文档内容
考向 27 阅读理解之说明文类
语篇特征
说明文是对事物或事理进行客观说明的一种文体，它以说明为主要表达方式，通过解说事物或阐明事理，
达到教人以知识的目的，在结构上往往采用总分、递进等方式按一定的顺序（如时间、空间、从现象到本质）
进行说明。
说明文的特点是客观、简练、语言准确、明了，文章很少表达作者的感情倾向。阅读说明文的重点在于读
懂它说明的事物或事理，了解事物的性质、构造、成因、功能等，了解事理的含意、特点等。最近五年，说明
文的出现变化不大，一直很稳定，选材通常是各学科的前沿问题；高科技领域的科研成果；人们比较关心的社
会问题；人文方面的经典。由于阅读理解题的设置采用渐进式，即由简到难的方式，因此说明文是高考试卷中
阅读理解题中相对比较难的，通常后置。阅读理解试题的中要考点之一是考查学生对词汇和句式的掌握。
说明文的词汇和句式的运用较别的体裁的文章难度更大。词汇运用灵活，同一词的不同词性的用法交替出
现，未列入考纲的生词较多，通常达到了4-5%。不过考生可以通过说明文的语言特点来帮助理解语篇，例如，
下定义、解释、举例、同义词、反义词、上下义词以及标点符号（如破折号、冒号都有表示解释和说明）等。
科普说明文
这种题材的文章大部分是介绍科技前沿、科学动态、新的发明创造、科研方法，或是对某一个问题的来龙
去脉和解决方法等加以介绍。作者的目的就是让读者获得知识、信息，对说明对象有所了解，并获得某些方面
的启示。其特点如下：
1. 文章中会牵涉到实验、研究者、研究方法、在某项主题上的不同意见和争鸣，有时会出现读者还不熟悉
的前沿性的科学题材，但作者一般持客观的态度，不显示自己的褒贬之意；
2. 此类文章为了做到通俗易懂，在语言上尽量避免使用专业性词汇，对于动词，做到这一点较轻易，但是
有些专有名词则无法避免，不过，作者通常会对较难的专有名词进行解释，甚至举例说明，这往往也是出题的
地方；
3. 在语法上，此类文章长句使用较多，主从复合句、同位语、插入语、非谓语动词形式和被动语态使用率
较高；
4. 此类文章语篇模式一般比较固定、整洁，主题句通常位于段首，多使用平行结构。
针对科普文章的这些特点，首先我们平时要多关注科学题材的文章，了解一些基本的科普知识；其次，在
阅读时要注重实验的目的和结果，不能凭想象和猜测下结论；对于较难理解的句子要利用语法结构去分析；最
后，要利用文章特点找准主题句，把握中心，从而一一破解题目。命题方式
考向一 细节理解题
说明文中考查的细节理解题大致与记叙文相似。命题区域都有其共同点：⑴在列举处命题，如用first(1y)、
second(1y)、third(1y)finally、not only...but also...、then、in addition等表示顺承关系的词语列举出事实。试题要
求考生从列举出的内容中选出符合题干要求的答案项。⑵在例证处命题，句中常用由as、such as、for exampl
e、for instance等引导的短语或句子作为例证，这些例句或比喻就成为命题者设问的焦点。⑶在转折对比处命题，
一般通过however、but、yet、in fact等词语来引导。对比用unlike、until、not so much…as等词语引导，命题者
常对用来对比的双方属性进行考查。⑷在比较处命题，无端的比较、相反的比较、偷换对象的比较，经常出现
在干扰项中，考生要标记并且关注到原文中的比较，才能顺利地排除干扰。⑸在复杂句中命题，包括同位词、
插入语、定语、从句、不定式等，命题者主要考查考生对句子之间的指代关系和语法关系。
细节类问题一般都能在原文中找到出处，只要仔细就可以在文中找到答案。但正确的选择项不可能与阅读材
料的原文完全相同，而是用不同的语句成句型表达相同的意思。
考向二 语意猜测题
说明文为了把自然规律，事物的性质等介绍清楚或把事理阐述明白，因此学术性强的生词较多，所以常进
行生词词义 判断 题的考查。 命题方式多以 the underlined part … in paragraph…refers to…或
what does the underlined word mean? 或 what is the meaning of the underlined word?为设问方
式。解题时考生应认真阅读原文，分析其对某些科学原理是如何定义、如何解释的，并以此为突破口抽象概括
出生词词义。也可以通过上下文来猜测某个陌生词语的语意。或者找出某个词语在文章中的同义词。要注意破
折号、同位语从句、定语从句、插入语等具有解释、说明作用的语言成分。说明文在阐述说明对象时易发生动
作变换、人称转变的现象，这类题目常以it，they，them 等代词为命题点，因此考生要根据上下文语境，认真
阅读原文，分析动作转换背景，弄清动作不同执行者，以便准确判断代词的其实际指代对象。
考向三 主旨大意题
说明文常用文章大意判断题考查考生对通篇文意的理解。即对文章的主题或中心意思的概括和归纳。
主要考查考生对文章的 整体理解能力。命题形式常以 This passage mainly talks about ____.
What is the main idea of the passage? 为设问方式。
答题时首先阅读题干，掌握问题的类型，了解试题题干以及各个选项所包含的信息，然后有针对性地对文
章进行扫读，对有关信息进行快速定位，再将相关信息进行整合、甄别、分析、对比，有根有据地排除干扰项，
选出正确答案。
考向四 判断推理题
这种试题常以(1)the passage is intended to...(2) the author suggests that...(3) the story implies that…(4)which point of view may the author agree to?(5) from the passage we can conclude that...(6) the purpose of
the passage is to...为设问方式。这种题型的答案在原文中不是直接就能找到的，它要求考生进行合理的推断。
如因果关系，文中的某些用词、语气也往往具有隐含意义，考生要将这种含义读出来。说明文常出现图示判断
题，这种试题可以事物之间正确的依赖关系为命题点，要求考生判断其正确的流程顺序相互关系等。考生一定
要认真阅读原文，并对照原文介绍的情况，弄清图示的差异，根据题干需要最终做出正确判断。如：动物介绍
性说明文常出现动物能力判断题，考查考生对特定动物所具有能力的判断。解题时考生应认真阅读原文对动物
形态活动能力的判断，了解动物的生存环境和是否会使用工具，是否善于爬行、飞翔和游泳等。观点态度题也
是判断推理题考查的内容之一。说明文的对象为客观事实，但设题以议论的表达方式抒发对该说明对象的想法。
如对某种新发明的赞赏，或对某个事物的批判。这类题目常见的题干表达方式有 what was the author’s atti
tude towards ...? 等。
解题技巧
高考阅读理解中，说明文为主要体裁之一。高考阅读理解题的设问主要围绕以下四方面：细节事实题、主
旨大意题、推理判断题、猜测词义题。其中，说明文主要以细节事实、主旨大意和猜测词义三方面问题为主。
一、词义猜测类题型
阅读理解题中常要求学生猜测某些单词或短语的意思。历年英语高考题中均有此类题目，有的文章尽管没
有专门设题，但由于文章中常常出现生词，因此，词义的猜测还是贯穿在文章的阅读理解之中。解这类题目一
般是通过上下文去理解或根据构词法去猜测。判断一个单词的意思不但离不开句子，而且还需要把句子放在上
下文中，根据上下文提供的线索加以猜测。运用构词法,语境等推测关键词义，可以根据以下几种方法猜测：
（一）内在逻辑关系
根据内在逻辑关系推测词义是指运用语言知识分析和判断相关信息之间存在的逻辑关系，然后根据逻辑关
系推断生词词义。
1. 通过同义词和反义词的关系猜词
通过同义词猜词，一是要看由and或or连接的同义词词组，如happy and gay，即使我们不认识gay这个词，
也可以知道它是愉快的意思。这是高三册第八单元阅读第五段的句子：
The word ＂secure＂ in paragraph 5 line is closest in meaning to _________.
A. free from anxiety B. anxious C. nervous D. happy
根据上下文和同义词，可以选出答案A。
二是看在进一步解释的过程中使用的同义词，如 Man has known something about the planets Venus，
Mars，and Jupiter with the help of spaceships. 此句中的Venus（金星）,Mars（火星）,Jupiter（木星）均为生
词，但只要知道planets就可猜出这几个词都属于＂行星＂这一义域.通过反义词猜词，一是看表转折关系的连词或副词，如but，while，however等；二是看与not搭配的或表示否定意义的词语，如：He is so homely, not at
all as handsome as his brother.根据not at all...handsome我们不难推测出homely的意思，即不英俊，不漂亮的
意思。
2. 根据因果关系猜测词义
通过因果关系猜词，首先是找出生词与上下文之间的逻辑关系，然后才能猜词。有时文章借助关联词（如
because，as，since，for，so，thus，as a result，of course，therefore等等）表示前因后果。例如：
You shouldn’t have blamed him for that, for it wasn’t his fault. 通过for引出的句子所表示的原因（那不
是他的错），可猜出blame的词义是＂责备＂。
3. 通过定义或释义关系来推测词义
例如：But sometimes, no rain falls for a long, long time. Then there is a dry period, or drought.
从drought所在句子的上文我们得知很久不下雨，于是便有一段干旱的时期，即 drought，由此可见drought
意思为＂久旱＂，＂旱灾＂。而a dry period和drought是同义语。这种同义或释义关系常由is，or，that is，in
other words，be called或破折号等来表示。
4. 通过句法功能来推测词义
例如：Bananas, oranges, pineapples, coconuts and some other kind of fruit grow in warm areas.假如
pineapples和coconuts是生词，我们可以从这两个词在句中所处的位置来判断它们大致的意思。从句中不难看出
pineapples, coconuts和bananas, oranges是同类关系，同属fruit类，因此它们是两样水果，准确地说，是菠萝和
椰子。
5. 通过描述猜词
描述即作者为帮助读者更感性地了解某人或某物而对该人或该物作出的外在相貌或内在特征的描写。例如
The penguin is a kind of sea bird living in the South Pole. It is fat and walks in a funny way. Although it
cannot fly，it can swim in the icy water to catch the fish.从例句的描述中可以得知penguin是一种生活在南极
的鸟类.后面更详尽地描述了该鸟类的生活习性。
（二）外部相关因素
外部相关因素是指篇章（句子或段落）以外的其他知识，有时仅靠分析篇章内在逻辑关系无法猜出词义。
这时，就需要运用生活经验和普通常识确定词义。例如：The snakes lithered through the grass.根据有关蛇的生
活习性的知识，我们可以推断出slither词义为＂爬行＂。
（三）构词法
在阅读文章时，我们总会遇上一些新词汇，有时很难根据上下文来推断其词意，而它们对文章的理解又有
着举足轻重的作用，此时，如掌握了一些常用的词根,前缀,后缀,合成等构词法知识，这些问题便不难解决了。
1. 根据前缀猜测词义例如：He fell into a ditch and lay there, semi-conscious, for a few minutes.根据词根conscious（清醒的，
有意识的），结合前缀semi（半，部分的，不完全的），我们便可猜出semiconscious词义＂半清醒的，半昏迷
的。＂I’m illiterate about such things.词根lit-erate意为＂有文化修养的，通晓的＂，前缀 il表示否定，因此
illiterate指＂一窍不通，不知道的＂。
2. 根据后缀猜测词义
例如：Insecticide is applied where it is needed.后缀cide表示＂杀者，杀灭剂＂，结合大家熟悉的词根
insect（昆虫），不难猜出insecticide意为＂杀虫剂＂。Then the vapor may change into droplets.后缀let表示＂
小的＂，词根drop指＂滴，滴状物＂。将两个意思结合起来，便可推断出droplet词义＂小滴，微滴＂。
3. 根据复合词的各部分猜测词义
例如：Growing economic problems were high-lighted by a slowdown in oil output. Hightlight或许是一个
生词，但是分析该词结构后，就能推测出其含义。它是由high（高的，强的）和light（光线）两部分组成，合
在一起便是＂以强光照射，使突出＂的意思。Bullfight is very popular in Spain. Bull（公牛）和fight（打，搏
斗）结合在一起，指一种在西班牙颇为流行的体育运动—斗牛。
二、主旨大意类题型
主旨大意类题型主要测试学生对文章全面理解和概括的能力，提问的内容可能是全文的大意，也可能是某
段的段落大意，一般不易在文中直接找到答案。怎样把握主旨大意题呢？通常有以下几种方法：
（一）阅读文章的标题或副标题
文章的标题是一篇文章的题眼，通过阅读标题或副标题可以迅速把握文章的主旨大意。
（二）寻找文章的主题句
分析篇章结构，找出文章主题。在许多情况下，尤其在阅读说明文和议论文时，根据其篇章特点我们可以
通过仔细阅读短文的第一句或第二句，即文章的主题句来归纳出文章的主题.若短文由若干段组成，除仔细阅读
第一段的首句外，还须仔细阅读每一段的第一句，即段落中心。通常文章的中心思想包含在文章的首句，有时
也在文章的末句，其他句子都是用来说明和阐述主题句。因此，在确定文章的中心思想时，要求学生重视阅读
文章的首句和末句。但也有一些文章，中心思想常常贯穿在全文中，因此要求学生综观全文，对段落的内容要
融会贯通，对文章透彻理解后归纳总结。主题句的特点是：1. 相对于其他句子，它表达的意思比较概括；2. 主
题句一般结构简单；3. 段落中其他句子必定是用来解释，支撑或发展主题句所表达的思想的。
总之，为提高阅读理解能力，在阅读时应抓中心思想，作者意图及关键词语，运用联想、比较、归纳、推
测等方法，得出最佳结论，选择最佳答案，不能主观臆测，把自己的观点强加进去，与文章的观点混为一谈。
经过长时间有计划，有目的的系统训练，使学生加快阅读速度，提高阅读的正确性，使两者有机地统一起来，
以提高学生阅读英语和运用英语进行交际的能力，为继续学习和运用英语切实打好基础.阅读是一种综合性很强
的语言实际活动。我们只有进行大量的课内外阅读，掌握一定的阅读技巧，正确运用阅读方法，才能有效地提高阅读理解能力。
【检测训练】
1
As a popular subject of study among evolutionary ecologists, three-spined stickleback is known for their different
shapes, sizes, and behaviors—they can even live in both seawater and freshwater, and under a wide range of
temperatures. But what makes that?
The researchers tracked six populations of the fish before and after seasonal changes to their environment, using
genome sequencing. Seasonal changes result in great changes in habitat structure and balance of salt and freshwater, and
only those fish able to tolerate these rapid changes survive into the next season.
“These changes probably resemble the habitat shifts experienced by stickleback populations during the past 10,000
years.” says Professor Barrett “We hope to gain insight into the genetic changes that may have resulted from natural
selection long in the past.”
Remarkably, the researchers discovered the evidence of genetic changes driven by the seasonal shifts in habitats,
which mirrored the differences found between long-established freshwater and saltwater populations. “These genetic
changes occurred in independent populations over a single season, highlighting just how quickly the effects of natural
selection can be detected,” says Professor Barrett, “The findings suggest that we may be able to use the genetic
differences to predict how populations may adapt to environment.”
The research emphasizes the importance of studying species in dynamic environments to gain a better
understanding of how natural selection operates. In further research, they plan to investigate how repeatable the observed
genetic changes are, by testing whether they show up year after year. Doing so would demonstrate their ability to reliably
forecast the evolutionary future of these populations.
1. What does the underlined word “that” refer to in Paragraph l?
A. Stickleback is under a wide range of temperatures.
B. Stickleback is popular with evolutionary ecologists.
C. Stickleback can adapt to different living conditions.
D. Stickleback has different shapes, sizes, and behaviors.
2. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A. The difficulties of the research. B. The purpose of the research.
C. The background of the research. D. The methods of the research.
3. What is the main reason for stickleback's survival?
A. Habitat shifts. B. Genetic change.
C. Seasonal changes. D. Independent populations.4. Why will scientists study the repetition of the gennetic changes?
A. To know what natural selection is.
B. To study specices in dynamic environments.
C. To test the reliablity of the present discoveries.
D. To forecast the evolutionary future of certain species.
2
As aging population gets bigger and dementia (老年痴呆症) more common，more families are struggling with a
complex question: How do you support a loved one with dementia, especially when you have a full-time job and several
kids?
Reg Urbanowski may have an answer to this pressing issue: ROBOTS.
He and his team managed to develop a new type of robots named TP robots. Looking like stand-up vacuum cleaners
attached to an iPad, they can be activated remotely via a smartphone and guided remotely by a controller app similar to
the way a mouse is used on a desktop computer. All possess audio and visual communication capabilities, allowing the
operator to be “in the room” to interact with Mom or Dad.
He believes that caregivers and family members can use a TP robot to “look in” on people with mild dementia. He
says, “TP robots provide an effective solution for minimizing caregiver burden, especially for those who have career or
other out-of home activities.”
Urbanowski and his team have conducted a study that involves providing TP robots for 15 Manitoba families. These
robots are programmed to provide reminders of necessary daily routine like turning off the gas, taking medicine and
having dinner. They will also help ensure patients are getting the exercise they need to maintain their health and well-
being.
Erin Crawford, Program Director with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, says she has faith that TP robots will
prove beneficial, particularly when it comes to reminding people with dementia to do certain things at certain times. “It
means that family members that can’t be there, for whatever reason, know that those things are till happening,” she says.
5. What can we infer about TP robots from Paragraph 3?
A. It’s easy to operate. B. It can clean the room.
C. It's convenient to carry. D. It can be used on a computer.
6. How will TP robots help those with dementia?
A. By having dinner with them. B. By turning off the gas for them.
C. By doing activities with them. D. By reminding them to take pills.
7. What’s Erin Crawford’s attitude to the future of TP robots?
A. Optimistic. B. Cautious. C. Doubtful. D. Critical.8. What is the main idea of the text?
A. TP robots provide a new solution to dementia.
B. TP robots help to take care of dementia patients.
C. Caregivers of dementia will be replaced by TP robots.
D. Urbanowski and his team are developing a new robot.
3
Last year, Americans spent over $30 billion at retail (零售) stores in the month of December alone. Aside from
purchasing holiday gifts, most people regularly buy presents for other occasions throughout the year, including
weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and baby showers. This frequent experience of gift-giving can create
ambivalent feelings in gift-givers. Many believe that gift-giving offers a powerful means to build stronger bonds with
intended receivers. At the same time, many worry that their purchases will disappoint rather than delight the intended
receivers.
Anthropologists (人类学家) describe gift-giving as a positive social process, serving various political, religious, and
psychological functions. Economists, however, offer a less favorable view. They think that gift-giving represents an
objective waste of resources. People buy gifts that receivers would not choose to buy on their own, or at least not spend
as much money to purchase. Givers are likely to spend $100 to purchase a gift that receivers would spend only $80 to
buy themselves.
What is surprising is that gift-givers have considerable experience acting as both gift-givers and gift-receivers, but
still tend to overspend each time they set out to purchase a meaningful gift. In the present research, psychologists find a
unique explanation for this overspending problem — gift-givers equate (等同) how much they spend with how much
receivers will appreciate the gift. Although a link between gift price and feelings of appreciation might seem relevant to
gift-givers, such an assumption may be unfounded. Indeed, we find that gift-receivers will be less willing to base their
feelings of appreciation on the gift price than givers assume.
The thoughts of gift-givers and gift-receivers being unable to account for the other party’s perspective (立场) seems
puzzling because people slip in and out of these roles every day. Yet, despite the extensive experience that people have as
both givers and receivers, they often struggle to transfer information gained from one role and apply it in another.
9. What does the underlined word “ambivalent” in Paragraph1 probably mean?
A. Concerned. B. Positive.
C. Unrealistic. D. Conflicting.
10. What do the economists think of gift-giving?
A. It strengthens the bonds between people.B. It is economically beneficial to the receiver.
C. It is actually a process of wasting resources.
D. It increases the financial burden to the giver.
11. What can we learn from Paragraph 3?
A. Personal preferences are the least to be considered.
B. Gift-givers tend to link the gift cost to gift-receivers’ appreciation.
C. More gift-receiving experience helps prevent overspending.
D. The assumption made by gift-givers turned out to be correct.
12. According to the author, the different thoughts between the gift-givers and receivers are caused by _________.
A. a trend of overspending
B. an inability to change perspectives
C. a growing opposition to gift-giving
D. a misunderstanding of gift-receivers’ tastes
4
Calling someone a “birdbrain” is considered rude. It implies that someone has a small brain and thus is not smart. A
new study found that the expression doesn’t do birds justice either: Birds’ brains are much bigger than we thought — at
least compared to their small bodies.
An international team of 37 scientists measured the brain volume (脑容量) of hundreds of dinosaurs and extinct
birds by scanning fossils of their skulls. The readings were compared to a large database containing the brain sizes of
modern birds. These measurements were then analyzed, taking into consideration each bird’s body size — resulting in
something called “relative brain size”. The results showed that a dramatic change of birds’ body size happened right after
the mass extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
According to the study, published on April 23 in the journal Current Biology, birds and dinosaurs had similar brain
sizes before the extinction. After the extinction of the dinosaurs, however, birds had to find a way to survive, so they
shrank their bodies — since smaller animals need less food — but they kept their big brains.
“The changed landscape may have caused the rapid evolution of new brainbody scaling patterns (缩放比例) by
favoring both larger brains and smaller bodies,” US paleontologist (古生物学家) Daniel Ksepka, who is the lead author
of the study, told CNN.
This “evolutionary brain leap” — as scientists call it — also happened very rapidly. Without dinosaurs, birds
quickly repopulated. They came in all types and sizes, which contributed to the diverse species of birds we see today.
But among all the bird species, certain ones “show above average rates of brain and body size evolution”, study co-
author Adam Smith at Clemson University, US, said in a statement — with crows and parrots being the most evident. Infact, previous studies have already discovered that these birds have an amazing cognitive capacity (认知能力). They are
able to use tools, imitate human speech and even remember human faces.
So, in the words of Smith, “calling someone ‘birdbrained’ is actually quite a compliment (恭维)”!
13. How did the scientists learn the brain sizes of dinosaurs and extinct birds?
A. By studying their fossil skulls. B. By searching the database.
C. By experimenting on their brains. D. By analyzing their body size.
14. How did the birds change after the extinction of the dinosaurs?
A. The birds’ bodies shrank as their brains became smaller.
B. The birds’ bodies became larger while their brains became smaller.
C. The birds’ brains remained almost the same as their bodies shrank.
D. The birds’ brains became larger to adapt to the environment.
15. According to Adam Smith, calling someone “birdbrained” is ________.
A. to make rude remarks B. to laugh at one’s small body size
C. to praise one’s intelligence D. to suggest the person is not smart
16. What is the purpose of this text?
A. To describe how birds’ evolution happened.
B. To explain the origin of the word “birdbrain”.
C. To show the amazing abilities of bird species.
D. To present the latest study on birds’ brain size.
5
In general, the riches of the natural world aren't spread evenly across the globe. Places like the tropical Andes in
South America are simply packed with unique species, many of which can't be found in any other places. Until recently,
the main explanation for the biological riches concentrated in places like the Amazon Basin was that such places must be
engines of biodiversity, with new species evolving at a faster rate than other parts of the world. But now, new research on
bird evolution may turn that assumption on its head, instead supporting the idea that areas with fewer species actually
tend to produce new species faster.
The researchers say these biodiversity "coldspots" are generally found in environments featuring freezing, dry and
unstable conditions. Though the researchers found these locations with few bird species tend to produce new ones at high
rates, they fail to accumulate many species because the unstable conditions frequently make the new life forms die out.
The more well-known "hotspots", by contrast, have accumulated their large numbers of species by being warm,
hospitable and relatively stable. Indeed, the researchers found that the countless bird species that call the Amazon home
tend to be older in evolutionary terms. "New species do form in places like the Amazon, just not as frequently as in thedry grasslands in the Andes," says Elizabeth, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Tennessee.
The researchers managed to collect 1,940 samples representing 1,287 of the 1,306 bird species from South America.
Their analysis showed that the best predictor of whether an area would produce new species at a high rate was how many
species lived there, rather than climate or geographic features like mountains. Species-rich areas tended to produce new
species more slowly.
“Maybe bad environments generate new species more frequently because there's less competition and more
available opportunities for new species,” says Gustavo Bravo, a lead researcher.
The study's findings add new urgency to protect ecosystems that may look barren, but may actually be nature's
hothouses for the evolution of new species.
17. Why is South America mentioned in the first paragraph?
A. To make comparison. B. To introduce the topic.
C. To explain a fact. D. To draw a conclusion.
18. What determines the rising rate of new species in a place?
A. The number of its then species. B. The environment they lived in.
C. The survival skills of species. D. The different biological factors.
19. Which of the following can best explain the underlined word “barren” in the last paragraph?
A. Dry and bare. B. Lively and active.
C. Nice and green. D. Complex and unpredictable.
20. What might be the best title for the text?
A. Tropical areas are home to large numbers of species.
B. New species prefer to live in the extreme climate.
C. Harsh environments pose a greater threat to species.
D. The worst ecosystem may give birth to new species fastest.
6
An artwork jointly created by a robot and a human artist will go on sale this week. The artwork — known as an
NFT — is to be sold during an online auction (拍卖) on Tuesday. NFT stands for non-fungible token. It is a piece of art
that only exists on a computer technology known as blockchain (区块链).
NFTs can exist in the form of images, video, music and text. They are usually bought with electronic money. While
anyone can view NFTs, the buyer has official ownership rights over the objects. NFTs have recently been growing in
popularity among investors and collectors. Earlier this month, an artwork in the form of an NFT sold for nearly $70
million.
The piece to be sold this week was a cooperative effort between a human-like robot, known as Sophia, and Italianartist Andrea Bonaceto. The company behind Sophia, Hanson Robotics, says the auction will be the first sale of a piece
jointly created by a human artist, a robot and artificial intelligence (AI). The artwork, called “Sophia Instantiation”, is a
12-second video file. It combines online and physical paintings from Sophia with elements (要素) from Bonaceto’s
work. The artwork also includes influences from art history.
The digital artwork will come with a physical artwork created by Sophia on a printed copy of the online piece. The
online auction is to be held by a company called Nifty Gateway. After the sale, Sophia will meet with the buyer to study
his or her face, before adding a final element to the artwork. Sophia’s creator, David Hanson, said this part of the project
will permit the new owner to have an unusual “personal connection” to the artwork.
Bonaceto said he hopes his collaboration with Sophia will “make a statement in the art world, and even the
technology world” about the way robots and humans can cooperate in the future.
Sophia’s art could be “a very, very important historical piece”, said Pablo Fraile, a Miami-based art collector and
expert in NFTs. “It’s the first time these ideas have been put together,” he said.
21. The author’s main purpose in writing paragraph 2 is to ________.
A. explain the value of different forms of NFTs
B. teach readers how to buy NFTs with electronic money
C. provide readers with some information about NFTs
D. advise readers to collect or invest in NFTs
22. What can we know about “Sophia Instantiation”?
A. It is the first NFT artwork to be sold.
B. It is a physical artwork created by Sophia.
C. It is an artwork with elements from art history.
D. It is the first artwork created by a robot and AI.
23. What is Pablo Fraile’s attitude towards “Sophia Instantiation”?
A. Positive. B. Uncaring. C. Opposed. D. Skeptical.
24. What can be the best title for the text?
A. An NFT Will Gain High Popularity Among Investors
B. More NFTs Will Be Created by Humans and Robots
C. Sophia Will Be Necessary in Creating Online Artworks
D. Online Artwork That Robot Helps Create Will Be Sold
7
For millions of years, Arctic sea ice has expanded and shrunk in a rhythmic dance with the summer sun. Humans
evolved in this icy world, and civilization relied on it for climatic, ecological and political stability. But now the worldcomes ever closer to a future without ice. The National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that 2019’s minimum arctic
sea ice extent was the second lowest on record. Arctic summers could become mostly ice-free in 30 years, and possibly
sooner if current trends continue. As the northern sea ice declines, the world must unite to preserve what remains of the
Arctic.
Although most people have never seen the sea ice, its effects are never far away. By reflecting sunlight, Arctic ice
acts as Earth’s air conditioner. Once dark water replaces brilliant ice, Earth could warm substantially, equivalent to the
warming caused by the additional release of a trillion tons of carbon dioxide (CO ) into the atmosphere and declining sea
2
ice threatens wildlife, from the polar bear to algae that grow beneath the sea ice, supporting the large amount of marine
life.
To avoid the consequences the scientific community should advocate not just for lowering greenhouse gas
emissions, but also for protecting the Arctic from exploitation. The Antarctic shows the way. In the 1950s, countries
raced to claim the Antarctic continent for resources and military installations. Enter the scientists. The 1957-1958
International Geophysical Year brought together scientists from competing countries to study Antarctica, and countries
temporarily suspended their territorial disputes (争议). In 1959, 12 countries signed the Antarctic Treaty to preserve the
continent for peaceful scientific discovery rather than territorial and military gain.
Sixty years later, we must now save the Arctic. A new Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) Treaty would protect
the Arctic Ocean as a scientific preserve for peaceful purposes only. Similar to Antarctica, MAPS would prohibit
resource exploitation, commercial fishing and shipping, and military exercises. So far, only 2 non-Arctic countries have
signed MAPS; 97 more need to sign on to enact it into law. Scientists can help—just as they did for the Antarctic—by
giving statements of support, asking scientific organizations to endorse ( 支持 ) the treaty, communicating the
importance of protecting the arctic to the public and policy-makers, and above all, by convincing national leaders to sign
the treaty. In particular, Arctic nations must agree that recognizing the arctic as an international preserve is better than
fighting over it. In 2018, these countries successfully negotiated a 16-year moratorium on commercial fishing in the
Arctic high seas, demonstrating that such agreements are possible.
Humans have only ever lived in a world topped by ice. Can we now work together to protect Arctic ecosystems,
keep the northern peace, and allow the sea ice to return?
25. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. wildlife relies on sea ice for food and water.
B. The Arctic would be ice-free in 30 years.
C. Sea ice slows down the global warming.
D. The melting of sea ice releases CO .
226. The Antarctic is mentioned in the passage in order to ________.
A. remind readers of the past of the Antarctic
B. propose a feasible approach for the Arctic
C. stress the importance of preserving sea ice
D. recall how the Antarctic Treaty came into being
27. The word “moratorium” (in paragraph 4) is closest in meaning to ________.
A. battle B. ban
C. memo D. protection
28. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A. Antarctic: a Successful Comeback? B. Sea Ice and Global Warming
C. Arctic: the Earth’s Future D. Life Without Ice?
8
Bioprinting is the medically and bio-technologically equal to 3D printing. By using the same principles, the aim is
to rapidly develop living structures similar to human-grown organs and tissue that can be used to heal people or test new
drugs.
Of course, printing biological tissue is much more complex than building a mechanical part. There are complex
layers of cells in living tissue. Bioprinters use bioink made from cells, biochemical nutrients and biological stands to
support cells in an exact order. Bioinks have to operate under conditions that are suitable for living, growing tissue, so
they cannot really be printed at temperatures that top body temperature.
Perhaps the simplest form of bioprinting is inkjet printing. Bioink is sprayed through tiny tubes so it has to be
almost liquid and this limits the biological materials that can be printed. Most 3D printers operate by squeezing material
through a pipe and bioprinters can use squeezing too, though care has to be taken not to damage cells through extreme
force. Other techniques such as laser-assisted bioprinting or electrospinning (静电纺丝) are incredibly exact and can be
used with thicker bioinks, but they are more tricky to use with living cells and not as rapid or able to create large
quantities of tissue.
Once the bioprinter has done its work, the post-processing stage begins. Bioreactor systems are often employed to
help the tissue grow up. They can be used to copy the forces and biochemical support that tissue needs to grow and
differentiate correctly.
Bioprinting may be a relatively new field but the results so far are encouraging. Stem cells, which have the potential
to turn into several types of cells, are being used to create bone. Organ printing can improve the health of society in
general by wiping out the problem of diseases caused by organ failure, costly treatments and social care. That promisemay be years away from realization but rapid prototyping (原型技术) enabled by bioprinting is pushing medical
advances forward at pace.
29. What does the underlined word “they” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A. Cells. B. Bioinks.
C. Nutrients. D. Biological stands.
30. What should we pay attention to when using bioprinting?
A. The sort of human organs.
B. The thickness of bioinks.
C. The force of squeezing.
D. The order of cells.
31. What can we infer from the 3rd and 4th paragraphs?
A. The process of bioprinting is practical.
B. Bioreactor systems tend not to damage cells.
C. Most 3D printers limit the biological materials.
D. Laser-assisted bioprinting can produce much tissue.
32. Which is the suitable title for the passage?
A. Bioprinting Cures People of Diseases
B. Bioprinting is Similar to 3D Printing
C. Bioprinting Gets Care from Society
D. Bioprinting Has Much Potential
