Ⅰ. 阅读理解
(2021·重庆高三第二次联考)“The research is clear that usable knowledge — that is, learning that can be transferred to new situations — only occurs when individuals are actively making sense of the world” (Science and Engineering for Grades 6－12: Investigation and Design at the Center, p. 57)
One of the recent innovations (创新) in science and engineering education is the central focus on having students figure out puzzling phenomena and solving realworld problems. This idea builds on decades of research on how people learn and shifts the focus from “learning about” a science topic or the engineering design process to “figuring out” how to explain a phenomenon they see or solving a problem. With this focus, students learn ideas and skills because they realise they are missing some knowledge or skill that would allow them to answer their own questions — to satisfy their curiosity.
Students' engagement in their own learning is a strong predictor of their achievement, and teachers often report that it is a challenge to engage students in learning when they are not facetoface in a classroom. However, by centring students' experience on figuring something out that they are genuinely curious about, science and engineering learning can become the most engaging part of a student's day, even in remote learning environments. A phenomenonand problemcentred focus provides opportunities to connect learning more closely to students' own lives and therefore to make it more relevant to them when they are at home.
If students explore a phenomenon or problem that they see in their own home, neighbourhood, or community, they can more easily apply the learning in other aspects of their lives.
【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了近年来理工科教育的创新——让学生更加关注解释疑难问题、解决实际问题，并且更加积极地学习新知识。
1. Why is the quotation put at the beginning of the text?
A. To popularise the idea of a book.
B. To lead in the author's concept.
C. To arouse the readers' interest.
D. To introduce the background.
B 推理判断题。根据引文的观点“The research is clear that usable knowledge — that is, learning that can be transferred to new situations — only occurs when individuals are actively making sense of the world”并结合最后一段作者的观点“If students explore a phenomenon or problem that they see in their own home, neighbourhood, or community, they can more easily apply the learning in other aspects of their lives.”可知，引文的观点与作者的观点一致，而且引自出版的著作，所以作者把这段引语放在开头是为了引出自己的观点并使之更具权威性。故选B。
2. What did science and engineering education use to focus on?
A. Learning knowledge.
B. Finding a problem.
C. Explaining a phenomenon.
D. Teaching oneself.
A 细节理解题。 根据第二段中的“One of the recent innovations (创新) in science and engineering education is the central focus on having students figure out puzzling phenomena and solving realworld problems. This idea builds on decades of research on how people learn and shifts the focus from ‘learning about’ a science topic or the engineering design process to ‘figuring out’ how to explain a phenomenon they see or solving a problem.”可知，科学和工程学教育现在的关注点在解决现实问题，也就是以前注重知识的掌握，而不是解决实际问题。故选A。
3. What should students of science and engineering education be encouraged to do?
A. To talk about a science topic or the engineering design process.
B. To focus on the knowledge and skill they need for the course.
C. To prepare themselves for the ability to solve real problems.
D. To engage themselves in realworld phenomena and problems.
D 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“One of the recent innovations (创新) in science and engineering education is the central focus on having students figure out puzzling phenomena and solving realworld problems.”可知，科学和工程教育学革新之处在于让学生关注解释疑难问题、解决实际问题。故选D。
4. How will students benefit from the innovation in science and engineering education?
A. They will become more curious.
B. They will become the centre of the course.
C. They will be motivated to learn.
D. They will have better learning environment.
C 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“However, by centring students' experience on figuring something out that they are genuinely curious about, science and engineering learning can become the most engaging part of a student's day, even in remote learning environments.”可知，让学生关注实际问题，他们就会把学习与实际生活紧密相连并积极参与其中。故选C。
