四川省南充市2020高考英语二轮复习 阅读理解寒假训练（18）

阅读理解寒假训练（18）阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。Three years ago, the president of Harvard, Lawrence H. Summers, got into trouble for questioning womens“intrinsic (内在的)aptitude (能力)”for science and engineering. Recently, a study paid for by Americas National Science Foundation has found that girls perform as well as boys on standardized math tests.Although boys in high school performed better than girls in math 20 years ago, the researchers found that is no longer the case. The reason, they said, is simple: Girls used to take fewer advanced math courses than boys, but now they are taking just as many.“Now that enrollment in advanced math courses is equalized, we dont see gender differences in test performance,” said Marcia C. Linn of the University of California, Berkeley, a co-author of the study. “But people are surprised by these findings, which suggests to me that the stereotypes are still there.”The researchers looked at the average test scores of all students, the performance of the most gifted children and the ability to solve complex math problems. They found, in every category, that girls did as well as boys.Janet Hyde, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who led the study, said the stereotypes about girls and math, had taken a toll (造成伤害).“The stereotype that boys do better at math is still held widely by teachers and parents,” hyde said. “And teachers and parents guide girls, giving them advice about what courses to take, what careers to pursue. I still hear anecdotes about guidance counselors (顾问)steering (指导)girls away from engineering, telling them they wont be able to do the math.”The study also analyzed the gender gap on the math section of the SAT. Since more girls than boys go to college, about 100, 000 more girls than boys take the test, including lower-achieving girls who bring down the girls average score.1. What might be the reason to carry out the study?A. To put Harvard University to shame for its presidents prejudice against girls.B. To find out if theres any gender gap in science.C. To help girls to earn equal social status as boys.D. To enroll more girls in advanced math courses in the university.2. Which statement about peoples opinions of girls is NOT true?A. People still find it hard to believe average girls perform in math as well as boys.B. Highly educated people are more likely to accept the fact that girls can do well in math.C. Many teachers and parents advise girls to avoid careers like engineering based on their talent.D. Some guidance counselors think careers related with math are not suitable for girls.3. We can learn from the text EXCEPT _.A. girls used to perform worse than boys in math because they didnt take as many advanced math coursesB. the stereotype about girls and math may lead to misguided choice of future careersC. the average lower scores of girls in SAT math test prove that boys do better in mathD. the public doesnt accept outspoken prejudice against girls talent for math despite the stereotype4. The main purpose of writing the passage is to_.A. report the findings of a research into girls math abilityB. criticize those who hold the wrong belief that girls cannot do well in mathC. prove that the stereotype that girls do worse in math is wrongD. help girls regain confidence in learning math well【参考答案】14、BBCA 2020高考英语二轮：（寒假）阅读理解训练（18）及答案AOn a sunny day last August, Tim heard some shouting. Looking out to the sea carefully, he saw a couple of kids in a rowboat were being pulled out to sea.Two 12-year-old boys, Christian and Jack, rowed out a boat to search for a football. Once theyd rowed beyond the calm waters, a beach umbrella tied to the boat caught the wind and pulled the boat into open water. The pair panicked and tried to row back to shore. But they were no match for it and the boat was out of control.Tim knew it would soon be swallowed by the waves.Everything went quiet in my head, Tim recalls (回忆). I was trying to figure out how to swim to the boys in a straight line.Tim took off his clothes and jumped into the water. Every 500 yards or so, he raised his head to judge his progress. At one point, I considered turning back, he says. I wondered if I was putting my life at risk. After 30 minutes of struggling, he was close enough to yell to the boys, Take down the umbrella!Christian made much effort to take down the umbrella. Then Tim was able to catch up and climb aboard the boat. He took over rowing, but the waves were almost too strong for him.Lets aim for the pier (码头), Jack said. Tim turned the boat toward it. Soon afterward, waves crashed over the boat, and it began to sink. Can you guys swim? he cried. A little bit, the boys said.Once they were in the water, Tim decided it would be safer and faster for him to pull the boys toward the pier. Christian and Jack were wearing life jackets and floated on their backs. Tim swam toward land as water washed over the boys faces.“Are we almost there? they asked again and again. Yes, Tim told them each time.After 30minutes, they reached the pier.1. Why did the two boys go to the sea?A. To go boat rowing. B. To swim in the open water.C. To get back their football.D. To test the umbrella as a sail.2. What does it in Paragraph 2 refer to?A. The beach. B. The wind.C. The boat. D. The water.3. Why did Tim raise his head regularly?A. To check his distance from the boys.B. To consider turning back or not.C. To take in enough fresh air.D. To ask the boys to take down the umbrella.4. How did the two boys finally reach the pier?A. They were carried to the pier by Tim on his back.B. They swam to the pier all by themselves.C. They were washed to the pier by the waves.D. They were dragged to the pier by Tim.参考答案1-4 CBADBWhat will power your house in the future？Nuclear，wind，or solar power？According to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US，it might be leaves but artificial (人造的) ones.Natural leaves are able to change sunlight and water into energy. It is known as photosynthesis (光合作用)Now researchers have found a way to imitate this seemingly simple process.The artificial leaf developed by Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at MIT can be seen as a special silicon chip with catalysts (催化剂)Similar to natural leaves，it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen when put into a bucket of water. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are then stored in a fuel cell，which uses those two materials to produce electricity，located either on top of a house or beside the house.Though the leaf is only about the shape of a poker card，scientists claimed that it is promising to be an inexpensive source of electricity in developing countries. “One can imagine villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology,” said Nocera at a conference of the American Chemical Society.The artificial leaf is not a new idea. The first artificial leaf was invented in 1997 but was too expensive and unstable for practical use. The new leaf，by contrast，is made of cheap materials，easy to use and highly stable. In laboratory studies，Nocera showed that an artificial leaf prototype (原型) could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity.The wonderful improvements come from Noceras recent discovery of several powerful，new and inexpensive catalysts. These catalysts make the energy transformation inside the leaf more efficient with water and sunlight. Right now，the new leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural one. Besides，the device can run in whatever water is available；that is，it doesnt need pure water. This is important for some countries that dont have access to pure water.With the goal to “make each home its own power station” and “give energy to the poor”，scientists believe that the new technology could be widely used in developing countries，especially in India and rural China.5Which of the following orders correctly shows how the artificial leaf is used to produce electricity?aartificial leaves split water into hydrogen and oxygenbthe hydrogen and oxygen gases are stored in a fuel cellcthe artificial leaves are put in waterdthe fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricityAc，a，b，d Bc，b，a，dCb，c，a，d Dc，a，d，b6The purpose of the scientists at MIT in developing the new artificialleaf is to_.Abuild up more power stations in the worldBprovide cheaper energy for developing countriesCoffer people in developing countries access to pure waterDgain a deeper understanding of the photosynthesis process7The main idea of this passage is _.Aan introduction to the history of artificial leavesBa mixture of water power and solar energyCgiving energy to the poorDan invention copying photosynthesis参考答案5-7 ABDCIn December, 2020, many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this years list of favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr. Franzen fills the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.Jennifer Egans book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years. The story moves back and forth in time, from different viewpoints. One main character is former rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts and those of their friends.The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language newspaper published in Rome, Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.Two of the most popular nonfiction books of 2020 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids is by rock singer Patti Smith. It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild times this famous band has experienced.Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about 2,000 years ago. One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her story from centuries of lies.8.The following books are related to music EXCEPT_.A. The Imperfectionists B. A Visit from the Goon SquadC. Just Kids D. Life9.If your major is the history of ancient Africa, you may pay attention to _.A. Freedom by Jonathan FranzenB. Unbroken by Laura HillenbrandC. The Imperfections by Tom RachmanD. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff10Which book will give you a practical understanding of the USA?ALife BCleopatra: A LifeCFreedomDA Visit from the Goon Squad11.The last sentence of the passage implies that _.AStacy Schiff is an archaeologistBthe critic finds the character in the book very realCthe critic speaks highly of Cleopatra in historyDStacy Schiff tells a story about an imaginary Egyptian queen参考答案8-11 ADCBDI want to talk about the economyNot the economy we hear about endlessly in the news each day and in politicians speechesI want to talk about the real economy, the one we live in day by dayMost people arent particularly interested in the economyShare prices are flying high; interest rates are soaring(令人伤心的）; the Dow Jones Index closed sixty-three points down on 847235 We hear this and subconsciously switch offNotice that the economy is not the same as the economy, The economy is what men in suits play with to make vast personal wealthThe economy is where the rest of us live on a daily basis, earning our living, paying our taxes, and purchasing the necessities of lifeWe are supposed to be benefiting from all the advantages of a well-off societySo why do we feel tired and stressed? We have no time for anything other than work, which is ridiculous given the number of labor-saving devices in our livesOur towns become more and more crowdedWe poison our air and seas, and our food is full of chemicalsTheres something wrong hereIf times were truly good, then you may think wed all feel optimistic about the futureYet the majority of us are deeply worriedMore than 90 percent of us think we are too concerned about ourselves and not concerned enough about future generationsThe term economic expansion suggests something desirable, but expansion simply means spending more moneyMore spending doesnt mean that life is getting better. We all know it often means the opposite - greed, crime, poverty, pollution. More spending merely feeds our whole economic system, which is based on production and consumption. Unless money keeps circulating, th