1 . As Frans de Waal, a primatologist (灵长动物学家), recognizes, a better way to think about other creatures would be to ask ourselves how different species have developed different kinds of minds to solve different adaptive problems. Surely the important question is not whether animals can do the same things humans can, but how those animals solve the cognitive (认知的) problems they face, like how to imitate the sea floor. Children and some animals are so interesting not because they are smart like us, but because they are smart in ways we haven’t even considered.
Sometimes studying children’s ways of knowing can cast light on adult-human cognition. Children’s pretend play may help us understand our adult taste for fiction. De Waal’s research provides another interesting example. We human beings tend to think that our social relationships are rooted in our perceptions, beliefs, and desires, and our understanding of the perceptions, beliefs, and desires of others — what psychologists call our “theory of mind.” In the 80s and 90s, developmental psychologists showed that pre-schoolers and even infants understand minds apart from their own. But it was hard to show that other animals did the same. “Theory of mind” became a candidate for the special, uniquely human trick.
Yet de Waal’s studies show that chimps (黑猩猩) possess a remarkably developed political intelligence — they are much interested in figuring out social relationships. It turns out, as de Waal describes, that chimps do infer something about what other chimps see. But experimental studies also suggest that this happens only in a competitive political context. The evolutionary anthropologist (人类学家) Brain Hare and his colleagues gave a junior chimp a choice between pieces of food that a dominant chimp had seen hidden and other pieces it had not seen hidden. The junior chimp, who watched all the hiding, stayed away from the food the dominant chimp had seen, but took the food it hadn’t seen.
Anyone who has gone to an academic conference will recognize that we may be in the same situation. We may say that we sign up because we’re eager to find out what other human beings think, but we’re just as interested in who’s on top. Many of the political judgments we make there don’t have much to do with our theory of mind. We may show our respect to a famous professor even if we have no respect for his ideas.
Until recently, however, there wasn’t much research into how humans develop and employ this kind of political knowledge. It may be that we understand the social world in terms of dominance, like chimps, but we’re just not usually as politically motivated as they are. Instead of asking whether we have a better everyday theory of mind, we might wonder whether they have a better everyday theory of politics.
1. According to the first paragraph, which of the following shows that an animal is smart?A.It can behave like a human kid. |
B.It can imitate what human beings do. |
C.It can find a solution to its own problem. |
D.It can figure out those adaptive problems. |
A.We talk with infants in a way that they can fully understand. |
B.We make guesses at what others think while interacting with them. |
C.We hide our emotions when we try establishing contact with a stranger. |
D.We try to understand how kids’ pretend play affects our taste for fiction. |
A.Neither human nor animals display their preference for dominance. |
B.Animals living in a competitive political context are smarter. |
C.Both humans and some animals have political intelligence. |
D.Humans are more interested in who’s on top than animals. |
A.we know little about how chimps are politically motivated |
B.our political knowledge doesn’t always determine how we behave |
C.our theory of mind might enable us to understand our theory of politics |
D.more research should be conducted to understand animals’ social world |
2 . Canada geese are a common and plentiful North American bird found in many urban parks, golf courses, airports, or areas with large lawns near water. They are a large waterbird with a fairly brown body, pale breast, and long black neck with white cheeks.
Canada geese are particularly attracted to urban areas for the many grassy lawns near small bodies of water. They can often be seen feeding on lawns or playing in shallow water by tipping forward and extending their necks underwater to reach for plants. Canada geese prefer to gathering in large flocks (群) and can be seen flying over in the classic V formation.
In Chicago, Canada geese may remain in the city throughout the year, although some geese get used to moving long distances to more southern sections for the winter or northward in spring to breed. Each breeding season, pairs build large open cup ground nests and lay 2 to 8 eggs which are raised in a single brood (窝). Urban habitats are also attractive to this species as neatly-maintained lawns make it easy when grazing with young to keep watch for approaching enemies. It is, however, their use of these urban areas that often leads to conflicts with humans.
As Canada geese numbers rise, so do their conflicts with humans. Canada geese’s daily activities may damage gardens and landscaping. Geese may also cross roads when searching for food or walking between nesting sites and bodies of water, slowing movement or posing a potential risk on the roadway. Although direct injuries by fierce geese are uncommon, people sometimes fall and pick up injuries when surprised by a charging goose. Additionally, people often feed the birds. Not only are the types of food people typically provide, such as bread, unhealthy for the birds, but this encourages high concentrations of geese leading to more harmful behavior and higher risk of diseases. Lastly, plane-bird conflicts are estimated to be rising, likely due to increasing numbers of planes, but also increases in populations of certain bird species, including Canada geese. Although crashes rarely result in an accident, they often cause costly damage to planes.
1. What do we know about Canada geese from the first and second paragraph?A.They are a valued and rare species. |
B.They like to spend time near water. |
C.They always live quietly and separately. |
D.Their appearance is in a uniform and single color. |
A.feeding (paragraph 2) | B.playing (paragraph 2) |
C.gathering (paragraph 2) | D.moving (paragraph 3) |
A.adore humans | B.threaten humans |
C.frustrate humans | D.safeguard humans |
A.Frequent air crashes. | B.Damage to city view. |
C.Traffic jam and danger. | D.Indirect human injuries. |
A.Plant ecology. | B.The study of insects. |
C.Marine biology. | D.The food chain. |
A.The threat of scientific progress. | B.The danger of chemicals pesticides(杀虫剂). |
C.The possible causes of cancer. | D.The natural history of the sea. |
A.It led to a nationwide ban on the use of pesticides in US. |
B.It received positive feedback as soon as it was published. |
C.It accused chemical industry of spreading disinformation. |
D.It laid the foundation for modern agricultural ecosystem. |
4 . Why should mankind explore space? Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup as human beings. What prompted our distant ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments?
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential resources to be located. Additional resources are always beneficial when used wisely, and can increase our chances of survival. Knowledge or techniques acquired through exploration, or preparing to explore, filter from the developers into society at large.
In certain circumstances, life on Earth may become impossible: over-population or wide spread diseases, for instance, might eventually force us to find other places to live. While the earth is the only planet known to sustain life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to inhabit other planets and moons. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.
A.The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. |
B.Space allows us to expand and succeed: for the sake of everyone on the earth, now and in the future, space exploration is essential. |
C.The mysterious space objects varying in size have been fascinated scientists and scholars for years. |
D.It appears that we are driven to ensure the success and continuation of not just our own genes, but of the species as a whole. |
E.Therefore it still poses a problem for us human beings whether to explore the space at the cost of our own homelands. |
F.While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. |
5 . Do the colors that surround you influence how you feel? Can the colors on your walls and on your clothes affect your moods? Some researchers believe the answer is a decisive yes, while others aren’t so sure.
Yet many marketers, interior designers, medical professionals and others swear by an informal field of science known as color psychology. Color psychology is defined as “the study of how the colors we perceive impact our thoughts and feelings.”
Marketers use the science of color to persuade us to buy things. When choosing paint, furniture and wall art, interior designers act on the theory that colors can arouse certain feelings in us. Dentists are often advised to use light blue paint on their office walls to help calm apprehensive patients.
We should keep in mind, though, that only by considering cultural preferences are we able to fully understand the science of color. For instance, in the West, white is for brides and black is for funerals. But in ancient Asia, white was sometimes worn for funerals. In Japan yellow represents courage while in the United States, it represents happiness. Additionally, many variables including gender, age, background and more must be considered before making color assumptions when one is studying the effects of color.
After taking color variable into account it’s safe to consider some mainstream theories about specific colors and their meanings. Here are just a few:
Red symbolizes love, energy, passion and danger. Red is also believed to increase one’s hunger, which might be the reason why McDonald’s and Coca-Cola chose red as their major branding color.
Brown, a color from nature, best represents things that are honest, trustworthy and dependable. It seems a perfect fit as the branding color for the package delivery company UPS.
Blue-in addition to representing peace and calm-also means integrity and competence. It’s no surprise that PayPal and American Express both use blue as their branding color.
Green-another color from nature-represents health, growth and freshness and is the perfect branding color for Starbucks.
Pink symbolizes love, romance, innocence and femininity (女性特质). The popular doll company that makes Barbie uses pink as its major branding color.
If color psychology advocates are correct, then our emotions and decisions are truly influenced by the colors around us. With this knowledge, we can effectively harness (驾驭) color power to create positive school, work and home environments.
1. What does the phrase “swear by” in the second paragraph probably mean?A.deeply investigate | B.somewhat doubt |
C.deeply believe | D.still wish |
A.To remind we should take culture into account when learning the science of color. |
B.To state that cultural preferences are decisive factors in color psychology. |
C.To show different cultures have different preferences for different colors. |
D.To prove white and black represent complete different things in different countries. |
A.color psychology may help us make correct decisions in life |
B.color psychology is an uncultivated field in modern science |
C.color psychology has been recognized throughout the world |
D.color psychology is influencing our emotions and decisions |
A.The potential effects of color on our lives. |
B.The positives and negatives of color psychology. |
C.The foundation and function of color psychology. |
D.The relationship between color and man Section |
6 . Wildlife populations around the world are facing dramatic declines, according to new figures that have led environmental campaigners to call for urgent action to rescue the natural world. The 2022 Living Planet Index (LPI), produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), reveals that studied populations of mammals, birds, reptiles (爬行动物) and fish have seen an average decline of 69 per cent since 1970, faster than previous predictions. The LPI tracked global biodiversity between 1970 and 2018, based on the monitoring of 31,821 populations of 5230 vertebrate (脊椎动物) species. Mark Wright of WWF says the degree of decline is destructive and continues to worsen. “We are not seeing any really positive signs that we are beginning to bend the curve of nature,” he says.
Freshwater vertebrates have been among the hardest-hit populations, with monitored populations showing an average decline of 83 per cent since 1970. The Amazon pink river dolphin, for example, has experienced a 65 per cent decline in its population between 1994 and 2016. Meanwhile, some of the most biodiverse regions of the world are seeing the steepest falls in wildlife, with the Caribbean and central and south America seeing average wildlife population declined by 94 per cent since 1970. Habitat loss and reduction is the largest driver of wildlife loss in all regions around the world, followed by species overexploitation by hunting, fishing or poaching (偷猎).
In December, governments from around the world will gather in Montreal, Canada, for the COP15 Biodiversity Framework, a much-delayed summit that aims to agree on a set of new targets intended to prevent the loss of animals, plants and habitats globally by 2030. “This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity that’s coming up,” says Robin Freeman of ZSL. He says it is vital that governments use the summit to agree on “meaningful, well measurable targets and goals”. “We need governments to take action to ensure that those goals deal with the complicated combined threats of climate change and biodiversity, in order for us to see a meaningful action,” says Freeman. But some researchers are critical of the LPI’s use of a headline figure of decline, warning it is easy to be misunderstood.
The findings don’t mean all species or populations worldwide are in decline. In fact, approximately half the populations show a stable or increasing trend, and half show a declining trend. “I think a more appropriate and useful way to look at it is to focus on specific species or populations,” says Hannah Ritchie at Our World in Data. But Wright says the LPI is a useful tool that reflects the findings of other biodiversity indicators. “All of those show they all scream there is something going really very badly wrong,” says Wright.
1. What does the underlined phrase in the first paragraph mean?A.Loving and protecting nature. | B.Preserving the diversity of nature. |
C.Underestimating the benefits of nature. | D.Destroying and changing nature. |
A.the number of Amazon dolphins is on the rise |
B.freshwater vertebrates are at risk of extinction |
C.there are no positive measures to protect nature |
D.some of the world’s wild animals are in decline |
A.It makes sense to focus on a particular species. |
B.Preventing the loss of habitats by 2030 is certain to happen. |
C.New agreement on the prevention of habitat loss will be in vain. |
D.The Caribbean wildlife has been well protected in recent decades. |
A.The COP15 Biodiversity Framework |
B.Wildlife Population Declining Sharply |
C.Urgent Action to Save the Earth |
D.Correct Interpretation of LPI |
Is Banning Single-use Plastic the Right Option?
The harmful effects of using plastic are becoming increasingly apparent. Plastic does not decompose, but breaks down into smaller and smaller particles. It threatens our nature as well as our health. One popular solution to the problem is to prohibit single-use plastics. In the UK, supermarkets are being encouraged to set up plastic-free aisles, in which the food is displayed loose, and shoppers are encouraged to make more environmentally-friendly choices in packing and transporting their food.
Such plans are well-intentioned, but it may not be beneficial to eliminate(清除) the use of single-use plastic altogether. One of the fields where single-use plastic has a vital role is the food industry. When food or fresh goods are packed in plastic, they are protected and preserved, helping them remain fresher and keeping them from spoiling. Single-use plastic is also crucial in the medical industry. This is not just because of its low cost. It helps to prevent the spread of infection and that is the biggest benefit of the material in the medical field.
Replacing plastic with other materials is neither simple nor straightforward, mainly due to the challenge of finding an alternative that combines all the most desirable plastic properties. For example, glass products are a potential alternative, but cleaning them would be extremely expensive while increasing the risk to health. Another issue is that alternative materials to plastic are often more environmentally harmful than plastic. Take paper bags, for example. Research by the Northern Ireland Assembly shows four times more energy is required to manufacture a paper bag than a plastic bag. If people respond by simply using other materials, a ban on single-use plastic can end up making the problem worse.
Clearly there is a need to reduce plastic waste and its impact on the environment. However, simply banning their single use may not be the best option.
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8 . There has, in recent years, been an outpouring of information about the impact of buildings on the natural environment. Information which explains and promotes green construction design strives to
Although there are a good many advocates of “green” construction in the architectural industry, able to list enough reasons why buildings should be designed in a (n)
The commissioning (委任) process plays a key role in
In some cases, an owner may be
Typically, when condiering whether or not to adopt a green
A.preserve | B.convince | C.exploit | D.accuse |
A.pracical | B.measured | C.tremendous | D.theoretial |
A.professional | B.groundbreaking | C.innovative | D.sustainable |
A.tap into experience | B.live up to its name | C.rise to fame | D.come into being |
A.refers to | B.lies with | C.races against | D.calls on |
A.knocked | B.loaded | C.factored | D.stuffed |
A.concluding | B.stressing | C.ensuring | D.acknowledging |
A.skip | B.transport | C.isolate | D.cover |
A.As a result | B.On the contrary | C.What’s more | D.However |
A.ignorant | B.aware | C.critical | D.capable |
A.promote | B.perceive | C.attribute | D.impose |
A.applited to | B.anxious for | C.destined for | D.specific about |
A.gesture | B.approach | C.origin | D.patent |
A.competition | B.calculation | C.cooperation | D.distinction |
A.increased | B.extra | C.fixed | D.lower |
9 . At ten o’clock on the morning of May 25, 2009, Nasir Uddin was standing outside his mud house. He noticed that the river next to his house was higher than
Floods happen when a river or the sea rises and covers dry land. Unfortunately, Bangladesh often experiences floods. This is because the majority of its land is less than 15 feet (5 meters) above sea level. The sea level is rising because of global warming. As it rises, it
Coastal flooding is also very destructive because it
Bangladeshis are facing many challenges from flooding. Yet this is a nation of strong people. They are finding solutions. Bangladeshi farmers now grow special rice
So, when Uddin lost his home that day, he did what most Bangladeshis do: He rebuilt. This time, however, he built his house out of wood, not mud. He wants his home to
A.normal | B.past | C.visible | D.necessary |
A.Incredibly | B.Safely | C.Decisively | D.Quietly |
A.harmonious | B.fortunate | C.vulnerable | D.outstanding |
A.floods | B.transfers | C.employs | D.declines |
A.lose | B.contribute | C.involve | D.bring |
A.engages | B.addicts | C.combines | D.ruins |
A.lives | B.stays | C.extends | D.impresses |
A.surprisingly | B.conveniently | C.constantly | D.shortly |
A.near-sighted | B.underfed | C.short-handed | D.overcrowded |
A.interpreted | B.adapted | C.decoded | D.activated |
A.In addition | B.As a result | C.By contrast | D.For instance |
A.shelter | B.trap | C.raise | D.cultivate |
A.eyewitnesses | B.subjects | C.victims | D.targets |
A.count on | B.live up to | C.look into | D.decide on |
A.survive | B.guard | C.protest | D.defend |
10 . In the presence of animals
A professor of public health at UCLA says that pet ownership might provide a new form of health care. As far back as the1790s, the elderly at a senior citizens’ home in England
Scientists think that animal companionship is beneficial
Not only do people seem
Research confirms that the findings concerning senior citizens can be applied to restless children. They are more easy-going when there are animals around, with