Some animals enjoy playing just like humans do although researchers used to think that applied mostly to birds and mammals. An animal plays when it does something that doesn’t seem to be constructive to its survival so it’s not about food or shelter, for instance. The behavior is also often done again and again.
However, scientists have now conducted experiments that seems to prove bees play too. As far as the experts know, bees are the only insect to do so.
Researchers from Queen Mary University in London earned out an experiment in which bumble bees were taught to roll little balls with the aim of being rewarded with food. They then discovered the insects kept rolling balls even when they weren’t rewarded. They then did another experiment: a path was built from the beehive to a section containing food. Balls were placed on each side of the path leading to the food. The balls on one side were glued down and couldn’t move and the balls on the other side were free and capable of moving. The bees could stay on the path to get to their food, but they always went to the side of the moveable balls and rolled them along. One bee even rolled the balls 44 times in one day.
Researchers say the experiments may well show insects are more evolved than we think.
1. Which of the following best describes the animals’ behavior?| A．Recovered. | B．Repeated. | C．Responded. | D．Recommended. |
| A．The bees kept playing without reward. |
| B．The bees taught each other to roll balls. |
| C．The bees rolled little balls to get food. |
| D．The bees rewarded each other. |
| A．To show the balls were movable. |
| B．To show the bees enjoy food. |
| C．To show the bees enjoy playing. |
| D．To show the balls were important. |
| A．Insects’ evolution is out of control. |
| B．Insects’ behaviors are beyond imagination. |
| C．Insects’ behaviors are out of control. |
| D．Insects’ evolution is beyond imagination. |
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【推荐1】Fifteen years ago, Erin Merryn met Bailey, a kitten who needed a home when she was a college student. He jumped into her arms and refused to let her go. “I was attached immediately and decided that I would take a risk and try hiding the kitten in my college dorm where pets are obviously not allowed,” Erin recalled. A week later she was caught and given 48 hours to remove the cat. After several phone calls, Erin managed to convince her parents to let her keep him.
Six years ago, Erin had Abby, her beautiful daughter. She didn’t know what Bailey would think about the new addition when she brought her home from the hospital. “But it was love at first sight.” Erin said. Bailey stayed by Abby’s side, guarding and showering her with love and purrs. As Abby grew, he became her protective brother, watching over her every step of the way. Abby picked up a book one day and tried to read it with Bailey by her side. He became her perfect audience, and the sweet boy was completely attracted by Abby as she told him stories of wonder.
A video showing Abby reading to Bailey went viral online in 2018. Numerous people followed Erin on social media platforms.
Unfortunately, on December 8, 2018, just months after becoming famous, the 14-year-old cat passed away from kidney failure. A full month after Bailey’s passing, Erin still got cards and gifts from caring individuals. It is this love that Erin hopes Bailey’s fans hold on to. She hopes people will be inspired to treat the world with love.
1. Why was it a “risk” for Erin to keep the cat in her dorm?| A．She knew nothing about keeping cats. | B．Her parents did not like animals at all. |
| C．A kitten could sometimes be dangerous. | D．Animals are forbidden in college dorms. |
| A．He was made to guard the newborn baby. | B．He kept her company in Abby’s childhood. |
| C．He shared many interesting stories with Abby. | D．He could understand what Abby read entirely. |
| A．In a story book. | B．From a reading show. |
| C．On the Internet. | D．Through a filmmaker. |
| A．No Ordinary Cat | B．A Wonderful World |
| C．Battle of Win-Win | D．Love from Animals |
【推荐2】In a groundbreaking discovery, bumblebees (大黄蜂) have shown a previously unseen level of cognitive (认知的) ability. A new study, published in Nature, shows that they can learn difficult, multi-step tasks through social interaction, even if they cannot figure them out on their own.
Led by Dr Alice Bridges and Professor Lars Chittka, the research team designed a two-step puzzle (谜题) box requiring bumblebees to perform two separated actions to get a sweet reward at the end. Training bees to do this was no easy task, and bees had to be helped along by the addition of an extra reward at the end of the first step. This reward in the middle was finally taken away, and bees later had to open the whole box before getting their treat. Then some trained bees repeated the whole process for demonstration.
Surprisingly, while bees that worked on their own had great difficulty in solving the puzzle, those allowed to watch a demonstrator bee finished the two steps easily — even the first — while only getting a reward at the end.
This study shows that bumblebees have a level of social learning previously thought to be unique to humans. They can share and learn behaviors that are beyond their individual cognitive abilities. Professor Chittka further notes the implications, “This challenges the traditional view that only humans can socially learn difficult behavior beyond individual learning. It raises the amazing possibility that many of the greatest achievements of the social insects, like the nesting architectures of bees or the agricultural habits of ants, may have initially spread by copying clever innovators, before they finally became part of the species-specific behaviors.”
This groundbreaking research opens new possibilities for understanding animal intelligence and the development of social learning. It challenges longstanding assumptions and helps us learn more about the cognitive wonders of insects, even suggesting the exciting possibility of advanced culture amongst seemingly simple creatures.
1. What is the purpose of the study?| A．To learn how to train bumblebees. |
| B．To compare bumblebees with ants. |
| C．To develop puzzles for bumblebees. |
| D．To test cognitive abilities of bumblebees. |
| A．By breaking it into two steps. |
| B．By providing an extra reward. |
| C．By demonstrating the process. |
| D．By making the puzzle interesting. |
| A．Both bees and ants are intelligent creatures. |
| B．Only humans are capable of social learning. |
| C．Individual learning may not be that important. |
| D．Bees’ nest-building may be a learned behavior. |
| A．Bumblebees — willing learners |
| B．Bumblebees — smarter than you think |
| C．Social learning — intelligence indicator |
| D．Social learning — universal across species |
【推荐3】Many animals move from one place to another at certain times of the year. This annual movement is called migration. They migrate to find food, seek a partner, or in search of warmer weather. One of the most wonderful migrations in nature is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
Every autumn, millions of these beautiful insects with fine black and orange wings begin a long and difficult journey. Somehow they manage to travel around 4, 000 kilometers south and find their way to California or Mexico. However, until recently no one knew how they did this.
A team of scientists led by Professor Eli Shlizerman at the University of Washington has now found the answer. They have found out that the monarch is able to tell the time of day. It uses its eyes to measure the position of the sun. These two pieces of information—the time of day and the point where the sun is in the sky—allow the butterfly to determine the way to go. Eventually, it manages to reach the places where it will spend the winter.
The solution to the mystery of the monarch’s amazing ability comes at a time when it is in serious trouble. Its population has crashed by as much as 90 per cent in the last few years. Sadly, human activity is the main reason why the number of monarch butterflies is falling. In many of the places where the butterfly can be found, people are destroying the natural environment. They cut down trees and use chemicals that kill the plants that monarch caterpillars eat.
The research on the monarch’s behavior has however led to a greater awareness of this creature. People have been working together to record its migration and make sure that there are enough plants for it to feed on. If this works, there may come a time when the number of monarch butterflies increases once again. The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance it will survive and keep its place in the natural world for a long time to come.
1. Which is not the purpose of animals’ migration according to the text?| A．To search for food. | B．To look for a partner. |
| C．To breed young babies. | D．To stay away from cold weather. |
| A．Weather changes. | B．Human activities. |
| C．Trees being cut down. | D．The long migration every year. |
| A．All the animals migrate at fixed times of the year. |
| B．The monarch has the ability to identify the time of day. |
| C．The population of the monarch is decreasing rapidly every year. |
| D．No one knows how the monarch butterflies make their way to their destinations. |
| A．It is quite encouraging. | B．it is fairly complex. |
| C．It is very unacceptable. | D．It is rather useless. |
【推荐1】No. A tiny, yet powerful word. To hear it can make us feel childlike; sheepish or in trouble. How does it make you feel to say “no”?
“We live in a society that does not glorify choosing yourself. It is not honored,” says relationship therapist Nedra Tawwab. “We are constantly living in others’ headspace and not our own heart space. We’re thinking about whether they’ll be angry, or whether setting a boundary will even end the relationship.”
It is normal to care, “but when your life is impacted by not having healthy boundaries for yourself, we need to pay attention”, says Tawwab.
When there is hierarchy of power-such as in the workplace-saying no can feel particularly difficult. But as the border between work and the rest of our lives has become increasingly unclear, it is even more vital. “Research tells us that people who proactively state their boundaries, such as leaving or stopping work on time, taking leave or prioritizing non-work-related activities, are much better at managing their mental health,” says Dr. Jo Yarker, an occupational psychologist.
Do we misuse the word “selfish” when people are clear about their needs? “I think we do, yes,” says Tawwab, “we need to think about what is actually being harmed when we use that word. If I am taking a day off work, that’s not the same as stealing someone’s credit.”
The key is practicing saying “no” or “enough” in conversations like we are learning a new skill. “We can start with little boundaries like: ‘I will call you back,’ if we aren’t ready to speak to someone at that time. With practice, confidence does build. It can become easy,” Tawwab adds.
1. According to Nedra Tawwab, we ________.| A．will not be honored if we sound childlike |
| B．need to set up boundaries if our life is affected by always saying yes |
| C．might get into trouble if we say “no” to a friend |
| D．should not care whether other people will be angry |
| A．saying “no” | B．the border between work and life |
| C．stopping working on time | D．hierarchy of power |
| A．People who care more about themselves tend to suffer mentally. |
| B．Sometimes people may be considered selfish if they put their own needs first. |
| C．Taking a day off work definitely does harm to others. |
| D．You should learn a new skill when you practice setting up boundaries. |
| A．Yes or No | B．Choosing Yourself |
| C．Learning to Build Boundaries | D．Selfish or Selfless |
【推荐2】We have written this to give you an idea of what will happen on your first day in high school. We also have a New Student Handbook that will answer many of the questions that you might have.
If you come by school bus, you will arrive at school at 7:30 am, and if you are coming by car, you should be here at the same time. Registration starts at7:45 am, When you arrive, you will wait in our reception area (接待区) for a few minutes. You will be met by our Admissions Officer. You will be introduced to your buddy—a student in the same class is you who will be looking after you for the first few days.
You will be taken to your form room by your buddy , and be introduced to your teacher who will give you your timetable and planner. When form time finishes, your buddy will take you to your first class. You will have some tests to do so that we can place you in the right group.
For the first couple of days , you will mainly take lessons with your buddy as we think this helps you to settle in. After that, you will be placed in your appropriate(合适的) group for Maths, Science and English, which are taken by all students.
At lunchtime, your buddy will show you around the school, show you how to get lunch, and make sure you are spending time with friends and are included in social activities.
At the end of the day, your buddy will show you how to get on your bus or where to wait for your car. We hope you will have a really good day , and we look forward to having you here.
1. What is a Student Handbook used for?| A．Introduce a student |
| B．Introduce a teacher |
| C．Answer some questions about the behaviors of students |
| D．Introduce a book |
| A．You reach school earlier by car. |
| B．You reach school later by car. |
| C．You reach school earlier by school bus. |
| D．You reach school at the same time ,by car or by school bus. |
| A．Someone who makes plans for you. |
| B．Someone who makes friends with you. |
| C．Someone who will take care of you . |
| D．Someone who Invites you to visit his or her group. |
| A．High school teachers. | B．High school newcomers. |
| C．Visitors to the high school. | D．Parents of high school students. |
【推荐3】The 2023 Tibetan New Year falls on Feb 21, almost a month after the Spring Festival. The celebration usually starts on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar and ends after 15days. Just like the Spring Festival, the Tibetan New Year marks the perfect opportunity for Tibetans to reunite with their relatives and friends.
With a sweet smell coming from the pot, Tsewang, 74, stirred the soup ladle from time to time at her Singpori home. She was cooking “gutu”, a kind of soup made of flour and a traditional dish for the night of the 29th of the12th month in the Tibetan calendar.
“Gu” in Tibetan means nine, which is a lucky number. “Tu” means “pasta.” Nine different fillings like wool, charcoal and chili a replaced inside the dough drops, and each of these filings has a meaning.
“It is the Tibetan New Year’s Eve tomorrow. The family and relatives will be gathered together and welcoming a warm New Year at the new home,” Tsewang said on Sunday.
For 46-year-old Li Xijun, from northwest China’s Gansu Province, celebrating Tibetan New Year with his wife Drolma Tsering has become a part of his life after living in Tibet for 26 years.
“We celebrate both Spring Festival and Tibetan New Year at home,” he said. Li started his commercial trade business in Tibet after retiring from the army in 1997. He me this wife in 2000, and has since settled in the border county of Yadong to take care of Drolma Tsering’s parents and younger sister.
It is the third Tibetan New Year for Yuan Yubing from Shanghai. Yuan came to Tibet to learn Thangka painting in 2017 and married Losang Samkhar, her studio teacher, the following year.
“I was more of a spectator when I first celebrated the festival,” Yuan said. But after years of living here, Yuan has already known all kinds of customs of the Tibetan New Year.
Yuan and her mother-in-law have cleaned up the windows at home, and all the New Year’s goods are ready. She has even replaced her mother-in-law to cook for the family for New Year’s Eve. “Coming to Tibet makes me feel that my heart has found a home,” she said.
1. The 2023 Tibetan New Year falls on .| A．Sunday | B．Monday | C．Tuesday | D．Wednesday |
| A．it is a great opportunity for reunion |
| B．people will enjoy traditional dishes like “gutu” |
| C．people will gather-and welcome the arrival of New Year |
| D．people will prepare New Year’s goods ahead of time |
| A．she was not interested in Tibetan New Year at all |
| B．she celebrated Spring Festival only all the time |
| C．she had no sense of belonging there at that time |
| D．she had no idea about the Tibetan New Year customs then |
| A．They both came from Gansu Province. | B．They both came to Tibet to learn Thangka painting. |
| C．They both probably married a local in Tibet. | D．They both have settled down in Yadong. |
