Ⅰ.阅读理解
Hidden beneath the surface in the roots of Earths astonishing and diverse plant life, there exists a biological superhighway linking together the members of the plant kingdom in what researchers call the “wood wide web”.
The network is comprised of thin threads of fungus (真菌) that grow outwards underground up to a few metres from its partnering plant, meaning that all of the plant life within a region likely connected to one another.The partnership is beneficial for both parties involved, plants provide carbohydrates (碳水化合物) to the funguses and in exchange, the funguses aid in gathering water and providing nutrients to its partnering plant.
A study conducted by Rensen Zeng of the South China Agricultural University found that this also allowed for plants to warn one another of potential harm.The study showed Broad Beans used the fungal network to spy on one another for upcoming danger.
Like our Internet, this fungal connectivity is also full of crime.Some plants, such as Golden Marigolds have been found to release poisons into the network to slow down the growth of surrounding plants in the fight for water and light.Other plants, such as the Phantom Orchid, do not have the chlorophyll (叶绿素) and must get the necessary nutrients from surrounding plants.
Research suggests that animals such as insects and worms may be able to detect slight exchanges of nutrients through the network, allowing them to more easily find delicious roots to feed on; however, this has not been conclusively made clear in experimentation.The more we learn about this phenomenon, the more our understanding of the plant life of our planet will continue to change.Perhaps one day, we may be able to map out these complex networks entirely.
语篇解读:本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了将植物王国成员连接在一起的高速公路,被研究人员称之为“木网”。
1.What is the function of the first paragraph?
A.To explain the aim of the web.
B.To introduce the main topic.
C.To give definition of diverse life.
D.To show the importance of plants.
解析:选B 推理判断题。根据文章的第一段内容及下文的描述可知,文章主要讲述将植物王国成员连接在一起的高速公路。由此可知,第一段的作用是引入话题。
2.The criminal behaviour of plants can be seen as a way to________.
A.compete for survival
B.gather more water
C.take in sunlight
D.break natural rules
解析:选A 推理判断题。根据文章的第四段可知,有些植物释放毒素是为自己获得营养的。由此推断,植物的犯罪行为可以看作是一种生存竞争的方式。
3.What does the last paragraph suggest?
A.Animals can also feed on the fungus.
B.Nutrient exchanges are too slight to detect.
C.No experiment can prove the phenomenon.
D.More needs to be done to work out the network.
解析:选D 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段最后两句可推断,最后一段暗示了需要做更多的工作来了解植物的网络问题。
4.Which can be the best title for the text?
A.The Partnership between Plants
B.The Unknown Roots of the Earth
C.The Superhighway Linking the Plants
D.The Mysterious Map Changing the World
解析:选C 标题归纳题。文章主要讲述将植物王国成员连接在一起的高速公路。