高三上学期英语阅读理解专项练习小卷4.docx

中学英语阅读理解专练小卷（四）A relationship between the amount of adult speech children are exposed to and the concentration of myelin, a substance in the brain, has been found, researchers say.“I think the take-home message is, absolutely talking to your kids. Its literally shaping the structure of the brain,” says the lead author, Prof. John P. Spencer of the University of East Anglia.The team find, for the 30-month-olds, larger amounts of adult speech are associated with higher quantities of myelin in language-related pathways in the brain; however, for the 6-month-olds, it goes the opposite way.While the latter (后者) is unexpected, Spencer points out one possible factor: the brains stage of development.“When babies are six months old, they experience massive growth of new nerve cells,” he says. “So the input comes in and may help extend the period of brain growth.” “While at 30 months, the brain starts to cut back some of the cell growth, and form specific connections. Thats where myelin comes in. So now the input starts to help structure the myelin,” he adds.The researchers conclude adult speech is significant for both age groups and that the more adult speech children go through, the more sensitive they will be to language. The next step for them is to figure out whether the 6-month-old babies showing that negative connection will surely turn into 30-month-old kids who show positive relationship.Dr. Saloni Krishnan, Reader in cognitive neuroscience (认知神经科学) at Royal Holloway, University of London, who is not involved in the work, however, notes individual differences in language ability are linked to genetics. “Children who are exposed to more language at home and have higher myelination will also have inherited genes (经遗传获得的基因) from parents who are more excellent in languages,” she said. “No final conclusion could be made before this potential genetic effect are tested. And yet there being currently no standard around the amount of input children should receive, caregivers should not necessarily feel pressure to talk more to their children.”47Which can replace the underlined words “take-home message” in paragraph 2?AProcess.BReason.CPoint.DConsequence.48What surprises the team?AThe finding for the 30-month-olds.BThe finding for the 6-month-olds.CHow the input help nerve cells grow.DHow the input help structure the myelin.49What does the researchers think of adult speech?AIt is positively related to myelin.BIt cuts back some of the cell growth.CIts effect varies with the size of brains.DIt is helpful for both groups language ability.50What might Dr. Saloni Krishnan approve of?AThe team should do more research.BInherited genes decide language ability.CParents must talk more to their kids.DThe concentration of myelin makes no sense.When I picked up The Woks of Life, a cookbook written by the Leung family, I was very excited. Inside there are mom-and-dad approved recipes with stories and photoseven a timelineof the familys history.“We call our cookbook culinary genealogy (烹饪家谱). We wanted the book to be our familys stories told through food, rather than just characteristic recipes,” said Sarah Leung, who co-wrote the book during the pandemic (流行病) with her parents and younger sister. “We grew up in a food-obsessed (着迷的) family. Honestly, Ive developed a quarter of these recipes myself,” Sarah added. “Over time, well accomplish our goal: All family members are competent Chinese cooks.”The cookbook features dishes which might be made in a Chinese American home as well as in Chinese American takeout restaurants. “Home-style cooking and restaurant-style cooking have equal importance, but they are different,” Sarah said, adding that the family also discussed how to be respectful of each point. “I hope the recipes will appeal to Chinese Americans, like my family, and also those less familiar with Chinese cooking.”Part of their cookbook has also been posted on their website, attracting millions of faithful followers. The success of the cookbook is that it honors tradition as well as reflects modern interpretations, making it a mixture of the old and the new. It also offers building blocks for home cooks who want to learn to cook Chinese food.I started my exploration with the Kung Pao Chicken, a popular dish and also my favorite. Joyfully, the dish I made tasted like it was supposed to be. It really built up my confidence. Surely, as you can imagine, I have also set up my goal to be expert in Chinese cooking.The cookbook is promoting Chinese cooking to become the domain of home cooks in the United States. For too long, Chinese cooking has been a cuisine that many people are used to only eating out.51Why is the cookbook called culinary genealogy?AIt runs in the family.BIt is written by family members.CIt includes the story of a family.DIt contains mom-and-dad approved recipes.52Which of the following best describes the Leung family?AEasygoing and helpful.BFaithful and energetic.CDevoted and considerate.DFortunate and thankful.53What does the author think of The Woks of Life?AIt is a typical Chinese cookbook.BIts success lies in honoring tradition.CIt offers building blocks for all cooks.DIt helps improve the authors cooking skills.54What can be inferred from the last paragraph?AMost Americans are used to eating out.BThe cookbook has become a best seller.CAmerican home cooks prefer Chinese cooking.DThe cookbook benefits the spread of Chinese cooking.Listen-and-Repeat Singing Method Benefits Foreign Language LearningHave you ever found yourself in this situation: You hear a song you used to sing when you were a childa bit of nostalgia (怀旧) or “blast from the past”, as we say. But it is not a distant childhood memory. The words come back to you as clearly as when you sang them all those years ago.Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the relationship between music and remembering a foreign language. They found that remembering words in a song was the best way to remember even one of the most difficult languages.Here is what they did. Researchers took 60 adults and randomly divided them into three groups of 20. Then they gave the groups three different types of “listen-and-repeat” learning conditions. Researchers had one group simply speak the words. They had the second group speak the words to a rhythm, or beat. And they asked the third group to sing the words.All three groups studied words from the Hungarian language for 15minutes. Then they took part in a series of language tests to see what they remembered.Why Hungarian, you may ask? Researchers said they chose Hungarian because not many people know the language. It does not share any roots with Germanic or Romance languages, such as Italian or Spanish. After the tests were over, the singers came out on top. The people who learned these new Hungarian words by singing them showed a higher overall performance. They did the best in four out of five of the tests. They also performed two times better than those who simply learned the words by speaking them.Dr. Katie Overy says singing could lead to new ways to learn a foreign language. The brain likes to remember things when they are contained in a catchy or memorable tune.Dr. Ludke said the findings could help those who struggle to learn foreign languages. On the University of Edinburghs website Dr. Ludke writes, “This study provides the first experimental evidence that a listen-and-repeat singing method can support foreign language learning, and opens the door for future research in this area.”55According to the research, which of the following is true?AThe findings can help all foreign language learners learn better.BThe group singing the words can generally remember the words best.CThe 60 adults were divided into three groups according to their ages.DResearchers studied the relationship between music and remembering languages.56Why was Hungarian used in the experiment?ABecause Hungarian is easy to learn.BBecause researchers are fluent in Hungarian.CBecause Hungarian is unknown to many people.DBecause Hungarian is rooted in Germanic language.57What can we infer from the passage?AHungarian is very popular in the UK.BForeign language teachers can use music to help with their teaching.CPeople without music talent can never learn foreign languages well.DThe listen-and-repeat singing method is the best way to learn a language.58Whats the purpose of the authors writing the passage?ATo compare different language learning methods.BTo introduce an experimental result.CTo call on people to do future research.DTo help those who struggle to learn foreign languages.Im Savannah and I remember beginning to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunts house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving, I thought about all the places I was going to see the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving and never to come back to was hardly in my head then.The four years that followed taught me the importance of being positive but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to “the hard times.”My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with immigration (移民) officers, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives.From my experiences, I have learned one important rule: Almost all common troubles go away at last! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up, and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.59What did Savannah miss most about home when leaving for America?AHer dear friends and relatives.BThe radio programme for pupils.CThe country she was leaving.DThe places she was familiar with.60What was Savannahs attitude to her life changes in New York?AOptimistic.BIndifferent.CPessimistic.DDesperate.61Why was Savannah increasingly responsible in her family?AFor her family moved more frequently.BFor her mother ended up in divorce.CFor her English was better than others.DFor she disagreed with her stepfather.62What does Savannah think about her future life?AHer future will be loaded with more troubles.BIt will be difficult to learn to become mature.CThere will be more good days than expected.DGood things will happen if she keeps trying.On the eve of this weeks rail strikes, it was reported that the industry bosses are planning to weed out paper train tickets and close almost 1,000 station ticket offices in England. The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has made no secret of his desire to see costs saved in this way. Some stations sell only a handful of tickets each week and the vast majority of transactions (交易) have moved online.In the name of cost-cutting, station ticket offices are likely to follow the telephone booth on the corner and become memory. For those who have grown used to the benefits of organizing travel via smart phones, there will be little to feel sorry for. But for people without online access or skills, who tend to be older, poorer, and more fragile, another social barrier will have been built.From medical appointments to payment apps for parking, more and more key services are now delivered digitally. As this revolution takes place, the interests of a significant minority are being ignored to some extent. In the case of health and social care, for example, it will often be those most in need of assistance who are least able to employ electronic devices.The debate over ticket offices offers an opportunity to reflect more broadly on the increasing role of technology in our social landscape. The unavoidable trend towards technology is predictable, but its possible consequences need to be managed with more care. With the expanding range and increasing complexity of digital requirements, the aged are gradually withdrawing from increasing social services in their lives. Ros Altmann, the former pensions minister, recently wrote of being contacted by an elderly woman who no longer drives to her local park, because she cannot download the car parking app required.Much more needs to be invested in helping gain easy online access. Alternative offline options must be maintained for important services. Contactable telephone numbers of relevant staff should always be available. These will cost more. But that is the price of digital transformation.63What does the underlined “weed out” mean in the first paragraph?APass on to.BGive in to.CGet rid of.DPut up with.64Who will be kept out of service by the plan to sell tickets online?AThe aged.BThe young.CThe rich.DThe strong.65What can be inferred about the digital transformation?AIt will meet the demand of consumers.BIt will cost much less than planned.CIt will need to be updated constantly.DIt will result in new social problems.66What is the text mainly about?AThe accessibility of important offline services.BThe attitudes of the elderly towards technology.CThe barriers caused by digital transformation.DThe pros and cons of marketing tickets online.答案：47C 48B 49D 50A【来源】2024届浙江省强基联盟适应性考试英语试题【导语】本文是一篇新闻报道。主要介绍了一个研究团队的发现（多跟孩子交流有助于孩子的大脑发育，尤其是语言方面）和其他专家就该研究发现发表的言论。47词义猜测题。根据划线词“is, absolutely talking to your kids. Its literally shaping the structure of the brain”可知，Prof. John P. Spencer认为重点是跟孩子交流；这确实能够影响孩子大脑结构的发育，故划线词意思是“重点”。故选C项。48细节理解题。根据第三段“The team find, for the 30-month-olds, larger amounts of adult speech are associated with higher quantities of myelin in language-related pathways in the brain; however, for the 6-month-olds, it goes the opposite way.(研究小组发现，对于30个月大的婴儿来说，更多的成人语言与大脑中语言相关通路中更多的髓磷脂有关;然而，对于6个月大的婴儿来说，情况正好相反)”以及第四段“While the latter (后者) is unexpected, Spencer points out one possible factor: the brains stage of development.(虽然后者出乎意料，但斯宾塞指出了一个可