Winter begins in the north on December 22nd. People and animals have been doing what they always do to prepare for the colder months. Squirrels (松鼠), for example, have been busy gathering nuts from trees. Well, scientists have been busy gathering information about what the squirrels do with the food they collect.
They examined differences between red squirrels and gray squirrels in the American state of Indiana. The scientists wanted to know how these differences could affect the growth of black walnut (黑胡桃) trees. The black walnut is the nut of choice for both kinds of squirrels. The black walnut tree is also a central part of some hardwood forests.
Rob Swihart of Purdue University did the study with Jake Goheen, a former Purdue student now at the University of New Mexico. The two researchers estimate that several times as many walnuts grow when gathered by gray squirrels as compared to red squirrels. Gray squirrels and red squirrels do not store nuts and seeds in the same way. Gray squirrels bury nuts one at a time in a number of places. But they seldom remember where they buried every nut. So some nuts remain in the ground. Conditions are right for them to develop and grow the following spring. Red squirrels, however, store large groups of nuts above ground. Professor Swihart calls “death traps for seeds”.
Gray squirrels are native to Indiana. But Professor Swihart says their numbers began to decrease as more forests were cut for agriculture. Red squirrels began to spread through the state during the past century.
The researchers say red squirrels are native to forests that stay green all year, unlike walnut trees. They say the cleaning of forest land for agriculture has helped red squirrels invade Indiana. Jake Goheen calls them a sign of an environmental problem more than a cause.
1.The study done by Rob Swihart and Jake Goheen is to ________.
A.find out the living conditions for squirrels
B.learn squirrels’ influence on black walnut trees
C.do something to get rid of squirrels
D.save the forests in the American state of Indiana
2.The difference between gray squirrels and red squirrels mainly lies in ________.
A.the way they gather the walnut
B.the time they have winter sleep
C.the place they have winter sleep
D.the place they store the walnuts
3.When Professor Swihart says “death traps for seeds”, he actually means that ________.
A.red squirrels eat more nuts than gray squirrels
B.gray squirrels and red squirrels will have severe fights
C.nuts above the ground will not develop into plants
D.seeds can be traps for other animals in the forest
4.According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A.The black walnut is equally attractive to both gray and red squirrels.
B.Gray squirrels do more harm to the forest than red squirrels.
C.Red squirrels and gray squirrels have helped the spread of walnut trees.
D.The cleaning of forest land benefits red squirrels directly.
Before you know it, the sound of sleigh(雪橇)bells will be heard on your rooftop. If you love the holidays but hate the cold, why not wear your coat and wool gloves this year and celebrate a warm Christmas?
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a small town with a huge heart and is located in the heart of the Lowcountry. It is close to Savannah and Charleston, and a short drive to the beaches of Hilton Head Island. Its location is great for visiting the larger cities and enjoying the sights and sounds of a small town. December temperatures average in the low 60s.
Orlando, Florida
Enjoy everything in Orlando without the huge crowds of summer. Theme parks have special attractions this time of year, such as “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas”, but be aware that some of the special attractions require a separate ticket. Orlando temperatures average around 72 degrees in December.
San Francisco, California
The City by the Bay comes alive in December as it transforms into a wonderland of lights. Stay near Union Square so you are close to all the activities and can easily get around via the historic cable cars. San Francisco's December temperatures average in the high 50s.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Celebrate Christmas season in the Big Easy. The Oaks, visited by over 122,000 people last year, has one of the most beautiful Christmas exhibitions in the country. Many hotels in the area offer Papa Noel specials, making this a very affordable holiday destination. December temperatures average in the 60s.
1.You can easily travel through San Francisco by_________ .
A.bike B.cable car C.taxi D.bus
2.Spending the Christmas in New Orleans, you can .
A.enjoy a wonderland of lights B.avoid the huge crowds
C.enjoy Papa Noel specials D.visit various theme parks
3.What's the purpose of writing this passage?
A.To inform readers of some popular sports events.
B.To describe different celebrations during the Christmas.
C.To introduce four places' special Christmas traditions.
D.To introduce four places to spend a warm Christmas.
It has been said that Lincoln was always ready to join in a laugh at himself. There is one particular story that he always told with great pleasure.
In his early days as a lawyer, Lincoln went from town to town to hear and judge legal cases. During one of these trips, he was sitting in a train when a strange man came up to him. The stranger looked at the tall awkward lawyer and said that he had something he believed belonging to Lincoln. Lincoln was a bit confused. He had never seen the man before. He didn't see how a total stranger could have something of his. Lincoln asked him how this could be. The stranger pulled out a pocket knife and began to explain. Many years before, he had been given the pocket knife. He had been told to keep it until be able to find a man uglier than himself. Lincoln's eyes always shined brightly when he reached this part of the story. The story always brought smiles to the faces who heard it. The story itself was funny. But even more interesting was the fact that a man as great as Lincoln could still laugh at himself.
1.The passage is about .
A.Lincoln's story B.a stranger's knife
C.a strange story D.a stranger's trip
2.Lincoln felt when the stranger wanted to give the pocket knife to him.
A.angry B.excited C.interested D.puzzled
3.From the story we know that Lincoln .
A.always laughed at others B.liked to make friends
C.could still laugh at himself D.was a handsome man
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was the umbrella first used for?
A.Keeping off the rainwater.
B.Showing the power of the police.
C.Protecting people against the sunlight.
2.Who first used the umbrella in Europe?
A.The English. B.The Greeks. C.The French.
3.In what way have umbrellas changed much?
A.The weight. B.The style. C.The price.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The history of the umbrella.
B.The popularity of the umbrella.
C.The importance of the umbrella.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman promise to do this Saturday?
A.Learn cycling.
B.Go swimming.
C.Teach the man skating.
2.Why can’t the woman go cycling right now?
A.She doesn’t have a bike.
B.She has homework to do.
C.She is expecting her sister.
3.When will the speakers meet?
A.At 2:00. B.At 1:30. C.At 1:00.
4.Where will the speakers meet this afternoon?
A.At a park. B.By the lake. C.At the man’s home.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How long has the woman been unwell?
A.4 days. B.5 days. C.6 days.
2.What is the relationship between the speakers?
A.Colleagues.
B.Doctor and patient.
C.Teacher and student.
3.What does the man suggest the woman do?
A.Look for a new job.
B.Do physical tests regularly.
C.Change her breakfast habits.
