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备考2019年高考英语一轮复习31:说明文类阅读理解

更新时间:2018-09-27 浏览次数:542 类型:一轮复习
一、阅读理解
  • 1. (2018·江苏) 请认真阅读下列短文,从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    A

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028
    211-535-7710 www.metmuseum.org
    Entrances
    Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
    Hours
    Open 7 days a week.
    Sunday-Thursday 10:00-17:30
    Friday and Saturday 10:00-21:00
    Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25,
    January 1,and the first Monday in May.
    Admission
    $25.00 recommended for adults, $12.00 recommended for students, includes the Main Building and The Cloisters(回廊)on the same day; free for children under 12 with an adult.
    Free with Admission
    All special exhibitions, as well as films, lectures, guided tours, concerts, gallery talks, and family/children's programs are free with admission.
    Ask about today's activities at the Great Hall Information Desk.
    The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
        The Cloisters museum and gardens is a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of Europe in the Middle Ages. The extensive collection consists of masterworks in sculpture, colored glass, and precious objects from Europe dating from about the 9th to the 15th century.
    Hours: Open 7 days a week.
    March-October10:00-17:15
    November-February 10:00-16:45
    Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
    1. (1) How much may they pay if an 11-year-old girl and her working parents visit the museum?  
      A . $12. B . $37. C . $ 50. D . $ 62
    2. (2) The attraction of the Cloisters museum and gardens lies in the fact that ________.  
      A . it opens all the year round B . its collections date from the Middle Ages C . it has a modern European-style garden D . it sells excellent European glass collections
  • 2. (2018·长春模拟) 阅读理解

        Can exercise during childhood protect you against memory loss many decades later?Exercise early in life seems to have lifelong benefits for the brain,in rats at least.

        "This is an animal study,but it shows that physical activity at a young age is very important一not just for physical development,but for the whole lifelong track of cognitive(认知的)development during ageing,"says Martin Wojtowicz of the University of Toronto,Canada."In humans,it may delay the appearance of Alzheimer's symptoms(阿兹海默氏症),possibly to the point of preventing them."

        Wojtowicz's team divided 80 young male rats into two equal groups,and placed running wheels in the cages of one group for a period of six weeks.Around four months later—when the rats had reached middle age—the team taught all the rats to connect an electric shock with being in a specific box.When placed in the box,they froze with fear.

        Two weeks later,the team tested the rats in three situations: exactly the same box in the same room,the same box with the room arranged differently,and a completely different box in a different room.

        The rats without access to a running wheel when they were young now froze the same percentage of times in each of these situations,suggesting they couldn't remember which one was dangerous.But those that had been able to run in their youth froze 40 to 50 percent less in both changed box settings.

        “The results suggest the amount of physical activity when we're young,at least for rats,has influence on brain and cognitive health—in the form of better memories—when we're older,"says Arthur Kramer of Northeastern University in Boston,who has found that,in humans,exercise promotes the growth of new brain cells.

    1. (1) The study shows that______.
      A . physical activity is important for physical health B . using the running wheels is of benefit to the rats' growth C . physical activity can prevent human's Alzheimer's symptoms D . the more exercise a rat has when young,the better memory it will possess when older
    2. (2) How are Paragraph 3 and 4 mainly developed?
      A . By analyzing causes. B . By giving an example. C . By describing the process. D . By showing differences.
    3. (3) What does the underlined word "it" in Paragraph 2 refer to?
      A . Exercise. B . Development. C . Benefit. D . Study.
    4. (4) What is the author's attitude towards the animal study?
      A . Negative. B . Objective. C . Critical. D . Doubtful.
  • 3. (2017·昆明模拟) 阅读理解

        Spider monkeys have long, thin arms with hook like hands that allow them to swing through the trees. They do not have opposable thumbs(对生拇指).

        The brown-headed spider monkey has a prehensile(缠绕性的)tail, which means it can grasp and can be used like a fifth leg to grab trees. During the day, the spider monkey searches for fruits, which make up the main part of its diet. They will also eat flowers, seeds, leaves, and small insects during the dry season when fruits aren't available. They spend most of the daylight hours climbing and swinging through the high branches of trees.

        The brown-headed spider monkey lives in a large community of about 20 to 100 male and female monkeys. They split into smaller groups for feeding. Females usually give birth to only a single baby each year or two. Young monkeys are carried on their mothers' stomachs until about 16 weeks old. Then they are strong enough to ride on their mothers' backs. All brown-headed spider monkey babies are born with a pink face and ears.

        Spider monkeys hug each other and wrap their tails around each other. They are very intelligent and have strong memories. They were named spider monkeys because they look like spiders as they hang upside down from their tails with arms and legs swinging. Their genus (属)name is Ateles, which means “imperfect”. This refers to the fact that they don't have thumbs.

        Hunting the brown-headed spider monkey is now barred in Ecuador, a country in northwestern South America, but humans have killed them for their meat for hundreds of years.

    1. (1) Spider monkeys live mostly on ________.
      A . insects B . fruits C . flowers D . leaves
    2. (2) What can we learn about spider monkeys?
      A . They have five legs B . They live in small groups C . Their tails can take their weight D . Their genus is the same as spiders'
    3. (3) What does the underlined word “barred” in the last paragraph refer to?
      A . Permitted B . Forbidden C . Encouraged D . Ignored
    4. (4) Where do newly-born spider monkeys stay?
      A . In a large community B . In trees with high branches C . On their mothers' backs D . On their mothers' stomachs
  • 4. (2017·新课标Ⅱ卷) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳答案。(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)

    A

        In the coming months, we are bringing together artists from all over the globe, to enjoy speaking shakespeare's plays in their own language, in our globe, within the architecture shakespeare wrote for. Please come and join us.

        National Theatre Of China   Beijing|Chinese

        This great occasion(盛会) will be the national theatre of china's first visit to the UK. The company's productions show the new face of 21st century chinese theatre. This production of Shakespeare's Richard III will be directed by the National's Associate Director,Wang Xiaoying.

        Date&Time:Saturday 28 April, 2.30pm&Sunday 29 April, 1.30pm&6.30pm

      

      Marjanishvili Theatre   Tbilisi l Georgian

        One of the most famous theatres in Georgia,the Marjanishvili,founded in 1928,appears regularly at theatre festivals all over the world. This new production of As You Like It is helmed(指导)by the company's Artistic Director Levan Tsuladze.

        Date & Time :Friday 18 May, 2.30pm&Sunday 19 May, 7.30pm

       

        Deafinitely Theater  London l British Sign  Language (BSL)

        By translating the rich and humourous text of Love's Labour's Lost into the physical language of BSL,Deafinitely Thertre creates a new interpretation of Shakespeare's comedy and aims to build a bridge between deaf and hearing worlds by performing to both groups as one audience.

        Date&Time:Tueaday 22 May, 2.30pm & Wednesday 23 May, 7.30pm

       

    Habima National Theatre Tel Aviv l Hebrew

        The Habima is the centre of Hebrew-languege theatre worldwide. Founded in Moscow after the 1905 revolution,the company eventually settled in Tel Aviv in the late 1920s. Since 1958,they have been recognized as the national theatre of Israel. This production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice marks their first visit to the UK.

        Date Date&Time:Monday 28 May, 7.30pm &Tuesday 29 May, 7.30pm

    1. (1) Which play will be performed by the National Theatre of China?

      A . Richard Ⅲ. B . Lover's Labour's Lost C . As You Like It D . The merchant of Venice
    2. (2) What is special about Deafinitely Theatre?

      A . It has two groups of actors B . It is the leading theatre in London C . It performs plays in BSL D . It is good at producing comedies
    3. (3) When can you see a play in Hebrew?

      A . On Saturday 28 Apil. B . On Sunday 29 April C . On Tuesday 22 May. D . On Tuesday 29 May
  • 5. (2018·中山模拟) 阅读下列短文,从短文后每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

        A new technology is going to ripe, one that could transform our daily lives, help to form new industries, even remove world economic powers from their present positions. Unlike the wave of industrialization that began in the West and spread later to the rest of the world, the new developments are taking place in research labs all over the globe—and Asians are in the forefront. Physicists are creating a new class of materials that display an amazing property unforeseen even two years ago—superconductivity (超导体技术).

        Used today only in specialized equipment, super conductors have the potential to radically change most of the electrical and electronic appliances found in the home, making them smaller, more powerful and efficient. They could free our cities of pollution by replacing petrol and diesel (柴油) vehicles with electric cars, and cut the cost of electricity. The new materials do something that even the best of conductors such as copper and silver cannot—they do away with all electrical resistance. The significances for energy storage are great.

        The technology is in its early stage, still accessible to countries that decide to invest brains and money. For 75 years it had remained little more than a scientific curiosity with limited practical use because the phenomenon occurred only at extremely low temperatures. It was first observed in 1911 by a Dutch scientist named Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, who cooled mercury (水银) to temperatures below -269℃ with liquid helium (氦). Then in January last year, two IBM scientists, K. Alex Muller and J. George Bednorz, found a metal oxide ceramic (氧化陶瓷) that superconducted at -243℃. Their report went largely unnoticed until last December, when it was confirmed at a scientific meeting in Boston. Today Japan, India, China and other Asian countries all have their share of experts who spend their days and nights in labs, acting as midwives (助产士) to a new technology.

    1. (1) As is indicated in the passage, the technology of superconductivity ____________.
      A . has already been developed B . is still under development C . will be used only in specialized equipment D . will be used in daily lives in a few years
    2. (2) The new technology differs from the others in that ____________.
      A . it began in the East and spread later to the rest of the world B . it began in the West and spread later to the rest of the world C . it is being cultivated in research labs around the world D . it is accessible to physicists who are intelligent and rich
    3. (3) From the passage, we may conclude that ____________.
      A . Asian scientists gain the lead in the growth of the new technology B . Dutch scientists kept reporting new findings for the last 75 years C . IBM scientists' report receive immediate attention all over the world D . the West was astonished at the new technology developed by the Asians
    4. (4) Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
      A . The Prospect of a New Technology B . Superconductivity: A New Technology C . A New Technology: The Key to Change the Way of Our Lives D . A New Technology: A Joint Effort of Many Countries
  • 6. (2018·双流模拟) 阅读理解

        If you're showering every day, you're probably over doing it. In fact, showering too often can actually hurt your body in the long run.

        As Time's public health column explains, daily showers are common due to social norms more than any proper health need. We connect being freshly showered with being attractive and pleasing, so we tend to showering often to feel better.

        But what's the ideal shower frequency? In terms of your health — not how you look or smell — probably once or twice a week, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University, Dr. C. Brandon Mitchell says. “Your body is naturally a well-oiled machine,” he says. “A daily shower isn't necessary.”

        Of course, your situation may vary. If you have a job like car maintenance or construction, you'll obviously have a visible layer of dirt you'll need to wash off every single day. Similarly, if you work out every day, you may not have any health risks by washing every day, but you'll still be smelly. If you feel like you need to take daily showers for aesthetic(审美的)reasons, at least make most of them light showers. “I tell patients who shower daily not to soap their whole bodies,” Mitchell says. Hit your pits, butt and groin, which are the areas that produce strong smells. The rest of your body doesn't need much soaping, he says.

        Too much time spent under the hot water can dry out your skin, cause cracks(裂纹)that can lead to infections or germs getting into your skin, and take away the natural oils on your skin that help keep it healthy. So, even if you're aiming to be your most presentable, be sure to keep it moderate to avoid hurting your skin in the long run.

    1. (1) According to the passage, why do most people shower daily?
      A . To meet health need. B . To wash off dirt. C . To add to attraction. D . To get relaxation.
    2. (2) Which of the following people might be advised to shower once or twice a week?
      A . Office staff B . Car maintainer C . Building workers D . Gym-goers
    3. (3) The underlined phrase “light showers” in Para    . 4 refers to the showers in which ________.
      A . bright lights are equipped B . a little soaping is involved C . gentle skin touches are allowed D . less hot water is used
    4. (4) What is the best title for the text?
      A . Showering Daily Becomes a Custom B . Daily Shower Does No Good to You C . Protect Your Skin When Showering D . You Probably Needn't Shower Daily
  • 7. (2018高一下·枣强期末) 阅读理解

    Volunteer Opportunities

        Ring the bells

        The Salvation Army needs bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Two hour shifts begin on Nov.12 and run Mondays through Saturdays. Volunteers can contact Jim Evers at jimevers@usc.salvationarmy.org or at 764-0962, or sign up online at ringbels.org.

        Read to children

        Join the United Way and Child Care Aware in supporting the development and learning of young children. Volunteers are needed to spend 30 minutes a week reading to children and guiding related activities using literacy kits(识字工具包)provided by Childcare Aware of Eastern Kansas .A two-hour literacy training will be provided. To ensure continuity for the children in the program, we are asking that volunteers make a six-month commitment. Please contact Shelly at 865-5030, ext.301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org.

        Garden with a neighbor

        Douglas Country Housing Inc. is looking for volunteers to assist a senior man in need of help with an overgrown garden before winter arrives. One to two hours of your time will make a huge difference in someone's quality of life. No previous gardening experience is required. Please e-mail rsovista@ldcha.org or call 842-1533.

        Feed your friends

        Just food fights hunger in our community. Help Just Food kick off the holiday season by packing. Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need. Every year Just Food provides Thanksgiving meals to families in Douglas Country that will otherwise go without. Your help is needed for distributing these meals in advance of Thanksgiving. Help is needed on the following days and times:

        9 a. m. –7 p. m. Monday, Nov. 21.

        9 a. m. –7 p. m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.

        The maximum number of volunteers is 15 at a time. To sign up, click here.

    1. (1) What should people do if they choose to read to children?
      A . Get trained. B . Make a plan. C . Promise to teach devotedly. D . Work 30 minutes a day.
    2. (2) If you like to help with gardening, you can get in touch with ________.
      A . They take place on holiday. B . They can be reached by phone. C . They are about seeking volunteers. D . They need some experience.
    3. (3) What do the four activities have in common?
      A . They take place on holiday. B . They can be reached by phone. C . They are about seeking volunteers. D . They need some experience.
  • 8. (2018·江苏模拟) 阅读理解

        Recent summer temperatures in parts of Australia were high enough to melt asphalt. As global warming speeds up the heat and climatic events increase, many plants may be unable to cope. But at least one species of eucalyptus tree can resist extreme heat by continuing to “sweat” when other essential processes stop, a new study finds.

        As plants change sunlight into food, or photosynthesize (光合作用), they absorb carbon dioxide through pores on their leaves. These pores also release water via transpiration(蒸腾), which circulates nutrients through the plant and helps cool it by evaporation(蒸发). But exceptionally high temperatures are known to greatly reduce photosynthesis—and most existing plant models suggest this should also decrease transpiration, leaving trees in danger of fatally overheating. Because it is difficult for scientists to control and vary trees' conditions in their natural environment, little is known about how individual species handle this situation.

        Ecologist John Drake of the S.U.N.Y. College of Environmental Science and Forestry and his colleagues grew a dozen Parramatta red gum (Eucalyptus parramattensis) trees in large, climate-controlled plastic pods that separated the trees from the surrounding forest for a year in Richmond, Australia. Six of the trees were grown at surrounding air temperatures and six at temperatures three degrees Celsius higher. The researchers withheld (扣留) water from the surface soil of all 12 trees for a month to imitate a mild dry spell, then induced a four-day “extreme” heat wave: They raised the maximum temperatures in half of the pods(three with surrounding temperatures and three of the warmer ones)— to 44 degrees ℃.

        Photosynthesis ground to a near halt in the trees facing the artificial heat wave. But to the researchers' surprise, these trees continued to transpire at close-to-normal levels, effectively cooling themselves and their surroundings. The trees grown in warmer conditions coped just as well as the others, and photosynthesis rates bounced back to normal after the heat wave passed, Drake and his colleagues reported online in Global Change Biology.

        The researchers think the Parramatta red gums were able to effectively sweat — even without photosynthesis — because they are particularly good at tapping into water deep in the soil. But if a heat wave and a severe drought (干旱) were to hit at the same time and the groundwater was exhausted, the trees may not be so lucky, Drake says.

        Other scientists call the finding encouraging. “It's definitely good news,” says Trevor Keenan, an ecologist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, who was not part of the study. “It would be very interesting to know how this translates to other species,” he adds. Drake hopes to conduct similar experiments with trees common in North America.

    1. (1) How does one species of eucalyptus tree cope with extreme heat waves?
      A . By releasing water. B . By blocking sunlight. C . By absorbing groundwater. D . By reducing photosynthesis.
    2. (2) What did the researchers do during their study?
      A . They grew all the trees in artificial temperatures. B . They induced a heat wave in a dozen pods of trees. C . They created climate-controlled surroundings for trees. D . They varied trees' conditions in their natural environment.
    3. (3) The underlined phrase “ground to a near halt” in Paragraph 4 means “________”.
      A . continued B . substituted C . strengthened D . ceased
    4. (4) What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs?
      A . Photosynthesis is necessary for the trees to sweat. B . No further experiments will be done other species. C . Other species will be transplanted to North America. D . Groundwater helps the trees survive the extreme heat.
  • 9. (2018·湖北模拟) 阅读理解

        Regardless of how far we'd like to believe gender(性别) equality in the workplace has come, there's still a yawning gap between male and female leaders in the professional world. A 2018 statistic shows that women nowadays hold just 5.8 percent of CEOs positions at S&P 500 companies, according to Catalyst.

        While it's not a huge shock that women are somewhat underrepresented in leadership positions, what is surprising though, is the fact that females may actually be better suited to lead in almost every area, at least according to new findings from the BI Norwegian Business School.

        In their research,Professor yvind L. Martinsen and Professor Lars Glas surveyed (调查)2,900 managers with a special focus on personality types. The results were clear: Women scored higher than men in four of the five major leadership-centric categories.

        While some people believe that men inherently make better leaders — probably because they picture a leader with a commanding voice, which is more typical of men than women — this piece of research suggests that women are better at methodical management and goal-setting, openness, sociability and supportiveness, as well as ability to communicate clearly.

        There was one area in which men scored higher than women, though, and that was on emotional stability and ability to face job-related pressure and stress. The results suggest that women are more sensitive to the effects of high-pressure or highly emotional situations.

        Obviously,it's important to consider individual(个人的) differences. Anyone, regardless of gender, may be an inspiring leader and a competent boss. But next time you're hiring for a management position, you just might want to give the resumes(简历) from female candidates a harder look.

    1. (1) What makes us shocked much at leadership positions?
      A . Women are worse than men. B . Men take almost all high positions. C . There is a huge gap between genders. D . Women might behave better in every field.
    2. (2) Which of the following can best replace the underlined word ''inherently” in paragraph 4?
      A . properly B . potentially C . naturally D . normally
    3. (3) Which of the following may be the best title of this text?
      A . How We Can Figure Out The Boss. B . Why Women Are Better Than Men. C . Why Women Make The Best Bosses. D . How We Can Tell Gender Difference.
    4. (4) Who might have special interest in this article?
      A . Job hunters. B . Employers. C . Employees. D . Male bosses.
  • 10. (2017·新课标Ⅱ卷) 阅读理解

    When a leafy plant is under attack ,it doesn't sit quietly. Back in 1983, two scientists, Jack Schultz and Ian Baldwin,reported that young maple trees getting bitten by insects send out a particular smell that neighboring plants can get. These chemicals come from the injured parts of the plant and seem to be an alarm.What the plants pump through the air is a mixture of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds,VOCs for short.

    Scientists have found that all kinds of plants give out VOCs when being attacked .It's a plant's way of crying out.But is anyone listening?Apparently.Because we can watch the neighbours react.

        Some plants pump out smelly chemicals to keep insects away.But others do double duty .They pump out perfumes designed to attract different insects who are natural enemies to the attackers. Once they arrive, the tables are turned. The attacker who was lunching now becomes lunch.

        In study after study,it appears that these chemical conversations help the neighbors .The damage is usually more serious on the first plant,but the neighbors ,relatively speaking ,stay safer because they heard the alarm and knew what to do.

    Does this mean that plants talk to each other? Scientists don't know. Maybe the first plant just made a cry of pain or was sending a message to its own branches, and so, in effect, was talking to itself. Perhaps the neighbors just happened to “overhear” the cry. So information was exchanged, but it wasn't a true, intentional back and forth.

        Charles Darwin, over 150 years ago, imagined a world far busier, noisier and more intimate(亲密的) than the world we can see and hear. Our senses are weak. There's a whole lot going on.

    1. (1) What does a plant do when it is under attack?

      A . It makes noises. B . It gets help from other plants. C . It stands quietly D . It sends out certain chemicals.
    2. (2) What does the author mean by “the tables are turned” in paragraph 3?

      A . The attackers get attacked. B . The insects gather under the table. C . The plants get ready to fight back. D . The perfumes attract natural enemies.
    3. (3) Scientists find from their studies that plants can           .

      A . predict natural disasters B . protect themselves against insects C . talk to one another intentionally D . help their neighbors when necessary
    4. (4) what can we infer from the last paragraph?

      A . The world is changing faster than ever. B . People have stronger senses than before C . The world is more complex than it seems D . People in Darwin's time were imaginative.
  • 11. (2017·新课标Ⅰ卷) 阅读理解

    D

        A buld-it-yourself solar still(蒸馏器) is one of the best ways to obtain drinking water in areas where the liquid is not readily available. Developed by two doctors in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it's an excellent water collector. Unfortunately, you must carry the necessary equipment with you, since it's all but impossible to find natural substitutes. The only components required, though, are a 5'  5' sheet of clear or slightly milky plastic, six feet of plastic tube, and a container— perhaps just a drinking cup — to catch the water. These pieces can be folded into a neat little pack and fastened on your belt.

        To construct a working still, use a sharp stick or rock to dig a hole four feet across and three feet deep. Try to make the hole in a damp area to increase the water catcher's  productivity. Place your cup in the deepest part of the hole. Then lay the tube in place so that one end rests all the way in the cup and the rest of the line runs up — and out — the side of the hole.

        Next, cover the hole with the plastic sheet, securing the edges of the plastic with dirt and weighting the sheet's center down with a rock. The plastic should now form a cone(圆锥体) with 45-degree-angled sides. The low point of the sheet must be centered directly over, and no more than three inches above, the cup.

        The solar still works by creating a greenhouse under the plastic. Ground water evaporates (蒸发) and collects on the sheet until small drops of water form, run down the material and fall off into the cup. When the container is full, you can suck the refreshment out through the tube, and won't have to break down the still every time you need a drink.

    1. (1) What do we know about the solar still equipment from the first paragraph?

      A . It's delicate. B . It's expensive. C . It's complex. D . It's portable
    2. (2) What does the underlined phrase “the water catcher” in paragraph 2 refer to?

      A . The tube B . The still C . The hole D . The cup
    3. (3) What's the last step of constructing a working solar still?

      A . Dig a hole of a certain size B . Put the cup in place C . Weight the sheet's center down D . Cover the hole with the plastic sheet
    4. (4) When a solar still works, drops of water come into the cup form          .

      A . the plastic tube B . outside the hole C . the open air D . beneath the sheet
  • 12. (2018·全国卷Ⅱ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    C

        Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.

        While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children's lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.

        According to the report's key findings, "the proportion (比例) who say they 'hardly ever' read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today."

        The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages2-8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.

        When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议)parenst looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.

        The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.

        As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近)ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.

    1. (1) What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?
      A . Children's reading habits. B . Quality of children's books. C . Children's after-class activities. D . Parent-child relationships.
    2. (2) Where can you find the data that best supports "children are reading a lot less for fun"?
      A . In paragraph 2. B . In paragraph 3. C . In paragraph 4. D . In paragraph 5.
    3. (3) Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
      A . E-books are of poor quality. B . It could be waste of time. C . It may harm children's health. D . E-readers are expensive.
    4. (4) How should parents encourage their children to read more?
      A . Act as role models for them. B . Ask then to write book reports. C . Set up reading groups for them. D . Talk with their reading class teachers.
  • 13. (2018·全国卷Ⅰ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的ABC和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    C

        Languages have been coming and going for thousands of years, but in recent times there has been less coming and a lot more going. When the world was still populated by hunter-gatherers, small, tightly knit(联系) groups developed their own patterns of speech independent of each other. Some language experts believe that 10,000 years ago, when the world had just five to ten million people, they spoke perhaps 12,000 languages between them.   

        Soon afterwards, many of those people started settling down to become farmers, and their languages too became more settled and fewer in number. In recent centuries, trade, industrialisation, the development of the nation-state and the spread of universal compulsory education, especially globalisation and better communications in the past few decades, all have caused many languages to disappear, and dominant languages such as English, Spanish and Chinese are increasingly taking over.

        At present, the world has about 6,800 languages. The distribution of these languages is hugely uneven. The general rule is that mild zones have relatively few languages, often spoken by many people, while hot, wet zones have lots, often spoken by small numbers. Europe has only around 200 languages; the Americas about 1,000; Africa 2,400; and Asia and the Pacific perhaps 3,200, of which Papua New Guinea alone accounts for well over 800. The median number (中位数)of speakers is a mere 6,000, which means that half the world's languages are spoken by fewer people than that.

       Already well over 400 of the total of 6,800 languages are close to extinction (消亡), with only a few elderly speakers left. Pick, at random, Busuu in Cameroon (eight remaining speakers), Chiapaneco in Mexico (150), Lipan Apache in the United States (two or three) or Wadjigu in Australia (one, with a question-mark): none of these seems to have much chance of survival.

    1. (1) What can we infer about languages in hunter-gatherer times? 
      A . They developed very fast. B . They were large in number. C . They had similar patterns. D . They were closely connected.
    2. (2) Which of the following best explains "dominant" underlined in paragraph 2?     
      A . Complex. B . Advanced C . Powerful. D . Modern.
    3. (3) How many languages are spoken by less than 6,000 people at present?
      A . About 6,800. B . About 3,400. C . About 2,400. D . About 1,200.
    4. (4) What is the main idea of the text?  
      A . New languages will be created. B . People's lifestyles are reflected in languages. C . Human development results in fewer languages. D . Geography determines language evolution.
  • 14. (2018·全国卷Ⅰ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的ABC和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    D

        We may think we're a culture that gets rid of our worn technology at the first sight of something shiny and new, but a new study shows that we keep using our old devices (装置) well after they go out of style. That's bad news for the environment – and our wallets – as these outdated devices consume much more energy than the newer ones that do the same things.

        To figure out how much power these devices are using, Callie Babbitt and her colleagues at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York tracked the environmental costs for each product throughout its life – from when its minerals are mined to when we stop using the device. This method provided a readout for how home energy use evolved since the early 1990s. Devices were grouped by generation. Desktop computers, basic mobile phones, and box-set TVs defined 1992. Digital cameras arrived on the scene in 1997. And MP3 players, smart phones, and LCD TVs entered homes in 2002, before tablets and e-readers showed up in 2007.

        As we accumulated more devices, however, we didn't throw out our old ones."The Living-room television is replaced and gets planted in the kid's room, and suddenly one day, you have a TV in every room of the house," said one researcher. The average number of electronic devices rose from four per household in 1992 to 13 in 2007. We're not just keeping these old devices-we continue to use them. According to the analysis of Babbitt's team, old desktop monitors and box TV's with cathode ray tubes are the worst devices with their energy consumption and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions(排放) more than doubling during the 1992 to 2007 window.

        So what's the solution(解决方案)?The team's data only went up to 2007, but the researchers also explored what would happen if consumers replaced old products with new electronics that serve more than one function, such as a tablet for word processing and TV viewing. They found that more on-demand entertainment viewing on tables instead of TVs and desktop computers could cut energy consumption by 44%.

    1. (1) What does the author think of new devices?
      A . They are environment-friendly. B . They are no better than the old. C . They cost more to use at home. D . They go out of style quickly.
    2. (2) Why did Babbitt's team conduct the research?
      A . To reduce the cost of minerals. B . To test the life cycle of a product. C . To update consumers on new technology. D . To find out electricity consumption of the devices.
    3. (3) Which of the following uses the least energy?
      A . The box-set TV. B . The tablet. C . The LCD TV. D . The desktop computer.
    4. (4) What does the text suggest people do about old electronic devices?
      A . Stop using them. B . Take them apart. C . Upgrade them. D . Recycle them.
  • 15. (2017·北京) 阅读理解

    C

        Measles(麻疹), which once killed 450 children each year and disabled even more, was nearly wiped out in the United States 14 years ago by the universal use of the MMR vaccine(疫苗). But the disease is making a comeback, caused by a growing anti-vaccine movement and misinformation that is spreading quickly. Already this year, 115 measles cases have been reported in the USA, compared with 189 for all of last year.

        The numbers might sound small, but they are the leading edge of a dangerous trend. When vaccination rates are very high, as they still are in the nation as a whole, everyone is protected. This is called “herd immunity”, which protects the people who get hurt easily, including those who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons, babies too young to get vaccinated and people on whom the vaccine doesn't work.

        But herd immunity works only when nearly the whole herd joins in. When some refuse vaccination and seek a free ride, immunity breaks down and everyone is in even bigger danger.

        That's exactly what is happening in small neighborhoods around the country from Orange County, California, where 22 measles cases were reported this month, to Brooklyn, N.Y., where a 17-year-old caused an outbreak last year.

        The resistance to vaccine has continued for decades, and it is driven by a real but very small risk. Those who refuse to take that risk selfishly make others suffer.

        Making things worse are state laws that make it too easy to opt out(决定不参加) of what are supposed to be required vaccines for all children entering kindergarten. Seventeen states allow parents to get an exemption(豁免), sometimes just by signing a paper saying they personally object to a vaccine.

        Now, several states are moving to tighten laws by adding new regulations for opting out. But no one does enough to limit exemptions.

        Parents ought to be able to opt out only for limited medical or religious reasons. But personal opinions? Not good enough. Everyone enjoys the life-saving benefits vaccines provide, but they'll exist only as long as everyone shares in the risks.

    1. (1) The first two paragraphs suggest that ____________.

      A . a small number of measles cases can start a dangerous trend B . the outbreak of measles attracts the public attention C . anti-vaccine movement has its medical reasons D . information about measles spreads quickly
    2. (2) Herd immunity works well when ____________.

      A . exemptions are allowed B . several vaccines are used together C . the whole neighborhood is involved in D . new regulations are added to the state laws
    3. (3) What is the main reason for the comeback of measles?

      A . The overuse of vaccine. B . The lack of medical care. C . The features of measles itself. D . The vaccine opt-outs of some people.
    4. (4) What is the purpose of the passage?

      A . To introduce the idea of exemption. B . To discuss methods to cure measles. C . To stress the importance of vaccination. D . To appeal for equal rights in medical treatment.
  • 16. (2017·江苏)

    请阅读下列短文,从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

    CHRONOLOGICA

    ——The Unbelievable Years that Defined History

    DID YOU KNOW…

      In 105AD paper was invented in China?

      When Columbus discovered the New World?

      The British Museum opened in 1759?

    CHRONOLOGICA is a fascinating journey through time,from the foundation of Rome to the creation of the internet. Along the way are tales of kings and queens,hot air balloons…and monkeys in space.

        Travel through 100 of the most unbelievable years in world history and learn why being a Roman Emperor wasn't always as good as it sounds,how the Hundred Years' War didn't actually last for 100 years and why Spencer Perceval holds a rather unfortunate record.

        CHRONOLOGICA is an informative and entertaining tour into history, beautifully illustrated and full of unbelievable facts. While CHRONOLOGICA tells the stories of famous people in history such as Thomas Edison and Alexander the Great, this book also gives an account of the lives of lesser-known individuals including the exploeer Mungo Park and sculptor Gutzon Borglum.

        This complete but brief historical collection is certain to entertain readers young and old,and guaranteed to present even the biggest history lover with somgthing new!

    1. (1) What is CHRONOLOGICA according to the next?

      A . A biography. B . A travel guide. C . A history book. D . A science fiction.
    2. (2) How does the writer recommend CHRONOLOGICA to readers?

      A . By giving details of its collection. B . By introducing some of its contents. C . By telling stories at the beginning. D . By comparing it with other books.
  • 17. (2017·江苏) 阅读理解

             Before birth, babies can tell the difference between loud sounds and voices. They can even distinguish their mother's voice from that of a female stranger. But when it comes to embryonic learning(胎教), birds could rule the roost. As recently reported in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, some mother birds may teach their young to sing even before they hatch(孵化)。New-born chicks can then imitate their mom's call within a few days of entering the world.

        This educational method was first observed in 2012 by Sonia Kleindorfer, a biologist at Flinders University in South Australia, and her colleagues. Female Australian superb fairy wrens were found to repeat one sound over and over again while hatching their eggs, When the eggs were hatched, the baby birds made the similar chirp to their mothers—a sound that served as their regular “feed me!”call.

    To find out if the special quality was more widespread in birds, the researchers sought the red-backed fairy wren, another species of Australian songbird. First they collected sound data from 67 nests in four sites in Queensland before and after hatching, Then they identified begging calls by analyzing the order and number of notes. A computer analysis blindly compared calls produced by mothers and chicks, ranking them by similarity.

        It turns out that baby red-backed fairy wrens also emerge chirping like their moms. And the more frequently mothers had called to their eggs, the more similar were the babies' begging calls. In addition, the team set up a separate experiment that suggested that the baby birds that most closely imitated their mom's voice were rewarded with the most food.

        This observation hints that effective embryonic learning could signal neurological(神经系统的) strengths of children to parents. An evolutionary inference can then be drawn.“As a parent, do you invest in quality children, or do you invest in children that are in need? ”Kleindorfer asks. “Our results suggest that they might be going for quality. ”

    1. (1) The underlined phrase in Paragraph 1 means“     ”.

      A . be the worst B . be the best C . be just as bad D . be just as good
    2. (2) What are Kleindorfer's findings based on?

      A . Similarities between the calls moms and chicks. B . The observation of fairy wrens across Australia. C . The data collected from Queensland's locals. D . Controlled experiments on wrens and other birds.
    3. (3) Embryonic learning helps mother birds to identify the baby birds which       .

      A . can receive quality signals B . are in need of training C . fit the environment better D . make the loudest call
  • 18. (2017·浙江) 阅读理解

    C

        FLORENCE, Italy—Svetlana Cojochru feels hurt. The Moldovan has lived here seven years as a caregiver to Italian kids and the elderly, but in order to stay she's had to prove her language skills by taking a test which requires her to write a postcard to an imaginary friend and answer a fictional job ad.

        Italy is the latest Western European country trying to control a growing immigrant(移民) population by demanding language skills in exchange for work permits, or in some cases, citizenship.

        Some immigrant advocates worry that as hard financial times make it more difficult for natives to keep jobs, such measures will become more a vehicle for intolerance than integration(融合). Others say it's only natural that newcomers learn the language of their host nation, seeing it as a condition to ensure they can contribute to society.

        Other European countries laid down a similar requirement for immigrants, and some terms are even tougher. The governments argue that this will help foreigners better join the society and promote understanding across cultures.

        Italy, which has a much weaker tradition of immigration, has witnessed a sharp increase in immigration in recent years. In 1990, immigrants numbered some 1.14 million out of Italy's then 56.7 million people, or about 2 percent. At the start of this year, foreigners living in Italy amounted to 4.56 million of a total population of 60.6 million, or 7.5 percent, with immigrants' children accounting for an even larger percentage of births in Italy.

        Cojochru, the Moldovan caregiver, hoped obtaining permanent residence(居住权) would help her bring her two children to Italy; they live with her sister in Moldova, where salaries are among the lowest in Europe. She was skeptical that the language requirement would encourage integration.

        Italians always “see me as a foreigner,” an outsider, even though she's stayed in the country for years and can speak the local language fluently, she said.

    1. (1) Why does Cojochru have to take a language test?

      A . To continue to stay in Italy. B . To teach her children Italian. C . To find a better job in Italy. D . To better mix with the Italians.
    2. (2) Some people worry that the new language requirement may ________.

      A . reduce Italy's population quickly B . cause conflicts among people C . lead to financial difficulties D . put pressure on schools
    3. (3) What do we know about Cojochru?

      A . She lives with her sister now in Italy. B . She enjoys learning the Italian language. C . She speaks Italian well enough for her job. D . She wishes to go back to her home country.
  • 19. (2017·天津) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    A

        Suppose you're in a rush, felling tired, not paying attention to your screen, and you send an email that could get you in trouble.

        Realisation will probably set in seconds after you've clicked “send”. You freeze in horrors and burn with shame.

        What to do? Here are four common email accidents, and how to recover.

        Clicking “send” too soon

        Don't waste your time trying to find out if the receivers has read it yet. Write another email as swiftly as you can and send it with a brief explaining that this is the correct version and the previous version should be ignored.

        Writing the wrong name

        The sooner you notice, the better. Respond quickly and briefly, apologizing for your mistake. Keep the tone measured: don't handle it too lightly, as people can be offered, especially if your error suggests a misunderstanding of their culture(i.e. incorrect ordering of Chinese names).

        Clicking “reply all” unintentionally

        You accidentally reveal(透露)to entire company what menu choices you would prefer at the staff Christmas dinner, or what holiday you'd like to take. In this instance, the best solution is to send a quick, light-hearted apology to explain your awkwardness. But it can quickly rise to something worse, when everyone starts hitting “reply all” to join in a long and unpleasant conversation. In this instance, step away from your keyboard to allow everyone to calm down.

        Sending an offensive message to its subject

        The most awkward email mistake is usually committed in anger. You write an unkind message about someone, intending to send it to a friend, but accidentally send it to the person you're discussing. In that case, ask to speak in person as soon as possible and say sorry. Explain your frustrations calmly and sensibly—see it as an opportunity to clear up any difficulties you may have with this person.

    1. (1) After realising an email accident, you are likely to feel _______.

      A . curious B . tired C . awful D . funny 
    2. (2) If you have written the wrong name in an email, it is best to ________.

      A . apologise in a serious manner B . tell the receiver to ignore the error C . learn to write the name correctly D . send a short notice to everyone
    3. (3) What should you do when an unpleasant conversation is started by your “reply all” email?

      A . Try offering other choices. B . Avoid further involvement. C . Meet other staff members. D . Make a light-hearted apology.
    4. (4) How should you deal with the problem caused by an offensive email?

      A . By promising not to offend the receiver again. B . By seeking support from the receiver's friends. C . By asking the receiver to control his anger. D . By talking to the receiver face to face.
    5. (5) What is the passage mainly about?

      A . Defining email errors. B . Reducing email mistakes. C . Handling email accidents. D . Improving email writing.
  • 20. (2017·新课标Ⅲ) 阅读理解

    D

        The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “DriveLAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.

        Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated(隔绝) and inactive.

        Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.

        These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.”

        “But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”

        Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, “The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems. “For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined. We're looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that.

        “We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”

    1. (1) What is the purpose of the DriveLAB?

      A . To explore newmeans of transport. B . To design new types of cars. C . To find out older driver's problems. D . To teach people traffic rules.
    2. (2) Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?

      A . It keeps them independent. B . It helps them save time. C . It builds up their strength. D . It cures their mental illnesses.
    3. (3) What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?

      A . Improve their driving skills. B . Develop driver-assist technologles. C . Provide tips on repairing their cars. D . Organize regular physical checkups.
    4. (4) What is the best title for the text?

      A . A new Model Electric Car B . A Solution to Traffic Problem C . Driving Service for elders D . Keeping Older Drivers on the Road
  • 21. (2017·新课标Ⅲ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    A

    San Francisco Fire Engine Tours

    San Francisco Winery Tour

       Running: February 1st through April 30th

       This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer.(Included in tickets price)

      Departing from the Cannery: Tell time upon request.

      Duration(时长):2 hours

      Price: $90


    Back to the Fifties Tour

      Running: August 16th through August 31st

    This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco's most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.

      Departing form the Cannery 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm

      Duration:2 hours

      Price:$90

    Spooky Halloween Tour

      Running: October 10th through October 31st

      Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district .Authentic fire gear (服装)is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco

      Departing from the Cannery:6:30 pm and 8:30 pm

      Duration :1 hour and 30 minutes

      Price: Available upon request

    Holiday Lights Tour

      Running: December 6th through December 23nd

    This tractive four takes you to some of San Francis's most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.

      Departing from the Cannery 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm

      Duration: I hour and 30 minutes

      Advance reservations required.

    1. (1) Which of the tours is available in March?

      A . San Francisco Winery Tour. B . Back to the Fifties Tour. C . Spooky Hallowen Tour. D . Holiday Lights Tour.
    2. (2) What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tours?

      A . Go to Treasure Island. B . Enjoy the holiday scenes. C . Have free ice cream. D . Visit the Presidio district.
    3. (3) What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?

      A . Take some drinks. B . Set off early in the morning. C . Wear warm clothes. D . Make reservations in advance.
  • 22. (2018·江苏) 请认真阅读下列短文,从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    B

        In the 1760s, Mathurin Roze opened a series of shops that boasted(享有)a special meat soup called consomme. Although the main attraction was the soup, Roze's chain shops also set a new standard for dining out, which helped to establish Roze as the inventor of the modern restaurant.

        Today, scholars have generated large amounts of instructive research about restaurants. Take visual hints that influence what we eat: diners served themselves about 20 percent more pasta(意大利面食)when their plates matched their food.  When a dark-colored cake was served on a black plate rather than a white one, customers recognized it as sweeter and more tasty.

        Lighting matters, too. When Berlin restaurant customers ate in darkness, they couldn't tell how much they'd had: those given extra-large shares ate more than everyone else, but were none the wiser—they didn't feel fuller, and they were just as ready for dessert.

        Time is money, but that principle means different things for different types of restaurants. Unlike fast-food places, fine dining shops prefer customers to stay longer and spend. One way to encourage customers to stay and order that extra round: put on some Mozart(莫扎特).When classical, rather than pop, music was playing, diners spent more. Fast music hurried diners out. Particular scents also have an effect: diners who got the scent of lavender(薰衣草)stayed longer and spent more than those who smelled lemon, or no scent.

        Meanwhile, things that you might expect to discourage spending—"bad" tables, crowding, high prices — don't necessarily. Diners at bad tables — next to the kitchen door, say — spent nearly as much as others but soon fled. It can be concluded that restaurant keepers need not "be overly concerned about 'bad' tables," given that they're profitable. As for crowds, a Hong Kong study found that they increased a restaurant's reputation, suggesting great food at fair prices. And doubling a buffet's price led customers to say that its pizza was 11 percent tastier.

    1. (1) The underlined phrase "none the wiser" in paragraph 3 most probably implies that the customers were         .  
      A . not aware of eating more than usual B . not willing to share food with others C . not conscious of the food quality D . not fond of the food provided
    2. (2) How could a fine dining shop make more profit?  
      A . playing classical music. B . Introducing lemon scent. C . Making the light brighter, D . Using plates of larger size.
    3. (3) What does the last paragraph talk about?  
      A . Tips to attract more customers. B . Problems restaurants are faced with. C . Ways to improve restaurants' reputation. D . Common misunderstandings about restaurants.
  • 23. (2018·北京) 阅读理解

    B

    Find Your Adventure at the Space and Aviation(航空) Center

        If you're looking for a unique adventure, the Space and Aviation Center (SAC) is the place to be. The Center offers programs designed to challenge and inspire with hands-on tasks and lots of fun.

        More than 750,000 have graduated from SAC, with many seeking employment in engineering, aviation, education, medicine and a wide variety of other professions. They come to camp, wanting to know what it is like to be an astronaut or a pilot, and they leave with real-world applications for what they're studying in the classroom.

        For the trainees, the programs also offer a great way to earn merit badges(荣誉徽章). At Space Camp, trainees can earn their Space Exploration badge as they build and fire model rockets, learn about space tasks and try simulated(模拟) flying to space with the crew from all over the world. The Aviation Challenge program gives trainees the chance to earn their Aviation badge. They learn the principles of flight and test their operating skills in the cockpit(驾驶舱) of a variety of flight simulators. Trainees also get a good start on their Wilderness Survival badge as they learn about water- and land-survival through designed tasks and their search and rescue of "downed" pilot.

        With all the programs, teamwork is key as trainees learn the importance of leadership and being part of a bigger task.

        All this fun is available for ages 9 to 18. Families can enjoy the experience together, too, with Family Camp programs for families with children as young as 7.

        Stay an hour or stay a week — there is something here for everyone!

        For more details, please visit us online at www.oursac.com.

    1. (1) Why do people come to SAC?
      A . To experience adventures. B . To look for jobs in aviation. C . To get a degree in engineering. D . To learn more about medicine.
    2. (2) To earn a Space Exploration badge, a trainee needs to           .
      A . fly to space B . get an Aviation badge first C . study the principles of flight D . build and fire model rockets
    3. (3) What is the most important for trainees?
      A . Leadership. B . Team spirit. C . Task planning. D . Survival skills.
  • 24. (2018·北京) 阅读理解

    C

    Plastic-Eating Worms

        Humans produce more than 300 million tons of plastic every year. Almost half of that winds up in landfills(垃圾填埋场), and up to 12 million tons pollute the oceans. So far there is no effective way to get rid of it, but a new study suggests an answer may lie in the stomachs of some hungry worms.

        Researchers in Spain and England recently found that the worms of the greater wax moth can break down polyethylene, which accounts for 40% of plastics. The team left 100 wax worms on a commercial polyethylene shopping bag for 12 hours, and the worms consumed and broke down about 92 milligrams, or almost 3% of it. To confirm that the worms' chewing alone was not responsible for the polyethylene breakdown, the researchers made some worms into paste(糊状物) and applied it to plastic films. 14 hours later the films had lost 13% of their mass — apparently broken down by enzymes (酶) from the worms' stomachs. Their findings were published in Current Biology in 2017.

        Federica Bertocchini, co-author of the study, says the worms' ability to break down their everyday food — beeswax — also allows them to break down plastic. "Wax is a complex mixture, but the basic bond in polyethylene, the carbon-carbon bond, is there as well, "she explains, "The wax worm evolved a method or system to break this bond. "

        Jennifer DeBruyn, a microbiologist at the University of Tennessee, who was not involved in the study, says it is not surprising that such worms can break down polyethylene. But compared with previous studies, she finds the speed of breaking down in this one exciting. The next step, DeBruyn says, will be to identify the cause of the breakdown. Is it an enzyme produced by the worm itself or by its gut microbes(肠道微生物)?

        Bertocchini agrees and hopes her team's findings might one day help employ the enzyme to break down plastics in landfills. But she expects using the chemical in some kind of industrial process — not simply "millions of worms thrown on top of the plastic."

    1. (1) What can we learn about the worms in the study?
      A . They take plastics as their everyday food. B . They are newly evolved creatures. C . They can consume plastics. D . They wind up in landfills.
    2. (2) According to Jennifer DeBruyn, the next step of the study is to            .
      A . identify other means of the breakdown B . find out the source of the enzyme C . confirm the research findings D . increase the breakdown speed
    3. (3) It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the chemical might            .
      A . help to raise worms B . help make plastic bags C . be used to clean the oceans D . be produced in factories in future
    4. (4) What is the main purpose of the passage?
      A . To explain a study method on worms. B . To introduce the diet of a special worm. C . To present a way to break down plastics. D . To propose new means to keep eco-balance.
  • 25. (2018·天津) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    A

    Fire Prevention Information

        The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置)systems, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers (灭火器). They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall. Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.

    Fire Alarms

        The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual(手动的)fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes. Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers. For your safety, never tamper with(胡乱摆弄)these systems. False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.

    Fire Drills

        A fire drill will be conducted in your residence hall every semester. During a fire drill, please do the following:

        •Take your room key and ID, close and lock the door to your room.

        •Exit immediately from the nearest emergency exit do not use a lift.

        •Meet outside of your residence hall and wait for further instructions.

    Fire Extinguishers

        Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment. Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so. Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property. Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.

    Smoke Detector

        A smoke detector is on the ceiling in your room. Some buildings also have heat detectors on the ceilings. Do the following to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detector:

        •If your smoke detector is working properly, the red light should be on. If the red light is not blinking(闪动),contact residence hall staff immediately.

        •Do not cover or block your smoke detector in any way.

        •If a smoke detector sets off an alarm and there is no fire or smoke, inform your hall staff.

    1. (1) What is the main duty of the fire prevention professionals?
      A . To provide part-time jobs for students. B . To lead the students to the nearest exits. C . To check and maintain fire prevention equipment. D . To train teachers to be fire prevention professionals.
    2. (2) What do the automatic fire alarm systems include?
      A . Pipes and smoke detectors. B . Smoke detectors and sprinklers. C . Fire alarm pull stations and pipes. D . Sprinklers and fire alarm pull stations.
    3. (3) In a fire drill, the students should      .
      A . rush quickly to a lift B . gather at the nearest exit C . shut the door and leave at once D . wait for instructions in the hall
    4. (4) What do we know about the use of fire extinguishers?
      A . Using them wrongly results in punishment. B . Irresponsible use of them can damage them. C . Improper use of them can destroy the apartment. D . Using them without a trainer present is forbidden.
    5. (5) To ensure the safe operation of the smoke detector, one should_________.
      A . contact the hall staff regularly B . cover the things that burn easily C . start the smoke detector in a fire D . make certain the red light is working
  • 26. (2018·天津) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    C

        There's a new frontier in 3D printing that's beginning to come into focus: food. Recent development has made possible machines that print, cook, and serve foods on a mass scale. And the industry isn't stopping there.

    Food production

        With a 3D printer, a cook can print complicated chocolate sculptures and beautiful pieces for decoration on a wedding cake. Not everybody can do that — it takes years of experience, but a printer makes it easy. A restaurant in Spain uses a Foodini to "re-create forms and pieces" of food that are "exactly the same," freeing cooks to complete other tasks. In another restaurant, all of the dishes and desserts it serves are 3D-printed, rather than farm to table.

    Sustainability(可持续性)

        The global population is expected to grow to 9.6 billion by 2050, and some analysts estimate that food production will need to be raised by 50 percent to maintain current levels. Sustainability is becoming a necessity. 3D food printing could probably contribute to the solution. Some experts believe printers could use hydrocolloids (水解胶体) from plentiful renewables like algae(藻类) and grass to replace the familiar ingredients(烹饪原料). 3D printing can reduce fuel use and emissions. Grocery stores of the future might stock "food" that lasts years on end, freeing up shelf space and reducing transportation and storage requirements.

    Nutrition

        Future 3D food printers could make processed food healthier. Hod Lipson, a professor at Columbia University, said, "Food printing could allow consumers to print food with customized nutritional content, like vitamins. So instead of eating a piece of yesterday's bread from the supermarket, you'd eat something baked just for you on demand."

    Challenges

        Despite recent advancements in 3D food printing, the industry has many challenges to overcome. Currently, most ingredients must be changed to a paste(糊状物) before a printer can use them, and the printing process is quite time-consuming, because ingredients interact with each other in very complex ways. On top of that, most of the 3D food printers now are restricted to dry ingredients, because meat and milk products may easily go bad. Some experts are skeptical about 3D food printers, believing they are better suited for fast food restaurants than homes and high-end restaurants.

    1. (1) What benefit does 3D printing bring to food production?
      A . It helps cooks to create new dishes. B . It saves time and effort in cooking. C . It improves the cooking conditions. D . It contributes to restaurant decorations.
    2. (2) What can we learn about 3D food printing from Paragraphs 3?
      A . It solves food shortages easily. B . It quickens the transportation of food. C . It needs no space for the storage of food. D . It uses renewable materials as sources of food.
    3. (3) According to Paragraph 4, 3D-printed food _____________.
      A . is more available to consumers B . can meet individual nutritional needs C . is more tasty than food in supermarkets D . can keep all the nutrition in raw materials
    4. (4) What is the main factor that prevents 3D food printing from spreading widely?
      A . The printing process is complicated. B . 3D food printers are too expensive. C . Food materials have to be dry. D . Some experts doubt 3D food printing.
    5. (5) What could be the best title of the passage?
      A . 3D Food Printing: Delicious New Technology B . A New Way to Improve 3D Food Printing C . The Challenges for 3D Food Production D . 3D Food Printing: From Farm to Table
  • 27. (2018高一下·曲周月考) 阅读理解

        When someone says, “Well, I guess I'll have to go to face the music,” it does not mean he is planning to go to a concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this or that, and why you did not do this or that. Sour music, indeed, but it has to be faced.

        The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old.

        The first information comes from the American writer James Fennimore Cooper. He said—in 1851—that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on stage. After they got their cue to go on, they often said, “It's time to go to face the music.” And that is exactly what they did-face the orchestra which was just below the stage.

        An actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of the audience that might be friendly or perhaps unfriendly, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. So, “to face the music” came to mean having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.

        The other explanation comes from the army. Men had to face inspection by their leader. The soldiers worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean—shiny enough to pass inspection? Still, the men had to go out, and face the music of the band, as well as the inspection. What else could they do?

    1. (1) According to the passage, the word “music” means ________.
      A . your boss's criticism(批评) B . your leader's inspection C . something unpleasant to be experienced D . sour pop music
    2. (2) The phrase “to face the music” was first used by ________.
      A . some American actors B . the American writer James Fennimore Cooper C . all the Americans D . the American orchestra
    3. (3) An actor might feel frightened or nervous when going on stage. One of the reasons is that ________.
      A . his performance might not satisfy most of the audience B . he might not remember what he should say on stage C . he had to face the unfriendly audience D . most of the audience might be his friends
  • 28. (2018·浙江) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    A

        In 1812, the year Charles Dickens was born, there were 66 novels published in Britain. People had been writing novels for a century—most experts date the first novel to Robinson Crusoe in 1719—but nobody wanted to do it professionally. The steam-powered printing press was still in its early stages; the literacy(识字) rate in England was under 50%. Many works of fiction appeared without the names of the authors, often with something like "By a lady." Novels, for the most part, were looked upon as silly, immoral, or just plain bad.

        In 1870, when Dickens died, the world mourned him as its first professional writer and publisher, famous and beloved, who had led an explosion in both the publication of novels and their readership and whose characters — from Oliver Twist to Tiny Tim— were held up as moral touchstones. Today Dickens' greatness is unchallenged. Removing him from the pantheon(名人堂) of English literature would make about as much sense as the Louvre selling off the Mona Lisa.

        How did Dickens get to the top? For all the feelings readers attach to stories, literature is a numbers game, and the test of time is extremely difficult to pass. Some 60,000 novels were published during the Victorian age, from 1837 to 1901; today a casual reader might be able to name a half-dozen of them. It's partly true that Dickens' style of writing attracted audiences from all walks of life. It's partly that his writings rode a wave of social, political and scientific progress. But it's also that he rewrote the culture of literature and put himself at the center. No one will ever know what mix of talent, ambition, energy and luck made Dickens such a singular writer. But as the 200th anniversary of his birth approaches, it is possible — and important for our own culture—to understand how he made himself a lasting one.

    1. (1) Which of the following best describes British novels in the 18th century?
      A . They were difficult to understand. B . They were popular among the rich. C . They were seen as nearly worthless. D . They were written mostly by women.
    2. (2) Dickens is compared with the Mona Lisa in the text to stress________.
      A . his reputation in France B . his interest in modern art C . his success in publication D . his importance in literature
    3. (3) What is the author's purpose in writing the text?
      A . To remember a great writer. B . To introduce an English novel. C . To encourage studies on culture. D . To promote values of the Victorian age.
  • 29. (2018·全国卷Ⅲ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    C

        While famous foreign architects are invited to lead the designs of landmark buildings in China such as the new CCTV tower and the National Center for the Performing Arts, many excellent Chinese architects are making great efforts to take the center stage.

        Their efforts have been proven fruitful. Wang Shu, a 49-year-old Chinese architect, won the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize — which is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in architecture — on February 28. He is the first Chinese citizen to win this award.

        Wang serves as head of the Architecture Department at the China Academy of Art (CAA). His office is located at the Xiangshan campus(校园) of the university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Many buildings on the campus are his original creations.

        The style of the campus is quite different from that of most Chinese universities. Many visitors were amazed by the complex architectural space and abundant building types. The curves(曲线) of the buildings perfectly match the rise and fall of hills, forming a unique view.

        Wang collected more than 7 million abandoned bricks of different ages. He asked the workers to use traditional techniques to make the bricks into walls, roofs and corridors. This creation attracted a lot of attention thanks to its mixture of modern and traditional Chinese elements(元素).

        Wang's works show a deep understanding of modern architecture and a good knowledge of traditions. Through such a balance, he had created a new type of Chinese architecture, said Tadao Ando, the winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize.

        Wang believes traditions should not be sealed in glass boxes at museums. "That is only evidence that traditions once existed," he said.

    "Many Chinese people have a misunderstanding of traditions. They think tradition means old things from the past. In fact, tradition also refers to the things that have been developing and that are still being created," he said.

        "Today, many Chinese people are learning Western styles and theories rather than focusing on Chinese traditions. Many people tend to talk about traditions without knowing what they really are, "said Wang.

        The study of traditions should be combined with practice. Otherwise, the recreation of traditions would be artificial and empty, he said.

    1. (1) Wang's winning of the prize means that Chinese architects are ___________.
      A . following the latest world trend B . getting international recognition C . working harder than ever before D . relying on foreign architects
    2. (2) What impressed visitors to the CAA Xiangshan campus most?
      A . Its hilly environment. B . Its large size. C . Its unique style. D . Its diverse functions.
    3. (3) What made Wang's architectural design a success?
      A . The mixture of different shapes. B . The balance of East and West. C . The use of popular techniques. D . The harmony of old and new.
    4. (4) What should we do about Chinese traditions according to Wang?
      A . Spread them to the world. B . Preserve them at museums. C . Teach them in universities. D . Recreate them in practice.
  • 30. (2018·全国卷Ⅱ) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    B

        Many of us love July because it's the month when nature's berries and stone fruits are in abundance. These colourful and sweet jewels from British Columbia's fields are little powerhouses of nutritional protection.

        Of the common berries, strawberries are highest in vitamin C, although, because of their seeds, raspberries contain a little more protein (蛋白质), iron and zinc (not that fruits have much protein). Blueberries are particularly high in antioxidants (抗氧化物质). The yellow and orange stone fruits such as peaches are high in the carotenoids we turn into vitamin A and which are antioxidants. As for cherries (樱桃), they are so delicious who cares? However, they are rich in vitamin C.

        When combined with berries or slices of other fruits, frozen bananas make an excellent base for thick, cooling fruit shakes and low fat "ice cream". For this purpose, select ripe bananas for freezing as they are much sweeter. Remove the skin and place them in plastic bags or containers and freeze. If you like, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the bananas will prevent them turning brown. Frozen bananas will last several weeks, depending on their ripeness and the temperature of the freezer.

        If you have a juicer, you can simply feed in frozen bananas and some berries or sliced fruit. Out comes a "soft-serve" creamy dessert, to be eaten right away. This makes a fun activity for a children's party; they love feeding the fruit and frozen bananas into the top of the machine and watching the ice cream come out below.

    1. (1) What does the author seem to like about cherries?
      A . They contain protein. B . They are high in vitamin A C . They have a pleasant taste. D . They are rich in antioxidants.
    2. (2) Why is fresh lemon juice used in freezing bananas?
      A . To make them smell better. B . To keep their colour. C . To speed up their ripening. D . To improve their nutrition.
    3. (3) What is "a juicer" in the last paragraph?
      A . A dessert. B . A drink. C . A container. D . A machine.
    4. (4) From which is the text probably taken?
      A . A biology textbook. B . A health magazine. C . A research paper. D . A travel brochure.

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