Pollen, apowderysubstance, which is produced by flowering plants and containsmalereproductivecells, is usually carried from plant to plant by insects or birds, but some plantsrelyon the wind to carry theirpollen. Windpollinationis often seen as beingprimitiveand wasteful in costlypollenand yet it is surprisinglycommon, especially in higher latitudes. Wind is very good at movingpollena long way;pollencan be blown for hundreds of kilometers, and only birds can getpollenanywhere near as far. Thedrawbackis that wind isobviouslyunspecific as to where it takes thepollen. It is like trying to get a letter to a friend at the other end of the village by climbing onto the roof and throwing an armful of letters into the air and hoping that one will end up in the friend's garden. For therelativelyfewdominanttreespeciesthat make uptemperateforests, where there are many individuals of the samespecieswithinpollenrange, this is quite a safe gamble. If a number of people in the village were throwing letters off roofs, your friend would beboundto get one. Bycontrast, in the tropics, where each treespecieshas few, widelyscatteredindividuals, the chance of wind blowingpollento anotherindividualissufficientlyslim that animals are a saferbetas transporters ofpollen. Even tall trees in the tropics are usually not wind pollinated despite being in windy conditions. In asimilarway, trees intemperateforests that areinsectpollinatedtendto grow assolitary, widelyspreadindividuals.

Since wind-pollinated flowers have no need toattractinsects or other animals, they have dispensed with bright petals,nectar, andscent. These are at best awasteand at worst an impediment to thetransferofpollenin the air. The result is insignificant-looking flowers and catkins (densecylindrical clusters of small, petalless flowers).

Windpollinationdoes, of course,requirea lot ofpollen. Birch andhazeltrees can produce 5.5 and 4 million grains percatkin,respectively. There are various adaptations to help as much of thepollengo as far as possible. Mostdeciduouswind-pollinated trees (whichshedtheir leaves every fall) produce theirpollenin thespringwhile the branches arebareof leaves to reduce the surrounding surfaces that “compete" with the stigmas (the part of the flower that receives thepollen) forpollen. Evergreenconifers, which do notshedtheir leaves, have less to gain fromspringflowering, and, indeed, some flower in the autumn or winter.

Pollenproduced higher in the top branches is likely to go farther: it is windier (and gustier) and thepollencan be blown farther before hitting the ground. Moreover,danglingcatkins likehazelhold thepollenin until the wind is strong enough to bend them, ensuring thatpollenis onlyshedinto the air when the wind is blowing hard. Weather is also important. Pollenisshedprimarilywhen the air is dry to prevent too much sticking to wet surfaces or being knocked out of the air by rain. Despite these adaptations, much of thepollenfails to leave the top branches, and only between 0.5 percent and 40 percent gets more than 100 meters away from the parent. But once this far,significantquantities can go a kilometer or more. Indeed,pollencan travel many thousands of kilometers at high altitudes. Since all thispollenis floating around in the air, it is nowonderthat wind-pollinated trees are a majorsourceof allergies.

Once thepollenhas been snatched by the wind, the fate of thepollenisobviouslyup to the vagaries of the wind, but not everything is left to chance. Windbornepollenis dry, rounded, smooth, and generally smaller than that of insect-pollinated plants. But size is a two-edged sword. Small grains may be blown farther but they are also moreproneto be whisked past the waitingstigmabecause smaller particlestendto stay trapped in the fast-moving air that flows around thestigma. But stigmas createturbulence, which slows the air speed around them and may helppollenstickto them.

Questions:
question_stem: The word "drawback" in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: other side of the issue

tag: B
text: objection

tag: C
text: concern

tag: D
text: problem
answer_key: D
explanation: 【题目翻译】文章中的“drawback”一词最接近下列哪个选项？
A：事情的另外一方面
B：异议，反对
C：关心，关注
D：问题，难题

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“drawback”,定位到原句“xxxxxxxxxxxxxx”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“drawback”的意思是“缺点，不利条件”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”。

【选项分析】
A：事情的另外一方面。不符，错误
B：异议，反对。不符，错误
C：关心，关注。不符，错误
D：问题，难题与 drawback 在这里的含义相符，故为正确答案。

question_stem: Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about pollen production?
choices: tag: A
text: Pollen production requires a significant investment of energy and resources on the part of the plant.

tag: B
text: The capacity to produce pollen in large quantities is a recent development in the evolutionary history of plants.

tag: C
text: Plants in the tropics generally produce more pollen than those in temperate zones.

tag: D
text: The highest levels of pollen production are found in plants that depend on insects or birds to carry their pollen.
answer_key: A
explanation: 【题目翻译】以下哪一项可以从关于花粉生产的第1段中推断出来？
A：花粉生产需要对植物部分进行大量的能源和资源投资。

B：大量生产花粉的能力是植物进化史上的一个最新发展。

C：热带的植物通常比温带的植物产生更多的花粉。

D：花粉产量最高的是依靠昆虫或鸟类携带花粉的植物。

【判定题型】：根据题干中出现的关键词“imply”/“infer”/“suggest”等其他表示推断的词，判定本题为推理题。

【关键词定位】直接定位到第1段。

【逻辑分析】第1段介绍了风媒传粉，也介绍了其优点和缺点。

【选项分析】
A：根据原文的 wind is good at moving pollen a long way 可以推断 pollen production 是需要 energy 的，根据 Pollen,…. is usually carried from plant to plant…可知，pollen production 是需要 resource 的。故 A 选项正确。
B：B 选项的说法无中生有。错误
C：C 选项的比较关系在原文无法得出。 错误
D：D 选项对 highest levels of pollen production 的传播方式的说法也是无中生有的。错误

question_stem: According to paragraph 1, wind-pollinated trees are most likely to be found
choices: tag: A
text: in temperate forests

tag: B
text: at lower latitudes

tag: C
text: in the tropics

tag: D
text: surrounded by trees of many different species
answer_key: A
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据第1段，最有可能发现风媒授粉的树木
A：温带森林

B：在低纬度地区

C：在热带地区

D：被许多不同种类的树包围着

【判定题型】：题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息，故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“wind-pollinated trees”,定位到 Passage 1 第5句，原句为 For the relatively few dominant tree species that make up temperate forests, where there are many individuals of the same species within pollen range, this is quite a safe gamble.”，意思是“对于组成温带森林的优势树种相对较少，在花粉范围内有许多相同树种的个体，这是一个相当安全的赌博。”。

【逻辑分析】根据原文的 For the relatively few… temperate forests… this is quite a safe gamble.此句中的 this 根据前文可知就是”风传播“，所以 wind-pollinated trees 很有可能会在 temperate forests 里发现。

【选项分析】
A：符合文意，正确
B：不符，错误
C：不符，错误
D：不符，错误

question_stem: Paragraph 1 supports which of the following as the reason animals are a safer bet than wind as pollinators when the individual trees of a species are widely separated?
choices: tag: A
text: Animals tend to carry pollen from a given flower further than the wind does.

tag: B
text: Animals serve as pollinators even where there is little wind to disperse the pollen.

tag: C
text: An animal that visits a flower is likely to deliberately visit other flowers of the same species and pollinate them.

tag: D
text: Birds and insects fly in all directions, not just the direction the wind is blowing at a given moment.
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】第1段支持以下哪一个理由，当某一物种的单株树木广泛分离时，动物作为授粉者比风更安全？
A：动物往往比风携带花粉的距离远。

B：即使没有风来驱散花粉，动物也充当授粉者。

C：参观花朵的动物很可能故意去参观其他同类的花朵并授粉。

D：鸟类和昆虫向四面八方飞，而不仅仅是某一时刻风吹的方向。

【判定题型】：题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息，故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“a safer bet”,定位到 Passage 1倒数第三句子，原句为“By contrast, in the tropics, where each tree species has few, widely scattered individuals, the chance of wind blowing pollen to another individual is sufficiently slim that animals are a safer bet as transporters of pollen. ”，意思是“相比之下，在热带地区，每种树种的个体都很少，分布广泛，风把花粉吹到另一个个体的可能性很小，因此动物作为花粉的运输者是比较安全的赌注。”

【逻辑分析】意思是：动物帮助花粉进行运输，因为热带地区每个树种的个体都很少，风媒传粉不是很有用。

【选项分析】
A：A 选项的 further 的说法无依据。错误
B：B 选项并不能表明题干的 safer 的理由。错误
C：C 选项意为光顾某一种花的 animals 很有可能会光顾同一种花的另外一朵花并对其授粉。这完全可以构成题干的观点成立的理由之一。正确
D：D 选项的 fly in all directions 的说法无中生有。错误

question_stem: In paragraph 1, the author compares pollen moved by wind with letters thrown off roofs in order to
choices: tag: A
text: explain why there are relatively few species of trees that depend on wind pollination

tag: B
text: compare natural, biological processes with human social practices

tag: C
text: make a point about the probability of wind-blown pollen reaching a tree of the same species

tag: D
text: argue against the common assumption that the tallest trees are the most likely to employ wind pollination
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】在第1段中，作者将风吹的花粉与从屋顶扔下的字母进行比较，以便？
A；解释为什么依赖风力授粉的树种相对较少

B：比较自然、生物过程与人类社会实践

C：指出风吹花粉到达同一种树的可能性。

D：反对最高的树最有可能采用风媒授粉的普遍假设。

【判定题型】：根据题目问法，题目询问 xxx 组成或构成方式/段落与段落的关系/某一段在全文中所起的作用，故判断本题为组织结构题。

【内容分析】原文的 It is like trying to get a letter….的例子紧随 Wind is very good at moving pollen a long… and only birds can get pollen anywhere near as far.的说法之后，就是为了说明前面的观点。即：风传播是有可能将花粉授予同一物种的。

【选项分析】
A：不符，错误
B：段落在说风媒传粉，和人类社会实践无关。错误
C：符合文意，正确
D：段落并未反对什么观点。错误

question_stem: The word "respectively" in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: over time

tag: B
text: separately

tag: C
text: in that order

tag: D
text: consistently
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】文章中“respectively”一词的意思最接近于以下哪个选项？
A 久而久之
B 分开地
C 以那样的顺序
D 一贯地，一致地

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“respectively”,定位到原句“Birch and hazel trees can produce 5.5 and 4 million grains per catkin, respectively.”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“respectively”的意思是“按照那样的顺序；分别地”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“桦树和榛子树的每个花序可分别能产生550万和400万粒花粉。”。

【选项分析】
A 久而久之。不符，错误
B 单独地；独立地。不符，错误
C 以那样的顺序。符合，正确
D 一贯地，一致地。不符，错误

question_stem: According to paragraph 3, why do most deciduous wind-pollinated trees produce their pollen in the spring?
choices: tag: A
text: To avoid competing with evergreen conifers, which flower in the fall or winter

tag: B
text: So that the leaves of the trees receiving the pollen will not prevent the pollen from reaching the trees' stigmas

tag: C
text: Because they do not have enough energy to produce new leaves and pollen at the same time

tag: D
text: In order to take advantage of the windiest time of year
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据第3段，为什么大多数落叶风媒树在春天产生花粉？
A 避免与秋天或冬天开花的常绿针叶树竞争。

B 这样接受花粉的树叶就不会妨碍花粉到达树的柱头。

C 因为它们没有足够的能量同时产生新的叶子和花粉。

D 为了利用一年中最刮风的时间

【判定题型】：题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息，故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“xx”,定位到 Passage 3 第4句，原句为“Most deciduous wind-pollinated trees (which shed their leaves every fall) produce their pollen in the spring while the branches are bare of leaves to reduce the surrounding surfaces that “compete" with the stigmas (the part of the flower that receives the pollen) for pollen. ”，意思是“大多数风媒传粉的落叶植物（每年秋天落叶的植物）在春天产出花粉，这时候树枝光秃秃的，花粉就有更大几率落到柱头（接收花粉的部分）上，落到树的表面上的部分就不会太多。”。

【逻辑分析】定位到原文 Most deciduous wind-pollinated 。。。 to reduce the surrounding surfaces that “compete” with 他和 stigmas for pollen. 此句中的目的状语 to reduce。。。回答了题干的 why 提问。

【选项分析】
A 文章中未提到竞争，错误。
B 符合文意，正确。
C 文章中没有提到，错误。
D 文章中没有提到，错误。

question_stem: According to paragraph 4, which of the following is NOT an adaptation that helps ensure that pollen travels as far as possible?
choices: tag: A
text: Pollen-producing flowers and catkins are located at or near the top of the tree.

tag: B
text: Trees grow at least 100 meters away from each other.

tag: C
text: Dangling catkins release pollen only when the wind is blowing hard.

tag: D
text: Pollen is not released during rain storms or when the air is damp.
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据第4段，下列哪一项不是一种适应，有助于确保花粉传播尽可能远？
A 产生花粉的花和柳絮位于树顶或树顶附近。

B 树木彼此相距至少100米。

C 悬挂的柳絮只有在风大时才会释放花粉。

D 花粉不会在暴风雨或空气潮湿时释放。

【判定题型】：根据题干中出现的大写“EXCEPT”/"NOT" 等其他明显表示否定的词，可以判定本题为否定事实信息题，需要找出与原文信息不符的那个答案。


【关键词定位】：根据题干关键词“as far as possible”,可以将出题范围锁定在 Passage 4。

【选项分析】
A 选项对应原文 Pollen produced high in the top branches is likely to go further. 正确
B 选项与题干所问无关，错误。
C 选项对应原文 dangling catkins like…is strong enough to bend them… 正确
D 选项对应原文…or being knocked out of the air by rain.  正确

question_stem: The word "significant" in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: sufficient

tag: B
text: considerable

tag: C
text: increasing

tag: D
text: small
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】段落中的“significant”一词最接近以下哪个选项？
A 充分的
B 大量的
C 不断增加的
D 小的

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“significant”,定位到原句“But once this far, significant quantities can go a kilometer or more. ”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“significant”的意思是“大量的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“但一旦达到这一步，大量的物质就可以达到一公里或更多。”。

【选项分析】
A 充分的。不符，错误
B 大量的。同义替换，正确
C 不断增加的。不符，错误
D 小的。不符，错误

question_stem: The phrase "no wonder" in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: unsurprising

tag: B
text: understandable

tag: C
text: well-known

tag: D
text: unfortunate
answer_key: A
explanation: 【题目翻译】段落中的“no wonder”一词最接近 A
A 不令人惊奇的
B 可以理解的
C 出名的
D 不幸的

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“no wonder”,定位到原句“Since all this pollen is floating around in the air, it is no wonder that wind-pollinated trees are a major source of allergies.”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“no wonder”的意思是“不足为奇的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“由于所有这些花粉都漂浮在空气中，难怪风媒传粉的树木是过敏的主要来源。”

【选项分析】
A 不令人惊奇的。同义替换，正确
B 可以理解的。不符，错误
C 出名的。不符，错误
D 不幸的。不符，错误

question_stem: Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
choices: tag: A
text: Because smaller particles tend to stay trapped in the fast moving air, they are blown much farther than other grains.

tag: B
text: Smaller particles are trapped by the stigma when fast-moving air flows past it.

tag: C
text: Small particles that are whisked past the waiting stigma gain speed and are often trapped in the fast-moving air.

tag: D
text: While smallness helps pollen travel farther, it also makes it more likely to be blown past the stigma.
answer_key: D
explanation: 【题目翻译】下面哪个句子最能表达文章中突出句子的基本信息？不正确的选择会以重要方式改变含义，或者漏掉必要的信息。
A：因为较小的颗粒往往被困在快速移动的空气中，所以它们被吹得比其他颗粒要远得多。

B：当快速流动的空气流过柱头时，较小的颗粒被柱头所捕获。

C：经过等待的柱头的小颗粒会加速，通常会被困在快速移动的空气中。

D：虽然小量有助于花粉传播得更远，但它也使花粉更有可能被吹过柱头。

【判定题型】：根据题目问法，题目要求选择和高亮句意思逻辑都最为接近的句子，故判断本题为句子简化题。

【句子分析】原句 but 表示转折。句子核心：小颗粒可能会被吹远但也可能被风吹过花的柱头。

【选项分析】
A：不符，错误
B：不符，错误
C：不符，错误
D：D 选项对应原句的两个核心，句中 while 表示转折。正确