Crown shyness(树冠羞避) is a mysterious natural phenomenon in which the crowns of some tree species do not touch each other, but get separated by a gap clearly visible from ground level. The effect usually occurs between trees of the same species, but has also been observed between trees of different species.
There are many theories going around, most of which make sense, but no one has been able to prove without the shadow of a doubt why some trees avoid touching each other.
In his 1955 book Growth Habits of the Eucalypts, Australian forester M.R. Jacobs writes that the growing tips of the trees are sensitive to abrasion(擦伤), which results in crown shyness phenomenon. This theory was also supported by Dr. Miguel Franco. Some experiments have shown that if trees displaying crown shyness are artificially prevented from swinging in the wind and touching each other, they gradually fill up the gaps between them.
But while the above theory is arguably the most widespread, it’s certainly not the only one. Some scientists have suggested that crown shyness is a mechanism to stop the spreading of leaf-eating insects. These pests have been known to work together and create structures that extend up to 10 cm off of tree branches in order to reach other plants, so the gaps are the trees’ natural defense method.
One Malaysian scholar studied many trees, but found no traces of abrasions, despite their clear crown shyness. Instead, he suggests that the growing tips of the trees were sensitive to light levels and stopped growing when they got too close to other trees. Plants are able to sense how close they are to other plants and in order to get more light, they give off some chemical element to stop other trees from growing too close.
Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: plants are more intelligent than people used to think.
1.What can we know about crown shyness?
A. It can cause abrasion between trees.
B. It only happens between the same species.
C. It has been discovered for only half a century.
D. No agreement has been reached about its real cause.
2.What will happen if trees showing crown shyness are stopped from swinging?
A. The trees will stop growing and even die.
B. The gaps between the trees will grow wider.
C. The crown shyness phenomenon will disappear.
D. The gaps between the trees will remain the same.
3.What’s tree’s reaction when attacked by pests according to the text?
A. Swinging less in the wind
B. Leaving space between their crowns
C. Spreading their branches and leaves
D. Stopping growing for a period of time
4.Which statement might the Malaysian scholar agree with?
A. Trees have special ways to attack others.
B. Some insects stop trees growing too close.
C. Trees compete with their neighbors for light.
D. Trees won’t touch each other to avoid diseases.
Social media is one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s world. Your friends’ lives may look more exciting than yours on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but a new research shows it is because they are faking(伪造) it.
A recent survey has found around two-thirds of people on social media post images to their personal information to make their lives seem more adventurous. And more than three quarters of those asked said they judged their peers based on what they saw on their Instagrm, Snapehat or Facebook pages.
The British survey, by smart phone maker HTC, found that, in order to make our own pages and lives appear more exciting, six percent also said they had borrowed items to include in the images in order to pass them off as their own. More than half of those surveyed said they posted images of items and places purely to show off, causing jealousy among friends and family.
Behavioral psychologist Hemmings said the trend was unsurprising due to the rise of social media. “We’re living in a world instant communication.” she said. “Fashion and style used to live and die in magazines; now people are in search of authentic, peer-to-peer recommendations as well, making social media an equal power house to magazines and newspaper.”
“With images being shared in an instant, we desire to know what our friends are wearing, or what super stars are buying, as soon as they have got them.” Such is the influence of social media sites like Instagram, 76 percent of those asked also said seeing items on social influences them to buy them, with men more likely to take style advice and buy what they see.
1.How do some people make their lives appear more exciting?
A. By buying pictures. B. By posting images.
C. By making up stories. D. By risking their lives.
2.What does the underlined word “jealousy” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Adventure. B. Conflict
C. Envy D. Misunderstanding
3.What can we learn from Hemmings?
A. The trend reflects the development of social media.
B. Fashion and style no longer exist in magazines.
C. Magazines and newspapers are less important.
D. The trend is beyond people’s expectation.
4.Which of the following best describes social media like Instagram?
A. Positive B. Creative
C. Persuasive D. Honest
I’v worked part time since taking early retirement ten years ago. I was inspired by an older friend. We worked for the same company, and he retired two years before I was also considered “spare”, as some companies call it.
Soon after I left work, we had lunch together. First, he assured me that there was life after work. Then he related his own experience. He didn’t want to take another full-time job, so he turned his daughter’s old bedroom into a home office. He arranged for some consulting work from our old company, and he picked up more projects from other contacts. Soon he was working 20 to 30 hours a week. He wasn’t making as much money. His kids were grown-up, so he didn’t need as much income. “As soon as I left that job,” he told me, “my back problems went away. I started to eat better and get more exercise, I make half as much money, but I feel twice as good, and I’m twice as happy.”
I decided to follow a similar track. At the time, my younger child almost finished college, so my parental responsibilities were winding down. We sold our old house and moved into a townhouse. I went to work for myself. And the result? Today I, too, make less money. But we make ends meet. And I feel twice as good and twice as happy.
Our experience isn’t for everybody. But a lot of people have retired early and lived to tell the tale, which proves it possible. Jack, another friend, was a salesman for a communication firm. He had a long distance to work and did a lot of traveling. He decided to leave the corporate world, in part because he had health problems and he wanted to spend more time with his family. Later, he quit his job with flexible hours and was restored to his health. And now he has found a part-time job, and he, together with his family, is leading a more relaxing life.
1.How did the author and his friends feel about their retired life?
A. It’s busy but wealthy. B. It’s flexible but tiring.
C. It’s healthy and happy D. It’s relaxing and wasteful.
2.What did the writer’s friend try to tell him at lunch that day?
A. He regretted not leaving his job earlier. B. He lived a much better life after retiring
C. He made more money after finding a new job. D. His life was not easy for him after losing his job.
3.Before Jack left his last job, he ______.
A. lived a busy life B. used to find part-time jobs
C. often traveled with his family D. worked hard as a real travel agent
4.What does the author mainly confirm by writing the text?
A. Health is more important than work
B. Young people generally live an exhausting life.
C. More retired people are paying attention to health.
D. It may be a good choice for people who retire early to do a part-time job.
Have you heard of the following people? Maybe yes, maybe no. But they may be an inspiration for you.
The Tree Lady
Kate Sessions was an American botanist and landscape architect closely associated with San Diego, California. After becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. Therefore, this young woman single-handedly started a movement transforming the town into the leafy, garden-filled place as it is today.
The Snowflake(雪花) Man
Wilson Bentley is one of the first known photographers of snowflakes. His enthusiasm for taking photos began from his boyhood and was often misunderstood in his time, but his determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each is surprisingly beautiful. In 1931, he worked with William J.Humphreys of the U.S. Weather Bureau to publish Snow Crystals, a book containing 2500 photographs.
The Father of His Country
By the late 1760s, George Washington had experienced firsthand the effects of rising taxes imposed (征收) on American colonists by the British, and came to believe that it was in the best interests of the colonists to declare independence from England. During the American War of Independence, he led the colonial forces to victory. In 1878, he was elected president of the Convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. Two years later, Washington became American’s first president. His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition that lasted until 1940, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt won a third term. The 22nd Amendment (1951) now limits the president to two elected terms.
1.Who made a great contribution to beautifying an area?
A. George Washington. B. Wilson Bentley
C. Kate Sessions D. William J. Humphreys
2.What is Wilson Bentley famous for?
A. His creative ideas to publish books.
B. His persistence in photographing snowflakes
C. His courage to fight against prejudice
D. His devotion to teaching kids scientific truths.
3.What does the author say about George Washington?
A. He was a national hero.
B. He was born into a poor family.
C. He became America’s president in 1787.
D. He served three terms as the President of America.
假定你是李华，你校最近开辟了校园图书角。请给留学生 Tony 写一封邮件，介绍校园图书角的情况。内容包括：
1．开辟图书角的目的；2．摆放的图书和报刊；3．邀请他阅读。
注意:1．词数 100 左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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假定英语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、删除或修改。
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：在错的词下划一横线，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。
Dear Mr. Xie,
I’m very exciting to write to you to express my thanks. I am Li Hua, one of the poor children who was crying for knowledge, but couldn’t afford the school fees because my father was ill or my family was deeply in debt. Thank you for give me generous support so that I could have the chance go back to school. Has it not been for the support, I wouldn’t have realized my dream. Your help makes much difference to me. I am sure to spread the love to help people in the need.
In brief, my appreciation for your kindness can never be expressed in word. Please accept my sincerely gratitude.
Yours,
Li Hua
