Bees seem to fly aimlessly as they search for the sugary liquid called nectar (花蜜). But their flight plans actually do have a pattern. Flowers act as the insects’ air-traffic controllers. And new research shows bees prefer flowers that aren’t too flashy.
Flowers give bees clues about how much a plant can offer. Those clues can be in the color of petals, in the type, in the smell or even in the electrical charge. All of these characteristics send signals to the bees, telling them whether to land or not, among which the colors play the most significant role. The insects keep track of the color of the flowers that are especially rich in nectar. They then visit more flowers of that color.
However, color can’t guarantee bees a good meal. It may change depending on the angle at which sunlight hits its petals. A yellow follower, for example, may look somewhat blue from one angle and red from another. Beverley Glover studies plants at the University of Cambridge in England. Glover and her colleagues showed that even when the color of petals looks similar, bees behave differently in searching for nectar. They started to guess that the strength of petals’ indescence (色彩斑斓) might be related to how bees find the petals.
Glover and her colleagues tested their hypothesis in the lab. In their experiment, they found that bees felt confused sometimes when the petals were very iridescent and that bees had no problem finding the flowers with more nectar when the petals were not very iridescent. The team shared its new findings in the March 21 Current Biology.
“At first glance, it’s very surprising because animals can usually detect a more vivid signal more easily,” says Klaus Lunau, a biologist in Germany, who was not involved in the study.
1.What can we know about the flight of bees?
A. They usually fly in a regular pattern.
B. They fly under the direction of flowers.
C. They usually fly without any purpose.
D. They fly to some very flashy flowers.
2.What is the most important clue for bees to search for nectar?
A. The petals’ type. B. The followers’ smell.
C. The followers’ electrical charge. D. The petals’ color.
3.What does the underlined word “hypothesis” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. Discussion. B. Method.
C. Assumption. D. Invention
4.What is the new finding of the team?
A. Petals that are not very flashy are better for bees to make adjustments.
B. Petals of different color usually give different signals.
C. Petals that are vivid are detected by bees more easily.
D. Petals of different types make bees confused to find the right flower.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Do you want to visit some amazing attractions in Philadelphia? If you do, here are some you can consider going.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
It’s the oldest natural history museum in America. Attractions there include Dinosaur Hall with a fossil preparation lab and hands-on fossil dig site, live butterflies in a tropical garden, and a children’s nature center with live animals.
10 a.m.—4:30 pm, Monday— Friday, April 20, 2018
10am—5 pm, weekends and holidays
$59.00 for individuals
Independence Seaport Museum
Here on the edge of the Delaware River, you can check out a boat-building shop and explore the Spanish-American War Cruiser (巡洋舰) outside. Indoors, kids climb through a new, full-size reconstruction of a sailing ship created by using traditional boat-building techniques. Families can also rent museum-built boats to explore the calm waters and get a close view of the historic ships. Every Saturday, there are activities designed especially for children.
Open daily 10am—4:30 pm
$16.00 for adults and $12.00 for seniors (65&over), children (3—12)
Morris Arboretum
Spread out across 92 acres, the Victorian-styled Morris Arboretum holds plenty to explore and enjoy for adults and kids. Pick up the Tree Adventure Passport and go on a “Conservation Quest” throughout the gardens or create your own walking tour. People can wander around the pond there.
10am—4:00 pm, Monday— Friday
10am—5 pm, weekends
$10.00 for youth (3—12), students (must have ID)
$19.00 for adults
Benjamin Franklin Museum
The Benjamin Franklin Museum features artifacts, computer animations and interactive shows that explore Franklin’s life and character. It can bring kids’ history books to life. The exhibitions are open to visitors of all ages, and there are shows that are educational, fun and definitely hands-on.
Opens daily from 9 am to 7 pm
$5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children(4—16)
1.What can visitors do at the Independence Seaport Museum?
A.Learn how to go boating.
B.Create their old boat model.
C.Learn how to make a big traditional trip.
D.Have a rough knowledge about traditional ships.
2.How much should a couple with their 12-year-old son pay for Morris Arboretum?
A.$10.00 B.$ 19.00
C.$38.00 D.$48.00
3.What’s the common point among the four attractions?
A.They’re all suitable for family time.
B.They all mainly aim at educating people.
C.They all provide hands-on experience for tourists.
D.They all encourage people to have their own space.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was one of the most private women in the world, yet when she went to work as an editor in the last two decades of her life, she revealed (展现) herself as she did nowhere else.
After the death of her second husband, Greek shipping magnate(巨头)Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline’s close friend and former White House social secretary Letitia Baldrige made a suggestion that she consider a career（职业）in publishing. After consideration, Jacqueline accepted it. Perhaps she hoped to find there some idea about how to live her own life. She became not less but more interested in reading. For the last 20 years of her life, Jacqueline worked as a publisher’s editor, first at Viking, then at Doubleday, pursuing(追求)a late-life career longer than her two marriages combined. During her time in publishing, she was responsible for managing and editing more than 100 successfully marketed books. Among the first books were In the Russian Style and Inventive Paris Clothes. She also succeeded in persuading TV hosts Bill Moyer’s and Jose Campbell to transform their popular television conversations into a book, The Power of Myth. The book went on to become an international best-seller. She dealt, too, with Michael Jackson as he prepared his autobiography(自传), Moonwalk.
Jacqueline may have been hired for name and for her social relations, but she soon proved her worth. Her choices, suggestions and widespread social relations were of benefit both to the publishing firms and to Jacqueline herself. In the books she selected for publication, she built on a lifetime of spending time by herself as a reader and left a record of the growth of her mind. Her books are the autobiography she never wrote.__________________________________________. However, few knew that she had achieved so much.
1.We can learn from the passage that Jacqueline _________.
A.because fond of reading after working as an editor
B.was in charge of publishing 100 books
C.promoted her books through social relations
D.gained a lot from her career as an editor
2.The underlined sentence in the last paragraph probably means that_________.
A.Jacqueline ended up as an editor rather as First Lady
B.Jacqueline’s life as First Lady was more colorful than as an editor
C.Jacqueline was more successful as an editor than as First Lady
D.Jacqueline’s role as First Lady was more brilliant than as an editor
3.What can be inferred from the passage?
A.Jacqueline’s two marriages lasted more than 20 years.
B.Jacqueline’s own publishing firm was set up eventually.
C.Jacqueline’s views and beliefs were reflected in the books she edited.
D.Jacqueline’s achievements were widely known.
4.The passage is mainly______________.
A.an introduction of Jacqueline’s life both as First Lady and as an editor
B.a brief description of Jacqueline’s lifelong experiences
C.a brief account of Jacqueline’s career as an editor in her last 20 years
D.an analysis of Jacqueline’s social relations in publishing
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens research into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archeologists (考古学家) says. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centers on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.
“Your current requirement that all archaeologically unearthed human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or further special extension, is contrary to basic principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice,” they write.
The law applies to any pieces of bone uncovered at around 400 dig including the remains of 60 or so bodies found at Stonehenge in 2008 that date back to 3,000 BC. Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to he returned to the ground.
The arrangements may result in the waste of future discoveries at sites such as Happisburgh in Norfolk, where digging is continuing after the discovery of stone tools made by early humans 950,000 years ago. If human remains were found at Happisburgh, they would be the oldest in northern Europe and the first indication of what this species was. Under the current practice of the law those remains would have to be reburied and effectively destroyed.
Before 2008, guidelines allowed for the proper preservation and study of bones of sufficient age and historical interest, while the Burial Act 1857 applied to more recent remains. The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.
Mike Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at Sheffield University, said: “Archaeologists have been extremely patient because we were led to believe the ministry was sorting out this problem, but we feel that we cannot wait any longer.”
The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.
1.According to the passage, scientists are unhappy with the law mainly because .
A.it is only a temporary measure on the human remains
B.it was introduced by the government without their knowledge
C.it is unreasonable and thus destructive to scientific research
D.it is vague about where and how to rebury human remains
2.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A.Temporary extension of two years will guarantee scientists enough time.
B.Human remains of the oldest species were dug out at Happisburgh.
C.Scientists have been warned that the law can hardly be changed.
D.Human remains will have to be reburied despite the extension of time.
3.What can be inferred about the British law governing human remains?
A.The Ministry of Justice has not done enough about the law.
B.The Burial Act 1857 only applied to remains uncovered before 1857.
C.The law on human remains hasn’t changed in recent decades.
D.The Ministry of Justice did not intend it to protect human remains.
4.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A.New discoveries should be reburied, the government demands.
B.Law could bury ancient secrets for ever, archeologists warn.
C.Law on human remains needs thorough discussion, authorities say.
D.Research time should be extended, scientists require.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The holiday season is supposed to be the most festival and fun time of the year, but all those plans and expectations of joy can turn together and more stressful than they sound. This is especially true for those of us who struggle with mental illness.
1. Sometimes you’re forced to spend time with family you rarely see and don’t always get along with. Or you are off from work, with more time to think troubling thoughts. Or you are put into party situations that you don’t like.
When you have a routine, it is easier to manage whatever mental struggles you may face, and when that routine is broken, it can trigger things you may not be ready to face. 2. It was during the holidays that I hit a low moment and, with the help of my mother, decided to seek help for my eating disorder.
During the holidays, I often feel as if I were supposed to be everywhere with everyone.3. To fight this, I’ve developed a mantra (咒语): it’s not selfish to take time for yourself.
Take a walk in nature. Talk to a friend you trust. Sit out one of the holiday gatherings in favor of some personal time. 4.
Trying to spend all of your time pleasing everyone else is not only exhausting — it is impossible. And you know why? 5.
A.I know it has for me.
B.The holidays break your routine.
C.There are many things crowding in your mind.
D.I will accompany my friends to go wherever they like.
E.I have the added guilt of knowing it’s the season of giving.
F.Just do whatever helps you calm down and gives you a break from the stress.
G.If you take a little time for yourself, you will be a much better company for those around you.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
“God, give us thankful hearts for these and for all our many blessings.” That was the _________ my father, an East Texas farmer, said over every meal.
Pa passed away long ago, but I try to ______ his example every day. The year we spent Thanksgiving at our home on Lake Tawakoni was such a ______. I was preparing a dinner party for the day. I opened the oven, put in our huge ______ and tried to turn on the old oven. It took just a few minutes for me to ______ that the heating had failed. I only had a few hours ________family members and special friends were going to arrive with side dishes, so I called my neighbor Lois and explained my problem.
Lois just ______ and said, “Honey, you bring that turkey to my house. We’ll have it cooked in no time. ”
With a sigh of ______, I put the roasting pan into the car and ______ across the road. Lois babysat the big bird while I returned to the lake house and ______ a festive table. While the turkey was cooked in her oven, I gave special ______ for kind neighbors. Our family arrived. We_______ before our meal, stood in a ______ and prayed. Some people mentioned things for which they were ______ thankful and others stood in ______ silence. The tissue box made its way around the circle as some of us began to ______ — a sign of joy rather than sorrow.
When the last of the food was ______ off the table, I took a deep breath. A Thanksgiving prayer is easy for me when things are going well, but sometimes it ______ extra courage to give thanks when I am sad or when something unforeseen ______ my plans — even a broken oven.
Then I stopped to ______ Pa and the many times I heard him say, “God, give us thankful hearts for these and for all our many blessings.” I want that to be my prayer, too.
1.A.complaint B.wish C.prayer D.dream
2.A.follow B.copy C.set D.contain
3.A.dinner B.party C.process D.time
4.A.meal B.turkey C.roast D.beef
5.A.realize B.predict C.admit D.assume
6.A.until B.before C.since D.after
7.A.laughed B.yelled C.screamed D.nodded
8.A.belief B.surprise C.relief D.doubt
9.A.walked B.moved C.toured D.drove
10.A.painted B.bought C.prepared D.borrowed
11.A.tasks B.dishes C.prizes D.thanks
12.A.paused B.discussed C.hesitated D.quarreled
13.A.line B.circle C.row D.room
14.A.hardly B.seriously C.particularly D.casually
15.A.joyful B.careful C.respectful D.sorrowful
16.A.cry B.smile C.cheer D.sing
17.A.knocked B.dropped C.kicked D.swept
18.A.needs B.takes C.wants D.loses
19.A.monitors B.ruins C.adjusts to D.keeps to
20.A.call up B.turn to C.bring back D.reflect on
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（不多于3个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Where are you going for your summer vacation? If you are interested in architecture, here is a good choice for you. Tower Bridge, 1. symbol of London, built between 1886 and 1894, 2.(cross) the River Thames close to the Tower of London. Because of this, Tower Bridge is sometimes confused 3. London Bridge, located 0.80 km upstream. Tower Bridge is one of the five London 4. (bridge) now owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates. Two heavy blocks, containing over 70,000 tons of 5. was called concrete, were sunk into the riverbed to support the construction. The bridge consists of two bridge towers 6. (tie) together at the upper level by two walkways, which 7. (build) to support the weight. The bridge floor is freely 8. (access) to both vehicles and pedestrians. In June 2012, a set of Olympic rings was hung from the bridge to mark one month to go until the start of the games, behind 9. 30 classical musicians were arranged along the length of the bridge 138 feet above the Thames. The sound travelled backwards and forwards along the walkway, echoing the structure of the bridge. 10. (come) to visit this landmark in London, and you’ll enjoy the beauty more deeply.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出修改后的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Mistakes are unavoidable in life. But attitudes towards it may make a difference.
I still remember how my spoken English was improved. In a beginning, I always kept silent in our oral class to avoid make mistakes. Before long my teacher got to know about my situation. He encouraged me to speak out that I thought. Whenever I made mistakes and felt discouraging, my teacher and my classmates would help me figure out how I must have avoided them. I also joined in an English club to get more chances to speak. Practice made prefect. Now I can talk fluent in English.
Just as the saying goes, “Every bean has its black.” Don’t afraid of making mistakes, because success is just waiting for us.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，你校一所美国友好学校师生代表团即将来访，并参加你校一年一度举办的中国传统美食文化展(Chinese Food Culture Show)。请你写一篇欢迎信。
注意:
1.词数100词左右:
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear teachers and friends,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析