The dodo is among the most famous extinct creatures, and a poster child for human-caused extinction events. Despite its bad name, and the fact that the species was alive during recorded human history, little is actually known about how this animal lived, looked, and behaved. A new study of the only known complete skeleton(骨架) from a single bird takes advantage of modern 3-D laser scanning(扫描) technology to open a new window into the life of this famous extinct bird.
The study was presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in Estrel, Berlin. Leon Claessens, Associate Professor at the College of the Holy Cross, and lead researcher on the study said that, "the 3-D laser surface scans we made of the fragile dodo skeletons enable us to reconstruct how the dodo walked, moved and lived to a level of detail that has never been possible before. There are so many outstanding questions about the dodo bird that we can answer with this new knowledge."
A complete dodo skeleton, found by an amateur collector and barber, Etienne Thirioux, on the island of Mauritius between 1899 and 1917, has remained unstudied, even though it is the only complete dodo skeleton from a single individual bird known to exist. All other skeletons are incomplete combinations, meaning that they are gathered from more than one individual. In addition, Thirioux constructed a second, partially combined skeleton, which contains many bones that also belong to a single bird. "Being able to examine the skeleton of a single, individual dodo, which is not made up from as many individual birds as there are bones, as is the case in all those other combined skeletons, truly allows us to appreciate the way the dodo looked and see how tall or fat it really was," said Juilan Hume, of the Natural History Museum UK, a co-author on the study.
The scans were performed on site in Durban, South Africa, and allow examination of the biology of this mysterious extinct bird in detail for the first time. Using the newest digital tools and techniques, the scans provide an insight into how the flightless dodo may have developed its giant size, and how it walked and lived in its forest home. According to Kenneth Rijsdijk, a biologist from University of Amsterdam, “the skull of the dodo is so large and its mouth so strong that it is easy to understand that the earliest naturalists thought it was related to sharks and other birds of prey(猛禽), rather than the pigeon family.”
1.The underlined phrase “a poster child” in Para. 1 is closest in meaning to “ ”.
A. a typical example
B. an endangered animal
C. a child who puts up posters on the board
D. a child posted in a newspaper as an advertisement
2.The researchers study the dodo skeleton to find out .
A. ways to save the dodo
B. the dodo’s living habits
C. the bird’s natural habitat
D. the cause of the dodo’s extinction
3.What is special about the dodo skeleton found by an amateur collector?
A. It is gathered from more than one individual.
B. It reminded unstudied between 1899 and 1917.
C. It is the only complete dodo skeleton from a single individual bird.
D. It can be examined with 3-D laser scanning technology.
4.What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?
A. To call people’s attention to wildlife protection.
B. To criticize humans for the extinction events.
C. To introduce a new way of studying the dodo.
D. To give tips on how to study extinct creatures.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
The dodo is among the most famous extinct creatures, and a poster child for human-caused extinction events. Despite its bad name, and the fact that the species was alive during recorded human history, little is actually known about how this animal lived, looked, and behaved. A new study of the only known complete skeleton(骨架) from a single bird takes advantage of modern 3-D laser scanning(扫描) technology to open a new window into the life of this famous extinct bird.
The study was presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in Estrel, Berlin. Leon Claessens, Associate Professor at the College of the Holy Cross, and lead researcher on the study said that, "the 3-D laser surface scans we made of the fragile dodo skeletons enable us to reconstruct how the dodo walked, moved and lived to a level of detail that has never been possible before. There are so many outstanding questions about the dodo bird that we can answer with this new knowledge."
A complete dodo skeleton, found by an amateur collector and barber, Etienne Thirioux, on the island of Mauritius between 1899 and 1917, has remained unstudied, even though it is the only complete dodo skeleton from a single individual bird known to exist. All other skeletons are incomplete combinations, meaning that they are gathered from more than one individual. In addition, Thirioux constructed a second, partially combined skeleton, which contains many bones that also belong to a single bird. "Being able to examine the skeleton of a single, individual dodo, which is not made up from as many individual birds as there are bones, as is the case in all those other combined skeletons, truly allows us to appreciate the way the dodo looked and see how tall or fat it really was," said Juilan Hume, of the Natural History Museum UK, a co-author on the study.
The scans were performed on site in Durban, South Africa, and allow examination of the biology of this mysterious extinct bird in detail for the first time. Using the newest digital tools and techniques, the scans provide an insight into how the flightless dodo may have developed its giant size, and how it walked and lived in its forest home. According to Kenneth Rijsdijk, a biologist from University of Amsterdam, “the skull of the dodo is so large and its mouth so strong that it is easy to understand that the earliest naturalists thought it was related to sharks and other birds of prey(猛禽), rather than the pigeon family.”
1.The underlined phrase “a poster child” in Para. 1 is closest in meaning to “ ”.
A. a typical example
B. an endangered animal
C. a child who puts up posters on the board
D. a child posted in a newspaper as an advertisement
2.The researchers study the dodo skeleton to find out .
A. ways to save the dodo
B. the dodo’s living habits
C. the bird’s natural habitat
D. the cause of the dodo’s extinction
3.What is special about the dodo skeleton found by an amateur collector?
A. It is gathered from more than one individual.
B. It reminded unstudied between 1899 and 1917.
C. It is the only complete dodo skeleton from a single individual bird.
D. It can be examined with 3-D laser scanning technology.
4.What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?
A. To call people’s attention to wildlife protection.
B. To criticize humans for the extinction events.
C. To introduce a new way of studying the dodo.
D. To give tips on how to study extinct creatures.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
第二节:完形填空(共20小题,每小题1.5分,满分30分)
BRITISH newspapers are among the oldest and most famous in the world. But recently big changes have 36 these traditional publications try to 37 the modern world. After 216 years, The Times has halved its 38 to become much smaller. In fact, the paper has 39 its size in half from a broadsheet to tabloid(小型报纸).
In Britain the newspaper market is 40 between the larger broadsheets and the smaller tabloids. These terms 41 the size of the papers' pages but there is also a clear 42 in content. Broadsheets such as The Times, the Guardian and Daily Telegraph are 43 papers. They 44 a broad range of political, economic and international issues. Their stories are also 45 long and use quite formal language.
Tabloids have 46 more stories about less serious issues such as celebrities' love lives. Their stories are shorter and use more 47 language. Tabloids often have bigger pictures. Britain's 48 newspaper, the Sun, is a tabloid and has a naked page on page three every day.
By 49 to the size of a tabloid, The Times is following in the 50 of a less famous broadsheet paper, the Independent. It changed to tabloid last year and saw its sales increase 51 . Although both papers have 52 to the smaller size, the content of the papers has 53 the same. They are both still serious papers.
The two papers 54 that people find the smaller size easier to 55 when they travel to work on the bus or the train in the morning. The times says its new size is "compact", not tabloid.
36. A. found B. known C. seen D. proved
37. A. match B. suit C. change D. fit
38. A. length B. thickness C. width D. size
39. A. printed B. cut C. added D. enlarged
40. A. divided B. separated C. arranged D. marked
41. A. turn into B. think about C. refer to D. connect with
42. A. meaning B. difference C. mark D. sign
43. A. useful B. easy C. serious D. long
44. A. sell B. include C. take D. cover
45. A. certainly B. reasonably C. probably D. necessarily
46. A. a few B. little C. far D. any
47. A. difficult B. simple C. easy D. good
48. A. best-selling B. good-looking C. slow-moving D. ugly-looking
49. A. going B. getting C. coming D. changing
50. A. footsteps B. way C. direction D. method
51. A. slowly B. usually C. little D. greatly
52. A. halved B. made C. changed D. cut
53. A. become B. remained C. left D. found
54. A. agree B. hope C. expect D. insist
55. A. handle B. look C. see D. buy
高三英语完型填空简单题查看答案及解析
Grandma Moses is among the most famous twentieth-century painters of the United States, yet she did not start painting until she was in her late seventies. As she once said to herself: " I would never sit back in a rocking chair, waiting for someone to help me." No one could have had a more productive old age.
She was born Anna Mary Robertson on a farm in New York State, one of five boys and five girls. At twelve she left home and was in domestic service until, at twenty—seven, she married Thomas Moses, the hired hand of one of her employers. They farmed most of their lives, first in Virginia and then in New York State, at Eagle Bridge. She had ten children, of whom five survived; her husband died in 1927.
Grandma Moses painted a little as a child and made embroidery (刺绣) pictures as a hobby, but only changed to oils in old age because her hands had become too stiff to sew and she wanted to keep busy and pass the time. Her pictures were first sold at the local drugstore and at a market and were soon noticed by a businessman who bought everything she painted. Three of the pictures exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, and in 1940 she had her first exhibition in New York. Between the 1930's and her death, she produced some 2,000 pictures: detailed and lively portrayals of the country life she had known for so long, with a wonderful sense of color and form. "I think really hard till I think of something really pretty, and then I paint it" she said.
1.According to the passage, Grandma Moses began to paint because she wanted to_______.
A. make herself beautiful
B. keep active
C. earn more money
D. become famous
2.Grandma Moses spent most of her life ________.
A. nursing B. painting C. embroidering D. farming
3.The underlined word “portrayals ” means ________.
A. descriptions B. expressions C.explanations D.impressions
4.From Grandma Moses' description of herself in the first paragraph, it can be inferred that she
was ________.
A. independent B. pretty C. rich D. nervous
5.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Grandma Moses: Her Life and Pictures.
B. The Children of Grandma Moses.
C. Grandma Moses: Her Best Exhibition.
D.Grandma Moses and Other Older Artists.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
阅读理解。
Grandma Moses is among the most famous twentieth-century painters of the United States,yet she did not start painting until she was in her late seventies.As she once said to herself:" I would never sit back in a rocking chair,waiting for someone to help me." No one could have had a more productive old age.
She was born Anna Mary Robertson on a farm in New York State,one of five boys and five girls.At twelve she left home and was in domestic service until,at twenty-seven,she married Thomas Moses,the hired hand of one of her employers.They farmed most of their lives,first in Virginia and then in New York State,at Eagle Bridge.She had ten children,of whom five survived;her husband died in 1927.
Grandma Moses painted a little as a child and made embroidery pictures as a hobby,but only changed to oils in old age because her hands had become too stiff to sew and she wanted to keep busy and pass the time.Her pictures were first sold at the local drugstore and at a market and were soon noticed by a businessman who bought everything she painted.Three of the pictures exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art,and in 1940 she had her first exhibition in New York.Between the 1930's and her death,she produced some 2,000 pictures:detailed and lively portrayals of the country life she had known for so long,with a wonderful sense of color and form."I think really hard till I think of something really pretty,and then I paint it" she said.
1.According to the passage,Grandma Moses began to paint because she wanted to________.
A.make herself beautiful B.keep active
C.earn more money D.become famous
2.Grandma Moses spent most of her life________.
A.nursing B.painting
C.embroidering D.farming
3.The underlined word “portrayals ”means________.
A.descriptions B.expressions
C.explanations D.impressions
4.From Grandma Moses' description of herself in the first paragraph,it can be inferred that she was________.
A.independent B.pretty
C.rich D.nervous
5.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.Grandma Moses:Her Life and Pictures.
B.The Children of Grandma Moses.
C.Grandma Moses:Her Best Exhibition.
D.Grandma Moses and Other Older Artists.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The koala is an unusual creature. Native to Australia and a bit bigger than a rabbit, it spends most of its time in eucalyptus trees(桉树),feeding on leaves that are poisonous to nearly every other animal on the planet.
The koala sleeps about 22 hours a day and spends the remainder of its time eating and resting. It might spend 10 minutes a day moving, experts say, usually from one tree to another. It has a soft pad at the end of its spine and extra thick fur on its rear end to make the effort, of sitting more comfortable.
Threats and protective measures
The unique lifestyle of the koala has helped it prosper, but today the cute and iconic creature is facing threats from habitat loss, disease and a changing climate. Koala populations are expected to decline by 50 percent in the next 20 years according to the Australian Museum.
To help protect these animals, which bring in an estimated $1.1 billion to Australia each year through koala-related tourism, an international team of researchers has published the first complete genome(基因组)of the koala. Their hope is that the keys to the marsupial’s(有袋动物)long-term survival might be planted in its genetic code.
“The ultimate goal is that we won’t have to…rescue them from the edge of extinction,”said Rebecca Johnson of the Australian Museum Research Institute in Sydney, who led the work.
“Now we have a really good understanding of the koala genome, and we are in a fantastic position to use that knowledge to help us manage them.”
Early findings
An elementary analysis of the koala’s genome, published in Nature Genetics, has already yielded some interesting findings.
For example, the authors found that, compared to other mammals, the koala’s DNA includes an expansion in the number of genes that encode for enzymes involved in anti-poison. That allows them to have a diet that depends almost entirely on eucalyplus leaves which are unusually high in poison. However, it also means that koalas metabolize(代谢)medicines like anti-chlamydia antibiotics faster than other animals.
The koala genome also revealed why koalas are such famously picky eaters. They are known to consume leaves from just 20 of Australia’s 60 known eucalyplus species. And even when they are in one of their preferred trees, koalas take leaf selection very seriously.
Information waiting to be discovered
Johnson said that the information encoded in the koala’s DNA is already being included in management strategies by conservation groups. However, she said the findings described in the new paper represent the early stages of what can be gleamed from the marsupial’s genome.
“The data is public, and I would love for anyone to start mining it and see what other amazing things they can find,”she said.“Once you have a genome of this quality, the sky’s the limit with what you can do with it.”
1.What can be concluded from the passage?
A. The research on the Koala’s DNA has prevented its extinction successfully.
B. Scientists are trying to rescue Koalas by providing more eucalyptus leaves.
C. Koala’s extinction is being controlled effectively in Australia.
D. Scientists are trying to find a way based on Koala’s gene to save them.
2.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. Koalas can digest poisonous leaves thanks to their gene.
B. Koalas are particular about leaves because of their taste.
C. Koalas are being extinct just due to human’s activities.
D. Koalas will move to other continents in order to survive.
3.“The sky’s the limit”in the last sentence most probably means ___.
A. The sky is the restriction
B. The sky is too high to reach
C. There is no limit
D. There is no possibility
4.The passage is mainly about ___.
A. Koala-a Special Creature in Australia
B. scientific research on Koalas
C. scientific efforts to save the Koalas
D. Koala’s Characters and Preference
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Alzheimer’s disease is _______ as the most common mental disease among older people, and the number of sufferers is growing.
A.judged B.translated C.designed D.recognized
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Asia has many wild places. The following national parks are among the most famous in Asia. People come to visit them from near and far in order to appreciate the unique qualities of the land and everything on it. Have you ever visited any of these Asian national parks?
Jiuzhai Valley National Park, China
The extraordinarily beautiful park is famous for its fascinating blue-green lakes, waterfalls and its unique wildlife. Located in the Minshan Mountain, Sichuan Province, it is a breathtaking park because of its scenery and it is also home to nine Tibetan villages, over 220 bird species as well as a number of endangered animals and plants, such as giant pandas, Sichuan golden monkeys and numerous orchids. This park was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Khao Sok(考索)National Park, Thailand
This extraordinary park is several miles away from Phuket(普吉岛), yet its remoteness(遥远)prevents it from being visited. Even so, it is well worth a visit as scientists have noted that is rainforest stretches are not only longer than those of the Amazon, but also more divers(多样化的). Animals like tigers, Asian elephants, and macaaues make their home here. Everyone who visits the park, however, seems to want to have a look at the amazing Rafflesia, one of the strangest flowering plants on earth; it smells like smelly meat when it blooms.
Nikko(日高)National Park, Japan
It is lovely to visit this park all the year round with its waterfalls and picturesque Lake Chuzenji. And it is especially worth visiting in autumn when the leaves change from green to deep red and orange. Set with UNESCO protected shrines(神坛)and temples, the park is a unique mixture of natural and man-made attractions. With various routes perfect for adventurous hikers, a visit to the Nikko National Park is not to be missed.
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1.What does the underlined word “orchids” probably refer to?
A. Wild animals. B. Endangered flowers.
C. Rare monkeys. D. Tibetan buildings.
2.Compared with Amazon, Khao Sok National Park has______.
A. stranger flower plants
B. More animals
C. more varieties of rainforests
D. more visitors
3.If you’re an adventurous hiker, which park would you probably choose to visit?
A. Jiuzhai Valley National park.
B. Khao Sok National Park.
C. Nikko National Park.
D. Zhangjiajie National Park.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Pangolins (穿山甲) are the most trafficked (非法交易) mammals in the world and are facing extinction. To draw attention to these scaly (有鳞片的), anteater-like animals, a new wildlife documentary, Eye of the Pangolin, is attempting a unique way to inspire action and conservation. Partnering with the non-profit organization Pangolin. Africa, the documentary was made available on YouTube in May 2019. The intention is to reach communities wherever the Internet is available, especially African communities, who live near the animal’s habitats.
Over two years, the documentary crew traveled to South Africa, Ghana, Central African Republic and Gabon in search of the four unique species of pangolin, which has never been achieved before. Filmmakers Bruce Young and Johan Vermeulen say that they went into the shoot knowing relatively little about pangolins, but grew to respect and appreciate the animals. Getting close to the creatures over two years was a crash course in these secretive creatures. Johan Vermeulen said, "One thing however that might seem unimportant is that they are actually quite fussy eaters. You would think they would eat any type of ant, but they all prefer a specific type ant."
Pangolins are hunted illegally across Africa for their scales, which are used for traditional medicine, and their meat. In April 2019, Singaporean customs officials conducted two separate seizures of 24 tons of pangolin scales, which equals to the death of 69,000 pangolins.
Though the documentary focuses less on the trafficking of pangolins, and more on the animals in their natural habitat, the aim of the documentary is to inspire viewers around the world to call for action to end trafficking and protecting these unique creatures.
Filmed on location in South Africa, Ghana, Central African Republic, and Gabon, this powerful documentary is the story of two men on a mission to get all four species of African pangolin on camera for the very first time.
1.What is the purpose of the documentary?
A.To study the situation of pangolins.
B.To collect fund to protect pangolins.
C.To raise awareness of pangolin protection.
D.To propose setting up pangolin reserves.
2.What is the meaning of the underlined word “fussy” in paragraph 2?
A.Picky. B.Messy.
C.Showy. D.Heavy.
3.What’s the documentary mainly about?
A.The illegal trade of pangolins.
B.The medical function of pangolin's scales.
C.The life of pangolins in their natural habitats.
D.The efforts of Pangolin, Africa to save pangolins.
4.Where is the text most likely from?
A.A brochure. B.A diary.
C.A novel. D.A magazine.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Castel dell’ Ovo is one of Naples’ most famous monuments. It offers sweeping views over the city and Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
The Basics
The site on which Castel dell’ Ovo now stands has a long history, beginning as a settlement for Greek colonists(殖民地定居者). The current castle was built in the 15th century, and today, the 19th-century fishing village of Borgo Marinari, known for its excellent seafood restaurants and marina(游艇停靠区), sits at the base of the castle.
The Egg Castle
The origin of the castle’s name comes from a story about the Roman poet Virgil, who is said to have placed a magical egg in the foundations beneath where the castle now stands. As long as the egg stays well, Castel dell’ Ovo will remain standing.
Things to Know Before you Go
·Castel dell’ Ovo is a must-see for history and architecture enthusiasts.
·Admission to the castle and the museum is free.
·The inner halls of the castle are open to the public only during special events and exhibitions; the ramparts (城墙) and towers are always open.
·There is a lift from the ground floor to the ramparts, making the castle accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Castel dell’ Ovo is located in the Bay of Naples just off the coastal road. Bus 151 from the train station and 140 from the port stop at Castel dell’ Ovo.
When to Get there
The castle is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 7 pm, and Sundays and holidays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Prehistoric Museum is open only on weekends from 10 am to 1 pm. As Naples is one of Italy’s most visited cities, its sights can be very crowded in the high-season summer months. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and to take advantage of the best light for taking photos from the castle’s towers.
Book Online or Call +1(702)648-5873
1.Whose settlement did the site of Castel dell’ Ovo belong to ?
A.British colonists’.
B.French colonists’.
C.Greek colonists’.
D.German colonists’.
2.Which of the following correctly describes Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.It lies next to Mount Vesuvius.
B.It’s also named the Egg castle.
C.It was originally built in the 19th century.
D.It’s well-known for its seafood and marina.
3.Who are most probably interested in visiting Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.History lovers.
B.Sports lovers.
C.Literature lovers.
D.Astronomy lovers.
4.What should you know before you tour Castel dell’ Ovo?
A.The tickets have to be booked in advance.
B.Those with leg problems can not tour the ramparts.
C.It’s easily accessible by bus from the train station.
D.The towers can be visited only during special events.
5.When should you go to the Prehistoric Museum?
A.On Sundays from 8:30 to 13:30.
B.On holidays from9:00 to 13:30.
C.On weekdays from 8:30 to 19:00.
D.On weekends from 10:00 to 13:00.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Among Asimov's most famous works of science fiction, one ______he won an award, was the Foundation Trilogy.
A.of whom | B.of which | C.for whom | D.for which |
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析