备战高考英语易错题精选-阅读理解练习题及答案解析

一、高中英语阅读理解
1．阅读理解
"What kind of rubbish are you?" This question might normally cause anger, but in Shanghai it was brought about weary complaints over the past few months. On July 1st, the city introduced strict rubbish-sorting regulations that are expected to be used as a model for our country. Citizens must divide their waste into four separate categories and put it into specific public bins. They must do so at scheduled times, when monitors are present to ensure that rules are obeyed and to examine the nature of one's rubbish.
Violators could be hit with fines of up to 200 yuan ($29). For repeat violators, the city can add black marks to their credit records, making it harder for them to obtain hank loans or even buy train tickets.
Shanghai authorities are responding to obvious environmental problem. It produces 9 million tons of garbage a year. But like other cities in china, it lacks a recycling system. Instead, it has relied on rubbish pickers to pick out whatever can be reused. This has limits. As people get wealthier, fewer of them want to do such dirty work. The waste, meanwhile, just keeps piling up. China produces 80 billion pairs of one-off chopsticks a year.
Many citizens appear to support the idea of recycling in general but are frustrated by the details. Rubbish must be divided according to whether it is food, recyclable, dry or hazardous(有害的), the distinctions among which can be confusing, though there are apps to help work it out. Some have complained about the rules surrounding food waste. They must put it straight in the required public bin, forcing them to tear open plastic bags and toss(投掷）it by hand, Most annoying are the short periods for throwing trash, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening. Along with the monitors at the bins, this means that people go at around the same time and can keep an eye on what is being thrown out; no one wants to look bad.
（1）What's the purpose of Paragraph 1?
A. To complain about rubbish dividing.
B. To explain the four categories of the waste.
C. To introduce the rules on waste sorting.
D. To show the goal of rubbish, sorting regulations.
（2）What does the underlined word "Violators" in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. People who don't pay for train tickets.
B. People who argue with the monitors.
C. People who obtain bank loans.
D. People who are against the regulations.
（3）What makes the citizens upset most about the rules?
A. Complex distinction among the four categories of rubbish.
B. Short scheduled time for tossing rubbish.
C. Being observed by monitors when throwing the garbage.
D. Being fined when blamed due to improper behavior.
（4）What can be the best title for the text?
A. A Restart of Waste-sorting
B. A New Age of Garbage Classification
C. Learning to Classify Rubbish
D. Rubbish-sorting Benefits the World
【答案】（1）C
（2）D
（3）B
（4）B
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇新闻报道，介绍了7月1日上海市出台的垃圾分类规定，有望成为我国的一个典范。

文章说明了垃圾分类规定的部分内容以及违反者将面临的处罚，这项政策出台的原因是上海日益增多的垃圾，以及居民们对此政策的看法和态度。

（1）考查推理判断。

根据第一段中的“Citizens must divide their waste into four separate categories and put it into specific public bins. They must do so at scheduled times, when monitors are present to ensure that rules ar e obeyed and to examine the nature of one's rubbish.”市民必须将垃圾分为四类，并将其放入特定的公共垃圾箱。

他们必须在规定的时间这样做，当监督员在场时，以确保规则得到遵守，并检查垃圾的性质。

可知主要是在说明垃圾分类的相关规定，故第一段的目的是介绍垃圾分类的规则。

故选C。

（2）考查词义猜测。

根据第二段中的“They could be hit with fines of up to 200 yuan ($29).”他们将面临最高200元(29美元)的罚款。

可推测他们此处指违反垃圾分类规定的人们，故划线单词意思为“违反规定的人”，故选D。

（3）考查细节理解。

根据最后一段中的“Most upset are the short windows for throwing trash, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening.”最让人心烦的是扔垃圾的短暂开放期，通常是早上和晚上的几个小时，可知，扔垃圾的时间很短让居民对这些规定最不满。

故选B。

（4）考查主旨大意。

根据第一段中的“On July 1st, t he city introduced strict trash-sorting regulations that are expected to be used as a model for our country. Residents must divide their waste into four separate kinds and put it into specific public bins. They must do so at scheduled times, when monitors are present to ensure compliance and to inquire into the nature of one's rubbish.”7月1日，该市出台了严格的垃圾分类规定，有望成为我国的一个典范。

居民必须将他们的垃圾分成四类，并将其放入特定的公共垃圾箱。

他们必须在规定的时间这样做，当监督员在场时，以确保遵守和调查一个人的垃圾的性质）以及文章主要内容围绕着上海垃圾分类规定标志着一个垃圾分类的新时代的开始而展开，故选B。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，词义猜测，推理判断和主旨大意四个题型的考查，是一篇新闻报道，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

2．阅读理解
A photography exhibition by French artist San Bartolome entitled Moon Door Dreamers opened in the 798 Art Zone in Beijing on December 10, 2011, presenting a cross-cultural perspective (视角) on ordinary life in the capital city.
Bartolome took these photos in August 2008, and produced a video named Two Worlds, One Dream. These works were displayed in Pingyao, an ancient city in Shanxi Province, under the title Beijing Midsummer Night Dream in September 2010.
The moon doors serve as a keyhole through which one can catch a glimpse of a slice of Beijing life. He got his inspiration from one cycling trip to the southeastern suburb of Beijing, where he discovered a peculiar street along which a gray brick wall was built to cover the shabby bungalows. These cabins were mostly rented by migrant workers- peddlers, craftsmen, grocers and innkeepers.
Born in 1950, Bartolome has worked as a photographer, stage director. Artistic manager, writer and diplomat. A noted Sinophile, Bartolome frequently visits China for photographic subjects. In the fall of 2003, he joined the French Embassy in Beijing as a cultural attache. His work experience in China from 2003 to 2015 further enhanced his awareness of and love for China.
Bartolome not only loves Chinese culture but also the Chinese people. He thinks that Chinese people are kind, welcoming and diverse.
Back from his bike ride to southeastern Beijing, he decided to shoot pictures about ordinary urban lifestyles. He observed dwellers carefully and made friends with them.
After about 30 days and nights that he spent with these common migrants, he created a number of portraits. Meanwhile, he learned more about those rural migrants who earn their living in a city with which they are unfamiliar.
He adopted an optimistic perspective to shoot the sights, and he borrowed the title of one of William Shakespeare s comedy works: A Midsummer Night's Dream.
（1）What is the main purpose of the exhibition?
A. To present Bartolome's photographic skills.
B. To tell us Bartolome's work experience in Beijing.
C. To show us Bartolome's optimistic view on ordinary life in Beijing.
D. To build a cross-cultural communication bridge between China and France.
（2）What inspires Bartolome to shoot pictures about ordinary urban styles?
A. His bike ride to Southeastern suburb of Beijing.
B. His work experience in the French Embassy in Beijing.
C. His visit to the ancient city of Pingyao.
D. Shakespeare's comedy work: A Midsummer Night's Dream.
（3）What does the underlined word "Sinaphile" in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. A successful artist.
B. A cultural attache.
C. A person of status.
D. A fan of China.（4）What does the text mainly talk about?
A. A French artist tells Chinese stories with his camera.
B. A French artist frequently visits China for photography.
C. Migrant workers live a simple but happy life in Beijing.
D. Moon Doors serve as a window to display China to the world.
【答案】（1）C
（2）A
（3）D
（4）A
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇记叙文，法国艺术家圣巴托洛姆在北京798艺术区举办的名为"月亮之门梦想家"的摄影展，从跨文化角度呈现了普通城市的生活以及拍摄的原因。

（1）考查推理判断。

根据第一段中的"presenting a cross-cultural perspective (视角) on ordinary life in the capital city."以及最后一段中的"He adopted an optimistic perspective to shoot the sights,"可知，这次摄影展用一种跨文化视角来展示首都的普通生活，他以乐观的角度拍摄的。

由此推断出摄影展向我们展示巴托罗姆对北京城市生活的乐观态度。

故选C。

（2）考查细节理解。

根据第三段中的"He got his inspiration from one cycling trip to the southeastern suburb of Beijing, ..." 以及第六段中的"Back from his bike ride to southeastern Beijing, he decided to shoot pictures about ordinary urban lifestyles"可知他（拍摄）的灵感来自一次去北京东南郊的骑行之旅，...。

回到北京之后，他决定拍摄一些关于普通城市生活方式的照片。

可知，是他骑自行车去北京的东南郊区激发了他拍摄普通城市的生活。

故选A。

（3）考查词义猜测。

根据第四段划线词"Sinaphile"后的内容可知, 巴托罗姆为了这个摄影主题经常访问中国。

2003年秋，他以文化专员的身份加入了法国驻北京大使馆。

从2003年到2015年，他在中国的多年工作经历让他加深了对中国的认识和热爱。

由此可知，他是一个热爱中国的人，喜欢了解中国，是一个"中国迷"。

故选D。

（4）考查主旨大意。

本文第一段叙述了法国艺术家圣巴托洛姆在北京798艺术区举办的名为"月亮之门梦想家"的摄影展开幕从一个跨文化视角来展示在首都的普通生活。

接着叙述了为什么拍摄中国普通城市的生活，用摄影机拍摄他在中国的经历来表现对中国的热爱。

由此可知本文主要叙述了一个法国艺术家用他的相机讲述中国故事。

故选A。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，推理判断，词义猜测和主旨大意四个题型的考查，是一篇故事类阅读，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

3．阅读理解
The Outdoor City Adventure Book Festival
For one week in July, Sheffield Central Library becomes the center of adventure in the Outdoor City. Check out some of the events. Most of them are free but early booking is recommended.
July 10
Bee Quest - A Hunt for the World's Most Elusive (难以捕捉的) Bees Central library Carpenter Room, 7:00-8:30pm.
A hunt for the world's most elusive bees leads Professor Dave Goulson from Poland to Patagonia, deep into the Ecuadorian Jungle. He also explores closer to home.
Among secret places hidden right under our noses and through his scientific expertise (专业知识), shows us that beauty hides in the most surprising places.
July 11
Clarion Call: A Heartfelt Tribute to Sheffield's Access Pioneers
Central library Carpenter Room, 10:30-11:30am.
Well-known walker, activist and campaigner, Terry Howard takes us back a hundred years and shares the story of the role Sheffielders played in the first fights for our right to freely walk on the Peak District moors (旷野). The Clarion Ramblers is thought to be the first working class walking
club. This is the story of their important role in gaining us the access we all enjoy today.
July 12
The Wainwrights in Color Central Library Carpenter Room, 1:30-2:30pm.
Inspired by the work of the great Alfred Wainwright, over 10 years Andy Beck has reproduced in watercolor all 1, 500 pictures drawn in A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Andy speaks about how the scenes in the Lake District have changed during the last 50 years.
July 13
Craft (制作) Your Own Adventure Journal-A Workshop Central Library Reading Room, 2:00-3:00 pm,￡5.
Learn paper craft techniques to make your own beautiful travel journal. Get advice from our expert tutor on using old photos adventures and holidays.
Collecting stories and memories from your.
（1）Which event should you choose if you're interested in bees?
A. Bee Quest.
B. Clarion Call.
C. The Wainwrights in Color.
D. Craft Your Own Adventure Journal.
（2）What day is the right time to share the story of Sheffielders?
A. July 10.
B. July 11.
C. July 12.
D. July 13.
（3）What is special about Craft Your Own Adventure Journal?
A. It lasts the longest.
B. It needs reservation.
C. It calls for admission charges.
D. It offers the most interesting stories.
【答案】（1）A
（2）B
（3）C
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇应用文，介绍了几个户外城市探险书展。

在七月的一个星期里，谢菲尔德中央图书馆成为户外城市的冒险中心。

这些事件，大部分都是免费的，但建议大家要提前预订。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据 July 10部分中的”Bee Quest - A Hunt for the World's Most Elusive (难以捕捉的) Bees Central library Carpenter Room“,可知，Bee Quest中可寻找世界上最难以捉摸的蜜蜂，如果你对蜜蜂感兴趣，可以到Bee Quest，故选A。

（2）考查细节理解。

根据July 11 部分中的”Central library Carpenter Room,... This is the story of their important role in gaining us the access we all enjoy today"可知，在7月11日的Clarion Call是分享谢菲尔德故事的最佳时机。

故选B。

（3）考查细节理解。

根据July 13部分中的个"Craft (制作) Your Own Adventure Journal-A Workshop Central Library Reading Room, 2:00-3:00pm, ￡5."可知，在这个活动中，要收取费用5英镑。

而上文其他的活动中都不收取费用，这是这个活动与其他不同之处，故选C。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解题型的考查，是一篇介绍类阅读，考生需要准确捕捉细节信息，结合题目要求，从而选出正确答案。

4．阅读理解
A science teacher from rural Kenya who gives away most of his salary to help poorer students
has been awarded the world's best teacher and $ 1 million, beating 10,000 nominations from 179 countries. Peter Tabichi, 36, a maths and physics teacher at Keriko secondary school in Pwani Village, has won the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019.
Tabichi gives away 80% of his income to help the poorest students at the poorly-equipped and overcrowded school who could not otherwise afford uniforms and books. More than 90% of his students are from poor families and almost a third are orphans or have only one parent. Drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, leaving off their studies, young marriages and suicide are common. Students have to walk 7 km along roads that can become impassable in the rainy season to reach the school and the area can be affected by drought and starvation.
Despite only having one computer, a poor Internet connection and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1, Tabichi started a "talent nurturing club" and expanded the school's science club, helping students design research projects of such quality that many now qualify for national competitions. His students have taken part in international science competitions and won an award from the Royal Society of Chemistry after using local plant life to generate electricity. Tabichi and four colleagues also give struggling students one-to-one tuition in maths and science, visiting students' homes and meeting their families to identify the challenges they face.
Accepting the prize, Tabichi said Africa's young people would no longer be held back by low expectations." Africa will produce scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs whose names will be one day famous in every corner of the world." he said.
（1）What made Peter Tabichi win the prize in 2019?
A. Giving away $ 1 million to education.
B. Teaching in secondary schools for 36 years.
C. Fighting drought and starvation in Africa.
D. Helping the poorer students in rural Kenya.（2）Why did Tabichi start the "talent nurturing club"?
A. To contribute most of his income.
B. To expand national competitions.
C. To guide students to design research projects.
D. To encourage students to grasp opportunities.
（3）Which of the following best describes Peter Tabichi as a teacher?
A. Independent.
B. Caring.
C. Humorous.
D. Interesting.
（4）What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. African education cost is expected to get lower.
B. Africa is in desperate need of young scientists.
C. Tabichi is not pleased until he is known worldwide.
D. Tabichi has high expectations for young Africans.
【答案】（1）D
（2）C
（3）B
（4）D
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇新闻报道，肯尼亚农村教师彼得·塔比奇由于资助贫困学生获得了世界最佳教师奖。

（1）考查推理判断。

根据第一段中的“A science teacher from rural Kenya who gives away
most of his salary to help poorer students has been awarded the world's best teacher and $ 1 million, beating 10,000 nominations from 179 countries.”一名来自肯尼亚农村的科学教师获得了世界最佳教师奖，并获得了100万美元的奖金，他将自己的大部分工资捐给了贫困学生。

可推知，助肯尼亚农村贫困学生让彼得·塔比奇赢得了2019年世界最佳教师奖。

故选D。

（2）考查细节理解。

根据第三段中的“Despite only having one compu ter, a poor Internet connection and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1, Tabichi started a ‘talent nurturing club’ and expanded the school's science club, helping students design research projects of such quality that many now qualify for national competitions.”尽管只有一台电脑，网络连接不畅，师生比例为58:1，但他还是创办了一个“人才培养俱乐部”，并扩大了学校的科学俱乐部，帮助学生设计出质量如此之高的研究项目，现在许多学生都有资格参加全国性的竞赛）可知，他创办“人才培养俱乐部”，是为了帮助学生设计一些研究项目。

故选C。

（3）考查推理判断。

根据第一段中的“A science teacher from rural Kenya who gives away most of his salary to help poorer students has been awarded the world's best teacher and $ 1 million, beating 10,000 nominations from 179 countries.”一名来自肯尼亚农村的科学教师获得了世界最佳教师奖，并获得了100万美元的奖金，他将自己的大部分工资捐给了贫困学生；及第二段中的“Tabichi gives away 80% of his income to help the poorest students at the poorly-equipped and ov ercrowded school who could not otherwise afford uniforms and books.”塔比奇把他80%的收入捐给了设备简陋、人满为患的学校，帮助那些买不起校服和书籍的最贫困学生。

可知，塔比奇将自己的大部分工资捐给了贫困学校和学生。

由此可知，塔比奇是一个非常有爱心的好老师。

故选B。

（4）考查推理判断。

根据最后一段中的“Africa will produce scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs whose name s will be one day famous in every corner of the world.” 他说“非洲将培养出科学家、工程师和企业家，他们的名字总有一天会在世界各地家喻户晓。

可推知，塔比奇对非洲年轻人充满了很高的期望。

故选D。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解和推理判断两个题型的考查，是一篇新闻报道。

考生需要准确掌握细节信息，并根据上下文进行逻辑推理，从而选出正确答案。

5．阅读理解
Whether you are a national or an international student, we welcome you to Middletown University. Our reputation is built on providing high-quality education in both academic and vocational (职业的) subjects. As well as priding ourselves on our traditional face-to-face learning, we have recently introduced a range of distance-learning courses.
What do they cost?
Costs for our coursers vary considerably. Click on each department's homepage for more information. Scholarships and bursaries an available for certain courses, particularly for those in the sciences and education.
SAMPLE COURSE OVERVIEW
BA in English Language and Literature
The main purpose of this course is to develop your ability to describe, analyze and manipulate
features of the English language, and to see how these are expressed in literature. As well as taking core modules which cover these areas, students will be able to specialize in their fields of interest.
Duration: three-year course
Course: Choose 12 out of 20 modules.
Weekly timetable: eight hours of lectures/four hours of seminars
Assessment: essays, exams and an 8,000-word dissertation at the end of the third year
Requirements: academic experience and interest in the subject; good school-exam grades
Diploma in teaching
In the first term, you will learn about the theory of teaching and how to be an effective teacher. In the second term, you will also begin teaching in a school. The third term is completely practical. Duration: one-year course
Course: Choose six out of ten modules (three are compulsory).
Weekly timetable: six hours of lectures/ two hours of seminars/ six hours of classroom teaching Assessment: combination of essays and classroom observation
Requirement: first degree in specific subject area
（1）What is Middletown University famous for?
A. Academic and vocational education.
B. Traditional teaching methods.
C. Distance-learning courses.
D. Face-to-face communication.
（2）What do the two sample courses have in common?
A. They both last for three years.
B. They both require students to hand in essays.
C. They both offer total freedom to choose modules.
D. They both favor students with interest in the subject.
（3）What is the main purpose of the text?
A. To advertise certain online courses.
B. To stress the need for distance learning.
C. To introduce distance-learning techniques.
D. To suggest a way of pursuing further education.
【答案】（1）A
（2）B
（3）A
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇应用文，一所大学就该校最近开设的在线课程就行了简单的介绍，包括课程目的，时长，评价，要求等。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据第一段中的”Our reputation is built on providing high-quality education in both academic and vocational (职业的) subjects.“可知，这所大学因为在学术和职业课程上提供高质量的教学而获得名誉，即它以高质量的学术和职业教学而出名。

故选A。

（2）考查细节理解。

根据BA in English Language and Literature部分中的”Assessment: essays, exams and an 8,000-word dissertation at the end of the third year“和Diploma in teaching 部分中的”Assessment: combination of essays and classroom observation“可知这两门课程的共
同点是都需要提交文章。

故选B。

（3）考查推理判断。

根据第一段中的”As well as priding ourselves on our traditional face-to-face learning, we have recently introduced a range of distance-learning courses.“我们在提供传功课程的同时也提供了大量的在线课程，以及下文所叙述的两种课程的课程内容，时长，评价和要求等，可推测本文的主要目的是为一些在线课程打广告。

故选A。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解和推理判断两个题型的考查，是一篇介绍类阅读，考生需要准确捕捉细节信息，并根据上下文进行逻辑推理，从而选出正确答案。

6．阅读理解
Standing desks have become common across Silicon Valley, offering health benefits to those willing to work on their feet. However, due to their high price, they have failed to catch on until now. Recently, Ikea has brought out Bekant convertible(可变换的) standing desk that can become a normal desk at the touch of a button. The $500 adjustable desk can transform from a standard desk to a standing one, and Ikea hopes it could make the standing desk mainstream.
Experts say that changing from a seated to a standing desk can improve productivity. Similar desks have become a common sight at tech firms such as Google, where some employees have even installed treadmill (跑步机) and bicycle desks.
The desk is not the first "convertible" on the market. As early as 2013, Stir Kinect brought out an adjustable desk. The $3,890 Stir Kinect desk has a motor to raise and lower itself, changing it into a standing desk or a traditional desk. The desk can even be programmed to move up and down slightly, making it appear to take a gentle breath to remind the user to change their positions. To move between sitting and standing positions, owners simply double tap on the screen. The desk can learn the user's preferences over time and suggest the best seating position. The Stir Kinect desk was created by a team of ex-Apple and Disney engineers. It has a built-in touch screen to control and track movement, and can tell users exactly how many calories they burn by standing during their working day. It also has devices containing power points and USB ports for charging phones, to keep cables hidden.
"Ikea's height-adjustable desk is great for opening up the lower end of the market, " said JP Labrosse, founder and CEO of Stir.
（1）What is the text mainly about?
A. Ikea has brought out an adjustable standing desk.
B. Silicon Valley offered health benefits to officials.
C. Google formed their tech firms to design bicycle desks.
D. The Stir Kinect desk will become mainstream in the market.
（2）Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?
A. Before Bekant desk, similar adjustable desks have been widely used.
B. The seated desks will take the place of the standing desks in the future.
C. Compared to the Stir Kinect desk, the Bekant desk is much cheaper.
D. The adjustable desks were designed by the Apple and Disney Company.
（3）The Stir Kinect desk______.
A. can breathe in and breathe out by pressing the button once
B. can charge phones by using a device containing power point
C. can tell you how many calories you need for a walk
D. can advise you to do more exercise at a proper time
（4）What can we infer from the last sentence given by JP Labrosse?
A. Ikea's adjustable desk will be popular with average people.
B. Ikea will have to sell furniture at a lower price in the future.
C. This height adjustable table can only be found in Ikea.
D. It is not necessary for Ikea to open up the market at all.
【答案】（1）A
（2）C
（3）B
（4）A
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇新闻报道，站立式办公桌在美国硅谷已经比较常见，宜家近日推出了一款名为BEKANT的可调节的站立式办公桌，这种桌子对愿意站立式工作的人健康有益。

（1）考查主旨大意。

根据第一段可知，站立式办公桌在美国硅谷已经比较常见，对愿意站立式工作的人健康有益。

宜家近日推出了一款名为BEKANT的可调节的站立式办公桌，使用者只需按一下按钮便可将其从普通高度调节至站立式高度。

宜家希望这款办公桌占领市场，成为主流，故选A。

（2）考查推理判断。

根据第一段可知“Bekant convertible standing desk”售价为$500；而第三段中是Stir Kinect desk售价为$3,890，故选C。

（3）考查细节理解。

根据第四段中的"It also has devices containing power points and USB ports for charging phones, to keep cables hidden."Stir Kinect还设置了充电接口以及USB接口，可用于手机充电，故选B。

（4）考查推理判断。

根据最后一段中的“Ikea's height-adjustable desk is great for opening up the lower end o f the market,”宜家的可调节办公桌有助于打开低端市场，故选A。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，推理判断和主旨大意三个题型的考查，是一篇新闻报道，要求考生在捕捉细节信息的基础上，进一步根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，概括和归纳，从而选出正确答案。

7．阅读理解
NASA has a new job listing, and it's no joke. The US space agency is looking for a "joker" to join their planned mission to Mars.
A mission to Mars is no laughing matter. On average, the red planet is 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) away from Earth. A trip there would take around eight months in a small spacecraft. And Mars has a communications delay of 20 minutes. This means that astronauts will have to wait 20 minutes for a reply, when an emergency happens.
"When you're living with others in a confined space for a long period of time, such as on a mission to Mars, problems are likely to occur," Jeffrey Johnson, a scientist at the University of Florida, told The Guardian.
This is probably why NASA wants an astronaut with a sense of humor. "These are people that have the ability to pull everyone together," Johnson said.
In stressful situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren't alone. By laughing together, we share our stress. Then we can focus on our jobs instead of just worrying.
There are other examples of team "clowns". One example is the journey to the South Pole led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. It was a difficult journey full of danger. Adolf Lindstrom, a cook at Amundsen's team, was a "clown". He made people laugh through the whole journey. Amundsen later wrote that Lindstrom was the most valuable member of the team.
But if you're hoping that your favorite TV comedian will fly to Mars, that probably won't happen.
"Being funny won't be enough to land somebody the job," Johnson said. "They also need to be an excellent engineer."
Besides, they must be in top physical condition.
（1）What is NASA's new job listing?
A. A funny engineer.
B. A talented clown.
C. A good cook.
D. A popular comedian.（2）What does "a confined space" in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A. a full space
B. an empty space
C. an open space
D. a small space.（3）How does the author think humor can help astronauts?
A. It can stop them from feeling bored.
B. It can promote teamwork on a mission.
C. It can make them feel less homesick.
D. It can help them know themselves better.
（4）What's the author's purpose of giving the example of the cook?
A. To tell us that what explorers eat on their journey is very important.
B. To prove that an amateur can play a more important role than a professional.
C. To make the point that humorous people can cheer people up in difficult situations.
D. To reveal that a mission to Mars is more difficult than a journey to the South Pole.
【答案】（1）A
（2）D
（3）B
（4）C
【解析】【分析】本文是一篇说明文，由美国宇航局寻找一位幽默的工程师来和宇航员一起执行航天任务介绍了幽默对宇航员的重要作用。

（1）考查细节理解。

根据倒数第二段中的“‘Being funny won't be enough to land somebody the job,’ Johnson said. ‘They also need to be an excellent engineer.’”可知，美国宇航局的新工作是幽默的工程师，故选A。

（2）考查词义猜测。

根据第三段中的“ such as on a mission to Mars, ”可知，与在地球上生活的宽广空间不同，在火星任务中，你需要和其他人一起在狭小的航天器内生活很长一段时间，由此可知画线词词义为“狭小的空间、有限的空间”，故选D。

（3）考查推理判断。

根据第四段中的“These are. people that have the ability to pull everyone together,”可知，幽默的人有能力把每个人都团结在一起，也就是说幽默能够促进宇航员在任务中的团队合作，故选B。

（4）考查推理判断。

根据第五段中的“In stressful situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren't alone. By laughing together, we share our stress.”可知，在压力大的情况下，幽默是一种减压的方式，第六段第一句话又说有很多团队小丑的例子，紧接着举厨师的例子就是为了证明这一点，即：幽默的人能使人在困难的情况下振作起来，故选C。

【点评】本题考点涉及细节理解，词义猜测和推理判断三个题型的考查，是一篇科技类阅读，考生需要准确捕捉细节信息，同时根据上下文的逻辑关系，进行分析，推理，从而选出正确答案。

8．阅读理解
When I was a kid, I was the girl who kept the training wheels on my bike as long as possible. Even my younger sister had got rid of them much earlier than me. But as I began to grow older, this changed.
All this happened on the Bike Safety Day. It is supposed to be a fun day at school when all of us kids bring our bikes to school and the school provides us with the opportunity to ride outside and learn proper bike safety. Sounds like fun, right? No. In fact, it caused me to panic. What was I going to say when my friends asked me about my training wheels?
With the pressure of everyone seeing my training wheels, I determined to let them go. This was the first big change I'd ever made on my own.
I went to my parents and told them all about my dilemma. They were more than happy to help. We went outside and got my bike. Instead of running away and hiding behind, I stood in front of my bike and took great pride in my decision as my dad removed the training wheels.
I got on and steadied myself. My heart raced but my feet and hands were calm. My dad started to push before my feet even moved and suddenly I was off. The fear faded away and a relaxed mind came into its place. It was crazy to think how quickly I learned something that took so long for me to even try!
My confidence soared. This was going to be the start of a brand new world for me. My accomplishment would carry me forth to new goals and wins. I realized that if I set my mind to something, I could achieve it.
（1）What does the school expect the students to do on Bike Safety Day?
A. Have their bikes checked.
B. Ride outside for fun.
C. Acquire bike safety skills.
D. Remove the training wheels.
（2）What does the underlined word "them" (in Paragraph 3)refer to?
A. The author's friends.
B. The author's parents.
C. The safety problems.
D. The training wheels.
（3）What happened when the author finally rode without the training wheels?
A.She felt extremely embarrassed.
B.Everything turned out to be easy.
C.She ended up flat on the ground.
D.Her sisters followed her example.
（4）What does the author think is necessary for her to achieve a goal?
A.Patience.。