No one can change the weather. Nobody can control the weather. But if we read the signs(迹象) around us correctly, we can tell what the more important changes in the weather will be. This way of telling what the weather will be like on the following day or two is called weather forecasting.
For many centuries(世纪) and in all countries, people have studied the weather and tried to make weather forecasts. Rings around the sun are a sign of coming rain. Many people feel their joints(关节) hurt in their bones if wet weather is coming. Some birds fly high if fine weather is coming, but they fly near the ground if rainy or stormy weather is on the way. If you see a rainbow during rainy weather, this is a sign that the weather will become clear and fine. However, if a rainbow appears in the morning, rainy weather will probably come. If the stars twinkle(闪烁) clearly at night, then fine weather will continue. If a fog appears in the morning just above a river, then the day will be warm. If the sunset is mostly red in colour, then the following day will be fine.
Most of the above signs have been identified(识别) by the people who have used their eyes and brains to make weather forecasts.
()56. What does the underlined word “this” refer to?
A. The rainbow.
B. The rainy weather.
C. The insect.
D. The ground.
()57. According to the passage, which of the following is a sign of fine weather?
A. Rings around the sun.
B. A rainbow appearing during rainy weather.
C. A fog above a river in the evening.
D. A rainbow appearing in the morning.
()58. According to the passage, which of the following is a sign of rainy weather?
A. Rings around the sun.
B. Birds flying high.
C. A fog above a river in the evening.
D. Stars twinkling clearly at night.
()59. The author develops the passage mainly by .
A. explaining some relationships
B. giving examples of signs
C. discussing the history of weather study
D. comparing(比较) different signs
()60. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. The Mystery(神秘) of Weather
B. Controlling the Weather
C. Signs and Weather Forecasting
D. Weather Changes Around Us

56. A 【解析】代词指代题。根据“If you see a rainbow during rainy weather, this is a sign that the weather will become clear and fine”可知,下雨天出现彩虹,是天气将变得晴朗无云的迹象。因此,“this”指的是“The rainbow”,故选 A。
57. B 【解析】细节理解题。根据“If you see a rainbow during rainy weather, this is a sign that the weather will become clear and fine”可知,下雨天出现彩虹,是天气将变得晴朗无云的迹象。故选 B。
58. A 【解析】细节理解题。根据“Rings around the sun are a sign of coming rain”可知,日晕是降雨的迹象。故选 A。
59. B 【解析】写作手法题。根据“Most of the above...eyes and brains to make weather forecasts”以及全文可知,文章主要列举了各种天气迹象和它们预示的天气,所以是通过给出天气迹象的例子来展开文章的。故选 B。
60. C 【解析】标题归纳题。通读全文可知,本文主要介绍了一些可以预测天气的天气迹象。因此 C 项最适合作为本文的标题,故选 C。

C
In Ms Brown's history class, students aren't just reading about ancient Rome—they're walking through its streets! Wearing VR glasses, 12-year-old Emma sees 3D buildings around her. "I can touch the Colosseum's walls and even smell imaginary olive trees. When I threw a digital(数码的) coin into the water, it made a pouring sound!" she says excitedly.
VR technology is changing how we learn across subjects. In science classes, students "shrink" to explore blood cells. Geography lessons become adventures. Last week, Tom's class climbed Mount Everest in VR! "We felt the wind and saw snow melting on our gloves. ★." Teachers also use it for dangerous experiments. Mr Wilson's chemistry class recently mixed unreal chemicals. "No fire risks, but the explosion(爆炸) effects look real!" he laughs.
However, some parents worry about disadvantages. Dr Chen, an eye expert, says, "Staring at screens over 30 minutes may cause dizziness(头晕)." A 2023 survey showed 65% of students had dry eyes after VR classes. Also, each VR headset costs 500—many schools can't afford enough tools.
"VR won't take the place of textbooks," Ms Brown says, showing a student comparing a VR pyramid with a book picture. "But when we use both, test scores rise by 40%. It's like having a magic door to knowledge."
( )61. What is the main use of VR in classrooms?
A. To take the place of teachers.
B. To create realistic learning experiences.
C. To make students exercise more.
D. To reduce school costs.
( )62. Why does the writer mention Dr Chen's words?
A. To encourage buying VR glasses.
B. To show VR's health problems.
C. To explain how genes work.
D. To compare different technologies.
( )63. Which of the following can be put into " ★ "?
A. Real mountain climbing is more boring.
B. It was scary but unforgettable!
C. Our teacher forgot the VR password.
D. I prefer reading about mountains.
( )64. What does the underlined part "a magic door to knowledge" mean?
A. A new type of library.
B. Traditional teaching methods.
C. VR's ability to encourage learning.
D. Scientists' research tools.
( )65. Where might we read this passage?
A. In a storybook.
B. In a science magazine.
C. In a guidebook.
D. On a menu.

61. B 【解析】推理判断题。根据“In science classes, student ‘shrink’ to...‘We felt the wind and saw snow melting on our gloves’”可知,在教室里,VR 主要用来创造真实的学习体验。故选 B。
62. B 【解析】细节理解题。根据“However, some parents worry about disadvantages. Dr Chen, an eye expert, says, ‘Staring at screens over 30 minutes may cause dizziness’”可知,作者提到陈博士的话是为了展示 VR 带来的健康问题。故选 B。
63. B 【解析】句子还原题。根据“climbed Mount Everest in VR...on our gloves”可知,空处应表达学生对于 VR 体验的感受。选项 B 符合 VR 体验。故选 B。
64. C 【解析】短语猜测题。“a magic door to knowledge”是 Ms Brown 的比喻,强调 VR 与传统教材结合能提高测试成绩,表明 VR 能激发学习兴趣、增强学习效果。因此,“a magic door to knowledge”意为“VR 激发学习的能力”,故选 C。
65. B 【解析】文章出处题。通读全文可知,本文主要介绍了 VR 应用到教学中的优点及缺点等,与科技有关,我们可能可以在一本科学杂志上读到这篇文章,故选 B。