If you saw another kid ride her bike too fast around a corner and fall down, you might ride your bike more slowly on that turn. Yes, we humans are very sensitive to others' mistakes. And the same is true for other animals. Animals mess up all the time. They might eat poisonous leaves, fall off a tree or let their prey (猎物) slip away. By watching others fail, an animal can avoid making the same mistakes, thus improving its chance of survival.
Scientists suspected that one part of the brain helps animals process information about others' errors. Cells in that part appear to become more active when a person sees someone else making a mistake. But researchers didn't know whether individual cells in this part of the brain play different roles in detecting errors.
To investigate the brain's response to errors in more detail, the researchers taught a game to two macaques, a type of monkey. One monkey could press a yellow or green button while the other watched. If the first monkey pressed the right button, the team gave both animals a treat. Every couple of rounds, the two monkeys switched roles. Meanwhile, the scientists monitored individual cells in the animal's brains.
When the first monkey messed up the game by pressing the wrong button, a group of cells in the second monkey's brain fired. But if the second monkey also made the wrong choice during its turn, some of the cells in that group didn't respond. Those unresponsive cells reacted specifically to mistakes made by others, not to the monkey's own mistakes.
Scientists believe other parts of the brain also might help people process information about another's errors. "You start to think about this other person and see things from his angle. " Ellen de Bruijn, told Science News. She studies the brain at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. According to Paragraph 1 , animals' ability to learn from others' mistakes ______.
| A．used to be ignored by humans |
| B．ensures that they will never fail |
| C．is being lost because of humans |
| D．helps them to survive better |
The underlined word "detecting" in Paragraph 2 probably means "______".
| A．correcting | B．making |
| C．sensing | D．drawing |
In the experiment mentioned, those unresponsive cells are only sensitive to ______.
| A．the same buttons | B．others' mistakes |
| C．one's own mistakes | D．the monkey's brain |
Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards, meaning they are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, or chemical fertilizers and that they were processed without food additives. Livestock are raised without the routine use of antibiotics（抗生素）or growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified. They may also be required to be produced using energy-saving technologies and packaged using recyclable materials when possible.
Early consumers interested in organic food would look for non-chemically treated, fresh or minimally processed food.
They mostly had to buy directly from growers: “Know your farmer, know your food” was the motto. Personal definitions of what constituted ( 组成)“organic” were developed through first-hand experience: by talking to farmers, seeing farm conditions, and farming activities. Historically, organic farms were relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers’ markets.
However, since the early 1990s organic food has had growth rates of around 20% a year. As of April 2008, organic food accounts for 1 - 2% of food sales worldwide. Currently organic food production is legally regulated. Many countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.
Several studies have attempted to examine and compare conventional and organic systems of farming. The general consensus（共同看法）is that, in the short term, organic farming is less damaging for the following reasons:
● Organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides (合成农药) into the environment — some of which have the potential to harm soil, water and local wildlife.
● Organic farms are better than conventional farms at keeping diverse ecosystems, i.e., populations of plants and insects, as well as animals.
● Organic farms are more energy efficient and produce less waste.
Another report published in March 2008 by The Organic Center claims that organic food is on average 25% more nutritious than conventional food.
However, many critics believe that the increased land needed to farm organic food could potentially destroy the rainforests and wipe out many ecosystems. And organic products cost 10 to 40% more than similar conventionally produced products. Processed organic foods in supermarkets are 65% more expensive.
1. Early consumers knew what food was “organic” by _______.
A. firsthand experience B. the “certified organic” label tag
C. its packaging D. examining its organic certification
2. We can infer that _______.
A. in America, organic food can only be bought in small stores or farmers’ markets
B. organic food is also available in large supermarkets at present
C. organic food is produced by large-scale farms
D. organic food is often beautifully packaged
3. According to the passage, organic food is considered as _______.
A. junk food B. delicious snacks C. green food D. conventional food
4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A. The benefits of organic food. B. The cost of organic food.
C. The disadvantages of organic food. D. Organic food and conventional food.
5. Which of the following statements does NOT support the view that organic farming is more environment-friendly?
A. Organic food is generally thought to be more nutritious.
B. Organic farms are more energy efficient and produce less waste.
C. Organic farms are better than conventional farms at maintaining varieties of plants, insects and animals.
D. Organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides into the environment.
Bicycles are a great way to get around. They are fun to ride, especially down hills. And, as you speed along the road, you might also think of ways in which you could improve your bike – make it safer, more efficient, or more comfortable. In fact, the two-wheeled machines make for some cool science projects.
This year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last May in Cleveland, had three bicycle projects from three countries. Like many of the other experiments presented at ISEF, the bike projects showed that some of the most interesting scientific research often begins by taking a closer look at things you care about.
Renato Angulo Chu had even grander ambitions. The 12th-grader from Lima, Peru, wanted to address some of his country’s economic troubles.
“I see a problem in my country,” Renato said, “If you go to the forests in Peru, in some places you can not find electricity. If you go with my bicycle, you can turn on the lights.”
Renato, 16, spent 3 years designing his special Multibike. The device looks like a fixed exercise bike. It has wires fixed along the frame and a blender fastened to the back. Turning the pedals operates the blender. The same principle can be used to sharpen knives or sweep city streets.
The Multibike can work either as a fixed bike or as a bicycle able to travel city streets and country road. It’s made from inexpensive materials, and the user gets exercise while pedaling to operate a machine.
“You pedal the bike, and you can mix any drink you want,” Renato said. More importantly, he added, the same concept could be used to bring light to houses in remote regions of the rainforest.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. Bicycles are the best way to go about.
B. Bikes should be made more comfortable to ride
C. You can improve your bicycle for science research.
D. Many inventions are connected with the bicycle.
2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. ISEF is an exhibition displaying bicycle experiments designed by students.
B. Looking closely at things you are concerned about can lead to scientific research
C. Renato’s improvement of the bicycle has solved the country’s great problem.
D. Renato’s special bicycle will soon be put into use in remote areas.
3. The underlined word “address” in the third paragraph probably has the same meaning as _______.
A. make address written B. give up C. work at D. speak at
4. Renato’s special Multibike has all the following functions except ______.
A. making knives sharp
B. mixing any kind of drinks
C. producing electricity
D. operating a machine with its own electricity
5. It can be inferred that Renato’s special bicycle is mainly designed for ______.
A. distant areas in the rainforest without electricity
B. the use of his own family to make life easier
C. the competition of ISEF to win money to support remote rainforests
D. enough exercise by pedaling it.
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Captain Goodfellow
Do your children enjoy interesting stories, funny games, and exciting dances? Captain Goodfellow will be ready to teach all these things to children of all ages at the City Theatre on Saturday morning at 10:00. Free.
Walking Tour of the Town
Forget your worries on Saturday morning. Take a beautiful walk and learn about local history. Meet at the front entrance of City Hall at 9:30. Wear comfortable shoes!
Films at the Museum
Two European films will be shown Saturday afternoon at the Museum Theater. See Broken Window at 1:30. The Workers will be at 3:45. For further information, call 4987898.
International Picnic
Are you tired of eating the same food every day? Come to Central Park on Saturday and enjoy food from all over the world. Delicious and not expensive. Noon to 5:00 pm.
Take Me out to the Ballgame
It’s October, and tonight is your last chance to see the Redbirds this year. Get your tickets at the gate. It might be cold, so don’t forget sweaters and jackets.
Do You Want to Hear “The Zoo”
“The Zoo”, a popular rock group from Australia, will give their first US concert tomorrow night at 8 at Rose Hall, City College.
1. You can probably eat Chinese, Italian, and Arabian food at_______.
A. the front entrance of City Hall
B. the City Theatre
C. Rose Hall
D. Central Park on Saturday
2. You can see movies at the_______.
A. City College
B. Museum Theater
C. City Theater
D. Central Park
3. If you are going on the Walking Tour, don’t forget to______.
A. take some food
B. tell interesting stories
C. learn about local history
D. wear your comfortable shoes
4. The Redbirds ballgame ______.
A. is held in the afternoon B. might be held outside
C. is held at the gate D. might need sweaters and jackets
5. “The Zoo” is ______.
A. a park with lots of animals there
B. a US concert
C. a music group
D. going to give the concert at 8 am. tomorrow
第二部分：阅读理解（共20小题;每小题2.5分，满分50分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
Do you know about a series of books that say they are "for dummies"? These American self-help books have been translated into more than thirty-nine languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Russian, French, German, Greek and Spanish.
"Dummy" is a word for a stupid person. The dummies books are not really for stupid people. They are designed to show people how to do something they may never have tried before, like painting a house or learning a language. The books all say in a funny way that they are for dummies, such as World History for Dummies, Rabbits for Dummies, Chinese Cooking for Dummies, and Wedding Planning for Dummies. The first such book, DOS for Dummies, was published in 1991. it helped people learn how to use the DOS operating system for computers. Since then, more than one hundred fifty million dummies books have been sold.
The dummies.com website explains the idea behind the books. It says that they show that people can be taught to do anything. First they can make fun of ideas that are difficult to understand. Then they show how the information can be interesting and easy. The publishers say that the books do not provide more information than necessary. They give readers just enough information to do what they want. They say that the dummies books give the best and easiest way to do something. And the books use simple and easy language.
There are more than one thousand different dummies books. A report in New York Times says that the top-selling dummies books are those that explain technology and personal finance.
The publishers say that the best-selling dummies books are those providing information many people need —like information about diseases, education and cooking. People interested in opera, car repair and wine can also find dummies books to help them. And there are even more dummies books to come. The publishers say that they publish about two hundred new dummies books every year.
1. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A. Books for “Dummies”
B. The Easiest, the Best
C. Self-Help Books
D. New Ideas behind the Books
2. According to the dummies.com website, people can ______ with the help of dummies books.
A. simplify some personal things
B. do anything they want
C. become expert in any field
D. learn any foreign language
3. The dummies books have been popular because ______.
A. they provide just what is needed and are easy to understand
B. they provide abundant information on the concerning subject
C. people can learn to do anything with just one copy
D. people can save lots of money through self-teaching
4. According to New York Times, we know that books on ______ sell best.
A. technology and personal finance
B. opera and car repairing
C. diseases and education
D. cooking and world history
5. What can we learn from the passage?
A. The first dummies book was on Chinese cooking.
B. The dummies books will continue to be popular.
C. Fifty million different dummies books have been published.
D. The simple language was intended for child readers.
Research shows that humans switch from selfish to unselfish behaviors when they are watched. Do you?
A picture of a set of eyes on a computer screen can cause a change in the way people act. Even images of eyes on a charity donation, collection box encourage people to be unselfish, because people put more money in a collection box that has a picture of eyes on it than they do when a flower symbol is on the box.
|
Manfred Milinski from the Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary
Biology in Germany and Bettina Rockenbach of the University of Berlin,