新高考英語一輪復(fù)習(xí)練習(xí)考向27 閱讀理解之說明文類(原卷版)

考向27閱讀理解之說明文類語篇特征說明文是對事物或事理進行客觀說明的一種文體，它以說明為主要表達方式，通過解說事物或闡明事理，達到教人以知識的目的，在結(jié)構(gòu)上往往采用總分、遞進等方式按一定的順序（如時間、空間、從現(xiàn)象到本質(zhì)）進行說明。說明文的特點是客觀、簡練、語言準確、明了，文章很少表達作者的感情傾向。閱讀說明文的重點在于讀懂它說明的事物或事理，了解事物的性質(zhì)、構(gòu)造、成因、功能等，了解事理的含意、特點等。最近五年，說明文的出現(xiàn)變化不大，一直很穩(wěn)定，選材通常是各學(xué)科的前沿問題；高科技領(lǐng)域的科研成果；人們比較關(guān)心的社會問題；人文方面的經(jīng)典。由于閱讀理解題的設(shè)置采用漸進式，即由簡到難的方式，因此說明文是高考試卷中閱讀理解題中相對比較難的，通常后置。閱讀理解試題的中要考點之一是考查學(xué)生對詞匯和句式的掌握。說明文的詞匯和句式的運用較別的體裁的文章難度更大。詞匯運用靈活，同一詞的不同詞性的用法交替出現(xiàn)，未列入考綱的生詞較多，通常達到了4-5%。不過考生可以通過說明文的語言特點來幫助理解語篇，例如，下定義、解釋、舉例、同義詞、反義詞、上下義詞以及標點符號（如破折號、冒號都有表示解釋和說明）等?？破照f明文這種題材的文章大部分是介紹科技前沿、科學(xué)動態(tài)、新的發(fā)明創(chuàng)造、科研方法，或是對某一個問題的來龍去脈和解決方法等加以介紹。作者的目的就是讓讀者獲得知識、信息，對說明對象有所了解，并獲得某些方面的啟示。其特點如下：

1.文章中會牽涉到實驗、研究者、研究方法、在某項主題上的不同意見和爭鳴，有時會出現(xiàn)讀者還不熟悉的前沿性的科學(xué)題材，但作者一般持客觀的態(tài)度，不顯示自己的褒貶之意；

2.此類文章為了做到通俗易懂，在語言上盡量避免使用專業(yè)性詞匯，對于動詞，做到這一點較輕易，但是有些專有名詞則無法避免，不過，作者通常會對較難的專有名詞進行解釋，甚至舉例說明，這往往也是出題的地方；

3.在語法上，此類文章長句使用較多，主從復(fù)合句、同位語、插入語、非謂語動詞形式和被動語態(tài)使用率較高；

4.此類文章語篇模式一般比較固定、整潔，主題句通常位于段首，多使用平行結(jié)構(gòu)。

針對科普文章的這些特點，首先我們平時要多關(guān)注科學(xué)題材的文章，了解一些基本的科普知識；其次，在閱讀時要注重實驗的目的和結(jié)果，不能憑想象和猜測下結(jié)論；對于較難理解的句子要利用語法結(jié)構(gòu)去分析；最后，要利用文章特點找準主題句，把握中心，從而一一破解題目。命題方式考向一細節(jié)理解題 說明文中考查的細節(jié)理解題大致與記敘文相似。命題區(qū)域都有其共同點：⑴在列舉處命題，如用first(1y)、second(1y)、third(1y)finally、not

only...but

also...、then、in

addition等表示順承關(guān)系的詞語列舉出事實。試題要求考生從列舉出的內(nèi)容中選出符合題干要求的答案項。⑵在例證處命題，句中常用由as、such

as、for

example、for

instance等引導(dǎo)的短語或句子作為例證，這些例句或比喻就成為命題者設(shè)問的焦點。⑶在轉(zhuǎn)折對比處命題，一般通過however、but、yet、in

fact等詞語來引導(dǎo)。對比用unlike、until、not

so

much…as等詞語引導(dǎo)，命題者常對用來對比的雙方屬性進行考查。⑷在比較處命題，無端的比較、相反的比較、偷換對象的比較，經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)在干擾項中，考生要標記并且關(guān)注到原文中的比較，才能順利地排除干擾。⑸在復(fù)雜句中命題，包括同位詞、插入語、定語、從句、不定式等，命題者主要考查考生對句子之間的指代關(guān)系和語法關(guān)系。

細節(jié)類問題一般都能在原文中找到出處，只要仔細就可以在文中找到答案。但正確的選擇項不可能與閱讀材料的原文完全相同，而是用不同的語句成句型表達相同的意思。

考向二語意猜測題

說明文為了把自然規(guī)律，事物的性質(zhì)等介紹清楚或把事理闡述明白，因此學(xué)術(shù)性強的生詞較多，所以常進行生詞詞義判斷題的考查。命題方式多以the

underlinedpart

…

in

paragraph…refers

to…或what

does

the

underlined

word

mean?或what

is

the

meaning

of

the

underlined

word?為設(shè)問方式。解題時考生應(yīng)認真閱讀原文，分析其對某些科學(xué)原理是如何定義、如何解釋的，并以此為突破口抽象概括出生詞詞義。也可以通過上下文來猜測某個陌生詞語的語意?；蛘哒页瞿硞€詞語在文章中的同義詞。要注意破折號、同位語從句、定語從句、插入語等具有解釋、說明作用的語言成分。說明文在闡述說明對象時易發(fā)生動作變換、人稱轉(zhuǎn)變的現(xiàn)象，這類題目常以it，they，them

等代詞為命題點，因此考生要根據(jù)上下文語境，認真閱讀原文，分析動作轉(zhuǎn)換背景，弄清動作不同執(zhí)行者，以便準確判斷代詞的其實際指代對象。

考向三主旨大意題

說明文常用文章大意判斷題考查考生對通篇文意的理解。即對文章的主題或中心意思的概括和歸納。主要考查考生對文章的整體理解能力。命題形式常以This

passage

mainly

talks

about

____.What

is

the

main

idea

of

the

passage?為設(shè)問方式。 答題時首先閱讀題干，掌握問題的類型，了解試題題干以及各個選項所包含的信息，然后有針對性地對文章進行掃讀，對有關(guān)信息進行快速定位，再將相關(guān)信息進行整合、甄別、分析、對比，有根有據(jù)地排除干擾項，選出正確答案。

考向四判斷推理題

這種試題常以(1)thepassageisintendedto...(2)theauthorsuggeststhat...(3)thestoryimpliesthat…(4)whichpointofviewmaytheauthoragreeto?(5)fromthepassagewecanconcludethat...(6)thepurposeofthepassageisto...為設(shè)問方式。這種題型的答案在原文中不是直接就能找到的，它要求考生進行合理的推斷。如因果關(guān)系，文中的某些用詞、語氣也往往具有隱含意義，考生要將這種含義讀出來。說明文常出現(xiàn)圖示判斷題，這種試題可以事物之間正確的依賴關(guān)系為命題點，要求考生判斷其正確的流程順序相互關(guān)系等?？忌欢ㄒJ真閱讀原文，并對照原文介紹的情況，弄清圖示的差異，根據(jù)題干需要最終做出正確判斷。如：動物介紹性說明文常出現(xiàn)動物能力判斷題，考查考生對特定動物所具有能力的判斷。解題時考生應(yīng)認真閱讀原文對動物形態(tài)活動能力的判斷，了解動物的生存環(huán)境和是否會使用工具，是否善于爬行、飛翔和游泳等。觀點態(tài)度題也是判斷推理題考查的內(nèi)容之一。說明文的對象為客觀事實，但設(shè)題以議論的表達方式抒發(fā)對該說明對象的想法。如對某種新發(fā)明的贊賞，或?qū)δ硞€事物的批判。這類題目常見的題干表達方式有what

was

the

author’s

attitude

towards

...?

等。解題技巧高考閱讀理解中，說明文為主要體裁之一。高考閱讀理解題的設(shè)問主要圍繞以下四方面：細節(jié)事實題、主旨大意題、推理判斷題、猜測詞義題。其中，說明文主要以細節(jié)事實、主旨大意和猜測詞義三方面問題為主。一、詞義猜測類題型閱讀理解題中常要求學(xué)生猜測某些單詞或短語的意思。歷年英語高考題中均有此類題目，有的文章盡管沒有專門設(shè)題，但由于文章中常常出現(xiàn)生詞，因此，詞義的猜測還是貫穿在文章的閱讀理解之中。解這類題目一般是通過上下文去理解或根據(jù)構(gòu)詞法去猜測。判斷一個單詞的意思不但離不開句子，而且還需要把句子放在上下文中，根據(jù)上下文提供的線索加以猜測。運用構(gòu)詞法,語境等推測關(guān)鍵詞義，可以根據(jù)以下幾種方法猜測：（一）內(nèi)在邏輯關(guān)系根據(jù)內(nèi)在邏輯關(guān)系推測詞義是指運用語言知識分析和判斷相關(guān)信息之間存在的邏輯關(guān)系，然后根據(jù)邏輯關(guān)系推斷生詞詞義。通過同義詞和反義詞的關(guān)系猜詞通過同義詞猜詞，一是要看由and或or連接的同義詞詞組，如happyandgay，即使我們不認識gay這個詞，也可以知道它是愉快的意思。這是高三冊第八單元閱讀第五段的句子：Theword＂secure＂inparagraph5lineisclosestinmeaningto_________.freefromanxiety B.anxious C.nervous D.happy根據(jù)上下文和同義詞，可以選出答案A。二是看在進一步解釋的過程中使用的同義詞，如ManhasknownsomethingabouttheplanetsVenus，Mars，andJupiterwiththehelpofspaceships.此句中的Venus（金星）,Mars（火星）,Jupiter（木星）均為生詞，但只要知道planets就可猜出這幾個詞都屬于＂行星＂這一義域.通過反義詞猜詞，一是看表轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系的連詞或副詞，如but，while，however等；二是看與not搭配的或表示否定意義的詞語，如：Heissohomely,notatallashandsomeashisbrother.根據(jù)notatall...handsome我們不難推測出homely的意思，即不英俊，不漂亮的意思。根據(jù)因果關(guān)系猜測詞義通過因果關(guān)系猜詞，首先是找出生詞與上下文之間的邏輯關(guān)系，然后才能猜詞。有時文章借助關(guān)聯(lián)詞（如because，as，since，for，so，thus，asaresult，ofcourse，therefore等等）表示前因后果。例如：Youshouldn’thaveblamedhimforthat,foritwasn’thisfault.通過for引出的句子所表示的原因（那不是他的錯），可猜出blame的詞義是＂責(zé)備＂。通過定義或釋義關(guān)系來推測詞義例如：Butsometimes,norainfallsforalong,longtime.Thenthereisadryperiod,ordrought.從drought所在句子的上文我們得知很久不下雨，于是便有一段干旱的時期，即drought，由此可見drought意思為＂久旱＂，＂旱災(zāi)＂。而adryperiod和drought是同義語。這種同義或釋義關(guān)系常由is，or，thatis，inotherwords，becalled或破折號等來表示。通過句法功能來推測詞義例如：Bananas,oranges,pineapples,coconutsandsomeotherkindoffruitgrowinwarmareas.假如pineapples和coconuts是生詞，我們可以從這兩個詞在句中所處的位置來判斷它們大致的意思。從句中不難看出pineapples,coconuts和bananas,oranges是同類關(guān)系，同屬fruit類，因此它們是兩樣水果，準確地說，是菠蘿和椰子。通過描述猜詞描述即作者為幫助讀者更感性地了解某人或某物而對該人或該物作出的外在相貌或內(nèi)在特征的描寫。例如ThepenguinisakindofseabirdlivingintheSouthPole.Itisfatandwalksinafunnyway.Althoughitcannotfly，itcanswimintheicywatertocatchthefish.從例句的描述中可以得知penguin是一種生活在南極的鳥類.后面更詳盡地描述了該鳥類的生活習(xí)性。（二）外部相關(guān)因素外部相關(guān)因素是指篇章（句子或段落）以外的其他知識，有時僅靠分析篇章內(nèi)在邏輯關(guān)系無法猜出詞義。這時，就需要運用生活經(jīng)驗和普通常識確定詞義。例如：Thesnakeslitheredthroughthegrass.根據(jù)有關(guān)蛇的生活習(xí)性的知識，我們可以推斷出slither詞義為＂爬行＂。（三）構(gòu)詞法在閱讀文章時，我們總會遇上一些新詞匯，有時很難根據(jù)上下文來推斷其詞意，而它們對文章的理解又有著舉足輕重的作用，此時，如掌握了一些常用的詞根,前綴,后綴,合成等構(gòu)詞法知識，這些問題便不難解決了。根據(jù)前綴猜測詞義例如：Hefellintoaditchandlaythere,semi-conscious,forafewminutes.根據(jù)詞根conscious（清醒的，有意識的），結(jié)合前綴semi（半，部分的，不完全的），我們便可猜出semiconscious詞義＂半清醒的，半昏迷的。＂I’milliterateaboutsuchthings.詞根lit-erate意為＂有文化修養(yǎng)的，通曉的＂，前綴il表示否定，因此illiterate指＂一竅不通，不知道的＂。根據(jù)后綴猜測詞義例如：Insecticideisappliedwhereitisneeded.后綴cide表示＂殺者，殺滅劑＂，結(jié)合大家熟悉的詞根insect（昆蟲），不難猜出insecticide意為＂殺蟲劑＂。Thenthevapormaychangeintodroplets.后綴let表示＂小的＂，詞根drop指＂滴，滴狀物＂。將兩個意思結(jié)合起來，便可推斷出droplet詞義＂小滴，微滴＂。根據(jù)復(fù)合詞的各部分猜測詞義例如：Growingeconomicproblemswerehigh-lightedbyaslowdowninoiloutput.Hightlight或許是一個生詞，但是分析該詞結(jié)構(gòu)后，就能推測出其含義。它是由high（高的，強的）和light（光線）兩部分組成，合在一起便是＂以強光照射，使突出＂的意思。BullfightisverypopularinSpain.Bull（公牛）和fight（打，搏斗）結(jié)合在一起，指一種在西班牙頗為流行的體育運動—斗牛。二、主旨大意類題型主旨大意類題型主要測試學(xué)生對文章全面理解和概括的能力，提問的內(nèi)容可能是全文的大意，也可能是某段的段落大意，一般不易在文中直接找到答案。怎樣把握主旨大意題呢？通常有以下幾種方法：（一）閱讀文章的標題或副標題文章的標題是一篇文章的題眼，通過閱讀標題或副標題可以迅速把握文章的主旨大意。（二）尋找文章的主題句分析篇章結(jié)構(gòu)，找出文章主題。在許多情況下，尤其在閱讀說明文和議論文時，根據(jù)其篇章特點我們可以通過仔細閱讀短文的第一句或第二句，即文章的主題句來歸納出文章的主題.若短文由若干段組成，除仔細閱讀第一段的首句外，還須仔細閱讀每一段的第一句，即段落中心。通常文章的中心思想包含在文章的首句，有時也在文章的末句，其他句子都是用來說明和闡述主題句。因此，在確定文章的中心思想時，要求學(xué)生重視閱讀文章的首句和末句。但也有一些文章，中心思想常常貫穿在全文中，因此要求學(xué)生綜觀全文，對段落的內(nèi)容要融會貫通，對文章透徹理解后歸納總結(jié)。主題句的特點是：1.相對于其他句子，它表達的意思比較概括；2.主題句一般結(jié)構(gòu)簡單；3.段落中其他句子必定是用來解釋，支撐或發(fā)展主題句所表達的思想的?？傊?，為提高閱讀理解能力，在閱讀時應(yīng)抓中心思想，作者意圖及關(guān)鍵詞語，運用聯(lián)想、比較、歸納、推測等方法，得出最佳結(jié)論，選擇最佳答案，不能主觀臆測，把自己的觀點強加進去，與文章的觀點混為一談。經(jīng)過長時間有計劃，有目的的系統(tǒng)訓(xùn)練，使學(xué)生加快閱讀速度，提高閱讀的正確性，使兩者有機地統(tǒng)一起來，以提高學(xué)生閱讀英語和運用英語進行交際的能力，為繼續(xù)學(xué)習(xí)和運用英語切實打好基礎(chǔ).閱讀是一種綜合性很強的語言實際活動。我們只有進行大量的課內(nèi)外閱讀，掌握一定的閱讀技巧，正確運用閱讀方法，才能有效地提高閱讀理解能力?！緳z測訓(xùn)練】1Asapopularsubjectofstudyamongevolutionaryecologists,three-spinedsticklebackisknownfortheirdifferentshapes,sizes,andbehaviors—theycanevenliveinbothseawaterandfreshwater,andunderawiderangeoftemperatures.Butwhatmakesthat?Theresearcherstrackedsixpopulationsofthefishbeforeandafterseasonalchangestotheirenvironment,usinggenomesequencing.Seasonalchangesresultingreatchangesinhabitatstructureandbalanceofsaltandfreshwater,andonlythosefishabletotoleratetheserapidchangessurviveintothenextseason.“Thesechangesprobablyresemblethehabitatshiftsexperiencedbysticklebackpopulationsduringthepast10,000years.”saysProfessorBarrett“Wehopetogaininsightintothegeneticchangesthatmayhaveresultedfromnaturalselectionlonginthepast.”Remarkably,theresearchersdiscoveredtheevidenceofgeneticchangesdrivenbytheseasonalshiftsinhabitats,whichmirroredthedifferencesfoundbetweenlong-establishedfreshwaterandsaltwaterpopulations.“Thesegeneticchangesoccurredinindependentpopulationsoverasingleseason,highlightingjusthowquicklytheeffectsofnaturalselectioncanbedetected,”saysProfessorBarrett,“Thefindingssuggestthatwemaybeabletousethegeneticdifferencestopredicthowpopulationsmayadapttoenvironment.”Theresearchemphasizestheimportanceofstudyingspeciesindynamicenvironmentstogainabetterunderstandingofhownaturalselectionoperates.Infurtherresearch,theyplantoinvestigatehowrepeatabletheobservedgeneticchangesare,bytestingwhethertheyshowupyearafteryear.Doingsowoulddemonstratetheirabilitytoreliablyforecasttheevolutionaryfutureofthesepopulations.1.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“that”refertoinParagraphl?A.Sticklebackisunderawiderangeoftemperatures.B.Sticklebackispopularwithevolutionaryecologists.C.Sticklebackcanadapttodifferentlivingconditions.D.Sticklebackhasdifferentshapes,sizes,andbehaviors.2.WhatisParagraph2mainlyabout?A.Thedifficultiesoftheresearch. B.Thepurposeoftheresearch.C.Thebackgroundoftheresearch. D.Themethodsoftheresearch.3.Whatisthemainreasonforstickleback'ssurvival?A.Habitatshifts. B.Geneticchange.C.Seasonalchanges. D.Independentpopulations.4.Whywillscientistsstudytherepetitionofthegenneticchanges?A.Toknowwhatnaturalselectionis.B.Tostudyspecicesindynamicenvironments.C.Totestthereliablityofthepresentdiscoveries.D.Toforecasttheevolutionaryfutureofcertainspecies.2Asagingpopulationgetsbiggeranddementia(老年癡呆癥)morecommon，morefamiliesarestrugglingwithacomplexquestion:Howdoyousupportalovedonewithdementia,especiallywhenyouhaveafull-timejobandseveralkids?RegUrbanowskimayhaveananswertothispressingissue:ROBOTS.HeandhisteammanagedtodevelopanewtypeofrobotsnamedTProbots.Lookinglikestand-upvacuumcleanersattachedtoaniPad,theycanbeactivatedremotelyviaasmartphoneandguidedremotelybyacontrollerappsimilartothewayamouseisusedonadesktopcomputer.Allpossessaudioandvisualcommunicationcapabilities,allowingtheoperatortobe“intheroom”tointeractwithMomorDad.HebelievesthatcaregiversandfamilymemberscanuseaTProbotto“l(fā)ookin”onpeoplewithmilddementia.Hesays,“TProbotsprovideaneffectivesolutionforminimizingcaregiverburden,especiallyforthosewhohavecareerorotherout-ofhomeactivities.”UrbanowskiandhisteamhaveconductedastudythatinvolvesprovidingTProbotsfor15Manitobafamilies.Theserobotsareprogrammedtoprovideremindersofnecessarydailyroutineliketurningoffthegas,takingmedicineandhavingdinner.Theywillalsohelpensurepatientsaregettingtheexercisetheyneedtomaintaintheirhealthandwell-being.ErinCrawford,ProgramDirectorwiththeAlzheimerSocietyofManitoba,saysshehasfaiththatTProbotswillprovebeneficial,particularlywhenitcomestoremindingpeoplewithdementiatodocertainthingsatcertaintimes.“Itmeansthatfamilymembersthatcan’tbethere,forwhateverreason,knowthatthosethingsaretillhappening,”shesays.5.WhatcanweinferaboutTProbotsfromParagraph3?A.It’seasytooperate. B.Itcancleantheroom.C.It'sconvenienttocarry. D.Itcanbeusedonacomputer.6.HowwillTProbotshelpthosewithdementia?A.Byhavingdinnerwiththem. B.Byturningoffthegasforthem.C.Bydoingactivitieswiththem. D.Byremindingthemtotakepills.7.What’sErinCrawford’sattitudetothefutureofTProbots?A.Optimistic. B.Cautious. C.Doubtful. D.Critical.8.Whatisthemainideaofthetext?A.TProbotsprovideanewsolutiontodementia.B.TProbotshelptotakecareofdementiapatients.C.CaregiversofdementiawillbereplacedbyTProbots.D.Urbanowskiandhisteamaredevelopinganewrobot.3Lastyear,Americansspentover$30billionatretail(零售)storesinthemonthofDecemberalone.Asidefrompurchasingholidaygifts,mostpeopleregularlybuypresentsforotheroccasionsthroughouttheyear,includingweddings,birthdays,anniversaries,graduations,andbabyshowers.Thisfrequentexperienceofgift-givingcancreateambivalentfeelingsingift-givers.Manybelievethatgift-givingoffersapowerfulmeanstobuildstrongerbondswithintendedreceivers.Atthesametime,manyworrythattheirpurchaseswilldisappointratherthandelighttheintendedreceivers.Anthropologists(人類學(xué)家)describegift-givingasapositivesocialprocess,servingvariouspolitical,religious,andpsychologicalfunctions.Economists,however,offeralessfavorableview.Theythinkthatgift-givingrepresentsanobjectivewasteofresources.Peoplebuygiftsthatreceiverswouldnotchoosetobuyontheirown,oratleastnotspendasmuchmoneytopurchase.Giversarelikelytospend$100topurchaseagiftthatreceiverswouldspendonly$80tobuythemselves.Whatissurprisingisthatgift-givershaveconsiderableexperienceactingasbothgift-giversandgift-receivers,butstilltendtooverspendeachtimetheysetouttopurchaseameaningfulgift.Inthepresentresearch,psychologistsfindauniqueexplanationforthisoverspendingproblem—gift-giversequate(等同)howmuchtheyspendwithhowmuchreceiverswillappreciatethegift.Althoughalinkbetweengiftpriceandfeelingsofappreciationmightseemrelevanttogift-givers,suchanassumptionmaybeunfounded.Indeed,wefindthatgift-receiverswillbelesswillingtobasetheirfeelingsofappreciationonthegiftpricethangiversassume.Thethoughtsofgift-giversandgift-receiversbeingunabletoaccountfortheotherparty’sperspective(立場)seemspuzzlingbecausepeopleslipinandoutoftheseroleseveryday.Yet,despitetheextensiveexperiencethatpeoplehaveasbothgiversandreceivers,theyoftenstruggletotransferinformationgainedfromoneroleandapplyitinanother.9.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“ambivalent”inParagraph1probablymean?A.Concerned. B.Positive.C.Unrealistic. D.Conflicting.10.Whatdotheeconomiststhinkofgift-giving?A.Itstrengthensthebondsbetweenpeople.B.Itiseconomicallybeneficialtothereceiver.C.Itisactuallyaprocessofwastingresources.D.Itincreasesthefinancialburdentothegiver.11.WhatcanwelearnfromParagraph3?A.Personalpreferencesaretheleasttobeconsidered.B.Gift-giverstendtolinkthegiftcosttogift-receivers’appreciation.C.Moregift-receivingexperiencehelpspreventoverspending.D.Theassumptionmadebygift-giversturnedouttobecorrect.12.Accordingtotheauthor,thedifferentthoughtsbetweenthegift-giversandreceiversarecausedby_________.A.atrendofoverspendingB.aninabilitytochangeperspectivesC.agrowingoppositiontogift-givingD.amisunderstandingofgift-receivers’tastes4Callingsomeonea“birdbrain”isconsideredrude.Itimpliesthatsomeonehasasmallbrainandthusisnotsmart.Anewstudyfoundthattheexpressiondoesn’tdobirdsjusticeeither:Birds’brainsaremuchbiggerthanwethought—atleastcomparedtotheirsmallbodies.Aninternationalteamof37scientistsmeasuredthebrainvolume(腦容量)ofhundredsofdinosaursandextinctbirdsbyscanningfossilsoftheirskulls.Thereadingswerecomparedtoalargedatabasecontainingthebrainsizesofmodernbirds.Thesemeasurementswerethenanalyzed,takingintoconsiderationeachbird’sbodysize—resultinginsomethingcalled“relativebrainsize”.Theresultsshowedthatadramaticchangeofbirds’bodysizehappenedrightafterthemassextinctionofdinosaurs66millionyearsago.Accordingtothestudy,publishedonApril23inthejournalCurrentBiology,birdsanddinosaurshadsimilarbrainsizesbeforetheextinction.Aftertheextinctionofthedinosaurs,however,birdshadtofindawaytosurvive,sotheyshranktheirbodies—sincesmalleranimalsneedlessfood—buttheykepttheirbigbrains.“Thechangedlandscapemayhavecausedtherapidevolutionofnewbrainbodyscalingpatterns(縮放比例)byfavoringbothlargerbrainsandsmallerbodies,”USpaleontologist(古生物學(xué)家)DanielKsepka,whoistheleadauthorofthestudy,toldCNN.This“evolutionarybrainleap”—asscientistscallit—alsohappenedveryrapidly.Withoutdinosaurs,birdsquicklyrepopulated.Theycameinalltypesandsizes,whichcontributedtothediversespeciesofbirdsweseetoday.Butamongallthebirdspecies,certainones“showaboveaverageratesofbrainandbodysizeevolution”,studyco-authorAdamSmithatClemsonUniversity,US,saidinastatement—withcrowsandparrotsbeingthemostevident.Infact,previousstudieshavealreadydiscoveredthatthesebirdshaveanamazingcognitivecapacity(認知能力).Theyareabletousetools,imitatehumanspeechandevenrememberhumanfaces.So,inthewordsofSmith,“callingsomeone‘birdbrained’isactuallyquiteacompliment(恭維)”!13.Howdidthescientistslearnthebrainsizesofdinosaursandextinctbirds?A.Bystudyingtheirfossilskulls. B.Bysearchingthedatabase.C.Byexperimentingontheirbrains. D.Byanalyzingtheirbodysize.14.Howdidthebirdschangeaftertheextinctionofthedinosaurs?A.Thebirds’bodiesshrankastheirbrainsbecamesmaller.B.Thebirds’bodiesbecamelargerwhiletheirbrainsbecamesmaller.C.Thebirds’brainsremainedalmostthesameastheirbodiesshrank.D.Thebirds’brainsbecamelargertoadapttotheenvironment.15.AccordingtoAdamSmith,callingsomeone“birdbrained”is________.A.tomakeruderemarks B.tolaughatone’ssmallbodysizeC.topraiseone’sintelligence D.tosuggestthepersonisnotsmart16.Whatisthepurposeofthistext?A.Todescribehowbirds’evolutionhappened.B.Toexplaintheoriginoftheword“birdbrain”.C.Toshowtheamazingabilitiesofbirdspecies.D.Topresentthelateststudyonbirds’brainsize.5Ingeneral,therichesofthenaturalworldaren'tspreadevenlyacrosstheglobe.PlaceslikethetropicalAndesinSouthAmericaaresimplypackedwithuniquespecies,manyofwhichcan'tbefoundinanyotherplaces.Untilrecently,themainexplanationforthebiologicalrichesconcentratedinplacesliketheAmazonBasinwasthatsuchplacesmustbeenginesofbiodiversity,withnewspeciesevolvingatafasterratethanotherpartsoftheworld.Butnow,newresearchonbirdevolutionmayturnthatassumptiononitshead,insteadsupportingtheideathatareaswithfewerspeciesactuallytendtoproducenewspeciesfaster.Theresearcherssaythesebiodiversity"coldspots"aregenerallyfoundinenvironmentsfeaturingfreezing,dryandunstableconditions.Thoughtheresearchersfoundtheselocationswithfewbirdspeciestendtoproducenewonesathighrates,theyfailtoaccumulatemanyspeciesbecausetheunstableconditionsfrequentlymakethenewlifeformsdieout.Themorewell-known"hotspots",bycontrast,haveaccumulatedtheirlargenumbersofspeciesbybeingwarm,hospitableandrelativelystable.Indeed,theresearchersfoundthatthecountlessbirdspeciesthatcalltheAmazonhometendtobeolderinevolutionaryterms."NewspeciesdoforminplacesliketheAmazon,justnotasfrequentlyasinthedrygrasslandsintheAndes,"saysElizabeth,anevolutionarybiologistattheUniversityofTennessee.Theresearchersmanagedtocollect1,940samplesrepresenting1,287ofthe1,306birdspeciesfromSouthAmerica.Theiranalysisshowedthatthebestpredictorofwhetheranareawouldproducenewspeciesatahighratewashowmanyspecieslivedthere,ratherthanclimateorgeographicfeatureslikemountains.Species-richareastendedtoproducenewspeciesmoreslowly.“Maybebadenvironmentsgeneratenewspeciesmorefrequentlybecausethere'slesscompetitionandmoreavailableopportunitiesfornewspecies,”saysGustavoBravo,aleadresearcher.Thestudy'sfindingsaddnewurgencytoprotectecosystemsthatmaylookbarren,butmayactuallybenature'shothousesfortheevolutionofnewspecies.17.WhyisSouthAmericamentionedinthefirstparagraph?A.Tomakecomparison. B.Tointroducethetopic.C.Toexplainafact. D.Todrawaconclusion.18.Whatdeterminestherisingrateofnewspeciesinaplace?A.Thenumberofitsthenspecies. B.Theenvironmenttheylivedin.C.Thesurvivalskillsofspecies. D.Thedifferentbiologicalfactors.19.Whichofthefollowingcanbestexplaintheunderlinedword“barren”inthelastparagraph?A.Dryandbare. B.Livelyandactive.C.Niceandgreen. D.Complexandunpredictable.20.Whatmightbethebesttitleforthetext?A.Tropicalareasarehometolargenumbersofspecies.B.Newspeciesprefertoliveintheextremeclimate.C.Harshenvironmentsposeagreaterthreattospecies.D.Theworstecosystemmaygivebirthtonewspeciesfastest.6Anartworkjointlycreatedbyarobotandahumanartistwillgoonsalethisweek.Theartwork—knownasanNFT—istobesoldduringanonlineauction(拍賣)onTuesday.NFTstandsfornon-fungibletoken.Itisapieceofartthatonlyexistsonacomputertechnologyknownasblockchain(區(qū)塊鏈).NFTscanexistintheformofimages,video,musicandtext.Theyareusuallyboughtwithelectronicmoney.WhileanyonecanviewNFTs,thebuyerhasofficialownershiprightsovertheobjects.NFTshaverecentlybeengrowinginpopularityamonginvestorsandcollectors.Earlierthismonth,anartworkintheformofanNFTsoldfornearly$70million.Thepiecetobesoldthisweekwasacooperativeeffortbetweenahuman-likerobot,knownasSophia,andItalianartistAndreaBonaceto.ThecompanybehindSophia,HansonRobotics,saystheauctionwillbethefirstsaleofapiecejointlycreatedbyahumanartist,arobotandartificialintelligence(AI).Theartwork,called“SophiaInstantiation”,isa12-secondvideofile.ItcombinesonlineandphysicalpaintingsfromSophiawithelements(要素)fromBonaceto’swork.Theartworkalsoincludesinfluencesfromarthistory.ThedigitalartworkwillcomewithaphysicalartworkcreatedbySophiaonaprintedcopyoftheonlinepiece.TheonlineauctionistobeheldbyacompanycalledNiftyGateway.Afterthesale,Sophiawillmeetwiththebuyertostudyhisorherface,beforeaddingafinalelementtotheartwork.Sophia’screator,DavidHanson,saidthispartoftheprojectwillpermitthenewownertohaveanunusual“personalconnection”totheartwork.BonacetosaidhehopeshiscollaborationwithSophiawill“makeastatementintheartworld,andeventhetechnologyworld”aboutthewayrobotsandhumanscancooperateinthefuture.Sophia’sartcouldbe“avery,veryimportanthistoricalpiece”,saidPabloFraile,aMiami-basedartcollectorandexpertinNFTs.“It’sthefirsttimetheseideashavebeenputtogether,”hesaid.21.Theauthor’smainpurposeinwritingparagraph2isto________.A.explainthevalueofdifferentformsofNFTs B.teachreadershowtobuyNFTswithelectronicmoneyC.providereaderswithsomeinformationaboutNFTs D.advisereaderstocollectorinvestinNFTs22.Whatcanweknowabout“SophiaInstantiation”?A.ItisthefirstNFTartworktobesold. B.ItisaphysicalartworkcreatedbySophia.C.Itisanartworkwithelementsfromarthistory. D.ItisthefirstartworkcreatedbyarobotandAI.23.WhatisPabloFraile’sattitudetowards“SophiaInstantiation”?A.Positive. B.Uncaring. C.Opposed. D.Skeptical.24.Whatcanbethebesttitleforthetext?A.AnNFTWillGainHighPopularityAmongInvestorsB.MoreNFTsWillBeCreatedbyHumansandRobotsC.SophiaWillBeNecessaryinCreatingOnlineArtworksD.OnlineArtworkThatRobotHelpsCreateWillBeSold7Formillionsofyears,Arcticseaicehasexpandedandshrunkinarhythmicdancewiththesummersun.Humansevolvedinthisicyworld,andcivilizationreliedonitforclimatic,ecologicalandpoliticalstability.Butnowtheworldcomeseverclosertoafuturewithoutice.TheNationalSnowandIceDataCenterreportedthat2019’sminimumarcticseaiceextentwasthesecondlowestonrecord.Arcticsummerscouldbecomemostlyice-freein30years,andpossiblysoonerifcurrenttrendscontinue.Asthenorthernseaicedeclines,theworldmustunitetopreservewhatremainsoftheArctic.Althoughmostpeoplehaveneverseentheseaice,itseffectsareneverfaraway.Byreflectingsunlight,ArcticiceactsasEarth’sairconditioner.Oncedarkwaterreplacesbrilliantice,Earthcouldwarmsubstantially,equivalenttothewarmingcausedbytheadditionalreleaseofatrilliontonsofcarbondioxide(CO2)intotheatmosphereanddecliningseaicethreatenswildlife,fromthepolarbeartoalgaethatgrowbeneaththeseaice,supportingthelargeamountofmarinelife.Toavoidtheconsequencesthescientificcommunityshouldadvocatenotjustforloweringgreenhousegasemissions,butalsoforprotectingtheArcticfromexploitation.TheAntarcticshowstheway.Inthe1950s,countriesracedtoclaimtheAntarcticcontinentforresourcesandmilitaryinstallations.Enterthescientists.The1957-1958InternationalGeophysicalYearbroughttogetherscientistsfromcompetingcountriestostudyAntarctica,andcountriestemporarilysuspendedtheirterritorialdisputes(爭議).In1959,12countriessignedtheAntarcticTreatytopreservethecontinentforpeacefulscientificdiscoveryratherthanterritorialandmilitarygain.Sixtyyearslater,wemustnowsavetheArctic.AnewMarineArcticPeaceSanctuary(MAPS)TreatywouldprotecttheArcticOceanasascientificpreserveforpeacefulpurposesonly.SimilartoAntarctica,MAPSwouldprohibitresourceexploitation,commercialfishingandshipping,andmilitaryexercises.Sofar,only2non-ArcticcountrieshavesignedMAPS;97moreneedtosignontoenactitintolaw.Scientistscanhelp—justastheydidfortheAntarctic—bygivingstatementsofsupport,askingscientificorganizationstoendorse(支持)thetreaty,communicatingtheimportanceofprotectingthearctictothepublicandpolicy-makers,andaboveall,byconvincingnationalleaderstosignthetreaty.Inparticular,Arcticnationsmustagreethatrecognizingthearcticasaninternationalpreserveisbetterthanfightingoverit.In2018,thesecountriessuccessfullynegotiateda16-yearmoratoriumoncommercialfishingintheArctichighseas,demonstratingthatsuchagreementsarepossible.Humanshaveonlyeverlivedinaworldtoppedbyice.CanwenowworktogethertoprotectArcticecosystems,keepthenorthernpeace,andallowtheseaicetoreturn?25.Whatcanbeinferredfromthepassage?A.wildlifereliesonseaiceforfoodandwater.B.TheArcticwouldbeice-freein30years.C.Seaiceslowsdowntheglobalwarming.D.ThemeltingofseaicereleasesCO2.26.TheAntarcticismentionedinthepassageinorderto________.A.remindreadersofthepastoftheAntarcticB.proposeafeasibleapproachfortheArcticC.stresstheimportanceofpreservingseaiceD.recallhowtheAntarcticTreatycameintobeing27.Theword“moratorium”(in