Seven species of carp(鲤鱼) native to Asia have...

Seven species of carp(鲤鱼) native to Asia have been introduced into United States waters in recent decades, but it's four in particular－bighead, black, grass and silver－that worry ecologists, biologists, fishers and policymakers alike. Introduced in the southeast to help control weeds and parasites in aquaculture (水产养殖) operations, these fish soon spread up the Mississippi River system where they have been crowding out native fish populations not used to competing with such aggressive invaders. The carps' presence in such numbers is also harming water quality and killing off sensitive species.

Asian carp are strong to jump over barriers such as low dams. They lay hundreds of thousands of eggs at a time and spread into new habitat quickly and easily. Also, flooding has helped the fish expand into previously unattainable water bodies. And fishers using young carp as live bait have also helped the fish's spread, as they have boats going through locks up and down the Mississippi.

The federal government considers the Asian carps to be annoying species and encourages and supports “active control” by natural resources management agencies. Federal and state governments have spent millions in tax dollars to prevent the carp from making their way into the Great Lakes, but an underwater electric fence constructed to keep them out has not worked as well as hoped, and policymakers are reviewing other options now.

In the meantime, state and federal agencies are monitoring the Mississippi and its branches for Asian carp and testing various barrier technologies to prevent their further spread. For instance, the National Park Service is cooperating with the state of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources to construct new dams that are high enough to prevent Asian carp from jumping over. The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee has funded DNA monitoring in potentially affected water bodies whereby researchers can determine whether the troublesome fish are present just by the biological footprints they leave behind. Individuals can do their part by not transporting fish, bait or even water from one water body to another, and by emptying and washing boats before moving them between different water bodies.

1.Asian carp have been introduced to the USA in order to ________.

A．improve water quality

B．help sensitive species

C．control the number of native fishes

D．control the ecosystem in aquaculture

2.The measure to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lake but proved not good is ________.

A．testing various barrier technologies

B．construction of an underwater electric fence

C．Emptying and washing boats before using them.

D．monitoring the Mississippi and its branches for Asian carp

3.It is suggested from the passage that ________.

A．aquaculture operations are dangerous to the water bodies

B．scientific technology is useless in preventing Asian carp spreading

C．both the state and the individuals can make efforts to keep out Asian carp

D．Asian carp have successfully invaded the Mississippi and the Great Lakes

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

As many as 100 species of fish, some ____ to these waters, may have been affected by the pollution．

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Non-Native Species

The introduction of non-native “exotic” species is now seen as a major threat to biodiversity. In 1825, a particularly vigorous female clone of itadori (called Japanese knotweed) was introduced　 into Holland and later _______ throughout Europe by the plant collector and nurseryman (园丁), Von Seybold. British gardeners loved it and by 1886 it was even found growing on cinder tips in South Wales. By the turn of the century, the plant had _______ many other sites, and gardeners were advised against planting it in shrubberies. By 1994, it was almost everywhere-railways, riversides, hedgerows, cemeteries - swamping a wide range of habitats and displacing _______ species. Botanists’ fears that the plant is still spreading and may yet colonize other new habitats have generated recent attempts to eradicate it by mechanical and chemical methods, all _______ as yet.

The evidence stacked against Japanese knotweed is damning (足以定罪的). But there is a deep

_______ that behind the desire to correct human ecological cook-ups (策划)- often manifested as a passion to save endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems - is a thinly disguised xenophobia (仇外心理); that we are simply seeing yet another form of ecological imperialism (帝国主义) which defines what is “natural” based on human _______

But whatever our reaction to “problem” or alien species is, it must _______ moral decisions. And who should make such decisions and to what _______ they are accountable must also be up for review. The conclusions of scientists and other sections of society may differ _______ about what to do about the introduced animals and plants. ________ the scheme to control rabbits in Australia by deliberately spreading the disease myxomatosis was a success in that huge numbers of rabbits were wiped out for the greater good - the “health” of Australian ecosystems. But would inflicting (使遭受) such a ________ slow painful death on sentient (有感知能力的) creatures win popular support if it were proposed today?

Scientists of ________ are by their very nature concerned with the organization of species into systems and not necessarily with the interests and well-being of ________, particularly those that are seen as a threat to the maintenance of those systems. Yet there is a growing feeling for the democratization of decisions concerning nonhuman life. The ________ towards environmental values must surely involve a movement away from imperialism and a search for a relationship with nature as it truly is, rather than as we would design it. Then, when our ________ has/have long disappeared, we may yet come to honor the humble itadori.

1.A.distributed B.seen C.found D.appreciated

2.A.attached B.attracted C.colonized D.settled

3.A.rare B.abnormal C.normal D.extinct

4.A.in turn B.in vain C.in need D.in all

5.A.delight B.astonishment C.dissatisfaction D.anxiety

6.A.protection B.system C.preferences D.invasion

7.A.exclude B.involve C.object D.eliminate

8.A.scope B.intention C.extent D.respect

9.A.similarly B.intensively C.slightly D.vastly

10.A.In fact B.In other words C.For instance D.In conclusion

11.A.interestingly B.instructively C.thrillingly D.horrifically

12.A.biodiversity B.naturalism C.botany D.species

13.A.naturalists B.regions C.environments D.individuals

14.A.demonstration B.parade C.celebration D.campaign

15.A.planet B.lawns C.universe D.habitats

高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Chicago is considering firm measures to prevent the Asian carp，a giant fish native to the Far East, from coming into North America’s Great Lakes in large numbers. Such a move could cost up to$18bn, a heavy economic burden to the city.

This species, more than a metre in length, was originally introduced to southern US states three decades ago to control weeds in sewage (污水) treatment plants. But they escaped into the Mississippi River and increased in number quickly, making their way north towards the Great Lakes and threatening the native fish species along the way.

“Dozens of them will often leap out of the water as boats approach.’’ Michael Beecham，a local environmental expert, described how frightening the scene was. “I’ve gone down the river and seen these fish jump up and hit me in the face．It is a big problem for our native species.” he said.

A meeting has been organized to find a technological solution to the carp problem, one of which involves blocking parts of Chicago’s canal system．Listening at the meeting was John Goss, who was worried about the effect that having barriers in the canal system would have on industry. “It would certainly increase the cost of transportation,” he told. “It is currently very cheap and efficient to bring materials and finished goods down the Chicago ship canal.’’

Another cheaper option is to eat the fish out of existence. Dirk Fucik is selling carp burger(鲤鱼汉堡包) at his fish shop not far from downtown Chicago．He thinks the carps are a great resource. “To catch it and throw it away is a waste,” he says. “Eating them helps solve the problem and also provides jobs.” But the idea has not yet caught on．So far，he is the only person in Chicago selling carp burgers.

1.What can we learn about the Asian carp according to the passage?

A. It is very adaptable to the new environment.

B. It is originally used to control weeds in the Great Lakes.

C. It has become a new food in many restaurants.

D. It has caused parts of Chicago’s canal system to be blocked.

2.From John Goss’s point of view，the building of barriers ______________.

A. can force the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes

B. may lead to the increasing cost of industrial products

C. will help the canal system work more efficiently

D. will bring high profits to the related companies

3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph of the passage?

A. The Americans have included the Asian carp in their food list.

B. Catching Asian carps has created many jobs in America．

C. Dirk Fucik is a pioneer in selling carp burgers in Chicago．

D. Throwing away the caught fish is a waste of the resources．

4.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. Chicago goes to war with Asian carps

B. The Asian carp escapes from the Great Lakes

C. Possible ways to handle non-native species

D. The Great Lakes, new home for Asian Carps

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Red pandas are native to the high forests of Asia. They are only a little bigger than a house cat and considered to be endangered. Scientists reported last month that not all red pandas belong to the same species. There are two different species of this animal，not just one，a study found. The scientists reported finding major differences in three genetic markers between Chinese red pandas and Himalayan red pandas. Scientists identified the markers after studying DNA from 65 of the creatures. DNA carries genetic information for the development，growth and reproduction of living things. Documenting the existence of two separate species could help guide efforts for protecting red pandas，scientists added.

Chinese red pandas live in northern Myanmar，as well as southeastern Tibet，Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. Himalayan red pandas are native to Nepal，India，Bhutan and southern Tibet in China，the researchers said.

Conservation biologists Yibo Hu and Fuwen Wei 1ed the study.　 “To conserve the genetic uniqueness of the two species，we should avoid their interbreeding(杂交繁殖)in captivity，”Hu said. “Interbreeding between species may harm the genetic adaptations already established for their local habitat environment. ”

Scientists had earlier suggested there were two species of red panda. But the new study was the first to provide the genetic information necessary to permit such a judgment. International experts estimate a total population of around 10，000 red pandas in the wild. The two species differ in coloration and skull shape. The Himalayan red panda is the rarer of the two.

Major dangers to red pandas include deforestation and habitat loss. While they have similar names，red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. Giant pandas are one of the world’s eight bear species. Red pandas are sometimes called living fossils because they have no close living relatives. They are the only remaining member of their mammalian family.

1.What is the purpose of recording the existence of the two different species of red panda?

A.To direct efforts for the protection of them.

B.To better distinguish red pandas and giant pandas.

C.To inform people there exist two species of red panda.

D.To confirm there are major differences between them.

2.In which place can we spot Himalayan red pandas?

A.Southeastern Tibet. B.Yunnan Province.

C.Southern Tibet. D.Northern Myanmar.

3.What can we know about the two species of red panda?

A.They belong to the same animal family as giant pandas.

B.Their existence has been known already.

C.They differ mainly in size and shape of skull.

D.To protect them，we should interbreed them.

4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A.Lifestyle. B.Culture.

C.Entertainment. D.Science.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

There have been thousands of marine species that have become extinct. Currently there are thousands of fish that are endangered and in great need of protection. The following are some.

The Arcadian Redfish are found in warm waters, such as the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. These fish mature at a late age (5 to 6 years) and have low reproductive rates. However, they can live to be 50 years old, which is relatively remarkable. Young redfish are marked with patches of black and green color. They don’t develop their red color until after they move to the ocean bottom. Now the Arcadian Redfish is endangered due to overfishing. These fish started to decrease in population in the early 1900s because of their increased popularity in the food industry.

The Bluefin tuna is one animal that is high on the endangered species list. This fish has been named one of the wonders of the ocean, because they can grow to be 12 feet long and weigh over 1, 500 pounds! Why are these fish disappearing at alarming rates? Because they are being captured for food, with over 75% consumed in Japanese restaurants often by making a popular sushi.

The European Eel is found in the Baltic and the Mediterranean Sea. They have a unique metamorphosis process and they change their forms over a longtime period. According to IUCNRedList.org, the European Eel is one of the threatened species that are not only endangered, but critically endangered.

The whale shark is one of many endangered sharks out there. According to one source, sharks are revered as our last “living” dinosaurs. They are known as the largest fish with the potential to grow over 60 feet long and weigh over 70,000 pounds. The whale shark also has the potential to live to be over 100 years old.

1.Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A.The Last “Living” Dinosaurs B.The Endangered Ocean Fish

C.The Most Popular Sea Fish D.The Extinct Marine Species

2.What can we learn about The Arcadian Redfish?

A.They are found in the Arctic Ocean.

B.They are born to be red.

C.Their survival rate is relatively low.

D.They are slow-growing, long-lived fish.

3.What makes the Bluefin tuna one of the wonders of the deep-sea?

A.Huge size. B.Strange color.

C.Sharp sight. D.High intelligence.

4.What does the underlined word “metamorphosis” mean?

A.Reduction in population. B.Limitation in sight.

C.Change in form. D.Increase in weight.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Native woodlands can resist the spread of invasive species by blocking daylight reaching the forest floor, researchers have suggested.

The team, consisting of researchers from US universities, decided to focus its attention on common buckthorn(沙棘), which is all invasive species in North America. It out-competes native plants and degrades soils and forests, doing harm to humans and other wildlife. In order to create environments that resist invasion by buckthorn, and thus avoid those costs, it was necessary to understand which forest characteristics offered the greatest influence on the success or failure of buckthorn plants becoming established.

In their experiment, the team grew buckthorn under a variety of different levels of shade and measured the light available to the buckthorn. These included one made up from deciduous species, such as birch, another from evergreen species, such as pine, and another from a mixture of both species.

Dr. Schuster observed: “Results showed that forests that are able to block out 96% of incoming light in the spring or autumn can successfully resist buckthorn invasion.” He added that, in general, evergreen species were much more capable of creating this level of shade compared with deciduous species.

“We anticipated that buckthorn would fail in areas with extremely low light levels, since having some light is necessary for most plants to live,” he said. Yet the team were surprised by how much the buckthorn depended upon light availability in spring or autumn.

He added that if forest managers were seeking to improve the long-term resistance of their forests to buckthorn invasions, then it might be necessary to introduce species that helped reduce the amount of light reaching the forest floor, such as evergreens.

But this approach was not risk-free, warned Dr. Schuster. He added: “If we change forests to get rid of buckthorn, we may push out some desirable native species at the same time. So, the question becomes whether we can select plant communities both to have the species we want and to produce ample shade in spring and autumn to keep buckthorn out.”

1.This experiment was carried out to study ________.

A.why soil conditions matter to plants B.how to help native plants grow better and faster

C.the impact invasive species have on humans D.the factors influencing the growth of buckthorn

2.What kinds of trees were chosen for the experiment?

A.Trees providing different amounts of shade. B.Trees growing and declining at different rates.

C.Trees of different heights. D.Trees of different origins.

3.What does Dr. Schuster imply in the last paragraph?

A.We must get rid of buckthorn whatever the cost.

B.Keeping native species ought to be the top priority.

C.We should be careful about selecting species of plants.

D.Communities need to work together to fight the alien plants.

4.You may likely find this article in a ________.

A.psychological and behavioural paper B.travel guide

C.nature and environment journal D.fashion magazine

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

I know Mr Brown；we _____ to each other at an international conference.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

— They are said to have been familiar with each other.

— But they_________. They were introduced only hours ago.

A. may not have been B. couldn’t have been

C. mustn’t have been　 D. needn’t have been

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

I’ve been writing for most of my life. The book Writing Without Teachers introduced me to one distinction(区别)and one practice that has helped my writing processes tremendously. The distinction is between the creative mind and the critical mind. While you need to employ both to get to a finished result, they cannot work in parallel no matter how much we might like to think so.

Trying to criticize writing on the fly is possibly the single greatest barrier to writing that most of us encounter. If you are listening to that 5th grade English teacher correct your grammar while you are trying to capture a fleeting (稍纵即逝的) thought, the thought will die. If you capture the fleeting thought and simply share it with the world in raw form, no one is likely to understand. You must learn to create first and then criticize if you want to make writing the tool for thinking that it is.

The practice that can help you past your learned bad habits of trying to edit as you write is what Elbow calls “free writing.” In free writing, the objective is to get words down on paper non-stop, usually for 15-20 minutes. No stopping, no going back, no criticizing. The goal is to get the words flowing. As the words begin to flow, the ideas will come from the shadows and let themselves be captured on your notepad or your screen.

Now you have raw materials that you can begin to work with using the critical mind that you’ve persuaded to sit on the side and watch quietly. Most likely, you will believe that this will take more time than you actually have and you will end up staring blankly at the pages as the deadline draws near.

Instead of staring at a blank start filling it with words no matter how bad. Halfway through your available time, stop and rework your raw writing into something closer to finished product. Move back and forth until you run out of time and the final result will most likely be far better than your current practices.

1.When the author says the creative mind and the critical mind “cannot work in parallel” in the writing process, he means ________.

A. one cannot use them at the same time             B. they cannot be regarded as equally important

C. they are in constant conflict with each other        D. no one can be both creative and critical

2.What prevents people from writing on is ________.

A. putting their ideas in raw form                  B. ignoring grammatical soundness

C. attempting to edit as they write                     D. trying to capture fleeting thoughts

3.What is the chief objective of the first stage of writing?

A. To organize one’s thoughts logically.            B. To get one’s ideas down.

C. To choose an appropriate topic.                  D. To collect raw materials.

4.One common concern of writers about “free writing” is that ________.

A. it overstresses the role of the creative mind        B. it does not help them to think clearly

C. it may bring about too much criticism                D. it takes too much time to edit afterwards

5.In what way does the critical mind help the writer in the writing process?

A. It allows him to sit on the side and observe.        B. It helps him to come up with new ideas.

C. It saves the writing time available to him.          D. It improves his writing into better shape.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析