How can we measure animals’ emotions? A new study of animal’s emotions suggests that, as in humans, emotions can tell animals about how dangerous their world is, and guide the choices that they make. The article of the study by Bristol University’s professor Mike Mendl was published online.
An animal living in an environment where it is often threatened by predators(捕食者)will develop a negative emotion or “mood”, such as anxiety. However, one in an environment with plenty of opportunities to get resources for survival will be in a more positive mood state.
The researchers say that these emotional states not only show the animal’s experiences, but also help it decide how to make choices, especially in unclear situations. This could have good or bad results. An animal in a negative mood state will make a safety-first with a “pessimistic” response to an unclear event. For example, it considers a noise in the grass as a signal of the predator. At the same time, an animal in a positive mood state will benefit from a more “optimistic” response. It considers the noise as a signal of prey(猎物).
Professor Mike Mendl, head of the Animal Welfare and Behavior Research Group at Bristol University’s School of Clinical Veterinary Science said, “ We can use “optimistic” or “pessimistic”decision-making as a symbol of an animal’s emotional state. Recent studies by our group and others suggest that this is a meritorious new approach to studying a variety of animal species.”
“Public interest in animal welfare remains high, with widespread concern about the way in which animals are treated, used and included in society. To understand how animals should be treated, we need to better understand their emotional lives,” Mike Mendl said. The researchers believe Mike Mendl’s study can help them to better understand and assess an animal’s emotions.
【小题1】When an animal is in a negative mood state, _______.
A.its response to an unclear event is pessimistic |
B.it will pay little attention to an unclear event |
C.it is easy for it to make right decisions |
D.it has more opportunities to get food |
A.valuable | B.useless | C.fashionable | D.hopeless |
A.the animals with positive emotions live longer |
B.there is no way to assess an animal’s emotions |
C.few people care about animal welfare nowadays |
D.the environment can influence animal’s emotions |
A.tell people to build more protected areas for animals |
B.explain animals should be regarded as people’s friends |
C.raise people’s interest in studying animals |
D.make people know how to treat animals properly |
A.Different kinds of Animals’ Emotions |
B.Emotions Helps Animals to Make Choice |
C.The Living Environment of Wild Animals |
D.The Best Way to Measure Animals’ Emotions |
【小题1】A
【小题2】A
【小题3】D
【小题4】D
【小题5】B
解析试题分析:文章大意:本文讲述动物情感的一份新的研究表明,情感能够告诉动物所处的危险并帮助动物作出选择。
【小题1】A细节理解题。根据文章第三段An animal in a negative mood state will make a safety-first with a “pessimistic” response to an unclear event.可知答案。故A正确。
【小题2】A词义推测题。由其前句We can use “optimistic” or “pessimistic” decision-making as a symbol of an animal’s emotional state可知我们可以利用动物“乐观的”和“悲观的”决定来判定它们所处的情感状态,再结合其词后new approach to studying a variety of animal species.可知,画线词的意思是“有价值的”。故A正确。
【小题3】D推理判断题。根据第二段内容可知,处于经常被捕食者威胁的环境下的动物会产生消极情绪,而处于有更多生存机会环境下的动物会产生积极情绪,由此可以推知,环境可以影响动物的情绪。故D正确。
【小题4】D细节理解题。由第五段To understand how animals should be treated, we need to better understand their emotional lives可以得出答案。故D正确。
【小题5】B主旨大意题。由文章内容特别是第一段中文章的主题句A new study of animal’s emotions suggests that, as in humans, emotions can tell animals about how dangerous their world is, and guide the choices that they make.可知,本文讲的是情感可以帮助动物作选择。故B正确。
考点:考查科普类阅读
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
It is generally believed that we are getting cleaned when we step under a shower. We are, but we’re also giving a home to lots of tiny little creatures we didn’t even know about. A showerhead carries thousands of bacteria called Mycobacterium.These can cause problems like coughs and tiredness, and a general feeling of poorliness (身体不舒服). When you turn on the water, the bacteria go from the showerhead onto and into your body.
This is a finding of Norman R. Pace and his team at the University of Colorado, in the US. The scientists investigated bacteria in all kinds of human environment, including showers.Pace's team looked at 45 showerheads in nine American cities. They discovered that 30 percent of them had large amounts of flying Mycobacterium.
But Pace said that they pose few threats to the health.Only those with a weak immune system might need to worry.He told the New York Times that the bacteria are not as unpleasant as might be thought.He said that having a shower is no more dangerous than anything else we do in the morning.
But for those who feel sick about the idea of all those microorganisms (微生物), he had some advice. Let the water run for 30 seconds before getting into the shower. Why? The number of bacteria is smaller than that when the water is just turned on. If that seems like a waste of water, he added that you could also change your showerhead every few months.
However, Pace had good news too. He has also been testing the air in US subways. Apart from iron particles (粒子), which are ground off the track by the wheels of trains, subway air is fresh. The reason is that a train’s movement pumps fresh outdoor air into the tunnels.
Pace explained that he wanted to understand the natural microbial environments of public places. This kind of knowledge might help discover the microbes to be used in a bioterrorist (生物恐怖分子) attack.
【小题1】From the finding of Norman R. Pace, after taking a shower, we might cough or feel tired because .
A.it’s easy to get a cold when taking a bath |
B.the showerhead carries many bacteria causing illness |
C.we don’t get cleaned while showering |
D.we don’t get a weak immune system |
A.Hot water could kill most of bacteria in showerheads. |
B.Of 45 showerheads surveyed in nine cities, 30 carried large amounts of Mycobacterium. |
C.Changing showerheads is the only way to avoid microorganisms. |
D.Shower water contains much less bacteria after being left to run for 30 seconds. |
A.having a shower in the morning is more dangerous than at other time |
B.the bacteria always threat people’s health |
C.there is no reason to fear microorganisms for people with strong immune system |
D.it is better to do some exercise in the morning than have a shower |
A.cause | B.avoid | C.describe | D.promise |
A.The train’s movement. | B.Iron particles. |
C.Train wheels. | D.Air conditioners on the trains. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Eyesight problems are common among all ages and if they are left untreated, they can cause serious headaches or other problems. The good news is that most eyesight problems can easily be sorted out by wearing glasses.
Regular eye tests are important for everyone. Children and teenagers, under the age of 16 and up to the age of 19 for those full-time education, have the right to have eye tests for free in Britain. As the eye test is free, there’s no excuse for not having a regular eye test. Doctors suggest that it’s better to have an eye test about once a year.
Wearing glasses isn’t always regarded as all that cool and teens who suddenly need to wear glasses may find it difficult to accept. If they’ve grown up wearing glasses, then they may be more used to it. However, if your eyes are in poor health, not wearing glasses can put even more pressure on your eyes and could make them even worse.
Thankfully, the days of little choice of glasses frames (框架) for teenagers are gone and there’s now a wide selection of frames. If a teen does need to wear glasses, then it’s good to let him or her choose the type, as he or she will be able to choose something he or she feels comfortable. Don’t forget to be guided by the experts on glasses too.
【小题1】 According to the text, teens in the UK ______.
A.have few eyesight problems |
B.can design their own glasses |
C.change their glasses very often |
D.can check their eyes without paying |
A.Once a month. | B.Once every six months. |
C.Once a year. | D.Twice a year. |
A.find it difficult to buy comfortable glasses |
B.prefer to wear cool glasses at an early age |
C.are advised to wear glasses if their eyesight is poor |
D.think they are much cooler when wearing glasses |
A.were unable to find the right glasses |
B.only had a few styles to choose from |
C.could not find an expert to ask for advice |
D.were worried about the quality of glasses |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
A machine which makes water out of air could become the greatest household invention since the microwave. Using the same technology as a dehumidifier (除湿器), the Water Mill is able to create a ready supply of drinking water by getting it from a limitless source-the air. The company behind the machine says not only does it offer all alterative to bottled water in developed countries,but it is a solution for the millions who face a daily water shortage.
The machine works by drawing in damp air through a filter(过滤器) and over a cooling element which changes it into water droplets.It can produce up to 12 liters a day.The Water Mill will also produce more water when storms pass over, as the humidity(湿度)in the air increases.In keeping with its ecodevelopment,the machine uses the same amount of electricity as three light bulbs.
Inventor Jonathan Ritchey said:“The demand for water is off the chart.People are looking for freedom from water distribution systems that are shaky and unreliable”.
The machine,which is about 3 feet wide,is likely to cost£800 when it goes on sale here in the spring.Its maker, Canadian firm Element Four, estimates that a liter of water will cost around 20 pence to produce.
Environmentalists claim half the world’s population will face water shortage because of climate change by 2080.One in five humans is said to lack access to safe drinking water.
The Water Mill is not effective in areas with below about 30 percent relative humidity, but with average relative humidity in England of more than 70 percent that won’t be much of an issue here.
【小题1】According to the author, the biggest advantage of the machine is its ______.
A.little power use | B.unlimited source | C.proper size | D.high production |
A.can be used everywhere |
B.has not been on sale |
C.will replace the water distribution system |
D.will solve the problem of water shortage |
A.record-breaking. | B.urgent. | C.unbelievable. | D.amazing. |
A.Microwave for Household Use | B.Filter to Draw in Damp Air |
C.Mode Dehumidifier on Sale | D.Machine to Make Water out of Air |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
As they migrate (迁移), butterflies and moths choose the winds they want to fly with, and they change their body positions if they start floating in the wrong direction. This new finding suggests that insects may employ some of the same methods that birds use for traveling long distances. Scientists have long thought that insects were simply at the mercy of the wind.
Fascinating as their skills of flight are, migrating behavior has been difficult to study in insects because many long distant trips happen thousands of feet above ground. Only recently have scientists developed technologies that can detect (测出) such little creatures at such great heights.
To their surprise, though, the insects weren’t passive travelers on the winds. In autumn, for example, most light winds blew from the east, but the insects somehow sought out ones that carried them south and they positioned themselves to navigate directly to their wintering homes.
Even in the spring, when most winds flowed northward, the insects didn’t always go with the flow. If breezes weren’t blowing in the exact direction they wanted to go, the insects changed their body positions to compensate (补偿). Many migrating birds do the same thing.
The study also found, butterflies and moths actively flew within the air streams that pushed them along. By adding flight speeds to wind speeds, the scientists calculated that butterflies and moths can travel as fast as 100 kilometers an hour. The findings may have real-world applications. With climate warming, migrating insects are growing in number. Knowing how and when these pests move could help when farmers decide when to spray their crops.
【小题1】What’s the main idea of the text?
A.Insects migrate with the seasons. |
B.Wind helps insects greatly in migrating. |
C.Windsurfing insects have real direction. |
D.Scientists have trouble in observing insects. |
A.insects always waited for their favorable winds |
B.insects chose the winds they wanted to ride |
C.insects were just blown about by the wind |
D.insects positioned themselves in the winds |
A.the little creatures can fly very fast |
B.they have no regular migrating courses |
C.the wind’s direction is hard to foresee |
D.their flight is long and high above ground |
A.insects fly in the way birds do |
B.insects travel more easily in autumn |
C.insects never position themselves when flying low |
D.insects rest a lot when the wind pushes them along |
A.increase insects in number | B.instruct farmers when to spray |
C.prevent climate warming | D.help protect insects |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
All across California, honeybees are flying away from their hives(蜂箱) and dying. Empty hives are causing a lot of worry about some important food crops.
Bees give us a lot more than delicious honey. They are pollinators(授粉者)—they enable plants to produce the fruits and nuts we enjoy by carrying pollen from one plant or flower to the next. The wind pollinates oats, corn, and wheat, but many other plants (like apple and cherry trees and melon vines) depend on insects, bats, and birds. In the U.S., millions and millions of bees kept by human beekeepers fly around doing a lot of this important work for food crops. “Bees are worth protecting because their work adds so much to our diet,” says Dr. Jeff Pettis of the Bee Research Laboratory.
California’s almond (杏仁) crop alone depends on about half the bees in the country. But now the almond crop and many others could be in trouble with so many bees dying.
Researchers at government and university labs all over the country are trying to figure out why so many bees are dying. However, bees are hard to study. Most die away from the hive, so researchers don’t have dead bodies to examine. And when researchers return to a hive after two weeks, about half the bees they studied on their first visit will be dead, replaced by new ones in the natural life cycle of bees. “It isn’t like studying a large animal like a cow that doesn’t move around much and is easy to find out in the cow field,” says Pettis.
Researchers have some ideas about what could be affecting bee health. They could be sick from poisons widely used to kill insects, or they might not be getting enough good food to stay strong. Also, tiny insects called mites feed on bees. “A virus or bacteria could also be doing the killing.” explains Pettis.
【小题1】What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A.The wind helps pollinate. |
B.Bees are important in food crops. |
C.Bees give us a lot of delicious honey. |
D.Cherry trees are pollinated by bees. |
A.they move around too much |
B.new bees soon replace all the bees studied by researchers |
C.they are too tiny |
D.they never return to hives |
A.Poisons to kill birds. | B.Eating too much. |
C.Large insects. | D.Some virus. |
A.A large number of bees have died in the hive. |
B.Without bees, some foods would disappear from our diet. |
C.Only researchers in California want to know what kills bees. |
D.Large animals are easier to study than tiny insects. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
There is some unwelcome news for students preparing for exams and officers putting in long hours-----you don't need the break as much as you may think that makes you feel less tired.
Scientists have long assumed that willpower (意志力) is a limited resource, which is why you feel the need to have a rest, have a snack and come back to a task when you're feeling better. They argued that the only way to restore willpower was by rest, food or entertainment.
But psychologists have challenged this theory, saying weak willpower is all in your head. They found that people's beliefs in willpower determine how long and how well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise. "If you think of willpower as something that's limited, you're more likely to be tired when you perform a difficult task," said Prof.Veronika Job. "'But if you think of willpower as something that is not easily used up, you can go on and on."
The researchers designed four experiments to test students'-beliefs in willpower. After a tiring task, those, who believed or were led to believe that willpower is a limited resource, performed worse on standard concentration tests than those who thought of willpower as something they had more control over. They also found that leading up to final exam week, students who believed the limited resource theory ate junk food 24 percent more often than those who believed they had more control in resisting temptation (诱惑).
Mr. Job said. "The theory that willpower is a limited resource is interesting, but it has had unintended consequences. Students who may already have trouble studying are being told that their power of concentration is limited, and they need to take frequent breaks. But a belief in willpower as a non-limited resource makes people stronger in their ability to work through challenges.'"
The findings could help people who are" battling temptation. Willpower isn't driven by a biologically based process as much as we used to think. The belief in it is what influences your behavior.
【小题1】The theory that willpower is limited supports that _________.
A.people must eat snacks when they feel tired |
B.people do need a break to restore their willpower |
C.there’s no way to strengthen people’s willpower |
D.weak willpower doesn’t affect people’s life much |
A.It is in the charge of people. |
B.It is a limited resource. |
C.There is no way to restore willpower. |
D.It doesn’t easily run out. |
A.Push themselves even if they want to take a break. |
B.Don’t eat fast food while studying. |
C.Remind themselves willpower is not limited. |
D.Stay in a comfortable and quiet place. |
A.patients following strict diets |
B.children liking to watch TV |
C.smokers trying to give up smoking |
D.employees facing a new but well-paid task |
A.A new theory about willpower | B.How to build strong willpower |
C.The great influence of willpower | D.Willpower doesn’t last long |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
It is known to us that computer users are being warned by industry experts to pay attention to secret codes which could be used to record their conversation.
E-mails, screen savers, and electronic greeting cards can carry a secret code which is able to turn on the computer’s microphone, make a recording, and forward it to someone else without the user’s knowledge.
In fact any attachments (附件) sent to a computer, whether it is a game of Space Invaders, or a moving picture, can possibly be used to spy (窥探).
Experts say people should always think twice about opening attachments because --- although not common --- bugging (窃听) by computer can and has been done.
Bill Lyons, head of the Internet Security Company Finjan, said, “People in the army have tested this and you can be sure, if people in general are aware of it, then computer hackers (黑客) are aware of it. The frightening thing is that there are tools on the Internet which people, using a simple search method, can find, and which will enable them to attach this dangerous code to simple attachments.”
【小题1】What is the advice given in the passage?
A.Use secret codes to record other people’s conversation. |
B.Be careful when opening an attachment. |
C.Never open any attachments. |
D.Never use secret codes. |
A.nobody seems to believe such things |
B.nobody knows the danger of the code |
C.tools can easily be used to tie dangerous codes to e-mails |
D.effective ways can never be found to deal with the problem. |
A.A moving picture cannot be used to spy. |
B.Electronic greeting cards cannot carry a secret code. |
C.A secret code is used to destroy the computer system. |
D.Any attachments sent to a computer may carry a secret code. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
The scientists observed that the more junk food the rats ate, the more they wanted to eat – a behavior very similar to that of rats addicted(上了瘾的) to heroin, a dangerous drug. Johnson said the experiment shows that the brain chemistry of obesity(肥胖) and drug addiction may be quite similar.
In their experiment, Johnson and his team studied the “pleasure center” of rats’ brains. The pleasure center is a complicated network of nerve cells. If the animal exercises or eats, the cells reward the animal by releasing chemicals into the body that make it feel good. And when the body feels good, the animal – or person – will want to do the behavior again.
For the experiment, Johnson fed foods like cheesecake to one group of rats. Food like this is high in calories and fat. Another group of rats got a regular diet. The rats that ate junk food started to eat more and more.
“They’re taking in twice the amount of calories as the control rats,” says Paul Kenny, one of Johnson’s colleagues.
Kenny and Johnson wanted to know what was going on in the brains of these rats. They first designed a way to deliver a small electrical charge to the rats’ brains. This electrical charge would stimulate the pleasure centers to release pleasure-causing chemicals. The rats could control how much stimulation – and how much pleasure – they received by running on a wheel. The more the rat ran, the more pleasure it received.
The rats that had been eating junk food started running more and more. This behavior suggested that the junk-food-eating rats needed more brain stimulation to feel good compared with rats on a normal diet. In other words, their pleasure centers were becoming less sensitive and the junk food didn’t make them feel good unless they ate more and more.
Experiments like this one could help scientists understand how chemicals in the brain contribute to obesity. With that information, they may be able to help people avoid obesity in the first place.
(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.)
【小题1】 The scientists suggested it was actually ___________________ that made the rats feel good.
【小题2】 How did the scientist know what was happening in the brains of the junk-food-eating rats?
【小题3】What was the purpose of the experiment mentioned in the article?
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