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专题 20 阅读理解（主旨大意题）
刷大题、提能力
1.（2023·广东深圳·高三统考期末）
Boston wants to be smarter. The city has taken advantage of technologies to become more responsive to its
residents' needs. But technology alone is not sufficient to make today's cities liveable. Boston has discovered that it
also needs to reach the old-fashioned low-tech community and integrate that technology with city life.
Kris Carter rolled out Boston's smart city program in 2014. It started with an App that residents could
download to report locations where sidewalks needed repair. The city sorted out those reports and ranked them in a
database, which repair crews used to prioritize their work.
The system worked beautifully, except for one problem: most of the alerts(警报) came from wealthier
neighborhoods, where the concentration of smartphone - equipped residents was highest. ＂The complaints from
the App didn't always correlate with the greatest community need for repairs, " explains Carter.
Carter's group has moved away from the model common to many smart city initiatives of letting tech-
savvy(精通技术的）residents drive the process. Instead, they run meetings to find out what problems people in
different neighborhoods care about solving. When it came to sidewalks, Boston introduced a second method of
collecting repair tips, hiring people to get out and walk the city's 1,700 miles of sidewalks to take notes on their
condition.
Whether using low-tech or high-tech approaches, says Carter, to stay smart, a city needs to continually
reassess its options to spot opportunities to improve residents' lives. Take the sidewalk repair program, walking on
the streets was proved a useful, if inefficient way to prioritize repair needs. But last year the group found that
walkers' mobile phones could be tracked as they moved along the streets, and that data could be analyzed to
identify sidewalk routes which are most often used by neighborhoods.
“Combined with our other sidewalk information, that gave us an even better way to predict where faster
repairs would do the most good," says Carter,"We're really always looking for whatever mix of approaches best
solves the problem."
1．What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A．The citizens' life. B．The city's reputation.C．The city's management. D．The benefits of technology.
2．What problem did Kris Carter's team meet when carrying out their program?
A．They faced many technical obstacles.
B．They couldn't serve all residents well.
C．They were not supported by residents.
D．They were annoyed by being short-staffed.
3．Which of the following might Kris Carter most agree with?
A．Maximizing the benefits of technology.
B．Mixing approaches for solving problems.
C．Giving full play to the power of residents.
D．Letting tech companies be a leading role.
4．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．A Smart City: More Than Just Tech
B．A City with Intelligent Facilities
C．Joint-effort in City Construction
D．The Modernization of a City
2.（2023·广东潮州·统考二模）
In 2006, documents were published by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They
suggested that cloned animals and cloned animal products would be allowed into the American food supply.
The FDA has stated that cloned animal products are safe for consumption, and has performed many studies to
support this view. In fact, products from cloned animals have already been eaten by some Americans without ill
effects. The FDA analyzed the structure(结构)and content of cloned animal products and compared it with that of
traditionally reproduced animals, and discovered no statistical difference between the two.
Consumers raised serious concerns about cloned animals. The first is the question of whether or not cloned
tissue and animal products are truly safe. The second is that many clones are also genetically modified(转基因
的)animals, which the FDA has said are unsafe for human consumption. The third is that consumers want to be able
to choose what they put into their bodies.
The first concern about cloned animals is almost unnecessary due to the price of producing a clone. Making a
clone needs hard work and is very costly. These clones live spoiled lives because they are very valuable, despite
biologists' warning that cloned animals decrease diversity.
The second concern, about genetic modification of cloned animals, is more problematic. It may be verydifficult to separate genetically modified animals from normal ones. The purpose of genetically modified cloned
animals is unclear, and the FDA hasn't allowed their products onto the market, due to health concerns, but the risk
of genetic pollution of healthy animals still exists.
Finally, the matter of choice is a large one. Many animal rights activists are worried about clone rights because
cloned or not, the animals still have lives. Other consumers are simply trying to eat healthy foods, and have doubts
about the cloned animals. If the FDA does not make labeling (贴标签)laws, people may not be able to make
informed choices about their food.
5．Why did the FDA allow cloned animal products for consumption?
A．They appeal to consumers very much.
B．They differ from traditional animal products.
C．They taste better than normal animal products.
D．They have been proved safe in several aspects.
6．What do we know about producing clones of animals?
A．It takes much more efforts and money. B．It provides some new medical benefits.
C．It needs less time than raising animals. D．It helps increase the diversity of animals.
7．What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A．Cloned animals should be forbidden to enter market.
B．Cloned animals should have the same rights as humans.
C．Laws should be made to protect people's right to choose food.
D．Animal rights activists are strongly against cloned animal products.
8．What's the text mainly about?
A．Doubts about cloned animals rights. B．Discussions about how to clone animals.
C．Concerns about animal cloning technology. D．Worries about cloned animal consumption.
3. （2023·湖南常德·高三校联考期末）
For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.
“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill,
chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚)
shows.
Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-
inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese
aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. Theexhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.
“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns
that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion —
they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China
—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang,
Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds
Hill.
For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most
famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just
another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about
China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally
acknowledging that in many ways.”
9．What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?
A．It promoted the sales of artworks. B．It attracted a large number of visitors.
C．It showed ancient Chinese clothes. D．It aimed to introduce Chinese models.
10．What does Hill say about Chinese women?
A．They are setting the fashion. B．They start many fashion campaigns.
C．They admire super models. D．They do business all over the world.
11．What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?
A．learning from B．looking down on C．working with D．competing against
12．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Young Models Selling Dreams to the World
B．A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York
C．Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics
D．Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends
4.（2023·山西阳泉·统考三模）
At the age of seven, while his friends were spending their pocket money on unimportant things like candy and
toys, Jose was busy saving money for more necessary things. To try to get his peers to do the same, the youngster
from Peru came up with the new idea of an eco-bank, which allows kids of all ages to become economically
independent and financially intelligent - while also helping the environment.Founded in 2012, the Bartselana Student Bank is the world's first cooperative bank for kids. Possible members
have to bring in at least 5 kilograms of solid waste and set a savings goal. Once accepted, all bank partners are
required to bank at least one additional kilogram of recyclables on a monthly basis. The waste is sold to local
recycling companies. The funds received are placed in the individual's account where they collect until his/her
savings goal is reached. The account holder can then take out his/her money, or choose to leave it and continue to
grow for a bigger goal.
The youngster's determination paid off, and by 2013, the Bartselana Student Bank had over 200 members.
Things have only improved since. Today, the eco-bank is proud of ten educational centers. They are designed to
teach over 3,000 teenagers to become economically independent, invest(投资) wisely, and help the environment.
Now the Bartselana Student Bank began accepting applications from kids all across Peru. Not surprisingly, Jose's
efforts have earned the youngster several national and international awards, which won him about $ 5,500.
“Jose's eco-bank is a brilliant way of linking economy and climate effect, both in thought and practice. The
system clearly shows that the planet's common resources are limited and that we must recycle the products we no
longer use,” a judge said. “It creates viewpoint of consumption(消费). This way caring about the environment
becomes an investment, a system that gives children both economic independence and power to influence the
climate. The potential impact is amazing.”
13．In which aspect does Jose stand out from other kids?
A．He did better at studies.
B．He didn't like candy and toys.
C．He managed his pocket money more wisely.
D．He came from a wealthy family background.
14．What does “all bank partners” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A．Local recycling companies. B．The kids bringing in recyclables.
C．The bank staff working in the bank. D．The customers saving money.
15．What does the author mainly want to tell us by the examples in Paragraph3?
A．Jose's pioneering efforts were richly rewarded.
B．Jose helped 3000 teenagers pay off their debts.
C．Jose contributed to the environmental protection.
D．Jose's idea helped him win a prize worth $5.500.
16．What is the best title for the text?A．Kids in Peru Are Changing Their Consumption Habits.
B．Peru Kids Learned to Become Economically Independent.
C．Jose's Idea is Raising Viewpoints of Environmental Protection.
D．A Peru Eco-Bank Teaches Kids About Finance And Recycling.
5.（2023·辽宁·高三阜新市高级中学阶段练习）
A number of studies show that sports and other physical activities can contribute to the development of self-
esteem (a feeling of pride in oneself). For example, Canadian scientists found that sixth-grade students who were
more physically active had considerably higher levels of self-esteem. A study in Switzerland found that teenagers
who took part in sports clubs were healthier, including being better socially adjusted, feeling less anxious, and
generally being happier about their lives. Similar findings were reported in a study of Latino students, where
participation in school sport was found to be greatly associated with self-esteem.
There seems little doubt that part of the potency (潜能) of sports lies in their social setting. There are a lot of
facts showing the importance of social connectedness (关联性) for healthy child and teenager development, and
sports offer a popular and engaging setting for social interactions. Involvement in team sports has been positively
associated with social acceptance and a sense of belonging, especially where such involvement is characterized by
positive coaching, progressive skill development, and peer support.
But, the social setting of sports can exclude as well as include. There is now evidence that boys’ and girls’
experiences of sports can be very different, and this can affect the contribution they can make to the self-esteem of
players. Peer acceptance seems to be an important factor in determining the relationship between sport participation
and self-esteem, and girls can be particularly sensitive to negative judgments. And studies have found that many
‘girly’ boys and girls benefit most from non-competitive physical activities.
So, a note of caution ought to be sounded in case sports are considered to be a cure. Much of the literature on
the most positive psychological (心理的) outcomes associated with childhood and youth sports stress the absolute
importance of positive experiences. It will surprise no one that bullying, excluding or abuse experiences will harm,
rather than support the development of self-esteem, and well-being in general. Sadly, it will also not be a shock to
learn that many children’s introductions to sports are far from improving the quality of life.
The great developmental psychologist Jean Piaget argued that the foundations of self-esteem were laid
between the ages of about 6 and 11 years of age. Importantly, this is also the time when children are most likely to
be introduced to sports. We should know the importance of positive early sporting experiences for the development
of both self-esteem and on-going participation in sports and other physical activities. Teachers, coaches, and parentshave a responsibility to ensure that these experiences ‘catch’ as many children as possible, and for this to happen
they need to remember ‘the principles of child development’: Children are not mini-adults.
Problems arise when adults forget these principles, and kid themselves into thinking that they are coaching
future Olympians or Super stars. Unluckily, evidence suggests that talented children are most likely to stand out
when they are given time to develop, to play, and to remain children.
Children are not miniature adults, and their enjoyment of sports (and their self-esteem) can suffer when adults
forget this!
17．Studies in Switzerland and Latino showed teenagers who often join in sports _____.
A．build self-esteem earlier
B．have more good experiences
C．are more sensitive to judgments
D．are healthier both physically and mentally
18．In general, the author’s attitude toward the influence of sports on teenagers is _____.
A．positive B．critical
C．uncertain D．tolerant
19．According to the author, when children take part in sports, they _____.
A．will be happier about their lives
B．are more likely to be attracted by competitive sports
C．should be treated by coaches and parents as super stars
D．will build self-esteem if given positive comment and support
20．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A．Children Should Take Part in Sports
B．Sports Offer You a Better Teenage Life
C．Sports Experience and Building Self-Esteem
D．People Should Treat Teenagers Like Miniature Adults
6.（2023·辽宁沈阳·沈阳二中校考三模）
TerraCycle is a company that has recycled and upcycled (升级改造) just about any garbage it can get its hands
on. It upcycles things like pens and markers into dust bins and picnic tables and cigarette ends into railroad ties.
Now, TerraCycle wants to help families waste even less with a new book Make Garbage Great: The
TerraCycle Family Guide to a Zero-Waste Lifestyle. The book is part wake-up call, part history lesson, part how-to,
and part DIY arts and crafts instruction.In an effort to help people do what they can to curb their contribution to the tons of waste created every day,
Make Garbage Great gives the history of various materials, discusses why those various materials are a problem,
and gives tips and DIY projects to recycle or upcycle each material.
There is a chapter each on plastics, metals, paper, glass, wood, rubber and organics. Each chapter is filled with
tons of tips and ideas for reducing the amount of waste you create and for responsibly handling the waste you end
up creating in your home. If you’re a conscious consumer, some of the information you may already know, but
there are also tips in this book that will help you recycle more than you thought you were able to. It has information
on where you can take old sneakers, pillows, and all that electronic waste that seems to pile up quicker and quicker
each year.
Whether the book inspires you to get a little clever at dealing with your waste or simply inspires you to think
before you buy or before you throw, anyone who is concerned about the amount of waste our culture creates will
find some ideas here. Even the physical book itself is a bit of an inspiration. It’s printed on tree-free paper and is a
reminder that there is usually a sustainable (可持续的) alternative to many of the products that we waste.
21．What is the book intended to do?
A．To advertise for the company.
B．To help families make money.
C．To instruct people to learn arts.
D．To help families reduce waste.
22．What can we know about the book?
A．It is intended for housewives.
B．It is environmentally friendly.
C．It is well received all over the world.
D．It is not different from other paper books.
23．What does the author’s attitude towards the book?
A．Positive. B．Negative.
C．Doubtful. D．Objective.
24．What could be the best title for the text?
A．Live A More Healthy Life?
B．Want A Zero-waste Lifestyle?
C．TerraCycle — A Responsible Company
D．Make Garbage Great — A Key to Success7.（2023·吉林长春·高三长春市第五中学校考期末）
One of the most popular beliefs in parenting is the so﹣called Mozart effect， which says that listening to
music by the Austrian composer Wolfgang Mozart can increase a child's intelligence． Some pregnant women
have even gone so far as to play Mozart recordings on headphones pressed against their bellies． And it's not hard
to see how Mozart's name became associated with accelerated development． He was history's greatest child
genius， performing astonishing music for kings and queens at an age when many of us were content with tuneless
singing "I'm a Little Teapot"．
So， if you have kids or you're expecting to have them， how seriously should you take the Mozart effect？
Will the child who doesn't listen to Mozart in the cradle （摇篮） be limited to an ordinary life？ Are you a bad
parent if your kids don't know about any works of Mozart？
Relax． There is no scientific evidence that listening to Mozart improves children's cognitive abilities． The
whole idea comes from a small study done in 1993， which found that college students who listened to Mozart's
Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major （K 448）showed some improvement in a test of spatial （空间的） skills．
This finding was later described as something extremely amazing by a musician， Don Campbell， in a book．
Campbell's claims about the super powers of Mozart's music were repeated endlessly in the media and fueled a
craze for Mozart﹣based enrichment activities． In 1998， for example， the governor of Georgia in the USA
requested funds to send classical﹣music CDs to all parents of newborns in the state．
Since then， scientists have examined the claim that Mozart increases intelligence and found no evidence for
it． The original experiment with college students was reviewed in 1999， and the increase in the students' spatial
skills was found to be negligible． In 2007 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research asked a team
of experts to examine the scientific literature regarding Mozart and child development， and they found no reason
to believe that it increased intelligence．
25．People relate Mozart to children's intelligence development because he ．
A．owned extraordinary music talent.
B．could perform music as a child.
C．offered music to pregnant women.
D．was an royal Austrian composer.
26．What can we know about the small study in 1993？
A．It added to the popularity of Mozart's music．
B．It found no evidence for supporting Mozart effect．C．It helped college students make academic progress．
D．It urged Georgia's governor to spread classical music．
27．What does the underlined word "negligible" probably mean？
A．Sudden．
B．Insignificant．
C．Average．
D．Steady．
28．What can be the best title for the text？
A．New Findings： Mozart Effect to Be Proved.
B．Secrets Uncovered： History of Mozart Effect.
C．Does Listening to Mozart Make Kids Smarter？
D．How Does Mozart Improve Kids' Intelligence？
8. （2023·吉林·长春市第五中学高三期末）
Your brain isn't necessarily the same age as the rest of you． Now， it may be possible to predict how
quickly a person's brain will age throughout life based on tests taken when he or she is three years old．
A person's biological age may be a better indicator of their health than their real age． Brain age can be
measured using brain scans and machine﹣learning to determine if a person's brain looks older or younger than the
average healthy brain for people of the same age．
To find out if brain age might reveal anything about a person's health in midlife， Max Elliott at Duke
University in North Carolina and his colleagues assessed the brains of 869 adults in New Zealand who have
undergone regular medical and cognitive （认知的） testing since they were 3 years old．
When the volunteers， all aged between 43 and 46， underwent MRI brain scans， the team found that
their brain ages ranged from 23 to 71． Those with older brain ages performed worse on tests of cognition，
memory and IQ． The researchers also found that some people have a very advanced brain age but their bodies
seem to be ageing slowly， and vice versa （反之亦然）． However， the team found that those who had the
highest scores on cognitive tests when they were 3 years old went on to have the youngest﹣looking brains．
This suggests we might be able to tell who is at risk of accelerated brain ageing early in life． Researchers
hope that predicting brain ageing earlier in life could allow treatments for conditions like dementia （痴呆） to
be started sooner． This means treatments might have a better chance of working．
We don't yet have a way to treat brain ageing， but given the known benefits to the brain of healthy eatingand exercise， these aren't a bad place to start．
29．What helps predict the speed of one's brain ageing？
A．One's health condition．
B．A test result at the age of 3．
C．The actual age of one's brain．
D．A machine for medical check．
30．What is the purpose of Elliott's research？
A．To find out why people look older or younger．
B．To measure people's brain age at different stages．
C．To discover whether brain age can be measured by machines．
D．To explore the relationship between brain age and future health．
31．What is Paragraph 4 mainly about？
A．The influence of cognitive tests．
B．The procedure of Elliott's study．
C．The information about volunteers．
D．The findings of the brain research．
32．What do the findings of the research imply？
A．We should test our brain age earliest possible．
B．People suffering dementia can go on working．
C．Brain ageing could be predicted at an early age．
D．Healthy eating and exercise can cure brain ageing．
9.（2023·重庆江北·高三重庆十八中校考开学考试）
Do you still remember the scene in the famous movie Titanic, directed by Cameron, where Jack was frozen to
death in the icy cold water so that Rose could survive on the floating door alone? It broke many people’s heart.
Two decades later, people are still asking the question, “wasn’t there enough room on the door for both of
them?”
Cameron once responded by saying it wasn’t a question of room, but buoyancy—if both of them had tried to
stay on the raft, he argued, the whole thing would sink.
But several guys from “Mythbusters”, an Australian-American science entertainment television program,
decided to test the theory themselves. They discovered that if Rose had took off her life jacket to the bottom of the
raft, there would have been enough buoyancy to keep both of them afloat.When they presented their findings to Cameron, the director insisted that Jack couldn’t be saved.
“The answer is very simple,” Cameron said. “Because it says on page 147 of the script that Jack dies. To
Cameron, it was an artistic choice to have the beloved character of millions, Jack drown into the cold sea. Jack had
to die because Cameron thought it would be best if we did.
“It was an artistic choice, the thing was just big enough to hold her, and not big enough to hold him,” Cameron
said. “I think it’s all kind of silly, really, that we’re having this discussion 20 years later. But it does show that the
film was effective in making Jack so endearing to the audience that it hurts them to see him die. The film is about
death and separation; he had to die.”
Since Jack was doomed to die, Cameron said, it could have happened in a variety of different ways. It’s not
about the door not being big enough: that’s just a practical method for his death. “Whether it was that, or whether a
chimney fell on him, he was going down,” Cameron said. “It’s called art: things happen for artistic reasons, not for
physics reasons.”
33．What do we know about the character Jack according to the text?
A．He intended to kill himself. B．He sacrificed himself to save Rose.
C．He didn’t have money to buy ticket. D．He lacked basic knowledge of physics.
34．According to Cameron, why did the audience argue about Jack’s death for 20 years?
A．They are fragile people. B．They don’t like the movie.
C．They love the character Jack. D．They are crazy about physics.
35．Why was a chimney mentioned in the last paragraph?
A．To introduce the structure of the ship. B．To show the original plan of the movie.
C．To present the missing part of the movie.D．To explain the unchangeable fate of Jack.
36．What is best title of the text?
A．Jack in Titanic Must Die. B．Big Enough for Both.
C．Cameron is Wrong. D．Jack could Survive.
10.（2023·高三重庆市万州第二高级中学校考阶段练习）
Curiosity is what drives us to keep learning, keep trying, keep pushing forward. But how does one generate
(产生) curiosity, in oneself or others? George Loewenstein, a professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon
University, offered an answer in the classic1994 paper, “The Psychology of Curiosity.”Curiosity arises, Loewenstein wrote, “when attention becomes focused on a gap in one's knowledge. Such
information gaps produce the feeling of deprivation (匮乏) labeled curiosity. The curious individual is motivated to
obtain the missing information to reduce the feeling of deprivation.” Loewenstein's theory helps explain why
curiosity is such a force: it's not only a mental state but also an emotion, a powerful feeling that drives us forward.
Scientist Daniel Willingham notes that teachers are often “so eager to get to the answer that we do not devote
enough time to developing the question.” Yet it's the question that stimulates (刺激) curiosity; being told an answer
stops curiosity before it can even get going.
In his 1994 paper, George Loewenstein noted that curiosity requires some basic knowledge. We're not curious
about something we know absolutely nothing about. But as soon as we know even a little bit, our curiosity is
aroused and we want to learn more. In fact, research shows that curiosity increases with knowledge: the more we
know, the more we want to know. To get this process started, Loewenstein suggests, take steps with some
interesting but incomplete information.
Language teachers have long used communication in exercises that open an information gap and then require
learners to communicate with each other in order to fill it. For example, one student might be given a series of
pictures for the beginning of the story, while the student's partner is given a series of pictures showing how that
same story ends. Only by speaking with each other (in the foreign language they are learning, of course) can the
students fill in each others' information gaps.
37．When one notices a gap in his knowledge, he .
A．desires to fill it
B．tends to be afraid
C．might get tired and sad
D．will become focused on his learning
38．What does Daniel Willingham imply in the article?
A．Answers are more important than questions.
B．Teachers should be eager to get to the answer.
C．Teachers know how to stimulate students’ curiosity.
D．Teachers are partly to blame for students’ hating school.39．According to George Loewenstein’s paper, curiosity about something occurs only when you .
A．have read a lot of books B．know little about something
C．have some related information D．are given incomplete information
40．What is the article mainly about?
A．Why students hate school.
B．Why curiosity is important.
C．How to stimulate curiosity.
D．What makes people hungry for knowledge.
11.（2023·天津市新华中学高三期末）
When I was 17 years old I had surgery because of a disease. The day after the surgery, I awoke to find a friend
of mine sitting in a chair across from my bed. I don't remember much about his visit. But I will not forget that he
visited me on that day, and sat there for I don't know how long, while I was under the influence of a morphine drip
(输液). We benefit greatly from our close friendships, but they are not a matter of calculable gain or loss.
Our age, what we might call the age of economics, is strongly influenced by two types of relationships that
reflect the lives we are encouraged to lead. There are consumer relationships, those that we participate in for the
pleasure they bring us. They are focused on the present. It is what brings immediate pleasure that matters. And there
are entrepreneurial(商业的) relationships, those that we invest in, hoping they will bring us some return.
Aristotle thought that there were three types of friendship: those of pleasure, those of usefulness, and true
friendship. In Pleasure Friendships, he said, “Tt is not for their character that men love ready-witted people, but
because they find them pleasant.” About the usefulness friendships, he said, “Those who love each other for their
utility (效用) do not love each other for themselves, but because of some good which they get from each other.”
Although we benefit from our close friendships, these friendships are not a matter of calculable gain and loss.
Consumer pleasures are lasting for only a limited time. They surround us for a short period and then they fade, like
a drug. Entrepreneur friendship, when successful, leads to the victory of personal gain.
It is precisely the non-economic character that is threatened in a society in which each of us is offered only the
choices of ownership, shopping, competition and growth. It is threatened when we are led to believe that
friendships without obvious recognizable gain are, in the economic sense, irrational (不合理的). Friendships are
not without reason, perhaps, but they are certainly without that particular reason. Shared experience, not just
everyday amusement or advancement, is the true basis of friendship.
41．The author mentions his operation in the first paragraph to ______.A．recall one of his best friends B．advise people to visit sick friends
C．introduce the topic of true friendship D．talk about the experience of surgery
42．Consumer relationships center on ______.
A．the sharing of joy and sorrow B．mutual support in times of trouble
C．personal gain or personal loss D．immediate pleasure
43．The author tries to persuade readers to accept his argument by ______.
A．explaining three types of friendship B．discussing questions
C．analyzing causes and effects D．providing examples and facts
44．The author seems to support the idea that ______.
A．friendships are a matter of calculable gain or loss
B．there are no specific reasons for friendship
C．short-term pleasure is the center of friendship
D．everyday amusement is the true basis of friendship
45．The best title for the text would be ______.
A．Friendship in Modern Times B．Friendship in Economic Recession
C．Friendship in the Age of Economics D．Friendship in a Fast Paced Life
12.（2023·全国·高三专题练习）
Some scientists have detected a chemical on Venus (金星) that isn’t expected to be there, which leads them to
wonder what is producing the chemical.
Venus may look beautiful in the night sky, but it’s a harsh planet. Its clouds are made of acid. And its
atmosphere is so thick that if you could stand on the planet’s surface, you would feel like you were 3,000 feet under
the sea. It is the hottest planet in the solar system, with an average temperature of 464℃. Though people have often
wondered if Venus used to have life, most people don’t believe life exists there. Now, as a result of work by a group
of scientists led by Dr. Jane Greaves from Cardiff University, there may be reason to question that.
The scientists found a molecule called phosphine (磷化氢) in Venus’ atmosphere. On Earth, some bacteria
produce small amounts of phosphine in oxygen-free environments. Phosphine molecules aren’t very stable, so they
tend to break apart or burn up easily.
Many scientists believe phosphine might be a sign of life on other planets. So the scientists were puzzled when
they found signs of phosphine high in the atmosphere of Venus. They double-checked their result and it was the
same — high in the clouds there appeared to be too much phosphine.
That led the scientists to think about what could make the phosphine. They studied many ideas, from sunlight,lightning strikes to volcanoes. But none of these could produce the amount of phosphine they detected. One
possible explanation for the phosphine is simple — life. For example, some sort of bacteria can somehow survive in
the acid clouds of Venus.
The discovery of phosphine on Venus has caused a lot of excitement. The scientists behind the study are eager
to do more research. Now, many other people are also looking to focus on the planet and perhaps even create
missions to explore Venus’ atmosphere.
46．According to Paragraph 2, what’s generally believed about Venus?
A．Life exists there for long.
B．It is an unlivable planet.
C．It is one of the hottest planets.
D．The clouds on Venus are thin and acidic.
47．What do we know about phosphine on Venus?
A．It is a kind of gas low in the clouds. B．It is a possible marker of life.
C．It contributes to the birth of life. D．It is stable in oxygen-free environments.
48．What does the underlined word “That” in Paragraph 5 refer to?
A．The presence of phosphine. B．The amount of acid.
C．The instability of phosphine. D．The high temperature.
49．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Is There Life on Venus? B．Oxygen Spotted on Venus
C．A New Way to Explore Venus D．Will Astronauts Land on Venus?
13.（2023·全国·高三专题练习）
A small bowl bought at a yard sale in Connecticut for just $ 35 has been identified as a rare 15th-century
Chinese antique.
The blue-and-white bowl was made by China's royal court during the Ming dynasty. It is now expected to sell
for up to $500,000, according to Sotheby's auction(拍卖)house in New York, where the auction will take place next
month.
The purchase was made last year near New Haven, Connecticut. “I was just hanging around there aimlessly.
But when I saw this bowl, I didn't even bargain over the $35 asking price,” the owner said. Shortly after the
purchase, he sent photos of the bowl to auction specialists, who identified it as an item of historical significance.
Upon closer inspection, the artifact was found to have originated from the period of Yongle Emperor, who
ruled from 1403 to 1424 - a period noted for its distinctive porcelain (瓷器)techniques. It's now valued between$300,000 and $500,000, with the top estimate nearly 14,300 times the amount it was purchased for.
“I was deeply attracted by the techniques. You can see why this bowl is so highly-valued from the very smooth
porcelain body, silky glaze(上釉)and special blue coloring, which were never reproduced in later dynasties,”
McAteer, an auction specialist, said.
“The Yongle Emperor improved the porcelain techniques and elevated the importance of porcelain from being
an ordinary bowl into a true work of art. This small bowl has both practical and artistic value, ”McAteer said.
50．What can we infer about the bowl's owner?
A．He found the bowl by accident.
B．He hesitated during the purchase.
C．He doubted whether the bowl was real.
D．He bought the bowl because it was cheap.
51．What makes the bowl so precious?
A．The blue color on it. B．The long history it has.
C．The people who made it. D．The unique techniques used.
52．What does the underlined word “elevated” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?
A．Forsaw. B．Promoted.
C．Assessed. D．Acknowledged.
53．What's the best title of the text?
A．An Amazing Bowl B．A Special Yard Sale
C．The Return of Porcelains D．A Man Making Fortune
14.（2023·天津·模拟预测）
Let’s take a moment to consider the words of one of America’s most remarkable philosophers, Henry David
Thoreau.
Thoreau spent the years 1845-1847 living on the outskirts of society in a small cabin in the woods by the side
of Waldon Pond. He called this period of his life an experiment of intentional living and wrote this famous
paragraph：
I went to the woods because I wished to live intentionally, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I
could not learn what it had to teach，and not，when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I wanted to live
deep and suck out all the marrow（精华）of life.
There is great wisdom in Thoreau’s purpose here, and I think it’s very useful to ask ourselves this question：
What would our lives be like if we sucked all the marrow out of life?If Thoreau’s quote sounds familiar, it may be from watching the film Dead Poets Society, a movie with deep
wisdom. The film is about young men at a boarding school as they prepare to do good in the world because they
have the privilege to bring about change. Their English teacher, played by Robin Williams, tries to convince them
that they should live life well now instead of believing that they will find happiness after they reach certain goals.
Part of his argument is conveyed by quoting this famous passage from Thoreau.
Sucking the marrow out of life sounds simple enough, but as a matter of fact, it may be the most difficult thing
that we can ever do. But it actually is as simple as it. Sounds—though “simple” is not quite the same thing as
“easy”. I can think of one barrier that often keeps us from living our best lives. What keeps us from getting the most
out of life is our desire for approval and fame. In the process of always looking for fame and glory, there is
the danger that we will stop living. In order to seek approval from others, we fail to find a sense of approval within
our own spirit.
When we become aware that we are missing so much out of life, we can decide that we want to make changes.
Our best move is to start small. If we are having a meal, whether a great festival feast or a modest supper, it is
always within our power to take it slowly and really feel, taste, and enjoy the food before us. Few of us can easily
do like Henry David Thoreau and get away from it all in the wilderness. But we can make small changes every
single day.
54．What wisdom is conveyed in Thoreau’s words?
A．Stay away from city life. B．Live one’s life to the fullest.
C．Only nature can bring happiness. D．One can never be too old to learn.
55．Why did the author mention the film Dead Poets Society?
A．To recommend a good film. B．To praise the teacher’s wisdom.
C．To further illustrate Thoreau’s wisdom. D．To state the film was adapted from Thoreau’s works.
56．What’s the author’s attitude towards people’s seeking for approval?
A．Critical. B．Supportive. C．Sympathetic. D．Unconcerned.
57．How can people change life for the better according to the author?
A．Live in the wildness. B．Set higher goals.
C．Make small changes daily. D．Read more classics.
58．What could be the best title of the passage?
A．Ask for More：Thoreau Exposes the Meaning of Life
B．Sunk in Thought：Thoreau Outshines Ancient PhilosophersC．Aim High：Thoreau’s Practical Advice Ensures Successful Life
D．To Live Intentionally：Thoreau’s Philosophy Remains Valuable
15.（2023·陕西渭南·统考一模）
When I was a student at St. Joseph’s University, I began to spend time on the streets of Philadelphia, getting to
know the men and women for whom these streets were their only home. The more I developed relationships with
them and the more I got to know them, the harder it became to head home at night while they remained outside.
In this journey, I have had many great teachers --- including Georgianna Simmons, who lost nine of her toes to
frostbite (冻伤), and Joe Williams, with a college degree, who runs a rescue center for homeless men.
I’ve been doing this work for more than thirty years. People who have nothing have taught me so much about
life. The lesson they have taught me is that people who are homeless need the same chances we all need: housing,
education, employment, and healthcare. Contrary to our society, which values those it believes productive and rich
and often ignores those who struggle with homelessness, I believe that every man, woman, and child has gifts.
Everyone matters!
Therefore, I work for a society in which each person is given the chances and resources to achieve their fullest
potential (潜力). I also believe that our greatest power is released when people come together across social
boundaries (边界) to form a community. It is through “the power of us ” that we come to know the deepest truth of
our humanity. This is what I truly believe, “None of us are truly home until all of us are home.”
59．Which of the following is true about the author after he knew more about the homeless?
A．He wanted to make friends with them. B．He admired the life they were living.
C．He decided to live on the streets. D．He felt great pity for them.
60．What can we learn about Joe Williams?
A．He has made studies on the homeless.
B．He has been homeless for a long time.
C．He has done something good for the homeless.
D．He has taken care of the homeless at his home.
61．What can be learned from Paragraph 3?
A．The homeless are taken seriously by the government.
B．We should provide houses for the homeless.
C．The homeless have fewer chances than us.
D．The number of the homeless is increasing.
62．Which could be the best title for the text?A．Everyone matters
B．How the homeless live
C．The best way to help the homeless
D．What we should do to help ourselves
