专题01.词汇理解突破策略
词汇是阅读理解的基础，若遇到生词便停滞，会严重影响阅读节奏与理解效率。核心策略围绕 “猜词”
“词汇关联” 与 “熟词解码” 展开 —— 不仅能应对陌生词汇，更能破解 “熟悉单词的陌生含义”
这一高考高频陷阱，无需依赖词典也能精准把握词义。
突破策略操
（一）语境猜词法
通过生词前后的定义解释、举例说明或逻辑关系（因果、转折、对比、并列）推断词义，是最直接
的现场突破方法。在实际阅读中，作者常通过显性或隐性的线索帮助读者理解关键信息，需要我们敏锐
捕捉语言信号。
1.定义 / 解释线索
关注 “that is”“i.e.”“called” 等标志词或破折号、同位语结构。此类线索如同为生词设置的 “注释窗
口”，直接揭示核心含义。
【举例】“His job is a geologist, a scientist who studies rocks and the Earth’s structure.”
【分析】同位语 “a scientist who...” 明确界定 “geologist” 的职业属性，可推断为 “地质学家”。此处
同位语以解释性短语的形式，将抽象职业具象化。若遇到 “She is an ornithologist, a specialist in bird
biology”，同样可通过同位语判断 “ornithologist” 为 “鸟类学家”。
2.举例线索
借助 “such as”“for example”“including” 等词后的具体实例反推词义。这些实例往往是生词概念的具
象化呈现，通过共性归纳可快速锁定词义。
【举例】“The store sells various stationery, such as pens, notebooks and staplers.”
【分析】“pens（钢笔）”“notebooks（笔记本）” 等实例均属办公学习用品，可判断 “stationery” 为
“文具”。当出现 “The museum displays ancient artifacts, like pottery, jade carvings, and bronze vessels” 时，
通过列举的陶器、玉器、青铜器，可推断 “artifacts” 指 “手工艺品；文物”。
3.逻辑关系线索
利用因果（because/therefore）、转折（but/however）等关系推导。逻辑连词如同语义的 “导航仪”，
能帮助读者在句子间建立关联。
【举例】“She felt drowsy because she stayed up late last night.”
策略分析
【分析】“stayed up late（熬夜）” 是原因，结合因果逻辑可推断 “drowsy” 意为 “困倦的”。若遇到
“Despite his affluence, he lives a simple life”，“despite” 提示转折关系，通过 “simple life” 反向推测
“affluence” 为 “富裕”。
（二）词根词缀法
利用词根（核心含义）、前缀（改变词义）、后缀（改变词性） 拆解生词，可快速关联已知词汇，
扩大 “猜词半径”。英语中 80% 以上的单词都可通过词根词缀解构，掌握常见词素能显著提升词汇解
码效率。
常见词根：“port”（携带）、“graph”（书写）、“logy”（学科），如同词汇的 “基因片段”，承
载核心语义。
常见前缀：“re-”（重复 / 再次）、“anti-”（反对）、“pre-”（提前），用于修饰词根，改变词汇
方向或程度。
常见后缀：“-tion”（名词后缀）、“-able”（可… 的）、“-ize”（动词后缀），主要用于转换词性。
【举例1】transport
【分析】前缀 “trans-”（跨越）+ 词根 “port”（携带）→ 跨越距离携带物品，即 “运输”。类似地，
“export”（ex - 向外 + port）意为 “出口”，“import”（im - 向内 + port）意为 “进口”。
【举例2】unpredictable
【分析】前缀 “un-”（否定）+ 词根 “predict”（预测）+ 后缀 “-able”（可… 的）→ 不可预测的。
如 “incredible”（in - 否定 + cred 相信 + -ible）表示 “难以置信的”，词缀组合形成完整语义链。
（三）同义 / 反义关联法
关注文中与生词呼应的同义词（替换表达）或反义词（对比表达），通过已知词义推导未知词义。
作者为避免重复或强化对比，常使用平行结构或逻辑连词构建语义网络。
1.同义关联
寻找上下文的平行替换表述。此类替换可能是近义词、上义词或下义词，需结合语境判断具体含义。
【举例】“The team achieved victory in the final. Their success made the whole school proud.”
【分析】“success（成功）” 与 “victory” 形成同义呼应，可判断其意为 “胜利”。在 “The
politician delivered an impactful oration, a speech that resonated with the audience” 中，“oration” 通过同位语
“a speech” 明确为 “演讲”。
2.反义关联
抓住 “but”“however”“on the contrary”“not” 等转折 / 否定词。这些信号词如同语义的 “急转弯”，
帮助读者建立对立概念。
【举例】“Unlike his talkative brother, he is reticent.”
【分析】“unlike” 提示对比关系，“talkative（健谈的）” 的反义可推断 “reticent” 为 “沉默寡言
的”。当出现 “The region experiences arid summers, contrasting sharply with its humid winters” 时，通过
“humid” 反推 “arid” 为 “干旱的”。
（四）熟词生义解码法
高考中 70% 以上的词汇障碍并非完全生词，而是 “熟悉单词的陌生含义”。需结合语境破解 “一
词多义” 陷阱。熟词生义往往与特定场景或搭配紧密相关，需建立 “词汇 - 语境” 映射思维。试举例
如下：
1.address
常见义：地址（n.）
生义：演讲（n.）；处理（v.）
【举例】“The mayor will address the public on environmental protection.”
【分析】结合 “public（公众）”“environmental protection（环保）” 的语境，“address” 此处为
“演讲”。在 “We must address the root causes of the problem” 中，根据 “problem” 搭配可判断
“address” 意为 “处理”。
2.cover
常见义：覆盖（v.）
生义：报道（v.）；涉及（v.）
【举例】“The journalist covered the Olympic Games for his newspaper.”
【分析】“journalist（记者）”“newspaper（报纸）” 提示职业场景，“cover” 此处为 “报道”。若
遇到 “This book covers a wide range of historical events”，根据 “book” 与 “events” 的关系，可推断
“cover” 表示 “涉及”。
3.condition
常见义：状况（n.）
生义：疾病（n.）
【举例】“The doctor treated his heart condition successfully.”
【分析】“doctor（医生）”“heart（心脏）” 指向医疗场景，“condition” 此处为 “疾病”。在
“He suffers from a rare skin condition” 中，同样可通过医学语境判断 “condition” 的特殊含义。
应用指南
（一）词汇题 “搜索代入” 三步法
针对高考 “词义推断题”（如 “The word 'XX' probably means...”），可按以下步骤操作：
1.定位原文
首先利用题干关键词（如段落序号、人名、数字等）快速锁定词汇所在段落。找到生词出现的句子
后，务必精读其前后 2-3 句。例如，在处理描述实验过程的段落时，生词可能与实验步骤、结果分析紧
密相关，扩大语境范围能捕捉到更完整的语义线索。同时，注意段落中是否存在转折（however/but）、
因果（therefore/so）等逻辑连接词，这些词能帮助明确生词与上下文的逻辑关系。
2.同性替换
先通过单词后缀判断词性，如以 "-tion" 结尾多为名词，以 "-ify" 结尾多为动词，以 "-ive" 结尾多
为形容词。确定词性后，在上下文中寻找同词性的同义词、近义词或解释性短语。比如，当遇到生词
"novelty" 时，若发现后文出现 "new and unique feature"，便可初步判定这是同性替换的呼应词。此外，
留意句子结构中的同位语、定语从句等语法结构，它们常包含对生词的直接解释。
3.代入验证
将找到的呼应词替换生词后，需从三个维度验证：一是句子层面，检查替换后句子是否通顺；二是
段落层面，确认语义是否符合段落核心观点；三是篇章层面，判断是否与文章主旨一致。例如，若文章
主题是环保，而代入的词汇释义与环保概念相悖，则需重新寻找呼应词。同时注意一些干扰项特点，如
望文生义（根据单词部分含义编造解释）、过度引申（超出语境的含义），避免落入陷阱。
（二）常见错误规避原则
1.拒绝 “字面直译”
英语阅读中，看似简单的基础词汇往往暗藏玄机，其字面意思与在文本中的实际含义大相径庭。以
“check” 为例，在 “check the spread” 这一短语中，若机械地将其理解为常见的 “检查” 义，会导致
对整句话 “阻止扩散” 语义的误解。这种现象在高考阅读中频繁出现，命题人常利用考生对基础词汇
的固有认知设置陷阱，因此遇到简单词汇时，需结合语境深入分析，切忌望文生义。
2.避免 “过度推断”
阅读理解的答案必须以原文为依据，在上下文的语境中精准定位，不可脱离文本进行主观臆断或过
度联想。例如，若文章仅描述了某产品在市场上的销售数据有所波动，考生不能据此推断出该产品即将
面临停产的结论。即使推断逻辑看似合理，但若无原文明确线索支撑，就属于过度推断。正确做法是紧
扣文本细节，以事实性语句和逻辑关联词为线索，提炼作者的真实意图。
3.关注 “场景匹配”
英语中存在大量 “熟词生义” 现象，而这些特殊含义往往与特定语境场景紧密相关。如 “bank”
一词，当出现在 “river” 相关描述中，如 “on the bank of the river”，其意为 “河岸”；而在涉及
“money” 的金融场景，如 “go to the bank” 中，则表示 “银行”。此外，不同学科领域也会赋予词汇
特殊含义，在科技类文章中，“model” 常表示 “模型”，而在时尚类文章中则意为 “模特”。因此，
识别文本的主题场景，是准确理解熟词生义的关键。
1
Imagine dining at your favorite restaurant, seated at the best table — next to a window with great views. It
is nice and quiet, but the joy experienced during the first hour fades over time. The reason? Habituation. That’s
our brain’s tendency to respond less and less to things that are constant, that don’t change. Briefly moving to a
noisier area can bring about dishabituation, making the luxury of your window seat feel fresh and more
appreciated when you return.
For another example, consider vacations. A few years ago Tali, an employee in a travel company, went on a
work trip to a sunny resort (度假村) in the Dominican Republic. She wondered if people had a better time at the
start of their trips. She interviewed people worldwide and asked them to rate their feelings throughout their
holidays in the survey. The data revealed that joy peaked 43 hours in. At the end of day two was when they were
happiest. Thereafter it was all downhill.
Even when they returned home, many still benefited from a warm holiday afterglow (回味). But within a
week, they adjusted to normal life, making it hard to detect any vacation effect on their mood. This evidence
suggests that you might benefit most from several small trips spread through the year, rather than one long escape.
That way, you will experience the pleasure more often.
What about unpleasant experiences? Should you divide those up too? Most people want to bear the
unpleasantness bit by bit. When researchers asked people whether they would like a break from a bad smell or just
bear it all at once and be done with it,90 people said, “Breaks, please!”. The vast majority — 82 out of 119 — also
said they wanted a break from an annoying noise. However, this is incorrect. Breaks interrupted their natural
habituation to the unwelcome stimulus. For unpleasant tasks, it’s wiser not to chop them up. Otherwise, when you
return, things seem worse.
The results of psychological experiments are clear, however, and being mindful of habituation’s powerful
effect could help us all experience a bit less pain and a little more pleasure.
1．How does the author introduce the concept of habituation?
A．By giving a vivid example.
B．By listing specific numbers.
押题演练
C．By illustrating cause and effect.
D．By providing a theoretical model.
2．What does Tali’s survey show?
A．The ratings of vacation.
B．The influence of vacation.
C．The reasons for happiness.
D．The peak time of happiness.
3．What does the underlined phrase “chop them up” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A．Mix them together.
B．Complete them quickly.
C．Postpone them until later.
D．Divide them into smaller parts.
4．Which of the following will the author probably agree with?
A．Fresh weekend trips.
B．A regular walking route.
C．Breaks from cleaning the toilet.
D．Frequent tasting of a delicious dish.
2
Psychological avoidance (心理回避) or avoiding emotions, a common way to get away from painful and
uncomfortable thoughts, feelings or situations, can harm the emotional health and personal growth of high school
freshmen. Actually, psychological avoidance can lead to increased levels of anxiety and stress. Avoiding fears and
worries only allows them to grow stronger.
By avoiding challenging situations, it prevents students from developing important skills, limiting their
opportunities for self-discovery and improvement. The famous author J. K. Rowling once said, “It is impossible to
live without failing at something, unless you live so carefully that you might as well not have lived at all.”
Psychological avoidance directly affects how well students do in their studies. Freshmen who turn to
avoidance will always procrastinate, or even miss deadlines (最后期限). By avoiding the necessary efforts and
tasks required for learning, students may struggle to gain information, reducing the opportunity to succeed in
grades.
Psychological avoidance can also cause stress or discomfort to relationships. High school students may
avoid discussing their feelings with friends or family members, leading to misunderstandings and a breakdown in
communication. Instead of dealing with their emotions, they hold back or hide themselves. Students miss out on
the chance to deepen their connections with friends, family and peers, making it harder for them to form healthy
relationships.
Psychological avoidance may provide comfort for a short period, but in the long run it can have negative
influences on our mental health, personal growth, school performance, relationships and other aspects of life.
Breaking free from avoidance behaviors is important for school success and self-confidence, and recognizing the
harmful effects of avoidance is the first step.
1．J. K. Rowling might agree that by avoiding challenging situations, ______.
A．we can discover our deep thoughts and feelings
B．we miss out on valuable learning experiences
C．we can avoid failing at something more easily D．we have opportunities to avoid fears and worries
2．What does the underlined word “procrastinate” in Paragraph 3probably mean?
A．Focus on others.
B．Get away from reality.
C．Miss out on chances.
D．Put off tasks.
3．How does psychological avoidance affect students’ ability to form healthy relationships?
A．It fully stops their connections with others.
B．It leads to difficult discussions with strangers.
C．It easily makes them fail to make new friends. D．It causes them to avoid further communication.
4．What will the following paragraph probably talk about?
A．The harmful effects of psychological avoidance.
B．The forms of psychological avoidance behaviors.
C．The strategies of overcoming psychological avoidance.
D．The difficulty of breaking free from avoidance behaviors.
3
A recent study by NYU Abu Dhabi reveals that space rays, high-energy particles (粒子) from space, may
generate the energy necessary to support underground life on planets and moons in our solar system. This
discovery challenges the long-held belief that life can only live near sunlight or volcanic heat.
The research, published in the International Journal of Astrobiology and led by Dimitra Atri, shows that
space rays are not always harmful. In fact, they can help microscopic life (微生物) survive. When space rays hit
underground water or ice, they break water molecules (分子) apart, releasing electrons (电子). On Earth, some
bacteria can use these electrons for energy, just as plants use sunlight. This process, called radiolysis (辐射分解),
can sustain life in dark and cold places without sunlight.
Using computers, the researchers explored how much energy this process could generate on Mars and the
icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. These moons are thought to have hidden water beneath their thick ice layers. The
study found that Saturn’s moon Enceladus has the greatest potential to support life through radiolysis, followed by
Mars and Jupiter’s moon Europa.
“This discovery changes the way we think about where life might exist,” said Atri. “Instead of looking only
for warm planets with sunlight, we can now consider places that are cold and dark, as long as they have some
water beneath the surface and are exposed to space rays. Life might be able to survive in more places than we ever
imagined.”
The study also introduces the concept of the Radiolytic Habitable Zone, which is different from the
traditional “Goldilocks Zone”. Since space rays are widespread in space, there may be many more life-supporting
places in the universe.
The findings provide new guidance for future space missions. Instead of only looking for signs of life on
the surface, scientists might also explore underground environments on Mars and the icy moons, using tools that
can detect chemical energy created by space radiation. This research opens up exciting new possibilities in the
search for life beyond Earth and suggests that even the coldest and darkest corners of the solar system could
harbor life.
1．What common sense does the NYU study mainly challenge?
A．Space rays have caused great harm.
B．Life merely depends on solar energy.
C．Alien life really exists on other planets.
D．Volcanic heat is needed on icy moons.
2．How does radiolysis help sustain life?
A．By generating light needed by life.
B．By reflecting sunlight to water below icy layers.
C．By separating water molecules to free electrons.
D．By making dark and frozen areas warmer.
3．What does the underlined word “harbor” in the last paragraph mean?
A．Control,
B．Hide.
C．Extend.
D．Transform.
4．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Space Rays Provide Energy for Hidden Life. B．Icy Moons Hold More Water Than Mars.
C．Volcanic Heat Is No Longer Needed for Life. D．Goldilocks Zone Is Redefined by Sunlight.
4
Quick: what’s your best friend’s phone number? Don’t feel bad if you couldn’t answer off the top of your
head. You have no reason to commit phone numbers to memory: it’s just there in your phone. Or perhaps you once
had a phone book to store them. In either case, an object does the remembering for you.
“Prosthetic memory” (人工记忆) is nothing new. Writing itself has been a means of storing information.
Yet the information revolution has generated more data than ever before. We are flooded with information. We’re
creating more of it, and keeping more of it. The storage capacity of the human brain has since been eclipsed. No
wonder, then, that we’re increasingly dependent on memory prostheses, from libraries to smartphones.
Not everyone thinks this trend in external memory is good. Historically, memory prostheses were
expensive. As technologies such as printing and photography become more affordable, sharing experiences with
others is easier than ever. So every breakfast, every sunset, every encounter with a cat finds its way on to social
media. And here comes the worry. When we devote ourselves to capturing and sharing the world in this way,
something immensely valuable is lost; when recording so much of our lives, we’re forgetting to actually live them,
and so disconnect ourselves from experience.
But is our social media-driven transformation wholly bad? If we’re still creating and sharing memories like
this, perhaps this is because we’ve not had sufficient time to learn how to do these things without thinking about
what we’re doing. It is easy to ignore that the mass social media era is less than a decade old. That’s just a short
blink (眨眼) in human history, yet it has totally changed how we live. I suspect we’re not far off from being
directly faced with experience yet with the ability to share experience in ways less bounded by geography and
time. After all, technology can protect all the moments of a life that would otherwise be lost.
1．What can be inferred from paragraph 1?
A．Technology weakens our brains.
B．We are burdened with phone numbers.
C．We rely more on tools to memorize.
D．Technology distances us from our friends.
2．What does the underlined word “eclipsed” in paragraph 2 mean?
A．Improved.
B．Undervalued.
C．Restricted.
D．Outperformed.
3．What negative effect does online sharing bring about?
A．An overflow of posts.
B．High cost of digital devices.
C．Addiction to the virtual world.
D．Disregard for authentic experience.
4．What does the author advise us to do in the last paragraph?
A．Have faith in human brains.
B．Take time to adapt to digital age.
C．Quicken the pace of development.
D．Make efforts to enhance memory.
5
Canada is experiencing its second worst wildfire season on record, according to government data, with
almost 4,000 fires recorded already this calendar year.
Smoke coming across the border has affected air quality in several U.S. states. This weekend, air quality
reached concerning levels across Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Parts of Illinois and Indiana are also under air quality
alerts. People in New York, Vermont, and Maine are also being advised to limit outdoor activity due to pollution
from the smoke.
National Weather Service Lead Forecaster Bob Oravec told NPR that the current wind patterns are once
again driving the spread of polluted air into the U.S. from Canada. “Air is moving at all levels and a lot of times
it’ll move in the same direction through the whole depth of the atmosphere, so the smoke is rising into the winds
and the winds just transport it downstream, like anything — like a leaf getting blown,” Oravec explained.
On Friday, Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency extended its statewide air quality alert until noon on
Monday, August 4th. Minnesota Public Radio reports the state is currently under its longest air quality alert since
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency began issuing alerts in 2008. The alert is expected to last seven days in
total. Earlier this weekend, the agency reported it expected the air quality index (AQI) to reach the most severe
level of “red” for all of the state, which is considered unhealthy for everyone.
In a statement, the Pollution Control Agency warned that even healthy people may experience symptoms
such as irritated eyes, coughing, or shortness of breath. Others could feel more serious impacts, the agency said.
“Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of
existing lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart
attack, or stroke,” according to the Pollution Control Agency statement.
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported that more than 700 active fires were burning across
Canada on Sunday, mostly in the southern province of Manitoba, directly to the north of Minnesota. The agency
says more than 500 are burning out of control. Thousands of Canadians have had to evacuate their homes to
escape the fires.
1．What makes the U.S. continue to be affected by Canadian wildfire smoke?
A．Canada has stopped managing the wildfires.
B．U.S. states lack measures to reduce pollution.
C．The wildfires are expected to increase in size.
D．Wind patterns consistently drive smoke southward.
2．Which of the following is true?
A．Minnesota Public Radio first issued air quality alerts in 2008.
B．The U.S. had never experienced any air quality issues before.
C．The longest alert in Minnesota before 2025 was shorter than a week.
D．Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency limited alerts to rural areas.
3．What does the underlined part “respiratory and cardiovascular conditions” in paragraph 5 mean?
A．Airway and brain systems.
B．Digestion and nerve systems.
C．Eye and muscle-bone systems.
D．Breathing and heart-blood vessel systems.
4．What is a suitable title for the text?
A．Wind Patterns Are the Key Factor in Wildfire Smoke Spread
B．Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Impacts U.S. Air Quality
C．Health Alerts Issued: How to Protect Against Wildfire Smoke
D．Canada’s Wildfires: History-Making Season Hits Record High
6
In the digital era, where social media floods with endless sharing, 26-year-old illustrator Lina from
Hangzhou stands as a striking example. She regularly posts artworks and travel photos on Instagram but seldom
replies to comments or joins in private conversations. “I love sharing colourful moments of my life, yet building
deep connections with strangers feels emotionally tired”, she admits. Lina’s attitude represents a growing trend
among today’s youth: light socializing, a pattern that prioritizes self-expression over a lot of emotional
connections on the Internet.
Sociologist Min Li observes that social media, once an important centre for developing relationships, has
changed into a “self-showcase” platform for the younger generation. Instead of looking for active interactions,
they share content like scenic photos or daily routines, with little expectation of others’ comments. Actions such as
casually unfollowing, blocking strangers or using 24-hour disappearing posts show their wish to avoid
burdensome “emotional labor” from shallow online ties. This change comes from their desire to run away from
great pressure brought by empty digital interactions.
While critics consider light socializing as a sign of “emotional coldness”, it actually reflects a thoughtful
adaptation. Psychologist Lu Chen argues that by applying this approach, young people regain control over their
online space — sharing freely without the anxiety of meeting others’ expectations. Even social platforms have
developed to meet this need: many now offer “silent modes”, such as hidden interaction records and one-way
posting features, showing the widespread acceptance of light socializing.
In a world closely bound by digital connections, light socializing strikes a delicate balance between self-
expression and privacy protection. It’s not about turning their backs on people, but about looking for a healthier
and more independent way to be online. This trend shows the younger generation’s maturity ( 成熟) in
safeguarding their mental well-being, representing a forward-looking and thoughtful approach to modern social
interactions.
1．What does the underlined word “prioritizes” in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A．Largely ignores.
B．Greatly changes.
C．Wisely avoids. D．Values more.
2．What does Min Li think social media has become for young people now?
A．A tool to look for information.
B．A center for deep relationships.
C．A platform for personal display.
D．A space to ease negative feelings.
3．What can be inferred about “light socializing”?
A．It balances expression and safety.
B．It requires strong social ability.
C．It relies mainly on platforms’ settings.
D．It makes young people emotionally cold.
4．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Keep Silent Mode On
B．Keep the Digital Distance
C．Social Media: Free Self-Expression
D．Emotional Coldness: Online Life’s Secret
7
The status of the cover song has shape-shifted throughout pop-music history. In the 1950s, it barely even
needed a name: It was just the routine way of doing business. During the rock era, covers became suspect as
inauthentic, unless an artist “made the song their own”. With the rise of hip-hop, covers were displaced by
sampling and remixes, but then samples themselves became more concealed and layered, for reasons of both art
and copyright. Since the beginning of this century, the practice has migrated to YouTube, where concert clips or
home videos might show off the skills of amateurs and pros alike. You might also look to the songs that were
covered on the TV hits and singing competition shows. There’s enough cause to believe that the cover song as a
category is regaining status in the music business.
Cover songs offer advantages in various ways. As a draw to live shows, for instance, surprising covers can
add excitement to a set list — and then can become viral video clips on YouTube. Covering an earlier song can
also be a gamble for a new artist or a faded midcareer one to attract notice. If you search for a famous song on a
major streaming service, you’re likely to find a lot of covers by seeming nonentities (无足轻重的人) attempting
to game the algorithm for clicks — a digital revival of the early record business’s practice of “covering” the
marketplace with cheap copies for quick profit.
The notion of cover versions has always been appealing to me. It makes me imagine a parallel world where
songs are chattering among themselves, dropping around each other’s places for a visit, exchanging sharp remarks
and gentle secrets. Covers can sew distant sound worlds together across genres or serve as acts of criticism,
revealing aspects of the originals that their makers might never have suspected.
1．What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A．The differences of cover songs in various stages.
B．The changing status of cover songs in pop history.
C．The definition of cover songs in different periods.
D．The reasons why cover songs have gained popularity
2．What can we infer about the future of cover songs from paragraph 1?
A．They will disappear as hip-hop develops.B．They will take the place of original songs.
C．They may grow more influential in music.
D．They will only be popular on YouTube and TV.
3．What does the underlined phrase “game the algorithm” probably mean?
A．To follow the rules of the algorithm strictly.
B．To create new algorithms for streaming services.
C．To make use of the algorithm to get more clicks
D．To ignore the algorithm and focus on music
quality.
4．What is the purpose of the passage?
A．To explain how to make a good cover song.
B．To present cover songs’ development and significance
C．To compare cover songs with sampling and remixes.
D．To argue that cover songs are better than original songs.
8
Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney have become well known for creating text and
visuals according to our direct commands. Next up: reconstructing our thoughts.
In a study published in May 2023 in Nature Neuroscience, a team of researchers from the University of
Texas at Austin showed that an AI decoder (解码器) could translate the words people heard while listening to
podcasts (播客) and the images people saw while watching silent movies. Matching specific patterns of brain
activity to specific phrases, the AI was trained on three people as they consumed 16 hours of storytelling. From
that learning, the technology could decode the thoughts of someone “imagining a story in their head,” says
neuroscientist and senior study author Alexander Huth, though its accuracy was greatly reduced for individuals
who were not involved in its training.
According to the team, the AI could one day be used to assist stroke patients and others who have lost the
ability to speak, by decoding their brain activity into words. And the team’s decoder isn’t alone in its mind-reading
applications. In March, researchers from Osaka University reported that they’d developed a similar model, Stable
Diffusion, that reconstructs images from fMRI (Functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans.
If it feels invasive (侵入的), researchers stress that it’s unlikely AI will be able to read your minds without
your consent anytime soon. “The current technology is still very far removed from a general-purpose (通用的)
mind-reading device,” says Iris Groen, a neuroscientist at the Informatics Institute at the University of
Amsterdam.
Both approaches require participants to spend hours in fMRI scanners, and the University of Texas AI can
make mistakes, sending out gibberish if a person thinks unrelated thoughts. And researchers are still prioritizing
the privacy of our internal imaginings, given the pace of AI’s progress.
“The brain contains extremely sensitive personal information,” says Yu Takagi, a neuroscientist involved in
the Stable Diffusion project. “It should not be subjected to any form of analysis without informed consent.”
1．What can we learn about an AI decoder from the text?
A．It can create images of films.
B．It can read mind to some extent.
C．It can train people for storytelling.
D．It can decode the imagination of anyone.
2．What does the word “consent” in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A．Suggestion.
B．Participation.
C．Application.
D．Permission.
3．According to the text, which of the following is true about current AI technology in mind-reading?
A．It’s used as a universal mind-reading device.
B．It remains in an immature stage.
C．It can accurately read people’s thoughts.
D．It can be used to regulate people’s thoughts.
4．What should be taken into consideration according to Yu Takagi?
A．We should keep up with the pace of AI’s development.
B．We should respect people’s privacy when doing research.
C．We should avoid making mistakes when doing analyses.
D．We should prioritize progress rather than personal feelings.
9
When you see robotic lawnmowers’ blades ( 割草机的叶片) moving fast, you are expecting a more
beautiful and tidier lawn in front of your eyes. But sadly, sometimes you can see injured or even dead hedgehogs
(刺猬). What a horrible scene!
Sophie Lund Rasmussen, a member of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of
Oxford, carried out hedgehog crash tests to see if robotic lawnmowers were safe and found the animal was often
endangered by the blades because the technology couldn’t detect it.
The sensors and cameras are typically too weak to detect hedgehogs hidden in the grass. The automatic
computer-controlled lawnmowers are more dangerous to hedgehogs than human-powered machines because a
person would likely discern the animal and stop.
Rasmussen hopes her tests will be known by designers to ensure robotic lawnmowers are hedgehog-safe.
“This will eventually allow for a labeling system guiding the consumers into buying hedgehog-friendly robotic
lawnmowers, and therefore contribute to the conservation of this declining and beloved species,” she said.
Rasmussen’s finding suggests that these deadly machines need better sensors to spot the animal and change
the direction of blades to reduce harm. She added, “The next step is definitely also to apply advanced technology
such as camera recognition, which will eventually allow the robotic lawnmowers to detect hedgehogs at a
distance, and avoid them.”
Rasmussen tested 19 different types of robotic lawnmowers which are available to buy and found some
models were safer for small hedgehogs than others. However, all of these lawnmowers had to physically interact
with hedgehogs to detect them before they reacted. Her wish for future machines was that they could detect
hedgehogs at a distance and change direction.
“For now, the best advice is to check the lawn for any hedgehog before starting the robotic lawnmower or
to only let it run during the day as this reduces the risk of encounters with hedgehogs, which are active primarily
at night,” Rasmussen said.
1．What is paragraph 1 mainly intended to show?
A．Robotic lawnmowers have gained popularity. B．The number of hedgehogs is declining quickly.
C．It’s very challenging to maintain a beautiful lawn. D．Robotic lawnmowers are dangerous to hedgehogs.
2．What does the underlined word “discern” in paragraph 3 mean?
A．Spot.
B．Support.
C．hide.
D．Protect.
3．Rasmussen hopes current robotic lawnmowers can be _________.
A．sold at a more reasonable price
B．improved with high technology
C．redesigned by some animal lovers
D．changed into human-powered machines
4．What is Rasmussen’s suggestion on using robotic lawnmowers?
A．checking their blades first.
B．Following them all the time.
C．Training them with hedgehogs.
D．Avoiding using them at night.
10
Polymetallic nodules (多金属结核) on the deep-ocean seafloor contain minerals like cobalt and nickel,
which mining companies hope to harvest for green-energy batteries and technologies. However, a recent study
suggests these prized, potato-sized rocks may also serve as a source of oxygen for the bacteria and other
microorganisms living there.
Jeffrey Marlow, one of the authors of the study, said researchers planted some watertight structures on the
ocean floor, which he described as overturned boxes equipped with instruments designed to measure the property
and composition of living things and their probable usage of oxygen. Researchers measured the oxygen loss over
a 48-hour period while the structure was sealed on the seafloor. Typically, a decline in oxygen is an indicator for
biological abundance because breathing organisms consume it. Yet, contrary to all expectations, they observed a
rise in oxygen levels, a finding that directly challenged conventional understanding.
But not everyone is on the same wavelength as him. Canada’s The Metals Co. stated the study had been
rejected by four scientific publications until finding a home at Nature, which the company labeled as “a journal
that has long championed the preservation of deep-sea mineral.” TMC also said the method was wrong, arguing
the team’s findings contradicted other work that had been conducted in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipper Zone.
“The heightened oxygen levels are in fact erroneous in the data, and we are currently preparing a peer-reviewed
paper as a fightback,” said the company.
Bo Barker, a microbiologist at Denmark’s Aarhus University, said the study invited more questions than it
did answers. He described it as a “novel but very confusing process for which the mechanism is still not clear.”
For years, companies such as Canada’s TMC have been battling to persuade the international governing
authority to green-light their plans to obtain these rocks in the Pacific Ocean’s CCZ. The company has argued that
the metals are essential for fossil fuel-free technologies and that the impact mining will have on the ocean floor is
not only minimal, but also fades next to the destruction of rain forests and human communities caused by land-
based mining.
1．What can be inferred about the recent study?
A．It cast light on new organisms.
B．It capitalized on costly equipment.
C．It consumed considerable time.
D．It documented oxygen concentration.
2．What does the underlined word “erroneous” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A．Misleading.
B．Pronounced.
C．Precise.
D．Imaginary.
3．What does the author intend to do in the last paragraph?
A．Summarize the previous paragraphs.
B．Introduce a new topic for discussion.
C．Add some background information.
D．Clarify some writing techniques.
4．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Minerals, a Mixed Blessing
B．TMC, an Eco- minded Enterprise
C．A Tiny Stone: a Big Wave
D．Oxygen: the Lifeline for CCZ
11
When we think about invertebrates ( 无脊椎动物), most of us picture bees, worms, or perhaps even a
jellyfish. But did you know that at least two-thirds of invertebrates work the night shift, meaning many are
unlikely to be seen? They use phases of the moon and star light to learn about the world and make vital decisions.
Many insects use the faint glow of the moon or stars to tell which way is up when flying in complete darkness.
For centuries, artificial light has been a symbol of progress. Light has shaped human civilization. But while
we celebrate its convenience, we often overlook the darker side of our obsession with illumination (照明): light
pollution. It’s a disruptor of ecosystems, with profound consequences for wildlife, human health and energy
consumption.
A 2021 study found that caterpillar populations were 52% lower in areas with street lights. The winter moth
is a small but essential species. In early spring its caterpillars provide a critical food source for blue tit chicks. But
light pollution disorients (使迷惑方向) the adult moths, disrupts mating and affects egg-laying, leading to fewer
caterpillars. With declining caterpillar numbers, blue tit struggle to feed their young.
In one sense, light pollution is relatively easy to fix — we can simply not turn on the lights and allow the
night to be lighted naturally by moonlight. Logically, this is mostly not feasible as lights are meant for the benefit
of humans who are often unwilling to give them up. In the absence of turning off the lights, there are other
management approaches we can take to lessen their impact. We can limit their number; reduce their intensity and
the time they are on.
The extent to which invertebrates have responded to artificial light remains unspecified and it also remains
unknown whether they can adapt to additional temporal changes. These changes likely affect individual fitness, so
additional studies are needed to determine the selective pressure artificial light produces. An interdisciplinary (跨
学科) approach is required to determine broader scale effects of artificial light on wildlife biodiversity and
ecosystem health, and to determine relevant strategies.
1．What do we know about the majority of invertebrates?
A．They are active at night.
B．They use darkness to hide.
C．They are becoming extinct.
D．They are intelligent creatures.
2．What does the author want to illustrate by mentioning caterpillar populations in paragraph 3?
A．The challenge in wildlife conservation. B．The importance of a balanced ecosystem.
C．The urgency of saving species through food. D．The effect of light pollution on the food chain.
3．What does the underlined word “feasible” in paragraph 4 mean?
A．Odd.
B．Workable.
C．Crazy.
D．Disturbing.
4．What does the author think of potential management approaches?
A．They are pioneering.
B．They are easy to apply.
C．They prove to be effective.
D．They call for in-depth research.
12
Have you ever wondered why certain songs or paintings feel deeply satisfying? Language expert Jay
Keyser’s research finds that repetition makes art speak to us.
Artists like jazz musician Duke Ellington and painter Andy Warhol purposefully use repetition — not
simply as copying, but as a clever “same, but different” skill. In Ellington’s Satin Doll, for example, the rhythm
repeats while the notes stay high or low, and the song’s words mirror this pattern. Warhol’s soup cans appear alike
at first sight, yet each design changes a little. This skill called “same/except” by Jay Keyser in his book Play it
again, Sam — makes art feel richer and more pleasant to our brains.
Interestingly, discovering repetition brings much more. Consider a photograph of the US city of
Albuquerque that is often discussed for its meaning. Look closer, and you may find that a dog sits in the center
with a street sign shadow to its right copying its shape. Recognizing this hidden pattern, as Keyser suggests,
repays us with unexpected pleasure and more. Training our eyes to notice such patterns — whether in poetry,
paintings or songs — unlocks new meaning.
Why does repetition create such a connection? According to Keyser, science offers an answer: the mere
exposure effect ( 单纯曝光效应). Just as a baby grows fond of a mother’s face through repeated sights, we
naturally develop a liking for familiar patterns. Advertisers use this by repeating product names to build trust.
Artists harness it too — Warhol’s repeated cans or a song’s repeated catchy parts make us feel comforted and
connected.
Keyser shows great art works with the brain’s makeup. When artists repeat certain parts with changes, the
art is in line with how our minds seek order, expect patterns, and gain joy from “finding” connections — though
we are not aware of it. By studying how artists skillfully apply the “same/except” skill across mediums, and by
connecting these choices with science, we gain the key to admiring creativity’s universal magic. This makes
everyday experiences with music, paintings, and words much richer.
1．What does the “same/except” skill focus on?
A．Non-traditional artistic styles.
B．Combining different art forms.
C．Repetition with slight variations.
D．Breaking all patterns completely.
2．What does the example of the Albuquerque photo highlight?
A．Fun designs attract more attention.
B．Admiring street art lifts one’s spirits.
C．Repetition enriches art experiences.
D．Famous art deserves lasting discussion.
3．What does the underlined word “harness” in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A．Take advantage of.
B．Turn down.
C．Have control of.
D．Make out.
4．What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
A．Art sometimes matches our mindset.
B．Science explains artistic techniques.
C．Artists use repetition unconsciously.
D．Creativity is the key to admiring art.
