There are few natural sounds more uplifting to my spirit than the bright and cheering calls and songs of black-capped chickadees (山雀). One of my morning routines is to step outside the house and listen for the voices of black-caps.
There is something comforting to me in black-caps’ presence.
After I’d moved into a house on Anchorage’s Hillside, I placed a makeshift feeder on my home’s back.
Within days, a whole new world opened up as woodland neighbors I’d never known, or even imagined, joined the black-caps at my feeders: red-breasted nuthatches, common redpolls…What was remarkable was that all of those species were common residents of the Anchorage area.
My newfound interest in birds grew quickly, surprising even me.
| A．Nature always amazed me in its own way. |
| B．Yet in prior days and years, I had no idea. |
| C．Black-caps are a sign of good environment. |
| D．Within a day, black-caps accepted my invitation to dine. |
| E．Black-caps have had a special place at the top of my affections. |
| F．What started as mere curiosity flowered into a consuming passion. |
| G．And much more often than not, they are heard before they’re seen. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Acid rain is very harmful to the environment because it makes living things die. Acid rain affects life in the water as well as life on the land. It is even worse in the water because the fish need the water to breathe. When the water gets polluted, the fish get sick and end up dying.
All rainwater contains some level acidity. Acidity is measured by PH, which stands for potential of hydrogen(氢). The PH scale measures the amount of acid in a substance. PH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral(中性的). The lower the number is on the PH scale, the more acidic that substance is. Normal rainwater has a PH of 5. 6. When the PH level of rainwater goes below 5. 6, it is considered acid rain.
All of the sea life will die when the water becomes too acidic. For example, all fish will die when the water goes below a PH of 4. 5. Most of the frogs and insects that live around the water will also die when the water reaches a PH of 4. 5. When the water has a PH of 5. 5, all of the bottom-dwelling bacterial decomposers(分解体), animals that eat the remains of the food that other animals don’t want, will begin to die. When these decomposers die, they will leave the under-composed food on the bottom. This will make the water dirty and polluted. All fresh water shrimps(虾) will die when the water has a PH of 6. 0. Aquatic plants will grow the best when the water has a PH between 7. 0 and 9. 2. If the acid rain problem gets worse. all of the sea life will eventually be gone.
1. What can we know about acid rain?| A．It does more harm to life in the water than on land. |
| B．It will kill the living things as soon as it touches them. |
| C．It is rainwater which contains any amount of acidity. |
| D．It is a substance which has potential of hydrogen. |
| A．All fish. | B．Frogs and insects. |
| C．Bacterial decomposers. | D．Fresh water shrimps. |
| A．if the PH of rainwater is 5. 6, all of the sea life will be gone |
| B．if the PH of sea water is below 7. 0, it is not a problem |
| C．if the PH of rainwater is below 5. 6, it is dangerous |
| D．if the PH of sea water is below 4. 5, some of the sea fish can’t die |
| A．The definition of acid rain. | B．How to measure rainwater’s PH level. |
| C．The effects that acid rain has on sea life. | D．How to protect sea life from acid rain. |
【推荐2】Goffin’s cockatoos, a kind of small parrot native to Australasia, have been shown to have similar shape-recognition abilities to a human two-year-old. Though not known to use tools in the wild, the birds have proved skilful at tool use while kept in the cage. In a recent experiment, cockatoos were presented with a box with a nut inside it. The clear front of the box had a “keyhole” in a geometric shape, and the birds were given five differently shaped “keys” to choose from. Inserting the correct “key” would let out the nut.
In humans, babies can put a round shape in a round hole from around one year of age, but it will be another year before they are able to do the same with less symmetrical (对称的) shapes. This ability to recognize that a shape will need to be turned in a specific direction before it will fit is called an “allocentric frame of reference”. In the experiment, Goffin’s cockatoos were able to select the right tool for the job, in most cases, by visual recognition alone. Where trial-and-error was used, the cockatoos did better than monkeys in similar tests. This indicates that Goffin’s cockatoos do indeed possess an allocentric frame of reference when moving objects in space, similar to two-year-old babies.
The next step, according to the researchers, is to try and work out whether the cockatoos rely entirely on visual clues (线索), or also use a sense of touch in making their shape selections.
1. How did the cockatoos get the nut from the box in the experiment?| A．By following instructions. | B．By using a tool. |
| C．By turning the box around. | D．By removing the lid. |
| A．Using a key to unlock a door. | B．Telling parrots from other birds. |
| C．Putting a ball into a round hole. | D．Grouping toys of different shapes. |
| A．How far they are able to see. |
| B．How they track moving objects. |
| C．Whether they are smarter than monkeys. |
| D．Whether they use a sense of touch in the test. |
| A．Cockatoos: Quick Error Checkers | B．Cockatoos: Independent Learners |
| C．Cockatoos: Clever Signal-Readers | D．Cockatoos: Skillful Shape-Sorters |
【推荐3】If you have ever found yourself concluding that intelligence is in short supply in the modern world, perhaps you are looking in the wrong place. There are still plenty of smarts to be found elsewhere.
You will be familiar with the cleverness of dolphins and chimpanzees. But what about wasps (黄蜂)? They can recognize human faces. Or mosquitoes? They can learn to avoid being killed by chemicals after a single taste.
Such an astonishing group of talent is rather unsettling, which raises fundamental questions like what actually is intelligence, how did it develop and how do the abilities of various organisms (生物) compare? Evaluating intelligence in nature is tricky, particularly in life forms that are very different from us. Now a group of neuroscientists, AI researchers and philosophers want to create a periodic table of intelligence similar to the one used to categorize the chemical elements. The chemical version sorts elements by their atomic (原子的) number or atomic mass. For intelligence, researchers are still looking for a criterion that is equally straightforward. But where to begin?
It certainly isn’t brain size, as was long thought. Behavior might be a better way to categorize cleverness. But testing for intelligence through behavior is difficult. Recognizing oneself in a mirror is seen as a sign of advanced cognition (认知). Dolphins and bats can do it — but dogs typically can’t. Does this reflect a lack of intelligence in dogs or perhaps something else, such as their reliance more on smell than vision. Likewise, many organisms live in environments that are obviously different from ours and so might use senses that we don’t even possess.
Nevertheless, the researchers behind the initiative think intelligence might become clearer through a combination of behavioral and neuroanatomical (神经解剖学的) features. “We’re going to ask, are there kinds of intelligence, and can we identify structural features that are organizational of those kinds of intelligence?” says Andrew Barron at Macquarie University. “If we can, then we are starting to identify things that can be thought of as possible dimensions of intelligence.”
1. Why are wasps and mosquitoes mentioned in paragraph 2?| A．To make comparisons between them. |
| B．To prove smarts are in short supply. |
| C．To show there are other forms of intelligence. |
| D．To illustrate their similarities with humans. |
| A．It is upsetting to see different talents in natural settings. |
| B．It is hard to compare the abilities of different species. |
| C．Life forms in the natural world are different from humans. |
| D．It requires us to answer some basic questions about intelligence. |
| A．Factors like brain size matter more. |
| B．Other features need to be considered. |
| C．Some organisms possess similar senses. |
| D．All animals show signs of advanced cognition. |
| A．Different Minds | B．Surprising Behaviors |
| C．Unique Senses | D．Diverse Species |
【推荐1】Occasionally, doctors become patients too. While I wouldn’t wish ill-health on anyone, it can be an inspiring lesson for medical professionals to suddenly be on the other side.
This happened to me a few months ago when I had a kidney stone, which had decided to make its unwelcome presence known in a rather romantic fashion just as I was going out for dinner. The pain came from absolutely nowhere but within minutes I was incapacitated. I was quite taken aback by how astonishingly painful it was.
As a doctor, I initially refused to believe that anything was seriously wrong, because I have witnessed countless individuals come to the emergency room convinced they are dying only for nothing more than trapped wind and then creep (蹑手蹑脚) out as they burp (打嗝) loudly and the pain disappears. However, the unbearable pain continued to exist, forcing me to acknowledge that this was indeed more than just a stubborn burp,
I was particularly pleased to read afterwards in a medical textbook that renal colic, as the pain is known, is the “most painful event a person can endure, often described as being worse than childbirth”. It’s no wonder chronic (慢性的) pain drives people mad. While doctors talk about pain and its management, it’s hard to put into words how exhausting it really is until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
During my time in hospital, I interacted with numerous doctors, each exhibiting professionalism and kindness but one stuck out in my mind. He was actually the most junior of them all, but something about his manner was incredibly calming and comforting. Whenever he came to my bed to speak to me, he knelt down so he was at my eye level. This simple act rid me of the stress that other healthcare professionals unintentionally projected. Just kneeling down made all the difference.
Experiencing the role reversal of doctor-turned-patient provided me with profound insights into the realities of pain and effective patient care.
1. What does the underlined phrase taken aback in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Shocked. | B．Impressed. | C．Annoyed. | D．Moved. |
| A．Pitiful. | B．Understandable. | C．Embarrassing. | D．Ridiculous. |
| A．The intense pain caused by the kidney stone. | B．A small gesture bringing ease and relief. |
| C．Stress caused by the healthcare workers. | D．Doctors with professionalism and kindness. |
| A．Experience must be bought. | B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. | D．Health is not valued till sickness comes. |
【推荐2】As a boy growing up in India, I had longed to travel abroad. I used to listen to the stories my father would tell me about his stay in Canada and tours to Europe in the 1970s, with great interest.
My big moment finally came in the summer of 1998 when I was able to accompany my parents to Europe, where my father was to attend a meeting. We planned to travel to Belgium, Netherlands and West Germany.
I have clear memories even today of going to Mumbai airport at night all excited about finally going abroad. I had heard several great things about Lufthansa till then but now I finally got to experience them first hand, during the flight to Frankfurt. We flew business class and even today I can remember the excellent service by the Lufthansa crew (工作人员). The flight was really smooth and thoroughly enjoyable, even for someone like me, who is especially afraid of flying.
After spending almost two weeks in Europe, we took the Lufthansa airport express from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt airport, for our return flight. What a journey that was! All along the Rhine (莱茵河), it was simply an unforgettable experience. I had a sombre feeling on the flight back to Mumbai as it marked the end of a wonderful vacation, but the Lufthansa crew members were able to change it into a most enjoyable experience yet again, with the quality of their service.
Being the first airline to take me abroad, Lufthansa will always hold a special place in my heart. Even today, I continue to enjoy flights on Lufthansa and simply cannot dream of choosing any other airline. Flying, in general, for me, has always been a terrible and painful experience. Flying on Lufthansa, however, is something I always have and always will look forward to.
1. Which country does the author live in now?| A．India. | B．Canada. |
| C．Belgium. | D．Germany. |
| A．Growing up in India. |
| B．Once staying in Canada. |
| C．Once travelling to Canada with his father. |
| D．His father’s stories about his travelling experiences. |
| A．The author travelled with one of his parents. |
| B．Both their going and return were by air. |
| C．They travelled in spring that year. |
| D．They stayed in Europe for nearly two months. |
| A．a city in India |
| B．a city in Europe |
| C．an airline company |
| D．a travel agency |
【推荐3】Even now, I have vivid memories of my last day of high school. In my mind’s eye, I’m cleaning out my locker, and then staring at the emptiness for a few extra beats before slamming it shut for the last time. I’m wandering around the halls with my best friend, blissfully ignoring the bells going off every 50 minutes on schedule because, just today, we’re allowed to break the rules. I’m sitting on my desk, swinging my feet, and shooting the breeze (闲聊) with my English teacher, Mr. Carr, in a way that makes me feel almost grown up.
It was maybe my favorite day of the whole year. Like the final layer of watercolor, the freedom and lightness I feel seeps (渗透) into the rest of my memories of that day and turns them just a shade rosier.
If the school year hasn’t yet ended for you, consider what you can do to make the finale count. Why? Because when it comes to human memory, not all moments are created equal. Instead, our remembered experiences are disproportionately (不成比例地) influenced by peaks (the best moments as well as the worst) and endings (the last moments). Nobel Prize winner Danny Kahneman, who discovered this phenomenon, called this the peak-end rule. It suggests that our judgment of a past experience is largely based on its most extreme point and its endpoint.
I took advantage of the peak-end rule years ago, when my girls were young enough to want a bedtime story each night. I remember thinking that whatever disagreement and stress had occurred that day, I could make the last moments count. I could end on a note of calm and act like the patient mom I hadn’t quite managed to be just hours before.
Don’t mistake all moments as equal insignificance. There’s a reason why yoga classes end with savasana (挺卧式). There’s a reason we eat dessert last. Do organize endings carefully. As Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll might say: Finish strong. Last impressions are especially lasting.
1. What can the author suggest doing to make the end of a school year memorable?| A．Planning a special event for the last day. |
| B．Reflecting on the entire academic year. |
| C．Ignoring school regulations. |
| D．Focusing on the final exam. |
| A．The last moments matter the most in our memories. |
| B．Peaks in life can be remembered better than endings. |
| C．The peaks and ends of experiences are easier to remember. |
| D．Our judgment of the past is determined by first impressions. |
| A．What struggles the author had in life. |
| B．How the author treated her daughters. |
| C．Why the author read stories to her kids. |
| D．How the author applied the rule to daily life. |
| A．To show the importance of doing sports. |
| B．To explain why last impressions are lasting. |
| C．To prove the peak-end rule can be used in sports. |
| D．To encourage readers to value the last moments of an experience. |
