Question

【题目】Biros have been observed to sleep while in flight for the first time ever. Because of some flights that can often last several days, weeks, or even longer, some sea birds have long been thought of being able to fall fully asleep while “on the wing”, though it was not proven.

Now researchers say they have evidence which shows birds can sleep in flight. Scientists from Max Planck Institute used a sample of 15 adult female frigatebirds(军舰鸟) to test the sleep patterns. Each bird had a small electroencephalogram(EEG脑电图) sensor fitted to record changes in the animals’ brain activity as they flew for up to 10 days and over 3,000 kilometres.

The readings showed that during flight the birds could sleep using one hemisphere of the brain, or both together. It was known that frigatebirds could sleep with one “half” of the brain, which allows them to keep one eye open and “connected” to the awake half.

According to the research, it is sleeping technique used by birds for finding directions. “Frigatebirds sleep mostly while circling in rising air and keep the eye connected to the awake hemisphere facing the direction of flight, suggesting that they watch where they are going,” says the study.

Despite the ability to fall “fully” asleep, the birds were found to do it less in the air compared to one land. They slept “very little and less deeply while in flight. This suggests that though it is possible, falling totally asleep is not very good during flight which will need the bird’s attention.

The researchers said the short sleep could be serving as “power naps” to keep the birds going until they return to land. Further study could help us understand why lack of sleep affects humans so badly.

【1】The phrase “on the wing” in the first paragraph may mean .

A. sleeping B. fighting

C. flying D. thinking

【2】Why did the researchers fit the frigatebirds with EEG sensors?

A. To know animals’ brain activity

B. To get some of the good samples

C. To help the birds fly much longer

D. To use the birds to find directions

【3】How do the sleeping birds find the directions?

A. They keep one eye connected to the awake part

B. They sleep less when they are circling in rising air

C. They pay special attention to the way

D. They have a good sleep before they start flying

【4】What is the best title of the text?

A. A Study on Birds in Flight

B. Birds Can Sleep in Flight

C. Flying Bird’s Brain Activity

D. Sleep With Half of the Brain

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】A

【3】A

【4】B

【解析】通过本文可知，鸟在飞行时可以睡着。

【1】C

词义猜测题。根据第一段中Because of some flights that can often last several days, weeks, or even longer, some sea birds have long been thought of being able to fall fully asleep while “on the wing”, though it was not proven. 因为一些通常可以持续数天、数周甚至更长的飞行，所以一些海鸟一直被认为在飞翔的时候能够完全入睡，尽管还没有被证明。根据句意可知划线部分的意思是“飞翔”，故选C。

【2】A

推理判断题。根据第二段中. Scientists from Max Planck Institute used a sample of 15 adult female frigatebirds(军舰鸟) to test the sleep patterns. Each bird had a small electroencephalogram(EEG脑电图) sensor fitted to record changes in the animals’ brain activity as they flew for up to 10 days and over 3,000 kilometres.可知，研究者是为了知道鸟大脑的活动。故选A。

【3】A

细节理解题。根据第四段中Frigatebirds sleep mostly while circling in rising air and keep the eye connected to the awake hemisphere facing the direction of flight,可知，睡着的鸟保持一只眼睛连接到清醒的部分来找到方向。故选A。

【4】B

主旨大意题。根据第一段Biros have been observed to sleep while in flight for the first time ever. Because of some flights that can often last several days, weeks, or even longer, some sea birds have long been thought of being able to fall fully asleep while “on the wing”, though it was not proven.可知，本文说的是鸟在飞行中能睡着。故选B。