Bees add an estimated eighteen billion dollars a year to the value of American crops. They pollinate (授粉) flowers that become fruits, nuts and vegetables. But, in recent years, honeybee colonies in the United States and Europe have been shrinking. Scientists have proposed different theories to explain what is known as colony collapse disorder.

New research suggests that a commonly used group of insecticide(杀虫剂)could cause bees to have a hard time finding their way back to their hive. The new re?search looks at the use of pesticides called neonicotin-oids. They were first used in the 1990s. They are now put on the seeds of many major crops around the world. 丁he seedlings absorb the chemicals as they grow. That means farmers do not need to spray a whole field. In?stead there is a little bit of insecticide inside each plant― including the pollen(花粉)and the nectar(花蜜)that the bees want. There is not enough pesticide to kill them. But the new research in the journal Science says it may harm them anyway.

Researchers stuck microchips to the backs of the bees. These chips recorded the bees' movements as they came and went from their hive. The scientists fed some bees sugar water with a low dose of a neonicotinoid. The study found that these bees were about twice as likely not to return as other bees.

Dave Goulson at the University of Stirling in Britain worked on another study published in Science. He says the pesticides could help explain why bumblebee popula?tions are also decreasing.

Bayer CropScience makes neonicotinoid pesticides. The company's spokesman Jack Boyne disputed the findings. He also notes that researchers are studying other factors that could affect the bees' population. These include parasites? diseases and stress caused by transporting beehives to farms. Some European countries have banned the pesti?cides. And there are growing calls to ban them in the Unit?ed States as well.

1.  The underlined word"shrinking"in Paragraph 1 most

probably means "  

A.  increasing       B. decreasing

C.  disappearing    D. continuing

2.    Why were microchips tied to the backs of the bees?

A.    To record how much honey the bees produce.

B.    To test how the bees react to the microchips.

C.    To find if the insecticide affects the bees' popula?tion.

D.    To keep track of the bees' movements.

3.    It can be inferred from the last paragraph that

A.    the pesticides have been forbidden to use in all European countries

B.    Bayer CropScience agrees that the pesticides af?fect the bees' population

C.    transporting beehives to farms can surely have an effect on bees

D.    the use of pesticides is likely to be banned in more countries

4.    What does the passage mainly talk about?

A.    The relationship between pesticides and bees.

B.    Honeybee colony collapse disorder.

C.    New findings about the reduction of bees.

D.    Pesticides that kill bees must be banned.


 

阅读理解

A

           Children's films in the spotlight at TIFF Kids International Film Festival

    The adults had their fun at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and now it's time for the kids to enjoy films from around the world. The TIFF Kids International Film Festival returns to Toronto at the TIFF Bell Lightbox from April 8 to 21, 2014 with premieres(首次公演)of some of the best films for children aged 3 to 13.

   The festival opens with the Canadian premiere of Rio 2, an all-star sequel (续集)to the hit 2011 lively adventure set in the jungles of the Amazon.

    It reunites audiences with Blu and Jewel , voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway,

    This 3-D computer-animated sequel takes the lovebirds and their three young ones to the wilds of South America from the big city.

    Returning are favourite Rio characters with new voice actors including Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Garcia, Bruno Mars and Rita Moreno.

    Closing night features The House of Magic , an animated 3-D feature from Belgium about a young abandoned cat who finds a new home in a pleasant large house.

    Other films include Knight Rusty, an animated 3-D adventure that speaks to the importance of recycling. / Swan , an inspirational drama from China about animal protection? and The Contest, showing how young people can address and overcome cultural stereotypes(老套).

   In total, the festival features 112 films, with 28 features and 84 shorts, from 31 countries. Special guests will introduce films and answer questions, including Rio 2 director Carlos Saldanha and executive music producer Sergio Mendes.

Tickets cost $12, adults; $9.50, students/seniors; $8.50, 13 and younger; $80, family pack of 10 tickets. Opening night : $ 25 ; closing night: $15.

1.Which film will the 2014 TIFF Kids International Film Festival begin with?
 A. Blu and Jewel                          B. Rio 2

C. Knight Rusty           D. The House of Magic

2.What is the film / Swan from China about?

A. The importance of recycling. B. A young abandoned cat.

C. Animal protection. D. The jungles of the Amazon.

3.Who is the director of the film Rio 2?

A. Jesse Eisenberg       B. Anne Hathaway

C. Carlos Saldanha       D. Janelle Monae

4.How much should Mr Smith pay if he, with his wife and two children under 13, wants to see the film Rio 2 and The Contest

A.  $80.                 B. $82.

C.  $ 141.                D.  $ 200.

5. Which of the following about TIFF Kids Film Festival is TRUE?

A.The festival shows 112 films in all.

B.The films come from 35 countries.

C.All the films shown are all shorts.

D.The films are all 3-D adventures.

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