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For grown-ups, an afternoon snooze (打盹) is often easier said than done. But many of us have probably experienced just how simple it can be to catch some sleep in a gently rocking hammock (吊床). By examining brain waves in sleeping adults, researchers reported in the June 21 issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, that they now have evidence to explain why that is.
“It is a common belief that rocking causes sleep: we fall asleep in a rocking chair soon and, since ancient times, we cradle our babies to sleep,” said Sophie Schwartz of the University of Geneva. “Yet, how this works had remained a mystery. The goal of our study was made up of two parts: to test whether rocking does indeed improve sleep, and to understand how this might work at the brain level.”
Schwartz, Michel Mühlethaler, and their colleagues Laurence Bayer and Irina Constantinescu asked twelve adult volunteers to nap on a custommade bed or “experimental hammock” that could either remain still or rock gently. All participants were good sleepers who didn’t typically nap and did not suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day. Each participant took two 45•minute afternoon naps, one with the bed still and one with the bed in motion, while their brain activity was monitored.
“We observed a faster transition to sleep in each and every subject in the swinging condition,” Mühlethaler said. “Surprisingly, we also observed a dramatic boosting of certain types of sleeprelated brain waves.”
More specifically, rocking increased the length of stage N2 sleep, a form of non•rapid eye movement sleep that normally occupies about half of a good night’s sleep. The rocking bed also had a lasting effect on brain activity, increasing slow brain waves and bursts of activity known as sleep spindles (纺锤体).
Schwartz and Mühlethaler say the next step is to find out whether rocking can improve longer periods of sleep and to find out whether it may be useful for the treatment of sleep disorders, such as insomnia (失眠).
1.What does the June 21 issue of Current Biology tell us according to Paragraph 1?
A.It is more difficult for grown•ups to fall asleep.
B.People today like to sleep in a rocking hammock.
C.Many people nowadays suffer from excessive sleepiness.
D.There comes the evidence for why rocking benefits people’s sleep.
2.What can we learn from Sophie Schwartz’s words?
A.Her team aimed to answer two questions.
B.The study is going to benefit babies a lot.
C.The study had been kept secret before being finished.
D.People used to believe rocking was bad for sleep.
3.What finding was beyond the researchers’ expectation?
A.The rocking seemed to improve participants’ sleep quality.
B.All the participants fell asleep faster in the swinging condition.
C.Some participants couldn’t fall asleep in the swinging condition.
D.Participants had a tendency to sleep excessively in the swinging bed.
4.What is the best title?
A.Take a Snooze Easier Said than Done
B.Want a Faster Sleep? Change Your Sleeping Habits
C.Need a Nap? Find Yourself a Hammock
D.Suffer from Sleep Disorder? New Treatment Found
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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It is often said that man has become the enemy of our planet. This is no exaggeration(夸张), for reports show that man’s greed has done much to destroy the earth. Man, in his greedy desire for financial growth, has polluted the air, land and water, and has robbed our valuable natural resources. Man’s industrial plants pour out poisonous waste that pollutes the sea and puts life in the sea under the threat of dying out; at the same time, they release alarming amounts of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants. Small wonder that the air now is much warmer and more impure than ever before.
Of course, this is not just because of man’s greed—it is man’s pressing need as well. For instance, in developing countries, huge financial foreign debts have forced governments to approve the cutting of forests for agriculture or ranching. As a result, forests are cut down just to meet man’s immediate needs.
Perhaps unknowingly，man has changed the make-up of the earth's atmosphere. Scientific studies have shown that CFCs used in refrigerators and industrial cleaners are fast destroying the ozone layer—a protective layer in the atmosphere that protects us against the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (紫外线)rays. In fact, documented reports have shown a terrible fact that there are “holes” in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. And they appear to be expanding.
Faced with these environmental problems, world leaders have shown deep concern. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) has arranged international agreements like the Vienna convention of 1985 and the Montreal Protocol of 1989 to preserve the ozone layer by controlling the production, use and trade of destructive chemicals.
There may be some doubt as to how effectual these agreements may be, given that some countries still maintain an “I-don’t-care” attitude. Their attitude is probably due to their failure to grasp the importance of the problem. Then, there is no doubt that environmental education on an international scale（规模）is greatly needed, so that all countries, great and small—the “haves” and the “have nots”—may realize their responsibilities for our planet.
In the meantime, the UNEP seems to have taken steps in the right direction, and it is hoped that in the not so distant future, all nations of the world will join hands in saving mother earth.
1.Which of the following is a reason for the cutting and burning of forests?
A. To build houses for more population. B. To have land for agriculture.
C. To export trees to other countries. D. To build industrial plants.
2.The holes in the ozone layer are largely due to________.
A. man’s research activities B. the greenhouse effect
C. the ultraviolent D. harmful chemicals
3.Why don’t some countries care about the problem of the environment?
A. They don’t want to put their lives in danger.
B. They just don’t know how to solve the problem.
C. They haven’t realized the seriousness of the problem.
D. They don’t want to break their international commitment.
4.66. What is the author’s attitude towards the future of the environment?
A. Hopeful. B. Unconcerned C. Doubtful D. Objective
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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It is often said that man has become the enemy of our planet. This is no exaggeration(夸张), for reports show that man’s greed has done much to destroy the earth. Man, in his greedy desire for financial growth, has polluted the air, land and water, and has robbed our valuable natural resources. Man’s industrial plants pour out poisonous waste that pollutes the sea and puts life in the sea under the threat of dying out; at the same time, they release alarming amounts of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants. Small wonder that the air now is much warmer and more impure than ever before.
Of course, this is not just because of man’s greed—it is man’s pressing need as well. For instance, in developing countries, huge financial foreign debts have forced governments to approve the cutting of forests for agriculture or ranching. As a result, forests are cut down just to meet man’s immediate needs.
Perhaps unknowingly，man has changed the make-up of the earth's atmosphere. Scientific studies have shown that CFCs used in refrigerators and industrial cleaners are fast destroying the ozone layer—a protective layer in the atmosphere that protects us against the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (紫外线)rays. In fact, documented reports have shown a terrible fact that there are “holes” in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. And they appear to be expanding.
Faced with these environmental problems, world leaders have shown deep concern. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) has arranged international agreements like the Vienna convention of 1985 and the Montreal Protocol of 1989 to preserve the ozone layer by controlling the production, use and trade of destructive chemicals.
There may be some doubt as to how effectual these agreements may be, given that some countries still maintain an “I-don’t-care” attitude. Their attitude is probably due to their failure to grasp the importance of the problem. Then, there is no doubt that environmental education on an international scale（规模）is greatly needed, so that all countries, great and small—the “haves” and the “have nots”—may realize their responsibilities for our planet.
In the meantime, the UNEP seems to have taken steps in the right direction, and it is hoped that in the not so distant future, all nations of the world will join hands in saving mother earth.
1.Which of the following is a reason for the cutting and burning of forests?
A. To build houses for more population.
B. To have land for agriculture.
C. To export trees to other countries.
D. To build industrial plants.
2.The holes in the ozone layer are largely due to________.
A. man’s research activities B. the greenhouse effect
C. the ultraviolent D. harmful chemicals
3.Why don’t some countries care about the problem of the environment?
A. They don’t want to put their lives in danger.
B. They just don’t know how to solve the problem.
C. They haven’t realized the seriousness of the problem.
D. They don’t want to break their international commitment.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the future of the environment?
A. Hopeful. B. Unconcerned C. Doubtful D. Objective
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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It is often said that an American starts a speech with a joke , _______ a Japanese has an apology to make.
A．which
B．what
C．while
D．that
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
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It is often said that you cannot “teach an old dog new tricks”, but three New Zealand dogs have decided to prove otherwise by learning a skill --- driving a car!
What's even more impressive is that the three who have become skilled in just eight weeks are not special dogs that belong to some rich owners, but abandoned ones at New Zealand's SPCA.
To get their training started, 10-month old Porter, 18-month-old Monty and one-year-old Ginny were selected from a pool of seven potential candidates and moved to Animal Q, a talent agency that teaches animals tricks for movies and television shows.
The driving classes began with teaching the dogs some basic driving techniques like turning the steering wheels（方向盘）and applying the brakes. After that the dogs practiced everything they had learnt behind the wheels of a motorized（装上发动机的）car. Then finally, it was time for the big test--- driving a real car!
Human cars are not really built for four-legged animals, so the car they drove was adjusted so that the dogs could sit comfortably and easily reach the steering wheel with their paws.
Though they all seemed to do very well, the real test came on Monday night when Monty, the best driver of the three, showed his great driving skill on live television.
Why would the SPCA go through so much trouble to highlight the skills of homeless dogs? The reason is to show that adopting a dog from a shelter does not mean owners are getting a pet that is worse than one purchased from a keeper. The CEO of the SPCA is hoping that this unusual event will be enough to convince the residents of New Zealand to consider them, when searching for a pet.
We surely hope so, meanwhile we are almost certain that these three pioneers have at least landed their names in the Guinness World Records, creating a category that probably does not even exist today!
1.Who do the three dogs belong to?
A. Some rich owners. B. Animal Q. C. A shelter. D. A zoo.
2.The car the dogs drove was adjusted ______.
A. because is was too big for the dogs to drive
B. because it had no steering wheels and brakes
C. to ensure the dogs could sit comfortably and drive easily
D. to motorize the car and turn it to be a real one
3.Which is the right order of the following events?
a. Teaching the dogs some basic driving techniques.
b. Selecting three dogs and moving them to Animal Q.
c. The dogs practiced everything they had learnt in a motorized car.
d. Choosing the best driver to show his great driving skill on live television.
e. Driving a real car.
A. a-b-c- d-e B. b-a-c-e-d C. b- d- a-c-e D. a- e- c-b-d
4.Why does the SPCA decide to teach the three dogs to learn to drive a car?
A. To prove old dogs can learn new tricks.
B. To teach them performing tricks for movies and television shows.
C. To provide amusing performances for homeless children
D. To encourage people to adopt the abandoned dogs.
5.What can we learn from the passage?
A. A new Guinness category for driving dogs will probably be created.
B. Abandoned dogs are much cleverer than house-kept ones.
C. All the dogs at New Zealand’s SPCA will soon be adopted.
D. New Zealand has the most homeless dogs among all countries
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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It is often said that you cannot “teach an old dog new tricks”, but three New Zealand dogs have decided to prove otherwise
by learning a skill—driving a car!
What’s even more impressive is that the three who have become skilled in just eight weeks are not special dogs that belong to some rich owners, but abandoned ones at New Zealand’s SPCA.
To get their training started, 10-month-old Porter, 18-month-old Monty and one-year-old Ginny were selected from a pool of seven potential candidates and moved to Animal Q, a talent agency that teaches animals tricks for movies and television shows.
The driving classes began with teaching the dogs some basic driving techniques like turning the steering wheels(方向盘)and applying the brakes. After that the dogs practiced everything they had learnt behind the wheels of a motorized(装上发动机的)car. Then finally, it was time for the big test-driving a real car!
Human cars are not really built for four-legged animals, so the car they drove was adjusted so that the dogs could sit comfortably and easily reach the steering wheel with their paws.
Though they all seemed to do very well, the real test came on Monday night when Monty, the best driver of the three, showed his great driving skill on live television.
Why would the SPCA go through so much trouble to highlight the skills of homeless dogs? The reason is to show that adopting a dog from a shelter does not mean owners are getting a pet that is worse than one purchased from a keeper. The CEO of the SPCA is hoping that this unusual event will be enough to convince the residents of New Zealand to consider them, when searching for a pet. We surely hope so, meanwhile we are almost certain that these three pioneers have at least landed their names in the Guinness World Records, creating a category that probably does not even exist today!
1.Who do the three dogs belong to?
A. Some rich owners. B. Animal Q.
C. A shelter. D. A zoo.
2.The car the dogs drove was adjusted .
A. because it was too big for the dogs to drive
B. because it had no steering wheels and brakes
C. to ensure the dogs could sit comfortably and drive easily
D. to motorize the car and turn it to be a real one
3.Why does the SPCA decide to teach the three dogs to learn to drive a car?
A. To prove old dogs can learn new tricks.
B. To teach them performing tricks for movies and television shows.
C. To provide amusing performances for homeless children.
D. To encourage people to adopt the abandoned dogs.
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. A new Guinness category for driving dogs will probably be created.
B. Abandoned dogs are much cleverer than house-kept ones.
C. All the dogs at New Zealand’s SPCA will soon be adopted.
D. New Zealand has the most homeless dogs among all countries.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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To get well-prepared for his wedding ceremony, the bridegroom is said to _________an order for a tailor-made suit the other day．
A．place B．cancel C．have placed D．have cancelled
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
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An 18th-century statesman Edmund Burke once said, “All that is needed for the success of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing.” One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights to decide whether to be used in research. Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates, whose arguments are puzzling the public and threatening advances in health knowledge and care. Leaders of the animal rights movement attack biomedical research because it depends on public funding, and few people understand the process of health care research. Hearing false reports of cruelty to animals in research settings, many are puzzled that anyone would harm an animal on purpose.
For example, a grandmotherly woman setting up an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was giving out sheets that encouraged readers not to use anything that comes from or is tested in animals－no meat, no fur, no medicines. Asked what will happen when epidemics(传染病) return, she said. “Don’t worry, scientists will find some way of using computers.” Such well-meaning people just don’t understand.
Scientists must communicate their message to the public in an understandable way－in human terms, not in the language of biology. We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmother’s organ replacement, a father’s bypass operation, a baby’s vaccinations(接种疫苗), and even a pet’s shots. To those who know nothing about the animal research that was needed to produce these treatments, as well as new treatments and vaccines, animal research seems wasteful at best and cruel at worst.
Much can be done. Scientists could give middle school lessons and present their own research. They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor, in case animal rights misinformation goes unchallenged and gains a false appearance of truth. Research institutions could be opened to tours, to show that laboratory animals receive humane care. Finally, because there are a lot of patients, the health research community should actively recruit(招募) not only well-known personalities such as Stephen Cooper, who has made courageous statements about the value of animal research, but all who receive medical treatment. If good people do nothing, there is a real possibility that uninformed citizens will wipe out the precious of medical progress.
1. The purpose of the author beginning his article with Edmund Burke’s words is to _____.
A．call on scientists to take some actions
B．argue against the cause of animal rights
C．warn of the failure of biomedical research
D．show the success of the animal rights movement
2. In the second paragraph, the author took a grandmotherly woman as an example to show ____.
A. the way to prevent epidemics B. the innocence of the woman
C. how strong the opposition was D. how important the animal rights were
3. In the eyes of the author, misguided people are likely to think that using an animal in research
is ______.
A．cruel but necessary B．just but unnecessary
C．meaningful and wasteful D．inhuman and unacceptable
4. What can be inferred from the passage?
A．People care very little about returns of epidemics.
B．The public lacks knowledge of biomedical science.
C．Stephen Cooper is very seriously concerned about animal treatment.
D．Scientists should make efforts to develop new cures by means of hi-tech.
5. According to the passage, the author’s attitude toward biomedical research is ________.
A. Disinterested B. Indifferent C. Objective D. Supportive
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
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The Song Dynasty(960-1279) is often referred to as the Chinese Renaissance(文艺复兴). For about three and a quarter centuries, under its rule, China enjoyed a period of economic growth with great artistic and intellectual achievements.
One of the most important factors in the Song Renaissance was the printing press which made for a rebirth of classical Confucian learning. By the 10th century,printers were producing a large number of copies of the classical Confucian texts. With this increase in the production of books, education spread and became widely available.
Printing also had its greatest influence on the Chinese political system. In the Song Dynasty, govemment examinations became the most important way to political power in China. For almost 1,000 years, China was govemed by men who had done very well in examinations. Thousands of students studied for the exams, and thousands of inexpensive books were required. Without printing, such a system would not have been possible.
The Song period was also the golden age of Chinese painting. Emperor Huizong(1101-1125) was a talented painter who encouraged the arts. A royal painting academy was created and many fine artists were supported. The period is best known for nature subjects and landscape paintings. Guo Xi used perspective in his paintings and The Quict Valley is one of his best-known works. One of the greatest landscape painters of the period was Fan Kuan. His masterpiece, Travelling among Mountains and Gorges, is one of the most famous Chinese paintings. Completed around the year 1000, it was inspired by the power of nature and the relative insignificance of humans.
1.When was the Chinese Renaissance?
A. Immediately after the Renaissance in Europe. B. During the Song Dynasty.
C. At the time of Confucius. D. in the year 1,000.
2.What contributed to spreading the ideas of Confucius?
A. The spread of education to the middle classes.
B. People’s new interest in classical texts.
C. The development of painting.
D. The printing press and a wide availability of books.
3.How did people become politicians at the time?
A. Only members of the wealthy class could go into politics.
B. A small number of powerful families ran the country.
C. Only members good at painting were supported by the royalty.
D. There was a special exam system to select politicians.
4.From the passage we can know the painter of Travelling among Mountains and Gorges is ＿＿＿．
A. Guo Xi
B. Emperor Huizong
C. Fan Kuan
D. Confucius
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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The Song Dynasty(960-1279) is often referred to as the Chinese Renaissance(文艺复兴). For about three and a quarter centuries, under its rule, China enjoyed a period of economic growth with great artistic and intellectual achievements.
One of the most important factors in the Song Renaissance was the printing press which made for a rebirth of classical Confucian learning. By the 10th century,printers were producing a large number of copies of the classical Confucian texts. With this increase in the production of books, education spread and became widely available.
Printing also had its greatest influence on the Chinese political system. In the Song Dynasty, govemment examinations became the most important way to political power in China. For almost 1,000 years, China was govemed by men who had done very well in examinations. Thousands of students studied for the exams, and thousands of inexpensive books were required. Without printing, such a system would not have been possible.
The Song period was also the golden age of Chinese painting. Emperor Huizong(1101-1125) was a talented painter who encouraged the arts. A royal painting academy was created and many fine artists were supported. The period is best known for nature subjects and landscape paintings. Guo Xi used perspective in his paintings and The Quict Valley is one of his best-known works. One of the greatest landscape painters of the period was Fan Kuan. His masterpiece, Travelling among Mountains and Gorges, is one of the most famous Chinese paintings. Completed around the year 1000, it was inspired by the power of nature and the relative insignificance of humans.
1.When was the Chinese Renaissance?
A.Immediately after the Renaissance in Europe. B.During the Song Dynasty.
C.At the time of Confucius. D.in the year 1,000.
2.What contributed to spreading the ideas of Confucius?
A.The spread of education to the middle classes.
B.People’s new interest in classical texts.
C.The development of painting.
D.The printing press and a wide availability of books.
3.How did people become politicians at the time?
A.Only members of the wealthy class could go into politics.
B.A small number of powerful families ran the country.
C.Only members good at painting were supported by the royalty.
D.There was a special exam system to select politicians.
4.From the passage we can know the painter of Travelling among Mountains and Gorges is ＿＿＿．
A.Guo Xi
B.Emperor Huizong
C.Fan Kuan
D.Confucius
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析