Question

    We’ve learned bees can understand zero and do basic math. Now a new study shows their tiny insect brains may be able to connect symbols to numbers.

Adrian Dyer, a professor in the RMIT University, said the research showed brains far smaller than humans’ could know numbers. “Humans learn numbers as children, but being able to recognize what numbers really represent needs a certain level of cognitive (认知的) ability,” Dyer says, “Studies have shown primates (灵长类动物) and birds have this ability, but this is the first time we’ve seen this in insects.”

It’s important for humans to do the research. There are 86 billion neurons (神经元) in humans’ brains. Bees only have less than a million. If bees have the ability to learn something difficult to understand like human-made symbolic language, this will open up exciting new paths for future communication between humans and animals.

Studies have shown that a number of animals have been able to learn symbols of numbers, including parrots and monkeys. Monkeys were taught Arabic numbers and could order them correctly. An African grey parrot called Alex was able to learn numbers and could do simple calculation.

Understanding how tiny brains of bees manage information opens paths to technology, which is good for the future design of computing (计算) systems.

1.What does Adrian Dyer say about the research?

A.The finding of the research is first seen in insects.

B.Humans’ brains are the biggest on the earth.

C.Birds can be as clever as primates.

D.Bees are cleverer than birds.

2.What do we know about the research?

A.Humans may find a new path to communicate with animals.

B.Bees have more neurons than monkeys.

C.Insects have the ability to communicate with humans.

D.Bees can solve basic math problems.

3.Who is Alex according to the text?

A.A child. B.A monkey.

C.An expert. D.A parrot.

4.What’s the main idea of the text?

A.Bees can communicate with other animals.

B.Bees can attach symbols to numbers.

C.Some animals can do math problems.

D.Bees can make communication with humans.

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.D

4.B

【解析】

本文是说明文，一项新的研究表明，蜜蜂的大脑能够将符号与数字联系起来。这将为人类和动物之间未来的交流开辟新的途径。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段“Now a new study shows their tiny insect brains may be able to connect symbols to numbers”和第二段“but this is the first time we’ve seen this in insects” 这是研究者第一次在微小的昆虫身上看到能够将符号与数字联系起来的能力。故选A项。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段“If bees have the ability to learn something difficult to understand like human-made symbolic language, this will open up exciting new paths for future communication between humans and animals（如果蜜蜂有能力学习一些难以理解的东西，比如人类制造的符号语言，这将为人类和动物之间未来的交流开辟了新的途径）”可知，由于这项研究结果，人类将会找到和动物交流的新途径。故选A项。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段“An African grey parrot called Alex was able to learn numbers and could do simple calculation”可知，Alex是一只非洲鹦鹉，它能够学习数字，并能做简单的计算。故选D 项。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段“Now a new study shows their tiny insect brains may be able to connect symbols to numbers”可知，蜜蜂微小的大脑可能能够将符号与数字联系起来。选项B是对文中这一句的同义解释。故选B项。