1 . Despite the fact that parrots are well known for their long lives and complex cognition (认知), it remains unknown whether the two features have influenced each other, “The problem has been sourcing good quality data,” says Simeon Smeele, a doctoral student at the Max Planck institute of Animal Behavior (MIP-AB) and lead author of the study.
To generate a large sample size, the scientists teamed up with Species360, which draws on animal records from zoos. Together, they gathered data from over 130,000 individual parrots sourced from over 1,000 zoos. This database allowed the team to gain the first reliable estimates of the average life expectancy of 217 parrot species.
The analysis revealed an astonishing diversity in life expectancy, ranging from an average of two years for the fig parrot up to an average of 30 years for the scarlet macaw (a large parrot). “Living an average of 30 years is extremely rare in birds of this size,” says Smeele.
Next, the team combined the data and ran models to determine whether or not parrots’ cognitive abilities had an influence on their longevity. Their results provide the first support that increased brain size has enabled longer life expectancy in parrots. Because brain size relative to body size can be an indicator for intelligence, the findings suggest that the parrots with relatively large brains had cognitive capabilities that allowed them to solve problem in the wild that could otherwise kill them, and this intelligence enabled them to live longer lives. “This supports the idea that in general larger brains make species more flexible and allow them to live longer,” says Smeele.
In the future, the team plans to explore if sociality and cultural learning in parrots might have also contributed to long life expectancy. Smeele says, “Large-brained birds might spend more time socially learning foraging (觅食) techniques that have been around for multiple generations. This increased learning period could potentially also explain the longer life expectancy, as it takes more time but also make the foraging techniques more adaptive.”
1. How did the scientists collect data on 217 parrot species?A.By working with Species360. | B.By using the data of the iPI-AB. |
C.By observing parrots in zoos in person. | D.By reviewing other scientists’ databases. |
A.Parrots usually live more than 30 years. |
B.Large-brained parrots are in the majority. |
C.Bigger brains make parrots more adaptable. |
D.Long lived parrots mainly appear in the wild. |
A.Study the influence of social learning on parrots. |
B.Sort out parrots’ socially learned foraging techniques. |
C.Explore the links between sociality and cultural learning. |
D.Prove the impact of life expectancy on parrot's cognitive abilities. |
A.The key to parrots’ brain size. | B.The barrier to parrots’ development. |
C.The answer to parrots’ living problems. | D.The secret to parrots’ long lives. |
2 . To produce the classic clothing, blue jeans, producers rely on indigo dye (靛蓝染料), the only molecule known to provide jeans’ unique, beloved color. While indigo itself naturally comes from a plant, growing demand for blue jeans throughout the 20th century gave rise to synthetic (合成的) indigo, which is now more commonly used.
Indigo is the dye that makes jeans blue, but it doesn’t mix with water. To dye clothes, usually, chemicals are needed to make the color stick to the cloth. But in Denmark, scientists have created a new way to dye clothes using an enzyme (酶), which is a kind of protein that can cause chemical reactions, instead of harmful chemicals. This new method is better for the environment and doesn’t use poisonous stuff.
The chemical process for dyeing blue jeans has persisted for the last century. Workers are exposed to the poisonous chemicals, which also pollute the environment near factories. Waste water from those factories often ends up in waterways, decimating local ecosystems and even dyeing rivers blue.
Ditte Hededam Welner, the study’s lead researcher, says their new enzyme works really well and is strong enough for making lots of jeans without breaking down. This enzyme makes dyeing with indican, which is like indigo, much less harmful to the planet — about 92% better than the old way.
However, the new method doesn’t fix all the environmental problems of making jeans. Making a single pair of jeans uses a lot of water — enough to fill many bathtubs — from growing the cotton to putting the final touches on the jeans.
Even though the new dyeing process is better for the environment, it’s not always easy or cheap to change to it. Welner’s team isn’t sure if jeans companies will find it easy or affordable to switch to this method. It costs a little bit more — just seven cents extra per pair of jeans — to use the enzyme for dyeing. But Welner believes it’s worth it because it’s much better for the environment.
1. Why was synthetic indigo created in the 20th century?A.It made jeans’ color unique. | B.It was easy to dye cloth with it. |
C.People liked jeans made from it. | D.People were in greater need of jeans. |
A.Troubling. | B.Entering. | C.Destroying. | D.Defeating. |
A.The colour is more beautiful than the synthetic indigo. |
B.The market can keep stable goods supplies. |
C.Enzyme facilitates the advance of science. |
D.The dye is more environmentally friendly. |
A.Production costs. | B.Environmental benefits. |
C.Water consumption. | D.Laborer shortage. |
3 . Daniel Hove spent years serving his community in Wisconsin as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Burnsville Fire Department. In 2012, he
Daniel spent years fighting the
As Daniel’s
“When my dad would get restless, the dog would be
As Gunner’s suffering hit its peak, Heather
Special friends are placed in our lives. And the story of this dog and his owner is a beautiful
A.came | B.retired | C.returned | D.suffered |
A.common | B.impressive | C.terrible | D.addictive |
A.support | B.praise | C.criticism | D.popularity |
A.moved | B.swung | C.stopped | D.remained |
A.devotion | B.decision | C.battle | D.work |
A.experienced | B.enhanced | C.conveyed | D.explored |
A.unsatisfied | B.uneasy | C.selfless | D.careless |
A.proved | B.inferred | C.guessed | D.saw |
A.exactly | B.frequently | C.instantly | D.originally |
A.rushed to | B.sent for | C.thrown into | D.dropped by |
A.play | B.sleep | C.live | D.wake |
A.place | B.healing | C.time | D.liking |
A.Inseparable | B.Suitable | C.Countable | D.Unbelievable |
A.fashion | B.reminder | C.form | D.encounter |
A.process | B.education | C.learning | D.company |
4 . We cannot argue with reality. We cannot argue with science. Therefore, we simply cannot argue with the fact that there are no straight lines in the universe.
Let’s start with science. The science of a straight line falls under the subject of physics. It might seem like a complicated topic, but the theory behind it is pretty simple. If you start rowing in a boat from one place and keep sailing, the concept of the curved (弯曲的) Earth will take you in a circle and you will end up where you started. The brain forms the concept of a straight line to simplify what you see in nature. Consider it a tool for the mind to recognize reality.
The concept of straight lines was controversial and heavily influenced the politics and society of Europe from the 15th century to the 17th century. Greek thinkers and scholars like Aristotle in the 5th century already proved that the Earth was a globe, but many Europeans at that time did not believe in this idea! However, some Europeans during the Age of Exploration denied this belief. Just as the famous Italian scientist Galileo Galilei was persecuted (迫害) for advocating a heliocentric (日心的) model of the solar system, many thinkers like Giordano Bruno were shamed for believing that the Earth was round.
Well, my friends, let’s move on to life. The concept of nothing going in a straight line can be associated with life as much as it relates to science and architecture. Whenever you do something, it never turns out to play out exactly as planned. I especially know that as a thirteen-year-old! Life is a rough road—every time you go forward, it is followed by two steps back or to the side. Just like how science explains it, life is a curvy path full of unexpected twists, turns, and adventures that nobody can ever predict.
1. What does paragraph 1 function as?A.An introduction to the topic. | B.A means to attract readers. |
C.An explanation of a common sense. | D.A proof of the author’s opinion. |
A.The mind could not recognize realities. | B.Things in nature might look complicated. |
C.What you see in nature could seem simple. | D.People in the 16th century might find the Earth flat. |
A.Plain and smooth. | B.Easy but fruitless. | C.Long and tough. | D.Bothersome but safe. |
A.A Straight Line: Everything Simple | B.A Straight Line: People’s Good Wish |
C.A Straight Line: Difficult To Prove | D.A Straight Line: Simply Nonexistent |
5 . With a brain the size of a pinhead, insects perform fantastic navigational (导航的) abilities. They avoid obstacles and move through small openings. How do they do this, with their limited brain power? Understanding the inner workings of an insect’s brain can help us in our search towards energy-efficient computing, physicist Elisabetta Chicca of the University of Groningen demonstrates with her most recent result: A robot that acts like an insect.
In search of the neural (神经的) mechanism that drives insect behaviour, PhD student Thorben Schoepe developed a model of its neuronal activity and a small robot that uses this model to navigate. Schoepe’s model is based on one main principle: always steer towards the area with the least apparent motion.
He had his robot drive through a long “corridor”— consisting of two walls with a random print on it—and the robot centred in the middle of the corridor, as insects tend to do. In other virtual environments, such as a space with obstacles or small openings, Schoepe’s model also showed similar behaviour to insects.
“The model is so good,” Chicca concludes, “that once you set it up, it will perform in all kinds of environments. That’s the beauty of this result.”
The fact that a robot can navigate in a realistic environment is not new. Rather, the model gives insight into how insects do the job, and how they manage to do things so efficiently.
Chicca explains, “Much of robotics is not concerned with efficiency. We humans tend to learn new tasks as we grow up and within robotics. This is reflected in the current trend of machine learning. But insects are able to fly immediately from birth. An efficient way of doing that is hardwired in their brains. In a similar way, you could make computers more efficient.”
1. Why does Chicca want to study how the insect brain works?A.To make computers more efficient. | B.To make use of insects’ brain power. |
C.To understand the habit of insects. | D.To reveal the inner part of insects’ brain. |
A.Stretch. | B.Stare. | C.Drive. | D.Work. |
A.Regretful. | B.Shocked. | C.Confused. | D.Satisfied. |
A.How to make a robot that acts like an insect. |
B.Why insects navigate more efficiently than robots. |
C.Why a robot can navigate in a realistic environment. |
D.How humans tend to learn new tasks as they grow up. |
6 . Türkiye, an attractive country bridging Europe and Asia, is a treasure trove (宝库) of cultural richness, amazing landscapes, and warm hospitality.
GümbefGümbet, near the energetic and noisy city of Bodrum, is a coastal destination known for its lively atmosphere. During the day, soak up the sun on Gümbet Beach, known for its golden sands. As the sun sets, Gümbet comes alive with its lots of bars, clubs, and beach parties. Don’t miss the chance to explore the ancient Mausoleum at Halcarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
BelekFor golf enthusiasts, Belek is a dream destination with its world-class golf courses and luxurious resorts. With a wonderful coastline and abundant greenery, Belek offers more than just golf. The ancient city of Perge and the Aspendos amphitheatre are must-visit historical sites. Enjoy a leisurely day at the beach or explore the unique Land of Legends Theme Park for a fun-filled family experience.
MarmarisMarmaris is a picturesque resort town known for its lively nightlife, crystal-clear waters, and historic charm. Begin your journey with a visit to Marmaris Castle, offering full views of the city and the harbour. Adventure seekers can be absorbed in water sports at Marmaris Bay or set off for a boat trip to explore nearby caves and coves.
FethiyeFethiye is perfect for nature lovers. Visit the stunning Ölüdeniz Beach, known for its blue-green salt lake and paragliding opportunities. Explore the Lycian Rock Tombs, carved into the cliffs overlooking the town. Take a boat trip to the Twelve Islands or hike the Lycian Way for breathtaking views. Fethiye’s lively marina (码头) and fair add a touch of local flavour to your experience.
Travel to Türkiye for less with TUI (Turistik Union International)If you’re fond of a Türkiye holiday, then perhaps travelling with TUI this summer can attract you even more!
Click here to find out more and book your TUI travel deals today.
1. What can visitors do at Gümbet?A.Explore an ancient wonder. | B.Take a boat trip to Bodrum. |
C.Enjoy fun-filled family activities. | D.Seek adventure on Gümbet Beach. |
A.Gümbet. | B.Belek. | C.Marmaris. | D.Fethiye. |
A.They both offer paragliding opportunities. | B.They both have rich nightlife. |
C.They both need to be booked in advance. | D.They are both near the sea. |
7 . Many people consider mosquito bites just part of summer living but these insects can carry diseases. Mosquitoes are actually some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes cause over 700,000 deaths every year.
But there is new hope in the battle between man and mosquito. Scientists at Auburn University, in Alabama, may have found the secret to stopping mosquito-borne diseases. “We have created a type of fabric that blocks mosquito bites,” says John Beckmann, who leads the lab at the university,
Beckmann remembered a camping trip from which he returned riddled with kisses from mosquitoes despite wearing a long-sleeved shirt. “People say, ‘wear long sleeves’ a lot,” Beckmann said, “but long sleeves don’t block mosquitoes.”
While some companies are making what they state is bite-proof clothing, the clothing includes some harmful chemicals or is made of thick fabrics that are too hot to wear and are easily beaten by mosquitoes. That’s because there are holes in the makeup of their fabrics that mosquitoes and other biting insects can get through.
The key is to discover a fabric that can remove these holes and is still cool enough to wear in hot weather. “That is the reason why this project is not as easy as people think” said Beckmann. “You obviously need your clothes to be breathable. But that usually comes at the cost of letting mosquitoes bite through them. So the basic problem is keeping the holes there while blocking tiny mosquito mouth-parts at the same time.”
The team tried by using a computer numerical control knitting (编织) machine that could be programmed with different designs until they found a bite-proof one. The end result is a product that the researchers compare to popular high-quality athletic wear.
But the researchers are still not satisfied and will be spending the next year perfecting the comfort of the material and finally creating a clothing line. The hope is that finally any type of fabric can be knitted into the lab’s design, so that all kinds of clothing companies from baby clothing producers to dress designers could create bite-proof clothing.
1. What happened to Beckmann on a camping trip?A.He was badly bitten by mosquitoes. |
B.He discovered a new kind of mosquito. |
C.He felt unbearably hot with long-sleeved clothes. |
D.He mastered some skills in dealing with mosquitoes. |
A.The popularity of bite-proof clothing. |
B.Disadvantages of existing bite-proof clothing. |
C.Advancements in bite-proof clothing. |
D.Comparisons between different types of bite-proof clothing. |
A.Persuade more researchers to join in. |
B.Make the design applicable to different fabrics. |
C.Find a fabric suitable for all designs. |
D.Get funded by clothing companies. |
A.Mosquitoes: The Silent Killers | B.The Battle Against Mosquitoes |
C.A Step Towards a Bite-Free Future | D.Proven Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites |
8 . Roald Hoffmann, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, poet and playwright (剧作家), is a tireless advocate of the wonders of science and the beauty of chemistry. Hoffmann successfully shares his understanding of science with the public at large through literature, educational television and even the stage. Here is an article he wrote:
Around the time of the Industrial Revolution, science left poetry. Nature and the personal became the main playground of the poet. That’s too bad for both scientists and poets, but it leaves lots of open ground for those of us who can move between the two. If one can write poetry about being a tree, why not about being a scientist? It’s experience, a way of life. It’s exciting.
The language of science is a language under stress. Words are being made to describe things that seem indescribable in words — equations (方程式), chemical structures and so forth. Words do not, cannot mean all that they stand for, yet they are all we have to describe experience. By being a natural language under tension, the language of science is inherently (内在地) poetic. Emotions emerge shaped as states of matter and more interestingly, matter acts out what goes on in the soul.
One thing is certainly not true: that scientists have some greater insight into the workings of nature than poets. Interestingly, I find that many humanists deep down feel that scientists have such inner knowledge that they don’t. Perhaps we scientists do, but in such carefully circumscribed pieces of the universe, poetry flies high, all around the tangible (有形的), in the deep dark, through a world we reveal and make.
It should be said that building a career in poetry is much harder than in science. In the best chemical journal in the world, the acceptance rate for full articles is 65%, for communications 35%. In a routine literary journal, far from the best, the acceptance rate for poems is below 5%.
Writing has become increasingly important to me. I expect to publish four books for a general or literary audience in the next few years. Science will be involved, but only as a part, a vital part, of the risky project of being human.
1. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 2 refer to?A.A way of life. | B.The Industrial Revolution. |
C.The main playground of the poet. | D.The separation of science from poetry. |
A.Humanists never use it. | B.It shows scientists’ emotions. |
C.It is a special way of description. | D.Its words stand for everything. |
A.Comparative analysis. | B.Giving examples. |
C.Cause-effect analysis. | D.Process explanation. |
A.The Life of Roald Hoffmann | B.Roald Hoffmann’s Views on Science and Poetry |
C.The Difference of Nature and Art | D.The Development of Science Language |
9 . Here are the major ways for your teens to gain international experience during a summer abroad:
1. Summer Teen Volunteer ProgramsVolunteering abroad offers a unique insight into another culture. Programs can teach much, while strengthening a commitment to the life of volunteering. Amigos International offers immersive programs that include leadership training, along with volunteering. Visions Service International shows ways for your teens to be a teen without borders through service work and cross-cultural living.
2. Summer Study Abroad ProgramsStudy abroad is my passion — there’s something unique about studying in another country that makes the subject matter come alive, from archaeology to literature. Studying abroad in high school, whether for a summer or on exchange, can get your teens excited about learning again. For those who can’t afford it, there are many ways of financing study abroad, including government programs to fund language learning overseas.
3. Summer Adventures and Cultural Travel AbroadMaybe your teen is more drawn to adventure. There are many opportunities for adventures abroad — the best programs combine adventures with language learning, cultural activities, and community service, so that adventurous teens get the best of both worlds. Broadreach offers more than 70 summer adventures in more than 40 countries, including marine biology, sailing, language immersion, culture, arts, community service, leadership, and outdoor skills.
4. Summer Language Immersion (沉浸)Some language learning programs also provide volunteer opportunities. This can be an ideal way to study by helping others. Intercultural Costa Rica also includes cultural activities and tours. The Alpine French School provides both language learning and cultural and outdoor activities. French Summer Classes is a unique opportunity for your teen to have a homestay and the language program in one place. Whatever language program your teen chooses, the chance to learn language through immersion is, as research has shown, the best way to not only learn a language, but gain academic, cultural, and employment benefits.
Start Looking Now and Change Your Teen’s Life!
What are you waiting for? Start researching options with your teens and help them have a summer that will change their lives.
For more information, please visit Why Your Teen High School Student Should Go Abroad: The Parents’ Guide.
1. Whom is the passage written for?A.The teens. | B.The volunteers. |
C.The language learners. | D.The parents. |
A.French Summer Classes | B.Visions Service International |
C.Broadreach | D.Intercultural Costa Rica |
A.To introduce the ways to experience the foreign culture. |
B.To introduce how to spend a summer holiday correctly. |
C.To recommend the parents some proper ways to help their teens gain foreign experience. |
D.To encourage the teens to learn foreign languages through summer exchange programs. |
10 . Planning and cooking meals for your entire family is practically a tricky job. The following are four best meal delivery services that can help you not only plan healthy meals, but provide the freshest food for the entire family.
Sunbasket
If you are a person who never eats meat, or follows a specific diet like only eating gluten-free (无麸质的) food, you will find a lot of tasty options with this meal delivery service. The recipes are not time-consuming and its menu contains many organic foods and vegetables. You can pick your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks here.
HelloFresh
If trying out a meal delivery service is something you are toying with, HelloFresh offers no-commitment plans that allow you to cancel any time. Each delivery includes the farm-sourced food materials and pre-packaged foods that can be easily stored in the refrigerator.
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
Leave it to Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon to provide the most delicious and well-thought-of meal delivery service. You can try to make tasty food at home with the help of it and each week there are different options to choose from. Its recipes each contain six easy-to-follow steps and you might even feel like you could start your own at-home cooking shows afterwards.
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot specializes in meals made with plants and you can choose a two- or four-serving meal plan. Recipes include those for almond(杏仁) butter tofu bowls, fruit salads, etc. Each box comes to you also with the meal’s nutrition information and step-by-step directions. You can also customize meals by adding more protein or choosing gluten-free options.
1. Which is suitable for people with changeable minds?A.HelloFresh. | B.Sunbasket. |
C.Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon. | D.Purple Carrot. |
A.Its meals have a very pleasant smell. | B.It provides on-site cooking service. |
C.It specializes in complicated meals. | D.Its recipes vary from week to week. |
A.They offer no-commitment plans. | B.They feature plant-based diets. |
C.They have food that can be easily stored. | D.They contain detailed nutrition information. |