《2026年山东省中考试卷精选九年级英语》

D
Getting hit by lightning is not usually good. But in fact, one tree seems to benefit from the natural reward.
The height and broad head of almendro (杏) trees act as natural lightning rods (避雷针). They not only can survive powerful lightning, but actually attract it. In a thick jungle, such lightning strikes (击中) can even grant the tree a decisive advantage in the competition for survival. Why? Because the lightning will hurt its surrounding "enemies".
The finding comes from a years - long study. Scientists studied lightning's influence on trees and finally wrote a paper to share their new findings in the May New Phytologist.
This scientific team studied and recorded the fate (命运) of 93 trees hit by lightning. Among them were 9 almendros. After two years, every almendro tree of the 9 was doing fine. To their surprise, in fact, they were thriving (茂盛的), while 56 percent of the other species (种类) that had been hit are now dead.
Except a few leaves which are not so smooth as before, almendros weren't hurt by lightning. However, scientists observed that the lianas (藤本植物) which grew on them were all burned by the electric shock. These vines (藤蔓) spread everywhere and they are a danger to almendros. At least, they cut off light to the trees that they climb up. They can also steal nutrients (营养) from almendros. And a liana may not climb just one tree. It can send up vines that connect to branches on neighboring different species. So when lightning strikes an almendro, the deadly current (电流) spreads through lianas to neighboring trees and burns them up. This can free up space, light and nutrients for an almendro to grow vibrantly (生机盎然地).
But why were almendros not hurt as other species nearby? Some of the scientists think the reason is that the tree's wood has low electrical resistance (阻力). That might let it safely lead the current to the ground without suffering a buildup (积聚) of heat. Others think the structure of the tree's head may direct electricity away from the branches—and toward its neighbors. It's really difficult to understand all the biological and physical steps that take place when lightning hits trees. "It would be interesting to be able to say something more on that," scientists noted. "We're all curious how the almendro avoids getting burned by each lightning strike. But we are not sure. So we didn't mention that in the paper."
41. What do almendro trees get after being hit by lightning?
A. Natural lightning rods.
B. A collection of heat.
C. Better living conditions.
D. More smooth leaves.
42. How many of the 93 trees died two years after being hit by lightning?
A. 93.
B. About 47.
C. 9.
D. About 37.
43. What does "them" refer to in Paragraph 5?
A. Leaves.
B. Lianas.
C. Vines.
D. Almendros.
44. What caused the almendros' neighboring trees to be burned?
A. The height of almendros.
B. The stolen nutrients.
C. The connection by the vines.
D. The blocked light.
45. What did the scientists share in the May New Phytologist?
A. Almendros' benefiting from lightning.
B. Almendros' hurting surrounding trees.
C. Structure of almendros' head.
D. Reasons for almendros' survival.

答案： 41.C [解析]细节理解题。根据“So when lightning strikes an almendro，the deadly current(电流) spreads through lianas to neighboring trees and burns them up. This can free up space，light and nutrients for an almendro to grow vibrantly(生机盎然地).”可知，杏树被闪电击中后，周围的“敌人”(如藤本植物和邻近树木)被破坏，因此杏树获得了更充足的空间、光线和营养，即更好的生存条件。故选C。
42.B [解析]推理判断题。根据第四段中的“This scientific team studied and recorded the fate(命运) of 93 trees hit by lightning. Among them were 9 almendros. After two years，every almendro tree of the 9 was doing fine. To their surprise，in fact，they were thriving(茂盛的)，while 56 percent of the other species(种类) that had been hit are now dead.”可知，科学家记录了93棵遭到雷击的树木的生长情况，其中9棵杏树都长得很好，其余的84棵树中有56％的树死了，所以死掉的大约是47棵树。故选B。
43.D [解析]代词指代题。上句说“除了一些叶子不像以前那样光滑以外，杏树没有受到雷击的伤害”，本处紧接着说“然而，科学家们观察到依附于它们生长的藤本植物都被雷击烧毁了”，由此可推知，them指的是“杏树”。故选D。
44.C [解析]细节理解题。根据第五段中的“And a liana may not climb just one tree. It can send up vines that connect to branches on neighboring different species.
本处that引导定语从句，先行词为“vines”
So when lightning strikes an almendro，the deadly current(电流) spreads through lianas to neighboring trees and burns them up.”可知，藤本植物到处攀爬，连接到邻近的不同种类的树枝上，所以当杏树遭到雷击时，致命的电流就会通过藤本植物传到周围的树木上从而烧掉周围的树。故选C。
45.A [解析]细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Scientists studied lightning’s influence on trees and finally wrote a paper to share their new findings in the May New Phytologist.”可知，科学家们在文章中分享了雷击对于树木的影响(杏树从中受益)。故选A。
干扰项分析
本题易错选成D项。根据原文最后“We’re all curious how the almendro avoids getting burned by each lightning strike. But we are not sure. So we didn’t mention that in the paper.”可知，杏树在遭遇雷击时为什么能活下来还未知，所以科学家在文章中并未分享。故D项错误。
长难句分析
To their surprise，in fact，they were thriving(茂盛的)，while 56 percent of the other species(种类) that had been hit are now dead.
译文：令他们惊讶的是，事实上，它们茁壮成长，而遭到雷击的其他种类的树木中，56％的树木现在都死亡了。
分析：本句中that引导定语从句，while表示前后对比。