If you are afraid of the dark,it’s not a big deal.It’s perfectly normal to feel afraid. After all,animals do too. “Fear matters,”says Karen Warkentin,an ecologist.“It’s a good thing,” she adds, “because fear makes you do things that keep you alive.”

       Like kids,many animals experience fear and they respond to the feeling in a variety of ways.A frightened turtle pulls its head and legs inside its shell.A small fish will swim away when a big,hungry fish approaches.

        Some animals respond to fear in ways you might not expect.The first example is that the fear of being eaten can scare some frogs right out of their eggs. Warkentin made the surprising discovery while studying red—eyed tree frogs in Costa Rica.

        In this species,female frogs attach jellylike clumps(果冻一样的块状物)of their eggs to the undersides of leaves.The leaves hang on branches that dangle(悬挂)over ponds.After they hatch from the eggs,the tadpoles(蝌蚪)then fall into the water,where they eventually grow into adult frogs.

        Tree frog eggs usually grow for 6 days before hatching.If they sense that a hungry snake is about to attack,however,they can hatch up to 2 days ahead of schedule. As the snakes are unable to swim,by falling into the water early,the tadpoles can escape.

        If hatching early helps protect red—eyed tree frogs from snakes,you might wonder why their eggs don’t always hatch sooner.It turns out that hatching early brings its own danger.Once tadpoles land in the water,hungry fish and other animals like to eat them too.Staying in their eggs for a full 6 days, then, allows frog embryos(胚胎)to grow big and strong.This extra growth improves their chances of surviving in the water.

1.It can be inferred from the passage that fears________.

       A.help animals grow bigger and stronger

       B.are less common among young animals

       C.help animals move a lot to fit the environment

       D.are more or less important in order for animals to survive

2.We are told in the passage that tree frogs _______.

       A.face danger both inside their eggs and in the water

       B.will grow fast if they fall into the water later

       C.are surprisingly clever when inside their eggs

       D.stay in their eggs longer if they are frightened

3.What do you think would be discussed in the following paragraph?

       A.Further explanations as to why tree frogs hatch ahead of schedule.

       B.How the unborn frogs know when a snake is about to attack them.

       C.Another example of animals that responds to fear in an unexpected way.

       D.How tree frogs improve their chances of survival before falling into the water.

Most people agree that the direct, assertive(过分自信的) American personality is a virtue, but it sometimes surprises foreigners.In many cultures, respect for older people or those in positions of authority keeps others from expressing their true feelings.But in the U.S, children often argue with their parents, students may disagree with their teachers, and citizens may express opposition to the actions of the government.If the soup has a fly in it or the  meat is too tough to chew, the diner can complain to the waiter, if the boss makes a mistake, an employee will politely point it out.

Some straight talk about the American character must include the admission that Americans have their faults.The extremely competitive nature of Americans is probably their worst fault.Of course, competition isn’t always bad.As a matter of fact, it promotes excellence by encouraging individuals and businesses to try to do their best.But the desire to get ahead of others sometimes causes people to do things that are unkind and even dishonest.Also, Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient, and fresh.Sometimes they fail to understand and appreciate practices that have greater respect for more traditional, leisurely ways of doing things.On the other hand, people from other cultures may dislike the practical, challenging American lifestyle.

Despite culture differences, most foreigners give Americans credit for their virtues.Americans are generally viewed as friendly, adaptable, energetic, and kindhearted.Most newcomers to the U.S.like Americans, and the feeling is usually mutual.Perhaps the greatest American virtue is a deep interest in new ideas and new people.In a nation of immigrants, the foreigner does not remain an outsider for long.

1In order to show the respect for older people,     .

A.people from some other cultures will always express their true feeling

B.people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feeling

C.Americans always show their true feelings

D.Americans usually argue with them

2Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of American faults?

A.Because people from other cultures fear competition.

B.Because only American people own it.

C.Because it will make people forget leisure.

D.Because it may sometimes urge people to do something bad.

3It can be inferred from the passage that .       .

A.American people are more critical of everything than people from other cultures

B.the author believes that American character has more faults than virtues

C.the author admires American virtues as they are viewed as competitive and anti

traditional

D.it is difficult for newcomers to get on with Americans

4The passage mainly talks about.      .

A.American virtues  B.American characters 

C.American faults     D.American lifestyles

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