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压轴题06 阅读理解C、D篇
命题预测 分析近年高考英语阅读理解 C、D 篇命题规律，环境与保护类是必考核心压轴题材，选材多来自 Nature、Science、国家地理、环保组织报告、高校生态研究，聚焦生态保护、气候变化、污染治理、物种恢复、可持续发展、城市生态、新能源、循环经济。文章科学性强、数据密集、逻辑严谨，长难句与专业术语较多，侧重考查细节定位、逻辑推理、观点态度、主旨概括。2026 年高考仍会重点考查，命题更贴近碳中和、生物多样性、城市绿色、人与自然共生、环保科技，强调责任意识与科学思维。
高频考法 推理判断题 标题归纳题 细节理解题 词义猜测题 主旨大意题 观点态度 / 写作意图题
环境与保护类基本规律及解题要领
高考环境类阅读多无标题，结构清晰、论证严谨，一般分为四部分：
首段：引出环境问题、生态现象、保护行动、科研发现。
背景 / 现状：介绍问题成因、破坏程度、危机现状、人类影响。
主干：阐述研究数据、保护措施、治理方案、正反效果、专家观点。
结尾：总结保护意义、未来展望、行动呼吁、生态启示。
二、环境与保护类解题技巧
1. 抓语篇结构，快速把握大意
用略读法速读首尾段 + 各段首尾句，圈出核心词：
environment/conservation/habitat/ecosystem/climate/pollution。
环境类常见行文逻辑：
问题对策型：环境危机→原因分析→解决方案→效果评价
研究发现型：新观察→实验数据→结论意义→保护建议
生态介绍型：物种 / 栖息地→生存现状→适应机制→保护价值
2. 定位标志词，精准破解细节与推理
优先定位：地名、物种名、数据年份、研究机构、环保项目名称。
长难句处理：先抓主句主干，剥离定语、状语、插入语，理清因果与条件。
答案原则：原文同义替换、客观概括，不加入主观环保立场臆断。
3. 重点关注因果、措施与影响
环境类必考三大方向：
原因：human activity/urbanization/deforestation/pollution/climate change
措施：restore/protect/recycle/regulate/passive restoration/ecotourism
影响：threaten/survive/recover/decline/collapse/benefit
4. 紧盯转折与对比，锁定命题重点
高频逻辑词：however / but / yet / while / in contrast / instead / despite转折后常是真实危机、有效方案、作者真正态度，为必考点。
5. 熟悉选项设置规律，快速排除干扰
正确选项：符合科学事实、概括全面、原文信息同义改写。
干扰项：
夸大危机（用 worst /destroy/extinct 绝对化）
张冠李戴（把 A 措施的效果安到 B 措施）
无中生有（原文未提的解决方案）
以偏概全（用局部数据代替整体主旨）
6. 标题归纳技巧（环境类专用）
必须包含核心对象：forest/ocean/animal/habitat/planet/ecosystem
突出保护、恢复、危机、可持续
常见格式：保护对象 + 危机 / 措施 / 希望 / 未来
06 环境与保护类
1.（2026·广东省大湾区·一模）
If the Amazon forest is to disappear, Altamira in Brazil is the town where that end could be foreseen. During the region’s development, a road was cut through the heart of the forest, marking an era of widespread destruction that remade the Amazon. Altamira thus became known in local media as the “champion of deforestation.”
Now Brazilian officials think this expansive town can also be the site of the forest’s rebirth. This year, the government set out to test a question that until now has largely been left to researchers: If left alone, can the Amazon forest restore itself To test this assumption, officials closed off a degraded parcel of land and leased (租赁) it to a private carbon credit company to safeguard and restore. “Some of the tasks will be done by planting trees. But most of the restoration job will be left to Mother Nature. It’s called passive restoration. This is opening a new model that may be applied across the state,” said Governor Barbalho.
The search for solutions in the Amazon couldn’t be more urgent. Rates of deforestation have been dropping since the government made fighting environmental crime a priority, but the destruction hasn’t stopped. Nearly 6,300 square kilometers were lost last year, bringing the ecosystem closer to what scientists warn is a tipping point, when the Amazon is no longer able to maintain its own rainy ecosystem. Evidence of its arrival is springing up: dried riverbeds, forest fires, punishing droughts, and increased tree death. Scientists have predicted the forest could experience a broad ecological collapse by 2050, when 10 — 47% of it will be exposed to various disturbances that could activate unexpected ecosystem changes.
But other research has also provided cause for hope. Despite the delicate nature of the Amazon’s ecosystem, the forest has also demonstrated a remarkable capacity for recovery. A recent study showed that roughly 72,000 square kilometers of destroyed forest are already in an advanced stage of natural recovery.
1. What do we know about Altamira from paragraph 1
A. It reshaped the Amazon area. B. It saw the rebirth of the forest.
C. It benefited from the new road. D. It headed the forest destruction.
2. What is the core belief behind passive restoration
A. Nature knows the right way. B. Companies make better guardians.
C. Tree-planting is a quicker fix. D. A hands-off government is the key.
3. What makes it critical to restore the Amazon rainforest
A. Deforestation rates are ever-rising. B. The rainy ecosystem has collapsed.
C. A point of no return is approaching. D. Spring has brought lots of disasters.
4. What is the best title for the text
A. Can Private Companies Help B. Can Passive Restoration Last
C. Can Altamira Stop Deforestation D. Can Amazon Avoid Disappearing
2.（2026·河北·一模）
Deep in a protected nature reserve in Northern Guatemala’s Sierra del Lacandón National Park, shade from the trees and a light wind from the Usumacinta River offer people relief from the heat. Here in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, there are not only thousands of species, including the Ramón and Copal trees providing shade, but also Romario Ramírez, one of the many humans who live in the park. Ramírez is a tour guide; he knows this forest and its creatures like the back of his hand.
But guiding tourists through the park is just part of his work. Nearly 20 thousand people live within this park, almost all of whom play a role in caring for the forest.
Forest fires are the largest threat to the reserve. Set mostly by outsiders, the fires are usually intended to clear the forest to expand cattle and soy farms. While the fires are started by humans, their intensity and ability to spread are made worse by climate change. In response, everyone in this community is trained to use a number of tools to discourage the fires, including cameras and other similar equipment, which are also used to monitor biodiversity. According to a report, collectively they have reduced 369,000 tons of CO emissions and protected 870 species of wildlife between 2012 and 2014.
To keep visitors engaged, guides lead hikes within the jungle and excursions (远足) to ancient sites. Sustainable tourist programs, or ecotourism, have become increasingly popular as a way to help the remote community become self-sufficient. In this model, every visit from a traveler directly translates into greater capacity to preserve the forest.
The local tourism commission in this small Northern Guatemalan community hopes to guard the area by inviting tourists to think about the reserve as more than a site to visit and to see how they live and develop as a community.
5. What phenomenon is described in paragraph 1
A. Man and nature coexist closely.
B. Biodiversity is vital to the forest.
C. The locals rely on nature to live.
D. The reserve is popular with tourists.
6. Why does the author cite a report in paragraph 3
A. To show risks of widespread forest fires.
B. To prove effectiveness of fire prevention.
C. To praise the use of devices to tackle fires.
D. To reveal the reason for discouraging fires.
7. What can tourists’ engagement with the site bring
A. More potential for ecotourism.
B. More insight into ancient life.
C. More collaboration on the economy.
D. More support for local protection.
8. What can be a suitable title for the text
A. Guided Tours, Guarded Forest
B. Fire Threats, Local Responses
C. Local Guides, Global Visitors
D. Ancient Forest, Modern Guardians
3.（2026·湖北·一模）
The global shift to renewable energy is greatly increasing demand for critical minerals and metals, including lithium, copper and rare earth elements. Over the past five years, the market for these energy transition minerals has doubled. By 2040, demand for such minerals in clean energy technologies is expected to grow two to four times.
Although the energy transition requires more mining, the total amount of materials needed for a fully green energy system by 2040 is much lower than that for a fossil-fuel based system. Fossil fuels are burned continuously and cannot be recycled. In contrast, critical minerals are used in long-lasting equipment and can be recycled at the end of their service life. It is highly important to mine these metals responsibly.
Copper is one metal whose demand will rise sharply. Under the 1.5°C climate goal, annual copper demand is projected to grow from 25 million tonnes now to 55.1 million tonnes in 2050. New supply sources must be developed to close this gap.
Fortunately, known reserves of many critical minerals are geographically widespread. Copper, for example, is distributed across Chile, Peru, China, the United States and other nations. In the near future, production will still depend on traditional mining countries, because opening a new mine usually takes more than 10 years. However, processing capacity can be diversified more quickly. The US and the EU are building partnerships to strengthen supply chains.
Mining, however, brings serious environmental and social risks. It can damage ecosystems, consume large amounts of water and produce harmful waste. Some mining activities also affect local communities and Indigenous Peoples’ lands. More than 50 percent of the metals needed for the energy transition come from or near these areas.
To solve these problems, responsible mining is necessary. Companies need strong management and clear communication with local communities. They should also follow international standards such as Towards Sustainable Mining, IRMA and CopperMark. These systems aim to improve environmental protection, safety and community relations.
Metal users can help by making supply chains more transparent and supporting recycling and new technologies. With joint efforts, the energy transition can be both sustainable and fair to local communities.
9. What is the advantage of critical minerals over fossil fuels
A. They are easier to explore and extract. B. They can be recycled after use.
C. They cost less to produce. D. They are used in larger quantities.
10. Why is it difficult to increase copper supply quickly
A. Known reserves are running out. B. Demand is growing too slowly.
C. Building a new mine takes a long time. D. Many countries refuse to export copper.
11. What problem does mining bring according to the passage
A. It raises the price of renewable energy. B. It reduces the efficiency of power systems.
C. It slows down technological development. D. It harms the environment and local communities.
12. What can be a suitable title for the text
A Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition. B. Ways to Recycle Used Metals Effectively.
C. Global Supply Chains of Renewable Energy. D. Environmental Risks of Mining Industry.
4.（2026·广东汕头·一模）
The concept of “Carbon Neutrality” has moved from boardrooms to living rooms. In 2026, a grassroots movement called “Project 30” challenged households to reduce their carbon footprint by 30% within a year. The results, published in the Journal of Sustainable Living, were surprising.
Researchers found that the most effective factor wasn’t access to expensive solar panels, but “behavioral nudging.” Families who received weekly feedback on their energy usage via a smart home app reduced consumption significantly more than those who simply owned energy-efficient appliances.
Psychologist Dr. Helen Reid explains: “People often suffer from ‘invisibility bias.’ If you can’t see the electricity flowing, you don’t think about wasting it. Making data visible creates accountability.”
However, the study also highlighted the “Rebound Effect.” Some participants, proud of their reduced electricity bills, offset their savings by taking long-haul flights, negating their previous efforts. “Sustainability is holistic,” warns Dr. Reid. “You can’t green wash your way to carbon neutrality by focusing on just one aspect of your life.”
13. What was the key finding of “Project 30”
A. Expensive technology is necessary for carbon reduction.
B Behavioral feedback is more effective than hardware alone.
C. Most households cannot reduce their carbon footprint.
D. Carbon neutrality is an impossible goal.
14. What does Dr. Reid mean by “invisibility bias”
A. People are blind to the effects of climate change.
B. People tend to ignore resources they cannot physically see.
C. Energy-efficient appliances are often hidden in homes.
D. Smart apps are not visible enough to users.
15. What is the “Rebound Effect” as described in the text
A. When people increase their energy use after buying new appliances.
B. When efforts in one area are canceled out by negative actions elsewhere.
C. When carbon reduction projects fail due to lack of funding.
D. When people become too reliant on technology.
16. What is the main message of the passage
A. Only the wealthy can achieve carbon neutrality.
B. Technology alone can solve the climate crisis.
C. Sustainable living requires awareness and holistic lifestyle changes.
D. Government policies are the only solution to carbon emissions.
5.（2026·山西晋城·一模）
The streets of South Providence are lined with apartment buildings and concrete sidewalks. But along Pearl Street, one lot stands out. It’s green, with nearly 270 trees packed into a 1,000-square-foot lot. Officially called the Pearl Street Garden, it contains a tiny forest in the middle of the urban area, offering a sharp contrast to the surrounding hard surfaces and traffic.
The pocket forests adhere to the “Miyawaki method” developed in the 1970s, which calls for planting a wide variety of local trees in large numbers and in very tight quarters. With plants packed close together, they both collaborate and compete for resources, racing to reach the sun first. Research shows forests grown using the Miyawaki method grow ten times faster than a traditional landscape planting, allowing environmental benefits to appear in a relatively short time.
“This isn’t habitat restoration on the scale that is needed in terms of the world,” said Jaeq Hall, director of special projects at Groundwork Rhode Island, “but it is a really great way, especially in a city, for people to become in close touch with biodiversity.” A 2022 study found Rhode Island contains 139 square miles of asphalt (柏油), concrete, and other hard surfaces, amounting to 13 percent of its land area. Such conditions limit access to green space and reduce the natural cooling and air-cleaning effects that trees can provide.
“We’re trying really hard to go back into those places that have been aggressively paved over and work in little bits of nature to bring those benefits to more people,” Hall said. “Projects like this received a big boost in funding from the government. It was a historic moment,” she said, adding that continued support is needed if microforests are to play a lasting role in making cities healthier and more environmentally friendly.
17. What does the underlined phrase “adhere to” in paragraph 2 probably mean
A. Follow closely, B. Result in. C. Differ from. D. Improve gradually.
18. Why are microforests valuable in cities
A. They conserve biodiversity. B. They address air pollution.
C. They beautify the environment. D. They connect people with nature.
19. What does Hall intend to do in the last paragraph
A. Deliver a complaint. B. Sound a warning. C. Make an appeal. D. Give an explanation.
20. What would be a suitable title for the text
A. Street Gardens: Famous Tour Spots
B. Miyawaki Method: A New Planting Way
C. Microforests: Green Gifts to Urban Areas
D. Jacq Hall: A Protector of Urban Forests
6.（2026·北京延庆·一模）
Few people can better represent people’s wonder at the natural world than Sir David Attenborough, a television presenter in his nineties. In recent years, Sir David has been campaigning passionately for an end to the plastic that his film crews find scattered across the planet. “The plastic in our oceans ought never to have got there in the first place,” he said. “Much of it perhaps ought not to have even been manufactured at all.” The first statement is reasonable, but the second is not — for it disregards the extraordinary benefits that plastics, and the industry which produces them, have provided both to humans and to the environment.
Although the drawbacks of the world’s reliance on plastics are all too apparent, the benefits they provide, in the form of reducing waste and cost, are all too easily overlooked. While being lighter, more durable, and cheaper and easier to manufacture, plastics have made possible a range of new materials. These materials have become vital in everything from building to carmaking to consumer electronics.
Plastics have also eased the world’s reliance on older materials, and on the living beings from which many of them came. There are perhaps 10m pianos in the world. If all their white keys were made of ivory, how many elephants would remain
Just as the benefits of plastics are often unseen, however, so are some potential harms. The sight of plastic waste ruining beautiful natural areas and harming wildlife used to be one of the biggest complaints against plastics. Now concerns grow over what happens when they break up into microscopic fragments invisible to the naked eye. In the past decade such “microplastics” have been found in food chains, in human brains and even in the apparently untouched snow of Antarctica.
Being detectable does not make something dangerous. It might only show how good our instruments in use are. To tackle the pollution, the best approach is not to ban plastics, but to manage them more carefully. Better recycling technologies, now under development, are one part of the answer. The proportion of plastics which end up being recycled has doubled in the past two decades, but it is still only 9%. This is not because people do not care about the planet, but because recycling is harder and more costly than most people realise.
Greater use should therefore be made of landfill. When properly managed and well monitored, this is far less environmentally ruinous than often believed, and can be simpler and more effective than ineffective recycling. Incinerators (焚烧), which generate energy and capture carbon, though unpopular, are a useful option too. Regarding plastics, the benefits are very much greater than most people will allow — and so is the potential for managing the costs.
21. What does the underlined word “disregards” in paragraph 1 most probably mean
A. Ignores. B. Emphasizes. C. Minimizes. D. Uncovers.
22. What can we learn about plastics from the passage
A. Their main use is for packaging.
B. They contribute to wildlife protection.
C. Their potential harms are still unnoticed.
D. They are not dangerous for being detectable.
23. About plastic pollution management, the author is ________.
A. in favor of improved management
B. supportive of a complete ban on plastics
C. content that landfill is the effective solution
D. optimistic that recycling will solve the problem
24. What is the main idea of the passage
A. Microplastics pose hidden threats to ecosystems and humans.
B. Plastics need urgent solutions for severe environmental harm.
C. The benefits of Plastic far outweigh drawbacks despite challenges.
D. Effective waste management is central to reducing plastic pollution.
7.（2026·安徽马鞍山·一模）
Ever since the US-based National Biscuit Company launched the first branded consumer package in 1899 — putting its Uneeda soda crackers (苏打饼干) in paper inside a cardboard box — brands have seen packaging as a marketing tool. From the 1950s onwards, as companies increasingly switched to using plastic, competition intensified and packaging became the best way to signal a distinct identity.
But as brands added a growing variety of pigments (色素), materials, and other complexities, the already unstable economics of plastics recycling collapsed. Just 10 percent of plastic packaging is recycled globally. Meanwhile, reusable packaging remains limited.
Standardization could dramatically improve things. If product categories followed uniform guidelines for plastic type, color, labels and glues, recyclers could cheaply recover far more materials. This could finally make recycling economically practical and help achieve the dream of “circularity”, in which a new for bottle is made from an old one.
The case for standardized reuse systems is equally persuasive. Today, the few brands experimenting with reuse mostly use different containers. These need individual return points alongside custom washing equipment and quality checks, which increase expense and complexity while reducing convenience. Reuse systems based on standardized packaging and shared infrastructure (基础设施) could capture 40 percent of the market, compared with 2 percent under a non-standardized approach, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Admittedly, it is hard to imagine rivals like Procter & Gamble and Unilever voluntarily agreeing to put their shampoo in the same-colored bottles. But as data mounts about the billions of dollars lost each year from single-use plastics that are burned or landfilled — and research reveals more about the health risks linked to thousands of poorly studied chemicals in plastics — brands may find their corner is harder to defend. Legally, it could be argued that the damage caused by custom packaging outweighs any harms caused to brands from standardized containers.
Similar plastic bottles won’t solve everything, of course. But such changes increasingly look like good business sense. Without them, truly circular packaging remains a distant dream.
25. How does the author present the issue at the beginning of the text
A. By analyzing figures. B. By defining a concept. C. By telling the history. D. By making comparisons.
26. What benefit could reuse systems in from standardized packaging
A. Expanding the market share. B. Increasing the complexity.
C. Boosting the consumer appeal. D. Winning economic support.
27. What can be inferred about the brands mentioned in paragraph 5
A. They spend so much in recycling. B. They face multiple pressures.
C. They work in close collaboration. D. They follow the fashion closely.
28. What is the best title for the text
A. Solutions to Plastic Waste B. Costs of Plastic Production
C. Careful Design, Regular Customer D. Shared Design, Cyclic Future
8.（2026·山东青岛·一模）
Rise with the sun and rest at sunset — his was the way of life for our ancestors. Thanks to artificial light, which improves visibility at night, we can enjoy a much safer society and around-the-clock productivity. For wildlife, however, studies have shown it disturbs animals’ natural sleep cycles, affects amphibian (两栖类的) reproduction and throws migrating birds off course.
New research in Frontiers in Plant Science investigated how artificial light impacts plant-insect relationships. Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences noticed tree leaves in cities typically showed fewer signs of insect damage than those outside of cities, so they analyzed 5,500 leaf samples from two tree species throughout Beijing. Researchers found more artificial light in a given area meant tougher leaves. And the tougher the leaf, the less evidence of hungry insects. They don’t fully understand why, but assume that trees under artificial light at night might be extending their photosynthesis (光合作用) time.
“Plants distribute their limited resources, such as nutrients, water and energy, among various functions like growth, reproduction and defense, depending on the environment. Light can affect how plants use resources,” says Ellen Cieraad, a plant ecologist from New Zealand. “Since plants use light for growth, artificial night light could be unnaturally increasing the time trees spend on photosynthesis, allocating more resources to chemical compounds that make leaves tougher.”
Changes in plants, and in interactions between plants and animals, can significantly impact the entire urban ecosystem. Herbivorous insects, which rely on leaves for food, may struggle to survive, thus breaking the food chain. Fewer herbivorous insects could lead to declines in predators like birds, affecting biodiversity. Insects also act as pollinators (传粉媒介) and eat dying plants, supporting healthy soil and plant life that benefit humans, as plants provide shade and reduce heat trapped in cities.
Moving forward, researchers are committed to refining their discovery, aiming to guide people to take corresponding actions. They will cooperate with urban planners to take effective measures, like applying special devices to lights, to establish practical guidelines for cities to balance lighting and ecological health.
29 . What influence does artificial light bring according to the text
A. It hardens tree leaves.
B. It shortens animals’ sleep hours.
C. It lights up birds’ migrating routes.
D. It increases amphibian reproduction rates.
30. Why is Ellen Cieraad quoted in paragraph 3
A. To raise a concern.
B. To introduce a concept.
C. To support an assumption.
D. To clarify a misunderstanding.
31. Which of the following best summarizes the phenomenon in paragraph 4
A. Time heals all wounds.
B. Nature always finds a way.
C. A chain is as strong as its weakest link.
D. A small move may affect the bigger picture.
32. What will the following research probably focus on
A. Enhancing soil quality.
B. Improving urban biodiversity.
C. Selecting plant species in cities.
D. Reducing impacts of nighttime light.
9.（2026·广东华侨港澳台·一模）
Yesterday, at the National Trust’s Purbeck Heaths nature reserve, four beavers were released from crates and crawled into Little Sea, a 33-hectare (81-acre) lake — the first to be legally released in England after a 400-year absence and a fight to return them to the landscape.
The trust says this is the perfect habitat for them to roam free, with no fenced enclosures, full of lakes and watercourses for the beavers (海狸) to make their home. The trust has permission to release 25 on the peninsula (半岛) but is starting with four and then making more releases in coming years if this one goes well.
Until about 20 years ago, the rodent (啮齿动物) had been extinct in Britain for four centuries, having been hunted for its fur, meat and scent oil. But in recent years, beavers have been returning to our waterways via licensed releases into enclosures and some illegal releases. There are an estimated 500 in the wild in England. Last week, the government announced that, with a license, it is now legal for conservationists (自然保护主义者) to release beavers into the wild, with no enclosures necessary. “The problem with enclosures is they are only really a short-term solution, as after a couple of years the beavers have need to make their own territories, and there’s no space for them to go.” said David Brown, the National Trust’s nature director at Purbeck.
Conservationists have been campaigning for the return of the beaver for decades because it is a keystone species, whose presence allows other creatures to thrive. This is because beavers create complex wetland habitats by digging channels and pools and constructing leaky dams. Their dams also filter pollution, helping to clean up rivers, and can prevent flooding as well as drought.
The trust has worked with local farmers and landowners to ensure the beavers do not cause unwanted disruption. Purbeck hopes it will spur year-round nature tourism as people come to see the beavers and the habitat they create. “We have been seeing a shift away from bucket-and-spade tourism to nature tourism, and that is more sustainable,” Brown said.
The nature minister, Mary Creagh, was there to watch the release. She said: “I am thrilled that, after being hunted to extinction centuries ago, wild beavers are finally here to stay. Today is an important milestone for national nature recovery.”
33. What is the current plan for releasing beavers in the Purbeck Heaths nature reserve
A. To release all 25 beavers at once.
B. To start with four beavers and release more in the future if successful.
C. To release beavers only into fenced enclosures.
D. To release beavers without any legal permission.
34. Why are enclosures considered a short-term solution for beavers
A. Because beavers need to create their own territories and enclosures limit their space.
B. Because enclosures are too expensive to maintain.
C. Because beavers do not survive well in enclosures.
D. Because enclosures are illegal in England.
35. What aspect of the beavers do conservationists highlight
A. Their popularity among tourists.
B. Their capability of constructing dams.
C. Their adaptability to the environment.
D. Their impact on the ecosystem.
36. What is the overall attitude of the National Trust and the nature minister towards the release of beavers
A. They are indifferent and see it as a minor event.
B. They are concerned about the potential disruption to local farmers.
C. They are enthusiastic and view it as a significant step for nature recovery and sustainable tourism.
D. They are skeptical about the long-term success of the beaver release.
9.（2026·广东江门·一模）
For too long, we have held a narrow and biased view of nature, seeing it as something separate from our urban lives — something to be visited in natural parks or distant wilderness. We pass by the moss in a crack or the algae in a gutter (水沟) with indifference, even disgust. However, cities are not empty of life but are unique, lively ecosystems, and recognizing this should allow us to redefine what it means to be a naturalist in the modern world.
Within ordinary urban landscapes, life displays extraordinary toughness and creativity. Plants and microorganisms not only survive but grow well in the heat and pollution of city gutters. Urban animals have also developed smart behaviors: Japanese crows use cars to crack nuts, and Australian cockatoos open trash bins for food. Furthermore, cities drive physical changes in their residents. Some lizards have developed stickier feet to better hold on smooth man-made surfaces. This concrete “jungle” is thus not a biological desert but a dynamic, human-made ecosystem, representing a fascinating new chapter in the story of life on our planet.
Therefore, the old image of a naturalist — a professional in remote wilds — is outdated. Academic papers and online courses make biology and ecology procurable to munity labs and nature clubs enable ordinary people to do research with microscopes and other simple tools. When we accept the city as a real ecosystem, we allow everyone to become a “community scientist”.
For those feeling disconnected from nature in cities, there’s a new way: just stay curious and notice the ignored ecological corners, and city life may be filled with new surprises and joys. You don’t need to be a professional scientist — anyone can be a naturalist-explorer in the urban wilderness.
37. What phenomenon does the author point out in Paragraph 1
A. Naturalists need professional training. B. City residents overlook nearby nature.
C. People favor wilderness over urban life. D. Ecologists redefine biased nature concepts.
38. How does the author show cities are lively ecosystems
A. By criticizing current opinions. B. By suggesting new research findings.
C. By giving examples of organism adaptation. D. By comparing biodiversity from different habitats.
39. What does the underlined word “procurable” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Suitable. B. Comfortable. C. Reasonable. D. Accessible.
40. What idea does the author aim to challenge in the passage
A. Naturalists are limited to professionals.
B. Evolution mainly exists in wild nature.
C. Urbanization damages the environment.
D. City holds a distinct and dynamic ecology.
10.（2026·安徽铜陵·一模）
Countless thousands of city dwellers in Britain and elsewhere have, in the past two years, become acutely aware of the green spaces in their midst. Indeed, many people only discovered them during lockdowns, when escaping to the great outdoors was a vital factor in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
Many south Londoners who have found solace in nature owe thanks to campaigners who, over the past 40 years and more, have put pressure on local and national bodies to protect precious green space. Although it is hard to envisage today, until the end of the 18th century extensive oak woodlands stretched for some seven miles across what is now suburban south London. What remains of them is the nearest ancient woodland to central London.
Ancient woodland, as defined by the government agency Natural England, is land on which the tree cover has been in continuous existence since 1600; before that date, plantation was rare, so woods that existed in 1600 are considered to have developed naturally. According to the Woodland Trust, ancient woodland covers just 2.5 per cent of the land area of England and Wales.
The Ancient Woodland Inventory, set up by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1981 and maintained by Natural England, says some 7 per cent of ancient woodland that was present in 1930 has been grubbed up for farming or other uses, and 38 per cent has been replaced with plantations, often of single-species conifers that offer little diversity of habitat.
The reasons the old North Wood survived for so long when surrounding areas were converted to farmland was that the steep terrain was unsuitable for arable or pasture, and because it lay on the sparsely populated margins of several parishes. It was also a valuable economic resource: for at least a millennium, the wood was intensely cultivated to provide timber, for furniture, tools and shipbuilding and charcoal for London’s blacksmiths, bakeries and brick and tilekilns.
41. Why did campaigners put pressure on local and national bodies according to the second paragraph
A. To demand more gyms for public exercise.
B. To protect existing green spaces from destruction.
C. To request open spaces for planting new vegetation.
D. To promote the development of suburban housing.
42. What does the underlined phrase “grubbed up” in Paragraph 4 most likely mean
A. Use up natural resources.
B. Dig out and remove completely.
C. Take up quickly for development.
D. Preserve carefully for the future.
43. What can be inferred from the passage
A. British people have long been aware of the importance of green space protection.
B. The ancient woodland nearest to central London is entirely made up of conifers.
C. The replacement of ancient woodland with single-species plantations has harmed habitat diversity.
D. Only 7% of ancient woodland present in 1930 remains today.
44. Why did the old North Wood survive for so long according to the passage
A. Its steep land was unsuitable for farming or animal grazing.
B. It was located in a densely populated and well-protected area.
C. The government had listed it as a protected area very early.
D. Local residents jointly prevented any external development.
11.（2026·河北张家口·一模）
What if there were a technology that could help to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (排放), air pollution and environmental degradation, while improving health, reducing social inequality and boosting economic growth There is, and in January 2026, it just turned 200.
According to the International Energy Agency, transport currently accounts for around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions. Per passenger-kilometre, rail transport produces one-fifth of the emissions of car transport, and less than one-quarter of those of flying. Direct emissions can be cut to zero if trains are powered by fully renewable electricity.
Rail transport also produces few air-polluting small particles (颗粒), which are harmful to health. This is particularly important in a world where cities are growing rapidly. Better public transport systems based on rail could help to reduce the unordered expansion of cities, as well as the land needed for roads, car parks and other car-related facilities. Cities with fewer cars and traffic jams are more liveable places where people are more willing to walk and cycle, obtaining the health benefits of these activities. They are also more inclusive, particularly for younger and older people who are less likely to own a vehicle.
But it is not just cities. The United Kingdom is the birth place of the railways, but the country also offers an example of the effects disinvestment in railways can have. A 2024 study examined a sustained programme of cuts made to the nation’s railway network from the 1950s to the 1980s. It found that the rural areas most affected by the cuts saw population declines, job losses and drops in the number of skilled workers, relative to areas that were unaffected.
Despite its benefits, since the mid-twentieth century, railway development in most countries has been overtaken by growth in road and air travel. As railways travel into their third century, it’s time to turn the tables. Research from across disciplines — including engineering, environmental science and urban planning — can help achieve a much-needed comeback of railways.
45. Why does the author ask the question in paragraph 1
A. To highlight the benefits of rail transport.
B. To clarify the urgency of environmental problems.
C. To explain the history of technology development.
D. To present the great potentials of economic development.
46. What does the author try to illustrate by the figures in paragraph 2
A. Rail transport causes less pollution.
B. Most people prefer to travel by plane.
C. Renewable electricity is badly needed.
D. Transport consumes most global energy.
47. What impact did the UK’s railway cuts have on badly affected rural areas
A. Failure in transport investment. B. Decline in people’s living space.
C Low-efficiency railway network. D. Socio-economic downturn.
48. What will be talked about next
A. Why policies are significant. B. Why various research is crucial.
C. Why railways are more sustainable. D. Why economic growth is unstoppable.
12.（2026·河南五市·一模）
On a quiet street in Bangkok, a shop owner watches water rise through her floor for the third time this year. She simply moves her goods to the second floor and waits. Four blocks away, a newly built park is doing something strange — it’s designed to flood.
This is not failure. This is adaptation.
For more than a century, cities treated water as the enemy to be defeated. Engineers built higher walls, stronger pumps (泵) and deeper channels. The enemy metaphor ran deep: We “fight” floods, “battle” rising seas and storm surges. And for a while, it worked, or seemed to.
Then came the storms that broke the walls. Hurricane Sandy flooded 51 square kilometers of New York City in 2012. In 2021, floods in Germany killed more than 180 people despite advanced warning systems. The concrete defenses, perfected over generations, were failing in plain sight.
What these events exposed was not a problem in engineering, but a problem in thinking. You cannot defeat water; you can only delay it. And delay is not a strategy.
Not with a bang, but with a rethink. In Copenhagen, after a 2011 flood caused nearly a billion dollars in damage, city planners didn’t just rebuild — they redesigned. A new park called Tasinge Plads now serves as a public square when dry and a retention pond (蓄水池) when rains come. Children play on equipment that doubles as water storage. The enemy has become a neighbor.
The most telling change may be happening in the Netherlands, a country that literally built itself on the idea of defeating water. However, the Room for the River program, begun in 2007, has done something unconventional: it moved dikes (堤坝) back, lowered floodplains, and gave rivers room to breathe. When water rises now, it flows where it’s meant to go.
Back in Bangkok, the shop owner knows something that city engineers are only beginning to learn. Water doesn’t need to be fought. It needs to be expected.
The old question was: How high can we build the wall
The new question is: What can we build that water can live with
49. How does the author present the issue in the first paragraph
A. By describing a scene. B. By presenting a comparison.
C. By citing a shop owner. D. By explaining a phenomenon.
50. What does the author try to illustrate in paragraph 4
A. The inconvenience of concrete defenses.
B. The severity of natural disasters worldwide.
C. The shortage of advanced warning systems.
D. The ineffectiveness of old flood control ways.
51. What is Netherlands’ water management like according to the text
A. Cautious and flexible. B. Economical and reliable.
C. Innovative and reasonable. D. Efficient and systematic.
52. What do the two questions at the end of the text mainly show
A. The necessity of construction. B. The importance of engineering.
C. The transformation in concepts. D. The trouble in solving problems.
13.（2026·河南周口·一模）
Microbats could be regarded as nature’s forgotten superheroes. These tiny creatures can consume insects up to half their body weight in a single night, helping to control mosquito numbers and protect agricultural crops. Yet urbanization has brought significant changes to their living conditions. Housing development and vegetation loss have reduced their feeding and resting areas, which may place some microbat species at growing risk.
Microbats depend on two essential resources: suitable feeding grounds and secure resting sites. While high-quality feeding habitats have been identified in Sydney, Caragh Threlfall, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, points out that land managers should also protect resting places to support the long-term survival of microbat populations.
Notably, bats are not the only ones affected. For instance, moth numbers have fallen in some urban areas, which can in turn affect the local food chain. “Our work showed that overall insect populations decline with increasing urban density (密度),” the researcher explains.
There are more than 80 known bat species in Australia, 43 of which are classified as locally or nationally threatened. According to Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 35 of these threatened species are microbats. “To help bats coexist in cities, we need to keep large, old trees across the urban landscape and preserve areas that provide good feeding habitats,” Threlfall adds.
Researchers from Brisbane and Sydney have observed fewer bat species in heavily built-up areas, whereas suburbs can still support a rich variety of bat life. This suggests that some species can tolerate moderate levels of urban development, as long as sufficient trees remain in the environment. Beyond a certain point, however, bat populations begin to drop.
More comprehensive urban planning assessments that take bat habitat needs into account are currently underway for Melbourne’s bat communities. With this evidence, it is believed that future guidelines can be developed to protect bat species across Australian cities.
53. What led to the decline in microbats’ population
A. Threats from rising wildlife.
B. Competition among bat species.
C. Development causing habitat damage.
D. Climate change affecting insect availability.
54. What do the figures in paragraph 4 mainly show
A. The significance of protecting ancient trees.
B. The severe challenge facing Australian bats.
C. The wide distribution of bat species in Australia.
D. The extreme difficulty in saving rare bat species.
55. What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs
A. Microbats are unable to survive in urbanized areas.
B. Urban development will be slowed down across Australia.
C. Suburbs have more microbat species due to fewer residents.
D. Proper urban planning may lower the risk to microbat populations.
56. What can be the best title for the text
A. Microbats: Nature’s Insect Eaters
B. Microbats: Friends of Urban Residents
C. Rescuing Microbats from Urbanization
D. Planning and Building Eco-Friendly Cities
14.（2026·安徽联考·一模）
In the concrete jungles that define modern cities, a quiet revolution is taking root — urban microforests. These compact, dense (密集的) green spaces, often no larger than a basketball court, are emerging as powerful solutions to some of the most pressing urban problems, from air pollution to mental health crises. Unlike traditional city parks with neatly cut lawns, microforests mimic natural woodland ecosystems, packing dozens of native plant species into small areas to create thriving habitats.
The concept, pioneered by botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, has gained global traction in recent years as cities seek sustainable development. A study by the International Society for Urban Ecology (ISUE) tracked 120 microforests across 30 cities, including Tokyo, Berlin, and Mexico City. The results were striking: microforests reduced local air temperatures by an average of 3.2 ℃ during summer heatwaves, a critical advantage as urban heat islands grow more intense due to climate change. They also absorbed 20% more carbon dioxide per square meter than traditional parks, thanks to their diverse plant layers — from tall canopy trees to low-lying shrubs.
Beyond environmental benefits, urban microforests deliver significant social value. A survey conducted by the University of Copenhagen found that residents living within 500 meters of a microforest reported 15% lower stress levels and 22% higher subjective well-being compared to those without access to such spaces. “The biodiversity of microforests creates a sensory experience — birdsong, fragrant flowers, rustling leaves — that connects people to nature in a way that manicured (修剪整齐的) parks rarely do, ” explains Dr. Lena Olsen, lead researcher of the study.
However, the expansion of urban microforests faces practical challenges. Land scarcity in city centers means many projects must repurpose underused spaces — abandoned lots, rooftop areas, or even highway medians. Maintenance is another issue: while mature microforests are self-sustaining, young ones require regular care to prevent invasive species from overtaking native plants.
As cities continue to grow, the role of urban microforests will only become more vital. They prove that even small pockets of nature can make a big difference, turning concrete spaces into vibrant, life-sustaining ecosystems. For urban planners and residents alike, microforests offer a hopeful, actionable path toward greener, healthier cities.
57. What fundamentally distinguishes microforests from traditional parks
A. More green spaces.
B. Better temperature reduction.
C. Dense native plant ecosystems.
D. Professional maintenance needs.
58. What can be learned about the ISUE study
A. It focused specifically on carbon absorption.
B. It was limited to temperate climate regions.
C. It collected data mainly through local surveys.
D. It analyzed data from multiple urban locations.
59. Why are microforests more effective in boosting people’s well-being
A. They offer enhanced recreational facilities.
B. They are situated in central urban locations.
C. They employ professional ecological management.
D. They build a closer connection between people and nature.
60. What is the author’s overall viewpoint
A Microforests can replace traditional parks.
B. Microforests are impractical despite their benefits.
C. Microforests are transformative despite challenges.
D. Microforests have been popular around the world.
15.（2026·河南濮阳·一模）
Decades after commercial whaling nearly drove them to extinction, a feeding behavior known as bubble (气泡) netting is helping humpback whales in Canada recover, a study has found. In the Kitimat Fjord System in northern British Columbia, humpback whale counts have been growing at a rate of 6 to 8 percent per year.
There, groups of up to sixteen humpbacks can now be spotted bubble netting as a team. Some of them swim in circles while blowing air through their blowholes, others vocalize (发声). Below the water’s surface, groups of fish get trapped in rings of bubbles, making it easy for the whales to catch them.
Bubble netting had already been well-documented in Alaska by the time scientists started tracking it at the Kitimat Fjords in 2005, in collaboration with the Gitga’at First Nation people, who continuously survey the population.
Sightings of bubble netting have increased steadily, and peaked when a heat wave struck the northern Pacific from 2014 to 2016. As the number of fish became smaller, the tactic proved practical — through it, whales accessed more kinds of food than they would have through hunting for it alone.
Using nearly 7,500 photographs, the researchers built a map of the whales’ social interactions. The results suggest that certain key individuals within the group taught the others how to bubble net. “Feeding strategies like bubble netting help whales adapt to a changing environment. If a boat strikes and kills one whale that can teach bubble netting, the whole population becomes less adaptable. This is why locations like the Kitimat Fjord System, where whales learn to feed from others, need to be targeted for conservation,” says adin O’Mahony, a marine mammal ecologist.
“The Gitga’at people have kept the ecosystem that the whales are a part of in balance for thousands of years,” says coauthor Nicole Robinson, a member of the Gitga’at First Nation. The core of their knowledge is to recognize shifts in food sources to harvest them sustainably. Ultimately, it comes down to one value. “In my language, we call it oomsk: respect,” Robinson says. “Respect for our lands, waters, elders, and children.”
61. What can be known about bubble netting
A. It requires collaboration. B. It is intended for deaf whales.
C. It wasn’t recorded until recently. D. It is limited to whales in Alaska.
62. What does the underlined word “tactic” probably mean in paragraph 4
A. Stability. B. Strategy. C. Conservation. D. Attack.
63. What is adin O’Mahony’s advice
A. Relocate endangered whales to other places.
B. Stop researching whales’ social interactions.
C. Protect whales that can teach bubble netting.
D. Monitor whales’ ability to escape boat strikes.
64. What do the Gitga’at people advocate according to the last paragraph
A. A time-saving feeding behavior. B. A habitat totally free of competition.
C. A sustainable and balanced ecosystem. D. A society prioritizing survival over respect.
21世纪教育网(www.21cnjy.com)
21世纪教育网(www.21cnjy.com)压轴题06 阅读理解C、D篇
命题预测 分析近年高考英语阅读理解 C、D 篇命题规律，环境与保护类是必考核心压轴题材，选材多来自 Nature、Science、国家地理、环保组织报告、高校生态研究，聚焦生态保护、气候变化、污染治理、物种恢复、可持续发展、城市生态、新能源、循环经济。文章科学性强、数据密集、逻辑严谨，长难句与专业术语较多，侧重考查细节定位、逻辑推理、观点态度、主旨概括。2026 年高考仍会重点考查，命题更贴近碳中和、生物多样性、城市绿色、人与自然共生、环保科技，强调责任意识与科学思维。
高频考法 推理判断题 标题归纳题 细节理解题 词义猜测题 主旨大意题 观点态度 / 写作意图题
环境与保护类基本规律及解题要领
高考环境类阅读多无标题，结构清晰、论证严谨，一般分为四部分：
首段：引出环境问题、生态现象、保护行动、科研发现。
背景 / 现状：介绍问题成因、破坏程度、危机现状、人类影响。
主干：阐述研究数据、保护措施、治理方案、正反效果、专家观点。
结尾：总结保护意义、未来展望、行动呼吁、生态启示。
二、环境与保护类解题技巧
1. 抓语篇结构，快速把握大意
用略读法速读首尾段 + 各段首尾句，圈出核心词：
environment/conservation/habitat/ecosystem/climate/pollution。
环境类常见行文逻辑：
问题对策型：环境危机→原因分析→解决方案→效果评价
研究发现型：新观察→实验数据→结论意义→保护建议
生态介绍型：物种 / 栖息地→生存现状→适应机制→保护价值
2. 定位标志词，精准破解细节与推理
优先定位：地名、物种名、数据年份、研究机构、环保项目名称。
长难句处理：先抓主句主干，剥离定语、状语、插入语，理清因果与条件。
答案原则：原文同义替换、客观概括，不加入主观环保立场臆断。
3. 重点关注因果、措施与影响
环境类必考三大方向：
原因：human activity/urbanization/deforestation/pollution/climate change
措施：restore/protect/recycle/regulate/passive restoration/ecotourism
影响：threaten/survive/recover/decline/collapse/benefit
4. 紧盯转折与对比，锁定命题重点
高频逻辑词：however / but / yet / while / in contrast / instead / despite转折后常是真实危机、有效方案、作者真正态度，为必考点。
5. 熟悉选项设置规律，快速排除干扰
正确选项：符合科学事实、概括全面、原文信息同义改写。
干扰项：
夸大危机（用 worst /destroy/extinct 绝对化）
张冠李戴（把 A 措施的效果安到 B 措施）
无中生有（原文未提的解决方案）
以偏概全（用局部数据代替整体主旨）
6. 标题归纳技巧（环境类专用）
必须包含核心对象：forest/ocean/animal/habitat/planet/ecosystem
突出保护、恢复、危机、可持续
常见格式：保护对象 + 危机 / 措施 / 希望 / 未来
06 环境与保护类
1.（2026·广东省大湾区·一模）
If the Amazon forest is to disappear, Altamira in Brazil is the town where that end could be foreseen. During the region’s development, a road was cut through the heart of the forest, marking an era of widespread destruction that remade the Amazon. Altamira thus became known in local media as the “champion of deforestation.”
Now Brazilian officials think this expansive town can also be the site of the forest’s rebirth. This year, the government set out to test a question that until now has largely been left to researchers: If left alone, can the Amazon forest restore itself To test this assumption, officials closed off a degraded parcel of land and leased (租赁) it to a private carbon credit company to safeguard and restore. “Some of the tasks will be done by planting trees. But most of the restoration job will be left to Mother Nature. It’s called passive restoration. This is opening a new model that may be applied across the state,” said Governor Barbalho.
The search for solutions in the Amazon couldn’t be more urgent. Rates of deforestation have been dropping since the government made fighting environmental crime a priority, but the destruction hasn’t stopped. Nearly 6,300 square kilometers were lost last year, bringing the ecosystem closer to what scientists warn is a tipping point, when the Amazon is no longer able to maintain its own rainy ecosystem. Evidence of its arrival is springing up: dried riverbeds, forest fires, punishing droughts, and increased tree death. Scientists have predicted the forest could experience a broad ecological collapse by 2050, when 10 — 47% of it will be exposed to various disturbances that could activate unexpected ecosystem changes.
But other research has also provided cause for hope. Despite the delicate nature of the Amazon’s ecosystem, the forest has also demonstrated a remarkable capacity for recovery. A recent study showed that roughly 72,000 square kilometers of destroyed forest are already in an advanced stage of natural recovery.
1. What do we know about Altamira from paragraph 1
A. It reshaped the Amazon area. B. It saw the rebirth of the forest.
C. It benefited from the new road. D. It headed the forest destruction.
2. What is the core belief behind passive restoration
A. Nature knows the right way. B. Companies make better guardians.
C. Tree-planting is a quicker fix. D. A hands-off government is the key.
3. What makes it critical to restore the Amazon rainforest
A. Deforestation rates are ever-rising. B. The rainy ecosystem has collapsed.
C. A point of no return is approaching. D. Spring has brought lots of disasters.
4. What is the best title for the text
A. Can Private Companies Help B. Can Passive Restoration Last
C. Can Altamira Stop Deforestation D. Can Amazon Avoid Disappearing
【答案】1. D 2. A 3. C 4. D
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了巴西小镇阿尔塔米拉曾是森林破坏的“冠军”，如今政府尝试通过被动修复让亚马逊森林重生，以避免其消失。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“Altamira thus became known in local media as the “champion of deforestation.”(因此，阿尔塔米拉被当地媒体称为“森林砍伐冠军”)”可知，阿尔塔米拉曾引领森林破坏。故选D。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“But most of the restoration job will be left to Mother Nature. It’s called passive restoration.(但大部分修复工作将留给大自然。这被称为被动修复)”可知，被动修复的核心信念是相信自然知道正确的修复方式。故选A。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段“Nearly 6,300 square kilometers were lost last year, bringing the ecosystem closer to what scientists warn is a tipping point, when the Amazon is no longer able to maintain its own rainy ecosystem.(去年损失了近6300平方公里，使生态系统更接近科学家警告的临界点，届时亚马逊将无法维持自己的雨林生态系统)”可知，亚马逊雨林恢复的关键在于避免接近无法挽回的临界点。故选C。
【4题详解】
主旨大意题。根据全文内容，尤其是最后一段“Despite the delicate nature of the Amazon’s ecosystem, the forest has also demonstrated a remarkable capacity for recovery.(尽管亚马逊生态系统很脆弱，但森林也表现出了惊人的恢复能力)”可知，文章主要探讨了亚马逊森林能否通过修复避免消失的问题，D选项“Can Amazon Avoid Disappearing (亚马逊能否避免消失？)”适合作为标题。故选D。
2.（2026·河北·一模）
Deep in a protected nature reserve in Northern Guatemala’s Sierra del Lacandón National Park, shade from the trees and a light wind from the Usumacinta River offer people relief from the heat. Here in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, there are not only thousands of species, including the Ramón and Copal trees providing shade, but also Romario Ramírez, one of the many humans who live in the park. Ramírez is a tour guide; he knows this forest and its creatures like the back of his hand.
But guiding tourists through the park is just part of his work. Nearly 20 thousand people live within this park, almost all of whom play a role in caring for the forest.
Forest fires are the largest threat to the reserve. Set mostly by outsiders, the fires are usually intended to clear the forest to expand cattle and soy farms. While the fires are started by humans, their intensity and ability to spread are made worse by climate change. In response, everyone in this community is trained to use a number of tools to discourage the fires, including cameras and other similar equipment, which are also used to monitor biodiversity. According to a report, collectively they have reduced 369,000 tons of CO emissions and protected 870 species of wildlife between 2012 and 2014.
To keep visitors engaged, guides lead hikes within the jungle and excursions (远足) to ancient sites. Sustainable tourist programs, or ecotourism, have become increasingly popular as a way to help the remote community become self-sufficient. In this model, every visit from a traveler directly translates into greater capacity to preserve the forest.
The local tourism commission in this small Northern Guatemalan community hopes to guard the area by inviting tourists to think about the reserve as more than a site to visit and to see how they live and develop as a community.
5. What phenomenon is described in paragraph 1
A. Man and nature coexist closely.
B. Biodiversity is vital to the forest.
C. The locals rely on nature to live.
D. The reserve is popular with tourists.
6. Why does the author cite a report in paragraph 3
A. To show risks of widespread forest fires.
B. To prove effectiveness of fire prevention.
C. To praise the use of devices to tackle fires.
D. To reveal the reason for discouraging fires.
7. What can tourists’ engagement with the site bring
A. More potential for ecotourism.
B. More insight into ancient life.
C. More collaboration on the economy.
D. More support for local protection.
8. What can be a suitable title for the text
A. Guided Tours, Guarded Forest
B. Fire Threats, Local Responses
C. Local Guides, Global Visitors
D. Ancient Forest, Modern Guardians
【答案】5. A 6. B 7. D 8. A
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了危地马拉北部玛雅生物圈保护区中人类与自然共存，通过防火和生态旅游保护森林的情况。
【5题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第一段中“Here in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, there are not only thousands of species, including the Ramón and Copal trees providing shade, but also Romario Ramírez, one of the many humans who live in the park.(在玛雅生物圈保护区，不仅有成千上万的物种，包括提供树荫的拉蒙树和科帕尔树，还有罗马里奥·拉米雷斯，他是众多居住在公园里的人之一。)”可知，本段描述了人类和自然紧密共存的现象。故选A。
【6题详解】
推理判断题。根据第三段中“In response, everyone in this community is trained to use a number of tools to discourage the fires, including cameras and other similar equipment, which are also used to monitor biodiversity. According to a report, collectively they have reduced 369,000 tons of CO emissions and protected 870 species of wildlife between 2012 and 2014.(作为回应，社区里的每个人都接受了使用多种工具来阻止火灾的培训，包括使用照相机和其他类似设备，这些设备也被用来监测生物多样性。根据一份报告，在2012年至2014年期间，他们共同减少了36.9万吨二氧化碳排放，保护了870种野生动物。)”可知，作者引用报告是为了证明防火措施的有效性。故选B。
【7题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段中“To keep visitors engaged, guides lead hikes within the jungle and excursions (远足) to ancient sites. Sustainable tourist programs, or ecotourism, have become increasingly popular as a way to help the remote community become self-sufficient. In this model, every visit from a traveler directly translates into greater capacity to preserve the forest.(为了让游客保持兴趣，导游会带领游客在丛林中徒步旅行，并前往古遗址远足。可持续旅游项目，即生态旅游，作为一种帮助偏远社区实现自给自足的方式，正变得越来越受欢迎。在这种模式下，每一位游客的到来都直接转化为更强的保护森林的能力。)”可知，游客的参与能够带来更多的对当地保护的支持。故选D。
【8题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是根据第四段中“To keep visitors engaged, guides lead hikes within the jungle and excursions (远足) to ancient sites. Sustainable tourist programs, or ecotourism, have become increasingly popular as a way to help the remote community become self-sufficient. In this model, every visit from a traveler directly translates into greater capacity to preserve the forest.(为了让游客保持兴趣，导游会带领游客在丛林中徒步旅行，并前往古遗址远足。可持续旅游项目，即生态旅游，作为一种帮助偏远社区实现自给自足的方式，正变得越来越受欢迎。在这种模式下，每一位游客的到来都直接转化为更强的保护森林的能力。)”可知，文章主要介绍了玛雅生物圈保护区中人类与自然共存的情况，以及当地人如何通过防火和生态旅游来保护森林，其中导游罗米里奥·拉米雷斯是这一努力的代表。A项“Guided Tours, Guarded Forest (导游引领，守护森林)”最能概括文章主旨，适合作为文章标题。故选A。
3.（2026·湖北·一模）
The global shift to renewable energy is greatly increasing demand for critical minerals and metals, including lithium, copper and rare earth elements. Over the past five years, the market for these energy transition minerals has doubled. By 2040, demand for such minerals in clean energy technologies is expected to grow two to four times.
Although the energy transition requires more mining, the total amount of materials needed for a fully green energy system by 2040 is much lower than that for a fossil-fuel based system. Fossil fuels are burned continuously and cannot be recycled. In contrast, critical minerals are used in long-lasting equipment and can be recycled at the end of their service life. It is highly important to mine these metals responsibly.
Copper is one metal whose demand will rise sharply. Under the 1.5°C climate goal, annual copper demand is projected to grow from 25 million tonnes now to 55.1 million tonnes in 2050. New supply sources must be developed to close this gap.
Fortunately, known reserves of many critical minerals are geographically widespread. Copper, for example, is distributed across Chile, Peru, China, the United States and other nations. In the near future, production will still depend on traditional mining countries, because opening a new mine usually takes more than 10 years. However, processing capacity can be diversified more quickly. The US and the EU are building partnerships to strengthen supply chains.
Mining, however, brings serious environmental and social risks. It can damage ecosystems, consume large amounts of water and produce harmful waste. Some mining activities also affect local communities and Indigenous Peoples’ lands. More than 50 percent of the metals needed for the energy transition come from or near these areas.
To solve these problems, responsible mining is necessary. Companies need strong management and clear communication with local communities. They should also follow international standards such as Towards Sustainable Mining, IRMA and CopperMark. These systems aim to improve environmental protection, safety and community relations.
Metal users can help by making supply chains more transparent and supporting recycling and new technologies. With joint efforts, the energy transition can be both sustainable and fair to local communities.
9. What is the advantage of critical minerals over fossil fuels
A. They are easier to explore and extract. B. They can be recycled after use.
C. They cost less to produce. D. They are used in larger quantities.
10. Why is it difficult to increase copper supply quickly
A. Known reserves are running out. B. Demand is growing too slowly.
C. Building a new mine takes a long time. D. Many countries refuse to export copper.
11. What problem does mining bring according to the passage
A. It raises the price of renewable energy. B. It reduces the efficiency of power systems.
C. It slows down technological development. D. It harms the environment and local communities.
12. What can be a suitable title for the text
A Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition. B. Ways to Recycle Used Metals Effectively.
C. Global Supply Chains of Renewable Energy. D. Environmental Risks of Mining Industry.
【答案】9. B 10. C 11. D 12. A
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要阐述了随着全球向可再生能源转型，对关键矿物和金属的需求大幅增长。关键矿物相比化石燃料具有可回收的优势，但开采面临一些挑战。以铜为例，其需求将急剧上升，虽已知储量分布广泛，但新矿开采耗时较长。同时，采矿会带来环境和社会风险，因此需要负责任地开采，多方共同努力以实现能源转型的可持续性和公平性。
【9题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“Fossil fuels are burned continuously and cannot be recycled. In contrast, critical minerals are used in long - lasting equipment and can be recycled at the end of their service life. (化石燃料持续燃烧且无法回收。相比之下，关键矿物用于耐用设备，在其使用寿命结束时可以回收)”可知，关键矿物相对于化石燃料的优势是使用后可以回收。故选B项。
【10题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“Fortunately, known reserves of many critical minerals are geographically widespread. Copper, for example, is distributed across Chile, Peru, China, the United States and other nations. In the near future, production will still depend on traditional mining countries, because opening a new mine usually takes more than 10 years.(幸运的是，许多关键矿产的已知储量在地理上分布广泛。例如，铜分布在智利、秘鲁、中国、美国等国家。在不久的将来，生产仍将依赖传统矿产国，因为新开一座矿山通常需要十多年时间。)”可知，快速增加铜供应困难是因为开设新矿需要很长时间。故选C项。
【11题详解】
细节理解题。根据第五段“Mining, however, brings serious environmental and social risks. It can damage ecosystems, consume large amounts of water and produce harmful waste. Some mining activities also affect local communities and Indigenous Peoples’lands.(然而，采矿带来了严重的环境和社会风险。它会破坏生态系统，消耗大量水资源并产生有害废物。一些采矿活动还会影响当地社区和原住民的土地)”可知，采矿带来的问题是危害环境和当地社区。故选D项。
【12题详解】
主旨大意题。主要阐述了随着全球向可再生能源转型，对关键矿物和金属的需求大幅增长。关键矿物相比化石燃料具有可回收的优势，但开采面临一些挑战。以铜为例，其需求将急剧上升，虽已知储量分布广泛，但新矿开采耗时较长。同时，采矿会带来环境和社会风险，因此需要负责任地开采，多方共同努力以实现能源转型的可持续性和公平性。A选项“Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition (能源转型中的关键矿物)”为最佳标题，故选A项。
4.（2026·广东汕头·一模）
The concept of “Carbon Neutrality” has moved from boardrooms to living rooms. In 2026, a grassroots movement called “Project 30” challenged households to reduce their carbon footprint by 30% within a year. The results, published in the Journal of Sustainable Living, were surprising.
Researchers found that the most effective factor wasn’t access to expensive solar panels, but “behavioral nudging.” Families who received weekly feedback on their energy usage via a smart home app reduced consumption significantly more than those who simply owned energy-efficient appliances.
Psychologist Dr. Helen Reid explains: “People often suffer from ‘invisibility bias.’ If you can’t see the electricity flowing, you don’t think about wasting it. Making data visible creates accountability.”
However, the study also highlighted the “Rebound Effect.” Some participants, proud of their reduced electricity bills, offset their savings by taking long-haul flights, negating their previous efforts. “Sustainability is holistic,” warns Dr. Reid. “You can’t green wash your way to carbon neutrality by focusing on just one aspect of your life.”
13. What was the key finding of “Project 30”
A. Expensive technology is necessary for carbon reduction.
B Behavioral feedback is more effective than hardware alone.
C. Most households cannot reduce their carbon footprint.
D. Carbon neutrality is an impossible goal.
14. What does Dr. Reid mean by “invisibility bias”
A. People are blind to the effects of climate change.
B. People tend to ignore resources they cannot physically see.
C. Energy-efficient appliances are often hidden in homes.
D. Smart apps are not visible enough to users.
15. What is the “Rebound Effect” as described in the text
A. When people increase their energy use after buying new appliances.
B. When efforts in one area are canceled out by negative actions elsewhere.
C. When carbon reduction projects fail due to lack of funding.
D. When people become too reliant on technology.
16. What is the main message of the passage
A. Only the wealthy can achieve carbon neutrality.
B. Technology alone can solve the climate crisis.
C. Sustainable living requires awareness and holistic lifestyle changes.
D. Government policies are the only solution to carbon emissions.
【答案】13. B 14. B 15. B 16. C
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了2026年“Project 30”草根运动关于家庭碳减排的研究发现及其启示。
【13题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段的句子“Researchers found that the most effective factor wasn’t access to expensive solar panels, but “behavioral nudging.” Families who received weekly feedback on their energy usage via a smart home app reduced consumption significantly more than those who simply owned energy-efficient appliances (研究人员发现，最有效的因素并不是使用昂贵的太阳能电池板，而是“行为引导”。通过智能家居应用程序每周收到能源使用反馈的家庭，比那些仅仅拥有节能电器的家庭减少的能耗要多得多)”可知，“Project 30”的关键发现是行为反馈比单纯的硬件设备更有效。故选B项。
【14题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第三段Dr. Reid的解释“If you can’t see the electricity flowing, you don’t think about wasting it (如果你看不到电流流动，你就不会想到浪费它)”可知，“invisibility bias”指的是人们往往忽视那些肉眼无法看到的资源消耗。故选B项。
【15题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段的句子“Some participants, proud of their reduced electricity bills, offset their savings by taking long-haul flights, negating their previous efforts (一些参与者为自己的电费减少而自豪，却通过长途旅行抵消了节省下来的能耗，使之前的努力付诸东流)”可知，“Rebound Effect”指的是一个领域的努力被其他地方的负面行为所抵消。故选B项。
【16题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第四段的句子““Sustainability is holistic,” warns Dr. Reid. “You can't green wash your way to carbon neutrality by focusing on just one aspect of your life.” (里德博士警告说：“可持续发展是整体性的。你不能只关注生活的一个方面，就用漂绿的方式实现碳中和。”)”可知，文章的主要观点是可持续生活需要意识的提升和整体生活方式的改变。故选C项。
5.（2026·山西晋城·一模）
The streets of South Providence are lined with apartment buildings and concrete sidewalks. But along Pearl Street, one lot stands out. It’s green, with nearly 270 trees packed into a 1,000-square-foot lot. Officially called the Pearl Street Garden, it contains a tiny forest in the middle of the urban area, offering a sharp contrast to the surrounding hard surfaces and traffic.
The pocket forests adhere to the “Miyawaki method” developed in the 1970s, which calls for planting a wide variety of local trees in large numbers and in very tight quarters. With plants packed close together, they both collaborate and compete for resources, racing to reach the sun first. Research shows forests grown using the Miyawaki method grow ten times faster than a traditional landscape planting, allowing environmental benefits to appear in a relatively short time.
“This isn’t habitat restoration on the scale that is needed in terms of the world,” said Jaeq Hall, director of special projects at Groundwork Rhode Island, “but it is a really great way, especially in a city, for people to become in close touch with biodiversity.” A 2022 study found Rhode Island contains 139 square miles of asphalt (柏油), concrete, and other hard surfaces, amounting to 13 percent of its land area. Such conditions limit access to green space and reduce the natural cooling and air-cleaning effects that trees can provide.
“We’re trying really hard to go back into those places that have been aggressively paved over and work in little bits of nature to bring those benefits to more people,” Hall said. “Projects like this received a big boost in funding from the government. It was a historic moment,” she said, adding that continued support is needed if microforests are to play a lasting role in making cities healthier and more environmentally friendly.
17. What does the underlined phrase “adhere to” in paragraph 2 probably mean
A. Follow closely, B. Result in. C. Differ from. D. Improve gradually.
18. Why are microforests valuable in cities
A. They conserve biodiversity. B. They address air pollution.
C. They beautify the environment. D. They connect people with nature.
19. What does Hall intend to do in the last paragraph
A. Deliver a complaint. B. Sound a warning. C. Make an appeal. D. Give an explanation.
20. What would be a suitable title for the text
A. Street Gardens: Famous Tour Spots
B. Miyawaki Method: A New Planting Way
C. Microforests: Green Gifts to Urban Areas
D. Jacq Hall: A Protector of Urban Forests
【答案】17. A 18. D 19. C 20. C
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了美国罗得岛州南普罗维登斯市利用“宫胁法”在城市狭小地块打造微型森林的案例，阐述了微型森林的建造方法、生长优势及其对城市居民接触自然、改善环境的重要意义。
【17题详解】
词义猜测题。根据文章第二段“The pocket forests adhere to the ‘Miyawaki method’ developed in the 1970s, which calls for planting a wide variety of local trees in large numbers and in very tight quarters.(这些袖珍森林紧密adhere to20世纪70年代发明的‘宫胁法’，该方法要求在非常狭小的空间里大量种植各种各样的本地树木)”可知，后文解释了该方法的具体要求，说明袖珍森林是严格遵循这一方法建造的。故选A。
【18题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第三段的“…but it is a really great way, especially in a city, for people to become in close touch with biodiversity.(但这是一种非常好的方式，尤其是在城市里，让人们与生物多样性密切接触)”可知，城市微型森林的价值在于让人们亲近自然。故选D。
【19题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“...adding that continued support is needed if microforests are to play a lasting role in making cities healthier and more environmentally friendly.(她补充说，如果微型森林要在使城市更健康、更环保方面发挥持久作用，就需要持续的支持)”可知，Hall在呼吁政府和社会持续提供支持。故选C。
【20题详解】
主旨大意题。根据文章第一段“Officially called the Pearl Street Garden, it contains a tiny forest in the middle of the urban area, offering a sharp contrast to the surrounding hard surfaces and traffic.(它被正式命名为珍珠街花园，在城市中心打造了一片微型森林，与周边硬质路面和车流形成鲜明对比)”、第二段“Research shows forests grown using the Miyawaki method grow ten times faster than a traditional landscape planting, allowing environmental benefits to appear in a relatively short time(研究表明采用宫胁法种植的森林生长速度是传统绿化的 10 倍，能在短时间内发挥环境效益)”、第三段“…for people to become in close touch with biodiversity(让人们亲近生物多样性)”、第四段“bring those benefits to more people(为更多人带来自然益处)”可推知，文章首段引出城市中心的微型森林，第二段介绍建造方法，第三、四段强调其对城市和居民的好处。全文围绕城市微型森林展开。C项“微型森林：为城市地区带来的绿色礼物”为最佳标题，故选 C。
6.（2026·北京延庆·一模）
Few people can better represent people’s wonder at the natural world than Sir David Attenborough, a television presenter in his nineties. In recent years, Sir David has been campaigning passionately for an end to the plastic that his film crews find scattered across the planet. “The plastic in our oceans ought never to have got there in the first place,” he said. “Much of it perhaps ought not to have even been manufactured at all.” The first statement is reasonable, but the second is not — for it disregards the extraordinary benefits that plastics, and the industry which produces them, have provided both to humans and to the environment.
Although the drawbacks of the world’s reliance on plastics are all too apparent, the benefits they provide, in the form of reducing waste and cost, are all too easily overlooked. While being lighter, more durable, and cheaper and easier to manufacture, plastics have made possible a range of new materials. These materials have become vital in everything from building to carmaking to consumer electronics.
Plastics have also eased the world’s reliance on older materials, and on the living beings from which many of them came. There are perhaps 10m pianos in the world. If all their white keys were made of ivory, how many elephants would remain
Just as the benefits of plastics are often unseen, however, so are some potential harms. The sight of plastic waste ruining beautiful natural areas and harming wildlife used to be one of the biggest complaints against plastics. Now concerns grow over what happens when they break up into microscopic fragments invisible to the naked eye. In the past decade such “microplastics” have been found in food chains, in human brains and even in the apparently untouched snow of Antarctica.
Being detectable does not make something dangerous. It might only show how good our instruments in use are. To tackle the pollution, the best approach is not to ban plastics, but to manage them more carefully. Better recycling technologies, now under development, are one part of the answer. The proportion of plastics which end up being recycled has doubled in the past two decades, but it is still only 9%. This is not because people do not care about the planet, but because recycling is harder and more costly than most people realise.
Greater use should therefore be made of landfill. When properly managed and well monitored, this is far less environmentally ruinous than often believed, and can be simpler and more effective than ineffective recycling. Incinerators (焚烧), which generate energy and capture carbon, though unpopular, are a useful option too. Regarding plastics, the benefits are very much greater than most people will allow — and so is the potential for managing the costs.
21. What does the underlined word “disregards” in paragraph 1 most probably mean
A. Ignores. B. Emphasizes. C. Minimizes. D. Uncovers.
22. What can we learn about plastics from the passage
A. Their main use is for packaging.
B. They contribute to wildlife protection.
C. Their potential harms are still unnoticed.
D. They are not dangerous for being detectable.
23. About plastic pollution management, the author is ________.
A. in favor of improved management
B. supportive of a complete ban on plastics
C. content that landfill is the effective solution
D. optimistic that recycling will solve the problem
24. What is the main idea of the passage
A. Microplastics pose hidden threats to ecosystems and humans.
B. Plastics need urgent solutions for severe environmental harm.
C. The benefits of Plastic far outweigh drawbacks despite challenges.
D. Effective waste management is central to reducing plastic pollution.
【答案】21. A 22. B 23. A 24. C
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章主要讨论了塑料的益处远大于弊端，并强调应更有效地管理塑料污染。
【21题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第一段中““The plastic in our oceans ought never to have got there in the first place,” he said. “Much of it perhaps ought not to have even been manufactured at all.” The first statement is reasonable, but the second is not—for it disregards the extraordinary benefits that plastics, and the industry which produces them, have provided both to humans and to the environment.(他说：“海洋里的塑料本就不该出现在那里。”“其中很多塑料或许根本就不该被生产出来。”第一个说法是合理的，但第二个不是，因为它disregards了塑料及其生产行业给人类和环境带来的巨大好处。)”可知，第二个说法忽视了塑料及其生产行业给人类和环境带来的巨大好处，所以disregards意思是“忽视”。故选A。
【22题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段“Plastics have also eased the world’s reliance on older materials, and on the living beings from which many of them came. There are perhaps 10m pianos in the world. If all their white keys were made of ivory, how many elephants would remain (塑料也减轻了世界对旧材料以及许多材料来源的生物的依赖。世界上大约有1000万架钢琴。如果所有的白键都是用象牙做的，那还会剩下多少头大象呢？)”可知，塑料有助于保护野生动物。故选B。
【23题详解】
推理判断题。根据第五段中“To tackle the pollution, the best approach is not to ban plastics, but to manage them more carefully.(为了解决污染问题，最好的方法不是禁止使用塑料，而是更仔细地管理它们)”可知，作者支持改善管理来解决塑料污染问题。故选A。
【24题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是根据第一段中“The first statement is reasonable, but the second is not — for it disregards the extraordinary benefits that plastics, and the industry which produces them, have provided both to humans and to the environment.(第一个说法是合理的，但第二个不是，因为它忽视了塑料及其生产行业给人类和环境带来的巨大好处)”以及最后一段中“Regarding plastics, the benefits are very much greater than most people will allow — and so is the potential for managing the costs.(对于塑料来说，其好处远远超过大多数人所承认的，管理成本的可能性也是如此)”可知，文章主要讲述了尽管塑料存在污染问题，但其益处远超弊端，应加强管理而非禁用。故选C。
7.（2026·安徽马鞍山·一模）
Ever since the US-based National Biscuit Company launched the first branded consumer package in 1899 — putting its Uneeda soda crackers (苏打饼干) in paper inside a cardboard box — brands have seen packaging as a marketing tool. From the 1950s onwards, as companies increasingly switched to using plastic, competition intensified and packaging became the best way to signal a distinct identity.
But as brands added a growing variety of pigments (色素), materials, and other complexities, the already unstable economics of plastics recycling collapsed. Just 10 percent of plastic packaging is recycled globally. Meanwhile, reusable packaging remains limited.
Standardization could dramatically improve things. If product categories followed uniform guidelines for plastic type, color, labels and glues, recyclers could cheaply recover far more materials. This could finally make recycling economically practical and help achieve the dream of “circularity”, in which a new for bottle is made from an old one.
The case for standardized reuse systems is equally persuasive. Today, the few brands experimenting with reuse mostly use different containers. These need individual return points alongside custom washing equipment and quality checks, which increase expense and complexity while reducing convenience. Reuse systems based on standardized packaging and shared infrastructure (基础设施) could capture 40 percent of the market, compared with 2 percent under a non-standardized approach, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Admittedly, it is hard to imagine rivals like Procter & Gamble and Unilever voluntarily agreeing to put their shampoo in the same-colored bottles. But as data mounts about the billions of dollars lost each year from single-use plastics that are burned or landfilled — and research reveals more about the health risks linked to thousands of poorly studied chemicals in plastics — brands may find their corner is harder to defend. Legally, it could be argued that the damage caused by custom packaging outweighs any harms caused to brands from standardized containers.
Similar plastic bottles won’t solve everything, of course. But such changes increasingly look like good business sense. Without them, truly circular packaging remains a distant dream.
25. How does the author present the issue at the beginning of the text
A. By analyzing figures. B. By defining a concept. C. By telling the history. D. By making comparisons.
26. What benefit could reuse systems in from standardized packaging
A. Expanding the market share. B. Increasing the complexity.
C. Boosting the consumer appeal. D. Winning economic support.
27. What can be inferred about the brands mentioned in paragraph 5
A. They spend so much in recycling. B. They face multiple pressures.
C. They work in close collaboration. D. They follow the fashion closely.
28. What is the best title for the text
A. Solutions to Plastic Waste B. Costs of Plastic Production
C. Careful Design, Regular Customer D. Shared Design, Cyclic Future
【答案】25. C 26. A 27. B 28. D
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要讲的是塑料包装的回收与再利用问题，以及标准化包装在推动循环经济中的关键作用。
【25题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段“Ever since the US-based National Biscuit Company launched the first branded consumer package in1899 — putting its Uneeda soda crackers (苏打饼干) in paper inside a cardboard box—brands have seen packaging as a marketing tool. From the 1950s onwards, as companies increasingly switched to using plastic, competition intensified and packaging became the best way to signal a distinct identity.(自1899年美国国家饼干公司推出首个品牌消费品包装——将优尼达苏打饼干装入纸盒内的纸质包装中以来，品牌方一直将包装视为一种营销工具。从20世纪50年代起，随着企业越来越多地改用塑料，竞争日益激烈，包装成为彰显独特身份的最佳方式。)”可知，文章开头通过讲述美国国家饼干公司自1899年推出第一个品牌消费品包装以来的历史，引出了包装作为营销工具的话题，故选C。
【26题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“Reuse systems based on standardized packaging and shared infrastructure (基础设施) could capture 40 percent of the market, compared with 2 percent under a non-standardized approach, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.(根据艾伦·麦克阿瑟基金会的数据，基于标准化包装和共享基础设施的再利用系统可占据40%的市场份额，而采用非标准化方法的仅占2%。)”可知，采用标准化包装的再利用系统能带来的好处是扩大市场份额。故选A。
【27题详解】
推理判断题。根据第五段“Admittedly, it is hard to imagine rivals like Procter & Gamble and Unilever voluntarily agreeing to put their shampoo in the same-colored bottles. But as data mounts about the billions of dollars lost each year from single-use plastics that are burned or landfilled — and research reveals more about the health risks linked to thousands of poorly studied chemicals in plastics — brands may find their corner is harder to defend. Legally, it could be argued that the damage caused by custom packaging outweighs any harms caused to brands from standardized containers.(诚然，很难想象宝洁和联合利华等竞争对手会自愿同意将他们的洗发水装入相同颜色的瓶子中。但是，随着数据不断显示，每年因焚烧或填埋一次性塑料而损失数十亿美元，且研究揭示了塑料中数千种研究不足的化学物质与健康风险之间的更多联系，品牌方可能会发现他们的立场越来越难以捍卫。从法律角度讲，可以认为定制包装造成的损害超过了标准化容器对品牌造成的任何损害。)”可知，从第五段中提到的品牌可以推断出这些品牌面临多重压力。故选B。
【28题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第三段“Standardization could dramatically improve things. If product categories followed uniform guidelines for plastic type, color, labels and glues, recyclers could cheaply recover far more materials. This could finally make recycling economically practical and help achieve the dream of “circularity”, in which a new for bottle is made from an old one.(标准化能够大幅改善这一状况。如果各类产品遵循统一的塑料类型、颜色、标签和胶水使用规范，回收商就能以较低成本回收更多材料。这最终将使回收在经济上变得切实可行，并有助于实现“循环性”的梦想，即用旧瓶子制造新瓶子。)”可知，本文主要讲的是塑料包装的回收与再利用问题，以及标准化包装在推动循环经济中的关键作用，因此最好的标题是D选项“Shared Design, Cyclic Future(共享设计，循环未来)”。故选D。
8.（2026·山东青岛·一模）
Rise with the sun and rest at sunset — his was the way of life for our ancestors. Thanks to artificial light, which improves visibility at night, we can enjoy a much safer society and around-the-clock productivity. For wildlife, however, studies have shown it disturbs animals’ natural sleep cycles, affects amphibian (两栖类的) reproduction and throws migrating birds off course.
New research in Frontiers in Plant Science investigated how artificial light impacts plant-insect relationships. Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences noticed tree leaves in cities typically showed fewer signs of insect damage than those outside of cities, so they analyzed 5,500 leaf samples from two tree species throughout Beijing. Researchers found more artificial light in a given area meant tougher leaves. And the tougher the leaf, the less evidence of hungry insects. They don’t fully understand why, but assume that trees under artificial light at night might be extending their photosynthesis (光合作用) time.
“Plants distribute their limited resources, such as nutrients, water and energy, among various functions like growth, reproduction and defense, depending on the environment. Light can affect how plants use resources,” says Ellen Cieraad, a plant ecologist from New Zealand. “Since plants use light for growth, artificial night light could be unnaturally increasing the time trees spend on photosynthesis, allocating more resources to chemical compounds that make leaves tougher.”
Changes in plants, and in interactions between plants and animals, can significantly impact the entire urban ecosystem. Herbivorous insects, which rely on leaves for food, may struggle to survive, thus breaking the food chain. Fewer herbivorous insects could lead to declines in predators like birds, affecting biodiversity. Insects also act as pollinators (传粉媒介) and eat dying plants, supporting healthy soil and plant life that benefit humans, as plants provide shade and reduce heat trapped in cities.
Moving forward, researchers are committed to refining their discovery, aiming to guide people to take corresponding actions. They will cooperate with urban planners to take effective measures, like applying special devices to lights, to establish practical guidelines for cities to balance lighting and ecological health.
29 . What influence does artificial light bring according to the text
A. It hardens tree leaves.
B. It shortens animals’ sleep hours.
C. It lights up birds’ migrating routes.
D. It increases amphibian reproduction rates.
30. Why is Ellen Cieraad quoted in paragraph 3
A. To raise a concern.
B. To introduce a concept.
C. To support an assumption.
D. To clarify a misunderstanding.
31. Which of the following best summarizes the phenomenon in paragraph 4
A. Time heals all wounds.
B. Nature always finds a way.
C. A chain is as strong as its weakest link.
D. A small move may affect the bigger picture.
32. What will the following research probably focus on
A. Enhancing soil quality.
B. Improving urban biodiversity.
C. Selecting plant species in cities.
D. Reducing impacts of nighttime light.
【答案】29. A 30. C 31. D 32. D
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了人工光除了给人类生活带来便利外，还会干扰野生动物的生存、改变城市植物的特性，进而影响整个城市生态系统，研究人员也正致力于研究相关应对措施以平衡城市照明与生态健康。
【29题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Researchers found more artificial light in a given area meant tougher leaves.(研究人员发现，某一区域的人工光越多，树叶的质地就越坚硬)”可知，人工光会让树叶变得坚硬，这是人工光带来的影响之一。故选A。
【30题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段中的“They don’t fully understand why, but assume that trees under artificial light at night might be extending their photosynthesis time.(他们并不完全清楚原因，但推测夜间处于人工光下的树木可能会延长其光合作用的时间)”以及第三段中Ellen Cieraad的表述“Plants distribute their limited resources, such as nutrients, water and energy, among various functions like growth, reproduction and defense, depending on the environment. Light can affect how plants use resources(植物会根据环境，在生长、繁殖和防御等各种功能之间分配其有限的资源，如养分、水和能量。光照会影响植物如何利用这些资源)”可知，Ellen Cieraad从植物资源分配和光对植物生长影响的角度，解释了人工光为何会让树叶变硬，印证了研究人员的这一推测，引用她的话是为了支持研究人员的假设。故选C。
【31题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第四段中的“Changes in plants, and in interactions between plants and animals, can significantly impact the entire urban ecosystem.(植物的变化以及动植物间相互作用的改变，会对整个城市生态系统产生重大影响)”可知，本段核心讲述了植物的微小变化会引发连锁反应，进而影响整个城市生态这一现象。D项（微小的举动可能会影响全局）恰好概括了这一核心内容。故选D。
【32题详解】
推理判断题。根据第五段中的“Moving forward, researchers are committed to refining their discovery, aiming to guide people to take corresponding actions. They will cooperate with urban planners to take effective measures, like applying special devices to lights, to establish practical guidelines for cities to balance lighting and ecological health.(未来，研究人员将致力于完善他们的研究发现，旨在引导人们采取相应的行动。他们将与城市规划者合作，采取有效措施，比如为灯具加装特殊装置，为城市制定平衡照明与生态健康的实用指南)”可知，研究人员后续会采取措施减少夜间人工光对生态的影响，因此接下来的研究可能会聚焦于降低夜间灯光的影响。故选D。
9.（2026·广东华侨港澳台·一模）
Yesterday, at the National Trust’s Purbeck Heaths nature reserve, four beavers were released from crates and crawled into Little Sea, a 33-hectare (81-acre) lake — the first to be legally released in England after a 400-year absence and a fight to return them to the landscape.
The trust says this is the perfect habitat for them to roam free, with no fenced enclosures, full of lakes and watercourses for the beavers (海狸) to make their home. The trust has permission to release 25 on the peninsula (半岛) but is starting with four and then making more releases in coming years if this one goes well.
Until about 20 years ago, the rodent (啮齿动物) had been extinct in Britain for four centuries, having been hunted for its fur, meat and scent oil. But in recent years, beavers have been returning to our waterways via licensed releases into enclosures and some illegal releases. There are an estimated 500 in the wild in England. Last week, the government announced that, with a license, it is now legal for conservationists (自然保护主义者) to release beavers into the wild, with no enclosures necessary. “The problem with enclosures is they are only really a short-term solution, as after a couple of years the beavers have need to make their own territories, and there’s no space for them to go.” said David Brown, the National Trust’s nature director at Purbeck.
Conservationists have been campaigning for the return of the beaver for decades because it is a keystone species, whose presence allows other creatures to thrive. This is because beavers create complex wetland habitats by digging channels and pools and constructing leaky dams. Their dams also filter pollution, helping to clean up rivers, and can prevent flooding as well as drought.
The trust has worked with local farmers and landowners to ensure the beavers do not cause unwanted disruption. Purbeck hopes it will spur year-round nature tourism as people come to see the beavers and the habitat they create. “We have been seeing a shift away from bucket-and-spade tourism to nature tourism, and that is more sustainable,” Brown said.
The nature minister, Mary Creagh, was there to watch the release. She said: “I am thrilled that, after being hunted to extinction centuries ago, wild beavers are finally here to stay. Today is an important milestone for national nature recovery.”
33. What is the current plan for releasing beavers in the Purbeck Heaths nature reserve
A. To release all 25 beavers at once.
B. To start with four beavers and release more in the future if successful.
C. To release beavers only into fenced enclosures.
D. To release beavers without any legal permission.
34. Why are enclosures considered a short-term solution for beavers
A. Because beavers need to create their own territories and enclosures limit their space.
B. Because enclosures are too expensive to maintain.
C. Because beavers do not survive well in enclosures.
D. Because enclosures are illegal in England.
35. What aspect of the beavers do conservationists highlight
A. Their popularity among tourists.
B. Their capability of constructing dams.
C. Their adaptability to the environment.
D. Their impact on the ecosystem.
36. What is the overall attitude of the National Trust and the nature minister towards the release of beavers
A. They are indifferent and see it as a minor event.
B. They are concerned about the potential disruption to local farmers.
C. They are enthusiastic and view it as a significant step for nature recovery and sustainable tourism.
D. They are skeptical about the long-term success of the beaver release.
【答案】33. B 34. A 35. D 36. C
【解析】
【导语】这篇文章是一篇新闻报道。主要讲述了在英国普贝克希思自然保护区，国家信托基金会在获得许可后，将海狸重新引入野外的过程，阐述了海狸作为关键物种对生态环境的积极影响，以及各方对此举措的态度。
【33题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句“The trust has permission to release 25 on the peninsula (半岛) but is starting with four and then making more releases in coming years if this one goes well. (该信托基金获准在半岛上释放25只海狸，但计划先放生4只，如果这次进展顺利，未来几年会放生更多。)”可知，目前的计划是先从4只开始，如果成功再放生更多。故选B项。
【34题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句““The problem with enclosures is they are only really a short-term solution, as after a couple of years the beavers have need to make their own territories, and there’s no space for them to go.” said David Brown, the National Trust’s nature director at Purbeck. (国家信托基金会在普贝克地区的自然事务负责人大卫·布朗（David Brown）说：“围栏的问题在于它们实际上只是一个短期的解决方案，因为几年后海狸需要建立自己的领地，但它们没有空间可去。”)”可知，围栏被认为是短期解决方案，是因为几年后海狸需要建立自己的领地，但围栏限制了它们的活动空间。故选A项。
【35题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句“Their dams also filter pollution, helping to clean up rivers, and can prevent flooding as well as drought. (它们建造的水坝还能过滤污染物，有助于净化河流，并且可以起到防洪抗旱的作用。)”可知，海狸建造的水坝有过滤污染物、净化河流、有助于防洪抗旱，这些都属于它们对生态系统的影响，是自然保护主义者重点强调的。故选D项。
【36题详解】
推理判断题。根据第五段最后两句“Purbeck hopes it will spur year-round nature tourism as people come to see the beavers and the habitat they create. “We have been seeing a shift away from bucket-and-spade tourism to nature tourism, and that is more sustainable,” Brown said. (普贝克地区希望这将促进全年性的自然旅游，因为人们会前来观赏海狸以及它们所创造的栖息地。“我们能看到一种转变，从‘桶铲式’旅游转向自然旅游，而且这种旅游方式更具可持续性，”布朗说道。)”以及第六段最后一句“Today is an important milestone for national nature recovery. (今天是国家自然恢复进程中的一个重要里程碑。)”可知，国家信托基金希望通过放生海狸能促进全年自然旅游，并且认为这是一种具有可持续性的旅游方式；自然部长将此事称之为重要里程碑。这都表明他们对海狸放生持热情态度，并将其视为自然恢复和可持续旅游的重要一步。故选C项。
9.（2026·广东江门·一模）
For too long, we have held a narrow and biased view of nature, seeing it as something separate from our urban lives — something to be visited in natural parks or distant wilderness. We pass by the moss in a crack or the algae in a gutter (水沟) with indifference, even disgust. However, cities are not empty of life but are unique, lively ecosystems, and recognizing this should allow us to redefine what it means to be a naturalist in the modern world.
Within ordinary urban landscapes, life displays extraordinary toughness and creativity. Plants and microorganisms not only survive but grow well in the heat and pollution of city gutters. Urban animals have also developed smart behaviors: Japanese crows use cars to crack nuts, and Australian cockatoos open trash bins for food. Furthermore, cities drive physical changes in their residents. Some lizards have developed stickier feet to better hold on smooth man-made surfaces. This concrete “jungle” is thus not a biological desert but a dynamic, human-made ecosystem, representing a fascinating new chapter in the story of life on our planet.
Therefore, the old image of a naturalist — a professional in remote wilds — is outdated. Academic papers and online courses make biology and ecology procurable to munity labs and nature clubs enable ordinary people to do research with microscopes and other simple tools. When we accept the city as a real ecosystem, we allow everyone to become a “community scientist”.
For those feeling disconnected from nature in cities, there’s a new way: just stay curious and notice the ignored ecological corners, and city life may be filled with new surprises and joys. You don’t need to be a professional scientist — anyone can be a naturalist-explorer in the urban wilderness.
37. What phenomenon does the author point out in Paragraph 1
A. Naturalists need professional training. B. City residents overlook nearby nature.
C. People favor wilderness over urban life. D. Ecologists redefine biased nature concepts.
38. How does the author show cities are lively ecosystems
A. By criticizing current opinions. B. By suggesting new research findings.
C. By giving examples of organism adaptation. D. By comparing biodiversity from different habitats.
39. What does the underlined word “procurable” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Suitable. B. Comfortable. C. Reasonable. D. Accessible.
40. What idea does the author aim to challenge in the passage
A. Naturalists are limited to professionals.
B. Evolution mainly exists in wild nature.
C. Urbanization damages the environment.
D. City holds a distinct and dynamic ecology.
【答案】37. 38. C 39. D 40. A
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇议论文。文章挑战了将自然与城市生活割裂的传统观念，指出城市本身就是充满活力的生态系统，并主张每个人都可以成为城市中的“自然主义者”。
【37题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段中“For too long, we have held a narrow and biased view of nature, seeing it as something separate from our urban lives — something to be visited in natural parks or distant wilderness. We pass by the moss in a crack or the algae in a gutter (水沟) with indifference, even disgust. (长期以来，我们对自然持有狭隘且有偏见的看法，将其视为与我们城市生活分离的东西——是在自然公园或遥远荒野中才能看到的东西。我们对裂缝中的苔藓或水沟里的藻类漠不关心，甚至厌恶)”可知，作者在第一段指出的现象是城市居民将自然视为与城市生活分离的东西，忽视身边的大自然。故选B项。
【38题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段中“Plants and microorganisms not only survive but grow well in the heat and pollution of city gutters. Urban animals have also developed smart behaviors: Japanese crows use cars to crack nuts, and Australian cockatoos open trash bins for food. Furthermore, cities drive physical changes in their residents. Some lizards have developed stickier feet to better hold on smooth man-made surfaces. This concrete “jungle” is thus not a biological desert but a dynamic, human-made ecosystem, representing a fascinating new chapter in the story of life on our planet. (植物和微生物不仅在城市水沟的高温和污染中生存，而且生长良好。城市动物也发展出了聪明的行为：日本的乌鸦利用汽车来敲开坚果，澳大利亚的凤头鹦鹉会打开垃圾箱寻找食物。此外，城市还推动了其居民的身体变化。一些蜥蜴进化出了粘性更强的脚，以便更好地抓握光滑的人造表面。 这片钢筋水泥的 “丛林”并非生态荒漠，而是一个充满活力的人造生态系统，正书写着地球生命故事中一个引人入胜的新篇章)”可知，作者通过举例说明生物在城市的适应能力来展示城市是充满活力的生态系统。故选C项。
【39题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第三段中“Academic papers and online courses make biology and ecology procurable to everyone. (学术论文和在线课程使生物学和生态学对每个人来说都procurable)”以及后文“Community labs and nature clubs enable ordinary people to do research with microscopes and other simple tools. (社区实验室和自然俱乐部让普通人能够使用显微镜和其他简单工具进行研究)”可推知，这些资源让生物学和生态学变得“可获得的”或“易于接触的”。故划线词意为“可获得的”，与“Accessible”同义。故选D项。
【40题详解】
推理判断题。通读全文，结合第三段中“Therefore, the old image of a naturalist — a professional in remote wilds — is outdated. (因此，自然主义者的旧有形象——一个在遥远荒野工作的专业人士——已经过时了)”以及最后一段“You don’t need to be a professional scientist — anyone can be a naturalist-explorer in the urban wilderness. (你不需要成为专业的科学家——任何人都可以成为城市荒野中的自然主义探险家)”可知，作者旨在挑战“自然主义者仅限于专业人士”这一观念。故选A项。
10.（2026·安徽铜陵·一模）
Countless thousands of city dwellers in Britain and elsewhere have, in the past two years, become acutely aware of the green spaces in their midst. Indeed, many people only discovered them during lockdowns, when escaping to the great outdoors was a vital factor in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
Many south Londoners who have found solace in nature owe thanks to campaigners who, over the past 40 years and more, have put pressure on local and national bodies to protect precious green space. Although it is hard to envisage today, until the end of the 18th century extensive oak woodlands stretched for some seven miles across what is now suburban south London. What remains of them is the nearest ancient woodland to central London.
Ancient woodland, as defined by the government agency Natural England, is land on which the tree cover has been in continuous existence since 1600; before that date, plantation was rare, so woods that existed in 1600 are considered to have developed naturally. According to the Woodland Trust, ancient woodland covers just 2.5 per cent of the land area of England and Wales.
The Ancient Woodland Inventory, set up by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1981 and maintained by Natural England, says some 7 per cent of ancient woodland that was present in 1930 has been grubbed up for farming or other uses, and 38 per cent has been replaced with plantations, often of single-species conifers that offer little diversity of habitat.
The reasons the old North Wood survived for so long when surrounding areas were converted to farmland was that the steep terrain was unsuitable for arable or pasture, and because it lay on the sparsely populated margins of several parishes. It was also a valuable economic resource: for at least a millennium, the wood was intensely cultivated to provide timber, for furniture, tools and shipbuilding and charcoal for London’s blacksmiths, bakeries and brick and tilekilns.
41. Why did campaigners put pressure on local and national bodies according to the second paragraph
A. To demand more gyms for public exercise.
B. To protect existing green spaces from destruction.
C. To request open spaces for planting new vegetation.
D. To promote the development of suburban housing.
42. What does the underlined phrase “grubbed up” in Paragraph 4 most likely mean
A. Use up natural resources.
B. Dig out and remove completely.
C. Take up quickly for development.
D. Preserve carefully for the future.
43. What can be inferred from the passage
A. British people have long been aware of the importance of green space protection.
B. The ancient woodland nearest to central London is entirely made up of conifers.
C. The replacement of ancient woodland with single-species plantations has harmed habitat diversity.
D. Only 7% of ancient woodland present in 1930 remains today.
44. Why did the old North Wood survive for so long according to the passage
A. Its steep land was unsuitable for farming or animal grazing.
B. It was located in a densely populated and well-protected area.
C. The government had listed it as a protected area very early.
D. Local residents jointly prevented any external development.
【答案】41. B 42. B 43. C 44. A
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍伦敦南部古林地的现状、定义及北古林幸存原因，凸显古林地保护的重要性。
【41题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Many south Londoners who have found solace in nature owe thanks to campaigners who, over the past 40 years and more, have put pressure on local and national bodies to protect precious green space.(许多在大自然中寻求慰藉的伦敦南部居民要感谢活动家们，他们在过去40多年里一直向地方和国家机构施压，要求保护珍贵的绿地)”可知，活动家向地方和国家机构施压是为了保护现有的绿地不被破坏。故选B项。
【42题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第四段“The Ancient Woodland Inventory, set up by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1981 and maintained by Natural England, says some 7 per cent of ancient woodland that was present in 1930 has been grubbed up for farming or other uses, and 38 per cent has been replaced with plantations, often of single-species conifers that offer little diversity of habitat.(这份由自然保护委员会于 1981 年设立、并由英格兰自然署负责维护的《古林地清单》显示，1930 年存在的古林地中，约有 7% 已被grubbed up用于农业或其他用途，38% 则被人工林取代——这些人工林通常为单一物种的针叶林，几乎无法提供多样化的栖息地)”可知，此处与“被替换为种植园”并列，应是古林地被破坏的一种情况，结合“用于农业或其他用途”可猜测，grubbed up意为“彻底挖掘移除”，与Dig out and remove completely意思相近。故选B项。
【43题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段“The Ancient Woodland Inventory, set up by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1981 and maintained by Natural England, says some 7 per cent of ancient woodland that was present in 1930 has been grubbed up for farming or other uses, and 38 per cent has been replaced with plantations, often of single-species conifers that offer little diversity of habitat.(这份由自然保护委员会于 1981 年设立、并由英格兰自然署负责维护的《古林地清单》显示，1930 年存在的古林地中，约有 7% 已被彻底清理用于农业或其他用途，38% 则被人工林取代——这些人工林通常为单一物种的针叶林，几乎无法提供多样化的栖息地)””可推断，用单一物种种植园替代古林地损害了栖息地的多样性。故选C项。
【44题详解】
细节理解题。根据第五段中的“The reasons the old North Wood survived for so long when surrounding areas were converted to farmland was that the steep terrain was unsuitable for arable or pasture, and because it lay on the sparsely populated margins of several parishes.(在周边地区都被改造成农田的情况下，这片古老的北木森林之所以能存续如此之久，原因在于其地势陡峭，不适合耕种或放牧，同时也因为它地处多个教区人口稀少的边缘地带)”可知，北古林能长期幸存是因为其陡峭的土地不适合耕种或放牧。故选A项。
11.（2026·河北张家口·一模）
What if there were a technology that could help to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (排放), air pollution and environmental degradation, while improving health, reducing social inequality and boosting economic growth There is, and in January 2026, it just turned 200.
According to the International Energy Agency, transport currently accounts for around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions. Per passenger-kilometre, rail transport produces one-fifth of the emissions of car transport, and less than one-quarter of those of flying. Direct emissions can be cut to zero if trains are powered by fully renewable electricity.
Rail transport also produces few air-polluting small particles (颗粒), which are harmful to health. This is particularly important in a world where cities are growing rapidly. Better public transport systems based on rail could help to reduce the unordered expansion of cities, as well as the land needed for roads, car parks and other car-related facilities. Cities with fewer cars and traffic jams are more liveable places where people are more willing to walk and cycle, obtaining the health benefits of these activities. They are also more inclusive, particularly for younger and older people who are less likely to own a vehicle.
But it is not just cities. The United Kingdom is the birth place of the railways, but the country also offers an example of the effects disinvestment in railways can have. A 2024 study examined a sustained programme of cuts made to the nation’s railway network from the 1950s to the 1980s. It found that the rural areas most affected by the cuts saw population declines, job losses and drops in the number of skilled workers, relative to areas that were unaffected.
Despite its benefits, since the mid-twentieth century, railway development in most countries has been overtaken by growth in road and air travel. As railways travel into their third century, it’s time to turn the tables. Research from across disciplines — including engineering, environmental science and urban planning — can help achieve a much-needed comeback of railways.
45. Why does the author ask the question in paragraph 1
A. To highlight the benefits of rail transport.
B. To clarify the urgency of environmental problems.
C. To explain the history of technology development.
D. To present the great potentials of economic development.
46. What does the author try to illustrate by the figures in paragraph 2
A. Rail transport causes less pollution.
B. Most people prefer to travel by plane.
C. Renewable electricity is badly needed.
D. Transport consumes most global energy.
47. What impact did the UK’s railway cuts have on badly affected rural areas
A. Failure in transport investment. B. Decline in people’s living space.
C Low-efficiency railway network. D. Socio-economic downturn.
48. What will be talked about next
A. Why policies are significant. B. Why various research is crucial.
C. Why railways are more sustainable. D. Why economic growth is unstoppable.
【答案】45. A 46. A 47. D 48. B
【解析】
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章讲述铁路运输益处众多，可减少污染、改善健康等，但发展滞后，多学科研究助力其实现复兴。
【45题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段“What if there were a technology that could help to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (排放), air pollution and environmental degradation, while improving health, reducing social inequality and boosting economic growth There is, and in January 2026, it just turned 200.(如果有一项技术既能帮助减少温室气体排放、空气污染和环境恶化，又能改善健康、减少社会不平等并促进经济增长，会怎么样？确实存在这样一项技术，并且在2026年1月，它刚刚迎来200周年。)”可知，作者提出该问题是为了突出铁路运输的诸多益处。故选A项。
【46题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“According to the International Energy Agency, transport currently accounts for around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions. Per passenger-kilometre, rail transport produces one-fifth of the emissions of car transport, and less than one-quarter of those of flying.(据国际能源署称，交通运输目前约占全球二氧化碳排放量的四分之一。按每乘客公里计算，铁路运输的排放量是汽车运输的五分之一，不到航空运输的四分之一。)”可知，作者用这些数据是为了说明铁路运输污染更小。故选A项。
【47题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“It found that the rural areas most affected by the cuts saw popul

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