【高中英语阅读练习】Gardeners puzzled by the sudden ....伊顿教育自主招生辅导老师今天为大家整理了高考英语阅读理解练习题目和答案，欢迎2019届考生浏览学习！

　　Gardeners puzzled by the sudden appearance of an unusual orchid(兰花) or disappointed that their annuals have vanished should not worry. Scientists have discovered that some British flowers can lie dormant(休眠的) under the ground for up to 20 years, coming out to bloom only when the conditions are just right. Researchers at the University of Sussex found at least 114 plant species are capable of living dormant under the soil for up to two decades, enabling them to survive through difficult times. Orchids seem particularly good at being dormant for years at a time, the authors discovered.

　　Michael Hutchings, Professor of Ecology at the University of Sussex, said: “Being underground means they cannot photosynthesise(进行光合作), flower or reproduce. And yet this study has shown that many plants in a large number of species frequently exhibit dormancy. Many of these species have found ways to overcome the loss of opportunities to photosynthesise during dormancy, especially by gradually developing mechanisms enabling them to obtain what they need from soil. This allows them to survive and even grow well during dormant periods.”

　　The research found that dormancy occurs when the weather is poor, or there is a new threat from animals or competing plants. Sometimes winters are so mild that the plant does not realise that spring has begun. Dormancy in seeds has been widely known about and studied for decades but the phenomenon of dormancy in adult plants is far less well-known and understood.

　　The study, led by University of Tokyo associate professor Richard Shefferson, is the first detailed analysis of the causes. Dormancy appears to be more common near the equator(赤道), where threats from factors such as disease, competition, animals and fire are more severe. Co-author Dr. Eric Menges of Archbold Biological Station in Florida, he USA. said: “In those areas, there appears to be an advantage to plants remaining dormant and then growing when favourable conditions exist for growth and flowering,” Prof. Hutchings added: “Dormancy has evolved and persisted numerous times throughout the evolutionary history of the land plants.

　　37. What does the underlined word mean in the first paragraph?

　　A. Adapted. B. Disappeared.

　　C. Shrunk. D. Woken.

　　38. What does Professor Michael Hutchings mainly talk about in the second paragraph?

　　A. What results dormancy leads to.

　　B. How the orchid lives through dormant periods.

　　C. Why some species can survive terrible circumstances.

　　D. How the orchid developed mechanisms to get energy.

　　39. What can we learn from the passage?

　　A. Most gardeners don’t want to plant orchids.

　　B. Orchids are the only plants that can be dormant for years.

　　C. Dormancy in seeds is far less well-known and understood.

　　D. Dormancy in plants is common in regions along the equator.

　　40. What is the best title for the passage?

　　A. Survival of the Fittest

　　B. New Research on Dormancy in Orchids

　　C. Why Some British Flowers Stay Dormant

　　D. British Flowers Can Stay Dormant Underground for Years

　　答案 BBDD