Monkeys seem to have a way with numbers.
A team of researchers trained three Rhesus monkeys to associate 26 clearly different symbols consisting of numbers and selective letters with 0-25 drops of water or juice as a reward. The researchers then tested how the monkeys combined—or added—the symbols to get the reward.
Here’s how Harvard Medical School scientist Margaret Livingstone, who led the team, described the experiment: In their cages the monkeys were provided with touch screens. On one part of the screen, a symbol would appear, and on the other side two symbols inside a circle were shown. For example, the number 7 would flash on one side of the screen and the other end would have 9 and 8. If the monkeys touched the left side of the screen they would be rewarded with seven drops of water or juice; if they went for the circle, they would be rewarded with the sum of the numbers—17 in this example.
After running hundreds of tests, the researchers noted that the monkeys would go for the higher values more than half the time, indicating that they were performing a calculation, not just memorizing the value of each combination.
When the team examined the results of the experiment more closely, they noticed that the monkeys tended to underestimate(低估) a sum compared with a single symbol when the two were close in value—sometimes choosing, for example, a 13 over the sum of 8 and 6. The underestimation was systematic: When adding two numbers, the monkeys always paid attention to the larger of the two, and then added only a fraction(小部分) of the smaller number to it.
“This indicates that there is a certain way quantity is represented in their brains, ”Dr. Livingstone says. “But in this experiment what they’re doing is paying more attention to the big number than the little one.”
1.What did the researchers do to the monkeys before testing them?
A.They fed them. B.They named them.
C.They trained them. D.They measured them.
2.How did the monkeys get their reward in the experiment?
A.By drawing a circle. B.By touching a screen.
C.By watching videos. D.By mixing two drinks.
3.What did Livingstone’s team find about the monkeys?
A.They could perform basic addition. B.They could understand simple words.
C.They could memorize numbers easily. D.They could hold their attention for long.
4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?
A.Entertainment. B.Health. C.Education. D.Science.
California has lost half its big trees since the 1930s, according to a study to be published Tuesday and climate change seems to be a major factor（因素）.
The number of trees larger than two feet across has declined by 50 percent on more than 46, 000 square miles of California forests, the new study finds. No area was spared or unaffected, from the foggy northern coast to the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the San Gabriels above Los Angeles. In the Sierra high country, the number of big trees has fallen by more than 55 percent; in parts of southern California the decline was nearly 75 percent.
Many factors contributed to the decline, said Patrick Mclntyre, an ecologist who was the lead author of the study. Woodcutters targeted big trees. Housing development pushed into the woods. Aggressive wildfire control has left California forests crowded with small trees that compete with big trees for resources（资源）.
But in comparing a study of California forests done in the 1920s and 1930s with another one between 2001 and 2010, Mclntyre and his colleagues documented a widespread death of big trees that was evident even in wildlands protected from woodcutting or development.
The loss of big trees was greatest in areas where trees had suffered the greatest water shortage. The researchers figured out water stress with a computer model that calculated how much water trees were getting in comparison with how much they needed, taking into account such things as rainfall, air temperature, dampness of soil, and the timing of snowmelt（融雪）.
Since the 1930s, Mclntyre said, the biggest factors driving up water stress in the state have been rising temperatures, which cause trees to lose more water to the air, and earlier snowmelt, which reduces the water supply available to trees during the dry season.
1.What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A.The seriousness of big-tree loss in California.
B.The increasing variety of California big trees.
C.The distribution of big trees in California forests.
D.The influence of farming on big trees in California.
2.Which of the following is well-intentioned（出于好心的） but may be bad for big trees?
A.Ecological studies of forests. B.Banning woodcutting.
C.Limiting housing development. D.Fire control measures.
3.What is a major cause of the water shortage according to Mclntyre?
A.Not enough snowmelt. B.A longer dry season.
C.A warmer climate. D.Dampness of the air.
Joe is interested in getting exercise and competing (竞争) on a team. He reads about the events at the local pools and finds the perfect activity.
Swimming Programs
Summer Swim Team
Join a Summer Swim Team and compete with other swimmers! The program is offered at eight different local pools for youths to 17 years old. The season runs June 21-August 21. Practices are daily (Monday through Friday) throughout the summer. Cost: $50.00.
Buckman | 2-3 P.M. | Montavilla | 8-9 A.M. |
Creston | 7-9 A.M. | Peninsula | 4-7 P.M. |
Dishman | 8-9 A.M. | Pier | noon-1 P.M. |
Grant | 8-10 A.M. | Sellwood | 7-9 A.M. |
Junior Swim Instructor (少年游泳教练)
Two weeks, 20 hours of instruction, two hours per day for children 11-14 years old. Pre-training for youths interested in becoming swim instructors ($45 per child).
Junior Lifeguard (救生员)
Two weeks, 30 hours of instruction, three hours per day for children 11-14 years old. Pre-training in life-guarding, and customer (消费者) service ($45 per child).
Junior Swim Instructor & Junior Lifeguard Training Dates
June 28-July 9 | August 9- August 20 |
June 12-July 23 | August 23- September 3 |
June 26-August 6 |
|
Special Offer
Anyone who takes part in both junior swim instructor and junior lifeguard programs at the same time need only spend $75 instead of $90 for 50 hours of training.
Register(注册) Online
You can now register online! Visit our website at http://www.example.com. You can choose an area of town, a specific local center, a program, or search for classes which can meet the needs of students of different ages. Just visit our website, and you're on your way!
1.If Joe joins the Summer Swim Team, he _______.
A.needs to pay $45.00 B.begins training at 6 A.M.
C.has to practice for two months D.needs to practice for 7 days a week
2.Anyone who wants to be a junior swim instructor should .
A.be 11-14 years old B.pay the instructor by the hour
C.do at least 30 hours of training D.be an experienced junior lifeguard
3.If Joe is only free in the late afternoon, he will probably train at ________.
A.Buckman B.Peninsula
C.Pier D.Sellwood
4.If a 13-year-old boy wants to take part in the swimming programs, he can ________.
A.take classes online B.choose his instructor
C.have classes half-price D.register on the website
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
I woke up earlier than my brother as every other day of the week. I jumped out of the bed, got dressed, brushed my teeth, and had breakfast. Saying good bye to my mother, I got in the car no later than 7:05. I got to school on time, even though my brother came out of the house late as he used to.
It was a Thursday. I was walking to the chemistry rooms when my phone in my left pocket vibrated(震动). I took it out and looked at the shiny screen. As soon as I saw my father’s name on that screen I realized something was not right.
He would not call me in the middle of a school day just to talk. He would want me to focus in school and do well. I answered the phone, and my father sounded worried. He told me to find my brother as soon as possible, walk with him to the school picking-up zone and get in the car with my brother. Our driver would take us back home where my father was.
When I was in the car with my brother my dad called the driver and told him to take us to the hospital. We were going to meet him and my mum there. As soon as my brother and I found about the change in plans, we looked at each other in the eyes. I immediately noticed the fear in brother’s eyes.
To be honest, I was really scared too, probably more than he was. But I did not say anything. We arrived at the hospital. I saw my dad on the phone waiting for us at the entrance. He was smoking. Seeing my dad smoking made me more worried. I had never seen him smoke before. He hated it. As soon as he recognized the white car, he threw the cigarette away. I looked at my brother; he was looking out of the other window. I did not tell him what I just saw. I did not want him to worry.
注意：
1、所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2、至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3、续写部分分为两段，每段的开头已为你写好；
4、续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
The car stopped right in front of my dad.
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Paragraph 2:
We walked down the hall with our eyes closed.
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假定你是校英文报主编李华。由于英文报规模扩大,现急需招聘一名助理编辑。请你以“An English Editor wanted”为题用英语写一则招聘启事。内容包括:
1. 职位描述；
2. 应聘要求；
3. 联系方式。
注意:1. 词数80左右；2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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课文知识回顾(注意形式）
A boy 1.(fall) ill . His 2.(organ） were damaged by the radiation of an infrared ray stove. But before the ambulance arrived, a number of other3.(injure） happened to this unlucky boy over and over again. First, he was choked by some 4.(poison） liquid from the kettle on the cupboard. Then his wrist skin was burnt by electric shock. Finally, his ankle was cut by a pan.
Fortunately, the boy’s nurse gave him proper temporary treatments according to his complex symptoms. She 5.(mild)squeezed the poisonous liquid out of his throat and put bandages firmly in place to apply pressure 6. the ankle wound to stop bleeding. As for the burn, she used scissors to remove his sleeve, 7.(pour) a basin of cold water over the burn to cool it and put her hands on a damp blouse to cover his swollen tissue tightly. She also inspired his8.(brave） to fight against the 9.(bear) pain. Her first aid made a vital difference in saving his life. A ceremony 10.(hold) to honour the nurse who overcame a variety of barriers to save the boy.
