新高考英语一轮复习练习考向27 阅读理解之说明文类(原卷版)

考向27阅读理解之说明文类语篇特征说明文是对事物或事理进行客观说明的一种文体，它以说明为主要表达方式，通过解说事物或阐明事理，达到教人以知识的目的，在结构上往往采用总分、递进等方式按一定的顺序（如时间、空间、从现象到本质）进行说明。说明文的特点是客观、简练、语言准确、明了，文章很少表达作者的感情倾向。阅读说明文的重点在于读懂它说明的事物或事理，了解事物的性质、构造、成因、功能等，了解事理的含意、特点等。最近五年，说明文的出现变化不大，一直很稳定，选材通常是各学科的前沿问题；高科技领域的科研成果；人们比较关心的社会问题；人文方面的经典。由于阅读理解题的设置采用渐进式，即由简到难的方式，因此说明文是高考试卷中阅读理解题中相对比较难的，通常后置。阅读理解试题的中要考点之一是考查学生对词汇和句式的掌握。说明文的词汇和句式的运用较别的体裁的文章难度更大。词汇运用灵活，同一词的不同词性的用法交替出现，未列入考纲的生词较多，通常达到了4-5%。不过考生可以通过说明文的语言特点来帮助理解语篇，例如，下定义、解释、举例、同义词、反义词、上下义词以及标点符号（如破折号、冒号都有表示解释和说明）等。科普说明文这种题材的文章大部分是介绍科技前沿、科学动态、新的发明创造、科研方法，或是对某一个问题的来龙去脉和解决方法等加以介绍。作者的目的就是让读者获得知识、信息，对说明对象有所了解，并获得某些方面的启示。其特点如下：

1.文章中会牵涉到实验、研究者、研究方法、在某项主题上的不同意见和争鸣，有时会出现读者还不熟悉的前沿性的科学题材，但作者一般持客观的态度，不显示自己的褒贬之意；

2.此类文章为了做到通俗易懂，在语言上尽量避免使用专业性词汇，对于动词，做到这一点较轻易，但是有些专有名词则无法避免，不过，作者通常会对较难的专有名词进行解释，甚至举例说明，这往往也是出题的地方；

3.在语法上，此类文章长句使用较多，主从复合句、同位语、插入语、非谓语动词形式和被动语态使用率较高；

4.此类文章语篇模式一般比较固定、整洁，主题句通常位于段首，多使用平行结构。

针对科普文章的这些特点，首先我们平时要多关注科学题材的文章，了解一些基本的科普知识；其次，在阅读时要注重实验的目的和结果，不能凭想象和猜测下结论；对于较难理解的句子要利用语法结构去分析；最后，要利用文章特点找准主题句，把握中心，从而一一破解题目。命题方式考向一细节理解题 说明文中考查的细节理解题大致与记叙文相似。命题区域都有其共同点：⑴在列举处命题，如用first(1y)、second(1y)、third(1y)finally、not

only...but

also...、then、in

addition等表示顺承关系的词语列举出事实。试题要求考生从列举出的内容中选出符合题干要求的答案项。⑵在例证处命题，句中常用由as、such

as、for

example、for

instance等引导的短语或句子作为例证，这些例句或比喻就成为命题者设问的焦点。⑶在转折对比处命题，一般通过however、but、yet、in

fact等词语来引导。对比用unlike、until、not

so

much…as等词语引导，命题者常对用来对比的双方属性进行考查。⑷在比较处命题，无端的比较、相反的比较、偷换对象的比较，经常出现在干扰项中，考生要标记并且关注到原文中的比较，才能顺利地排除干扰。⑸在复杂句中命题，包括同位词、插入语、定语、从句、不定式等，命题者主要考查考生对句子之间的指代关系和语法关系。

细节类问题一般都能在原文中找到出处，只要仔细就可以在文中找到答案。但正确的选择项不可能与阅读材料的原文完全相同，而是用不同的语句成句型表达相同的意思。

考向二语意猜测题

说明文为了把自然规律，事物的性质等介绍清楚或把事理阐述明白，因此学术性强的生词较多，所以常进行生词词义判断题的考查。命题方式多以the

underlinedpart

…

in

paragraph…refers

to…或what

does

the

underlined

word

mean?或what

is

the

meaning

of

the

underlined

word?为设问方式。解题时考生应认真阅读原文，分析其对某些科学原理是如何定义、如何解释的，并以此为突破口抽象概括出生词词义。也可以通过上下文来猜测某个陌生词语的语意。或者找出某个词语在文章中的同义词。要注意破折号、同位语从句、定语从句、插入语等具有解释、说明作用的语言成分。说明文在阐述说明对象时易发生动作变换、人称转变的现象，这类题目常以it，they，them

等代词为命题点，因此考生要根据上下文语境，认真阅读原文，分析动作转换背景，弄清动作不同执行者，以便准确判断代词的其实际指代对象。

考向三主旨大意题

说明文常用文章大意判断题考查考生对通篇文意的理解。即对文章的主题或中心意思的概括和归纳。主要考查考生对文章的整体理解能力。命题形式常以This

passage

mainly

talks

about

____.What

is

the

main

idea

of

the

passage?为设问方式。 答题时首先阅读题干，掌握问题的类型，了解试题题干以及各个选项所包含的信息，然后有针对性地对文章进行扫读，对有关信息进行快速定位，再将相关信息进行整合、甄别、分析、对比，有根有据地排除干扰项，选出正确答案。

考向四判断推理题

这种试题常以(1)thepassageisintendedto...(2)theauthorsuggeststhat...(3)thestoryimpliesthat…(4)whichpointofviewmaytheauthoragreeto?(5)fromthepassagewecanconcludethat...(6)thepurposeofthepassageisto...为设问方式。这种题型的答案在原文中不是直接就能找到的，它要求考生进行合理的推断。如因果关系，文中的某些用词、语气也往往具有隐含意义，考生要将这种含义读出来。说明文常出现图示判断题，这种试题可以事物之间正确的依赖关系为命题点，要求考生判断其正确的流程顺序相互关系等。考生一定要认真阅读原文，并对照原文介绍的情况，弄清图示的差异，根据题干需要最终做出正确判断。如：动物介绍性说明文常出现动物能力判断题，考查考生对特定动物所具有能力的判断。解题时考生应认真阅读原文对动物形态活动能力的判断，了解动物的生存环境和是否会使用工具，是否善于爬行、飞翔和游泳等。观点态度题也是判断推理题考查的内容之一。说明文的对象为客观事实，但设题以议论的表达方式抒发对该说明对象的想法。如对某种新发明的赞赏，或对某个事物的批判。这类题目常见的题干表达方式有what

was

the

author’s

attitude

towards

...?

等。解题技巧高考阅读理解中，说明文为主要体裁之一。高考阅读理解题的设问主要围绕以下四方面：细节事实题、主旨大意题、推理判断题、猜测词义题。其中，说明文主要以细节事实、主旨大意和猜测词义三方面问题为主。一、词义猜测类题型阅读理解题中常要求学生猜测某些单词或短语的意思。历年英语高考题中均有此类题目，有的文章尽管没有专门设题，但由于文章中常常出现生词，因此，词义的猜测还是贯穿在文章的阅读理解之中。解这类题目一般是通过上下文去理解或根据构词法去猜测。判断一个单词的意思不但离不开句子，而且还需要把句子放在上下文中，根据上下文提供的线索加以猜测。运用构词法,语境等推测关键词义，可以根据以下几种方法猜测：（一）内在逻辑关系根据内在逻辑关系推测词义是指运用语言知识分析和判断相关信息之间存在的逻辑关系，然后根据逻辑关系推断生词词义。通过同义词和反义词的关系猜词通过同义词猜词，一是要看由and或or连接的同义词词组，如happyandgay，即使我们不认识gay这个词，也可以知道它是愉快的意思。这是高三册第八单元阅读第五段的句子：Theword＂secure＂inparagraph5lineisclosestinmeaningto_________.freefromanxiety B.anxious C.nervous D.happy根据上下文和同义词，可以选出答案A。二是看在进一步解释的过程中使用的同义词，如ManhasknownsomethingabouttheplanetsVenus，Mars，andJupiterwiththehelpofspaceships.此句中的Venus（金星）,Mars（火星）,Jupiter（木星）均为生词，但只要知道planets就可猜出这几个词都属于＂行星＂这一义域.通过反义词猜词，一是看表转折关系的连词或副词，如but，while，however等；二是看与not搭配的或表示否定意义的词语，如：Heissohomely,notatallashandsomeashisbrother.根据notatall...handsome我们不难推测出homely的意思，即不英俊，不漂亮的意思。根据因果关系猜测词义通过因果关系猜词，首先是找出生词与上下文之间的逻辑关系，然后才能猜词。有时文章借助关联词（如because，as，since，for，so，thus，asaresult，ofcourse，therefore等等）表示前因后果。例如：Youshouldn’thaveblamedhimforthat,foritwasn’thisfault.通过for引出的句子所表示的原因（那不是他的错），可猜出blame的词义是＂责备＂。通过定义或释义关系来推测词义例如：Butsometimes,norainfallsforalong,longtime.Thenthereisadryperiod,ordrought.从drought所在句子的上文我们得知很久不下雨，于是便有一段干旱的时期，即drought，由此可见drought意思为＂久旱＂，＂旱灾＂。而adryperiod和drought是同义语。这种同义或释义关系常由is，or，thatis，inotherwords，becalled或破折号等来表示。通过句法功能来推测词义例如：Bananas,oranges,pineapples,coconutsandsomeotherkindoffruitgrowinwarmareas.假如pineapples和coconuts是生词，我们可以从这两个词在句中所处的位置来判断它们大致的意思。从句中不难看出pineapples,coconuts和bananas,oranges是同类关系，同属fruit类，因此它们是两样水果，准确地说，是菠萝和椰子。通过描述猜词描述即作者为帮助读者更感性地了解某人或某物而对该人或该物作出的外在相貌或内在特征的描写。例如ThepenguinisakindofseabirdlivingintheSouthPole.Itisfatandwalksinafunnyway.Althoughitcannotfly，itcanswimintheicywatertocatchthefish.从例句的描述中可以得知penguin是一种生活在南极的鸟类.后面更详尽地描述了该鸟类的生活习性。（二）外部相关因素外部相关因素是指篇章（句子或段落）以外的其他知识，有时仅靠分析篇章内在逻辑关系无法猜出词义。这时，就需要运用生活经验和普通常识确定词义。例如：Thesnakeslitheredthroughthegrass.根据有关蛇的生活习性的知识，我们可以推断出slither词义为＂爬行＂。（三）构词法在阅读文章时，我们总会遇上一些新词汇，有时很难根据上下文来推断其词意，而它们对文章的理解又有着举足轻重的作用，此时，如掌握了一些常用的词根,前缀,后缀,合成等构词法知识，这些问题便不难解决了。根据前缀猜测词义例如：Hefellintoaditchandlaythere,semi-conscious,forafewminutes.根据词根conscious（清醒的，有意识的），结合前缀semi（半，部分的，不完全的），我们便可猜出semiconscious词义＂半清醒的，半昏迷的。＂I’milliterateaboutsuchthings.词根lit-erate意为＂有文化修养的，通晓的＂，前缀il表示否定，因此illiterate指＂一窍不通，不知道的＂。根据后缀猜测词义例如：Insecticideisappliedwhereitisneeded.后缀cide表示＂杀者，杀灭剂＂，结合大家熟悉的词根insect（昆虫），不难猜出insecticide意为＂杀虫剂＂。Thenthevapormaychangeintodroplets.后缀let表示＂小的＂，词根drop指＂滴，滴状物＂。将两个意思结合起来，便可推断出droplet词义＂小滴，微滴＂。根据复合词的各部分猜测词义例如：Growingeconomicproblemswerehigh-lightedbyaslowdowninoiloutput.Hightlight或许是一个生词，但是分析该词结构后，就能推测出其含义。它是由high（高的，强的）和light（光线）两部分组成，合在一起便是＂以强光照射，使突出＂的意思。BullfightisverypopularinSpain.Bull（公牛）和fight（打，搏斗）结合在一起，指一种在西班牙颇为流行的体育运动—斗牛。二、主旨大意类题型主旨大意类题型主要测试学生对文章全面理解和概括的能力，提问的内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。怎样把握主旨大意题呢？通常有以下几种方法：（一）阅读文章的标题或副标题文章的标题是一篇文章的题眼，通过阅读标题或副标题可以迅速把握文章的主旨大意。（二）寻找文章的主题句分析篇章结构，找出文章主题。在许多情况下，尤其在阅读说明文和议论文时，根据其篇章特点我们可以通过仔细阅读短文的第一句或第二句，即文章的主题句来归纳出文章的主题.若短文由若干段组成，除仔细阅读第一段的首句外，还须仔细阅读每一段的第一句，即段落中心。通常文章的中心思想包含在文章的首句，有时也在文章的末句，其他句子都是用来说明和阐述主题句。因此，在确定文章的中心思想时，要求学生重视阅读文章的首句和末句。但也有一些文章，中心思想常常贯穿在全文中，因此要求学生综观全文，对段落的内容要融会贯通，对文章透彻理解后归纳总结。主题句的特点是：1.相对于其他句子，它表达的意思比较概括；2.主题句一般结构简单；3.段落中其他句子必定是用来解释，支撑或发展主题句所表达的思想的。总之，为提高阅读理解能力，在阅读时应抓中心思想，作者意图及关键词语，运用联想、比较、归纳、推测等方法，得出最佳结论，选择最佳答案，不能主观臆测，把自己的观点强加进去，与文章的观点混为一谈。经过长时间有计划，有目的的系统训练，使学生加快阅读速度，提高阅读的正确性，使两者有机地统一起来，以提高学生阅读英语和运用英语进行交际的能力，为继续学习和运用英语切实打好基础.阅读是一种综合性很强的语言实际活动。我们只有进行大量的课内外阅读，掌握一定的阅读技巧，正确运用阅读方法，才能有效地提高阅读理解能力。【检测训练】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(老年痴呆症)morecommon，morefamiliesarestrugglingwithacomplexquestion:Howdoyousupportalovedonewithdementia,especiallywhenyouhaveafull-timejobandseveralkids?RegUrbanowskimayhaveananswertothispressingissue:ROBOTS.HeandhisteammanagedtodevelopanewtypeofrobotsnamedTProbots.Lookinglikestand-upvacuumcleanersattachedtoaniPad,theycanbeactivatedremotelyviaasmartphoneandguidedremotelybyacontrollerappsimilartothewayamouseisusedonadesktopcomputer.Allpossessaudioandvisualcommunicationcapabilities,allowingtheoperatortobe“intheroom”tointeractwithMomorDad.HebelievesthatcaregiversandfamilymemberscanuseaTProbotto“lookin”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(人类学家)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(立场)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(脑容量)ofhundredsofdinosaursandextinctbirdsbyscanningfossilsoftheirskulls.Thereadingswerecomparedtoalargedatabasecontainingthebrainsizesofmodernbirds.Thesemeasurementswerethenanalyzed,takingintoconsiderationeachbird’sbodysize—resultinginsomethingcalled“relativebrainsize”.Theresultsshowedthatadramaticchangeofbirds’bodysizehappenedrightafterthemassextinctionofdinosaurs66millionyearsago.Accordingtothestudy,publishedonApril23inthejournalCurrentBiology,birdsanddinosaurshadsimilarbrainsizesbeforetheextinction.Aftertheextinctionofthedinosaurs,however,birdshadtofindawaytosurvive,sotheyshranktheirbodies—sincesmalleranimalsneedlessfood—buttheykepttheirbigbrains.“Thechangedlandscapemayhavecausedtherapidevolutionofnewbrainbodyscalingpatterns(缩放比例)byfavoringbothlargerbrainsandsmallerbodies,”USpaleontologist(古生物学家)DanielKsepka,whoistheleadauthorofthestudy,toldCNN.This“evolutionarybrainleap”—asscientistscallit—alsohappenedveryrapidly.Withoutdinosaurs,birdsquicklyrepopulated.Theycameinalltypesandsizes,whichcontributedtothediversespeciesofbirdsweseetoday.Butamongallthebirdspecies,certainones“showaboveaverageratesofbrainandbodysizeevolution”,studyco-authorAdamSmithatClemsonUniversity,US,saidinastatement—withcrowsandparrotsbeingthemostevident.Infact,previousstudieshavealreadydiscoveredthatthesebirdshaveanamazingcognitivecapacity(认知能力).Theyareabletousetools,imitatehumanspeechandevenrememberhumanfaces.So,inthewordsofSmith,“callingsomeone‘birdbrained’isactuallyquiteacompliment(恭维)”!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(拍卖)onTuesday.NFTstandsfornon-fungibletoken.Itisapieceofartthatonlyexistsonacomputertechnologyknownasblockchain(区块链).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(争议).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