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Crown shyness(树冠羞避) is a mysterious natural phenomenon in which the crowns of some tree species do not touch each other, but get separated by a gap clearly visible from ground level. The effect usually occurs between trees of the same species, but has also been observed between trees of different species.

There are many theories going around, most of which make sense, but no one has been able to prove without the shadow of a doubt why some trees avoid touching each other.

In his 1955 book Growth Habits of the Eucalypts, Australian forester M.R. Jacobs writes that the growing tips of the trees are sensitive to abrasion(擦伤), which results in crown shyness phenomenon. This theory was also supported by Dr. Miguel Franco. Some experiments have shown that if trees displaying crown shyness are artificially prevented from swinging in the wind and touching each other, they gradually fill up the gaps between them.

But while the above theory is arguably the most widespread, it’s certainly not the only one. Some scientists have suggested that crown shyness is a mechanism to stop the spreading of leaf-eating insects. These pests have been known to work together and create structures that extend up to 10 cm off of tree branches in order to reach other plants, so the gaps are the trees’ natural defense method.

One Malaysian scholar studied many trees, but found no traces of abrasions, despite their clear crown shyness. Instead, he suggests that the growing tips of the trees were sensitive to light levels and stopped growing when they got too close to other trees. Plants are able to sense how close they are to other plants and in order to get more light, they give off some chemical element to stop other trees from growing too close.

Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: plants are more intelligent than people used to think.

1.What can we know about crown shyness?

A. It can cause abrasion between trees.

B. It only happens between the same species.

C. It has been discovered for only half a century.

D. No agreement has been reached about its real cause.

2.What will happen if trees showing crown shyness are stopped from swinging?

A. The trees will stop growing and even die.

B. The gaps between the trees will grow wider.

C. The crown shyness phenomenon will disappear.

D. The gaps between the trees will remain the same.

3.What’s tree’s reaction when attacked by pests according to the text?

A. Swinging less in the wind

B. Leaving space between their crowns

C. Spreading their branches and leaves

D. Stopping growing for a period of time

4.Which statement might the Malaysian scholar agree with?

A. Trees have special ways to attack others.

B. Some insects stop trees growing too close.

C. Trees compete with their neighbors for light.

D. Trees won’t touch each other to avoid diseases.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题

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