Ⅱ. Read and answer the questions.
On the hillsides of China's Loess Plateau (黄土高原), rows of special houses called *yaodong* are built into the yellow earth. They look like quiet half-moons, showing a simple wisdom of living with nature.
Hundreds of years ago, people here discovered the secret of the thick and soft yellow soil. Instead of fighting against nature, their smart ancestors (祖先) learnt to work with it. They "borrowed" space from the hills, carefully digging out caves to build their homes. They also added wooden doors and windows, creating a house that is warm in winter and cool in summer.
The yellow earth *acts as* a natural air conditioner and heater. In winter, it keeps the cold wind outside. In summer, it protects against the hot sun, keeping the inside pleasantly cool.
Inside, a warm bed made of earth, called a *kang*, is built by the window. A stove (火炉) is connected to it. In winter, the heat from the stove travels through the *kang*, warming the bed and the whole room. The white walls are often decorated with bright red paper-cuts on the windows.
When night comes, soft and warm light shines from the cave windows. From far away, they look like gentle stars resting on the hills, telling a story of people living in harmony with the earth.
()1. How can *yaodong* keep warm in winter and cool in summer?
A. By using heaters all day.
B. By using air conditioners.
C. By using the earth's natural power.
D. By having windows to get sunlight.
()2. What does the underlined phrase "acts as" most likely mean?
A. Performs in a play.
B. Serves as or works like.
C. Moves very quickly.
D. Pretends to be something.
()3. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. The look of *yaodong*.
B. The history of *yaodong*.
C. The beauty of *yaodong*.
D. The secrets of *yaodong*.
()4. What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To warn us about the dangers of *yaodong*.
B. To tell us an interesting story about *yaodong*.
C. To encourage us to build our own living places.
D. To show how people use nature to create living places.
5. Would you like to try living in *yaodong*? Why or why not?

Ⅱ. 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D
5. One possible version: Yes. Because it's warm in winter and cool in summer, and it uses the earth's power which is good for the environment.

【分析】
1. 第1题：首先定位问题核心“窑洞冬暖夏凉的原因”，回到原文第三段找到关键句“The yellow earth acts as a natural air conditioner and heater. In winter, it keeps the cold wind outside. In summer, it protects against the hot sun”，可知是借助黄土的自然特性。再对比选项，A、B选项提到的加热器、空调原文未提及，D选项窗户采光不是冬暖夏凉的原因，因此选C。
2. 第2题：猜测“acts as”的含义需结合语境，后文提到黄土是“natural air conditioner and heater”，说明黄土起到空调和加热器的作用，由此推断短语意思是“充当，起……作用”，对应选项B，其他选项均不符合语境。
3. 第3题：分析第二段内容，开头“Hundreds of years ago”点明时间，接着讲述祖先发现黄土特性并建造窑洞的过程，核心是介绍窑洞的起源与发展历史，因此主旨是窑洞的历史，选B。
4. 第4题：总结全文，文章围绕窑洞展开，介绍它是人们顺应自然、利用黄土特性建造的居所，体现人与自然和谐共处，因此文章目的是展示人们如何利用自然打造居住场所，选D。
5. 第5题：属于开放性问题，可从窑洞的优点（冬暖夏凉、环保节能）或可能存在的不足（采光较差、潮湿等）入手，给出合理理由即可。
【解析】
1. 第1题：根据原文第三段“The yellow earth acts as a natural air conditioner and heater. In winter, it keeps the cold wind outside. In summer, it protects against the hot sun, keeping the inside pleasantly cool.”可知，窑洞借助黄土的自然力量实现冬暖夏凉，故选C。
2. 第2题：结合语境“The yellow earth acts as a natural air conditioner and heater”，黄土起到了自然空调和加热器的作用，“acts as”意为“充当，起……作用”，与选项B“Serves as or works like”意思一致，故选B。
3. 第2段开头提到“Hundreds of years ago”，随后讲述祖先发现黄土特性并挖掘窑洞建造房屋的过程，主要介绍了窑洞的发展历史，故选B。
4. 全文围绕窑洞展开，介绍它是人们顺应自然、利用黄土资源建造的特色居所，体现了人与自然和谐相处的智慧，因此文章的主要目的是展示人们如何利用自然创造居住场所，故选D。
5. 示例回答：Yes. Because it's warm in winter and cool in summer, and it uses the earth's power which is good for the environment.（或其他合理答案，如No. Because it may be dark and humid inside, which makes me feel uncomfortable.）
【答案】
Ⅱ. 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D
5. One possible version: Yes. Because it's warm in winter and cool in summer, and it uses the earth's power which is good for the environment.
【知识点】
1. 细节查找
2. 词义猜测
3. 主旨归纳
【点评】
本文介绍了黄土高原特色民居窑洞，考查学生的细节理解、词义猜测和主旨归纳能力。题目设置贴合文章内容，既需要学生精准定位信息，也需要结合语境和全文内容进行推理判断，有助于提升学生的英语阅读综合能力。
【难度系数】
0.6