| A. appearances B. imitating C. distinguish D. isolate E. advantageous F. diverse G. identical H. criterion I. markings J. poisonous K. threatening |
Why different species start looking exactly the same
Is it better to stand out from the crowd or be similar to the background? For birds, the answer is complicated. While peacocks(孔雀) show off their brightly colored feathers to attract mates and ward off predators(捕食者), other birds find it
Groups of birds flying together often come from the same species, making it hard to
“In imitation, you often want to look like something because there’s an advantage to being that other thing. You want species to think you’re
While it may not seem like it at first, imitating other birds is helping to create more
2 . Out-of-control SpaceX Rocket
A SpaceX rocket is now headed directly for the moon after spending almost seven years flying through space, experts say. The rocket was originally launched to send a space weather satellite to the Lagrange point— a gravity-neutral position four times farther than the moon and in direct line with the sun.
At this phase, it did not have enough fuel to return to Earth’s atmosphere. But meanwhile it lacked the energy to escape the gravity of the Earth-Moon system.
As for whether the collision (相撞) could be viewed from Earth, Gray says it will probably go unobserved.” Even if it hit on the near side of the moon, the impact occurs a couple of days after New Moon, which was hardly observable, he added, “to me, the impact was not a big deal.”
| A．So the rocket has been following a somewhat chaotic orbit since. |
| B．Nevertheless, space enthusiasts believe the impact could provide valuable data. |
| C．It was part of SpaceX’s space exploration programme. |
| D．But after completing a long burn of its engines, the rocket’s second phase became a problem. |
| E．The exact spot that the rocket will hit remains unclear. |
| F．The lunar phase reveals the passage of time in the night sky. |
3 . Most people have seen animals solve problems in one context or another Whether it’s a dog getting food out of a puzzle toy, a squirrel (松鼠) breaking into a “squirrel-proof, bird feeder, or — in what is hopefully a rarer experience — a bear opening a door to get to the food inside!
Do all individuals within a species come up with
The above examples tie into the theory that the individuals who are least able to gain access to good quality
However, while there is support for this theory in some species, many species show opposing patterns.
Both make instinctive sense. The more likely an individual is to
Regardless of the reason individuals innovate, once an individual finds a solution to a problem,
| A．instant | B．comprehensive | C．fair | D．creative |
| A．friendly | B．popular | C．close | D．faithful |
| A．Similarly | B．Inevitably | C．Apparently | D．Gradually |
| A．purpose | B．priority | C．pressure | D．potential |
| A．services | B．materials | C．goods | D．resources |
| A．pretend | B．compete | C．survive | D．evolve |
| A．reluctant | B．excited | C．motivated | D．confused |
| A．Thus | B．Besides | C．Still | D．Meanwhile |
| A．Emotion | B．Gender | C．Appearance | D．Personality |
| A．living | B．novel | C．endangered | D．ideal |
| A．Persistence | B．Intelligence | C．Performance | D．Confidence |
| A．conflict | B．compare | C．interact | D．identify |
| A．position | B．object | C．solution | D．chance |
| A．absolutely | B．fortunately | C．definitely | D．particularly |
| A．copy | B．change | C．influence | D．evaluate |
4 . Escaping predators (食肉动物), digestion and other animal activities—including those of humans—require oxygen. But that essential ingredient is no longer so easy for marine life to obtain, several new studies reveal.
In the past decade ocean oxygen levels have taken a dive—an alarming trend that is linked to climate change, says Andreas Oschlies, an oceanographer at the Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Germany, whose team tracks ocean oxygen levels worldwide. “We were surprised by the intensity of the changes we saw, how rapidly oxygen is going down in the ocean and how large the effects on marine ecosystems are,” he says. It is no surprise to scientists that warming oceans are losing oxygen, but the scale of the drop calls for urgent attention. Oxygen levels in some tropical (热带的) regions have dropped by an astonishing 40 percent in the last 50 years, some recent studies reveal. Levels have dropped less significantly elsewhere, with an average loss of 2 percent globally.
A warming ocean loses oxygen for two reasons: First, the warmer a liquid becomes, the less gas it can hold. That is why carbonated drinks go flat faster when left in the sun. Second, as polar sea ice melts, it forms a layer of water above colder, more salty sea waters. This process creates a sort of lid that can keep currents from mixing surface water down to deeper depths. And because all oxygen enters the surface, less mixing means less of it at depth.
Ocean animals large and small, however, respond to even slight changes in oxygen by seeking refuge in higher oxygen zones or by adjusting behavior, Oschlies and others in his field have found. These adjustments can expose animals to new predators or force them into food-scarce regions. Climate change already poses serious problems for marine life, such as ocean acidification, but deoxygenation is the most pressing issue facing sea animals today, Oschlies says. After all, he says, “they all have to breathe.”
Aside from food web problems, animals face various other physiological challenges as their bodies adjust to lower oxygen levels. Chinese shrimp (虾) move their tails less vigorously to preserve energy in lower oxygen environments. Some creatures, such as jellyfishes, are more tolerant of low oxygen than others are. But all animals will feel the impact of deoxygenation because they all have evolved their oxygen capacity for a reason, says Oschlies. “Any drop in oxygen is going to damage survivability and performance,” he says.
1. According to the first two paragraphs, what worries scientists the most?| A．The worsening deoxygenation in the warming ocean. |
| B．The survival of predators and various marine animals. |
| C．The alarmingly changeable oxygen levels in the ocean. |
| D．The lack of attention to the warming of tropical oceans. |
| A．Polar ice melting consumes much oxygen in the ocean. |
| B．Global warming reduces the amount of oxygen in the air. |
| C．The surface polar ice water prevents oxygen going down. |
| D．Salty water holds less gas in the increasingly warmer ocean. |
| A．Ocean deoxygenation changes some animals’ natural territories. |
| B．Ocean acidification is more serious a problem than deoxygenation. |
| C．Not all ocean animals are bothered by the decreasing oxygen levels. |
| D．Some animals reduce their movements in order to absorb more oxygen. |
| A．The Oxygen Levels of Marine Life | B．Ocean Warming Affects Food Web |
| C．The Survivability of Ocean Animals | D．The Ocean Is Running Out of Breath |
5 . A tiny clue found in ancient deposits has unlocked big secrets about Greenland’s past and future climate. Just beyond the northwest edge of the vast Greenland Ice Sheet, researchers have discovered lake mud that have survived the last ice age. The mud, and remains of common flies in it, record two interglacial periods（间冰期）in northwest Greenland.
Although researchers have long known these two periods—the early Holocene and Last Interglacial—experienced warming in the Arctic, the mix of fly species shows that Greenland was even warmer than previously thought. “As far as we know, it has never been found in Greenland. We think this is the first time anyone has reported it in ancient deposits or modern lakes there,” Axford said. “We were really surprised to see how far north it migrated (迁徙).”
This new information could help researchers better measure Greenland’s sensitivity to warming, by testing and improving models of climate and ice sheet behaviour. Those models could then improve predictions of how Greenland’s ice sheet might respond to man-made global warming. After all, Greenland covers 80 per cent of the Arctic country and holds enough ice to equal 20 feet of global sea level. “Northwest Greenland might feel really remote, but what happens to that ice sheet is going to matter to everyone in every coastal city around the world,” said Yarrow Axford, an associate professor in the team. “One of the big uncertainties in climate science is how fast the Earth changes when it gets warmer. Geology gives us an opportunity to see what happened when the Earth was warmer than today,” said Axford.
People might be surprised to see how today’s Greenland looked during the last two interglacial periods. During the Last Interglacial, global sea levels increased by 15 to 30 feet, largely due to thinning of Greenland and Antarctica’s ice sheets. However, now researchers believe northern Greenland’s ice sheet experienced stronger warming than previously thought, which could mean that Greenland is more responsible for that sea-level rise.
Finding lake deposits older than about 10,000 years, however, has been historically very difficult in Greenland. To measure these ancient temperatures, researchers look to ice cores (冰核) and lake deposits. Since ice and lake deposits form by a gradual buildup on annual layers of snow or mud, these cores contain history of the past. By looking through the layers, researchers can obtain climate clues from centuries ago.
1. Why are the remains of flies mentioned in the first two paragraphs?| A．They serve as evidence that there is still life in the Northwest Greenland. |
| B．They were one of the many ancient lives that were left in the Greenland mud. |
| C．They are indicators that Greenland was much warmer than previously thought. |
| D．They help the researchers realize that there was once a warm period in the Arctic. |
| A．researchers have no idea how to measure Greenland’s warming speed |
| B．it can help researchers better predict Greenland’s response to warming |
| C．people should be more sensitive to the changes in the ice in Greenland |
| D．it is uncertain how fast the Earth changes with man-made global warming |
| A．It is easier for today’s scientists to find ancient lake deposits. |
| B．People are surprised at the landscape feature of Greenland today. |
| C．Researchers measure the changing temperatures by directly examining mud. |
| D．Greenland holds enough ice that might one day threaten life in coastal cities. |
| A．Greenland Used to Be Much Greener |
| B．Earth Once Experienced Warm Periods |
| C．Coastal Cities Warned of Coming Disasters |
| D．Northwest Greenland, A Perfect Destination |
| A. adventure B. carelessly C. existence D. exploit E. inaccessible F. minimized G. reflects H. responsible I. accounts J. visible K. wilderness |
Antarctica is the highest, driest and coldest place on Earth. It is also the remotest, a fact which
For centuries, Europeans wondered about the
Once completely
Yet, Antarctica’s fragile and complicated eco-system is threatened by its human visitors. Damage to the environment occurs as people come looking for resources beneath the ice, or
7 . Lorcan Dillon is overcoming selective mutism(选择性缄默症) and learning to share his feelings with the help of a cat named Jessi-cat.
Young Lorcan Dillon has never told his parents that he loves them, but with the help of his best friend, Jessi-cat, this 7-year-old has been making strides toward expressing his emotions.
Lorcan has selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that makes it difficult for him to speak in social situations or tell even his family how he feels. The boy, who lives in the U. K, struggles with communication on a daily basis and rarely speaks to his teachers or classmates.
However, Lorcan's behavior began to change when his mother got him Jessi-cat two years ago.The two quickly became close friends.
“The reason I got Jessi-cat is because pets and cats in particular are very good with children with special needs, "Lorcan's mom, Jayne Dillon, said in an interview with Cats Protection, a British cat welfare agency.
According to his mother, Lorcan has made progress in overcoming his disability. In the past few weeks, he's begun speaking to people he doesn't know very well and has even been reading to one of his teachers something he's never done before.
Dillon says she has Jessi-cat to thank for her son's improvements: He does speak normally at home. He does not have selective mutism with us at all in the house, but he does not express his emotions. He would not say love you mummy". He just does not do it. But with the cat, he can hold her. he can stroke her, he can talk to her. And he does say, ' I love you Jessi-cat, 'which is really nice. It is a way for him to express emotions which otherwise he would not be able to do.
Jessi-cat's role in Lorcan's life hasn't gone unnoticed. Lorcan's kitty companion is currently one of the Best Friends category (类别) finalists in the Cats Protection National Cat Awards。
1. The word"strides"in Para. 2 probably means ________ .| A．habits | B．demand | C．improvements | D．mistakes |
| A．accept an interview | B．say"love you mummy” |
| C．speak normally at home | D．express emotions to his family |
| A．Amazed | B．Delighted | C．Embarrassed | D．Confused |
| A．A cat helped a boy express his emotions. |
| B．A mother expressed her love to her son |
| C．A boy overcame his illness by raising a cat. |
| D．A cat was awarded the prize for its behavior |
8 . We recently went to a friend’s backyard to meet her new puppy. He was lovely beyond words. Our friend was wearing smiles as she told us about his first days at home. It was truly puppy love.
Later that night, I walked behind my own dog to help her climb up the stairs, and heated up the homemade food that helps control her kidney (肾) disease. You can’t imagine these extra cares when you began raising a puppy. For me, I am lucky to know this more “mature” love. To love, and to be loved, by an old dog is truly an honor.
For a long time, I denied the fact that our dog was getting old, or I really didn’t notice that Skyler was getting older. But these days, there is no denying the fact. Sometimes, she will fall while eating from her bowl and wait patiently for someone to help her up.
I still remember the first days of Skyler. In the home, she always needed to be beside someone, with at least one part of her touching one part of you. At the park, it was different. If we started running toward the end of a field, she would cross the finish line before we had even made it halfway.
Now, at 15, Skyler still needs to be right beside you on the couch. But it is hard. It is sad to see this once fast, strong dog struggle to walk up the front steps or to see her begging eyes whenever she needs help to get up on the couch. Over the past few years, we have had to forgo certain family trips because we wanted to take care of her at home.
However, I know this experience has taught our children about sacrifice and unconditional love. It has taught me the same. Dogs give us unconditional love. The least we can do is give it back. There will likely be times of great sadness and hardship, but in the end, you will feel very lucky for the time you have together.
1. In paragraph 2, why does the author mention what he did late that night?| A．To complain about the troubles of raising a dog. |
| B．To show her regret of meeting her friend’s new puppy. |
| C．To tell readers that she is taking care of an old sick dog. |
| D．To illustrate the correct way of caring for dogs. |
| A．When the author first got Skyler, she was always running in the house. |
| B．Skyler has always been eager to have people beside her. |
| C．Skyler will beg for some food before she gets up. |
| D．To take care of Skyler, the author often brings her during the journey. |
| A．cancel | B．forget | C．organize | D．delay |
| A．She is strongly against keeping a dog. |
| B．She considers it a double-edged sword to keep a dog. |
| C．She suggests we should think twice before keeping a dog. |
| D．She thinks keeping a dog is worthwhile for the whole family. |
9 . One steamy July afternoon in central Arkansas, I was working on an important project in my home office with a dear friend and colleague. My trusty printer was churning out (快速生产) a time-sensitive report when it simply stopped. After fifteen minutes of trying to repair, I decided to buy a new printer. Upon our return, my heart froze to see my house on fire.
Despite having spent much of my life writing, I was still lost for adequate words to describe the sick, sinking feeling of seeing your home, business, and belongings going up in flames along with photographs and memories collected over a lifetime. But the panic that filled my shocked heart in that awful moment was for the nine cats that shared my home after being rescued from situations of abuse and abandonment.
Responding to an early security-system warning, the amazing firefighters arrived in record time, but the chemical-laden smoke had already caused deaths. I examined and kissed each cat goodbye, extremely grateful that they had passed gently, without injuries or burns.
Only animal lovers really understand the unbelievable impact that the loss of one beloved four-legged family member can have on your heart, mind and soul. The loss of so many dearly loved creatures sent me reeling (发蒙).
After staying with another great friend for a couple of weeks, I was relocated to a furnished apartment. One evening, about a month after moving in, I was occupied in writing a mystery novel when a falsetto “meow” sounded from outside the apartment door. Was it my mind playing tricks again? More than once I had heard, seen or felt the brush of one of my departed furry roommates. The meow grew louder and more insistent. Curious, I opened the door.
Sitting on the doorstep was a kitten (小猫) with an exotic black coat and alert amber eyes. A neighbor walking by picked him up and began petting him. When I remarked how cute her kitten was, she explained that he had been born under a bridge and looked around for food. This kitty－loving neighbor was quick to offer an extra litter box if I was interested in giving him a home. My immediate reaction was a facetious (开玩笑的) “that’s all I need!” After all, my resolution(决心)had been well reasoned and remained firm. But without hesitation she put the adorable kitten down. I thanked her and closed the door, resolved to just let him stay until a real home could be found.
That night, as I slid between the sheets of the still unfamiliar bed in the still unfamiliar apartment, the energetic little fur ball jumped onto the bed, yawned dramatically, and nestled by my side. Those who have never shared a sleep with a creature or two may not relate, but that was the first night since the fire that I actually slept. Stubbornly determined not to open myself to more animals—to more pain—I had refused to admit how desperately I missed having a warm fuzzy cuddled (依偎) close.
Needless to say, the cat community knew the precise prescription for healing far better than I. The name Starlight (Star for short) seemed perfect because that night he brought some light back into my life.
Star adores wrestling rubber bands, races up and down the stairs, darts outside anytime the door opens, suddenly appears everywhere I don’t want him to be, holds onto the broom while I’m trying to sweep, and rolls in catnip or whatever else happens to be on the floor. In hindsight (事后看来), a better name might have been “Star, Stop It!”
In the five years since the fire, we have been through a lot, Starlight and I. We returned to the house, managed to keep the business alive, brought the mystery novel to the final edits before it’s submitted in hopes of publication, and made a lot more resolutions. Star helped me through a massive, yet untraditional, healing of spirit. The memories of the kitties that passed in the fire now spark only warmth in my heart and win some smiles. Every single day, I appreciate the serendipitous (有意外收获的) nature of the Universe that sent me hope in the form of a little black furball.
So take a little advice from my furry friend: no matter how hopeless things may become or how fixed your resolution may be, open the door whenever opportunity knocks. It just might be a star to light your way.
1. What probably caused the author to open the door?| A．The idea of seeing his beloved four－legged family member again. |
| B．The impact of the loss of loved creatures on his mind and soul. |
| C．The brush of his departed furry roommates playing tricks on him. |
| D．The curiosity about the novel written in memory of his cats. |
| A．The author desired to make friends with a cat-loving neighbor. |
| B．The author made a decision not to take in any animals. |
| C．The author didn’t consider a cat-loving neighbor as a friend. |
| D．The author made a decision to adopt other animals. |
| A．he never shared a sleep with a kitten | B．he refused to admit missing a kitten |
| C．he determined to open himself to pain | D．he accepted the kitten and slept with it |
| A．The Dream for Kittens | B．Ways to Remove Sadness |
| C．The Power of Resolutions | D．Starlight to Give Hope |
Peking University will be the first Chinese university to open an oversea branch in Oxford next year.
According to Peking University, its HSBC Business School has got a campus in Oxford from the Open University in Britain. This purchase comes as the government steps up efforts to build globally famous universities that will lead the world in teaching and research.
People: Chinese Cambridge student shares his experience
From a struggling student to attending one of the most famous universities, Han Zhenyu’s hard work seems to have paid off. Recently, Han shared his experience with students and their parents in his home city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. The 21-year-old student is now in his third year majoring in mathematics at Cambridge University, one of the top colleges in the world. Using his experience, he is helping seven other Chinese students to follow in his footsteps.
Society: Quake-hit areas given a new life
Visitors to Qinglongchang village in Longmen township in Lushan, a county in Sichuan Province, will be able to appreciate the new houses built for the residents following reconstruction work after an earthquake, which broke out on April 20, 2013. With the backing of governments at different levels, 232 centralized resettlement areas with brand-new houses were built for farmers within three years of the quake.
1. What will Peking University do next year?| A．It will open a foreign branch in Oxford. | B．It will get a campus in Oxford. |
| C．It will lead the world in teaching and research. | D．It will become globally famous. |
| A．Because he wants to show off. |
| B．Because he wants to be famous. |
| C．Because he wants to help more Chinese students. |
| D．Because he majors in mathematics in Cambridge. |
| A．visitors. | B．Governments. | C．Kind people. | D．Local farmers. |
| A．An announcement | B．News | C．Book review | D．An advertisement |
