Question

New findings from Queen’s University biologists show that in the plant world, bigger isn’t necessarily better.

“Until now most of the thinking has suggested that to be a good competitor in the forest, you have to be a big plant,” says Queen’s Biology professor Lonnie Aarssen. “But our research shows it’s virtually the other way around.”

Previous studies showed that larger plant species monopolize(垄断) sunlight, water and other resources, limiting the number of smaller plant species that can exist around them. But the research has proved that this is not generally the case in natural vegetation.

In the Queen’s project, PhD student Laura Keating targeted the largest “host plants” of 16 woody plant species growing in the Okanogan Valley, British Columbia. The research team calculated the number and variety of plants that neighbored each large host plant. They then randomly selected plots without host plants and calculated the plant species there as well. The research showed that the massive trees have no effect on the number of species with which they coexist.

Smaller plants have many advantages over their overbearing neighbors, Professor Aarssen notes. Larger species generate physical space niches under their shelters where smaller species grow well. Smaller plants are much more effective than large trees at using available resources. They also produce seeds at a much younger age and higher rate than their bigger counterparts, and settle down much more quickly—thus competing with the newly-born plants of larger species.

1. What’s the main idea of the text?

A. Smaller plants may have many advantages over their neighbors.

B. In the plant world, the bigger is better than the smaller one.

C. To be a good competitor in the forest, you have to be a small plant.

D. Queen’s University’s students made a new research.

2. The underlined word “this” in Para. 3 refers to the view that _____.

A. large and small plants can grow together in harmony  

B. larger plant species limit their smaller neighbors’ growth

C. small plant species have their own advantages

D. large and small plant species can never coexist

3.What can we learn according to the text?

A. Larger plant species limit the number of smaller ones around them.

B. Smaller plants can limit the number of plant species around them.

C. Smaller plants produce seeds at a higher rate than their bigger counterparts.

D. Larger trees are more effective than small plants at using available resources.

4. Which is the CORRECT order in the Queen’s project?

a. Randomly selected plots without host plants and-calculated the plant species.

b. Calculated the number and variety of plants that neighbored each large host plant.

c. Selected the largest individuals or "host plants" of 16 woody plant species.

A. a, b, cB. c, b, a

C. b, c, aD. a, c, b

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.B

【解析】

1. A 主旨大意题。结合文章第一段及最后一段可知，本文主要是讲述科学家的新发现：低矮植物比高大植物更有优势。

2.2】 B 词义猜测题。this指代文中larger plant species monopolize sunlight, water and other resources, limiting the number of smaller plant species that can exist around them这一观点。

3.3】C 细节理解题。由最后一段They also produce seeds at a much younger age and a higher rate than their bigger counterparts可知C项正确。

4.4】B 事件排序题。由文章第四段可知选B。