1 . Most birds, in particular, exhibit some degree of patterns and colours. Australia’s zebra finch (斑胸草雀), for example, was so named because of the zebra-like black and white bars on its tail. But it also has many other colours and patterns, from a bright orange bill to fine white spots along its reddish-brown sides. It’s not uncommon to spot the bird in the drier parts of Australia.
We tend to suppose all individuals of that species have their spots and bars in the same places. Look closer yet we’ll see that the quantity and design of these patterns vary between individuals. And somehow a bird exhibits a more obvious feather variation. Occasionally, we see one that has larger than usual pale areas of feathers or, more rarely, has lost its normal patterning altogether.
Colouration and patterning in all animals are caused by a range of pigments (色素). Melanin (黑色素) is responsible for blacks and browns, and a lack of this pigment can cause a partial or total loss of an individual’s dark patterning. The two main terms that describe these abnormalities are albinism and leucism. Both conditions are genetic and both can lead to a very similar physical appearance. Leucism, however, causes a lack of the pigment cells that produce melanin. But albinism causes the production of melanin to be reduced or absent.
Can we distinguish between the two conditions without the help of a cellular biologist? Yes. Albino animals have fully unpigmented red eyes. Leucistic animals, on the other hand, never completely lose pigment from the eye, although they can have blue eyes due to a partial loss of pigment.
Why don’t we see more albino or leucistic birds? Because the lack of melanin reduces the strength and lastingness of the affected birds’ feathers, making them more easily broken. Additionally, the birds’ vision and hearing are negatively affected, making them less able to hunt. The brighter feathers and lack of patterning also make them easier for attackers to see.
1. What can we learn about Australia’s zebra finch?| A．It is one of the rarest birds in Australia. |
| B．It is mostly covered with bright orange feathers. |
| C．It acquires its name from its tail colours and patterns. |
| D．It has the same spots and bars in the same places. |
| A．By giving explanations. | B．By presenting opinions. |
| C．By setting assumptions. | D．By drawing conclusions. |
| A．Total loss of patterns. | B．Genetically-born abnormalities. |
| C．Darkened feathers. | D．Abnormal formation of wings. |
| A．They have quite good hearing. | B．They have completely red eyes. |
| C．They have excellent hunting skills. | D．They have easily broken feathers. |
| A．The man’s uncle. | B．An animal. | C．A good luck. |
1. Why did Miriam’s uncle give her some money?
| A．To pay for her school tuition. |
| B．To celebrate her birthday. |
| C．To reward her for her kindness. |
| A．It inspired Miriam and her mother to visit Africa. |
| B．It tells the abuse of elephants in Thailand. |
| C．It is about a boy’s campaign to save elephants. |
| A．By teaching people to make clay elephants. |
| B．By drawing pictures about elephants. |
| C．By making and selling baked goods. |
| A．She’s a teacher. |
| B．She’s an animal doctor. |
| C．She’s an artist. |
4 . A British company has proposed releasing a GM(genetically modified) strain of the diamondback moth (菱形斑纹蛾), which has been developed to help reduce the population of these vegetable-eating insects.
Male diamondback moths carrying a deadly gene would be released which would cause their off springs (后代) to die almost immediately. Then the fall in their numbers could help to increase crop yields for farmers.
Oxitec, the company which came up with the idea, hopes to begin trials next year but faces opposition from groups who say the untested technology could threaten wildlife and human health.
“Mass releases of GM insects into the British countryside would be impossible to recall if anything went wrong. Changing one part of an ecosystem can have knock-on effects on others in ways that are poorly understood. This could include an increase in different types of pests. Wildlife that feeds on insects could be harmed if there are changes to their food supply” said Dr Helen Wallace, the director of Gene-Watch UK, who has sat on government advisory bodies.
Hadyn Parry, Oxitec’s chief executive, said there was demand from farmers for the technology and that using GM insects to kill the pests that feed on food crops is better for the environment than chemical sprays. The firm, which is supported by grants from the taxpayer, is developing a number of GM insects that would be used in Britain and around the world to protect crops and combat disease in humans.
Oxitec has contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ask what controls, if any, should be put in place around GM moth trials. A spokesman said that while its officials and advisers have discussed Oxitec’s plans, there is yet to be a formal application for a trial. Consequently the department has not reached a view on whether it should go ahead.
1. People strongly object to the idea mainly because they think _______.| A．the technology won’t be as effective as chemical sprays |
| B．the technology may bring about knock-on effects on insects |
| C．the technology won’t be well controlled |
| D．the technology may not be good for wildlife and human health |
| A．Disapproving. | B．Positive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Not mentioned. |
| A．struggle | B．avoid | C．fight | D．contract |
| A．Oxitec still hasn’t formed any plans to control the trials. |
| B．Oxitec has decided to begin the trial this year. |
| C．Taxpayers will not continue to support Oxitec’s research. |
| D．Farmers prefer GM insects to chemical sprays. |
5 . Humans can make do with scarves, coats and gloves in cold weather. Some animals can hibernate (冬眠) for the winter. A new study finds that reptiles (爬行动物) and birds do something that is similar to hibernation, but a little different. In very cold weather, their body temperatures greatly drop into an energy-saving state in order to survive. The ability to thermoregulation (体温调节) for reptiles and birds is possible.
In Texas, where the city of Beaumont reached a low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit last month, it looked as if alligators (短吻鳄) had died of cold — yet alive in iced-over water. By ensuring their long noses stayed above the water line, the cold-blooded creatures were able to lower their body temperatures to survive the sudden short period of very cold weather. The process, in the case of cold-blooded animals like reptiles, is called brumation — it’s like a short state of hibernating. While in this state, reptiles become sleepy and they can go for a long time without eating or drinking. For example, alligators can be in brumation from just a few hours to months.
Like reptiles and mammals, birds can go into a state called torpor in order to save energy under very cold conditions. “Torpor is somewhere between a short sleep and hibernation,” said Justin Baldwin, a PhD candidate in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Baldwin studied 29 species of hummingbirds living in Colombia. Researchers found that hummingbirds can enter into deep or shallow torpor, depending on several factors, including their size and weather conditions. In deep torpor, the birds are much more likely to be affected by disease. And what’s more, they would be easily harmed by their enemies.
Some bird lovers want to help the birds when they are in torpor. For example, the Bird Alliance of Oregon offers a few tips on how to keep the birds from danger.
1. What does the new study show?| A．Body temperature is important for animals. |
| B．Thermoregulation exists in reptiles and birds. |
| C．Reptiles and birds’ thermoregulation is unusual. |
| D．Body temperature drops greatly during reptiles and birds’ sleep. |
| A．They are active in brumation. | B．They are dead in cold weather. |
| C．They face extinction in cold weather. | D．They eat and drink nothing in brumation. |
| A．They can get enough sleep. | B．They may harm other birds. |
| C．They may waste plenty of energy. | D．They may be under threat. |
| A．Risks of animal hibernation. |
| B．His opinions of the study about birds. |
| C．Some detailed measures to protect the birds in torpor. |
| D．Other problems raised by cold weather. |
6 . One Saturday in June, I got off the train from Vienna at Altenberg station, in the midst of a gathering of bathers, such as often flock to our village at fine weekends.
I had gone only a few steps along the street and the crowd had not yet scattered when, high above me in the air, I saw a bird whose species I could not at first determine. It flew with slow, measured wing-beats, varied at set intervals by longer periods of gliding. It seemed too heavy to be a hawk; for a stork (鹳), it was not big enough and, even at that height, neck and feet should have been visible. Then the bird made a sudden turn so that the setting sun shone for a second full on the underside of the great wings which lit up like stars in the blue of the skies. The bird was white. By Heaven, it was my cockatoo (凤头鹦鹉)! The steady movements of his wings clearly indicated that he was setting out on a long-distance flight.
“What should I do? Should I call to the bird?” Well, have you ever heard the flight-call of the greater cockatoo? No? But you have probably heard pig-killing in the traditional method. Imagine the loudest long cry a pig could make, picked up by a microphone and amplified many times over by a powerful speaker. A man can imitate it quite successfully, though somewhat weak, by shouting at the top of his voice “O-ah”. I had already proved that the cockatoo understood this imitation and promptly “came to heel”. But would it work at such a height? A bird always has great difficulty in making the decision to fly downwards at a steep angle. To yell, or not to yell, that was the question. If I yelled and the bird came down, all would be well, but what if it sailed calmly on through the clouds? How would I then explain my song to the crowd of people?
Finally, I did yell. The people around me stood still, rooted to the spot. The bird hesitated for a moment on outstretched wings, and then, folding them, it descended in one dive and landed upon my outstretched arm. Once again I was master of the situation.
1. What was the author’s cockatoo like?| A．It looked like a hawk. | B．It was blue and shiny. |
| C．Its neck and feet were long. | D．It was white with great wings. |
| A．By waving at it quickly. | B．By singing a song loudly. |
| C．By screaming his head off. | D．By using a powerful loudspeaker. |
| A．Flew about. | B．Came back. | C．Came around. | D．Landed on the ground. |
| A．He knew birds very well. | B．He could speak with his bird. |
| C．He liked showing off in public. | D．He often surprised people around him. |
7 . The California sea otter (海獭), once hunted to the edge of extinction, has staged a thrilling comeback in the last century. Now, scientists have discovered that the otters’ success story has led to something just as remarkable: the restoration of their declining coastal marsh (沼泽) habitat.
Elkhorn Slough, a coastal marsh within Monterey Bay, had been experiencing severe damage. The root cause was a growing population of shore crabs, which fed heavily on the marsh plants, weakening the structural integrity of the habitat. Coastal marshes like these are not only natural defenses against storm waves but also serve as important carbon storage areas and water-cleaning systems.
The conservation-driven comeback of the sea otter has been crucial. California’s coastlines were once alive with sea otters. Sadly, they were nearly wiped out at the hands of fur traders. In the 1980s, conservation efforts aided these otters in re-occupying large areas of their former range. Now, Elkhorn Slough has the highest concentration of sea otters in California, with a population of about 100. By naturally feasting on crabs, the otters have helped a significant regrowth of plant life. Brent Hughes, a scientist working alongside Angelini, led a three-year study. Their findings were clear: in areas with sea otters, crab numbers fell markedly. This led to a resurgence in plant growth, which in turn stabilized the soil and lowered the rate of soil washing away.
As the sea otter population continues to restore, their positive impact on coastal ecosystems is likely to increase. It not only showcases the sea otter as a central species—a species that has a significant effect on its natural environment—but also highlights the essential nature of top predators (捕食者) in preserving ecological harmony. “My honest reaction was—this could become a classic in the literature,” says scientist Lekelia Jenkins. She reveals marsh restoration also helps people by reducing flooding. “Suddenly, sea otters go from just cute things we like to something that can protect our livelihoods and our properties.”
1. What change did the disappearance of sea otters bring about?| A．Fewer predatory crabs. | B．More coastal plant life. |
| C．Better water-cleaning effect. | D．Worse coastal ecological balance. |
| A．Barrier. | B．Advancement. | C．Expansion. | D．Revival. |
| A．To highlight the importance of coastal marshes. |
| B．To introduce a new research study on sea otters. |
| C．To demonstrate the practical benefits of sea otters. |
| D．To emphasize the need for increased conservation efforts. |
| A．The necessity for controlled hunting. |
| B．The interconnectedness of the ecosystem. |
| C．The drawbacks of wildlife reintroduction. |
| D．The need for human intervention in nature. |
1. What is the woman doing?
| A．Hosting a program. | B．Chairing a meeting. | C．Conducting a job interview. |
| A．In 2016. | B．In 2018. | C．In 2019. |
| A．Satisfied. | B．Uncaring. | C．Disapproving. |
| A．To earn adequate money. |
| B．To expand the adoption center. |
| C．To make sure adopters treat cats well. |
9 . A team of researchers from the University College London (UCL) has recently found that humans transmit viruses to domestic and wild animals more frequently than they contract them from these animals. This major analysis of viral genomes offers new insights into the dynamics of disease transmission across species.
Through an exhaustive examination of all publicly available viral genome sequences, the experts aimed to trace the cross-species transmission—or host jumps—of viruses.
The team sought to challenge the prevailing view that humans are primarily at the receiving end of zoonotic diseases, which are infections that jump from animals to humans. These diseases have been responsible for outbreaks such as Ebola, flu, and COVID-19.
The research team developed and applied methodological tools to analyze the nearly 12 million viral genomes that have been published on public databases to date, outlining the scale of their investigation into the evolutionary paths and mutations of viruses as they adapt to new hosts.
Contrary to the common perception of humans as mere recipients of animal viruses, the study’s findings suggest a more bidirectional exchange of pathogens (病原体). “We should consider humans just as one node in a vast network of hosts endlessly exchanging pathogens, rather than a sink for zoonotic bugs,” said co-author Francois Balloux, a professor at the UCL Genetics Institute.
“By surveying and monitoring transmission of viruses between animals and humans, in either direction, we can better understand viral evolution and hopefully be more prepared for future outbreaks and epidemics of novel illnesses, while also aiding conservation efforts. ” Study lead author Cedric Tan, a PhD student at the UCL Genetics Institute and Francis Crick Institute, pointed out the broader implications of their findings, especially concerning conservation and food security. “When animals catch viruses from humans, this can not only harm the animal and potentially pose a conservation threat to the species, but it may also cause new problems for humans by impacting food security if large numbers of livestock need to be killed to prevent an epidemic, as has been happening over recent years with the H5N1 bird flu strain.”
1. What is the prevailing view mentioned in paragraph 3?| A．Humans are passive recipients of zoonotic diseases. |
| B．Zoonotic diseases are preventable with proper measures. |
| C．Animals are the sole source of all infectious diseases. |
| D．Ebola, flu, and COVID-19 are the most severe zoonotic diseases. |
| A．The study involved a deep analysis of over ten million virus genomes. |
| B．The analysis revealed evolutionary patterns of viruses as they adapt to new hosts. |
| C．The study found that all virus genomes exhibit similar mutation patterns. |
| D．The analysis results contribute to our understanding of virus transmission and mutation mechanisms. |
| A．New discoveries about the mechanisms of virus transmission. |
| B．Improvements in the treatment of zoonotic diseases. |
| C．Reflections on the impact of human lifestyles and the environment. |
| D．Potential effects on global public health policies. |
| A．Humans transmit more viruses to animals than we catch from them |
| B．Zoonotic Diseases: The Leading Cause of Human Ailments |
| C．Revolutionary Breakthroughs in Viral Genomics |
| D．Cross-Species Viral Transmission: A Complex Web of Relationships |
10 . The speedy lizard (蜥蜴) was moving quickly across the tabletop when suddenly one foot hit a slippery spot. It just made a split-second adjustment as it moved onward. Afterward, its movements, recorded with Hollywood-style motion-capture technology, were played back in slow motion.
This is the lab of Tonia Hsieh, a Temple University biologist who studies life on the move. The goal of the lizard study is to use the animals as a model for humans, to figure out better ways to prevent falls among the aged. The scientists are using two species — the frilled dragon and the brown basilisk — that share an unusual characteristic with humans: the ability to run on two legs.
If the scientists can figure out how these lizards remain upright in different situations, they hope some of the lessons can be used to guide human treatment.
The lizards run on a tabletop covered with sandpaper except for one slippery spot in the middle: a square of poster board covered with contact paper.
In the lab recently, the scientists filmed one of the frilled dragons in action and played it back at slow speed on a computer screen, the lizard’s movements reduced to a series of colored dots on a gray background. At the moment the lizard stepped on the contact paper, its left foot slid to the side, and its upper body twisted in the opposite direction. It barely seemed to lose its balance.
Could some clue in those colored dots be used to improve stability in older adults? Every year, thousands of older, adults die from injuries sustained in falls.
The work is still ongoing, but early indications are that. tendons (肌腱) in the lizards’ feet play . a key role in balance, acting as springs that counteract (抵消) small changes in the surface. It’s a valuable first line of defense that kicks in even before the brain has time to react, Hsieh said.
If the scientists can figure out what factors are most important in keeping the lizards upright, perhaps someone can work out strategies to enhance those factors in people.
“I think this is a great first step,” said Hsieh.
1. What made the scientists decide to conduct the lizard study?| A．Their curiosity about running lizards. |
| B．Their concern for lizard conservation. |
| C．The characteristics of different lizards. |
| D．The similarity between lizards and humans. |
| A．To record the lizard’s movements. | B．To provide stability for the lizard. |
| C．To make the lizard lose its balance. | D．To limit the lizard’s running speed. |
| A．It’s important for lizards. | B．It has been a great success. |
| C．It needs more assistance. | D．It shows great promise. |
| A．Running like Lizards | B．Learning from Lizards |
| C．Keeping Your Balance | D．Developing Your Potential |
