1、话题五农业发展.阅读ABig changes in agriculture are taking place in Singapore. The small, Southeast Asian nation is leading a farming revolution, according to the Reuters news agency.Singapore covers around 720 square kilometers of land and only one percent of that land area is used for agriculture. Food prod
2、uction costs are higher there than the rest of Southeast Asia. As climate change and population growth threaten food supplies, the pressure on new farmers is to answer the governments call to “grow more with less”“Whenever I talk about food security in Singapore, I tell people not to think about lan
3、dthink about space, because you can go upwards and sideways，” said Paul Teng, an agriculture professor at Nanyang Technological University.There are more than 30 vertical (垂直的) farms in Singaporeones that grow up, not across, the land. Sustenir Agriculture is one of these businesses. Its hydroponic
4、(无土栽培的) farm grows nonnative foods like cherry tomatoes and strawberries inside buildings under artificial lighting. Then it sells the produce to local supermarkets and online stores. Sustenir raised $16 million from investors (投资者) last year. The money will be used to expand operations in Singapore
5、.However, not everyone thinks the new technology is best. Egg farmer William Ho says the government should not depend so much on agriculture technology businesses. “Many of them have failed. Thats why Im always asking the government why it doesnt invest in us oldtimers. We are more practical，” he sa
6、id. Professor Paul Teng said an issue for urban farmers is that the high cost of the technology makes their products too pricey for many people.1What does the second paragraph mainly discuss?AHigh food production costs.BReasons for changes in agriculture.CAgricultural technology businesses.DSale exp
7、ansion of food markets.2Which is the way to achieve food security according to Paul Teng?AExploring more space.BBuying more food.CEnlarging farmland.DInvesting more money.3What do we know about the oldtimers?AThey work on hightech farms.BThey benefit from pricey products.CThey reduce production cost
8、s.DThey need the governments support.4Where is this passage probably taken from?AA guidebook. BA brochure.CA newspaper. DA journal.BFood blogs, celebrities, and nutritionists all advocate the benefits of eating organic (有机的) fruit and vegetables. But a new study published in Science Advances paints
9、a more complex picture. While organic produce is likely slightly healthier to eat and, in some ways, more sustainable to grow, there are also downsides.Organic fruit and vegetables typically cost more than conventional ones. To get a certificate as organic, farmers must meet specific criteria, inclu
10、ding growing produce without the use of genetic engineering and chemical inputs. Without these methods, the growing process typically requires more labour, time, and money, the costs that are passed on to consumers.Its true that in many ways, organic farming is more sustainable than conventional far
11、ming. But when it comes to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emission and water loss, the comparison gets complex. Organic farms produce fewer greenhouse gases per acre. However, because they are barred from using genetic engineering, pesticides (杀虫剂), and other methods that increase eff
12、iciency (效率), organic farms also produce an estimated 19% to 25% less yield than conventional farms. While there isnt a whole lot of research on the topic, the few studies that do exist suggest greenhouse gas output and water loss might actually be higher on organic farms, on a per unit basis, says
13、the study author Verena Seufert.In addition, while organic produce is likely more nutritious than conventional fruit and vegetables, theres not a lot of evidence to support the claim that these often slight differences influence consumer health. The same is true for the pesticide remainder. In devel
14、oped countries, where pesticide use is tightly regulated, theres no scientific consensus (共识) on how these often slight differences influence human health.Still, Seufert stresses that if you can afford to eat organic produce, you should do so. Organic farms provide safer work environments for worker
15、s, plus they support great biodiversity (生物多样性). The real point from her study is not that organic produce is bad but that the practice needs more studies to increase the yield without lowering sustainability.But if you cant afford to buy organic produce, dont stress too much, particularly from a nu
16、tritional perspective.5What does the underlined word “downsides” in Paragraph 1 most probably mean?ADangers. BDrawbacks.CBenefits. DDifferences.6Which key factor makes it complicated to compare organic farming with conventional farming when it comes to environmental concerns?AThe yield. BThe price.C
17、The water loss. DThe labour.7Which of the following will the author most probably agree with?AFarmers work environment should be improved.BOrganic produce should be made more efficiently.CIt isnt wise for consumers to buy organic products.DThe pesticide remainder does no harm to peoples health.CHave
18、 you ever heard of agritourism where you can experience the farm life? If not, Dr. Cindy AyersElliott will tell you the real story of Foot Print Farms.The original concept of building Foot Print Farms was simple. When AyersElliott returned to her hometown after graduation, she didnt have to look any
19、 further than her states alarming health statistics to find a mission. Everywhere she turned, there were reports of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. “The problem was already identified，” explains AyersElliott. “Too many Mississippians were seriously unhealthy and it didnt ta
20、ke research to see that. And many of the states greatest health challenges could directly result from poor diet.”These days, Foot Print Farms, which started with a few raised beds of herbs and vegetables, is making fresh, naturally grown food. “When speaking of the key to my success, the coop model
21、works because we share the work and rewards，” notes AyersElliott “A perfect example is the Wingfield High School football team. To earn the money for equipment and other items, players committed to working five hours a week on the farm, and by the end of the summer they produced 1,000 melons and the
22、 profits from their sales helped to buy weights, Tshirts, sweat suits and pregame meals. But the lessons they learned about the rewards of hard work and working together to accomplish something were even more valuable products of their efforts.”“Its a model that can easily be learned in other places
23、 and Im looking forward to seeing some of our current partners do just thatto take what they have learned here and spin it off in other communities.” AyersElliott remarks. She is now looking forward to developing an agritourism area to the farm, where visitors can experience the farm life, learn new
24、 skills and take with them seeds of inspiration they can sow in their own communities when they return home.8What made AyersElliott set up Foot Print Farms?AThe problems faced by local farmers.BHer further research into heart disease.CThe failure of her career after graduation.DThe health state of p
25、eople in her hometown.9Why does the author take the football team as an example?ATo advocate the concept of independence.BTo stress the importance of teamwork.CTo support the idea of coop model.DTo explore the key to success.10What is AyersElliotts attitude towards the future of Foot Print Farms?AOp
26、timistic. BSkeptical.CCautious. DAmbiguous.11What is the main idea of the text?ANaturally grown food benefits peoples health.BFood Print Farms is making a difference in Mississippi.CAyersElliott encourages people to experience the farm life.DAgritourism is becoming increasingly popular in America.七选
27、五A garden thats just right for youHave you ever visited a garden that seemed just right for you, where the atmosphere of the garden appeared to total more than the sum (总和) of its parts? _1_. But it doesnt happen by accident. It starts with looking inside yourself and understanding who you are with
28、respect to the natural world and how you approach the gardening process._2_Some people may think that a garden is no more than plants, flowers, patterns and masses of color. Others are concerned about using gardening methods that require less water and fewer fertilizers (肥料). _3_. However, there are
29、 a number of other reasons that might explain why you want to garden. One of them comes from our earliest years.Recall (回忆) your childhood memoriesOur model of what a garden should be often goes back to childhood. Grandmas rose garden and Dads vegetable garden might be good or bad, but thats not wha
30、ts important. _4_how being in those gardens made us feel. If youd like to build a powerful bond with your garden, start by taking some time to recall the gardens of your youth. _5_. Then go outside and work out a plan to translate your childhood memories into your grownup garden. Have fun.AKnow why
31、you gardenBFind a good place for your own gardenCIts our experience of the garden that mattersDIts delightful to see so many beautiful flowersEStill others may simply enjoy being outdoors and close to plantsFYou can produce that kind of magical quality in your own garden, tooGFor each of those garde
32、ns, write down the strongest memory you have话题五农业发展.阅读A【语篇解读】本文是一篇新闻报道，主要介绍了新加坡建设空中农场以解决国内食品供应短缺问题的情况。1答案与解析：B考查段落大意。根据第二段内容可知，新加坡用于农业的耕地面积少、食品生产成本高，而气候变化和人口增长对其粮食供应构成了威胁，再结合上文中的“Big changes in agriculture are taking place in Singapore.”可知，本段主要解释了新加坡农业发生变革的原因，故选B。2答案与解析：A考查推理判断。根据第三段中的“Whenever I ta
33、lk about food security in Singapore, I tell people not to think about landthink about space, because you can go upwards and sideways”可知，Paul Teng认为实现粮食保障的途径是向上或向侧面开发空间，故A项符合文意。3答案与解析：D考查推理判断。根据最后一段中的“Im always asking the government why it doesnt invest in us oldtimers”可知，禽蛋养殖户William Ho问政府为什么不在他们这些传
34、统农户身上投资，言外之意是他们这些传统农户需要政府的支持，故选D。4答案与解析：C考查推理判断。通读全文可知，本文主要报道了新加坡建设空中农场以解决国内食品供应短缺问题的事情，属于新闻范畴，因此文章最有可能出自报纸，故选C。B【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了有机农产品的一些情况，体现了学科核心素养中的“环保意识、健康饮食意识”的文化品格。5答案与解析：B词义猜测题。根据第一段最后一句“While organic produce is likely slightly healthier to eat and, in some ways, more sustainable to grow,
35、 there are also downsides.”可知，虽然有机农产品可能稍微健康些，但在某些方面，也有其缺点。再结合语境和下文陈述的有机农产品的缺点可以判断，画线词应指有机农产品不好的一面，B项意为“缺点”，故B项正确。6答案与解析：A细节理解题。根据题干关键词“complicated to compare”定位至第三段第二句“But when it comes to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emission and water loss, the comparison gets complex.”，由此可知，当涉及诸如
36、温室气体排放和水资源损失等环境问题时，比较传统农业和有机农业就变得复杂了；根据第三段其他内容可知，虽然有机农业与传统农业相比更具可持续性，但因为不能使用基因工程技术、杀虫剂及其他提高效率的方法，有机农业的产量相对低，如果有机农业想要和传统农业有一样高的产量，其对环境的影响就会更大，故产量是使得两者之间的比较变得复杂的重要因素。A项意为“产量”，故A项正确。7答案与解析：B推理判断题。根据第三段第四句可知，由于禁止使用基因工程技术和杀虫剂等方法，有机农场的产量估计会比传统农场的产量低19%至25%。据此可以判断，应当提高有机农业的生产效率，故B项正确。第五段的最后一句亦是提示。C【语篇解读】本文
37、是一篇说明文，主要介绍了一个农业旅游基地Foot Print Farms建立的原因及其发展情况。8答案与解析：D细节理解题。文章第二段提到AyersElliott毕业后回到家乡，看到到处有高血压、糖尿病、肥胖症和心脏病的报道，而且不需要研究就能发现这里很多人的身体严重不健康，并且最大的健康挑战可能直接来源于不良饮食，因此她决定建立Foot Print Farms。9答案与解析：C推理判断题。文章第三段第二句AyersElliott谈到了其成功的关键在于合作社模式，他们共同工作，共享回报；紧接着举Wingfield High School football team的例子正是为了支持这一观点，故
38、选C。10答案与解析：A推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中的Im looking forward to.and spin it off in other communities和“She is now looking forward to.they can sow in their own communities when they return home.”可知，AyersElliott对 Food Print Farms的发展充满期待。由此可推知，她对Foot Print Farms的未来持乐观的态度。11答案与解析：B主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文主要介绍了Foot Print Farms的
39、情况生产新鲜、自然生长的食物，采用合作社模式，这对改善AyersElliott家乡当地人的饮食有很大作用，故选B项。.七选五【语篇解读】本文介绍了两条装饰花园的建议：一是弄清楚你为什么要搞园艺；二是回忆你以前看到过的花园。1答案与解析：F根据设空处前后句的句意“你是否参观过使你感觉非常好的花园？”和“但是，这并不是偶然发生的。”可知，F项“你也可以把你的花园装饰得如此怡人”使得上下文语意连贯，衔接紧密。2答案与解析：A此处缺少主题句。根据本段倒数第二句“However, there are a number of other reasons that might explain why you
40、 want to garden.”可知，本段主要讲要弄清楚你为什么要搞园艺。故选A项。3答案与解析：E本段介绍人们对于园艺的观点：有些人认为花园只是指一些花花草草；有些人关心少用水、少用肥料的园艺方法。设空处仍然在说明人们对园艺不同的看法。故E项“还有其他一些人只是喜欢待在户外，接触植物”承接上文。4答案与解析：C根据设空处前一句“不重要”可知，强调的是在园艺中对我们来说真正重要的是什么。故C项“重要的是我们搞园艺的经历”符合上下文语境。5答案与解析：G根据本段内容及主题句“Recall your childhood memories”可知，如果自己装饰一个花园，要回忆一下自己小时候所看到的那些花园，并把这些花园的优点写下来，然后制订计划并把自己以前的记忆变成美丽的花园。故G项符合语境。