Ⅰ.阅读理解
(2021·新高考八省联考卷)The average bear，it seems，is getting ever smarter. First，it turned out that at least one can use a comb.Now it appears that some can count，too.
Jennifer Vonk，of Oakland University，in Michigan，and Michael Beran，from Georgia State University，set three American black bears the task of distinguishing between numerically larger and smaller groups of dots(点) on a computer screen.In return for a food reward one bear，Brutus，would touch the more heavily dotted pattern with his nose.The others，Bella and Dusty，would touch the screen with their claws(爪子)．
As the researchers report in Animal Behavior，the bears did best with patterns where the coloured dots did not move and where more of them also took up a larger coloured area.This could be explained by the bears' distinguishing the different areas of colour rather than truly counting the dots.However，the three bears managed to pick out the bigger number of dots even in pairs of patterns where fewer dots took up a larger area.
Moving patterns，where each dot followed its own path around the screen，were more of a challenge.But Brutus，at least，was not defeated.He seemed to be counting mobile dots even when the scientists tried to mislead him by moving the total coloured area of the dots at the same time.
It is not entirely surprising that bears should have a high degree of intelligence. They face a lot of challenges when trying to get food.They are，however，always alone，and so do not have the complex social systems that contribute to animal smarts. Perhaps，then，their maths skill developed because they cannot count on their friends for help.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。本文介绍了一些新的发现，证明了熊是一种高智商动物。
1．What task did the scientists set for the three bears?
A．Distinguishing different dot patterns.
B．Figuring out different colours of dots.
C．Putting the dots into differently coloured groups.
D．Picking out the group with a larger number of dots.
A [细节理解题。根据第二段“Jennifer Vonk, of Oakland University, in Michigan, and Michael Beran, from Georgia State University, set three American black bears the task of distinguishing between numerically larger and smaller groups of dots on a computer screen(密歇根州奥克兰大学的Jennifer Vonk和乔治亚州立大学的Michael Beran给三只美国黑熊设定了一项任务，即在电脑屏幕上区分数字上较大和较小的点)．”可知，科学家们给这三只熊安排的任务是区分不同的点的模式。故选A项。]
2．For the bears，the task was easier when .
A．the coloured dots were moving slowly
B．the dot patterns were regular in shape
C．the dots followed a path on the screen
D．more dots covered a larger coloured area
D [细节理解题。根据第三段“As the researchers report in Animal Behavior，the bears did best with patterns where the coloured dots did not move and where more of them also took up a larger coloured area(正如研究人员在《动物行为》杂志上所报道的那样，熊最擅长的图案是那些彩色的点不移动，而且更多的点占据了更大的彩色区域)．”可知，熊最擅长的图案是被更多的点覆盖的更大的彩色区域。故选D项。]
3．What may explain the bears' high degree of intelligence?
A．They learn skills from other animals.
B．They face life challenges on their own.
C．They feed on a diverse range of food.
D．They have complex social networks.
B [细节理解题。根据最后一段“It is not entirely surprising that bears should have a high degree of intelligence. They face a lot of challenges when trying to get food(熊拥有高度的智力并不完全令人惊讶。他们在获取食物时面临着很多挑战)．”可知，熊的高智商表现在它们独自面对生活的挑战。故选B项。]
4．What can be a suitable title for the text?
A．Bears Taught to Distinguish Colours
B．New Evidence of Bear Intelligence Found
C．Three Bears Learned How to Count
D．The Smartest American Black Bear Brutus
B [标题归纳题。本文介绍了一些新的发现，为证明熊是一种高智商动物提供了证据，所以文章标题应该是“发现了证明熊智力的新证据”。故选B项。]
