Thousands of puffins(海鹦) live in Maine and on islands in the Gulf of Maine. But
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Thousands of puffins(海鹦) live in Maine and on islands in the Gulf of Maine. But the puffins may be in danger. Last summer, the percentage of laid eggs that successfully produced baby puffins took a dive. Scientists also found a decline in the average body weight of the adult and baby puffins on Machias Seal Island, home to the area’s largest colony. Over the winter, dozens of the seabirds from the region were found dead, likely from starvation.
What’s causing the puffin trouble? Scientists think it may be a shortage of food. With ocean temperatures rising, fish populations have moved around. Normally, puffins’ primary food source is herring, a type of fish. A lack of herring in the area could be causing the problem.
Butterfish from the south have become more abundant in the Gulf of Maine and could be a new food source for birds. But Steve Kress says butterfish may be too big and round for baby puffins to swallow.
Puffins spend most of their lives at sea. They come ashore to breed each spring and return to the ocean in August. The chicks swim to sea about 40 days after hatching. Puffin populations stretch across the North Atlantic, from Maine to northern Russia.
Maine’s puffin population has been at risk in the past. In the 1800s, they were hunted for their food, eggs and feathers. By 1901, only one pair of puffins remained in the state. Thanks to the help of local lighthouse keepers and seabird restoration programs, the state’s puffin population has been restored to more than 2,000 birds.
Scientists aren’t sure what will happen to the Gulf of Maine’s puffins. The birds may move further north. Kress says he hopes the Gulf population will sustain itself and then he continued. “You never know what climate change will bring,” Kress said. “Historically fish could move out and more southerly fish could move in, and puffins may adapt to the new fish. Only they will know how the story will unfold.”
小题1:The underlined phrase “took a dive” means _______.| A．increased | B．arose | C．reduced | D．changed |
小题2:In the scientists’ opinion, ________ is contributing to the puffin trouble.| A．a lack of herring | B．environmental pollution | | C．the increase of birds | D．the huge size of butterfish |
小题3:It can be inferred from the passage that _______.| A．Maine’s puffin once nearly became extinct | | B．Maine’s puffins’ eggs were of high prices | | C．baby puffins grew up quickly | | D．the number of Maine’s puffins is worrying |
小题4:Judging from Kress’s words in the last paragraph, we know ________.| A．climate change matters little | | B．there is cause for concern | | C．the new fish won’t harm puffins | | D．puffins may move to the south |
小题5:How is the second paragraph mainly developed?| A．By giving examples. | B．By making comparisons. | | C．By following time order. | D．By asking questions |
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答案
小题1:C
小题2:A
小题3:A
小题4:B
小题5:D |
解析
试题分析：文章介绍美国缅因州的海鹦面临危险，原因可能是因为食物的缺乏，也有认为的捕***造成的。
小题1:猜词题：从第一段的句子：But the puffins may be in danger. 可知现在海鹦成功孵出小鸟的成功几率在减少，选C
小题2:细节题：从第二段的句子：. A lack of herring in the area could be causing the problem. 可知科学家认为是缺少鲱鱼导致海鹦的问题。选A。
小题3:细节题：从文章第四段的句子：Maine’s puffin population has been at risk in the past.可知Maine的海鹦曾经几乎要灭绝，选A
小题4:推理题：从最后一段的句子：“You never know what climate change will bring,”可知Kress 认为有担心的理由，选B
小题5:细节题：从第二段的句子：What’s causing the puffin trouble?可知这段是通过问问题来写的，选D |
举一反三
Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens research into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archaeologists(考古学家) says. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centers on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.
“Your current requirement that all archaeologically unearthed human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or further special extension, is contrary to basic principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice,” they write.
The law applies to any pieces of bone uncovered at around 400 dig sites, including the remains of 60 or so bodies found at Stonehenge in 2008 that date back to 3,000 BC. Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to be returned to the ground.
The arrangements may result in the waste of future discoveries at sites such as Happisburgh in Norfolk, where digging is continuing after the discovery of stone tools made by early humans 950,000 years ago. If human remains were found at Happisburgh, they would be the oldest in northern Europe and the first indication of what this species was. Under the current practice of the law those remains would have to be reburied and effectively destroyed.
Before 2008, guidelines allowed for the proper preservation and study of bones of sufficient age and historical interest, while the Burial Act 1857 applied to more recent remains. The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.
Mike Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at Sheffield University, said: “Archaeologists have been extremely patient because we were led to believe the ministry was sorting out this problem, but we feel that we cannot wait any longer.”
The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.
小题1:According to the passage, scientists are unhappy with the law mainly because _______.| A．it is only a temporary measure on the human remains | | B．it is unreasonable and thus destructive to scientific research | | C．it was introduced by the government without their knowledge | | D．it is vague about where and how to rebury human remains |
小题2:Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?| A．Temporary extension of two years will guarantee scientists enough time. | | B．Human remains of the oldest species were dug out at Happisburgh. | | C．Human remains will have to be reburied despite the extension of time. | | D．Scientists have been warned that the law can hardly be changed. |
小题3:What can be inferred about the British law governing human remains?| A．The Ministry of Justice did not intend it to protect human remains. | | B．The Burial Act 1857 only applied to remains uncovered before 1857. | | C．The law on human remains hasn’t changed in recent decades. | | D．The Ministry of Justice has not done enough about the law. |
小题4:Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?| A．New discoveries should be reburied, the government demands. | | B．Research time should be extended, scientists require. | | C．Law on human remains needs thorough discussion, authorities say. | | D．Law could bury ancient secrets for ever, archaeologists warn. |
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BEIJING - China will build a nation-wide network within three to five years to monitor the impact of air pollution on health, a latest step to deal with a persistent smog crisis in big cities, an official said.
A total of 43 monitoring spots will be set up in 16 provinces and municipalities frequently engulfed by smog so as to facilitate research on air pollutants in different regions, the impact on the health of vulnerable groups and the study of related diseases, said Xu Dongqun, an official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
With funds allocated by the central government, the study will provide reference for preventive efforts to reduce the PM 2.5, Xu said.
Thick and dangerous smog have hit 17 provinces and municipalities with a population of 600 million this year. One of the major cities is Beijing, which has been shrouded in smog for several days during the ongoing seven-day national holiday in 2013.
China recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan (284.2 billion U.S. dollars) plan to deal with the worsening air, improving air quality within five years in order to decrease the number of heavily polluted days and improve the air in major city clusters.
小题1: China will build a nation-wide network in order to_________.| A．monitor the impact of air pollution on health | | B．improve air quality | | C．improve air pollution | | D．increase the PM 2.5 |
小题2:The underlined word “persistent” means“________”.小题3: China will take measures to deal with air pollution except________.| A．China recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan (284.2 billion U.S. dollars) plan | | B．set up monitoring spots in 16 provinces and municipalities | | C．improveliving standard | | D．improve the air in major city clusters |
小题4: We can infer from the paragraph________.| A．Thick and dangerous smog have hit 17 provinces and municipalities | | B．air pollution impacted a population of 600 million this year | | C．The people in Beijing probably wore masks when they walked on the street during the national holiday in 2013. | | D．the study will provide reference for preventive efforts to reduce the PM 2.5 |
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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Beijing on Thursday evening, the official Xinhua news agency said, beginning a hotly anticipated week-long trip during which she will promote education and cultural ties.
Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is expected to spend Friday with China"s charismatic first lady, Peng Liyuan, who is admired at home as both a glamorous songstress and fashion icon.
Besides Beijing, Obama will visit the western historic city of Xi"an and the southern city of Chengdu, where she will visit a panda preserve. Obama"s two daughters are accompanying her, as well as her mother. She also plans to visit American and Chinese students to promote education and cultural exchanges, and visit historical landmarks like the Great Wall of China.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the visit would help deepen ties between the world"s two largest economies. "We believe that this visit will play an important role in increasing mutual understanding between the two countries and expanding friendship." Hong told reporters ahead of Obama"s arrival.
News of Obama"s arrival spread fast on Sina Weibo, where users speculated on what the trip would bring - as well as what Obama would wear and eat. "Two intellectual women playing the game of great power politics - how beautiful." wrote one user.
小题1:The underlined word “charismatic” in Paragraph 2 probably means _____. | A．smart | B．serious | | C．charming | D．kindhearted |
小题2:From this passage we know that U.S. first lady Michelle Obama _____| A．is a Harvard-educated lawyer | B．will visit China alone | | C．arrived in Beijing on Friday evening | D．will promote laws and cultural exchanges. |
小题3:According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?| A．Michelle Obama will visit the western historic city of Xi"an and the southern city of Chengdu. | | B．Sina Weibo users didn’t care about what the trip would bring. | | C．Michelle Obama is expected to spend Friday with China"s first lady, Peng Liyuan. | | D．The U.S. first lady Michelle Obama will visit historical landmarks like the Great Wall of China. |
小题4:In which part of a magazine can we probably read this passage?| A．Entertainment. | B．Education. | C．Culture. | D．News. |
小题5:According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman，which of the following is NOT true？| A．The visit would help deepen ties between the world"s two largest economies. | | B．The visit will play an important role in increasing mutual understanding between the two countries. | | C．The visit will promote education and cultural exchanges. | | D．The visit will expand mutual friendship between the two countries. |
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British potato farmers were angry and wanted the expression “couch potato” to be taken out of the dictionary because it harmed the vegetable’s image.
The British Potato Council wants the Oxford English Dictionary to replace the expression with the term “couch slouch”, with protests being outside Parliament in London and the offices of Oxford University Press.
Kathryn Race, head of marketing at the Council, which represents some 4,000 planters and processors, said the group had complained in writing to the OED but had yet to receive a response.
“We are trying to get rid of the image that potatoes are bad for you,” she said on Monday.
“The potato has had its knocks in the past. Of course it is not the Oxford English Dictionary’s fault but we want to use another term instead of “couch potato” because potatoes are naturally healthy.”
The OED says that “couch potato” began as American slang, meaning “a person who spends his or her leisure time sitting around, especially watching television or video tapes.”
The Potato Council says its campaign is backed by dieticians (饮食学家) who say the vegetable is low in fat and high in vitamin C.
Supporting the campaign, famous cook Antony Worrall Thompson said the vegetable was one of Britain’s favorite foods.
“Not only are they healthy, they are also convenient and yummy (美味). Life without potato is like a sandwich without a filling,” he said.
John Simpson, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, said the dictionary first included the term “couch potato” in 1993 and said “dictionaries just reflect the words that society uses.”
Simpson said words were never taken out of the full-length dictionary, which includes some 650,000 words in 20 volumes.
But little-used words can be removed from the smaller dictionaries to make way for newer ones.
“If society stops using words then they get taken out of the smaller dictionaries,” he added.
The first known recorded use of the expression “couch potato” was in an article in Los Angeles Times, in 1979, Simpson said.
Nigel Evans, a member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, has made a motion in support of the campaign, highlighting the nutritional value of the British potato.
小题1:British potato farmers wanted to _________.| A．advertise their produces | | B．call for a higher price for their potatoes | | C．remove the expression “couch potato” from the dictionary | | D．let people know how important the potato is in people’s lives |
小题2:The farmers think that _________.| A．potatoes have had a bad image | | B．Potatoes are good for people by nature | | C．potatoes sometimes do harm to people | | D．it’s the dictionary’s fault to use the expression “couch potato” |
小题3:John Simpson thinks that _________.| A．the expression can be taken out of every kind of dictionary | | B．dictionaries do not necessarily reflect the words the society uses | | C．little-used words can remain in the smaller dictionaries | | D．it is impossible for them to take the expression out of the dictionary |
小题4:What is wrong with the expression “couch potato” according to the farmers in this passage?| A．It is connected with unfavorable meaning. | | B．Potato should be used in the expression. | | C．It is borrowed from America English. | | D．It refers to a kind of person. |
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The increase in tuition fees has led to a “clear drop” in the number of English students applying for university places this autumn. There are 15,000 “missing” applicants（申请人） this academic year, according to the Independent Commission on Fees. Chairman Will Hutton said: “We’re asking our young men and women to have more debt than any other country in the world — it’s higher than the average debt in the US. It’s not clear whether those lost students this year will return next year, or if it’s a storm warming of a worrying trend.”
But the commission’s report says there does not seem to be an impact on poorer communities. The commission found there was no significant change in the application rate to the key universities, such as Oxford or Cambridge. The decline（下降） in England has not been mirrored（再现） in other parts of the UK where fees have not been raised, and the drop can only partly be explained by falling numbers of young people in the population. Students from Scotland attending Scottish universities do not pay fees, while the Welsh Assembly says it will pay fees above ￡3,465 for Welsh students attending UK institutions.
The average tuition fee at English universities this year is ￡ 8,385, rising to ￡ 8,507 next year. UK and EU students have access to government-backed loans to pay the fees. And the survey of 1,000 pupils aged 15-18, carried out this April, found that the majority expected to go on to higher education as people continue to understand that university remains a good long term investment（投资） in their future.
A spokeswoman at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which is responsible for universities, said: “Students shouldn’t be forced to put off going to university for financial reasons. Most students will not have to pay in advance, and no one will have to start paying back their student loan until they start to earn at least ￡ 2l,000 per year.”
小题1:From the first paragraph, we know that .| A．the rising tuition fees have a great effect on English students | | B．many English students are missing the final examinations | | C．the lost English students will find their way back | | D．it’s a trend that English students are dropping out of school |
小题2: Why is there still a drop of applicants though fees have not been raised?| A．Because the students live in poor communities. | | B．Because education is free for Scottish students. | | C．Because there are less young students in the area. | | D．Because Welsh students will pay fees above￡3,465. |
小题3:What’s the students’ attitude to universities in the survey?| A．They will stop applying for university places this autumn. | | B．They feel universities takes up too much time. | | C．They are anxious to go to a key university. | | D．Most of them are willing to go to university. |
小题4:The spokeswoman in the last paragraph advises students to .| A．put off going to university | | B．pay for the fees in advance | | C．reduce the anxiety about the rising fees | | D．pay back their loan soon aller graduation |
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