Many science fiction stories tell about explorers arriving in a new world. The explorers then use some kind of high-tech device to test for breathable air or signs of life. But here on Earth, science fiction is becoming reality through a new sampling technology called environmental DNA, or e-DNA for short. Scientists can use it to identify rare species or estimate fish populations with just a little air or water.
Environmental DNA can be used in two ways. One is to identify the creatures that live in a certain place. The other is to confirm the presence or lack of a specific creature.
Caren Goldberg is one of the first biologists in the northwestern United States to take the technology from the testing stage to actually using it. She sees e-DNA as a way to get answers more efficiently, and with less destruction compared to traditional survey techniques. Until recently, scientists depended on diving deep, netting or using an electric current to temporarily catch fish.
This newer way to identify what lives in the environment is becoming popular around the world. Animal experts in Vietnam are using the e-DNA to find the last, wild Yangtze giant softshell turtles. One researcher on the Caribbean island of Trinidad is using the sampling technology to find endangered golden tree-frogs. And in Madagascar, it is being used to identify amphibian (两栖动物) diseases.
Ms. Goldberg has used e-DNA testing to confirm the local extinction of a leopard frog in the American state of Idaho. She has also been asked to document the spread of the New Zealand mud-snail in the state of Washington. The creature has been found in lakes and other waterways across the state.
Scientists working with the technology say they do not expect robots to replace field biologists anytime soon. But the old-fashioned field work could soon be more targeted.
1.By using e-DNA, Caren Goldberg has ________.
A.succeeded in catching many fishes.
B.found the existence of golden treefrogs.
C.documented the spread of softshell turtles.
D.proved the disappearance of the leopard frog in Idaho.
2.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Robots will replace scientists soon.
B.Some scientists are against using e-DNA.
C.The old-fashioned field work may disappear.
D.Many biologists are unwilling to do the field work.
3.The passage can be sorted as a(n) ________.
A.science fiction B.experiment report
C.science report D.bio-diversity discovery
I have received many Christmas gifts over the years. The best gift I ever received was presented to me by a stranger. I never even knew his name and I only had contact with him for less than 60 seconds. His Christmas present to me changed the way I think about people and about Christmas.
It was several years ago when my wife asked me to meet her at the local department store on Black Friday morning. They had advertised a child’s bike that she wanted to purchase for our son. We stood with a very large crowd, waiting for the manager to blow the whistle. I told my wife that if we got a bike, fine, but if we did not, I was OK with that too.
As the shelf of bikes began to gradually decrease in size, I saw my polite opportunity to wrap my hands around the corner of one of the boxes. I lifted it off the box and suddenly felt some mild resistance. I looked up to see one of the largest gentlemen I had ever seen in my life. Threat was not the word to describe his presence. He was decorated with numerous belts of metal pointed leather around both arms and even his neck. Tattoos (纹身) were an obvious passion of his.
I started to return anxiously the box but he gently pushed it back in my direction and back into my hands. He then directed it into my shopping cart. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “Merry Christmas.” My wife and I went to the checkout, paid for the bike and went home. All the way home I was thinking that this moment was by far the best Christmas gift I had ever received. The kindness of a stranger that broke all previous views I may have had of stereotypes and prejudices. I will never forget the tenderness of a human heart in a simple act.
1.Why does the author see the gift as best?
A.Because it was given by a stranger. B.Because it was donated by a charity.
C.Because it improved his level of living. D.Because it changed his way of thinking.
2.What is the attitude of the author towards whether to get a bike or not?
A.He is eager for it. B.It doesn’t matter.
C.It depends on its price. D.He doesn’t like it at all.
3.What can we infer about the stranger mentioned in the text?
A.Strong and kind. B.Tall and cautious.
C.Lovely and energetic. D.Handsome and polite.
4.What may be the best title of the passage?
A.A True Gentleman I Met B.The Best Gift I Ever Received
C.A Choice That Changed My View D.A Stranger Who Gave Me a Gift
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (老年痴呆症) last summer. Suddenly, it was difficult for me to accept that the roles were now changed — my mother became my child, and I became her mother. I became impatient, argued with her, once I even yelled at her. Gradually, I was used to this kind of life. Now I am able to deal with her and the situation better. I have learned a lot of life lessons from the experience.
My mother reacts very sensitively to my feelings. That is typical of Alzheimer’s patients. When I visit her, feeling hectic and tense, she reacts immediately, takes on my mood, and becomes nervous and negative. But when I appear cheerful and attentive, she is happy. This has taught me to pay more attention to my own feelings when I am with other people.
Through the illness my mother has developed a childlike tactlessness (不得体). Eating out in restaurants, for example, is a bit embarrassing when she shouts at the waiter that the food is so bad or talks about people at the next table in a loud voice. Of course I make sure that my mother doesn’t hurt anyone, but I’ve stopped complaining about others and have become more tolerant.
I have also learned that everything has special value. When my mother got sick I didn’t want to burden my two daughters with it. They are young and have enough going on with their education, and starting their careers. I felt that it was simply my job as my mother’s daughter. The most wonderful discovery I’ve made through my mother’s disease may be that my children not only offer to help me, but that they take care of my mother on their own actively. They visit her often, play cards with her, and look at photo albums together with her. It shows me that it’s all worth it.
1.What does the underlined “hectic” in the Paragraph 2 mean?
A.delighted. B.touched.
C.surprised. D.stressed.
2.Which of the following is the common behavior of Alzheimer’s patients?
A.Being particular about clothes. B.Being curious about feelings.
C.Being afraid of strange people. D.Being sensitive to others’moods.
3.What can we know about the writer’s daughters according to the passage?
A.They are naughty. B.They are considerate.
C.They are traditional. D.They are selfish.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.How I Cared for My Sick Mother. B.How I Became More Tolerant.
C.What I Have Learned from Alzheimer’s. D.Why I Am Feeling stressed.
1234 PENS is your No. 1 source for promotional pens, advertising pens, and logo pens. We have been in business since 1976, so you can be confident that you’re dealing with a trusted name in the industry.
Everyone loves a free pen, and by providing your customers with a pen featuring your company name, logo, or message, you can be sure that your company name will always be on their mind! Our custom imprinting service comes at no extra charge, so the price you see is the price you pay for the personalized pens.
★ Do you need pens fast? In a RUSH for trade shows or a corporate events? Try our 48 hour promotional pens rush service free of charge. We present you with many styles and types of printed pen. Let us know which promotional pen you like and within 48 hours you will have the pens.
★ Want to use the traditional method of promotional pens to reach out to customers, but don’t want to cause more damage to the environment? 1234 PENS now offers eco-friendly advertising pens to suit any company’s promotional needs. 1234 PENS can confidently offer products which are made from eco-friendly materials, including paper, cardboard, cornstarch, pine, bamboo and even recycled plastic water bottles. 1234 PENS offers a selection of eco-friendly retractable and stick-type ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils and highlighters, all for less than $2.00 each. Imprinting of logos and corporate information is available in sixteen different colors. Each pen has the universal recycling symbol printed on it, showing clients the company’s commitment to the environment.
Feel free to call us at 8447367 or email us info@1234PENS.com if you have any questions.
1.What do we know about 1234 PENS?
A.It has a history of over 30 years.
B.It has built up a large pen market.
C.It has its name printed on each pen.
D.It charges a low price for extra service.
2.What is mainly discussed in Paragraph 3?
A.The different types of the products.
B.The high quality of the products.
C.The trade shows of 1234 PENS.
D.The quick service of 1234 PENS.
3.What is special about the pens produced in 1234 PENS?
A.They are designed in 16 styles.
B.They come in 48 different colours.
C.Their material is less harmful to the earth.
D.Their price is much lower in the pen market.
4.The main purpose of the passage is to .
A.persuade people to order the products
B.explain the process of making logo pens
C.show people how to choose different pens
D.introduce the different services of 1234PENS
假定你是李华，今年暑假你校英语角要与英国一所中学一起举办一次主题为“行动吧，少年”（Act，Boys）的夏令营活动，你有意参加。请你给负责人写一封电子邮件申请参加，内容包括：
1. 自我简介；
2. 参加意图；
3. 希望获准。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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。
Last month, our school organized a knowledge contest what called “Motherland in My Heart”. After our teacher announced the news, everyone was eager to participating. Then we spent the following days make preparations for it. We surfed the Internet about the changes in different aspect, including economy, technology, etc. We also invite an expert to deliver a lecture on the development of our country during the past 70 years. having learnt about these achievements, we felt so proud our country. Finally came a big day. My classmates and I tried my best and answered every question confident. After a few rounds, our team finally won the top prize. What happy we were!
