The Ebro Delta, in Spain, famous as a battleground during the Spanish Ci War, is now the setting for a different contest, one that is making rice farmers fight against two enemies: the rice - eating giant apple snail, and rising sea levels. What happens here will have a bearing on the future of European rice production and the overall health of southern European wetlands.
Located on the Mediterranean, just two hours south of Barcelona, the Ebro Delta produces 120 million kilograms of rice a year, making it one of the continent most important rice - growing areas. As the sea creeps into these fresh-watch marshes, however, rising salinity(盐度)is hurting rice production. At the same time, this sea - water also kills off the greedy giant apple snail, an introduced pet species that fees on young rice plants. The most promising strategy has become the play one enemy off against the other.
The battle is currently being waged on land, in greenhouses at the University of Barcelona. Scientists working under the banner “Project Neurice” are seeking varieties of rice that can withstand the increasing salinity without losing the absorbency that makes European rice ideal for traditional Spanish and Italian dishes.
“ The project has two sides,” says Xavier Serrat, Neurice project manager and researcher at the University of Barcelona. “The short -term fight against the snail, and a mid-to long term fight against climate change. But the snail has given the project greater emergency.”
Originally from South America, the snails were accidentally introduced into the Ebro Delta by Global Aquatic Technologies, a company that raised the snails for fresh-water aquariums(水族馆)but failed to prevent their escape. For now, the giant apple snail’s presence in Europe is limited to the Ebro Delta. But the snail continues its march to new territory, says Serrat.
“The question is not whether it will reach other rice - growing areas of Europe, but when.”
Over the next year and a half investigators will test the various strains of salt - tolerant rice they’ve bred. In 2018, farmers will plant the varieties with the most promise in the Ebro Delta and Europe’s other two main rice- growing regions along the Po in Italy, and France’s Rhone. A season in the field will help determine which, if any of the varieties are ready for commercialization.
As an EU - funded effort, the search for salt - tolerant varieties of rice is taking place in all three countries. Each team is crossbreeding a local European short - grain rice with a long - grain Asian variety that carries the salt resistant gene. The scientists are breeding successive generations to arrive at varieties that in corporate salt tolerance but retain about 97 percent of the European rice genome(基因组).
1.Why does the author mention the Spanish Civil War at the beginning of the passage?
A.Because it significantly influences the lives of Spanish rice farmers.
B.Because it is extremely important in the records of Spanish history.
C.Because rice farmers there are engaged in another kind of battle of similar importance.
D.Because rice farmers there are experiencing the hardships of wartime.
2.What may be the most effective strategy for rice farmers to employ in fighting their enemies?
A.Striking the weaker enemy first.
B.Killing two birds with one stone.
C.Eliminating the enemy one by one.
D.Using one enemy to fight against the other.
3.What does the Neurice project manager say about the giant apple snail?
A.It can survive only on southern European wetlands.
B.It will invade other rice - growing regions of Europe.
C.It multiplies at a speed beyond human imagination.
D.It was introduced into the rice fields on purpose.
4.What is the ultimate goal of the EU - funded program?
A.Cultivating ideal salt resistant rice varieties.
B.Increasing the absorbency of the Spanish rice.
C.Introducing Spanish rice to the rest of Europe.
D.Popularizing the rice crossbreeding technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
The Ebro Delta, in Spain, famous as a battleground during the Spanish Ci War, is now the setting for a different contest, one that is making rice farmers fight against two enemies: the rice - eating giant apple snail, and rising sea levels. What happens here will have a bearing on the future of European rice production and the overall health of southern European wetlands.
Located on the Mediterranean, just two hours south of Barcelona, the Ebro Delta produces 120 million kilograms of rice a year, making it one of the continent most important rice - growing areas. As the sea creeps into these fresh-watch marshes, however, rising salinity(盐度)is hurting rice production. At the same time, this sea - water also kills off the greedy giant apple snail, an introduced pet species that fees on young rice plants. The most promising strategy has become the play one enemy off against the other.
The battle is currently being waged on land, in greenhouses at the University of Barcelona. Scientists working under the banner “Project Neurice” are seeking varieties of rice that can withstand the increasing salinity without losing the absorbency that makes European rice ideal for traditional Spanish and Italian dishes.
“ The project has two sides,” says Xavier Serrat, Neurice project manager and researcher at the University of Barcelona. “The short -term fight against the snail, and a mid-to long term fight against climate change. But the snail has given the project greater emergency.”
Originally from South America, the snails were accidentally introduced into the Ebro Delta by Global Aquatic Technologies, a company that raised the snails for fresh-water aquariums(水族馆)but failed to prevent their escape. For now, the giant apple snail’s presence in Europe is limited to the Ebro Delta. But the snail continues its march to new territory, says Serrat.
“The question is not whether it will reach other rice - growing areas of Europe, but when.”
Over the next year and a half investigators will test the various strains of salt - tolerant rice they’ve bred. In 2018, farmers will plant the varieties with the most promise in the Ebro Delta and Europe’s other two main rice- growing regions along the Po in Italy, and France’s Rhone. A season in the field will help determine which, if any of the varieties are ready for commercialization.
As an EU - funded effort, the search for salt - tolerant varieties of rice is taking place in all three countries. Each team is crossbreeding a local European short - grain rice with a long - grain Asian variety that carries the salt resistant gene. The scientists are breeding successive generations to arrive at varieties that in corporate salt tolerance but retain about 97 percent of the European rice genome(基因组).
1.Why does the author mention the Spanish Civil War at the beginning of the passage?
A.Because it significantly influences the lives of Spanish rice farmers.
B.Because it is extremely important in the records of Spanish history.
C.Because rice farmers there are engaged in another kind of battle of similar importance.
D.Because rice farmers there are experiencing the hardships of wartime.
2.What may be the most effective strategy for rice farmers to employ in fighting their enemies?
A.Striking the weaker enemy first.
B.Killing two birds with one stone.
C.Eliminating the enemy one by one.
D.Using one enemy to fight against the other.
3.What does the Neurice project manager say about the giant apple snail?
A.It can survive only on southern European wetlands.
B.It will invade other rice - growing regions of Europe.
C.It multiplies at a speed beyond human imagination.
D.It was introduced into the rice fields on purpose.
4.What is the ultimate goal of the EU - funded program?
A.Cultivating ideal salt resistant rice varieties.
B.Increasing the absorbency of the Spanish rice.
C.Introducing Spanish rice to the rest of Europe.
D.Popularizing the rice crossbreeding technology.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend one of Spain’s most famous carnivals in the city of Cadiz. You can only understand why it is one of the most important carnivals in the world after seeing it for yourself. Everybody I saw, of all ages, was fancily-dressed from top to toe, making me feel like I was in a fairy-tale world with singing and dancing all around the city centre.
Almost instantly after stepping off the train in Cadiz, we were filled with joy, as everyone was in high spirits. A number of people parading through the streets playing traditional music filled people with happiness and craziness like I have never seen before. As we wandered around, we saw that the creativity of some costumes was incredible! From Shrek to Japanese wrestlers, the imagination and effort put into the fancy dresses was remarkable. You could really tell that people put a lot of time and energy into making some amazing costumes.
Then there were the groups of mostly old men who would be passionately singing some traditional songs. I could tell they were singing from their heart with such excitement. Furthermore, the fact that I was not able to understand the inside jokes did not matter, as I was attracted by the actions and expressions they provided. These mini street shows were a true taste of Spanish culture and set me up for a fun night.
As the night progressed, the streets got more packed with people. A moment that felt quite dreamlike was when we were dancing outside a convenience store with music provided by the owners booming through their speakers! Everyone who passed would be jamming along to the music. Afterwards, we went to the main party at E1 Puerto, which was like a mini festival.
After this special weekend of festival, it is true to say that the Spanish know how to party!
1.Why are Japanese wrestlers mentioned?
A. To compare different cultures.
B. To prove the costumes were amazing.
C. To point out how energetic the people were.
D. To show there were people from around the world.
2.Why was the author interested in mini street shows?
A. The food provided was quite tasty.
B. The inside jokes were pretty funny.
C. The performers were young and lovely.
D. The performers’ body language was attractive.
3.What made the author feel unreal?
A. Watching mini street shows.
B. Dancing outside a convenience store.
C. Attending the main party at E1 Puerto.
D. Seeing crowds of fancily-dressed people.
4.Which can be the best title for the text?
A. Crazy time at carnival. B. How to be social at a party.
C. Carnivals around the world. D. Why Spanish costumes are great.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Albert Einstein was born in 1879. As a child, few people guessed that he a famous scientist whose theories would change the world.
A. has been B. had been
C. was going to be D. was
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Albert Einstein was born in 1879. As a child, few people guessed that he a famous scientist whose theories would change the world.
A. has been B. had been
C. was going to be D. was
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The kite has been considered as the1.(invent)of the famous 5th一century BC
Chinese architect Lu Ban. By at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown,as it2. (record)in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission. From then 3.,kites were slowly introduced to Cambodia,Thailand,India,Japan,Korea and the western world from China.
After its introduction into India,the kite further evolved into the fighter kite4.(know)as the patang in India where thousands are flown every year on festivals such as Makar Sankranti. Kites were known throughout Polynesia,as far as New Zealand.5.(story)of kites were first brought to Europe by Marco Polo towards the end of the 13th century.6. they were initially regarded as mere curiosities,by7.18th and 19th centuries,kites were being used as vehicles for8.(science)research.
In 1750,Benjamin Franklin published a proposal for an experiment9.(prove)that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm. Kites were also instrumental in the research of the Wright brothers when they built the first airplane10.(active)in the late 1800 s. Over the next 70 years,many new kite designs were developed,and often patented.
高三英语短文填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The photo was taken ______ stood the famous Bird’s Nest in Beijing during the Olympics.
A.which | B.in which | C.where | D.there |
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Many famous painters worked in Antwerp during the city’s period of greatest power but Peter Paul Rubens is undoubtedly the most famous one of them. Known as Rubens House, the palace-like residence(大宅) and studio where Rubens worked and lived from 1616 until his death in 1640 is now one of Antwerp’s most visited museums.
Almost all of the works Rubens and his students created in the Rubens House have been dispersed (分散) over major museums across the whole world, but there is still an impressive collection well worth the visit. Besides paintings form the master himself you will find other works of art and furniture of the 17th century as well as paintings from his students, including works by Jacob Jordaens and Anthony Van Dyck.
The Rubens House was not only a studio but also a meeting place for the rich and famous. His clients(委托人) included wealthy merchants, diplomats, and there were also many noblemen who often visited his studio to see how work progressed. The Rubens House even had a special viewing area which allowed visitors to see the artists at work.
Ruben bought the house at the beginning of the 17th century after his eight-year-long stay in Italy. Influenced by Italian architecture, he rebuilt the building into an Italian-styled palace with a beautiful garden and moved in the house in1616.
After his death the building was sold. New owners modified the building greatly and by 1937, when the building was purchased by the city of Antwerp, it hardly resembled the original structure.
The impressive entrance hall, which connected the studio and the residence, is one of the few parts that survived. Other parts have been carefully restored and reconstructed after original plans and paintings of the house.
1.As a museum, the Rubens House is popular because _______.
A. it lies in the famous city of Antwerp
B. it holds all the works by Rubens and his students
C. there are many people who enjoy visiting it
D. Rubens, a great artist, lived and worked there
2.We can learn from the third paragraph that _______.
A. the Rubens House was popular with upper-class people
B. the Rubens House was the best studio in its time
C. Rubens’s students included noblemen and diplomats
D. people were not allowed to view the artists working
3.What can be inferred from the text?
A. Thanks to its great painters, Antwerp became a rich city.
B. Ruben possibly showed strong interest in Italian buildings.
C. Antwerp must be a historical city in Italy.
D. The Rubens House was completely rebuilt before 1937.
4.Which of the following is TRUE, according to the text?
A. Rubens created his works by working with his students.
B. A beautiful garden was added to the Rubens House by new owners.
C. The Rubens House is decorated with furniture of the 17th century.
D. Today’s Rubens House looks like its original structure.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Never in my dreams Zhao Benshan’s performance during the CCTV Spring Festival Gala was considered the best.
A.I could imagine B.could I imagine C.I couldn’t imagine D.couldn’t I imagine
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
On Tuesday August 11th, 1911, in the room where the world’s most famous painting, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, was on display, there was an empty space where the painting should have been.The next day headlines all over the world announced the theft.
Actually the Leonardo had been long gone.The museum was always closed on Mondays for maintenance(维修).Just before closing time on Sunday three men had entered the museum, and hid themselves in a storeroom.Early next morning, they took the painting and left.
Nothing was seen or heard of the painting for two years until Perrugia tried to sell it to a dealer for half a million lire.Perrugia was arrested and imprisoned for seven months.It seemed that the crime of the century had been solved.
But had it? Perrugia claimed all responsibility for the theft, and it was twenty years before the whole story came out.In fact Perrugia had been working for Valfierno and Chaudron, who went unpunished for their crime.They would offer to steal a famous painting from a gallery(美术馆) for a dishonest dealer or private collector.They would then make a copy of the picture and, with the help of bribed(受贿的) gallery workers, would then attach the copy to the back of the original painting.The dealer would then be taken to the gallery and make a secret mark on the back of the painting.Of course the dealer would actually be marking the copy.After having been given the marked painting, if the dealer were to see the painting still in the gallery, he would be persuaded that it was a copy, and that he possessed the genuine one.
This time, however, they stole the original.Before Perrugia was arrested, Valfierno and Chaudron had gone to New York.Valfierno told the story to a journalist in 1914, on condition that it would not be published until his death.
Does the story end there? Collectors have claimed that Perrugia returned a copy.It is also possible that Leonardo may have painted several versions of the Mona Lisa, or they might be copies made by Leonardo’s pupils.There has been a lot of argument about the 450-year-old painting, but after all, maybe that’s what she’s smiling about.
1.The Mona Lisa was stolen on _________.
A.August 9th B.August 10th C.August 11th D.August 12th
2.Choose the right time order of the following events.
a.Valfierno told the story to a journalist. b.Perrugia was arrested.
c.The truth was published. d.The Mona Lisa was stolen.
e.Valfierno went to New York. f.The theft was announced.
A.d, f, b, e, a, c B.d, f, e, b, a, c C.d, f, b, e, c, a D.f, d, e, b, c, a
3.We can infer from the passage that _________.
A.In most cases, Valfierno did not sell the original paintings
B.The Mona Lisa was painted 45 years ago
C.Perrugia returned a copy
D.Perrugia was not to blame for the theft
4.All of the following about Valfierno and Chaudron are true EXCEPT_________.
A.They stole paintings and then sold them to dishonest dealers.
B.They were not punished for stealing the Mona Lisa.
C.They kept the story to themselves until death.
D.They sometimes bribed gallery workers to help them.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Was it in the garden ____ we used to work in ____ the famous actors and actresses had a picnic?
A. that; where B. which; that C. where; that D. which; where
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析