Food storing is common in members of the crow（乌鸦）family. A new study tested the birds outside this naturally occurring behaviour, which may have evolved（进化）specifically because it gives crows a survival advantage. Some crow species are known to naturally use tools to recover food. So the researchers tested whether the birds could store and recover a tool so they could get it at their food after a gap of 17 hours—something we wouldn’t expect them to do naturally. But they were able to instantly select the tool out of a number of unnecessary items.
In another experiment, the researchers taught crows to select a token （礼品券）from a number of items so that they could then exchange for food. Again, the birds then showed that they could plan for the future using this new behaviour. This is different from all of the previous studies in future planning, which have focused on naturally occurring behaviour. For example, we know that chimpanzees select, transport and save appropriate tools for future needs.
These studies have shown that animals can plan for the future—but they left an important question open for debate. Are animals only able to plan to use abilities that have evolved to give them a specific advantage, or can they flexibly and intelligently apply planning behaviour across various actions? Most critics would say the former, as the animals were tested in naturally occurring behaviours.
But the new research provides the first evidence that animal species can plan for the future using behaviour that doesn’t typically occur in nature. This supports the view that at least some recognitive abilities in animals don’t evolve just in response to specific problems. Instead, it suggests that animals can apply these behaviours flexibly across problems in a similar way to humans. We need to investigate how flexible behaviour evolved. Then we might be able to see how crows’ ability to plan for the future fits in with their broader cognitive powers.
1.What’s the new finding about some crows according to Paragraph 1?
A. They can store food. B. They can use tools to recover food.
C. They can store and recover tools. D. They can select and store food.
2.What are crows trained by scientists to do when given a token?
A. Reject it casually. B. Exchange it for food.
C. Save it as their food. D. Build a nest with it.
3.What do scientists think of the studies that animals can plan for the future?
A. They are controversial. B. They are disappointing.
C. They are contradictory. D. They are convincing.
4.What can be inferred about recognitive abilities in animals?
A. They develop only with age.
B. It is unclear how they’ve evolved now.
C. No animals but crows benefit from them.
D. Planning for the future helps their evolution.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Food storing is common in members of the crow（乌鸦）family. A new study tested the birds outside this naturally occurring behaviour, which may have evolved（进化）specifically because it gives crows a survival advantage. Some crow species are known to naturally use tools to recover food. So the researchers tested whether the birds could store and recover a tool so they could get it at their food after a gap of 17 hours—something we wouldn’t expect them to do naturally. But they were able to instantly select the tool out of a number of unnecessary items.
In another experiment, the researchers taught crows to select a token （礼品券）from a number of items so that they could then exchange for food. Again, the birds then showed that they could plan for the future using this new behaviour. This is different from all of the previous studies in future planning, which have focused on naturally occurring behaviour. For example, we know that chimpanzees select, transport and save appropriate tools for future needs.
These studies have shown that animals can plan for the future—but they left an important question open for debate. Are animals only able to plan to use abilities that have evolved to give them a specific advantage, or can they flexibly and intelligently apply planning behaviour across various actions? Most critics would say the former, as the animals were tested in naturally occurring behaviours.
But the new research provides the first evidence that animal species can plan for the future using behaviour that doesn’t typically occur in nature. This supports the view that at least some recognitive abilities in animals don’t evolve just in response to specific problems. Instead, it suggests that animals can apply these behaviours flexibly across problems in a similar way to humans. We need to investigate how flexible behaviour evolved. Then we might be able to see how crows’ ability to plan for the future fits in with their broader cognitive powers.
1.What’s the new finding about some crows according to Paragraph 1?
A. They can store food. B. They can use tools to recover food.
C. They can store and recover tools. D. They can select and store food.
2.What are crows trained by scientists to do when given a token?
A. Reject it casually. B. Exchange it for food.
C. Save it as their food. D. Build a nest with it.
3.What do scientists think of the studies that animals can plan for the future?
A. They are controversial. B. They are disappointing.
C. They are contradictory. D. They are convincing.
4.What can be inferred about recognitive abilities in animals?
A. They develop only with age.
B. It is unclear how they’ve evolved now.
C. No animals but crows benefit from them.
D. Planning for the future helps their evolution.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In the story of “The crow and the Pitcher” from Aesop’s Fables, a thisty crow (乌鸦)drops stones into a narrow jar to raise the low level of water inside so he can take a drink.
Now scientists have evidence to back up that story. Crows actually do understand how to make water displacement (移位) work to their advantage, experiments show. The results suggest that the birds are, at least in some aspects, as smart as first-graders.
Researchers, led by Sarah Jelbert at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, presented six crows with tubes filled with water. Inside the tubes, a worm or piece of meat on a piece of wood was floating, just out of reach of the crow. In front of the tubes, the researchers arranged several rubber erasers that would sink, and some plastic objects that would float. The crows found out that they could drop the erasers into the tubes in order to raise the water level and get their snack.
However, the birds handled awkwardly in experiments in which they could choose to drop objects in either a wide tube or a narrow one to get a snack, the researchers said. Dropping objects into narrow tube would lift the water level by a greater amount and put the treat within reach after just two drops; while it took around seven drops to raise the snack to the same level in the wide tube. The crows obviously didn’t realize this, and most of them went for the wide tube first.
Previous studies showed that chimps and human children can solve similar tasks. In a 2011 study, chimps and kids found out that they could put water into a tube to reach a peanut that was floating in a small amount of water at the bottom.
1.How did the crows get the snack in Sarah’s experiment?
A. By breaking the tube.
B. By dropping in erasers.
C. By standing on the wood.
D. By removing the wood.
2.What does the author mean by “the birds handled awkwardly” in paragraph 4?
A. They were unable to tell different shapes.
B. They dropped objects only into narrow tubes.
C. They were not aware of the snack at first sight.
D. They mostly avoided the easier way to get the snack.
3.What does the text mainly focus on?
A. Stories of Aesop’s Fables.
B. The development of crows.
C. Crows’ intelligence.
D. Human-animal communication.
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Crows are almost as clever as first-graders in some respects.
B. Crows understand water displacement completely.
C. Chimps and children are much smarter than crows.
D. The story of “The crow and the Pitcher” lacks evidence.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
If you live in the United States, you’re almost 1.(certain) seen at American crow(乌鸦). Crows range from southern Canada throughout the United States. As2.adult, this bird is entirely black from bill to tail, except for its brown eyes. These3.(noise) birds are often recognizable by their special, loud cry, called a caw. There are often mistaken4.the common raven(渡鸦),but ravens are5.(large), and they have differently shaped bills and pointed wings and tails.
American crows often live family groups. Both members of a breeding pair help build the nests, and the female crow usually6.(lay) four or live eggs in spring or summer. After about five weeks in the nests, the young birds begin learning how to fly and catch prey. Crows sometimes stay near the spot7.they were born to help raise other young crows.
Crows will eat almost anything, from insects and small animals such as frogs fruit and nuts. They prefer open areas with access to trees and they can sometimes 8.(find)around vegetable gardens. Crows also frequently live in suburban9.(neighbor) and in parks. Crows are considered 10.(be)very intelligent birds.
高三英语短文填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Shopping on line will________take the place of shopping in stores, won’t it?
A．commonly B．especially C．finally D．regularly
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The Horn of Plenty is one of the largest natural health food stores within the Greater Hamilton area. We are big supporters of buying locally and we are here to tell you why it is so important for your family, the community and the environment.
The concept of buying locally is simple: buy food produced, grown, or raised as close to your home as possible. Not only will your food be fresher and tastier, but you are helping protect the environment and are supporting businesses within your community and reducing pollution.
Better for the Environment
Sustainability(持续性) and global warming are such hot topics at the moment, and many people want to do their bit to help support a healthier environment. Small action carried out by many people can make a big difference. Most materials in an average North American meal have traveled about 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate. To cut out a big part of this travel would greatly reduce not only pollution from transportation and refrigeration but also customers’ expenses as well.
Taste and Nutritional Content
Locally-grown fruits and vegetables are usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested. Because they are picked at the height of ripeness and travel only a short distance to the market, their freshness, nutrition, and flavor are kept. Produce trucked in from far away may lose both taste and nutritional content.
Community and Home Values
When you buy direct from a farmer or buy locally-grown foods, you are engaged in a time-honored tradition between a grower and an eater. You also help keep dollars within your community.
1.According to the author, when you buy locally-grown foods ________.
A. you are making money from your community
B. you will contribute to protecting the environment
C. you will become much healthier and prettier
D. you can see how fruits and vegetables grow
2.It can be inferred from the third paragraph that ________.
A. the cost of transporting food is passed on to the customers
B. global warming is the most serious problem now
C. North American food is rich in various kinds of materials
D. most people support buying legally
3.Locally-grown fruits and vegetables taste good mostly because ________.
A. they are sent to the market at a high speed
B. they aren’t polluted by chemical fertilizers
C. they can be harvested at any time
D. they are picked when they are fully grown
4.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The popularity of the Horn of Plenty.
B. The way to keep your food tasty and healthy.
C. The benefits of buying locally.
D. The importance of protecting the environment.
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
In Vietnam, two members of a family of street vendors are finding a way to help the poorest students in Hanoi. Pham Minh Dap and his brother are providing the students with mostly free English and Japanese lessons at a learning center they created. The men want to help people who would not normally have a chance to learn a foreign language.
Some education experts in Vietnam say such knowledge may help college graduates get jobs. The country’s economy has improved. But many graduates continue to have a hard time finding employment. Local media reported ten percent of university graduates do not have a job.
Earlier this year, 24-year-old Pham Minh Dap and his brother established a school they call “Stand By You”. Volunteers teach poor students English and Japanese. Many classes are free. Students with some language knowledge pay 25 to 50 cents per class. Mr. Dap pays about $ 500 to rent the language center space and for other costs. He gives about $ 150 from his earnings as a street Vendor and private language teaching. His brother gives the same amount from the money he earns as a secretary. Friends provide the rest. Mr. Dap and many of his family members have sold things outside HoaBinh Park in the center of Vietnam’s capital for five years. They come from a village of rice farmers in Thanh Hoa Province.
Twenty-four-year-old Pham THi Trang is one of 600 students at the language school. She is finishing her university studies. Her parents work in a market in a village in Ha Nam Province. She says life is hard in the city. She earns about $50 a month from a part-time job, and her parents give her $ 75. But this is not enough to live on. She has said she has to be very careful with money so she can pay her bills.
Demand for the school is growing. About 1,000 people are on a waiting list to enter. Ten people have offered to teach for free. And Mr. Dap says he is hoping to raise money to pay for a bigger place. He wants to open more classes.
1.“Stand By You” is established____________.
A. by the Vietnam government B. by a family
C. by a non-profit organization D. by two brothers
2.What can we infer from the passage?
A. All the courses provided by “ Stand By You” are free.
B. Farmers in Vietnam are very rich.
C. “Stand By You” is especially welcomed by the poor students in Vietnam.
D. Only ten percent of university graduates in Vietnam are employed.
3. Mr. Dap wants to pay for a bigger place because___________.
A. he wants to make more money.
B. he wants to open more classes for poor students.
C. he wants to change his job.
D. he wants to provide a wider space for students to play.
4.The main idea of the passage is ____________.
A. street vendors help the poor to learn English and Japanese.
B. the demand for school is growing in Vietnam.
C. free learning of English and Japanese are provided in Vietnam.
D. students in Vietnam are very poor.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Time spent together with family members is always a reminder of happiness. Never will I forget the days with my grandparents. Meals in their dining room, where stood a grandfather clock, were a for four generations to become one. The was always spread with delicious food containing as the main ingredient. That grandfather clock always stood like a family friend, our happiness.
The clock began to me in my childhood. I watched and listened to it during meals, how, at different times of the day, that clock would with a wonderful sound. Year after year, the clock struck a part of my , a part of my heart.
More wonderful was what my grandfather did each day. He wound that clock with a special and magic key, which the clock ticking and striking. He never let that clock wind down and . When we grandkids got a little older, he us how to wind it.
To our great sorrow, my grandfather passed away suddenly one night. Several days after his death, I entered the dining room, with tears flowing . The clock stood desertedly , seeming smaller. I couldn’t to look at it.
Years later, my grandmother gave me the key. Entering the old quiet house one morning, I opened the clock door with my shaking hand. Then and reverently（虔诚地）, I entered the key and wound the clock. It sprang to . Tick – tock, tick – tock, life was into the dining room and into my . With the hands moving, my grandfather seemed to live again. How beautiful the feeling was!
Dear friends, let’s the beautiful time being spent together with our family members!
1.A. party B. time C. place D. occasion
2.A. room B. clock C. table D. key
3.A. thrill B. surprise C. care D. love
4.A. sharing B. meeting C. ignoring D. responding
5.A. excite B. encourage C. interest D. inspire
6.A. questioning B. remembering C. doubting D. wondering
7.A. strike B. hit C. beat D. tap
8.A. comments B. opinions C. memories D. brains
9.A. strangely B. carefully C. eagerly D. usually
10.A. got B. kept C. made D. let
11.A. break B. fall C. stop D. move
12.A. showed B. provided C. demanded D. said
13.A. joyfully B. gently C. difficultly D. freely
14.A. ticking B. moving C. noisy D. quiet
15.A. help B. bear C. enjoy D. resist
16.A. slowly B. quickly C. violently D. naturally
17.A. feeling B. feet C. sense D. life
18.A. breathed B. blown C. taken D. appeared
19.A. study B. bedroom C. heart D. head
20.A. use B. treasure C. find D. search
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The latest fashion in the kitchen is the food steamer．All the stores are selling them；everyone wants one．Steaming is one of the simplest and healthiest ways of cooking food．However，that cooking time is usually longer than with other methods．In case you’re thinking of buying a steamer，I’ve done a survey about the steamers available on the market to help you decide which will suit you best．
Folding Steamer
The simplest and least expensive is the folding stainless-steel(不锈钢)version．
Advantages：This is a good，basic design which sits inside a variety of different shapes of pans with the water under it；a ring in the centre allows for easy lifting and it's easy to clean．
Disadvantages：It only holds small dishes．Also，if you put too much water in the pan，it will boil up through the vegetables and they will be watery．If you put too little water in and let it get dry，you will burn the pan and get strange-smelling vegetables．
Steaming Pan
This is a three-layered black Teflon-coated version with a lid and two double-handled steamers，which sits on the oven ring．The brand I bought is called Nutritious Living．
Advantages：This is an excellent steamer, lightweight，easy to clean，and of all the steamers I’ve tried，this cooks the fastest．Fish and chicken can be cooked on the bottom with rice or vegetables on the top．It’s easier to store．
Disadvantages：Water can boil away until the pan is dry，but if you make sure you fill the pan up to the suggested level and do not overcook the food，this should not happen．You cannot see the food cooking from the top．It doesn’t supply a dish for cooking rice．
For serious users of steamers，I recommend having one of each version．If you just want to try it，get the folding stainless-steel type．
1.The food steamer is popular with people because ________________．
A．it can save time and money
B．food can be cooked simply and healthily
C．it is easy to clean and store
D．it is available in any store
2.Which of the following is true about the folding steamers?
A．They are cheap and easy to use．
B．They are difficult to clean．
C. They can hold all kinds of dishes．
D．You can put little water in the pan．
3.When you use the steaming pan，_________
A．you can overcook the food
B．you can only cook rice
C．you feel it’s heavy to carry
D．you should pour proper amount of water
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The people hurried to store up food and daily goods ________ war.
A．in spite of B．in favor of C．in expectation of D．in honor of
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The latest fashion in kitchen is the food steamer． All the stores are selling them; everyone wants one． Steaming is one of the simplest and healthiest ways of cooking food．However, that cooking time is usually longer than with other methods． In case you’re thinking of buying a steamer, I've done a survey about the steamers available on the market to help you decide which will suit you best．
●Folding Steamer
The simplest and least expensive is the folding stainless-steel （不锈钢）version．
Advantages: This is a good, basic design which sits inside a variety of different shapes of pans with the water under it; a ring in the center allows for easy lifting and it's easy to clean．
Disadvantages: It only holds small dishes． Also, if you put too much water in the pan, it will boil up through the vegetables and they will be watery． If you put too little water in and let it get dry, you will burn the pan and get strange-smelling vegetables．
●Steaming Pan
This is a three-layered black Teflon-coated version with a lid and two double-handled steamers, which sits on the oven ring． The brand I bought is called Nutritious Living．
Advantages: This is an excellent steamer, lightweight, easy to clean, and of all the steamers I've tried, this cooks the fastest． Fish and chicken can be cooked on the bottom with rice or vegetables on the top． It's easier to store．
Disadvantages: Water can boil away until the pan is dry, but if you make sure you fill the pan up to the suggested level and do not overcook the food, this should not happen．You cannot see the food cooking from the top． It doesn't supply a dish for cooking rice．
For serious users of steamers, I recommend having one of each version． If you just want to try it, get the folding stainless-steel type．
1.Why did the author carry out the survey?
A．To inform people of different steamers
B．To run an advertisement for steamers
C．To find out a suitable steamer to buy
D．To learn how to cook with steamers
2.What can we learn about the folding steamer?
A．It comes in different kinds of shapes and sizes．
B．It is designed for large families．
C．It is able to clean itself．
D．It is easy to take out．
3.The Nutritious Liuing steamer ．
A． is more difficult to store
B． provides a dish to cook rice with
C． cooks different foods at the same time
D． cooks fish and chicken faster than vegetables
4.According to the author, you should ．
A． use steamers to save cooking time
B． buy a steamer with dishes supplied
C． do a survey before choosing a steamer
D． buy a folding steamer if you want to try
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析