| 1. 难度：中等 | |
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Scientists at Royal Holloway, University of London and Queen Mary, University of London have discovered that bees learn to fly the shortest possible route between flowers even if they discover the flowers in a different order. Bees are effectively solving the “traveling salesman problem”, and they are the first creatures found to do this.
The traveling salesman must find the shortest route that allows him to visit all locations on his route. Computers solve it by comparing the length of all possible routes and choosing the shortest, and it can keep computers busy for days. However, bees solve it without computer assistance using a brain the size of grass seed. Dr. Nigel Raine, from the School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway explains, “Bees solve traveling salesman problems every day. They visit flowers at multiple locations and because bees use lots of energy to fly, they find a route which keeps flying to a minimum. ” The team used the computer to control artificial flowers to test whether bees would follow a route defined by the order in which they discovered the flowers or if they would find the shortest route. After exploring the location of the flowers, bees quickly learned to fly the shortest route. As well as improving our understanding of how bees move around the landscape pollinating(授粉)crops and wild flowers, this research, which is due to be published in The American Naturalist, has other applications. Our lifestyle relies on networks such as traffic on the roads, information flow on the Web and business supply chains. By understanding how bees can solve their problems with such a tiny brain, we can improve our management of these everyday networks without needing lots of computer time. Dr. Raine adds, “Despite their tiny brains, bees are capable of extraordinary feats of behavior. We need to understand how they can solve the traveling salesman problem without a computer. ” 1. What would be the best title of the passage? A. Bees help salesmen travel B. Tiny-brained bees solve a complex mathematical problem C. How bees discover the flowers D. How to solve the “traveling salesman problem” 2.We may infer from the second paragraph that the “traveling salesman problem” . A. can be solved by a computer easily B. can’t even be solved by a computer C. can puzzle both people and computers D. remains to be solved by scientists 3. The main purpose of the last paragraph is to . A. provide further proof for the research B. tell us how bees can fly the shortest route between flowers C. tell us how the research about bees’ flying route was conducted D. explain the importance of the research 4. It can be concluded from the passage that . A. all creatures are smarter than computers B. the research about bees’ flying route can be applied to many fields C. our networks are more complex than bees’ ones D. with the help of the computer we can find out how bees can solve the “traveling salesman problem”
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| 2. 难度：中等 | |
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For as long as humans have lived on the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech. When there is a spoken language problem, communication can be carried out through sign language, in which gestures stand for letters, words, and ideas. Tourists and people unable to hear or speak have often had to turn to this form of expression. When gestures describe words or ideas, they can often be used internationally(各国之间地). When used for spelling words however, where each gesture stands for a single letter, people must share the same written language.
Body language sends ideas or thoughts by certain actions, either meaningfully or not. A wink(眨眼, 使眼色)can be a way of showing that the person is only joking. A nod means agreement, while shaking the head indicates disagreement. Other forms of language can be found in Braille(a reading system of raised dots read with the fingertips used by the blind), signal flags, Morse code, and smoke signals. Road maps and picture signs also guide and warn people. While language is the most common form of communication, other systems and techniques also express human thoughts and feelings. 1. What does the author mainly want to say? A. People can communicate in many different ways. B. Everybody uses only one form of communication. C. Language is invaluable to foreigners. D. Non-spoken communication is of little value. 2.According to the text, which part of the body can be used to show you are joking? A. Fingers. B. Eyes. C. Head. D. Feet. 3. What can’t be effectively communicated by sign language when people belong to different language groups? A. Spelling. B. Ideas. C. Whole words. D. Expressions. 4. How many different forms of communication are mentioned in the text? A. Three. B. Five. C. Six. D. Nine.
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| 3. 难度：中等 | |
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I still clearly remember that day. I was on the side of the road for almost four hours with my big Jeep. I put signs in the windows that said, “NEED A JACK(千斤顶). ” Right as I was about to give up, a truck stopped and a man got off. He sized up(对……做出判断)the situation and went back to take a jack. After about two hours, we finished the job with sweats. We were both dirty. His wife produced a large water jug for us to wash our hands in. I tried to put $20 in the man’s hand, but he wouldn’t take it, so instead I went up and gave it to his wife as quietly as I could. I thanked them up one side and down the other. I asked the little girl, their daughter, where they lived, thinking maybe I’d send them a gift. She said they lived in Mexico. They were in Oregon now so Mommy and Daddy could pick cherries for the next few weeks. After that, they were going to pick peaches, and then go back home. After I said my goodbyes and started walking back to the Jeep, the girl called out and asked if I’d had lunch. When I told her no, she ran up and handed me a tamale(玉米粽子). I thanked them again and walked back to my car. When I opened the tamale, what did I find inside? My $20 bill! I ran to the truck and the guy rolled down his window. He saw the $20 in my hand, started shaking his head smiling, and with what looked like great concentration said in English: “Today you, tomorrow me. ”Then he rolled up his window and drove away, with his daughter waving to me from the back. This family, working on a seasonal basis where time is money, took a couple of hours to help a stranger while others passed by quietly. Since then I’ve helped many people like the Mexican family. I didn’t accept money. But every time I was able to help, I felt as if I was putting something in the bank. 1. From the passage we know that . A. the Mexican man couldn’t speak English B. the author’s car broke down on the road C. the Mexican family came to Oregon for a visit D. $20 was a small amount for the Mexican family 2. Why did the author give the money quietly to the man’s wife? A. Because the man had refused to accept it. B. Because the man’s wife needn’t wash her hands. C. Because the author thought the Mexican family was poor. D. Because the author thought the man’s wife would take it. 3. The Mexican man helped the author because he tended to think that . A. it was completely wrong for others to pass by quietly B. it was quite easy to help the author mend the Jeep C. it was possible that everyone might get into trouble D. the author was a polite stranger and needed the help 4. Which of the following is TRUE about the author? A. He hated those who didn’t offer help. B. He would send a present to the family soon. C. He wondered why they didn’t take the money. D. He considered helping others as saving money in the bank. 5. What can we infer from the passage? A. The Mexican family lived a richer life than the author. B. The Mexican family did seasonal work in Oregon each year. C. The author was inspired to help others by the Mexican family. D. What made the writer moved was the tamale given by the girl.
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| 4. 难度：中等 | |
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Dear editor, I am a high school student. A few days before, one of my very good friends told me that he was going to stop the school. He said that he want to start his own business. I tried my best to get him change his mind, but failed. I know it is difficult of him to change his mind. He is not doing so good in his studies, yet I want to insist that I give it a try. The process is more important than the results. Now there are only 90 days leaving before the test. I am not sure that his decision is right or wrong. I needed your advice.
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