《2026年水木金卷高考模拟试卷精编英语》

C
Every decision we make is arrived at through hugely complex neurological(神经学的) processing. Although it feels as though you have a choice, the action that you "decide" to take is entirely directed by automatic neural activity. Brain imaging studies show that a person's action can be predicted by their brain activity up to 10 seconds before they themselves become aware they are going to act. Multiple neuroscientific studies show that even those important decisions that feel worked out are just as automatic as knee-jerk reactions(膝跳反应)(although more complex).
Decision-making starts with the amygdala: a set of two almond-shaped nuclei(杏仁状核) buried deep within the brain, which generates emotions. The amygdala registers the information streaming in through our senses and responds to it in less than a second, sending signals throughout the brain. These produce an urge to run, fight, freeze or grab, according to how the amygdala values various stimuli.
Before we act on the amygdala's signals, however, the information is usually processed by other brain areas, including some that produce conscious thoughts and emotions. Areas concerned with recognition work out what's going on, those concerned with memory compare it with previous experiences, and those concerned with reasoning, judging and planning get to work on constructing various action plans. The best plan—if we are lucky—is then selected and carried out. If any of this process goes wrong, we are likely to hesitate, or do something silly.
The various stages of decision-making are marked by different types of brain activity. Fast (gamma) waves, with frequencies of 25 to 100 Hz, produce a keen awareness of the multiple factors that need to be taken into account to arrive at a decision. If you are trying to choose a sandwich, for instance, gamma waves generated in various cells within the "taste" area of the brain bring to mind and compare the taste of ham, hummus, wholemeal, sourdough, and so on. Although it may seem useful to be aware of the full range of choice, too much information makes decision-making more difficult, so irrelevant factors get dismissed quickly and unconsciously.
After this comparison stage, the brain switches to slow-wave activity (12 to 30 Hz). This extinguishes most of the gamma activity, leaving just a single "hotspot" of gamma waves which marks the chosen option.
Although there is no "you" outside your brain to direct what it's doing, you can help it to make good decisions by placing yourself in a situation which is likely to make the process run more smoothly. Doing something that is physically or mentally stimulating before making a decision will help your brain produce the initial gamma waves that generate awareness of the competing options. Getting over-excited, on the other hand, will prevent the switch to the slow brainwaves, making it much harder to single out a choice.
46. Why does the writer mention "knee-jerk reactions" in the first paragraph?
A. To introduce the finding of the latest brain imaging studies.
B. To illustrate that decisions are not consciously thought out.
C. To call attention to a kind of neural reaction that is not very complex.
D. To show the difference between decision-making and other brain activity.
47. What does the amygdala do according to the passage?
A. It works out conscious thoughts and emotions.
B. It selects the best action plan for a given situation.
C. It dismisses factors that are irrelevant to the decision to be made.
D. It processes sensory information and generates emotional responses.
48. What can be concluded from Paragraphs 4 and 5?
A. Slow-wave activity usually lasts longer than fast-wave activity.
B. The brain prioritizes information before settling on a final choice.
C. Decision-making is difficult when slow-wave activity occurs first.
D. The brain needs as much information as possible to make a decision.
49. How does engaging in stimulating activities help the decision-making process?
A. By preparing the brain to single out the most reasonable choice.
B. By helping the brain switch to slow-wave activity more quickly.
C. By getting the brain to focus on those most relevant alternatives.
D. By making the brain more aware of the factors and choices involved.
50. What's the main idea of the passage?
A. Our decisions are controlled by brain activity before we're aware of making them.
B. The amygdala is the only important part of the brain for decision-making.
C. Fast brainwaves always help people make better decisions quickly.
D. People can completely control their decision-making process through willpower.

答案： 46.B 推理判断题。题干意为:为什么作者在第一段中提及“膝跳反应”?根据第一段中“the action that you‘decide’to take is entirely directed by automatic neural activity...even those important decisions that feel worked out are just as automatic as knee-jerk reactions(膝跳反应)”可知,“我们”做决定的行为完全是由自发性神经活动控制的,即使是那些看似经过深思熟虑的重要决定,实际上也像膝跳反应一样是自动完成的,而膝跳反应是一种典型的无意识反应,所以作者用它来类比是为了说明决定的无意识本质。故选B。
47.D 细节理解题。题干意为:根据这篇文章,杏仁核是做什么的?根据第二段中“the amygdala...generates emotions...registers the information streaming in through our senses and responds to it in less than a second,sending signals throughout the brain”可知,杏仁核负责产生情绪反应,它能在不到一秒的时间内接收并处理我们感官传入的信息流,同时向整个大脑发送信号。由此可知,杏仁核负责处理感官信息并产生情绪反应。故选D。
48.B 推理判断题。题干意为:从第四段和第五段中,可以推断出什么?根据第四段中“too much information makes decision-making more difficult,so irrelevant factors get dismissed quickly and unconsciously”和第五段中“This extinguishes most of the gamma activity,leaving just a single‘hotspot’of gamma waves which marks the chosen option.”可知,大脑会快速且无意识地排除无关因素,降低决策的难度,最后只留下一个最终选择。由此可推知,在做出最终选择之前,大脑会对信息进行优先排序。故选B。
49.D 细节理解题。题干意为:参与刺激性的活动如何帮助决策过程?根据最后一段中“Doing something that is physically or mentally stimulating before making a decision will help your brain produce the initial gamma waves that generate awareness of the competing options.”可知,参与刺激性的活动可以使大脑意识到各种可供选择的方案,从而帮助决策过程。故选D。
50.A 主旨大意题。题干意为:这篇文章的主旨是什么?通读全文,尤其是第一段中“Although it feels as though you have a choice,the action that you‘decide’to take is entirely directed by automatic neural activity...a person’s action can be predicted by their brain activity up to 10 seconds before they themselves become aware they are going to act.”可知,本文介绍了决策的神经机制,指出决定是由无意识的大脑活动控制的,包括杏仁核的情绪反应、伽马波的快速信息处理和慢波的最终选择。故选A。