The kakapo, a bird that lives in New Zealand, is not designed for survival. Weighing up to 4 kilograms, it is the world's fattest parrot. It mates (交配) only when the rimu tree is in fruit, which happens every few years. It developed gradually in the absence of land-based natural enemies, so instead of flying above the trees it walks like a duck across the dry forest floor. When it moves unsteadily across something that might kill it, it will stand still.
Such unusual characteristics turned it into fast food for human settlers, and for the cats and rats they brought with them. It seemed to have disappeared by the 1970s, until scientists came across two undiscovered populations in the country's south. These survivors were eventually moved to small enemy-free islands, where researchers have spent decades trying to get them to breed (繁殖).
The scientists' patience is finally rewarded. The rimu was in fruit this year, and more than 80 chicks hatched, making this the best breeding season on record. Many have survived into adolescence, increasing the number of adult kakapos by a third, to 200 birds.
Another danger to the kakapo is a lack of genetic diversity. This is one reason why fewer than half of kakapo eggs hatch. By arranging the genome (基因组) of every living bird, scientists can identify closely-related individuals and put them on different islands. Every bird is fitted with something to track its slightest movement. If a female mates with an "unsuitable” male, the process can be stopped.
All these efforts cost almost New Zealand $1.3 million this breeding season. Yet the kakapo's future still looks unsafe. Earlier this year a severe disease tore through the population. And tiny as the number of kakapos is, space is running out on the two islands where most of them live. New enemy-free settlement must soon be found.
1.Which of the following is a danger for the survival of the kakapo?
A.It is the smallest bird in the world. B.It lacks exercise and usually stands still.
C.It adapts slowly in genetic development. D.It can't respond actively when facing danger.
2.In what way may the scientists' patience be rewarded?
A.They hatched 80 kakapos' eggs this year.
B.They tried to make the rimu tree in fruit this year.
C.Two survivors were moved to enemy-free islands.
D.50 chicks hatched have survived into adults this year.
3.Why did the scientists put kakapo in different islands?
A.To stop closely-related kakapos mating. B.To increase the population of kakapo.
C.To stop females mating with males. D.To hatch more kakapos' eggs.
4.According to the author, the efforts to protect the kakapo in New Zealand are _______.
A.successful B.unsafe
C.doubtful D.inadequate
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
The kakapo, a bird that lives in New Zealand, is not designed for survival. Weighing up to 4 kilograms, it is the world's fattest parrot. It mates (交配) only when the rimu tree is in fruit, which happens every few years. It developed gradually in the absence of land-based natural enemies, so instead of flying above the trees it walks like a duck across the dry forest floor. When it moves unsteadily across something that might kill it, it will stand still.
Such unusual characteristics turned it into fast food for human settlers, and for the cats and rats they brought with them. It seemed to have disappeared by the 1970s, until scientists came across two undiscovered populations in the country's south. These survivors were eventually moved to small enemy-free islands, where researchers have spent decades trying to get them to breed (繁殖).
The scientists' patience is finally rewarded. The rimu was in fruit this year, and more than 80 chicks hatched, making this the best breeding season on record. Many have survived into adolescence, increasing the number of adult kakapos by a third, to 200 birds.
Another danger to the kakapo is a lack of genetic diversity. This is one reason why fewer than half of kakapo eggs hatch. By arranging the genome (基因组) of every living bird, scientists can identify closely-related individuals and put them on different islands. Every bird is fitted with something to track its slightest movement. If a female mates with an "unsuitable” male, the process can be stopped.
All these efforts cost almost New Zealand $1.3 million this breeding season. Yet the kakapo's future still looks unsafe. Earlier this year a severe disease tore through the population. And tiny as the number of kakapos is, space is running out on the two islands where most of them live. New enemy-free settlement must soon be found.
1.Which of the following is a danger for the survival of the kakapo?
A.It is the smallest bird in the world. B.It lacks exercise and usually stands still.
C.It adapts slowly in genetic development. D.It can't respond actively when facing danger.
2.In what way may the scientists' patience be rewarded?
A.They hatched 80 kakapos' eggs this year.
B.They tried to make the rimu tree in fruit this year.
C.Two survivors were moved to enemy-free islands.
D.50 chicks hatched have survived into adults this year.
3.Why did the scientists put kakapo in different islands?
A.To stop closely-related kakapos mating. B.To increase the population of kakapo.
C.To stop females mating with males. D.To hatch more kakapos' eggs.
4.According to the author, the efforts to protect the kakapo in New Zealand are _______.
A.successful B.unsafe
C.doubtful D.inadequate
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The kakapo, a bird that lives in New Zealand, is not designed for survival. Weighing up to 4 kilograms, it is the world's fattest parrot. It mates (交配)only when the rimu tree is in fruit, which happens every few years. It developed gradually in the absence of land-based natural enemies, so instead of flying above the trees it walks like a duck across the dry forest floor. When it moves unsteadily across something that might kill it, it will stand still.
Such unusual characteristics turned it into fast food for human settlers, and for the cats and rats they brought with them. It seemed to have disappeared by the 1970s, until scientists came across two undiscovered populations in the country s south. These survivors were eventually moved to small enemy -free islands, where researchers have spent decades trying to get them to breed (繁殖).
The scientists' patience is finally rewarded. The rimu was in fruit this year, and more than 80 chicks hatched, making this the best breeding season, on record. Many have. survived into adolescence, increasing the number of adult kakapos by a third, to 200 birds.
Another danger to the kakapo is a lack of genetic diversity. This is one reason why fewer than half of kakapo eggs hatch. By arranging the genome (基因组) of every living bird, scientists can identify closely-related individuals and put them on different islands. Every bird is fitted with something to track its slightest movement. If a female mates with an “unsuitable” male, the process can be stopped.
All these efforts cost almost New Zealand $1 .3 million this breeding season. Yet the kakapo's future still looks unsafe. Earlier this year a severe disease tore through the population. And tiny as the number of kakapos is, space is running out on the two islands where most of them live. New enemy-free settlements must soon be found.
1.Which of the following is a danger for the survival of the kakapo?
A.It is the smallest bird in the world.
B.It lacks exercise and usually stands still.
C.It adapts slowly, in genetic development.
D.It can't respond actively when facing danger.
2.In what way was the scientists' patience rewarded?
A.Adequate food supply for kakapos was guaranteed.
B.New settlements for kakapos were eventually found.
C.Kakapos were becoming increasingly aggressive.
D.Kakapos' birth rate reached the highest level.
3.Why did the scientists put kakapos in different islands?
A.To stop closely-related kakapos mating.
B.To help kakapo families live together.
C.To maintain the production of rimu fruit.
D.To protect kakapos from natural enemies.
4.What does the author think of the efforts to protect the kakapo in New Zealand?
A.They are successful. B.They are inadequate.
C.They are doubtful. D.They are unsafe.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In the 1950s, I was an only child of a single mother , living in a modest cottage in New Zealand. There was no TV and very little _______to spend on entertainment. _______we had our books and enjoyed _______better than reading aloud to each other. My mother read me The Faraway Tree Stories, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Treasure Island and poetry as well. _______I turned seven, I was able to take my _______at the reading role, and we spent many pleasant evenings laughing over _______ characters.
In 1964, I was 18 and moved to Auckland, but we still phoned each other and talked about books. Years later, Mum’s eyesight began to _______. She found it _______difficult to read the small print of her beloved books. She enjoyed looking at magazines but missed _______up with the latest books by her favourite __________.
Later, I became a Special Needs library assistant and my __________was to select books for __________impaired（损伤的）people. In time, I introduced my mother to large-print novels and audio-books, which gave her a great deal of __________as her eyesight grew more dim(模糊的).
In her 70s, Mum’s choice of reading seemed to __________to mainly murder mystery stories. I was __________to see that, so I bought her a more “worthy” audio-book. The next day, I asked, “How are you getting on with that latest book?” “Oh, not so well,” she replied__________. I didn’t try to “improve” my mother’s literary __________after that.
A few years ago Mum __________away. There are still so many thing I’d like to tell her. I’d like to __________her for her early guidance in the __________world of books. And I’m happy to say that I’m also into audio-books now.
1.A. time B. money C. energy D. interest
2.A. Though B. However C. But D. And
3.A. something B. anything C. everything D. nothing
4.A. When B. Unless C. If D. Until
5.A. chance B. turn C. responsibility D. part
6.A. real B. innocent C. funny D. happy
7.A. fall B. fail C. lose D. drop
8.A. increasingly B. quickly C. slowly D. suddenly
9.A. catching B. keeping C. ending D. coming
10.A. readers B. publishers C. authors D. assistants
11.A. task B. dream C. plan D. promise
12.A. mentally B. physically C. bodily D. visually
13.A. anxiety B. joy C. passion D. sympathy
14.A. narrow down B. open up C. change D. remove
15.A. desperate B. content C. sad D. pleased
16.A. positively B. awkwardly C. coldly D. eventually
17.A. choice B. taste C. level D. degree
18.A. went B. gave C. moved D. passed
19.A. appreciate B. express C. thank D. impress
20.A. wonderful B. abstract C. accessible D. ambiguous
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has _____that 23 Chinese students in South Island city of Christchurch still went missing in the 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
A committed B conveyed C confirmed D concerned
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
On the island of New Zealand, there is a grasshopper-like species of insect that is found nowhere else on earth. New Zealanders have given it the nickname weta, which is a native Maori word meaning “god of bad looks”. It’s easy to see why anyone would call this insect a bad-looking bug. Most people feel disgusted at the sight of these bulky(笨重的)，slow-moving creatures.
Wetas are natural creatures; they come out of their caves and holes only after dark. A gaint weta can grow to over three inches long and weigh as much as 1.5 ounces. Giant wetas can hop up to two feet at a time. Some of them live in trees, and others live in caves. They are very long-lived for insects, and some adult wetas can live as long as two years. Just like their cousins grasshoppers and crickets, wetas are able to “sing” by rubbing their leg parts together, or against their lower bodies.
Most people probably don’t feel sympathy for these endangered creatures, but they do need protecting. The slow and clumsy wetas have been around on the island since the times of the dinosaurs, and have evolved and survived in an environment where they had no enemies until rats came to the island with European immigrants. Since rats love to hunt and eat wetas, the rat population on the island has grown into a real problem for many of the native species that are unaccustomed to its presence, and poses a serious threat to the native weta population.
1..According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
The weta is a newly discovered insect species.
The Maoris nicknamed themselves “Wetas”.
The Europeans brought wetas to New Zealand.
Wetas are unpleasant to the eye.
2..The strange thing about wetas is that they can produce pleasant sounds by ________.
A. rubbing their body parts
B. moving slowly on the ground
C. hopping up to two feel at a time
D. coming out only at night
3.Which of the following descriptions of wetas is accurate?
A. They are quick in movement.
B. They are decreasing in number.
C. They are very active in the daytime.
D. They have a short lifespan for insects.
4.The underlined word “its” in the last paragraph is the closest in meaning to “_________”.
A. The dinosaur’s B. The weta’s C. The island’s D. The rat’s
5.From which of the following is the passage LEAST likely to be taken?
A. A science magazine. B. A travel guide.
C. A business journal. D. biology textbook.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
On the island of New Zealand, there is a grasshopper-like species of insect that is found nowhere else on earth. New Zealanders have given it the nickname weta, which is a native Maori word meaning “god of bad looks”. It’s easy to see why anyone would call this insect a bad-looking bug. Most people feel disgusted at the sight of these bulky(笨重的)，slow-moving creatures.
Wetas are natural creatures; they come out of their caves and holes only after dark. A giant weta can grow to over three inches long and weigh as much as 1.5 ounces. Giant wetas can hop up to two feet at a time. Some of them live in trees, and others live in caves. They are very long-lived for insects, and some adult wetas can live as long as two years. Just like their cousins grasshoppers and crickets, wetas are able to “sing” by rubbing their leg parts together, or against their lower bodies.
Most people probably don’t feel sympathy for these endangered creatures, but they do need protecting. The slow and clumsy wetas have been around on the island since the times of the dinosaurs, and have evolved and survived in an environment where they had no enemies until rats came to the island with European immigrants. Since rats love to hunt and eat wetas, the rat population on the island has grown into a real problem for many of the native species that are unaccustomed to its presence, and poses a serious threat to the native weta population.
1..According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
The weta is a newly discovered insect species.
The Maoris nicknamed themselves “Wetas”.
The Europeans brought wetas to New Zealand.
Wetas are unpleasant to the eye.
2..The strange thing about wetas is that they can produce pleasant sounds by ________.
A. rubbing their body parts
B. moving slowly on the ground
C. hopping up to two feel at a time
D. coming out only at night
3.Which of the following descriptions of wetas is accurate?
A. They are quick in movement.
B. They are decreasing in number.
C. They are very active in the daytime.
D. They have a short lifespan for insects.
4.The underlined word “its” in the last paragraph is the closest in meaning to “_________”.
A. The dinosaur’s B. The weta’s
C. The island’s D. The rat’s
5.From which of the following is the passage LEAST likely to be taken?
A. A science magazine. B. A travel guide.
C. A business journal. D. biology textbook.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When people find out that the product they bought is unsatisfying or in some other way does not live up to the manufacturer’s claims , the first step is to present the warranty , or any other records which might help , at the store of purchase . In most cases , this action will produce results . However , if it does not , there are various means the consumer may use to gain satisfaction . A simple and common method used by many consumers is to complain directly to the store manager . In general , the “ higher up ” his or her complaint , the faster he or she can expect it to be settled . In such a case , it is usually settled in the consumer’s favor , assuming he or she has a just claim . Consumers should complain in person whenever possible , but if they cannot get to the place of purchase , it is acceptable to phone or write the complaint in a letter .
Complaining is usually most effective when it is done politely but firmly , and especially when the consumer can demonstrate what is wrong with the item in question . If this cannot be done , the consumer will succeed best by presenting specific information as to what is wrong , rather than by making general statements . For example , “ The left speaker does not work at all and the sound coming out of the right one is unclear ” is better than “ This stereo does not work . ” The store manager may advise the consumer to write to be manufacturer . If so , the consumer should do this , stating the complaint as politely and firmly as possible . If a polite complaint does not achieve the desired result , the consumer can go to a step further . She or he can threaten to take the seller to court or report the seller to a private or public organization responsible for protecting consumer’s rights .
1.When people find that their purchase is unsatisfying , the first thing they should do is to __________ .
A. complain personally to the manager
B. threaten to take the seller to court
C. write a firm letter of complaint to the store of purchase
D. show some written proof of the purchase to the store
2.How can a consumer make his or her complaint more effective , according to the passage ?
A. Make polite and general statements about the problem .
B. Threaten to take the seller to court .
C. Explain exactly what is wrong with the item .
D. Avoid having direct contact with the store manager .
3.What’s the best title of this passage ?
A. How to settle a consumer’s complaint
B. How to make an effective complaint
C. How to avoid buying a faulty item
D. How to deal with complaints
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The character “duang” is so new that it does not even exist in the Chinese dictionary. But it has already spread like wildfire online in China, appearing more than 8 million times on China’s micro-blogging site Weibo, where it spawned a top-trending hashtag(标签) that drew 312,000 discussions among 15,000 users. On China’s biggest online search engine Baidu, it has been looked up almost 600,000 times. It’s been noticed in the West too, with Foreign Policy seeing it as a “break the internet” viral meme － like a certain Kirn Kardashian image, or a certain multicoloured dress.
But what does it mean? “Everyone’s duang-ing and I still don’t know what it means! As if it’s back to school for me,” said Weibo user Weileiweito. Another user asked: “Have you duang-ed today? My mind is full of duang duang duang.” “To duang or not to duang, that is the question,” wrote user BaiKut automan.
“Duang” seems to be an example of onomatopoeia(拟声词), a word that phonetically imitates a sound. It all seems to have started with Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan, who in 2004 was featured in a shampoo commercial where he said famously defended his sleek, black hair using the rhythmical-sounding “duang”. The word resurfaced again recently after Chan posted it on his Weibo page. Thousands of users then began to flood Chan’s Weibo page with comments, coining the word in reference to his infamous shampoo appearance.
The word appears to have many different meanings, and there’s no perfect translation, but you could use it as an adjective to give emphasis to the word that follows it. A kitten might be “duang cute”, for example. Or you might be “very duang confused” by this blog.
For readers of Chinese characters, the Jackie Chan theme is also apparent from the quirky(古怪的) way in which the word is written: a combination of Chan’s Mandarin names.
1.How does the writer try to prove that Duang has already spread like wildfire online in China?
A. giving examples B. listing numbers
C. making comparisons D. offering quotations
2.Why does the author mention “a certain Kirn Kardashian image”?
A. to tell us “Duang” also draws attention in the West.
B. to tell us “Duang” is just like a certain image on a certain multicolored dress.
C. to tell us Foreign Policy doesn’t like “Duang”.
D. to tell us a certain Kim Kardashian image breaks the internet.
3. Which of the following statements about “duang is NOT true?
A. It came from Jackie chan’s commertial.
B. Weibo users created the word about his infamous shampoo appearance.
C. It was first used as an adjective to stress the word that follows it.
D. Many people are confused by the word.
4.What kind of people may not know the word “duang”?
A. the old who are over sixties
B. the young who are in fashion
C. a boy who has dropped out of school
D. a woman who never surfs the internet
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Rugby (英式橄榄球) World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, “Rugby is a thug's (暴徒) game played gentlemen. ”
The games are physically aggressive; the tackles (冲撞) on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's (裁判员) decisions or pretend to be injured when they are not.
“Football could learn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..
Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina (耐力) and determination. "
Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious—all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.
In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic.
1.What can be concluded from the first three paragraphs?
A. Football players are not real gentlemen.
B. There is a better spirit in playing rugby than football.
C. Football players are not as athletic as rugby players.
D. Brian Moore thinks that rules should be stricter in football.
2.According to the passage, Peter thinks ______.
A. rugby players pretend to be injured when they are not
B. rugby is not very popular in America and Asia
C. rugby makes people enjoy sports better than soccer
D. rugby needs players' strong will rather than strength
3.The example of Gordon Brown is mentioned in order to .
A. prove that playing rugby can earn people fame
B. explain why Gordon Brown is blind in one eye
C. support the point that rugby players often get hurt
D. warn teenagers against playing rugby at school
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A. Teenagers will lose interest in football.
B. English children have a talent for rugby.
C. Playing rugby doesn't involve skills.
D. Rugby is not suitable for everyone.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Rugby (英式橄榄球) World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, “Rugby is a thug's (暴徒) game played by gentlemen. ”
The games are physically aggressive; the tackles (冲撞) on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's (裁判员) decisions or pretend to be injured when they are not.
“Football could learn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..
Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina (耐力) and determination. "
Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious—all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.
In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic.
1. What can be concluded from the first three paragraphs?
A. Football players are not real gentlemen.
B. There is a better spirit in playing rugby than football.
C. Football players are not as athletic as rugby players.
D. Brian Moore thinks that rules should be stricter in football.
2. According to the passage, Peter thinks ______.
A. rugby players pretend to be injured when they are not
B. rugby is not very popular in America and Asia
C. rugby makes people enjoy sports better than soccer
D. rugby needs players' strong will rather than strength
3.The example of Gordon Brown is mentioned in order to .
A. prove that playing rugby can earn people fame
B. explain why Gordon Brown is blind in one eye
C. support the point that rugby players often get hurt
D. warn teenagers against playing rugby at school
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A. Teenagers will lose interest in football.
B. English children have a talent for rugby.
C. Playing rugby doesn't involve skills.
D. Rugby is not suitable for everyone.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析