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Rare Fossil Record
The preservation of embryos and juveniles is a rare occurrence in the fossil record. The tiny delicate skeletons are
usually scattered by scavengers(食腐动物)weathering before they can be fossilized Ichthyosaurs(鱼龙) had a higher chance of being preserved than did terrestrial creatures be-cause, as marine animals, they tended to live in environments less
subject to erosion. Still, their fossilization required a suite of factors: a slow rate of decay of soft tissues, little scavenging by
other animals, a lack of swift currents and waves to jumble and carry away small bones, and fairly rapid burial. Given these
factors, some areas have become a treasury of well-preserved ichthyosaur fossils.
The deposits at Holzmaden, Germany, present an interesting case for analysis. The ichthyosaur remains are found in
black, bituminous marine shales(页岩)deposited about 190 million years ago. Over the years, thousands of specimens of
marine reptiles, fish and invertebrates have been recovered from these rocks. The quality of preservation is outstanding, but what is even more impressive is the number of ichthyosaur fossils containing preserved embryos.
Ichthyosaurs with embryos have been reported from 6 different levels of the shale in a small area around Holzmaden,
suggesting that a specific site was used by large numbers of ichthyosaurs repeatedly over time. The embryos are quite
advanced in their physical development; their paddles, for example, are already well formed. One specimen is even
preserved in the birth canal. In addition, the shale contains the remains of many newborns that are between 20 and 30
inches long.
Why are there so many pregnant females and young at Holzmaden when they are so rare else-where? The quality of
preservation is almost unmatched and quarry operations have been carried out carefully with an awareness of the value of
the fossils. But these factors do not account for the interesting question of how there came to be such a concentration of
pregnant ichthyosaurs in a particular place very close to their time of giving birth.
11
【单选】
All of the following are mentioned as factors that encourage fossilization except the _____
A
speed of burying
B
conditions of the water
C
rate at which soft tissues decay
D
cause of death of the animal
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2
Which of the following is true of the fossil deposits discussed in the passage?_____
A
They include examples of newly discovered species.
B
They contain large numbers of well-preserved specimens.
C
They are older than fossils found in other places.
D
They have been analyzed more carefully than other fossils.
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3
The word"outstanding"in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to_____
A
extensive
B
surprising
C
vertical
D
excellent
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4
Why does the author mention the specimen preserved in the birth canal?_____
A
To illustrate that the embryo fossils are quite advanced in their development
B
To explain why the fossils are well preserved
C
To indicate how the ichthyosaurs died
D
To prove that ichthyosaurs are marine animals
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5
Which of the following best expresses the relationship between the first and second paragraphs_____
A
The first paragraph describes a place while the second paragraph describes a field of study
B
The first paragraph defines the terms that are used in the second paragraph.
C
The second paragraph describes a specific instance of the general topic discussed in the first paragraph.
D
The second paragraph presents information that contrasts with the information given in the first paragraph.
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Singapore
Singapore is an independent city-state in southeastern Asia, consisting of one major island—the Singapore island—and more than 50 small islands, located off the southern tip of Malay. The city of Singapore, the capital of the country, is at the southeastern end of the Singapore Island; it is one of the most important port cities and commercial centers of Southeast Asia. The total area of the republic is 640 sq km
Low-lying Singapore Island has no outstanding relief(轮廓鲜明的) features. A central area of hills rises to the maximum height of 176 m. The country has a wet tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 27.20℃. The average annual rainfall is 2.413 mm. the wettest months are November through January.
Singapore is governed under a constitution of 1959. A president, elected to a four-year term, is head of state, and a prime minister is head of government. The president used to be selected by Parliament, but by 1991 constitutional amendment(修正案), the president is now elected directly by the people. The Parliament is the law-making body with its 81 members popularly elected.
In the late 1980s the country had some 290 primary schools with 278,300 pupils and 160 secondary schools with 200,200 students. The main institutions of higher education are the National University of Singapore, several technical colleges, and a teachers college.
Singapore has one of the highest standards of living of any country in Asia. In the late 1980s the gross domestic product was estimated at $23.7 billion, or $8, 870 per person. The fishing industry is centered on the port of During, on southwestern Singapore Island. Industry has grown rapidly since the 1960s, and Singapore now produces a diversity of goods, including chemicals, electronic items, clothing, and processed foods, etc. Shipbuilding and petroleum refining are also important.
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【单选】
Paragraph 1()
A
Education
B
Land and Climate
C
State System
D
General Introduction
E
Economy
F
Population
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Paragraph 2()
A
Education
B
Land and Climate
C
State System
D
General Introduction
E
Economy
F
Population
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Paragraph 3()
A
Education
B
Land and Climate
C
State System
D
General Introduction
E
Economy
F
Population
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9
Paragraph 4()
A
Education
B
Land and Climate
C
State System
D
General Introduction
E
Economy
F
Population
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Paragraph 5()
A
Education
B
Land and Climate
C
State System
D
General Introduction
E
Economy
F
Population