Michael Fish may soon be replaced as a weather forecaster by something truly fishier---the shark(鲨鱼).
Research by a British biology student suggests that sharks could be used to predict storms.
Lauren Smith, 24, is close to completing her study on shark’s ability to sense pressure.
If her studies prove the theory, scientists may be able to monitor the behaviour of sharks to predict bad weather.
Miss Smith had previously studied the behaviour of lemon sharks in the Bahamas.
She then used their close relatives, lesser spotted dogfish, for further research at Aberdeen University.
Her work---thought to be the first of its kind to test the pressure theory ---- resulted from the observation that juvenile blacktip sharks off Florida moved into deeper water ahead of a violent storm in 2001.
Miss Smith said: “I’ve always been crazy about traveling and diving and this led me to an interest in sharks.”
“I was delighted to have been able to research in the area for my degree. I know there’s so much more we need to understand ---- but it certainly opens the way to more research.”
It has been discovered that a shark senses pressure using hair cells in its balance system.
At the Bimini Shark Lab in the Bahamas, Miss Smith fixed hi-tech sensors to sharks to record pressure and temperature, while also tracking them using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.
In Aberdeen, she was able to study the effects of tidal(潮汐的) and temperature changes on dogfish----none of which were harmed. She also used a special lab which can mimic(模拟) oceanic pressure changes caused by weather fronts.
She is due to complete her study and graduate later this year. She says she will be looking for a job which will give her the chance to enrich her experience of shark research.
小题1:The passage is most probably taken from _____.| A．a short-story collection | B．a popular science magazine | | C．a research paper | D．a personal diary |
小题2:What do we learn from the first four paragraph of the passage?| A．Sharks may be used to predict bad weather. | | B．Sharks’ behaviour can be controlled. | | C．Michael Fish is not qualified for his job. | | D．Lauren Smith will become a weather forecaster. |
小题3:Lauren Smith conducted her research by _______.| A．removing hair cells from a shark’s balance system | | B．measuring the air pressure of weather fronts | | C．recording sharks’ body temperature | | D．monitoring sharks’ reaction to weather changes |
小题4:What is the passage mainly about?| A．A popular way of forecasting weather. | | B．A new research effort in predicting storms. | | C．Biologists’ interest in the secrets of sharks. | | D．Lauren Smith’s devotion to scientific research. |
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小题1:B
小题2:A
小题3:D
小题4:B |
本文为科普类文章，介绍了一位英国生物系学生对于鲨鱼来预测暴风雨的研究。
小题1:推理判断题。本题适宜用排除法。由文章内容来看这是一篇科普文，A、D可删除，由文章的语言来看，并未出现大量的专业术语，可删除C “a research paper” （科研论文）
小题2:推理判断题。由第一段和第四段可知，前四段所要表达的含义为If her studies prove the theory, scientists may be able to monitor the behavior of Sharks to predict bad weather.（科学家们可以通过监视鲨鱼的行为来预测不好的天气”。故A 项正确。
小题3:事实细节题。由文章倒数第三段可知，Miss Smith 在鲨鱼身上安装高科技感应器来记录 pressure(压力)和temperature(温度)，故选D项，C项不全面。
小题4:主旨大意题。文章的主旨句为第二段，全文围绕着鲨鱼可能被用来预测天气的研究展开。因此，B 项正确。 |
核心考点
试题【Michael Fish may soon be replaced as a weather forecaster by something truly fis】；主要考察你对
题材分类等知识点的理解。
[详细]举一反三
An old woman walked into a clothes shop. She asked the salesgirl to let her have a look at a new dress, but the girl stood still behind the counter(柜台), taking no notice of the request. The old woman spoke to the girl again, raising her voice a bit, but still received no answer. The old woman looked at the girl and nodded to herself, “I am too old to see well. I can’t even tell a plastic model from a real girl!”
On hearing this, the salesgirl shouted to the old woman, “What? Did you call me a plastic model?” The old woman was greatly surprised. “Oh, dear me,” she said. “The model can speak!”
小题1:What did the old woman go to the shop to do?| A．To choose a dress. | B．To buy a dress for herself. | | C．To show off her dress. | D．To pick a quarrel with the salesgirl. |
小题2:The salesgirl did not make a reply ________. | A．because she didn’t see the old woman | | B．because she didn’t think the old woman had enough money for a new dress | | C．because she was too busy to notice the old woman | | D．for some reason unknown in this story |
小题3:It was not until that woman spoke for the _______ time that the salesgirl said something. | A．first | B．second | | C．third | D．fourth |
小题4:When the old woman said, “I am too old to see well,” she _______. | A．meant to say that she really had poor eyesight | | B．wanted the salesgirl to excuse her | | C．was simply telling a lie | | D．was, in face, trying to make the salesgirl open her mouth |
小题5:What do you think the salesgirl would do on hearing this? She would ______. | A．be too angry to say a word for a moment | | B．run and tell the shop-owner about it | | C．apologize to the old woman and do what she had been asked to do | | D．turn back and cry |
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Maybe ten-year-old Elizabeth put it best when she said to her father, "But, Dad, you can"t be healthy if you"re dead."
Dad, in a hurry to get home before dark so he could go for a run, had forgotten to wear his safety belt-- a mistake 75% of US population make every day. The big question is why.
There have been many myths about safety belt ever since their first appearance in cars some forty years ago. The following are three of the most common.
Myth the Number One: It"s best to be "thrown clear" of a serious accident.
Truth: Sorry, but any accident serious enough to "throw you clear" is able going to be serious enough to give you a very bad landing. And chances are you"ll have traveled through a windshield (挡风玻璃)or door to do it. Studies show that chances of dying after a car accident are twenty-five times in cases where people are "thrown clear".
Myth Number Two: Safety-bets "trap" people in cars that are burning or sinking in water.
Truth: Sorry again, but studies show that people knocked unconscious (昏迷) due to not wearing safety belts have a greater chance of dying in these accidents. People wearing safety belts are usually protected to the point of having in these accidents. People wearing safety belts are usually protected to the point of having a clear head to free themselves from such dangerous situation, not to be trapped in them.
Myth Number Three: Safety belts aren"t needed at speeds of less than 30 miles per hour (mph).
Truth: When two cars traveling at 30 mph hit each other, an unbelted driver would meet the windshield with a force equal to diving headfirst into the ground from a height of 10 metres.
小题1:Why did Elizabeth say to her father, "But, Dad, you can"t be healthy if you"re dead"?| A．He was driving at great speed. | | B．He was running across the street. | | C．He didn"t have his safety belt on. | | D．He didn"t take his medicine on time. |
小题2:The reason father was in a hurry to get home was that he __________.| A．wasn"t feeling very well | B．hated to drive in the dark | | C．wanted to take some exercise | D．didn"t want to be caught by the people |
小题3: According to the text, to be "thrown clear" of a serious accident is very dangerous because you ________.| A．may be knocked down by other cars. | | B．may get serious hurt thrown out of the car | | C．may find it impossible to get away from the seat | | D．may get caught in the car door |
小题4:Some people prefer to drive without wearing a safety belt because they believe _______.| A．the belt prevents them from escaping in an accident | | B．they will be unable to think clearly in an accident | | C．they will be caught when help comes | | D．cars catch fire easily |
小题5:What is the advice given in the test?| A．Never drive faster than 30 miles an hour. | | B．Try your best to save yourself in a car accident. | | C．Never forget to wear the safety belt while driving. | | D．Drive slowly while you"re not wearing a safety belt. |
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A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms, though my teacher emphasized(强调) the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.
One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be astonished. Gently shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, he said, “You don’t say!” “You don’t say!” I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not an appropriate topic(适当的话题). “Well, I’d better change the topic.” So I said to him. “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?” “Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was magnificent.” He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it.” Soon I was interrupted again by his words：“You don’t say!” I couldn’t help asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn’t request you to do so, ” he answered, greatly surprised. I said, “Didn’t you say’ you don’t say？” Hearing this, the Englishman laughed to tears. He began to explain, ‘You don’t say’ actually means ‘really!’ It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don’t pay attention to English idioms.” Only then did I know I had made a fool of myself. Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions. Remember: what the English teachers said is always right to us students.
小题1:A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms because _______.| A．English idioms were not important | | B．I was not careful with English idioms | | C．my teacher didn’t emphasize the importance of them | | D．I had no interest in them |
小题2:At first, on hearing “You don’t say,” I thought the foreigner meant _______.| A．he was not interested in the topic | | B．he was only interested in the Great Wall | | C．I had talked too much | | D．I had to stop talking |
小题3:The underlined word in the first paragraph probably means _______.| A．interesting | B．important | | C．terrible | D．unlucky |
小题4:Which of the following is true according to the passage？| A．The Englishman left China without seeing the Great Wall. | | B．The Englishman wanted to see the Great Wall after I talked about it. | | C．The Englishman wanted me to act as his guide. | | D．The Englishman visited the Great Wall and thought it worth visiting. |
小题5:After the Englishman explained the idiom, _______.| A．I thought the Englishman had made me a fool | | B．the Englishman became a real fool. | | C．I felt very silly | | D．I became more carefully in everything |
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Surfing—the art of riding a wave on a pointed board—is the wildest, fastest natural water sport known to man. In recent years, it has developed into a major sport around the world, from Australia to South Africa. Australians brave(挑战) men—eating sharks to ride the green waves Down Under, Hawaiian experts risk(冒…之险) their lives on huge, thirty foot swells(浪涛) against the wind of Oahu; Californians of all ages go out the year-round. In the winter, surf-riders put on life-suits to ride grave waves so cold that their flesh turns blue.
Surfing is no sport for weak persons. Swimming a quarter of a mile or more, and pushing a surfboard out to where the swells are just right for riding, can be real work. Then, at exactly the right moment, you climb up the wave and go fast across the face of a powerful swell with the white water jumping at your feet. The huge wave bites at your shoulder, threatening(威胁) at any moment to smash your flat. In the next several seconds, a cool head and lightning—quick action back to the pressure of the attacking wave will bring your board under control for that great ride down the back of the great, green mountain of water. Once on the beach, you know why surfing is growing in popularity as an international sport, and you’re glad to be a member of this new water world.
小题1:The first paragraph mainly tells us ______.| A．people around the world go surfing all the year round | | B．the definition(定义) of the sport | | C．how to surf in the sea | | D．where to surf around the world |
小题2:The author believes that surfing _______.| A．is not an easy sport | B．can be done by anyone | | C．should be done by everyone | D．does not require courage |
小题3:In order to experience what real surfing is, _______.| A．you must first swim a quarter of a mile to warm your body | | B．you will first ride on a board to reach the swells | | C．you must first put on your life-suits before doing surfing | | D．you must first swim to the swells with your board |
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Puppies for Sale 待售的小狗
A store owner was putting a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale”. Signs like that have a way of 1 small children, and 2 enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign. “ 3 are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.
The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 4 $ 50.”
The little boy 5 in his pocket and pulled out some 6 . “I have $ 2.37,” he said. “ 7 I please look at them?”
The store owner 8 and whistled and out of the kennel (狗窝) came a lady, who ran down the aisle (过道) of his store 9 by five puppies. One puppy was 10 . Immediately the little boy singled out the puppy and said, “What’s 11 with that little dog?”
The store owner explained that the veterinarian (兽医) had 12 the little puppy and had discovered that it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always walk slowly and with difficulty. It would always be lame. The little boy became 13 “That’s the little puppy that I want to buy.”
The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”
The little boy got quite upset. He looked 14 into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay 15 price. In fact I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month 16 I have him paid for.”
The store owner answered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is 17 going to be able to jump and play with you like the other puppies.”
To his surprise, the little boy reached 18 and rolled up his pant leg to show a badly twisted, crippled (残疾的) left leg 19 by a big metal brace (支架). He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who 20 !”
| 小题1: | | A．absorbing | B．attracting | C．bargaining | D．greeting |
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| 小题2: | | A．sure | B．luckily | C．surprisingly | D．interestingly |
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| 小题3: | | A．What | B．How come | C．When | D．How much |
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| 小题5: | | A．put | B．arrived | C．reached | D．filled |
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| 小题6: | | A．coin | B．note | C．value | D．change |
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| 小题8: | | A．performed | B．smiled | C．disagreed | D．announced |
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| 小题9: | | A．applied | B．guided | C．followed | D．linked |
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| 小题10: | | A．falling behind | B．setting foot | C．lending a hand | D．putting forward |
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| 小题11: | | A．the price | B．the matter | C．the weight | D．the name |
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| 小题12: | | A．tested | B．studied | C．examined | D．experimented |
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| 小题13: | | A．excited | B．shocked | C．worried | D．disappointed |
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| 小题14: | | A．straight | B．deeply | C．closely | D．totally |
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| 小题15: | | A．half | B．lower | C．higher | D．full |
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| 小题16: | | A．unless | B．after | C．until | D．once |
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| 小题17: | | A．always | B．often | C．no | D．never |
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| 小题19: | | A．supported | B．assisted | C．adjusted | D．surrounded |
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| 小题20: | | A．encourages | B．cooperates | C．understands | D．recognizes |
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