The fact that ants are fascinating insects has been known for some time. Now, scientists have discovered a large number of wood ants living in an abandoned underground storehouse in Templewo, Poland, despite having no obvious source of food.

Polish zoologist Wojciech Czechowski and his team began studying the underground colony in 2013. They found the ants built a 60-cm high nest in the soil directly over the storehouse vertical air pipe. As years passed, the metal covering on the pipe eroded, leaving behind a hole that thousands of worker ants accidentally slip into each day as they go about their daily chores. The scientists say that there are no sources of food in the storehouse. This means that the insects live in a state of near starvation.

In July 2015, the researchers disturbed part of the ant nest in search of larvae (幼蟲), cocoons(繭), and queens. They found nothing, leading them to suspect that the lack of food and cold temperatures made reproduction impossible and that the group tending the nest is entirely made up of non-reproductive female workers. Their population is refilled every year, by a new rain of unfortunate ants that slide down the hole. The researchers say that when they returned in January 2016, the nest had been repaired. It appears that despite the terrible conditions, the worker ants do not stop constructing their nest.

Wood ants are known for their ability to adapt to bad living conditions. In this case, the millions of worker ants trapped in the storehouse have no choice. But instead of losing hope, they are making the best of the situation—a classic example of “when life gives you lesions make lemonade.”

1.How did the wood ants arrive in the storehouse?

A. They fell down there by accident.

B. The research team brought them there.

C. The storehouse builders left them there.

D. They were attracted by the environment.

2.What does the underlined word “eroded” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. Expanded. B. Rotted.

C. Exploded. D. Melted.

3.What did the researchers find in the nest?

A. Larvae. B. Cocoons.

C. A queen. D. Worker ants.

4.Why did the population of wood ants remain steady?

A. They had enough food.

B. They were able to reproduce.

C. They adapted to the conditions.

D. They had new comers to join them.

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Do you know of anyone who uses the truth to deceive (欺騙) ? When someone tells you something that is true, but leaves out important information that should be included, he can give you a false picture.

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He didn't say anything that was false, but he left out important information on purpose. That's called a half-truth. Half-truths are not technically lies, but they are just as dishonest.

Some politicians often use this trick. Let's say that during Governor Smith's last term, her state lost one million jobs and gained three million jobs. Then she seeks another term. One of her opponents says, "During Governor Smith's term, the state lost one million jobs!" That's true. However, an honest statement would have been , " During Governor Smith's term , the state had a net gain of two million jobs. "

Advertisers will sometimes use half-truths. It's against the law to make false statements so they try to mislead you with the truth. An advertisement might say, "Nine out of ten doctors advised their patients to take Yucky Pills to cure toothache. " It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of them work for the Yucky Company.

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1.How much did the lottery winner lose?

A. One hundred dollars. B. Two hundred dollars.

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B. Half-truths are often used to mislead people.

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科目:高中英語 來源:甘肅省2017屆高三下學(xué)期第四次校內(nèi)診斷考試英語試卷 題型:閱讀理解

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It is reported that the gunman left a suicide note that was found at his home by relatives.A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity(匿名)said the note indicated that the gunman wanted to "go out in style."

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Shoppers and store workers were trapped inside the mall,which has roughly 135 stores.Others streamed out of mall exits with their hands raised.President Bush was in Omaha this morning to deliver a speech,but he had left the city by the time the shootings took place.

1.What do the underlined words "go out in style" probably mean?

A. To go out of the mall in particular clothes.

B. To walk in the mall with oneself focused on.

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D. The official who showed what the note meant wanted to keep himself from being known to the public.

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A. Bush Happened to Escape a Shot

B. Shoppers in Great Panic before the Holiday

C. Shooter Found Dead in a Mall on the west of Omaha

D. Gunman Killed 8 People,Then Himself at a Mall in Omaha

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