专题07 阅读理解（议论文）
Passage 1
（2026·天津南开·一模）Most of us in the entrepreneurial community are blessed — or cursed — with higher-
than-average ambition. Ambitious people strongly desire accomplishments and are willing to take more risks and
spend more effort to get them. Overall, this is a positive quality, especially for people trying to build their own
businesses. Apparently, if you’re more naturally driven to set goals, you are more likely to succeed. Actually, this
isn’t always the case. In fact, in some cases, extreme ambition may end up doing more harm than good.
One major side effect of excessive ambition is the tendency to focus too determinedly on one particular vision
or end goal. This is problematic because it hinders your ability to adapt to new circumstances, which is vital if you
want to be a successful entrepreneur. If a new competitor emerges to threaten your business, you may need to change
direction, even if that means straying from your original vision. If you have too much ambition, you’ll find this
hard, if not impossible.
Few people are successful when they try to build their first brand. Unfortunately, for the most ambitious
entrepreneurs, a failure is seen as disastrous, and impossible to recover from. It’s a clear departure from the intended
plan toward the intended goal. For people with limited ambition, however, failure is viewed as something closer to
reality. Remember, failure is inevitable, and every failure you survive is a learning experience.
Ambitious people tend to be more materialistically successful than their non-ambitious counterparts. However,
they’re only slightly happier than their less-ambitious counterparts, and tend to live significantly shorter lives. This
implies that even though ambitious people are more likely to achieve conventional “success,” such success means
nothing for their health and happiness — and if you don’t have health and happiness. what else could possibly
matter?
Clearly, some amount of ambition is good for your motivation. Without any ambition, you wouldn’t start your
own business, set or achieve goals and get far in life. But an excess of ambition can also be dangerous, putting you
at risk of burnout, stubbornness and even a shorter life.
1．What does the author think of most entrepreneurs?
A．They are more willing to risk their own lives.
B．They are more ambitious than ordinary people.
C．They achieve greater nonconventional success.
D．They have more positive qualities than most of us.
2．What does the author imply by saying “this isn’t always the case”?
A．Ambitious people may not have a greater chance of success.
B．Ambitious people may not have more positive qualities.
C．Entrepreneurs’ ambition does as much good as harm.
D．Entrepreneurs are more naturally driven to success.
3．If one wants to become a successful entrepreneur, he must _________.
A．hold on to his original vision
B．be able to adapt to new situations
C．focus determinedly on one particular goalD．avoid radical change in one’s career direction
4．How do the most ambitious entrepreneurs regard failure in their endeavor?
A．It will awaken them to reality.
B．It is a lesson they have to learn.
C．It means the end of their career.
D．It will result in a slow recovery.
5．What does the author advise us to do concerning ambition?
A．Distinguish between conventional success and our life goal.
B．Follow the example of the most ambitious entrepreneurs.
C．Avoid taking unnecessary risks when starting a business.
D．Prioritize health and happiness over material success.
Passage 2
（2026·天津南开·一模）“I write to find out what I’m thinking,” wrote the great American journalist John
Dos Passos. Anyone engaged in writing understands this truth: the act of writing transforms half-formed ideas into
precise, logical thought. What sounds coherent when spoken often appears weak and illogical when committed to
paper.
A recent MIT study provides convincing scientific evidence for this claim. Researchers used wearable brain
scanners to compare students who wrote essays independently with those using AI assistance. The findings were
clear: AI-assisted writers “consistently underperformed at brain, verbal, and behavioral levels.” They demonstrated
that we need to write in order to think deeply.
This research emerges at a critical historical moment for literacy. Childhood reading has reached record lows,
with nearly half of British adults not reading a single book last year. Adult literacy is declining or making no progress
across most OECD countries. Notably, average IQs have begun to decline since the 1980s, along with reasoning and
problem-solving abilities — a trend that is unlikely to be random.
Walter Ong’s influential work “Orality and Literacy” illuminates why writing is essential. He argued that
literacy enabled Ancient Greece’s intellectual revolution. Oral cultures must “think memorable thoughts”, relying on
rhyme, emotion, and cliché (陈词滥调) to preserve knowledge. Writing, by contrast, allows for precise, complex
statements that can be examined, reviewed, and developed into logical arguments.
In our digital age, no technology has surpassed the complicated architecture of the book. While the internet
offers fragmented information, books provide rich context and sustained logical connections. Reading is an active
process that demands engagement and concentration — it is essentially thinking in dialogue with the text.
As our culture becomes increasingly dominated by short-form videos and attention-fragmenting content, we
risk losing the capacity for complex reasoning. Reading and writing form the foundation of serious thought — a habit
that unites history’s greatest minds. Before we yield our cognitive development to screens and algorithms, we must
carefully consider what we might be sacrificing.
6．What is the function of writing according to John Dos Passos?
A．Revealing flaws in speech.
B．Organizing thoughts.
C．Recording spoken words.
D．Ensuring fluency.
7．What is the key advantage of writing over oral cultures?
A．It makes for logical statements.
B．It ensures greater objectivity.
C．It preserves knowledge longer.
D．It requires “memorable thoughts”.
8．Why does the author describe reading as “thinking in dialogue with the text”?
A．To underline its logical structure.
B．To contrast with online reading.
C．To show its interactive feature.
D．To highlight its cultural relevance.
9．What is the author’s attitude towards people’s reasoning capacity?
A．Dismissive.
B．Skeptical.
C．Critical.
D．Concerned.
10．Which can be the best title for the passage?
A．Writing, Reading, and Thinking: Why Literacy Matters More Than Ever.
B．The Digital Age: How Technology Is Reshaping Our Minds.
C．The Power of Writing: How Putting Pen to Paper Shapes Thought.
D．The Decline of Reading: A Warning Against Digital Distraction.
Passage 3
（2026·天津南开·一模）In an era dominated by digital streams, my appreciation deepens for physical diaries
— handwritten on paper — as a vital guard against the widespread influence of AI. Human thoughts and expressions
risk being abused, processed by algorithms (算法) that lack insights. AI models often greedily swallow artists’ and
writers’ works to fuel their systems, putting almost all online content under threat. The physical nature of diaries
forms a crucial defense. If we hope to preserve the real human voice from chatbots and refuse to let our writing train
AI, a pen and a simple notebook may be our strongest tools.
Diaries are uniquely suited to capturing individual lives and imaginations. The very essence of a diary is
temporary, meant to catch life’s short-lived moments. This is a task chatbots cannot perform, because they lack
genuine perception, thought, or tender human senses. A diary serves as a secure space for one’s deepest feelings and
reflections on the world, a form of thinking irreplaceable by AI. Its physical form offers a screen-free shelter for
mindfulness, fostering a deeper connection with one’s thoughts.
The power of handwritten diaries also lies in their resistance to digital erosion. Unlike mobile phones that limit
prospects and lock users out of their own minds, a physical diary does not fog brains, numb fingers, or profit from
personal data. It remains a personal possession, beyond the reach of AI companies seeking training data. The act of
writing by hand enhances memory and emotional expression, creating a physical record of one’s life journey. This
non-digital activity offers a deliberate break from the restless digital pace, offering a routine of self-care and a bridge
between the past, present and future.
Throughout history, diaries have served as lasting records against powerful structures. Our collective memory
would be poorer without Anne Frank’s messages or the diary that begins George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four”.
Diarists form a universal underground, using pen and paper to resist the threats of the digital world. They protect not
just privacy but the very integrity of personal stories from algorithm-based control of information and data mining.
Ultimately, the humble diary is more than a record; it is an act of protection. In the quiet conversation between
pen and paper, we safeguard the human voice— imperfect, personal, and free from the tide of artificial intelligence.
What role does the physical diary play in the digital world?
11．What role does the physical diary play in the digital world?
A．A tech-free space for deeper self-reflection.
B．A tool to quickly generate more information.
C．An opportunity to defend passed-down heritage.
D．An instruction on how to embrace new technology.
12．What advantage does handwriting have over mobile phones to keep diaries?
A．It bears significant health and social benefits. B．It allows for much faster data input and output.
C．It raises much awareness of self, time and space.
D．It involves both mental and emotional responses.
13．How does the fourth paragraph contribute to the passage’s argument?
A．By suggesting potentials in economy and reputation.
B．By listing supporting and typical examples in history.
C．By summarizing previously discussed perspectives.
D．By analyzing from the view of diary enthusiasts.
14．What can be inferred about those who keep diaries?
A．They are strongly opposed to technological progress.
B．They believe AI will wipe out diaries sooner or later.
C．They value privacy and sincerity over convenience.
D．They write mainly for public recognition and fame.
15．What is the author’s attitude towards physical diaries?
A．Critical.
B．Indifferent.
C．Positive.
D．Doubtful.
Passage 4
（2026·天津河北·一模）In 1995, a biologist had an unconventional idea. He studied brainless slime
moulds (无脑黏菌) and became convinced it was intelligent. It solved problems and made decisions as if it had a
mind. To test this, he reproduced a rail network on an agar (琼脂) plate, using oat flakes for cities. He placed the
slime moulds at the “central station”. Within a day, the organism rebuilt an efficient network matching the human-
designed system — without a brain.
This experiment challenges a cherished assumption: that intelligence requires neurons, a skull, or something
behind our eyes. Today, “intelligence” is being reduced to something that looks just like human cognition. AI has
become our cultural wallpaper. We debate AI’s impacts but rarely the fundamental question: What is intelligence?
The danger isn’t that machines are becoming too smart, but that our understanding of “smart” has collapsed into
something narrow and focused only on humans. In our rush to create artificial minds, we’ve forgotten to study the
real ones.
The planet is already filled with superintelligent systems. Water is intelligent in how it adapts and carves
canyons. Trees are intelligent in how they share nutrients and warn neighbours. Whole forests operate like connected
networks. Even rocks possess a form of wisdom. We use “dumb as rocks” as an insult, but rocks endure. They are
stable; they do not self-destruct. “Rock bottom” is not a collapse but the foundation you build upon.
We miss these insights because we’ve narrowed intelligence to human-like traits (特征): problem-solving,
language, planning. The longest-lived systems — forests, reefs — behave like slime moulds and gardens. They are
slow, steady, adaptive, indifferent to public noise. Their ambition is simply to keep living without causing unnecessary
harm — a useful metaphor for us now.
This leads to a pressing need: to reimagine intelligence itself. Perhaps intelligence isn’t defined by computational
speed, but by depth of connection. This brings me to my daughter, fifteen months old, pre-verbal. She experiences
the world as sensation and connection. She doesn’t think or judge; she is simply present. There’s a brilliance in that
state we dismiss because it doesn’t look like analysis or output. Maybe the highest form of intelligence is simply
presence: perception without preconception. She understands how to inhabit the moment fully. What does that suggest
about where wisdom truly exists?
16．Why does the author begin with the slime mold experiment?
A．To introduce a new AI technology.
B．To praise human engineering skills.
C．To challenge a common assumption.
D．To highlight a biological breakthrough.
17．What does the author imply about current AI discussions?
A．They underestimate human thinking.
B．They are too focused on cultural values.
C．They are obsessed with processing speed.
D．They oversimplify the nature of intelligence.
18．What can be learned about the natural systems mentioned in the passage?
A．They actively compete for limited resources.
B．They possess wisdom ignored by human standards.
C．They depend on fast computation to solve problems.
D．They function efficiently by mimicking human brains.
19．The author uses the example of his daughter to ______.
A．illustrate pre-linguistic learning
B．stress parental observation skills
C．highlight the value of pure presence
D．present humans as uniquely intelligent beings
20．What is the central argument of the passage?
A．Scientific experiments reveal hidden natural laws.
B．Childhood experiences shape philosophical views.
C．Biological organisms outperform artificial systems.
D．True intelligence should be redefined beyond human traits.
Passage 5
（2026·天津·一模）In a recent article, Markham Heid shares with us an unusual life crisis. At 41, he has built
what many would regard as the good life: he has a family; he is healthy, productive, and creative; he has time to
travel, read, exercise, and see friends. Yet, he feels that “something is off.” To fight against this feeling, some of his
friends have turned to special retreats, while others try to solve it through fitness. What makes Heid’s problem
somewhat odd is that it does not seem to arise from anything specific. If he had lost his job, had no time for himself, or
was struggling in his marriage, the feeling would be understandable.
In the history of philosophy, there have been many attempts to understand such a powerful but objectless
feeling. Boredom, anxiety, depression and despair are some of the descriptions this mood has received. Heid ends up
attributing his crisis to the lack of new experiences. The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard calls this the “illusion
of crop rotation”, the idea that changing the environment frequently can save us from this mood. The German
philosopher Martin Heidegger also describes a similar state: one may still be surrounded by the same people and
activities, but these no longer engage us as they used to. He calls it a kind of “anxiety” created by nothing in particular.
No wonder the psychologist Sigmund Freud once described anxiety as a “riddle.”
But what really drives this mood is not the need for new experiences. It is not even the particulars of our
individual lives or the cultures we belong to, but that we have been given a life to live in the first place, the taste of
possibility that comes with being alive. This mood is not due to doubts like “Do I have enough hobbies?” or “Have I
achieved my goal?” It is related to the more fundamental questions like “What does it mean to be human?” “What
am I supposed to do with the fact that I was given a life?” and “What kind of life is possible for me?” This is why
this mood is likely to appear frequently in our life. This is why once many of our life goals are fulfilled, we begin to
wonder what life itself is for.
These questions never have a final answer and they can always leave us with a great sense of anguish about
who we are and how we should go on. Nevertheless, recognizing that these doubts are there, and that they matter,
can at least allow us to know what may be missing, even when everything is good.
21．What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?
A．To show Markham Heid’s perfect life is envied by many people
B．To introduce a confusing life crisis that lacks a specific cause
C．To suggest special retreats and fitness are the best ways to solve the crisis
D．To prove that a family and some leisure activities can never bring happiness
22．The author shares Markham Heid’s crisis mainly to________.
A．present an argument
B．introduce a topic
C．make an assumption
D．evaluate an event
23．According to the author, how can the crisis in the passage be dealt with?
A．By studying philosophy.
B．By developing new hobbies.
C．By going travelling frequently.
D．By embracing the objectless feeling.
24．What does the word “anguish” underlined in the last paragraph most probably mean?
A．Pain.
B．Wonder.
C．Direction.
D．Achievement.
25．Which would be the best title for the passage?
A．What leads to a Life Crisis
B．Letting Go of Dark Moods
C．Boredom Makes Us Human
D．Anxiety Gives Us Life Goals
Passage 6
（2026·天津河西·一模）They’re still kids, and although there’s a lot that the experts don’t yet know about
them, one thing they do agree on is that what kids use and expect from their world has changed rapidly. And it’s all
because of technology. To the psychologists, sociologists, and generational and media experts who study them, their
digital devices set this new group apart, even from their tech-skilled Millennial (千禧年的) elders. They want to be
constantly connected and available in a way even their older brothers and sisters don’t quite get.
These differences may appear slight, but they signal an all-encompassing (包罗万象的) sensibility that some
say marks the dawning of a new generation. The contrast between Millennials and this younger group was so evident
to psychologist Larry Rosen that he has declared the birth of a new generation in his new book, Rewired. Rosen says
the tech-dominated life experience of those born since the early 1990s is so different from the Millennials that they
deserve the distinction of a new generation, which he has called the “iGeneration”.
“The technology is the easiest way to see it, but it’s also a mind-set, and the mind-set goes with the little ‘i’,
which I’m talking to stand for ‘individualized’,” Rosen says. “Everything is defined and individualized to ‘me’. My
music choices are defined to ‘me’. What I watch on TV any instant is defined to ‘me’.” He says the iGeneration
includes today’s teens and middle-schoolers, but it’s too soon to tell about elementary-school ages and younger.
Rosen says the iGeneration believes anything is possible. “If they can think of it, somebody probably has or
will invent it,” he says. “They expect innovation.” They have high expectations that whatever they want or can use
“will be able to be tailored to their own needs and wishes and desires.”
Portability is key. They are inseparable from their wireless devices, which allow them to text as well as talk,
so they can be constantly connected—even in class, where cell phones are supposedly banned. Many researchers are
trying to determine whether technology somehow causes the brains of young people to be wired differently. “They
should be distracted and should perform more poorly than they do,” Rosen says. “But findings show teens survive
distractions much better than we would predict by their age and their brain development.”
Because these kids are more immersed and at younger ages, Rosen says, the educational system has to change
significantly. “The growth curve on the use of technology with children is increasing very rapidly, and we run the
risk of being out of step with this generation as far as how they learn and how they think,” Rosen says. “We have to
give them opportunities to learn in a way that matches their expectations and their digital experiences.”
26．What is the main factor that distinguishes the iGeneration from previous generations, according to the
passage?
A．Their deeply integrated use of technology.
B．Their higher intelligence quotients (IQs).
C．Their improved social skills.
D．Their greater interest in traditional media.
27．We can infer from the passage that Millennials ________.
A．deserve the distinction of a new generation
B．have an individualized mindset
C．are less reliant on constant tech connection
D．are not interested in innovation
28．What is a key characteristic of the iGeneration’s expectations towards technology?
A．They prefer standardized products.
B．They expect novelty and customization.
C．They are skeptical of new inventions.
D．They favor face-to-face communication.
29．What unexpected observation is noted concerning adolescents and interruptions to their focus?
A．Their ability to concentrate is far weaker than that of mature adults.
B．Doing multiple tasks leads to a dramatic drop in their school results.
C．They cope with interruptions more effectively than their age would suggest.
D．They fail to recognize how digital tools pull their attention away.
30．What major challenge does the author highlight for the educational system?
A．The necessity of banning smartphones and laptops during lessons.
B．The pressure of rising operational costs on educational budgets.
C．The difficulty of training teachers to use conventional teaching materials.
D．The danger of falling behind the cognitive and learning patterns of today’s youth.
Passage 7
（2026·天津·一模）The question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) will take away our jobs is on many
people’s minds today. Current applications, from AI robotics performing complex surgeries to large language models
like ChatGPT writing academic essays and solving tough problems, have not only demonstrated remarkable
capabilities but also sparked significant moral concerns.
Broadly speaking, public opinion is divided. Some view AI as the ultimate tool for solving society’s most
pressing challenges, from disease to climate change. Others, however, fear that AI will overtake human intelligence.
Both views rest on a common assumption that AI possesses, or will possess, a superior form of intelligence that could
replace human decision-making. But given the fact that technology is the product of human civilization, the challenge
from AI is something we have created for ourselves as we keep pushing our own boundaries. In other words, AI’s
progress, functions and future direction are all directed by the human mind.
Therefore, before AI evolves into a potential threat, the global community must reach an agreement on the role
it is to play. More importantly, related laws and regulations must ensure that AI will benefit society and prevent it
from threatening human life. For instance, while future robots might develop a form of emotional intelligence,
enabling them to recognize, understand and express emotions in a way that is similar to humans, we must establish
clear boundaries to prevent AI copying human emotions. Without legal restrictions, AI may become a social
disaster.
The new industrial revolution, driven by AI, is an unstoppable force. This change, much like the steam and
internet revolutions that brought once-unimaginable shifts, will definitely reshape the world of work, meaning some
jobs will disappear. Yet, history repeatedly shows that humanity possesses a great capacity for adaptation. Following
each technological leap, new forms of work have emerged, often more creative and fulfilling than the previous ones.
Consequently, it’s unnecessary to worry AI will replace our jobs. While technology advances at a rapid pace, what
we need to do is to welcome the AI era rather than resisting its progress for fear of the unknown.
31．Why does the author provide examples of AI applications in Paragraph 1?
A．To compare the functions of different AIs.
B．To explain the principles of deep learning.
C．To show evidence for worries about AI.
D．To predict breakthroughs in medical fields.
32．What does the author imply about AI’s progress?
A．It will be too complex to control.
B．It depends on human innovation.
C．It will overtake human intelligence.
D．It helps human break boundaries.
33．How can we prevent AI’s potential threat?
A．By preventing it threatening humans.
B．By stopping it expressing emotions.
C．By changing global agreements.
D．By setting clear rules and laws.
34．What does the writer suggest readers do with the coming of the AI era?
A．Deal with it positively.
B．Accept it passively.
C．Respond to it randomly.
D．Defend it unconditionally.
35．Where is the passage most probably taken from?
A．A newspaper column on science.
B．A textbook on computer science.
C．An advertisement for AI software.
D．A research paper on AI development.
Passage 1
（2026· 天津· 一模）Technology seems to discourage slow, immersive reading. Reading on a screen,
particularly a phone screen, tires your eyes and makes it harder for you to keep your place. So online writing tends
to be more skimmable and list-like than print. The cognitive neuroscientist Mary Walt argued recently that this “new
norm” of skim reading is producing ‘an invisible, game-changing transformation’ in how readers process words. The
neuronal circuit (神经元回路) that sustains the brain’s capacity to read now favors the rapid absorption of information,
rather than skills developed by deeper reading, like critical analysis.
We shouldn’t overplay (过度强调) this danger. All readers skim. Skimming is the skill we acquire as children as
we learn to read more skillfully. From about the age of nine, our eyes start to bounce around the page, reading only
about a quarter of the words properly, and filling in the gaps by inference. Nor is there anything new in these fears
about declining attention spans. So far the anxieties have proved to be false alarms . Quite a few critics have been
worried about attention span lately and see very short stories as signs of cultural decline, the American author Selvin
Brown wrote. “No one ever” said that poems were evidence of short attention spans.
And yet the internet has certainly changed the way we read. For a start, it means that there is more to read,
because more people than ever are writing. If you time travelled just a few decades into the past, you would wonder
at how little writing was happening outside a classroom. And digital writing is meant for rapid release and response. An
online article starts forming a comment string underneath as soon as it is published. This mode of writing and reading
can be interactive and fun. But often it treats other people’s words as something to be quickly harvested as fodder (素材)
to say something else. Everyone talks over the top of everyone else, desperate to be heard.
Perhaps we should slow down. Reading is constantly promoted as a social good and source of personal
achievement. But this advocacy often emphasizes “enthusiastic”, “passionate” or “eager” reading, none of which
adjectives suggest slow, quiet absorption.
To a slow reader, a piece of writing can only be fully understood by immersing oneself in the words and their
slow comprehension of a line of thought. The slow reader is like a swimmer who stops counting the number of pool
laps he has done and just enjoys now his body feels and moves in water.
The human need for this kind of deep reading is too tenacious (坚决的) for any new technology to destroy.
We often assume that technological change can’t be stopped and happens in one direction, so that older media like
“dead-tree” books are kicked out by newer, more virtual forms. In practice, older technologies can coexist with new
ones. The Kindle has not killed off the printed book any more than the car killed off the bicycle. We still want to
enjoy slowly-formed ideas and carefully-chosen words. Even in a fast-moving age, there is time for slow reading.
36．What is the function of Paragraph 1?
A．To introduce a prediction.
B．To expose a debate.
C．To present a phenomenon.
D．To explain a theory.
37．What is the author’s attitude towards Selvin Browns opinion?
A．Favorable.
B．Critical.
C．Indifferent.
D．Objective.
38．The author would probably agree that .
A．advocacy of passionate reading helps promote slow reading
B．digital writing leads to too much speaking and not enough reflection
C．the public should be aware of the impact skimming has on neuronal circuits
D．the number of online readers is declining due to the advances of technology
39．How does the author explain what slow reading is?
A．By showing examples.
B．By making comparison.
C．By analyzing details.
D．By explaining the concept.
40．Why does the author write this article?
A．To criticize the fast-paced society destroys reading habit.
B．To show how digital technology prevents slow reading.
C．To promote reading and responding on the Internet.
D．To argue that slow reading is and will not be out of date.
Passage 2
（2026·天津·一模）Technology is supposed to simplify our lives. Smartphones provide a palm-sized window
on the world, enabling us to do almost anything with a mere tap. Smart homes manage themselves, and virtual
meetings mean that commuting (通勤) is a thing of the past for many. So, we should have more time to sleep, relax,
or simply enjoy a moment of doing nothing, right?
If this idea strikes you as a bit of a paradox, you are not alone. Growing evidence suggests that while digital
technology indeed helps us save some time, we often end up using that time to do more things.
We recently conducted interviews across Europe to understand how people use digital devices in their daily
lives. Whether it was waiting for a bus, waking up in the morning, or lying in bed at night, our respondents reported
that time that would have previously been “empty” was now filled with tech-driven tasks.
The growth in digital tasks is partly due to how technology is changing our perception of free time. For many, it
is no longer enough to simply eat a meal, watch TV, or take an exercise class. Instead, in an attempt to avoid “wasting”
time, they often do these activities while browsing the Web in search of the ingredients for a perfect life and a sense
of achievement.
These changes are also thought to be intensifying work. Home and hybrid working, enabled by video
conferencing technology, have blurred the boundaries between work time and personal time. With the office now just
a room away, it is tempting to think, “I’ll just finish this up after putting the kids to bed.”
Digital technologies are speeding up the pace of life. However, poorly designed technology can also force us
to do more work because of the inefficiencies it creates. We have all encountered the frustration of entering data into
system A only to find that it does not integrate with system B, forcing us to re-enter the same information in both.
By adding more tasks to our plates, we may end up achieving less and feeling worse. Reclaiming the time
“saved” by technology requires a shift in how we use our time. To break free of the habit of filling time with more
and more tasks, we need to first accept that sometimes it is okay to do less or nothing at all.
In the work environment, employers and employees alike need to create an environment in which disconnection
is acceptable. This means setting realistic expectations about what can be achieved in a typical workday.
Moreover, technology itself may hold the key to reclaiming our time. Imagine if, instead of telling you to stand
up and move around for another task, your smartwatch reminded you to stop working because you had reached your
contracted work hours. Perhaps when technology starts to tell us to do less, we will finally be able to regain control
of our time.
41．The “paradox” mentioned in Paragraph 2 refers to the fact that ______.
A．smart homes require more management than traditional ones
B．technology is meant to free up time but often leads to more tasks
C．people feel frustrated when technology fails to integrate systems
D．virtual meetings eliminate commuting but add new forms of work
42．What is the author’s attitude to the idea that “digital technology helps us save time”?
A．Supportive.
B．Opposed.
C．Skeptical.
D．Unconcerned.
43．What role does Paragraph 3 play in the passage?
A．It contrasts the different ways people use smartphones in various situations.
B．It illustrates how digital devices fill previously “leisure” time with new tasks.
C．It explains the technical reasons behind the integration failure of digital systems.
D．It provides statistical evidence to support the claim about tech-driven assignments.
44．What does the author imply by mentioning the smartwatch example?
A．Technology should prioritize reminding users to rest over suggesting tasks.
B．Employers should equip employees with advanced time-management devices.
C．Physical movement reminders are unnecessary additions to digital routines.
D．Smartwatches are currently ineffective in helping users manage time.
45．What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?
A．To criticize the inefficiency of current digital technologies.
B．To compare the traditional way of life with the digitalized one.
C．To advocate a shift in perceiving and using free time in digital age.
D．To reveal the unexpected outcome of employing digital technology.
Passage 3
（2026·天津河西·一模）Modern society celebrates freedom of choice as a fundamental good. From cereal
aisles (超市麦片区) to career paths, we are presented with an unprecedented array of options. Psychologist Barry
Schwartz, however, argues in his book The Paradox of Choice that this abundance, rather than liberating us, can
lead to anxiety, paralysis, and dissatisfaction — a phenomenon he calls “the tyranny of choice”.
The logic seems counterintuitive (违反直觉的). More choices should mean a greater chance of finding the
perfect fit, leading to higher satisfaction. Yet, Schwartz contends that the process of choosing from numerous
alternatives is psychologically taxing. Each option requires evaluation, which consumes time and cognitive energy.
The fear of making a suboptimal choice — of missing out on a better alternative — generates what economists
term “opportunity costs” on an emotional level. After a decision is made, this fear often changes into regret or doubt
about the foregone options, diminishing the enjoyment of the chosen one.
Furthermore, the responsibility that comes with choice can be burdensome. When outcomes are poor, we have
no one to blame but ourselves. In a world with limited options, fate or limited availability could be the scapegoat (替罪
羊). With limitless choice, failure is personalized. This “self-blame” for less-than-perfect results can weaken our
sense of well-being.
Schwartz distinguishes between “maximizers” and “satisficers.” Maximizers strive to make the absolute best
choice, exhaustively researching all possibilities. Satisficers, on the other hand, aim for “good enough,” settling for
an option that meets their core criteria. Unsurprisingly, research shows that maximizers, despite often achieving
objectively better outcomes, report lower levels of happiness, optimism, and life satisfaction compared to satisficers.
They are more likely to regret and depression.
The solution is not to eliminate choice but to curtail (削减) it consciously. We can adopt the satisficer’s mindset
by defining our standards beforehand and stopping the search once they are met. We can learn to appreciate “good
enough” and recognize that the quest for the perfect is often the enemy of the good. By setting sensible limits on our
own freedom to choose — in what we buy, how we spend our time, even in our personal relationships — we might
just find the liberation we sought in choice in the first place.
46．Which of the following best summarizes the “paradox” mentioned in the passage?
A．The pursuit of perfect freedom ultimately restricts our happiness.
B．Society provides more choices, but individuals still feel they are not sufficient.
C．Having abundant options is intended to increase satisfaction, but it often results in greater anxiety and
regret.
D．Economists believe more choices are beneficial, while psychologists prove they are harmful.
47．What does the phrase “a suboptimal choice” most probably mean?
A．The choice that is the perfect fit.
B．The choice whose logic seems counterintuitive.
C．The choice bringing enjoyment.
D．The choice that is less ideal.
48．According to the passage, why does the burden of personal responsibility increase in the face of abundant
choices?
A．Because it requires more knowledge to evaluate complex options.
B．Because with limited choice, failure can be blamed on external factors.
C．Because society places higher expectations on individuals who have many choices.
D．Because making a wrong choice among many leads to greater financial loss.
49．According to paragraph 4, which of the following statements is TRUE about maximizers and satisficers?
A．Although maximizers may achieve better objective outcomes, they tend to be less happy due to post-
decision regret.
B．Maximizers are generally more efficient because they research thoroughly before deciding.
C．Satisficers are happier simply because they have lower standards and expectations.
D．Becoming a satisficer means giving up on quality and settling for what is average in all situations.
50．What is the author’s overall attitude towards the abundance of choice in modern life?
A．Strongly critical and dismissive.
B．Cautiously critical but offering a solution.
C．Entirely supportive and enthusiastic.
D．Neutral and purely descriptive.
