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2024年高考英语二轮复习专题： 阅读理解(说明文)（广东专用）
1.【2024·广东·二模】
Iceland is Europe’s westernmost country. Over 1,000 years ago, ancient explorers migrated from northern Europe to Iceland and established the country. Most visitors’ popular destination is its capital city, Reykjavik, known for its stylish architecture. The city’s downtown area is lined with shops, art galleries, cafes, and bookstores.
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active nations in the world with a number of hot springs, all of which are heated naturally by volcanic activity. In fact, Iceland changes energy from these springs into electricity, which powers and heats people’s homes. As a result, Iceland burns very little fossil (化石) fuel, such as oil and gas. Hot springs are also popular among tourists. They receive more than 1.3 million visitors a year, who can relax their muscles and release their tension in the hot water.
Apart from springs, there is a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy elsewhere in the country. “Iceland is an adventure,” says Squire, whose company organizes adventure trips. “We have Europe’s biggest glaciers (冰山), active volcanoes, cave explorations, and skiing.” One of Iceland’s most popular attractions is caving. Exploring Iceland’s unusual caves requires only basic caving knowledge and equipment. Ice caves are more challenging, however, and require special clothes and hiking tools.
If exploring caves and glaciers doesn’t interest you, head south. No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to the Golden Circle, which connects Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir Valley. Adventurers go to the Thingvellir Valley, where the land is actually separating and the stony ground beneath your feet frequently shifts. Hold on while you hike!
1．What is Reykjavik famous for
A．Fashionable buildings. B．Small shops. C．Art galleries. D．Modern cafes.
2．Where does Iceland mainly get electricity
A．From solar power. B．From hot springs. C．From oil. D．From gas.
3．What is hiking in Thingvellir Valley like
A．Risky. B．Enjoyable. C．Boring. D．Rewarding.
4．Who is this passage mainly written for
A．Scientists. B．The locals. C．Tourists. D．Business travellers.
【答案】1．A 2．B 3．A 4．C
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了冰岛的一些旅游景点和旅行活动。
1．细节理解题。根据第一段的“Most visitors’ popular destination is its capital city, Reykjavik, known for its stylish architecture. (大多数游客的热门目的地是其首都雷克雅未克，以其时尚的建筑而闻名。)”可知，雷克雅未克以时尚的建筑而闻名。故选A。
2．细节理解题。根据第二段的“Iceland is one of the most volcanically active nations in the world with a number of hot springs, all of which are heated naturally by volcanic activity. In fact, Iceland changes energy from these springs into electricity, which powers and heats people’s homes. (冰岛是世界上火山活动最活跃的国家之一，拥有许多温泉，所有这些温泉都是由火山活动自然加热的。事实上，冰岛将这些温泉的能量转化为电力，为人们的家庭供电和供暖。) ”可知，冰岛主要从温泉获得电力。故选B。
3．推理判断题。根据第四段的“Adventurers go to the Thingvellir Valley, where the land is actually separating and the stony ground beneath your feet frequently shifts. Hold on while you hike!(冒险家们会去Thingvellir山谷，那里的土地实际上是分裂的，脚下的石头地面经常变化。徒步旅行时脚下要踩住地面!)”可知，在Thingvellir山谷徒步旅行是有风险的。故选A。
4．推理判断题。根据第一段的“Iceland is Europe’s westernmost country. Over 1,000 years ago, ancient explorers migrated from northern Europe to Iceland and established the country. Most visitors’ popular destination is its capital city, Reykjavik, known for its stylish architecture. The city’s downtown area is lined with shops, art galleries, cafes, and bookstores.(冰岛是欧洲最西端的国家。一千多年前，古代探险家从北欧迁徙到冰岛，建立了这个国家。大多数游客的热门目的地是其首都雷克雅未克，以其时尚的建筑而闻名。市中心林立着商店、艺术画廊、咖啡馆和书店。)”可知，这篇文章介绍了冰岛的一些旅游景点和旅行活动，因此主要是写给游客的。故选C。
2.【2023·广东·二模】
I’ve never had a great sense of direction. And I often wander into shops and, upon coming back out, can’t remember which way I’ve come from — left or right Many people are like me, and why do some constantly have no idea where they are
The hippocampus (海马体) is a region of the brain associated with memory and involved in sense of direction. And a nearby region has also been associated with sense of direction. There are four known types of navigation-related neurons (神经元), found in these regions place cells, grid cells, border cells and head direction cells.
In short, you can think of place cells as an internal cognitive (认知的) map; they identify where you are. Grid cells are like a GPS system in our brain; they tell us about the relationship of this place to other places we’ve been to. Border cells respond to the presence of environmental boundaries at a specific direction and distance from us. Lastly, head direction cells are activated when our head faces a specific direction. These cells will fire electrical impulses when we enter familiar locations, with each group of cells relating to a specific place.
Our reliance on GPS and smartphones may have decreased the ability to use our internal maps. Older adults who regularly used GPS had less activity in their hippocampus, compared with those who did not use GPS. They also performed slightly worse in a cognition test. In contrast, a study involving London taxi drivers found they significantly larger hippocampus than ordinary people.
You can improve your way-finding ability specifically by practicing the skill, according to Aziz, PhD of neurology at Temple University School of Medicine. “The more you get out and go to places, the better,” he says. Physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain, while mental exercise, such as doing puzzles or learning a new language, stimulates the development of new nerve cells and connections in your brain.
5．How does the author introduce the topic of the text
A．By raising a question.
B．By making a comparison.
C．By stating personal opinions.
D．By referring to scientific research.
6．What can we learn about the four types of navigation-related neurons
A．They depend closely on each other.
B．They are responsible for different jobs.
C．They will decrease in numbers as one ages.
D．They will fail to function in unfamiliar situations.
7．What will happen it we rely too much on GPS
A．We will easily be misled.
B．Our hippocampus will get enlarged.
C．Our cognitive ability will be affected.
D．We will have our hippocampus relaxed.
8．What are we advised to do according to the last paragraph
A．Build up our body. B．Take training courses.
C．Try different brain exercises. D．Get out to connect with people.
【答案】5．A 6．B 7．C 8．C
【导语】这是一篇说明文，文章阐释了有些人是“路痴”的原因，以及如何获得方向感。
5．推理判断题。根据第一段中“Many people are like me, and why do some constantly have no idea where they are (很多人都像我一样，为什么有些人总是不知道自己在哪里？)”并结合下文介绍人们是怎样认路，以及为什么有人是路痴可知，作者是通过提出问题的方式来引出本文主题的。故选A。
6．推理判断题。根据第三段“In short, you can think of place cells as an internal. cognitive (认知的) map; they identify where you are. Grid cells are like a GPS system in our brain; they tell us about the relationship of this place to other places we’ve been to. Border cells respond to the presence of environmental boundaries at a specific direction and distance from us. Lastly, head direction cells are activated when our head faces a specific direction. These cells will fire electrical impulses when we enter familiar locations, with each group of cells relating to a specific place.(简而言之，你可以把位置细胞想象成一个内部认知地图；它们能识别你的位置。网格细胞就像我们大脑中的GPS系统；它们告诉我们这个地方与我们去过的其他地方的关系。边界细胞对特定方向和距离的环境边界做出反应。最后，当我们的头朝向一个特定的方向时，头部方向细胞被激活。当我们进入熟悉的地方时，这些细胞会发出电脉冲，每一组细胞都与一个特定的地方有关)”可知，这四种细胞各司其职，在帮助我们辨别方向和位置时起着不同的作用，故选B。
7．推理判断题。根据第四段中“Older adults who regularly used GPS had less activity in their hippocampus, compared with those who did not use GPS. They also performed slightly worse in a cognition test.(与不使用GPS的老年人相比，经常使用GPS的老年人的海马体活动较少。他们在认知测试中的表现也略差)”可知，过度依赖GPS导航会影响我们的认知能力，故选C。
8．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain, while mental exercise, such as doing puzzles or learning a new language, stimulates the development of new nerve cells and connections in your brain.(体育锻炼可以促进大脑的血液流动，而智力锻炼，比如做拼图或学习一门新语言，可以刺激大脑中新神经细胞和连接的发育)”可知，作者建议我们尝试不同的脑力训练活动，故选C。
3.【2024·广东肇庆·二模】
“He is a giant of the 20th-century art, but that doesn’t mean he only did big paintings, said Lynn Miller, director of Rochester Central Gallery, in an interview last Thursday.
Entitled “Picasso and His Drafts”, a special exhibit marking 50 years since the death of Pablo Picasso is held at the gallery this month. Instead of his paintings, the notebooks on which the Spanish legendary artist drew drafts are shown to the public for the first time.
Matchbox covers, postcards, restaurant napkins all served as drafting notes for the artist at moments of inspiration. It is important to know that each of the 14 notebooks presented reflects what was going on in his life.
For example, a tiny notebook whose size is just 3 by 5 inches stands out among the exhibits. Inside the little book was a self-portrait of the artist finished roughly in pencil, with deep and thoughtful eyes. It was done in 1918 and Picasso, then in his mid-30s, had just got married. He produced big-sized artworks but he also kept this tiny notebook around, filling it with scenes of his wife, their friends, the beach and the town, and drafts of upcoming paintings. Actually, many of the draft drawings are early versions of famed paintings like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and Dora Maar in an Armchair (1939).
“He is a great artist of the modern period, and we see practice and determination in his notebooks,” said Lynn Miller, referring to Picasso’s efforts in improving his skills through copious drawing. Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a grandson of Picasso’s, remembered him always drafting until the last piece of paper available. “My grandpa was permanently drawing something,” Ruiz-Picasso said.
In a documentary film shown at the gallery, Picasso, shirtless and in shorts, was standing on a ladder to reach the top of his canvas (画布). It reminds visitors of the real size of his masterworks.
9．What are the key features of the recent exhibit at the gallery
A．Notebooks for sale. B．Picasso’s artworks.
C．Priceless artistic drafts. D．Masterpieces of the 20th century.
10．What is reflected in the notebooks of Picasso
A．His life experience. B．The love for his country.
C．The content of his books. D．His education background.
11．Which of the following best describes Picasso according to his grandson
A．Creative. B．Diligent. C．Optimistic. D．Humorous.
12．What can we learn from the author’s words in the last paragraph
A．Picasso used to mind his appearance. B．The gallery exhibits real masterworks.
C．The documentary movie is worth seeing. D．Picasso’s artworks are actually of great size.
【答案】9．C 10．A 11．B 12．D
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了画廊举行了纪念毕加索逝世50周年的特别展览“毕加索和他的草稿”。这次向公众展示的不是他的画作，而是这位西班牙传奇艺术家绘制草稿的笔记本。文章介绍了这些笔记本的特点以及毕加索个人的一些品质。
9．细节理解题。根据第二段“Entitled “Picasso and His Drafts”, a special exhibit marking 50 years since the death of Pablo Picasso is held at the gallery this month. Instead of his paintings, the notebooks on which the Spanish legendary artist drew drafts are shown to the public for the first time.(本月，画廊举行了纪念毕加索逝世50周年的特别展览“毕加索和他的草稿”。这次向公众展示的不是他的画作，而是这位西班牙传奇艺术家绘制草稿的笔记本)”可知，画廊最近展览的主要特点是无价的艺术草稿。故选C。
10．细节理解题。根据第三段“It is important to know that each of the 14 notebooks presented reflects what was going on in his life. (重要的是，要知道，14本笔记本中的每一本都反映了他生活中发生的事情)”可知，毕加索的笔记反映了他的人生经历。故选A。
11．推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a grandson of Picasso’s, remembered him always drafting until the last piece of paper available. “My grandpa was permanently drawing something, Ruiz-Picasso said.(毕加索的孙子伯纳德·鲁伊斯-毕加索回忆说，毕加索总是画到最后一张纸为止。“我爷爷一直在画画，”鲁伊斯-毕加索说)”可推知，根据毕加索孙子的说法，毕加索很勤奋。故选B。
12．细节理解题。根据最后一段“In a documentary film shown at the gallery, Picasso, shirtless and in shorts, was standing on a ladder to reach the top of his canvas (画布). It reminds visitors of the real size of his masterworks.(在画廊放映的一部纪录片中，毕加索光着膀子，穿着短裤，站在梯子上，试图到达画布的顶部。它提醒游客他的杰作的真实尺寸)”可知，毕加索的艺术品实际上尺寸很大。故选D。
4.【2024·广东佛山·二模】
Different forests in the western United States have unique combinations of trees and birds. One type has broad-leaved trees like ash and cottonwood, along with kingbirds. Anoher type has evergreen trees like pine and white spruce, along with juncos. Ecologists in the early twentieth century once claimed these ecological communities were precisely balanced systems, where every species had a specific role to play in a complex machine. They believed that removing or adding any plant, bird, or insect, could disrupt this balance and harm the habitat. One of these pioneer ecologists was Frederick Clements, who believed that in a specific climate area, ecological communities gradually moved toward the most balanced and integrated group of species in that region.
Clements was challenged by another pioneer ecologist, Henry Gleason, who took the opposite view. Gleason
viewed the community as largely a group of species with similar tolerances to the stresses given by climate and other factors typical of the region. Gleason thought chance played a big role in where species lived. His concept suggests that nature is not highly integrated. Each species is responding individually to its surroundings. Gleason thought things could change in different ways, depending upon local conditions.
Who was right It now appears that Gleason was more accurate than Clements. The ecological community is mostly a random collection of species with similar responses to a particular climate. Ash trees are found in association with cottonwood trees because both can survive well on floodplains and the competition between them is not so strong that only one can survive.
This is not to say that precise harmonies are not present within communities. Most flowering plants rely on pollinators (传粉者). But if we see a precise balance of nature, it is largely a product of our perception, due to the false belief that nature, especially a complex system like a forest, seems so unchanging from one day to the next.
13．Early 20th century ecologists commonly claimed that___________.
A．each species plays a specific role in the community
B．new species need to be added as communities develop
C．maintaining precise balance in community is challenging
D．it is important to protect communities by removing certain species
14．According to Gleason, what influences where species live
A．How individualistic the species is. B．Their ability to tolerate the stresses there.
C．The number of similar species present. D．Their ways to integrate with other species.
15．Why does the author mention two kinds of trees in paragraph 3
A．To show greater species variety in floodplains.
B．To provide evidence to support Clements’ theory.
C．To give an example of species that prefer to live on floodplains.
D．To support the current view on how ecological communities develop.
16．The underlined word “perception” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to____________.
A．culture B．environment C．understanding D．education
【答案】13．A 14．B 15．D 16．C
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了以前和现在的科学家对于生态群落的不同看法，比较了二者的区别，指出了其中的错误。
13．细节理解题。根据第一段“Ecologists in the early twentieth century once claimed these ecological communities were precisely balanced systems, where every species had a specific role to play in a complex machine. They believed that removing or adding any plant, bird, or insect, could disrupt this balance and harm the habitat.(20世纪初的生态学家曾声称，这些生态群落是精确平衡的系统，其中每个物种在复杂的机器中都扮演着特定的角色。他们认为，移除或添加任何植物、鸟类或昆虫都会破坏这种平衡，损害栖息地)”可知，20世纪早期的生态学家普遍认为每个物种在群落中扮演着特定的角色。故选A。
14．细节理解题。根据第二段“Gleason viewed the community as largely a group of species with similar tolerances to the stresses given by climate and other factors typical of the region.(格里森认为这个群落主要是一群对气候和该地区典型因素所带来的压力具有相似耐受性的物种)”可知，根据格里森的说法，抗压能力影响了物种的生存。故选B。
15．推理判断题。根据第三段“Who was right It now appears that Gleason was more accurate than Clements. The ecological community is mostly a random collection of species with similar responses to a particular climate. Ash trees are found in association with cottonwood trees because both can survive well on floodplains and the competition between them is not so strong that only one can survive.(谁是对的？现在看来格里森比克莱门茨更准确。生态群落主要是对特定气候有相似反应的物种的随机集合。人们发现白蜡树与白杨树有关联，因为两者都能在洪泛区很好地生存，而且它们之间的竞争不会激烈到只有一种树能生存)”可知，作者在第三段提到了两种树是为了支持当前关于生态群落如何发展的观点。故选D。
16．词句猜测题。根据划线词后文“due to the false belief that nature, especially a complex system like a forest, seems so unchanging from one day to the next”可知，我们错误地认为自然，尤其是像森林这样的复杂系统，似乎每天都是不变的，这属于我们对自然的错误理解，故划线词意思是“理解”。故选C。
5.【2024·广东广州·二模】
US forests could become a “substantial carbon source” by 2070, suggesting that forests could worsen global warming instead of easing it, a new Agriculture Department report says.
US forests currently absorb 11 percent of US carbon emissions (释放), equal to the combined emissions from 40 coal power plants. The report predicts that the ability of forests to absorb carbon will start declining after 2025 and that forests could emit up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year as their emissions from decaying (腐烂) trees go beyond their carbon absorption.
The prediction suggests that this will require the US to cut emissions more rapidly to reach net zero, according
to Lynn Riley, a senior manager of climate science. “Eleven percent of our domestic emissions. That is a really significant portion,” Riley said. “As we work to decarbonize... forests are one of the greatest tools available. If we were to lose that, it means the US will contribute that much more” in emissions. The report also assesses and predicts the extent of renewable resources provided by the nation’s forests and undeveloped landscapes, including farmlands, wetlands and grasslands.
According to the report, the loss of carbon absorption is driven in part by natural disasters which are increasing in frequency and strength as global temperatures rise. Development in forested areas, which the report predicts will continue to increase, is having the same effect as people increasingly move to the so-called wildland urban areas. Aging forests also contribute as older, mature trees absorb less carbon than younger trees of the same species, and the US forests are rapidly aging.
More aggressive forest management can help by cutting down a small portion of aging forests to make ways for younger trees that absorb more carbon. A thorough study of each forest should be done before removing older trees, Riley said.
17．Why could US forests become a “substantial carbon source”
A．They fail to absorb enough carbon. B．They begin to emit carbon increasingly.
C．They may emit more carbon than absorb. D．Mature trees outnumber young trees.
18．Which of the following may Lynn Riley agree with
A．US forests have lost their role in carbon absorption.
B．It is urgent for the US to reduce carbon emissions.
C．The US has contributed to 11% carbon emissions.
D．The loss of forests contributes to less carbon emissions.
19．What leads to the loss of carbon absorption
A．Improper tree species. B．Removal of aging trees.
C．Decreasing urban development. D．Frequent severe natural disasters.
20．Which could be a suitable title for the text
A．Aging Forests —a Major Emitter of Carbon.
B．Growing Forests —a Solution to Carbon Emissions.
C．Reducing Forests —a Threat to Global Warming.
D．Decaying Forests —a Consequence of Global Warming.
【答案】17．C 18．B 19．D 20．A
【导语】本文为一篇说明文。美国农业部的一份新报告称，美国的森林正在遭受自然灾害的破坏，随着年龄的增长，它们正在失去吸收温室气体的能力，这可能会加剧全球变暖，而不是缓解全球变暖。
17．推理判断题。根据文章第一段“US forests could become a “substantial carbon source” by 2070, suggesting that forests could worsen global warming instead of easing it, a new Agriculture Department report says.( 美国农业部的报告称，到2070年，美国森林可能成为“重要的碳源”，这表明森林可能会加剧全球变暖，而不是减缓。)”以及第二段“US forests currently absorb 11 percent of US carbon emissions (释放), equal to the combined emissions from 40 coal power plants. The report predicts that the ability of forests to absorb carbon will start declining after 2025 and that forests could emit up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year as their emissions from decaying (腐烂) trees go beyond their carbon absorption.(美国森林目前吸收了美国11%的碳排放量，相当于40个燃煤发电厂的总排放量。它预测，森林吸收碳的能力将在2025年之后开始迅速下降，森林每年可能排放高达1亿吨的碳，因为腐烂的树木排放的碳超过了它们吸收的碳。)”可推知，美国森林成为“重要的碳源”是因为它能吸收很多的碳排放，但它的这种能力却在下降，因此由于它排放的碳比吸收的更多，从而导致它成为了“重要的碳源”，故选C。
18．细节理解题。根据文章第三段“The prediction suggests that this will require the US to cut emissions more rapidly to reach net zero, according to Lynn Riley, a senior manager of climate science.(气候科学高级经理Lynn Riley表示，这一预测表明，这将要求美国更快地减少碳排量，以实现零排放。)”可知，Lynn Riley认为，美国应该立刻减少碳排量，故选B。
19．细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段“According to the report, the loss of carbon absorption is driven in part by natural disasters which are increasing in frequency and strength as global temperatures rise.(根据该报告，碳吸收的损失在一定程度上是由自然灾害造成的，自然灾害的频率和强度都在增加。)”可知，碳吸收的损失在于频繁发生的自然灾害，故选D。
20．主旨大意题。根据文章第一段“US forests could become a “substantial carbon source” by 2070, suggesting that forests could worsen global warming instead of easing it, a new Agriculture Department report says.( 美国农业部的报告称，到2070年，森林可能成为“重要的碳源”，这表明森林可能会加剧全球变暖，而不是减缓。)”以及后文对美国森林的老化从而导致森林失去了吸收碳的能力可知，文章主要是讲随着树木的老化，森林正在失去吸收温室气体的能力，故A项“老化的森林——碳的主要排放”符合文章标题，故选A。
6.【2024·广东韶关·二模】
Would a person born blind, who has learned to distinguish objects by touch, be able to recognize them purely by sight if he regained the ability to see The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.
After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.
The researchers also did the opposite test with untrained bumblebees, first teaching them with rewards in the dark and then testing them in the light. Again, the bees were able to recognize the shape associated with the sugar reward, though they had to rely on sight rather than touch in the test. In short, bees have solved Molyneux’s problem because the fact suggests that they can picture object features and access them through sight or touch.
However, some experts express their warning s against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.
21．What is Molyneux’s problem about
A．Whether mankind’s sense of touch outweighs sight.
B．Whether mankind’s idea of shape is inborn or learned.
C．Whether blind people can identify the shape of an item.
D．Whether the blind can regain their sense of touch after recovery.
22．How did Lors Chittka and his colleagues try to figure out Molyneux’s problem
A．By experimentation on blind children.
B．By conducting controlled experiments.
C．By rewarding bumblebees with sugar.
D．By observing bumblebees in their nests.
23．What is Jonathan Birch’s attitude towards the conclusion of the bee experiments
A．Skeptical. B．Supportive.
C．Dismissive. D．Ambiguous.
24．Which of the following can be the best title of the passage
A．Scientists Found Senses Matter
B．Visual-Tactile Puzzle Has Been Solved
C．Experiments Will Help the Blind Regain Sight
D．Bumblebees May Help Solve Molyneux’s Problem
【答案】21．B 22．B 23．A 24．D
【导语】本文是说明文。这篇文章探讨了Molyneux问题，即一个天生失明但通过触摸学会区分物体的人在恢复视力后是否能够通过视觉来识别物体。
21．细节理解题。根据第一段“The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.(这个问题被称为Molyneux的问题，是关于人类大脑是否有一种内在的形状概念，这种概念是天生的，以至于盲人可以在恢复视力的情况下立即认出物体。另外，形状的概念不是天生的，而是必须通过视觉、触觉和其他感官探索物体来学习的)”可知，Molyneux问题的内容是人类的形状观念是天生的还是后天习得的。故选B项。
22．推理判断题。根据第二段“After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.(在他们试图在失明儿童身上进行测试失败后，伦敦玛丽女王大学的Lars Chittka和他的团队在大黄蜂身上进行了另一项实验。为了测试大黄蜂是否能形成对物体的内部表征，他们首先用糖奖励来训练大黄蜂区分球形和立方体。蜜蜂首先在光线下训练，在那里它们可以看到但不能触摸物体。然后他们在黑暗中进行测试，在那里他们可以触摸但看不到物品。研究人员发现，这些昆虫花了更多的时间来接触它们被训练成与糖奖励相关联的形状，尽管它们必须依靠触觉而不是视觉
来区分物体)”可知，Lors Chittka和他的同事是通过控制实验来研究Molyneux问题。故选B项。
23．推理判断题。根据最后一段“However, some experts express their warning s against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.(然而，一些专家对这一结果提出了警告。科学哲学家乔纳森·伯奇(Jonathan Birch)警告说，蜜蜂可能已经有了将巢中的直边和曲面的视觉和触觉信息联系起来的经验)”可知，Jonathan Birch认为蜜蜂可能已经有了将巢中的直边和曲面的视觉和触觉信息联系起来的经验，所以是持怀疑的态度。故选A项。
24．主旨大意题。根据第一段“The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.(这个问题被称为Molyneux的问题，是关于人类大脑是否有一种内在的形状概念，这种概念是天生的，以至于盲人可以在恢复视力的情况下立即认出物体。另外，形状的概念不是天生的，而是必须通过视觉、触觉和其他感官探索物体来学习的)”以及纵观全文可知，本文主要讲述了Molyneux问题，并通过大黄蜂来进行实验研究，所以D项“Bumblebees May Help Solve Molyneux’s Problem(大黄蜂可能帮助Molyneux解决问题)”是本文最好的标题。故选D项。
7.【2024·广东部分学校·模拟预测】
Polar bears are icons of the Arctic. Detailed monitoring of their populations is crucial for their conservation—but because polar bears are so difficult to find, we are missing critical data about population size. Scientists have now developed a new tool to help: DNA analysis using skin cells left in the bears’ footprints in the snow.
The scientists were inspired by the techniques that can be applied to tiny, degraded DNA samples. With these techniques, it isn’t necessary to physically capture bears, which can be stressful and dangerous for both bears and humans. Instead, the researchers can turn to the snow tracks of polar bears and look at sources of DNA left in passing—environmental DNA．"The tracks usually contain fresh cells, and the DNA is intact because of the cold’ storage’ temperature, "said Dr. Melanie Lancaster of the World Wide Fund, lead author.
The scientists collected snow from individual tracks made by Alaskan polar bears in the wild. Additional materials like hair and saliva(唾液)were sampled, confirming that the tracks provided accurate genotype(基因型) 24 wild polar bear tracks were sampled. The researchers melted and filtered the snow to collect environmental
DNA, then carried out micro-satellite analysis. Although the concentrations (浓度)of DNA taken from trucks sampled in the wild were very low, 13 of the wild polar bear samples could be genotype, identifying 12 different individuals.
This technique has huge potential to inform conservation of these animals, to better understand their populations and behavior. Although the sampling has a lower success rate, ease of collection means that it can significantly expand sample sizes.
"We hope this method will be taken up by the polar bear research community, with the involvement of hunters, volunteers, and local communities, as a new way to collect information on polar bears, "said Lancaster. "We also hope the method will be expanded to other animals living in snowy environments. "
25．Why do scientists develop the new method
A．To improve the environment in the Aretic.
B．To protect humans from the polar bears attack.
C．To find solutions to global climate change.
D．To gather essential data for monitoring polar bears.
26．What does the underlined word “intact” mean in paragraph 2
A．Unknown.
B．Undamaged.
C．Unusual.
D．Unstable.
27．What did the scientists do in the study
A．They tracked and caught polar bears in the wild.
B．They recorded the bears’ behaviors with cameras.
C．They analyzed DNA from polar bears’ snowy footprints.
D．They compared the polar bears’ genotype with other animals
28．What is Lancaster’s attitude toward the method
A．Disapproving.
B．Favorable.
C．Uncertain.
D．Suspicious.
【答案】25．D 26．B 27．C 28．B
【导语】本文是一篇说明文，介绍研究人员通过分析北极熊雪地脚印中的DNA, 创造了一种保护北极熊的开创性方法。
25．细节理解题。根据第一段“Polar bears are icons of the Arctic. Detailed monitoring of their populations is crucial for their conservation—but because polar bears are so difficult to find, we are missing critical data about population size. Scientists have now developed a new tool to help: DNA analysis using skin cells left in the bears’ footprints in the snow.”（由于北极熊很难找到，缺少关于种群规模的关键数据。科学家们现在开发了一种新的帮助工具：利用熊在雪地里留下的足迹中脱落的皮肤细胞进行DNA分析。）由此可知，科学家们是为了获取监测北极熊的关键数据。故选D项。
26．词义猜测题。根据上文“The tracks usually contain fresh cells”（这些足迹通常包含新鲜细胞）根据下文“because of the cold’ storage’ temperature”（由于低温“储存”温度）可知，DNA是完好无损的。由此推断，“intact”意为“完好无损的”。故选B项。
27．细节理解题。根据第三段“The scientists collected snow from individual tracks made by Alaskan polar bears in the wild. Additional materials like hair and saliva(唾液)were sampled, confirming that the tracks provided accurate genotype(基因型) 24 wild polar bear tracks were sampled. The researchers melted and filtered the snow to collect environmental DNA, then carried out micro-satellite analysis.”（科学家们从阿拉斯加北极熊在野外留下的足迹中收集雪。对毛发和唾液等额外材料进行了采样，证实了这些足迹提供了准确的基因型。研究人员融化并过滤雪以收集环境DNA，然后进行微卫星分析。）可知，科学家分析了北极熊雪地脚印的DNA。故选C项。
28．推理判断题。文章最后一段Lancaster所说的“We hope this method will be taken up by the polar bear research community, with the involvement of hunters, volunteers, and local communities, as a new way to collect information on polar bears, said Lancaster. We also hope the method will be expanded to other animals living in snowy environments. ”（我们希望北极熊研究界采用这种方法，并让猎人、志愿者和当地社区参与进来，以此作为收集北极熊信息的新方法。我们还希望该方法能推广到生活在多雪环境中的其他动物。）由此推断，Lancaster赞同该研究方法。故选B项。
8.【2024·广东湛江·二模】
A recent study reveals that flat-faced dogs, such as French bulldogs, have difficulty sleeping because of an unusual feature: their head shape. French bulldogs specifically suffer from increased daytime sleepiness, probably due to not getting enough night-time sleep.
With their big eyes staring right back at the owner, and wrinkles rolled over their noses, French bulldogs have shot up in popularity in recent years. But their distinct features and small size come with a number of health issues.
The researchers studied the sleep patterns of 92 dogs accompanied by their owners. They found that compared with other dogs, the flat-faced dogs experience a longer period of rapid eye movement (REM), regarded as the stage of sleep with most vivid dreams where the brain is active while the body remains still. Researchers said this was similar to the way babies sleep, suggesting that dogs, like French bulldogs, keep up the sleep patterns of puppyhood. Their night-time sleep is shorter and flat-faced dogs are also more likely to snoring (打鼾). “Sleep deprivation is increasingly recognized as a major cause of suffering in dogs with extreme brachycephaly (短头畸形),” said Dan O’Neill, an associate professor from the University of London.
The researchers employed an electroencephalogram (脑电图) throughout the dogs’ sleep. They looked particularly at sleep spindles (睡眠纺锤波). They found that dogs with brachycephaly had an increase in sleep spindles, which in dogs has been associated with poorer learning when it comes to training.
A researcher said, “We know that some of these dogs will sleep with a ball in their mouth, and people think it’s cute, but they’re actually doing it in order to keep their airways open.” O’Neill agreed, “Many owners find this phenomenon very funny and post videos online showing how comical their dogs are as they sleep with a toy in their mouth or with their neck extended or repeatedly waking up to breathe during sleep.”
29．What may lend to flat-faced dogs increased daytime sleepiness
A．Their tendency to sleep with owners.
B．Their preference for daytime napping.
C．Their shorter night-time sleep due to the head shape.
D．Their habit of sleeping in uncomfortable positions.
30．What do we say about flat-laced dogs from paragraph 3
A．They differ from human beings in REM.
B．They require less sleep than other species.
C．They’re less likely to suffer sleep disturbances.
D．They maintain puppy-like sleep patterns as adults.
31．What does the increase in sleep spindles in flat-laced dogs imply
A．They have a stronger memory during sleep.
B．They have a strong desire to sleep during the night.
C．They are more likely to succeed in hard training.
D．They may face challenges in learning during training.
32．Why do some flat-faced dogs sleep with a toy in their mouths
A．They want to have pleasant dreams. B．It prevents them from snoring loudly.
C．It helps them maintain an open airway. D．They enjoy playing with toys while sleeping.
【答案】29．C 30．D 31．D 32．C
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。最近的一项研究表明，像法国斗牛犬这样的扁脸狗之所以难以入睡，是因为它们的一个不同寻常的头部形状。
29．细节理解题。根据第一段中的“French bulldogs specifically suffer from increased daytime sleepiness, probably due to not getting enough night-time sleep. (法国斗牛犬白天嗜睡加剧，可能是因为夜间睡眠不足)”可知，扁脸狗白天嗜睡加剧的原因可能是它们的夜间睡眠不足。故选C。
30．细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Researchers said this was similar to the way babies sleep, suggesting that dogs, like French bulldogs, keep up the sleep patterns of puppyhood. (研究人员表示，这与婴儿的睡眠方式相似，这表明狗和法国斗牛犬一样，保持着婴儿时期的睡眠模式)”可知，扁脸狗成年后可能还保持着幼年时期的睡眠模式。故选D。
31．推理判断题。根据第四段中的“They found that dogs with brachycephaly had an increase in sleep spindles, which in dogs has been associated with poorer learning when it comes to training. (他们发现，患有短头畸形的狗的睡眠纺锤波增加，这与狗在训练中学习能力较差有关)”可推知，扁脸狗睡眠纺锤波的增加意味着它们在训练中可能面临学习方面的挑战。故选D。
32．细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“A researcher said, “We know that some of these dogs will sleep with a ball in their mouth, and people think it’s cute, but they’re actually doing it in order to keep their airways open.”(一位研究人员说：“我们知道，这些狗中的一些会嘴里叼着球睡觉，人们认为这很可爱，但它们这样做实际上是为了保持呼吸道畅通。”)”可知，有些扁脸狗睡觉时嘴里叼着玩具是为了保持它们的呼吸道畅通。故选C。
9.【2024·广东佛山·二模】
Building artificial intelligences that sleep and dream can lead to more dependable models, according to researchers who aim to mimic (模仿) the behavior of the human brain.
Concetto Spampinato and his research members at the University of Catania, Italy, were looking for ways to avoid a phenomenon known as “disastrous forgetting”, where an AI model trained to do a new task loses the ability
to carry out jobs it previously excelled at. For instance, a model trained to identify animals could learn to spot different fish species, but then might lose its ability to recognize birds. They developed a method of training AI called Wake-Sleep Consolidated Learning (WSCL), which mimics the way that our brains reorganize short-term memories of daily learning when we are asleep.
Besides the usual training for the “awake” phase, models using WSCL are programmed to have periods of “sleep”, where they analyze awake data from earlier lessons. This is similar to human spotting connections and patterns while sleeping.
WSCL also has a period of “dreaming”, which involves novel data made from combining previous concepts. This helps to integrate previous paths of digital “neurons (神经元)”, freeing up space for future concepts. It also prepares unused neurons with patterns that will help them pick up new lessons more easily.
The researchers tested three AI models using a traditional training method, followed by WSCL training. Then they compared performances for image identification. The sleep-trained models were 2 to 12 percent more likely to correctly identify the contents of an image. They also measured an increase in how much old knowledge a model uses to learn a new task.
Despite the results, Andrew Rogoyski at the University of Surrey, UK, says using the human brain as a blueprint isn’t necessarily the best way to boost AI performance. Instead, he suggests mimicking dolphins, which can “sleep” with one part of the brain while another part remains active. After all, an AI that requires hours of sleep isn’t ideal for commercial applications.
33．WSCL was developed to help improve AI’s ______.
A．reliability B．creativity C．security D．popularity
34．What do models using WSCL do during the “sleeping” periods
A．Generate new data. B．Process previous data.
C．Receive data for later analysis. D．Save data for the “awake” phase.
35．What is paragraph 5 mainly about
A．The application of WSCL. B．The benefits of AI research.
C．The findings of the research. D．The underlying logic of WSCL.
36．Which best describes Andrew’s attitude towards the sleep-trained models
A．Cautious. B．Prejudiced. C．Pessimistic. D．Unconcerned.
【答案】33．A 34．B 35．C 36．A
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了为了帮助提高AI的可靠性，研究人员开发了一种训练人工智能的方法，称为“醒—睡联合学习（WSCL）”，它模仿我们的大脑在睡觉时重组日常学习的短期记忆的方式。
33．细节理解题。根据第一段“Building artificial intelligences that sleep and dream can lead to more dependable models, according to researchers who aim to mimic (模仿) the behavior of the human brain.(据旨在模仿人类大脑行为的研究人员称，构建睡眠和做梦的人工智能可以产生更可靠的模型)”可知，开发WSCL是为了帮助提高AI的可靠性。故选A。
34．细节理解题。根据第三段“Besides the usual training for the “awake” phase, models using WSCL are programmed to have periods of “sleep”, where they analyze awake data from earlier lessons.(除了通常的“清醒”阶段的训练之外，使用WSCL的模型还被编程为有“睡眠”阶段，在那里它们分析来自早期课程的清醒数据)”可知，使用WSCL的模型在“睡眠”期间处理之前的数据。故选B。
35．主旨大意题。根据第五段“The researchers tested three AI models using a traditional training method, followed by WSCL training. Then they compared performances for image identification. The sleep-trained models were 2 to 12 percent more likely to correctly identify the contents of an image. They also measured an increase in how much old knowledge a model uses to learn a new task.(研究人员使用传统的训练方法测试了三个人工智能模型，然后进行了WSCL训练。然后，他们比较了图像识别的表现。经过睡眠训练的模型正确识别图像内容的可能性要高出2%到12%。他们还测量了模型在学习新任务时使用的旧知识的增加)”可知，第5段的主要内容是研究的结果。故选C。
36．推理判断题。根据最后一段“Despite the results, Andrew Rogoyski at the University of Surrey, UK, says using the human brain as a blueprint isn’t necessarily the best way to boost AI performance. Instead, he suggests mimicking dolphins, which can “sleep” with one part of the brain while another part remains active. After all, an AI that requires hours of sleep isn’t ideal for commercial applications.(尽管取得了这些成果，英国萨里大学的安德鲁·罗戈伊斯基表示，使用人类大脑作为蓝图并不一定是提高人工智能性能的最佳方式。相反，他建议模仿海豚，海豚可以在大脑的一部分“睡觉”时，另一部分保持活跃。毕竟，需要长时间睡眠的人工智能并不适合商业应用)”可知，安德鲁对睡眠训练模特是谨慎态度。故选A。
10.【2024·广东梅州·二模】
At first look, the playground at the Children’s Guild-Transformation Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, looks like any other. It has swings, slides, and places for children to climb and crawl. But the playground is not just a place for fun. It is also a place where students can learn, grow and gain independence. Everything — from the kind
of surface it sits on, to the color of its sitting areas, to the placement of the surrounding fence — is specifically designed for kids with autism (自闭症).
Mark Rapaport is the managing director of autism services at the Transformation Academy. He said the school accepts students aged 5 to 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are lower-functioning.
Rapaport said the goal of Transformation Academy is to make the students as independent as possible in an effort to help them prepare for adult life. The school aims to provide help with developing communication and social skills, as well as practical abilities like cleaning or cooking.
The playground designed by Maryland company Sparks@Play, using structures manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. took a month to develop, said Dan Hack. He works for Sparks@Play and helped lead the playground’s design. Hack said he and others spent weeks getting to know the students and understanding their needs before any building was started. The design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. The huge $500,000 project was funded with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation.
Parts of the playground that seem small are very important for children with autism and other disabilities. The surrounding fence extends into a wooded area to make it seem more open. And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches. The benches on the outside of the playground look simple from far away, but are “one of our most inclusive sensory” elements, Hack said. They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.
37．Why is the playground in Baltimore designed with special materials
A．To make it superior to other playgrounds. B．To better serve children with autism.
C．To improve the quality of the playground. D．To make it easier for kids to climb and crawl.
38．What can we learn from the playground project
A．It took a month to complete the project. B．The design process is simple and easy.
C．The result of the project is uncertain. D．It’s a money-consuming project.
39．What is the last paragraph mainly about
A．The scale and the structure of the playground.
B．Ways for kids to free from the stress and relax themselves.
C．The underlying logic and reasonable factors of the playground.
D．The advantages of the playground for autism and disabled kids.
40．Which best describes the playground in Baltimore
A．Advanced. B．Environmental-friendly. C．Functional. D．Convenient.
【答案】37．B 38．D 39．C 40．C
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了马里兰州巴尔的摩市专门为患有自闭症和其他残障的学生设计了一家游乐场，旨在帮助他们学习、成长和获得独立性，使他们能够更好地融入社会并提高生活质量。
37．细节理解题。根据第一段中“Everything — from the kind of surface it sits on, to the color of its sitting areas, to the placement of the surrounding fence — is specifically designed for kids with autism (自闭症).(一切东西——从它提供的表面座位种类，到它的座位区域的颜色，到周围围栏的位置——都是专门为自闭症儿童设计的)”和最后一段中“And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches.(游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生)”和“They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.(它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动。该学院的Rapaport说，如果孩子开始感到不安，他们可以坐下来摸摸长凳，这可以帮助他们放松)”可知，巴尔的摩的游乐场要用特殊材料来设计是为了更好地服务自闭症儿童。故选B。
38．细节理解题。根据第四段的“The huge $500,000 project was funded with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation.(这个耗资50万美元的庞大项目得到了马里兰州和非营利组织小川基金会的支持)”可知，这个操场项目耗资巨大。故选D。
39．主旨大意题。根据最后一段“Parts of the playground that seem small are very important for children with autism and other disabilities. The surrounding fence extends into a wooded area to make it seem more open. And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches. The benches on the outside of the playground look simple from far away, but are ‘one of our most inclusive sensory’ elements, Hack said. They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.(操场上看起来很小的部分对患有自闭症和其他残疾的孩子来说非常重要。周围的栅栏延伸到一个树木繁茂的区域，使它看起来更开放。游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生。Hack说，操场外面的长椅从远处看很简单，但却是‘我们最具包容性的感官元素之一’。它们有许多不同的颜色，给人带来平静和好奇
的感觉。它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动。该学院的拉帕波特说，如果孩子开始感到不安，他们可以坐下来摸摸长凳，这可以帮助他们放松)”可知，最后一段主要讲的是游乐场的设计理念以及包含为自闭症患者带来舒适感觉的因素，即设计游乐场的潜在逻辑和合理因素。故选C。
40．推理判断题。根据第四段中“Hack said he and others spent weeks getting to know the students and understanding their needs before any building was started. The design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists.(Hack说，他和其他人花了几个星期的时间来了解学生，了解他们的需求，然后才开始建造任何建筑。设计过程涉及物理治疗师、职业治疗师和其他专家)”以及最后一段中“And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches.(游乐区下面的地面是由柔软但坚固的材料制成的，以支持使用轮椅或拐杖的学生)”和“They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved.(它们有许多不同的颜色，给人带来平静和好奇的感觉。它们也是用光滑的材料制成的，可以触摸和移动)”可知，巴尔的摩的操场在建造之前充分了解学生的需求，按照他们的需求而建，故它是有着实用功能的。故选C。2024年高考英语二轮复习专题： 阅读理解(说明文)（广东专用）
1.【2024·广东·二模】
Iceland is Europe’s westernmost country. Over 1,000 years ago, ancient explorers migrated from northern Europe to Iceland and established the country. Most visitors’ popular destination is its capital city, Reykjavik, known for its stylish architecture. The city’s downtown area is lined with shops, art galleries, cafes, and bookstores.
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active nations in the world with a number of hot springs, all of which are heated naturally by volcanic activity. In fact, Iceland changes energy from these springs into electricity, which powers and heats people’s homes. As a result, Iceland burns very little fossil (化石) fuel, such as oil and gas. Hot springs are also popular among tourists. They receive more than 1.3 million visitors a year, who can relax their muscles and release their tension in the hot water.
Apart from springs, there is a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy elsewhere in the country. “Iceland is an adventure,” says Squire, whose company organizes adventure trips. “We have Europe’s biggest glaciers (冰山), active volcanoes, cave explorations, and skiing.” One of Iceland’s most popular attractions is caving. Exploring Iceland’s unusual caves requires only basic caving knowledge and equipment. Ice caves are more challenging, however, and require special clothes and hiking tools.
If exploring caves and glaciers doesn’t interest you, head south. No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to the Golden Circle, which connects Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir Valley. Adventurers go to the Thingvellir Valley, where the land is actually separating and the stony ground beneath your feet frequently shifts. Hold on while you hike!
1．What is Reykjavik famous for
A．Fashionable buildings. B．Small shops. C．Art galleries. D．Modern cafes.
2．Where does Iceland mainly get electricity
A．From solar power. B．From hot springs. C．From oil. D．From gas.
3．What is hiking in Thingvellir Valley like
A．Risky. B．Enjoyable. C．Boring. D．Rewarding.
4．Who is this passage mainly written for
A．Scientists. B．The locals. C．Tourists. D．Business travellers.
2.【2023·广东·二模】
I’ve never had a great sense of direction. And I often wander into shops and, upon coming back out, can’t remember which way I’ve come from — left or right Many people are like me, and why do some constantly have no idea where they are
The hippocampus (海马体) is a region of the brain associated with memory and involved in sense of direction. And a nearby region has also been associated with sense of direction. There are four known types of navigation-related neurons (神经元), found in these regions place cells, grid cells, border cells and head direction cells.
In short, you can think of place cells as an internal cognitive (认知的) map; they identify where you are. Grid cells are like a GPS system in our brain; they tell us about the relationship of this place to other places we’ve been to. Border cells respond to the presence of environmental boundaries at a specific direction and distance from us. Lastly, head direction cells are activated when our head faces a specific direction. These cells will fire electrical impulses when we enter familiar locations, with each group of cells relating to a specific place.
Our reliance on GPS and smartphones may have decreased the ability to use our internal maps. Older adults who regularly used GPS had less activity in their hippocampus, compared with those who did not use GPS. They also performed slightly worse in a cognition test. In contrast, a study involving London taxi drivers found they significantly larger hippocampus than ordinary people.
You can improve your way-finding ability specifically by practicing the skill, according to Aziz, PhD of neurology at Temple University School of Medicine. “The more you get out and go to places, the better,” he says. Physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain, while mental exercise, such as doing puzzles or learning a new language, stimulates the development of new nerve cells and connections in your brain.
5．How does the author introduce the topic of the text
A．By raising a question.
B．By making a comparison.
C．By stating personal opinions.
D．By referring to scientific research.
6．What can we learn about the four types of navigation-related neurons
A．They depend closely on each other.
B．They are responsible for different jobs.
C．They will decrease in numbers as one ages.
D．They will fail to function in unfamiliar situations.
7．What will happen it we rely too much on GPS
A．We will easily be misled.
B．Our hippocampus will get enlarged.
C．Our cognitive ability will be affected.
D．We will have our hippocampus relaxed.
8．What are we advised to do according to the last paragraph
A．Build up our body. B．Take training courses.
C．Try different brain exercises. D．Get out to connect with people.
3.【2024·广东肇庆·二模】
“He is a giant of the 20th-century art, but that doesn’t mean he only did big paintings, said Lynn Miller, director of Rochester Central Gallery, in an interview last Thursday.
Entitled “Picasso and His Drafts”, a special exhibit marking 50 years since the death of Pablo Picasso is held at the gallery this month. Instead of his paintings, the notebooks on which the Spanish legendary artist drew drafts are shown to the public for the first time.
Matchbox covers, postcards, restaurant napkins all served as drafting notes for the artist at moments of inspiration. It is important to know that each of the 14 notebooks presented reflects what was going on in his life.
For example, a tiny notebook whose size is just 3 by 5 inches stands out among the exhibits. Inside the little book was a self-portrait of the artist finished roughly in pencil, with deep and thoughtful eyes. It was done in 1918 and Picasso, then in his mid-30s, had just got married. He produced big-sized artworks but he also kept this tiny notebook around, filling it with scenes of his wife, their friends, the beach and the town, and drafts of upcoming paintings. Actually, many of the draft drawings are early versions of famed paintings like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and Dora Maar in an Armchair (1939).
“He is a great artist of the modern period, and we see practice and determination in his notebooks,” said Lynn Miller, referring to Picasso’s efforts in improving his skills through copious drawing. Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, a grandson of Picasso’s, remembered him always drafting until the last piece of paper available. “My grandpa was permanently drawing something,” Ruiz-Picasso said.
In a documentary film shown at the gallery, Picasso, shirtless and in shorts, was standing on a ladder to reach the top of his canvas (画布). It reminds visitors of the real size of his masterworks.
9．What are the key features of the recent exhibit at the gallery
A．Notebooks for sale. B．Picasso’s artworks.
C．Priceless artistic drafts. D．Masterpieces of the 20th century.
10．What is reflected in the notebooks of Picasso
A．His life experience. B．The love for his country.
C．The content of his books. D．His education background.
11．Which of the following best describes Picasso according to his grandson
A．Creative. B．Diligent. C．Optimistic. D．Humorous.
12．What can we learn from the author’s words in the last paragraph
A．Picasso used to mind his appearance. B．The gallery exhibits real masterworks.
C．The documentary movie is worth seeing. D．Picasso’s artworks are actually of great size.
4.【2024·广东佛山·二模】
Different forests in the western United States have unique combinations of trees and birds. One type has broad-leaved trees like ash and cottonwood, along with kingbirds. Anoher type has evergreen trees like pine and white spruce, along with juncos. Ecologists in the early twentieth century once claimed these ecological communities were precisely balanced systems, where every species had a specific role to play in a complex machine. They believed that removing or adding any plant, bird, or insect, could disrupt this balance and harm the habitat. One of these pioneer ecologists was Frederick Clements, who believed that in a specific climate area, ecological communities gradually moved toward the most balanced and integrated group of species in that region.
Clements was challenged by another pioneer ecologist, Henry Gleason, who took the opposite view. Gleason viewed the community as largely a group of species with similar tolerances to the stresses given by climate and other factors typical of the region. Gleason thought chance played a big role in where species lived. His concept suggests that nature is not highly integrated. Each species is responding individually to its surroundings. Gleason thought things could change in different ways, depending upon local conditions.
Who was right It now appears that Gleason was more accurate than Clements. The ecological community is mostly a random collection of species with similar responses to a particular climate. Ash trees are found in
association with cottonwood trees because both can survive well on floodplains and the competition between them is not so strong that only one can survive.
This is not to say that precise harmonies are not present within communities. Most flowering plants rely on pollinators (传粉者). But if we see a precise balance of nature, it is largely a product of our perception, due to the false belief that nature, especially a complex system like a forest, seems so unchanging from one day to the next.
13．Early 20th century ecologists commonly claimed that___________.
A．each species plays a specific role in the community
B．new species need to be added as communities develop
C．maintaining precise balance in community is challenging
D．it is important to protect communities by removing certain species
14．According to Gleason, what influences where species live
A．How individualistic the species is. B．Their ability to tolerate the stresses there.
C．The number of similar species present. D．Their ways to integrate with other species.
15．Why does the author mention two kinds of trees in paragraph 3
A．To show greater species variety in floodplains.
B．To provide evidence to support Clements’ theory.
C．To give an example of species that prefer to live on floodplains.
D．To support the current view on how ecological communities develop.
16．The underlined word “perception” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to____________.
A．culture B．environment C．understanding D．education
5.【2024·广东广州·二模】
US forests could become a “substantial carbon source” by 2070, suggesting that forests could worsen global warming instead of easing it, a new Agriculture Department report says.
US forests currently absorb 11 percent of US carbon emissions (释放), equal to the combined emissions from 40 coal power plants. The report predicts that the ability of forests to absorb carbon will start declining after 2025 and that forests could emit up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year as their emissions from decaying (腐烂) trees go beyond their carbon absorption.
The prediction suggests that this will require the US to cut emissions more rapidly to reach net zero, according
to Lynn Riley, a senior manager of climate science. “Eleven percent of our domestic emissions. That is a really significant portion,” Riley said. “As we work to decarbonize... forests are one of the greatest tools available. If we were to lose that, it means the US will contribute that much more” in emissions. The report also assesses and predicts the extent of renewable resources provided by the nation’s forests and undeveloped landscapes, including farmlands, wetlands and grasslands.
According to the report, the loss of carbon absorption is driven in part by natural disasters which are increasing in frequency and strength as global temperatures rise. Development in forested areas, which the report predicts will continue to increase, is having the same effect as people increasingly move to the so-called wildland urban areas. Aging forests also contribute as older, mature trees absorb less carbon than younger trees of the same species, and the US forests are rapidly aging.
More aggressive forest management can help by cutting down a small portion of aging forests to make ways for younger trees that absorb more carbon. A thorough study of each forest should be done before removing older trees, Riley said.
17．Why could US forests become a “substantial carbon source”
A．They fail to absorb enough carbon. B．They begin to emit carbon increasingly.
C．They may emit more carbon than absorb. D．Mature trees outnumber young trees.
18．Which of the following may Lynn Riley agree with
A．US forests have lost their role in carbon absorption.
B．It is urgent for the US to reduce carbon emissions.
C．The US has contributed to 11% carbon emissions.
D．The loss of forests contributes to less carbon emissions.
19．What leads to the loss of carbon absorption
A．Improper tree species. B．Removal of aging trees.
C．Decreasing urban development. D．Frequent severe natural disasters.
20．Which could be a suitable title for the text
A．Aging Forests —a Major Emitter of Carbon.
B．Growing Forests —a Solution to Carbon Emissions.
C．Reducing Forests —a Threat to Global Warming.
D．Decaying Forests —a Consequence of Global Warming.
6.【2024·广东韶关·二模】
Would a person born blind, who has learned to distinguish objects by touch, be able to recognize them purely by sight if he regained the ability to see The question, known as Molyneux’s problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.
After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.
The researchers also did the opposite test with untrained bumblebees, first teaching them with rewards in the dark and then testing them in the light. Again, the bees were able to recognize the shape associated with the sugar reward, though they had to rely on sight rather than touch in the test. In short, bees have solved Molyneux’s problem because the fact suggests that they can picture object features and access them through sight or touch.
However, some experts express their warning s against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.
21．What is Molyneux’s problem about
A．Whether mankind’s sense of touch outweighs sight.
B．Whether mankind’s idea of shape is inborn or learned.
C．Whether blind people can identify the shape of an item.
D．Whether the blind can regain their sense of touch after recovery.
22．How did Lors Chittka and his colleagues try to figure out Molyneux’s problem
A．By experimentation on blind children.
B．By conducting controlled experiments.
C．By rewarding bumblebees with sugar.
D．By observing bumblebees in their nests.
23．What is Jonathan Birch’s attitude towards the conclusion of the bee experiments
A．Skeptical. B．Supportive.
C．Dismissive. D．Ambiguous.
24．Which of the following can be the best title of the passage
A．Scientists Found Senses Matter
B．Visual-Tactile Puzzle Has Been Solved
C．Experiments Will Help the Blind Regain Sight
D．Bumblebees May Help Solve Molyneux’s Problem
7.【2024·广东部分学校·模拟预测】
Polar bears are icons of the Arctic. Detailed monitoring of their populations is crucial for their conservation—but because polar bears are so difficult to find, we are missing critical data about population size. Scientists have now developed a new tool to help: DNA analysis using skin cells left in the bears’ footprints in the snow.
The scientists were inspired by the techniques that can be applied to tiny, degraded DNA samples. With these techniques, it isn’t necessary to physically capture bears, which can be stressful and dangerous for both bears and humans. Instead, the researchers can turn to the snow tracks of polar bears and look at sources of DNA left in passing—environmental DNA．"The tracks usually contain fresh cells, and the DNA is intact because of the cold’ storage’ temperature, "said Dr. Melanie Lancaster of the World Wide Fund, lead author.
The scientists collected snow from individual tracks made by Alaskan polar bears in the wild. Additional materials like hair and saliva(唾液)were sampled, confirming that the tracks provided accurate genotype(基因型) 24 wild polar bear tracks were sampled. The researchers melted and filtered the snow to collect environmental DNA, then carried out micro-satellite analysis. Although the concentrations (浓度)of DNA taken from trucks sampled in the wild were very low, 13 of the wild polar bear samples could be genotype, identifying 12 different individuals.
This technique has huge potential to inform conservation of these animals, to better understand their populations and behavior. Although the sampling has a lower success rate, ease of collection means that it can
significantly expand sample sizes.
"We hope this method will be taken up by the polar bear research community, with the involvement of hunters, volunteers, and local communities, as a new way to collect information on polar bears, "said Lancaster. "We also hope the method will be expanded to other animals living in snowy environments. "
25．Why do scientists develop the new method
A．To improve the environment in the Aretic.
B．To protect humans from the polar bears attack.
C．To find solutions to global climate change.
D．To gather essential data for monitoring polar bears.
26．What does the underlined word “intact” mean in paragraph 2
A．Unknown.
B．Undamaged.
C．Unusual.
D．Unstable.
27．What did the scientists do in the study
A．They tracked and caught polar bears in the wild.
B．They recorded the bears’ behaviors with cameras.
C．They analyzed DNA from polar bears’ snowy footprints.
D．They compared the polar bears’ genotype with other animals
28．What is Lancaster’s attitude toward the method
A．Disapproving.
B．Favorable.
C．Uncertain.
D．Suspicious.
8.【2024·广东湛江·二模】
A recent study reveals that flat-faced dogs, such as French bulldogs, have difficulty sleeping because of an unusual feature: their head shape. French bulldogs specifically suffer from increased daytime sleepiness, probably due to not getting enough night-time sleep.
With their big eyes staring right back at the owner, and wrinkles rolled over their noses, French bulldogs have shot up in popularity in recent years. But their distinct features and small size come with a number of health issues.
The researchers studied the sleep patterns of 92 dogs accompanied by their owners. They found that compared with other dogs, the flat-faced dogs experience a longer period of rapid eye movement (REM), regarded as the stage of sleep with most vivid dreams where the brain is active while the body remains still. Researchers said this was similar to the way babies sleep, suggesting that dogs, like French bulldogs, keep up the sleep patterns of puppyhood. Their night-time sleep is shorter and flat-faced dogs are also more likely to snoring (打鼾). “Sleep deprivation is increasingly recognized as a major cause of suffering in dogs with extreme brachycephaly (短头畸形),” said Dan O’Neill, an associate professor from the University of London.
The researchers employed an electroencephalogram (脑电图) throughout the dogs’ sleep. They looked particularly at sleep spindles (睡眠纺锤波). They found that dogs with brachycephaly had an increase in sleep spindles, which in dogs has been associated with poorer learning when it comes to training.
A researcher said, “We know that some of these dogs will sleep with a ball in their mouth, and people think it’s cute, but they’re actually doing it in order to keep their airways open.” O’Neill agreed, “Many owners find this phenomenon very funny and post videos online showing how comical their dogs are as they sleep with a toy in their mouth or with their neck extended or repeatedly waking up to breathe during sleep.”
29．What may lend to flat-faced dogs increased daytime sleepiness
A．Their tendency to sleep with owners.
B．Their preference for daytime napping.
C．Their shorter night-time sleep due to the head shape.
D．Their habit of sleeping in uncomfortable positions.
30．What do we say about flat-laced dogs from paragraph 3
A．They differ from human beings in REM.
B．They require less sleep than other species.
C．They’re less likely to suffer sleep disturbances.
D．They maintain puppy-like sleep patterns as adults.
31．What does the increase in sleep spindles in flat-laced dogs imply
A．They have a stronger memory during sleep.
B．They have a strong desire to sleep during the night.
C．They are more likely to succeed in hard training.
D．They may face challenges in learning during training.
32．Why do some flat-faced dogs sleep with a toy in their mouths
A．They want to have pleasant dreams. B．It prevents them from snoring loudly.
C．It helps them maintain an open airway. D．They enjoy playing with toys while sleeping.
9.【2024·广东佛山·二模】
Building artificial intelligences that sleep and dream can lead to more dependable models, according to researchers who aim to mimic (模仿) the behavior of the human brain.
Concetto Spampinato and his research members at the University of Catania, Italy, were looking for ways to avoid a phenomenon known as “disastrous forgetting”, where an AI model trained to do a new task loses the ability to carry out jobs it previously excelled at. For instance, a model trained to identify animals could learn to spot different fish species, but then might lose its ability to recognize birds. They developed a method of training AI called Wake-Sleep Consolidated Learning (WSCL), which mimics the way that our brains reorganize short-term memories of daily learning when we are asleep.
Besides the usual training for the “awake” phase, models using WSCL are programmed to have periods of “sleep”, where they analyze awake data from earlier lessons. This is similar to human spotting connections and patterns while sleeping.
WSCL also has a period of “dreaming”, which involves novel data made from combining previous concepts. This helps to integrate previous paths of digital “neurons (神经元)”, freeing up space for future concepts. It also prepares unused neurons with patterns that will help them pick up new lessons more easily.
The researchers tested three AI models using a traditional training method, followed by WSCL training. Then they compared performances for image identification. The sleep-trained models were 2 to 12 percent more likely to correctly identify the contents of an image. They also measured an increase in how much old knowledge a model uses to learn a new task.
Despite the results, Andrew Rogoyski at the University of Surrey, UK, says using the human brain as a blueprint isn’t necessarily the best way to boost AI performance. Instead, he suggests mimicking dolphins, which can “sleep” with one part of the brain while another part remains active. After all, an AI that requires hours of sleep isn’t ideal for commercial applications.
33．WSCL was developed to help improve AI’s ______.
A．reliability B．creativity C．security D．popularity
34．What do models using WSCL do during the “sleeping” periods
A．Generate new data. B．Process previous data.
C．Receive data for later analysis. D．Save data for the “awake” phase.
35．What is paragraph 5 mainly about
A．The application of WSCL. B．The benefits of AI research.
C．The findings of the research. D．The underlying logic of WSCL.
36．Which best describes Andrew’s attitude towards the sleep-trained models
A．Cautious. B．Prejudiced. C．Pessimistic. D．Unconcerned.
10.【2024·广东梅州·二模】
At first look, the playground at the Children’s Guild-Transformation Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, looks like any other. It has swings, slides, and places for children to climb and crawl. But the playground is not just a place for fun. It is also a place where students can learn, grow and gain independence. Everything — from the kind of surface it sits on, to the color of its sitting areas, to the placement of the surrounding fence — is specifically designed for kids with autism (自闭症).
Mark Rapaport is the managing director of autism services at the Transformation Academy. He said the school accepts students aged 5 to 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are lower-functioning.
Rapaport said the goal of Transformation Academy is to make the students as independent as possible in an effort to help them prepare for adult life. The school aims to provide help with developing communication and social skills, as well as practical abilities like cleaning or cooking.
The playground designed by Maryland company Sparks@Play, using structures manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. took a month to develop, said Dan Hack. He works for Sparks@Play and helped lead the playground’s design. Hack said he and others spent weeks getting to know the students and understanding their needs before any building was started. The design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. The huge $500,000 project was funded with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation.
Parts of the playground that seem small are very important for children with autism and other disabilities. The
surrounding fence extends into a wooded area to make it seem more open. And the ground under the play areas is made of soft, but solid materials to support students using wheelchairs or crutches. The benches on the outside of the playground look simple from far away, but are “one of our most inclusive sensory” elements, Hack said. They have many different colors that bring about feelings of calm and curiosity. They are also made with smooth material that can be felt and moved. The academy’s Rapaport said if a child starts to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, which can help them relax.
37．Why is the playground in Baltimore designed with special materials
A．To make it superior to other playgrounds. B．To better serve children with autism.
C．To improve the quality of the playground. D．To make it easier for kids to climb and crawl.
38．What can we learn from the playground project
A．It took a month to complete the project. B．The design process is simple and easy.
C．The result of the project is uncertain. D．It’s a money-consuming project.
39．What is the last paragraph mainly about
A．The scale and the structure of the playground.
B．Ways for kids to free from the stress and relax themselves.
C．The underlying logic and reasonable factors of the playground.
D．The advantages of the playground for autism and disabled kids.
40．Which best describes the playground in Baltimore
A．Advanced. B．Environmental-friendly. C．Functional. D．Convenient.

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