閱讀理解高考真題(科普類)

1、1.（2011陜西卷）DEver since they were first put on the market in the early 1990s, genetically modified (GM, 轉(zhuǎn)基因) foods have been increasingly developed and marketed in many countries in the word, mainly on the basis of their promise to end the worldwide food crisis. But can GM technology solve world hung

2、er problems? Even if it would, is it the best solution?Despite what it promises, GM technology actually has not increased the production potential of any corp. In factStudies show that the most crown GM crow.GM soybeans, has suffered reduced productivity. For instance, a report than analyzed nearly

3、two decades of research on major GM food crops shows that GM engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop production.Something else, however, has been on the rise, While GM seeds are expensive, GM companies tell farmers that they will make good profits by saving money on pesticides（殺蟲劑）.

4、 On the contrary, US government data show that GM crops in the US have produced an overall increase in pesticide use compared to traditional crops. “The promise was that you could use less chemicals and boost production. But neither is true,” said Bill Christenson, President of the US National Farm

5、Coalition.At the same time, the authors of the book World Hunger: Twelve Myths argue that there actually is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is not caused by production, but by problems in food distribution and politics. These indeed deserve our efforts and money. Meanwh

6、ile, the rise in food prices results from the increased use of crops for fuel rather than food, according to a 2008 World Bank report.As a matter of fact, scientists see better ways to feed the world. Another World Bank report concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of worldwi

7、de poverty and hunger, because better ways out are available, among which “green” farming is supposed to be the first choice.57. The author develops the second paragraph mainly. A. by classification B. by comparisonC. by example D. by process58. What does the underlined word “boost” in the third par

8、agraph probably mean?A. Control. B. Evaluate C. Obtain. D. Increase.59. GM companies promise farmers that they will benefit from _. A. practicing “green” farming B. use of less chemicalsC. fair distribution of their crops D. using more crops for fuel60. Which of the following best describes the atti

9、tude of the author towards GM technology? A. Optimistic B. Defensive C. Disapproving D. Casual答案：C D B C2.（2011重慶卷）CGetting rid of dirt, in the opinion of most people, is a good thing. However, there is nothing fixed about attitudes to dirt.In the early 16th century, people thought that dirt on the

10、skin was a means to block out disease, as medical opinion had it that washing off dirt with hot water could open up the skin and let ills in. A particular danger was thought to lie in public baths. By 1538, the French king had closed the bath houses in his kingdom. So did the king of England in 1546

11、.Thus began a long time when the rich and the poor in Europe lived with dirt in a friendly way. Henry IV, King of France, was famously dirty. Upon learning that a nobleman had taken a bath, the king ordered that, to avoid the attack of disease, the nobleman should not go out.Though the belief in the

12、 merit of dirt was long-lived, dirt has no longer been regarded as a nice neighbor ever since the 18th century. Scientifically speaking, cleaning away dirt is good to health. Clean water supply and hand washing are practical means of preventing disease. Yet, it seems that standards of cleanliness ha

13、ve moved beyond science since World War . Advertisements repeatedly sell the idea: clothes need to be whiter than white, cloths ever softer, surfaces to shine. Has the hate for dirt, however, gone too far?Attitudes to dirt still differ hugely nowadays. Many first-time parents nervously try to warn t

14、heir children off touching dirt, which might be responsible for the spread of disease. On the contrary, Mary Ruebush, an American immunologist(免疫學(xué)家)，encourages children to play in the dirt to build up a strong immune system. And the latter position is gaining some ground.64. The kings of France and

15、England in the 16th century closed bath houses because_ .A. they lived healthily in a dirty environment.B. they thought bath houses were too dirty to stay inC. they believed disease could be spread in public bathsD. they considered bathing as the cause of skin disease65. Which of the following best

16、describes Henry IVs attitude to bathing?A. Afraid. B. Curious. C. Approving. D. Uninterested.66. How does the passage mainly develop?A. By providing examples.B. By making comparisons.C. By following the order of time.D. By following the order of importance.67. What is the authors purpose in writing

17、the passage?A. To stress the role of dirt.B. To introduce the history of dirt.C. To call attention to the danger of dirt.D. To present the change of views on dirt.【答案】CA CD3.（2011湖南卷）CA recent study of ancient and modern elephants has come up with the unexpected conclusion that the African elephant

18、is divided into two distinct (不同的) speciesThe discovery was made by researchers at York and Harvard university when they were examining the genetic relationship between the ancient woolly mammoth and mastodon to modern elephantsthe Asian elephant, African forest elephant and African savanna elephant

19、Once they obtained DNA sequences (序列) from two fossils (化石)，mammoths and mastodons the team compared them with DNA from modern elephants. They found to their amazement that modern forest and savanna elephants are as distinct from each other as Asian elephants and mammoths.The scientists used detaile

20、d genetic analysis to prove that the African savanna elephants and the African forest elephants have been distinct species for several million years. The divergence of the two species took place around the time of the divergence of Asian elephants and woolly mammoths. This result amazed all the scie

21、ntists.There has long been debate in the scientific community that the two might be separate species but this is the most convincing scientific evidence so far that they are indeed different species.Previously, many naturalists believed that African savanna elephants and African forest elephants wer

22、e two populations of the same species despite the elephants significant size differences. The savanna elephant has an average shoulder height of 3.5metres while the forest elephant has an average shoulder height of 2.5metres. The savanna elephant weighs between six and seven tons, roughly double the

23、 weight of the forest elephant. But the fact that they look so different does not necessarily mean they are different species. However, the proof lay in the analysis of the DNA.Alfred Roca, assistant professor in the department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, said, “We now have to

24、treat the forest and savanna elephants as two different units for conservation purpose. Since 1950 all African elephants have been conserved as one species. Now that we know the forest and savanna elephants are two very distinct animals, the forest elephant should become a bigger priority (優(yōu)先)for co

25、nservation purpose .”66. One of the fossils studied by the researchers is that of _.A. the Asian elephant B. the forest elephantC. the savanna elephant D. the mastodon elephant67. The underlined word “divergence” in paragraph 4means “_”A. evolution B. exhibition C. separation D. examination68. The r

26、esearchers conclusion was based on a study of the African elephants _A. DNA B. height C. weight D. population69. What were Alfred Rocas words mainly about?A. The conversation of African elephants.B. The purpose of studying African elephantsC. The way to divide African elephants into two unitesD. The

27、 reason for the distinction of African elephants70. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?A. Naturalists Belief about Elephants. B. Amazing Experiment about ElephantsC. An Unexpected Finding about Elephants D. A Long scientific Debate about ElephantsC 科普說明文：African elephant 有兩

28、個(gè)不同的種類66. fossils 定位，找到第三段第一句，有兩種fossils，mammoths和mastodons，選項(xiàng)D67. 文中divergence of the two species指代前文the Ase and the Afe have been distinct species, divergence與distinct同義替換，對(duì)應(yīng)選項(xiàng)C68. conclusion, based on定位，找到倒數(shù)第二段最后一句lay in 與based on 同義替換，答案：A69. AR定位，找到倒數(shù)第一段，從AR的話中，第一句for conservation purpose, 最后一句

29、for conservation purpose確定A70.文章首句點(diǎn)明全文主旨，答案：C4.（2011江西卷）DWhy should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are que

30、stions that, understandably, are very often asked.Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因構(gòu)成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of su

31、rvival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by t

32、he danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潛在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acqu

33、ired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-s

34、tick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副產(chǎn)品) of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focu

35、s on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves migh

36、t not exist.While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.71. Why does the auth

37、or mention the questions in Paragraph1?A. To express his doubts.B. To compare different ideas.C. To introduce points for discussion.D. To describe the conditions on Earth.72. What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?A. Humans are nature-born to do so.B. Humans have the tendency to

38、fight.C. Humans may find new sources of food.D. Humans dont like to stay in the same place.73. The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to_.A. survival chances B. potential resourcesC. unexpected benefits D. physical possessions74. What makes it possible for humans to live on o

39、ther planets?A. Our genetic makeup. B. Resources on the earth.C. The adaptive ability of humans. D. By-products in space exploration.75. Which of the statements can best sum in the passage?A. Space exploration has created many wonders.B. Space exploration provided the best value for money.CSpace exp

40、loration can benefit science and technology.D. Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.解析：71. 推理判斷題。答案選C。文章是典型的議論說明文，是提出問題，分析問題的套路。第一段通過提出一系列關(guān)于太空探索利弊的問題引發(fā)討論。并不是真的有這些懷疑，也沒有鮮明的正反觀點(diǎn)，所以AB不對(duì)。D偏差較遠(yuǎn)。72. 主旨題。答案選A。第二段是典型的總分總結(jié)構(gòu)，主旨句在段首段尾。Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeu

41、p as human beings. 主要原因在于人類基因。Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible. 而B選項(xiàng)錯(cuò)在fight這個(gè)詞。CD沒提及。73. 詞義猜測(cè)題。選C。根據(jù)spin off 前面的we have already benefited from other spin off 關(guān)鍵詞 benefit，受益。而spin off后面的including 說的全是獲得的利益，如improvements in earthquake pre

42、diction. 地震預(yù)測(cè)的進(jìn)步等等，而不是什么生存機(jī)會(huì)，或者潛在資源。所以選C。74. 細(xì)節(jié)題。答案選C。按照問題順序一致原則，答案應(yīng)當(dāng)出現(xiàn)在最后兩段。在最后一段的首句我們找到了一個(gè)極端詞用以定位。While earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets.直接由翻譯可知，人類的適應(yīng)能力使我們?cè)谄渌乔虻木幼〕蔀榭赡堋?5. 推理判斷題。選D。除去前兩段引入，第三段主旨句（首句）的意思是每個(gè)

43、文明都會(huì)探索周圍文明以減低危險(xiǎn)，第四段主旨句（首句）說的是探索使得我們能夠發(fā)現(xiàn)潛在能源。第五段主旨句（首句）說的是探索使得很多人發(fā)現(xiàn)解決問題的有用資源?？偟膩碚f，就可歸結(jié)為，太空探索可以幫助我們很多，避免很多問題。 5.（2011江蘇卷）AWe know the famous onesthe Thomas Edisons and the Alexander Graham Bells but what about the less famous inventors? What about the people who invented the traffic light and the wind

44、shield wiper(雨刮器)？Shouldnt we know who they are?Joan Mclean think so. In fact, Mclean, a professor of physics at Mountain University in Range, feels so strongly about this matter that shes developed a course on the topic. In addition to learning “who” invented” what”, however, Mclean also likes her

45、students to learn the answers to the ”why” and ”how” questions. According to Mclean, ”When students learn the answers to these questions, they are better prepared to recognize opportunities for inventing and more motivated to give inventing a try.”So, just what is the story behind the windshield wip

46、er? Well, Mary Anderson came up with the idea in 1902 after a visit to New York City. The day was cold and stormy, but Anderson still wanted to see the sights, so she jumped aboard a streetcar. Noticing that the driver was struggling to see through the snow covering the windshield, she found herself

47、 wondering why there couldnt be a built-in device for cleaning the window. Still wondering about this when she returned home to Birmingham, Alabama, Anderson started drafting out solutions. One of her ideas, a lever(操作桿)on the inside of a vehicle that would control an arm on the outside, became the

48、first windshield wiper. Today we benefit from countless inventions and innovations，Its hard to imagine driving without Garrett A. Morgans traffic light. Its equally impossible to picture a world without Katherine J. Blodgetts innovation that makes glass invisible, Can you picture life without clear

49、windows and eyeglasses?56. By mentioning “traffic light” and “windshield wiper”, the author indicates that countless inventions are_.A. beneficial, because their inventors are famousB. beneficial, though their inventors are less famousC. not useful, because their inventors are less famousD. not usef

50、ul, though their inventors are famous57. Professor Joan McLeans course aims to_.A. add color and variety to students campus lifeB. inform students of the windshield wipers inventionC. carry out the requirements by Mountain UniversityD. preare students to try their own invention58Tommy Lees invention

51、 of the unbreakable umbrella was _. A. not eventually accepted by the umbrella producerB. inspired by the story behind the windshield wiper C. due to his dream of being caught in a rainstorm D. not related to Professor Joan McLeans lectures59. Which 0f the following can best serve as the title of th

52、is passage? A How to Help Students to Sell Their Inventions to Producers? B How to Design a Built-in Device for Cleaning the Window? C Shouldnt We Know Who Invented the Windshield Wiper? D Shouldnt We Develop Invention Courses in Universities?56. B 推理判斷題。根據(jù)第一段內(nèi)容結(jié)合下文可推斷，作者提到交通信號(hào)燈、雨刮器等發(fā)明，是想說無數(shù)的發(fā)明對(duì)人類十分

53、有益，雖然它們的發(fā)明者沒有太大的名氣。57. D 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段最后一句可知，John McLean教授開設(shè)這門課程的目的就是讓學(xué)生有足夠的準(zhǔn)備去嘗試自己發(fā)明東西。58. B 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第三段內(nèi)容可知，Tommy Lee發(fā)明的“不會(huì)折斷的雨傘”就是受到了雨刮器背后的故事的激勵(lì)。59. C 主旨大意題。通讀全文可知，文章的第一段就是主題段，特別是第一段最后一句充分體現(xiàn)了作者想要表達(dá)的心聲，接下來的內(nèi)容都是圍繞第一段展開并為第一段服務(wù)的。 6.（2011江蘇卷）CAccording to the US government, wind farms off the Pacific co

54、ast could produce 900 gig watts of electricity every year. Unfortunately, the water there is far too deep for even the tallest windmills(see picture)to touch bottom. An experiment under way off the coast of Norway, however, could help put them anywhere.The project, called Hywind, is the worlds first

55、 large-scale deepwater wind turbine(渦輪發(fā)電機(jī)).Although it uses a fairly standard 152-ton, 2.3-megawatt turbine, Hywind represents totally new technology. The turbine will be fixed 213 feet above the water on a floating spar(see picture),a technology Hywinds creator, the Norwegian company StatoilHydro,

56、has developed recently. The steel spar, which is filled with stones and goes 328 feet below the sea surface, will be tied to the ocean floor by three cable(纜索); these will keep the spar stable and prevent the turbine from moving up and down in the waves. Hywinds stability(穩(wěn)定性)in the cold and rough s

57、ea would prove that even the deepest corners of the ocean are suitable for wind power. If all goes according to plan, the turbine will start producing electricity six miles off the coast of southwestern Norway as early as September.To produce electricity on a large scale, a commercial wind farm will

58、 have to use bigger turbines than Hywind does, but its difficult enough to balance such a large turbine so high on a floating spar in the middle of the ocean. To make that turbine heavier, the whole spars to design a new kind of wind turbine, one whose gearbox(變速箱) sits at sea level rather than behind the blades (see picture )Hywind is a test run, but the benefits for perfecting floating wind-farm technology could be extremely large. Out a