Gaokao English: Reading Comprehension Flashcards

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: Deforestation has multiple causes. In tropical regions, forests are often cleared to create agricultural land, particularly for cattle ranching and soybean farming. Logging for timber is another significant driver. In some countries, forests are also burned to make way for palm oil plantations. While individual trees can be replanted, restoring the complex ecosystems of old-growth forests takes centuries — if it is possible at all. According to the passage, what makes deforestation particularly difficult to reverse?

Answer: Old-growth ecosystems take centuries to recover, if at all.

The passage states that while individual trees can be replanted, restoring old-growth ecosystems takes centuries or may not be possible.

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic structures in human history. Construction began as early as the 7th century BC, though the most recognizable sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The wall stretches thousands of kilometers and was primarily built to protect Chinese states from northern nomadic invasions. Popular belief holds that the Great Wall is visible from space, but this claim has been debunked — the wall is too narrow to be seen with the naked eye from orbit. What misconception does the passage correct?

Answer: That the Great Wall is visible from space with the naked eye.

The passage explicitly identifies the space-visibility claim as a myth that has been 'debunked.'

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: Nuclear energy provides about 10% of the world's electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, it emits almost no greenhouse gases during operation. However, it carries significant risks: accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima demonstrated the potential for catastrophic failure. The problem of long-term radioactive waste disposal remains unsolved. Despite these drawbacks, some environmentalists argue that nuclear energy must play a role in combating climate change because renewable sources alone may not provide enough power quickly enough. Why do some environmentalists support nuclear energy despite its risks?

Answer: Because renewables alone may not decarbonize the energy supply fast enough.

The passage says some environmentalists support nuclear because renewables alone may not provide sufficient power quickly enough to address climate change.

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: Language shapes how we perceive the world. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers' cognition. A classic example involves color perception: researchers found that speakers of languages with more color terms could distinguish between similar shades more easily than speakers with fewer terms. While the strong version of this hypothesis — that language completely determines thought — is widely rejected, the idea that language influences perception retains scientific support. Which version of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis does the passage say is rejected?

Answer: The strong version, which claims language completely determines thought.

The passage says the 'strong version' — that language completely determines thought — is 'widely rejected.'

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: Overfishing is depleting marine ecosystems at an alarming rate. When fish populations are reduced faster than they can reproduce, stocks collapse — sometimes permanently. The collapse of the Grand Banks cod fishery off Canada in the 1990s left tens of thousands of fishermen without work and has not recovered to this day. International agreements on fishing quotas exist, but enforcement is difficult on the open seas. What lesson does the Grand Banks example illustrate?

Answer: Overfishing can permanently destroy fish populations and the communities dependent on them.

The Grand Banks collapse illustrates that overfishing can permanently destroy stocks and devastate dependent communities.

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: A growth mindset, as described by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This contrasts with a fixed mindset — the belief that abilities are innate and unchangeable. Research shows students with a growth mindset are more resilient after failure, more willing to take on challenges, and ultimately achieve more than those with a fixed mindset. Educators increasingly incorporate growth mindset principles into teaching to help students develop perseverance. According to the passage, how does a growth mindset affect students' response to failure?

Answer: They are more resilient and continue engaging with challenges.

The passage states that students with a growth mindset are 'more resilient after failure' and 'more willing to take on challenges.'

Read the passage and answer the question. Passage: The sharing economy — platforms like Airbnb and Uber — has disrupted traditional industries. Advocates argue it increases efficiency by making use of underutilized assets: spare rooms, idle cars. Critics point out that these platforms shift economic risk onto individual workers, who lack the benefits and protections of traditional employment. Regulators in many cities struggle to adapt rules designed for hotels and taxi companies to these new business models. What challenge do regulators face with sharing economy platforms?

Answer: Traditional rules for hotels and taxis do not easily apply to new platform-based models.

The passage says regulators 'struggle to adapt rules designed for hotels and taxi companies to these new business models.'