【推荐2】Butterflies are among the most extensively studied insects-it is estimated that 90 percent of the world's species have scientific names. As a consequence, they are perhaps the best group of insects for examining patterns of terrestrial biotic diversity and distribution. Butterflies also have a favorable image with the general public. Hence, they are an excellent group for communicating information on science and conservation issues such as diversity.

Perhaps the aspect of butterfly diversity that has received the most attention over the past century is the striking difference in species richness between tropical and temperate regions. For example, in 1875 one biologist pointed out the diversity of butterflies in the Amazon when he mentioned that about 700 species were found within an hour's walk, whereas the total number found on the British islands did not exceed 66, and the whole of Europe supported only 321. This early comparison of tropical and temperate butterfly richness has been well confirmed.

A general theory of diversity would have to predict not only this difference between temperate and tropical zones, but also patterns within each region, and how these patterns vary among different animal and plant groups. However, for butterflies, variation of species richness within temperate or tropical regions, rather than between them, is poorly understood. Indeed, comparisons of numbers of species among the Amazon basin, tropical Asia, and Africa are still mostly personal communication citations(例证), even for vertebrates(脊椎动物). In other words, unlike comparison between temperate and tropical areas, these patterns are still in the documentation phase.

In documenting geographical variation in butterfly diversity, some arbitrary(任意的), practical decisions are made. Diversity, number of species, and species richness are used synonymously; little is known about the evenness of butterfly distribution. The New butterflies make up the preponderance(优势) of examples because they are the most familiar species. It is hoped that by focusing on them, the errors generated by imperfect and incomplete taxonomy will be minimized.

1. Which aspect of butterflies does the passage mainly discuss?

A．Their physical characteristics	B．Their names
C．Their adaptation to different habitats	D．Their variety

2. Butterflies are a good example for communicating information about conservation issues because they _____________.

A．are simple in structure	B．are viewed positively by people
C．have been given scientific names	D．are found mainly in temperate climates

3. All of the following are mentioned as being important parts of a general theory of diversity EXCEPT ______________.

A．differences between temperate and tropical zones

B．patterns of distribution of species in each region

C．migration among temperate and tropical zones

D．variation of patterns of distribution of species among different animals and plants

4. Which of the following is NOT well understood by biologists?

A．European butterfly habitats

B．Differences in species richness between temperate and tropical regions

C．Differences in species richness within a temperate or a tropical region

D．Comparisons of behavior patterns of butterflies and certain animal groups

【推荐3】In 1996, someone found some very old clothes in an old mine in Nevada, USA; they included a pair of dirty old jeans. Today, those jeans are very valuable, and they are now in the Levi Strauss Archival Collection, in San Francisco. The jeans, which are over 140 years old, are the oldest pair of Levi’s 501 jeans in the world.

They are almost the same as a modern pair of 501’s; there are just some small differences in the detail For instance, today’s 501’s have two back pockets, the old pair just has one.

In 1853, a young tailor from Germany, called Levi Strauss, began working in San Francisco; Levi sold thick canvas to miners; the miners used the canvas to make tents.

One day, a miner told Levi that he could not find trousers that were strong enough for work in the gold mines. Levi decided to make some trousers out of canvas.

Very soon, he had sold all the canvas trousers he’d made! They were just what miners wanted.

However, the canvas was rather heavy and stiff Levi therefore began to look for a different textile; soon he found a heavy textile from France; it was called serge de Nimes. Americans just called this de Nimes, and this name soon got reduced to denim.

Denim was a bit lighter than canvas but it was very strong: it was ideal for miners.

However, original denim was almost white, and miners did not like the color! Their denim trousers got dirty as soon as they began working!

Levi Strauss therefore decided to use colored denim, and he chose dark blue. In 1873, he began to make denim trousers with metal rivets to make them stronger. This was a radical new idea: “Blue jeans” had arrived!

Levi’s jeans were so popular, that his company got bigger and bigger, soon, other firms were making blue jeans too. Miners liked them, but so did cowboys and other working men. Blue jeans became classic American working trousers. After the Second World War, jeans became popular all over the world. Today, blue jeans are now the international uniform worn by young people.

1. Why did Levi start to make jeans at first?

A．To start a business.	B．To make use of canvas.
C．To make a difference.	D．To meet the miners’ needs.

2. What do you know about “denim”?

A．It was originally dark blue.

B．It was introduced from France.

C．It was thought little of by cowboys.

D．It was heavy and stiff compared to canvas.

3. Which of the following can best describe Levi?

A．Diligent and honest.	B．Innovative and devoted.
C．Noble and persistent.	D．Generous and warm-hearted.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A creative tailor.	B．A long-existing trend.
C．The origin of jeans.	D．The famous brand of jeans.

【推荐1】The world has been witnessing a growing number of countries where people from around the globe live together and communicate with each other, with various customs and beliefs coexisting. America and Singapore are typical examples. Distinct cultures merge into a common cultural context for mankind.     1    

Culture shapes our identity and influences our behaviors, and cultural diversity makes us accept, or to some extent, even integrate and assimilate (同化) into other cultures. To adapt to a diverse cultural community, the fundamental thing is to be aware that there are different cultures apart from our own.     2     Sometimes a person may not know much about geography or history, but by mixing with people from other cultures, they may have the opportunity to learn more about different countries.

For those who want to learn but do not know where to start, a great point is to pick up a book about the culture they are interested in, or do some online research on reputable websites.     3     One more way to start learning about new cultures is simply tasting the food from different cultures, since food can also be an aspect of cultural diversity.

    4     It’s the same for children too, especially for those who live in culturally diverse cities such as Los Angeles, Shanghai, or Hong Kong. If children are not aware of diversity, then they become close-minded. This can lead to troubles at school and even lead to bullying. Show them how diverse the world is.     5    

In today’s world, if we are able to know about other cultures, and respect other values, life will be easier for us.

A．Understanding diversity is important for adults.

B．Here are some ways to fight against cultural prejudices.

C．The best way to learn, though, is through face-to-face interaction.

D．That’s why more of us feel as if we are living in a multicultural age.

E．Take a positive view of different cultures, and we can broaden our horizons.

F．Help them be more open-minded toward people of different races, cultures, and countries.

G．In many multicultural communities, the best representation of diversity can be found in schools.