Pycnandra acuminate (喜树) is a rare tree native to New Caledonia that has the rare ability to collect heavy metals like nickel (镍) from the ground. The liquid circulated in its body is blue-green and reportedly contains up to 25% nickel.
In general, trees and heavy metals like nickel don’t really go well together. But Pycnandra acuminata make them live together. And that’s what makes Pycnandra acuminata so special. It sucks out normally poisonous levels of heavy metals from the soil and store them in its trunk, leaves and seeds.
The evolution of Pycnandra acuminate is believed to have occurred over millions of years, but scientists have yet to identify a universal principle of nickel intake and storage. The reason why such trees have formed the way of absorbing metals is also up for debate.
The most popular theory states that the concentration of nickel protects such trees from leaf-chewing insects. And studies have shown that nickel accumulated by these trees indeed harms many insects though some have developed a high tolerance to it. Another theory says nickel has effects of resisting bacteria, which protects the trees from various diseases. However, these theories are all just theories.
One thing that has been proven is the ability of Pycnandra acurninata to clean the soil with poisonous materials caused by human activity. There’s also clear potential for collecting heavy materials like nickel in these kinds of soils that will bring a few profits by conventional ways of mining. People can collect minerals contained in such soils from the blue-green trees。
Unfortunately, Pycnandra acuminata is is recently in a bad situation. Human activity in forests of New Caledonia has made Pycnandra acuminata in danger. Consequently, probably fewer than several hundred trees of this kind have remained as a result of the reduction of our forests.
1.What do we know about Pycnandra acuminata?
A.It has a blue-green color due to metals collected.
B.It is able to collect some heavy metals from the ground.
C.It sucks out a great deal of poisonous underground water.
D.It tends to grow in the soil with plenty of poisonous liquid.
2.What do the theories in paragraph 4 say about Pycnandra acuminata?
A.It indeed protects many insects.
B.It stores most nickel in its roots.
C.It protects itself through the concentration of nickel.
D.It makes its surrounding plants suffer from diseases.
3.What does the author mainly want to express in the last paragraph?
A.Pycnandra acuminata is in danger.
B.Forests are to blame for the reduction of trees.
C.Forests are decreasing as a result of human activity.
D.Pycnandra acuminata is under the protection of people.
4.In which section of a magazine is this next most likely to appear?
A.Bacteria and disease. B.Health and life.
C.Fashion and entertainment. D.Man and nature.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Pycnandra acuminate (喜树) is a rare tree native to New Caledonia that has the rare ability to collect heavy metals like nickel (镍) from the ground. The liquid circulated in its body is blue-green and reportedly contains up to 25% nickel.
In general, trees and heavy metals like nickel don’t really go well together. But Pycnandra acuminata make them live together. And that’s what makes Pycnandra acuminata so special. It sucks out normally poisonous levels of heavy metals from the soil and store them in its trunk, leaves and seeds.
The evolution of Pycnandra acuminate is believed to have occurred over millions of years, but scientists have yet to identify a universal principle of nickel intake and storage. The reason why such trees have formed the way of absorbing metals is also up for debate.
The most popular theory states that the concentration of nickel protects such trees from leaf-chewing insects. And studies have shown that nickel accumulated by these trees indeed harms many insects though some have developed a high tolerance to it. Another theory says nickel has effects of resisting bacteria, which protects the trees from various diseases. However, these theories are all just theories.
One thing that has been proven is the ability of Pycnandra acurninata to clean the soil with poisonous materials caused by human activity. There’s also clear potential for collecting heavy materials like nickel in these kinds of soils that will bring a few profits by conventional ways of mining. People can collect minerals contained in such soils from the blue-green trees。
Unfortunately, Pycnandra acuminata is is recently in a bad situation. Human activity in forests of New Caledonia has made Pycnandra acuminata in danger. Consequently, probably fewer than several hundred trees of this kind have remained as a result of the reduction of our forests.
1.What do we know about Pycnandra acuminata?
A.It has a blue-green color due to metals collected.
B.It is able to collect some heavy metals from the ground.
C.It sucks out a great deal of poisonous underground water.
D.It tends to grow in the soil with plenty of poisonous liquid.
2.What do the theories in paragraph 4 say about Pycnandra acuminata?
A.It indeed protects many insects.
B.It stores most nickel in its roots.
C.It protects itself through the concentration of nickel.
D.It makes its surrounding plants suffer from diseases.
3.What does the author mainly want to express in the last paragraph?
A.Pycnandra acuminata is in danger.
B.Forests are to blame for the reduction of trees.
C.Forests are decreasing as a result of human activity.
D.Pycnandra acuminata is under the protection of people.
4.In which section of a magazine is this next most likely to appear?
A.Bacteria and disease. B.Health and life.
C.Fashion and entertainment. D.Man and nature.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The tall manchineel tree that is native to the Caribbean, Florida, South America, Central America and the Bahamas, looks particularly attractive. But you may be wise to notice the warning given that the tree holds the Guinness World Record for “the world’s most dangerous tree”.
The deadliness begins with the sweet-smelling fruit. As British radiologist Nicola Strickland and her friend discovered, even a single bite of the green apple-like produce can lead to hours of suffering. The scientist says within minutes of eating the fruit, she and her friend experienced “a strange peppery feeling” in their mouths. A few hours later, the two could barely swallow any solid food. Fortunately, the symptoms started to reduce after about eight hours and the fruit did not cause any long-term damage.
Many plants have poisonous bark and leaves to prevent grass-eating animals. However, the fruits are usually edible allowing animals to feed on them or carry seeds to help with reproduction. But since the manchineel fruits are largely transported by ocean tides, the tree does not need help to reproduce.
The tree’s thick and milky white sap (树液) is equally dangerous. Contact with the skin can lead to symptoms that range from headaches to respiratory(呼吸) problems. Exposure to the eye can even cause “temporary painful blindness”. Given that the sap’s most dangerous toxin is highly water soluble, experts advise not using the tree for shade during a rain shower, as raindrops carrying the sap could easily burn your skin.
The fear has resulted in almost destroying the tree in Florida where it is on the list of endangered species. While removing it altogether may seem like the logical solution, experts argue that the manchineel trees are important for local ecosystems. In addition to protecting against ocean winds, the dense manchineel trees also prevent ocean erosion in Central America. The tree’s wood is very popular with Caribbean carpenters who have learned to neutralize its poisonous sap by drying the bark in the sun. In Central and South America, the locals use the bark to treat body swelling caused by injury and infection.
1.Which of the following best explains “edible” underlined in Paragraph 3?
A.Fit to eat. B.Easy to pick. C.Hard to find. D.Nice to look at.
2.Which of the following about the manchineel tree is true?
A.Its fruits taste sweet.
B.It reproduces by ocean tides.
C.Your eyes may be blind at the sight of it.
D.You have difficulty breathing in its shade.
3.What is mainly talked about in the last paragraph?
A.The medical use of the manchineel trees.
B.The important role of the manchineel trees.
C.The urgent need of protecting the manchineel trees.
D.The way of removing poisonous sap from the trees.
4.Which of the following can best show the structure of the passage?
A. B. C. D.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
New Zealand’s government is hoping to make the nation greener by planting 100 million trees each year, ensuring the electricity grid(电网) runs entirely from renewable energy, and spending more money on cycle ways and rail transport. The government’s plan is to reduce its net greenhouse gas emission to zero by the year 2050.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has set ambitious environmental policies to confront a warming planet. “We will absolutely focus on the challenge of climate change,” said Ardern. “That will include a zero carbon government policy. That will include an independent climate commission. That will include making sure that we have an all gases, all sectors emissions trading scheme,” she added. According to the Associated Press (AP), Arden said the goal of doubling the amount of trees the country plants each year is “absolutely achievable.”
Not everybody is happy with the plans. Many farmers are worried they will be required to pay more if they are absorbed into an emissions trading plan. “There is concern that if this should happen, New Zealand will become less competitive with other food-producing nations.” said Katie Milne, the president of Federated Farmers.
More than 80 percent of New Zealand’s electricity already comes from renewable resources. The AP reported that Ardern wants to increase it to 100 percent by 2035, in part by investing more in solar, which currently takes up only 0.1 percent of the country’s total renewable energy slice.
1.The New Zealand government’s plan will bring about the following benefits except ______.
A. The country will be covered with more green.
B. Most of the country’s electricity will come from fossil fuel.
C. Cycle ways and rail transportation will get more fund from the government.
D. It will contribute to cutting carbon emission.
2.Who may go against the plan?
A. Government officials B. the Electricity grid
C. Rail workers D. Farmers
3.The Prime Minister Arden holds the belief that _________.
A. The plan will affect the country’s competitiveness in food industry.
B. The farmers should apply themselves more to planting trees.
C. The government is to blame for the global warming.
D. The investment in solar energy should be raised.
4.Which column can we read the passage in the newspaper?
A. Environment B. Entertainment
C. Health D. Technology
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
—Are you a native of this town?
—I was born in New York, but this is ________ I grew up.
A. that B. what C. when D. where
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Europe’s deadly outbreak of a rare form of E. coli bacteria (大肠杆菌) has brought new attention to food safety issues. One of the problems when people get sick from food is that the simplest question is often difficult or even impossible to answer. Just what did the people eat that made them sick?
Of course, one way to avoid these medical mysteries is to keep dangerous organisms out of the food supply. This is easier said than done, but scientists keep looking for new ways.
Scientists in the United States have developed an experimental system that uses a high-tech optical scanner. The system is designed to identify the presence of contaminants(致污物) like soil or animal waste on fresh produce. These can be sources of E. coli. E. coli bacteria naturally live in the intestines(肠) of humans and many animals. Most kinds of E. coli are harmless but some can make people sick.
The new scanner can also show damage and imperfections that might make the produce unappealing to shoppers.
Scientists designed the system at a Department of Agriculture research center in Beltsville, Maryland. Moon Kim of the Agricultural Research Service led the team.
MOON KIM: “We were requested, we were asked, to develop a method to detect contamination in produce. So we started with the apple as the model sample.”
The scanner uses a high-speed camera placed over the conveyer belt that moves the produce along. As the apples move along the belt, the scanner captures images of each piece of fruit.
Moon Kim says the team hopes the system will be available before long.
MOON KIM: “We are targeting for development in commercial plants for the next several years.”
The scanner can direct a sorting machine to separate the bad apples from the good ones. The system is currently able to show the surface of only half the apple as it speeds by. The inventers hope to improve the process so it can show the whole surface.
1.What is the main topic of the text?
A. Bacteria. B. A high-tech scanner. C. A camera D. Food safety.
2.E. coli bacteria ______.
A. broke out all over the world B. comes from soil or animal waste
C. is extremely harmful to health D. does not cause illness
3.The high-tech scanner ______.
A. can help to sort out different fruits
B. make the produce appeal to shoppers
C. can only capture images of the whole apple
D. can identify the presence of contaminants
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A. The scanner needs to be improved.
B. The scanner will be available in the next several years.
C. Moon Kim is unwilling to develop the scanner.
D. The scanner is connected to a sorting machine.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Europe’s deadly outbreak of a rare form of E. coli bacteria (大肠杆菌) has brought new attention to food safety issues. One of the problems when people get sick from food is that the simplest question is often difficult or even impossible to answer. Just what did the people eat that made them sick?
Of course, one way to avoid these medical mysteries is to keep dangerous organisms out of the food supply. This is easier said than done, but scientists keep looking for new ways.
Scientists in the United States have developed an experimental system that uses a high-tech optical scanner. The system is designed to identify the presence of contaminants(致污物) like soil or animal waste on fresh produce. These can be sources of E. coli. E. coli bacteria naturally live in the intestines(肠) of humans and many animals. Most kinds of E. coli are harmless but some can make people sick.
The new scanner can also show damage and imperfections that might make the produce unappealing to shoppers.
Scientists designed the system at a Department of Agriculture research center in Beltsville, Maryland. Moon Kim of the Agricultural Research Service led the team.
MOON KIM: “We were requested, we were asked, to develop a method to detect contamination in produce. So we started with the apple as the model sample.”
The scanner uses a high-speed camera placed over the conveyer belt that moves the produce along. As the apples move along the belt, the scanner captures images of each piece of fruit.
Moon Kim says the team hopes the system will be available before long.
MOON KIM: “We are targeting for development in commercial plants for the next several years.”
The scanner can direct a sorting machine to separate the bad apples from the good ones. The system is currently able to show the surface of only half the apple as it speeds by. The inventers hope to improve the process so it can show the whole surface.
1.What is the main topic of the text?
A.Bacteria. B.A high-tech scanner.
C.A camera D.Food safety.
2.E. coli bacteria ______.
A.broke out all over the world B.comes from soil or animal waste
C.is extremely harmful to health D.does not cause illness
3.The high-tech scanner ______.
A.can help to sort out different fruits
B.make the produce appeal to shoppers
C.can only capture images of the whole apple
D.can identify the presence of contaminants
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A.The scanner needs to be improved.
B.The scanner will be available in the next several years.
C.Moon Kim is unwilling to develop the scanner.
D.The scanner is connected to a sorting machine.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Europe’s deadly outbreak of a rare form of E. coli bacteria (大肠杆菌) has brought new attention to food safety issues. One of the problems when people get sick from food is that the simplest question is often difficult or even impossible to answer. Just what did the people eat that made them sick?
Of course, one way to avoid these medical mysteries is to keep dangerous organisms out of the food supply. This is easier said than done, but scientists keep looking for new ways.
Scientists in the United States have developed an experimental system that uses a high-tech optical scanner. The system is designed to identify the presence of contaminants(致污物) like soil or animal waste on fresh produce. These can be sources of E. coli. E. coli bacteria naturally live in the intestines (肠) of humans and many animals. Most kinds of E. coli are harmless but some can make people sick.
The new scanner can also show damage and imperfections that might make the produce unappealing to shoppers.
Scientists designed the system at a Department of Agriculture research center in Beltsville, Maryland. Moon Kim of the Agricultural Research Service led the team.
MOON KIM: “We were requested, we were asked, to develop a method to detect contamination in produce. So we started with the apple as the model sample.”
The scanner uses a high-speed camera placed over the conveyer belt that moves the produce along. As the apples move along the belt, the scanner captures images of each piece of fruit.
Moon Kim says the team hopes the system will be available before long.
MOON KIM: “We are targeting for development in commercial plants for the next several years.”
The scanner can direct a sorting machine to separate the bad apples from the good ones. The system is currently able to show the surface of only half the apple as it speeds by. The inventers hope to improve the process so it can show the whole surface.
1.What is the main topic of the text?
A. Bacteria B. A high-tech scanner
C. A camera D. Food safety
2.E. coli bacteria ________.
A. broke out all over the world
B. comes from soil or animal waste
C. is extremely harmful to health
D. does not cause illness
3.The high-tech scanner ________.
A. can help to sort out different fruits
B. make the produce appeal to shoppers
C. can only capture images of the whole apple
D. can identify the presence of contaminants
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A. The scanner needs to be improved.
B. The scanner will be available in the next several years.
C. Moon Kim is unwilling to develop the scanner.
D. The scanner is connected to a sorting machine.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Non-Native Species
The introduction of non-native “exotic” species is now seen as a major threat to biodiversity. In 1825, a particularly vigorous female clone of itadori (called Japanese knotweed) was introduced into Holland and later _______ throughout Europe by the plant collector and nurseryman (园丁), Von Seybold. British gardeners loved it and by 1886 it was even found growing on cinder tips in South Wales. By the turn of the century, the plant had _______ many other sites, and gardeners were advised against planting it in shrubberies. By 1994, it was almost everywhere-railways, riversides, hedgerows, cemeteries - swamping a wide range of habitats and displacing _______ species. Botanists’ fears that the plant is still spreading and may yet colonize other new habitats have generated recent attempts to eradicate it by mechanical and chemical methods, all _______ as yet.
The evidence stacked against Japanese knotweed is damning (足以定罪的). But there is a deep
_______ that behind the desire to correct human ecological cook-ups (策划)- often manifested as a passion to save endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems - is a thinly disguised xenophobia (仇外心理); that we are simply seeing yet another form of ecological imperialism (帝国主义) which defines what is “natural” based on human _______
But whatever our reaction to “problem” or alien species is, it must _______ moral decisions. And who should make such decisions and to what _______ they are accountable must also be up for review. The conclusions of scientists and other sections of society may differ _______ about what to do about the introduced animals and plants. ________ the scheme to control rabbits in Australia by deliberately spreading the disease myxomatosis was a success in that huge numbers of rabbits were wiped out for the greater good - the “health” of Australian ecosystems. But would inflicting (使遭受) such a ________ slow painful death on sentient (有感知能力的) creatures win popular support if it were proposed today?
Scientists of ________ are by their very nature concerned with the organization of species into systems and not necessarily with the interests and well-being of ________, particularly those that are seen as a threat to the maintenance of those systems. Yet there is a growing feeling for the democratization of decisions concerning nonhuman life. The ________ towards environmental values must surely involve a movement away from imperialism and a search for a relationship with nature as it truly is, rather than as we would design it. Then, when our ________ has/have long disappeared, we may yet come to honor the humble itadori.
1.A.distributed B.seen C.found D.appreciated
2.A.attached B.attracted C.colonized D.settled
3.A.rare B.abnormal C.normal D.extinct
4.A.in turn B.in vain C.in need D.in all
5.A.delight B.astonishment C.dissatisfaction D.anxiety
6.A.protection B.system C.preferences D.invasion
7.A.exclude B.involve C.object D.eliminate
8.A.scope B.intention C.extent D.respect
9.A.similarly B.intensively C.slightly D.vastly
10.A.In fact B.In other words C.For instance D.In conclusion
11.A.interestingly B.instructively C.thrillingly D.horrifically
12.A.biodiversity B.naturalism C.botany D.species
13.A.naturalists B.regions C.environments D.individuals
14.A.demonstration B.parade C.celebration D.campaign
15.A.planet B.lawns C.universe D.habitats
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Chicago is considering firm measures to prevent the Asian carp,a giant fish native to the Far East, from coming into North America’s Great Lakes in large numbers. Such a move could cost up to$18bn, a heavy economic burden to the city.
This species, more than a metre in length, was originally introduced to southern US states three decades ago to control weeds in sewage (污水) treatment plants. But they escaped into the Mississippi River and increased in number quickly, making their way north towards the Great Lakes and threatening the native fish species along the way.
“Dozens of them will often leap out of the water as boats approach.’’ Michael Beecham,a local environmental expert, described how frightening the scene was. “I’ve gone down the river and seen these fish jump up and hit me in the face.It is a big problem for our native species.” he said.
A meeting has been organized to find a technological solution to the carp problem, one of which involves blocking parts of Chicago’s canal system.Listening at the meeting was John Goss, who was worried about the effect that having barriers in the canal system would have on industry. “It would certainly increase the cost of transportation,” he told. “It is currently very cheap and efficient to bring materials and finished goods down the Chicago ship canal.’’
Another cheaper option is to eat the fish out of existence. Dirk Fucik is selling carp burger(鲤鱼汉堡包) at his fish shop not far from downtown Chicago.He thinks the carps are a great resource. “To catch it and throw it away is a waste,” he says. “Eating them helps solve the problem and also provides jobs.” But the idea has not yet caught on.So far,he is the only person in Chicago selling carp burgers.
1.What can we learn about the Asian carp according to the passage?
A. It is very adaptable to the new environment.
B. It is originally used to control weeds in the Great Lakes.
C. It has become a new food in many restaurants.
D. It has caused parts of Chicago’s canal system to be blocked.
2.From John Goss’s point of view,the building of barriers ______________.
A. can force the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes
B. may lead to the increasing cost of industrial products
C. will help the canal system work more efficiently
D. will bring high profits to the related companies
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph of the passage?
A. The Americans have included the Asian carp in their food list.
B. Catching Asian carps has created many jobs in America.
C. Dirk Fucik is a pioneer in selling carp burgers in Chicago.
D. Throwing away the caught fish is a waste of the resources.
4.What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Chicago goes to war with Asian carps
B. The Asian carp escapes from the Great Lakes
C. Possible ways to handle non-native species
D. The Great Lakes, new home for Asian Carps
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
________is surprising to us is that Tom can speak English fluently as though he were a native speaker.
A. What B. That C. Which D. As
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析