Birth order—does it matter? Are you different because you are the first, second, or third child in your family—or maybe the last of nine?

A study found that first-borns have an average IQ that is three points higher than people who fall into a different place in the birth order, perhaps because first-borns often help younger brothers and sisters, which improves their own skills. In 2007, an international organization of CEOs found that 43% of CEOs are first-borns, 33% are middle children, and 23% are last-borns. First-borns are more likely to be doctors and astronauts and get higher pay.

If first-borns are more successful, last-borns are generally more agreeable. They are also more likely to be funny, possibly to get attention from all the bigger people at the dinner table. Mark Twain and Stephen Colbert were both the youngest in large families, and Jim Carrey was the youngest of four. According to a 2007 Time magazine article, “The power of Birth Order.” last-borns are more likely to be artists and successful businessmen.

Then there are the middle children: we have not ignored (忽视) them! Many middle children are short of one-on-one time with their parents. They often feel short-changed: the oldest gets more rights, and the youngest is spoiled (宠坏的). Though they may be ignored, middle children are more likely to grow into easy-going adults.

Many factors make us who we are, but if the research is correct, birth order may be one of the most important factors.

1.Who is most likely to be a CEO?

A.A first-born. B.A second-born. C.A third-born. D.A last-born.

2.What can we learn about Jim Carrey?

A.He is a middle child. B.He is likely to be serious.

C.He is a successful businessman. D.He is likely to be agreeable.

3.What does the underlined sentence mean?

A.They are usually controlled. B.They are always spoiled.

C.They are often popular at home. D.They are often treated unfairly.

4.What can we learn from the 4th paragraph?

A.Middle children often get more attention from parents.

B.Middle children usually communicate with others well.

C.Middle children are more likely to get on well with others.

D.Middle children are usually famous artists and businessmen.

5.What would be the best title for the text?

A.What makes you powerful B.How you can be a CEO

C.What influence birth order has on you D.How you can grow up

It’s sad to learn that a whale has died in the ocean. However, that’s not the end for the whale. It has a lot to give to other sea animals after death.

When a whale dies, it quickly sinks (下沉) to the bottom of the ocean floor. There, the whale body provides food and nutrients (营养) to deep-sea animals, which are often hungry for food. The remains can last for hundreds of years and create a complex ecosystem called a whale fall (鲸落).

Chinese scientists found a whale fall for the first time in the South China Sea during a deep-sea expedition (考察) carried out by oceanic research vessel (舰) Tansuo-1, which finished its expedition on April 2, 2020. Tansuo-1 carried the manned submersible (潜水器) Shenhai Yongshi, which is able to dive to a depth of 4,5000 meters.

The whale fall in the South China Sea is about three meters long. Scientists have found several species (物种) of shrimp and fish near the whale fall. Some fish have started to eat the whale’s tail. The whale fall might be quite recent and needs long-term observation (观察), according to Xie Wei, a scientist who took part in the expedition.

The whale fall ecosystem can exist in the deep ocean because great pressure and cold temperatures there prevent body from decomposing too quickly. But the depth also makes it hard for scientists to discover them. There are about 50 known whale falls in the world.

By studying the whale fall, scientists can better understand how marine (海洋的) ecosystems support life and how to protect biodiversity (生物多样性) resources in the deep sea.

1.What does the writer try to describe in the second paragraph?

A.when a whale fall happen. B.where a whale fall happen.

C.why a whale fall happen. D.how a whale fall happen.

2.Which sentence about the whale fall in the South China Sea is wrong?

A.It was found during a deep-sea expedition.

B.There was several species of shrimp and fish around it.

C.Scientists have finished the study of it.

D.Scientists from China found it on April 2, 2020.

3.The underlined words “decomposing” in Paragraph 5 means _________.

A.putting in B.going bad C.falling over D.setting off

4.Why do scientists study the whale fall?

a. To understand how marine ecosystem support life.

b. To find how long the whale fall is.

c. To protect biodiversity resources in the deep sea.

d. To study whether fish eat the whale’s tail.

A.a b B.a c C.b c D.b d

5.Which magazine can we probably find this article in?

A.Science. B.Geography. C.Mystery. D.Travel

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