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A Colourful Puzzle
People often wear clothing with colours that express something about themselves. A happy person might choose to wear a bright yellow shirt. A swimmer might wear a sea-blue dress.
Animals appear in different colours too, but they don’t get to pick what they wear every morning. Scientists have known for a long time about some of the ways animal colouring can be beneficial. They know that some animals’ colours attract mates or show who is boss. Other animals’ colours blend(融合) in with their environment; thus the animals cannot be seen by their enemies. Still, scientists do not fully understand why blue jays are blue or why rainforest frogs are golden. Now many scientists are working hard to figure out the puzzles of animal colours.
Part of the answer can be found in an animal’s habitat, the place where it lives. It turns out that many animals — especially birds, fish, and reptiles — can see more colours than humans can. These creatures notice colours that stand out in their habitat. For example, forests are mostly green, brown, and yellow. For an animal to be seen by others of its species, it would have to be a different colour than its background. That explains why you can find birds of many shades of blue living in forests.
Another piece of the puzzle lies in what an animal eats. Birds often eat things that have chemicals in them called “carotenoids”(类葫萝卜素). These chemicals are what make tomatoes red and bell peppers bright orange or yellow. When birds eat these foods, the carotenoids affect the colour of their feathers. For example, a cardinal’s bright red feathers will become lighter or darker depending on how many berries it has found to eat.
Some animals do not have any colour at all — but they are not just white; they are transparent(透明的)! Transparent animals live mostly in the ocean. This amazing wonder of nature came about because the animals needed a way to escape their enemies. They are often slow, defenseless creatures that would have no way of fighting back if larger animals wanted to eat them. Because there are few places to hide in the ocean, these creatures have to hide in plain sight. A good example of this kind of transparent creature is the jellyfish. A jellyfish’s body is almost all water, so it is very hard to see it floating in the ocean.
Animals come in all kinds of colours. Their colours are caused by many different factors, and most animals will remain the same colour for their whole lives. Think how lucky we are to get to change our feathers every day!
1.What is the main idea of this article?
A. Animals appear in many different colours.
B. Animals are unable to choose their colours.
C. Animals’ colours are caused by different factors.
D. Animals need colours to blend into their surroundings.
2.According to the passage, what is the reason that some animals are transparent?
A. It marks the places they live in.
B. It shows the leader of the group.
C. It helps them to escape enemies.
D. It allows their mates to see them.
3.It can be inferred that why football players wear uniforms during a game is ______.
A. to identify group members
B. to show their personalities
C. to distinguish the group leader
D. to blend in with the environment
4.The passage is mainly organized by ______.
A. comparisons B. explanations
C. order of events D. order of importance
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Rainbow-coloured rubbish is the colourful waste created by a Swedish city with a unique recycling system. Like many cities in Sweden, Eskilstuna has an impressive recycling record. It met the EU's 2020 target of recycling 50% of waste many years ago.
Almost everyone who lives here follows a strict recycling policy at home. People are expected to sort their household waste into seven separate categories, including food, textiles, cartons and metal. But what really makes the system stand out is the bright colour code.
The reason for this becomes clear at the city's recycling plant. The bags arrive all jumbled up（被混在一 起）because they're collected altogether, once a fortnight from outside people's houses.
But thanks to those bright colours, scanners can select the bags and separate them efficiently. The food waste in green bags is processed on site into slurry to make biogas, which powers the city's buses. One of the benefits of this method of recycling is that there is less cross-contamination, so more of the recycled waste can actually be used to make new things.
Like the rest of Sweden, Eskilstuna is committed to sending zero waste from its citizens to landfill. Waste that cannot be recycled is incinerated（焚化）at a local plant to generate electricity. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but does create greenhouse gases.
As countries around the world try to improve their recycling rates, some may think of Eskilstuna as an example to follow, as long as they think they can persuade their citizens to get busy sorting at home.
1.What can we say about the recycling system used in Eskilstuna?
A.It is a colorful policy. B.It is a temporary success.
C.It is an ordinary recycling system. D.It is a practical method of recycling.
2.What really makes the system of rainbow-colored recycling outstanding?
A.The strict recycling policy. B.The self-discipline of citizens.
C.The bright colour. D.The eco-friendly code.
3.Why is the non-recyclable waste burnt to ashes at a local plant in Eskilstuna?
A.To send zero waste to landfill. B.To make electricity.
C.To reduce dependence on fossil fuels. D.To decrease greenhouse gases
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Some countries set a good example to Eskilstuna.
B.Eskilstuna follows in the footsteps of other countries.
C.Some countries may adopt the system of rainbow-colored recycling.
D.Eskilstuna may force its citizens to get busy sorting at home.
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This is the colourful waste created by a Swedish city with a unique recycling system. Like many cities in Sweden，Eskilstuna has an impressive recycling record. It met the EU 2020 target of recycling 50%of waste many years ago. But almost everyone who lives here follows a strict recycling policy at home. People are expected to sort their household waste into seven separate categories，including food，textiles, cartons（纸板箱）and metal. But what really makes the system stand out is the bright colour code.
The reason for this becomes clear at the city’s recycling plant. The bags arrive all jumbled up because they’re collected altogether in a rush, once a fortnight from outside people’s houses. But thanks to those bright colors, scanners can select the bags and separate them efficiently. The food waste in green bags is processed on site into a certain thick liquid to make burnable gas, which powers the city’s buses. One of the benefits of this method of recycling is that there is less cross-pollution, so more of the recycled waste can actually be used to make new things. Like the rest of Sweden，Eskilstuna is committed to sending zero waste from its citizens to landfill. Waste that cannot be recycled is burnt at a local plant to generate electricity. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but does create greenhouse gases.
As countries around the world try to improve their recycling rates, some may look to Eskilstuna as an example to follow as long as they think they can persuade their citizens to get busy sorting at home.
1.What can we learn about Eskilstuna?
A.It is flooded with colorful waste.
B.It is best-known for waste-recycling.
C.Waste there is painted into seven colors.
D.Rubbish recycling is handled seriously there.
2.What does the underlined word “jumbled” in paragraph 2 mean?
A.Mixed together. B.Collected orderly.
C.Sealed cautiously. D.Piled purposefully.
3.What may the new recycle-system bring about?
A.The increase in the efficiency of waste recycling.
B.The convenience to the citizens in waste dropping.
C.The avoidance of rubbish related environmental problems.
D.The decrease of profit for waste plants.
4.Where is this text most likely from?
A.Parents. B.In style.
C.Fortune. D.The New York Times.
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Our community appears more beautiful with green grass and colourful flowers ____ here and there.
A. grow B. to grow C. growing D. having grown
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Dye (染料) call bring a little colour to life. Most clothing is coloured with dyes. Modern，manufactured dyes can be costly. Natural dyes from plant and animal products have been used since ancient times. Here we describe a natural way to dye wool.
There are several methods to put dye onto material. The vat（缸）method，for example，can be used to dye wool with onionskins. For this example，use one hundred grams of natural woo1. The wool must be clean. Leave it overnight in water and liquid soap. Then wash it with clean water that is a little warm. Gently squeeze out the extra water.
A solution called a mordant (媒染) is used in the dying process. A mordant helps fix the dye to the material. Traditionally, mordants were found in nature. Wood ash is one example. But chemical mordants such as alum（矾）are popular today. Alum is sold in many stores. It is often mixed with cream of tartar, a fine powder commonly used in cooking.
Mix eight grams of alum with seven grams of cream of tartar in a small amount of hot water. Add the solution to a metal pan of cool water. Next, add the wool and place the mixture over heat. Slowly bring the liquid to eighty-two degrees Celsius. Heat the mixture for forty five minutes. After it cools, remove the wool and wash it.
To prepare the dye solution, cover thirty grams of onionskins with water. Use only the dry，brown outer skins. Boil the liquid until the onionskins lose their colour, about forty—five minutes. Remove the skins after the dye cools.
Now it is time to dye the wool. Place the wool into the dye and heat the mixture. Bring it to a boil，then immediately reduce the heat to eighty-two degrees. Now heat the dye for about forty-five minutes or until the wool is the desired colour. Keep in mind that wet wool looks darker than it is.
Once the dye cools, remove the wool and wash it. Now the wool is orange or yellow. Or at least it should be.
1. According to the passage, mordants are ___________.
A. dyes used in the dying process B. materials which will be put dye to
C. wood ashes used in the dying process D. not dyes but play an important role in the dying process
2. Which of the following statements about “natural dyes” is TRUE?
A. They might be cheaper than chemical dyes. B. They are more expensive than chemical dyes.
C. They have been used for only recent years. D. They are all made from animal products.
3. As for the vat method，which of the following things is NOT necessarily needed?
A. Ash. B. Water. C. Mordant. D. Temperature.
4. Choose the proper order of dying wool：
a. boil the liquid with onionskins
b. add mordants to a metal pan of cool water ,put the wool into it and heat the mixture
c. wash the wool with clean water after it is left overnight in water and liquid soap
d. put the wool into the dye and heat it
A. c, b, a, d B. d, c, d, a C. b, a, d, c D. a, b, c, d
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Dye (染料) call bring a little colour to life. Most clothing is coloured with dyes. Modern，manufactured dyes can be costly. Natural dyes from plant and animal products have been used since ancient times. Here we describe a natural way to dye wool.
There are several methods to put dye onto material. The vat（缸）method，for example，can be used to dye wool with onionskins. For this example，use one hundred grams of natural woo1. The wool must be clean. Leave it overnight in water and liquid soap. Then wash it with clean water that is a little warm. Gently squeeze out the extra water.
A solution called a mordant (媒染) is used in the dying process. A mordant helps fix the dye to the material. Traditionally, mordants were found in nature. Wood ash is one example. But chemical mordants such as alum（矾）are popular today. Alum is sold in many stores. It is often mixed with cream of tartar, a fine powder commonly used in cooking.
Mix eight grams of alum with seven grams of cream of tartar in a small amount of hot water. Add the solution to a metal pan of cool water. Next, add the wool and place the mixture over heat. Slowly bring the liquid to eighty-two degrees Celsius. Heat the mixture for forty five minutes. After it cools, remove the wool and wash it.
To prepare the dye solution, cover thirty grams of onionskins with water. Use only the dry，brown outer skins. Boil the liquid until the onionskins lose their colour, about forty—five minutes. Remove the skins after the dye cools.
Now it is time to dye the wool. Place the wool into the dye and heat the mixture. Bring it to a boil，then immediately reduce the heat to eighty-two degrees. Now heat the dye for about forty-five minutes or until the wool is the desired colour. Keep in mind that wet wool looks darker than it is.
Once the dye cools, remove the wool and wash it. Now the wool is orange or yellow. Or at least it should be.
1.According to the passage, mordants are ___________.
A. dyes used in the dying process B. materials which will be put dye to
C. wood ashes used in the dying process D. not dyes but play an important role in the dying process
2.Which of the following statements about “natural dyes” is TRUE?
A. They might be cheaper than chemical dyes. B. They are more expensive than chemical dyes.
C. They have been used for only recent years. D. They are all made from animal products.
3.As for the vat method，which of the following things is NOT necessarily needed?
A. Ash. B. Water. C. Mordant. D. Temperature.
4.Choose the proper order of dying wool：
a. boil the liquid with onionskins
b. add mordants to a metal pan of cool water ,put the wool into it and heat the mixture
c. wash the wool with clean water after it is left overnight in water and liquid soap
d. put the wool into the dye and heat it
A. c, b, a, d B. d, c, d, a C. b, a, d, c D. a, b, c, d
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34. Her clothes are very bright _____ colour.
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Silk production has a long and colourful history unknown to most people. Scientific discoveries have shown that silk production existed in China from around 2500 B.C., although it could be much older. For hundreds of years, China kept the secret of silk to itself as one for the most closely protected secrets in history. Anyone revealing the secret of silkworms or trying to take silkworm eggs out of ancient China was punished by death.
At one time silk was reserved only for the Chinese emperor. Gradually, others began wearing silk. In addition to being used for clothing, silk came to have industrial uses in ancient China, something that happened in the West only in modern times. Silk was used to make musical instruments, fishing lines, weapons, ropes and even paper. During the Han Dynasty silk became a form of money. Farmers paid taxes in both rice and silk. The prices of goods were calculated in lengths of silk just as they had once been calculated in gold. The importance of silk is even reflected in the Chinese language. For example, of the 5000 most common Chinese characters, around 500 have silk as their “key”.
In spite of their secrecy, the Chinese eventually lost their monopoly on silk production. It reached Korea in around 200 B.C. when immigrants from China arrived there. Silk production came to India in 300 A.D.. It was not until 500 A.D. that silk production came to Europe when travellers smuggled out silkworms in hollow tubes of bamboo. These were used to establish silk industry in Rome (modern-day Italy), although Chinese silk was still considered to be the best.
Silk was brought to Rome from China by means of the Silk Road. There were actually two Silk Roads, one over land and one on the sea. The land route in particular had a huge effect in history. All sorts of trade goods — silver, gold, jade, porcelain — passed along this road. Ideas travelled the Silk Road too. For example the religion of Buddhism was carried to China from India by traders on the Silk Road. The Silk Road created the first international culture, exposing many people to the ideas and treasures of both Western and Chinese cultures.
1. How was China able to keep the secret of silk production?
A. It refused to sell its silk to other countries.
B. Foreigners were not permitted to enter China.
C. The silkworms needed were not able to survive outside China.
D. Chinese passing on the secret to foreigners were seriously punished.
2. Which of the following uses of silk is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. A way of purchasing goods people sold.
B. A material used for making different products.
C. A method of paying money to the government.
D. A valuable gift given to foreigners travelling in China.
3.In what order did silk production spread throughout the world according to the passage?
A. Europe à India à Korea à China. B. China à Korea à India à Europe.
C. China à India à Korea à Europe. D. China à Europe à India à Korea.
4.The underlined phrase “smuggled out” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. quietly traded B. openly removed
C. illegally transported D. violently stole
5.Which of the following is true about the Silk Road?
A. It allowed for economic and cultural exchanges between countries.
B. It made China the most powerful country in the ancient world.
C. It could only be completed by travellers with access to a boat.
D. It was first developed for transferring religious ideas.
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Just as the clothes a person wears，the food he eats and the friends with whom he spends his time，his house _____ his personality.
A. resembles B. strengthens C. reflects D. shapes
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阅读理解。
Silk production has a long and colourful history unknown to most people. Scientific discoveries have shown that silk production existed in China from around 2500 B.C., although it could be much older. For hundreds of years, China kept the secret of silk to itself as one for the most closely protected secrets in history. Anyone revealing the secret of silkworms or trying to take silkworm eggs out of ancient China was punished by death.
At one time silk was reserved only for the Chinese emperor. Gradually, others began wearing silk. In addition to being used for clothing, silk came to have industrial uses in ancient China, something that happened in the West only in modern times. Silk was used to make musical instruments, fishing lines, weapons, ropes and even paper. During the Han Dynasty silk became a form of money. Farmers paid taxes in both rice and silk. The prices of goods were calculated in lengths of silk just as they had once been calculated in gold. The importance of silk is even reflected in the Chinese language. For example, of the 5000 most common Chinese characters, around 500 have silk as their “key”.
In spite of their secrecy, the Chinese eventually lost their monopoly on silk production. It reached Korea in around 200 B.C. when immigrants from China arrived there. Silk production came to India in 300 A.D.. It was not until 500 A.D. that silk production came to Europe when travellers smuggled out silkworms in hollow tubes of bamboo. These were used to establish silk industry in Rome (modern-day Italy), although Chinese silk was still considered to be the best.
Silk was brought to Rome from China by means of the Silk Road. There were actually two Silk Roads, one over land and one on the sea. The land route in particular had a huge effect in history. All sorts of trade goods — silver, gold, jade, porcelain — passed along this road. Ideas travelled the Silk Road too. For example the religion of Buddhism was carried to China from India by traders on the Silk Road. The Silk Road created the first international culture, exposing many people to the ideas and treasures of both Western and Chinese cultures.
1.How was China able to keep the secret of silk production?
A. It refused to sell its silk to other countries.
B. Foreigners were not permitted to enter China.
C. The silkworms needed were not able to survive outside China.
D. Chinese passing on the secret to foreigners were seriously punished.
2.Which of the following uses of silk is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. A way of purchasing goods people sold.
B. A material used for making different products.
C. A method of paying money to the government.
D. A valuable gift given to foreigners travelling in China.
3.In what order did silk production spread throughout the world according to the passage?
A. Europe à India à Korea à China.
B. China à Korea à India à Europe.
C. China à India à Korea à Europe.
D. China à Europe à India à Korea.
4.The underlined phrase “smuggled out” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. quietly traded B. openly removed
C. illegally transported D. violently stole
5.Which of the following is true about the Silk Road?
A. It allowed for economic and cultural exchanges between countries.
B. It made China the most powerful country in the ancient world.
C. It could only be completed by travellers with access to a boat.
D. It was first developed for transferring religious ideas.