According to a team of researchers, an animals' ability to perceive(感知)time is linked to their pace of life.
"Our results lend support to the importance of time perception in animals where the ability to
perceive time in a very short time may be the difference between life and death for fast moving
creatures." commented lead author Kevin Healy from Trinity College Dublin.
The study was done with a variety of animals using a phenomenon based on the maximum speed of flashes of light an individual can see before the light source is seen as constant. Dogs, for example, have eyes with a refresh rate higher than humans.
One example of this phenomenon at work, the authors say, is the housefly and its ability to avoid being hit. The research showed flies "observe motion in a shorter time than our own eyes can achieve," which allows them to avoid being hit.
Professor Graeme Ruxton of the University of St Andrews in Scotland, who worked jointly(共同地) on the research project, said in a statement, "Having eyes that send updates to the brain at much higher frequencies than our eyes do is of no value if the brain cannot process that information equally quickly. Thus, this work highlights the impressive abilities of even the smallest animal brains. Flies might not be deep thinkers, but they can make good decisions very quickly."
In comparison the tiger beetle(虎甲虫)runs faster than its eyes can keep up, basically becoming blind, which requires it to stop periodically to re-evaluate its prey's(猎物)position.
Our results suggest that time perception offers an as yet unstudied dimension along which
animals can specialize and there is considerable range to study this system in more detail.
1.What is the research mentioned in the passage mainly about?
A. Pace of life of animals. B. Time perception of animals.
C. Lifetime of small animals. D. Impressive abilities of animals.
2.Why can houseflies avoid being hit?
A. They can think very deeply before they act.
B. They can fly much faster than their eyes can keep up.
C. They can process the information as quickly as they receive it.
D. They can send information to brain more quickly than to their eyes.
3.What will a tiger beetle have to do to catch a moving prey?
A. Try to run as fast as it can. B. Prevent itself from becoming blind.
C. Slow down to gain its time perception. D. Stop occasionally to spot the prey again.
When others get off the train to finally go home, Leonie Muller stays behind. That's because she is already home: The train is her apartment, and she says she likes it that way. The German college student gave up her apartment in spring. "It all started with a quarrel I had with my landlord," Muller told The Washington Post via e-mail. "I immediately decided I didn't want to live there anymore and then I realized: Actually, l didn't want to live anywhere anymore."
Instead, she bought a subscription(会员费)that allows her to board every train in the country for free. Now, Muller washes her hair in the train bathroom and writes her college papers while traveling at a speed of up to 190 mph. She says that she enjoys the freedom since she gave up her apartment. "I really feel at home on trains. It's like being on vacation all the time," Muller said.
"I want to inspire people to question their habits and the things they consider to be normal,"
Muller told The Post. "There are always more opportunities than one thinks there are. The next
adventure is waiting just around the corner一provided that you want to find it."
Muller frequently travels late at night, although she tries to sleep at the apartments of relatives or friends. Often, she is accommodated by her boyfriend, her mother or grandmother. "Normally, we would have to have a long-distance relationship, but living on a train enables me to see him all the time," Muller told German TV station SWR regarding her boyfriend. "Most of my friends really like the idea, although some consider it to be quite adventurous. Others, however, have reacted more negatively. They feel offended by the fact that I question the ordinary way of life and living."
The only problem? "Possessing a headset that reduces most surrounding noises is important," she said.
1.What do we know about the direct reason for Muller's choice to live on trains?
A. She planned to act against tradition.
B. She had an argument with her landlord.
C. She wanted to visit more people on the way.
D. She had to finish her graduate paper on the topic.
2.According to Muller, which is one of the advantages of living on trains?
A. She can avoid the landowner. B. She can possess a headset.
C. She can escape from college life. D. She can see her boyfriend more often.
3.What does Muller want to express in Paragraph 3?
A. There are opportunities everywhere in life.
B. The next adventure is coming soon
C. People need to make changes in their life.
D. People need to follow in her footsteps to live on trains.
4.What does the underlined word "it" in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. The ordinary way of life and living. B. The thought of living on a train.
C. German TV station SWR. D. A long-distance relationship.
Every year, billions of kilograms of fresh produce are wasted in the United States. Meanwhile, millions of poor Americans go hungry, without access to healthy and affordable meals.
Evan Lutz, CEO and founder of Hungry Harvest, was inspired to act after seeing extreme
poverty in areas of Baltimore, Maryland. He wants to reduce the so-called food desert in that area. His work is to make sure no food goes to waste and no person is ever hungry in America. And he
combines that goal with a love for business.
Hungry Harvest is a business which collects and sells "ugly produce". These are fruits and
vegetables that most food companies will throw away. More than six billion pounds are wasted each year due to "ugly" surface. Everything doesn't grow the same way on a farm. But all that is too big or too small gets thrown out. That is why everything in a grocery store looks similar, shiny and perfect. Hungry Harvest will box those imperfect ones and deliver them to customers once a week.
For Evan Lutz, giving back to others came from his upbringing.
When I was growing up my parents taught me the values of giving back, and giving is a lot
more powerful than receiving. We sell produce with a purpose and that doesn't just mean we reduce food from going to waste. We hire people that were formerly in prison and were formerly injured or sick living in homeless shelters. They really wanted to get back on their feet for a second chance in life."
In January 2016, Lutz appeared on the American business competition television show "Shark Tank" and got even more than he expected: $100,000. Lutz is using the money to realize his great mission that can really revolutionize the food industry in America.
1.The underlined part "food desert" in the second paragraph means .
A. food that grows in the desert B. the poor areas in Baltimore
C. a lack of fresh and healthy food D. the desert where food can grow
2.The food delivered by Hungry Harvest is .
A. popular with local fruit farmers B. easy to be found in grocery stores
C. fresh but hard to keep for food companies D. healthy and available to hungry people
3.Which of the following words can be used to describe Evan Lutz?
A. Strong-willed and smart. B. Kind-hearted and creative.
C. Warm-hearted and strict. D. Open-minded and humorous.
4.What can be a suitable title for this passage?
A. Giving Unused Produce a Purpose B. Making Profits from Shiny Produce
C. Creating Jobs for the Less Fortunate D. Helping the People in Hungry World
Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Giant lanterns take the shape of some of the park's animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter's book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author's birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
●£27. 85, adult/£20.65, child/under-threes, free.
●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead
Enchanted Park is an interactive(交互的)walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town
centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. The story being told is a Midwinter
Night's Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Visitors can join
stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.
●£8, adult/£2, child/under-fours, free.
●11～27 Dec.
Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is glowing with giant lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The
glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays seasonal plants. There are lanterns
around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
●£9.90, adult/£3.60, child/#28, family.
●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden's oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
●£16, adult/£10, child/under-fours, free.
●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1.What can people do in Enchanted Park?
A. Visit Shakespeare's house. B. Listen to stories.
C. Learn to create sculptures. D. Play the part of Santa.
2.Which place will attract children fond of fictional animal characters?
A. Kew Gardens. B. RHS Wisley.
C. Longleat Safari Park. D. Enchanted Park.
3.How much is the admission to Kew Gardens for the Smiths and a 6-year-old child?
A. £42. B. £16.
C. £10. D. £26.
4.What do the parks mentioned in the text have in common?
A. Their open times are the same. B. They serve free cakes to children.
C. They are free for children under four. D. They are full of Christmas atmosphere.
假定英语课上英语老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写上该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改l0处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Life is an mystery and we will never know that what is waiting for us. But one thing is for sure: problems are unavoidable. For us, it’s the process of solving problems that help us grow.
Make a speech used to be a big problem for me. With a strong accent and terribly pronunciation, I failed in speech competition many times, but I didn’t hold back. In the contrary, I considered it a good chance for me to improve myself. I recorded my speech, listening to it and corrected my pronunciation. Now I’m confident enough to give my best speech to you all. My dear friends, don’t afraid of problems, but take advantage of it to be the best of yourselves!
1.The boys d__________ wanted to leave the house on fire.
2.This is not t__________ of Chinese, but is a feature of the Thai language.
3.__________ (守时) is a necessary habit in all public affairs of a civilized society.
4.Teacher: Does the book enjoy __________ (受欢迎) among you students?
Student: Yes, many say that they can’t tear themselves from it.
5.When he told them what had happened, they were in total a__________ . “I don’t believe it!” one man said.
6.The magician produced __________ (束) of flowers out of his glove hands.
7.The man who was announced guilty at court claimed that he had evidence to prove his i________ .
8.He got a __________ (奖学金) to the Pratt Institute of Art.
9.Irish households are among the largest in Europe, with an a__________ of three people in each unit.
10.When he first arrived in the US, Yao was an __________ hit (爆红) among basketball fans nationwide.
