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The Mystery of the Flashing Fireflies
During summer nights fireflies flash in the darkness. They look like bright spots of light dancing on the breeze. Catching them in a jar for a few minutes can be fun. Fireflies are not really flies, though. They are winged beetles. Scientists are using these special beetles to learn more about our world.
The reason a firefly flashed its light is to find a mate. There are around two thousand species, or kinds, of fireflies. Fireflies mate only with their own species. Each kind of firefly has its own flash pattern. It is important that fireflies recognize this pattern. That way they can find bugs of their own kind. The male firefly flies around in the sky while the female firefly stays close to the ground.
For many years, how a firefly flashes its light was a mystery. Scientists now know that a firefly’s light is a cold light. It gives off all of its power as light. It does not produce heat. A normal light bulb gives off only ten percent of its power as light. The rest of the power is wasted as heat. That is why a light bulb that has been on for a while is very hot. The firefly’s light does not feel hot like a light bulb.
Scientists have also learned that fireflies have a small built-in lantern. This special lantern is located inside a firefly’s body. To create light, a gas flows through tiny tubes. This causes the firefly to light up. A firefly can also turn its light on and off quickly. This puzzled scientists. They learned that short bursts of this gas make the firefly glow. When the gas fades, the light goes out. This process happens very quickly.
Scientists know that what they learn from fireflies will be important. Medical studies using fireflies are helping scientists fight illnesses in human beings. They have made new medicines from the chemicals used by fireflies to make light. Fireflies have also helped with new discoveries. New flashlights and flares have been made based on fireflies. These new flashlights and flares produce a cold light like a firefly. This way all the power makes the light shine. This little bug may be a pleasure to watch, but it is also an important part of our lives.
小题1:Why did the author most likely include Paragraph 4?
A.To explain how fireflies make light.B.To describe different kinds of fireflies.
C.To show how much power fireflies use.D.To describe why fireflies make light.
小题2:Which of these is the best choice for a heading for Paragraph 5?
A.The Cool Light of FirefliesB.Watching Fireflies Flash
C.Understanding the PatternsD.Learning from Fireflies
小题3:According to the passage, a firefly’s light is different from a light bulb’s light because the firefly’s light _______.
A.shines brighterB.does not fadeC.lasts longerD.is not hot
小题4:A reader asks this question about the passage: “ How many different kinds of fireflies are there?” Which paragraph from the passage answers the question?
A.Paragraph 2B.Paragraph 3C.Paragraph 4D.Paragraph 5
小题5:The author most likely wrote this passage in order to __.
A.tell why fireflies light upB.give facts about fireflies
C.show how fireflies help doctorsD.compare a firefly to a light bulb
小题1:A小题1:D小题1:D小题1:A小题1:B
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A.Political leaders from Oxford.
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C.Oxford ways to train future leaders.
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C.It is wholly financed by Leonard Blavatnik.
D.It is the first international school of government.
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B.A class where teens learn mothering and are mothered.
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D.A kind teacher who help homeless young mothers.
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科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

阅读理解D
The deserts of the world are not all covered with sand. Many of them have surfaces of rock or clay(黏土) or small stones. They are not flat, either. They often have high hills and deep valleys. There is some plants’ life in many parts of the desert. There is little rain in the desert, but it does fall often enough for most plants.
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A.clayB.rockC.stonesD.sand
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科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

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The flashbulbs (闪光灯) of the camera exploded in Nigel's face. The robot had performed actions so unique and different that the specialists' judgments were the same. Nigel was so pleased with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him. Without her, he would never have won the competition.
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C.He helped his teachers build a robot.D.He helped in the computer laboratories.
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A.He intended to help her.B.He was fond of building robots.
C.He wanted to be her real friend. D.He didn't want her to suspect (怀疑) him.
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