专题03 阅读理解（说明文）（期中真题汇编，天津专用）高三英语上学期

**基本信息** 聚焦高三英语阅读理解，涵盖人与社会（科学技术、文化艺术等）、人与自我（学习生活、为人处世）主题，精选天津多校期中试题，素材兼具科技前沿（如脑机接口、AI语言影响）与人文关怀（如世界遗产保护、友谊价值）。 **题型特征** |题型|题量/分值|知识覆盖|命题特色| |----|-----------|----------|----------| |阅读理解|每篇5题|细节理解（如“Chester被收养原因”）、推理判断（如“科学家对海豹研究的结论”）、主旨大意（如“文章主要目的”）|以真实情境设题，如用“鸡尾酒会效应”解释蚊子声夜间更扰人，结合认知科学（确认偏误）与社会现象（远程办公碳排放），梯度设计从基础信息到深层逻辑。|

专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 主题语境01 人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·期中）The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014 Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting but teaches kids valuable lessons. Chester and Gus By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017 Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true--- until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job. Invisible Emmie By Terri Libenson, published in 2017 The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie-- and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought. Ocean Meets Sky By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018 “Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post. Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for. 1.Which book is related to the loss of loved ones? A. The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie B. Chester and Gus C. Invisible Emmie D. Ocean Meets Sky 2.Why is Chester adopted by a family? A. To make him accompany a boy B. To make him do the right job C. To help a boy realize his dream D. To help him pass his certification test 3.What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie? A. It may be gained for free B. It’s the first children’s book in 20015 C. It’s only for children’s fun D. It’s mainly about teacher’s lessons 4.Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates? A. Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills B. Cammie McGovern C. Terri Libenson D. Terry Fan and Eric Fan 5.What kind of book do these four books belong to? A. Adult novel B. Children’s literature C. Moral stories D. Adventure literature 主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津咸水沽第一中学天津市第一百中学·期中）In our daily lives, we often hear about the benefits of exercise for our physical health. But have you ever wondered about its effect on our memory? Well, a recent study from University College London has some interesting findings. The researchers discovered that 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, along with at least six hours of sleep at night, could potentially lead to an improvement in cognitive performance the following day. This means that activities like cycling to work or going for a brisk walk in the morning might not only make you feel good for the day but also have a positive impact on your memory the next day. Previous studies on the short-term effects of physical activity were mostly done in laboratories and focused on short time frames. However, this new study observed the real-life physical activity of 76 adults aged 50 — 83, who did not have cognitive impairment or dementia. These participants wore an accelerometer for eight days to track their sleep and physical activity. They also took simple online cognitive tests daily to measure their attention, memory, and processing speed. The results showed that each 30-minute increase in physical activity corresponded to a 2% — 5% increase in episodic and working memory scores the next day. But when sleep data was considered, only the working memory score improvement remained significant. The study also found that more sedentary behavior was associated with a drop in working memory scores, while getting enough sleep led to better scores in episodic memory and other aspects. Despite these findings, the study had its limitations. The participants were generally well-educated and had good health and high levels of daily physical activity, which might not represent the entire population. Also, the exact reason why exercise affects memory the next day is still unclear, as the benefits from neurotransmitters are thought to be short-lived. In conclusion, while we still have more to learn, this study suggests that staying active and getting enough sleep could be beneficial for our brain health and memory. So, let’s put on our running shoes and hit the sack early to give our brains a boost!(362) 1.What did the University College London study find? A. Any amount of exercise improves memory immediately. B. Thirty minutes of exercise and proper sleep may enhance next-day cognitive ability. C. Only intense exercise affects memory. D. Sleep has no connection to memory improvement. 2.How was this study different from previous ones? A. It involved a larger number of participants. B. It focused only on the long-term effects. C. It only studied younger people. D. It was based on real-life activity tracking. 3.What were the participants asked to do in the study? A. Exercise for a fixed time every day. B. Wear a device and do cognitive tests. C. Change their diet drastically. D. Avoid all sedentary activities. 4.What are the limitations of the study? A. The participants were all athletes. B. It didn’t consider the role of diet. C. The participants had specific characteristics. D. It was too expensive to conduct. 5.What is the main purpose of the last paragraph? A. To suggest practical applications of the findings. B. To criticize the study's limitations. C. To propose directions for future research. D. To explain the physiological mechanisms. Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津第四十五中学·期中）Ten thousand years ago, as the last ice age ended, sea levels around the world were far lower than they are today. Much of the land under both the North Sea to the east of Britain and the English Channel which now separates France and Britain was part of a huge region of forests and grassy plains. Then the climate gradually became warmer and the water trapped in large masses of ice was released. Now the development of advanced sonar (声纳) technology, known as bathymetry, is making it possible to study this flooded landscape in extraordinary detail. A special echo sounder is fixed to the bottom of a survey ship and it makes wide sweeps across the seabed. While previous technology has only been able to produce two-dimensional images, bathymetry can now use computers, satellite-positioning equipment and special software to create accurate and remarkably detailed maps. For the first time, an ancient riverbed jumps out of the three-dimensional image. The site of pre-historical settlements can now be pinpointed. According to expert Linda Andrews, this technological development is of huge significance. “We now have the ability to map the seabed as accurately as we can map dry land,” she says. Once bathymetric techniques have identified sites where people might have built their homes and villages, divers can be sent down to investigate further. Robot submarines can also be used, and researchers hope they will find stone tools and wood from houses as proof of human activity. The idea shared by many people in Britain of their country as a natural island kingdom will be challenged by the findings: Britain has been inhabited for about 500,000 years and much of this time it has been linked on and off to continental Europe. It remains to be seen how far this new awareness is taken on board, however. In fact, the use of bathymetry will not be limited to the study of lost landscapes and ancient settlements. It will also be vital in finding ships that have been destroyed in accidents. In addition, commercial applications are a real possibility. Aggregates (骨材) for the construction industry are becoming increasingly expensive, and bathymetry can be used to identify suitable sites for digging for this material. Mapping the seabed will also identify places where rare plants and shellfish are living. Digging at such sites should be prevented, either to work for a profit or to make deeper waterways for massive container ships. 1.How does bathymetry work? A. It makes use of a number of different devices. B. It produces two-dimensional images of the sea floor. C. It has an echo sounder placed on the seabed. D. It bases its calculations on the location of construction sites. 2.What does the underlined word “pinpointed” in Paragraph 2 probably mean? A. Occupied. B. Discovered. C. Rebuilt. D. Adjusted. 3.The author believes a better understanding of the settlements on the seabed may ________. A. attract investment in the research under the sea B. inspire people to take an interest in modern technology C. receive confirmation of rebuilding ancient man-made objects D. adapt the attitudes of the British to their country’s history 4.We can learn that the use of bathymetry will help to ________. A. provide the precise location of sunken ships B. identify new species of plants and animals C. evaluate the cost of seeking certain resources D. promote the development of deeper waterways 5.Based on the passage, which conclusion can be drawn about human habitation in Britain? A. Human activity in Britain began only after it became an island. B. The submerged landscapes were uninhabited due to harsh climatic conditions. C. Britain’s history of human habitation is longer and more complex than commonly assumed. D. Advanced sonar technology was developed to study Britain’s prehistoric settlements specifically. Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津滨海德远高级中学·期中）All animals take in oxygen from the air they breathe in, and release CO₂ from their blood when breathing out. Most mammals (哺乳动物) can’t directly detect oxygen levels in the blood supplied to their tissues. Instead, they rely on the rising level of CO₂ in their blood to signal that they might need to take a breath. But a recent study published in Science suggests seals (海豹) can sense the amount of oxygen in the blood, and change their diving behavior in response. To find out if oxygen levels affected seal behavior, Professor McKnight at the University of St. Andrews and his colleagues created a special section in a pool where young seals were held. In one corner, there was a breathing chamber (呼吸室), where they were sheltered from the rain and the wind. The breathing chamber was surrounded by panels that prevented surface swimming, yet swimming below the surface for about 200 feet would give the seals access to a feeder where they could eat as much fish as they liked. Once the seals got familiar with the setup, the researchers started to gradually change the composition of the air in the breathing chamber, increasing or reducing the levels of oxygen and CO₂ to see an effect on their behavior. Sure enough: the higher the level of oxygen, the longer the seals stayed at the feeder. The finding suggests that seals don’t just physically respond to oxygen levels by changing their heart rate or breathing, but that they are sufficiently aware of them to change their behavior. This ability would put seals in a class beyond any land mammals that have been tested. Since oxygen levels on land remain stable, humans don’t seem to have evolved (演化) to notice low blood oxygen levels, sometimes not even when they’re about to pass out in free-diving. Therefore, in free-diving without oxygen tanks, accidents are quite common. Our reliance on sensing CO₂ levels in our blood instead of oxygen may be to blame. Actually, this is a perfectly reasonable strategy on land, where growing CO₂ tends to signal breathing issues. But when holding our breath during diving, relying on CO₂ levels is risky, especially on repeated dives. Because every time we surface and breathe in, our sensitivity to CO₂ is decreased, even if its levels are already high, and this increases the chance that a person will, without awareness, pass out before they get to the surface. 1.What do most mammals rely on to determine when to take a breath? A. The growing amount of CO₂ in their blood. B. The rising level of oxygen in their lungs. C. The intensity of their physical activity. D. The blood supply to body tissues. 2.When would the seals stay at the feeder for a longer period of time? A. When they needed to take in more food at the feeder. B. When the oxygen level in the chamber grew higher. C. When they familiarized themselves with the setup. D. When the CO₂ level in the chamber was raised. 3.What results in humans’ inability to notice low oxygen levels in their blood? A. The unstable CO₂ levels in the air. B. Their lack of attention to breathing. C. The constant oxygen levels on land. D. Their functionally changeable heart rate. 4.Why do accidents often occur when divers go free-diving? A. Their breath cannot be held long enough. B. They cannot adjust the consumption of oxygen. C. They may fail to notice rising CO₂ levels soon enough. D. Their breathing organs stop working properly underwater. 5.Which statement is probably supported by McKnight’s seal research? A. Seals have evolved to survive in low oxygen environments. B. Seals are quick to sense oxygen levels and act accordingly. C. Seals can maintain their heart rate even with low blood oxygen levels. D. Seals are more sensitive to changes in the environment than other mammals. 主题语境03 人与自我-做人与做事 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）Are you scared about moving up to senior high school? It can be a new experience, but you shouldn’t worry. We’ve put together a guide on how to survive the first week. You’re not alone Remember everybody else in your year is in the same boat. They may not realize it, but they’re just as nervous as you are. Moving to senior high is an opportunity, not a problem. Things are different and all you need to do is be polite and learn the new rules. Teachers are ready to help If you’re unsure what to do or are worried about anything, then you had better ask for help. Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they’re experienced in helping new students. Some senior high schools also have a “friends system”. If your school has this, then you will be paired with an older student. They will look out for you and help you if you have any problems or questions. All change There are lots of differences between junior high school and senior high school. You’ll have a homework diary or a student planner. You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms. You will have homework for different subjects on different days, so make sure you get organized. Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects. Other points If you’ve got an older brother or sister at the school, then ask them for advice. Be yourself! It sounds simple, but people will know you much better if you just act naturally. Having early nights makes a difference and you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning! 1.Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence? A. Other students have similar feelings to yours. B. Other students have to learn boating with you. C. Other students will help you solve your problems. D. Other students will teach you politeness and new rules. 2.The new students turn to teachers first when having problems because_______. A. teachers won’t blame them as parents do B. teachers are good at helping solve problems C. teachers are equal to every student D. parents are too busy to help them 3.How many of the followings are the author's advice for a new senior high school student? ①keeping a homework diary ②making a plan ③keeping a copy of school timetable ④getting yourself organized ⑤going to classrooms half an hour before the classes A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 4.Which of the following is NOT true? A. You can act in a natural way B. You should go to bed early enough C. You may ask your older brother for advice D. You must focus on dressing properly 5.What’s the purpose of the passage? A. To tell students the importance of learning. B. To warn students not to ignore friendship in senior high. C. To make a difference when moving up to senior high. D. To help new students to get used to life in senior high. 主题语境04 人与自我-生活与学习 （25-26高三上·天津第五十五中学-11月·期中）For lots of kids, toddlerhood (幼儿期) is an important time for friendship. Studies show that the earlier kids learn to form positive relationships, the better they are at relating to others as teenagers and adults. Playing together also helps these kids practice social behaviors, such as kindness, sharing, and cooperation. Even so, how quickly your child develops into a social creature may also depend on his temperament. Some toddlers are very social, but others are shy. In addition, the way that toddlers demonstrate that they like other children is markedly different from what adults think of as expressions of friendship. Research at Ohio State University in Columbus found that a toddler’s way of saying “I like you” during play is likely to come in the form of copying a friend’s behavior. This seemingly unusual way of demonstrating fondness can result in unpleasant behavior. Regardless of how much they like a playmate, they may still grab his toys, refuse to share, and get bossy. But experts say that this is a normal and necessary part of friendship for kids this age. Through play experiences, toddlers learn social rules. That’s why it’s so important to take an active role in your toddler’s social encounters by setting limits and offering frequent reminders of what they are. When you establish these guidelines, explain the reasons behind them. Begin by helping your child learn sympathy (“Ben is crying. What’s making him so sad?”), then suggest how he could resolve the problem (“Maybe he would feel better if you let him play the ball.”). When your child shares or shows empathy (同理心) toward a friend, praise him (“Ben stopped crying You made him feel better.”). Another way to encourage healthy social interaction is by encouraging kids to use words — not fists — to express how they feel. It’s also important to be mindful of how your child’s personality affects playtime. Kids are easy to get angry when they’ re sleepy or hungry, so schedule playtime when they’ re refreshed. 1.What does it indicate when toddlers copy their playmates’ behavior? A. They are interested in acting. B. They are shy with the strangers. C. They are fond of their playmates. D. They are tired of playing games. 2.What is the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 2? A. Behavior. B. Talent. C. Enthusiastic. D. Character. 3.What does the author suggest parents do for their kids? A. Design games for them. B. Find them suitable playmates. C. Play together with them. D. Help them understand social rules. 4.What is the function of the quoted statements in paragraph 4? A. Giving examples. B. Explaining concepts. C. Providing evidence. D. Making comparisons. 5.Which of the following is the best title for the text? A. How Children Adapt to Changes B. How to Be Role Model for Children C. How Your Baby Learns to Love D. How to communicate with Your Kid 主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·期中）Confirmation bias refers to people’s tendency to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs. While it’s usually subconscious, its impacts are significant. It can cloud people’s judgement and decision-making processes. One explanation for confirmation bias is that it is an efficient way to process information. Humans are constantly led with information and cannot possibly take the time to carefully process each piece. It is adaptive for humans to rely on subconscious, automatic judgements that contribute to the efficiency. Another reason why people show confirmation bias is to protect their self-worth. People like to feel good about themselves, and discovering a belief they highly value is incorrect makes them feel bad about themselves. Therefore, confirmation bias will encourage them to disregard the information contrary to their belief. Researches show that confirmation bias is strong and widespread. In studies examining my-side bias, people were able to generate and remember more reasons supporting their side of a controversial issue than the opposing side. Only when a researcher directly asked people to generate arguments against their own beliefs were they able to do so. It is not that people are incapable of generating arguments that are contrary to their beliefs, but, rather, people are not motivated to do so. Confirmation bias also surfaces in interpersonal communication. When interacting with people who perceivers think have certain personalities, the perceivers will ask questions that are biased toward supporting the perceivers’ beliefs. If a new roommate is expected to be friendly and outgoing, Maria may ask her if she likes to go to parties rather than asking if she often studies in the library. Confirmation bias may lead to incomplete and misinterpreted understanding of an issue or topic, as crucial information may be overlooked or dismissed. Thus, to avoid it, people are supposed to diversify the sources of information accessed as seeking multiple perspectives brings a broader understanding of the subject matter and allows for well- rounded decision- making. Another way is to actively challenge the bias by questioning assumptions and relying on evidence rather than personal opinions, which helps us consciously recognize informational biases and minimize their impact. 1.Why do people show confirmation bias? A. To help maintain their dignity. B. To prevent shallow judgements. C. To handle complex information. D. To develop their logical reasoning. 2.What did the studies in Paragraph 3 find? A. People couldn’t produce arguments against their belief. B. Information supporting people’s belief often won preference. C. It took considerable motivation to face controversial issues. D. People focused on information concerning the opposing side. 3.How does the writer illustrate confirmation bias in communication? A. By making comparison. B. By introducing a study. C. By giving an example. D. By defining a concept. 4.Which of the following scenarios most likely reflects the influence of confirmation bias driven by “protecting self-worth”? A. A manager only reads sales reports that show the team’s performance meets targets, ignoring those indicating a decline. B. A student quickly skims through multiple textbooks to find evidence supporting their thesis, without checking opposing studies. C. A journalist tends to interview experts who share their views on environmental issues, to save time on verifying conflicting opinions. D. A parent refuses to accept research suggesting their child’s favorite online game is harmful, arguing “my child has always been responsible”. 5.What is the passage mainly about? A. The effects of information overload on decision-making process. B. The impact of confirmation bias on interpersonal communication. C. Understanding of confirmation bias and strategies to overcome it. D. The role of my-side bias in enhancing people’s own beliefs. Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）Heritage is our legacy (遗产) from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable (无可取代的) sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China make up our world’s heritage. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied (体现)in an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. How does a place become a World Heritage Site? It takes a lot of people to decide. 1)If a country wants one of its places to be on the World Heritage List, it has to ask UNESCO. The place must be important and special. UNESCO put the Great Wall on the list in 1987 because, it said, it was a great part of Chinese culture and beautifully made to go with the land. When a country asks, it must also make a plan for taking care of the place. 2)The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO talks about different places and decides whether to put them on the list. The committee meets every June. Many experts help the committee to decide. 3)After a new place goes on the list, UNESCO gives money to help keep it looking good. If a place is in serious danger, it may be put on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. UNESCO gives special care and help to those places. 4)Countries have to give UNESCO regular reports about places on the list. If UNESCO thinks a country isn’t taking good enough care of a place, the site will be taken off the list. 1.What is the main purpose of Paragraph 1? A. To tell us what is heritage. B. To explain the aims of protecting heritages. C. To introduce some places of interest in the world. D. To encourage people to pay a visit to famous sights. 2.About cultural and natural heritage around the world, UNESCO encourages all the following EXCEPT________. A. identification B. application C. protection D. preservation 3.If a place successfully becomes a World Heritage Site, the country________. A. Will not get the support from UNESCO B. should continue to take special care of it C. won’t take trouble of caring for it D. will try to put it on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger 4.When do the committee meet up with each other? A. every June B. every May C. every February D. every March 5.The purpose of putting a place on the World Heritage List is________. A. to attract more tourists from other countries B. to get more money and help from other countries C. to have it taken better care of D. to make it known to other countries Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津第一中学-11月·期中）Pick up any packaged processed food, and there’s a decent chance that one of its listed ingredients will be “natural flavor”. The ingredient sounds good, particularly in contrast to “artificial flavors” since there is a common belief that ingredients from nature are necessarily safer than something artificially made. But it’s not true: Then what exactly does the natural flavor mean? It refers to extracts (提取物) got from natural sources like plants, meat or seafood. When consumers see the “natural flavor” on a label, they are unlikely to assume that someone is squeezing the juice from oranges into their bottles. They know even though natural flavor must come from natural sources, it needn’t all come from the plant or meat. For example, orange flavors might contain not only orange extracts, but also extracts from bark and grass. So if flavors like orange are needed, why not just use oranges? The answer comes down to “availability, cost, and sustainability”, according to flavor chemist Gary Reineccius of the University of Minnesota. “If you’re going to use all your grapes on grape soda,” Reincccius says, “you don’t have any grapes for wine making; the products are going to be exorbitant; besides, what do you do with the by-products you create after you’ve squeezed all the juice out of the grapes?” Actually, while chemists make natural flavors by extracting chemicals from natural ingredients, artificial flavors are made by creating the same chemicals artificially. The reason why companies bother to use natural flavors rather than artificial flavors is simple: marketing. “Many of these products have health titles,” says Platkin, professor from Hunter College. “Consumers may be talked to believe products with natural flavors are healthier, though they are nutritionally no different from those with artificial flavors. Natural flavors may involve more forest clear-cutting and carbon emissions from transport than flavors created in the lab.” Platkin suggests getting more transparent labeling on packaging that describes exactly what the natural or artificial flavors are, so consumers are not misled into buying one product over another because of “natural flavors”. Reineccius also offers simple guidance: “Don’t buy anything because it says ‘natural flavors’. Buy it because you like it.” 1.Which is misunderstanding about the “natural flavor” juice according to Paragraph 1? A. It comes from 100% natural sources. B. It is nothing but advertising tricks. C. It certainly contains extracts made in the lab. D. It is absolutely safer than juice with artificial flavors. 2.What does the underlined word “exorbitant” in Paragraph 2 probably mean? A. Popular. B. Pricey. C. Favorable. D. Innovative. 3.Why do companies use natural flavors in the products? A. To cut the costs. B. To promote the sales. C. To advocate a healthy diet. D. To avoid food safety issues. 4.What are the suggestions from the experts at the end of the passage? A. Consumers had befter take natural flavors into account. B. Extracting chemicals from natural ingredients ought to be promoted. C. Consumers should base their choice of flavors on preference. D. The public must raise their awareness of caring for the planet. 5.What can we conclude from the text? A. Gary and Platkin hold opposite perspectives. B. Natural flavors are more environmentally friendly. C. Customers are misled for ignoring labels on packaging. D. Natural and artificial flavors are more alike than you think. 主题语境02 人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津第四十七中学·期中）If you love it when a musician strikes the unexpected but perfect chord (和弦), you are not alone. Researchers led by Ben Gold, a PhD candidate in the lab of Robert Zatorre at The Neuro of McGill University, put 20 volunteers through a musical reward learning task. Each participant chose a color. Each choice came with a certain probability of leading to either a pleasurable musical piece or an unpleasurable one. Over time the participants learned which choices were more likely to produce both pleasurable and unpleasurable music. The test was designed to create an expectation of either musical enjoyment or dissatisfaction. Participants performed this task while their brain activity was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI磁共振成像). Using an algorithm (算法), the researchers then determined the reward prediction error for each choice — the difference between an expected reward and the actual reward received. They compared that data to the MRI data, and found that reward prediction errors linked with activity in the nucleus accumbens. It is a brain area that has been shown to become active when the participant is experiencing musical pleasure in previous studies. The new study shows the musically unexpected errors make the reward center of our brains active, and enables us to learn about the music as we listen. This is the first evidence that musically caused reward prediction errors lead to musical pleasure. It is also the first time music as a reward has been shown to create such a response. Previous studies have focused on such rewards as food or money which can be seen or touched. Participants whose reward prediction errors most closely matched activity in the nucleus accumbens also showed the most progress in learning the choices that led to the pleasurable tones. This shows music as a neurobiological (神经生物学) reward is capable of motivating learning. It also shows how an abstract stimulus (刺激) can play a role in producing potentially pleasurable effect in the brain’s reward system and motivate us to listen again and again. 1.Why was the test designed in the study? A. To increase the participants’ musical enjoyment B. To make the participants expect the effect of music. C. To create an expectation of an enjoyable reward. D. To guide the participants to select enjoyable music. 2.The nucleus accumbens will become active when the music ________. A. is as good as expected B. causes some dissatisfaction C. has some unexpected notes D. causes no reward prediction errors 3.What makes the new study different from the previous ones? A. The results of the study. B. The importance of the study. C. The stimulus causing the reward in the study. D. The equipment in measuring the brain activity. 4.What can we infer from the last paragraph? A. People improve their moods by listening to music. B. The abstract stimulus can benefit the decision-making process C. People can make progress in learning while listening to nice music. D. The brain’s reward system can be motivated by an abstract stimulus. 5.What’s the author’s purpose in writing this passage? A. explain a scientific breakthrough. B. describe a detailed experimental procedure. C. argue that musical pleasure is a more effective motivator. D. introduce the concept of “reward prediction error”. Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津第一中学-11月·期中）With such a strong artistic heritage, it’s no surprise that England knocks it out of the park when it comes to world-class art galleries. These are the galleries you need to add to your must-visit list. Royal Academy of Arts (RA), London Not your standard gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts is led by artists to promote not just the appreciation of art, but its practice. It is world-famous for hosting some exhibitions that get everyone talking. Besides, what sets the RA apart is its engagement with the public through participatory experiences, allowing visitors to not only view art but become part of it in innovative ways. Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich Sitting on the edge of the University of East Anglia’s campus, the Sainsbury Centre holds a collection of remarkable works of art spanning over 2,000 years. Inside the seminal Norman Foster building, you’ll find artworks from around the world, including some stunning pieces of European modern art by Degas, Francis Bacon, and Alberto Giacometti. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire Tearing up the rulebook when it comes to how we traditionally view art, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park strives to break down barriers by showing works from British and international artists in the open air. Set in hundreds of acres of West Yorkshire parkland, you’ll see sculptures by some of the leading artists of the 20th century. Whitworth, Manchester After a sky-high E15 million development, the Whitworth is becoming one of the premier galleries in the north of England. Making full use of its picturesque park setting, the gallery has a beautiful art garden and a sculpture terrace (露台), all waiting to be explored. Inside the gallery, you can view an exciting program of ever-changing exhibitions. 1.What do we know about England from the passage? A. It’s well-known for its brilliant natural landscape. B. Its art galleries need additions to their collections. C. It excels in world-class art galleries. D. London is the home to most of its art galleries. 2.What is special about the Royal Academy of Arts? A. It offers interactive experiences. B. It displays works by senior artists. C. It occupies a vast space in the museum. D. It stages exhibitions in a traditional way. 3.Which of the statements is true for Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts? A. It’s not close to the University of East Anglia B. Its modern artworks mostly come from Europe. C. Its works of art all date back to 2,000 years ago. D. It bridges the classical and the modern. 4.What do Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Whitworth have in common? A. They are small in scale. B. They offer outdoor settings. C. They feature long-standing works. D. They host exhibitions on an annual basis. 5.Where is the text probably taken from? A. An art textbook. B. An art student’s paper. C. A personal travel blog. D. A travel guidebook. 主题语境03 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津第一〇二中学-11月·期中）Have you ever wondered why the sound of a mosquito (蚊子) seems so much louder and more annoying at night when you’re trying to sleep? It’s not just your imagination; there’s actual science behind this nightly nuisance (讨厌的东西). The primary reason is the cocktail Party Effect. During the day, your environment is filled with a variety of sounds — people talking, traffic noise, birds chirping, etc. Your brain acts as a filter (过滤器), focusing on what is important (like a conversation) and tuning out background noise. In this crowded “sound party,” the mosquito’s buzz (嗡嗡声) is just another unimportant background noise, easily ignored. However, at night, the world becomes much quieter. The background noise that once masked the mosquito’s buzz disappears. With fewer competing sounds, your brain has less to filter out, making the mosquito’s high-pitched whine seem disproportionately loud and urgent. It becomes the main “guest” at a very quiet party, and your brain focuses on it entirely. Furthermore, evolution may play a role. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. Our ancestors who were light sleepers and more alert to these potential disease-carrying pests might have had a survival advantage. Therefore, we might be hardwired to be particularly sensitive to that specific sound when we are resting. So the next time a mosquito’s buzz keeps you awake, remember: it’s not just a bug, it’s a master of sound, exploring the quiet of the night and your brain’s own filtering system to become the most irritating (烦人的) sound on the planet. 1.What is the main purpose of the first paragraph? A. To describe the life cycle of a mosquito. B. To explain how human hearing works. C. To introduce a common experience and the topic. D. To complain about the harm mosquitoes cause. 2.According to the passage, what is the “Cocktail Party Effect”? A. The ability to focus on a single sound in a noisy environment. B. A party where people talk about science. C. The phenomenon where music sounds better at a party. D. The effect of alcohol on human hearing. 3.Why does a mosquito’s buzz seem louder at night? A. Because mosquitoes are larger and stronger at night. B. Because there is less background noise to mask it. C. Because human hearing becomes sharper after dark. D. Because mosquitoes fly closer to our ears at night. 4.What evolutionary reason is suggested for our sensitivity to the mosquito’s buzz? A. It helped our ancestors avoid dangerous animals. B. It prevented our ancestors from sleeping too deeply. C. It allowed our ancestors to communicate better at night. D. It made our ancestors more alert to disease carriers. 5.What is the author’s tone in the last sentence of the passage? A. Serious and worried. B. Angry and frustrated. C. Humorous and vivid. D. Sad and disappointed. Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津和平区耀华中学·期中）Is the time coming soon when we will all have chips put in our brains? The sci-fi future may seem one step closer now that the first patient of Elon Musk’s Neuralink start-up can play chess online using only his brain. Set up in 2016, Neuralink is a newcomer in the world of brain-machine interface (BMI脑机接口). The key technology has been around for decades, and its principles are fairly straightforward. A BMI consists of probes — usually very thin wires — that are inserted into the brain at specific locations. These probes eavesdrop (监听) on the activity of nearby brain cells and transmit the information they gather to a computer. The computer then processes this information in order to do something useful—perhaps control a robot, or a voice synthesizer (合成器). BMIs can also work the other way round. They may drive neural activity through electrical stimulation carried out by the probes potentially changing what we think, feel, and do. BMI technology is developing rapidly and for good reason. There’s the potential to help paralyzed people to walk again and blind people to see. That’s Neuralink’s first stated goal, and it’s possible that it’ll make rapid progress. However, BMI development is as much a scientific problem as it is an engineering challenge. Unlike electric cars and space rockets, how the brain works remains something that science understands to a fairly limited degree. Medical research of any kind has to be carried out slowly to minimize the suffering of any animals involved and to ensure human safety. Beyond medical applications, there’s the chance that BMIs may give us — or some of us, at least — new cognitive capabilities. Musk paints a picture of a future in which all of us may use brain chips for self-improvement. While most of us might agree that treating neurological disorders is a good thing, the ethics of the latter are far more controversial. First, there are questions of feasibility (可行性). BMIs still face a series of scientific challenges. This means that the first non-medical applications will probably be limited to things such as controlling apps on our phones. Will people really have high-risk brain surgery just to scroll social media with their minds? Then there is concern about algorithmic bias (算法偏差). If BMIs are trained on data from only a group of people, then getting them to work properly may require us to think in ways typical of that group. This would put social biases directly into our minds, potentially leading to the loss of cultural diversity. Finally, we should consider what might happen if we allow companies like Neuralink to obtain our neural data. When we lose control over our own mental states, we may arrive at a place where what it means to be a human being hangs in the balance. Whatever the benefits, this is a high price to pay. Certainly, we should think twice before connecting our brains directly to the brain-chip products — while we still can. 1.Which of the following best describes the current application of BMI technology? A. It has overcome major hurdles in understanding brain functions. B. It is widely used for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy people. C. Its primary success lies in helping paralyzed individuals regain movement. D. It remains largely a field facing significant challenges despite its potential. 2.Which of the following is a major challenge for non-medical BMI applications? A. High cost and risks of brain surgery. B. Limited understanding of brain functions. C. Lack of data from diverse ethnic groups. D. Ethical concerns about cognitive enhancement. 3.According to the whole passage, Paragraph 4 serves to ________. A. propose practical solutions to technical problems. B. transition from medical benefits to ethical debates. C. illustrate the success of Neuralink’s first goal. D. explain how BMI changes cultural diversity. 4.What does the author likely imply with the underlined sentence in Paragraph 5? A. Chances are that human beings will be under possible threat. B. Humans might evolve into a new species due to genetic changes. C. The physical risks of brain surgery threaten human survival. D. Cultural diversity will be lost in future without intervention. 5.What is the author’s overall attitude towards BMI technology? A. Worried about its non-medical daily uses. B. Fully supportive of its rapid development. C. Cautious about its application in our life. D. Confident in its ability to enhance humanity. Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·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 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 weighing 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 shared 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 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 probable shift in the future research focus. B. A notable increase in sample size. C. A timely application of the research findings. D. A thorough evaluation of the current research. 5.According to the passage, what can be inferred about the cultural feedback cycle between humans and AI? A. It only exists in formal written contexts. B. It will disappear as AI models become more mature C. It may lead humans to adopt more uniform language patterns. D. It has no influence on people’s choice of information sources. 主题语境04 人与自我-做人与做事 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）It’s good to make mistakes, and here is why. First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that we are trying new things. It’s always good to try new things because when we are trying new things, we are growing. If we never try anything new, how can we improve? How can we expand? The simple answer is “We can’t. ”Look around us. With very few exceptions, either everything you see in your physical world or every single detail of every single thing is the result of someone trying something new. Another good thing about mistakes is this: When we are making mistakes, we are learning. Consider this—Edison failed 10, 000 times before he perfected the light bulb. When asked how it felt to fail that many times, he said that he had learned 10, 000 things that didn’t work. Finally, when we make a mistake, we are much closer to success. Why? Because when all is said and done, we will have tried some number of things before we succeeded. Every time we make a mistake, we eliminate one of those things and are one step closer. But all this doesn’t mean that we should go through life without considering the consequences of a mistake. Quite the contrary, when we try something new, we have to be willing to set some reasonable limits so that in the event that it doesn’t work out the way we want it to, we will be in a position to try again. we all have limited resources—in the form of time and money—so we shouldn’t blow them all on one approach to a problem. Realize that it probably won’t be perfect the first time and allocate these resources appropriately so we can learn, make corrections, and try it again. Only by accepting and using our mistakes in this way can we make significant advances in our lives. There is an old saying that goes, “If you’re not making mistakes, you’ re not trying hard enough.” So go forth and make mistakes. And learn. And grow. And prosper. 1.From the second paragraph, we can conclude that________. A. mistakes are unnecessary for development B. mistakes let us see our own limits C. it’s common for people to make mistakes D. making mistakes is better than not trying 2.According to the passage, if we try new things, we can________. A. move forward B. never fail C. obtain nothing D. be closer to mistakes 3.The underlined word “eliminate” means________. A. make up for B. get rid of C. avoid D. solve 4.According to the article, one thing we should pay attention to about making mistakes is________. A. avoiding making the same mistakes B. accepting the outcome willingly C. making proper arrangements for our next try D. reflecting on the consequences after each mistake 5.The article is mainly about________. A. how to deal with mistakes B. what benefits making mistakes brings C. how to achieve success D. how to make use of our mistakes Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津滨海紫云中学·期中）Many companies are pushing their employees to get back to the office, considering it critical for maintaining the corporate culture. According to Treehugger, the third industrial revolution would be the end of the office and in the future, it would be a coffee shop: “The major purpose of an office in the future is to interact, to get around a table and talk, and to chat.” I am so enthusiastic about the end of the office considering the carbon it would save It is reflected in not just the gas in the cars or the building operations, but the massive carbon from building office buildings, subways, and other facilities designed to meet the peak demand of the commute (通勤). Many companies are settling into the concept of hybrid (混合的) offices, where employees work from home several days per week. The Carbon Counter of the Financial Times sees a picture in the U. S. where “there are bigger savings from homeworking, largely down to a cut in the time spent driving gas-guzzling (高油耗的) cars.” But people may move to bigger suburban houses, willing to have longer commutes, where they have twice the footprint of someone living in the city. The Carbon Counter estimates that full-time homeworking has a footprint of about 50% of full-time office working in the U. S., but only a minor saving in carbon emissions with a switch to 3 days in the office and 2 at home, based on a 22-mile commute and a 40% increase in heating and electricity for those days working from home. Besides, no company is going to keep 100% of their office space for two-thirds of the number of people, especially when they are no longer worrying about social distancing. Companies will promote more “hot-desking” where employees do not have permanent personal spots, which many find makes the office less attractive, encouraging more people to work from home. I noted earlier there might be less demand for public transportation and highway expansion in the case of hybrid offices, but analyst John Kemp reports crowded subways are a feature, not a fault. Kemp also notes that “fully occupied central offices and transportation systems usually make very efficient use of energy.” 1.Why are lots of companies calling on employees to return to offices? A. To promote a relaxing working environment. B. To reduce unnecessary carbon footprints. C. To bring about another industrial revolution. D. To boost social contact and teamwork among them. 2.What makes the author in favor of putting an end to the office? A. Its environment-friendliness. B. Its lowering the cost of the commute. C. Its contribution to his health. D. Its giving him flexible working hours. 3.Which of the following might the Carbon Counter agree with? A. Hybrid offices might not be so carbon-efficient. B. Working from home is not easy to put into practice. C. Full-time homeworking is more suitable for the U. S. D. Many people in the U. S. have to face longer commutes. 4.What can we know about “hot-desking”? A. It results in social distancing. B. It stimulates employees' enthusiasm for work. C. It encourages people to improve social skills. D. It contributes to people’s preference for working from home. 5.What is Kemp’s attitude towards hybrid offices? A. Approving. B. Indifferent. C. Negative. D. Uncertain. 主题语境01 人与社会-社会服务与人际沟通 （25-26高三上·天津汇文中学-11月·期中）When I was laid off in 2015, I told people about it the way any young person would: by tweeting (推特) about it. My hope was that someone in my social network would point me to potential opportunities. To my surprise, the “strategy” worked. Shortly after my public plea (请求) for employment, a friend of a friend sent me a Facebook message alerting me to an opening in her department. After three rounds of interviews, this acquaintance became my boss— and over time, she became one of my closest friends. Think of the parents you see in the drop-off zone (接送区) at school, your favorite waiter, or the other dog owners at the park. Sociologists call these relationships “weak ties.” Not only can these connections affect our job prospects (前景), but they can also have a positive impact on our well-being. Maintaining a network of acquaintances (熟人) can help you feel more connected. The desire to belong and form social attachments is a basic human need, alongside food, sleep, and safety. However, a 2016 study found that once we hit (年满) 25, the number of friends we have peaks and gradually declines over time. As we age and priorities shift from after-work bowling leagues to after-school pickups, maintaining a packed social calendar becomes less important. Yet staying socially engaged remains necessary to personal fulfillment. Moreover, having even a few acquaintances can connect us with a larger circle of people — fantastic news for job hunters. While friends may want to help, weak ties often widen the job-search playing field. These acquaintances also broaden our worldview. Regularly interacting with people whose experiences differ from ours fosters mindfulness of others’ circumstances, building empathy. Casual friends, too, have much to offer. Discovering surprising tidbits (趣闻) about people in your life — like learning your neighbor is an accomplished dancer — can spice up your day. Uncovering hidden talents or passions sparks intrigue (好奇) and admiration, encouraging deeper connections. In this way, casual friendships can evolve into meaningful relationships. So next time you see a friendly face, try exchanging a few pleasantries. 1.What does the “strategy” in paragraph 2 refer to? A. The author hid the news of her unemployment. B. The author asked her close friends to help her find a job. C. The author implied she needed a job on social media. D. The author searched the Internet for potential job opportunities. 2.“Weak ties” refers to a group of people who ________? A. are complete strangers to you B. you have met and know slightly C. have a close relationship with you D. are willing to help other people look for jobs 3.The advantages of having a network of casual friends include all the following except ________? A. connecting us with a large circle of people B. satisfying our basic need to connect with people C. broadening our minds and bettering our understanding of humanity D. helping us maintain a stronger relationship with our family and friends 4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph of the passage? A. Finding a small but interesting piece of news about casual friends can make your life interesting. B. Learning about someone’s talents or passions can further extend their life. C. Unexpected revelations can’t deepen your connections with others. D. Casual friendships can develop into real friendship. 5.The author’s purpose in writing this article is to ________. A. explain why people need friends B. let us realize the importance of casual friends C. inform us about what we can do when job hunting D. encourage us to make as many friends as we can 主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津汇文中学-11月·期中）Visual Symbols and the Blind From a number of recent studies, it has become clear that blind people can appreciate the use of outlines and perspectives (透视图) to describe the arrangement of objects and other surfaces in space. But pictures are more than literal representations. This fact was drawn to my attention dramatically when a blind woman in one of my investigations drew a wheel as it was spinning. To show this motion, she drew a curve (曲线) inside the circle. I was shocked. Lines of motion, such as the one she used, are a very recent invention in the history of illustration. When I asked several other blind study subjects to draw a spinning wheel, one particularly clever way appeared repeatedly: several subjects showed the wheel’s spokes (辐条) as curved lines. When asked about these curves, they all described them as metaphorical (比喻) ways of suggesting motion. Majority rule (多数原则) would argue that this device indicated motion very well. But was it a better indicator than broken or wavy lines for that matter? The answer was not clear. So I decided to test whether various lines of motion were proper ways of showing movement or if they were merely special marks. Moreover, I wanted to discover whether there were differences in how the blind and the sighted interpreted lines of motion. To search out these answers, I created raised-line (凸起线条) drawings of five different wheels, representing spokes with lines that curved, bent, waved, dashed (虚线) and extended beyond the perimeter of the wheel. I then asked eighteen blind volunteers to feel the wheels and match one of the following motions with each wheel: shaking, spinning fast, spinning steadily, jerking (颠簸) or braking. My control group consisted of eighteen sighted undergraduates from the University of Toronto. Most subjects guessed that the curved spokes indicated that the wheel was spinning steadily; the wavy spokes, they thought, suggested that the wheel was shaking; and the bent spokes were taken as a sign that the wheel was jerking. Subjects assumed that spokes extending beyond the wheel’s perimeter meant that the wheel had its brakes on and that dashed spokes indicated the wheel was spinning quickly. In addition, the description for the sighted was the description for the blind in every example. What is more, the agreement among the sighted was hardly higher than that among the blind. Because motion devices are unfamiliar to the blind, the task I gave them involved some problem solving. Evidently, however, the blind not only figured out meanings for each line of motion, but as a group, they at least came up with the same meaning as frequently as sighted subjects did. 1.In the first paragraph the writer makes the point that blind people A. may be interested in studying art. B. can draw outlines of different objects and surfaces. C. can recognise conventions such as perspective. D. can draw accurately. 2.The writer was surprised because the blind woman A. drew a circle on her own initiative. B. did not understand what a wheel looked like. C. included a symbol representing movement. D. was the first person to use lines of motion. 3.From the experiment described in the passage, the writer found that the blind subjects A. got better results than the sighted undergraduates. B. could control the movement of wheels very accurately. C. worked together well as a group in solving problems. D. had good understanding of symbols representing movement. 4.Which picture represents use of brakes? A. B. C. D. 5.What does the underlined word “perimeter” most probably mean in paragraph 4? A. Center B. Edge C. Surface D. Axle 6.Which of the following statements best summarizes the writer’s general conclusion? A. The blind represent some aspects of reality differently from sighted people. B. The blind comprehend visual metaphors in similar ways to sighted people. C. The blind may create unusual and effective symbols to represent reality. D. The blind may be successful artists if given the right training. Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津小站第一中学-11月·期中）Art is everywhere. Any public space has been carefully designed by an artistic mind to be both functional and beautiful. Why, then, is art still so widely considered to be “the easy subject” at school, insignificant to wider society, a waste of time and effort? Art can connect culture with commercial products in a way that not many other things can;art generates money and holds significant emotional and cultural value within communities. When people attend a concert, they are paying for music, sure, maybe even hotel rooms, meals, and transport, but they also gain an incredible experience, a unique atmosphere and a memory that will go through the rest of their lives. People don’t just want material things anymore, they want to experience life — the arts are a perfect crossover (交迭) between culture and commerce. Furthermore, the arts can bring communities together, reducing loneliness and making people feel safer. Social bonds are created among individuals when they share their arts experiences through reflection and discussion, and their expression of common values through artworks in honour of events significant to a nation’s experience. The arts clearly have a pretty positive impact on physical and psychological health. It is found that people who frequent cultural places or participate in artistic events are more likely to gain good health compared to those who do not; more engagement with the arts is linked to a higher level of people’s wellbeing. The Royal Society of Public Health discovered that music and art, when used in hospitals, help to improve the conditions of patients by reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure. Children who are involved with the arts make greater achievements in their education: those engaged with drama have greater literary ability while others taking part in musical practice exhibit greater skills in math and languages. Kids with preference for the arts have a greater chance of finding employment in the future. Participating in the arts is essential for child development; encouraging children to express themselves in constructive ways could help to form healthy emotional responses in later life. Vital to human life, art is celebrated and used by nations across the world for various purposes. Life without art would be boring and dead still, for art is a part of what makes us human. 1.Art products differ from most other commercial products because A. most people purchase them for collection B. they have both commercial and cultural values C. they are more expensive and less accessible D. their prices may climb up as time passes 2.By sharing their arts experiences, community members can ________. A. develop a stronger tie between them B. keep the community safe from illnesses C. learn to appreciate their own works of art D. offer honourable solutions to their problems 3.What can we learn about people who are involved in artistic activities? A. They enjoy better living conditions. B. They like to compare themselves with others C. They tend to be healthier physically and mentally. D. They are particularly good at both music and art. 4.How does kids’ engagement with the arts benefit them? A. It gives them more confidence in exhibiting their learning skills. B. It promotes their academic performance and emotional growth. C. It inspires their creativity in designing their future career. D. It helps to make responsible people out of them. 5.What is the best title for this passage? A. How Art Cures Our Hearts B. Art: A Bridge Between Cultures C. How Art Benefits Communities D. Art: A Blessing to Humankind Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津小站第一中学-11月·期中）For people who are interested in sound, the field of sound technology is definitely making noise. In the past, sound engineers worked in the back rooms of recording studios, but many of today’s sound professionals are sharing their knowledge and experience with professionals in other fields to create new products based on the phenomenon we call sound. Sound can be used as a weapon. Imagine that a police officer is chasing a thief. The thief tries to escape. And the officer can’t let him get away. He pulls out a special device, points it at the suspect, and switches it on. The thief drops to the ground. This new weapon is called a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD, 远程定向声波发射器). It produces a deafening sound so painful that it temporarily disables a person. The noise from the LRAD is directed like a ray of light and travels only into the ears of that person, but it is not deadly. For those who hunger for some peace and quiet, sound can now create silence. Let’s say you are at the airport, and the little boy on the seat next to you is humming (哼唱) a short commercial song. He hums it over and over again, and you are about to go crazy. Thanks to the Silence Machine, a British invention, you can get rid of the sound without upsetting the boy or his parents. One may wonder how the Silence Machine works. Well, it functions by analyzing the waves of the incoming sound and creating a second set of outgoing waves. The two sets of waves cancel each other out. Simply turn the machine on, point it at the target, and your peace and quiet comes back. Directed sound is a new technology that allows companies to use sound in much the same way spotlights (聚光灯) are used in the theater. A spotlight lights up only one section of a stage; similarly, a “spotsound” creates a circle of sound in one targeted area. This can be useful for businesses such as restaurants and stores because it offers a new way to attract customers. Restaurants can offer a choice of music along with the various food choices on the menu, allowing customers more control over the atmosphere in which they are dining. Directed sound is also beginning to appear in shopping centers and even at homes. 1.What could be inferred from Paragraph 2 about the effect of the LRAD? A. It makes it easy to identify a suspect. B. It slows down a running man. C. It causes temporary hearing loss. D. It keeps the suspect from hurting others. 2.The Silence Machine is a device specially designed to________. A. stop unwanted sound from affecting you B. remove the sound of commercials C. block the incoming sound waves D. silence the people around you 3.What feature do spotsounds and spotlights share? A. They travel in circles. B. They clear the atmosphere. C. They can be directed onto a specific area. D. They can be transformed into energy. 4.Directed sound can be used for ________ . A. creative designs of restaurant menus B. different choices of music for businesses C. ideal sound effects on the theater stage D. strict control over any suspicious customer 5.What does the passage focus on? A. How professionals invented sound products. B. The growing interest in the study of sound. C. Inventions in the field of sound technology. D. How sound engineers work in their studios. Passage 4 （25-26高三上·天津滨海德远高级中学·期中）Science serves as a powerful tool for unlocking the mysteries of the universe, but understanding its limitations is essential for its effective application. There are occasions where I have used the handle of a knife as a hammer (锤子), but the result would have been better if I’d had a more suitable tool at hand. As far as science goes, it is really good at testing things that are testable, but not so for those that are not. We can do, and have done, an impressive amount with our brains. But there are limits. Sometimes these limits go away if we keep at it for long enough — we just need better facilities and experiments to get the answer. Breaking new ground in modern science this way can be costly. Next-generation supercomputers or incredibly large telescopes are expensive, yet these may be required to find answers to some of the unsolved mysteries of the universe. Sometimes the limits we encounter in trying to unlock the nature of the universe are cognitive (认知的). Think about this: human DNA is only about 1.2 percent different from that of chimps (黑猩猩). Chimps are smart, no question. But could you teach them advanced mathematics? What if our DNA were another 1.2 percent further evolved than it is? What might our brains be capable of then? The level of abstract thinking might be unimaginable. Sometimes the limits we hit are fundamental. There are laws of nature we may never be able to understand, however advanced our brains might become. There are experiments we might never be able to perform. We may never be able to test what caused the universe to be created, and what caused the cause of the universe being created. This is where science may never break through. For something to be considered scientific, it must, by definition, be testable. There is a problem here: it may not need to be testable right now, but it must be testable at some point in the future by experiment. If an idea is untestable, that doesn’t mean it is wrong. It means it is untestable for now. These untestable ideas also happen to be some of the most interesting ones, probably because they’ve puzzled humanity for centuries. 1.Why does the author mention “knife” and “hammer” in Paragraph 1? A. To demonstrate how tools can be used creatively. B. To highlight consequences of using a wrong tool. C. To show the necessity of keeping a handy tool within reach. D. To stress the need for the right tool to achieve desired results. 2.What is often required in breaking new ground in science? A. Broader science education. B. More advanced facilities for experiments. C. Deeper understanding of the brain power. D. More investment in next-generation scientists. 3.How does the author assess human beings in terms of their cognitive capacity? A. They are just 2.4% away from true abstract thinking. B. They are slightly smarter than other intelligent beings. C. They are yet to evolve further to learn more about the universe. D. They are good at solving problems with advanced mathematics. 4.What message does Paragraph 4 convey? A. Some puzzles about the universe are way beyond scientific exploration. B. Experimental research lays solid foundations for space technology. C. Boundaries of science can be pushed back with determined efforts. D. Limitations of science may result from insufficient testing. 5.What has the author added to the definition of a scientific idea? A. Correct ideas are testable. B. Untestable ideas can be true. C. Some scientific ideas may never be testable. D. An idea must be testable to be seen as correct. / 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $可学科网 www.zxxk.com 让教与学更高效 专题03阅读理解（说明文） 基础必练 主题语境01人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 【答案】1.D2.A3.A4C5.B 主题语境02人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 【答案】1.B2.D3.B4C5.A Passage 2 【答案】1.A2.B3.D4.A5.C Passage 3 【答案】1.A2.B3.C4.C5.B 主题语境03人与自我-做人与做事 【答案】1.A2.B3.C4.D5.D 主题语境04人与自我-生活与学习 【答案】1.C2.D3.D4.A5.C 进阶提升 主题语境01人与社会-历史、社会与文化 Passage 1 【答案】1.A2.B3.C4.D5.C Passage 2 1/3 可学科网 www.zxxk.com 让教与学更高效 【答案】1.A2.B3.B4.A5.C Passage 3 【答案】1.D2.B3.B4.C5.D 主题语境02人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 Passage 1 【答案】1.B2.C3.C4.D5.A Passage 2 【答案】1.C2.A3.D4.B5.D 主题语境03人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 【答案】1.C2.A3.B4.D5.C Passage 2 【答案】1.D2.A3.B4.A5.C Passage 3 【答案】1.B2.B3.D4.A5.C 主题语境04人与自我-做人与做事 Passage 1 【答案】1.D2.A3.B4.C5.B Passage 2 【答案】1.D2.A3.A4.D5.C 拓展培优 主题语境01人与社会-社会服务与人际沟通 【答案】1.C2.B3.D4.A5.B 213 函学科网 www.zxxk.com 让教与学更高效 主题语境02人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 【答案】1.C2.C3.D4.A5.B6.B Passage 2 【答案】1.B2.A3.C4.B5.D Passage 3 【答案】1.C2.A3.C4.B5.C Passage 4 【答案】1.D2.B3.C4.A5.B 3/3 专题03 阅读理解（说明文） 主题语境01 人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·期中）The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014 Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting but teaches kids valuable lessons. Chester and Gus By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017 Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true--- until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job. Invisible Emmie By Terri Libenson, published in 2017 The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie-- and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought. Ocean Meets Sky By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018 “Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post. Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for. 1.Which book is related to the loss of loved ones? A. The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie B. Chester and Gus C. Invisible Emmie D. Ocean Meets Sky 2.Why is Chester adopted by a family? A. To make him accompany a boy B. To make him do the right job C. To help a boy realize his dream D. To help him pass his certification test 3.What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie? A. It may be gained for free B. It’s the first children’s book in 20015 C. It’s only for children’s fun D. It’s mainly about teacher’s lessons 4.Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates? A. Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills B. Cammie McGovern C. Terri Libenson D. Terry Fan and Eric Fan 5.What kind of book do these four books belong to? A. Adult novel B. Children’s literature C. Moral stories D. Adventure literature 【答案】1. D　2. A　3. A　4. C　5. B 【解析】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了几本儿童文学书籍。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据文章Ocean Meets Sky部分句子：Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him.（芬恩的祖父去世了，但芬恩知道纪念他的最佳方式）可知，Ocean Meets Sky 涉及失去亲人。故选D项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据文章Chester and Gus部分句子：a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus.（一个家庭收养了它作为他们十岁儿子格斯的伴侣）可知，收养它是为了陪伴自己的孩子。故选A项。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据文章The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie部分内容：By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014；Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. It is the first book in a surprising series of children's books. That's fun and exciting but teaches kids valuable lessons.（查冯·D·斯图尔特(Chavonne D. Stewart)，贾斯敏·米尔斯(Jasmine Mills)， 2014年出版；报名参加一个赢得这本书的机会。这是一系列令人惊讶的儿童书籍中的第一本书。这本书是有趣和令人兴奋的，但也教给孩子有价值的课程）可知，这本书可以作为奖品，报名参加可赢得。A项It may be gained for free论述正确。故选A项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据文章Invisible Emmie部分句子：By Terri Libenson, published in 2017.The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie(特里·利本森(Terri Libenson)著，2017年出版。小说讲述了一个班级里两个完全不同的小女孩的故事——安静、害羞、有艺术气质的埃米和受欢迎、外向、喜欢运动的凯蒂)可知，这本书涉及了同学关系。故选C项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据各书涉及内容均与孩子有关。因此这些书应属于儿童文学。故选B项。 主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津咸水沽第一中学天津市第一百中学·期中）In our daily lives, we often hear about the benefits of exercise for our physical health. But have you ever wondered about its effect on our memory? Well, a recent study from University College London has some interesting findings. The researchers discovered that 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, along with at least six hours of sleep at night, could potentially lead to an improvement in cognitive performance the following day. This means that activities like cycling to work or going for a brisk walk in the morning might not only make you feel good for the day but also have a positive impact on your memory the next day. Previous studies on the short-term effects of physical activity were mostly done in laboratories and focused on short time frames. However, this new study observed the real-life physical activity of 76 adults aged 50 — 83, who did not have cognitive impairment or dementia. These participants wore an accelerometer for eight days to track their sleep and physical activity. They also took simple online cognitive tests daily to measure their attention, memory, and processing speed. The results showed that each 30-minute increase in physical activity corresponded to a 2% — 5% increase in episodic and working memory scores the next day. But when sleep data was considered, only the working memory score improvement remained significant. The study also found that more sedentary behavior was associated with a drop in working memory scores, while getting enough sleep led to better scores in episodic memory and other aspects. Despite these findings, the study had its limitations. The participants were generally well-educated and had good health and high levels of daily physical activity, which might not represent the entire population. Also, the exact reason why exercise affects memory the next day is still unclear, as the benefits from neurotransmitters are thought to be short-lived. In conclusion, while we still have more to learn, this study suggests that staying active and getting enough sleep could be beneficial for our brain health and memory. So, let’s put on our running shoes and hit the sack early to give our brains a boost!(362) 1.What did the University College London study find? A. Any amount of exercise improves memory immediately. B. Thirty minutes of exercise and proper sleep may enhance next-day cognitive ability. C. Only intense exercise affects memory. D. Sleep has no connection to memory improvement. 2.How was this study different from previous ones? A. It involved a larger number of participants. B. It focused only on the long-term effects. C. It only studied younger people. D. It was based on real-life activity tracking. 3.What were the participants asked to do in the study? A. Exercise for a fixed time every day. B. Wear a device and do cognitive tests. C. Change their diet drastically. D. Avoid all sedentary activities. 4.What are the limitations of the study? A. The participants were all athletes. B. It didn’t consider the role of diet. C. The participants had specific characteristics. D. It was too expensive to conduct. 5.What is the main purpose of the last paragraph? A. To suggest practical applications of the findings. B. To criticize the study's limitations. C. To propose directions for future research. D. To explain the physiological mechanisms. 【答案】1. B　2. D　3. B　4. C　5. A 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍伦敦大学学院关于运动与睡眠对认知能力（尤其是记忆力）影响的最新研究发现、研究方式及局限性。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“The researchers discovered that 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, along with at least six hours of sleep at night, could potentially lead to an improvement in cognitive performance the following day.(研究人员发现，30分钟的中高强度体育活动，加上每晚至少6小时的睡眠，可能会在第二天改善认知表现)”可知，该研究发现30分钟运动加充足睡眠可能提升次日认知能力。故选B项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Previous studies on the short-term effects of physical activity were mostly done in laboratories and focused on short time frames. However, this new study observed the real-life physical activity of 76 adults...(以往关于体育活动短期影响的研究大多在实验室进行，且聚焦于短时间范围。然而，这项新研究观察了76名成年人的真实生活中的体育活动……)”可知，新研究与以往研究的不同之处在于它基于真实生活中的活动追踪。故选D项。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“These participants wore an accelerometer for eight days to track their sleep and physical activity. They also took simple online cognitive tests daily...(这些参与者连续八天佩戴加速度计以追踪他们的睡眠和体育活动。他们还每天进行简单的在线认知测试……)”可知，参与者需要佩戴设备并完成认知测试。故选B项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第五段中的“The participants were generally well-educated and had good health and high levels of daily physical activity, which might not represent the entire population.(参与者普遍受过良好教育、身体健康且日常体育活动水平较高，这可能无法代表全体人群)”可知，该研究的局限性在于参与者具有特定特征，不具备广泛代表性。故选C项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“In conclusion, while we still have more to learn, this study suggests that staying active and getting enough sleep could be beneficial for our brain health and memory. So, let’s put on our running shoes and hit the sack early to give our brains a boost!(总之，尽管我们还有很多东西要学，但这项研究表明，保持活跃和充足睡眠可能对我们的大脑健康和记忆力有益。所以，让我们穿上跑鞋，早点睡觉，给大脑充充电吧！)”可知，最后一段旨在将研究发现转化为实际建议，指导人们践行健康习惯。故选A项。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津第四十五中学·期中）Ten thousand years ago, as the last ice age ended, sea levels around the world were far lower than they are today. Much of the land under both the North Sea to the east of Britain and the English Channel which now separates France and Britain was part of a huge region of forests and grassy plains. Then the climate gradually became warmer and the water trapped in large masses of ice was released. Now the development of advanced sonar (声纳) technology, known as bathymetry, is making it possible to study this flooded landscape in extraordinary detail. A special echo sounder is fixed to the bottom of a survey ship and it makes wide sweeps across the seabed. While previous technology has only been able to produce two-dimensional images, bathymetry can now use computers, satellite-positioning equipment and special software to create accurate and remarkably detailed maps. For the first time, an ancient riverbed jumps out of the three-dimensional image. The site of pre-historical settlements can now be pinpointed. According to expert Linda Andrews, this technological development is of huge significance. “We now have the ability to map the seabed as accurately as we can map dry land,” she says. Once bathymetric techniques have identified sites where people might have built their homes and villages, divers can be sent down to investigate further. Robot submarines can also be used, and researchers hope they will find stone tools and wood from houses as proof of human activity. The idea shared by many people in Britain of their country as a natural island kingdom will be challenged by the findings: Britain has been inhabited for about 500,000 years and much of this time it has been linked on and off to continental Europe. It remains to be seen how far this new awareness is taken on board, however. In fact, the use of bathymetry will not be limited to the study of lost landscapes and ancient settlements. It will also be vital in finding ships that have been destroyed in accidents. In addition, commercial applications are a real possibility. Aggregates (骨材) for the construction industry are becoming increasingly expensive, and bathymetry can be used to identify suitable sites for digging for this material. Mapping the seabed will also identify places where rare plants and shellfish are living. Digging at such sites should be prevented, either to work for a profit or to make deeper waterways for massive container ships. 1.How does bathymetry work? A. It makes use of a number of different devices. B. It produces two-dimensional images of the sea floor. C. It has an echo sounder placed on the seabed. D. It bases its calculations on the location of construction sites. 2.What does the underlined word “pinpointed” in Paragraph 2 probably mean? A. Occupied. B. Discovered. C. Rebuilt. D. Adjusted. 3.The author believes a better understanding of the settlements on the seabed may ________. A. attract investment in the research under the sea B. inspire people to take an interest in modern technology C. receive confirmation of rebuilding ancient man-made objects D. adapt the attitudes of the British to their country’s history 4.We can learn that the use of bathymetry will help to ________. A. provide the precise location of sunken ships B. identify new species of plants and animals C. evaluate the cost of seeking certain resources D. promote the development of deeper waterways 5.Based on the passage, which conclusion can be drawn about human habitation in Britain? A. Human activity in Britain began only after it became an island. B. The submerged landscapes were uninhabited due to harsh climatic conditions. C. Britain’s history of human habitation is longer and more complex than commonly assumed. D. Advanced sonar technology was developed to study Britain’s prehistoric settlements specifically. 【答案】1. A　2. B　3. D　4. A　5. C 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍测深技术的工作原理及其在研究沉没地貌、历史遗迹等方面的应用。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“A special echo sounder is fixed to the bottom of a survey ship and it makes wide sweeps across the seabed. While previous technology has only been able to produce two-dimensional images, bathymetry can now use computers, satellite-positioning equipment and special software to create accurate and remarkably detailed maps.(一种特殊的回声测深仪被固定在调查船的底部，它可以在海床上进行大范围的扫描。虽然之前的技术只能生成二维图像，但现在测深技术可以利用计算机、卫星定位设备和专用软件绘制出精确且极其详细的地图)”可知，测深技术运用了回声测深仪、计算机、卫星定位设备等多种设备。故选A项。 (2)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据第二段中的“For the first time, an ancient riverbed jumps out of the three-dimensional image. The site of pre-historical settlements can now be pinpointed.(一个古老的河床第一次从三维图像中清晰呈现出来。史前聚居地的遗址现在可以被pinpointed)”可知，三维图像让古老河床显现，由此史前聚居地遗址也能被找到。结合选项，pinpointed的意思应为“发现；精准定位”，与discovered含义相近。故选B项。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“The idea shared by many people in Britain of their country as a natural island kingdom will be challenged by the findings: Britain has been inhabited for about 500,000 years and much of this time it has been linked on and off to continental Europe.(许多英国人认为自己的国家是一个天然的岛屿王国，这一观点将受到这些发现的挑战：英国已经有大约50万年的人类居住史，而且在这段时间的大部分时间里，它与欧洲大陆时断时续地相连)”可知，这些海底聚居地的发现会挑战英国人对本国历史的固有认知，进而改变他们的态度。故选D项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第五段中的“In fact, the use of bathymetry will not be limited to the study of lost landscapes and ancient settlements. It will also be vital in finding ships that have been destroyed in accidents.(事实上，测深技术的应用不仅限于研究消失的地貌和古代聚居地。它在寻找因事故沉没的船只方面也至关重要)”可知，测深技术能够帮助确定沉船的精确位置。故选A项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“The idea shared by many people in Britain of their country as a natural island kingdom will be challenged by the findings: Britain has been inhabited for about 500,000 years and much of this time it has been linked on and off to continental Europe.(许多英国人认为自己的国家是一个天然的岛屿王国，这一观点将受到这些发现的挑战：英国已经有大约50万年的人类居住史，而且在这段时间的大部分时间里，它与欧洲大陆时断时续地相连)”可知，英国的人类居住史比人们普遍认为的更悠久、更复杂。故选C项。 Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津滨海德远高级中学·期中）All animals take in oxygen from the air they breathe in, and release CO₂ from their blood when breathing out. Most mammals (哺乳动物) can’t directly detect oxygen levels in the blood supplied to their tissues. Instead, they rely on the rising level of CO₂ in their blood to signal that they might need to take a breath. But a recent study published in Science suggests seals (海豹) can sense the amount of oxygen in the blood, and change their diving behavior in response. To find out if oxygen levels affected seal behavior, Professor McKnight at the University of St. Andrews and his colleagues created a special section in a pool where young seals were held. In one corner, there was a breathing chamber (呼吸室), where they were sheltered from the rain and the wind. The breathing chamber was surrounded by panels that prevented surface swimming, yet swimming below the surface for about 200 feet would give the seals access to a feeder where they could eat as much fish as they liked. Once the seals got familiar with the setup, the researchers started to gradually change the composition of the air in the breathing chamber, increasing or reducing the levels of oxygen and CO₂ to see an effect on their behavior. Sure enough: the higher the level of oxygen, the longer the seals stayed at the feeder. The finding suggests that seals don’t just physically respond to oxygen levels by changing their heart rate or breathing, but that they are sufficiently aware of them to change their behavior. This ability would put seals in a class beyond any land mammals that have been tested. Since oxygen levels on land remain stable, humans don’t seem to have evolved (演化) to notice low blood oxygen levels, sometimes not even when they’re about to pass out in free-diving. Therefore, in free-diving without oxygen tanks, accidents are quite common. Our reliance on sensing CO₂ levels in our blood instead of oxygen may be to blame. Actually, this is a perfectly reasonable strategy on land, where growing CO₂ tends to signal breathing issues. But when holding our breath during diving, relying on CO₂ levels is risky, especially on repeated dives. Because every time we surface and breathe in, our sensitivity to CO₂ is decreased, even if its levels are already high, and this increases the chance that a person will, without awareness, pass out before they get to the surface. 1.What do most mammals rely on to determine when to take a breath? A. The growing amount of CO₂ in their blood. B. The rising level of oxygen in their lungs. C. The intensity of their physical activity. D. The blood supply to body tissues. 2.When would the seals stay at the feeder for a longer period of time? A. When they needed to take in more food at the feeder. B. When the oxygen level in the chamber grew higher. C. When they familiarized themselves with the setup. D. When the CO₂ level in the chamber was raised. 3.What results in humans’ inability to notice low oxygen levels in their blood? A. The unstable CO₂ levels in the air. B. Their lack of attention to breathing. C. The constant oxygen levels on land. D. Their functionally changeable heart rate. 4.Why do accidents often occur when divers go free-diving? A. Their breath cannot be held long enough. B. They cannot adjust the consumption of oxygen. C. They may fail to notice rising CO₂ levels soon enough. D. Their breathing organs stop working properly underwater. 5.Which statement is probably supported by McKnight’s seal research? A. Seals have evolved to survive in low oxygen environments. B. Seals are quick to sense oxygen levels and act accordingly. C. Seals can maintain their heart rate even with low blood oxygen levels. D. Seals are more sensitive to changes in the environment than other mammals. 【答案】1. A　2. B　3. C　4. C　5. B 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了海豹能感知血液中氧气量并据此改变潜水行为，人类则因陆地氧气稳定未演化出此能力。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段中“Most mammals (哺乳动物) can’t directly detect oxygen levels in the blood supplied to their tissues. Instead, they rely on the rising level of CO₂ in their blood to signal that they might need to take a breath.(大多数哺乳动物不能直接检测供应给组织的血液中的氧气水平。相反，它们依靠血液中二氧化碳水平的上升来发出可能需要呼吸的信号)”可知，大多数哺乳动物依靠血液中二氧化碳含量的上升来判断何时呼吸。故选A。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段中“Once the seals got familiar with the setup, the researchers started to gradually change the composition of the air in the breathing chamber, increasing or reducing the levels of oxygen and CO₂ to see an effect on their behavior. Sure enough: the higher the level of oxygen, the longer the seals stayed at the feeder.(一旦海豹熟悉了这种设置，研究人员开始逐渐改变呼吸室中空气的成分，增加或减少氧气和二氧化碳的水平，以观察对其行为的影响。果然如此：氧气水平越高，海豹在喂食器停留的时间就越长)”可知，当呼吸室中的氧气水平升高时，海豹会在喂食器停留更长时间。故选B。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第四段中“Since oxygen levels on land remain stable, humans don’t seem to have evolved (演化) to notice low blood oxygen levels, sometimes not even when they’ re about to pass out in free-diving.(由于陆地上的氧气水平保持稳定，人类似乎没有进化出注意到血液中低氧水平的能力，有时甚至在自由潜水即将昏倒时也没有)”可知，人类无法察觉血液中低氧水平是因为陆地上氧气水平稳定。故选C。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据最后一段中“Because every time we surface and breathe in, our sensitivity to CO₂ is decreased, even if its levels are already high, and this increases the chance that a person will, without awareness, pass out before they get to the surface.(因为每次我们浮出水面吸气时，我们对二氧化碳的敏感性都会降低，即使其水平已经很高，这也会增加一个人在浮出水面之前无意识地昏倒的可能性)”可知，潜水员在自由潜水时经常发生事故是因为他们可能没有及时注意到二氧化碳水平的上升。故选C。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第一段中“But a recent study published in Science suggests seals (海豹) can sense the amount of oxygen in the blood,and change their diving behavior in response.(但最近发表在《科学》杂志上的一项研究表明，海豹可以感知血液中的氧气量，并相应地改变它们的潜水行为)”和第四段中“The finding suggests that seals don’t just physically respond to oxygen levels by changing their heart rate or breathing, but that they are sufficiently aware of them to change their behavior.(这一发现表明，海豹不仅仅是通过改变心率或呼吸来对氧气水平做出身体反应，而是它们对氧气水平有足够的意识来改变它们的行为)”可知，McKnight的海豹研究表明，海豹能迅速感知氧气水平并据此采取行动。故选B。 主题语境03 人与自我-做人与做事 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）Are you scared about moving up to senior high school? It can be a new experience, but you shouldn’t worry. We’ve put together a guide on how to survive the first week. You’re not alone Remember everybody else in your year is in the same boat. They may not realize it, but they’re just as nervous as you are. Moving to senior high is an opportunity, not a problem. Things are different and all you need to do is be polite and learn the new rules. Teachers are ready to help If you’re unsure what to do or are worried about anything, then you had better ask for help. Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they’re experienced in helping new students. Some senior high schools also have a “friends system”. If your school has this, then you will be paired with an older student. They will look out for you and help you if you have any problems or questions. All change There are lots of differences between junior high school and senior high school. You’ll have a homework diary or a student planner. You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms. You will have homework for different subjects on different days, so make sure you get organized. Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects. Other points If you’ve got an older brother or sister at the school, then ask them for advice. Be yourself! It sounds simple, but people will know you much better if you just act naturally. Having early nights makes a difference and you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning! 1.Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence? A. Other students have similar feelings to yours. B. Other students have to learn boating with you. C. Other students will help you solve your problems. D. Other students will teach you politeness and new rules. 2.The new students turn to teachers first when having problems because_______. A. teachers won’t blame them as parents do B. teachers are good at helping solve problems C. teachers are equal to every student D. parents are too busy to help them 3.How many of the followings are the author's advice for a new senior high school student? ①keeping a homework diary ②making a plan ③keeping a copy of school timetable ④getting yourself organized ⑤going to classrooms half an hour before the classes A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 4.Which of the following is NOT true? A. You can act in a natural way B. You should go to bed early enough C. You may ask your older brother for advice D. You must focus on dressing properly 5.What’s the purpose of the passage? A. To tell students the importance of learning. B. To warn students not to ignore friendship in senior high. C. To make a difference when moving up to senior high. D. To help new students to get used to life in senior high. 【答案】1. A　2. B　3. C　4. D　5. D 【解析】 这是一篇说明文。短文介绍了如何让新生适应高中生活的指南。 (1)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据第二段“they may not realize it, but they’re just as nervous as you are.”（他们可能没意识到，但他们和你一样紧张）由此可知，划线词的意思是“其他同学也有类似的感受。”故选A项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段“Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they’re experienced in helping new students.”（教师可能是最好的求助对象，因为他们在帮助新生方面经验丰富）由此可知，新生遇到问题时首先求助于老师，因为老师善于帮助解决问题。故选B项。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第四段“You’ll have a homework diary or a student planner. You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms. You will have homework for different subjects on different days, so make sure you get organized. Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects.”（你要有一个家庭作业日记或学生计划。你将在不同的教室里和不同的老师一起上课。你会在不同的日子里有不同科目的家庭作业，所以要确保你有条理。确保你有一份写下来的课程表，这样你就知道你的课程在哪个教室，哪天你会有不同的课程。）由此可知，记家庭作业日记, 制定计划,有一份课程表，使自己的生活井然有序。是作者给高中生的建议。故选C项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据最后一段“If you’ve got an older brother or sister at the school, then ask them for advice.Be yourself! It sounds simple, but people will know you much better if you just act naturally. Having early nights makes a difference and you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning!”（如果你有一个哥哥或姐姐在这所学校，那么向他们寻求建议。做你自己!这听起来很简单，但如果你表现自然，人们会更了解你。早睡早起会有很大的不同，你会发现早上更容易起床!）由此可知，D选项“你必须注意着装得体”不正确。故选D项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第一段“Are you scared about moving up to senior high school? It can be a new experience, but you shouldn’t worry. We’ve put together a guide on how to survive the first week.”（你害怕升高中吗？这可能是一种新的体验，但你不必担心。我们已经整理了一份如何度过第一周的指南。）以及下文指南的具体内容可知，这篇文章的目的是帮助新生适应高中生活。故选D项。 主题语境04 人与自我-生活与学习 （25-26高三上·天津第五十五中学-11月·期中）For lots of kids, toddlerhood (幼儿期) is an important time for friendship. Studies show that the earlier kids learn to form positive relationships, the better they are at relating to others as teenagers and adults. Playing together also helps these kids practice social behaviors, such as kindness, sharing, and cooperation. Even so, how quickly your child develops into a social creature may also depend on his temperament. Some toddlers are very social, but others are shy. In addition, the way that toddlers demonstrate that they like other children is markedly different from what adults think of as expressions of friendship. Research at Ohio State University in Columbus found that a toddler’s way of saying “I like you” during play is likely to come in the form of copying a friend’s behavior. This seemingly unusual way of demonstrating fondness can result in unpleasant behavior. Regardless of how much they like a playmate, they may still grab his toys, refuse to share, and get bossy. But experts say that this is a normal and necessary part of friendship for kids this age. Through play experiences, toddlers learn social rules. That’s why it’s so important to take an active role in your toddler’s social encounters by setting limits and offering frequent reminders of what they are. When you establish these guidelines, explain the reasons behind them. Begin by helping your child learn sympathy (“Ben is crying. What’s making him so sad?”), then suggest how he could resolve the problem (“Maybe he would feel better if you let him play the ball.”). When your child shares or shows empathy (同理心) toward a friend, praise him (“Ben stopped crying You made him feel better.”). Another way to encourage healthy social interaction is by encouraging kids to use words — not fists — to express how they feel. It’s also important to be mindful of how your child’s personality affects playtime. Kids are easy to get angry when they’ re sleepy or hungry, so schedule playtime when they’ re refreshed. 1.What does it indicate when toddlers copy their playmates’ behavior? A. They are interested in acting. B. They are shy with the strangers. C. They are fond of their playmates. D. They are tired of playing games. 2.What is the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 2? A. Behavior. B. Talent. C. Enthusiastic. D. Character. 3.What does the author suggest parents do for their kids? A. Design games for them. B. Find them suitable playmates. C. Play together with them. D. Help them understand social rules. 4.What is the function of the quoted statements in paragraph 4? A. Giving examples. B. Explaining concepts. C. Providing evidence. D. Making comparisons. 5.Which of the following is the best title for the text? A. How Children Adapt to Changes B. How to Be Role Model for Children C. How Your Baby Learns to Love D. How to communicate with Your Kid 【答案】1. C　2. D　3. D　4. A　5. C 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了幼儿如何学会表达喜爱并建立友谊，以及父母应如何引导。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段中“Research at Ohio State University in Columbus found that a toddler’s way of saying “I like you” during play is likely to come in the form of copying a friend’s behavior.(俄亥俄州立大学哥伦布分校的研究发现，幼儿在玩耍时表达“我喜欢你”的方式很可能是模仿朋友的行为。)”可知，幼儿模仿玩伴的行为表明他们喜欢自己的玩伴。故选C。 (2)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据第二段中“Even so, how quickly your child develops into a social creature may also depend on his temperament. Some toddlers are very social, but others are shy.(即便如此，孩子成长为社交达人的速度也可能取决于他的temperament。有些幼儿非常外向，但有些则很害羞。)”可知，幼儿社交能力的发展速度可能取决于他们的性格，因为有些幼儿非常外向，但有些则很害羞。故此处temperament意为“性格”。A. Behavior行为；B. Talent天赋；C. Enthusiastic热情的；D. Character性格。故选D。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段“Through play experiences, toddlers learn social rules. That’s why it’s so important to take an active role in your toddler’s social encounters by setting limits and offering frequent reminders of what they are. When you establish these guidelines, explain the reasons behind them.(通过游戏体验，幼儿学习社交规则。这就是为什么在你的幼儿的社交活动中扮演积极的角色，设定限制并经常提醒他们这些规则是如此重要。当你制定这些准则时，要解释背后的原因。)”可知，作者建议父母帮助孩子理解社交规则。故选D。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第四段“Begin by helping your child learn sympathy (“Ben is crying. What’s making him so sad?”), then suggest how he could resolve the problem (“Maybe he would feel better if you let him play the ball.”). When your child shares or shows empathy (同理心) toward a friend, praise him (“Ben stopped crying You made him feel better.”).(首先帮助你的孩子学会同情（“本在哭。是什么让他这么伤心？”），然后建议他如何解决这个问题（“如果你让他玩球，他可能会感觉好一些。”）。当你的孩子对朋友分享或表现出同理心时，表扬他（“本不哭了，你让他感觉好多了。”）。)”可知，第四段中引用的陈述的作用是举例说明如何帮助孩子学会同情和解决问题。故选A。 (5)题解析： 主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是根据第一段“For lots of kids, toddlerhood (幼儿期) is an important time for friendship. Studies show that the earlier kids learn to form positive relationships, the better they are at relating to others as teenagers and adults. Playing together also helps these kids practice social behaviors, such as kindness, sharing, and cooperation.(对很多孩子来说，幼儿期是建立友谊的重要时期。研究表明，孩子们越早学会建立积极的人际关系，他们在青少年和成年时就越善于与他人相处。一起玩耍也有助于这些孩子练习社交行为，如善良、分享和合作。)”可知，文章主要讲述了幼儿如何学会表达喜爱并建立友谊，以及父母应如何引导。因此，C选项“How Your Baby Learns to Love(你的孩子如何学会爱)”最符合文章主旨。故选C。 主题语境01 人与社会-历史、社会与文化 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·期中）Confirmation bias refers to people’s tendency to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs. While it’s usually subconscious, its impacts are significant. It can cloud people’s judgement and decision-making processes. One explanation for confirmation bias is that it is an efficient way to process information. Humans are constantly led with information and cannot possibly take the time to carefully process each piece. It is adaptive for humans to rely on subconscious, automatic judgements that contribute to the efficiency. Another reason why people show confirmation bias is to protect their self-worth. People like to feel good about themselves, and discovering a belief they highly value is incorrect makes them feel bad about themselves. Therefore, confirmation bias will encourage them to disregard the information contrary to their belief. Researches show that confirmation bias is strong and widespread. In studies examining my-side bias, people were able to generate and remember more reasons supporting their side of a controversial issue than the opposing side. Only when a researcher directly asked people to generate arguments against their own beliefs were they able to do so. It is not that people are incapable of generating arguments that are contrary to their beliefs, but, rather, people are not motivated to do so. Confirmation bias also surfaces in interpersonal communication. When interacting with people who perceivers think have certain personalities, the perceivers will ask questions that are biased toward supporting the perceivers’ beliefs. If a new roommate is expected to be friendly and outgoing, Maria may ask her if she likes to go to parties rather than asking if she often studies in the library. Confirmation bias may lead to incomplete and misinterpreted understanding of an issue or topic, as crucial information may be overlooked or dismissed. Thus, to avoid it, people are supposed to diversify the sources of information accessed as seeking multiple perspectives brings a broader understanding of the subject matter and allows for well- rounded decision- making. Another way is to actively challenge the bias by questioning assumptions and relying on evidence rather than personal opinions, which helps us consciously recognize informational biases and minimize their impact. 1.Why do people show confirmation bias? A. To help maintain their dignity. B. To prevent shallow judgements. C. To handle complex information. D. To develop their logical reasoning. 2.What did the studies in Paragraph 3 find? A. People couldn’t produce arguments against their belief. B. Information supporting people’s belief often won preference. C. It took considerable motivation to face controversial issues. D. People focused on information concerning the opposing side. 3.How does the writer illustrate confirmation bias in communication? A. By making comparison. B. By introducing a study. C. By giving an example. D. By defining a concept. 4.Which of the following scenarios most likely reflects the influence of confirmation bias driven by “protecting self-worth”? A. A manager only reads sales reports that show the team’s performance meets targets, ignoring those indicating a decline. B. A student quickly skims through multiple textbooks to find evidence supporting their thesis, without checking opposing studies. C. A journalist tends to interview experts who share their views on environmental issues, to save time on verifying conflicting opinions. D. A parent refuses to accept research suggesting their child’s favorite online game is harmful, arguing “my child has always been responsible”. 5.What is the passage mainly about? A. The effects of information overload on decision-making process. B. The impact of confirmation bias on interpersonal communication. C. Understanding of confirmation bias and strategies to overcome it. D. The role of my-side bias in enhancing people’s own beliefs. 【答案】1. A　2. B　3. C　4. D　5. C 【解析】【导语】 这厮一篇说明文。本文介绍确认偏误的定义、成因（高效处理信息、保护自我价值）、表现，指出其危害，并给出多样化信息来源、主动挑战偏误等应对策略。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段“Another reason why people show confirmation bias is to protect their self-worth. People like to feel good about themselves, and discovering a belief they highly value is incorrect makes them feel bad about themselves. (人们表现出确认偏误的另一个原因是为了保护自我价值。人们都想自我感觉良好，而发现自己高度重视的信念是错误的会让他们自我感觉糟糕。)”可知，保护自我价值（即维护尊严）是人们表现出确认偏误的原因之一。故选A项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段“In studies examining my-side bias, people were able to generate and remember more reasons supporting their side of a controversial issue than the opposing side. (在针对“自我偏向”的研究中，人们能够想出并记住更多支持自己在争议问题上立场的理由，而非反对方的理由。)”可知，研究发现支持个人信念的信息往往更受青睐。故选B项。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第四段“If a new roommate is expected to be friendly and outgoing, Maria may ask her if she likes to go to parties rather than asking if she often studies in the library. (如果预期新室友友好外向，玛丽亚可能会问她是否喜欢参加派对，而不是问她是否经常在图书馆学习。)”可知，作者通过举玛丽亚与新室友沟通的例子，说明了确认偏误在人际沟通中的体现。故选C项。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第二段“People like to feel good about themselves, and discovering a belief they highly value is incorrect makes them feel bad about themselves. Therefore, confirmation bias will encourage them to disregard the information contrary to their belief.(人们都希望自我感觉良好，而当发现自己高度珍视的信念其实是错误的时，他们会感到沮丧。因此，确认偏误会促使人们忽视那些与自身信念相悖的信息。)”可知， “protect their self-worth”的核心逻辑：因不愿接受自己重视的信念错误而忽视相反信息，本质是维护自我认同。所以D项“家长拒绝接受孩子喜欢的网络游戏有害的研究，辩称‘我的孩子一直很负责任’”中，家长重视“自己对孩子的判断”这一信念，拒绝相反研究以保护自我价值，符合题意。故选D项。 (5)题解析： 主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是由文章第一段“Confirmation bias refers to people’s tendency to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs. While it’s usually subconscious, its impacts are significant. It can cloud people’s judgement and decision-making processes.(确认偏误指的是人们倾向于寻找支持自己现有信念的信息。尽管这通常是潜意识的，但其影响却十分重大。它会使人们的判断和决策过程变得模糊)”可知，文章开篇定义确认偏误及其影响，接着分析成因（高效处理信息、保护自我价值）、表现（研究中的自我偏向、人际沟通），最后提出避免方法（多样化信息来源、主动挑战偏误），核心是“理解确认偏误及克服策略”。故选C项。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）Heritage is our legacy (遗产) from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable (无可取代的) sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China make up our world’s heritage. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied (体现)in an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. How does a place become a World Heritage Site? It takes a lot of people to decide. 1)If a country wants one of its places to be on the World Heritage List, it has to ask UNESCO. The place must be important and special. UNESCO put the Great Wall on the list in 1987 because, it said, it was a great part of Chinese culture and beautifully made to go with the land. When a country asks, it must also make a plan for taking care of the place. 2)The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO talks about different places and decides whether to put them on the list. The committee meets every June. Many experts help the committee to decide. 3)After a new place goes on the list, UNESCO gives money to help keep it looking good. If a place is in serious danger, it may be put on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. UNESCO gives special care and help to those places. 4)Countries have to give UNESCO regular reports about places on the list. If UNESCO thinks a country isn’t taking good enough care of a place, the site will be taken off the list. 1.What is the main purpose of Paragraph 1? A. To tell us what is heritage. B. To explain the aims of protecting heritages. C. To introduce some places of interest in the world. D. To encourage people to pay a visit to famous sights. 2.About cultural and natural heritage around the world, UNESCO encourages all the following EXCEPT________. A. identification B. application C. protection D. preservation 3.If a place successfully becomes a World Heritage Site, the country________. A. Will not get the support from UNESCO B. should continue to take special care of it C. won’t take trouble of caring for it D. will try to put it on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger 4.When do the committee meet up with each other? A. every June B. every May C. every February D. every March 5.The purpose of putting a place on the World Heritage List is________. A. to attract more tourists from other countries B. to get more money and help from other countries C. to have it taken better care of D. to make it known to other countries 【答案】1. A　2. B　3. B　4. A　5. C 【解析】 本文是说明文。介绍了什么是世界遗产，世界遗产的重要性，也说明了一个地方为评为世界遗产经历的各种过程。 (1)题解析： 主旨大意题。根据第一段“Heritage is our legacy (遗产) from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable (无可取代的) sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China make up our world’s heritage. (遗产是我们过去留下的遗产，我们今天生活的遗产，我们传递给后代的遗产。我们的文化和自然遗产都是不可替代的生活和灵感来源。像埃及金字塔、澳大利亚大堡礁和中国长城这样独特多样的地方构成了我们的世界遗产。) ”可知第一段主要介绍什么是遗产，并列举了几个世界遗产的例子。故选A。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.( 联合国教科文组织寻求鼓励在世界各地确认、保护和保存被认为对人类具有突出价值的文化和自然遗产。)”可知提到了联合国教科文组织寻求鼓励认定、保护和保存世界遗产，没有提到应用世界遗产。故选B。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据最后一段“Countries have to give UNESCO regular reports about places on the list. If UNESCO thinks a country isn’t taking good enough care of a place, the site will be taken off the list.( 各国必须定期向联合国教科文组织提交关于名单上地方的报告。如果联合国教科文组织认为一个国家对一个地方照顾得不够好，该地点将从名单上删除。)”可知一个地方申遗成功，这个国家就应该尽量去保护这个地方。故选B。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据倒数第三段“The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO talks about different places and decides whether to put them on the list. The committee meets every June. Many experts help the committee to decide.( 联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会讨论不同的地方，并决定是否将它们列入名单。委员会每年六月开会。许多专家帮助委员会做出决定。)”可知委员会每年六月开会。故选A。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据文章内容，尤其是倒数第二段“After a new place goes on the list, UNESCO gives money to help keep it looking good. If a place is in serious danger, it may be put on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. UNESCO gives special care and help to those places.( 在一个新地方进入榜单后，联合国教科文组织会提供资金帮助它保持良好的面貌。如果一个地方处于严重的危险中，它可能会被列入世界濒危遗产名录。联合国教科文组织对这些地方给予了特别照顾和帮助。)”可推知，认定世界遗产的目的是为了使其得到更好的保护。故选C。 Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津第一中学-11月·期中）Pick up any packaged processed food, and there’s a decent chance that one of its listed ingredients will be “natural flavor”. The ingredient sounds good, particularly in contrast to “artificial flavors” since there is a common belief that ingredients from nature are necessarily safer than something artificially made. But it’s not true: Then what exactly does the natural flavor mean? It refers to extracts (提取物) got from natural sources like plants, meat or seafood. When consumers see the “natural flavor” on a label, they are unlikely to assume that someone is squeezing the juice from oranges into their bottles. They know even though natural flavor must come from natural sources, it needn’t all come from the plant or meat. For example, orange flavors might contain not only orange extracts, but also extracts from bark and grass. So if flavors like orange are needed, why not just use oranges? The answer comes down to “availability, cost, and sustainability”, according to flavor chemist Gary Reineccius of the University of Minnesota. “If you’re going to use all your grapes on grape soda,” Reincccius says, “you don’t have any grapes for wine making; the products are going to be exorbitant; besides, what do you do with the by-products you create after you’ve squeezed all the juice out of the grapes?” Actually, while chemists make natural flavors by extracting chemicals from natural ingredients, artificial flavors are made by creating the same chemicals artificially. The reason why companies bother to use natural flavors rather than artificial flavors is simple: marketing. “Many of these products have health titles,” says Platkin, professor from Hunter College. “Consumers may be talked to believe products with natural flavors are healthier, though they are nutritionally no different from those with artificial flavors. Natural flavors may involve more forest clear-cutting and carbon emissions from transport than flavors created in the lab.” Platkin suggests getting more transparent labeling on packaging that describes exactly what the natural or artificial flavors are, so consumers are not misled into buying one product over another because of “natural flavors”. Reineccius also offers simple guidance: “Don’t buy anything because it says ‘natural flavors’. Buy it because you like it.” 1.Which is misunderstanding about the “natural flavor” juice according to Paragraph 1? A. It comes from 100% natural sources. B. It is nothing but advertising tricks. C. It certainly contains extracts made in the lab. D. It is absolutely safer than juice with artificial flavors. 2.What does the underlined word “exorbitant” in Paragraph 2 probably mean? A. Popular. B. Pricey. C. Favorable. D. Innovative. 3.Why do companies use natural flavors in the products? A. To cut the costs. B. To promote the sales. C. To advocate a healthy diet. D. To avoid food safety issues. 4.What are the suggestions from the experts at the end of the passage? A. Consumers had befter take natural flavors into account. B. Extracting chemicals from natural ingredients ought to be promoted. C. Consumers should base their choice of flavors on preference. D. The public must raise their awareness of caring for the planet. 5.What can we conclude from the text? A. Gary and Platkin hold opposite perspectives. B. Natural flavors are more environmentally friendly. C. Customers are misled for ignoring labels on packaging. D. Natural and artificial flavors are more alike than you think. 【答案】1. D　2. B　3. B　4. C　5. D 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了天然香料并不一定比人工香料更安全，公司使用天然香料主要是出于营销目的，专家给出了相关建议。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段中“The ingredient sounds good, particularly in contrast to ‘artificial flavors’ since there is a common belief that ingredients from nature are necessarily safer than something artificially made. But it’s not true(这配料听起来不错，特别是与“人工香料”形成对比，因为人们普遍认为，天然成分必然比人工制造的成分更安全。但事实并非如此)”可知，人们误以为天然香料绝对比含有人工香料的果汁更安全，故选D。 (2)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据第二段中“If you’re going to use all your grapes on grape soda, you don’t have any grapes for wine making; the products are going to be exorbitant; besides, what do you do with the by-products you create after you’ve squeezed all the juice out of the grapes?(如果你要把所有的葡萄都用来做葡萄汽水，那你就没有葡萄来酿酒了；产品将会exorbitant；此外，你把葡萄榨完汁后产生的副产品怎么办？)”可知，如果将所有的葡萄都用于制作葡萄汽水，就没有葡萄用于酿酒，而且处理完榨汁后的副产品也会有问题，这样会导致产品价格变得很高。“exorbitant”所在句子表达的就是产品价格会很高，所以“exorbitant”意思是“昂贵的”，与“Pricey”意思相近，故选B。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段中“The reason why companies bother to use natural flavors rather than artificial flavors is simple: marketing.(公司之所以不厌其烦地使用天然香料而不是人工香料，原因很简单。营销)”可知，公司使用天然香料是为了促进销售，故选B。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据最后一段中“Reineccius also offers simple guidance: “Don’t buy anything because it says ‘natural flavors’. Buy it because you like it.”(Reineccius也给出了简单的建议：“不要因为上面写着‘天然香料’就买任何东西。买它是因为你喜欢它。”)”可知，专家建议消费者应该根据自己对香料的喜好来选择，故选C。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第三段中“Actually, while chemists make natural flavors by extracting chemicals from natural ingredients, artificial flavors are made by creating the same chemicals artificially.(事实上，化学家通过从天然成分中提取化学物质来制造天然风味，而人工风味则是通过人工制造相同的化学物质来制成)”和“Consumers may be talked to believe products with natural flavors are healthier, though they are nutritionally no different from those with artificial flavors.(消费者可能会被说服相信含有天然香料的产品更健康，尽管它们在营养上与含有人工香料的产品没有区别)”以及全文内容可知，天然香料和人工香料比人们想象的更相似，故选D。 主题语境02 人与社会-文学、艺术与体育 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津第四十七中学·期中）If you love it when a musician strikes the unexpected but perfect chord (和弦), you are not alone. Researchers led by Ben Gold, a PhD candidate in the lab of Robert Zatorre at The Neuro of McGill University, put 20 volunteers through a musical reward learning task. Each participant chose a color. Each choice came with a certain probability of leading to either a pleasurable musical piece or an unpleasurable one. Over time the participants learned which choices were more likely to produce both pleasurable and unpleasurable music. The test was designed to create an expectation of either musical enjoyment or dissatisfaction. Participants performed this task while their brain activity was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI磁共振成像). Using an algorithm (算法), the researchers then determined the reward prediction error for each choice — the difference between an expected reward and the actual reward received. They compared that data to the MRI data, and found that reward prediction errors linked with activity in the nucleus accumbens. It is a brain area that has been shown to become active when the participant is experiencing musical pleasure in previous studies. The new study shows the musically unexpected errors make the reward center of our brains active, and enables us to learn about the music as we listen. This is the first evidence that musically caused reward prediction errors lead to musical pleasure. It is also the first time music as a reward has been shown to create such a response. Previous studies have focused on such rewards as food or money which can be seen or touched. Participants whose reward prediction errors most closely matched activity in the nucleus accumbens also showed the most progress in learning the choices that led to the pleasurable tones. This shows music as a neurobiological (神经生物学) reward is capable of motivating learning. It also shows how an abstract stimulus (刺激) can play a role in producing potentially pleasurable effect in the brain’s reward system and motivate us to listen again and again. 1.Why was the test designed in the study? A. To increase the participants’ musical enjoyment B. To make the participants expect the effect of music. C. To create an expectation of an enjoyable reward. D. To guide the participants to select enjoyable music. 2.The nucleus accumbens will become active when the music ________. A. is as good as expected B. causes some dissatisfaction C. has some unexpected notes D. causes no reward prediction errors 3.What makes the new study different from the previous ones? A. The results of the study. B. The importance of the study. C. The stimulus causing the reward in the study. D. The equipment in measuring the brain activity. 4.What can we infer from the last paragraph? A. People improve their moods by listening to music. B. The abstract stimulus can benefit the decision-making process C. People can make progress in learning while listening to nice music. D. The brain’s reward system can be motivated by an abstract stimulus. 5.What’s the author’s purpose in writing this passage? A. explain a scientific breakthrough. B. describe a detailed experimental procedure. C. argue that musical pleasure is a more effective motivator. D. introduce the concept of “reward prediction error”. 【答案】1. B　2. C　3. C　4. D　5. A 【解析】【导语】 这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了麦吉尔大学研究通过音乐奖励学习任务与fMRI扫描，发现音乐带来的奖励预测误差会激活大脑伏隔核，证实音乐作为抽象刺激可引发愉悦感并促进学习，填补了相关研究空白。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段“The test was designed to create an expectation of either musical enjoyment or dissatisfaction.(该测试旨在营造出要么是愉悦的音乐体验，要么是不满的音乐体验的预期效果)”可知，该研究中的测试设计初衷是旨在让参与者预期音乐的效果。故选B。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第四段“The new study shows the musically unexpected errors make the reward center of our brains active, and enables us to learn about the music as we listen.(这项新研究表明，那些出乎音乐预期的错误会激活我们大脑中的奖赏中枢，从而让我们在聆听音乐时能够更好地理解音乐内容)”可知，当音乐出现一些意外的音符时，伏隔核就会变得活跃起来。故选C。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段“Previous studies have focused on such rewards as food or money which can be seen or touched.(以往的研究主要关注那些能够被看见或触摸到的物质奖励，比如食物或金钱)”可知，与之前的研究相比，该研究差异在于“引发奖励的刺激物”。故选C。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段“It also shows how an abstract stimulus (刺激) can play a role in producing potentially pleasurable effect in the brain’s reward system and motivate us to listen again and again.(它还表明，一种抽象的刺激能够对大脑的奖赏系统产生影响，从而引发潜在的愉悦感，并促使我们不断地重复聆听)”可知，大脑的奖赏系统能够被抽象的刺激所激发。故选D。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第二段“Researchers led by Ben Gold, a PhD candidate in the lab of Robert Zatorre at The Neuro of McGill University, put 20 volunteers through a musical reward learning task. Each participant chose a color. Each choice came with a certain probability of leading to either a pleasurable musical piece or an unpleasurable one. Over time the participants learned which choices were more likely to produce both pleasurable and unpleasurable music.(由本·戈尔德领导的研究团队（他是麦吉尔大学神经科学实验室罗伯特·扎托雷的博士生）对20名志愿者进行了音乐奖励学习任务。每位参与者都选择了一种颜色。每次的选择都有一定的概率会带来愉悦的音乐片段或不愉悦的音乐片段。随着时间的推移，参与者逐渐了解到哪些选择更有可能同时产生愉悦和不愉悦的音乐)”结合文章主要说明了麦吉尔大学研究通过音乐奖励学习任务与fMRI扫描，发现音乐带来的奖励预测误差会激活大脑伏隔核，证实音乐作为抽象刺激可引发愉悦感并促进学习，填补了相关研究空白。可知，作者写这篇文章的目的是解释一项科学突破。故选A。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津第一中学-11月·期中）With such a strong artistic heritage, it’s no surprise that England knocks it out of the park when it comes to world-class art galleries. These are the galleries you need to add to your must-visit list. Royal Academy of Arts (RA), London Not your standard gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts is led by artists to promote not just the appreciation of art, but its practice. It is world-famous for hosting some exhibitions that get everyone talking. Besides, what sets the RA apart is its engagement with the public through participatory experiences, allowing visitors to not only view art but become part of it in innovative ways. Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich Sitting on the edge of the University of East Anglia’s campus, the Sainsbury Centre holds a collection of remarkable works of art spanning over 2,000 years. Inside the seminal Norman Foster building, you’ll find artworks from around the world, including some stunning pieces of European modern art by Degas, Francis Bacon, and Alberto Giacometti. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire Tearing up the rulebook when it comes to how we traditionally view art, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park strives to break down barriers by showing works from British and international artists in the open air. Set in hundreds of acres of West Yorkshire parkland, you’ll see sculptures by some of the leading artists of the 20th century. Whitworth, Manchester After a sky-high E15 million development, the Whitworth is becoming one of the premier galleries in the north of England. Making full use of its picturesque park setting, the gallery has a beautiful art garden and a sculpture terrace (露台), all waiting to be explored. Inside the gallery, you can view an exciting program of ever-changing exhibitions. 1.What do we know about England from the passage? A. It’s well-known for its brilliant natural landscape. B. Its art galleries need additions to their collections. C. It excels in world-class art galleries. D. London is the home to most of its art galleries. 2.What is special about the Royal Academy of Arts? A. It offers interactive experiences. B. It displays works by senior artists. C. It occupies a vast space in the museum. D. It stages exhibitions in a traditional way. 3.Which of the statements is true for Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts? A. It’s not close to the University of East Anglia B. Its modern artworks mostly come from Europe. C. Its works of art all date back to 2,000 years ago. D. It bridges the classical and the modern. 4.What do Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Whitworth have in common? A. They are small in scale. B. They offer outdoor settings. C. They feature long-standing works. D. They host exhibitions on an annual basis. 5.Where is the text probably taken from? A. An art textbook. B. An art student’s paper. C. A personal travel blog. D. A travel guidebook. 【答案】1. C　2. A　3. D　4. B　5. D 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章精选英格兰四座顶级美术馆。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段的句子“With such a strong artistic heritage, it’s no surprise that England knocks it out of the park when it comes to world-class art galleries.(拥有如此强大的艺术遗产，英国在世界一流的艺术画廊中脱颖而出也就不足为奇了)”可知，英格兰以世界级美术馆而闻名。故选C项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据介绍Royal Academy of Arts (RA)句子“Besides, what sets the RA apart is its engagement with the public through participatory experiences, allowing visitors to not only view art but become part of it in innovative ways.(此外，RA的独特之处在于它通过参与式体验与公众互动，让参观者不仅可以观看艺术，还可以以创新的方式成为艺术的一部分。)”可知，皇家艺术学院的特色是提供互动体验。故选A项。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据介绍Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts的句子“Sitting on the edge of the University of East Anglia’s campus, the Sainsbury Centre holds a collection of remarkable works of art spanning over 2,000 years. Inside the seminal Norman Foster building, you’ll find artworks from around the world, including some stunning pieces of European modern art by Degas, Francis Bacon, and Alberto Giacometti.(位于东安格利亚大学校园边缘的塞恩斯伯里中心收藏了2000多年来的杰出艺术作品。在开创性的诺曼·福斯特建筑内，你会发现来自世界各地的艺术品，包括德加、弗朗西斯·培根和阿尔贝托·贾科梅蒂的一些令人惊叹的欧洲现代艺术作品。)”可知，塞恩斯伯里中心收藏了2000多年来的杰出艺术作品，并展出Degas、Bacon等欧洲现代艺术品，可推断其连接古典与现代。故选D项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据介绍Yorkshire Sculpture Park的句子“Tearing up the rulebook when it comes to how we traditionally view art, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park strives to break down barriers by showing works from British and international artists in the open air. Set in hundreds of acres of West Yorkshire parkland, you’ll see sculptures by some of the leading artists of the 20th century.(当谈到我们传统上如何看待艺术时，约克郡雕塑公园打破了规则，通过在露天展示英国和国际艺术家的作品，努力打破障碍。在数百英亩的西约克郡公园里，你会看到一些20世纪著名艺术家的雕塑。)”和介绍Whitworth的句子“Making full use of its picturesque park setting, the gallery has a beautiful art garden and a sculpture terrace (露台), all waiting to be explored.(充分利用其风景如画的公园环境，画廊有一个美丽的艺术花园和一个雕塑平台，都等待着探索。)”可知，两者均利用户外环境展示艺术。故选B项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据全文内容，特别是第一段的句子“These are the galleries you need to add to your must-visit list.(这些是你需要添加到你的必游列表的画廊。)”可知，文章介绍了英格兰四个美术馆的看点与特色，语言简洁、实用，符合旅行指南风格。故选D项。 主题语境03 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津第一〇二中学-11月·期中）Have you ever wondered why the sound of a mosquito (蚊子) seems so much louder and more annoying at night when you’re trying to sleep? It’s not just your imagination; there’s actual science behind this nightly nuisance (讨厌的东西). The primary reason is the cocktail Party Effect. During the day, your environment is filled with a variety of sounds — people talking, traffic noise, birds chirping, etc. Your brain acts as a filter (过滤器), focusing on what is important (like a conversation) and tuning out background noise. In this crowded “sound party,” the mosquito’s buzz (嗡嗡声) is just another unimportant background noise, easily ignored. However, at night, the world becomes much quieter. The background noise that once masked the mosquito’s buzz disappears. With fewer competing sounds, your brain has less to filter out, making the mosquito’s high-pitched whine seem disproportionately loud and urgent. It becomes the main “guest” at a very quiet party, and your brain focuses on it entirely. Furthermore, evolution may play a role. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. Our ancestors who were light sleepers and more alert to these potential disease-carrying pests might have had a survival advantage. Therefore, we might be hardwired to be particularly sensitive to that specific sound when we are resting. So the next time a mosquito’s buzz keeps you awake, remember: it’s not just a bug, it’s a master of sound, exploring the quiet of the night and your brain’s own filtering system to become the most irritating (烦人的) sound on the planet. 1.What is the main purpose of the first paragraph? A. To describe the life cycle of a mosquito. B. To explain how human hearing works. C. To introduce a common experience and the topic. D. To complain about the harm mosquitoes cause. 2.According to the passage, what is the “Cocktail Party Effect”? A. The ability to focus on a single sound in a noisy environment. B. A party where people talk about science. C. The phenomenon where music sounds better at a party. D. The effect of alcohol on human hearing. 3.Why does a mosquito’s buzz seem louder at night? A. Because mosquitoes are larger and stronger at night. B. Because there is less background noise to mask it. C. Because human hearing becomes sharper after dark. D. Because mosquitoes fly closer to our ears at night. 4.What evolutionary reason is suggested for our sensitivity to the mosquito’s buzz? A. It helped our ancestors avoid dangerous animals. B. It prevented our ancestors from sleeping too deeply. C. It allowed our ancestors to communicate better at night. D. It made our ancestors more alert to disease carriers. 5.What is the author’s tone in the last sentence of the passage? A. Serious and worried. B. Angry and frustrated. C. Humorous and vivid. D. Sad and disappointed. 【答案】1. C　2. A　3. B　4. D　5. C 【解析】【导语】 这是一篇说明文。主要围绕蚊子在夜间嗡嗡声更响亮恼人的现象展开，从科学和进化角度解释背后缘由，兼具科普性与趣味性。 (1)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第一段“Have you ever wondered why the sound of a mosquito seems so much louder and more annoying at night when you’re trying to sleep? (你有没有想过为什么蚊子的声音在夜间你试图入睡时似乎更响亮、更烦人？)”可知，文中以一个提问开篇，引出大家都有过的这一常见体验。根据第一段“It’s not just your imagination; there’s actual science behind this nightly nuisance. (这不仅仅是你的想象，这种夜间讨厌的现象背后是有科学依据的)”可知，下文要探究其背后的科学道理。所以第一段主要目的是介绍一种常见体验并引出话题。故选C项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段“The primary reason is the cocktail Party Effect. During the day, your environment is filled with a variety of sounds — people talking, traffic noise, birds chirping, etc. Your brain acts as a filter, focusing on what is important (like a conversation) and tuning out background noise. (主要原因是鸡尾酒会效应。白天，你的周围充满了各种声音，人们的交谈声、交通噪音、鸟儿的鸣叫声等等。你的大脑就像一个过滤器，专注于重要的东西(比如一场谈话)，并过滤掉背景噪音)”可知，“鸡尾酒会效应”指的是在嘈杂环境中专注于单一声音的能力。故选A项。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第三段“However, at night, the world becomes much quieter. The background noise that once masked the mosquito’s buzz disappears. With fewer competing sounds, your brain has less to filter out, making the mosquito’s high-pitched whine seem disproportionately loud and urgent. (然而，到了晚上，世界变得安静多了。曾经掩盖蚊子嗡嗡声的背景噪音消失了。由于相互竞争的声音减少，你的大脑需要过滤的东西也减少了，这使得蚊子尖锐的嗡嗡声听起来异常响亮和急促)”可知，蚊子的嗡嗡声在夜间听起来更响亮是因为掩盖它的背景噪音更少了。故选B项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第四段“Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. Our ancestors who were light sleepers and more alert to these potential disease-carrying pests might have had a survival advantage. Therefore, we might be hardwired to be particularly sensitive to that specific sound when we are resting. (蚊子在黎明和黄昏时最活跃。我们的祖先睡眠较浅，对这些潜在的携带疾病的害虫更警觉，可能具有生存优势。因此，当我们休息时，我们可能天生就对那种特定的声音特别敏感)”可知，我们对蚊子嗡嗡声敏感的进化原因是这能让我们祖先对疾病携带者更警觉。故选D项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“So the next time a mosquito’s buzz keeps you awake, remember: it’s not just a bug, it’s a master of sound, exploring the quiet of the night and your brain’s own filtering system to become the most irritating sound on the planet. (所以，下次蚊子的嗡嗡声让你无法入睡时，请记住：它不仅仅是一只虫子，它是声音的大师，利用夜晚的宁静和你大脑自身的过滤系统，成为地球上最烦人的声音)”可知，作者把蚊子称作“声音的大师”，这种表述幽默又生动。故选C项。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津和平区耀华中学·期中）Is the time coming soon when we will all have chips put in our brains? The sci-fi future may seem one step closer now that the first patient of Elon Musk’s Neuralink start-up can play chess online using only his brain. Set up in 2016, Neuralink is a newcomer in the world of brain-machine interface (BMI脑机接口). The key technology has been around for decades, and its principles are fairly straightforward. A BMI consists of probes — usually very thin wires — that are inserted into the brain at specific locations. These probes eavesdrop (监听) on the activity of nearby brain cells and transmit the information they gather to a computer. The computer then processes this information in order to do something useful—perhaps control a robot, or a voice synthesizer (合成器). BMIs can also work the other way round. They may drive neural activity through electrical stimulation carried out by the probes potentially changing what we think, feel, and do. BMI technology is developing rapidly and for good reason. There’s the potential to help paralyzed people to walk again and blind people to see. That’s Neuralink’s first stated goal, and it’s possible that it’ll make rapid progress. However, BMI development is as much a scientific problem as it is an engineering challenge. Unlike electric cars and space rockets, how the brain works remains something that science understands to a fairly limited degree. Medical research of any kind has to be carried out slowly to minimize the suffering of any animals involved and to ensure human safety. Beyond medical applications, there’s the chance that BMIs may give us — or some of us, at least — new cognitive capabilities. Musk paints a picture of a future in which all of us may use brain chips for self-improvement. While most of us might agree that treating neurological disorders is a good thing, the ethics of the latter are far more controversial. First, there are questions of feasibility (可行性). BMIs still face a series of scientific challenges. This means that the first non-medical applications will probably be limited to things such as controlling apps on our phones. Will people really have high-risk brain surgery just to scroll social media with their minds? Then there is concern about algorithmic bias (算法偏差). If BMIs are trained on data from only a group of people, then getting them to work properly may require us to think in ways typical of that group. This would put social biases directly into our minds, potentially leading to the loss of cultural diversity. Finally, we should consider what might happen if we allow companies like Neuralink to obtain our neural data. When we lose control over our own mental states, we may arrive at a place where what it means to be a human being hangs in the balance. Whatever the benefits, this is a high price to pay. Certainly, we should think twice before connecting our brains directly to the brain-chip products — while we still can. 1.Which of the following best describes the current application of BMI technology? A. It has overcome major hurdles in understanding brain functions. B. It is widely used for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy people. C. Its primary success lies in helping paralyzed individuals regain movement. D. It remains largely a field facing significant challenges despite its potential. 2.Which of the following is a major challenge for non-medical BMI applications? A. High cost and risks of brain surgery. B. Limited understanding of brain functions. C. Lack of data from diverse ethnic groups. D. Ethical concerns about cognitive enhancement. 3.According to the whole passage, Paragraph 4 serves to ________. A. propose practical solutions to technical problems. B. transition from medical benefits to ethical debates. C. illustrate the success of Neuralink’s first goal. D. explain how BMI changes cultural diversity. 4.What does the author likely imply with the underlined sentence in Paragraph 5? A. Chances are that human beings will be under possible threat. B. Humans might evolve into a new species due to genetic changes. C. The physical risks of brain surgery threaten human survival. D. Cultural diversity will be lost in future without intervention. 5.What is the author’s overall attitude towards BMI technology? A. Worried about its non-medical daily uses. B. Fully supportive of its rapid development. C. Cautious about its application in our life. D. Confident in its ability to enhance humanity. 【答案】1. D　2. A　3. B　4. A　5. C 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文，主要讲的是脑机接口（BMI）技术的潜力和存在的挑战。 (1)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第三段“BMI technology is developing rapidly and for good reason. There’s the potential to help paralyzed people to walk again and blind people to see. That’s Neuralink’s first stated goal, and it’s possible that it’ll make rapid progress. However, BMI development is as much a scientific problem as it is an engineering challenge. Unlike electric cars and space rockets, how the brain works remains something that science understands to a fairly limited degree.(BMI技术发展迅速，这是有充分理由的。它有可能帮助瘫痪的人重新行走，帮助盲人重见光明。这是Neuralink的第一个既定目标，它可能会取得快速进展。然而，BMI的发展既是一个工程挑战，也是一个科学问题。与电动汽车和太空火箭不同，大脑的工作原理在科学上的理解仍然相当有限。)”可知，目前BMI技术的应用尽管潜力巨大，但该领域在很大程度上仍面临着重大挑战。故选D。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第五段“First, there are questions of feasibility. BMIs still face a series of scientific challenges. This means that the first non-medical applications will probably be limited to things such as controlling apps on our phones. Will people really have high-risk brain surgery just to scroll social media with their minds?(首先，存在可行性问题。BMI仍然面临一系列科学挑战。这意味着第一批非医疗应用可能仅限于控制我们手机上的应用程序等。人们真的会为了用大脑滚动社交媒体而进行高风险的脑部手术吗？)”可知，非医疗BMI应用的主要挑战是脑部手术的高成本和高风险。故选A。 (3)题解析： 主旨大意题。根据第四段“Beyond medical applications, there’s the chance that BMIs may give us—or some of us, at least—new cognitive capabilities. Musk paints a picture of a future in which all of us may use brain chips for self-improvement. While most of us might agree that treating neurological disorders is a good thing, the ethics of the latter are far more controversial.(除了医疗应用之外，脑机接口（BMI）技术还有可能为我们——至少是我们中的一部分人——带来新的认知能力。马斯克描绘了一幅这样的未来图景：我们所有人都可能使用脑芯片进行自我提升。尽管我们大多数人可能都认同治疗神经系统疾病是一件好事，但后一种（使用脑芯片自我提升）做法的伦理问题则要争议得多。)”可知，第四段的作用是从医疗益处过渡到伦理辩论。故选B。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第五段“BMIs still face a series of scientific challenges. This means that the first non-medical applications will probably be limited to things such as controlling apps on our phones. Will people really have high-risk brain surgery just to scroll social media with their minds?(脑机接口（BMI）技术仍面临一系列科学挑战。这意味着首批非医疗应用可能仅限于诸如操控我们手机上的应用程序这类事情。人们真的会仅仅为了用大脑刷社交媒体就去接受高风险的脑部手术吗？)”可知，作者在第5段的划线句子中可能暗示了人类很有可能会受到威胁。故选A。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段“Certainly, we should think twice before connecting our brains directly to the brain-chip products—while we still can.(当然，在我们仍有选择余地之时，将大脑与脑机芯片产品直接相连前，确实应当三思而后行。)”可知，作者对BMI技术在我们生活中的应用持谨慎态度。故选C。 Passage 3 （25-26高三上·天津和平区天津市第二十中学·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 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 weighing 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 shared 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 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 probable shift in the future research focus. B. A notable increase in sample size. C. A timely application of the research findings. D. A thorough evaluation of the current research. 5.According to the passage, what can be inferred about the cultural feedback cycle between humans and AI? A. It only exists in formal written contexts. B. It will disappear as AI models become more mature C. It may lead humans to adopt more uniform language patterns. D. It has no influence on people’s choice of information sources. 【答案】1. B　2. B　3. D　4. A　5. C 【解析】【导语】 这是一篇说明文。主要介绍了Hiromu Yakura团队研究发现，ChatGPT 发布后，其常用的 GPT 词汇在口语中显著增多，形成人类与 AI 的文化反馈循环，专家建议未来需拓展语言研究维度。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段“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Hiromu Yakura在ChatGPT问世大约一年后，第一次意识到自己的词汇存在差异。研究人员之前发现，使用大型语言模型（LLMs），比如那些支持ChatGPT的模型，正在改变书面交流中的词汇选择，Yakura和他的同事们想知道口头交流是否也受到了影响。)”可知，自身词汇使用的变化促使他开启这项新研究。故选B项。 (2)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第二段中“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 episodes from before and after ChatGPT’s release to track the use of GPT words over time.( 他们识别了ChatGPT经常添加的单词，比如“delve”，并标记了这些GPT单词。接下来，该团队分析了ChatGPT发布前后超过36万个YouTube视频和77万个播客片段，以跟踪GPT单词的使用情况。)”及第一段内容可推知，研究人员先确定了 ChatGPT 常用的 GPT 词汇，随后分析大量视频和播客素材追踪这些词汇的使用情况，目的是弄清大语言模型是否影响人类口语交流。故选B项。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第三段中““The patterns shared 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Levin Brinkmann在描述文化反馈循环：人类在文本上训练人工智能时指出：“人工智能技术中共享的模式似乎正在发回人类的思维。”人工智能返回统计上混合的版本，然后人们无意识地采用它的模式。Brinkmann说：“人类相互模仿是很自然的，但如果我们认为别人知识渊博或很重要，我们就更有可能模仿别人的行为。”随着越来越多的人将人工智能视为一种文化权威，他们可能会依赖和模仿人工智能，而不是其他来源，从而导致语言风格和表达的相似性。)”可推知，Brinkmann提到了文化反馈周期的趋势来说明它对语言的丰富性有潜在的风险。故选D项。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段中““In this moment in the evolution 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LLMs发展的这一时刻，研究单词分布是理解技术如何影响我们沟通方式的正确方法。”“但随着模型的成熟，这些分布将越来越难以区分。科学家们可能需要关注词汇选择之外更广泛的语言趋势，比如句子结构和想法的表达方式。”)”可推知，最后一段暗示了未来针对大语言模型文化影响的研究重点可能会发生转移。故选A项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据文章大意以及倒数第二段中“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.( 随着越来越多的人将人工智能视为一种文化权威，他们可能会依赖和模仿人工智能，而不是其他来源，从而导致语言风格和表达的相似性。)”可知，文中提到文化反馈循环会让人们无意识地采用 AI 的语言模式，且人们视 AI 为文化权威时会更依赖和模仿它，最终导致语言风格和表达趋同。这可推断出该循环可能使人类采用更统一的语言模式。故选C项。 主题语境04 人与自我-做人与做事 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津宁河芦台第二中学·期中）It’s good to make mistakes, and here is why. First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that we are trying new things. It’s always good to try new things because when we are trying new things, we are growing. If we never try anything new, how can we improve? How can we expand? The simple answer is “We can’t. ”Look around us. With very few exceptions, either everything you see in your physical world or every single detail of every single thing is the result of someone trying something new. Another good thing about mistakes is this: When we are making mistakes, we are learning. Consider this—Edison failed 10, 000 times before he perfected the light bulb. When asked how it felt to fail that many times, he said that he had learned 10, 000 things that didn’t work. Finally, when we make a mistake, we are much closer to success. Why? Because when all is said and done, we will have tried some number of things before we succeeded. Every time we make a mistake, we eliminate one of those things and are one step closer. But all this doesn’t mean that we should go through life without considering the consequences of a mistake. Quite the contrary, when we try something new, we have to be willing to set some reasonable limits so that in the event that it doesn’t work out the way we want it to, we will be in a position to try again. we all have limited resources—in the form of time and money—so we shouldn’t blow them all on one approach to a problem. Realize that it probably won’t be perfect the first time and allocate these resources appropriately so we can learn, make corrections, and try it again. Only by accepting and using our mistakes in this way can we make significant advances in our lives. There is an old saying that goes, “If you’re not making mistakes, you’ re not trying hard enough.” So go forth and make mistakes. And learn. And grow. And prosper. 1.From the second paragraph, we can conclude that________. A. mistakes are unnecessary for development B. mistakes let us see our own limits C. it’s common for people to make mistakes D. making mistakes is better than not trying 2.According to the passage, if we try new things, we can________. A. move forward B. never fail C. obtain nothing D. be closer to mistakes 3.The underlined word “eliminate” means________. A. make up for B. get rid of C. avoid D. solve 4.According to the article, one thing we should pay attention to about making mistakes is________. A. avoiding making the same mistakes B. accepting the outcome willingly C. making proper arrangements for our next try D. reflecting on the consequences after each mistake 5.The article is mainly about________. A. how to deal with mistakes B. what benefits making mistakes brings C. how to achieve success D. how to make use of our mistakes 【答案】1. D　2. A　3. B　4. C　5. B 【解析】【导语】 这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了犯错误的三个好处。 (1)题解析： 推理判断题。根据文章第二段“First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that we are trying new things. It’s always good to try new things because when we are trying new things, we are growing. If we never try anything new, how can we improve?(首先，错误是我们尝试新事物的明确信号。尝试新事物总是好的，因为当我们尝试新事物时，我们就在成长。如果我们从不尝试新事物，我们怎么能进步呢?)”可推知，犯错误总比不去尝试好。故选D项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段“It’s always good to try new things because when we are trying new things, we are growing. If we never try anything new, how can we improve? How can we expand? The simple answer is “We can’t. ”(尝试新事物总是好的，因为当我们尝试新事物时，我们就在成长。如果我们从不尝试新事物，我们怎么能进步呢?我们如何扩张?简单的回答是：“我们不能。”)”可知，如果我们尝试新事物，我们就能前进。故选A项。 (3)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据划线词的下文“one step closer(更接进一步)”可知，此处是指每一次我们犯了错误，我们就“摆脱了”其中一个失败的事情，就离目标更接近了一步，所以划线词是“摆脱”的意思。故选B项。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段“But all this doesn’t mean that we should go through life without considering the consequences of a mistake. Quite the contrary, when we try something new, we have to be willing to set some reasonable limits so that in the event that it doesn’t work out the way we want it to, we will be in a position to try again.(但这一切并不意味着我们可以一辈子不考虑错误的后果。恰恰相反，当我们尝试新事物时，我们必须愿意设定一些合理的限制，以便在事情没有按照我们希望的方式进行时，我们能够再次尝试。)”可知，我们犯错误后，再尝试新事物时要为我们的下一次尝试做适当的安排。故选C项。 (5)题解析： 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段“It’s good to make mistakes, and here is why.(犯错误是好事，原因如下。)”和第二段“First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that we are trying new things.(首先，错误是我们尝试新事物的明确信号。)”和第三段“Another good thing about mistakes is this: When we are making mistakes, we are leaning.(错误的另一个好处是：当我们犯错误的时候，我们是在学习。)”和第四段“Finally, when we make a mistake, we are much closer to success.(最后，当我们犯错误的时候，我们离成功更近了。)”和最后一段“There is an old saying that goes, “If you’re not making mistakes, you’ re not trying hard enough.” So go forth and make mistakes. And learn. And grow. And prosper.(有句老话说：“如果你不犯错误，你就没有足够的努力。”所以，要敢于犯错。学习。并成长。并实现繁荣。)”可知，本文主要讲的是犯错误带来的好处。故选B项。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津滨海紫云中学·期中）Many companies are pushing their employees to get back to the office, considering it critical for maintaining the corporate culture. According to Treehugger, the third industrial revolution would be the end of the office and in the future, it would be a coffee shop: “The major purpose of an office in the future is to interact, to get around a table and talk, and to chat.” I am so enthusiastic about the end of the office considering the carbon it would save It is reflected in not just the gas in the cars or the building operations, but the massive carbon from building office buildings, subways, and other facilities designed to meet the peak demand of the commute (通勤). Many companies are settling into the concept of hybrid (混合的) offices, where employees work from home several days per week. The Carbon Counter of the Financial Times sees a picture in the U. S. where “there are bigger savings from homeworking, largely down to a cut in the time spent driving gas-guzzling (高油耗的) cars.” But people may move to bigger suburban houses, willing to have longer commutes, where they have twice the footprint of someone living in the city. The Carbon Counter estimates that full-time homeworking has a footprint of about 50% of full-time office working in the U. S., but only a minor saving in carbon emissions with a switch to 3 days in the office and 2 at home, based on a 22-mile commute and a 40% increase in heating and electricity for those days working from home. Besides, no company is going to keep 100% of their office space for two-thirds of the number of people, especially when they are no longer worrying about social distancing. Companies will promote more “hot-desking” where employees do not have permanent personal spots, which many find makes the office less attractive, encouraging more people to work from home. I noted earlier there might be less demand for public transportation and highway expansion in the case of hybrid offices, but analyst John Kemp reports crowded subways are a feature, not a fault. Kemp also notes that “fully occupied central offices and transportation systems usually make very efficient use of energy.” 1.Why are lots of companies calling on employees to return to offices? A. To promote a relaxing working environment. B. To reduce unnecessary carbon footprints. C. To bring about another industrial revolution. D. To boost social contact and teamwork among them. 2.What makes the author in favor of putting an end to the office? A. Its environment-friendliness. B. Its lowering the cost of the commute. C. Its contribution to his health. D. Its giving him flexible working hours. 3.Which of the following might the Carbon Counter agree with? A. Hybrid offices might not be so carbon-efficient. B. Working from home is not easy to put into practice. C. Full-time homeworking is more suitable for the U. S. D. Many people in the U. S. have to face longer commutes. 4.What can we know about “hot-desking”? A. It results in social distancing. B. It stimulates employees' enthusiasm for work. C. It encourages people to improve social skills. D. It contributes to people’s preference for working from home. 5.What is Kemp’s attitude towards hybrid offices? A. Approving. B. Indifferent. C. Negative. D. Uncertain. 【答案】1. D　2. A　3. A　4. D　5. C 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。主要分析了企业推动员工返岗的原因、作者支持终结传统办公室的理由，及混合办公模式的碳足迹与实际影响。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Many companies are pushing their employees to get back to the office, considering it critical for maintaining the corporate culture. According to Treehugger, the third industrial revolution would be the end of the office and in the future, it would be a coffee shop: “The major purpose of an office in the future is to interact, to get around a table and talk, and to chat.”(许多公司正推动员工重返办公室，认为这对维护企业文化至关重要。据Treehugger报道，第三次工业革命将标志着办公室的终结，未来办公室将变成咖啡馆：“未来办公室的主要用途是互动、围坐桌边交谈和闲聊。”)”可知，企业呼吁员工返岗，核心是为了促进员工间的社交互动与团队协作，维护企业文化。故选D项。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“I am so enthusiastic about the end of the office considering the carbon it would save. It is reflected in not just the gas in the cars or the building operations, but the massive carbon from building office buildings, subways, and other facilities designed to meet the peak demand of the commute (通勤).(考虑到终结传统办公室能节省碳排放，我对此充满期待。这种碳排放节省不仅体现在汽车燃油或建筑运营上，还包括建造办公楼、地铁及其他满足通勤高峰需求的设施所产生的大量碳排放。)”可知，作者支持终结传统办公室，是因为其能减少碳排放，具备环保属性。故选A项。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“The Carbon Counter estimates that full-time homeworking has a footprint of about 50% of full-time office working in the U. S., but only a minor saving in carbon emissions with a switch to 3 days in the office and 2 at home, based on a 22-mile commute and a 40% increase in heating and electricity for those days working from home.(碳计数器估算，在美国，全职居家办公的碳足迹约为全职办公室办公的50%，但如果切换到“3天办公室+2天居家”的模式，基于22英里的通勤距离以及居家办公期间取暖和用电量增加40%的情况，碳排放仅能少量减少。)”可知，碳计数器认为混合办公模式的碳减排效果有限，可能并非高效的低碳选择。故选A项。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第五段中的“Companies will promote more “hot-desking” where employees do not have permanent personal spots, which many find makes the office less attractive, encouraging more people to work from home.(企业将推广更多“共享办公桌”模式，即员工没有固定的个人工位。许多人认为这种模式降低了办公室的吸引力，从而促使更多人选择居家办公。)”可知，“共享办公桌”模式因缺乏固定工位让办公室吸引力下降，进而推动人们更倾向于居家办公。故选D项。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据第六段中的“I noted earlier there might be less demand for public transportation and highway expansion in the case of hybrid offices, but analyst John Kemp reports crowded subways are a feature, not a fault. Kemp also notes that “fully occupied central offices and transportation systems usually make very efficient use of energy.”(我之前提到，混合办公模式下，公共交通和高速公路扩建的需求可能会减少，但分析师约翰·肯普表示，地铁拥挤是一个特点而非缺陷。他还指出，“满负荷运转的市中心办公室和交通系统通常能非常高效地利用能源。”)”可知，肯普不认同混合办公对交通需求的积极影响，反而强调传统“满负荷办公+高效交通”的能源利用优势，由此可推断他对混合办公模式持否定态度。故选C项。 主题语境01 人与社会-社会服务与人际沟通 （25-26高三上·天津汇文中学-11月·期中）When I was laid off in 2015, I told people about it the way any young person would: by tweeting (推特) about it. My hope was that someone in my social network would point me to potential opportunities. To my surprise, the “strategy” worked. Shortly after my public plea (请求) for employment, a friend of a friend sent me a Facebook message alerting me to an opening in her department. After three rounds of interviews, this acquaintance became my boss— and over time, she became one of my closest friends. Think of the parents you see in the drop-off zone (接送区) at school, your favorite waiter, or the other dog owners at the park. Sociologists call these relationships “weak ties.” Not only can these connections affect our job prospects (前景), but they can also have a positive impact on our well-being. Maintaining a network of acquaintances (熟人) can help you feel more connected. The desire to belong and form social attachments is a basic human need, alongside food, sleep, and safety. However, a 2016 study found that once we hit (年满) 25, the number of friends we have peaks and gradually declines over time. As we age and priorities shift from after-work bowling leagues to after-school pickups, maintaining a packed social calendar becomes less important. Yet staying socially engaged remains necessary to personal fulfillment. Moreover, having even a few acquaintances can connect us with a larger circle of people — fantastic news for job hunters. While friends may want to help, weak ties often widen the job-search playing field. These acquaintances also broaden our worldview. Regularly interacting with people whose experiences differ from ours fosters mindfulness of others’ circumstances, building empathy. Casual friends, too, have much to offer. Discovering surprising tidbits (趣闻) about people in your life — like learning your neighbor is an accomplished dancer — can spice up your day. Uncovering hidden talents or passions sparks intrigue (好奇) and admiration, encouraging deeper connections. In this way, casual friendships can evolve into meaningful relationships. So next time you see a friendly face, try exchanging a few pleasantries. 1.What does the “strategy” in paragraph 2 refer to? A. The author hid the news of her unemployment. B. The author asked her close friends to help her find a job. C. The author implied she needed a job on social media. D. The author searched the Internet for potential job opportunities. 2.“Weak ties” refers to a group of people who ________? A. are complete strangers to you B. you have met and know slightly C. have a close relationship with you D. are willing to help other people look for jobs 3.The advantages of having a network of casual friends include all the following except ________? A. connecting us with a large circle of people B. satisfying our basic need to connect with people C. broadening our minds and bettering our understanding of humanity D. helping us maintain a stronger relationship with our family and friends 4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph of the passage? A. Finding a small but interesting piece of news about casual friends can make your life interesting. B. Learning about someone’s talents or passions can further extend their life. C. Unexpected revelations can’t deepen your connections with others. D. Casual friendships can develop into real friendship. 5.The author’s purpose in writing this article is to ________. A. explain why people need friends B. let us realize the importance of casual friends C. inform us about what we can do when job hunting D. encourage us to make as many friends as we can 【答案】1. C　2. B　3. D　4. A　5. B 【解析】【导语】 这是一篇说明文。主要介绍了 “弱关系”（泛泛之交）的定义，以及拥有这类社交关系对个人求职、身心健康、世界观拓展等方面的积极作用，鼓励人们重视并维系这类关系。 (1)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据原文第一段“When I was laid off in 2015, I told people about it the way any young person would: by tweeting about it. My hope was that someone in my social network would point me to potential opportunities.(2015 年我被解雇时，我用了任何年轻人都会用的方式告诉别人：发推特。我希望我的社交网络中有人能给我指出潜在的机会。)” 及第二段“To my surprise, the “strategy” worked.(令我惊讶的是，这个“策略”奏效了。)”可知，“strategy”指作者在社交媒体上暗示自己需要工作这一行为。故选C。 (2)题解析： 推理判断题。根据原文第二段 “Think of the parents you see in the drop-off zone at school, your favorite waiter, or the other dog owners at the park. Sociologists call these relationships “weak ties.”(想想你在学校接送区遇到的家长、你最喜欢的服务员，或者公园里其他养狗的人。社会学家称这类关系为“弱关系”。)” 可知，“弱关系”指那些你见过、略有了解但非亲密的人。故选B。 (3)题解析： 细节理解题。根据原文第三段“Maintaining a network of acquaintances can help you feel more connected.(维系熟人网络能让你感觉与他人的联系更紧密。)”、第四段 “Moreover, having even a few acquaintances can connect us with a larger circle of people (而且，即使只有几个熟人，也能把我们和更广泛的人群联系起来)”、第五段“These acquaintances also broaden our worldview. Regularly interacting with people whose experiences differ from ours fosters mindfulness of others’ circumstances, building empathy.(这些熟人还能拓宽我们的世界观。经常与经历不同的人交往，能让我们更留心他人的处境，进而培养同理心。)” 可知，A、B、C 项均是泛泛之交的优势，而 D 项 “帮助我们与家人和朋友保持更牢固的关系” 未在文中提及。故选D。 (4)题解析： 推理判断题。根据原文最后一段 “Discovering surprising tidbits about people in your life— like learning your neighbor is an accomplished dancer— can spice up your day. Uncovering hidden talents or passions sparks intrigue and admiration, encouraging deeper connections.(发现生活中他人的意外趣闻 —— 比如得知你的邻居是一位技艺高超的舞者 —— 能为你的一天增添乐趣。发掘他人隐藏的才华或热情会引发好奇与敬佩，进而促进更深入的联系。)” 可知，了解泛泛之交的小趣闻能让生活变得有趣。故选A。 (5)题解析： 推理判断题。根据全文内容，尤其是文章对 “弱关系”（泛泛之交）在社交连接、求职、世界观拓展、生活乐趣等方面优势的阐述，以及最后一段 “So next time you see a friendly face, try exchanging a few pleasantries.(所以下次你看到友善的面孔，试着寒暄几句吧。)” 可知，作者写作本文的目的是让我们意识到泛泛之交的重要性。故选B。 主题语境02 人与社会-科学与技术 Passage 1 （25-26高三上·天津汇文中学-11月·期中）Visual Symbols and the Blind From a number of recent studies, it has become clear that blind people can appreciate the use of outlines and perspectives (透视图) to describe the arrangement of objects and other surfaces in space. But pictures are more than literal representations. This fact was drawn to my attention dramatically when a blind woman in one of my investigations drew a wheel as it was spinning. To show this motion, she drew a curve (曲线) inside the circle. I was shocked. Lines of motion, such as the one she used, are a very recent invention in the history of illustration. When I asked several other blind study subjects to draw a spinning wheel, one particularly clever way appeared repeatedly: several subjects showed the wheel’s spokes (辐条) as curved lines. When asked about these curves, they all described them as metaphorical (比喻) ways of suggesting motion. Majority rule (多数原则) would argue that this device indicated motion very well. But was it a better indicator than broken or wavy lines for that matter? The answer was not clear. So I decided to test whether various lines of motion were proper ways of showing movement or if they were merely special marks. Moreover, I wanted to discover whether there were differences in how the blind and the sighted interpreted lines of motion. To search out these answers, I created raised-line (凸起线条) drawings of five different wheels, representing spokes with lines that curved, bent, waved, dashed (虚线) and extended beyond the perimeter of the wheel. I then asked eighteen blind volunteers to feel the wheels and match one of the following motions with each wheel: shaking, spinning fast, spinning steadily, jerking (颠簸) or braking. My control group consisted of eighteen sighted undergraduates from the University of Toronto. Most subjects guessed that the curved spokes indicated that the wheel was spinning steadily; the wavy spokes, they thought, suggested that the wheel was shaking; and the bent spokes were taken as a sign that the wheel was jerking. Subjects assumed that spokes extending beyond the wheel’s perimeter meant that the wheel had its brakes on and that dashed spokes indicated the wheel was spinning quickly. In addition, the description for the sighted was the description for the blind in every example. What is more, the agreement among the sighted was hardly higher than that among the blind. Because motion devices are unfamiliar to the blind, the task I gave them involved some problem solving. Evidently, however, the blind not only figured out meanings for each line of motion, but as a group, they at least came up with the same meaning as frequently as sighted subjects did. 1.In the first paragraph the writer makes the point that blind people A. may be interested in studying art. B. can draw outlines of different objects and surfaces. C. can recognise conventions such as perspective. D. can draw accurately. 2.The writer was surprised because the blind woman A. drew a circle on her own initiative. B. did not understand what a wheel looked like. C. included a symbol representing movement. D. was the first person to use lines of motion. 3.From the experiment described in the passage, the writer found that the blind subjects A. got better results than the sighted undergraduates. B. could control the movement of wheels very accurately. C. worked together well as a group in solving problems. D. had good understanding of symbols representing movement. 4.Which picture represents use of brakes? A. B. C. D. 5.What does the underlined word “perimeter” most probably mean in paragraph 4? A. Center B. Edge C. Surface D. Axle 6.Which of the following statements best summarizes the writer’s general conclusion? A. The blind represent some aspects of reality differently from sighted people. B. The blind comprehend visual metaphors in similar ways to sighted people. C. The blind may create unusual and effective symbols to represent reality. D. The blind may be successful artists if given the right training. 【答案】1. C　2. C　3. D　4. A　5. B　6. B 【解析】【导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍研究发现盲人能理解视觉符号，其对运动线条象征意义的解读与视力正常者相似。 (1)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“From a number of recent studies, it has become clear that blind people can appreciate the use of outlines and perspectives to describe the arrangement of objects and other surfaces in space.(从最近的多项研究中可以清楚地看出，盲人能够理解使用轮廓和透视图来描述物体及其他空间表面的排列方式)”可知，盲人能够识别透视图这类视觉表现惯例。故选C。 (2)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“To show this motion, she drew a curve inside the circle. I was shocked. Lines of motion, such as the one she used, are a very recent invention in the history of illustration.(为了表现这种运动，她在圆圈里画了一条曲线。我很震惊。像她这样的运动线条，在插画史上是一项非常新的发明)”可知，作者感到惊讶是因为这名盲人妇女在画中包含了代表运动的符号。故选C。 (3)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“Evidently, however, the blind not only figured out meanings for each line of motion, but as a group, they at least came up with the same meaning as frequently as sighted subjects did.(然而,显然盲人不仅弄明白了每一种运动线条的含义，而且作为一个群体，他们得出相同含义的频率至少和视力正常的受试者一样高)”可知，盲人受试者对代表运动的符号有较好的理解。故选D。 (4)题解析： 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“Subjects assumed that spokes extending beyond the wheel’s perimeter meant that the wheel had its brakes on.(受试者认为，辐条延伸到车轮边缘之外意味着车轮处于刹车状态)”可知，辐条超出车轮边缘的图片代表刹车，对应图片A。故选A。 (5)题解析： 词句猜测题。根据第三段中的 “To search out these answers, I created raised-line (凸起线条) drawings of five different wheels, representing spokes with lines that curved, bent, waved, dashed (虚线) and extended beyond the perimeter of the wheel.(为了寻找这些答案，我绘制了五个不同车轮的凸起线条，用弯曲、弯折、波浪状、虚线以及延伸出车轮perimeter的线条来表示辐条)”和第四段的“Subjects assumed that spokes extending beyond the wheel’s perimeter meant that the wheel had its brakes on and that dashed spokes indicated the wheel was spinning quickly.(受试者认为，辐条延伸到车轮的perimeter之外意味着车轮有刹车，而虚线辐条表示车轮正在快速旋转)”可知，perimeter指车轮的“边缘”，即辐条延伸到车轮外就意味着在刹车。故选B。 (6)题解析： 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“In addition, the description for the sighted was the description for the blind in every example. What is more, the agreement among the sighted was hardly higher than that among the blind.(此外，在每个例子中，视力正常者的解读与盲人的解读完全一致。而且，视力正常者之间的共识度几乎不比盲人之间高)”可知，作者的核心结论是盲人理解视觉隐喻的方式与视力正常者相似。故选B。 Passage 2 （25-26高三上·天津小站第一中学-11月·期中）Art is everywhere. Any public space has been carefully designed by an artistic mind to be both functional and beautiful. Why, then, is art still so widely considered to be “the easy subject” at school, insignificant to wider society, a waste of time and effort? Art can connect culture with commercial products in a way that not many other things can;art generates money and holds significant emotional and cultural value within communities. When people attend a concert, they are paying for music, sure, maybe even hotel rooms, meals, and transport, but they also gain an incredible experience, a unique atmosphere and a memory that will go through the rest of their lives. People don’t just want material things anymore, they want to experience life — the arts are a perfect crossover (交迭) between culture and commerce. Furthermore, the arts can bring communities together, reducing loneliness and making people feel safer. Social bonds are created among individuals when they share their arts experiences through reflection and discussion, and their expression of common values through artworks in honour of events significant to a nation’s experience. The arts clearly have a pretty positive impact on physical and psychological health. It is found that people who frequent cultural places or participate in artistic events are more likely to gain good health compared to those who do not; more engagement with the arts is linked to a higher level of people’s wellbeing. The Royal Society of Public Health discovered that music and art, when used in hospitals, help to improve the conditions of patients by reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure. Children who are involved with the arts make greater achievements in their education: those engaged with drama have greater literary ability while others taking part in musical practice exhibit greater skills in math and languages. Kids with preference for the arts have a greater chance of finding employment in the future. Participating in the arts is essential for child development; encouraging children to express themselves in constructive ways could help to form healthy emotional responses in later life. Vital to human life, art is celebrated and used by nations across the world for various purposes. Life without art would be boring and dead still, for art is a part of what makes us human. 1.Art products differ from most other commercial products because A. most people purchase them for collection B. they have both commercial and cultural values C. they are more expensive and less accessible D. their prices may climb up as time passes 2.By sharing their arts experiences, community members can ________. A. develop a stronger tie between them B. keep the community safe from illness$