Passage 1
[2024届·全国·模拟考试] Scientists have created the first full-sized digital model of the Titanic. The model will allow
scientists to study the Titanic in ways that have never been possible before.
The Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912. It was the largest ship of its time, and was thought to be unable to go
down below the surface of water. But four days after it left Southampton, England, the Titanic hit an iceberg (冰山)
and sank early the next day, killing some 1,500 people. The sinking is one of the most famous disasters in history.
The Titanic broke into two pieces, and sank to the sea floor, about 3.8 kilometers below the surface of the ocean. The
location of the wreck (沉船) wasn't discovered until 1985. Since then, many research teams have visited the site with
undersea robots, whose trips have resulted in lots of pictures and videos of the wreck. But even these only allow
scientists to study one area of the wreck at a time.
Now, two companies—an undersea technology company called Magellan and the movie company Atlantic
Productions—have created a 3D model of the Titanic by sending two undersea robots down to the Titanic. The robots
recorded both of the main pieces of the Titanic (the front and the back), as well as other bits of the wreck on the sea
floor. Over site weeks, they took high-quality videos and over 715,000 pictures, based on which scientists created the
3D model of the Titanic. Using it, users will be able to see the ship from all angles.
The companies say the 3D model will help scientists, enabling them to study the Titanic in great detail and study how
the Titanic broke down, which could help them learn more about thousands of other shipwrecks also lying on the sea
floor. And of course, scientists hope the model will help them better understand what happened when the Titanic
sank.
1．What does the author say about the Titanic?
A. It was supposedly unsinkable.
B. Its sinking is the best-known disaster.
C. Its voyage should last for 4 days.
D. It tops the list of England's ships in size.
2．What message is conveyed from Paragraph 3?
A. More studies are encouraged on the Titanic.
B. Enthusiasm for the Titanic never fades away.
C. The exploration of the Titanic is far from easy.
D. New discoveries have been made about the Titanic.
3．Which of the following plays a key role in creating the 3D model?
A. The previous findings about the shipwreck.B. The devotion of the scientists.
C. The cooperation between the two companies.
D. The complete picture of the wreck.
4．The 3D model is expected to _______.
A. help rebuild other shipwrecks underwater
B. give scientists new insights into the Titanic
C. allow the public to fully admire the Titanic
D. reproduce the grandness of the large ship
Passage 2
[2024届·甘肃白银·模拟考试]What will you do when you feel like a failure? Feeling like a failure is part of
the human experiences. Treat yourself with kindness and understand that failure does not define you, but it is a
stepping stone on your journey. When you're ready, take action and challenge yourself.
As some friends were deeply lost in the world of yoga and mindfulness, I've personally struggled with the
feeling of failure, not on the yoga mat, but on the road to my entrepreneurship (创业) . It all began several years
ago when I threw myself into the business, driven by my passion and a dream
In the early days, optimism flowed freely, but financial struggles and sleepless nights soon followed. I
questioned my decision and felt like the biggest failure. However, every difficulty became a stepping stone towards
growth. I learned more from my failures than from my successes, adapting and growing stronger with each
obstacle. I reached out to instructors, friends and family, sought advice and slowly saw a ray of hope. One defining
moment came when I gained my first long-term coaching partnership. It was a breakthrough, and my hard work
paid off. Over the years, I faced many more failures, but I refused to let them define me.
Today, looking back at my journey, I realize that moments of feeling like a failure were essential to my
success. They taught me humility, perseverance and the value of hard work. They shaped me into a successful
entrepreneur I am today—someone who doesn't fear failure but embraces it as a necessary part of the path to
success. As we approach the end of the year of graduation, remember that success is not about avoiding failure, but
about how we rise after we fall. Let's support each other on this journey called life. Stay positive, stay inspired and
stay true to ourselves.
1．What is the function of paragraph 1?
A. To give the definition of failure. B. To list some examples of failure.
C. To introduce the topic of the story. D. To stress the importance of experience.2．What made the author start a business?
A. Internal motivation. B. Advice from a coach.
C. Family financial crisis. D. Encouragement from friends.
3．What can be concluded from the author's entrepreneurial experience?
A. To teach is to learn.
B. A word spoken is past recalling.
C. Constant dropping wears away a stone.
D. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
4．What does the author want to do in the last paragraph?
A. Inspire us with his lessons.
B. Persuade us to major in business.
C. Recall the key moments of his entrepreneurship.
D. Advocate avoiding obstacles on the way to success.
Passage 3
[2024届·江西·一模联考]The confidence people place in science is frequently based not on what it really is, but
on what people would like it to be. When I asked students at the beginning of the year how they would define science,
many of them replied that it is an objective way of discovering certainties about the world. But science cannot provide
certainties.
But doubt in science is a feature, not a bug. Indeed, the paradox (悖论) is that science, when properly
functioning, questions accepted facts and yields both new knowledge and new questions—not certainty. Doubt does
not create trust, nor does it help public understanding. So why should people trust a process that seems to require a
troublesome state of uncertainty without always providing solid solutions?
As a historian of science；I would argue that it's the responsibility of scientists and historians of science to show
that the real power of science lies precisely in what is often perceived as its weakness：its drive to question and
challenge a hypothesis (假设) . Indeed, the scientific approach requires changing our understanding of the natural
world whenever new evidence emerges from either experimentation or observation. Scientific findings are hypotheses
that encompass the state of knowledge at a given moment. In the long run, many of them are challenged and even
overturned. Doubt might be troubling, but it impels us towards a better understanding；certainties, as reassuring as
they may seem, in fact hold back the scientific process.
A more realistic understanding of how science works can contribute to a better comprehension of the decisive
role of doubt and skepticism in the scientific process. Indeed, science is not a linear (线性的) path leading from onesuccess to another, but rather a constant reevaluation of hypotheses. Failures are part of the scientific process and
should be taught along with successes.
5．What is "doubt" in science according to the text?
A.It's not right. B.It's a feature. C.It's a bug. D.It's less realistic.
6．What does the underlined word "encompass" in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Include. B.Oppose. C.Evaluate. D.Discover.
7．What does the author say about certainty?
A.It's a real power of science. B.It shows the weakness of science.
C.It affects the scientific process. D.It helps in discovering the world.
8．What can we learn about science?
A.Science is always right. B.Failures are part of science.
C.It's a path leading to success. D.It is based on people's expectation.
Passage 4
[2024届·襄阳五中·模拟考试]Make life as easy as possible with devices and gear designed to simplify your
travels — whether that means charging on the go, neat organizers or lightweight storage for no-trouble quick trips.
LARQ Bottle Filter (过滤器)
This innovative drinking bottle with a low-pressure sucker is designed to filter water on the go, wiping out
pollutants such as chlorine (氯) for a refreshing taste. The filter will work on up to 151 liters of water before needing to
be replaced — the equivalent (等同) of around 300 single-use plastic bottles. Available in 500m l(£58) and 740ml
(£68) sizes.
Stubble & Co Adventure Bag
This 42-litre backpack has an easy-access clamshell (翻盖) design that opens to reveal zipped parts of various
sizes, including a waterproof pocket for shoes. It also features a laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket and hidden parts
for valuables. Available in black, olive, blue and orange. £195.
Shokz OpenFit
Shokz’s lightweight earphones sit on top of the ear canal, meaning they’re comfortable enough to wear for long
periods. The 28-hour battery life ensures you won’t need to charge them on an overnight trip, though it’s easy enough
to do so by plugging in the small, accompanying case. The Shokz App allows you to customize the controls, too.
£179.
July Carry On Pro
For those who prefer not to carry luggage on their backs, this smart roller is the perfect overnighter. It has twoseparate internal parts, a waterproof polycarbonate (聚碳酸酯) hard shell and a zipped front part in which to store a
laptop. The integrated, removable power bank allows travelers to charge devices on the go. £275.
12．What is special about LARQ Bottle Filter?
A. It is of various sizes. B. It makes for health.
C. It is used to store water. D. It replaces 300 plastic bottles.
13．Which is suitable for listening to music?
A. Shokz OpenFit. B. July Carry on Pro.
C. LARQ Bottle Filter. D. Stubble & Co Adventure Bag.
14．What is the text?
A. A travel diary. B. A life description.
C. A science instruction. D. A sales advertisement.
Passage 5
[2024届·江苏泰州·一模]Norman Lear, a genius producer and screenwriter, passed away on Tuesday in Los
Angeles at the age of 101. “Lear’s hit comedy shows changed television forever,” said Darnel Hunt, a leading artist
on TV.
Lear grew up in an ordinary family in Connecticut, where an unexpected accident brought about his father’s
business collapse. So he had to drop out of college and joined the army. In his late 20s, he moved to Los Angeles
where he struggled hard for several years, selling furniture door to door. Later on, unsatisfied with his life, he
eventually turned to writing for a nightclub comedy act.
By 1971, when he was almost 50, Lear had produced and directed some shows, among which was the hit show
All in the Family. In the beginning, it didn’t get on the air smoothly. However, once it did, this show made it to the
top 10 for eight of its nine seasons, promising Lear’s life was to change.
This successful show was just the beginning of Lear’s dominating position in comedy shows. Then came The
Jeffersons, about a family on its way up. It ran for eleven seasons, one of the longest running comedy shows on
television, becoming another successful story. When interviewed about the hit of his shows, Lear said, “Our team
read two or three newspapers a day, paid a lot of attention to our families, and came in to talk about everything that
was affecting us in our daily lives.” Therefore, it came as no surprise that viewers had a sense of Lear’s own family
after watching All in the Family.
“Routinely, Lear’s shows might get fifty or sixty million viewers. He was in direct contact with the living rooms
and families of the country,” says Marty Kaplan, founding director of the Norman Lear Center. “Lear did everythingwith humor and sympathy.”
15．What can we learn about Lear from the first two paragraphs?
A. He led a challenging life in his twenties.
B. His shows had little impact on television.
C. His father expected him to be a screenwriter.
D. He received good education despite his father’s business failure.
16．Which factor may contribute to the success of Lear’s shows?
A. His shows reflected real daily life. B. His shows featured surprise endings.
C. His shows go on the air immediately. D. His shows dominated the comedy industry.
17．What can we infer from Marty Kaplan’s words in the last paragraph?
A. Lear promoted his shows to families directly.
B. Lear won widespread popularity for his shows.
C. Lear carried out face-to-face interactions with viewers.
D. Lear always focuses on the themes of humor and sympathy.
18．Where is this text probably taken from?
A. A comedy script. B. A story collection.
C. A literature review. D. A news report.
Passage 6
[2024届·浙江台州·二模]Students to Compete in 34th National Science Bowl
Thousands of students from middle and high schools across the country have committed themselves to extra
study hours as they prepare to compete in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) 34th National Science Bowl (NSB).
These students are hard at work now to win their regional competitions, hoping to advance to the final competition.
The first regional event will take place on January 13th with high schools from the D.C. /Maryland area. Teams will
face off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format, and their knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics
will be tested. Regionals will continue weekly until mid-March.
The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be qualified to compete in the National Finals to
be held in Washington, D.C. , from April 25-29, 2024, with all expenses paid by DOE. The national event consists of
several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.
In the National Finals, the top two teams will earn $5, 000 for their schools’ math and science departments.
Schools ranking in the top 16 will receive $1, 000 for their science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize is
simply the honor of winning the National Championship.Today, the NSB annually draws more than 10, 000 middle and high school competitors. Since the first
competition in 1991, approximately 344, 000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals. The 2024 competitors will
follow in the footsteps of previous NSB contestants and will blaze a trail for students in science, math, and engineering.
For more information, please visit the Office of Science website.
19．Which word can best describe the regional competitions?
A. Fair. B. Interesting. C. Special. D. Challenging
20．What can we learn about the National Finals?
A. The championship victory is highly valued.
B. The event only involves fierce competitions.
C. Most of the expenses will be covered by DOE.
D. The prize money will be awarded to individuals.
21．What is the text?
A.A news release. B.A survey report.
C.A learning project. D.A scientific review.
Passage 7
[2024届·海南海口·模拟考试] A new device known as SharkGuard is being trialled which gives off a pulse to
protect sharks and rays from fishing hooks(鱼钩). The data so far suggests that it has been very effective in reducing
the number of sharks and stingrays caught by commercial fishing equipment.
Commercial fishing is known to threaten sharks and rays worldwide. Research has found that 24 per cent of the
average monthly space used by sharks around the world falls under the-footprint of distant longline fisheries. This is
when hooks hang near the surface to catch fish like tuna and swordfish. A quarter of shark habitats are within active
fishing zones.
It is estimated that over 20,000,000 sharks are caught as bycatch every year. Stingrays are also frequently caught as
bycatch. "Bycatch" refers to unwanted fish and marine creatures caught by commercial fishing equipment, and is
typically discarded(丢弃) overboard either dead or dying.
SharkGuard was designed by marine scientists to protect sharks and rays from fishing equipment. It is a small
battery-powered device that can be fastened on the line next to a baited hook and gives off a short pulse every two
seconds.
Study found that the device reduced the number of blue sharks caught in a French longline tuna fishery in the
Mediterranean by 91 per cent, and stingrays by 71 per cent. These are promising numbers, although Dr Phil Doherty,lead author of the study, said that SharkGuard should "be designed on a case-by-case basis to ensure it's fit for
purpose."
22．What is the new device used to do?
A. Stop sharks being caught. B. Reduce the number of sharks.
C. Confirm a scientific guess. D. Prevent commercial hunting.
23．What is paragraph 2 mainly about?
A. The places fishing hooks hang. B. The range of commercial fishing.
C. The benefits of protecting sharks. D. The harm of commercial fishing.
24．What does Phil Doherty think of the device!
A. It is promising. B. It is ineffective.
C. It needs improving. D. It is perfectly designed.
25．What is the text?
A. A diary entry. B. A news report.
C.A fantasy story. D.A book review.
Passage 8
（2024·天津·二模）Just how bad of a mother am I, I silently wondered, as I watched my 13-year-old son
deep in conversation with Siri. Gus has autism (自闭症), and Siri, Apple's “intelligent personal assistant” on the
iPhone, is currently his BFF(Best Friend Forever). Obsessed with weather formations, Gus had spent the past hour
exploring the difference between isolated and scaltered thunderstorms—an hour during which, thank God, I didn't
have to discuss with him myself. After a while I heard this:
Gus: “You're a really nice computer.”
Siri: “It's nice to be appreciated.”
Gus: “You're always asking if you can help me.Is there anything you want?” Siri: “Thank you, but I have
very few wants.”
Gus: “OK. Well, good night!”
Siri: “See you later!”
That is Siri. She does not let my communicatively impaired son get away with anything. When Gus discovered
there was someone who would not only find information for him related to his various obsessions but would also be
willing to tirelessly discuss these subjects, he was hooked.
She is also wonderful for someone who does not pick up on social cues: Siri's responses are not entirely
predictable, but they are predictably kind—even when Gus is rude. I heard him talking to Siri about music, and Sirioffered some suggestions. “I don't like that kind of music.” Gus snapped(厉声说). Siri replied, “You're certainly
entitled to your opinion.” Siri's politeness reminded Gus what he owed Siri. “Thank you for that music, though.” Gus
said.
My son's practice conversations with Siri are starting to translate into increased facility with actual humans.
Yesterday I had the longest ever conversation with him. Admittedly, it was about different species of turtles which
might not have been my choice of topic, but it was back and forth, and followed a logic. For most of my son's 13
years of existence, this has not been the case.
Indeed, many of us wanted an imaginary friend when we were young, and now we can all have one not entirely
imaginary anytime we wish to. In a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth
considering another side of the story.
The developers of intelligent assistants recognize their potential usefulness for those with speech and
communication problems, and some are currently pondering new ways in which the assistants can help. “For example,
the assistant would be able to track eye movements and help the autistic learn to look you in the eye while talking."
said William Mark, vice president of the company from whom Apple purchased the technology behind Siri. “See,
that's the wonderful thing about technology. Getting results requires a lot of repetition. Machines are very, very
patient."
1．What did the author feel when she watched her son having a deep conversation with Siri about thunderstorms?
A． Concerned but helpless. B． Excited and overjoyed.
C． Guilty but relieved D． Hopeless and surprised.
2．Which of the following statements about Gus is true?
A He had always dreamed of having an imaginary friend.
B He shows no interest in anything that is not related to weather.
C． He has trouble communicating with others because of his illness.
D．He has been friends with Siri since he was diagnosed with autism.
3．Siri has helped Gus in the following aspects except
A． setting a fixed bedtime routine
B． exploring his special interests
C． shaping his logic while talking
D． improving his interaction with people
4．What does the author learn from her son's story?A． Siri makes people feel much lonely in modern society.
B． Siri sometimes provides better assistance than people.
C． Siri has a better academic performance than the author.
D． Siri is likely to be an effective cure for her son's autism.
5．What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A． Intelligent assistants will be more widely employed in the future.
B． The use of intelligent assistants will likely be limited to autistic people.
C． Machines are more skilled and patient at communication than humans.
D． William Mark was critical of the future development of intelligent assistants.
Passage 9
[2024年全国高考真题] "I am not crazy," says Dr. William Farber, shortly after performing acupuncture
(针灸) on a rabbit. "I am ahead of my time." If he seems a little defensive, it might be because even some of his
coworkers occasionally laugh at his unusual methods. But Farber is certain he'll have the last laugh. He's one of a
small but growing number of American veterinarians(兽医) now practicing "holistic" medicine—combining traditional
Western treatments with acupuncture, chiropractic (按摩疗法) and herbal medicine.
Farber, a graduate of Colorado State University, started out as a more conventional veterinarian. He
became interested in alternative treatments 20 years ago when he suffered from terrible back pain. He tried muscle-
relaxing drugs but found little relief. Then he tried acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice, and was amazed that he
improved after two or three treatments. What worked on a veterinarian seemed likely to work on his patients. So,
after studying the techniques for a couple of years, he began offering them to pets.
Leigh Tindale's dog Charlie had a serious heart condition. After Charlie had a heart attack, Tindale says,
she was prepared to put him to sleep, but Farber's treatments cased her dog's suffering so much that she was able to
keep him alive for an additional five months. And Priscilla Dewing reports that her horse, Nappy, "moves more easily
and rides more comfortably" after a chiropractic adjustment.
Farber is certain that the holistic approach will grow more popular with time, and if the past is any
indication, he may be right: Since 1982, membership in the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
has grown from 30 to over 700. "Sometimes it surprises me that it works so well," he says. "I will do anything to help
an animal. That's my job."
1．What do some of Farber's coworkers think of him?A. He's odd. B. He's strict. C. He's brave. D. He's rude.
2．Why did Farber decide to try acupuncture on pets?
A. He was trained in it at university.
B. He was inspired by another veterinarian.
C. He benefited from it as a patient.
D. He wanted to save money for pet owners.
3．What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?
A. Steps of a chiropractic treatment. B. The complexity of veterinarians' work.
C. Examples of rare animal diseases. D. The effectiveness of holistic medicine.
4．Why does the author mention the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association?
A. To prove Farber's point. B. To emphasize its importance.
C. To praise veterinarians. D. To advocate animal protection.
Passage 10
（2024·河北张家口·三模）The British accent of Cary Gran has finally been revealed after a fellow actor
tracked down a secretly tape recording of the Bristol-born big screen superstar.
Jason Isaacs, who plays Cary Grant in a coming ITV biopic (传记片), said that although setting his mind on
figuring out the actor’s real accent, he had become upset by the absence of interviews with Cary Grant.
The star, whose death aged 82 in 1986 brought to an end one of the 20th century’s greatest screen careers,
rarely spoke in public and would always adopt a mid-American accent for the cameras
Isaacs, 60, said this week that after some “detective work”, he found out about an interview Cary Grant gave
to a student from the University of Iowa months before his death. The student’s classmate secretly recorded the
interview in which Cary Grant spoke about his hatred (厌恶) of being approached by fans. The secret recording
reveals Cary Grant’s true accent.
At the launch of the ITV drama Archie-after Cary Grant’s birth name Archibald Leach — Isaacs said that when
he landed the role, “the first thing I did was look for interviews of Cary Grant.” Isaacs added; “He didn’t want to be
seen and he didn’t want to be known. There was nothing at all. Only the films. And that’s not what he spoke like. His
accent changed a lot in the films.
Isaacs said of listening to the tape: “I felt like I’d finally made a real connection with him and that’s the voice
you hear on screen in Archie. It’s more English than he is in the movies. People think they remember Cary Grant’s
voice but what they remember is Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot.”The ITV biopic focuses on Grant’s troubled family relationships. Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter, said her
father had rarely spoken about his childhood. “Sadly I think there was so much shame wrapped up in it,” Jennifer
Grant said.
10．Why did Jason Isaacs attempt to get a recording of Cary Grant?
A． To recreate his accent for real.
B． To show sincere respect to him.
C． To get the role of Cary Grant easily.
D． To make the film more profitable.
11．What can we infer about Cary Grant from Paragraph 4?
A. He acted as a detective.
B. He worked in a university.
C. He hated being recorded secretly.
D. He disliked having his life disturbed.
12．Whose voice is familiar to the audience?
A． Cary Grant. B． Tony Curtis. C． Jason Isaacs. D． Jennifer Grant.
13．What kind of person is Jason Isaacs?
A．Generous. B．Ambitious. C．Determined. D．Knowledgeable.
