1 . Every year, millions of monarch butterflies migrate 3,000 miles to Mexico from North America. “Everybody knows about the monarchs’ migration,” says Andy Davis, an animal ecologist at the University of Georgia. “But one of the things that we still don’t understand is how they’re capable of making such tremendous flight while being such small animals with limited energy.” Amazingly, some of the monarch’s continent-spanning magic may be owed to the size of its wing spot, according to a study published in PLOS One.
The question of how color influences the monarch’s flight began when Mostafa Hassanalian, a professor of mechanical engineering, published a paper about how the colors on the wings of the albatross (信天翁) might help it fly for longer distances. The black on the top of the bird’s wings absorbs more solar energy, creating a pocket of warm air; the white on the bottom absorbs less. Together, the opposite colors create more lift and less drag, helping the albatross to fly up more efficiently.
Motivated by Hassanalian’s paper, Andy Davis contacted him and they teamed up with three other experts to investigate whether the orange, black. and white patterns on North American monarch butterflies’ wings influenced their flight distance. Specifically, they explored whether these color patterns determined how far the butterflies could fly. They discovered that surviving migratory monarchs had 3% less black pigment (色素) and 3% more white pigment a surprising contrast from the albatross. They also observed larger white spots on Eastern monarchs, which migrate farther than Western and Floridian populations, along with deeper shades of orange. The team assumed that these color patterns might offer an aerodynamic (空气动力) advantage, although the reason for the larger white spots remains unknown.
Should the connection between white markings and flight performance prove true, they plan to apply it to drone technology. “If small coloration (自然色彩) effects can improve like 10% of your efficiency, that’s a lot,” Hassanalian says, “Another aspect is that your drone would be able to carry more, because this coloration helps it gain extra lift.” The enhancement could also benefit other aircraft, but he points out one warning: planes fly at a much faster speed than butterflies, so coloration may not be as relevant to them.
Other butterfly scientists have reacted to their work with both enthusiasm and skeptlesm. “It is a totally new idea and it’s quite exciting,” says Marcus Kronforst, an evolutionary biologist. “I’ve worked on butterfly color patterns my whole life, basically, and never, never considered this. It’s never crossed my mind that it might influence how the butterflies fly.”
1. According to Andy Davis, what remains a mystery of the monarchs’ migration?| A．How the monarchs manage the migration. |
| B．Why the monarchs make the migration. |
| C．Why the monarchs migrate to Mexico |
| D．How the monarchs choose the route. |
| A．To reveal the mechanism of the albatross’ flight. |
| B．To show Hassanalian’s achievements in albatross study. |
| C．To indicate where the researchers drew their inspiration. |
| D．To introduce common color patterns of the albatross’ wings. |
| A．They reduce orange pigment. | B．They limit migration distance. |
| C．They resemble albatross spots. | D．They offer extra lift for migration. |
| A．By conducting an experiment. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By doing field research. | D．By studying models. |
| A．Scientifically curious. | B．Cautiously optimistic. |
| C．Technologically skeptical. | D．Environmentally concerned. |
2 . Expertise (专门技能) is what separates amateurs from true masters in almost any field. You might wonder whether experts are “born” or “made”. Experts in the field prove that expertise is acquired through dedicated practice, but how exactly people go about becoming experts?
People who become experts tend to get a body of knowledge that makes them one of the most knowledgeable individuals in their field. They also possess the skills that they need to determine when and how to use their knowledge. Recently, a popular idea has emerged that the key to becoming an expert is devoting at least 10,000 hours to the study and practice of a subject. Pop psychology author Malcolm Gladwell created the phrase “the ten-thousand-hour rule”. Gladwell also suggested tech-entrepreneur Bill Gates had devoted 10,000 hours to practicing programming before he created Microsoft.
Anders Ericsson of the University of Florida, who is a famous expert, has studied the experts from all walks of life and points out deficiency of “the ten-thousand-hour rule”. Ericsson believes that what separates the amateur from experts is what is referred to as deliberate practice. Ordinary practice can help people become skilled at a task, but such practice involves working on things that are outside of their current skill-level, setting goals, and receiving training and instruction from a qualified teacher.
While Ericsson believes deliberate practice is the key to becoming an expert, not all researchers agree with his conclusion. Some recent studies have found deliberate practice isn’t the only factor that explains the differences between the skilled and the unskilled. While psychologists aren’t sure exactly which factors might also play a role, personality traits, physical characteristics, and overall intelligence may matter as well.
Practice is essential for developing a skill, but becoming an expert requires constantly challenging yourself to do better, learn more, and acquire new knowledge and skills. Simply practicing the same skills over and over again will make you better in those areas, but it won’t lead to true experts.
1. What can we know about experts?| A．They are able to apply knowledge flexibly and properly. |
| B．They have a good command of knowledge of other fields. |
| C．They are born with the ability to master professional skills. |
| D．They acquire expertise through the development of individuality. |
| A．To prove his “the ten-thousand-hour rule”. |
| B．To show 10,000 hours’ devotion could create Microsoft. |
| C．To prove becoming experts has little to do with personal skills. |
| D．To show the importance of researching various subjects at the same time. |
| A．Influence. | B．Uncertainty. | C．Significance | D．Disadvantage. |
| A．They think deliberate practice is not reasonable. |
| B．They think he fails to provide a basis for his opinion. |
| C．They place greater emphasis on the psychological level. |
| D．They think he might ignore other aspects of being an expert. |
| A．Practice should be carried on within one’s familiar skill-level. |
| B．Constant improvement of learning skills can lead to true expertise. |
| C．Being an expert is more than the result of practising the same skills. |
| D．Ordinary practice is the most important condition for being an expert. |
| A．become a true expert | B．take advantage of new skills |
| C．acquire new knowledge and skills | D．tell a “born” expert from a “made” expert |
3 . When birds’ habitat is destroyed, some species don’t make it while others survive. But what happens at the very beginning of the process, just as a bird’s habitat starts to change? Research in Argentina’s Monte Desert has provided some answers. There are lots of trees, bushes, grasses and flowering plants in the protected parts of the desert. With so many options, most seed-eating birds choose to focus on large grass seeds. The birds can get all the energy and nutrients they need with minimal effort.
But when cattle show up to graze the desert’s natural landscape, birds face changes in food supply. Some birds are happy to change their diets in response. But others, not so much. And it’s the ones set in their ways that are at the highest risk. Understanding how birds react to grazing can help researchers solve the problem of those species.
Ecologists from the Argentine Arid Zones Research Institute compared soil samples from the desert’s Nacunan biosphere reserve to samples from two neighboring cattle farms. It was discovered that grass seeds — the birds’ favorites — were just one-quarter as likely to be found on the farms compared with the reserve. Next, they caught birds to see what they were eating. The Common Diuca-Finch and the Rufous-Collared Sparrow had adjusted their diets, choosing to eat their less preferred options on the farms, even while they still focused on large grass seeds in the reserve.
Meanwhile, the Many-Colored Chaco Finch and the Ringed Warbling-Finch were apparently unable to change their diets. Even on the farms, they worked hard to find the few grass seeds available. If they burn more energy searching for food than they get from the few grass seeds they find, they could starve. At best, their inflexible dietary could limit their ability to reproduce or to care for their young.
Studies like this can help predict which species are at higher risk and help farmers protect these poor species, even while allowing their livestock to graze. For example, the farmers can plant new species for their cattle that will also be more delicious and nutritious for local seed-eating birds. The cows won’t care about the menu change — but the birds sure will.
1. Why can some seed-eating birds easily get their food in the protected parts of the desert?| A．Because of plant diversity. | B．Because there are fewer birds. |
| C．Because there are many small grass seeds. | D．Because of their long-distance flying ability. |
| A．make birds and cattle live in peace | B．help birds change their diets |
| C．make cattle leave the desert | D．help birds most in danger |
| A．Birds only ate large grass seeds on the farms. |
| B．Some birds changed their diets in the reserve. |
| C．There were more birds’ favorite seeds on the farms than in the reserve. |
| D．Some birds chose their favorites in the reserve but other food on the farms. |
| A．drive most birds off the farms | B．change the menu of some birds |
| C．make birds like other seeds best | D．have little effect on birds’ food chains |
| A．Every coin has two sides. | B．Kill two birds with one stone. |
| C．Birds of a feather flock together. | D．There is no garden without weeds. |
4 . Imagine taking to the skies, spreading your arms out and soaring（翱翔）through the clouds. Flying is indeed possible-in your dreams. But no one can control what happens in dreams, right? Wrong.
Dreams in which you are aware that you are dreaming and can control what happens are called lucid dreams（清醒梦）. These dreams are most common during the stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement（REM）sleep.
Lucid dreaming has been referenced throughout history. It’s mentioned in Greek philosopher Aristotle’s writing, as well as in Egyptian hieroglyphics（象形文字）and in the oral traditions of Australian aborigines. However, it wasn’t until 1975 that British psychologist Keith Hearne was credited as the first person to produce scientific proof that lucid dreams occur. Since then, we have learned much more about this phenomenon.
According to a study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, 55 percent of people have had a lucid dream at least once in their lifetime, while 23 percent experience lucid dreams once a month or more. Though these numbers show that the majority of people don’t have lucid dreams regularly, scientists are developing new technology for those who want to have this experience. For example, Curzio Vasapollo invented a device called ZMax, a headband that can monitor eye movements, body movements and heart rate to help people have a lucid dream.
But why would someone want to have lucid dreams? As it turns out, lucid dreaming can have many benefits. Alix Generous, a young woman suffering from autism（自闭症）, said in her TED talk：“I love lucid dreaming because it allows me to be free，without judgment of social and physical consequences.” Also, learning how to have lucid dreams may help those who suffer from nightmares. Through being able to control their actions, they may be able to overcome the cause of their fear.
Lucid dreams may encourage creativity as well. According to the website Notes Read, those who experience this dream state will find access to “an unbelievable fund of knowledge and inspiration”. For example, British American filmmaker Christopher Nolan took inspiration from his own lucid dreams when he wrote the 2010 sci-fi movie Inception. Maybe one day, everyone can indulge in（沉浸在）lucid dreams.
1. What can we know about lucid dreaming?| A．It’s likely to cause nightmares. |
| B．Most people experience lucid dreams. |
| C．It usually happens during REM sleep. |
| D．We can sleepwalk when lucid dreaming. |
| A．Aristotle’s writing. | B．Egyptian hieroglyphics. |
| C．Keith Hearne’s research. | D．Australian aborigines’ oral traditions. |
| A．to prevent nightmares | B．to do some literary writing |
| C．to experience a lucid dream | D．to have sweet dreams regularly |
| A．It can be a source of creativity. | B．It is an effective cure for autism. |
| C．It helps people adjust their heart rate. | D．It enables people to become confident. |
| A．To demonstrate new technologies to treat sleep disorder. |
| B．To give a general introduction of lucid dreaming. |
| C．To describe an experiment about lucid dreaming. |
| D．To present a way to deal with lucid dreaming. |
5 . When John was growing up, other kids felt sorry for him. His parents always had him weeding the garden, carrying out the garbage and delivering newspapers. But when John reached adulthood, he was better off than his childhood playmates. He had more job satisfaction, a better marriage and was healthier. Most of all, he was happier. Far happier.
These are the findings of a 40-year study that followed the lives of 456 teenage boys from Boston. The study showed that those who had worked as boys enjoyed happier and more productive lives than those who had not. ＂Boys who worked in the home or community gained competence(能力) and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society,＂ said George Vaillant, the psychologist(心理学家) who made the discovery. ＂And because they felt good about themselves, others felt good about them.＂
Vaillant’s study followed these males in great detail. Interviews were repeated at ages 25,31 and 47. Under Vaillant, the researchers compared the men’s mental-health scores with their boyhood-activity scores. Points were awarded for part-time jobs, housework, effort in school, and ability to deal with problems.
The link between what the men had done as boys and how they turned out as adults was surprisingly sharp. Those who had done the most boyhood activities were twice as likely to have warm relations with a wide variety of people, five times as likely to be well paid and 16 times less likely to have been unemployed. The researchers also found that IQ and family social and economic class made no real difference in how the boys turned out.
Working — at any age — is important. Childhood activities help a child develop responsibility, independence, confidence and competence — the underpinnings(基础) of emotional health. They also help him understand that people must cooperate and work toward common goals. The most competent adults are those who know how to do this. Yet work isn’t everything. As Tolstoy once said, ＂One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love, to work for the person one loves and to love one’s work.＂
1. What do we know about John?| A．He enjoyed his career and marriage. |
| B．He had few childhood playmates. |
| C．He received little love from his family. |
| D．He was envied by others in his childhood. |
| A．a description of personal values and social values |
| B．an analysis of how work was related to competence |
| C．an example for parents’ expectations of their children |
| D．an explanation why some boys grew into happy men |
| A．recording the boys’ effort in school |
| B．evaluating the men’s mental health |
| C．comparing different sets of scores |
| D．measuring the men’s problem solving ability |
| A．Quick to react. | B．Having a thin edge. |
| C．Clear and definite. | D．Sudden and rapid. |
| A．Competent adults know more about love than work. |
| B．Emotional health is essential to a wonderful adult life. |
| C．Love brings more joy to people than work does. |
| D．Independence is the key to one’s success. |
