A recent study of ancient and modern elephants has  come up with the unexpected conclusion that the African elephant is divided into two distinct (不同的) species
The discovery was made by researchers at York and Harvard universities when they were examining the genetic relationship between the ancient woolly mammoth and mastodon to modern elephants—the Asian elephant, African forest elephant and African savanna elephant
Once they obtained DNA sequences (序列) from two fossils (化石)，mammoths and mastodons the team compared them with DNA from modern elephants. They found to their amazement that modern forest and savanna elephants are as distinct from each other as Asian elephants and mammoths.
The scientists used detailed genetic analysis to prove that the African savanna elephants and the African forest elephants have been distinct species for several million years. The divergence of the two species took place around the time of the divergence of Asian elephants and woolly mammoths. This result amazed all the scientists.
There has long been debate in the scientific community that the two might be separate species but this is the most convincing scientific evidence so far that they are indeed different species.
Previously, many naturalists believed that African savanna elephants and African forest elephants were two populations of the same species despite the elephants’ significant size differences. The savanna elephant has an average shoulder height of 3.5metres while the forest elephant has an average shoulder height of 2.5metres. The savanna elephant weighs between six and seven tons, roughly double the weight of the forest elephant. But the fact that they look so different does not necessarily mean they are different species. However, the proof lay in the analysis of the DNA.
Alfred Roca, assistant professor in the department of Animal Sciences at the University of Minois, said, “We now have to treat the forest and savanna elephants as two different units for conservation purpose. Since 1950 all African elephants have been conserved as one species. Now that we know the forest and savanna elephants are two very distinct animals, the forest elephant should become a bigger priority (優(yōu)先)for conservation purpose .”
小題1:One of the fossils studied by the researchers is that of ________.
A．the Asian elephantB．the forest elephant
C．the savanna elephantD．the mastodon elephant
小題2:The underlined word “divergence” in paragraph 4means “________”
A．evolutionB．exhibitionC．separationD．examination
小題3:The researcher’s conclusion was based on a study of the African elephant’s ____________
A．DNAB．heightC．weightD．population
小題4: What were Alfred Roca’s words mainly about?
A．The conversation of African elephants.
B．The purpose of studying African elephants
C．The way to divide African elephants into two units
D．The reason for the distinction of African elephants
小題5: Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A．Naturalist’s Belief about Elephants.
B．Amazing Experiment about Elephants
C．An Unexpected Finding about Elephants
D．A Long scientific Debate about Elephants

小題1:D
小題2:C
小題3:A
小題4:A
小題5:C

小題1:fossils 定位，找到第三段第一句，有兩種fossils，mam和mas，選項(xiàng)D
小題2:文中divergence of the two species指代前文the Ase and the Afe have been distinct species, divergence與distinct同義替換，對(duì)應(yīng)選項(xiàng)C
小題3:conclusion, based on定位，找到倒數(shù)第二段最后一句lay in 與based on 同義替換，答案：A
小題4:AR定位，找到倒數(shù)第一段，從AR的話中，第一句for conservation purpose, 最后一句for conservation purpose確定A
小題5:文章首句點(diǎn)明全文主旨，答案：C
練習(xí)冊(cè)系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

51---------
Successful people are nicer to those who are jealous of them, psychologists have found.
　　　The fear that they may become the target of malicious（惡意的）envy makes people act more helpfully toward people who they think might be jealous of them.
　　　Previous research found jealousy could be divided into benign and malicious envy. Those with benign envy were motivated to improve themselves, to do better so they could be more like the person they envied.52--------　The Dutch researchers then set out to question the effect on the target of the envy.
In lab experiments a group of people were made to feel like they would be maliciously envied by being told they would receive an award of five euros（歐元）53-------The researchers thought that the deserved prize would lead to benign envy, while the undeserved prize would lead to malicious envy.
　　　Then the volunteer was asked to give time-consuming advice to a potentially envious person.People who had reason to think they would be the target of malicious envy were more likely to take the time to give advice than targets of benign envy.
　　　In another experiment, an experimenter dropped a number of erasers on the floor as the volunteer was leaving.54--------　He said: 'This sort of serves a useful group function. We all think better-off people should share with others but that's not something we are inclined to do when we are better off..55----------　　
A．Those who thought they would be maliciously envied were more likely to help him pick them up.
B．Helping others is a virtue.
C．However those with malicious envy wanted tobringthe more successful persondown.
D．Malicious envy. is terrible.
E. This fear of envy can encourage us to behave in ways that improve the social interactions of the group.'
　　F. People are more likely to help others if they think they are envious of them.
G.. Sometimes the prize was deserved and was based on the score they were told they had earned on a quiz. But sometimes it was not based on their score at all.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Plastics are considered one of the most serious pollutants causing environmental problems. The garbage containing plastics end up in the waterways that eventually flow into the oceans. Accumulation (聚集)of plastic in the ocean endangers marine life and pollutes the water.
Does a plastic continent exist? Yes, a plastic continent does exist and was discovered by Captain Charles Moore a decade ago. The plastic continent is twice the size of Britain and it is the region between the Hawaii Islands and California in the central Pacific Ocean.
One of the causes of the lack of marine life in this region is due to pollution and pollutants are none other than plastics. Captain Charles Moore believes plastic waste started accumulating in the 1950s.
The plastic continent is the man-made continent of floating plastic waste. The fisher men and the sailors have avoided this region for years. The reasons are:
1. There are no fish here because of the lack of nutrients.
2. The zone also lacks the wind that is essential for sailing.
To do research on the ocean pollution, Captain Moore founded Algalita Marine Research Foundation. Other organizations such as Greenpeace supported his cause. The reports of The United Nations Environment Program show that millions of seabirds and marine animals are dying due to the invasion(入侵)of plastics. The waste plastics can be recycled, but in fact they are being thrown into the oceans. The marine animals mistake these for food and eat them. This leads to their death that affects the marine food chain.
To save the oceans from the plastic continent you need to reduce the use of plastics, reuse plastic bags and recycle plastics.
小題1: What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A．A plastic continent does exist in the Pacific Ocean
B．Endangered marine life is well protected.
C．Plastics are one of the main causes of water pollution.
D．Plastics should be forbidden in people’s daily life.
小題2: What is the direct influence of the plastic continent?
A．Local fishermen have to fish in other areas.
B．The water becomes shallow and fish have to move away.
C．The wind is too strong there and it makes sailing more difficult.
D．It makes people realize the importance of protecting the environment.
小題3: It is implied that the work of plastic recycling proves to be ______.
A．effectiveB．expensiveC．a(chǎn) difficult taskD．not good enough
小題4:What can we learn from the passage?
A．Many marine animals are dying due to the broken marine food chain.
B．Captain Moore founded Greenpeace to do research on the ocean pollution.
C．The marine animals have no choice but to eat plastics for lack of food.
D．There are three ways to prevent the oceans from becoming a plastic continent.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

閱讀下列短文，從每小題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和 D）中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。




A
Book 1 : Brack Obama
Grades: 3-5
Our Price: $ 8.95
His mother came from Kansas. His father came from Kenya. He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia, far from the center of American politics. Few people had even heard of Brack Obama before 2004. Bt one powerful speech in Boston changed all that for the Illinois senator(參議員). In 2008, this inspiring leader ran for the country’s top job, President.
Book 2: Danica Patrick
Grades:  3-5
Our Price: $ 8.95
Growing up, Danica Patrick dreamed of racing in the Indianapolis 500. In 2005, her dream came true. Danica finished the race in fourth place, the best ever result by a woman. Three years later, she became the first female to win an IndyCar race. As a woman competing in a sport dominated by men, Danica faced many obstacles. But she never stopped believing in herself, no matter what the difficulties.
Book 3: Ellen Ochoa
Grades: 3-5
Our Price: $ 8.95
Some people dream of becoming stars. Ellen Ochoa dreamed of living among them! She worked hard to make her dream of becoming an astronaut come true. On April 8, 1993, she strapped (用帶子系好)herself in for the ride of her life aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Ochoa aimed high and boldly went where no Hispanic woman had gone before. Find out about Ochoa’s amazing journey in her own words and photos from her personal collection!
Book 4: LeBron James
Grades:  3-5
Our Price: $ 8.95
Fans, teammates, and opponents know him as King James. Many people consider LeBron James to be the most talented basketball Player of his generation. But there is much more to his story. He overcame hard times as a kid and rose to national fame as a teenager. He then jumped right from high school to the pros.  Along the way, LeBron never lost sight of where he came from or who he is.
小題1:.
What do the four books have in common according to the passage?
A．Their prices are the same and they are all about famous leaders.
B．They are all about Africans and their contributions to society.
C．They are written for the same grades and their prices are the same.
D．They are for the same readers and printed by the same publisher.
小題2:.
Emma is dreaming of being a car racer. Who can be an example to her?
A．Brack ObamaB． Danica PatrickC．Ellen OchoaD．LeBron James
小題3:.
If John wants to learn something about becoming a basketball player, which book should he read?
A．Brack ObamaB． Danica PatrickC．Ellen OchoaD．LeBron James
小題4:.
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A．Obama was popular with most of the people in America before he ran for president.
B．In 2005, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar race.
C．Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman to have gone aboard the space shuttle Discovery for the ride.
D．LeBron James is the most talented basketball player.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

There were smiling children all the way. Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight. Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave back.
From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (擁抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.
小題1: The author expected the train trip to be________ .
A．a(chǎn)dventurousB．pleasantC．excitingD．dull
小題2: What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?
A．The friendly country people.B．The mountains along the way.
C．The crowds of people in the streets.D．The simple lunch served on the train.
小題3: Which of the following words can best take the place of the word "relish" in the second paragraph?
A．chooseB．enjoyC．prepare forD．carry on
小題4: Where was the writer going?
A．Johore BaruB．The Causeway.C．ButterworthD．Singapore
小題5: What can we learn from the story?
A．Comfort in traveling by train.B．Pleasure of living in the country.
C．Reading gives people delight.D．Smiles brighten people up.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

A controversial new study has claimed that men really are more intelligent than women．The study concluded that men’s IQs are almost four points higher than women’s.
British-born researcher John Philippe Ruston says the finding could explain why so few women make it to the top in the workplace.
He claims the “glass ceiling” phenomenon is probably due to inferior intelligence，rather than lack of opportunity.
The University of Western Ontario psychologist reached his conclusion after scrutinizing the results of university ability tests taken by 1 00,000 students aged 17 and 18 of both sexes.
A focus on the factors such as the ability to quickly grasp a complex concept，verbal reasoning skills and creativity― some of the key factors of intelligence ―showed the male teenagers had IQs that were an average of 3.63 points higher. The average person has an IQ around 100.The findings，which held true for all classes and levels of education, overturn 100 year opinion that men and women average the same in general mental ability. They also conflict with evidence that girls do better in school exams than boys.
But Professor Ruston argues that the faster maturing of girls leads to them outshining boy in the classroom.
小題1: The report is mainly about ______.
A．a(chǎn) study that shows men are cleverer than women
B．the “glass ceiling” phenomenon
C．Professor Ruston’s theory on IQ
D．the difference between male and female
小題2: The underlined word “scrutinizing” in the fourth paragraph probably means ______.
A．making upB．carrying outC．examining carefullyD．looking at
小題3: We can infer that the average woman has an IQ of ______.
A．a(chǎn) little less than 100B．100
C．more than 100D．96.37

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

When my grandmother was raising me in Stamps, Arkansas, she had a particular routine（慣例）when people who were known to be whiners entered her store. My grandmother would ask the customer, “How are you doing today, Thomas?”
The person would reply, “Not so good today, Henderson. You see, it’s this summer heat. I just hate it. It just makes me tired. It’s almost killing me.’ Then my grandmother would stand calmly, her arms folded, and say, “Uh-huh, uh-huh.”
As soon as the complainer was out of the store, my grandmother would call me to stand in front of her. Then she would say the same thing she had said at least a thousand times, it seemed to me. “Jane, did you hear what so-and-so complained about?” And I would nod. Grandmother would continue, “Jane, there are people who went to sleep all over the world last night, poor and rich and black and white, but they will never wake again. Those dead people would give anything, anything at all for just five minutes of this weather that person was complaining about. So you watch yourself about complaining, Jane. What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.”
I have learned a lot from my grandmother. Her opinions always hit the nail on the head. Whining is not only impolite, but can be dangerous.
小題1:
The underlined word “whiners” in paragraph 1 refers to those people who ________.
A．think little of themselvesB．enter a store regularly
C．a(chǎn)re afraid of hot weatherD．complain often
小題2:
From what the author’s grandmother said, we can infer that ________.
A．she tried to comfort the whinersB．she was impolite to the whiners
C．she was against whiningD．she shared the whiners’ opinions
小題3:
The author’s grandmother told her to ________.
A．be sympathetic(同情) to the deadB．treasure（珍惜）every moment of her life
C．keep away from the whinersD．get used to things she disliked
小題4:
What is the purpose of the author in writing the passage?
A．To show that complaining is not only rude but harmful.
B．To tell us a story about her grandmother.
C．To show how to live one’s life to the fullest.
D．To tell us people’s different attitudes towards complaining.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The iPhone, the iPad, the iPod, each of apple's products sounds cool and has become a pad (一時(shí)的風(fēng)尚). Apple has cleverly taken advantage of the power of the letter “i”，-- and many other brands are following suit. The BBC’s iPlayer —which allows Web users to watch TV programs on the internet—adopted the title in 2008. A lovely bear—popular in the US and UK—that plays music and video is called “iTeddy”.A slimmed-down version of London’s Independent newspaper，was launched last week under the name “i”.
In general，single-letter prefix have been popular since the 1990s，when terms such as e-mail and e-commerce first came into use.
Most “i”products are targeted at young people and considering the major readers of the Independent’s “i”，it’s no surprise that they’ve selected this fashionable name.
But it’s hard to see what’s so special about the letter “i”.Why not use “a”，“b”or “c”instead？According to Tony Thorne，head of Language Center at King’s College，London，“i”works because its meaning has become ambiguous .When Apple uses “i”，no one knows whether it means internet，information，individual or interactive，Thorne told BBC magazines “even when Apple created the iPod，it seems it didn’t have one clear definition，”he says.
“However，thanks to Apple，the term is now associated with portability （輕便）， ”adds Thorne.
Clearly the letter “i”also agrees with the idea that the Western World is centered on the individual. Each person believes they have their own needs，and we love personalized products for this reason.
Along with “Google”and “blog”，readers of  BBC magazines voted “i”as one of the top 20 words that have come to define the last decade.
But as history shows，people grow tired of fads. From the 1900s to the 1990s，products with “2000”in their names became fashionable as the year was associated with all things advanced and modern. However，as we entered the new century，the trend inevitably disappeared.
小題1:
We can infer that the Independent’s “i”is aimed at _______.
A．young readersB．old readersC．fashionable womenD．engineers
小題2:

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Life gets noisier every day and very few people can be free from noise of some sort or another. It doesn't matter where you live---in the middle of a modern city or a faraway village---the chances are that you’ll be disturbed by jet planes, transistor radios, oil-powered engines, etc. We seem to be getting used to noise, too. Some people feel quite lonely without background music while they’re working.
Scientific tests have shown that total silence can be a very frightening experience for a human being. However, some people enjoy listening to pop music which is very loud, and this can do harm to their eardrums(耳鼓). The noise level in some discos is far above the usual safety level for heavy industrial areas.
One recent report about noise and concentration suggested that although a lot of people say that any noise disturbs their concentration, what really influences their ability to concentrate is a change in the level of noise. It goes on to say that a background noise which doesn't change too much (music, for example) may even help people to concentrate.
小題1:.
According to this passage, the noise pollution______.
A．has become the worst in the countryside
B．has become better in big cities
C．has spread from cities to villages
D．has been controlled in modern cities
小題2:.
What does background music refer to?
A．Music played while people are working.
B．Music played in the backyard.
C．Noise that continues while you’re listening to other noises.
D．Music used to help people to concentrate.
小題3:.
. Some people have their hearing harmed______.
A．while listening to pop musicB．in complete silence
C．when speaking loudlyD．while watching TV

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊(cè)答案