第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分50分)

第一节(共15小题;每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

A

Discover the New Horizon Art Exhibition Hall

Step into a world where modern literature and visual art come together at the New Horizon Art Exhibition Hall, now open to the public. Our latest exhibition, which opened just on 2nd April, celebrates the creative works of contemporary writers through an inspiring collection of paintings, sculptures, digital art, and interactive equipment. Each piece in the exhibition is uniquely influenced by the literary worlds of well-known modern authors, offering visitors a journey through both visual and written art.

Exhibition Hours

The exhibition is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. It will be available for viewing until the end of the month.

Making an Appointment

For a more personalized experience, we recommend booking your visit in advance through our website at www.newhorizonart.com. While walk-ins are welcome, scheduling your appointment ahead of time guarantees priority access.

Ticket Prices

·Adults: $20

·Students & Seniors: $12

·Children under 12: Free

Additional Information

·Please note that photography is not permitted inside the exhibition.

• Enjoy refreshments at our café or pick up a unique souvenir(纪念品)from our gift shop.

·Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to ensure a smooth experience.

21. What might be a characteristic of the latest exhibition?

A. It combines literature with art.               B. It highlights digital art technology.

C. It displays signatures of authors.             D. It features creative writing workshops.

22. What is advised for a more tailored visit to the exhibition?

A. A walk-in visit.       B. Advance booking.

C. A guided tour.        D. Souvenir purchasing.

23. What is prohibited during the exhibition?

A. Bringing children under 12.     B. Using interactive equipment.

C. Photographing inside the venue.    D. Enjoying refreshments in the café.

B

It’s been quite a while since the world saw exactly how deadly these deep-sea voyages can be. On June 18,2023, the private submersible Titan carried five men on a mission to view the remains of the Titanic, which is about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. The dive was expected to take a few hours and reach a depth of more than 12,000 feet. But 105minutes after the Titan went down below the waves, it lost contact.

The U. S. and Canadian Coast Guards and the U. S. Navy were called in for a desperate search to rescue the passengers, only to discover the Titan had collapsed inward with no survivors. The disaster dominated global news for weeks, touching off debates: Are human-led deep-sea missions worth their risks and costs?

On social media, some expressed sympathy, while others opposed the effort. Critics labeled the passengers “risk-takers” or “senseless,” and journalists strongly criticised the media focus on wealthy explorers instead of 700 drowned victims in the Aegean Sea. The obloquy continues today—I’ve been targeted myself.

For a decade, I’ve supported undersea exploration, arguing its importance. Critics object that remotely operated machines make human missions unnecessary. Why dive deep when we can study hidden secrets in high-definition from safe offices?

Yet I defend humanity’s drive to explore—the hands-on, unpredictable pursuit that sent us to the moon and across oceans. Without such exploration, scientists can’t confirm theories; nor can journalists share real stories. Through many attempts and mistakes, I’ve learned: To truly describe a subject, you must encounter it. Discovery requires being present.

The path to knowledge is challenging, filled with setbacks and failures. It’s costly and often unrewarding, but that’s exactly why it matters. Trying various approaches—even following uncertain clues—is crucial to discovery. We lose something vital if we abandon the courage to go deep.

24 What was the initial purpose of the Titan’s mission?

A. To test an underwater vehicle.     B. To study undersea creatures.

C. To rescue Aegean Sea victims.     D. To observe the ruins of a ship.

25. What does the underlined word “obloquy” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A. The occurrence of drowning.      B. The criticism from the society.

C. The debate among journalists.     D. The focus on wealthy explorers.

26. How does the author defend the value of deep-sea exploration?

A. By quoting famous scientists.     B By listing undersea discoveries.

C. By weighing the risks and significance.    D. By emphasizing its economic benefits.

27. What is essential for discovery according to the author?

A. Media coverage.        B. Pure imagination.

C. Secured environment.       D. Direct involvement.

C

Cutting carbon emissions is not enough to keep global warming to less than 1.5℃—the goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Not anymore, at least. As a result, hundreds of start-ups trying to remove greenhouse gases from the air and water have sprung up within the past few years. While land-based carbon dioxide removal projects have been undergoing testing and development for decades, ocean-based carbon removal is more recent in the push to fight against climate change. And one of the leaders in that field—Equatic—is about to increase its efforts in a big way.

What began three years ago as a US Department of Energy-funded research project out of the University of California Los Angeles has already grown into a pair of pilot projects in Los Angeles and Singapore. And now, the company has its sights set on building a massive marine carbon capture facility in Quebec.

The process for capturing carbon begins by pumping seawater into a tank and then using an electrical current to break down the water into oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) gases and a solution, which is then reacted with the air, pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and chemically transforming it into two byproducts. One, calcium carbonate, is a white powder. The other is a solution that gets released back into the ocean.

The proposed Quebec plant differs significantly from Equatic’s existing facilities. Its Singaporean pilot facility can process 4,000 tonnes of carbon each year. The planned Quebec facility, meanwhile, will be capable of processing 110,000 tonnes annually—about as much carbon as is emitted by 24,000 cars.

Ultimately, though, the young industry is full of uncertainties. So far, research on marine carbon removal has been based on lab experiments and trials. So as Equatic’s planned Quebec plant moves ahead, scientists will be watching to learn more about its environmental impact and about just how effective marine carbon dioxide removal can really be.

28. What can we know about Equatic from the first two paragraphs?

A. It started as a university research project.

B. It is a land-based carbon removal project.

C. It has undergone tests for decades.

D. It is a start-up located in Quebec.

29. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A. Environmental impacts of carbon removal.

B. Comparative analysis of removal methods.

C. Economic advantages of Quebec facility.

D. Equatic’s carbon capture mechanism.

30. What sets the proposed Quebec plant apart?

A. Its location.  B. Its capacity.

C. Its priority.  D. Its partnership.

31. What is the author’s perspective on marine carbon removal?

A. It’s energy-intensive.       B. It’s a permanent fix.

C. It’s down-to-the-ground.       D It’s an open question.

D

Named as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024, “brain rot” is defined as the supposed decline of a person’s mental state as a result of watching too much “unimportant or unchallenging” content online. While often used jokingly, a new study from Tianjin Normal University suggests there may be some truth to it.

Researchers examined the brains of 111 students, all regular viewers of short videos, and found that those most attached to them had noticeable differences in brain structure. They had increased grey matter in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the brain area linked to decision-making and emotional regulation, and in the cerebellum, which plays a role in movement and emotions. The researchers proposed that constant consumption of feeds might strengthen brain-related pathways, making the habit more deeply rooted.

A second examination showed increased synchronization (同步) in multiple brain areas, including those involved in self-control and self-reflection. This could indicate difficulties disengaging from videos and increased social comparison. Participants who scored higher on a questionnaire measuring “envy” also showed stronger links between video addiction and brain differences, suggesting that either “envy” fuels social media use or that extended video-viewing promotes “envy”.

Despite the alarming implications, the study has limitations. Similar concerns about technology’s impact on the brain have surfaced before, such as claims that digital media have posed an existential threat. Yet, no conclusive evidence has proven these fears true. Professor Peter Etchells argues there’s no solid science showing short videos uniquely harm the brain.

A major shortcoming of the study is its cross-sectional design. If the goal were to prove that watching hours of short videos harms the brain, a more effective approach would be to examine participants’ brains before and after they consumed different amounts of the supposedly harmful content. Yet the study was cross-sectional, meaning it only relied on data from a single time point. There was no before-and-after comparison to show cause and effect. Thus, a healthier approach is to reflect on media habits, making mindful choices while appreciating the benefits of technology.

32. What is “brain rot” according to paragraph 1?

A. A medically confirmed illness.

B. A rising fashion trend among youth.

C. A widely recognized cultural term.

D. A growing awareness of short videos.

33. Which is one of the main findings of the research?

A. Reduced capacity for social comparison.

B. Weakened emotional regulation abilities.

C. Damaged structures in movement-related areas.

D. Increased grey matter in decision-making regions.

34. The author questions the study’s design primarily for its ______.

A. overemphasis on envy-related data.

B. insufficiency for sample diversity.

C. failure to establish cause and effect.

D. reliance on subjective measurements.

35. Which is the best title for the text?

A. Brain Rot: Real Threat or Overstated Fear?

B. Social Media: Mental Stimulation or Brain Harm?

C. Why “Brain Rot” Became Word of the Year?

D. How Social Media Rewires the Human Brain?