Consider these facts：The tennis champion Williams sisters are a generation apart，according to the Pew Research Center.Venus，born in 1980，is labelled "Gen X"；Serena，born in 1981，is a "millennial".Meanwhile，Donald Trump and Michelle Obama both belong to the same generation.The former was born in 1946 while the latter was born in 1964，making them both "baby boomers".
Before you push these diverse personalities into generational stereotypes（刻板印象），let me stop you there：Just don't.Generation labels，although widely adopted by the public，have no basis in social reality.In fact，in one recent survey，most people did not identify the correct generation for themselves，even when they were shown a list of options.
This is not surprising since the labels are forced by survey researchers，journalists or marketing firms before the identities they are supposed to describe even exist.Instead of asking people which group they identify with and why，they just declare the labels and start making pronouncements about them.That's not how social identity works.
The practice of naming "generations" based on birth year goes back at least to the supposed "lost-generation" of the late 19th century.But as the tradition slid into a never-ending competition to be the first to propose the next name that sticks，it has produced gradually declining returns to social science and the public understanding.
The supposed boundaries between generations are no more meaningful than the names they've been given.There is no research identifying the appropriate boundaries between generations，and there is no statistical basis for requiring the sweeping character traits（特征）that are believed to define them.In one article you might read that millennials are "liberal lions"，"downwardly mobile"，and "distrustful"；even though they also "get along well with their parents，respect their elders and work well with colleagues".
Ridiculous，clearly.But what's the harm？Aren't these labels just a bit of fun for writers？A method to attract readers and a way of communicating generational change，which no one would deny is a real phenomenon？We，in academic social science，study and teach social change，but we don't study and teach these labels because they simply aren't real.And in social science，reality still matters.
Worse than irrelevant，such baseless labels drive people toward stereotyping and thoughtless character judgment.Measuring and describing social change is essential，and it can be useful to analyze the historical period in which people were born and raised，but drawing random lines between birth years and assigning names to them doesn't help.
Today there are lots of good alternatives to label generations.We can simply describe people by the decade in which they were born and define generational groups specifically related to a particular issue - such as 2020 school kids.With the arrival of "Generation Z"，there has never been a better time to get off this train.
（1）What do the facts listed in Paragraph 1 imply？ BB
A．Different people have different opinions about generation labels.
B．People with the same generation label may not be of similar age.
C．Generational change can be measured by generation labels.
D．Generation labels are widely adopted by celebrities.
（2）The underlined word "sticks" in Paragraph 4 probably means DD.
A．is understood
B．is analyzed
C．is described
D．is accepted
（3）According to the passage，the author may agree that CC.
A．the generation label is a harmless device writers use to reflect reality
B．generation boundaries are more meaningful than generation labels
C．assigning character traits to a certain generation is misguided
D．journalists should find alternative ways to judge character
（4）Which of the following would be the best title for the passage？ AA
A．Generation labels：It's high time to retire them
B．Generation labels：The ongoing debate will never end
C．Generation labels：What do they say about who we are？
D．Generation labels：Expand or bridge generational differences？
【考点】说明文．
【答案】B；D；C；A
【解答】
【点评】
声明：本试题解析著作权属菁优网所有，未经书面同意，不得复制发布。
发布：2024/4/20 14:35:0组卷：35引用：4难度：0.5
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1．It is widely believed that biodiversity（生物多样性）is promoted to save species.But in reality species exist only as part of ecosystems and cannot survive unless their ecosystems are protected along with as much as possible of the diversity they contain.
Protecting habitats（栖息地）is important for keeping biodiversity.In 2003，over 102，000 habitats covering nearly 19 million square kilometres，or 11.5% of the world's land surface，were under some form of protection.Though this is a great improvement since 1962，when just 1，000 protected habitats were listed，it is still not considered enough to stop the ecocide that is endangering the world's biodiversity.
For a number of environmentalist，protecting the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots（热点地区）is critical to saving habitats and species.But many hotspots are endangered already，having lost up to three-quarters of their original plants.
The poor state of most biodiversity hotspots results directly from population growth and migration（迁移） into these areas.A study found that by the mid-1990s around 1.1 billion people lived in these hotspots.Moreover，the annual population growth rate in these areas was 1.8%，higher than the global average of 1.4%.The PAI report concluded that human-related environmental changes will continue to put pressure on hotspots.Therefore，keeping biodiversity requires paying close attention to population size.
Protecting hotspots is not simply a matter of putting up fences and employing guards.The best results are achieved when local people are educated about the value of wildlife，and actually gain a share of the benefits from eco-tourism.Only then do they have a chance to see the benefits of protecting hotpots.
（1）What can we infer from paragraph 1？
A．The loss of any species can affect humans.
B．Endangered species are paid more attention to by humans.
C．Species can still survive when their ecosystems are destroyed.
D．Ecosystem protection is as important as diversity protection.
（2）What does the underlined word "ecocide" in paragraph 2 mean？
A．Ecosystem protection.
B．Reduction of the number of species.
C．Serious damage to habitats.
D．Habitats protection.
（3）What's the direct cause of the terrible state of the hotspots？
A．Population growth in hotpots.
B．Migration out of these areas.
C．Global warming.
D．The global average population growth rate.
（4）What's the author's opinion on protecting the hotspots？
A．It's simple to carry out.
B．It leads to the increase of tourists.
C．It's closely connected with local people.
D．It suggests that the local people are well educated.发布：2025/1/6 16:30:6组卷：0引用：1难度：0.5 -
2．Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing，sit in the garden，have a picnic，live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog，they don't run on the streets.Every one of them tends to go to the park or the river.
But despite this，our children are growing up naturedeprived（剥夺）.I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days，children are robbed of the ancient freedom，due to problems like crime，traffic，the loss of the open space and strange new ideas about what is best for children，that is to say，things that can be bought，rather than things that can be found.
The truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US：families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder（注意力缺陷多动症）.Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%；those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.
ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However，we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.
The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.
We need the wild world.It is essential to our wellbeing，our health and our happiness.
（1）According to the author，people enjoyto seek nature.
A．jogging on the street
B．running in the gym
C．shopping in the supermarket
D．sitting in the garden
（2）From the second paragraph，we can see that.
A．Children don't want to approach nature
B．children probably spend less time in nature nowadays
C．climbing trees will certainly do good to the children
D．children tend to be happier as a result of their material satisfaction
（3）In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature？
A．Children with ADHD can be cured.
B．Children's performance at school is greatly improved.
C．Problems with crime and violent behavior will easily be solved.
D．A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.
（4）what is the main idea of this passage？
A．Access to nature improves our life.
B．Nature treats children for ADHD.
C．Getting close to nature reduces crime.
D．Man can't live without natural areas.发布：2025/1/6 16:30:6组卷：0引用：1难度：0.5 -
3．New editions of Roald Dahl's classic books，such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda，are now available in bookstores.Some passages relating to weight，mental health，gender and race were changed.The changes made by Puffin Books，a division of Penguin Random House，first were reported by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The changes to Dahl's books mark the latest debate over cultural sensitivity.Those who support updates seek to protect young people from cultural，ethnic and gender stereotypes in literature and other media.Critics complain that revisions to suit 21st century sensibilities risk weakening the genius of great artists and preventing readers from facing the world as it is.
The Roald Dahl Story Company controls the rights to the books.The company said it worked with Puffin Books to review the texts because it wanted to ensure that"Dahl's wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today."
Inclusive Minds，a group that is working to make children's literature more inclusive and accessible，reviewed the language in a partnership effort with Puffin Books.Inclusive language avoids terms that could be seen as excluding specific groups of people.Any changes were"small and carefully considered，"the company said.
"When publishing new print runs of books written years ago，it's not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details，including a book's cover and page layout，"the company said their guiding principle throughout had been to maintain the storylines，characters，and the spirit of the original text.
PEN America，a community of some 7，500 writers that advocates for freedom of expression，said it was"alarmed"by reports of the changes to Dahl's books.Suzanne Nossel，chief executive of PEN America，commented on Twitter.She said if we try"to correct for sensing slights （怠慢） instead of allowing readers to receive and react to books as written，we risk distorting the work of great authors and clouding the essential lens （透镜） that literature offers on society."
Laura Hackett is a childhood Dahl fan who is now deputy literary editor of London，England's Sunday Times newspaper.She had a more personal reaction to the news."The editors at Puffin should be ashamed of the botched surgery they've carried out on some of the finest children's literature in Britain，"she wrote."As for me，I'll be carefully putting away my old，original copies of Dahl's stories，so that one day my children can enjoy them in their full，nasty and colorful glory."
（1）What is the reason for the changes to Dahl's books？
A．To make Dahl's books more enjoyable.
B．To review the language used and add details.
C．To remove words that show disrespect to some people.
D．To keep the storylines，characters，and the spirit of the original text.
（2）What might the underlined word in Paragraph 6 probably mean？
A．Preventing.
B．Appreciating.
C．Understanding.
D．Misrepresenting.
（3）Which of the following may Laura Hackett agree？
A．The new version of the books is worth collecting.
B．The original version of the books are more valuable.
C．The original books weaken the genius of great artists.
D．The new version allows readers to receive books as written.
（4）What might be the proper title of the passage？
A．New Changes to Roald Dahl Books Start Argument
B．Different Opinions on New Editions of Classic Books
C．Authors or Publishers both Control the Right to Books
D．New Editions of Roald Dahl's Classic Books Available
（5）What is the purpose of the passage？
A．To persuade readers to buy Roald Dahl's classic books.
B．To entertain readers by the changes of Roald Dahl's books.
C．To recommend the new version of Roald Dahl's classic books.
D．To inform diverse views on the changes of Roald DahI's books.发布：2025/1/30 8:0:1组卷：5引用：1难度：0.4
