专题 02 阅读理解(说明文)
高频话题01 自然灾害防范
Passage 1
(2025陕西省西安市新城区西安中学高三下学期一模)
As part of a post-fire response and recovery project, the Debris Flow Hazard Team (泥石流危害小组) is
engaging in several studies to better understand the drivers of post-fire debris flows and improve post-fire hazard
assessments across the Pacific Northwest. Wildfires make debris flows easy to happen, a fast-moving mixture of
water, soil, and rock that can cause property damage and loss of life.
After a wildfire, emergency managers need rapid answers to the questions: Where are debris flows likely?
How much rain will it take to cause a debris flow? And how big will that debris flow be? Researchers are
conducting applied research and emergency hazard assessments to answer these questions. Evaluated burn areas
they’ve assessed included the nearly 2021 Dixie fire, the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, and many of the 2021 wildfires
in Washington.
The models used for hazard assessment have been developed and tested in drier places. But the models have
not been tested widely in wetter places. Are the models accurate for wetter regions? Researchers have begun
monitoring post-fire debris-flow activity in wetter places to answer the question. Post-fire monitoring involves
measuring the rainfall within the burned areas and recording the flow response after rainstorms. The observed flow
response is compared to the predicted possibility. If the model predicted a high possibility of debris flow and there
was a debris flow, the model got it right.
Recent data bespeaks both similarities and differences in debris-flow processes between the areas with higher
humidity (湿度) and drier areas. For example, in the 2021 Dixie fire, major debris flows were caused by short
bursts of intense rainfall like they are in drier places. In contrast, debris flows in the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire were
caused by long time rainfall. Continued observation and testing is expected to lead to an improved set of hazard
assessment models.
Other frequently asked questions after wildfires are: How far will debris flows travel? What will be impacted?
And how long will the burned areas remain hazardous? These questions are presently not addressed in current
debris-flow hazard assessments, but the researchers are doing research to provide answers soon.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. Contents included in a project. B. Hazards caused by debris flows.C. Causes of post-fire debris flows. D. Reasons for conducting the studies.
2. What places are current studies focusing on?
A. Places seldom noticed. B. Places with debris flow records.
C. Places with higher humidity. D. Places once affected by wildfires.
3. What does the underlined word “bespeaks” mean in paragraph 4?
A. Replaces. B. Reveals.
C. Recognizes. D. Recommends.
4. What may be included in the next studies according to the text?
A. Methods to prevent debris flows. B. Possible effects of debris flows.
C. The lasting time of the debris flows. D. Other risks in the burned areas.
Passage 2
[2025山西省孝义市高三下学期2月模拟]
Have you ever looked at a beautiful little mews house in London and thought “it must be so amazing to live
there?” If so, you’re not the only one. But for the people who actually do live in those homes, social media
photography has changed what it means to live in a picturesque place.
Alice Johnston is a longtime resident of Notting Hill, the London neighbourhood famous for pastel-painted
row houses and for being the setting of the Julia Roberts/ Hugh Grant movie of the same name.
Johnston, a journalist, has complicated feelings about her Instagram-beloved neighbourhood. She lives on
Portobello Road, one of the capital’s most famous streets, and has witnessed all kinds of crazy behavior committed
in the pursuit of the perfect snapshot.
Once, she and a friend were walking his French bulldog when a tourist asked if they could “borrow” the pup
for a quick photo. The friend and the dog consented, the Instagrammer posed with the Frenchie in front of a bright
blue door and then handed over five pounds as a thank you.
In that story, everybody had a good time. But there can be a darker side to living inside what some people
think is a movie set. “I was once woken up at 6 a. m. on Easter Sunday by French teenagers taking pictures
outside,” Johnston says. She shares another anecdote: “One time I was changing after I got out of the shower and
there was this elderly man taking a picture (of my windows) with an iPad” Although the shutters(百叶窗) were
closed at the time, she was understandably rattled by the experience.
When private homes - and the people who live in them - become tourist attractions, clashes(冲突) can occur.
In more rural areas, people can put up fences or other barriers to access, but when these private homes are on publicstreets in some of the world’s busiest cities, what’s a resident to do?
1. What has changed the meaning of living in a picturesque place?
A. Tourist attractions. B. Social media photography.
C. Pastel-painted row houses. D. The setting of movies.
2. What happens to people after their home becomes a tourist attraction?
A. They can earn more money. B. They will live a happier life.
C. They will meet different people. D. Their private lives have been affected.
3. How is this passage developed?
A. By giving examples. B. By making comparison.
C. By asking questions. D. By giving definition.
4. The following paragraph will be written about ________ according to the last paragraph.
A. how people’s life is improved B. why people don’t like being photographed
C. what residents do to prevent the photography D. what else make people satisfied
Passage 3
[2025陕西省菁师联盟高三3月联考(一模)]
Climate change is already having impacts like soaring temperatures, stronger hurricanes, intensified floods
and a longer and more severe wildfire season. Scientists warn ignoring it will bring “untold suffering” to humanity.
But will it lead to humans extinction?
If we just consider the direct impacts, it’s unlikely to cause our extinction. However, climate change can still
endanger hundreds of millions of lives. It may cause food and water shortage, potentially leading to a societal
collapse and global conflict.
Humans are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere
through the burning of fossil fuels and other activities. These gases trap and hold heat from the sun, causing global
temperatures to rise and the climate to change much faster than it otherwise would, putting humanity on a
dangerous path.
A runaway(失温) greenhouse effect is probably the only way climate change impacts could directly cause
human extinction, according to Luke Kemp, a research associate at the Centre at the University of Cambridge in the
United Kingdom. Fortunately, the runaway green-house effect is unlikely to occur on Earth. For the effect to occur
a planet needs carbon dioxide levels of a couple of thousand parts per million (Earth has a little over 400 parts per
million) or a huge release of methane, and there isn’t evidence for that at this time, Brian Kahn, a research scientist
told NASA in 2018.Michael Mann, an atmospheric science professor, says a global temperature increase of 3℃or more could
lead to a collapse of societal infrastructure(社会基础设施) and massive conflict, similar to Hollywood films.
Climate change could cause a societal collapse by creating food insecurity. Planet warming negatively
impacts food production, like increasing water shortage and reducing food harvests, Live Science reported. Food
production losses can increase human deaths, drive economic loss and socio-political instability.
While avoiding complete extinction doesn’t appear to be a very promising aspect of climate change, there is
reason for hope. Experts say it isn’t too late to avoid the worst-case scenarios(情况) with significant cuts to
greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is up to us,” Mann said. “If we fail to reduce carbon emissions substantially in the decade ahead, we are
likely committed to a worsening of already dangerous extreme weather events, coastlines inundation(淹没) due to
melting ice and rising sea level, more pressure on limited resources as a growing global population competes for
less food, water and space due to climate change impacts. If we act boldly now, we can avoid the worst impacts.”
1. What are the current impacts of climate change mentioned in the passage?
A. More rainfall and shorter wildfire seasons.
B. Lower sea-levels, fewer wildfires, and stable climate.
C. Rising temperatures, stronger hurricanes, and intensified floods.
D. Decreasing temperatures, weaker hurricanes, and less severe floods.
2. What is required for a runaway greenhouse effect to occur?
A. An enormous amount of methane emissions.
B. An increase in the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.
C. A decrease in, the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
D. Carbon dioxide levels of a few hundred parts per million.
3. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Humans will not be affected by climate change in the future.
B. Scientists have found a way to completely stop climate change.
C. The runaway greenhouse effect is likely to happen on Earth in the future.
D. Climate change doesn’t directly cause human extinction but brings serious problems.
4. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. To describe the possible solutions to climate change.
B. To explain how climate change is caused by human activities.
C. To discuss whether climate change could lead to human extinction.D. To introduce the main impacts of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere.
Passage 4
[2025届宁夏回族自治区石嘴山市惠农区石嘴山市第一中学一模]
A new NASA-led study has found that how rain falls in a given year is nearly as important to the world’s
vegetation(植物) as how much. Reporting on Dec.11 in Nature, the researchers showed that even in years with
similar rainfall totals, plants grew differently when that water came in fewer, bigger bursts.
Scientists have previously estimated that almost half of the world’s vegetation is driven primarily by how
much rain falls in a year. Less well understood is the role of day-to-day variability, said lead author Andrew
Feldman, an ecosystem scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
The team analyzed two decades of field and satellite observations spanning diverse lands cap es from Siberia
to the southern tip of Patagonia. They found that plants across 42% of Earth’s vegetated land surface were sensitive
to daily rainfall variability. Of those, a little over half grew better in years with fewer but more intense wet days.
These include drier landscapes like grasslands, croplands and deserts. In contrast, broadleaf forests and rainforests
in lower and middle latitudes(纬度) tended to grew worse under those conditions, possibly because they could not
tolerate the longer dry periods. Statistically, daily rainfall variability was nearly as important as annual rainfall
totals in driving growth worldwide.
The new study relied primarily on a suite of NASA missions and datasets, which provides rai n and snowfall
rates for most of the planet every 30 minutes using a network of international satellites. To measure plant response
day to day, the researchers calculated how green an area appeared in satellite imagery. “Greenness” is commonly
used to estimate vegetation density and health. They also tracked a faint reddish light that plants give off during
photosynthesis(光合作用), when a plant absorbs sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into food. This
faint light is an obvious sign of flourishing vegetation.
Feldman said the findings highlight the vital role that plants play in moving carbon around Earth — a
process called the carbon cycle. “A finer understanding of how plants thrive or decline day to day, storm by storm,
could help us better understand their role in that critical cycle,” Feld man said.
1. What is the main focus of the NASA-led study in the article?
A. The global distribution of rainfall in a given year.
B. The role of satellites in monitoring rainfall and vegetation.
C. The impact of daily rainfall variability on vegetation growth.
D. The relationship between rainfall totals and vegetation growth.2. What is the relationship between rainfall variability and plant growth?
A. All types of vegetation respond similarly to rainfall patterns.
B. Lower latitudes rainforests grew better after longer dry periods.
C. Drier landscapes benefit from fewer but more intense rain events.
D. Rainfall variability shows a relatively weaker influence on plant growth.
3. Which method did researchers use to measure plant responses to rainfall variability?
A. Conducting field experiments in specific locations.
B. Monitoring rainfall totals using a network of satellites.
C. Measuring the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants.
D. Analyzing satellite imagery for vegetation density and health.
4. What is Feldman’s attitude toward the findings of this study?
A. Cautious. B. Positive. C. Skeptical. D. Neutral.
高频话题02 人与自然—人与动植物
Passage 1
[2025宁夏回族自治区石嘴山市第三中学高三下学期一模]
It might surprise you to learn that dogs are playing an increasingly important role as conservationists. For
centuries, they have been known as man’s best friends. Now, their unique. abilities are being made use of to help
protect some of the world’s most threatened species.
Quick and loyal, dogs possess many qualities that make them ideal for fieldwork, but it’s their extraordinary
sense of smell that makes them invaluable for conservation work. With around 220 million olfactory receptors(嗅
觉受体) compared to just 5 million in humans, dogs can detect scents(气味) and analyze them with astonishing
accuracy, devoting 40 times more of their brain to scent analysis than we do.
Thanks to this incredible ability, some dogs are now being trained to save at-risk animals by sniffing(嗅) out
their droppings. At the University of Washington’s Conservation Cannes facility,20specially trained dogs have
successfully tracked killer whale droppings, which only float briefly on the ocean’s surface. Analyzing these
samples enables scientists to monitor the health of killer whale populations, which are under significant stress from
food shortages, pollution, and boat traffic.
Beyond tracking animal droppings, conservation dogs are also trained for live animal detection, further
showcasing their abilities. They can locate rare species in their natural habitats. Additionally, they are now used totackle the non-native species that threaten the survival of the local wildlife. Dogs also take on other important roles.
For example, at Kenya’s Mombasa port, dogs sniff out illegal wildlife products such as rhino horns and ivory.
Across Africa, they work on the frontlines against illegal hunting, serving as a powerful security force enhancer.
While dogs may not be the ultimate solution to every conservation challenge. their incomparable abilities
make them invaluable companions in the fight to protect our planet’s biodiversity.
1. Why are the figures mentioned in the second paragraph?
A. To highlight the superiority of dogs’ sense of smell.
B. To suggest the amazing accuracy of dogs’ analysis.
C. To recognize the importance of conservation work.
D. To show dogs’ impressive achievements in fieldwork.
2. How do dogs help protect killer whales?
A. By tracking their movements.
B. By detecting their droppings.
C. By monitoring their populations.
D. By analyzing the collected samples.
3. What can we learn from the example given in paragraph 4?
A. Wildlife products are popular in African countries.
B. Non-native species affect the survival of local wildlife.
C. Dogs are used to detect and prevent illegal wildlife trade.
D. Dogs can accurately locate the natural habitats of rare species.
4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To appeal to people to protect biodiversity.
B. To report various environmental challenges.
C. To introduce dogs’ roles in conservation efforts.
D. To prove the conventional claim of dogs’ qualities.
Passage 2
[2025西北四省(山西、陕西、青海、宁夏)高三下学期第一次联考]
Scientists have uncovered a crucial piece in the puzzle of dinosaur feather evolution(羽毛进化). Some
feathered dinosaurs, along with their characteristic sharp teeth and large bodies, also had skin similar to that of
modern reptiles(爬行动物). Feathers likely developed in specific areas of the dinosaur’s body, while other parts
were covered in reptilian scales(鳞片). A study published in the journal Nature Communications details thesefindings, providing new insights into the evolutionary shift from scales to feathers.
Feathers serve a variety of functions beyond flight. For instance, peacocks use them to attract mates.
Penguins benefit from reduced drag when they dive underwater, and herons can even use their feathers to create
shade. Most feathered dinosaurs, such as theropods and sauropods, probably used feathers to keep warm.
Maria McNamara, a scientist at University College Cork in Ireland and a co-author of the study, commented
that the shift from reptilian scales to feathers is a crucial milestone in vertebrate (脊椎动物的) evolution. This
phenomenon, despite being the focus of substantial research, still resists complete understanding. Although
numerous feather fossils have been studied, fossilized skin is extremely rare.
In this research, a team from University College Cork and Nanjing University in China examined a rare
fossilized skin sample of the feathered dinosaur Psittacosaurus. This small, two-legged, horned dinosaur lived in
what is now Mongolia and China during the early Cretaceous period, around 135 — 120 million years ago, when
dinosaurs were starting to evolve into birds.
The research team used a device which sent out ultraviolet light(紫外线) to identify areas of preserved
Psittacosaurus skin, which are invisible under natural light. Further inspection with X-rays and infrared light
revealed the preserved cellular structure. To their surprise, the fossilized skin was made of silica, the same
compound(化合物) as glass. This type of preservation has never been found in vertebrate fossils before.
The team believes that softer, more bird-like skin might have initially developed only in the feathered parts
of the dinosaur’s body, while the rest of the skin resembled the scales of modern reptiles. This zoned development
would have retained essential skin functions, like protection against abrasion, dehydration, and parasites. As a
result, the first dinosaurs to develop feathers could survive and pass on the genes for feathers to their later
generations.
1. What’s the significance of the study?
A. It challenges our understanding of dinosaurs.
B. It helps better understand how scales formed.
C. It provides crucial evidence for vertebrate evolution.
D. It reveals how dinosaurs became extinct.
2. What message does Maria McNamara deliver?
A. Feathers evolved from scales very quickly.
B. The evolutionary process remains partly unknown.
C. There is an urgent demand for more feather fossils.D. Feathers are necessary in dinosaurs’ defence mechanism.
3. What can be learned about the research?
A. It lacked international cooperation. B. It ignored the diversity of dinosaur species.
C. It employed multiple advanced technologies. D. It mainly focused on the dinosaur’s appearance.
4. What does the underlined word “retained” in the last paragraph mean?
A. Preserved. B. Transformed. C. Stimulated. D. Removed.
Passage 3
[2025宁夏回族自治区石嘴山市惠农区石嘴山市第一中学一模]
You’ll need an organism — preferably one with hard bones or a shell. Add fine-grained sediment and rapid
burial and in 10,000 years or so, you'll be well on your way to a deliciously durable fossil.
It’s a cooking project that can only take place in Earth’s test kitchen, and the baking time is admittedly long.
But what if there were a quicker way—think a microwave instead of a slow cooker? A group of paleontologists(古
生物学家) think they’ve discovered a way that could give others in the field new insights into the way things
fossilize. They published a paper on their method in the journal Paleontology.
Typically, paleontologists use nature itself to figure out how fossils are made. In 1993, for example, a
nationwide group of paleontologists banded together to create the Shelf and Slope Experimental Taphonomy
Initiative. The long-term project involves burying a variety of marine species beneath the Gulf of Mexico and the
waters of the Bahamas, then periodically visiting and studying them to observe how they’ve decayed(腐烂) over
the years.
These kinds of experiments yield important insights into how fossilization works, but they have their limits,
one of which is the issue of time. Though some experimental methods can nudge the process ahead, there’s nothing
like ten or more millennia to make a fossil.
For the less patient, there’s a new option: "bake" fossils by packing the work of tens of thousands of years
into a 24-hour period. Field Museum researcher Evan Saitta and his colleagues call their method "sediment-encased
maturation", and it involves pressing samples into clay tablets which are then baked in an oven at 3,500 psi,
roughly equivalent to the pressure of rock in the shallow parts of Earth’s crust, where fossils are found. The result
looks and acts like a real-life fossil.
The researchers think they can use their method to compare what kinds of materials can survive fossilization,
identify structures found in actual fossils, and better understand how soft tissues like skin respond to fossilization.
By testing different variables using the process, paleontologists could possibly learn to identify what temperature orgases contributed to a real-life fossil’s formation.
1. Why is Earth’s natural fossilization compared to a slow cooker?
A. It demands frequent adjustments.
B. It needs a controlled environment.
C. It requires constant heat and damp.
D. It involves a long duration to complete.
2. Why was the Shelf and, Slope Experimental Taphonomy Initiative created?
A. To create artificial fossils quickly in America.
B. To study the effects of pollution on marine life.
C. To observe the fossilization of marine species.
D. To map the Gulf of Mexico and Bahamian waters.
3. What is the primary advantage of the “sediment-encased maturation” method?
A. It requires no special equipment. B. It speeds up fossilization to 24 hours.
C. It eliminates the need for high pressure. D. It uses natural processes to create fossils.
4. What is implied about the new method in the last paragraph?
A. It is less accurate than natural fossilization.
B. It is only applicable to certain types of materials.
C. It can help reduce the time needed for fossilization.
D. It can be used to test various factors affecting fossilization.
高频话题03 人与自我--运动健康
Passage 1
[2025山西省孝义市高三下学期2月模拟]
With the world now tuning into the Paris Olympics, and the U. S. Open beginning later this month, many
people are again impressed by a sport that has been around since the 11th century.
Playing tennis has been shown to supply a host of physical health benefits including reduced obesity and
diabetes risk, improved coordination, increased energy levels, and a stronger heart. The frequent racket swings also
maintain and grow muscle mass in one’s shoulders and arms; and the sprinting, posture, and prolonged engagement
strengthen leg, back, and foot muscles.
The sport reduces one’s risk of heart disease as well, because its high-intensity movements followed by shortrest, “continuing moderate-intensity exercise,” says Rami Hashish, a physical therapist and body performance
consultant at the National Biomechanics Institute in Los Angeles. “This means it’s great for blood flow and for
strengthening the heart muscle.”
Because of such factors, tennis lowers blood pressure, improves one’s resting heart rate to improve
cholesterol (胆固醇) levels. These are among the reasons “playing tennis on a regular basis has been shown to
lower overall risk of heart disease by up to 56 percent, ” says Jessica Schwartz, a physical therapist and
spokesperson of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Research also shows tennis participants experiencing “better eye movement tracking and quicker reaction
times than non-active individuals,” says Pluim, adding that tennis players also outperform other athletes when it
comes to reaction times and temporal processing. Additional research further shows tennis players experiencing
“significantly lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety compared to non-players,” adds Gladstone.
Leslie Echols, a tennis player, adds that anyone can start playing the sport at any age, regardless of current
skill or activity level. “I signed up for my first tennis lesson as a 40th birthday present to myself,” she explains.
“Doing so was one of the best decisions of my life and I plan to keep playing until the day I die.”
1. What advantages CANNOT playing tennis bring according to Paragraph 2 ?
A. Lose weight and keep fit. B. Control your movements well.
C. Build up muscles. D. Have a regular posture.
2. How is the risk of heart disease reduced by playing tennis?
A. People can adjust to long and intensive activities.
B. The way blood flows and how muscles work are changed.
C. The blood pressure and heart rate are better controlled.
D. Negative emotions are released.
3. Why does the author mention Leslie Echols in the last paragraph?
A. To show how she likes playing tennis. B. To encourage more people to engage in the sport.
C. To tell people how to start playing tennis.D. To introduce her tennis experience.
4. What does the text mainly talk about?
A. Tennis benefits your body. B. Tennis wins popularity with over years.
C. Tennis is easy to learn. D. Tennis is suggested to cure disease.
Passage 2
[2025届陕西省菁师联盟高三3月联考(一模)]
As a child, Molly Easterlin loved playing sports. Sports, Easterlin believes, underlie most of her greatestsuccesses. They taught her discipline and teamwork, helped her make friends and enabled her to navigate the many
challenges of growing up.
When Easterlin became a doctor, she started seeing a lot of children suffering from trauma(心理创伤). Many
of these kids didn’t respond fully to traditional treatment for trauma. Depressed and searching for answers,
Easterlin turned to her own past. “I suspected that sports might have a powerful impact,” she says.
Her research, published Tuesday, finds that, in short, yes: Participation in team sports as a young person can
significantly reduce the long-term likelihood of depression and anxiety for people with childhood trauma.
To analyze how team sports impact the health of people who have experienced childhood adversity (逆境).
Easterlin and her colleagues analyzed data from 9,668 teens who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of
Adolescent to Adult Health. They homed in on about 5,000 teens who had reported one or more adverse childhood
experiences (ACEs).
The kids were assessed first in 1994–1995 when they were in seventh to 12th grade and asked whether they
participated in team sports. Fourteen years later, in 2008, these same people, now adults, were asked whether they
had ever received a diagnosis(诊断) of depression or anxiety. They were also tested for depressive symptoms in
case they just hadn’t been diagnosed.
Easterlin found that kids who had participated in team sports were significantly less likely to receive a
diagnosis of depression or anxiety and less likely to test positive for depressive symptoms. The study also doesn’t
point out exactly why sports may help, but. Easterlin thinks teamwork may be a key.
However, Easterlin says, it’s important to consider additional factors, like emotional connection with
relatives and a sense of safety and support. Easterlin also notes that the study did not distinguish between kids with
one ACE and those with multiple ACEs: For kids with more ACEs, she thinks the effect of team sports would very
likely have been even more powerful, but it remains to be further studied.
1. What does the underlined word “underlie” mean in Paragraph 1?
A. Stabilize. B. Facilitate. C. Relieve. D. Dismiss.
2. How was the National Longitudinal Study mainly conducted?
A. By doing questionnaire surveys.
B. By setting up experimental and control groups.
C. By referring to and comparing with other research data.
D. By conducting long-term tracking of research subjects.
3. What might play a key role in sports’ impact according to Easterlin?A. Time management. B. Teamwork. C. Exercise intensity. D. Gender.
4. What does the last paragraph focus on?
A. The illustration of the research’s possible limitations.
B. The methodology of the research on adolescent health.
C. The significance of sports in treating childhood trauma.
D. The connection between team sports and reduced depression.
Passage 3
[2025山西省高三下学期考前适应性测试启航(一模)]
Most of us know what it feels like to blush(脸红). The face becomes warm and red, and we experience self-
conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, shyness, shame, and pride. It is perhaps no wonder that Charles
Darwin referred to it as“the most special and the most human of all expressions”. But why do we blush, and what
are the mechanisms behind it?
To answer these questions, researchers investigated blushing by looking at the activated brain areas in an
MRI scanner while measuring the cheek temperature — an indicator of blushing. To cause a blushing response in a
controlled experimental setting, the participants attended the lab for two separate sessions. During the first session,
they were asked to sing difficult karaoke songs, and in the second session, they watched recordings of their own
singing while their brain activity and physiological responses were measured.
As expected, the researchers found that participants blushed more while watching their own recordings in
comparison to other participants’ recordings. The related brain areas were somewhat surprising. Blushing was
associated with increased activity in the cerebellum, an area most known for its role in movement and
coordination(协调). The researchers also found increased activation in the early visual areas, suggesting that the
videos of their own singing captured the blushing participants’ attention the most. Surprisingly, there was no
activation in areas traditionally known to be involved in understanding the mental state of oneself or others. “Based
on this, we concluded that thinking about others’ thoughts may not be necessary for blushing to occur,” Nikolic
concludes. “Blushing may be a part of the automatic excitement you feel when you are exposed and there is
something that is relevant to the self.”
Blushing itself is very interesting because it’s universal. However, there are some people who develop a
phobia of blushing, such as those with social anxiety disorder. When we understand the mechanisms of blushing,
we can better target the bad feeling of blushing as well. Aside from that, it’s interesting to know more about
blushing in general, since it happens very often and is a common part of our everyday lives.1. What was the main purpose of the two separate sessions in the experiment?
A. To measure facial temperature during blushing.
B. To analyze the brain’s response to self-exposure.
C. To compare brain activity in different social situations.
D. To cause blushing by creating embarrassing situations.
2. What can be inferred about blushing in paragraph 3?
A. It can enhance personal attention. B. It may connect with self-exposure.
C. It activates visual areas in the brain. D. It arises from minding others’ thoughts.
3. What does the underlined word “phobia” in the last paragraph mean?
A. Fear. B. Interest. C. Habit. D. Anger.
4. What does the text mainly talk about?
A. Social impacts of blushing. B. The methods to study blushing.
C. The hidden truth behind blushing. D. Effective ways to avoid blushing.
高频话题04 科学技术研究
Passage 1
[2025山西省孝义市高三下学期2月模拟]
Robots have worked alongside people for decades, and traditionally, they’ve been incredibly specialized - a
bot on a General Motors’ assembly line, for example, might move pieces of metal from one place to another over
and over again. This has meant business owners would need to purchase multiple (usually expensive) robots if they
wanted to automate multiple tasks. However, tech startup Sanctuary AI has introduced a general-purpose robot
designed to perform many workplace tasks currently handled by people - working with humans or without them.
Canada-based Sanctuary AI is one of several companies attempting to overcome the challenge and bring a
general-purpose robot to market, and on May 16, it revealed its sixth-generation robot, an AI-powered humanoid
named “Phoenix.” Phoenix is 5’ 7”, weighs 155 pounds, and is capable of lifting up to 55 pounds. Its human-like
hands have 20 degrees of freedom and haptic (触觉的) sensors that allow it to perform tasks that require dexterity
and precision, such as labeling packages or picking fruit.
According to Sanctuary, Phoenix also has human-like intelligence thanks to a proprietary AI control system
called Carbon. It acts as the bot’s “brain” and can be trained to complete new tasks in computer simulations.
Alternatively, Phoenix can “learn from demonstration.” With this approach, a human uses a VR headset to see whatthe bot sees and a special rig to guide it through completing a new task. This setup can also be used for remote
control, which could enable people to work from home, prevent injuries due to physical labor, and increase the
number of jobs available to people with disabilities.
Sanctuary demonstrated the potential of robot remote work with a pilot test at a Mark’s retail store near its
headquarters in January. Over the course of one week, a human guided the startup’s fifth-general-purpose robot
through 110 tasks - about 40% of the jobs a typical employee needs to be able to do at the store. The ultimate goal
is still a robot that could step into the workplace and complete tasks without the need for constant human
supervision, and it’s not clear how much Phoenix can do autonomously or how long it takes to train the bot on
something new.
We should know more soon, though, as Sanctuary is starting to deploy its general-purpose robot at other
locations near its headquarters. Customers don’t have to buy a bot to enjoy its benefits, either - they can hire one by
the hour.
1. What has been the traditional limitation of robots in the workplace prior to the development of general-purpose
robots?
A. They were only capable of performing simple tasks.
B. They required constant human supervision to function.
C. They were designed to perform highly specialized tasks.
D. They could not physically interact with the environment.
2. What does the underlined word “dexterity” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. Strength. B. Skillfulness. C. Energy. D. Wisdom.
3. What can we learn about the AI control system called Carbon?
A. It enables Phoenix to perform a broad set of work tasks.
B. It allows Phoenix to learn from human demonstration.
C. It serves as a remote control for Phoenix.
D. It is a VR headset used for training purposes.
4. What was the significance of the pilot test conducted at a Mark’s retail store?
A. It showcased Phoenix’s capability to replace all human employees in a store.
B. It demonstrated Phoenix’s ability to perform remote work tasks effectively.
C. It proved that Phoenix could handle tasks requiring physical strength.
D. It indicated that Phoenix could autonomously learn from observing other workers.
Passage 2[2025山西省临汾市高三上学期考前适应性训练考试(一)
The differences in health outcomes are neither new nor unknown. From differences in life span to uneven
access to quality healthcare, the so-called “Health Gap” is a persistent and troubling indication of inequality. People
living in low and middle-income countries are far more likely to die from preventable and treatable causes.
According to the World Health Organization, obvious differences in health outcomes persist (持续存在) within
countries, cutting along socioeconomic and geographic lines.
Closing these health gaps is both a moral and practical need because every human being has a right to a
healthy, dignified life; practical because health inequities bring about substantial economic and social costs. Health
inequities could cost the U. S. economy approximately $ 320 billion annually and rise to $ 1 trillion by 2040 if not
addressed. These figures emphasize the need for systemic solutions that look at the root causes.
Artificial intelligence has entered the scene as a new tool in the attempt to remake the health system. Broadly
speaking, pattern recognition and personalized care are the two focuses in that context. AI applications can detect
diseases—often earlier and more accurately than humans—tailor treatments to individual patients, and support
healthcare professionals in managing complex caseloads (病例). Preventive interventions can save lives and
resources while increasing the quality of life of humans. AI-powered prediction models have been used to identify
patients at high risk of complications or chronic (慢性病) conditions such as kidney disease, which otherwise often
goes unnoticed until significant damage is done to the body.
Beyond clinical settings, AI-driven analyses of large datasets — from hospital records to socioeconomic
indicators — can highlight at-risk communities, helping policymakers and health organizations distribute resources
more effectively. By locating under-served areas and identifying populations least likely to access preventive
services, AI can guide targeted community interventions, mobile clinics, health education programs, and other
initiatives to close the health gap.
While the potential is large, AI’s effectiveness in closing the health gap depends on more than just
technological advancement. AI must be deliberately designed, trained, tested, and targeted to bring out the best in
and for people and the planet.
1. What can we learn about the health gap from paragraph 1?
A. It rarely exists in wealthy countries. B. It is the root of economic difference.
C. It refers to unfairness in health outcomes.D. It shows the equal distribution of resources.
2. What do the figures indicate in paragraph 2?
A. Economic trouble in US. B. Costly medical expenses in US.C. The urgency of closing health gap. D. The moral dilemma facing Americans.
3. What can AI do to improve the health system?
A. Prevent the spread of diseases. B. Cure patients with chronic conditions.
C. Replace doctors to manage caseloads. D. Detect diseases and offer tailored treatments.
4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. How AI serves to get rid of inequality. B. What role AI plays in closing health gap.
C. What challenges AI faces in medical field.D. How AI stimulates technological advancement.
Passage 3
[2025山西省高三下学期一模]
Incredible new eco-friendly sensors, inspired by spider silk and 50 times smaller than a human hair, could be
used in fields ranging from healthcare monitoring to virtual reality. Developed by University of Cambridge
researchers, these sensors can be printed on biological surfaces, from a human finger to a delicate flower leaf. They
are so lightweight that they can even be printed directly onto the soft seed head of a dandelion(蒲公英) without
collapsing its structure. When printed on human skin, the fibre(纤维) sensors fit the skin, exposing sweat tiny
holes, making them undetectable to the wearer.
Tests on human fingers suggest these sensors could serve as continuous health monitors, providing a less
noticeable alternative to large wearables like smartwatches. “The connection between the device and the surface is
vital for accurate sensing,” said Prof. Yan Yan Shery Huang, who led the research. She also stressed that
bioelectronics should be unnoticeable to users and environmentally sustainable. These sensors can change how we
interact with the world, whether for healthcare or enhancing virtual reality experiences.
Most existing wearable sensor technologies have limitations, such as blocking air and liquids or relying on
energy-and waste-intensive production techniques. Flexible electronics, for example, are often printed on plastic
films that restrict gas and liquid passage. The Cambridge team’s approach solves this by using PEDOT: PSS, a
suitable conducting material mixed with hyaluronic(透明质) acid and polyethylene oxide(聚乙烯氧化物). The
bioelectronic fibres are created at room temperature from a water-based solution, enabling precise control over their
properties.
These fibres can adapt to various shapes, from micro to macro size, without requiring image recognition.
Their production is less energy-intensive, and they generate less waste compared to traditional sensors. The fibres
are also repairable and can be washed away when no longer needed. Looking forward, the team plans to
incorporate additional functional materials into this fibre printing method, potentially allowing for integrated fibresensors with display, computation, and energy conversion capabilities.
1. Which is a possible application of the sensors discussed in the text?
A. Enhancing healthcare through continuous monitoring.
B. Improving virtual reality experiences via smartwatches.
C. Providing a less efficient alternative to spider silk.
D. Making large and heavy sensors for industrial use.
2. What can be one of the challenges for the sensors described?
A. Making them visible to users for easy monitoring.
B. Increasing their production speed at high temperatures.
C. Ensuring they are both functional and unnoticeable to users.
D. Balancing cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
3. How are the bioelectronic fibres created?
A. By reacting with metals to form flexible fibers.
B. By printing flexible materials onto plastic films.
C. By heating liquid mixtures in a certain container.
D. By using a chemical solution at a controlled temperature.
4 What is the author’s main purpose in writing the text?
A. To explore the challenges and limitations of existing wearable sensors.
B. To describe the environmental impact of traditional sensor production.
C. To explain the environmental advantages of the bioelectronic sensors.
D. To introduce new eco-friendly sensors and their potential applications.
高频话题05 工作与职业
Passage 1
[2025陕西省西安市长安区高三一模]
Businesses are now in cost-cutting mode. Title inflation(头衔通胀)has crept into the workplace. Layoffs,
hiring freezes and concerns about a recession(经济衰退) are plaguing employers.
To balance this unique economic environment, employers have figured out a way to comfort employees and
job applicants without spending more money. They are offering impressive titles to soften the blow of not providing
a raise to internal employees or big compensation to job candidates.An employee’ s title is their identity. It gives them credibility in the office and makes them feel more
powerful. In this sense, the policy is a sensible way to help keep staff and attract top candidates.
But if you don’t really deserve the new title, it could come back and trouble you. Recruiters will be pleased
to find a candidate who is a perfect fit for a significant, well-paying position in terms of skills, background, and
previous experience. However, a stumbling block arises when they notice the candidate has a higher title than the
client offers. Since a recruiter wants to make a placement and earn a fee, they won’t waste time and will seek out
other candidates who are a better fit.
Even if the recruiters decide to contact the candidate, there’s a good chance the candidate won’t accept.
Because most people aren’t aware that their title was inflated and believe it was a reward for their outstanding
performance. Understandably, they would be offended if they received a lower-level post. Now that you are at a
certain level, you don’t want to go backward.
What’s more, if your current title is too high, it raises red flags. For example, when searching for a new job,
if your title is“director”, but the new role is under that level, the interviewer will curiously inquire, “why do you
want to go down in title?” There will be an assumption from the hiring manager that something isn’t right. They
may feel that the job seeker is leaving before being fired and willing to downgrade. Rather than trying to figure out
the motivations of the candidate, they’ll move on to others who have a cleaner story without any baggage.
1. The word “plaguing” in Paragraph 1 is similar to “______”.
A. troubling B. confusing C. shocking D. embarrassing
2. What can we learn about employees with impressive titles?
A. They get a good platform for development. B. They tend to look down upon others.
C. Their salaries don’t match their titles. D. Their fear of being fired will disappear.
3. What will a recruiter probably do if a candidate’s title is higher than the client offers?
A. Have a discussion with the client.
B. Exclude the candidate from consideration.
C. Contact the job applicant immediately.
D. Gather more information about the candidate.
4. What is hiring managers’ attitude towards those who choose to downgrade?
A. Appreciative. B. Dismissive. C. Mistrustful. D. Enthusiastic.
Passage 2
[2025山西省临汾市高三上学期考前适应性训练考试(一)
One of my bad habits is saying “busy” when people ask me how I’m doing. Sometimes it’s because Iactually am busy, but other times it’s because that’s what I think I’m supposed to say. That’s what important people
say. That’s what people who get promoted say. But working long hours doesn’t drive better results. Never taking a
vacation won’t lead to a promotion. So why are we so proud to talk about how busy we are all the time?
In 2016, researchers from Columbia, Harvard, and Georgetown conducted a study to figure it out. They
found busy people are perceived to be of high status, and interestingly, these status attributions are heavily
influenced by our own beliefs about social mobility. In other words, the more we believe that one has the
opportunity for success based on hard work, the more we tend to think that people who skip leisure and work all the
time are of higher standing.
That’s why we feel like we have to appear busy, and there’s a real perception that if someone is knee-deep in
meetings, emails and stress, then they’re probably a big deal. This culture of busyness is making it hard for
employees to find work-life balance. According to a recent study, one in five highly engaged employees are at risk
of burnout.
Personally, I’m going to stop saying “busy” when people ask me how I am. It sounds self-righteous (自以为
是的) and sets the wrong tone. Phrases like “I have limited access to email” and “I’ll respond as soon as I get back”
sound like you’re being held against your will from working as opposed to making the most of your time off.
That’s why we recently launched the Out of Office Email Generator, a free tool you can use before your next
long weekend or trip. You can share loud and proud that you won’t be checking email until you’re back. Managers
need to think twice about emailing their teams on the weekend and talking about how busy they are. Leaders should
take time off themselves and encourage employees to do the same.
1. Why do people tend to say they are busy?
A. Busyness ensures accomplishments.
B. Busyness is a symbol of social status.
C. Opportunities for success never come easily.
D. Busy employees are favored by their superiors.
2. What will the author reply when asked how he is on weekends?
A. I’m enjoying every bit of my vacation. B. I have limited access to email.
C. I’m knee-deep in meetings and emails. D. I’m buried in a pile of work.
3. Why was the Out of Office Email Generator launched?
A. To remind employees to answer emails immediately.
B. To ensure employees make the best of their time off.C. To inspire leaders to set an example by taking time off.
D. To encourage managers to feel free to email their teams.
4. What message does the author want to convey?
A. Live life to the fullest. B. Promote the culture of busyness.
C. Make work-life balance a priority. D. Work harder to achieve higher status.
Passage 3
[2025宁夏六盘山高级中学高三下学期一模]
Among bearing a reputation for various characteristics ranging from the good to the bad, millennials(千禧一
代) have notably been labeled the “job-hopping” generation. A Deloitte survey revealed that 49% of millennials
might quit their jobs within the next two years. While some from older generations may interpret this as a sign of
laziness, a deeper look suggests more complex motivations.
At first glance, there are a variety of reasons and circumstances that may lead a person to job hop
occasionally. However, beyond the conventional reasons like obtaining better salaries or greater job stability, many
millennials have been increasingly motivated by value-driven goals. Surveys show that some go to the extent of
suffering pay cuts to pursue positions that provide better learning opportunities. Additionally, some even quit their
positions for companies which are aligned with their value system better. In response to such a trend, employers
are taking steps to improve workplace culture and to pay more attention to the professional growth and
development of individuals.
Visibly, Millennials’ boldness in pursuing new job opportunities is also shaped by emerging economic trends
and novel business models, such as the gig economy, where self-employed and temporary work caters to those who
value flexibility and work-life balance. Additionally, social media has created new career paths, from blogging to
content creation, leading more millennials to leave traditional desk jobs for unconventional careers. Hence, one
can’t say for certain that job-hopping indicates laziness. Instead, it shows millennials’ wandering off the beaten
track to explore new opportunities and development.
However, job-hopping remains controversial. Some employers appreciate the diversity in experience and
skills job-hopping brings about, while others view it negatively, seeing it as a lack of commitment. There is concern
that millennials, raised in relatively prosperous times, may possess less patience and resilience. Yet, at a
materialistic society, millennial generation’s pursuit of meaning in their careers offers inspiration. They should
never be discouraged to define new horizons of success when their career decisions are driven by healthy ambition
and an appetite for upskilling.1. What phenomenon does the first paragraph describe?
A. Millennials switch jobs frequently. B. Millennials are reluctant to seek jobs.
C. Millennials have fewer job opportunities. D. Millennials are particular about their jobs.
2. The underlined phrase “are aligned with” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by .
A. go beyond B. correspond to C. conflict with D. compete against
3 The emerging gig economy attracts Millennials in that it allows for .
A. decent income B. high social status
C. definite freedom D. self-paced schedule
4. What is the author’s view on the job-hopping generation?
A. They are characterized by laziness. B. They lack diverse work experience.
C. They prioritize individual fulfillment. D. They should bear more responsibility.
高频话题05 文化艺术
Passage 1
[2025西北四省(山西、陕西、青海、宁夏)高三下学期第一次联考]
Jon Batiste, a big figure in the music world, views revisiting classic works as a golden opportunity, as seen in
his latest album(专辑) “Beethoven Blues,” where he gives new life to Beethoven’s compositions. He perceives a
universal and powerful essence in Beethoven’s music, similar to that in the blues.
Batiste served as a bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” until 2022 and is now on the board
at The Juilliard School. And he has received numerous Grammy nominations(提名) and wins across diverse
musical categories. His documentary “American Symphony,” which details the composition and premiere of his
symphony at Carnegie Hall in 2022, as well as the story of his wife Suleika Jaouad’s battle with leukemia(a type of
blood illness), has earned him further recognition.
Batiste maintains the idea that classical music, Beethoven’s works included, is suitable for reformation.
There is a need to break away from the traditional perception of classical music. For instance, in his album, he
starts with “Für Elise”, a piece familiar to many, and adds his own creative touches.
However, Batiste’s journey at Juilliard was not without challenges. As an ambitious teenager from Louisiana,
his unconventional pursuits outside the classroom sometimes conflicted with the school’s expectations. However,
he later returned to Juilliard to honor his family’s musical legacy and is now working to make the institution more
inclusive.
During his wife’s illness, Batiste found that creativity served as a source of strength. His music, oftenassociated with joy, also has roots in struggle, as exemplified by “American Symphony,” which addresses the
nation’ s deep-seated pain and cultural tensions. Through his art, Batiste aims to bridge the past and present,
creating works that resonate (共鸣) with the human experience.
1. What can we know about Batiste’s latest album?
A. It was released when he was a bandleader.B. It is a collection of traditional blues music.
C. It includes Beethoven’s original compositions. D. It gives new interpretations to Beethoven’s works.
2. What does paragraph 2 mainly focus on?
A. Batiste’s musical accomplishments. B. Batiste’s source of inspiration.
C. Batiste’s success in Grammy-related events. D. Batiste’s novel music comprehension.
3. Which words can best describe Batiste?
A. Well-educated and ambitious. B. Broad-minded and creative.
C. Warm-hearted and responsible. D. Strong-willed and considerate.
4. Which of the following might Batiste agree with?
A. The newer, the better. B. Classics should always be respected.
C. Something new can always be found in the old. D. There is nothing impossible for a willing heart.
Passage 2
[2025宁夏六盘山高级中学高三下学期一模]
The story of the Forest of Immortal Stories begins in 2019, when Cojocaru lost his wife to cancer. Cojocaru
suffered constant depression; as a solution, his doctor told him to walk in the countryside, 6,000 or more steps a
day.
Cojocaru had grown up in Nucsoara, but only as he walked the hills did he notice the trees: giant beeches(山
毛榉), some as old as 500 years. Their beauty and strength revived him, and he felt as if they had adopted him.
Indeed, generations of villagers gathered firewood from the trees, trimming(修剪) the branches. Where the
trees were trimmed, new shoots appeared, branched, grew and were trimmed again, year after year for centuries.
The practice allowed the trees to continue bearing nuts, which the villagers fed to their pigs to fatten them up. “The
power of these trees is mindblowing,” said Cojocaru. 5,000 beeches still grow around Nucsoara, the highest
concentration in Europe. But logging and changing uses of the land pose a threat. Bark beetles(蠹虫) are moving
in, too.
Together with a conservation organization, Cojocaru began the plan to protect the beeches and draw
ecotourism to Nucsoara. 2,544 trees were identified and each was given a number plate, photographed through theseasons and marked on a digital map. The trees are offered for adoption on a website — although as Cojocaru
insists, the tree adopts the person, not the other way around.
So began the project — the Forest of Immortal Stories. For a modest fee, people can attach their own stories
to a tree. When visited in person, the tree reads the narrative back through a QR code. For example, No. 44 is Ana
Branza, a Romanian fencing champion who won her first national title at age 15.
No. 2, 544 is Cojocaru. . “I learn from them. I get a sense that they are old men who are very wise and want
me to do good. ” Cojocaru said of the trees.
1. Cojocaru's walk in the beech forest can be described as _________.
A. demanding B. healing C. adventurous D. romantic
2. What can we learn from paragraph 3?
A. Beeches are posing a threat to the land. B. Beeches are at risk of extinction in Europe.
C. The villagers benefited from the beeches a lot. D. The villagers kept the beeches under protection.
3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?
A. Efforts made to preserve the beeches.
B. Introduction to a conservation organization.
C. The development of ecotourism in Nucsoara.
D. Advanced technologies used to protect the beeches.
4. What can people do in the Forest of Immortal Stories?
A. Identify more beeches. B. Donate a modest sum of money.
C. Plant beeches and track their growth. D. Adopt a beech and attach their own stories to it.
高频话题06 学习
Passage 1
[2025宁夏回族自治区石嘴山市第三中学高三下学期一模]
Never judge a book by its cover — even if the cover doesn’t say much at all. The first thing customers see
when they walk into the Strand Book Store in Manhattan is a table of nameless books with covers wrapped like
Christmas presents and titles replaced by general descriptions. The store calls it “Blind Date With a Book”.
People love it, Paul Colarusso, the communications director for the Strand, said, “We put it right at the front
of the store because it quite literally stops people in their tracks.” “People are attracted to the element of surprise,
which focuses attention and creates a dopamine(多巴胺) response,” Mr. Tobin, an associate professor at CaseWestern University, said. Meanwhile, stores have found a new way to sell books that are overlooked because they
are not new, best-selling or penned by a famous author.
Much like real dating, there’s no perfect science, and an element of trial and error is involved. Fantasy and
mystery books work well. Forgotten books from the past are great too. When in Rome by Sarah Adams is disguised
as “Freshly Baked Slow Bum Rom-com”. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade becomes a “You’ve Got Mail-esque
Romance”.
But not all bookstores have embraced the trend. Dozens of bookstore owners around the country said they
did not know what “Blind Date Books” were. Others didn’t participate in the trend because store policy prohibits
returns or exchanges which are necessary if someone has picked up a book they have already read.
On a warm Friday morning, the bookstore is packed. About half the customers stop at the “Blind Date
Books” display by the entrance, closely inspecting the neatly drawn, wrapped covers. Heather Toner buys one.
“Throwing caution to the wind and letting someone else choose for me just sort of feels like a nice change of pace,”
Ms. Toner, a reader, said. “I never went on a real blind date. ‘Blind Date With a Book’ is kind of my speed. ”
1. What makes “Blind Date With a Book” appealing to customers according to Mr. Tobin?
A. The ability to choose specific titles.
B. The attractiveness of the packaging.
C. The excitement of an unforeseen choice.
D. The identification of dopamine response.
2. How does “Blind Date With a Book” benefit bookstores?
A. It enriches customers’ choices. B. It satisfies readers’ special needs.
C. It simplifies shopping procedures. D. It helps market less-known books.
3. What does the underlined word “embraced” in paragraph 4 mean?
A. Overlooked. B. Blocked C. Guided. D. Adopted.
4. Which words best describe Heather Toner’s attitude towards “Blind Date With a Book”?
A. Open and adventurous B. Cautious and reserved.
C. Tolerant and indecisive. D. Dismissive and skeptical.
Passage 2
[2025山西省高三下学期考前适应性测试启航(一模)]
On November 20, 2004, the American psychologist Daniel Kahneman published a paper that explored what
has come to be known as the “framing(框架) effect”. This effect demonstrates how people’s decisions can be
influenced by the way information is presented to them. Kahneman’s experiment showed that in many cases, theway a question or problem is presented can significantly affect the choices people make.
The framing effect capitalizes on the fact that human thinking is not always logical. People can be influenced
by how choices are worded rather than the actual content of the choices themselves. For example, people tend to
avoid risk when a positive presentation is presented but seek risks when a negative presentation is presented. If two
equal options are presented differently — one in terms of potential gains and the other in terms of potential losses
— people’s preferences will shift accordingly. In more technical terms, the framing effect requires that people’s
choices be influenced by unimportant aspects of the context, rather than the logical content of the options. If people
focus only on the content, the framing effect would get smaller.
But a new study led by Tversky and Kahneman offered an interesting change on this classic phenomenon.
The key finding of the study was that when individuals were made aware of the framing effect and trained to
recognize it, their susceptibility to the effect decreased. For instance, participants who were trained to identify
framing tricks were less likely to be influenced by different presentations of the same problem.
In a follow-up study with 200 university students, the researchers tried to get a better sense of how training
impacted their decision-making processes. Did they become more analytical and careful in their choices? Did they
learn to ignore unimportant context? This happened some of the time, but it wasn’t the main response. Most
frequently, the students reported that they became more doubtful of how information was presented. Somehow, this
doubt led to a more logical evaluation of choices. Although the studies led by Tversky and Kahneman have
limitations and many questions remain, the potential effects for decision-making and education are large.
1. What is the main purpose of Kahneman’s 2004 paper?
A. To explain why people make poor decisions.
B. To study how framing affects decision-making.
C. To analyze the role of logic in decision-making.
D. To compare different decision-making methods.
2. How does this effect influence people’s decision-making?
A. By focusing on logical content. B. By enhancing their analytical skills.
C. By providing more accurate information. D. By changing the way choices are presented.
3. What did the follow-up study focus on?
A. The individual choices. B. The presentation of options.
C. The decision-making process. D. The size of the participant groups.
4. What is the author’s attitude toward Tversky and Kahneman’s studies?A. Unclear. B. Dismissive. C. Doubtful. D. Approving.
Passage 3
[2025陕西省西安市长安区高三一模]
Below is a housing guide for students going to London.
University accommodation(住所) offices
Many university accommodation offices have their own list of registered landlords. Others also provide
information on accommodation agencies and other housing organization. The advantage of using your university
accommodation is that you can get support if you have a problem. The disadvantage is that they are unlikely to
have enough registered landlords to house all their students.
Property papers: Loot and Renting
Loot is an important source of information about private housing for co-renters. The offers are from private
landlords, agencies and individuals looking for other co-renters. They also have a website: www.loot.com. The
advantage of using Loot is that there are some excellent bargains. The disadvantage is that there is no quality
control over the offers.
Renting is another useful paper. The offers in this paper are mainly from accommodation agencies. Their
website is at www.renting.co.uk.
Accommodation agencies
The majority of rented accommodation in London is probably advertised through accommodation agencies.
The advantage of using accommodation agencies is that you will have a large number of accommodations to
choose from. A good agent will listen to your requirements and can save you time in looking for the right
accommodation. The disadvantage is that they will make a range of charges to potential renters. Noticeboards
Around the universities you will find a number of noticeboards where offers of accommodation will be
posted. These will either be from landlords or from students. Some universities will also have online noticeboards
where students can advertise to other students. Advertisements from students can be an excellent way to find
accommodation. However, advertisements from landlords can be problematic.
Word of mouth
Some of the best housing in London is never advertised but is passed on from one group of students to
another by word of mouth. It might be that you can find out about good offers from final year students. However,
don’t suppose that just because you have found out about housing from a friend, it is necessarily going to be better
than that found through any other source.Family
Faced with the very high rents charged in London, some students and their parents will consider buying as an
alternative. In some cases this might be a good choice.
1. What is the advantage of using Loot?
A. It has more offers from accommodation agencies than Renting.
B. It gives you personal information about other co-renters.
C. Their website is designed mainly for students.
D. There are some good bargains.
2. A good agent can help you ______.
A. know more people
B. find cheap accommodation
C. get the right accommodation quickly
D. get free information about most accommodations
3. The information passed on by word of mouth is important because ______.
A. it is better than that found through any other source
B. it helps you find some of the best housing never advertised
C. the final year students always offer better information
D. the landlords have little valuable information
Passage 4
[2025西北四省(山西、陕西、青海、宁夏)高三下学期第一次联考]
Ask students to describe their brain, and they’re likely to suggest a computer, a command center, or maybe a
lightning-fast communications network. But they’d be better off thinking of the brain as a muscle that gets stronger
with use. Researchers now understand that IQ isn’t fixed at birth. Just as we get more physically fit from
exercising, we can build brainpower through the act of learning.
Children who adopt what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a growth mindset(思维模式) understand that
intelligence isn’t fixed but can be developed through effort. In Mindset, Dweck explains why students who have a
growth mindset are more willing to tackle challenges, learn from failure, and see criticism as useful feedback(反馈)
rather than an excuse to give up. This is the kind of thinking that keeps students motivated, even when learning is
hard work.
The good news is that even the mindset isn’t fixed. A growth mindset can be learned and enhanced by
messages that praise persistence and set high expectations. For example, help students understand that challengingassignments will stretch their “thinking muscles.” At the same time, provide them with necessary support so they
don’t get discouraged.
It is widely believed that all brains are not equal and that context and ability influence learning. The brain
connects new information to the old and can be changed by experience.
Effective teaching strategies help students move toward higher-order thinking, or what neurologists call
executive(执行) function. As professor Judy Willis, MD explains, “When educators offer students chances to put
their learning into practice, particularly by engaging them in genuine, personally relevant activities accompanied by
formative assessments and corrective feedback throughout a unit, the facts students learn are no longer rote(死记硬
背) memory. Instead, these facts become solidly integrated into an interconnected memory framework, rather than
being deserted due to lack of use.”
Of course, all this brain activity is happening in a unique way for each student. By addressing learners’
individual needs, educators can help students strengthen the bonds that will lead to deeper understanding.
1. Why does the author compare the brain to a muscle?
A. To prove they possess memory cells.
B. To show they can be strengthened through exercise.
C. To emphasize they transport information quickly.
D. To illustrate they are important organs of the body.
2. What are children with a growth mindset like according to Dweck?
A. They tend to shy away from trouble.
B. They prefer positive feedback from others.
C. They regard intelligence as an unchangeable quality.
D. They view barriers as opportunities for personal growth.
3. Which of the following enhances executive function?
A. Creative engagement. B. Organizing activities personally.
C. Engaging in direct interaction. D. Complete independence.
4. What can be the best title for the text?
A. IQ and Its Influence on Learning
B. The Growth Mindset: A Key to Difficulty-Solving
C. The Significance of Executive Function in Education
D. Brainpower Building: Encourage a Growth Mindset
Passage 5[2025宁夏回族自治区石嘴山市惠农区石嘴山市第一中学一模]
School is still out for the summer, but at Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D. C., students are hard
at work outdoors. In a garden filled with flowers and beds bursting with vegetables and herbs, nearly a dozen
teenagers are harvesting(收获) vegetables for the weekend’s farmers market.
Roshawn Little is going into her junior year at Eastern, and has been working in this garden for three years
now. During the summer, Little gets paid to work Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a. m. until 2 p. m. with City
Blossoms, a nonprofit that brings community gardens to schools in urban areas. She believes that working in the
garden has taught her to try all sorts of new things, like eating different kinds of vegetables more often. And she’s
taken those healthy behaviours home with her and her eating habits have encouraged her family to buy more fruits
and vegetables.
City Blossoms is one of many groups across the country teaming up with local communities to build school
gardens, like the one at Eastern. It works with schools to create learning gardens and trains teachers on how to use
them to get students engaged(使参与) and improve academic performance. These gardens are really outdoor
classrooms. For example, the gardens can be used for math lessons, like calculating the area of a plant bed or
learning the science of how plants grow.
For the students, the experience can be a nutritional eye-opener, which has totally changed their views on
where food comes from, and what it takes to produce food. Partner schools have also seen a 12 to 15 percent
increase in the number of students passing standardized tests and 94 percent of teachers reported seeing increased
engagement from their students, according to an independent evaluation (评价) conducted by PEER Associates.
1. What does Roshawn Little think of the summer outdoor activity?
A. It is a good way to earn pocket money. B. It has improved her family relationship.
C. It contributes to her healthy eating habit. D. It is helpful to her academic performance.
2. What is the purpose of the school gardens?
A. To invite students to care for plants. B. To advance teachers’ teaching skills.
C. To get students interested in science. D. To provide a creative way of learning.
3. What does the last paragraph focus on about the project of City Blossoms?
A. Its evaluations. B. Its effects. C. Its operations. D. Its expectations.
4. What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. City Blossoms: Team up with Local Community Teachers
B. Happy Holiday, Sweet Memory: How Kids Enjoy the HarvestC. Outdoor Classrooms: Get out for the Weekend’s Farmers Market.
D. Healthy Eaters, Smart Minds: What School Gardens Teach Kids
