Can plants talk?Modern research has found something amazing:they do communicate with each other.
It has been known for some time that plants use chemicals to communicate with each other.This happens when a plant gets attacked by insects.The plant gives out chemicals from the leaves that are being eaten.This is like a warning,or a call for help:"I'm being attacked!"When another plant gets the chemicals,it starts to give out its own,different chemicals.Some of these chemicals drive insects away.Others attract the wasps (黄蜂;蜜蜂)!The wasps kill the insects that are eating the plants.Scientists hope to learn more about this plant warning system,so that we can use it to grow more crops.
More surprisingly,plants also use sound to communicate.People can't hear these sounds,but plants are making them.Some plants make noises with their roots.Corn and chili plants do this.Some trees make clicking noises when there is not enough water.
Most surprisingly of all,plants have an amazing system of communication that can link nearly every plant in a forest.Scientists call this system the "wood wide web".The wood wide web is linked underground by fungi (霉菌).It links the roots of different plants to each other.It is in some ways similar to the Internet we use.Using the wood wide web,plants can share information and even food with each other.However,it may lead to bad effects.Plants may use it to steal food from each other,or spread chemicals to attack other plants.Perhaps one day scientists will learn how to create a "firewall" to help prevent these attacks within the wood wide web.
Scientists are learning more every day about the secret ways in which plants talk to each other.Maybe one day we will know enough about plant communication to be able to "talk" with them ourselves.
(1)What will plants do when they are attacked by insects?
A.They will kill the insects by themselves.
B.They will control the wasps to kill the insects.
C.They will send out signals to ask for help.
D.They will produce chemicals as a warning or a call for help.
(2)How are the wood wide web linked by fungi?
A.By making noises with their roots.
B.By connecting the roots of different plants to each other.
C.By sharing food and information with each other.
D.By spreading chemicals to each other.
(3)What is the writer's intention of the last paragraph?
A.To give people hope for further studies.
B.To praise scientists for their great achievements.
C.To call on people to protect the plants on Earth.
D.To inspire people to communicate with plants.
(4)What is the structure of the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
(5)Which is the best title for the passage?
A.The Secret Language of Plants
B.The Study about the Plant Warning System
C.The Plants that Give Warnings
D.Why Scientists Do Research about Plants
A young woman was driving through the lonely countryside. It was dark and rainy. Suddenly she saw an old woman by the side of the road, holding up her hand as if she wanted a lift(搭便车).
"I can't leave her out in this weather," the young woman said to herself. She stopped the car and opened the door.
"Do you want a lift?" she asked. The old woman nodded(点头) and climbed into the car. After a while, she said to the old woman, “Have you been waiting a long time?" The old woman shook (摇晃) her head. "Strange!" thought the woman. She tried again. "Bad weather for the time of year," she said. The old woman nodded.Then the young woman noticed the old woman's hands, which were large and hairy(多毛的). Suddenly she realized that "she" was a man! She was frightened at first. Then she stopped the car. "I can't see out of the rear screen(挡风玻璃) ,"she said. "Would you mind cleaning it for me?"
"The old woman" nodded and opened the door. As soon as "she" was out of the car, the frightened young woman drove off as fast as she could.
When she got to the next village, she stopped. She noticed "the old woman" had left "her" handbag behind. She picked it up and opened it. Inside was a gun(枪)When the young woman talked with "her", "the old woman" only nodded or shook "her" head because "she"_______.
A.didn't want the young woman to hear "her" voice |
B.didn't want to trouble the young woman any more |
C.was so tired that "she" didn't want to talk with her |
D.wondered if the young woman had seen "her" hands |
How did the young woman find “she” was a man?
A.The young woman hared her "voice" |
B.The young woman saw a gun in the handbag |
C.The young woman noticed the old woman’s hands were big and fairy |
D.The young woman had never seen "the old woman" |
The young woman asked "the old woman" to clean the rear screen in order to________
A.see more clearly | B.drive fast and well |
C.make "her" speak | D.throw "her" out |
From the story we can see that the young woman was______.
A.kind and clever | B.beautiful and bright |
C.foolish and shy | D.strong and helpful |
What do you think "the old woman" was________.
A.A policeman. | B.A basketball player. |
C.A robber | D.A poor villager |
Do you know what Oscar is? When did it start? Maybe you can find the background of the awards in the following passage.
The awards started in 1929. Their full title is “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards”. The Academy is a group of people who have worked in the film industry for many years. They decide who will receive the awards. The awards are often referred to as the “Oscar”. This is a nickname given to the awards by a lady called Margaret Herrick. She was once the director of the Academy and she once said that the little gold statue(雕像) reminded her of her uncle Oscar!
The Oscar is always an exciting event. Each year, at least one unusual thing happens. When the Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni won an Oscar for best foreign film, he danced on stage! When Gwyneth Paltrow, the star of Shakespeare in Love won the Oscar for best actress, she could not make her acceptance speech because she was crying so much with happiness!
In 1987, Roberto Benigni won the award for best director for a film about the last emperor of China. Since then, Chinese film and actors have started to make an impact at the award. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a huge success and it won the award for best foreign language film in 2001. It also won several technical awards for its amazing “flying” people. We expect to see more awards for Chinese film in the near future.
It’s time for the Oscar again. Once more, the stars will dress up in their finest and go to Kodak Theater. There, they will find out who had won the awards for best actor, best actress and best director. Millions of people watch the awards every year to find out who the winners are. Some people watch it to see the stars crying and laughing as they receive their awards.Who give the awards?
A.In 1927. |
B.Oscar. |
C.The Academy of Nicknames. |
D.A group of people who have worked in the film industry for many years. |
What did Gwyneth Paltrow win an Oscar for?
A.Best Director. | B.Best Foreign Film. | C.Best Actress. | D.Best Actor. |
Which Chinese film won an award for best foreign film?
A.Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger. |
B.Crouching and Hidden Dragon and Tiger. |
C.Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. |
D.Crouching, Dragon, Hiding Tiger. |
Where are the Oscars held?
A.At the Academy. | B.in a Los Angeles restaurant. |
C.At Oscar’s house. | D.At Kodak Theater. |
Why do some people watch Oscars?
A.To see the restaurant. | B.To see the fashion. |
C.To see a film. | D.To see the stars crying and laughing. |
Autumn is the harvest season. There must be a lot for us to eat !Yes, autumn is a great time for fruit and vegetables. Let’s find out about some of the best.
Apples: You can eat apples all the year round, but they are better and cheaper in autumn. People say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Apples have a lot of vitamin C and fiber(纤维) in them. They are good for the heart and can make your mouth fresh.
Pears: Pears are in season from autumn to mid winter. They have minerals(矿物质)and vitamins C and E in them. They are good for the heart and can keep cancer (癌症) away.
Pumpkins: Pumpkin is a nice vegetable in autumn. They are rich in beta carotene (贝塔胡萝卜素), which is turned into vitamin A in our bodies. Pumpkins also have calcium(钙),iron and vitamin C in them. Eating pumpkins can make us look young.
Sweet corn (甜玉米): Sweet corn is in season near the end of the year. It has minerals in it. It’s good for the heart.
Autumn weather is cold and dry. Try to eat as much fruit and vegetables as you can. They will make you healthy. The passage mainly tells us_________.
A.autumn is a great time for fruit and vegetables |
B.why people need to eat an apple each day. |
C.eating pumpkins can make us look young |
D.to eat as much fruit and vegetables as we can |
The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” means_______.
A.医生一日吃一个苹果 |
B.医生规定人们一日吃一个苹果 |
C.一日吃一个苹果就不必去找医生 |
D.医生不让人们一日吃一个苹果 |
_____ are /is in rich beta carotene.
A.Pumpkins | B.Sweet corn | C.Apples | D.Pears |
The following four advertisements are from Yangtse Evening News, Mar 8th , 2012.
Guitar lessons An excellent musician. Good at teaching kids for 5 years. Your home or mine. Call Larry at 86087593. |
Taxi driver wanted Full time. Experience and good knowledge of the city needed. Under 45 years old. Call Mr. White at 75132633 or 13935728866. |
Lost dog Medium size, spotted white short hair. Answer you when you call it David. Many thanks for returning it. Call Susan at 87328059. |
Flat for sale Two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. Hot water 8:00—18:00. Beautiful sights out of the windows. QQ: 770519666. Call Ms. Green at 86777555 or 13813913788. |
Which of the four people may get the job as a taxi driver?
A.A 50-year-old person. |
B.A 40-year-old person who can drive well in the city. |
C.A person who has just got his driver’s license. |
D.A person who can drive and has free time on weekends. |
How can you contact (联系) the owner of the flat for more information?
A.By visiting her. | B.By sending a letter. |
C.By making a phone call. | D.By sending an e-mail |
任务型阅读。阅读下文并回答下列问题。(每小题2分,公6分)
Hello.I have a photo here. It’s a photo of my classrooom. Look, Some books are on our desks. On the teacher’s desk,there are(有) some notebooks. A clock is on the wall(墙上) of our classroom. That’s a map. It’s a map of China. And a hat is on it, too.It’s Kate’s. A baseball is under the chair. But a schoolbag is on it.Is the hat Kate’s?
_______________________. What are on the teacher’s desk?
__________________________________Where is the baseball ?
________________________________.