2020年高考英语阅读理解专项训练10 议论文练习

1

We may think we're a culture that gets rid of our worn technology at the first sight of something shiny and new，but a new study shows that we keep using our old devices(装置) well after they go out of style. That’s bad news for the environment — and our wallets — as these outdated devices consume much more energy than the newer ones that do the same things.

To figure out how much power these devices are using，Callie Babbitt and her colleagues at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York tracked the environmental costs for each product throughout its life — from when its minerals are mined to when we stop using the device. This method provided a readout for how home energy use has evolved since the early 1990s. Devices were grouped by generation. Desktop computers，basic mobile phones，and box-set TVs defined 1992. Digital cameras arrived on the scene in 1997. And MP3 players， smart phones， and LCD TVs entered homes in 2002，before tablets and e-readers showed up in 2007.

As we accumulated more devices，however，we didn't throw out our old ones. \"The living-room television is replaced and gets planted in the kids' room， and suddenly one day， you have a TV in every room of the house，\" said one researcher. The average number of electronic devices rose from four per household in 1992 to 13 in 2007. We're not just keeping these old devices — we continue to use them. According to the analysis of Babbitt's team， old desktop monitors and box TVs with cathode ray tubes are the worst devices with their energy consumption and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions（排放）more than doubling during the 1992 to 2007 window.

So what's the solution（解决方案）? The team's data only went up to 2007， but the researchers also explored what would happen if consumers replaced old products with new electronics that serve more than one function， such as a tablet for word processing and TV viewing. They found that more on-demand entertainment viewing on tablets instead of TVs and desktop computers could cut energy consumption by 44%. 32. What does the author think of new devices?

A. They are environment-friendly. C. They cost more to use at home. 33. Why did Babbitt's team conduct the research?

A. To reduce the cost of minerals. B. To test the life cycle of a product. C. To update consumers on new technology. D. To find out electricity consumption of the devices. 34. Which of the following uses the least energy?

A. The box-set TV. B. The tablet.

B. They are no better than the old. D. They go out of style quickly.

C. The LCD TV. D. The desktop computer.

35. What does the text suggest people do about old electronic devices?

A. Stop using them. C. Upgrade them.

B. Take them apart. D. Recycle them.

2

The possibility of self-driving robot cars has often seemed like a futurist’s dream, years away from coming into reality in the real world. Well, the future is apparently now. The California Department of Motor Vehicles began giving permits in April for companies to test truly self-driving cars on public roads. The state also cleared the way for companies to sell or rent out self-driving cars, and for companies to operate driverless taxi services. California, it should be noted, isn't leading the way here. Companies have been testing their cars in cities across the country. It's hard to predict when driverless cars will be everywhere on our roads. But however long it takes, the technology may change our transportation systems and our cities, for better or for worse, depending on how the transformation is managed.

While much of the debate so far has been focused on the safety of driverless cars, policymakers should be talking more about how self-driving cars can help reduce traffic jams, cut emissions(排放)and offer more convenient and affordable choices to move around. The arrival of driverless cars is a chance to make sure that those cars are environmentally friendly and more shared.

Do we want to copy or even worsen the traffic of today with driverless cars? Imagine a future where most adults own their self-driving cars. They accept long, slow journeys to and from work on crowded highways because they can work, entertain themselves or sleep on the ride. They take their driverless car to a date and set the empty car to circle the building to avoid paying for parking. Instead of walking a few blocks to pick up a child or the dry cleaning, they send the self-driving minibus. The convenience even leads fewer people to take public transport — an unwelcome side effect researchers have already found in ride-hailing(网约车)services. Policymakers should start thinking now about how to make sure the appearance of driverless cars doesn't worsen the transportation system we have today. The coming technological development presents a chance for cities and states to develop transportation systems designed to move more people, and more affordably. The car of the future is coming. We just have to plan for it. 1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A. Self-driving cars are not allowed in the real world.

B. Driverless taxies will be seen everywhere on the road in a short term. C. California is not alone in testing driverless cars.

D. Self-driving technology will definitely benefit transportation system. 2.According to the author, policymakers should pay more attention to __________.

A. how driverless cars can help deal with transportation-related problems B. how driverless cars can travel safely C. how driverless cars can travel faster D. how driverless cars can move more people 3.What is a possible side effect of self-driving cars?

A. Journeys to and from work become longer.

B. More and more people abandon public transportation. C. There is no place to park them. D. They may result in traffic jams. 4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A. Preparing Cities for Robot Cars B. Future Technology Underway C. Transportation System in the Future D. Robot Cars on the Road

3

I log onto a computer at the doctor's office to say I have arrived and then wait until a voice calls me into the examination room.

There, a robotic nurse directs me onto a device and then takes my blood pressure. Some time later, in steps the doctor, who is also a robot. He notes down my symptoms and gives me a prescription (处方). I pay for my visit using a credit card machine and return home without having met another human being.

When I call my dentist's office and actually get a human being on the line, I am thrilled. And when I see the introduction of yet more self-service checkout stations at the grocery store, I feel like shouting, \"When it comes to cashiers, make mine human, please!\"

After all, human cashiers sometimes give you a store coupon (优惠券) for items you are buying. Even more than that, real-life cashiers often take an interest in particularly cute children, which can brighten a young mother's day. A cashier may also show compassion (同情)for an elderly person struggling to get that last penny out of her purse.

What technological device would do any of this? I don't want to go back to the Stone Age, but I'm also worried about a world run by machines. Sometimes when you're chatting with someone, you discover things you need to know. Maybe a receptionist needs prayers said for a sick child. Maybe a salesperson can offer a bit of encouragement to a customer who is feeling tired.

Machines can be efficient and cost-effective and they often get the job done just fine. But they lack an element so important to everyday life.

Call it the spirit, the soul or the heart. It is something no machine will ever have. It is being human that prompts us to

smile at others, which may be what they need at that moment. 1.What's the author's purpose in writing the first two paragraphs?

A．To indicate high technology can make our future life very easy B．To describe a possible future scene where robots take control of our life C．To warn readers of the possible dangers of robotic nurses and doctors D．To predict how technology can affect the way we see a doctoring the future 2.Why does the author prefer being served by humans rather than by robots?

A．Robots are indifferent and emotionless B．Robots can't provide efficient services C．Robots don't offer to give store coupons D．Robots are unable to do a job as well as humans 3.What's the author's attitude towards machines?

A．He wishes one day they would come to life B．He is absolutely against their existence in his life C．He doesn't like they get involved in his life too much D．He is afraid they would take the place of human beings

4

After years of heated debate, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park．Fourteen wolves were caught in Canada and transported to the park．By last year, the Yellowstone wolf population had grown to more than 170 wolves．

Gray wolves once were seen here and there in the Yellowstone area and much of the continental United States, but they were gradually displaced by human development．By the 1920s, wolves had practically disappeared from the Yellowstone area．They went farther north into the deep forests of Canada, where there were fewer humans around．

The disappearance of the wolves had many unexpected results. Deer and elk populations — major food sources (来源) for the wolf – grew rapidly. These animals consumed large amounts of vegetation (植被), which reduced plant diversity in the park. In the absence of wolves, coyote populations also grew quickly. The coyotes killed a large percentage of the park’ s red foxes, and completely drove away the park’ s beavers．

As early as 1966,biologists asked the government to consider reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone Park．They hoped that wolves would be able to control the elk and coyote problems．Many farmers opposed the plan because they feared that wolves would kill their farm animals or pets．

The government spent nearly 30 years coming up with a plan to reintroduce the wolvers. The U．S．Fish and Wildlife

Service carefully monitors and manages the wolf packs in Yellowstone．Today，the debate continues over how well the gray wolf is fitting in at Yellowstone．Elk，deer，and coyote populations are down，while beavers and red foxes have made a comeback．The Yellowstone wolf project has been a valuable experiment to help biologists decide whether to reintroduce wolves to other parts of the country as well． 28．What is the text mainly about?

A．Wildlife research in the United States． B．Plant diversity in the Yellowstone area． C．The conflict between farmers and gray wolves． D．The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park． 29．What does the underlined word “displaced” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Tested．

B．Separated．

C．Forced out．

D．Tracked down．

30．What did the disappearance of gray wolves bring about？

A．Damage to local ecology. B．A decline in the park’s income． C．Preservation of vegetation. D．An increase in the variety of animals． 31．What is the author’s attitude towards the Yellowstone wolf project？

A．Doubtful. B．Positive. C．Disapproving. D．Uncaring．

5

More students than ever before are taking a gap-year (间隔年)before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated(起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.

This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).

That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible,” he said.

But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student had ship – young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to ￡15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and More students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term-time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.

29.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?

A. It is flexible in length. B. It is a time for relaxation. C. It is increasingly popular. D. It is required by universities. 30.According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year______.

A. are better prepared for college studies B. know a lot more about their future jobs C. are more likely to leave university in debt D. have a better chance to enter top universities

31.How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?

A. He’s puzzled. B. He’s worried. C. He’s surprised. D. He’s annoyed.

32.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?

A. Attend additional courses. B. Make plans for the new term. C. Earn money for their education. D. Prepare for their graduate studies.

6

A typical lion tamer(驯兽师) in people's mind is an entertainer holding a whip(鞭) and a chair． The whip gets all of the attention， but it's mostly for show． In reality， it's the chair that does the important work． When a lion tamer holds a chair in front of the lion's face， the lion tries to focus on all four legs of the chair at the same time． With its focus divided， the lion becomes confused and is unsure about what to do next． When faced with so many options， the lion chooses to freeze and wait instead of attacking the man holding the chair．

How often do you find yourself in the same position as the lion? How often do you have something you want to achieve (e．g． lose weight， start a business， travel more) — only to end up confused by all of the options in front of you and never make progress?

This upsets me to no end because while all the experts are busy debating about which option is best， the people who want to improve their lives are left confused by all of the conflicting information． The end result is that we feel like we can't focus or that we're focused on the wrong things， and so we take less action， make less progress， and stay the same when we could be improving．

It doesn't have to be that way． Anytime you find the world waving a chair in your face， remember this： All you need to do is focus on one thing． You just need to get started． Starting before you feel ready is one of the habits of successful people． If you have somewhere you want to go， something you want to accomplish， someone you want to become．．．take immediate action． If you're clear about where you want to go， the rest of the world will either help

you get there or get out of the way． 28．Why does the lion tamer use a chair?

A．To show off his skills． C．To get ready for a fight．

B．To trick the lion．

D．To entertain the audience．

29．In what sense are people similar to a lion facing a chair?

A．They feel puzzled over choices． C．They find it hard to make changed．

B．They hold on to the wrong things．

D．They have to do something for show．

30．What is the author’s attitude towards the experts mentioned in Paragraph 3?

A．Tolerant．

B．Doubtful． C．Respectful．

D．Supportive．

31．When the world is “waving a chair in your face”, you’re advised to _______．

A．wait for a better chance C．make a quick decision 参

1. CBDC 2. CABA 3. BAC 4.DCAB 5.CABC 6. AABC

B．break your old habits D．ask for clear guidance