高考英语说明文阅读专练一

1、高考英语说明文阅读专练（带答案）一The film Dont Look Up, from director Adam McKay and writer David Sirota, tells the story of Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), two astronomers who discover a comet that will impact the Earth in just over six months. The certainty of impact is

2、 99.7%, as certain as just about anything in science.The two astronomers are given a 20-minute audience with the president, who is glad to hear that impact isnt technically 100% certain. Weighing election strategy above the fate of the planet, she decides to “sit tight and assess”. Desperate, they t

3、hen go on a national morning show, but the TV hosts make light of their warning.By now, the approaching collision with comet Dibiasky is confirmed by scientists around the world. After political winds shift, the president initiates a mission to divert (使转向) the comet, but changes her mind at the las

4、t moment when urged to do so by a billionaire donor with his own plan to guide it to a safe landing, using unproven technology, in order to claim its precious metals.We live in a society in which, despite extraordinarily clear climate danger, more than half of Republican members of Congress still sa

5、y climate change is a trick and many more wish to block action. Given all this, dismissing Dont Look Up as too obvious might say more about the critic than the film. Its funny and terrifying because it conveys a certain cold truth that climate scientists and others who understand the full depth of t

6、he climate emergency are living every day.I hope that this movie, comically describing how hard it is to break through general norms, actually helps break through those norms in real life. I also hope Hollywood is learning how to tell climate stories that highlight the many absurdities that arise fr

7、om collectively knowing whats coming while collectively failing to act, instead of stories that create comforting distance from the grave danger we are in via unrealistic technology fixes for unrealistic disaster scenarios (设想). More and better facts will not catalyze (催化) this sociocultural tipping

8、 point, but more and better stories might.4. Why does the president cancel the mission to divert the comet?A. The diverting technology is unproven.B. The impact isnt technically 100% certain.C. The media make light of the impact warning.D. The mission is opposed by her election sponsor.5. What is Do

9、nt Look Up mainly about?A. How political ills affect Americans.B. How politicians block scientists action.C. How two astronomers try to solve a crisis.D. How a crisis becomes increasingly serious.6. Which words best describe Dont Look Up, according to the author?A. Romantic and critical.B. Ironic an

10、d enlightening.C. Realistic and light-hearted.D. Entertaining and historical.7. What message does the author want to convey through the text?A. Sci-fi films should focus more on reality than fantasy.B. More and better stories may help break ill social norms.C. American politicians give priority to t

11、heir own benefits.D. The truth about the climate crisis is hidden from the public.二Sending rockets into space requires sacrificing expensive equipment, burning massive amounts of fuel, and risking potential catastrophe. So in the space race of the 21st century, some engineers are abandoning rockets

12、for something much more exciting: elevators.Imagine hopping on a fast-spinning carousel (旋转木马) while holding a rope attached to a rock. As long as the carousel keeps spinning, the rock and rope will remain horizontal, kept in the air by centrifugal force (离心力). If we replace the carousel with the Ea

13、rth, the rope with a long cable, and the rock with a counterweight, we can imagine the modern space elevatora cable pulled into space by the physics of our spinning planet. For this to work, the counterweight would need to be far enough away that the centrifugal force generated by the Earths spin is

14、 greater than the planets gravity. These forces balance out at roughly 36,000 kilometers above the surface, so the counterweight should be beyond this height. The resultant force on objects at this specific distance is evidently zero, leaving the objects in geostationary orbit, which means they revo

15、lve around the Earth at the same rate the planet spins, thus appearing motionless in the sky.The counterweight itself could be anything. From here, the cable could be released down through the atmosphere and connected to a base station on the planets surface. To maximize centrifugal acceleration, th

16、is anchor point should be close to the Equator. And by making the loading station a mobile ocean base, the entire system could be moved at will, allowing it to perform around extreme weather, and avoid satellites in space. Once established, cargo could be loaded onto devices called climbers, which w

17、ould pull packages along the cable and into orbit.But the main problem lies in the cable itself. In addition to supporting a massive amount of weight, the cables material would have to be strong enough to stand the counterweights pull. And because this tension and the force of gravity would vary at

18、different points, its strength and thickness would need to vary as well. But so far, weve only been able to manufacture very small nanotube (纳米碳管) chains.1. Why does the author mention the carousel experience in Paragraph 2?A. To illustrate a theory.B. To make a prediction.C. To introduce the topic.

19、D. To provide the background.2. What makes objects revolve around the Earth at the same rate the planet spins?A. The resultant force.B. The counterweights pull.C. The centrifugal force.D. The planets gravity.3. Which of the following statements about the space elevator is correct?A. The loading posi

20、tion would be a fixed base.B. The climbers would pull the cable into orbit.C. The cargo could be sent into orbit from the sea.D. The cable could connect the base station to the Equator.4. How might scientists solve the cable problem?A. By operating the elevator with more cables.B. By making the cabl

21、e flexible and strengthened.C. By reducing the counterweights pull on the cable.D. By building the elevator somewhere with no gravity.三By mimicking (模仿) the properties (特性) of spider silk, one of the strongest materials in nature, researchers from the University of Cambridge have created a plant-bas

22、ed, sustainable material which promises to replace plastic in many common household products.Created by using a new approach for assembling plant proteins into materials which mimic silk on a molecular (分子的) level, the new material is as strong as many common plastics in use today. The energy-effici

23、ent method, which uses sustainable ingredients, results in a plastic-like film. Non-fading “structural” color can be added to the film, and it can also be used to make water-resistant coatings.For years, Professor Tuomas Knowles from Cambridge has been researching the behavior of proteins. Much of h

24、is research has been focused on what happens when proteins misfold or “misbehave”, and how this relates to health and human disease, primarily Alzheimers disease. As part of the research, Knowles and his team became interested in why materials like spider silk are so strong when they have such weak

25、molecular bonds (键). Having found that one of the key features that gives spider silk its strength is that the hydrogen bonds are arranged regularly in space and at a very high density, the researchers successfully replicated (复制) the structures found on spider silk by using soy protein isolate (SPI

26、), a protein with a completely different composition.“Other researchers have been working directly with silk materials as a plastic replacement, but theyre still an animal product. In a way weve come up with vegan spider silk weve created the same material without the spider.”“This is the culminatio

27、n of something weve been working on for years, which is understanding how nature generates materials from proteins,” said Knowles. “We didnt set out to solve a sustainability challenge we were motivated by curiosity as to how to create strong materials from weak interactions.”1. What is Paragraph 3

28、mainly about?A. How the new material was created.B. What makes the ideal ingredients.C. Who are in charge of the research.D. Why health and disease are connected.2. Which of the following might Knowles agree with?A. Life is full of surprises.B. Ideals light our way forward.C. Failure is the mother o

29、f success.D. We must believe in ourselves.3. How is the new film different from other silk materials?A. Its strong.B. Its efficient.C. Its sustainable.D. Its replaceable.4. Which of the following is the underlined word “culmination” closest in meaning to?A. Fruit.B. Demand.C. Complexity.D. Change.四L

30、eft to their own devices, most children wont hesitate to lick a doorknob or wipe a runny nose with their sleeve. But is there any truth to the idea that their affection for getting dirty can be beneficial to their health?That theory dates back to the 1800s, when European doctors realized that farmer

31、s suffered fewer allergies than city residents. However, it didnt gain widespread attention until 1989, when British epidemiologist David Strachan discovered that youngsters with older siblings were less likely to be infected than other kids with hay fever. Strachan suggested that early childhood in

32、fections transmitted by insanitary contact helped foster a strong immune(免疫的)system.His theory, called the hygiene hypothesis(卫生假说), provides a convenient explanation for why allergies and autoimmune disorders, have increased 300 percent or more in the US since the 1950s. Maybe Western societies hav

33、e become too clean for their own good, and parents too fearful of a little dirt. As microbiologist Graham Rook notes, getting a bit messy can help cultivate the thousands of microbial species that call the body home and keep it healthy. Providing that boost can be as easy as having pets, tending chi

34、ckens, or playing in a green space.Its also wise to go easy on the antibiotics(抗生素). Although they can be lifesavers for patients with severe bacterial infections, theres “a real risk of harm” from overuse, says John Lynch, a doctor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Regaining your

35、 native microbiota can be extremely hard, “ he explains. All this is not to say youngsters should be messy. You definitely want them to wash their hands regularly, and cleaning high-touch surfaces is vital to avoid unpleasant infections like norovirus, Rook advised. Just dont go overboard and kill t

36、he bacteria on everything. As it turns out, kids probably do need a few germs to stay healthy.1. What does the underlined word “insanitary” mean in Paragraph 2?A. Unclean.B. Wide.C. Risky. D. Protective.2. Which of the following may be explained by the hygiene hypothesis?A. Dirt-free houses reduce f

37、ever in children.B. Some farmers are highly allergic to flowers.C. Being too clean leads to increased allergies.D. A virus infection causes autoimmune disorders.3. What is John Lynchs attitude to the use of antibiotics?A. Cautious.B. Supportive.C. Critical. D. Indifferent.4. What might be Rooks advi

38、ce for parents?A. Leaving high-touch surfaces dirty.B. Allowing kids to play in the garden.C. Replacing kids pets with artificial ones.D. Making the playrooms absolutely clean.五Amaranth, an ancient plant, is drawing attention throughout the world and connecting indigenous people (土著人) to their histo

39、ry. Since the 1970s, Amaranth has become a billion-dollar food and makeup product. Health-conscious shoppers will find it in rising numbers of grocery stores in the US and Mexico, and, increasingly, in Europe and the Asia Pacific.“This is a plant that could feed the world,” said Beata from a nonprof

40、it organization. Amaranth is actually a grain，like buckwheat (荞麦). Its seed is a highly nutritious source of protein，vitamins and minerals. A single amaranth plant produces hundreds of seeds, and a small handful of seeds will turn into hundred-pound bags of harvest the next season. Growing amaranth

41、has provided a degree of economic independence for indigenous farmers in Guatemala and the US. The 8000-year-old plant tolerates a wide variety of climate conditions. Native to Mesoamerica, it is also grown in China, India, south-east Asia, west Africa and the Caribbean.Its this toughness that allow

42、ed the plant to survive over the centuries,even when the Spanish arrived in the Americas in the 16th century and banned amaranth. Amaranth faced another near-extinction when state forces began targeting the Maya people, and burning their fields,during the civil war. To preserve their traditional foo

43、ds, Mayan farmers poured seeds into glass jars to bury in their fields or hide under floorboards.“What we want is for the whole world to produce their own food,” said Maria, a member of agricultural community Qachuu Aloom.“For the seeds,distance doesnt exist.Borders dont exist.” Most recently, Maria

44、 said that during the pandemic, people with their own gardens, especially in locked down communities, felt secure knowing they had control over their food supply, thanks to amaranth. Amaranth has completely changed the lives of families in our communities, not only economically, but spiritually, add

45、ed Maria.1. What is the main idea of Paragraph 1?A. Amaranth offers many health benefits.B. Amaranth is an ancient but useful plant.C. Amaranth is gaining growing popularity.D. Amaranth connects people to their history.2. What has made Amaranth an 8000-year-old plant?A. Its tough root.B. Its unforge

46、ttable flavor.C. Its balanced nutrition.D. Its amazing adaptability.3. According to Maria,what can Amaranth bring people?A. Bodily health.B. Spiritual security.C. Greater wealth.D. Closer relationship.4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?A. How to Fight Food ShortageB. Ancient

47、Plants Amazing HistoryC. A Plant That Could Feed The WorldD. How A Plant Promotes A Healthy Life六Every day people board planes,get on trains and ready themselves for an adventure. But what about the deep sea? Although it covers 70 percent of the Earths surface,we hardly stop to think of it as a tour

48、ist destination. However, the travel industry has made great advancement in creating aquatic(水中的) hotspots.From the luxury to the relatively modest,underwater resorts have been popping up in recent years. For those with a truly adventurous spirit and some money to spend,you can even rent your own su

49、bmarine. Staffed with a captain,a personal chef and a butler(管家),Olivers Travels submarine,the Lovers Deep,is a unique getaway. For those looking for a slightly different experience,there is JulesUndersea Lodge in Florida,US,named after Jules Verne,the author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.Other se

50、ctors of the emerging underwater tourism industry have brought a bit of art to the deep sea. According to the BBC,“theres a move to combine underwater tourism with art tourism to attract a new kind of traveler. Underwater museums and exhibits like the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada an

51、d Australias Museum of Underwater Art allow visitors to see incredible sculptures in a truly magnificent atmosphere. Underwater archaeological(考古的)sites have also become popular destinations, such as the ones in Turkey, where people can visit sunken cities.Exploring Earths bodies of water has brough

52、t more awareness to the importance of protecting oceans and the animal life that calls them home. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor,whose artwork can be seen in multiple underwater attractions around the world, feels this is key. “Most people just see the surface of the ocean and it is hard to

53、think of something so plain and enormous as fragile. We dont regard our oceans as sacred(神圣的)and we should.”1. What does the underlined expression popping up in Paragraph 2 probably mean?A. Appearing suddenly.B. Changing constantly.C. Working properly.D. Moving unexpectedly.2. Why does the author me

54、ntion underwater museums and exhibits in Paragraph 3?A. To prove the power of art.B. To explain a new travel rule.C. To introduce a new travel trend.D. To recommend popular destinations.3. What is the authors attitude towards underwater tourism?A. Neutral.B. Supportive.C. Cautious.D. Disapproving.4.

55、 What can we infer from the last paragraph?A. Enormous resources are there for exploration in the ocean.B. Underwater vacation has brought huge commercial benefits.C. Artists consider it tough to protect underwater environment.D. Underwater travel has a positive effect on ocean protection.七Oliver, t

56、he CTO of a high-tech company, loved to participate in all conversations at the C-suite level, regardless of topic. He was often the first to raise his hand for a project, appeared to have infinite capacity to get high-quality work done, and offered to assist his peers and direct reports. Oliver see

57、med to be all-in; optimistic, energetic, supportive, and someone who constituted to everyone.However, the more Oliver participated, the more others around him were slighted. Instead of sparking creatively in others, his ideas outshone everyone elses. He consumed time speaking in meetings, exhausting

58、 the oxygen level in the room. Oliver felt pumped up by how many of his ideas had been deployed but frustrated by others lack of sufficient effort.While the CEO appreciated Olivers yield, she recognized he had to change his approach to keep the rest of the team productive. In response, Oliver worked

59、 out a plan to help address his cooperation challenges using techniques many other executives had deployed.When we over-participate, we believe that were being helpful. However, “helpfulness” is defined by the recipient, not the giver. Instead of improving his relationships with colleagues, Oliver r

60、obbed them of fulfillment by furnishing masses of ideas. They felt discouraged, interrupted, and excluded. To fix the issue, Oliver learned the value of asking two specific questions before offering his own ideas: “What have you thought of?” and “What would be most helpful for you at this point?” Su