Every woman dreams of receiving a huge, sparkling and priceless diamond. Now scientists have discovered the largest diamond in the universe.
But it’s well beyond the reach of the most lovestruck men — 50 light years to be precise. Space scientists revealed that they had discovered a ten billion trillion trillion carat gem. Measuring 2,500 miles across and weighing five million trillion trillion pounds, the rock was found on Valentine's Day buried in the core of a white dwarf star in the constellation Centaurus.
“It’s the mother of all diamonds,” said Travis Metcalfe, who led the team of researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in America.
“You would need a jeweller’s loupe the size of the Sun to grade this diamond.” Named Lucy, after the Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, the rock has sent a ripple of excitement through the scientific world.
The largest diamond found on earth was the 3,106-carat Cullinan. It was cut into nine major stones, including the 530-carat Star of Africa, now a part of the Crown Jewels. Diamonds were first discovered in India more than 2,800 years ago. The Ancient Romans believed that the stones were splinters of stars that had tumbled to earth.
In Ancient Egypt, diamonds were symbols of eternity and were used in funeral rites. In the Middle Ages, men wore them to symbolize their courage and virility. The tradition of giving them as love tokens dates from 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy.
1. The largest diamond in the universe________.| A．was found 50 years ago. | B．was in the centre of a white dwarf star. |
| C．was too large to measure. | D．could be graded by a common jeweller's loupe. |
| A．Diamonds have symbolized love since 1477. |
| B．The largest diamond on earth was found 2,800 years ago. |
| C．The Crown Jewels was totally made of the 530-carat Star of Africa. |
| D．At present, men wear diamonds to symbolize their courage and virility. |
| A．Diamond — a must on important occasions | B．Love — the symbolism of diamonds |
| C．Discovery — the largest diamond in the world | D．Diamond — the dream of women |
| A．a tour guide. | B．a poster. | C．an official document. | D．a magazine. |
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【推荐1】Mounting a telescope on the balcony at home, Wang Zhipu, a 16-year-old boy from Fujian Province, observes the skies, takes photos and begins his voyage into space after class. Recently, his efforts were rewarded when he won the title of “Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2021” in the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s annual astrophotography contest. His winning entry, entitled Family Photo of the Solar System, shows seven of the eight planets lined up horizontally, with the sun on the left and moon on the right, both pictured larger in size than normal.
“All families are unconventional, so I adored this fresh, gently playful concept around the solar system,” said the competition judge Sue Prichard while talking about Wang’s picture. “A meaningful technically accomplished work from a rising star of astronomical photography.”
It hasn’t been easy taking pictures of outer space. For about half a year, Wang had to calculate the best time to shoot planets when they’re opposite the sun in Earth’s sky to get the brightest images. What’s more, he still needed to wait for clear weather to see better. For example, to capture a clear picture of Mercury, the planet closest to the sun, which is often cited as the most difficult of the five brightest planets to see with the naked eye, Wang tried to shoot it three times in the early morning but failed. At sunset, he shot 10, 000 frames of video and selected several thousand better frames to overlay, further refine them and form a more satisfactory picture.
Sometimes Wang would be so absorbed in his observations that he wouldn’t go downstairs to fetch a coat, even in the middle of winter. Other times, he stood for hours under the burning sun to get the perfect shot. To get an ideal shot, he often gets up at dawn, sleeps early to wake up at midnight, and even takes time off from evening classes when necessary.
1. What kind of feeling does Sue Prichard show for Wang’s prizewinning picture?| A．Curiosity. | B．Indifference. | C．Appreciation. | D．Anxiety. |
| A．Figure out when the planets shine best. |
| B．Find out where clear weather can be seen. |
| C．Work out how far the planets are from the sun. |
| D．Make out when the planets face the earth most directly. |
| A．Wang’s passion for outer space. |
| B．Wang’s habits of observing stars. |
| C．Wang’s addiction to shooting skills. |
| D．Wang’s choices of shooting occasions. |
| A．Stars Gathering, Teenager Is the Brightest |
| B．Medals Shining, Teenagers Gains the Gold |
| C．Eyes on the Stars, Teenager Wins Top Photo-prize |
| D．Dreams in Heart, Teenager Succeeds in Top Contest |
【推荐2】Some scientists have detected a chemical on Venus (金星) that isn’t expected to be there, which leads them to wonder what is producing the chemical.
Venus may look beautiful in the night sky, but it’s a harsh planet. Its clouds are made of acid. And its atmosphere is so thick that if you could stand on the planet’s surface, you would feel like you were 3,000 feet under the sea. It is the hottest planet in the solar system, with an average temperature of 464℃. Though people have often wondered if Venus used to have life, most people don’t believe life exists there. Now, as a result of work by a group of scientists led by Dr. Jane Greaves from Cardiff University, there may be reason to question that.
The scientists found a molecule called phosphine (磷化氢) in Venus’ atmosphere. On Earth, some bacteria produce small amounts of phosphine in oxygen-free environments. Phosphine molecules aren’t very stable, so they tend to break apart or burn up easily.
Many scientists believe phosphine might be a sign of life on other planets. So the scientists were puzzled when they found signs of phosphine high in the atmosphere of Venus. They double-checked their result and it was the same — high in the clouds there appeared to be too much phosphine.
That led the scientists to think about what could make the phosphine. They studied many ideas, from sunlight, lightning strikes to volcanoes. But none of these could produce the amount of phosphine they detected. One possible explanation for the phosphine is simple — life. For example, some sort of bacteria can somehow survive in the acid clouds of Venus.
The discovery of phosphine on Venus has caused a lot of excitement. The scientists behind the study are eager to do more research. Now, many other people are also looking to focus on the planet and perhaps even create missions to explore Venus’ atmosphere.
1. According to Paragraph 2, what’s generally believed about Venus?| A．Life exists there for long. |
| B．It is an unlivable planet. |
| C．It is one of the hottest planets. |
| D．The clouds on Venus are thin and acidic. |
| A．It is a kind of gas low in the clouds. | B．It is a possible marker of life. |
| C．It contributes to the birth of life. | D．It is stable in oxygen-free environments. |
| A．The presence of phosphine. | B．The amount of acid. |
| C．The instability of phosphine. | D．The high temperature. |
| A．Is There Life on Venus? | B．Oxygen Spotted on Venus |
| C．A New Way to Explore Venus | D．Will Astronauts Land on Venus? |
【推荐3】On Monday, August 21, millions of Americans across the country wore their protective eyeglasses to watch the highly expected total solar eclipse (日全食). Though eclipses, which occur about every 18 months, are not rare, this one was historic. It was not only the first total solar eclipse visible from the mainland US in more than38 years, but also the first to be seen coast to coast in almost a century.
The crowds were thrilled as the moon briefly blocked the sun, covering cities all the way from Oregon to South Carolina with darkness. Many people felt cold as the temperature dropped dramatically, by up to 12degrees Fahrenheit, during totality. Those fortunate enough to have clear skies not only saw the corona (日冕), the sun’s outer atmosphere, which is usually not visible in the sun’s glare, but also the bright stars and planets.
Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative everywhere. The crowds who gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, the last big city in the path of totality, had to struggle against a thick cloud cover when the partial eclipse began at 1:17 pm. It did thin out a little as totality took place at 2:46 pm, allowing for a good view of the eclipse, but not the sun’s corona! However, some spectacular flashes of lightning that occurred just as the moon covered the sun helped ease the disappointment somewhat.
The rare event, believed to be the most observed and most photographed eclipse in history, was a huge success. As Bill Nye or “the Science Guy” briefly put it, “Experiencing an eclipse changes the way we feel about space and how we are connected. This moment will remind us all that we share a common origin among the stars and that we are all citizens of the same planet.”
1. What can we know about the total solar eclipse?| A．People in Oregon were unable to see it. |
| B．Many Americans looked forward to it. |
| C．The temperature on that day went higher. |
| D．It last occurred in America 100 years ago. |
| A．The moon. | B．The corona. |
| C．A thick cloud cover. | D．Flashes of lightning. |
| A．Disappointing. | B．Dangerous. | C．Boring. | D．Meaningful. |
| A．A weather report. | B．A travel magazine. |
| C．A news report. | D．A sightseeing guidebook. |
【推荐1】Research shows that we spend one-third to one-half of our waking life not living in the present.
This allows for introspection (内省) — the space to imagine, remember, reflect and then use these fantasies to solve problems, innovate and create. But introspection can sometimes lead to more harm than good.
The fact that introspection is both a helpful tool and destructive force is a great contradiction of the human mind. Fortunately, science has begun to explain why this happens, and how to control it.
Introspection is central to the makeup of the human mind. The challenge is to minimize the negative aspects while achieving its potential.
| A．But it can be wonderful to live in the past. |
| B．We naturally separate from the here and now. |
| C．It might contribute to anxiety and depression. |
| D．Another way to gain insight is to talk to others. |
| E．Regulating negative emotions also helps to reason wisely. |
| F．Negative thought cycles occur when we zoom in too close on our problems. |
| G．Being aware of how our minds work can help us make the best of introspection. |
【推荐2】Some hearing loss is a common — and nearly unavoidable — effect of aging. A third of people aged 60 and older have lost some of their ability to hear.
But some research suggests a habit that might help offset the effect of aging on hearing. A study found that among middle-aged adults, being a lifelong musician was connected with better hearing later in life.
“The instrument you play does not seem to be important here,” says Nina Kraus, a biologist. “It is really the act of engagement playing the instrument that matters.”
Participants in the study were between ages 45 and 65. Researchers tested 18 musicians who had been playing an instrument since age nine or younger, and 19 non-musicians who had less than three years of music training.
The musicians had statistically better auditory memory scores and tested better at hearing speech in noisy environments. They also showed better auditory processing abilities, which relate to how people interpret speech sounds.
However, the two groups tied when researchers tested visual working memory skills. “It isn’t as though musical training has a volume knob effect that makes all kinds of sensory processing enhanced in the same manner,” Kraus says. “It focuses on auditory skill.”
The latest findings follow earlier research from Kraus that showed musician in a younger age group had better hearing skills. At the same time, some research has shown that musicians who play in large ensembles (合奏) may face an occupational risk when it comes to their hearing.
Does this effect apply to the guy who plays in a community band one night a week? Kraus says no. To be included in the study, musicians were required to have engaged in musical activities-practicing, teaching or performing-at least three times a week.
“What we do with our time and how we engage our senses and our thinking seems to really shape the people we become in very basic ways — in ways that affect how our series work,” she says.
And, Kraus says, a person doesn’t need to be an Itzhak Perlman or a Yo-Yo Ma to experience the effects. Talent, she says, isn’t a factor.
Kraus says that more research needs to be done to see whether receiving music instruction later in life might have the same benefits.
1. Your hearing will be improved by ________.| A．what kind of instrument you play |
| B．what sort of music you play |
| C．whether you involve yourself with playing the instrument |
| D．how long you have learned music playing |
| A．getting better auditory memory scored |
| B．hearing speech in noisy environments |
| C．interpreting speech sounds |
| D．processing visual work memory |
| A．the danger of hearing loss |
| B．the possibility of losing a job |
| C．the trouble of playing music |
| D．the harm of hearing skills |
| A．instruments | B．musicians | C．songs | D．music |
| A．enjoying music will do good to your health |
| B．learning music may promote your hearing skills |
| C．playing an instrument may help preserve hearing |
| D．listening to music can prevent you from aging |
【推荐3】If you were like most children, you probably got upset when your mother called you by a brother’s or sister’s name. How could she not know you? Did it mean she loved you less?
Probably not. According to the first research to deal with this topic head-on, misnaming the most familiar people in our life is a common cognitive (认知的) error that has to do with how our memories classify and store familiar names.
The study, published online in April in the journal Memory and Cognition, found that the “wrong” name is not random but is always fished out from the same relationship pond: children, friends, brothers and sisters. The study did not examine the possibility of deep psychological significance to the mistake, says psychologist David Rubin, “but it does tell us who’s in and who’s out of the group.”
The study also found that within that group, misnamings occurred where the names shared initial or internal sounds, like Jimmy and Joanie or John and Bob. Physical resemblance between people was not a factor. Nor was gender.
The researchers conducted five separate surveys of more than 1,700 people. Some of the surveys included only college students; others were done with a mixed-age population. Some asked subjects about incidents where someone close to them – family or friend – had called them by another person’s name. The other surveys asked about times when subjects had themselves called someone close to them by the wrong name. All the surveys found that people mixed up names within relationship groups such as grandchildren, friends and brothers and sisters but hardly ever crossed these boundaries.
In general, the study found that undergraduates were almost as likely as old people to make this mistake and men as likely as women. Older people and women made the mistake slightly more often, but that may be because grandparents have more grandchildren to mix up than parents have children. Also, mothers may call on their children more often than fathers, given traditional gender norms. There was no evidence that errors occurred more when the misnamer was frustrated, tired or angry.
1. How might people often feel when they were misnamed?| A．Unwanted. | B．Unhappy. | C．Confused. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．It is related to the way our memories work. |
| B．It is a possible indicator of a faulty memory. |
| C．It occurs mostly between kids and their friends. |
| D．It often causes misunderstandings among people. |
| A．It more often than not hurts relationships. |
| B．It hardly occurs across gender boundaries. |
| C．It is most frequently found in extended families. |
| D．It most often occurs within a relationship group. |
| A．They suffer more frustrations. |
| B．They become worn out more often. |
| C．They communicate more with their children. |
| D．They generally take on more work at home. |
【推荐1】While conducting a survey by airplane of northern Guatemala, researchers detected an ancient Maya site. “We can now see the entire landscape of the Maya region” in this section of Guatemala, said Carlos Morales-Aguilar, one of the researchers from the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Texas.
The findings were the result of the survey using lidar (雷达), or light detection and ranging, which has been revolutionary for studying historic sites. In lidar, lasers are sent out and the reflected light is used to create imagery of a landscape. The technology is particularly beneficial in areas with limited visibility such as the rainforest in maya site, as lasers can enter the heavy tree canopy, the thick cover formed by the leafy upper branches in a forest.
The lidar data showed “for the first time an area that was integrated politically and economically, and never seen before in other places in the Western Hemisphere (西半球),” Carlos wrote in the study. Using data from the scans, the team identified more than 1,000 settlements dotting the region. They were interconnected by 100 miles of causeways that the Maya likely traveled on foot. They also detected the remains of several large platforms and pyramids, along with canals and reservoirs used for water collection.
So what made this region so attractive that the Maya would want to settle there in the first place?
“For the Maya, the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin was the ‘Goldilocks Zone’,” Ross Ensley wrote, partner of Carlos, a geologist from the Institute for Geological Study of the Maya Lowlands in Houston, Texas. “The Maya settled in this region because it had the right mix of uplands for settlement and lowlands for agriculture.” Uplands lie above the level where flooding occurs. They provided a source for limestone, their primary building material, and dry land to live on. The lowlands are mostly seasonal swamps (沼泽), which provided space for wetland agriculture as well as organic-rich soil for use in terraced agriculture.
Researchers hope lidar technology will help them explore sections of Guatemala that have remained a mystery for centuries.
1. Why did the researchers use lidar in the survey?| A．It detects a wide range of lasers. | B．It pictures quick and clear imagery. |
| C．It passes lights through forests easily. | D．It improves the visibility of rainforests. |
| A．Why Maya drew great attention. | B．How Maya people made a living. |
| C．The research process after surveying the Maya. | D．The findings through observing the Maya region. |
| A．They transformed the land to survive. | B．They were good at upland agriculture. |
| C．They preferred to build houses using limestone. | D．They made a sound choice about where to settle. |
| A．The Perfect Habitat for the Maya People |
| B．The Secrets of the Ancient Maya Civilization |
| C．Revolutionary Use of Lidar Reveals Maya Settlements |
| D．Lidar Technology Unlocks New Discoveries of Rainforests |
【推荐2】Many retirees spend time playing games like crossword puzzles, and social games like chess. These games keep people thinking and give their brains a good workout. But can they really help improve memory?
The idea of using games that are specifically designed to brain training is very complicated, but research published in The Cambridge University Press has found that brain games certainly make people think and use acquired skills.
Brain games sharpen certain thinking skills like short-term memory decision making, planning skills, and reaction time according to Dr. Julie Brody-Magid, clinical director of the Memory Disorders Assessment Clinic at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. Many of these skills decrease as people age,especially after retirement,
“Learning to use your brain in response to other forms of stimulation can help strengthen valuable mental skills, which older people continue to need and rely on every day,” Brody-Magid said. The best way to build up cognitive (认知的) reserve is to stay physically active, especially when you age, by taking care of your health by eating right and managing chronic diseases like high blood pressure, and diabetes. All of these go hand-in-hand with playing brain games.“In this way, participating in brain games actually can help with cognition, but it’s a team effort,” said Brody-Magid. “You can’t do it by doing crossword puzzles alone.”
So, if you want to mix it up and combine different types of brain boosting games, here’s a selection from Very Well Mind. Sudoku, a number placement game, relies on short-term memory and concentration. Crossword puzzles are the classic brain game that revolves around long-term memory and knowledge. You can also find them in newspapers and books. If you prefer online games, you can check out Braingle, a free site that has over 15,000 puzzles, riddles, and more. You can even create your own puzzles to get your creative juices flowing too.
So, play some brain games to exercise your brain cells and harvest all of the benefits.
1. What is the purpose of the games in paragraph 2?| A．To train brain. | B．To improve creativity. |
| C．To work out physically. | D．To get relaxed. |
| A．By only staying physically active. |
| B．By exercising their brain frequently. |
| C．By participating in more team work. |
| D．By stimulating their cognitive ability. |
| A．Relying on Sudoku. |
| B．Doing crossword puzzles. |
| C．Checking out Braingle. |
| D．Designing puzzles in person. |
| A．The elderly should play more games than the young. |
| B．Brain games help people solve complicated problems. |
| C．Playing brain games helps improve your memory. |
| D．Crossword puzzles hold the secret of your creativity. |
【推荐3】Public libraries are an excellent resource for research, literacy (读写能力) education, and reading-centered events. Most towns have one or share library services with other towns through a mobile library, and the use of a public library is free to people who are willing to apply for a library card.
There are several primary sources of library funding, starting with national funds which are distributed to states or provinces. These regions send the funds on to public libraries. Local governments also play an important role in providing funding for libraries, and most librarians apply for grants (拨款). Finally, private donations help to maintain libraries — most libraries have an association of Friends of the Library which organizes fund-raising sales and pays annual dues to help maintain the library.
Grants and private donations can also be used to provide a large amount of funding for public libraries, and some large libraries maintain a separate staff member to increase the amount of funding that they can obtain through these sources. Grants include technology grants which allow libraries to install and upgrade computer systems, grants which focus on a particular topic such as science, fiction, children’s books, or local history, and education grants which support locally-based community efforts such as after-school reading programs. Many private donors are pleased to support their local public libraries by donating funds or including some library in their wills, and libraries reward their donors with treats like after-hours visits or privileged access to special collections.
By combining multiple resources, creative librarians can keep their libraries useful, informative, and fun for browsers. When it comes to supporting public libraries, every little bit counts: if you cannot afford to donate to a local library, think about volunteering time to help shelve books, lead after-school programs, or organize fund-raisers. Being active with your public library is a very important way to contribute to your local community.
1. How many main sources of library funding are mentioned?| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．By exploring more about history. |
| B．By developing a scientific computer system. |
| C．By providing help for after-school activities. |
| D．By enriching special collections for the donors. |
| A．Viewers in the library. |
| B．Programs used to view documents. |
| C．People running the library. |
| D．Donors visiting the library regularly. |
| A．Stressing the value of public libraries. |
| B．Appealing for donation to local libraries. |
| C．Introducing sources of public library funding. |
| D．Showing the procedure of funding libraries. |
【推荐1】Eating chocolate at least once a week could stave off a heart attack, according to new research. Chocolate is packed with plant chemicals that weaken inflammation(炎症) and help blood flow, explained scientists.
Lead author Dr. Chayakrit Kittanawong said, “Our study suggests chocolate helps keep the heart's blood vessels healthy.” It collected data from six trials that examined the link over the past five decades. A total of 336, 289 people reported their intake. Those who ate chocolate more than once a week reduced their risk of coronary artery( 冠状动脉) disease by eight percent. This was compared to peers who ate it less than once a week.
Chocolate is known to produce the same chemical in the brain as falling in love. But evidence is growing that its reputation as a “guilty pleasure” is wrong. Dr. Krittanawong said, “Chocolate contains heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid which may reduce inflammation.
Known medically as HDL(high-density lipoprotein)(高密度脂蛋白), it helps to rid LDL (low-density lipoprotein) out of the body. When this collects, it causes vessels and arteries to become blocked up. It can stop blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Krittanawong said, “In the past, clinical studies have shown chocolate is beneficial for blood pressure.
Dark chocolate has long been known to have health benefits but recent research has suggested milk chocolate may also provide valuable nutrients to the heart. Dr. Krittanawong pointed out his study did not investigate whether any particular type of chocolate is more beneficial - or if there is an ideal portion size. He said, “Chocolate appears promising for the prevention of coronary artery disease. But more research is needed to show how much and what kind of chocolate could be recommended.”
While it's not clear how much is perfect, Dr. Krittanawong warned people against overeating. He said, “Moderate amounts of chocolate seem to protect coronary arteries but it's likely that large quantities do not.”
1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?| A．The result of the study. | B．The process of the study. |
| C．The participants of the study. | D．The intention of the study. |
| A．A heart attack. | B．A stroke. |
| C．High-density lipoprotein. | D．Low-density lipoprotein. |
| A．Chocolate is good for blood pressure. | B．Dark chocolate is beneficial for health. |
| C．Milk chocolate may also benefit the heart. | D．Chocolate contains special plant chemicals. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Hopeful. | C．Negative. | D．Uncertain. |
【推荐2】Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are concerned about their own appearance and actions too much. Negative thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?
It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. A person’s self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people’s reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives.
Shy people, who have low respect, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need faith that they are doing ＂the right thing＂. Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior(自卑). They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise. A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one: ＂You’re just saying that to make me feel good. I know it’s not true.＂ It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.
Can shyness be completely got rid of, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self-respect. It is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and successful life.
1. The first paragraph is mainly about ____________.| A．the cause of shyness |
| B．the effect of shyness on people |
| C．the feelings of shy people |
| D．the questions in the minds of shy people |
| A．harmful to people | B．a weak point of people |
| C．the cause of unhappiness | D．a good characteristic |
| A．They are pleased by it. |
| B．They feel it is not true. |
| C．They are very sensitive to it. |
| D．They feel they are worthy of it. |
| A．blocks our chances for a successful life |
| B．helps us to live up to our full development |
| C．enables us to understand ourselves better |
| D．has nothing to do with lack of self-respect |
【推荐3】Anyone who commutes (通勤) by car knows that traffic jams are an unavoidable part of life. But humans are not alone in facing potential backups.
Ants also commute—between their nest and sources of food. The survival of their colonies depends on doing this efficiently.
When humans commute, there’s a point at which cars become dense (稠密) enough to slow down the flow of traffic, causing jam. Motsch, a mathematician in Arizona State University, and his colleagues wanted to know if ants on the move could also get stuck. So they regulated traffic density by constructing bridges of various widths between a colony of Argentine ants and a source of food. Then they waited and watched. “The goal was to try to find out at what point they are going to have a traffic jam.” said Sebastien Motsch.
But it appears that that never happened. They always managed to avoid traffic jam. The flow of ants did increase at the beginning as ants started to fill the bridge and then levelled off at high densities. But it never slowed down or stopped, even when the bridge was nearly filled with ants.
The researchers then took a closer look at how the behaviour of individual ants impacted traffic as a whole. And they found that when ants sense overcrowding, they adjust their speeds and avoid entering high-density areas, which prevents jams. These behaviours may be promoted by pheromones, chemicals that tell other ants where a trail is. The ants also manage to avoid colliding (碰撞) with each other at high densities, which could really slow them down. The study is in the journal eLife.
Can ants help us solve our own traffic problems? Not likely, says Motsch. That’s because when it comes to getting from point A to point B as fast as possible, human drivers put their own goals first. Individual ants have to be more cooperative in order to feed the colony. But the research could be useful in improving traffic flow for self-driving cars, which can be designed to be less like selfish humans—and more like ants.
1. What does the underlined word “this” in para.2 refer to?| A．Surviving. | B．Commuting. |
| C．Finding food. | D．Avoiding jams. |
| A．By finding out the dense points. | B．Through closer observation. |
| C．By controlling the widths of their path. | D．By regulating their numbers. |
| A．they follow a special route. |
| B．they level off at high densities. |
| C．they never stop or slow down on the way. |
| D．they depend on their natural chemicals to adjust their speeds. |
| A．Traffic jams. | B．Unavoidable? Not for ants! |
| C．Survival of an ant colony. | D．Difference between human and ants. |
