The mass death of flying foxes in extreme heat in North Queensland last month underlines the importance of University of Queensland wildlife research released today.The UQ research sheds light on how various species have responded to major climate events.
A study led by UQ School of Earth and Environmental Science researcher Dr Sean Maxwell has spent more than 70 years quantifying the responses of various species.
“The growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts and floods is causing unpredictable and immediate changes to ecosystems and blocking existing management efforts,” Dr Maxwell said.“Some of the negative responses we found were quite concerning, including more than 100 cases of dramatic population declines and 31 cases of local population extinction following an extreme event.”
"Populations of critically endangered bird species in Hawaii, such as the palia, have been annihilated due to drought, leaving none of its kind, and populations of lizard species have been wiped out due to cyclones in the Bahamas."
Cyclones were the most common extreme event for birds, fish, plants and reptiles, while mammals and amphibians were most responsive to drought events, with drought leading to 12 cases of major population decline in mammals.Drought also led to 13 cases of breeding declines in bird populations and 12 cases of changes in the composition of invertebrate communities.
UQ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science director Professor James Watson said the detailed information would help inform ecosystem management.
“The research clearly shows species will respond, often negatively, to extreme events,” Professor Watson said.“As climate change continues to ensure extreme climate and weather events are more and more common,we now need to act to ensure species have the best chance to survive.Wherever possible, high quality and intact habitat areas should be retained, as these are the places where species are most resilient(易恢复的) to increasing exposure to extreme events.”
1.How was the UQ researchconducted?
A. By observing extreme weather events.
B. By protecting the endangered species.
C. By recording reactions of animals to extreme climate.
D. By analyzing the reason why mass animal death happened.
2.What does the underlined word “annihilated” in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. destroyed B. defeated
C. decreased D. disappeared
3.Which of the following sentences is true about extreme weather events?
A. Drought caused 13 cases of distinctionin bird populations.
B. Drought caused 12 cases of population decline in mammals.
C. Birds and mammals are most responsive to cyclones.
D. Cyclones wiped out populations of lizard.
4.What can we infer from Professor Watson’s words?
A. Animals often show negative responses to extreme events.
B. The existing management ways for wildlife protection are limited.
C. Different methods should be adopted to ensure the survival of different species.
D. Complete and undamaged habitats are of great importance to species’ survival.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
The mass death of flying foxes in extreme heat in North Queensland last month underlines the importance of University of Queensland wildlife research released today.The UQ research sheds light on how various species have responded to major climate events.
A study led by UQ School of Earth and Environmental Science researcher Dr Sean Maxwell has spent more than 70 years quantifying the responses of various species.
“The growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts and floods is causing unpredictable and immediate changes to ecosystems and blocking existing management efforts,” Dr Maxwell said.“Some of the negative responses we found were quite concerning, including more than 100 cases of dramatic population declines and 31 cases of local population extinction following an extreme event.”
"Populations of critically endangered bird species in Hawaii, such as the palia, have been annihilated due to drought, leaving none of its kind, and populations of lizard species have been wiped out due to cyclones in the Bahamas."
Cyclones were the most common extreme event for birds, fish, plants and reptiles, while mammals and amphibians were most responsive to drought events, with drought leading to 12 cases of major population decline in mammals.Drought also led to 13 cases of breeding declines in bird populations and 12 cases of changes in the composition of invertebrate communities.
UQ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science director Professor James Watson said the detailed information would help inform ecosystem management.
“The research clearly shows species will respond, often negatively, to extreme events,” Professor Watson said.“As climate change continues to ensure extreme climate and weather events are more and more common,we now need to act to ensure species have the best chance to survive.Wherever possible, high quality and intact habitat areas should be retained, as these are the places where species are most resilient(易恢复的) to increasing exposure to extreme events.”
1.How was the UQ researchconducted?
A. By observing extreme weather events.
B. By protecting the endangered species.
C. By recording reactions of animals to extreme climate.
D. By analyzing the reason why mass animal death happened.
2.What does the underlined word “annihilated” in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. destroyed B. defeated
C. decreased D. disappeared
3.Which of the following sentences is true about extreme weather events?
A. Drought caused 13 cases of distinctionin bird populations.
B. Drought caused 12 cases of population decline in mammals.
C. Birds and mammals are most responsive to cyclones.
D. Cyclones wiped out populations of lizard.
4.What can we infer from Professor Watson’s words?
A. Animals often show negative responses to extreme events.
B. The existing management ways for wildlife protection are limited.
C. Different methods should be adopted to ensure the survival of different species.
D. Complete and undamaged habitats are of great importance to species’ survival.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Some kinds of birds in winter fly to the south to ______ the cold in the north.
A.get away from B.come up with
C.break away from D.put up with
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Mass deaths of birds were not unheard of, but they normally happened unnoticed at sea or in rural areas away from towns. Many birds are weak and die in winter _______ food is scarce.
A.which B.what C.when D.how
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
In summer the extreme heat often makes people sweaty and restless. While people are annoyed by it, experts suggest summer is the best season to discharge (排放) your body’s toxins (毒素) and recover your energy.
One popular option is hot-stone massage (按摩). Therapists use smooth and heated stones, usually river rocks, to massage certain parts of the body, or place them on key points of the body. The warmth of the hot stones will improve blood circulation and also help relax muscles, while sweating is also believed to be good for discharging the body’s toxins.
Another popular option is hot-stone baths. The hot-stone bath will help the body discharge toxins and humidity that accumulated during the last winter. Summer is the best season to build a good body. Rather than use water or steam to heat and wash the body, people simply wear a coat or something comfortable, and then lie on heated stone tablets made of hot stones, which are warmed to around 45oC. The body will gradually warm up and blood circulation will also be improved. More sweat will come out quickly. The sweat is smooth and fresh, not smelly like that released after sports activities. Such baths bring a number of health benefits, such as anti-aging, improved blood circulation and stress relief. The slimming effect of dieting can even be promoted.
Using hot stones for healing dates back to ancient times, but the modern renewal of hot-stone massage is generally credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona, America, whose trademark is “LaStone Therapy”.
The therapy is gaining wide popularity with many people, especially those who have jobs in cool air-conditioned rooms. The hot-stone therapy can help cure many diseases, including back pain.
1.What do people use to release toxins in our body according to the text?
A. Washing the body with cold water.
B. Discharging lots of sweat.
C. Relaxing muscles
D. Lying on the warm beds.
2.What can we know from the text?
A. Sports have greater effects on the health than hot-stone massage.
B. There are no toxins and humidity in the body in summer.
C. Using water of about 45oC to wash the body is good for the health.
D. People should take advantage of summer to improve their health.
3.What can be learned about the hot-stone therapy?
A. It was invented by Mary Nelson, an American.
B. It successfully cured many people of cancer.
C. It is popular with people with its excellent effects.
D. It can help people avoid sweating too much in hot summer.
4.Which of the following could be the best title for the text?
A. The origin and development of the hot-stone therapy
B. The amazing functions of the hot-stone therapy
C. A healthy and comfortable lifestyle
D. How to live comfortably in summer
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Snow falls in the Earth’s extreme North and South throughout the year. However, the heaviest snowfalls have been reported in the mountains of other areas during winter. Snow is even known to fall near the Equator (赤道),but only on the highest mountains.
Snow contains much less water than rain, but much of the water the world uses comes from snow. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power stations and agricultural crops. In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to seventy-five percent of all surface water supplies.
Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals (晶体). Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is limited. Snow also influences the movement of sound waves. The surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. As snow grows older or if there have been strong winds, it can become hard and flat. Then, the snow,s surface will help to send back sound waves.
Snow may be beautiful, but it can be deadly. It is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. Many people die in traffic accidents on roads covered with snow and ice or from being seriously stuck in the winter storm. Others die from heart attacks caused by too much physical activity out in the cold.
People may not be able to avoid living in areas where it snows often. However, they can avoid becoming victims of snowstorms. People should stop driving and stay at home until the storm has passed. People living in these areas should carry emergency supplies in their vehicle. These include food,emergency medical supplies,and extra clothing to stay warm and dry.
1.Mountain snowfall _____.
A.is heavier than that in the South and the North Poles
B.has never occurred near the Equator of the earth
C.brings less of the water the world uses than rain does
D.provides up to seventy—five percent of water supplies worldwide
2.Snow protects plants and wild animals from cold weather by _____.
A.supplying much more air B.limiting heat movement
C.absorbing strong winds D.sending back sound waves
3.Snow can be deadly mainly because it can _____.
A.cause road accidents
B.make people stuck in winter storms
C.lead to heart attacks
D.make people victims of snowstorms
4.What will the text probably tell us following the last paragraph? _.
A.How to drive during snowstorms
B.Where we can get emergency supplies
C.How to prevent heart attacks out in cold
D.Why we should stay warm and dry in winter
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Beyond the lake _____ quantities of birds coming from the North every winter.
A. flies B. flying C. flied D. fly
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The year was 1932. Amelia Earhart was flying alone from North America to England in a small single-engined aeroplane. At midnight, several hours after she had left Newfoundland, she ran into bad weather. To make things worse, her altimeter (高度表) failed and she didn't know how high she was flying. At night, and in a storm, a pilot is in great difficulty without an altimeter. At times. her plane nearly plunged (冲) into the sea.
Just before dawn, there was further trouble. Amelia noticed flames coming from the engine. Would she be able to reach land? There was nothing to do except to keep going and to hope.
In the end, Amelia Earhart did reach Ireland, and for the courage she had shown, she was warmly welcomed in England and Europe. When she retumed to the United States, she was honored by President Hoover at a special dinner in the White House. From that time on, Amelia Earhart was famous.
What was so important about her flight? Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean alone, and she had set a record of fourteen hours and fifty-six minutes.
In the years that followed, Amelia Earhart made several flights across the United States, and on each occasion she set a new record for flying time. Amelia Earhart made these flights to show that women had a place in aviation (航空) and that air travel was useful.
1.Which of the following statements is NOT the difficulty which Amelia Earhart met in her flight from north America to England?
A. She was caught in a storm.
B. The altimeter went out of order.
C. Her engine went wrong.
D. She lost her direction.
2.When Amelia Earhart saw flames coming from the engine. what did she do?
A. She did nothing but pr ay for herself
B. She changed her direction and landed in Ireland.
C. She continued flying.
D. She lost hope of reaching land.
3.According to the passage, what was Amelia Earhart's reason for making her flights?
A. To set a new record for flying time.
B. To be the first woman to fly around the world.
C. To show that aviation was not just for men.
D. To become famous in the world.
4.Which of the following statements was NOT mentioned?
A. She was the first woman who succeeded in flying across the Atlantic Oceanalone.
B. She showed great courage in overcoming the difficulties during the flight.
C She was warmly welcomed in England, Europe and the United States.
D. She made plans to fly around the world.
5.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Amelia Earhart-First Across the Atlantic.
B. Amelia Earhart-Pioneer in Women's Aviation.
C. A New Record for Flying Time.
D. A Dangerous Flight from North America to England.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The year was 1932. Amelia Earhart was flying alone from North America to England in a small single-engined airplane. At midnight, several hours after she had left Newfoundland, she ran into bad weather. To make things worse, her altimeter (高度表) failed and she didn’t know how high she 1._____ (fly). At night, and in a storm, a pilot was in great difficulty without an altimeter. At times, her plane nearly plunged into the sea.
Just before dawn, there was further trouble. Amelia noticed flames coming from the engine. With all the difficulties, Amelia Earhart wasn’t sure if she 2._____ reach land. There was nothing to do but keep3.______ (go).
In the end, Amelia Earhart did reach Ireland. It was with the great courage 4.______ she made the safe landing. And for the courage she had shown, she was warmly welcomed in England and Europe. When she returned to the United States, she 5.______ (honor) by President Hoover at a special dinner in the White House. From that time on, Amelia Earhart was famous.
What was so important about her flight? Amelia Earhart was the first woman
6.______ (fly) the Atlantic Ocean alone, and she had set a record of fourteen hours and fifty-six minutes.
In the years that followed, Amelia Earhart made several flights across the United States, and on each occasion she set a new record for flying time and was 7.____ (skillful) than her previous flight. Amelia Earhart made these flights to show that women had a place in aviation (航空) and that air travel was useful. Her passion for flight lasted in her remaining life 8.______ she mysteriously disappeared from public in the year 1937.
高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Death Valley is a land of beautiful yet dangerous extremes. Death Valley can be dangerously cold during the winter months. Storms in the mountains can produce sudden flooding on the floor of the Valley.
The air temperature during the summer has been as high as fifty- seven degrees Celsius. The sun can heat the ground so that the temperature of the rocks and soil can be as high as seventy -four degrees Celsius.
Death Valley contains evidence of several ancient volcanoes that caused huge explosions. Evidence of one of these explosions is called Ubehebe Crater. The explosion left a huge hole in the ground almost a kilometer and a half wide. In many areas of Death Valley it is easy to see where the ground has been pushed up violently by movement deep in the Earth. This movement has created unusual and beautiful rock formations. Some are red. Others are dark brown, gray, yellow or black.
The area was named by a woman in 1849. Thousands of people from other parts of the ountry traveled Lo the gold mining areas in California. They were in a hurry to get there before other people did. One group trying to reach California decided to take a path called the Old Spanish Trail. By December they had reached Death Valley. They did not have to survive the terrible heat of summer, hut there was still an extreme lack of water. There were few plants for their work animals to eat.
The people could not find a pass through the call mountains to the west of the Valley. Slowly, they began co suffer from a lack of food. To survive, they killed their work animals for food and began to walk out of the Valley. As they left, one woman looked back and said, “Good -bye, death valley.” The name has never been changed.
Almost everyone who visits Death Valley visits a huge house called Scotty' s Castle. The building design is Spanish, with high thick walls to provide protection from the fierce heat.
The castle is named for Walter Scott , called Scotty by his friends. He was a gold miner. He told everyone that he built the house with money he made from his gold mine. Many people believed him. But it was not really the truth.
1.The first two paragraphs discuss Death Valley' s________.
A.geography B.climate C.location D.size
2.The volcanoes mentioned in the third paragraph proved ________.
A.a valley that is formed by explosions
B.a place where volcanoes are still active
C.a good example of the violence of nature
D.a symbol of rock formations in history
3.The woman who named Death Valley intended to ________.
A.explore the mystery of the valley
B.find an area with plants for animals
C.experience the terrible heat of summer
D.look for gold in California
4.If the passage continues, it will be about ________.
A.the truth about Scotty's Castle
B.why Spanish built the castle
C.when the castle was built
D.where the castle lies in
5.The main idea of the passage is about________.
A.the interesting place in Death Valley
B.the facts about Death Valley
C.the origin of Death Valley
D.the route to visit Death Valley
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Death Valley is a land of beautiful yet dangerous extremes. Death Valley can be dangerously cold during the winter months. Storms in the mountains can produce sudden flooding on the floor of the Valley.
The air temperature during the summer has been as high as fifty- seven degrees Celsius. The sun can heat the ground so that the temperature of the rocks and soil can be as high as seventy -four degrees Celsius.
Death Valley contains evidence of several ancient volcanoes that caused huge explosions. Evidence of one of these explosions is called Ubehebe Crater. The explosion left a huge hole in the ground almost a kilometer and a half wide. In many areas of Death Valley it is easy to see where the ground has been pushed up violently by movement deep in the Earth. This movement has created unusual and beautiful rock formations. Some are red. Others are dark brown, gray, yellow or black.
The area was named by a woman in 1849. Thousands of people from other parts of the ountry traveled to the gold mining areas in California. They were in a hurry to get there before other people did. One group trying to reach California decided to take a path called the Old Spanish Trail. By December they had reached Death Valley. They did not have to survive the terrible heat of summer, but there was still an extreme lack of water. There were few plants for their work animals to eat.
The people could not find a pass through the tall mountains to the west of the Valley, Slowly, they began co suffer from a lack of food. To survive, they killed their work animals for food and began to walk out of the Valley. As they left, one woman looked back and said, "Good -bye, death valley. ” The name has never been changed.
Almost everyone who visits Death Valley visits a huge house called Scotty' s Castle. The building design is Spanish, with high thick walls to provide protection from the fierce heat.
The castle is named for Walter Scott , called Scotty. by his friends. He was a gold miner. He told everyone that he built the house with money he made from his gold mine. Many people believed him. But it was not really the truth.
1. The first two paragraphs discuss Death Valley' s ________.
A.geography | B.climate | C.location | D.size |
2.The volcanoes mentioned in the third paragraph proved ________.
A.a valley that is formed by explosions | B.a place where volcanoes are still active |
C.a good example of the violence of nature | D.a symbol of rock formations in history |
3.The woman who named Death Valley intended to ________.
A.explore the mystery of the valley | B.find an area with plants for animals |
C.experience the terrible heat of summer | D.look for gold in California |
4.If the passage continues, it will be about ________.
A.the truth about Scotty's Castle | B.why Spanish built the castle |
C.when the castle was built | D.where the castle lies in |
5.The main idea of the passage is about ________.
A.the interesting place in Death Valley | B.the facts about Death Valley |
C.the origin of Death Valley | D.the route to visit Death Valley |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析