2019-2020学年贵阳市实验三中学校高三英语期末考试试卷及答案

2019-2020学年贵阳市实验三中学校高三英语期末考试试卷及答案

第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）

第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30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

The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn’t an either / or one, although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths)-related fields can make it seem that way.

The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technical training, but also insists that the study of the humanities and social sciences must remain central elements of America’s educational system at all levels. Both areas are the key to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides.

Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates’ job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under these circumstances, it’s natural to look for what may appear to be the most “practical” way out of the problem; “major in a subject designed to get you a job” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as “soft” often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily.

Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there’s little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to take advantage of every available tool and insight—picked up from science, arts, and technology—to solve the problems of the future, and seize the opportunities, will be helpful to them and the nation.

1. What does the latest congressional report suggest?

A. STEM-related subjects help students find jobs in the information society.

B. The humanities and STEM subjects should be given equal importance.

C. The liberal arts in higher education help enrich students’ spiritual life.

D. Higher education should be adjusted to the practical needs of society.

2. What is the main concern of students when they choose a major?

A. Their interest in relevant subjects.

B. The academic value of the courses.

C. The quality of education to receive.

D. Their chances of getting a good job.

3. What does the author say about the so called “soft” subjects?

A. They benefit students in their future life.

B. They broaden students’ range of interests.

C. They just improve students’ communication skills.

D. They are essential to students’ healthy growth.

B

Cycling has long been a sport where a competitive edge is pursued, often at any cost. Cycling shorts, however, were an area that technology had yet to enter. Little was added to them apart from, perhaps, some padding to protect a rider.

Now, however, new cycling shorts are being equipped with sensors to help riders defeat opponents easily. A British start-up has created a pair of shorts that uses electric sensors and artificial intelligence to shape and strengthen cyclists' muscles while they are moving. It plans to also adapt this product next year for joggers and people at the gym.

The shorts, created by Devon Lewis, a PhD student at theUniversityofSouthampton, are able to send out tiny electric currents into a user's muscles to improve their cycling technique. Mr Lewis, 27, came up with the idea after studying a connection between the brain and muscles that sends chemical signals from motor neurons to muscle fibres to make the muscle contract and strengthen.

The shorts, created by Mr Lewis's start-up bypass this connection using electric cur rents to build muscle strength directly, without relying on the brain to send out signals. “We have a limited ability to control our muscles naturally,” Mr Lewis said. “You can control them more exactly, get more from your muscles and contract them more strongly, if you stimulate them directly with electricity.” Electric wires in the shorts send out currents that activate the muscle. “For those worried about getting a shock while cycling,” Mr Lewis said, “It's sort of the same thing as when you have spicy food and you get that little rush. It feels strange when you first start using it but then you adapt to it quite quickly.”

His idea has received support from Future Worlds, a start-up accelerator atSouthamptonUniversity. The product is being shown next week at the technology conference CES, held digitally this year.