的一项新研究,鸟类数量的减少是导致春季自然声音变化的原因)”以及最后一段““In our failure to conserve songbird species, we are changing our experience of the surrounding world,” said Aaron Weed, an ecologist at the National Park Service. “The preservation of natural sounds is an important part of protecting national parks. The unique value is in not just the land but the water that’s there or the mammals or other species that are there for us.”(美国国家公园管理局的生态学家Aaron Weed说:“由于我们未能保护鸣禽物种,我们正在改变我们对周围世界的体验。保护自然声音是保护国家公园的重要组成部分。其独特价值不仅在于那里的土地,还在于那里的水、哺乳动物或其他为我们而存在的物种。”)”可知,本文主要讲述了鸟类数量的减少正在改变人们对自然的体验。因此,D选项“Loss of Songbirds Is Shifting People’s Experience of Nature(鸣禽的消失正在改变人们对自然的体验)”最符合文章主旨。故选D。
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专题02 阅读理解(说明文)
主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联考·期中)In the past five years or so, classical music’s popularity has grown among young people,with listeners both streaming and at in-person concerts appealing much more to the younger generations.
A ClassicFM article published in 2020 showed that while, a decade ago, less than 10% of classical listeners were under 30, in 2020 that percentage had grown to a third of overall listeners. A more recent article from ClassicFM published in 2025 showed that 65% of people under 35 were now regular listeners of classical music.
A handful of critics attribute (归因) the new-found passion in classical music to the pandemic, where the rise of social media subcultures drew in the masses as people were stuck in their houses. This has resulted in a re-popularization of cultured pursuits among young people, such as listening to classical music, attending the ballet, reading more frequently, and visiting art museums.
Whether this return to classical roots is directly due to any of these factors, as opposed to a general cultural shift, is hard to say. Regardless, many attribute this classical music trend in part to the rise of TikTok and other social media, as they have made it easier to access information about classical music, interact directly with young classical musicians.
Social media has not only increased classical music’s popularity as a whole among young people, but it has also significantly aided in promoting younger classical musicians in the industry. Anna Lapwood, a British organist, has over 2 million followers across social media platforms, and has worked with the BBC Proms to relaunch #ClassicalMusic on TikTok, as a way to break down barriers to entry for classical music and make it more accessible to young people.
So, why does this comeback of classical music even matter? Why should we listen to classical music at all? Again, I am by no means here to argue that classical music is in any way a superior art form, or that it should be pushed upon young people as being so. However, it lies at the heart of much of our modern music’s development.
1.Why are the ClassicFM articles mentioned?
A. To illustrate the impact of streaming media.
B. To demonstrate the re-popularization of classical music.
C. To display the purchasing power of the young.
D. To prove the success of classical music concerts.
2.Which is most widely believed to have contributed to the change concerning classical music?
A. The accessibility of online information.
B. The change of taste of the public.
C. The limitations of the pandemic.
D. The publicizing campaigns by TikTok.
3.What can be inferred about Anna Lapwood?
A. She promotes other young classical musicians.
B. She remained little known prior to the trend.
C. She has a large following across age groups.
D. She has built up popularity through social media.
4.What might be talked about in the following paragraph?
A. The significance of classical music.
B. The fans of classical music.
C. The future of modern music.
D. The development of modern music.
主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联盟·期中)Siddarth Nandyala, a 14-year-old from Texas, has invented a smartphone-based app called Circadian AI that can detect potential heart abnormalities in just seven seconds.
To develop a real working product, Nandyala frequented various hospitals and institutions, discussing issues related to heart disease with hospital staff, patients and others. There, he collected the necessary data for his app. The next step was to create a strong artificial intelligence model, training and then retraining it again until he was completely satisfied with the results.
To operate the app, the user simply places a smartphone near their heart, where it records the sound of the heartbeat. The app has enhanced noise- cancellation techniques to move background noise sounds, enabling accurate readings even in loud environments. The recorded sounds are processed and then sent over to a machine-learning model hosted on the cloud, which gives an overall summary of the user’s heart health. A visible screen displays the results, with explanations about what is normal and what may need medical attention. The app detects early signs of heart failure, and heart abnormalities.
“There is incredible potential for heart-monitoring devices and apps such as Circadian AI to advance medical care,” says Jameel Ahmed, an electrophysiologist (电生理学家) at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Nandyala’s app can reach populations where access to care is limited, he adds. Yet, Ahmed also considers the app’s shortcomings. One potential limitation may arise from the quality of the microphone on the device being used, he says. Historically, he explains, medical professionals have used stethoscopes(听诊器) to make diagnoses. “Sometimes, these patterns, even with an expert, can be inaccurate.”
Currently, Nandyala is working to obtain approvals for a broader rollout in the U. S., India, and other countries. Not content to stop there, he is already adapting the technology to analyze lung sounds to detect conditions like pneumonia(肺炎). “I don’t want to stop here,” he says.
1.What is Circadian AI mainly designed for?
A. Moving background noise.
B. Detected potential diseases.
C. Early heart-disease detection.
D. Treating early heart-disease.
2.How did Nandyala get the data for his app?
A. By collecting from the websites.
B. By cooperating with the institutions.
C. By creating a strong artificial intelligence model.
D. By communicating with medical staff and patients.
3.What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. Circadian AI’s unique technology.
B. Nandyala’s data collection for the app.
C. Circadian AI’s usage and working principles.
D. Reasons for Nandyala’s app development.
4.What is Nandyala planning to do immediately after obtaining approvals?
A. Approve the app in the United States.
B. Go on developing medical-related apps.
C. Improve the app’s quality of the microphone.
D. Enhance the app to detect pneumonia.
主题语境03 人与自我-做人与做事
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙部分学校·期中)Nothing is more important than keeping your child safe. If you and your child are new to China, the following suggestions may give you some help.
Take good care of your child when taking public transportation. In China, buses and subways may be more crowded than you have imagined, especially in rush hours. It is important to stand in line. Never try to squeeze (挤进) in with your child when the door is closing and make sure your child is always beside you on the train, bus or subway.
Teach your child the traffic rules in China as soon as possible. It is wise to set an example for your child.Always cross the road with great caution. There is so much traffic running which may get you and your child hurt. Never jump the traffic lights. Do not let children cross the road alone unless they are old enough.
Use a child safety belt when driving a car. Never leave your child alone in a locked car. In summer, the temperature in a closed car can become extremely high in a short period of time and put your child in danger. Besides, oxygen is quickly becoming less and less when the car is completely closed so that your child is choking even to death.
You may find a number of places of attraction to visit in China, but consider carefully how suitable they are for your child before setting out. It may be an improper choice to take your young kids to faraway mountains on a cold day or to a popular museum during a crowded vacation. Decisions should depend on the weather, distance and specific situation.
While you and your child visit an amusement park, remember to keep your child safe as well. Read the height and weight rules carefully. Follow the directions of the staff (工作人员) in charge. Think it over before accepting the child’s demand for a thrilling game or ride.
1.What are the suggestions given in the text about?
A. Saving money.
B. Children’s safety.
C. Adults’ convenience.
D. Ways of staying healthy.
2.Which paragraph gives suggestions to parent drivers?
A. Paragraph 2. B. Paragraph 3. C. Paragraph 4. D. Paragraph 5.
3.Which of the following is advisable according to the text?
A. Asking staff in charge for directions.
B. Visiting the Palace Museum on October 1.
C. Taking kids to faraway mountains on a cold day.
D. Letting two-year-olds cross roads independently.
4.Who is the text written for?
A. Volunteers in China.
B. Young tourists in China.
C. Foreign parents in China.
D. Parents of Chinese children.
主题语境04 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南湘一名校·期中)Most people already know that nature feels good. But now, science has put numbers behind that feeling. A new study shows that exercise in green surroundings — like parks, forests, or beaches — actually makes your body and brain feel better than working out indoors or in city streets.
In this study, researchers asked 25 young men to walk quickly in three different places: a green natural area, a busy street through the city, and indoors at a fitness center. The walking pace (速度) stayed the same across all three settings. But everything else was different. After each walk, scientists checked their stress hormone (激素) levels, mood, heart rate, and how hard the walk felt. The differences were clear.
“The participants (参与者) felt significantly more relaxed and had lower levels of the stress hormone after walking in nature. At the same time, they reported greater joy and less tiredness,” said study co-author Professor De Dominicis from the University of Copenhagen.
There’s a reason why nature works so well. Humans were born in nature and we have undergone most of our evolution in it. Therefore, it is not surprising that we feel good when we are in it. Our brains still recognize nature as a place of safety and peace. The noise and pace of city life can stress us out without us even noticing. Walls and man-made light just can’t compete with sunlight, trees, and fresh air.
This doesn’t mean indoor workouts are bad. Gyms and sports teams offer social connection and structure. But mixing in some outdoor time could bring extra benefits.
“The mental and physical benefits seem to be significantly greater when exercising in nature, so people can benefit greatly from replacing just one of their weekly indoor workouts with 30 minutes of exercise in green surroundings,” said Professor De Dominicis. “We see great potential in using nature as a driving force for physical activity — especially for those who find it difficult to get started.”
1.What might be the purpose of the new study?
A. To persuade the public to exercise more.
B. To prove the benefits of exercise in nature.
C. To test the safety of green surroundings.
D. To distinguish different types of exercises.
2.Which factor of the participants was controlled in the study?
A. Walking speed. B. Mood state. C. Hormone levels. D. Heart rate.
3.Why does exercising in nature make people feel better?
A. Humans are deeply rooted in nature.
B. People can exercise at their own pace.
C. The sound in nature makes humans relaxed.
D. It provides more social connection than gyms.
4.What might Professor De Dominici s support?
A. Following a specific schedule strictly.
B. Exercising in nature for half an hour a week.
C. Joining team sports instead of running alone.
D. Replacing all indoor exercise with nature workout.
主题语境05 人与自然-宇宙探索
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联考·期中)Think of pollution and your mind’s eye might conjure up smoke-emitting factories, car exhausts (尾气) and those plastic garbage you see on beaches. What probably doesn’t spring to mind is the mesosphere, a slice of sky far above the height any plane flies. And yet a growing number of scientists are sounding the alarm that this could be the site of a worrying new form of pollution.
There are currently more than 15,000 satellites circling around our planet, and almost all are bound to be de-orbited (使脱离轨道), a nice way of saying they will burn up in the atmosphere. In doing so, they will release clouds of metals and reactive chemicals that could have worrying effects, mainly damaging our protective ozone (臭氧) layer.
Over the past decade or so, the cost of launching satellites has decreased, thanks to the rise of reusable rockets. Both factors have led to the launch of a huge number of satellites. Foremost among them is the Starlink, which currently consists of around 8000 satellites used to provide broadband internet.
Why does this pose a problem? The lifetime of these satellites is often only about five years, partly because they are designed to carry limited fuel, which they require to stay in the air. To prevent the old satellites from crowding into near-Earth space, risking crashing into each other, the satellite companies direct them into the atmosphere to burn up. However, when burned in air, the reaction will cause damage to the ozone known for absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun that would otherwise be harmful to life.
Stefan Löhle, a leading scientist at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, proposes that simply changing the path of a satellite as it de-orbits could change the air resistance it experiences, potentially reducing the amount and composition of material left behind.
Satellite pollution may not have become a serious threat yet, but for Löhle it isn’t OK for companies to set aside this concern.“It’s all a bit like,‘ let’s think about this later’,” he says.“But later is now.”
1.What does the underlined phrase mean in Paragraph 1?
A. Expose. B. Upgrade. C. Visualize. D. Ignore.
2.What has contributed to the new form of pollution?
A. Harming the ozone layer.
B. Advancement in rocket technology.
C. Founding of the Starlink.
D. Burning up of the atmosphere.
3.What do we know about the satellite companies?
A. They are profit-driven.
B. They are in a tough spot.
C. They are risk-taking.
D. They are technologically advanced.
4.Which of the following best describes Stefan Löhle’s attitude?
A. Many hands make light work.
B. No use crying over spilt milk.
C. It’s never too late to mend.
D. Prevention is better than cure.
主题语境06 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南湘一名校·期中)CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere keep rising, and the world’s oceans are flooded with plastics, which puts marine(海洋的)environments and ecosystems at risk. The key global problems are often interconnected, and typically, the solution to one problem brings about another problem while the clock keeps ticking. But what if we could solve several problems at the same time?
It’s almost too good to be true, but a new cutting-edge invention promises to do just that. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method, where one man’s trash really does become another man’s “treasure”, when PET plastic that is broken down becomes the main ingredient in efficient CO₂ capture (捕获).
“The beauty of this method is that we solve a problem without creating a new one. By turning waste into a raw material that can actively reduce greenhouse gases, we make an environmental issue part of the solution to the climate crisis,” says Margarita Poderyte from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen.
The solution is a potential win-win on a global scale, where plastic waste not only does not end up in nature but also becomes an active player in climate improvement. With the new chemical technology, researchers can transform PET plastic waste that is thought little of by recyclers into a primary resource in a now form of CO₂ sorbent(吸附剂)they have developed. The process “upcycles” it to a new material the researchers have named BAETA, which can absorb CO₂ out of the atmosphere so efficiently that it easily compares with existing carbon capture technologies.
The BAETA material features a powder-like structure and a chemically “upgraded” surface, which enables it to very effectively combine and chemically capture CO₂. Once it reaches the maximum volume, CO₂ can be released(释放)through a heating process, allowing the CO₂ to be concentrated, collected and stored or changed into a sustainable resource. Compared with existing technologies, this process is relatively mild and highly suitable for industrial-scale applications.
1.What can we know about the global environmental problems?
A. Their solutions often and in failure.
B. Ocean pollution is the toughest one to deal with.
C. They are rooted in increasing CO₂ concentrations.
D. They may create new challenges when one is solved.
2.What does the author think of the new method?
A. It is based on existing technologies.
B. It badly needs further improvement.
C. It sounds unrealistic but works well.
D. It is only for industrial applications.
3.What does the text imply about BAETA?
A. It can transform plastic waste into valuable materials.
B. It is more efficient than existing CO₂ capture technologies.
C. It allows the captured CO₂ to be released for certain purposes.
D. It involves a process too difficult for industrial-scale applications.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. More Efforts to Reduce Plastic Waste.
B. Inventing New Materials for Daily Use.
C. The Harm of CO₂ to Marine Ecosystems.
D. Turning Plastic Waste into Climate Savers.
主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化
(25-26高二上·湖南衡阳一中·期中)In the mid-20th century, maps of the world showed continents surrounded by vast, featureless oceans. Beneath the waves, the ocean floor was largely unknown. That all changed thanks to the work of Marie Tharp, a pioneering cartographer and geologist.
In the 1940s, few women were accepted in science. Tharp, however, was determined to make her mark. She partnered with oceanographer Bruce Heezen, who collected sonar (声呐) data from ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The data was just a string of numbers and graphs — without someone to translate it into a visual format, it was difficult to interpret. That was where Tharp came in. She began plotting thousands of data points, a painstaking process that required a mix of mathematical skill and artistic intuition.
In the process of her mapping, Tharp discovered the central valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a place where the ocean floor was pulling apart. This was exactly the kind of evidence that could support the controversial (争议的) theory of continental drift, which was largely dismissed by the scientific community at the time.
Convincing the scientific community would prove difficult, since many geologists had long believed that the ocean floor was flat and featureless. Tharp and Heezen turned to art to create visual representations of the ocean floor. This produced stunning maps that brought Tharp’s findings to life in a way that no scientific paper could. The beauty of these maps captured the imaginations of scientists and the public alike. Tharp’s maps, and the evidence they provided, became a cornerstone of the modern understanding of geology. Her work proved that the ocean floor was not static (静态的) but a dynamic, changing landscape.
For many years, Tharp’s contributions were overshadowed by her male colleagues — it was Bruce Heezen’s name that often appeared on scientific papers. Tharp worked behind the scenes,receiving little recognition for her groundbreaking work.
Today, satellite and sonar technology enable us to map the ocean floor with incredible precision, but none of this would have been possible without Tharp’s pioneering efforts.
1.What underlying reason motivated Tharp’s commitment to science?
A. A request from Heezen.
B. A need to store sonar data.
C. A belief in continental drift.
D. A desire to establish herself.
2.Why was Tharp’s discovery of the central valley significant?
A. It backed a then-dismissed theory.
B. It showed sonar data was unreliable.
C. It confirmed the ocean floor was flat.
D. It questioned a once-popular technology.
3.How did Tharp and Heezen make Tharp’s findings widely accepted?
A. By giving public lectures.
B. By visualizing data points.
C. By consulting geology experts.
D. By publishing scientific papers.
4.How was Tharp’s work treated by her contemporaries?
A. It was credited to others.
B. It was viewed as accidental.
C. It was briefly acknowledged.
D. It was ignored as lacking evidence.
主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术
Passage 1
(25-26高二上·湖南省长沙市天心区长沙市明德中学·期中)This is a story about two kinds of intelligence: artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence. How often do we hear these two terms together?
But now SoftBank, a Japanese company, is using AI to create a tool known as SoftVoice. This tool adjusts the voices of angry customers so that call center employees can avoid dealing with trouble.
The new tool, SoftVoice, will monitor caller’s voices in real time, detect if they become abusive and change their tone of voice to make it easier on the employee’s ears. SoftBank insists it won’t change the words that customers say, but instead will do things like lowering an angry voice to make it less grating.
SoftVoice supposedly won’t remove 100 percent of the angry tone, so that call center employees will know objectively that a customer is angry. But it will remove enough to remove any sign of abuse. As an added feature, the SoftVoice AI product will also detect if a customer’s abuse has gone on too long, and play an automated message that says: “We regret to inform you that we are going to discontinue our service.”
Now, as much as this is an artificial intelligence development, it’s also a great example of using AI to increase emotional intelligence. And that’s what this AI product does: remove the expression of other people’s unhelpful emotions, making it easier for employees to do their jobs. The possibilities seem endless — and I admit, potentially working.
Imagine a future where many people in the same conversation could use technology like SoftVoice in real time to change each other’s emotions — or even their word choice. Or imagine people using AI to change the tone of what they say. The tone sometimes determines the content; would companies be on the hook (担负责任) for an employee’s AI-driven promise to a customer if it slightly changed the meaning? Still, at least it sounds like it’s designed to improve people’s lives.
1.What does the underlined word “grating” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A. Hurried. B. Pleasant. C. Annoying D. Understandable.
2.How does SoftVoice work?
A. By giving staff advice.
B. By recording conversations.
C. By changing wrong words automatically.
D. By detecting abuse and lessening its effects.
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph about the use of SoftVoice?
A. It will break promises.
B. It will mainly be used in call centers.
C. It may cause potential problems later.
D. It may completely remove customers’ anger.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. A new type of AI in managing emotions.
B. An AI tool and the concern it may cause.
C. Future risks of AI in daily communication.
D. How AI solves problems for angry customers.
Passage 2
(25-26高二上·湖南省长沙市天心区长沙市明德中学·期中)Most people typically get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Now, studies show some lucky people have rare genetic mutations (基因突变) that enable them to feel well-rested after just four hours of sleep. Researchers have identified one of these mutations, called SIK3-N783Y, in a human super-sleeper. The team then studied the mutation in genetically modified mice and found that the mice carrying this mutation also got less sleep.
Researchers tested the mutation by giving it to lab mice. They found that mice with the mutation slept around 31minutes less than those without it and 54 minutes less following a period of sleep deprivation (睡眠剥夺). Mice normally sleep for around 12 hours per day, which is significantly longer than humans. Therefore, this new mutation-linked sleep reduction of up to 54 minutes is less than observed in human subjects with naturally short sleep patterns. The researchers noted that this could be due to mice usually experiencing more fragmented (碎片化的) sleep than humans.
There are a variety of negative effects associated with not getting enough sleep, from feeling tired and being more forgetful to an increased risk of heart problems. Study co-author Dr. Ying-Hui Fu suggests that the bodies of these natural short sleepers might simply be more efficient at the restorative processes that occur during sleep. “Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage,” she said, “All these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, these people can perform at a higher level.”
For the rest of us who need our solid eight hours, understanding the genetics of naturally short sleepers could have important significance. Scientists hope that by investigating these genetic mechanisms, they can develop better treatments for the millions who struggle with sleep disorders. “These findings advance our understanding of the genetic basis of sleep and provide further support for potential therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency,” the team noted.
1.How do people with SIK3-N783Y differ from most people?
A. They require much less sleep.
B. They feel a bit more energetic.
C. They have better sleep quality.
D. They fall into deep sleep faster.
2.What can we infer about SIK3-N783Y from the experiment on mice?
A. It has the same effect on humans’ sleep as on mice’s.
B. It makes mice’s sleep patterns as continuous as humans’.
C. It reduces mice’s sleep more remarkably after sleep deprivation.
D. It enables mice to-sleep 4 hours a day like human super-sleepers.
3.What does Dr. Ying-Hui Fu intend to state in paragraph 3?
A. The outcomes of lacking enough sleep.
B. The significance of having longer sleep.
C. The challenges of being a super-sleeper.
D. The reasons for short sleepers’ less sleep.
4.What do scientists hope to achieve with this research?
A. Improve humans sleep efficiency.
B. Explore solutions to sleep disorders.
C. Adjust human sleep patterns scientifically.
D. Analyze the impact of other genes on sleep.
Passage 3
(25-26高二上·湖南名校联考联合体·期中)Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered a new way that brown fat can improve the body’s metabolism (新陈代谢). This process allows cells to use more fuel and produce heat, improving overall metabolic health. Conducted in mice, the research points to new possibilities for using brown fat to address metabolic conditions.
Brown fat is known for its ability to turn energy from food into heat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, or muscle, which uses energy immediately, brown fat helps keep the body warm in cold environments. Being exposed to cold can increase the amount of brown fat, and scientists have long suggested that turning it on could support weight loss by increasing calorie burning.
“We’ve identified the body can burn more energy by helping brown fat produce more heat,” said senior author Irfan Lodhi, PhD. Promoting this kind of metabolic process could support weight loss or weight control in a way that is perhaps easier to maintain over time than traditional dieting and exercise. It’s a process that basically wastes energy — increasing resting energy use — but that’s a good thing if you’re trying to lose weight.”
While human bodies can produce fatty acids (酸) (the ones brown fat uses for heat generation), they are also found in dairy products and human breast milk. Lodhi said this raises the possibility that a dietary intervention (干预) based on these fatty acids — such as a special food or “nutritional supplement” — could strengthen this heat-production pathway and enlarge its potential benefits.
“While our studies are in mice, there is evidence to suggest this pathway is useful in people,” Lodhi said. “Previous studies have found that individuals with higher levels of these fatty acids tend to have lower potentials to be overweight. But since one does not cause the other, our long-term goal is to test whether dietary or other treatments could be helpful in dialing up this heat production pathway in peroxisomes (过氧化物酶体) and helping people lose weight and improve their metabolic health.”
1.How is paragraph 2 developed?
A. By making comparisons.
B. By explaining reasons.
C. By giving examples.
D. By presenting data.
2.What would the author agree with according to the text?
A. Brown fat harms metabolism.
B. Brown fat aids weight loss.
C. White fat produces heat.
D. Muscle stores energy.
3.Which is the research’s future focus according to the last paragraph?
A. To increase brown fat amount.
B. To test if dietary treatments are effective.
C. To produce more fatty acids.
D. To prove the mice study true.
4.What is Lodhi’s attitude to the research?
A. Critical. B. Unclear. C. Doubtful. D. Positive.
Passage 4
(25-26高二上·湖南名校联考联合体·期中)Most of us rarely question the accuracy (准确性) of the GPS dot that shows our location on a map. Yet when visiting a new city and using our phone to navigate (导航), it can seem as if we are jumping from one spot to another, even though we are walking steadily along the same sidewalk.
“Cities are hard for satellite navigation,” explained Ardeshir Mohamadi. Mohamadi, a doctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), is researching how to make affordable GPS receivers (like those found in smartphones and fitness watches) much more accurate without depending on expensive external correction services.
High accuracy is especially important for vehicles that drive themselves — autonomous or self-driving cars. Mohamadi and his team at NTNU have developed a new system that allows autonomous vehicles to navigate safely through busy city environments.
“In cities, glass and concrete (混凝土) make satellite signals reflect back and forth. Tall buildings block the view, and what works perfectly on an open motorway is not so good when you enter a built-up area,” said Mohamadi. When GPS signals reflect off buildings, they take longer to reach the receiver. This delay (延迟) throws off the calculation of distance to the satellites, which makes the reported position inaccurate. Such urban environments are known as “urban canyons”. It is similar to being at the bottom of a deep valley, where signals reach you only after multiple reflections from the walls.
“For autonomous vehicles, this makes the difference between confident, safe behavior and hesitant, unreliable driving. That is why we developed SmartNav, a type of positioning technology designed for ‘urban canyons’,” explained Mohamadi.
Not only are the satellite signals disrupted (受干扰) down between the tall buildings, but the signals that are correct do not have enough accuracy. In order to solve this problem, the researchers have combined several different technologies to correct the signal. The result is a computer program that can be integrated(合并) into the navigation system of autonomous vehicles.
1.What is Mohamadi’s research goal?
A. To cut GPS cost.
B. To make new smartphones.
C. To improve GPS receivers’ accuracy.
D. To create new correction services.
2.Why do GPS signals fail in cities?
A. Signals reflect and are blocked.
B. Satellites work poorly in cities.
C. Phones lack navigation apps.
D. Users walk too slowly.
3.What can we infer about SmartNav?
A. It’s a cheap phone app.
B. It needs new satellites.
C. It’s for open motorways.
D. It helps self-driving safety.
4.What will be the result of the research probably?
A. A signal-correcting program.
B. A user-friendly type of self-driving car.
C. A new GPS receiver.
D. Special building material.
主题语境03 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南衡阳一中·期中)For decades, scientists thought of the brain as the most valuable and consequently most closely guarded part of the body. Locked safely behind the blood-brain barrier, it was broadly free of the harm of viruses and the battles started by the immune system (免疫系统). Then, about 20 years ago, some researchers began to wonder: is the brain really so separated from the body? The answer, according to a growing body of evidence, is no.
The list of brain conditions that have been associated with changes elsewhere in the body is long and growing. Changes in the makeup of the microorganisms in the digestive system have been linked to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. There is also a theory that infection during pregnancy could lead to brain diseases in babies.
The effect is two-way. There is a lengthening list of symptoms not typically viewed as disorders of the nervous system, but the brain plays a large part in them. For example, the development of a fever is influenced by a population of nerve cells that control body temperature and appetite. Evidence is mounting that cancers use nerves to grow and spread.
The interconnection between the brain and body has promising implications for our ability to both understand and treat illnesses. If some brain disorders start outside the brain, then perhaps treatments for them could also reach in from outside. Treatments that take effect through the digestive system, the heart or other organs, would be much easier and less risky than those that must cross the blood-brain barrier.
It also works in the opposite direction. Study shows mice have healthier hearts after receiving stimulation to a brain area involved in positive emotion and motivation. Activation of the brain reward centre — called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) — seems to cause immune changes that contribute to it. Working out how this happens could help to destroy cancers, enhance responses to vaccines and even re-evaluate physical diseases that, for centuries, have not been considered as being psychologically driven.
1.What do the researchers focus on about the brain?
A. Its protecting system.
B. Its exposure to diseases.
C. Its controlling function.
D. Its connection to the body.
2.How does the author support his idea in paragraph 2?
A. By explaining a theory.
B. By providing examples.
C. By making comparisons.
D. By presenting cause and effect.
3.Which best describes treatments that do not cross the blood-brain barrier?
A. Cheaper. B. More specific. C. Safer. D. More direct.
4.What does the study suggest in the last paragraph?
A. Brain health depends on immune changes.
B. Brain stimulation leads to negative emotions.
C. The brain can help enhance psychological health.
D. The brain may be key to treating physical diseases.
主题语境04 人与自然-宇宙探索
(25-26高二上·湖南平高教育集团·期中)It is widely thought that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is certain to collide (碰撞) with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy sometime around 5 billion years from now. But according to new research, maybe we shouldn’t count on this multigalactic collision happening as previously expected.
In a study published recently in Nature Astronomy, researchers who analyzed data from the European Space Agency’s space telescope and NASA’s telescope say the event is more of a coin flip than a given: The team suggests there’s just about a 50-50 chance of the two galaxies colliding within the next 10 billion years or so. When you look at the next 4 — 5 billion years, that chance drops down to around 2%.
In other space news, scientists are discussing about a star that is small in mass but huge in energy. TOI-6894 is a red dwarf (红矮星) that is roughly 20% as massive as our sun. But in another study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers say they’ve spotted a giant planet orbiting the little star. The planet, called TOI-6894b, is described as a low-density gas giant. Astronomers say the presence of a gas giant that surrounds such a small star is so surprising that it challenges the most widely accepted theory of planet formation.
The theory, called core accretion (积聚), suggests that giant planets are born when their solid cores get massive enough to start pulling in lots of gas. Smaller stars generally lack enough gas and dust to allow for such a process, but this red dwarf ended up with a gas giant going around it anyhow. Because red dwarf stars are super common in our galaxy, this could mean gas giants are more plentiful than we thought.
The researchers will use the James Webb Space Telescope to study the planet’s atmosphere, which should provide more clues about its formation.
1.How does the author begin paragraph 1?
A. By comparing the data.
B. By quoting from documents.
C. By concluding from some previous research.
D. By mentioning a common astronomical belief.
2.What does the underlined part “a coin flip” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A. A given chance.
B. An uncertain situation.
C. A constant rule.
D. An apparent choice.
3.What do we know about TOI-6894?
A. There is little energy in it.
B. It is orbiting TOI-6894b.
C. It is twice as massive as the sun.
D. There is a huge planet around it.
4.What can we infer from paragraph 4?
A. There may exist more huge gas planets in space.
B. Smaller stars do not form satellites.
C. Red dwarfs are rare in the universe.
D. Gas giants require no solid cores.
主题语境05 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南多校联盟·期中)NESLE, FRANCE — On the world’s biggest insect farm, roughly 10 billion bugs (虫子) move toward the day they’ll be broken, dried and sold as an alternative form of protein powder. One of these insects will find its way into your smoothie. They’ re marketed as a more sustainable ingredient for fish feed, livestock feed and pet food. Along the way, they are tasked with eating food waste — helping to address a source responsible for a tenth of global greenhouse emissions.
In nature, black soldier fly worms are gifted recyclers, feeding themselves on dead plants and animals, and turning rot (腐烂物) into a source of protein that feeds fish, birds and other creatures. The French start- up Innovationfeed wants the fly worms to do the same for human society on an industrial scale, clearing out thousands of tons of food waste and turning it into animal feed on super-efficient, mechanized farms. The bug farm could serve as a model for a future industry that mixes insect evolution with high-tech robot monitoring to help lower carbon emissions and limit the environmental damage from our food system.
In the biggest area of the bug farm, a machine sprinkles insect eggs into plastic trays along with all the food they’ ll need to fuel the first stage of their growth as worms. Black soldier fly worms feed on dead animals, decaying (腐烂) plants and they’ve developed broad immunity to diseases, producing proteins that fight harmful microbes and encourage the growth of helpful ones.
“ Being able to incorporate insect farming into waste management and use the by-products as safe and nutritious ingredients would be great, rather than hauling so many trucks of trash out to the landfill,” said Christine Picard, a biologist who studies insects at Indiana University Indianapolis.“ If this really takes off, I’d love to see this implemented at multiple levels including community areas where you could bring your food waste to be recycled.”
1.What do bugs mainly do in the insect farm?
A. Be human food directly.
B. Turn food waste into protein.
C. Take the place of livestock.
D. Check food system emissions.
2.Why are black soldier fly worms considered“ gifted recyclers” in nature?
A. They feed on waste.
B. They can prevent diseases.
C. They can monitor the farms.
D. They can reduce CO₂ emissions.
3.What does Christine Picard expect from the development of insect farming?
A. Large- scale industrial farms.
B. The production of protein powder.
C. Application in food waste recycling.
D. A replacement for traditional landfill systems.
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Bugs: A New Threat to the Environment.
B. Black soldier Fly Worms: The Future of Human Food.
C. Insect Farm s: A Solution to Food Waste and Emissions.
D. Food Waste: The Main Cause of Global Greenhouse Emission.
主题语境06 人与自然-自然生态
Passage 1
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙长郡中学-11月·期中)A new study has revealed that a prehistoric sea cow was the target of two different predators (捕食动物) — an ancient crocodile and a tiger shark, providing rare insights into the complex food chains from millions of years ago. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists and published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, uncovers one of the few known instances where a single prey (猎物) was attacked by many predators.
The sea cow, belonging to the extinct group Culebratherium, was first attacked by a crocodile. Evidence then shows that after the initial attack, the sea cow’s remains were searched by a tiger shark, a tooth of which was found near the unlucky animal’s neck.
“Have you seen the Batman movie? There is a scene where he and Alfred are shooting bullets to try and figure out which specific type of bullet they are trying to find, ” said Benites-Palomino, lead author of the research. “Our research was conducted in exactly the same way. We have these experiments in the wild where predators are attacking their prey, and then afterwards we try to compare which is the best scene for what we’re finding there.”
The find is particularly significant as it adds to the limited fossil record of multiple predators interacting with a single prey. Such interactions are common in today’s ecosystems, but are rarely documented in the fossil record, making this discovery an important piece of the puzzle in understanding ancient food webs.
“We have been unsure as to which animals would have served this purpose as a food source for multiple predators. Our previous research has identified sperm whales searched by several shark species, and this new research highlights the importance of sea cows within the food chain, ” Benites- Palomino said in a statement.
The digging, directed by Marcelo Sanchez- Villagra, head of the Palaeontological Institute and Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, was both challenging and rewarding. The site was initially discovered by a local farmer who spotted unusual rocks, inspiring the team to investigate further and eventually unearth the sea cow fossils.
1.What do we know about the prehistoric sea cow?
A. It reached the top of food chains.
B. It is thought to have complex teeth.
C. It belongs to an endangered species.
D. It was attacked by two different animals.
2.What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
A. The scene of animal fights.
B. The method of the research.
C. The introduction of a movie.
D. The danger of the experiments.
3.What does the importance of the study lie in?
A. Challenging the current ecosystems.
B. Offering insights into ancient food webs.
C. Clarifying the misunderstanding of sea cows.
D. Figuring out the link between man and nature.
4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A. The Batman Movie Inspired a Research
B. A Puzzle in Complex Ancient Food Chains
C. Shark and Crocodile Ate Unlucky Sea Cow
D. An Important Biological Discovery of a Farmer
Passage 2
(25-26高二上·湖南长沙长郡中学-11月·期中)A corn plant knows how to find water in soil with the very tips of its roots, but some varieties, including many used for developing high-output corn in the U.S., appear to have lost part of that ability, according to a Stanford-led study. With climate change increasing droughts, the findings hold potential for developing more drought-resistant (抗旱的) varieties of corn.
The study, published in the journal Science, uncovers genetic-mechanisms (遗传机制) behind “hydropatterning (水力模式)”, or how plant roots branch toward water and avoid dry spaces in soil. In particular, the researchers discovered that ethylene, a plant hormone (激素) known to help bananas ripen, also influences how roots grow to seek water.
For this study, the researchers developed a new, simplified way to study water sensitivity in roots. They found corn varieties adapted to hot and wet regions like Mexico were very good at making new root branches toward water and avoiding dry areas. In contrast, the varieties adapted to moderate regions of North America frequently grew roots randomly without distinguishing between dry and wet areas in the soil.
“Interestingly, the plants that are better at sensing where the water is are also making deeper root systems,” said lead author Johannes Scharwies. “One idea is that if the plant doesn’t waste time growing root branches into places where it doesn’t find any water and nutrients, then it has more energy to grow deeper down where water is more likely.”
Genetic analyses reveal two plant hormones, auxin and ethylene, play a role in how corn roots respond to water. While auxin was already known to help control this process, ethylene’s involvement was a new discovery. In experiments with thale cress—a model plant often used in research—the researchers found auxin signaling promotes root branch development toward water, while ethylene stops branching when the root is exposed to air.
Further research is needed to better understand the interaction of these genetic pathways before corn varieties can be developed with more drought-resistant root systems, but the findings highlight the significance of studying these localized responses at root tips, researchers said.
1.What is the primary focus of the Stanford-led study?
A. Drought-resistant corn varieties.
B. Ethylene’s effect on fruit ripening.
C. Genetic control of root branching.
D. Impact of climate change on plant roots.
2.What can be inferred from Johannes Scharwies’ remarks?
A. Plant hormones make a big difference to root growth.
B. Nutrients guarantee better water-seeking root systems.
C. Root branching conserves energy for higher production.
D. Stronger hydropatterning was linked to greater root depth.
3.What can we learn about ethylene from paragraph 5?
A. It has long been known to control corn roots’ response to water.
B. It works with auxin to promote root branching toward water.
C. It prevents root branching when the root comes into contact with air.
D. It is the only plant hormone affecting corn roots’ water response.
4.What does the last paragraph suggest future research do?
A. Prioritize development of new corn varieties.
B. Work out the mechanisms of genetic interactions.
C. Concentrate merely on localized root responses.
D. Expand practical applications of hydropatterning.
主题语境01 人与社会-科学与技术
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭湘钢一中·期中)Hiromu Yakura, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, first became aware of differences in his own vocabulary about a year after ChatGPT came out. Researchers had previously found that use of large language models (LLMs), such as those that power ChatGPT, was changing vocabulary choices in written communication, and Yakura and his colleagues wanted to know whether spoken communication was being affected, too.
Researchers first used ChatGPT to edit large amounts of text like emails and articles using instructions such as “polish” or “improve clarity.” They identified words ChatGPT added frequently, like “delve,” labeling these GPT words. Next, the team analyzed over 360,000 YouTube videos and 770,000 podcast (播客) episodes from before and after ChatGPT’s release to track the use of GPT words over time. They compared the GPT words with “synthetic (合成) controls,” which were formed by mathematically weighting synonyms (同义词) that weren’t frequently used by the chatbot-such synonyms for “delve,” for example, could include “examine” and “explore.”
The team’s results show a significant rise in GPT words in the 18 months after ChatGPT’s release. The words didn’t just appear in formal, scripted videos or podcast episodes; they were peppered into natural conversation, too. “The patterns stored in AI technology seem to be sending back to the human mind,” notes co-author Levin Brinkmann, describing a cultural feedback cycle: humans train AI on text, AI returns statistically remixed versions, and then people unconsciously adopt its patterns. “It’s natural for humans to imitate one another, but we’re more likely to copy what someone else is doing if we perceive them as being knowledgeable or important,”
Brinkmann says. As more people look to AI as a cultural authority, they may rely on and imitate it over other sources, resulting in a likeness of language styles and expressions.
Tracking LLMs’ cultural impact is critical, according to the University of Chicago expert James Evans. “In this moment in the evolution (进化) of LLMs, looking at word distribution is the right methodology to understand how the technology is affecting the way we communicate,” he says, “But as the models mature, these distributions are going to be harder to distinguish.” Scientists may need to look at broader linguistic trends beyond word choice, such as sentence structure and how ideas are presented.
1.What made Yakura begin the new research?
A. Desire to explore potentials of LLMs.
B. Changes in personal vocabulary choices.
C. Previous research on written communication.
D. Dissatisfaction over poor performance of ChatGPT.
2.Why were the GPT words tracked in the research?
A. To show how diverse they are.
B. To measure their influence on language.
C. To check if they work in various contexts.
D. To compare them with human word choices.
3.Brinkmann mentions the trend of the cultural feedback cycle to illustrate ________.
A. it provides a different approach to learning
B. it results in misjudgment of cultural authorities
C. it is a natural part of technological development
D. it carries a hidden risk to the richness of language
4.What is suggested in the last paragraph?
A. A notable increase in sample size.
B. A probable shift in the future research focus.
C. A timely application of the research findings.
D. A thorough evaluation of the current research.
主题语境02 人与自我-生活与学习
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭县第一中学·期中)Stanford assistant professor Ruike Zhao published a groundbreaking medical breakthrough in Nature: using a tiny 2 mm micro-robot, she increased the success rate of blood clot (血块) removal from a mere 11% to an amazing 90%, sending shockwaves through the medical world.
In modern society, about one in every dozen people may experience a blood clot in their lifetime. It is widely known that blood clots are the leading cause of strokes and heart attacks. During treatment, the ability to quickly and effectively restore blood flow becomes a matter of life and death.
Unfortunately, traditional mechanical methods have a low success rate. The process is like trying to pick up broken tofu with chopsticks — not only is success unlikely, but the situation may even worsen. Blood clots may break apart while being deformed, resulting in small pieces stuck in hard-to-reach areas.
However, Professor Zhao’s 2 mm micro-robot enters blood vessels (血管) and, using high-speed rotation (旋转), generates forces to reduce the clot size to 5%. It’s like when you press and rub soft things, like hair, between your hands. The force makes them stick together into a small ball. The micro-robot works similarly, using pressure to bring the clot components together, making them easier to remove. This process requires no drugs, causes no vessel damage, and effectively releases trapped red blood cells back into blood.
What’s astonishing is that this innovation is inspired from subway TBMs, tunnel-boring machines (盾构机). The way tunnel-boring machines efficiently handle hard soil and rock in narrow spaces inspired the creation. This brilliant Chinese researcher miniaturized the enormous underground machine to a size tens of thousands of times smaller and adapted it for use in human blood vessels.
Currently, the technology has been successfully tested on pigs. While most of these studies remain in the laboratory phase, the breakthrough itself is exciting. This technology may soon extend beyond blood clots to address issues like kidney stones or gallstones.
1.How does the author present the breakthrough in paragraph 1?
A. By explaining a technical term.
B. By contrasting the statistics.
C. By providing the study’s background.
D. By citing an authority.
2.What is the advantage of Zhao’s micro-robot over traditional methods?
A. It generates blood more rapidly.
B. It prevents clots from forming again.
C. It is recyclable and economical.
D. It raises success rate and reduces side effects.
3.What does the author try to illustrate by mentioning TBMs?
A. The cost of medical robotics.
B. The reason behind the numerous trials.
C. The inspiration behind the innovation.
D. The importance of modern machinery.
4.What is the last paragraph about?
A. Choice of new research methods.
B. Possible direction for further study.
C. Necessity for tests on more animals.
D. Potential application of the invention.
主题语境03 人与自然-环境
(25-26高二上·湖南平高教育集团·期中)Researchers from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden will study the carbon capture (碳捕获) effects of soil additives on agricultural fields.
For the world to meet the global average temperature goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement, we need to actively decrease carbon emissions (排放). Earth and planetary sciences professor Andy Jacobson suggests Earth science can help it and that one possible way is to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and lock it away for a few thousand years.
The chemical weathering of rocks is a natural phenomenon that transforms atmospheric CO2 into a stable mineral form. When CO2 dissolves in water, it creates a substance that can break down rocks. This transformation releases elements from certain rocks and changes CO2 into a stable form. Over time, these elements combine to form minerals that are the building blocks of many natural structures and rocks. This transformation helps to lock carbon in a solid form, which plays an important part in stabilizing Earth’s climate over the long term.
“Over much shorter human timescales, this stable form of CO2 acts as a sink for atmospheric CO2,” says Jacobson. Can we speed up the weathering process and actively remove carbon from the atmosphere at rates fast enough to help reduce the impact of modern climate change?
Enhanced rock weathering was proposed as a strategy of decreasing carbon emissions decades ago but only recently gained interest. An article in a 2020 magazine estimated that enhanced weathering could remove up to 2 billion tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere by 2050.
Jacobson is leading a team of researchers to investigate this negative emissions technology. In a series of experimental systems that simulate natural conditions at the garden, researchers will test the effects from adding different types of rock to soils used to grow various crops. The soil additives will include a volcanic rock that chemically weathers faster than other rocks and minerals, potentially speeding up CO2 capture and storage.
1.What does Jacobson stress about Earth science in paragraph 2?
A. Its scientific origin as a principle.
B. Its present limitations in carbon capture.
C. Its potential role in achieving climate goals.
D. Its logical accuracy in temperature prediction.
2.What is mainly discussed in paragraph 3 concerning rocks?
A. Their natural structures.
B. The reasons for their formation.
C. The process of their weathering.
D. Their stable chemical composition.
3.What is the main function of the question in paragraph 4?
A. To introduce the following solution.
B. To doubt the content of a magazine.
C. To summarize the previous paragraph.
D. To show the fast rate of climate change.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Is Farming the Key to Carbon Capture?
B. Can Humans Stabilize the Climate of Earth?
C. What Is the Chemical Weathering of rocks?
D. How Do Carbon Emissions Speed up Global Warming?
主题语境04 人与自然-自然生态
(25-26高二上·湖南湘潭湘钢一中·期中)A decline in bird populations is responsible for the change in the natural sounds of spring, according to a new study published recently in the journal Nature Communications.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia used annual bird monitoring surveys to access data on bird populations in 200,000 sites. They then used this data to identify the total number of birds per species in every selected site during a year and downloaded the calls and songs of each of the bird species from Xeno-Canto, the world’s largest database of bird calls. By layering (叠加) the appropriate number of sound files for all species at each location, the scientists were then able to recreate what spring would have sounded like in each of the studied sites over the last 25 years.
The results show that springtime has become not only quieter but also more monotonous — the diversity and intensity of birdsong has declined over time. “We can think of birds as nature’s orchestra (管弦乐队),” said Simon Butler, lead author of the study. “And what we’re finding is that we’re losing key players and instruments from the orchestra, so the music that they’re generating is becoming poorer.” The reason for this shift, according to Butler, is the rapid decline in bird communities, both in number and variation.
This trend is consistent with a climate report from the National Audubon Society, which warns that two-thirds of North American bird species are at the risk of extinction due to rising global temperatures. “We are on our way to the ‘silent spring’ just like Rachel Carson predicted in 1962. I hope we can stop the decline and do the birds and ourselves a big favor,” said Butler.
“In our failure to conserve songbird species, we are changing our experience of the surrounding world,” said Aaron Weed, an ecologist at the National Park Service. “The preservation of natural sounds is an important part of protecting national parks. The unique value is in not just the land but the water that’s there or the mammals or other species that are there for us.”
1.Which of the following is one of the researchers’ approaches?
A. Taking advantage of a database.
B. Collecting some bird calls on site.
C. Carrying out some online surveys.
D. Identifying the living places of bird species.
2.What does the underlined word “monotonous” in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Dynamic. B. Boring. C. Special. D. Popular.
3.What does Aaron Weed try to illustrate in the last paragraph?
A. Joint efforts are needed to maintain biodiversity.
B. National parks should focus on protecting the land.
C. Protecting natural sounds is key to preserving ecosystems.
D. Providing quality service is important for the national park.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Could Birdsong Be a Sign of Spring?
B. How Do Birds Adapt to a Changing Climate?
C. National Parks’ Efforts to Protect Endangered Songbirds
D. Loss of Songbirds Is Shifting People’s Experience of Nature
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