The secret of carrier pigeons' unbelievable ability to find their way home has been discovered by scientists: the feathered navigators follow the roads just like we do.
Scientists now believe the phrase "as the crow (乌鸦) flies" no longer means the shortest most direct route between two points. They say it is likely that crows and other day birds also choose AA-suggested routes, even though it makes their journeys longer.
Scientists at Oxford University spent 10 years studying homing pigeons using global positioning satellite (GPS) and got a surprising result. The birds often don't use the sun to decide their directions.
Instead they fly along motorways, turn at crossing and even go around roundabouts (绕道) , adding miles to their journeys.
"It really has knocked our research team sideways to find that after a decade-long international study, pigeons appear to ignore their inbuilt directional instincts (本能) and follow the road system," said Prof Tim Guilford, reader in animal behavior at Oxford University's Department of Zoology.
Guilford said pigeons use their own navigational system (导航系统) when doing long distance trips or when a bird does a journey for the first time.
"But once homing pigeons have flown a journey more than once, they can fly home on a habitual route, much as we do when we are driving or walking home from work," said Guilford.
"In short, it looks like it is mentally easier for a bird to fly down a road. They are just making their journey as simple as possible."
1.What would be the best title of the passage?
A. How Pigeons Find Their Ways Home? B. Why Pigeons Can Fly long Distance?
C. Birds Follow Roads as We Do. D. Why Crows Fly the Shortest D stance?
2.What does the words "the feathered navigators" refer to?
A. The crows. B. The pigeons. C. Day birds. D. Animals that can fly.
3.Scientists used to think that homing pigeons often find their directions ____.
A. by global positioning satellite B. by the sun
C. by the road system D. by following other birds
4.Why do homing pigeons tend to follow the road system daring the r journey?
A. Because they don't have their inbuilt directional instincts now.
B. Because their own navigational system doesn't work.
C. Because it is too hard to use their own navigational system.
D. Because it is easier to make journey simple by following road system.
We were a very motley (混杂的) crowd of people who took the bus every day many years ago. During the early morning ride from the suburb, we sat drowsily (昏昏欲睡地) with our collars up to our ears.
A small grey man took the bus to the center for senior citizens every morning. No one ever paid very much attention to him. Then one July morning he said good morning to the driver before he sat down. The driver nodded guardedly. The rest of us were silent.
The next day, the old man boarded the bus energetically, smiled and said in a loud voice: "And a very good morning to you all!" Some of us looked up, amazed, and murmured "Good morning!" in reply.
The following weeks we were more surprised. Our friend was now dressed in a nice old suit and a wide out-of-date tie. He said good morning to us every day and we gradually began to nod and talk to each other.
One morning he had a bunch of wild flowers in his hand. The driver turned around smilingly and asked: "Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?" The man nodded shyly and said yes. Every morning after that Charlie always brought a flower.
The summer went by when one morning Charlie wasn't waiting at his usual stop. When he wasn't there the new day and the day after that, we started wondering if he was sick or – hopefully – on holiday somewhere, Later we were told one of his very close friends had died at the weekend. How silent we were the rest of the way to work. The next Monday Charlie was waiting at the stop, a little bit more grey. Inside the bus was a silence similar to that in a church. Even though no one had talked about it, all those of us sat with our eyes filled with tears and a bunch of wild flowers in our hands.
1.From the first paragraph we can inter that the passengers ____.
A. had a cheerful trip every morning B. didn't know each other
C. seldom talked to each other D. talked and laughed on the way
2. Why were some of the passengers amazed when the old man greeted them?
A. Because he looked energetic. B. Because he spoke in a loud voice.
C. Because he was holding some flowers. D. Because they hardly greeted each other.
3.How did the passengers feel when Charlie was not there the next day?
A. Concerned. B. Pleased. C. Surprised. D. Disappointed.
4. The underlined word "it" in the last paragraph most probably refers to ____.
A. the reach for his not taking the bus B. the death of one of his very close friends
C. the reach for his looking more grey D. the silence on the bus
Growing up, I always dreamed of being a professional figure skater. After years of hard work, I am living proof that dreams can come true.
When I was born, my parents immediately noticed something 36 and the doctor said I couldn't skate. I, however, 37 trying skating in an ice rink (溜冰场), where local skaters 38 perform ice shows. I started taking group skating lessons, and performing on ice came naturally, but I have always been 39 to speak in group settings. One thing I've never been afraid of is 40 , though. I get nervous, but never 41 . For me, skating has been about being my personal best 42 beating others on the ice. 1 progressed through various 43 rapidly and gave my first ice performance at seven. Soon I started winning local and regional competitions. That's 44 being on the ice has always been the one place where I can 45 express my own emotions. The ice is like home.
When I was nine years old I began training 46 . I would wake up at four o'clock in the morning six days a week and skate for five hours. Then I'd go to school. Since 47 has always been important in my family, I had no 48 but to find creative ways to fit in school studies throughout my 49 career.
After graduating from high school, I moved to Canada and set out to train full-time to give my dreams a chance at reality. In 1992 I went to compete in the Olympic Games. 50 , not my coach or even my family, ever talked to me about winning a gold medal. In fact, I wouldn't even 51 myself to think about it. I thought that would disturb me. 52 , I went with the attitude that I wanted to enjoy the Olympic spirit. 53 the expectation of all the people, I won the gold medal and words couldn't describe the overwhelming mixture of emotions I felt. Then I truly understood what 54 most in achieving a dream is nor to 55 it when you 1ace difficulties, but strive to make it come true.
1.A. unique B. wrong C. unbelievable D. attractive
2.A. directed to B. led to C. insisted on D. fixed on
3.A. could B. should C. might D. would
4.A. doubtful B. brave C. shy D. disabled
5.A. competition B. expression C. exchange D. display
6. A. annoyed B. disappointed C. sad D. fearful
7. A. rather than B. other than C. except for D. as for
8. A. positions B. levels C. points D. ways
9.A. where B. why C. when D. because
10.A, easily B. immediately C. truly D. slowly
11.A. freely B. comfortably C. seriously D. quickly
12.A. education B. wealth C. reputation D. health
13.A. chance B. choice C. goal D. freedom
14.A. boring B. aimless C. amateur D. normal
15. A. Somebody B. Everybody C. Anybody D. Nobody
16.A. allow B. promise C. force D. discourage
17. A. However B. Therefore C. Besides D. Naturally
18. A. Beyond B. Within C. Despite D. Without
19.A. stresses B. applies C. matters D. acts
20.A. ruin B. ignore C. change D. abandon
-- Are you going to participate in the speech contest?
-- ____ How wonderful an opportunity!
A. No problem! B. Why bother'? C. Why not? D. That's for sure.
____ to Anne's birthday party. Mr. Brown is now searching shop after shop for a nice present for her,
A. Having invited B. Having been invited
C. Have been in, lied D. Being invited
As is reported, it won't take a long time ____ the 20th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival falls in the Binhu New Area. Hefei.
A. since B. when C. before D. that
