A dragonfly barely an inch and a half long appears to be animal world’s most productive long distance traveler - flying thousands of miles over oceans as it migrates from continent to continent - according to a newly published research.
Biologists who led the study say the evidence is in the genes. They found that populations of this dragonfly, called Pantala flavescens, in Texas, eastern Canada, Japan, Korea, India, and South America, have genes so similar that there is only one likely explanation. Apparently — somehow — these insects are traveling distances that are extraordinarily long for their small size, breeding (繁殖) with each other, and creating a common worldwide gene pool.
But how do insects from different continents manage to meet and hook up? Ware says it appears to be the way their bodies have evolved. “These dragonflies have adaptations such as increased surface areas on their wings that enable them to use the wind to carry them.”
Dragonflies, in fact, have already been observed crossing the Indian Ocean from Asia to Africa. “They are following the weather,” says Daniel Troast, who analyzed the DNA samples in Ware’s lab. “They’re going from India where it’s dry season to Africa where it’s wet season, and apparently they do it once a year.”
Wetness is a must for Pantala to reproduce, and that, says Ware, is why these insects would be driven to even attempt such a dangerous trip, which she calls a “kind of suicide.” The species depends on it. While many will die on the route, as long as enough make it, the species survives.
For the moment, the details of this extraordinary insect travel are an educated best guess. Much more work is needed to bring many loose ends together. Ware and Troast hope that scientists can work on plotting those routes.
1.What proves Pantala flavescens are the world’s longest-distance flyers?
A. Scientists have tracked the dragonfly across the world.
B. There are many Pantala flavescens in various continents.
C. The same dragonfly was found both in Asia and America.
D. Pantala flavescens in different continents have similar genes.
2.What helps Pantala flavescens fly over so long distance?
A. Their special body shape.
B. Their ability to use wind.
C. Their small and light body.
D. Their large and strong wings.
3.What is necessary for Pantala flavescens to reproduce?
A. Damp weather. B. Enough sunshine.
C. Dry environment. D. Warm nests.
4.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 5 refer to?
A. The weather. B. The insect.
C. The wind. D. The trip.
“Auld Lang Syne” is a song that everyone drunkenly sings, which marks the start to a brand new year. No one ever seems to know the words (something about forgetting old acquaintances?) or what they mean (why would we want to forget people?), but, in America, it’s as much a part of New Years’ tradition as wine. But why?
The lyrics (歌词) to the song come from a poem written by the great Scottish poet Robert Bums in 1788. Its title is believed to be an old Scottish way of saying “a long time ago.” Phrases like “In the days of auld lang syne” also appear in other Scottish fairytales and poems, usually as a way of saying “Once Upon a Time.”
While it still causes confusion, it is believed that the opening lines of the song are meant to be rhetorical (夸张的); “Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, and auld lang syne?” therefore means we should have a drink in honor of whatever is passing, and remember old friends.
When the Scots immigrated to America in the 19th century, they brought the song with them. But its great popularity can be largely due to the Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo.
In 1965, he explained how he himself came to associate the song with the end of the year to Life Magazine:
“Auld Lang Syne is our theme song—and was long before anyone ever heard us on the radio. In our particular part of western Ontario, where there’s a large Scottish population, it was traditional for bands to end every dance with Auld Lang Syne. We didn’t think it was known here.
If you want to see the singer in action, check out his final performance on the eve of 1977, after performing for 48 years in a row.
1.How might people feel when first hearing the song Auld Lang Syne?
A. Confused. B. Moved.
C. Energetic. D. Comfortable.
2.Why do people sing Auld Lang Syne when New Year is coming?
A. To hope for good luck. B. To celebrate the New Year.
C. In honor of Robert Bums. D. In memory of the past.
3.Why is Guy Lombardo mentioned in the text?
A. He created the song Auld Lang Syne.
B. He made the song Auld Lang Syne more popular.
C. He brought the song Auld Lang Syne to America.
D. He was the first to sing the song Auld Lang Syne.
4.What might be the best title for the text?
A. What does Auld Lang Syne Mean?
B. Who Makes Auld Lang Syne Popular?
C. How does Auld Lang Syne Come into Being?
D. Why do People Sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year Eve?
Sometimes we experience pain that seems just too big to feel, too frightening to face - it looks like a tsunami. So, we run. My tsunami came when I was nine years old.
I was woken up by my mother’s screams - “Bob? Bob?! BOB!” I ran to my parents’ bedroom. My father was on all fours, unconscious. My mother was crazy - desperately trying to figure out how to stop what was happening. I ran to the phone - 9-1-1, the neighbors, anyone - “help us!” Soon rescue came, but my father didn’t come back to life.
When my friends came to comfort me, I remember “pulling myself together” as I walked toward them, determining to show them that I was fine.
The more I denied my pain, the more I was praised by the adults around me-”Oh, look how strong she is!” So, I kept saying “I’m fine.” Over and over and over. I said it enough - performed it enough - that I even fooled myself. I believed that I was okay.
But pain doesn’t just “go away” - that whole “time heals” thing is a total crock. 30 years after my father died, when I looked around for an explanation for all the years of destructive behavior, I couldn’t find the root of the pain in my life because I had covered it up so well. All the “I’m fine” - 30 years of them - buried the pain of that nine years old girl.
Her pain had been trying to come out, to be heard, to be healed.
And, finally, it was.
After years of treatment, I found my way back to that night where the pain started, back to the tsunami. This time, I didn’t run. It hurt - it still hurts - but now, when it hurts, I let the pain come. Fm not scared to say, “I’m not fine” - because I know, eventually, I will be.
1.What did the author do when her father was in danger?
A. She ran out to look for rescue. B. She kept calm and asked for help.
C. She offered first aid to him at once. D. She was too afraid to do anything.
2.Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “crock” in Paragraph 5?
A. fact B. theory
C. experiment D. lie
3.Why was the author praised?
A. She behaved politely.
B. She seemed to be confident.
C. She could look after herself.
D. She could handle the blow properly.
4.What lesson can we get from the author’s experience?
A. Hiding our pain can be harmful.
B. Expressing pain is not very easy.
C. Being strong means hiding one’s pain.
D. Children are good at covering up their pain.
Below are several programs designed for students.
ARCC Gap
ARCC Gap has been offering programs for young adults since 1983. ARCC Gap Semester programs are an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our Semester programs take students on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas.
Program Locations: International — Africa, Asia, Latin America, and India
Phone: 415-332-5075
Email: gap @ adventurescrosscountry.com
Thinking Beyond Borders
Thinking Beyond Borders’ gap year programs are specifically designed for students who like learning and are eager to create meaningful social change in the world. We combine working with inspiring local leaders, and engage readings and discussions to create an exciting, supportive, and transformational learning environment.
TBB’s full-year and semester options include a 7-country Global Gap Year.
Program Location(s): International — Global, South America, Asia
Phone: 203-993-0236
Camps International
Our inspirational AGA programs give you the chance to live with the communities you will be supporting and work with locals on service projects that make a significant and lasting difference to people’s lives. You can also contribute to protecting the environment and endangered wildlife.
Program Locations: Kenya, Borneo, Cambodia, Ecuador, Peru and our newest locations Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Phone: 44 1425 485 390
Email: rcig@campsintemational.co.uk
Raleigh International
For more than 30 years Raleigh International has been running life-changing Expeditions to some of the most remote places on the planet.
A Raleigh Expedition is overseas volunteering. Our 5, 7 or 10-week Expeditions provide exposure to different people, new cultures, situations, and environments. This is your chance to create a real change in the communities that need it most, and to develop a range of skills for yourself.
Program Locations: Africa, Asia and India
Phone: 00 44 (0)207 183 1270
1.What do ARCC Gap and Thinking Beyond Borders have in common?
A. They are to bring about social changes.
B. They are designed to train young leaders.
C. They have a history of about three decades.
D. The participants will travel to different continents.
2.What is the advantage of taking part in Camps International?
A. Gaining the chance to get support.
B. Knowing more about national affairs.
C. Developing the awareness of serving others.
D. Having a good command of a foreign language.
3.How can we get in touch with Raleigh International?
A. By fax. B. By phone.
C. By email. D. In person.
假如你是李华，下个月8号是你的加拿大笔友Smith的生日，你给他寄了200克中国绿茶作为礼物。请你给他写一封信，要点如下：
1. 向他表达生日祝福；
2. 介绍中国的茶文化（4000多年历史、种类繁多、好处等）；
3. 希望他将来有机会来中国时体验中国茶文化；请他介绍加拿大咖啡文化。
注意：1. 词数100左右，（开头结尾已给出，不计入词数）；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Smith,
How time flies! __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除和修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Times waits for no man. This is something I learned very clear last term. I spent so much time fool around that my grades began to fall. I finally realize that something necessary had to done. It was time of a change.
Now I have a new plan for using my time wisely. I have set my alarm clock ahead half a hour. This will give him a head start on the day. I have also been decided to keep a record of what I do and when I do it. Looking back on which I’ve done will give me some idea on how to rearrange my time.
