D
A mysterious machine found in a 2,000-year-old Greek shipwreck may have been used to calculate the positions of planets, predict when eclipses (日、月蚀) were to occur, and study other parts of astronomy (天文学). When it was found underwater about 100 years ago, the machine was in poor shape. Its metal pieces had become one mass (堆), and then broke into pieces.
When the researchers began to study what was left of the machine, they thought it might have something to do with astronomy. To find out more, they recently used advanced imaging methods, including X-ray computer tomography (断层摄影术), to look inside the metal parts and to check for ancient writing on the machine.
According to their research, the researchers believed that this machine could have been used to compute eclipses of the sun and moon and was also able to show the movements of planets. A user could pick a day in the future and, work out a planet’s position on that date by moving some sort of crank (曲柄) on the machine.
Besides, the researchers discovered that the machine had at least 30 bronze gears (齿轮) with as many as 225 teeth, likely all cut by hand.
With all the collected information, the researchers came up with a new model for how the machine operated. The model has 29 of the 30 known gears and five more that were probably there but never found. Also,the new picture adds a previously undiscovered spiral dial (螺旋刻度盘) to the back of the machine near the bottom. A hand moving around the dial could have pointed to eclipses over a period of 18 years.
71. The passage is most probably taken from _____.
A. a short-story collection
B. a popular science magazine
C. a political report
D. an old personal diary
72. What is the passage mainly about?
A. New research on calculating the positions of planets.
B. A popular way of computing eclipses of the sun and moon.
C. Scientists’ interest in the secrets of a 2,000-year-old Greek shipwreck.
D. A mysterious machine which could be used for astronomical research.
73. What do we learn from the third paragraph of the passage?
A. The machine might have been used to calculate the positions of the planets.
B. Scientists made great progress in predicting eclipses of the sun and moon.
C. The researchers discovered some secrets in the Greek shipwreck.
D. The machine can be of great help for people working out the sizes of planets.
74. The researchers made a new model because they____.
A. wished to repair the broken machine
B. wanted to study the shipwreck more conveniently
C. hoped to know how the machine worked
D. expected it to be used in modern scientific research
75. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the old machine?
A. It has 35 gears on it.
B. It has a spiral dial.
C. It was invented about 100 years ago.
D. Its gears have many teeth.
高三英语阅读理解简单题
D
A mysterious machine found in a 2,000-year-old Greek shipwreck may have been used to calculate the positions of planets, predict when eclipses (日、月蚀) were to occur, and study other parts of astronomy (天文学). When it was found underwater about 100 years ago, the machine was in poor shape. Its metal pieces had become one mass (堆), and then broke into pieces.
When the researchers began to study what was left of the machine, they thought it might have something to do with astronomy. To find out more, they recently used advanced imaging methods, including X-ray computer tomography (断层摄影术), to look inside the metal parts and to check for ancient writing on the machine.
According to their research, the researchers believed that this machine could have been used to compute eclipses of the sun and moon and was also able to show the movements of planets. A user could pick a day in the future and, work out a planet’s position on that date by moving some sort of crank (曲柄) on the machine.
Besides, the researchers discovered that the machine had at least 30 bronze gears (齿轮) with as many as 225 teeth, likely all cut by hand.
With all the collected information, the researchers came up with a new model for how the machine operated. The model has 29 of the 30 known gears and five more that were probably there but never found. Also,the new picture adds a previously undiscovered spiral dial (螺旋刻度盘) to the back of the machine near the bottom. A hand moving around the dial could have pointed to eclipses over a period of 18 years.
71. The passage is most probably taken from _____.
A. a short-story collection
B. a popular science magazine
C. a political report
D. an old personal diary
72. What is the passage mainly about?
A. New research on calculating the positions of planets.
B. A popular way of computing eclipses of the sun and moon.
C. Scientists’ interest in the secrets of a 2,000-year-old Greek shipwreck.
D. A mysterious machine which could be used for astronomical research.
73. What do we learn from the third paragraph of the passage?
A. The machine might have been used to calculate the positions of the planets.
B. Scientists made great progress in predicting eclipses of the sun and moon.
C. The researchers discovered some secrets in the Greek shipwreck.
D. The machine can be of great help for people working out the sizes of planets.
74. The researchers made a new model because they____.
A. wished to repair the broken machine
B. wanted to study the shipwreck more conveniently
C. hoped to know how the machine worked
D. expected it to be used in modern scientific research
75. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the old machine?
A. It has 35 gears on it.
B. It has a spiral dial.
C. It was invented about 100 years ago.
D. Its gears have many teeth.
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Vending machines (投币式自动售货机) are found in 16% of U.S.elementary schools, 52% of middle schools and 88% of high schools.About 22% of students in grades 1 through 12 buy food in vending machines each day—and those purchases added an average of 253 calories to their diets, according to a new study in the September issue of the Journal of School Health.
Just to be clear, those were not 253 calories' worth of tofu, yogurt or carrot.The most popular vending machine items included soft drinks, candy, chips, crackers, cookies, cakes and ice cream.On the plus side (好的方面), kids also bought low-fat milk, fruit juice and even fruit, the study found.
But the eventual effect on kids' diets was not good.Those who bought from vending machines ate an average of 156 grams of sugar per day, compared with 146 grams for those who abstained (节制).They also consumed less fiber, iron and vitamin B.
One silver lining: Vending machine customers ate 4% less sodium (钠) than other students--an average of 3,287 milligrams per day compared with 3,436 mg for those who didn't buy from vending machines.That's probably because the extra snacks made kids too full to eat as much at mealtimes, when dishes are especially Salty.In any event, kids should eat no more than 1,200 to 1,500 mg of sodium each day, according to the Mayo Clinic.Even for adults, the government recommends a daily limit of 2,300 mg.
Overall, vending machines in school appear to be a threat to children's health.The researchers calculated that all that snacking adds up to about14 extra pounds per child per school year.For some students this might be a serious contributor to weight issues.The study was based on data collected from 2,309 children nationwide for the third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study, which was
conducted by the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.
1.The students using vending machines take in less of all the following EXCEPT .
A.sugar B.fiber C.vitamin D.iron
2.The underlined words “One silver lining” mean “________”.
A.a discouraging condition at present
B.a bright side of a difficult situation
C.an urgent warning from health experts
D.an increasing concern from the public
3.Why do kids buying food from vending machines take less salt probably?
A.They prefer less salty food.
B.They have formed healthy eating habits.
C.They eat less food at mealtimes.
D.They take less junk food as snacks.
4.What's the purpose of the text?
A.To teach children a balanced diet.
B.To introduce the finding of a new study.
C.To remind parents of children's health.
D.To tell the history of vending machines.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
ROME: The legend of Leonardo da Vinci is covered in mystery: How did he die?Are the remains buried in a French castle really those of the master? Was the "Mona Lisa" a self-portrait in disguise (伪装)?
A group of Italian scientists believe the key to solving those puzzles lies with the remains, and they say they are seeking permission to dig up the body to conduct carbon and DNA testing.
If the skull is undamaged, the scientists can go to the heart of a question that has fascinated scholars and the public for centuries: the identity of the "Mona Lisa." Recreating a virtual and then physical reconstruction of Leonardo's face, they can compare it with the smiling face in the painting.
"We don't know what we'll find if the tomb is opened. We could even just find grains and dust," says Giorgio Gruppioni, an anthropologist who is participating in the project. "But if the remains are well kept, they are a biological record of events in a person's life, and sometimes in their death." Silvano Vinceti, the leader of the group, said that he plans to press his case with the French officials in charge of the said burial site at Amboise Castle early next week.
Leonardo moved to France at the invitation of King Francis I, who named him "first painter to the king." He spent the last three years of his life there, and died in 1519 at age 67. The artist's original burial place, the palace church of Saint Florentine, was destroyed during the French Revolution and remains that are believed to be his were eventually reburied in the Saint-Hubert Chapel near the castle.
"The Amboise tomb is a symbolic tomb; it's a big question mark," said Alessandro Vezzosi, the director of a museum dedicated to Leonardo in his hometown of Vinci. Vezzosi said that investigating the tomb could help identify the artist's bones with certainty and solve other questions, such as the cause of his death. He said he asked to open the tomb in 2004 to study the remains, but the Amboise Castle turned him down.
The group of 100 experts involved in the project, called the National Committee for Historical and Artistic Heritage, was created in 2003 with the aim of "solving the great mysteries of the past," said Vinceti, who has written books on art and literature.
Arguably the world's most famous painting, the "Mona Lisa" hangs in the Louvre in Paris, where it drew some 8.5 million visitors last year. Mystery has surrounded the identity of the painting's subject for centuries, with opinions ranging from the wife of a Florentine merchant to Leonardo's own mother.
That Leonardo intended the "Mona Lisa" as a self-portrait in disguise is a possibility that has interested and divided scholars. Theories have existed: Some think that Leonardo's taste for tricks and riddles might have led him to hide his own identity behind that puzzling smile; others have guessed that the painting hid an androgynous lover.
If granted access to the grave site, the Italian experts plan to use a tiny camera and radar to confirm the presence of bones. The scientists would then exhume (挖掘) the remains and attempt to date the bones with carbon testing.
At the heart of the proposed study is the effort to discover whether the remains are actually Leonardo's, including with DNA testing.
Vezzosi questions the DNA comparison, saying he is unaware of any direct descendants (后代) of Leonardo or of tombs that could be attributed with certainty to the artist's close relatives.
Gruppioni said that DNA from the bones could also eventually be compared to DNA found elsewhere. For example, Leonardo is thought to have rubbed colors on the canvas with his thumb, possibly using saliva (唾液), meaning DNA might be found on his paintings.
Even in the absence of DNA testing, other tests could provide useful information, including whether the bones belonged to a man or a woman, and whether the person died young or old.
Even within the committee, experts are divided over the identity of the "Mona Lisa."
Vinceti believes that a tradition of considering the self-portrait to be not just a faithful imitation of one's features but a representation of one's spiritual identity may have resonated (共鸣) with Leonardo.
Vezzosi, the museum director, dismissed as "baseless and senseless" the idea that the "Mona Lisa" could be a self-portrait of Leonardo. He said most researchers believe the woman may have been either a wife of the artist's sponsor, the Florentine nobleman Giuliano de Medici, or Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a rich silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. The traditional view is that the name "Mona Lisa" comes from the silk merchant's wife, as well as its Italian name: "La Gioconda."
1. Where is this passage most probably taken from?
A.A magazine. | B.A newspaper. | C.A textbook. | D.A research report. |
2. Why does the author ask a couple of questions in the beginning?
A.To arouse the interest of readers. | B.To puzzle Italian scientists. |
C.To answer the questions himself. | D.To make fun of French officials. |
3. The best title of this story might be “_____”.
A.What Is the Purpose of an Investigation? |
B.How Did Leonardo da Vinci Die in France? |
C.Are the Remains Really Those of the Master? |
D.Did Leonardo Paint Himself as 'Mona Lisa'? |
4.The sentence “he plans to press his case with the French officials” (underlined in Paragraph 4) suggests that Vinceti intends to _____.
A.press the French officials to participate in their project |
B.urge the French officials to open the tomb early next week |
C.persuade the French officials to allow opening the tomb |
D.record events in a person’s life with the French officials |
5. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A.Scholars have the same opinion on DNA testing. |
B.Scientists doubt if the remains are those of da Vinci. |
C.The identity of “Mona Lisa” has already been proved. |
D.Alessandro Vezzosi got permission to open the tomb. |
6. We can infer from the last two paragraphs that _____?
A.“Mona Lisa” is the name of the wife of a silk merchant |
B.the “Mona Lisa” is a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci |
C.experts divided the committee into several groups |
D.opinions differ of the identity of the “Mona Lisa” |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Forgotten statue kept in a margarine tub is 2,000-year-old treasure
A 2,000-year-old Roman statuette (小雕像) of a silver-eyed goddess Minerva kept in a plastic margarine tub (黄油容器)for more than a decade is among a record number of treasure discoveries.
The British Museum on Tuesday revealed the details of 1,267 finds ________England, Welsh, Northern Ireland, more than what has ever been found since the Treasure Act was _____in 1996. They include everything from _____ metalwork to a 17th-century pocket watch ______the goddess with the silver eyes was particularly______. It was discovered by a detectorist in a field more than a decade ago but it was _______to be fake, nothing more than a ______. The landowner ______ the statuette in a large, empty margarine tub and ______forgot about it.
This year Len Jackman asked the farmer ______he could search for treasures on his land and was told about the statuette in the tub. The statuette of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, __________ from the first or second century and would most likely have been on a shrine (神殿;神龛). Her head has been removed from the body but to even find her head was _____, said archaeologists.
“It is such an amazing object and it could make an amazing object for a museum ______if that's what happens to it,” said Michael Lewis, the head at the British Museum. “It really is one of the most ______ pieces of bronze age gold that I've seen.”
In the 1970s and 80s there was a(an) ______by some archaeologists to stop metaldetecting. Lewis said “There was a ______on both sides about ______ the other was up to. There was an idea that metal detecting was all about finding things for_______ gain and ruining archaeology.” Over the years it has been realized that there are a lot of people ______ in the past, quite happy for the objects to go in to museums. We’re still on a journey, and it is very ______ that the right people are doing metal detecting.” said Michael Ellis.
1.A.among B.beside C.across D.alongside
2.A.claimed B.applied C.agreed D.approved
3.A.historical B.prehistoric C.contemporary D.historic
4.A.but B.and C.because D.although
5.A.striking B.beautiful C.specific D.efficient
6.A.subscribed B.assumed C.wiped D.interpreted
7.A.copy B.design C.statuette D.treasure
8.A.deserted B.threw C.placed D.lifted
9.A.now and then B.time to time C.here and there D.more or less
10.A.unless B.what C.if D.that
11.A.traces B.dates C.tracks D.passes
12.A.challenging B.outstanding C.permanent D.reasonable
13.A.quality B.quantity C.procedure D.collection
14.A.moral B.delicate C.common D.extinguished
15.A.motion B.activity C.campaign D.parade
16.A.mistake B.mission C.duty D.misunderstanding
17.A.how B.however C.who D.what
18.A.financial B.beneficial C.neutral D.vital
19.A.engaged B.interested C.involved D.buried
20.A.awkward B.bold C.significant D.casual
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A 16-year-old in foster care has finally found a home. His adoption caseworker (社会工作者) who has known him since he was 7, will become his adoptive mother this month.
In October 2013, Davion Only spoke in front of a church congregation (会众)in St. Petersburg, Florida, and made an _______ for adoption. He had recently learned that his _______mother, who’d been in jail since Only was born, had died. He had spent years bouncing between foster homes. “My name is Davion and I've been in foster care since I was born," he said. "I know God hasn’t given up on me, so I’m not giving up either."
The _______ plea (恳求)went viral, and Only’s foster agency_______calls from more than 10,000 people, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Only _______ traveling to Ohio to live with a minister's family. But after Only got into a physical _______ with one of his older would-be siblings (兄弟姐妹),the minister and his wife changed their minds.
Back in Florida, Only passed through four different _______ homes over the next year, until he called Connie Going, his adoption caseworker, to make a special _______.
Only had known Going for nearly ten years, and had asked every year if she would adopt him but she always 49. "I always believed there was a better family than us out there,” Going tells Yahoo Parenting. " He _______so much in this world.”
But this past July, when Only called and asked again if she might adopt him, Going says something felt________. "In adoption there is a 'claiming moment,’ when you know someone is your child. When he called me to ask, in that moment, I just knew,” she says. "When he asked me, my heart felt this ________ and I just knew he was my son.”
So Going ________ invited Only to start spending time ________ the rest of her family — the other four children who she also adopted out of foster care. ________, Going managed to rent a bigger home, got a lawyer, and started adoption ________.
Only will officially join Going’s family on April 22, when the adoption ________. "Today, I am feeling blessed and honored by being chosen to be the parent to all my children, she says. "I work every day on being the best parent I can to them, to be patient and creative so that I can ________ all their needs.”
A spokesperson for Eckerd, Only's foster agency, told the Tampa Bay Times they were ________ with the new development.” We are truly thrilled that Davion has been united with his forever family.”
While Going is waiting for the newest ________ to her family to become official in the eyes of the law, she says Only is already her child. "I want him to know he is ________ loved for who he is, the way he is, she says.” The changes he chooses to make in his life, and the choices, are his to make. As a family we will be there through it all, the good and the bad for our lifetime. He is home.”
1.A. apology B. compensation C. appeal D. call
2.A. biological B. botanic C. adoptive D. adaptive
3.A. delighting B. satisfying C. annoying D. heartbreaking
4.A. received B. accepted C. made D. answered
5.A. avoided B. started C. gave up D. ended up
6.A. quarrel B. experiment C. examination D. fight
7.A. permanent B. full-time C. rich D. temporary
8.A. question B. request C. order D. resolution
9.A. determined B. hesitated C. involved D. devoted
10.A. declares B. develops C. discovers D. deserves
11.A. different B. the same C. surprising D. disappointing
12.A. force B. courage C. ache D. energy
13.A. on B. with C. in D. to
14.A. Particularly B. Constantly C. Previously D. Eventually
15.A. performances B. procedures C. persuasion D. production
16.A. goes across B. goes about C. goes through D. goes down
17.A. refuse B. ignore C. meet D. neglect
18.A. pleased B. angry C. disappointed D. enthusiastic
19.A. burden B. brother C. addition D. trouble
20.A. unconditionally B. conditionally C. partly D. amazingly
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A 17-year-old girl found living in a Georgia home after being missing for more than a year is now safe at her North Carolina home with her family. But her mother told local TV station WOSC that her daughter is not the same. “There are __ in my daughter,” Shaunna Burns said. “She is not the same person that __ and that is the hardest part of this. ”
Hailey was __ missing on May 23, 2016, who was 14 years old, after she walked out of her home __ telling anyone where she was going, WOSC reports. After Hailey went __, her family said she had run away with a man she met online. "He __ her to listen to him and not to follow our __ and then my daughter wasn’t communicating with me,” her father told WBTV.
On June 24,Hailey’s parents were __ that their daughter was in Duluth, Georgia. Hours later, she was __ by federal agents and taken to a local __ before being returned to her __ , according to FBI officials.
Michael Ren Wysolovski, 31, was arrested at the __. He supposedly shared the __ with Hailey, who appeared to be physically __ except for weight loss, according to the FBI. Wysolovski has been __ with false imprisonment and __ to children.
On Monday, Hailey’s father shared the family’s __ on social media. “I woke up to-day crying and being __ for the miracle that has happened in our live,” Anthony Burns wrote on Facebook. “We never __ .She is happy to be home. We can now __ again."
1.A. stories B. changes C. difficulties D. wonders
2.A. left B. worked C. rose D. remembered
3.A. witnessed B. found C. doubted D. denied
4.A. after B. since C. besides D. without
5.A. wrong B. impatient C. missing D. impolite
6.A. forced B. led C. allowed D. advised
7.A. promises B. explanation C. directions D. introductions
8.A. warned B. informed C. suggested D. persuaded
9.A. betrayed B. tracked C. rescued D. seized
10.A. school B. company C. shelter D. hospital
11.A. team B. class C. family D. organization
12.A. show B. scene C. beginning D. moment
13.A. home B. dream C. experience D. adventure
14.A. unharmed B. unavailable C. uncompleted D. unacceptable
15.A. supplied B. awarded C. connected D. charged
16.A. murder B. cruelty C. kindness D. tolerance
17.A. sorrow B. prayer C. relief D. anger
18.A. surprised B. dissatisfied C. hopeful D. grateful
19.A. ran away B. woke up C. went away D. gave up
20.A. breathe B. fight C. climb D. behave
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
A 16-year-old in foster care has finally found a home. His adoption caseworker (社会工作者), who has known him since he was 7, will become his adoptive mother this month.
In October 2013, Davion Only spoke in front of a church congregation (会众) in St. Petersburg, Florida, and made an ____ for adoption. He had recently learned that his ____ mother, who’d been in jail since Only was born, had died. He had spent years bouncing between foster homes. “My name is Davion and I’ve been in foster care since I was born,” he said. “I know God hasn’t given up on me, so I’m not giving up either.”
The ____ plea (恳求) went viral, and Only’s foster agency ____ calls from more than 10,000 people, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Only ____ traveling to Ohio to live with a minister’s family. But after Only got into a physical ____ with one of his older would-be siblings (兄弟姐妹), the minister and his wife changed their minds.
Back in Florida, Only passed through four different ____ homes over the next year, until he called Connie Going, his adoption caseworker, to make a special ____ .
Only had known Going for nearly ten years, and had asked every year if she would adopt him but she always ____. “I always believed there was a better family than us out there,” Going tells Yahoo Parenting. “He ____ so much in this world.”
But this past July, when Only called and asked again if she might adopt him, Going says something felt ____ . “In adoption there is a ‘claiming moment,’ when you know someone is your child. When he called me to ask, in that moment, I just knew,” she says. “When he asked me, my heart felt this ____ and I just knew he was my son.”
So Going, 52, invited Only to start spending time ____ the rest of her family — the other four children who she also adopted out of foster care. ____ , Going managed to rent a bigger home, got a lawyer, and started adoption ____ .
Only will officially join Going’s family on April 22, when the adoption ____ . “Today, I am feeling blessed and honored by being chosen to be the parent to all my children,” she says. “I work every day on being the best parent I can to them, to be patient and creative so that I can ____ all their needs.”
A spokesperson for Eckerd, Only’s foster agency, told the Tampa Bay Times they were ____ with the new development. “We are truly thrilled that Davion has been united with his forever family.“
While Going is waiting for the newest ____ to her family to become official in the eyes of the law, she says Only is already her child. “I want him to know he is ____ loved for who he is, the way he is,” she says. “The changes he chooses to make in his life, and the choices, are his to make. As a family we will be there through it all, the good and the bad for our lifetime. He is home.”
1.A. apology B.compensation C.appeal D.call
2.A. biological B.botanic C.adoptive D.adaptive
3.A. delighting B.satisfying C. annoying D.heartbreaking
4.A. received B.accepted C.made D.answered
5.A. avoided B.started C.gave up D.ended up
6.A. quarrel B.experiment C.examination D.fight
7.A. permanent B.full-time C.rich D.temporary
8.A. question B.request C.order D.resolution
9.A. determined B.hesitated C.involved D.devoted
10.A. declares B.develops C.discovers D. deserves
11.A. different B.the same C.surprising D.disappointing
12.A. force B.courage C.ache D.energy
13.A. on B.with C.in D.to
14.A. Particularly B.Constantly C.Previously D.Eventually
15.A. performances B.procedures C.persuasion D.production
16.A. goes across B.goes about C.goes through D.goes down
17.A. refuse B.ignore C.meet D.neglect
18.A. pleased B.angry C.disappointed D.enthusiastic
19.A. burden B.brother C.addition D.trouble
20.A. unconditionally B.conditionally C.partly D.amazingly
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Scientists have found living organisms trapped in crystals(晶体) that could be 50,000 years old.
The organisms were found in a hot, but beautiful cave system in Naica, Mexico. These ancient life forms can be seen only with a microscope. Penelope Boston, who leads the Astrobiology Institute at NASA, the space agency of the United States, says the ancient microbes(微生物) were able to live by eating minerals such as iron.
She spoke about the discovery recently at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. If the findings are confirmed, they will show how microbes can survive in extreme conditions. Forty different kinds of microbes and some viruses were found in the underground area. The genetic structures of these organisms are 10 percent different from those of their nearest relatives.
The caves in Naica are 800 kilometers deep. They were once used for mining lead. Before the miners began working in the caves, the area was separated from the surface and the outside world. Some of the caves are as big as the large religious centers built during Europe's Middle Ages. There are crystals covering the walls. The caves are so hot that scientists must wear special clothing to keep cool. The clothing keeps the crystals safe from human germs(病菌)or other damage. Boston said the researchers could only work for about 20 minutes at a time before they had to go to a room that was 38 degrees Celsius to cool down.
NASA officials would not let Boston share her findings with scientific experts before last week's announcement. So scientists could not say much about the findings. But Norine Noonan, a biologist with the University of South Florida, said she believed them. "Why are we surprised?" Noonan asked. "As a biologist, I would say life on Earth is extremely tough and extremely colorful."
Boston is also studying microbes commonly found inside caves in other countries, such as Ukraine and the United States. These microbes appear to be impossible to kill. Boston said they show how difficult life on Earth can be.
1.The existence of the ancient microbes relies on _______.
A. surrounding insects B. diverse plants
C. eating minerals D. absorbing air
2.What can we infer about the caves in Naica from the passage?
A. The walls are covered by crystals.
B. The temperature in the caves is quite low.
C. The caves have been explored since they were formed.
D. The environment in the caves is difficult to adapt to.
3.What is the biologist Norine Noonan’s attitude towards the findings?
A. Critical B. Positive.
C. Doubtful. D. Indifferent.
4.What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. Living organisms bring hope to scientific research.
B. Scientists Discover 50,000-year-old “super life” in Mexico.
C. Microbes show great power to survive in terrible conditions.
D. Caves provide living environment for living organisms.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Scientists have found living organisms trapped in crystals (晶体) that could be 50,000 years old.
The organisms were found in a hot, but beautiful cave system in Naica, Mexico. These ancient life forms can be seen only with a microscope. Penelope Boston, who leads the Astrobiology Institute at NASA, the space agency of the United States, says the ancient microbes were able to live by eating minerals such as iron.
She spoke about the discovery recently at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. If the findings are confirmed, they will show how microbes can survive in extreme conditions. Forty different kinds of microbes and some viruses were found in the underground area. The genetic structures of these organisms are 10 percent different from those of their nearest relatives.
The caves in Naica are 800 kilometers deep. They were once used for mining lead. Before the miners began working in the caves, the area was separated from the surface and the outside world. Some of the caves are as big as the large religious centers built during Europe’s Middle Ages. There are crystals covering the walls. The caves are so hot that scientists must wear special clothing to keep cool. The clothing keeps the crystals safe from human germs (病菌) or other damage. Boston said the researchers could only work for about 20 minutes at a time before they had to go to a room that was 38 degrees Celsius to cool down.
NASA officials would not let Boston share her findings with scientific experts before last week’s announcement. So scientists could not say much about the findings. But Norine Noonan, a biologist with the University of South Florida, said she believed them. “Why are we surprised?”Noonan asked. “ As a biologist, I would say life on Earth is extremely tough and extremely colorful.”
Boston is also studying microbes commonly found inside caves in other countries, such as Ukraine and the United States. These microbes appear to be impossible to kill. Boston said they show how difficult life on Earth can be.
1.The existence of the ancient microbes relies on ________.
A. surrounding insects B. eating minerals
C. diverse plants D. absorbing air
2.What can we infer about the eaves in Naica from the passage?
A. The temperature in the caves is quite low.
B. The environment in the caves is difficult to adapt to.
C. The walls are covered by crystals.
D. The caves have been explored since they were formed.
3.What is the biologist Norine Noonan’s attitude towards the findings?
A. Neutral. B. Doubtful.
C. Positive. D. Indifferent.
4.What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. Living organisms bring hope to scientific research.
B. Caves provide living environment for living organisms.
C. Microbes show great power to survive in terrible conditions.
D. Scientists Discover 50,000-year-old “super life” in Mexico.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Scientists have found living organisms trapped in crystals (晶体) that could be 50,000 years old.
The organisms were found in a hot, but beautiful cave system in Naica, Mexico. These ancient life forms can be seen only with a microscope. Penelope Boston, who leads the Astrobiology Institute at NASA, the space agency of the United States, says the ancient microbes were able to live by eating minerals such as iron.
She spoke about the discovery recently at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. If the findings are confirmed, they will show how microbes can survive in extreme conditions. Forty different kinds of microbes and some viruses were found in the underground area. The genetic structures of these organisms are 10 percent different from those of their nearest relatives.
The caves in Naica are 800 kilometers deep. They were once used for mining lead. Before the miners began working in the caves, the area was separated from the surface and the outside world. Some of the caves are as big as the large religious centers built during Europe’s Middle Ages. There are crystals covering the walls. The caves are so hot that scientists must wear special clothing to keep cool. The clothing keeps the crystals safe from human germs (病菌) or other damage. Boston said the researchers could only work for about 20 minutes at a time before they had to go to a room that was 38 degrees Celsius to cool down.
NASA officials would not let Boston share her findings with scientific experts before last week’s announcement. So scientists could not say much about the findings. But Norine Noonan, a biologist with the University of South Florida, said she believed them. “Why are we surprised?” Noonan asked. “As a biologist, I would say life on earth is extremely tough and extremely colorful.”
Boston is also studying microbes commonly found inside caves in other countries, such as Ukraine and the United States. These microbes appear to be impossible to kill. Boston said they show how difficult life on earth can be.
1.The existence of the ancient microbes relies on .
A. surrounding insects B. eating minerals
C. diverse plants D. absorbing air
2.What can we infer about the caves in Naica from the passage?
A. The walls were built during Middle Ages.
B. The temperature in the caves is quite low.
C. The environment in the caves is difficult to adapt to.
D. The caves have been explored since they were formed.
3.What is the biologist Norine Noonan’s attitude towards the findings?
A. Neutral. B. Doubtful.
C. Positive. D. Indifferent.
4.What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. Living organisms bring hope to scientific research.
B. Caves provide living environment for living organisms.
C. Microbes show great power to survive in terrible conditions.
D. Scientists discover 50,000-year-old “super life” in Mexico.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析