题目内容

【题目】 There are many gardening tips. Some suggest playing music for your house plants, having conversations with them, or even giving them a gentle touch now and then. Most of these practices are probably more for the benefit of the gardener than the garden, and generally harmless enough but except the last one. Your plants really dislike it when you touch them.

A new study out of the La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food has found that most plants are extremely sensitive to touch, and even a light touch can significantly stunt(阻碍) their growth. “The lightest touch from a human, animal, insect, or even plants touching each other in the wind, can cause a huge gene response in the plant,” Jim Whelan, who led the new study, said. “Within 30 minutes of being touched, 10% of the plant’s genome(基因组) is changed. This involves a huge expenditure(消耗) of energy which is taken away from plant growth. If the touching is repeated, then plant growth is reduced by up to 30%.”

Whelan and his team are still trying to find out why plants respond, at the genetic level, so strongly. They do have some theories, however. We know that when an insect lands on a plant, genes are activated(激活) preparing the plant to defend itself against being eaten ,” said Dr. Yan Wang, co-author of the study.

Until more research is done, it’s just a guess at this point. Still, the findings might already lead to new methods for how agriculturalists deal with their crops, to best promote healthier growth.

It’s worth noticing that while the study found that plants often respond to just a single touch in negative ways, it’s really repeated touching that causes lasting stunted growth. That’s because the plants are looking for patterns in the touching, to tell harmful touch from random touch. So it doesn’t matter if you accidently brush up against a bush during a walk through the woods.

1How is the passage mainly developed?

A.By comparing

B.By giving examples

C.By listing numbers

D.By showing results of studies

2Why can touching stunt a plant growing according to the study?

A.It leads to the plant’s energy expenditure.

B.It makes the plant sensitive to threats.

C.It causes a genetic disorder in the plant.

D.It prevents the plant absorbing nutrients.

3What’s the importance of the study by Whelan and his team?

A.It gives us more useful gardening tips.

B.It helps find ways to ensure plants’ healthy growth.

C.It contributes to the further study on genes.

D.It uses data to warn people not to touch plants.

4What is the passage mainly about?

A.Something is done to help plants grow.

B.Plants’ genome can be changed easily.

C.Plants don’t really like to be touched.

D.What we do every day may destroy plants.

【答案】

1D

2A

3B

4C

【解析】

本文是说明文。科学研究发现大多数植物对触碰是非常敏感的。反复的触碰会阻碍植物的持续生长。

1

推理判断题。文章第一段提出观点“Your plants really dislike it when you touch them.”植物不喜欢被触碰。第二段首句提到“A new study has found that…;第三段首句提到“Whelan and his team are still trying to find out…”,第四段首句提到“Until more research is done, its just a guess…”,第五段首句提到“while the study found that…”。根据文章每一段的首句可知,文章是通过展示Jim Whelan和他的研究团队对这个问题的研究结果来展开的。故选D项。

2

细节理解题。根据文章第二段中Jim Whelan和他的研究团队的发现“‘Within 30 minutes of being touched, 10% of the plants genome(基因组) is changed. This involves a huge expenditure(消耗) of energy which is taken away from plant growth.’(被触碰30分钟内,10%的植物的基因组就会改变。这消耗了巨大的能量,而这些能量是从植物生长中夺走的。)”可知,触摸会阻碍植物的生长是因为它会导致植物的能量消耗。故选A项。

3

细节理解题。根据文章第四段中“the findings might already lead to new methods for how agriculturalists deal with their crops, to best promote healthier growth.”可知,Whelan和他的团队的研究重要性在于他们的发现帮助农业学家找到如何对待他们的作物的新方法,以便促进植物更健康的生长。故选B项。

4

主旨大意题。通读全文,文章第一段提出观点“Your plants really dislike it when you touch them.”植物不喜欢被触碰。第二段说明Jim Whelan和他的研究团队的研究发现“A new study has found that most plants are extremely sensitive to touch, and even a light touch can significantly stunt(阻碍) their growth.”大多数植物是触摸是非常敏感的,甚至一个轻触可以阻碍他们的生长。下文是说明关于该研究的更进一步的细节。因此文章是说明关于“植物不喜欢被触碰”这一研究的情况。故选C项。

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相关题目

【题目】 Earthquakes strike without warning and are among the most destructive natural disasters. Keeping calm and proper reaction can sometimes save your life. To ride out an earthquake, remember the phrase “drop, cover, and hold on.” 1

1. Move away from buildings, street lights, power lines, and bridges.

2 As soon as the ground begins shaking, try to get as far away as possible from any nearby structures. Do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass.

2. Crouch down low in a wide open area until the shaking stops.

Once you've made your way away from nearby structures, get on your hands and knees and cover your head. See if there are any objects nearby to use as a shield (遮蔽物), such as a trash can lid. 3

3. 4

As you go out after the earthquake, be careful of broken glass, rubble, downed power lines, fallen trees, and any other potential danger. Check yourself and anyone nearby for injuries. If necessary,perform first aid and call emergency services.

4. Get to higher ground if you're on the shore or near a dam.

Earth quakes can cause tsunamis, so put distance between yourself and the coast. If a shaking lasts more than 20 seconds, 5 Get to ground that's at least 100 ft (30 m)above sea level or 2 miles (3.2 km)from the shore.

A.Drop to your hands and knees under a table or desk.

B.Watch out for danger as you observe your surroundings.

C.If possible, grab a pillow, sofa cushion, or another object to cover your face and head.

D.Here are four tips helping you survive an earthquake if you are outdoors.

E.Don't wait for an alarm or warning to escape.

F.The most dangerous locations during an earthquake are areas immediately around buildings.

G.If none are available, cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

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