【英语】2019届二轮复习阅读理解专题说明文类型模拟试题10篇训练之一（20页word版）

【英语】2019届二轮复习阅读理解专题说明文类型模拟试题10篇训练之一（20页word版）

‎2019届二轮复习阅读理解专题说明文类型模拟试题10篇训练之一 ‎[1]‎ If you have ever found yourself looking for your keys, misplacing your cell phone or wanting to keep track of your bicycle or car, then the TrackR, a device (装置) that works with your smartphone created by a Californiabased company, is for you! At $29.95 each, not like the expensive GPS systems, or with TrackR Pack purchase deals, you can’t afford not to have one!‎ Install (安装) the free TrackR app on your smartphone.Connect the app to your device and then you are ready to go! Simply attach the TrackR to whatever you don’t want to lose.The entire process of setting it up only takes 5 minutes or less.‎ If you have the hard TrackR, you can just hide it under your car’s floor mat, in the trunk or somewhere it won’t be found if your car gets stolen.If you forget where you parked your car, take out your smartphone and open the TrackR app.Tap on the “lost item” icon on the screen and the app will tell you exactly where it is.‎ You can also attach it to your pet.Put it on their collar, and the problem of searching for them as they run off to nearby places will be over! Attach it to your keys and wallet, and never waste a minute searching the whole house for it.The affordable TrackR even comes with a doublesided adhesive (黏合剂) so you can stick it to your laptop or under your bike seat.Track down and punish the thieves who steal your expensive things!‎ The convenience and the ability to find actually any object means that the TrackR is one of the most useful articles that you’ll find for any price.However, the best thing it can give is peace of mind, and it doesn’t get any better than that.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了一款高科技定位追踪器——TrackR。‎ ‎28．What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?‎ A．How the TrackR works.‎ B．The features of the TrackR.‎ C．Why the TrackR is invented.‎ D．The advantages of the TrackR.‎ 解析：选A　段落大意题。根据第二段的内容尤其是“Install (安装) the free TrackR app”“Connect the app to your device”及“attach the TrackR to”可知，本段主要讲的是TrackR是如何工作的。故选A。‎ ‎29．What can the TrackR help people do?‎ A．Walk their pets nearby.‎ B．Recognize the thieves.‎ C．Seek their misplaced car.‎ D．Find them a parking place.‎ 解析：选C　细节理解题。根据第三段中的“If you forget where you parked your car, take out your smartphone and open the TrackR app ... the app will tell you exactly where it is.”可知，当你不记得自己把车停在哪里时，TrackR会告诉你它的准确位置。故选C。‎ ‎30．What can we infer about the TrackR?‎ A．It’s far from affordable.‎ B．It’s on sale worldwide.‎ C．It can be easily folded.‎ D．It’s small in size.‎ 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第三段中的“hide it under your car’s floor mat”和第四段中的“Put it on their collar”“Attach it to your keys and wallet”“stick it to your laptop or under your bike seat”可知，你可以将TrackR放在汽车的垫子下面，系在宠物的颈圈上，附在钥匙上，放在钱包里，粘在笔记本电脑上或自行车座位下，由此可推知TrackR的尺寸应是很小的。故选D。‎ ‎31．What’s the best title for the text?‎ A．TrackR — no limits B．TrackR — no worries C．TrackR — your item protector D．TrackR — your financial manager 解析：选B　标题归纳题。纵观全文可知，本文主要介绍了一款跟踪装置TrackR的相关内容，有了它，人们就不用担心丢东西了。故B项作本文标题最佳。‎ ‎[三]‎ Chinese movie theaters are never running short of youth films.Youth(《芳华》), directed by Feng Xiaogang, was released in December, 2017 and hit the screen.But this one is different: It is dedicated to the youth of our parents’ generation.‎ Set in the 1970s, the story begins in a military art troupe (演出团), in which the soldiers’ duties are to sing, dance and promote culture.He Xiaoping, a newcomer, is a talented dancer.With a painful childhood, she wants to make a fresh start in the troupe, yet her family background makes her the laughing stock (笑柄) among the girls.The only person who is nice to her is Liu Feng, a kind and unselfish man.‎ In most youth films, the characters’ life paths are only influenced by their own choices.However, the young people in Youth are also a part of “the whirlwind (旋风) of historical changes”， as film critic Justin Chang wrote in the Los Angeles Times.In a period of more than 30 years, they have to experience the “cultural revolution” (1966－1976) and the SinoVietnamese War, during which Liu Feng loses one arm and He Xiaoping suffers from a mental illness.The disbandment (解散) of the troupe also tears them away from the life and people they are so familiar with, throwing them into a new life they know nothing about.‎ They all have to learn “to make peace with the past and make the most of the present”， wrote Giovanna Fulvi on the website TIFF.‎ But there’s still something that never changes about youth.No matter what time of history it is, people share the same longing for love and beauty.Sunshine, laughter and swimming pools — these typical images of youth are all well kept in Mr.Feng’s new film.‎ According to ifeng.com, Youth is actually a nostalgic (怀旧的) and personal work that Mr.Feng dedicates to his own experiences of working in a troupe.“When I look back in time, everything else in my life seems to be black and white，” he said.“The days in the troupe are the only part of my memory that always remains colorful.”‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了冯小刚导演的《芳华》这部电影的背景、主要人物和内容等。在不同的历史时期，青春是有共性的。‎ ‎11．What influenced He Xiaoping’s and Liu Feng’s lives most?‎ A．Historical changes.‎ B．Their own personalities.‎ C．Their family backgrounds.‎ D．Their longing for love and beauty.‎ 解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第三段第二句中的“However, the young people in Youth are also a part of ‘the whirlwind (旋风) of historical changes’”可知，历史的变化对《芳华》中的何小萍和刘峰的生活的影响是最大的，故答案选A。‎ ‎★12.Why did Feng Xiaogang direct the film Youth?‎ A．To show the cruelty of the war.‎ B．To urge people to value their youth.‎ C．To recall the days when he worked in a troupe.‎ D．To describe the life during the “cultural revolution” (1966－1976)．‎ 解析：选C　细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句“According to ...Mr.Feng dedicates to his own experiences of working in a troupe.”可知，冯小刚拍摄《芳华》这部电影，是为了纪念自己曾经在剧团里工作的经历，故答案选C。C项是对文中信息的同义替换。‎ ‎13．What do we know about the youth in different generations according to the text?‎ A．They all treat sunshine and laughter as the typical images of themselves.‎ B．In our parents’ generation, they don’t love beauty due to hard life.‎ C．They long for totally different things varying from generation to generation.‎ D．Though they live in different times, they still have something in common.‎ 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第五段第一句“But there’s still something that never changes about youth.”可知，关于青春，有的东西是永远不会改变的，也就是说，青春是有共性的，故答案选D。‎ ‎[四]‎ The holiday is coming.For some families with children, holiday gifts — while wonderful and thoughtful in many ways — can become nearly unmanageable, filling both rooms and minds.‎ This year, I’m trying to achieve the goal of simplicity as I pick a few key presents for my girls.I will probably fail.But it’s a good goal, and one that has some new science to back it.Little kids play longer and more creatively with toys when there are fewer toys around, researchers report.‎ Researchers led by professor Alexia Metz at the University of Toledo in Ohio were curious about whether the number of toys would affect how the children played, including how many toys they played with and how long they spent with each toy.The researchers also wondered about children’s creativity, such as the ability to imagine a bucket (桶) as a drum or a hat.‎ In the experiment, 36 children aged 18 to 30 months visited a ‎ laboratory playroom twice while cameras caught how they played.On one visit, the room held 4 toys.On the other visit, the room held 16 toys.‎ When in the playroom with 16 toys, children played with more toys and spent less time with each one, the researchers found.When the same kids were in a room with 4 toys, they stuck with each toy longer.‎ What’s more, the quality of the children’s play seemed to be better when fewer toys were available.The researchers noted more creative uses of the toys when only 4 were present versus (相对) 16.‎ Metz and colleagues noticed that initial attempts to play with a toy were often simple.But if a kid’s interest stuck, their manner of playing became more complex.This type of longlasting engagement might help children learn to focus their attention, an important skill Metz compared to a muscle that they have to exercise.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。研究发现，如果给孩子太多的玩具，他们的精力会被分散，这会损害孩子的注意力和创造力。‎ ‎8．What can we learn from the experiment?‎ A．Children prefer to play with more toys.‎ B．Children are poor at focusing on toys.‎ C．Children play better with fewer toys.‎ D．Children have no aims to play with toys.‎ 解析：选C　推理判断题。根据第二段的最后一句可知，玩具少的时候孩子玩得时间长，他们的创造力也会表现出来，由此可知答案选C。‎ ‎9．What happened when children were given only 4 toys to play with?‎ A．They tended to do more exercise.‎ B．They chose to focus on only one toy.‎ C．They lost interest in them more quickly.‎ D．They were more creative in playing with them.‎ 解析：选D　细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的最后一句可知，当只有四个玩具可以玩的时候，孩子们的创造力会更好地表现出来。‎ ‎10．What do the researchers mainly stress in the last paragraph?‎ A．Providing kids with more exercise.‎ B．Training kids to focus their attention.‎ C．Getting kids interested in playing with toys.‎ D．Teaching kids good manners of playing.‎ 解析：选B　推理判断题。根据最后一段可知，研究者强调了训练孩子专注力的重要性。‎ ‎11．What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?‎ A．To present the finding of an experiment.‎ B．To introduce his ways to educate children.‎ C．To show the importance of playing with toys.‎ D．To advise parents to buy proper gifts for kids.‎ 解析：选A　写作意图题。本文主要介绍了一项实验的结果：给孩子太多玩具反而会损害孩子的注意力和创造力。‎ ‎[五]‎ Kevin Petty is a meteorologist (气象学家) and chief scientific officer for Vaisala, in Louisville, Colo.The company provides weatherrelated observations and software for governments and other groups to help guide their decisionmaking.Then where does weather come from? The sun provides energy that drives the weather.Other factors (因素) also play a role.These include Earth’s oceans, its land cover, the chemistry of its atmosphere and the planet’s rotation (旋转)．If any of those were different, we’d experience different weather patterns. And if the planet were just a bare rock orbiting a star, there would be no weather at all.‎ Not so long ago in human history, weather was just something that happened.People would know generally what to expect from season to season.An area’s climate — the longterm average of weather — didn’t tend to change much from year to year.People might know to expect snow in winter, for example, and hot weather in summer.But they wouldn’‎ t know if it’d snow on any particular day or whether some July drought (干旱) would develop, putting fields of wheat at risk.‎ Today, you only need to turn on the TV or pull out your phone to have a prediction for what the upcoming weather will be.“People always say the weatherman is wrong，” notes Petty, “which is not really true.Actually, we never fault the weatherman when it’s beautiful outside, and we only notice when the forecast goes wrong.”‎ Scientists have understood the basic physics behind the weather for so long.But they require computer models and reliable weather data to turn that knowledge into reliable forecasts.Today, computers take that knowledge of what Earth is like and use it to predict the weather.And that’s one of the reasons why forecasts aren’t always right — there just aren’t enough data for those computer models to work with.‎ Nowadays, scientists are working to improve forecasts.Because of the complexity of Earth’s system, computer models still can’t reproduce everything going on with the planet, which limits the accuracy of forecasts.However, weather forecasts, imperfect as they sometimes seem, already are a key piece of knowledge in today’s world.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。天气预报有时候不是很准确，其中有哪些影响因素呢？‎ ‎12．What’s the main idea of the first paragraph?‎ A．There are various factors that influence weather.‎ B．More software will be used to predict the weather.‎ C．Weather has an effect on decisionmaking abilities.‎ D．The sun creates different weather patterns on Earth.‎ 解析：选A　段落大意题。根据第一段的内容可知，许多因素导致了天气形成，这些也是影响天气的因素。‎ ‎13．The example used in Paragraph 2 is just to show that climate .‎ A．is relatively stable B．is quite dependable C．is different in areas D．is easily predictable 解析：选A　推理判断题。根据第二段的“An area’s climate — the longterm average of weather — didn’t tend to change much from year to year.”可知，此处举例是为了说明气候的相对稳定性。‎ ‎14．What results in the inaccuracy of forecasts according to Kevin Petty?‎ A．The errors by computer models.‎ B．The weatherman’s carelessness.‎ C．The lack of enough weather data.‎ D．The false information from websites.‎ 解析：选C　细节理解题。根据第四段的“And that’s one of the reasons why forecasts aren’t always right — there just aren’t enough data for those computer models to work with.”可知，缺少足够的数据是导致天气预报有时候不准确的原因。‎ ‎15．What is the author most likely to mention if he continues to write?‎ A．Advantages of weather forecasts.‎ B．Difficulties weathermen are facing.‎ C．Achievements in weather prediction.‎ D．Reasons for imperfect weather forecasts.‎ 解析：选A　推理判断题。根据文章最后一句“However, weather forecasts, imperfect as they sometimes seem, already are a key piece of knowledge in today’s world.”可判断，接下来作者极有可能举例说明天气预报的重要性，即给人们的生活带来的好处。‎ ‎[六]‎ People around the world are hungry to learn.Instructor Barbara Oakley discovered this when her online course Learning How to Learn attracted over 1.5 million students.‎ Part of the goal of her course is to present some ‎ of the facts that get in the way of learning; above all is the fact that we think we’re bad at something or too old to make a change.“People can often do more, change more and learn more than they’ve ever dreamed.” Oakley writes.‎ Oakley thinks it important to keep learning.Throughout her early schooling, she flunked math and science classes and resisted family pressure to go after a science degree.Today? She’s a scientist at Oakland University, after many different jobs in between.‎ Besides being fun, Oakley explains, continued learning can serve us well in our career.Many people are attending a program called “secondskilling”．When we lose our job, having other skills can give us more choices.We can also choose to take on different responsibilities within the same organization.‎ A Dutch university employee enriched her career thanks to her gaming skill.She became the community manager of the university’s online courses.We can never tell where our skill will lead us or where it will come in handy.‎ Oakley offers many tips that make learning more efficient (高效的)．In order to absorb information, our brains need periods of focus followed by periods of mindwandering.So learners will actually learn more if they have the time for rest and relaxation.We should also experiment with different levels of background sound to achieve best focus.Quiet leads to deeper focus, while mild background sound may encourage creative thinking.Research is now exploring what learning looks like in the brain and it’s bad news for those who loved to cram (突击准备考试)．The brain can only build so many neurons (神经元) each night; regular practice is important.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。人类是热爱学习的，只要坚持不懈，方法得当，终能学有所用。‎ ‎12．What is the biggest barrier to our learning according to ‎ Barbara Oakley?‎ A．Our low life goals.　　 B．Our passive beliefs.‎ C．Our personal interest. D．Our learning disability.‎ 解析：选B　细节理解题。根据第二段的第一句可知，Oakley认为我们学习中的最大障碍就是自己的消极意识：认为自己不擅长或是年纪大了不适合作改变就不去学习了。‎ ‎13．What does the underlined word “flunked” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean?‎ A．Failed. B．Rejected.‎ C．Attended. D．Enjoyed.‎ 解析：选A　词义猜测题。根据画线词所在语境可知，Oakley数学和科学学得不好，家人不同意她选择科学专业，但她还是顶住压力勇敢追求自己的梦想，最后成为知名大学的科学家。由此可推知，flunk意为“(考试、测验等)失败，不及格”。‎ ‎14．What does the author mainly want to show in Paragraph 4?‎ ‎ A．The surprises brought by secondskilling.‎ B．The wide choices coming with more skills.‎ C．The necessity of learning professional skills.‎ D．The benefits of keeping learning to our career.‎ 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第四段内容特别是第一句“Besides being fun, Oakley explains, continued learning can serve us well in our career.”可知，作者在这一段通过具体的事例表明不断的学习有助于我们事业的发展。‎ ‎15．Which of the following tips would Oakley agree with?‎ A．Study in a quiet environment.‎ B．Keep focused for being efficient.‎ C．Stay up for an exam when needed.‎ D．Include relaxation in the learning process.‎ 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“In order to absorb information ...have the time for rest and relaxation.”可知，Oakley 赞成学习一段时间后要放松一下。‎ ‎[七]‎ What do children do when they lose their baby tooth？The custom in the US, England, Canada, Australia and some other English-speaking countries is that children put their baby tooth under their pillow before going to bed.They believe the tooth fairy (小精灵)comes during the night and gives them money in exchange for their tooth.Of course, we know that the money is not from the fairy.Their parents switch the tooth for money.‎ In some European countries, it is a common practice to bury the baby tooth in the ground.The tooth is likely buried in the garden or in the surrounding field.However, since most of the people now find themselves living in towns or cities, they begin placing the tooth in a small flowerpot.It is done so that a permanent tooth will grow in its place.‎ Putting a tooth under a pillow sounds sweet, and putting a tooth under the ground sounds safe, but what about throwing a tooth around？In some Asian countries, that’s just what they do.Children throw a lower tooth up onto the roof and an upper one is thrown down on the ground, or hidden under the bed.It is done so that the upper tooth grows healthy downwards, while the lower tooth upwards.‎ Some countries even have more interesting traditions.In Nigeria, if you’re a boy, you hold your tooth and eight stones in your fist.Girls hold six stones and their tooth in their fist.The children then close their eyes, state their name, and count to the number in the fist.Then they say, “Oh, I want my tooth back！” Next, they throw everything in their fist up in the air and run away as fast as they can.In Mongolia, the baby tooth is given to a young dog.There, the dog is respected and is considered a guardian angel.When the guardian angel eats it, it is said that a strong tooth will grow.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了各国不同的换牙习俗。‎ ‎8．Why does an American kid often put his baby tooth under the pillow?‎ A．To replace a tooth. B．To get some money.‎ C．To see the tooth fairy. D．To have a good dream.‎ 解析：选B　细节理解题。根据第一段的“They believe the tooth fairy (小精灵) comes during the night and gives them money in exchange for their tooth.”可知，孩子们睡前把脱落的乳牙放到枕头下是想得到牙精灵的钱。‎ ‎9．In Asian countries, the lost baby tooth usually end up .‎ A．on the roof B．in a flowerpot C．under a pillow D．under the ground 解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第三段的“Children throw a lower tooth up onto the roof and an upper one is thrown down on the ground, or hidden under the bed.”可知，亚洲国家的孩子通常把脱落的乳牙扔到屋顶上，地上或藏到床底下。‎ ‎10．How is a baby tooth usually treated in Nigeria?‎ A．It is used as dog food.‎ B．It is covered with stones.‎ C．It is marked with numbers.‎ D．It is thrown up into the air.‎ 解析：选D　细节理解题。根据最后一段的“they throw everything in their fist up in the air and run away as fast as they can”可知，尼日利亚的孩子把拳头里攥着的乳牙和小石块一起抛向空中，然后迅速跑开。‎ ‎11．How does the author develop the last paragraph?‎ A．By listing numbers. B．By making comparisons.‎ C．By giving examples. D．By raising questions.‎ 解析：选C　写作手法题。最后一段的首句是主题句，后面分别举了两个例子加以说明。故选C项。‎ ‎[八]‎ Going back to school after working for a long time has not been ‎ easy.What makes it extra difficult is the Western liberal arts (文科) style of teaching.It gives special attention to discussions, which doesn’t agree with my personality and is different from the Chinese style of teaching that I am accustomed to.‎ Most of my classes are small, about a dozen people.Most students who frequently speak up are from Englishspeaking countries.Being shy and especially bored with confrontation (对抗), I am usually quiet.However, I’m not the only one.In my corner of silence are students from Asia or other nonEnglish speaking areas.‎ People are unwilling to speak up for different reasons.Not being able to speak fluent English, or at least being worried about embarrassing oneself for grammatical mistakes, might be an important one, especially in an Englishtaught program.For me, not being sure of whether I am making a convincing and fresh point is the biggest factor (因素); I feel insecure not knowing the correct answer.‎ Moreover, this insecurity turns into frustration.I feel uneasy in my seat while listening to my classmates speak.On the one hand, I’m angry at myself for not being brave; at the same time I ignore what the others are saying.But in truth, it’s just an excuse for masking my feeling of inferiority (自卑) over feeling like others know so much about so many things.‎ Of course, over time I learned the merits of this style of teaching and learning.The biggest advantage of being in a program with people from all over the world is that everybody brings in something new.What’s obvious to me, a Chinese, might not be so obvious to them.Sometimes it’s important to state the obvious.‎ Still it is hard for me to participate in class discussions.However, just because someone does not like speaking up in public, doesn’t mean they cannot think.Just because someone cannot think on their feet, doesn’t mean they can’t do good research.Just because someone is ‎ always speaking, doesn’t mean they always make good points.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。西方教学方式强调讨论，作者以自己亲身经历说明为什么人们不愿意在课上发言。‎ ‎12．The author doesn’t want to speak up in class because he .‎ A．is unable to speak fluent English B．shows no interest in the English-taught program C．is afraid of making grammatical mistakes D．doesn’t feel secure not knowing the correct answer 解析：选D　细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句可知，对于作者来说，(不愿意发言的)最大因素在于作者不确定他的观点是否有说服力、是否够新颖。如果不知道正确答案作者会感到很没安全感。故选D项。‎ ‎13．What’s the author’s real reason to feel frustrated while listening to others’ speaking up?‎ A．He has a sense of inferiority.‎ B．He is extremely shy.‎ C．He has no interest in their discussions.‎ D．He can’t understand others’ words.‎ 解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句可知，但事实上，这只是一个借口去掩盖作者因为别人如此博闻强识而产生的自卑感。由此可知，当作者听他人发言时感到沮丧的真正原因是他想隐藏他有一种自卑感。‎ ‎14．What’s the meaning of the underlined word “merits” in Para.5? ‎ A．Differences. B．Changes.‎ C．Advantages. D．Methods.‎ 解析：选C　词义猜测题。根据第五段内容可知，和来自世界各地的人们同处于一个项目的最大好处是每个人都会带来一些新的东西。对于作者这个中国人来说显而易见的东西可能对他们不是那么显而易见。有时候将这种显而易见表达出来是重要的。由此可猜测，随着时间的推移，作者了解到这种教学风格的优点。merits意为“优点，优势”。‎ ‎15．Which is the best title for the passage? ‎ A．How to Take an Active Part in Class Discussions?‎ B．Why Don’t People Like to Speak Up in Class?‎ C．The Importance of Speaking Up in Class.‎ D．The Differences of Western and Chinese Teaching Style.‎ 解析：选B　标题归纳题。文章主要介绍西方教学方式强调讨论，作者以自己亲身经历说明为什么人们不愿意在课上发言。‎ ‎[九]‎ Shanghai leads the mainland in an international standardized (标准化的) test of English language level, according to the British Council’s white paper on mainland test takers’ IELTS performance.The white paper shows people on Chinese mainland have been making progress in their ability to listen, read, write and speak English in the past five years.‎ People who took the IELTS Academic test showed the least progress in speaking English.The test takers’ total score from the fourpart test is below the world average, with the largest gap in the speaking test.The white paper also showed mixed development of English skills in various areas on the mainland.Shanghai, which achieved respective (分别的) average scores of 5.87 points and 5.95 points in the academic and training tests, led the mainland in the listening, speaking, reading and writing tests.Shanghai’s universities and high schools also had the best results.‎ Barry O’Sullivan, head of assessment research and development at the British Council, said Shanghai stood out against the other provinces because it is an international city, where students have a better environment and stronger motivation (动力) to learn and use English.The average score of Shanghai test takers in reading is higher than the world average, and their listening and writing scores are equal to the world ‎ average.But Shanghai test takers’ speaking score is not so good as the other three.‎ The city’s Fudan University topped other universities on the mainland with the highest average IELTS scores. Fudan students’ reading, listening and writing scores exceeded (超过) the world average but their speaking scores were below it.According to the white paper, all test takers said selfmotivation was the most important factor for them, while those with IELTS scores higher than 7 points thought their high school teachers played an important role.‎ The white paper also found that the English educators on the mainland who had mixed abilities in reading, writing, listening and speaking were weakest in speaking English. Chinese authorities are working to deal with these issues.For example, they have released the Chinese Standards of English which outlines English students’ abilities at nine levels.‎ 语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。英国文化教育协会发布全球首部中国内地地区雅思考试官方白皮书，上海市雅思考生听说读写能力均居中国内地之首。‎ ‎12．Which kind of ability of the mainland students needs to be improved urgently?‎ A．The ability of listening. B．The ability of speaking.‎ C．The ability of reading. D．The ability of writing.‎ 解析：选B　细节理解题。根据第二段中的“People who took the IELTS Academic test showed ...with the largest gap in the speaking test.”可知，参加雅思学术考试的人在口语考试中的进步最小。考生在四项考试中的总成绩低于世界平均水平，口语考试与世界平均分的差距最大。由此可知，中国内地考生在口语能力方面急需加强。‎ ‎13．Which of the situations of the IELTS test on the mainland is correct?‎ A．The highest average score of the academic test among all provinces is 5.87 points.‎ B．Test takers in Shanghai have the best scores in the world.‎ C．There is no big gap between Shanghai and other provinces in IELTS test scores.‎ D．Mainland test takers score higher than most countries’ in the world.‎ 解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Shanghai, which achieved ...and writing tests.”可知，上海市的学术类雅思分数是5.87分，培训类雅思分数是5.95，在听说读写四项考试中领先全国。由此可知，上海市的雅思平均分数是全国最高的，因此5.87分是全国各省中学术类雅思考试的最高的平均分数。‎ ‎14．According to the passage, English skills might be greatly affected by .‎ A．one’s motivation to go abroad B．one’s attitude to the test C．the level of education one receives D．the overall social environment one lives in 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第三段中的“Shanghai stood out against the other provinces ...to learn and use English.”可知，上海市领先于其他省份是因为它是一座国际化都市，那里的学生有更好的语言环境和更强的动力去学习和使用英语。由此可推知，社会环境对于一个人的英语能力有很大影响。‎ ‎15．It can be inferred from the passage that .‎ A．students in Fudan University have the best selfmotivation B．the speaking test is the most difficult one among the four tests in IELTS C．the scores of IELTS are much influenced by high school education D．the level of Chinese students’ English ability is above the world average 解析：选C　推理判断题。根据第四段中的“According to the white paper ...played an important role.”可知，根据白皮书中的信息，所有考生都说自我鼓励对他们来说是最重要的因素，而那些雅思成绩高于7‎ 分的考生认为他们的高中老师扮演了很重要的角色。由此可推知，高中教育对雅思成绩影响很大。‎ ‎[十]‎ David Rees runs a truly distinctive business.He charges customers $15 to sharpen their pencils to perfection, using a variety of tools.‎ I know what you’re thinking — is this a joke? The 39yearold gets asked that question a lot.To clarify everything, he even created a special section on his website telling everyone he’s actually providing a real service.‎ You can supply your own pencil or you can have Rees sharpen one of his own favorite 2B pencils.After that, he mails it to you in a display tube with the shavings in a separate bag, and an authentic certificate which just happens to mention the pencil is so sharp as to be a dangerous object.‎ To achieve the desired result, the master sharpener uses all kinds of tools, including general sandpaper, pocket knives and even a special $450 sharpening machine.“It depends on what the customer wants to use his/her pencil for，” he says.That determines the most appropriate pencilsharpening technique.Some customers buy pencils as inspirational symbols while others buy them because of their special memories of classic 2B pencils.‎ ‎$15 to have a pencil sharpened is a bit expensive though, right? You’re not the only one who feels that way, and David’s unique business has really angered lots of people, who talk of inequality in America, saying it is so insane for the wealthy to pay $15 to sharpen a pencil.But others will say, “This is just our urge to put an end to the welfare state because new ideas arise along with the business.”‎ David admits his trade is sort of unusual.But there are those who actually value his service, as is proven by the over 500 orders he has ‎ gotten.‎ 语篇解读：本文主要介绍了一项为他人提供削铅笔的独特服务。‎ ‎28．How could David make money by sharpening pencils?‎ A．He invented new tools for the job.‎ B．He promoted his skill on his website.‎ C．He saved lots of time for other people.‎ D．He provided quality service for his customers.‎ 解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第四段第一句“To achieve the desired result, the master sharpener uses ...even a special $450 sharpening machine.”可推知，主人公给客户提供高质量的削铅笔服务，故选D。‎ ‎29．From his words, we can infer that David Rees .‎ A．knows all kinds of pencil users B．provides personalized services C．values ideas behind the pencils D．always writes in pencil 解析：选B　细节理解题。根据第四段中的“It depends on what the customer wants to use his/her pencil for”可知，主人公会给客户提供个性化的服务，故选B。‎ ‎30．What does the underlined word “insane” in Paragraph 5 mean?‎ A．Deliberate. B．Rewarding.‎ C．Unreasonable. D．Irresponsible.‎ 解析：选C　词义猜测题。根据第五段第一句“$15 to have a pencil sharpened is a bit expensive though, right？”，并结合第二段第一句“I know what you’re thinking — is this a joke？”可推知，此处的insane意为“十分愚蠢的，疯狂的”，C项与此意接近。deliberate“故意的”；rewarding“值得做的”；irresponsible“不负责任的”。‎ ‎31．What seems to be the author’s attitude to David Rees’ trade?‎ A．It’s a fancy service.‎ B．It has a good reputation.‎ C．It’s awfully expensive.‎ D．It wastes time and money.‎ 解析：选A　观点态度题。根据全文的整体内容可知，作者认为主人公所提供的削铅笔服务是与众不同的、别致的，故选A。‎