學(xué)年第二學(xué)期奉賢區(qū)高三英語練習(xí)卷考生注意：考試時(shí)間105分鐘，試卷滿分115分。本次考試設(shè)試卷和答題紙兩部分。所有答題必須涂（選擇題）或?qū)懀ǚ沁x擇題）在答題紙上，做在試卷上一律不得分。務(wù)必在答題紙上填寫準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)和姓名，并將核對(duì)后的條形碼貼在指定位置。ListeningComprehensionSectionADirections:InSectionA,youwillheartenshortconversationsbetweentwospeakers.Attheendofeachconversation,aquestionwillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Theconversationsandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaconversationandthequestionaboutit,youwillhavesevensecondstodecidewhichchoiceisthebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.Nowyouhave100secondstoreadallthechoicesonthescreen.A.Somepaper. B.Somestockings. C.Abook. D.Ashelf.A.Heisnervousabouttheexams.B.Hefailedinthegraduationexam.C.Heisnotwell-preparedfortheexam.D.Heisworriedabouttheresultoftheexam.A.Sheplanstoattendthefair.B.Shedoesn’tlikesciencefiction.C.Shehasalreadyseenthemovie.D.Shecan’tmeetthemanonSaturday.A.Nottoplayanycomputergame.B.Nottodoanycrosswordpuzzle.C.Tohelpthewomanrepairthecomputer.D.Tospendmoretimeonvocabulary.A.Heseldomkeepshispatientswaitingforlong.B.Heforgetstoputthemanonhisschedule.C.Heishardtomakeanappointmentwith.D.HeisusuallyverybusyeveryMonday.A.Shedoesn’tputherideasintopractice.B.Shelikestosleep.C.Shedoesn’thavemanyideas.D.Shehastoomanydreams.A.Reviewthenotesofthelectures.B.Talkwiththeirprofessor.C.Rereadtheirtextbooks.D.Goovertheirhomeworkassignments.A.Hedoesn’twanttogototheopera.B.Hecan’taffordtobuytheticket.C.Heneedsabreakfromthemathproblem.D.He’llmeetthewomanifhefinishesthemathproblem.A.Scheduleacommitteemeeting.B.Joinhercommitteesoon.C.Formaneworganizingcommittee.D.Findoutwhentheconferencewillbeheld.A.Shewon’tneedatourguide.B.ShehasvisitedSanFranciscobefore.C.Sheisn’texpectinghertrip.D.Themanshouldhavecalledherrelatives.SectionBDirections:InSectionB,youwillheartwoshortpassagesandonelongerconversation,andyouwillbeaskedseveralquestionsoneachofthepassagesandtheconversation.Thepassagesandtheconversationwillbereadtwice,butthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Whenyouhearaquestion,youwillhavesevensecondstodecidewhichchoicewouldbethebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.Questions11through13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Nowyouhave30secondstoreadallthechoicesonthescreen.A.Tointereststudentsinacommunityserviceproject.B.Toexplainanewrequirementforgraduation.C.Todiscusstheproblemsofelementaryschoolstudents.D.Toenrollelementaryschoolteachersforaspecialprogram.A.Tooffertutorialstoelementaryschoolstudents.B.Tofindjobsforgraduatingstudents.C.Tohelpeducationmajorsprepareforfinalexams.D.Toprovidefundingforacommunityserviceproject.A.Hegivessupporttostudentsparticipatingintheprogram.B.Heobserveselementaryschoolstudentsintheclassroom.C.Heteachespart-timeinanelementaryschool.D.Hehelpsstudentspreparetheirresumés.Questions14through16arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Nowyouhave30secondstoreadallthechoicesonthescreen.A.AnewdiscoveryaboutPicasso’spaintings.B.ThevalueofPicasso’smasterpieces.C.AchangeinPicasso’spaintingstyle.D.ThecharacteristicsofPicasso’sworks.A.Orangeandyellow. B.Redandbrown.C.Blackandwhite. D.Purpleandpink.A.Tobetterconveytheemotionsheintended.B.Tocorrectmistakesintheinitialpaintingprocess.C.Toimprovethetechnicalqualityofthepaintings.D.Toexperimentwithdifferentcolorcombinations.Questions17through20arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Nowyouhave40secondstoreadallthechoicesonthescreen.A.Afactaboutteeth. B.Whyourbodygrows.C.Childhoodmemories. D.Howfastfeetgrow.A.Teeth. B.Feet. C.Bones. D.Hairs.A.Theydon’tgroworchange.B.Theyarelocatedinsideeachtooth.C.Theyaremadeofbones.D.Theydon’tdevelopuntiladulthood.A.Theyarereplacedbyadultteeth.B.Theygrowlargertofittheadultmouth.C.Theychangetheirshape.D.Theyarecombinedtoformlargerteeth.GrammarandVocabularySectionA(10分)Directions:Afterreadingthepassagebelow,fillintheblankstomakethepassagecoherentandgrammaticallycorrect.Fortheblankswithagivenword,fillineachblankwiththeproperformofthegivenword;fortheotherblanks,useonewordthatbestfitseachblank.MiddleEast’sDarkSkyHubsSaraSamivividlyrecallsthefirsttimeshetrulysawthestars.The38-year-oldphotographerandtravelguide(1)__________(search)foraspotinSaudiArabia—amassivecliffoverlookingavastdesert—whensheunexpectedlyfoundherselfunderanamazingnightsky.“Therewasablanketofstarsrightaboveme,”Samireminisces.“I(2)________seethousandsofthemstretchingendlessly.Itwasabreathtakingsight.”Eversincethatnight,SaudiArabiahasbecomehertopstargazingdestination.SamihastravelednumeroustimesfromherhomeinBahrain,asmallislandnation(3)__________(connect)toSaudiArabiabya15-milecauseway.Sheseeksoutplaceswithundisturbeddarkness,farfromtownsandcities,(4)__________shecanseetheMilkyWay.Itwasliterallyinthemiddleofadesert:therewasanabandonedvillagewithbrokenhouses.(5)__________theatmospherewasfrighteningandfilledwithanunsettlingstillness,theskywasstunninglybeautiful.InNovemberlastyear,anothernaturereserve,neartheancientoasiscityofAlUla,(6)__________(name)thefirst-everDarkSkyParkintheMiddleEast.SaudiArabiajoined21othercountriesonitslistofcertifiedDarkSkyPlaces,withtheUSandNewZealand(7)__________(top)thelist.“Partofthe2,334squarekilometerreserve’scommitmenttothepreservationofthenightskyinvolvescarefullightingdesign,suchasensuring(8)__________,ifpossible,lightsareequippedwithshadestominimizelightpollution.Specifically,theseshadesaredesignedtodirectthelightdown(9)____________________up.”ThelocalobservatoryiscurrentlydevelopinganoutdoorlightingguidefornewandexistingdevelopmentswithinAlUlaCounty.ThisguidewillenableresidentsandvisitorstoseethenightskyaboveAlUlainallitsnaturalbeautyforyears(10)__________(come).Thisongoingeffortreflectsabroadercommitmenttopreservingthenightskyforfuturegenerations.SectionB(10分)Directions:Fillineachblankwithaproperwordchosenfromthebox.Eachwordcanbeusedonlyonce.Notethatthereisonewordmorethanyouneed.A.visually B.interacts C.essential D.minute E.composition F.perspectiveG.accuracy H.dominates I.expansive J.survives K.occasionallyMasterpiece:OneThousandLiofRiversandMountainsWangXimeng(1096-1119)wasafamousbutshort-livedpainter.Tragically,onlyoneofhisworks11:OneThousandLiofRiversandMountains,whichischerishedasarareandpreciousmasterpieceintheartworld.Thismasterpiecemeasures51.5cmhighby11.92mlong,createdinsimpleblackinkandgroundpigment(顏料)onalongsilkscroll.Despiteitsmaterialsimplicity,thepainting’s12isremarkablycomplex.Itunfoldslikeapanoramic(全景式的)storyofaSouthernChineselandscape,presentedwitha(n)13thathintsatWang’sdeeprootsintheregion.Thelandscapeisdividedintosixmountainsectionsseparatedbywater,14linkedbybridges.Houses,trees,andfiguresdotthemountains,shownfromvariousviewpoints.Thisshifting15enablesviewers,astheyunrollthescrollfromrighttoleft,toexperienceacontinuous,immersivenarrativeofdailyactivities.Itcreatesadynamicvisualflow,muchlikewatchingscenerypassbythroughatrainwindow.Thepainting’sperfectionisenhancedbyits16strikingblue-greenlandscape,orqinglüshanshui,atechniquethatflourishedduringtheNorthernSongDynasty.Brilliantblue17themountains’peaks,boldgreencoversthemountains’valleys,andpalebrownimpliesthemountains’bases.Thisradiantarrangementemphasizescoloroverline,skillfullyusinglight,shade,andtexturetocreatedepthandatmosphere.Thispainting18withtheviewerinawayrarelyfoundinWesternpaintings.Duetoitsvastscalebut19details,itrequiresmultipleviewingsatdifferentdistances.Thefirstviewingisatafardistancetoobserveitssweepinggrandeur.Thesecondviewingisataclosedistancetoobserveitsrefinedfeatures.Thethirdviewingisatamid-distancetoobserveitsoverallimpact.Thislayeredviewingexperiencedeepenstheengagementwiththeartwork,makingthepaintingsfeelcompletelyalive.Itoffersaprofoundandsubtleexplorationofthevisibleworldthroughits20size,richcolors,andexpressivedetails,emittingqiorenergythatenlivenstheviewer.Ultimately,thismasterpieceinvitesviewerstoimmersethemselvesinitsbeauty,discoveringnewhorizonswitheachencounter.ReadingComprehension(45分)SectionA(15分)Directions:ForeachblankinthefollowingpassagetherearefourwordsorphrasesmarkedA,B,CandD.Fillineachblankwiththewordorphrasethatbestfitsthecontext.Theoceantwilightzone,alsoknownasthemidwater,isagloballayerofwaterstretchingfrom200to1,000metersbelowtheoceansurface.Thisdimlylitregion,justbeyondthereachofsunlight,iscoldandunderhighpressure,yetit__21__ahostofmarinespecies.Recentstudiessuggestthatitsfishbiomassmaybetentimesgreaterthanpreviouslyestimated,makingitoneofthemost__22__ecosystemsonEarth.Thetwilightzoneishometoawidevarietyoforganisms.Manyofthesecreaturesexhibitunique__23__tosurviveinthisdark,high-pressureenvironment.Onefascinatingexampleiscounter-illumination(反照明),wheresmallfishgeneratelightfromtheirundersidestomatchthesurfacelightabove,makingthem__24__tobigfishbelow.Oneofthemostremarkablephenomenainthetwilightzoneisthedailyvertical(垂直的;縱向的)__25__ofitsinhabitants.Everynight,countlessfish,squid,andplanktonswimtothesurfacetofeedunderthecoverofdarkness.Atdawn,theyreturntothe__26__,saferwaters.Thisdailymigrationisthelargestregularanimalmovementontheplanet,occurringevery24hoursacrosstheworld’soceans.Thetwilightzoneprovidesfoodforlargerpredatorslikewhalesandsharks,whicharevaluablefor__27__reasons.Additionally,thetwilightzoneactsasacriticalpartoftheocean’s“biologicalpump”.Ithelpstransfercarbondioxidefromsurfacewaterstothedeepocean,preventingitfrom__28__totheatmosphereasagreenhousegas.Thisprocessisvitalforreducingclimatechange.Despiteitsecologicalimportance,thetwilightzoneremainslargelyunexplored.__29__,commercialfishinginterestsarealreadytargetingthisregion.CountrieslikeNorwayandJapanhavebegun__30__harvestingoftwilight-zoneorganisms,drivenbythegrowingdemandforfishmealandotherproducts.Toensuresustainableuseand__31__ofthetwilightzone,weneedtoanswerkeyquestionsaboutitsbiodiversity,lifecycles,foodwebs,androleintheglobalcarboncycle.However,studyingthisregionis__32__duetoitsvastness,rapidchanges,andthedifficultyincapturingandobservingitsdelicateorganisms.In2018,theWoodsHoleOceanographicInstitutionlaunchedamissiontoexploreatwilightzone,supportedby$35millionfromtheAudaciousProject.Thisinitiativecombines__33__technologies—suchasadvancedacoustics,high-resolutioncameras,andgenetictechniques—withtraditionalmethodstostudythiscomplexecosystem.Byadvancingourunderstandingofthetwilightzone,wecandeveloppoliciestoprotectitsbiodiversityandensurethe__34__useofitsresources.Theoceantwilightzoneremainsa__35__worldofincrediblebiodiversityandecologicalimportance.Aswefacegrowingglobalchallenges,understandingandpreservingthismysteriousregionismorecriticalthanever.A.housed B.excluded C.limited D.obtainedA.efficient B.intensive C.diverse D.internalA.adaptations B.preferences C.insights D.rhythmsA.flexible B.incredible C.perceptible D.invisibleA.escape B.journey C.settlement D.explorationA.deeper B.shallower C.warmer D.clearerA.economic B.ecological C.evolutionary D.biologicalA.bouncing B.reflecting C.dumping D.returningA.However B.Therefore C.Additionally D.ConsequentlyA.agricultural B.residential C.industrial D.recreationalA.consumption B.conservation C.exploitation D.interventionA.challenging B.rewarding C.fascinating D.engagingA.life-changing B.cutting-edge C.cost-effective D.gene-alteredA.considerable B.comprehensive C.innovative D.responsibleA.remarkable B.complex C.hidden D.harshSectionB(22分)Directions:Readthefollowingthreepassages.Eachpassageisfollowedbyseveralquestionsorunfinishedstatements.ForeachofthemtherearefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatfitsbestaccordingtotheinformationgiveninthepassageyouhavejustread.AGeorgeBarrisisnotjustanordinarycardesigner;heisavisionarywhotransformsvehiclesintocustom-craftedmasterpiecestailoredtohisclients’wildestimaginations.Sincetheearly1940s,hispioneeringcreationshavedominatedbothbigscreensandtheprivatecollectionsofHollywood’scelebrities.Attheageof7,GeorgeBarrisandhisbrotherreceiveda1925Buickfromtheirparents.Theymadechangestoit,repainteditandthensoldit.ThisexperiencesparkedBarris’lifelongpassionfortransformingautomobiles.Later,Georgestartedturningregularcarsintofastracingcars.Hollywoodsoonrecognizedhistalent,contractinghimin1958todesignhisfirstcustomvehicleforthefilmHighSchoolConfidential.ManyHollywoodstarsflockedtoBarris,demandingone-of-a-kindvehicles.ThelistofclientsincludesJohnWayne,ElvisPresley,theBeatles,FrankSinatraandmanyothers.CustomizingcarsbecamepopularafterWorldWarII,becausepeoplesoughtsomethingpersonaltoexpresstheirindividuality.Carclubsemerged,andtheappetitefornewvehiclesgrew,especiallyamongthewealthy.Thebigautomobilecompaniesdidnotventureintothismarket,leavingthefieldopentoindependentoperatorssuchasGeorgeBarrisandothers.However,nobodycouldmatchBarris’sskillinthisfield.Inthe1960s,BarriscreatedtheblackandredBatmobile,themostdistinctivecaroftheTVseriesbasedonthecomicbook.ForthehittelevisionshowTheMunsters,hetookthreeModelTFordsandskillfullycutandcombinedthemtocraftthefamily’suniquemodeoftransportation,theKoach.Thisvehiclefeaturedaninteriorthatwasspeciallydesignedtolooklikeacoffin(棺材),perfectlycapturingthegothicaesthetic(美學(xué))oftheshow.TheKoachquicklybecamecloselyassociatedwithTheMunsters,justastheBatmobilewaswithitsownseries.GeorgeBarrishasbeendesigningcarsforoversixdecades.Heisalegendinthecardesignbusiness,oftenreferredtoasthe“VanGogh”oftheautomobileindustry.At80,hissonanddaughterhavetakenovertheday-to-dayoperationsofthebusiness,buthestillactivelydesignscarsinhisstudio.WhatfirstledGeorgeBarrisandhisbrothertostartworkingoncars?A.TheambitiontodesigncarsforHollywood.B.Thefascinationwithcelebritycarcollections.C.Thepassionforturningregularcarsintoracecars.D.Theinspirationfromgettingacarasachildhoodgift.WhatwastheprimaryreasonfortheriseofcarcustomizationafterWorldWarII?A.Theriseofcarclubsdemandingexclusivedesigns.B.Theinnovationsinautomotiveproductiontechnology.C.People’sgrowingappetitefordistinctiveself-expression.D.Post-wareconomicrecoveryboostingconsumerspending.Theunderlinedphrase“VanGogh”isusedtoindicatethatGeorgeBarriswas__________.A.apioneerofabstractdesigns B.amasterofartisticinnovationsC.acreatorofpopculturesymbols D.apromoterofmainstreammodelsWhatisthemostappropriatetitleforthepassage?A.CustomCarClubs:Post-WarBoominPopularityB.Hollywood’sGreatCarDesigner:GeorgeBarrisC.GeorgeBarris:ALegendinCustomCarInnovationD.ClassicCarDesigns:Batmobile&KoachHighlightsBAbrain-computerinterface(BCI)isasystemthatdeterminesfunctionalintent—thedesiretochange,move,control,orinteractwithsomethinginyourenvironment—directlyfromyourbrainactivity.Inotherwords,BCIsallowyoutocontrolanapplicationoradeviceusingonlyyourmind.Whenitcomestomotorcontrol,ifwewanttointeractwithadeviceinourenvironment(e.g.alamp),wefirstdecidewhatwewanttodo(turnonthelamp),thenwecoordinate(協(xié)調(diào))andusethemusclesinourarms,legs,hands,feet,etc.,toperformthataction(reachoutwithyourfingerandpressthelamp’son/offswitch)andthenfinallythedevicerespondstothataction(thelampturnson).BCIsbypassthatmiddlestepofcoordinatingandusingyourmusclestoperformthedesiredaction,insteadusingacomputertoidentifytheintendedactionandthencontrollingtheapplicationofdevicedirectly.Abrain-computerinterface(BCI)functionsthroughaseriesofinterconnectedsteps.Initially,aspecializeddevicecapturesthebrain’selectricalactivity,providingrawdatathatreflectstheuser’sintentions.Thisdataisthensenttoacomputer,whichprocessesandanalyzesthesignalstodecodetheuser’sdesiredactions.Finally,theinterpretedinformationcontrolsanexternalapplicationordevice,allowingtheusertointeractsmoothly.Thisintegrationofmeasurement,analysis,andcontrolformsthebackboneofBCItechnology.AnotherimportantstepofaBCIisfeedback:thesystemmustsomehowlettheuserknowwhatdecisionorintendedactionthecomputerwasabletointerpret.Inourpreviousexample,thelampsuccessfullyturningonindicatestotheuserthattheBCIsuccessfullyidentifiedtheactiontheuserwanted.ProvidingfeedbackhelpstheuseradapttotheBCIsystem,learninghowtheycancontrolandadjusttheirbrainactivity,justaswecanlearntocoordinateandcontrolourmusclesandbodies.HowdoesaBCIdifferfrommotorcontrol?A.Itskipsphysicalperformanceviamuscles.C.Itcoordinatesavarietyofbodyparts.B.Itrequiresstrongermusclemovements.D.Itreliesentirelyonexternalsensors.WhatroledoesthecomputerplayinaBCIsystem?A.Measuringbrainactivitythroughsensors.B.Providingphysicalfeedbacktotheuser.C.Processingbrainsignalstoidentifyintent.D.Replacingtheuser’sdecision-makingprocess.Whichstepintheillustrationhelpsusersadaptandconfirmtheirintendedaction?A.① B.② C.③ D.④CThetechnologicalsingularity(技術(shù)奇點(diǎn))isatheoreticalscenariowheretechnologicalgrowthbecomesuncontrollableandirreversible,leadingtoprofoundandunpredictablechangestohumancivilization.Intheory,thisphenomenonisdrivenbytheemergenceofartificialintelligence(AI)thatsurpasseshumancognitive(認(rèn)知的)capabilitiesandcanautonomouslyenhanceitself.Thetheorysuggeststhatsuchadvancementscouldevolveatapacesorapidthathumanswouldbeunabletoforeseeorstoptheprocess.Theimplicationsofreachingthissingularitypointcouldbegoodordisastrousforthehumanrace.Fornow,theconceptstayswithintheboundariesofsciencefiction,butnonetheless,it’sstillworththinkingaboutwhatsuchafuturemightlooklike,sothathumanitymightsteerAIdevelopmentinsuchawayastopromoteitscivilizationalinterests.Thetimelineforreachingthetechnologicalsingularityisasubjectofmuchdebateamongexperts.RayKurzweil,oneofthemostvocaladvocatesofthesingularity,hasfamouslypredictedthatthesingularityisnearandwillhappenby2045.HispredictionisbasedontrendssuchasMoore’slawandtheincreasingrateoftechnologicaladvancementsinfieldssuchascomputing,AIandbiotechnology.Otherexpertscastmoredoubtonthepredictionorproposedifferenttimelines.SomesuggestthatwhileAIwillcontinuetoadvance,thecomplexitiesandunforeseenchallengesofachievingsuperintelligencemightdelaythesingularitybeyondthiscentury,ifithappensatall.SystemstheoristRichardCoren,inhisbookTheEvolutionaryTrajectory,projectsasingularityin2140.Technological,ethicalandregulatorychallengesmightallpotentiallyslowthepaceofAIdevelopment.Moreover,figuressuchasRomanYampolskiypointoutthatpredictingtheexacttimelineisextremelydifficultduetotheexceptionalnatureofthesingularityitself.Thedevelopmentsleadingtoasingularityinvolvemanyvariables,includingbreakthroughsinAIalgorithms,hardwarecapabilitiesandsocietalfactorsthatarehardtoforecastwithaccuracy.EamonnHealy,aprofessoratSt.Edward’sUniversity,assumestheevolution,particularlyintermsoftechnologicalandintellectualadvancement,isproceedingatanever-increasingpace,compressingwhatusedtotakemillenniaintocenturiesandevenshortertimeframes.Thisconceptoftheacceleration(加速)oftechnologicaladvancementsechoestheviewsoffuturistssuchasRayKurzweil,whopredictthatsuchchangesmightoccuraroundthemid-21stcentury.Theunderlinedword“steer”inthepassageisclosestinmeaningto__________.A.quicken B.restrict C.direct D.predictIfanexpertforeseesthesingularityinlessthan30years,whomightheteamupwith?A.RayKurzweilandRichardCoren B.EamonnHealyandRayKurzweilC.RomanYampolskiyandEamonnHealy D.RichardCorenandRomanYampolskiyWhatbestdescribesRomanYampolskiy’sattitudetowardpredictingthesingularity?A.Reserved B.Optimistic C.Indifferent D.NeutralWhichstatementbestsummarizesthepassage?A.Thesingularityisaguaranteedeventwithclearbenefits.B.Thesingularity’stimelineandimplicationsremainuncertain.C.Expertsagreethesingularitywilloccurby2045withoutdelay.D.AIdevelopmentisacceleratedduetoregulatoryobstacles.SectionC(8分)Directions:Readthepassagecarefully.Fillineachblankwithapropersentencegiveninthebox.Eachsentencecanbeusedonlyonce.Notethattherearetwomoresentencesthanyouneed.A.Thetargetinsteadis“kidults”(aged12+),accountingforover25%oftoysales.B.Theplayfulconceptmirroredaglobaltrend:theworldhasgonesoftforsofttoys.C.Thatisbecausemorechildrenturnedtoplushcompanionsforemotionalsupport.D.Criticswillarguethattheplushiecrazeisasignofan“infantilised”generation.E.Highpricesonlyenhancetheirappeal,makingthemluxurycollectibles.F.Evenwithstrictpurchaselimits,fansstilllineupforhourstogetlimitededitions.TheRiseofPlushie(毛絨玩具)CultureItlookedlikeatypicalfish-and-chipshop.Chefstendedtofryingbasketsandwrappedordersinnewspaper.However,this“catchoftheday”wasentirelyinedible.TheLondonpop-upshopbyJellycat,afamousplushtoybrand,soldsoftfishwithplushielemonsinsteadofrealseafood.47TikTokvideoswiththe#Plushiestag,showingdifferentkindsofstuffedtoyslikecartooncharactersandcreativeshapes,havebeenwatchedalmost8billiontimes.Crazyshoppingscenesinsomepop-upshopsareextremelymind-blowing.48AccordingtoresearchfirmCircana,softtoysarenowthesecondmostpopulartoysintheUK,withsalesjumping58%since2021.Theglobalplushtoymarketwasworth$11.7billionin2023andisexpectedtogrowby8%eachyearuntil2030.ThebusinessissoprofitablethatWarrenBuffettboughtthecompanybehindSquishmallowsin2022,callingitamoney-making“jewel”.Surprisingly,childrenaren’tdrivingthisdemand.49Thepandemicstrengthenedthisshift,asisolatedindividualssoughtcomfortinnostalgicitems.“Plushiesbringhappinessinastressfulworld,”saysLucyDray,anonlineretailer.Socialmediainfluencerspromote“healingyourinnerchild”throughcollecting.50Theyclaimthatthegrowingobsessionwithsofttoysreflectsareluctancetoembraceadultresponsibilitiesandadesiretowithdrawintothecomfortofchildhood.However,thisperspectiveoverlooksthedeeperemotionalandpsychologicalbenefitsthatplushiescanprovide.Inafast-paced,oftenoverwhelmingworld,plushiesofferaconnectiontosimpler,happiertimes.Ratherthanasignofimmaturity,theplushiecrazemaysimplyhighlightauniversalhumanneedforcomfortandjoy,regardlessofage.SummaryWriting(10分)Directions:Readthefollowingpassage.Summarizethemainideaandthemainpoint(s)ofthepassageinnomorethan60words.Useyourownwordsasfaraspossible.51.Noise-CancellingHeadphones:ADouble-EdgedSwordforHearing?Theyareprizedformakingthedailytripmorebearableandcreatingabarrieragainstthenoiseofdailylife.Butsomespecialistssuspectthatoverusingthenoise-cancellingheadphoneswhichconstantlyblockingoutbackgroundnoisemayhaveunintendedconsequences.ReneeAlmeida,anadultaudiologyclinicalleadatImperialCollegehealthcareNHStrust,hasseenanincreaseinadultscomingtoherclinicwithhearingissuesonlyforteststosuggesttheirhearingisfine.Theproblemiswiththeirbrain,nottheirears.Theymightfailtolocatewhereasoundiscomingfrom,orstruggletofollowaconversationonthetrain,inabaroratarestaurant.Thecondition,knownasauditoryprocessingdisorder,isoftendiagnosedinchildren,sotheriseinadultswithsimilarissuesstruckAlmeidaasodd.Almeidasuspectsprolongedheadphoneuse,whichlimitsthebrain’sexposuretomultiplesounds,mightberesponsible.“Normally,ourbrainssortthousandsofsoundsandprioritizeimportantones,”Almeidaexplains.“Butnoise-cancellingheadphonesdeliveronlyonesoundsource—musicorpodcasts—deprivingthebrainofpracticeindistinguishingspeechfrombackgroundnoise.”However,forHarveyDillon,aprofessorofauditoryscienceattheUniversityofManchester,Almeida’sideaisanassumptionyettobetested.“Thereisnoresearchinvestigatingthelinkbetweentheuseofnoise-cancellingheadphonesandreducedauditoryprocessingability,”hesays.Hecautionsthatloudmusiccandamageneurons(神經(jīng)元)intheauditorysystem.“Itmaybethatlisteningtoloudmusicisthecauseoftheauditoryprocessingproblem,notthenoise-cancellingfeature,”hesays.“Ifso,noisecancellingcouldbeagoodfeature