上海市西郊中学2021-2022学年高三上学期期中考试英语试卷+

2021-2022学年上海市西郊中学高三上学期期中考试英语试卷

I. Listening comprehension

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II. Grammar and Vocabulary

Section A

Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Why modern music should quieten down

Quietness may be underestimated values in pop music. (21) _________ (look) up "the loudest band in the world" and you will be confronted with a large number of rock giants from Manowar who proudly achieved a sound pressure level of 139 dB to Motor-head. The pickings are slim (22) _________ we substitute "quiet" for "loud".

In a way, increasing the volume of a song makes biological sense, something the music industry (23) _________ (exploit) since the jukebox, era. There is an organ in the inner ear called sacculus that is linked to a region of the brain (24) _________ (associate) with pleasure and react to low-frequency vibrations over 90 dB.

On the other hand, (25) _________ (focus) sorely on loudness ignores the infinitely more subtle appeal of being quiet. A French band called "Air", (26) _________ twenty-years collection was released on June 10, are masters of the art. As any teacher knows, quietness can be more effective than shouting to make people pay attention. Air employed this gentle persuasion on Moon Safari, an album that attracts the listener (27) _________ the peaceful sound of rain and muted drums. Even when Air do increase the volume, the vocalist's voice remains one of (28) _________ (gentle) noises in pop. Given its warmth and peacefulness, it is no coincidence (29) _________ the album was a favourite among clubbers after a night out. It is a time when the desire for kindness, companionship and warmth prevails.

So forget the "loudness-war". Manowar (30) _________ be happy with their 139 dB, but they are comprehensively defeated by fireworks, which reach 145 to 150 dB when they explode, and the call of the blue whale, which goes all the way up to 188 dB. Now that's something to shout about.

Section B

Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

Kick-started --- founding success

Kick-starter is an online crowdfunding platform. It is an Internet space where entrepreneurs（创业者）can __31__ the need for traditional investors such as banks or venture capitalists, and instead gather together a group of financial backers from among members of the public.

The project creators __32__ the amount they want to raise and then set a deadline by which to do this. If the amount is not reached by the designated time, then no founds are collected from backers. The projects themselves tend to be in the __33__ sphere-technology and design, music and dance, film and theatre, the arts and publishing. Co-funder, Perry Chen, describes the system as a mixture of 'patronage and commerce': that is to say, the supporters for the project may simply benefit from the knowledge that they have __34__ something worthwhile or they may benefit in some more concrete and commercial way. For example, a project to start a women's history magazine in Sweden offered funders a range of __35__ from a 'big thank you and shout out on Facebook' to a full page advertisement in the magazine, depending on the __36__ of their contribution.

Unlike some other crowdfunding sites, Kick-starter requires no ownership or stake in the project itself, they simply take a five per cent fee on the total amount of money raised. In this way it leaves the creator in control of the their own success. The __37__ it places on the project owners -- that the project is original, genuine and realizable -- are largely based on trust, and projects have been occasionally __38__ which are not honest or feasible.

Kick-starter has been a witness to many such successes. To date, nearly $2 billion has been raised through its efforts, and several film and theatre projects have enjoyed critical __39__. Perhaps as important as the funding that enables the project to get off the ground is the __40__ community of followers that each project then takes with them.

III. Reading Comprehensions

Section A

Directions: For each blank in the following passage, there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.

Blind boxes originated in Japan. As the name implies, they are boxes that may contain surprise or __41__. The buyer has no idea what the contents will be inside because each series has twelve same __42__ packing boxes. Blind box collectors usually spend __43__ to get the secret toy. The more they buy, the more they want . It is apparent that this cannot be explained by traditional economics -- the marginal benefit is __44__ -- buying an additional unit of product will cause the additional benefit to decrease. However, for consumers of blind boxes, the more they pay, the more they want.

Digging deeper into the issue, you will learn the very marketing of blind boxes is called __45__ selling. The possibility to get a secret one is 1/144. Research has shown that blind box is the easiest approach for the shoppers to fall in love and become __46__ customers. One of the most popular blind box brands Pop Mart __47__ 8.18 billion yuan in sales in the first half of 2020. For shoppers, uncertainty about the box content __48__ excitement and surprise combined, a potential neural（神经系统的）hit in the brain typically experienced by gamblers and thrill-seekers, thus making consumers have the desire to ___49_____the purchase. Blind boxes are not exactly a(n)____50___, but represent a harmless rush of adrenaline（肾上腺素）for Generation Z, a consumer born in the period from mid-to-late- 1990s to early 2010s.

Why are blind boxes so popular among Gen Z? Well, these are consumers raised in a relatively good period characterized by abundant（大量的；充裕的）__51__, when demand for food and clothing was easily met. __52__, the pursuit of consumption that can pack in special excitement and surprise leads them to products like blind boxes.

Blind boxes can be used as a tool to clearly identify target consumers and their needs. Even since Pop Mart launched its first store in Beijing in 2010, it has been __53__ and upgrading the products to figure out and suit the consumers' tastes.

While trying to stimulate consumption demand with blind boxes, companies should be aware of the hidden risks. They should not hold the surprise tricks as a way to __54__ consumers. Consumers may not return for purchases if they feel cheated once. Without __55__ products that deliver value, no company can go far. Once the wave of blind boxes subsides, a company without good products may never be able to catch the next wave.

41. A. disappointment  B. curiosity       C. wonder       D. confusion

42. A. fabulous        B. external       C. visible           D. plastic

43. A. wisely          B. pleasantly        C. heavily            D. freely

44. A. below the average  B. beyond their imagination  C. within their reach  D. on the decline

45. A. intensive      B. panic         C. competitive         D. probabilistic

46. A. regular         B. original         C. casual             D. satisfied

47. A. chased          B. generated       C. expected           D. reinvested

48. A. demonstrates     B. releases       C. equals           D. expresses

49. A. encourage       B. confirm         C. transfer            D. repeat

50. A. trend           B. amusement       C. addiction           D. trouble

51. A. devices       B. supplies         C. opportunities       D. choices

52. A. As a result      B. By contrast      C. In other words      D. On one hand

53. A. exploring         B. utilizing       C. maintaining         D. transporting

54. A. entertain         B. fool        C. safeguard         D. charge

55. A. fashionable         B. solid           C. profitable         D. native

Section B

Directions: Read the following two passage. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.

(A)

We do not stop playing because we are old: we grow old because we stop playing. That's what I learnt from my new and special friend. On the first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't know.

I looked around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady with a smile. She said, "Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eight-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" She gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young innocent age?" I asked jokingly. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she replied. After class we walked to the Students Union building and shared a chocolate milkshake there. We became instant friends.

Every day of the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends whenever she went. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football dinner. I'll never forget what she taught us.

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. Any body can grow old. That doesn't take any talent of ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunities in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Song of Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics（歌词）and live them out in our daily life. At the year's end, Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

56. What happened to the author on the first day of school?

A. He joined the Student Union.           B. He got to know an old professor.

C. He got to know an old lady by chance.   D. He had to share a milkshake with others.

57. In the author's eyes, _________.

A. Rose was silent and skilled.           B. Rose was talented and hardworking.

C. Rose was innocent and generous.      D. Rose was courageous and her words were inspiring

58. Which saying might Rose possibly support?

A. Rome was not built in a day.         B. One is never too old to learn.

C. It is no use crying over split milk.     D. Great minds think alike.

(B)

Care for a zoom-in observation of animals with no bars between you and the observed opposed to ordinary zoos? Where to have close-up encounters with some of the world's most rare animals? We are revealing for you:

1. Right whales, Bay of Fundy, Canada

Northern right whales are on the brink of extinction, but survivors arrive in the Bay of Fundy each summer (May through October) to feed east of Grand Manan Island. They are recognized by a broad back and no dorsal fin, which distinguish them from other whales entering the bay.

Planning: Whale-watching tours operate out of Digby Neck peninsula on Nova Scotia and nearby islands, such as Brier Island. St. Andrews, Grand Manan Island, and Deer Island.

2. Grizzly bears , Alaska

Grizzlies like salmon. In mid-July and again in mid-August, grizzlies make for Alaskan rivers to hook out the fish with their formidable claws. The bears gather in large numbers at rapids and pools, sometimes fighting for the best sites. Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, and Fish Creek, near Hyder, have viewing platforms.

Planning: Most fishing sites are accessed by chartered light aircraft and a hike. Hyder is off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.

3. Monarch butterflies, Sierra Chincua, Mexico

Each fall, millions of North American monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles to the oyamel fir forests of The Trans-volcanic Mountain Range, in the state of Michoacan. They flock intimately on tree trunks, bushes, and on the ground, fully showing their gregarious nature and occupy Sierra Chincua and four neighboring hills that make up the Monarch Butterfuly Biosphere Reserve.

Planning: Chincua is one of two hills in the reserve open to the public from November through March.

4. Komodo dragons, Komodo Island, Indonesia

Landing on Komodo, you would feel like stepping back to a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, as park maps reported, "Here be dragons!" This mountainous volcanic island is home to the world's largest living lizard -- the Komodo dragon. Weighing 79 to 91 kg, the Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body. You can hike to a viewpoint at Banugulung and watch as park rangers feed food to the lizards, some of which are more than 10 ft (3 m) long.

Planning: Komodo is reached solely by boat from Bima (on eastern Sumbawa) or Labuan Bajo (on western Flores).

5. Wildebeest migration, Serengeti, Tanzania

Undoubtedly the world's most spectacular wildlife sight is the annual wildebeest migration, when 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras and gazelles are on the move across the Serengeti plains. The animals are trekking to chase the clean water and fresh grass. Along the way, lions and hyenas stalk them, and crocodiles lie in wait.

Planning: The herds migrate across Tanzania from December through July, and then pass through the Masai Mara in Kenya in August and September.

59. In which place can a variety of types of animals be viewed?

A. Alaska .     B. Sierra Chincua      C. Komodo Island         D. Serengeti

60. The underlined word "gregarious is closest in meaning to _________.

A. being able to climb.             B. preferring group living

C. migrating in huge numbers        D. moderate in temper

61. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A. Right whales are distinguished from other whales by unique appearance features.

B. Viewing spots for grizzly bears can be reached through air and on foot.

C. Komodo dragons are similar to dinosaurs in living period.

D. Wildebeest herds travel to pursue favourable food conditions.

62. The target readers of the passage are probably _________.

A. adventurous visitors longing for closer look at animals.

B. mountain hikers who seek unique hiking trails

C. experienced hunters who are aimed at rare animals

D. average zoo visitors looking for animal contact at safe distance

(C)

Women are still underrepresented in top academic positions. One of the possible explanations for this is the increasing importance of obtaining research funding. Women are often less successful in this than men. Psychology researchers Dr. Romy van der Lee and professor Naomi Ellemers investigated whether this difference also occurs at the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and examined potential explanations.

The researchers were assigned by NWO to carry out this study as part of the broader evaluation of NWO's procedures and its gender diversity policy. The aim was to gain more insight into the causes of the differences in awarding rates for male and female applicants for research funding. The analysis addressed an important "talent programme" of NWO, the Veni grant. "Whoever receives this grant has a greater chance of obtaining an important appointment at a university," says Naomi Ellemers.

Van der Lee and Ellemers investigated all the applications submitted by male and female researchers over a period of three years: a total of 2823 applications. Under the direction of NWO these applications were assessed by scientific committees consisting of men and women. The results demonstrate that the awarding rates for female applicants (14.9%) are systematically lower than those for male applicants (17.7%). "If we compare the proportion of women among the applicants with the proportion of women among those awarded funding, we see a loss of 4%," said Ellemers.

The study reveals that women are less positively evaluated for their qualities as researcher than men are, "Interestingly the research proposals of women and men are evaluated equally positively. In other words, the reviewers see no difference in the quality of the proposals that men and women submit," says Romy van der Lee.

In search for a possible cause for the differences in awarding rates and evaluations, the researchers also investigated the language use in the instructions and forms used to assess the quality of applications. This clearly revealed the occurrence of gendered language. The words that are used to indicate quality are frequently words that were established in previous research as referring mainly to the male gender stereotype (such as challenging and excellent). Romy van der Lee explains: "As a result, it appears that men more easily satisfy the assessment criteria, because these better fit the characteristics stereoty-pically associated with men."

In response to the results of this research, NWO will devote more attention to the gender awareness of reviewers in its methods and procedures. It will also be investigated which changes to the assessment procedures and criteria can most strongly contribute to more equal chances for men and women to obtain research funding. This will include an examination of the language used by NWO. NWO chair Jos Engelens said, "The research has yielded valuable results and insights. Based on the recommendations made by the researchers we will therefore focus in the coming period on the development of evidence-based measures to reduce the difference in awarding rates."

63. Van der Lee and Ellemers carried out the research to find out whether _________.

A. women are less successful than men in top academic positions

B. female applicants are at a disadvantage in getting research funding

C. NOW's procedures and gender diversity policy enhance fair play

D. there are equal chances for men and women to be admitted to a university

64. Van der Lee and Ellemers' study shows that _________.

A. grant receivers were more likely to get appointments at universities

B. men applicants for research funding outnumbered women applicants

C. the research proposals of women are equally treated with those of men

D. the reviewers have narrow, prejudiced conceptions of women candidates

65. What might be the main cause for the differences in awarding rates and evaluations?

A. The words used in the instructions and forms.

B. The reviewers' preference to applications.

C. The methods and procedures for evaluation.

D. The vague and unclear assessment criteria.

66. What will NWO probably do next in response to the results of this research?

A. Eliminate possibilities for difference in awarding rates.

B. Design a language examination for all the reviewers.

C. Emphasize the importance of gender awareness.

D. Improve the assessment procedures and criteria.

Section C

Directions: Read the passage carefully. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.

Age Is No Barrier To Sporting Passion

One of the most touching moments of the Tokyo Games this summer wsa entirely spontaneous. During the qualifying round of the women's gymnastics, 46-year-old Oksana Chusovitina took to the podium in her 8th Olympics as she attempted to qualify for the vault finals one last time. Chusovitina, who won her finals world championship golds in 1991 and took an Olympic team gold in 1992, had previously announced that Tokyo would mark the end of her illustrious career.

Chusovitina finished 14th in the vault competition that day, missing the final after two fine but flawed vaults. _________67_________ Across the floor, all the other gymnasts gave Chusovitina a standing ovation, a gesture that moved her to tears.

Even as she convincingly explained her intention to move on from the sport and to devote more time to her son, Alisher, she has always been terrible at retiring. She had indicated that she would retire after the 2009 World Championships, aged 34. _________68_________ Each time Chusovitina has considered retirement, her sheer passion for the sport and tireless motivation has won out.

_________69_________ When she posted a video of herself working through an uneven bars routine with no grips, the jokes about "unretirement" began. _________70_________ Chusovitina explained that she left Tokyo unsatisfied by her result and determined to finish her career on a high: "I really want to end my career with a medal for Uzbekistan," she said to Sputnik. "It will not be the Olympic Games, but the Asian ones, but I really want it. When my heart asks, I have to do it."

IV. Summary Writing

Directions: Read the following three passages. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

71. Brain Typing

When you move, sense, speak or do just about anything, your brain generates a specific, corresponding pattern of electrical activity. Brain typing under development can use these impulses to restore movement in some who have paralysis, a loss of control of the body caused by an injury to the nerves.

This advanced brain implant can let individuals with impaired limb movement create text using the mind -- no hands needed. Such technology could potentially benefit millions of people worldwide who cannot type or speak because of impaired limbs or vocal muscles. But this technique let people generate just 40 characters per minute, far lower than the average keyboard typing speed or roughly 190.

Thus, some scientists have a hesitation about this new research: while restoring communication via written letters is intuitive（凭直觉的）, it may not be the most efficient means of doing so. "Why not teach the person a new language based on simple elementary gestures?" One of them asks, "This could both boost the speed of communication and, crucially, decrease the mental effort and attention needed."

For now, Willett, a research scientist, is focusing on brain typing together with his team. He admits that analyzing what someone intends to say is still a major challenge facing researchers, given that individuals generate speech more quickly than they write or type. "It's been a hard problem to decode（理解）speech with enough accuracy and vocabulary size to allow people to have a general conversation." Willett says. "But we're now excited that we can decode handwriting very accurately. That is a great breakthrough."

V. Translation

Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.

72. 炎炎夏日，最令人期待的莫过于一杯冰镇饮料。(than)

73. 他总是丢三落四，今天饭卡又找不到了。(typical)

74. 志愿者活动没有给我们造成额外负担，反倒利于我们丰富社会经验。(instead)

75. 在这个村落，人们通常吃到八分饱，但这个健康的饮食习惯最初是为了应对食物短缺的困境。(until)

VI. Guided Writing

Directions:Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.

假如你是明启中学的王华，学校正鼓励学生创建社团，你有意提出申请做某一社团的社长。请你向负责社团工作的张老师递交你的申请书。申请书的内容必须包括：

1. 你的个人基本情况及你创建的社团名称；

2. 你创建该社团的理由；

3. 你拟策划的活动内容及预期收获。

参考答案

21. Look   22. if/when   23. has exploited / has been exploiting   24. associated 

25. focusing   26. whose   27. with    28. the gentlest   29. that    30. may

31 - 40  IFDBJ  GCKAH

41 - 55  ABCDD  ABCDC   BAABB

56 - 58  CDB

59 - 62  DBCA

63 - 66  BCAD

67 - 70  EDAF

71:Reference:

     Brain typing uses brain electrical activities to help the diasabled to text without using their hands, despite its low speed. Thus, some scientists hold a reservation about this technoogy and suggest a new language instead. But the scientists in brain typing insist that though the obstacle does exist, they have made a breakthrough in decoding. This technology will be available in the near future.

72. On summer hot days, nothing is more desirable than a glass of iced drink

73. Hardly had the teacher sent out the papers when everyone started to work really hard on the test.

74. It is typical of him to forget things, and today his meal card was nowhere to be found again.

75. Shanghai may narrowly escape typhoon this time, still she is well prepared, having reinforced the dam, cancelled flights and relocated a vast number of coastal residents.