Until decades ago, our visions of the future were largely positive. We thought science and technology would cure all the ills of humanity, leading to lives of fulfillment and opportunity for all. However, as we have gained a deeper appreciation of the range of threats facing us, from epidemic (流行病) flu to climate change, we might even tend to assume that humanity has little future to look forward to.
Yet such depression is misplaced. The fossil record shows that many species have existed for millions of years—so why shouldn’t we? Take a look at our species in the universe, and it becomes clear we have an excellent chance of surviving for tens of thousands of years. Look up Homo sapiens (智人) in the “Red List” of threatened species of the International Union for the Conversation of Nature (IUCN), and you will read: “Listed as Least Concern because the species is widely distributed, adaptable, currently increasing, and there are no major threats resulting in an overall population decline.”
So what does our deep future hold? Many researchers and organizations are now thinking seriously about the question. The potential evolution of today’s technology is complicated, so it’s perhaps best left to science fiction writers and futurologists to explore the possibilities of the bright future.
Our future is quite rosy because it shows many promising possibilities of achievement. Besides, we are now knowledgeable enough to reduce risks that threatened the existence of earlier humans and to improve those to come. Take a longer view and we can say with considerable assurance that the past holds the key to the future: by analyzing the past, we can make evidence-based forecasts about the situations in which our descendants (后代) will find themselves.
1.According to the passage, what inspired our visions of the future in the past?
A.The desire for lives of fulfillment. B.The belief in equal opportunity.
C.The deep appreciation of threats. D.The faith in science and technology.
2.What can we know about human beings according to IUCN’s “Red List”?
A.They control the world’s development.
B.They severely threaten the environment.
C.They are strong enough to continue existing.
D.Their overall population will decrease.
3.What does the underlined word “rosy” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A.Dangerous. B.Annoying.
C.Hopeful. D.Undisturbed.
4.What should we do to ensure the future of mankind?
A.Explore our planet’s abundant resources.
B.Draw upon our experience from the past.
C.Build our ambition to reshape history.
D.Increase the population of the world.
5.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A.The Bright and Promising Future of Mankind
B.Science and Technology Connected with Humans
C.The Fully and Highly Evolved Human Species
D.Different Researches Conducted on Our Future
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Until decades ago, our visions of the future were largely positive. We thought science and technology would cure all the ills of humanity, leading to lives of fulfillment and opportunity for all. However, as we have gained a deeper appreciation of the range of threats facing us, from epidemic (流行病) flu to climate change, we might even tend to assume that humanity has little future to look forward to.
Yet such depression is misplaced. The fossil record shows that many species have existed for millions of years—so why shouldn’t we? Take a look at our species in the universe, and it becomes clear we have an excellent chance of surviving for tens of thousands of years. Look up Homo sapiens (智人) in the “Red List” of threatened species of the International Union for the Conversation of Nature (IUCN), and you will read: “Listed as Least Concern because the species is widely distributed, adaptable, currently increasing, and there are no major threats resulting in an overall population decline.”
So what does our deep future hold? Many researchers and organizations are now thinking seriously about the question. The potential evolution of today’s technology is complicated, so it’s perhaps best left to science fiction writers and futurologists to explore the possibilities of the bright future.
Our future is quite rosy because it shows many promising possibilities of achievement. Besides, we are now knowledgeable enough to reduce risks that threatened the existence of earlier humans and to improve those to come. Take a longer view and we can say with considerable assurance that the past holds the key to the future: by analyzing the past, we can make evidence-based forecasts about the situations in which our descendants (后代) will find themselves.
1.According to the passage, what inspired our visions of the future in the past?
A.The desire for lives of fulfillment. B.The belief in equal opportunity.
C.The deep appreciation of threats. D.The faith in science and technology.
2.What can we know about human beings according to IUCN’s “Red List”?
A.They control the world’s development.
B.They severely threaten the environment.
C.They are strong enough to continue existing.
D.Their overall population will decrease.
3.What does the underlined word “rosy” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A.Dangerous. B.Annoying.
C.Hopeful. D.Undisturbed.
4.What should we do to ensure the future of mankind?
A.Explore our planet’s abundant resources.
B.Draw upon our experience from the past.
C.Build our ambition to reshape history.
D.Increase the population of the world.
5.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A.The Bright and Promising Future of Mankind
B.Science and Technology Connected with Humans
C.The Fully and Highly Evolved Human Species
D.Different Researches Conducted on Our Future
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Ten years ago the population of our village was ______ that of theirs.
A. as twice large as B. twice as large as
C. twice as much as D. as twice much as
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Large quantities of oil _____to Japan since one year ago.
A.was shipped B.has been shipped C.were shipped D.have been shipped
高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
Although the size of the overall new vehicle market is larger than it was a decade ago, the size of Canada's midsize car market has been fallen to half. With figures in October, 2019 from Global Automakers of Canada look at their current state.
Ford Fusion: 7 280 sales, up 16 percent
Fusion sales reduced 15 percent in 2015, 9 percent in 2016,33 percent in 2017 and 27 percent in 2018. As Ford clears out the departing Fusion in 2019, sales are rising. Between the Fusion's 20 145-unit peak in2013 and 2018, the former best-seller took a 65-percent dive.
Toyota Camry: 11 579 sales, up 4 percent
When the Camry took over from the Ford Fusion as Canada's top-selling midsize car in 2012, the Camry's market share was little more than half as strong as it is now. Yet while Toyota sold 18 203 Camrys that year (far from the 28 218 that were sold five years earlier). Toyota will find 15 000 buyers in 2019, with a little help from the daily rental market.
Honda Accord: 9 089 sales, down 13 percent
The Accord is, by modern standards, a popular midsize car. But this 10th-generation car is a far cry from the Accord that led the market with 25 814 sales in 2004. Honda is not likely to sell half so many Accords in Canada in 2019, although the car's market share has grown from the 13 percent it held in 2010
Chevrolet Malibu: 4 674 sales, down 14 percent
The Malibu had continuous improvements in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. But after reporting 11 503 Malibu sales in 2016, GM Canada sold 29 per cent fewer in 2017 and then posted an 18-percent Malibu drop in 2018. Demand is weakening further in 2019.
1.Which car has the biggest rate of change in 2019?
A.Ford Fusion. B.Toyota Camry.
C.Honda Accord. D.Chevrolet Malibu.
2.What helps Toyota Camry sell the most cars?
A.Its strong structure. B.Its popular midsize.
C.The most market share. D.The flexible market policy.
3.What do the four cars have in common?
A.Sales are not optimistic in 2019. B.Sales trends are not what they used to be.
C.New generations will improve car sales. D.These data are from all over the world.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Four decades ago a group of college students visited the mountains of Borneo to examine moth (蛾) populations. Now a team of British scientists, including a member of the original trip, has returned to the same sites to repeat the survey. They have found that, due to rising temperatures, the insects now live 68 meters higher.
Global warming is forcing tropical (热带的) species uphill to escape the rising temperatures at a rate of nearly 2 meters a year, the new study from Borneo suggests.
Since this was the only chance to repeat the original survey, the scientist did everything they could to do it exactly the same way, going at the same time of year, in July and August, using photographs to find the exact original sites of the moth traps.
"While this is the first study of insects, a few other studies of tropical species are starting to appear," said Thomas. "If you look across all those studies, you’ll find the same results, and it’s extremely difficult to think of any other explanation for them."
While some species might survive by finding places on the mountains with temperatures similar to those of their original habitats, others may run out of habitat on the rocky peaks, warns the study.
In a paper in the journal Naturein 2004, Thomas and 13 other experts analyzed the habitats of 1,100 species on five continents, and estimated that on average one quarter were at risk of extinction.
Last year a paper published in the Public Library of Science in the US warned that the risk of extinction in the tropics was becoming more and more serious. The authors, Jana and Steven Vamosi, estimated that 20-45% of tropical species were at risk of extinction.
1.If the temperature continues to rise at the same rate for ten years, the insects will live about ______.
A．6.8 meters higher B．19 meters higher
C．34 meters higher D．68 meters higher
2.What’s the problem for some species moving up mountains?
A．There’ll be too little space.
B．The temperature will be much too low.
C．They will be at greater risk of extinction.
D．They’ll find it hard to adapt to the environment.
3.We can learn from the passage that ______.
A．this survey of moths has been carried out many times
B．some scientists have put forward other explanations for the results
C．scientists tried to repeat the original survey
D．20-45% of tropical species were estimated to be at risk of extinction in 2004
4.Which of the following has been mainly discussed in the passage?
A．Climate change forcing moths higher.
B．Protecting moths from extinction.
C．How to research tropical moths.
D．How to study moths living on mountains.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
A ship that sank off the coast of California decades ago was recently reconstructed in detail. The 3D digital model even included hundreds of sponges (海绵动物) that have gathered on the ship’s surface since it sank.
Named American Heritage, the supply ship sank in Santa Monica Bay on May 4, 1995, and for decades its exact location was unknown. Researchers with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) spotted a strange shape in that area in 2008. But it wasn’t until May 2018 that MBARI scientists identified its exact location and mapped the site in detail, showing what appeared to be a shipwreck (失事船只).
Even then, the identity of the shipwreck was uncertain. Yet another MBARI team revisited the location to do further exploration. They sent remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and took photos of the damaged ship. Though it was covered with deep-sea sponges and other animals, the scientists were able to spot letters spelling out its name, confirming that the shipwreck was American Heritage.
As one of the MBARI scientists who found American Heritage, chief ROV pilot Knute Brekke had worked on the ship before. And he was on duty with the diving company American Pacific Marine — the owner of American Heritage — the night the ship began taking in water and eventually sank.
MBARI spokesperson Kim Fulton -Bennett said to Live Science about the discovery, “The model is not complete, as floating ropes and poor visibility kept the pilots from getting too close to the wreck. But the 3D reconstruction is detailed enough to show that American Heritage is now home to thousands of sponges. Shipwrecks often turn into the shelter for diverse communities of ocean life.”
1.What is the main idea of the text?
A.A valuable treasure was discovered.
B.Special sponges were found under sea.
C.3D model reconstructed a sunken ship.
D.A sunken ship was gotten out of water.
2.Which is the right order of the following events?
① Something strange was found in the area.
② ROVs were sent under sea to take photos.
③ A ship sank in Santa Monica Bay.
④ The identity of the ship was confirmed.
⑤ Scientists tried to locate the shipwreck.
A.②③⑤④① B.③①⑤②④
C.⑤③①④② D.④③①②⑤
3.What can we learn about Knute Brekke?
A.He was familiar with the sunken ship.
B.He was in charge of a diving company.
C.He was responsible for the rescue work.
D.He was the first one to witness the accident.
4.What’s Kim Fulton-Bennett’s attitude towards the 3D model?
A.Critical. B.Doubtful. C.Amazed. D.Objective.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
More than four decades ago British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that ground-breaking moment, more than four million babies have been born through IVF and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine.
The prize for Dr. Edwards, who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008, includes a £900,000 check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as a “milestone in modern medicine”.
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, the Manchester-born physiologist developed IVF - leading to the birth of the world’s first test tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has transformed fertility treatment and given hope to millions of couples.
It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed the lives of millions of couples. They said: “His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a disease which makes human unable to have a baby. This disease has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10% of all couples worldwide.”
Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby, made international headlines when she was born in Oldham, Manchester, in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.
IVF-----in-vitro fertilization is the process whereby egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb. After a cycle of IVF, the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five—the same as healthy couples who conceive naturally.
Professor Edwards, who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren, began his research at Cambridge University in 1963, after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said: “The most important thing in life is having a child. Nothing is more special than a child.” With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall clinic in Cambridge shire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain now undergo IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists and the Catholic Church who said it was “unethical and immoral”.
Martin Johnson, professor of reproductive sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said: “We couldn’t understand why the Nobel has come so late but he is delighted - this is the cherry on the cake for him.”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was “thrilled and delighted”.
1.What is Robert Edwards’ contribution to science?
A. Enabling millions of couples to live a better life.
B. Seeing the wonder of the first tube baby growing
C. Helping couples with infertility to have tube babies.
D. Challenging a disease which stops human having a baby.
2.What does the underlined word “afflicting”(Paragraph 4)most probably refer to?
A. Troubling B. Developing
C. Improving D. Confusing
3.Why did Professor Edwards begin his research on tube baby?
A. Because he thought it of great significance to have a child in life.
B. Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then.
C. Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family.
D. Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples.
4.It can be inferred from Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 9 that ___________.
A. Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough.
B. different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards’ achievement.
C. some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded.
D. the prize was late because the finding was first considered immoral.
5.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. Life Stories of Robert Edwards
B. Preparations for Having a Baby
C. Nobel Prize for IVF Expert Edwards
D. Treatment of Infertility in a Lab
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
More than four decades ago, British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that ground－breaking moment, more than four million babies have been born through IVF(体外受精) and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
The prize for Dr. Edwards, who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008, includes a ￡900，000 cheque. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as “a milestone in modern medicine”.
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, the Manchester－born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world's first test tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has transformed fertility(生育) treatment and given hope to millions of couples.
It was a scientific breakthrough that changed the lives of millions of couples. They said, “His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a disease which makes humans unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind, including more than 10% of all couples worldwide.”
Professor Edwards, who has 5 daughters and 11 grandchildren, began his research at Cambridge University in 1963, after receiving his PhD in 1955.He once said, “The most important thing in life is having a child. Nothing is more special than a child.” With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall clinic in Cambridgeshire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30, 000 women in Britain now undergo IVF and 11，000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists and the Catholic Church who said it was “unethical and immoral”.
Martin Johnson, professor of reproductive(生殖的) sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said, “We couldn't understand why the Nobel has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him.”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was “thrilled and delighted”.
1.What is Robert Edwards' contribution to science?
A. Challenging a disease which stops couples having a baby.
B. Seeing the wonder of the first tube baby growing.
C. Enabling millions of couples to live a better life.
D. Helping couples with infertility to have test tube babies.
2.What does the underlined word “afflicting” in Paragraph 4 most probably refer to?
A. Troubling. B. Developing.
C. Improving. D. Frightening.
3.It can be inferred from Paragraph 6 and Paragraph 7 that ________.
A. some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded
B. different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards' work
C. Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough
D. the prize was late because the finding was first considered immoral
4.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. Life Stories of Robert Edwards
B. Preparations for Having a Baby
C. Nobel Prize for IVF Expert Edwards
D. Treatment of Infertility in a Lab
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
More than four decades ago British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that ground-breaking moment, more than four million babies have been born through IVF and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine.
The prize for Dr. Edwards, who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008, includes a £900,000 check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as a “milestone in modern medicine”.
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, the Manchester-born physiologist developed IVF - leading to the birth of the world’s first test tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has transformed fertility treatment and given hope to millions of couples.
It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed the lives of millions of couples. They said: “His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a disease which makes human unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10% of all couples worldwide.”
Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby, made international headlines when she was born in Oldham, Gtr Manchester, in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.
Ivf-in-vitro fertilization is the process whereby egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb. After a cycle of IVF, the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five—the same as healthy couples who conceive naturally.
Professor Edwards, who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren, began his research at Cambridge University in 1963, after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said: “The most important thing in life is having a child. Nothing is more special than a child.” With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall clinic in Cambridge shire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain now undergo IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists and the Catholic Church who said it was “unethical and immoral”.
Martin Johnson, professor of reproductive sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said: “We couldn’t understand why the Nobel has come so late but he is delighted - this is the cherry on the cake for him.”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was “thrilled and delighted”.
1.What is Robert Edwards’ contribution to science?
A. Enabling millions of couples to live a better life.
B. Seeing the wonder of the first tube baby growing
C. Helping couples with infertility to have tube babies.
D. Challenging a disease which stops human having a baby.
2.What does the underlined word “afflicting”(Paragraph 4)most probably refer to?
A. Troubling B. Developing
C. Improving D. Confusing
3.Why did Professor Edwards begin his research on tube baby?
A. Because he thought it of great significance to have a child in life.
B. Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then.
C. Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family.
D. Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples.
4.It can be inferred from Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 9 that ___________.
A. Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough.
B. different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards’ finding.
C. some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded.
D. the prize was late because the finding was first considered immoral.
5.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. Life Stories of Robert Edwards
B. Preparations for Having a Baby
C. Nobel Prize for IVF Expert Edwards
D. Treatment of Infertility in a Lab
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
More than four decades ago British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that ground-breaking moment, more than four million babies have been born through IVF and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine.
The prize for Dr. Edwards, who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008, includes a £900,000 check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as a “milestone in modern medicine”.
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, the Manchester-born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world’s first test tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has transformed fertility treatment and given hope to millions of couples.
It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed the lives of millions of couples. They said: “His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a disease which makes human unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10% of all couples worldwide.”
Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby, made international headlines when she was born in Oldham, Gtr Manchester, in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.
Ivf-in-vitro fertilization is the process whereby egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb. After a cycle of IVF, the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five—the same as healthy couples who conceive naturally.
Professor Edwards, who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren, began his research at Cambridge University in 1963, after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said: “The most important thing in life is having a child. Nothing is more special than a child.” With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall clinic in Cambridge shire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain now undergo IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists and the Catholic Church who said it was “unethical and immoral”.
Martin Johnson, professor of reproductive sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said: “We couldn’t understand why the Nobel has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him.”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was “thrilled and delighted”.
1.What is Robert Edwards’ contribution to science?
A. Enabling millions of couples to live a better life.
B. Helping couples with infertility to have tube babies.
C. Seeing the wonder of the first tube baby growing
D. Challenging a disease which stops human having a baby.
2.Why did Professor Edwards begin his research on tube baby?
A. Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family.
B. Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then.
C. Because he thought it of great significance to have a child in life.
D. Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples.
3.It can be inferred from Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 9 that ________.
A. Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough
B. different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards’ finding
C. some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded
D. the prize was late because the finding was first considered immoral
4.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. Life Stories of Robert Edwards
B. Preparations for Having a Baby
C. Nobel Prize for IVF Expert Edwards
D. Treatment of Infertility in a Lab
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析