Two heads are better than one. After all, when trying to make decisions, it's good to have a second opinion. But what about a third, fourth — even twelfth? What group size is best for making decisions quickly? For ants, four to six heads surpass one ― and also outperform 12 or 24. That's what Sylvia Zamescu now reports.
The 18-year-old senior at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Arizona isn't generally into ants. She's interested in decision-making, especially by people. Last summer, Sylvia read that social insects such as ants and bees can be used to model decision-making. Ants, for example, forage for food. When an ant finds it, it takes a bite and heads back to the nest. On the way; the ant leaves a scented trail for other ants to pick up. Back at the nest, the ant vomits up its meal into the mouth of other ants. Those nest-mates then decide with the first ant whether the food is good enough to deserve a trip back for more. If it is, they follow the first ant's scented trail to lunch.
When there are too few ants, it could take a long time for one ant to spread the word If there are too many, it's hard to “tell" each about the find. What's the right number for foraging success? Sylvia decided to find out. She contacted professors at the University of Arizona in Tucson to look for someone who would let her study decision-making by ants in their lab. Professor Wulfila Gronenberg answered her email.
Working with one of Wulfila's graduate students, Sylvia set up an experiment She tested the behavior of one, two, four, six, twelve and twenty-four ants. Each group was placed in a large box al taped "starting line". At the other end of the box were two bricks of sweetened gelatin （动物胶） one contained only 3 per cent sugar, and the other 30 per cent. Sylvia timed how long it took each group of ants to find the food. She also measured how much time they spent around each sweet treat.
When there were just one or two ants, the discovery was slow. The same was true when she set twelve or twenty-four ants loose. But four to six ants? Perfect! These medium-size groups found the food forest. They also figured out quickly that the sweeter food was better.
Similar work has been done on bighorn sheep, fish and fruit flies. "It may not be four to six animals, but it's the same principle," Sylvia says. A medium-size group "is optimal". So when faced with a new decision, two heads are better than one. But too many heads are too much. Like the ants, a good decision may just require a happy medium.
1.What gave Sylvia the idea for her research?
A.Her interest in social insects.
B.An article about social animals.
C.A university professor's invitation.
D.Her doubt about a science report.
2.What do we know about Sylvia's experiment?
A.She set it up with Professor Wulfila Gronenberg.
B.There were two large boxes at the "starting line".
C.There were several kinds of foods for the ants.
D.She divided the ants into six different groups.
3.What did Sylvia find out about ants?
A.They make decisions faster in medium-sized groups.
B.They are better at finding food in smaller groups.
C.They perform much more smartly in larger groups.
D.They make better decisions when working together.
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DUCK
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Flyer
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1.Mr Smith is going to lake his wife, his 13-year-old daughter and his 1-year-old son to visit Singapore at their own leisurely pace, he should get at least ready.
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Having a friend who is bright can do you good in many ways.
A bright friend can share your problems and help you _____ them properly. Are you overwhelmed? He can show you the order to ____ them on schedule. Are you having problems with someone? Tell him and he will find the best way to ____ both you and your friend. Let’s imagine you were stuck in an elevator. You might be very _____and not know how to get out of it.
The situation could change ________if you had a bright friend beside you. He could help you keep calm and quickly find a way to_____ you.
A bright friend is also a good ____ for you to learn from. In fact, you can get many interesting and _____things from a knowledgeable friend. You can better yourself by ______ his unique way of thinking and handling things. 1 have a bright friend who can solve problems in a way that I could never_____. Having had him as my close friend for ages, I have learnt so many things from him that may____ me much in my life. He has taught me many ways of solving problems, and even _____unchangeable situations in some bright ways.
Indeed, having a bright friend can give you the _____to keep on trying to be his equal. This makes you _____in some positive ways. You may have thought, “Why can he do that and not me? ” And so you will try your best to be as____ as your friend. You then will change your______wav of thinking and doing things, becoming open-minded to learn new things and develop your true ______.
All of these ____ things a bright friend brings to you can of course be the ____ a long-lasting friendship. However, friendship ____ a thorough and mutual understanding. So, you should also make every effort to make it last forever.
1.A.allocate B.enquire C.address D.identify
2.A.postpone B.accumulate C.finish D.decline
3.A.reform B.settle C.answer D.satisfy
4.A.upset B.clumsy C.delicate D.exhausted
5.A.frequently B.considerably C.practically D.unexpectedly
6.A.adjust B.trap C.reward D.rescue
7.A.example B.expert C.follower D.leader
8.A.additional B.unsure C.useful D.creative
9.A.accepting B.learning C.imagining D.approaching
10.A.give up B.get across C.believe in D.think of
11.A.impress B.assist C.attract D.amaze
12.A.changing B.considering C.continuing D.undertaking
13.A.excuse B.permission C.responsibility D.motivation
14.A.competitive B.committed C.ambitious D.courageous
15.A.energetic B.sensitive C.excellent D.essential
16.A.independent B.narrow C.casual D.liberal
17.A.potentials B.acknowledgment C.success D.purpose
18.A.logical B.superior C.adventurous D.wonderful
19.A.desire B.basis C.tool D.cure
20.A.allows B.offers C.requires D.reflects
—I just found out from my coach that I made the boys’ basketball team. Did you make the girls’ basketball team?
— ________.I was on the girl’s team last year. Maybe I am not the best player, but I am not the worst.
A.Not exactly. B.You got me. C.Most likely. D.You there.
He would get to the university by Friday ______ today, which can ensure him of his speech.
A.were he to leave B.if he had left C.did he to leave D.had he left
She gave me a determined look—the kind that said she ______ her mind.
A.didn't change B.hadn't changed C.wouldn't change D.won't change
