Human’s invention of zero was very important for modern mathematics and science, but we’re not the only to consider “nothing” a number. Parrots and monkeys understand the concept of zero, and now bees have joined the club, too.
Honey bees are known to have some number skills such as the ability to count to four, which may occur when following landmarks in their environment To se whether these abilities extended to understanding zero, researchers trained 10 bees to identify the smaller of two numbers. Across a series of trials, they showed the insects two different pictures displaying a few black shapes on a white background. If the bees flew to the picture with the smaller number of shapes, they were given delicious sugar water, but if they flew toward the larger number, they were punished with bitter-tasting quinine（奎宁）.
Once the bees had learned to consistently make the correct choice, the researchers gave them a new option: a white background containing no shapes at all. Even though the bees had never seen an empty picture before, 64% of the time they chose this option rather than a picture containing two or three shapes. This suggests that the insects understood that “zero” is less than two or three. And they weren’t just going for the empty picture because it was new and interesting: Another group of bees trained to always choose the larger number tended to pick the nonzero image in this test.
In further experiments, the researchers showed that bees’ understanding of zero was even more complex: For example, they were able to distinguish between one and zero-a challenge even for some other members of the zero club. Advanced number abilities like this could give animals an evolutionary（进化的）advantage, helping them find food sources. And if an insect can display such a thorough grasp of the number zero, then this ability may be more common in the animal kingdom than we think.
1.Why did the researchers do the experiments on bees?
A. To test bees’ abilities of understanding the concept of zero.
B. To see the different abilities between bees and other insects.
C. To help bees join the club of distinguishing smaller numbers.
D. To train the bees to help people collect much more honey.
2.What did trained bees probably choose in the experiment?
A. A picture with black shapes. B. A picture with no shapes.
C. A picture with black background. D. A picture with white shapes.
3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Bees are cleverer than other animals
B. Researchers find secrets in animals.
C. Animals have grasped the secret of zero.
D. Advanced number abilities may help animals survive.
4.What can be a suitable tile for the text?
A. Bees master the number skills
B. Bees join the club of smart animals
C. Bees understand the concept of zero
D. Bees have complex distinguishing system
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Human’s invention of zero was very important for modern mathematics and science, but we’re not the only to consider “nothing” a number. Parrots and monkeys understand the concept of zero, and now bees have joined the club, too.
Honey bees are known to have some number skills such as the ability to count to four, which may occur when following landmarks in their environment To se whether these abilities extended to understanding zero, researchers trained 10 bees to identify the smaller of two numbers. Across a series of trials, they showed the insects two different pictures displaying a few black shapes on a white background. If the bees flew to the picture with the smaller number of shapes, they were given delicious sugar water, but if they flew toward the larger number, they were punished with bitter-tasting quinine（奎宁）.
Once the bees had learned to consistently make the correct choice, the researchers gave them a new option: a white background containing no shapes at all. Even though the bees had never seen an empty picture before, 64% of the time they chose this option rather than a picture containing two or three shapes. This suggests that the insects understood that “zero” is less than two or three. And they weren’t just going for the empty picture because it was new and interesting: Another group of bees trained to always choose the larger number tended to pick the nonzero image in this test.
In further experiments, the researchers showed that bees’ understanding of zero was even more complex: For example, they were able to distinguish between one and zero-a challenge even for some other members of the zero club. Advanced number abilities like this could give animals an evolutionary（进化的）advantage, helping them find food sources. And if an insect can display such a thorough grasp of the number zero, then this ability may be more common in the animal kingdom than we think.
1.Why did the researchers do the experiments on bees?
A. To test bees’ abilities of understanding the concept of zero.
B. To see the different abilities between bees and other insects.
C. To help bees join the club of distinguishing smaller numbers.
D. To train the bees to help people collect much more honey.
2.What did trained bees probably choose in the experiment?
A. A picture with black shapes. B. A picture with no shapes.
C. A picture with black background. D. A picture with white shapes.
3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Bees are cleverer than other animals
B. Researchers find secrets in animals.
C. Animals have grasped the secret of zero.
D. Advanced number abilities may help animals survive.
4.What can be a suitable tile for the text?
A. Bees master the number skills
B. Bees join the club of smart animals
C. Bees understand the concept of zero
D. Bees have complex distinguishing system
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Books are a worthy invention of human history since they make it possible for us to make a__of human's thoughts.
A. plan B. sign C. point D. record
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Segway Human Transporter was invented by Dean Kamen．It is a two-wheeled vehicle designed for a single rider standing upright over its single axle（轴） and navigate using a set of handlebars resembling those on a bicycle．Electrically powered, it could travel over 15 miles on a single charge and reach speeds up to twelve miles per hour．Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．
A college dropout and self-taught engineer, Kamen already held over 100 patents for his inventions when he developed the one he hoped would revolutionize short-distance travel．While still in college, Kamen started developing the medical devices （设备） that made his name．Later, he changed focus to the challenges faced by wheelchair users．His robotic wheelchair known as IBOT could climb stairs．This robot ended up paving the way for the Segway．
Before showing his most recent invention, Kamen had kept it a top secret for months．When it turned out to be little more than a motor scooter, many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics（批评家） had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement．It answered the prayers of anyone who is worn out when walking downtown．Not everyone welcomed the Segway's arrival, though．Some complained it was too expensive, while others said it would further weaken the average American ' s fitness．A Japanese inventor even accused Kamen of stealing the idea for the Segway from him．
Despite the controversy, the U．S．postal service began using Kamen's invention a month after its appearance, and a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month．The argument is still on whether the Segway will be remembered as the greatest invention since the light bulb, or just another forgettable electronic device．Anyway, trips to the local supermarket will never be the same again．
1.Which statement best describes the critics' reaction to the Segway?
A．Nothing but an electrical device．
B．A disappointing engineering mistake．
C．An expensive and disappointing invention．
D．Disappointing, but still a successful device．
2.Which is not a feature of the Segway?
A．One person at a time can ride on it．
B．It has two wheels with a single axle．
C．It is powered by electricity and can go up to 12mph．
D．Riders increase the speed by moving the handlebars
3.Some people expressed dissatisfaction with the Segway because of its______.
A．high cost B．danger to traffic
C．being difficult to use D．contribution to laziness
4.Shortly after the Segway appeared, there were _________.
A．hopes for a larger model of it
B．no plans to do anything more with it
C．some discussions on the unforgettable device
D．plans to make tens of thousands of them a month
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
1
Books are a worthy invention of human history since they make it possible for us to make a__of human’s thoughts.
A. plan B. sign C. point D. record
高二英语简单题查看答案及解析
It is not always easy for the public to see _______ use a new invention can be of to human life.
A．whose B．which C．that D．what
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
It is not always easy for the public to see _______ use a new invention can be of to human life.
A. whose B. what C. which D. that
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
DNA is one of the most important discoveries in science. DNA is the plan for the human being, as a blueprint is the plan for a building. DNA makes a person look the way he does. A person’s DNA comes from a mixing of his parents’ DNA. That’s why a child looks like his parents. But, besides controlling things such as height and hair color, DNA can also give people diseases. Scientists are now studying DNA to cure diseases.
In the seventies, scientists developed a process called recombinant or RDNA. Although it sounds difficult to understand, RDNA simply means taking DNA from one animal or plant and putting it into another. By doing so, scientists can create new beings. In doing so, scientists can better understand DNA, especially what parts of DNA do what. After they understand DNA, scientists can begin to cure diseases. Often, the new being created will itself be the cure. Besides curing diseases, RDNA research can also do other things. For example, scientists in Japan have already created “super-trees”. Trees help humans, because they take CO2, which poisons humans, from the air and turns it into oxygen, which lets humans breathe. “Super-trees” do this too, but do it much faster. As things such as cars and factories have already put much CO2 in the area, “super-trees” are badly needed.
Unfortunately, there is a serious danger in RDNA research. Scientists want to create animals to cure old diseases, but these new animals may also create new diseases. It will be a serious problem if the animals escape from the science laboratory and into nature. As these animals are not natural, they may let loose many new powerful diseases.
As a result, RDNA research will create many solutions, but it will also create many problems.
1. From the passage, we can know that a boy looks like his parents because______.
A. he is son of his parents.
B. his parents’ DNA decides his appearance.
C. he has received DNA from his father or his mother.
D. scientists have put some of his parents’ DNA into him.
2.What does the underlined expression “let loose” probably mean?
A. let … go free B. get rid of
C. absorb D. survive
3. What is the best title for the passage?
A. The DNA Research in Japan
B. A New Way of DNA Research in Japan.
C. The Causes and Effects of DNA Research
D. The Advantages And Disadvantages of RDNA
4. The following statements are true about RDNA research EXCEPT ______.
A. the research has been stopped because the created animals carry viruses
B. “super-trees” might be widely planted around the world
C. scientists have not completely understood DNA
D. RDNA research will benefit human beings a lot
5.You might find this passage in / on a ________.
A. fashion magazine B. novel C. scientific newspaper D. sports newspaper
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The first time Luca heard the Island of Inventions, he was very young, but the wonders he heard about sounded so unbelievable to him that they were forever kept in his memory. Since then, he never stopped searching clues which might lead him to that place of wonder. He read widely to collect information.
Taking a little from here and there, he got quite a clear idea of what the Island was really like. It was a secret place, where all the great men learn and invent together. To be able to join that select club, you had to have created great inventions. Only then could you receive the invitation.
To get a chance, Luca spend the years studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention, and if there were anything he didn’t understand, he would seek help. Soon he met other brilliant inventors too, and he told them of the secrets of the Island. These young inventors would likewise dream of being sent “the letter”.
As time passed, the disappointment of not being sent the letter gave rise to even greater cooperation and help between them. Their inventions soon became known throughout the world.
But no invention came.
They didn’t lose heart. They continued learning and inventing, trying to come up with better ideas. Fresh talent was added to their group. One day, Luca, already very old, was speaking with a brilliant young man who had written to join their group. Luca told the young man the secrets of the Island, and of how he was sure that they would receive an invitation. Surprised, the young inventor said: “What? You mean this isn’t really the Island of Inventions?”
It inspired Luca and he realized that his dream had become true.
1.Luca read widely to ________.
A. get information about the great inventions
B. get clear ideas about the island for vacations
C. seek massages about the secret club of inventions
D. get more knowledge for the benefit of his inventions
2.Luca and other brilliant inventors around him shared a dream of _______.
A. being great inventors of worldwide fame
B. being accepted as members of the Island of Inventions
C. being inventors envied by members of the Island of Inventions
D. being remembered for the contribution to scientific development
3.What is the effect of their not being given “the letter”?
A. They were disappointed, while it encouraged them to work harder.
B. They became desperate and decided to have another way of living.
C. They changed their strategy and promote their inventions publicly.
D. They gave up their dream while continued their inventions together.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Human beings have used tools for a very long time. In some parts of the world you can still find tools that people used more than two million years ago. They made these tools by hitting one stone against another. In this way, they broke off pieces from one of the stones. These chips of stone were usually sharp on one side. People used them for cutting meat and skin from dead animals, and also for making other tools out of wood. Human beings needed to use tools because they did not have sharp teeth like other meat eating animals, such as lions and tigers. Tools helped people to get food more easily.
Working with tools also helped to develop human intelligence. The human brain grew bigger, and human beings began to invent more and more tools and machines. The stone chip was one of the first tools that people used, and perhaps it is the most important. Some scientists say that it was the key to success of mankind.
Since 1960 a new kind of tool has appeared. This is the silicon chip -- a little chip of silicon crystal. It is smaller than a finger nail, but it can store more than a million "bits" of information. It is an electronic brain. Every year these chips get cleverer, but their size gets smaller, and their cost gets less. They are used in watches, calculators and intelligent machines that we can use in many ways. In the future we will not need to work with tools in the old way. Machines will do everything for us. They will even talk and play games with us. People will have plenty of spare time. But what will they do with it?
Human beings used stone chips for more than two million years, but human life changed very little in that time. We have used silicon chips for only a few years, but life is changing faster every day. What will life be like twenty years from now? What will the world be like two million years
from now?
1.From paragraph，we can know .
A. why early human beings cut skin from dead animals
B. how early human beings discovered the tools
C. what early human beings used the tools for
D. what food early human beings stored
2.The stone chip is thought to be the most important tool because it ______.
A. was very important to the development of mankind
B. led to the invention of machines in the early time
C. developed cooking abilities of mankind
D. was one of the first tools of mankind
3.The silicon chip is mentioned in the passage to________.
A. show the changes of tools
B. introduce a new kind of tool
C. give an example of using tools
D. compare the effects of two kinds of tools
4.At the end of the passage the author seems to suggest that life in future is ______.
A. Out of order B. Less colorful
C. hard to predict D. full of meanings
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
My father was a gold cup for his beneficial scientific invention for the development of the company, which cost a lot of effort.
A. awarded B. prized
C. awarding D. prizing
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析