1/1考前押題03閱讀理解常考話題(期末專項訓(xùn)練)話題1社會與文化話題4生活與學(xué)習(xí)話題2環(huán)保與發(fā)展話題5社會與服務(wù)話題3科學(xué)與技術(shù)話題6做人與做事話題1社會與文化Passage1Ayoungwomanhasannouncedthenewsofherowndeathafterabattlewithcancer,whilesharingherwishesforhergrievinglovedones.DaniellaThackray,a25-year-oldfromLeeds,tooktosocialmediatoshareherheart-breakingfinalwords,afteraneight-monthbattlewiththeraredisease,cholangiocarcinoma,atypeofcancerthatformsinthebileducts.Theemotionalmessagepaidtribute(致敬)toherfamily,fiancéTom,anddogLeo,assheencouragedherlovedonesto“enjoythelittlethings”inlifeand“cherisheverymoment”aftershehad“gone”.Shewrote:“Ifyou’rereadingthis,thenitmeansIhavediedfrommybattlewithcancerandmyfamilyarepostingmyfinalmessageonmybehalf.”“Firstly,Ijustwanttosaythatnotallcancersarecausedbylifestylechoices,insomecasesit’sgeneticsorunfortunatelyitjusthappens.Inmycase,despitemebeingveryhealthyandactive,acancerstartedinmybileductswhichwasnotcausedbyanythinginmycontrolandmylifewasneverthesameagain.”Despiteherdevastating(毀滅性的)diagnosis,shechose“nottomournlife”andmadethemostofhertime.“Sowiththatbeingsaid,althoughwecan’tcontrolwhathappenstous,wecancontrolhowwereact.IchosenottomournthelifeIwaslosingdespitebeingsodevastated,buttoenjoyeverymomentIhadleft.”Daniellaadded.Hermessagehasalreadygainedmorethan30,000likes,whilehundredsofpeoplerushedtoleavetheircondolences(吊唁)toherlovedones.Onepersonwrote,“SuchcourageouswordsfromsomeonethatI’venevermet.Whatawonderfulmessagetoleaveuswith,mayyourestinparadise.”1．WhydidDaniellashareherfinalwordsonsocialmedia?A．Toencourageherlovedonestoenjoylife. B．Tohighlighttheseriousnessofherdisease.C．Todescribeherbattleagainstthedeadlycancer. D．Toattractpeople’sattentiontohersufferings.2．WhatcanbeinferredfromDaniella’swordsinparagraph4?A．Shehopedtopromoteresearchintogeneticallyrelatedcancers.B．Shebelievedlifestylewasthemainfactorinmostcancercases.C．Shewasangryatthemedicalcommunityfornotfindingtheexactcause.D．Shewantedtorelievethepossibleguiltofthosewithsimilarconditions.3．WhichofthefollowingbestdescribesDaniella’spersonality?A．Weakandsensitive. B．Caringandoptimistic.C．Meanandself-centered. D．Ambitiousandhardworking.4．Whatcanwelearnfrompeople’sresponsestoDaniella’smessageonline?A．Manypeopleknewheralot. B．Socialmediaisverypowerful.C．Herstorytouchedalotofpeople. D．Everyoneagreedwithherviewsoncancercauses.Passage2Inanagewhenonlinemisinformationisseeminglyeverywhereandobjectivefactsarefrequentlyquestioned,somepsychologistshavepresentedasolution:Exposeyoungchildrentomoremisinformationonline—notless.Doingsoinlimitedcircumstances,andwithcarefuloversightandeducation,canhelpchildrengainthetoolsthey’llneedtotellfactfromfalsehoodonline,saidEvanOrticio,aPh.D．studentinUCBerkeley’sDepartmentofPsychology.“Childrenarebornwithskepticismc(質(zhì)疑)andtheycanadapttheirlevelofskepticismaccordingtothequalityofinformationthey’veseenbeforeinadigitalcontext,”O(jiān)rticiosaid.“Theycanusetheirexpectationsofhowthisdigitalenvironmentworkstomakereasonableadjustmentstohowmuchtheytrustordistrustinformation.”MinorsencounterhealthmisinformationwithinminutesofcreatingaTikTokaccount.EvenplatformsintendedforyoungaudienceslikeYouTubeKidshavebecomespacesformisinformation.That’saparticularproblembecauseparentsmayhavetheimpressionthatthesearesafeplacestheirkidscanexplore.Thatmaygiveafalsesenseofsecurityandallowfalsehoodsandproblematiccontenttogouncheckedandbetakenastrueandacceptable.Soencounteringmisinformationwhenchildrensurfonlineisunavoidable.Ifchildrenhavesomeexperienceworkingincontrolledbutimperfectenvironmentswheretheyareconstantlyencounteringthingsthataren’tquiteright,andweshowthemtheprocessforfiguringoutwhatisactuallytrueandnot,thatwillsetthemupwiththeexpectationtobemorecritical.Orticiosaid,“Ratherthantryingtosanitizetheironlineenvironments,parentsshouldhavediscussionswiththeirchildrenabouthowtocheckclaimsandtalkaboutwhatthey’reseeing.”It’snotthatweneedtoenhancetheirskepticism.It’sthatweneedtogivethemtheabilitytousethatskepticismtotheiradvantage.1．Whyshouldchildrenbeexposedtomoremisinformationonline?A．Tomaintaintheirlevelofskepticism. B．Tohelpthemadjusttomisinformation.C．Toequipthemwithfact-checkingskills. D．Tolowertheirexpectationsofinformation.2．Whatmistakedoparentsprobablymakeaccordingtoparagraph3?A．Gatheringfalseinformationonline. B．Creatingonlineaccountsfortheirkids.C．Robbingtheirkidsofasenseofsecurity. D．Takingimperfectplatformsforsafeplaces.3．Whatdoestheunderlinedword“sanitize”inthelastparagraphmean?A．Adaptto. B．Relyon. C．Figureout. D．Cleanup.4．Whatshouldparentsoffertohelpchildrenexploretheonlineworld?A．Properguidance. B．Gooddigitalresources.C．Preventionstrategies. D．LimitedInternetaccess.話題2環(huán)保與發(fā)展Passage1WhenphotojournalistJasperDoestarrivedintheTransylvanianAlpstodocumentthecoexistenceofhumansandwildlife,hefoundastoryonthesideoftheroad—agroupofbearsbeggingforfood.Thiscloseencounterledtoincrediblephotographs.Butitalsoemphasizesthehurdlesthatconservationists(自然環(huán)境保護主義者)inRomaniaandelsewherefaceintheireffortstorestoreandprotectwildplaces.Touristsattractedbytheregion’sbrownbearsoftengiveintothetemptationtofeedthemThiscanhavedisastrouseffects.Usuallyshyaroundpeople,ittakesjustafewmealstogetbearshookedonhumanfood—and,afterthat,theydon’tstaywildlong.Instead,theycanbecomedependentonhumansforfood,fuelingmorebear-humanrun-insandputtingbearsindangerwhentheygettooclose.Thisregionhasseenariseinbear-humanconflicts.In2023,therewere95bearincidents,andahikerwasfatallymauled.Thispromptedofficialstoraisetheannualbearkillquota.Doestalsodocumentedanattackedmotherbearwhoseleghadbeenlost,forcedtobegforfoodalongtheroad.Bearsfedbyhumansbecome“problembears”,fuelinglocaloppositiontorewilding(再野生化)projects,asmoreforestsmeanmorebears.Whiledrivingonamountainpass,Doestandhisassistantrealizedthebearswerewaitingforhumanhandouts.Theyhadcompletelychangedtheirbehavior.Doestsawotherexamplesofhowtourists’handoutshadchangedtheecosystem.Ashewatchedpeoplefeedingbearssnackslikedoughnuts,herealizedthestoryofconversationintheregionwasasmuchaboutpeopleaswildlife.“Itisn’tjustaboutrewilding—it’sabouttheopportunitiesandstrugglesrewildingbringsus,”hesays.“It’sabouthowtoacceptnatureinourlives,andhowwecouldbenefitifwedoittherightway.”Sodon’tfeedthebears.Youcouldsaveananimal’slife,andacommunity’scommitmenttowildlifeconservation.1．Whatdoestheunderlinedword“hurdles”inparagraph1mean?A．Challenges. B．Responsibilities.C．Measures. D．Dangers.2．Whatisthemainreasonfortheincreaseinbear-humanconflictsintheregion?A．Thegrowingnumberoftourists.B．Theexpansionofhumansettlements.C．Thebears’dependenceonhumanfood.D．Thedecreaseinnaturalfoodsourcesforbears.3．Whydosomelocalsopposerewildingprojects?A．Theybelievethatrewildingwillattractmoretourists.B．Theyfearthatrewildingwillharmthelocaleconomy.C．Theythinkthatrewildingisnoteffectiveinprotectingwildlife.D．Theyworrythatrewildingwillcausemorebear-humanconflicts.4．Whatistheauthor’sattitudetowardsfeedingbears?A．Positive. B．Negative.C．Neutral. D．Indifferent.Passage2ThisweekIvisitedCambodia,anditcouldnothavecomeata“hotter”time,inthemostliteralsenseoftheword,becausethetemperaturesinSiemReapwerealmost7°Caboveaverage.Thenightbefore,itrainedinafewareas,andIcouldseetheexcitementaroundmewithmanycallingtheirfamiliestosay,“Itrainedinmyvillage!”Butthissadlyseemedtobeanexception.Inmostareasofthecountry,farmershavebeenunabletoplantthesecondricecrop,leadingtoeconomichardship.AsImademyway,intheswelteringheat,tovisitasecondaryschoolintheruralareainSiemReap.AsIwalkedfromclassroomtoclassroom,Iwonderedhowlearningoutcomesmustbeimpactedbytheheatwaves,andwhatwouldhappentotheabilityofchildrentolearn,toplayandtoprogressinschool.Butwhatmademeexcitedwaslearningabouttheafter-schoolprogrammeonhandlingenvironmentalchallenges.Astemperaturesarerising,soarechildrenrisingtotheoccasion.Throughthelifeskillstrainingprogramme,studentsinGrade9,learntoanalyseproblems,learntoworktogether,learntofindsolutions.Theprogrammealsohelpsthemtounderstandtheenvironmentalchallengesoftoday’sworldandhowasyoungpeopletheycanbepartofthesolution.Intheafternoon,Iwenttoseetheimpactoftheirworkinthefield.Wehadlunchwiththecommunityleadersandyouthvolunteersaswellasa12-year-oldstudentfromtheschool.Theyshowedmewhattheyhaddoneintermsofwastemanagement.Thevillagewascleanandgreen.Andthecommunityleadersaidtome,“Iamgratefulforthisprogramme.”DuringthechatIthoughtyoungpeoplecanbeandmustbepartofthesolution.Theymaynotberainmakers,buttheycertainlyarechangemakers!1．Whatdoestheauthormeanbysayingtheunderlinedwords?A．Lackofrainisbadforplantingcrop.B．RaininglessupsetssomeCambodians.C．Cambodiaissufferingfromdrought.D．SomeofCambodiansdislikeheaverain.2．WhatdidtheauthorfeelwhenseeingCambodianstudents?A．Concerned. B．Fullofadmiration. C．Annoyed. D．Filledwithstress.3．Whatisthepurposeofsettinguptheprogramme?A．Toimprovethestudents’lifeskills.B．Todemonstrateenvironmentalprotection.C．Tointroduceanewmethodtodealwithwaste.D．Toimprovestudents’awarenessofprotectingtheirenvironment.4．Whatisthemaintopicofparagraph5?A．Theprocessofwastemanagementinthevillage.B．Theauthor’slunchexperiencewithdifferentpeople.C．Theintroductionoftheafter-schoolprogrammeindetail.D．Theimpactofstudents’workonthevillageenvironment.話題3科學(xué)與技術(shù)Passage1ChatGPTisbackintheheadlinesagainasOpenAI,thecompanybehindtheincrediblypopularchatbot,hasnowintroducedapowerfulnewlanguagemodel-GPT-4.FirstannouncedonMarch14,GPT-4goesbeyondthecapabilityofthepreviouslanguagemodelknownasGPT-3.5.Themostimpressivenewfeatureisitsabilitytouseimagesasprompts(提示).Itsimage-basedoutputscanbeassimpleasdescribingthecontentsofarefrigerator.Buttheycanalsobecomplexlikeinterpretingaseriesofimagestoexplainwhatajokeissupposedtobe.ButGPT-4’sadvancementsdon’tstopthere.ThenewlanguagemodelcancodeclassicgameslikeTetrisinamatterofminutes,producethecodeandlayoutforawebsitebasedonahand-madedrawing,andchangethetoneandstyleofitsresponses.And,perhapstotheworryofteachers,GPT-4’sabilitytopasstestshasgreatlytoppedthepreviousversion’s.AccordingtoCNN,GPT-4passedasimulatedlawschoolbarexamwithascoreinthetop10percentoftesttakers,unlikeGPT-3.5whichonlyscoredatthebottom10percent.GPT-4willalsoseegreateruseasatooltopowerotherappsandservices.Duolingo,aUSeducationaltechnologycompany,planstouseGPT-4intheirupcomingDuolingoMaxfunctiontohelpusersimprovetheirlanguagestudiesthroughdynamicAIconversationsandanswerexplanations.AnotherorganizationlookingtousethesoftwareisBeMyEyes,whichwantstointroduceadigitalassistanttohelpvisuallyimpairedusersbetterunderstandtheworldaroundthem.EventhegovernmentofIcelandplansoncreatingafive-yearfundtosupportthedigitalpreservationoftheIcelandiclanguageusingthesoftware.However,therearestillweaknessesinthenewlanguagemodel.GPT-4stillstrugglestobecompletelyaccuratewithitsresponses,especiallywithnewerinformationafterSeptember2021.GPT-4alsostilloccasionally“hallucinates(產(chǎn)生錯覺)”meaningthatitwillinsistthatwronginformationistrue.1．WhatisthemostoutstandingnewfeatureofGPT-4’sability?A．Tocodeclassicgamesquickly. B．Toproducewebsitelayouts.C．Touseimagesasprompts. D．Tochangethestyleofitsresponses.2．HowdidGPT-4performinasimulatedlawschoolbarexam?A．Itsresultwasunsatisfying. B．Itsscorewasinthemiddlerange.C．Itrankedinthebottom10percent. D．Itachievedascoreinthetop10.3．HowisthegovernmentofIcelandplanningtouseGPT-4?A．Topreserveitslanguagedigitally. B．Toimproveitsworkefficiency.C．Toimprovestudents’languagelearning. D．Todevelopadigitallearningassistant.4．Whatdoestheexpression“visuallyimpairedusers”inParagraph4mean?A．Peoplewhocan’thearwell. B．Thosewhohavedifficultyseeing.C．Thosesufferingfromheartproblem. D．Peoplesufferingfromcancer.Passage2AteamofengineersatHarvardUniversityhasbeeninspiredbyNaturetocreatethefirstroboticfly.Themechanicalflyhasbecomeaplatformforaseriesofnewhigh-techintegratedsystems.Designedtodowhataflydoesnaturally,thetinymachineisthesizeofafathousefly.Itsminiwingsallowittostayintheairandperformcontrolledflighttasks.“It’sextremelyimportantforustothinkaboutthisasawholesystemandnotjustthesumofabunchofindividualcomponents(元件),”saidRobertWood,theHarvardengineeringprofessorwhohasbeenworkingontheroboticflyprojectforoveradecade.Afewyearsago,histeamgotthego-aheadtostartpiecingtogetherthecomponents.“Theaddeddifficultywithaprojectlikethisisthatactuallynoneofthosecomponentsareofftheshelfandsowehavetodevelopthemallonourown,”hesaid.Theyengineeredaseriesofsystemstostartanddrivetheroboticfly.“Theseeminglysimplesystemwhichjustmovesthewingshasanumberofinterdependenciesontheindividualcomponents,eachofwhichindividuallyhastoperformwell,butthenhastobematchedwelltoeverythingit’sconnectedto,”saidWood.Theflightdevicewasbuiltintoasetofpower,computation,sensingandcontrolsystems.Woodsaysthesuccessoftheprojectprovesthattheflyingrobotwiththesetinycomponentscanbebuiltandmanufactured.Whilethisfirstroboticflyerislinkedtoasmall,off-boardpowersource,thegoaliseventuallytoequipitwithabuilt-inpowersource,sothatitmightsomedayperformdata-gatheringworkatrescuesites,infarmers’fieldsoronthebattlefield.“Basicallyitshouldbeabletotakeoff,landandflyaround,”hesaid.Woodsaysthedesignoffersanewwaytostudyflightmechanicsandcontrolatinsect-scale.Yet,thepower,sensingandcomputationtechnologiesonboardcouldhavemuchbroaderapplications.“Youcanstartthinkingaboutusingthemtoansweropenscientificquestions,youknow,tostudybiologyinwaysthatwouldbedifficultwiththeanimals,butusingtheserobotsinstead,”hesaid.“Sotherearealotoftechnologiesandopeninterestingscientificquestionsthatarereallywhatdrivesusonadaytodaybasis.”1．Thedifficultytheteamofengineersmetwithwhilemakingtheroboticflywasthat__________.A．theyhadnomodelintheirmindB．theydidnothavesufficienttimeC．theyhadnoready-madecomponentsD．theycouldnotassemblethecomponents2．Itcanbeinferredfromparagraphs3and4thattheroboticfly__________.A．consistsofaflightdeviceandacontrolsystemB．canjustflyinlimitedareasatthepresenttimeC．cancollectinformationfrommanysourcesD．hasbeenputintowideapplication3．Whichofthefollowingcanbelearnedfromthepassage?A．Theroboticflyerisdesignedtolearnaboutinsects.B．Animalsarenotallowedinbiologicalexperiments.C．Thereusedtobefewwaystostudyhowinsectsfly.D．Wood’sdesigncanreplaceanimalsinsomeexperiments.4．Whichofthefollowingmightbethebesttitleofthepassage?A．FatherofRoboticFlyB．InspirationfromEngineeringScienceC．RoboticFlyImitatesRealLifeInsectD．HarvardBreaksThroughinInsectStudy話題4生活與學(xué)習(xí)Passage1JennLarsonwasjust14yearsold.Whensheknewhowchallengingitwasforherparents,wholackedanycollegeeducation,toproperlymanagetheearningsoffarming,shetookitoverimmediately.Thisstartedalifelongpassionforfinance(財務(wù)),anditledherdownanunexpectedpathtobecomingarolemodelsheneverhad.Yet,suchambitionsraninobviouscontrasttoeverythingfamiliartoher.“Ididn’thaveanyadvisors,”Larsonsays.“Ididn’thaveanyonetolookuptoforaprofessionalexample.AllthewomenImetwerestay-at-homemoms.”Despitehavingparentswhocouldn’tfullyunderstandherambitions,LarsonwenttotheBYUMarriottSchool,wheresheearnedabusinessdegreeandfocusedmuchofhercourseworkoninternationalfinance.LarsonworkedforsevenyearsasafinancialrepresentativewithNorthwesternMutual,advisingclientsonimportantfinancialdecisions.LarsonreturnedtoBYUMarriottin2008toearnanMBA,andacceptedapositionintheschoolasanassistantprofessorfollowinghergraduation.Formorethanadecade,LarsonhastaughtfinanceclassestoundergraduateandMBAstudents.Whilesheteachesfinance,Larsontriestohelpherstudentsseehowmasteringfinanceprinciplescanalsoimpacttheirpersonallives.Constantlybalancingmotherhoodandwork,Larsonmakesadjustmentstothewaysheteaches.ShegavebirthtoherfirstthreechildreninthreeyearswhileteachingatBYUMarriott,wonderingattimesiflabormightstartwhileinfrontofaclassfullofstudents.Atonetime,Larsontaughtonlineclassesfromherdiningroomtablewhiletakingcareofanewbornandotheryoungchildrenathome.Asafemaleinstructorintheoftenmale-dominatedfinanceindustry,Larsonworkstoinspireotherwomenwhoseekasimilarpathtohers.Larsonbecametherolemodelthatsheneverhad,theexamplethata14-year-oldgirlstaringatafarmingexpensesheetcouldn'tfind.Now,Larson'schildrenandstudentswillalwayshavethatexample.1．WhatmadeLarsondevelopalifelongpassionforfinance?A．Herexperienceofmanagingearningsoffarming.B．Herstrongdesireforcollegeeducation.C．Thehighexpectationsfromherparents.D．Thechallenginglaboronherdairyfarm.2．WhatproblemdidLarsonfaceaccordingtoParagraph2?A．Shehadnoonetoaskforadvice.B．Shewasunsureaboutthecoursework.C．Shewasmisunderstoodbyherneighbor.D．Shewasunfamiliarwitheverythingatschool.3．WhichofthefollowingistrueaccordingtoParagraph3?A．LarsonreturnedtoBYUMarriottin2018toearnanMBA．B．LarsontaughtfinanceclassesonlytoMBAstudents.C．Larsontriedtocontrolherstudents’personallives.D．LarsonworkedasafinancialrepresentativewithNorthwesternMutual.4．Whatdoestheunderlinedword“l(fā)abor”inParagraph4probablymean?A．Theworkoflookingafterababy.B．Theprocessofdealingwithstudents.C．Theprocessofgivingbirthtoababy.D．Theworkofadjustingteachingmethods.5．Whatcanbeasuitabletitleforthetext?A．FollowingYourInterest.B．BalancingWorkandFamily.C．BecomingYourOwnRoleModel.D．SeekingaWaytoBeSuccessful.Passage2Onahumidmorning,NevSchulmanransixmilesin43minutesinEastHampton,maintaininganimpressivesub-6:30paceforthreemiles.Afterward,hesharedaselfieonStrava,proudlynotinghehadmadethetop1%ofall-timerunnersonthatroute.Laterthatday,whilebikingtopickuphisson,Schulmancrashed,flyingoverthehandlebarsandhittingaworktruck.Paramedicsrushedhimtoanearbyhospital,whereX-raysrevealedhehadbrokenhisneckbuthadn’tsufferedanybrokenfingers.Schulmanunderwentemergencyoperationatanotherhospital.Remarkably,hehadfeelinginallhislimbsandbeganhealingfasterthanexpected.“Newdoctorsandnursescameineverysixor12hours,andtheycouldn’tbelieveIwasmobile,”herecalled.“TheyweredelightedtoseethatIhadnarrowlyescapedparalysis.Itwasamazing.IspentsixdaysintheICU,thenwenthomewearingabraceforfiveweeks.”Justfivedayslater,hesharedhisexperienceInstagram,reflectingonhisclosecallwithparalysis.Growingup,Schulmanwasinspiredbyhisfather’sloveforrunning,frequentlyattendingNewYorkCityMarathonfinishlineswithhim.Althoughhedidn’tstartrunningcompetitivelyuntillaterinlife,hecompletedfivemarathons,achievingapersonalbestof2:58．Afterhisaccident,SchulmanfaceduncertaintyaboutparticipatingintheupcomingNYCMarathon.However,hisfriendFrancescoMagisano,ablindathlete,encouragedhimtoguidehimintherace.Withhisrecoveryprogressingwell,Schulmanrealizedhecouldbothparticipateandhelpsomeoneelseachievetheirmarathongoals.Andhedidit!“Mywholelife,I’vewishedIwerefitterandstronger,”hesaid.“ButwhenIdiscoveredrunning,IknewthisiswhatIlove.Lifeisagift,andsotooistherunninglife.”ThisSunday,withhisfamilyandhisfriendwaitingtocheerhimon,agratefulSchulmangetstorunthemarathonforthesixthtime,onestepatatime.1．Whatdoestheunderlinedpart“closecall”inparagraph3mean?A．Aminorinjury. B．Anearmiss.C．Anunexpectedencounter. D．Aplannedevent.2．Accordingtoparagraph4,whatmotivatedSchulmantorunagain?A．Hisgoaltobreakapersonalrecord.B．Hisdesiretoprovehimselftohisfamily.C．Hisfriend’srequesttoleadhimthroughtherace.D．Hischildhoodmemoriesofrunningwithhisfather.3．WhichofthefollowingwordsbestdescribeSchulman?A．Quietandconsiderate. B．Strictandproductive.C．Humorousandgenerous. D．Determinedandhelpful.4．WhatmessagedoesSchulman’sstoryconvey?A．Theearlybirdcatchestheworm.B．Afriendinneedisafriendindeed.C．Goodthingscometothosewhowait.D．Whatdoesn’tkillyoumakesyoustronger.話題5社會與服務(wù)Passage1EveryAprilIamtroubledbythesameconcernthatspringmightnotoccurthisyear.Thelandscapelooksdull,withhills,skyandforestappearinggrey.Myspiritsebb,astheydidduringanAprilsnowfallwhenIfirstcametoMaine.“Justwait,”aneighbouradvised.“You’llwakeuponemorningandspringwilljustbehere.”Andlook,on3MaythatyearIawoketoagreensoamazingastobealmostelectric,asifspringweresimplyamatterofflippingaswitch.Hills,sky,andforestrevealedtheirpurples,blues,andgreens.Leaveshadunfoldedanddaffodilswerefightingtheirwayheavenward.Thentherewastheoldappletree.Itsitsonanundevelopedlotinmyneighbourhood.Itbelongstonooneandthereforetoeveryone.Thetree’sdarktwistedbranchesstretchoutinunprunedabandon.Eachspringitblossomssofreelythattheairbecomesfilledwiththescentofapple.Untillastyear,IthoughtIwastheonlyoneawareofthistree.Andthenoneday,inabitofspringmadness,Isetouttoremoveafewdisorderlybranches.NosoonerhadIarrivedunderthetreethanneighboursopenedtheirwindowsandsteppedontotheirporches.ThesewerepeopleIbarelyknewandseldomspoketo,butitwasasifIhadcomeuninvitedintotheirpersonalgardens.Mymobile-homeneighbourwasthefirsttospeak.“You’renotcuttingitdown,areyou?”sheaskedanxiously.AnotherneighbourfrownedasIcutoffabranch.“Don’tkillit,now,”hewarned.Soon,halftheneighbourhoodhadjoinedmeundertheappletree.ItstruckmethatIhadlivedthereforfiveyearsandonlynowwaslearningthesepeople’snames,whattheydidforaliving,andhowtheypassedthewinter.Itwasasiftheoldappletreewasgatheringusunderitsbranchesforthepurposeofbothacquaintanceshipandsharedwonder.Icouldn’thelprecallingRobertFrost’swords:Thetreesthathaveitintheirpent-upbudsTodarkennatureandbesummerwoodsOnethaw(解凍)ledtoanother.Justtheotherday,Isawoneofmyneighboursatthelocalstore.Heremarkedhowthisrecentwinterhadbeenespeciallylongandcomplainedofnothavingseenorspokenatlengthtoanyoneinourneighbourhood.Andthen,helookedatmeandsaid,“Weneedtoprunethatappletreeagain.”1．Bysayingthat“myspiritsebb”inparagraph1,theauthormeansthat.A．hefeelsrelieved B．heischeerfulC．heisastonished D．hefeelsblue2．WhichofthefollowingisTRUEabouttheappletreeaccordingtothepassage?A．Nooneotherthantheauthorcaresabouttheappletree.B．Itgrowsonpublicproperty.C．ItisasourceoffreshfruitfortheneighbourhoodD．Itiscarefullyattendedtobytheauthor.3．Itcanbeinferredfromtheneighbour’swordsinthelastparagraphthat.A．Hehasapassionforgardening.B．Hewasconcernedaboutthesafetyofthetree.C．Heenjoyedthecompanyofhisneighbours.D．Hechangedhismindaboutpruningthetree.4．Whatisthebesttitleforthetext?A．TheBeautyofNatureB．TheSecretoftheAppleTree.C．UndertheBlossoms.D．TheSpringinMaine.Passage2McGriffwasinhersecondyearofuniversitywhenshereadHalftheSky,whichexaminestheunfairtreatmentofwomenindevelopingcountries.Shewasshockedtolearnthat129milliongirlsworldwidedonothaveaccesstoschool.“Inmuchoftheworld,womenandgirlsareresponsibleforhouseholdduties,”saidMcGriff,“It’sseenthatgirlswon’teverbeputtingtheireducationtouse.”Additionally,manypoorfamiliescan’taffordgirls’tuitionfees,schoolsuppliesanduniforms(校服).Yet,studieshaveshownthatprovidingfreeuniformscanreducedropoutratesby16%andabsenteeismbymorethan35%.ThissimplesolutiontookrootinMcGriff’smindandstartedherjourneyhelpinggirlstransformtheirlives.Asshetookanentrepreneurship(創(chuàng)業(yè))class,shewastaskedwithcreatingabusinessornonprofitforaclassproject,whichremindedheroftheideaoftheschooluniform.Soonshedevelopedanidea.Afterconductingfieldresearch,McGriffreturnedhome,presentedhereducationprojectatentrepreneurshipcompetitionsandwon$35,000instartupfund.Eventuallysheestablishedhernonprofit,StyleHerEmpowered(SHE),tobringhervisiontolife.Thatfirstyear,thegrouphiredlocaltailorsandprovideduniformsandschoolfeesfor65girls.Buttheysoonranintoaproblem—thestudentswereoutgrowingquickly