The Royal Horticultural Society(RHS) finds that women gardeners’ voices speed up the growth of tomato plants much more than men’s. In an experiment, the researchers found that tomato plants grew up 题目和参考答案——青夏教育精英家教网—

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The Royal Horticultural Society(RHS) finds that women gardeners’ voices speed up the growth of tomato plants much more than men’s.

In an experiment, the researchers found that tomato plants grew up to two inches taller if they were sung to by a female rather than a male.

The most effective voice came from Sarah Darwin, whose great-great grandfather was the botanist(植物学家) Charles Darwin, one of the founding fathers of the RHS.

She read a passage from the On the Origin of Species and beat nine other ‘voices’. Her plant grew nearly two inches taller than the best performing male and half an inch higher than her nearest competitor.

Colin Crosbie, Garden Manager at the RHS, said, “We predicted that the male voice would be more effective but it turned out that the ladies’ voice was far better than the gentlemen’s. We just don’t know why. It could be because they have a greater range of pitch(高音) and tone(音色) that affects the sound waves that hit the plant.The sound wave is on environmental effect just like rain or light.”

In the experiment, every plant was played a different voice through earphones connected to the plant pot, and the environmental conditions for all the plants remained the same throughout the experiment. To ensure that the results of the experiment were convincing, two plants were also left to grow in silence.

The results showed that women on average saw their plants grow an inch taller than their male counterparts(对手) and much more than the plants left in complete silence.

Miss Darwin said, “I’m not sure if it’s my sweet tones or the text that I read from On the Origin of Species that made the plant sit up and listen, but either way, I think it is an honor to have such a voice, and it is especially fitting for me, because for years I have been studying wild tomatoes at the Natural History Museum(NHM) in London.”

　60. How many tomato plants were chosen for this experiment?

　　 A. 9.　　　　 B. 10. C. 11.　　 D.12.

　61. What can we learn about Sarah Darwin?

　　 A.She is very proud of her sweet voice..

B. She is one of the founding fathers of the RHS.

　　 C. She has discovered why her voice benefits plants.

　　 D. She will work at the NHM in London after the experiment.

　62. Why were two plants left to grow in silence in the experiment?

　　 A. To make the results of the experiment trustworthy.

　　 B. To convince people that sound waves are better than rain and light.

　　 C. To help find out how many inches plants can grow with the help of voices.

　 D. To prove that the environmental conditions for the plants remained the same.

　63. What can be inferred from the passage?

　　 A. The text from On the Origin of Species can help plants grow..　　　　

　　 B. Sarah’s nearest competitor was also a woman..

　　 C.Men’s voices have a greater range of pitch and tone than women’s..

　　 D.Colin Crosbie predicted that women’s voices were better for the plant than men’s.

【小题1】D

【小题2】A

【小题3】A

【小题4】B

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London has more than nine million visitors every year. They come and visit some of the most famous places in England: Big Ben, the Tower of London and the River Thames.

You can see some of the most interesting places in London by getting on the tour buses. Or you can take a ride on the London Eye. This large wheel slowly takes you 135m above the River Thames.

The River Thames is London’s main waterway. It has shaped the capital’s landscape, history and geography. So one of the best ways of knowing more about the city is to take a trip along the river.

The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, has become one of the main symbols of London. The sound of the bell, which you can hear at the beginning of many television and radio programmes, has become well-known throughout the nation.

No visit to London is complete without a look at the Tower of London, in the eastern part of the city. After Big Ben, the Tower may be London’s most visited tourist spot. Directly south is Tower Bridge, which is more than100 years old.

Along all the palaces in London, Buckingham Palace is the most famous. It has been the main London home of the royal family since Queen Victoria moved there in 1873. You can visit some of the rooms in August and September. And most mornings of the year you can watch the soldiers

outside changing the guard.

About one hour by train out of London is the Tower of Windsor. Here you can visit another of the Queen’s homes-Windsor Castle. There was a fire in 1992 and many of the rooms were badly burned. But now they are full of beautiful pictures, tables and chairs again.

Sightseeing in London is great, but it can get very tiring. So, the best way to start the day is to fill up with an English breakfast.

You can buy an English breakfast in nearly every hotel, and at many restaurants and cafes. An English pub is a good place to stop for lunch and a drink. You can get hot or cold food and try one of England’s many ales(浓啤酒). Fish and chips are also a traditional English meal. So look out for fish and chip shops in cities as well as by the sea.

Or you can sit outside one of the many roadside pubs and cafes in London, and simply watch the busy world go by.

We can learn from the text that ____________.

A.Windsor Castle has been rebuilt

B. the Big Ben can be heard everywhere in London

C. only some of the hotels in England serve breakfast.

D. the London Eye can carry you where you like to go

Which place may be London’s most visited tourist spot?

A. Buckingham Palace B. The Tower of London

C. Big Ben D. The River Thames

If you go to London in December, you will not be able to ___________

A. visit Windsor Castle

B. tour the Buckingham Palace

C. tour the city along the River Thames

D. watch the soldiers outside the Buckingham Palace changing guards.

The underlined word “landscape” (paragraph 3) is closest in meaning to _________.

A. sights B. interests C. characteristics D. culture

The whole passage mainly introduces the ________________.

A. tourism in London B. tourists in London

B. history in London D. sightseeing in London

Inventor, physicist, surveyor, astronomer, biologist, artist… Robert Hooke was all there and more. Some say he was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century. In the course of his work, he cooperated with famous men of science like Isaac Newton, and the great architect, Christopher Wren.

Hooke’s early education began at home, under the guidance of his father. He entered Westminster School at the age of 13, and from there went to Oxford, where he came in contact with some of the best scientists in England. Hooke impressed them with his skills at designing experiments and inventing instruments. In 1662, at he age of 28, he was named Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal Society of London- meaning that he was responsible for demonstrating(展示) new experiments at the society’s weekly meeting. Hooke accepted the job, even though he knew that the society had no money to pay him!

Watching living things through a microscope was one of his favourite pastimes(消遣). He invented a compound microscope(显微镜) for this purpose. One day while observing a cork(软木塞) under a microscope, he saw honeycomb-like structures. There were cells –the smallest units of life. In fact, it was Hooke who invented the term “cell” as the boxlike cells of the cork reminded him of the cells of a monastery(修道院).

Another achievement of Hooke’s was his book Micrographia, which introduced the enormous potential(潜力) of the microscope. It contains fascinating drawings of the thing he saw under the microscope. The book also includes, among other things, ideas on gravity, light and combustion(燃烧) that may have helped scientists like Newton when they were developing their own theories on these phenomena(现象).

Hooke made valuable contributions to astronomy too. A crater(火山口) on the moon is named after him in honour of his services to this branch of science.

We can infer from paragraph 2 that Hooke is ____________.

A. friendly B. sociable C. creative D. helpful

Which is the possible reason why Hooke accepted the job as Curator of Experiments?

A. He liked designing experiments.

B. His family needed his support.

C. He wanted to please the famous scientists in England.

D. His parents couldn’t afford his education.

The cell got its name because of __________.

A. its use B. its shape C. Hooke’s favourites D. Hooke’s experiences

Which of the following is true according to the text?

A. Hooke went to Oxford in 1645.

B. Hooke was well paid in the Royal Society of London.

C. Hooke made a contribution to medicine.

D. Hooke’s book Micrographia may have helped Newton.

The last paragraph is to prove that _____________.

A. Hooke was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century

B. Hooke was good at making discoveries

C. Hooke’s contributions were not limited to one field

D. Hooke was one of the greatest astronomers

Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a lifelong love for theatre.

The plan to offer free seats to people aged between 18 to 26—funded with ??2.5 million of taxpayers’ money—was announced yesterday by Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary. It received a cautious welcome from some in the arts world, who expressed concern that the tickets may not reach the most underprivileged.

The plan comes as West End theatres are enjoying record audiences, thanks largely to musicals teaming up with television talent shows. Attendances reached. 13.6 million in 2007, up 10 percent on 2006, itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost ??470 million.

One theatre source criticised the Government’s priorities(优先考虑的事) in funding free tickets when pensioners were struggling to buy food and fuel, saying: “I don’t know why the Government’s wasting money on this. The Yong Vic, as The Times reported today, offers excellent performances at cheap prices.”

There was praise for the Government’s plan from Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre, who said: “I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.”

Ninety-five publicly funded theatres could apply for funding under the two-year plan. In return, they will offer free tickets on at least one day each week to 18 to 26-year-olds, first-come, first-served. It is likely to be on Mondays, traditionally a quiet night for the theatre.

Mr. Burnham said: “A young person attending the theatre can find it an exciting experience, and be inspired to explore a new world. But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s ‘not for them’. It’s time to change this perception.”

Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said: “The real issue is not getting enthusiastic children into the theatre, but improving arts education so that more young people want to go in the first place. For too many children theatres are a no-go area.”

Critics of the plan argued that ______.

A. the theatres would be overcrowded

B. it would be a waste of money

C. pensioners wouldn’t get free tickets

D. the government wouldn’t be able to afford it

According to the supporters, the plan should ______.

A. benefit the television industry

B. focus on producing better plays

C. help increase the sales of tickets

D. involve all the young people in England

Which of the following is TRUE about the plan?

A. Ninety-five theatres have received funding.

B. Everyone will get at least one free ticket.

C. It may not benefit all the young people.

D. Free tickets are offered once every day.

We can infer from the passage that in England ______.

A. many plays are not for young people

B. many young people don’t like theatre

C. people know little about the plan

D. children used to receive good arts education

According to the passage, the issue to offer free tickets to young people seems ______.

A. controversial B. inspiring C. exciting D. unreasonable

D
　　BBC(May 11,2008) - Edinburgh Zoo makes plans to bring a pair of giant pandas from China to Scotland.Zoo representatives recently returned from China,where they signed a letter of intent(意向书) making a promise to bring giant pandas to Edinburgh.
　　It's been suggested that a breeding pair should be on loan(暂借) to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland(RZSS) for 10 years.It is hoped that they would give birth to cubs during that time.Edinburgh Zoo would be only the eighth Zoo in the Western hemisphere(半球) to care for the species if the project goes ahead.
　　Zoo chiefs said that looking after the endangered animals could benefit conservation.David Windmill,chief executive of RZSS,said,"Working with giant pandas means so much more to us than introducing a new species to our collection.It's an opportunity to work on a global level with other conservationists to gain a better understanding of giant pandas,the threats they face,and what we can do to ensure their survival."
　　At present there're only around 1,500 giant pandas in the wild.RZSS has been working on the project for almost a year,and hopes to have giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo by 2009 ,the year of the society's centenary(一百周年纪念日).
　　Mr.Windmil said that the project had received strong support from the UK and the Scottish government and that this must continue if the zoo was to reach an agreement with the Chinese.As part of the proposed agreement with the Chinese government,Edinburgh Zoo will collaborate(合作) on research projects benefiting conservation in the wild.
　　RZSS will also provide considerable money to support giant panda conservation projects in the wild.Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China and feed almost only on bamboo,which makes up 99% of their diet.
　　68.What is the best title for the passage?
　　　A.Edingburgh Zoo does research into giant pandas.
　　　B.Giant pandas live happy at Edinburgh Zoo.
　　　C.Edinburgh Zoo expects giant pandas from China.
　　　D.Scotland supports giant panda conservation.
　　69.If Edingburgh Zoo can borrow giant pandas,what will happen?
　　　A.RZSS will have a better understanding of living habits of giant pandas.
　　　B.RZSS will celebrate its centenary in 2009.
　　　C.Scotland will be the eighth country to have giant pandas.
　　　D.Edinburgh Zoo will be the eighth zoo to have giant pandas in the world.
　　70.At present what seems to be the key factor for giant pandas to successfully go to Edinburgh Zoo?
　　　A.RZSS's attitude.
　　　B.The Scottish government's attitude.
　　　C.Edinburgh Zoo's support.
　　　D.The Chinese government's attitude.

Have you ever been to London? Here is some hotel information for you.

Kingsway Hall Hotel

We offer quality service (优质服务) in Kingsway Hall Hotel. This location puts guests in easy reach of many places, such as the British Museum and Piccadilly Circus. Our hotel also has modern Western food, and offers a perfect dining environment. The lounge bar is a comfortable place to enjoy a drink while watching the tourists. There are hundreds of dining choices within walking distance. Non-smoking rooms are ready for guests.

Hilton Docklands Riverside

Located on the bank of the Thames, our hotel is about two miles east of Tower Bridge and 36 miles from London Heathrow Airport. Our hotel has a beauty salon, a flower shop and a swimming pool. The hotel also offers laundry (洗衣店) services, babysitting, shining shoes, and local area transportation.

Windermere Hotel

Located in the center of London, our hotel puts guests within easy reach of London’s well-known buildings. Buckingham Palace and the Royal Parks are just a short walk away. Within 1.5 miles you can visit Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The theatres, Harrods shopping centre, and the designer shops of Sloane Square and Knightsbridge are all only a short walk away or a taxi ride away.

1. What does Kingsway Hall Hotel provide for its guests?

A. Chinese food. B. A lounge bar.

C. Smoking rooms. D. A swimming pool.

2.What is special about Hilton Docklands Riverside?

A. It offers different kinds of service. B. It offers a reasonable price.

C. It has convenient transport. D. It has delicious food.

3.This passage is most likely to be found in ______.

A. a travel guide B. a story book

C. a technical report D. a geography magazine

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