《2026年水木金卷高考模拟试卷精编英语》

B
In the scientific history, few rivalries have captured the imagination like the one between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. These two inventors, each with their unique approaches and visions, engaged in a fierce competition that forever transformed the world of electricity and innovation.
The paths of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison first crossed in the late 1800s when Tesla arrived in the United States with his boundless enthusiasm and inventive spirit. Tesla, a young Serbian engineer, sought opportunities to work on his ambitious ideas. Edison, already an established inventor and entrepreneur, recognised Tesla's talent and employed him at his company, the Edison Machine Works.
It was during Tesla's time working for Edison that the seeds of rivalry were sown. Edison advocated direct current (DC) as the dominant approach to electrical distribution, while Tesla saw the potential of alternating current (AC) systems, which offered greater efficiency over longer distances.
The turning point in their rivalry occurred with the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Tesla, backed by George Westinghouse, successfully showcased the superiority of AC by lighting the fairgrounds with his AC-powered system. This success crushed Edison's claims of DC's superiority, leading to the widespread adoption of AC as the standard for electrical power transmission.
However, due to Edison's influence, AC power was initially dismissed as dangerous and unreliable. In order to demonstrate its safety, Tesla held a public demonstration where he famously lit up a string of lights using his AC motor powered by Niagara Falls, proving once and for all that AC power was safe for use in homes and businesses around the world.
While both sides fought fiercely for control of electricity distribution networks across America, it was ultimately Tesla's AC system that won out due to its greater efficiency over long distances compared with DC systems which quickly lost voltage (电压) as distance increased from their source point. Eventually even Edison himself came around and accepted defeat when he finally admitted that "Tesla has solved an extremely difficult problem".
Despite their differences, the two men had an unwilling respect for each other. Edison was known to refer to Tesla as "one of the greatest electrical geniuses the world has ever seen" while Tesla praised Edison's contributions to the field of electricity. Though their rivalry defined the development of electricity in the late 19th century, its impact still resonates (回响) today.
41. In which aspect did Tesla's and Edison's views on electrical systems differ?
A. The source of electrical power.
B. The invention of electrical devices.
C. The efficiency of power generation.
D. The method of electrical transmission.
42. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. Defended.
B. Recognised.
C. Defeated.
D. Demonstrated.
43. How did Tesla prove the reliability of AC power?
A. By displaying AC-powered lighting in a community.
B. By conducting a public experiment at Niagara Falls.
C. By getting support from George Westinghouse.
D. By highlighting the limitations of DC power.
44. Why did Tesla's AC system finally achieve success?
A. It provided higher voltage outputs.
B. It was easier to operate and maintain.
C. It had superior long-range performance.
D. It received more financial backing.
45. What message does the author want to convey in the passage?
A. Every cloud has a silver lining.
B. Real knowledge comes from practice.
C. A rising tide lifts all boats.
D. Rivalry fuels progress.

答案： 41.D细节理解题。题干意为:Tesla和Edison对于电力系统的看法在哪一方面存在差异?根据第三段中“Edison advocated direct current(DC)as the dominant approach to electrical distribution，while Tesla saw the potential of alternating current(AC)systems”可知，Edison主张将直流电作为主要的配电方式，而Tesla则看到了交流电系统的潜力。由此可知，Tesla和Edison对于电力传输方式存在不同的看法。故选D。
42.C词义猜测题。题干意为:第四段中的画线单词可能是什么意思?根据第四段中“Tesla... successfully showcased the superiority of AC”和“leading to the widespread adoption of AC as the standard for electrical power transmission”可知，Tesla成功展示了交流电的优越性，并促使交流电成为电力传输的标准方式;结合“Edison’s claims of DC’s superiority”可知，此处表示这一成功“击败”了Edison关于直流电优越性的主张。所以，crushed与defeated意思相近。故选C。
43.B细节理解题。题干意为:Tesla是如何证明交流电的可靠性的?根据倒数第三段中“AC power was initially dismissed as dangerous and unreliable. In order to demonstrate its safety，Tesla held a public demonstration where he famously lit up a string of lights using his AC motor powered by Niagara Falls”可知，为了证明交流电的可靠性，Tesla举行了一次公开演示，他用尼亚加拉瀑布驱动的交流电机点亮了一串灯泡。故选B。
44.C细节理解题。题干意为:Tesla的交流电系统最终为何获得了成功?根据倒数第二段中“it was ultimately Tesla’s AC system that won out due to its greater efficiency over long distances compared with DC systems”可知，Tesla的交流电系统最终获胜的原因是，与直流电系统相比，它在远距离传输上更高效。故选C。
45.D推理判断题。题干意为:作者在这篇文章中想要传达什么信息?通读全文，并根据第一段中“a fierce competition that forever transformed the world of electricity and innovation”和最后一段中“their rivalry defined the development of electricity in the late 19th century”可知，本文主要讲述了Tesla和Edison之间关于电力传输方式的竞争，他们的竞争促进了交流电系统的广泛应用，引领了电气时代的发展，为人类做出了巨大的贡献。由此可推知，作者想通过这篇文章传达“竞争可以推动进步”的观点。故选D。