Earth’s geologic ages---time periods defined by evidence in rock layers----typically last more than three million years. We’re barely 11,500 years into the current age ,the Holocene. But a new paper argues that we’ve already entered a new one—the Anthropocene, or “new man”, age.
The name isn’t brand-new. Nobel Prize winner Paul Crutzen, a co-author of the paper, coined it in 2002 to reflect the changes since the industrial revolution. The paper, however , is part of new push to formalize the Anthropocene age.
Recent human impacts have been so great that they’ll result in an obvious boundary (界限 ) in Earth’s rock layer, the author’s say. “We are so skilled at using energy and exploiting the environment that we are now a defining force in the geological process on the surface of the Earth,” said co-author Jan Zala, a geologist with the University of Leicester in the UK. Even so, it could take years or even decades for the International Union of Geological Science to formalize the new age.
If the concept of the Anthropocene age is to be formalized , scientists will first have to identify and define a boundary line ,or marker, that’s set in stone. “The key thing is thinking about how—thousands of years in the future---geologist might come back and actually recognize in the deposit in the UK.” It’s not as straightforward as you might think. The market has to be very precise, and it has to be recognized in many different parts of the world,” said Haywood, who wasn’t involved in the new study.
One candidate for the market is the distinctive radioactive signature left by atom bomb tests, which began in 1945. “The fallout (沉降 ) is basically across the world,” Haywood said. In a similar way, scientists used traces of the element iridium (铱) left by shooting star strikes to help define the boundary between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods---the time of the great dinosaur extinctions.
The push for a formal declaration of the Anthropocene age is about more than just scientific curiosity. The move the scientists write in the last issue of the journal Environmental Science & Technology, “might be used as encouragement to slow carbon emissions and biodiversity(生物多样性)loss” or “ as evidence on protection measures” Just as Haywood said, by underlining how much we're changing the environment, the formalization would be "a very powerful statement”.
1.Which of the following is TRUE about the new paper?
A. It denies the existence of the Holocene age.
B. It documents the recent human impacts on earth.
C. It pushes for the formalization of the Anthropocene age.
D. It serves as a warning against the current mineral exploitation.
2.Haywood's words in paragraph 4 indicate that___________________.
A. the key to formalizing the new age is to find a deposit record set in stone
B. the marker has to appear in various places globally to be considered valid
C. finding a marker is a straightforward way to define the beginning of an age
D. future geologists may find it hard to recognize the markers we choose today
3.What can you infer from the passage?
A. The element iridium may work as a marker for the Anthropocene age.
B. The Nobel Prize winner Crutzen invented the name Holocene in 2002.
C. The formalization of the new age may send a message for eco-protection.
D. Human activities have resulted from the change of boundaries in rock layers.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Humans Are Destroying the Earth, Geologists Warn
B. Too Early to Set Things in Stone, Authorities Say
C. More Evidence Is Needed, Universities Require
D. A New Earth Age May Begin, Scientists Argue
高三英语阅读理解困难题
Earth’s geologic ages---time periods defined by evidence in rock layers----typically last more than three million years. We’re barely 11,500 years into the current age ,the Holocene. But a new paper argues that we’ve already entered a new one—the Anthropocene, or “new man”, age.
The name isn’t brand-new. Nobel Prize winner Paul Crutzen, a co-author of the paper, coined it in 2002 to reflect the changes since the industrial revolution. The paper, however , is part of new push to formalize the Anthropocene age.
Recent human impacts have been so great that they’ll result in an obvious boundary (界限 ) in Earth’s rock layer, the author’s say. “We are so skilled at using energy and exploiting the environment that we are now a defining force in the geological process on the surface of the Earth,” said co-author Jan Zala, a geologist with the University of Leicester in the UK. Even so, it could take years or even decades for the International Union of Geological Science to formalize the new age.
If the concept of the Anthropocene age is to be formalized , scientists will first have to identify and define a boundary line ,or marker, that’s set in stone. “The key thing is thinking about how—thousands of years in the future---geologist might come back and actually recognize in the deposit in the UK.” It’s not as straightforward as you might think. The market has to be very precise, and it has to be recognized in many different parts of the world,” said Haywood, who wasn’t involved in the new study.
One candidate for the market is the distinctive radioactive signature left by atom bomb tests, which began in 1945. “The fallout (沉降 ) is basically across the world,” Haywood said. In a similar way, scientists used traces of the element iridium (铱) left by shooting star strikes to help define the boundary between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods---the time of the great dinosaur extinctions.
The push for a formal declaration of the Anthropocene age is about more than just scientific curiosity. The move the scientists write in the last issue of the journal Environmental Science & Technology, “might be used as encouragement to slow carbon emissions and biodiversity(生物多样性)loss” or “ as evidence on protection measures” Just as Haywood said, by underlining how much we're changing the environment, the formalization would be "a very powerful statement”.
1.Which of the following is TRUE about the new paper?
A. It denies the existence of the Holocene age.
B. It documents the recent human impacts on earth.
C. It pushes for the formalization of the Anthropocene age.
D. It serves as a warning against the current mineral exploitation.
2.Haywood's words in paragraph 4 indicate that___________________.
A. the key to formalizing the new age is to find a deposit record set in stone
B. the marker has to appear in various places globally to be considered valid
C. finding a marker is a straightforward way to define the beginning of an age
D. future geologists may find it hard to recognize the markers we choose today
3.What can you infer from the passage?
A. The element iridium may work as a marker for the Anthropocene age.
B. The Nobel Prize winner Crutzen invented the name Holocene in 2002.
C. The formalization of the new age may send a message for eco-protection.
D. Human activities have resulted from the change of boundaries in rock layers.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Humans Are Destroying the Earth, Geologists Warn
B. Too Early to Set Things in Stone, Authorities Say
C. More Evidence Is Needed, Universities Require
D. A New Earth Age May Begin, Scientists Argue
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Historians and archaeologists have defined periods of human history for centuries by the technologies or materials that made the greatest impact on society. This includes the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. But what age are we in now? That question can be answered with one word for some researchers. Plastics.
“Plastic has redefined our material culture and the artifacts we leave behind. It will be found in stratified(分层的) layers in our trash deposits(沉积层). ” That’s according to John Marston, an archaeologist.
The wide variety of synthetic polymers(合成聚合物) would not exist if it weren’t for human action. About six billion tons of plastics have been made and spread around the planet. They have been spread from forests to oceans ever since the first plastic polymers were invented.
Plastics are one of the most significant changes that humans have made to the Earth’s makeup. Most plastics don’t easily degrade. This only adds to the problem. Recycling isn’t an adequate solution. Not all types of plastic are easily recyclable. And there are only a few recycling plants that can process all varieties of plastic.
According to Debra Winter, writer for The Atlantic, this means that many of the materials thrown into recycling bins can cross the planet several times before they are processed. They are made into rugs, sweaters, or they are used to make other bottles. Millions of tons of plastics are recycled every year, but millions more end up in landfills or the ocean. The problem has reached the point where it’s possible that in just a few decades there might be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fishes.
“Plastics have a supposed lifespan of over 500 years, so it’s safe to say that every plastic bottle you have used exists somewhere on this planet, in some form or another，” Winter writes.
The damage may already be done. It may be too late for human populations worldwide to change their plastic using ways. So the Plastic Age might soon take its place next to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in the history of human civilization.
1.Why do people call our age the Plastic Age?
A.Because plastics are not naturally made.
B.Because humans create plastics.
C.Because plastics influence the world greatly.
D.Because historians and archaeologists think so.
2.According to the passage, how are most plastics dealt with currently?
A.They are recycled.
B.They are degraded.
C.They are thrown away.
D.They are made into bottles.
3.What is the author’s attitude to the Plastic Age?
A.Negative. B.Ambiguous.
C.Favorable. D.Unconcerned.
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Plastics have ruined our environment.
B.We must stop using plastics altogether.
C.Human beings are in the Plastic Age.
D.Plastics are significant to human development.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Screen time increases by 300 percent between the ages of 1 and 3 according to a recent study. In a perfect world, parents would always choose outdoor time over screen time. But for many parents, decreasing screen time isn't as simple as it sounds. That's because screens are increasingly used as an entertainment and distraction（分心）tool for kids which parents think is necessary due to a lack of quality childcare.
The United States government defines affordable childcare as care costing no more than 7 percent of a family's total income, yet more than 40 percent of families say they set aside more than 15 percent of their total income for it, according to a 2019 survey published by Care. com.
Affordable childcare in America is a dream. “Screen time is used as a last substitute for childcare for many families,” says licensed child therapist（治疗师）Katie Lear. “Particularly for parents who work from home, it can be hard to justify hiring a caregiver or paying for daycare. And yet children need to be able to keep themselves occupied during important work calls. Turning on the TV can buy the parent some valuable time during what can be a very tiring day."
If affordable childcare wasn't just a daydream, if the system we have wasn't dependent on two incomes, if parents could actually afford not to work 50+ hours a week, if childcare centers could afford to pay their workers a desirable wage, then maybe, we'd see screen time decrease instead of increase. We know our kids should be interacting with something other than You Tube videos and flash games for hours a week. But before we fix our broken system and before affordable, quality childcare becomes a reality, parents and caregivers are going to do whatever they can to make it, and that includes using screens as passive childcare.
1.Why do parents allow their children to spend much time on screens?
A.To please their children.
B.To make up the lack of quality childcare.
C.To attract kids' attention to classes online.
D.To help children learn about necessary technology.
2.What do the statistics in Paragraph 2 indicate?
A.Childcare workers have high income.
B.Childcare centers are popular in America.
C.Childcare is a heavy burden for parents.
D.Childcare is supported by local government.
3.Why is Lear mentioned in the text?
A.To uncover the reason for screen time as childcare.
B.To prove the advantages of adopting c-products.
C.To present the ways of parents' improving childcare.
D.To explain the benefits of hiring a caregiver.
4.What's the key in reducing children's screen time?
A.Enough company time. B.High income in the family.
C.Turning off the TV. D.Hiring a caregiver.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
An Australian-Chinese woman was asked to leave China within a specified period of time by Beijing police， with her work-related residence permit canceled ______ the Chinese Exit and Entry Administration Law.
A.in favor of B.inline with C.in recognition of D.in honor of
高三英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
In today’s society , language plays a key role in defining gender (性别) by vocabulary, and also their non-verbal (非语言的) vocabulary. Each one of these different types of ways of communicating is obviously different between men and women.
Many different studies show that men tend to talk much more than women. It has also been proven that women tend to speak faster than men; this is due to the fact that women tend to be interrupted more often than men are, and also have the ability to speak more clearly, precisely, and more quickly than men. In one study it was found that women spoke for an average of three minutes describing a painting, as opposed to the thirteen-minute average it took men to describe it.
Men and women also tend to have a very different non-verbal way of communicating, which can also make it very hard for one another to understand what the opposite sex is trying to say. Men’s body language is much more reserved when talking to women. Men tend not to make as much eye contact and they generally stay farther away from women when talking to them. Men avoid other people’s body space while talking, and they also tend to sit back when talking. All of these have given off the impression of disinterest or boredom. Women are by far better listeners and much more enjoyable to talk with and they tend to raise more topics for conversation.
Women also make it clearer whether or not the conversation is going somewhere or just stuck in neutral. After learning about our styles of communicating with each other, I have decided that although men have not quite mastered communicating, what fun would it be if we all spoke the same “language”? The little games men and women play with each other while conversing would be lost. The question everyone asks himself or herself after talking with someone of the opposite sex, “I wonder if there’s something there?” would no longer exist.
1.What does the underlined word “this”in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. The differences between men’s and women’s languages.
B. The different speed of men’s and women’s speech.
C. The ability of men’s and women’s spoken language.
D. The non-verbal vocabulary of men and women.
2.In what way do men and women differ according to the third paragraph?
A. Speed of understanding.
B. Understanding of speech roles.
C. Politeness of communication.
D. Application of body language.
3.What is the author’s attitude to the differences between men’s and women’s communication?
A. Cautious.
B. Favorable.
C. Ambiguous.
D. Skeptical.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Women , born excellent talkers
B. Men’s and women’s social roles
C. Vocabulary and communication
D. Opposite gender, different language
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours (绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the way most people do：the fastest，shortest，easiest road，especially when I was alone with four noisy，restless kids who hate confinement (限制) and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky，so I would drive fast，stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner，our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices：leave Banner with my husband，or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids，a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour，let Banner shake out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They’d get back in the car breathless and energized，smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads，catching grasshoppers in waisthigh grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother，or fish leaping out of the water，it was better than the best ride down the freeway.Here was life.And new horizons (见识)．
We eventually arrived at my parents’ doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique.On an empty section of road，everyone started quarreling.I stopped the car，ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead.I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight.But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey－and the best part of yourself.
1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents’home?
A．It was less tiring.
B．It would be faster and safer.
C．Her kids would feel less confined.
D．She felt better with other drivers nearby.
2.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to________.
A．relax in the fresh air
B．take a deep breath
C．take care of the lamb
D．let the kids play with Banner
3.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6?
A．Freeways are where beauty hides.
B．Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life.
C．Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one’s health.
D．One should follow side roads to watch wild animals.
4.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?
A．To give herself some time to read.
B．To order some food for them.
C．To play a game with them.
D．To let them cool down.
5.What could be the best title for the passage?
A．Charm of the Detour
B．The Road to Bravery
C．Creativity out of Necessity
D．Road Trip and Country Life
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours (绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents' home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hates confinement (限制) and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They'd get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons.
We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey-and the best part of yourself.
1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents' home?
A.It was less tiring.
B.It would be faster and safer.
C.Her kids would feel less confined.
D.She felt better with other drivers nearby.
2.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6?
A.Freeways are where beauty hides.
B.Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life
C.Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one's health
D.One should follow side roads to watch wild animals
3.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?
A.To give herself some time to read.
B.To order some food for them.
C.To play a game with them.
D.To let them cool down.
4.What could be the best title for the passage?
A.Charm of the Detour
B.The Road to Bravery
C.Creativity out of Necessity
D.Road trip and Country Life
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours (绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement (限制) and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They’d get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons (见识).
We eventually arrived at my parents’ doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey—and the best part of yourself.
1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents’ home?
A．It was less tiring.
B．It would be faster and safer.
C．Her kids would feel less confined.
D．She felt better with other drivers nearby.
2.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to _____.
A. relax in the fresh air
B. take a deep breath
C. take care of the lamb
C. let the kids play with Banner.
3.What does the author discover from the trio according to Paragraph 6?
A．Freeways are where beauty hides.
B．Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life.
C．Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one’s health.
D．One should follow side roads to watch wild animals.
4.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?
A．To give herself some time to read.
B．To order some food for them.
C．To play a game with them.
D．To let them cool down.
5.What could be the best title for the passage?
A．Charm of the Detour
B．The Road to Bravery
C．Creativity out of Necessity
D．Road Trip and Country Life
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours(绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents' home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement(限制) and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky，so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They'd get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist－high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons(见识)．
We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of journey—and the best part of yourself.
1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents' home?
A．It was less tiring.
B．It would be faster and safer.
C．Her kids would feel less confined.
D．She felt better with other drivers nearby.
2.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to ________．
A．relax in the fresh air
B．take a deep breath
C．take care of the lamb
D．let the kids play with Banner
3.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?
A．To give herself some time to read.
B．To order some food for them.
C．To play a game with them.
D．To let them cool down.
4.What could be the best title for the passage?
A．Charm of the Detour
B．The Road to Bravery
C．Creativity out of Necessity
D．Road Trip and Country Life
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In a country that defines itself by ideals, not by shared blood, who should be allowed to come to work and live here? In the wake of the Sept．11 attacks these questions have never seemed more pressing．
On Dec．11, 2001, as part of the effort to increase homeland security, federal and local authorities in 14 states staged “Operation Safe Travel”---raids on airports to arrest employees with false identification．In Salt Lake City there were 69 arrests．But those captures were anything but terrorists, most of them illegal immigrants from Central or South America．Authorities said the undocumented workers’ illegal status made them open to blackmail（讹诈）by terrorists．
Many immigrants in Salt Lake City were angered by the arrests and said they felt as if they were being treated like disposable goods．Mayor Anderson said those feelings were justified to a certain extent．“We’re saying we want you to work in these places, we’re going to look the other way in terms of what our laws are, and then when it’s convenient for us, or when we can try to make a point in terms of national security, especially after Sept．11, then you’re disposable．They are whole families being uprooted for all of the wrong reasons,” Anderson said．
If Sept．11 had never happened, the airport workers would not have been arrested and could have gone on quietly living in America, probably indefinitely．Ana Castro, a manager at a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop at the airport had been working 10 years with the same false Social Security card when she was arrested in the December airport raid．Now she and her family are living under the threat of deportation（驱逐出境）．Castro’s case is currently waiting to be settled．While she awaits the outcome, the government has granted her permission to work here and she has returned to her job at Ben & Jerry’s．
1.How did the immigrants in Salt Lake City feel about “Operation Safe Travel”?
| A．Guilty | B．Offended | C．Disappointed | D．Discouraged |
2.Undocumented workers became the target of “Operation Safe Travel” because ____．
| A．evidence was found that they were potential terrorists |
| B．most of them worked at airports under threat of terrorists |
| C．terrorists might take advantage of their illegal status |
| D．they were reportedly helping hide terrorists around the airport |
3.By saying “…we’re going to look the other way in terms of what our laws are”, Mayor Anderson means “______”．
| A．there are other ways of enforcing the law |
| B．we will examine the laws in a different way |
| C．we will turn a blind eye to your illegal status |
| D．the existing laws must not be ignored |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析