They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. That is,simply looking into a person’s eyes can reveal details about what they are thinking and how they are feeling. In fact, in the animal kingdom, the eyes, and particularly the shape of the pupils, can actually tell us far more information about the animal. For example, some animals, such as cats and foxes, often have narrow, verticalpupils, while others, such as deer and sheep, have far wider and more horizontal ones. Such differences are, without doubt, no coincidence.
In the wild, a fox’s pupils become narrow when the fox is seekingprey. With such pupils, a fox can see vertical objects clearly, even from a distance, whereas horizontal objects go out of focus as they become farther away. This difference between focused and blurryobjects helps a fox judge distance, which is vital when it hunts.
By contrast, the more horizontal, almost rectangular pupils of animals like deer, which are often sought as prey, are not believed to help with depth perception in the same way. However, the pupils are believed to provide strong peripheralvision, which refers to the ability to see objects within one’s whole field of vision, not only those directly in front. Such an advantage can help with escaping from larger hunters, who thus may be seen approaching from any direction.
Of course, there are exceptions to these trends, and the likelihoodis that the pupil shape is dictated by multiple factors. Nevertheless, much like those of humans, animals’ pupils can reveal much about theirintentionsat any given moment. Truly, the eyes disclose what the tongue never could.
1.How does the author introduce this passage?
(A) By talking about their interest in studying eyes.
(B) By listing some statistics about pupil shape.
(C) By describing the various parts of the eye.
(D) By referring to a well-known saying.
2. Which of the following pupil shapes helps animals measure distance?
3.What does “those” in the third paragraph refer to?
(A) Foxes.
(B) Pupils.
(C) Objects.
(D) Hunters.
答案: 1.D 2.B 3.C
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
peripheral
[pəˋrɪfərəl]
adj. 周邊的；周圍的
The computer company is famous for its peripheral products.
這家電腦公司以其周邊產品而出名。
●
statistic
[stəˋtɪstɪk]
n. 統計資料，統計數據（常用複數）
The latest statistics show that the amount of crime in this city is going down.
最新的統計數字顯示本市的犯罪量正在下跌中。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 4
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vertical
[ˋvɝtɪk!]
a. 垂直的
n. 垂直線 / 面
Nowadays many firms are seeking vertical integration to increase productivity.
現今有很多公司正在尋求垂直整合，以提升生產力。
The artist said that the verticals in his paintings represent people’s connection to Heaven.
這位藝術家說他畫中的垂直線代表人們和天堂之間的連結。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
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coincidence
[koˋɪnsɪdəns]
n. 巧合
What a coincidence! I’m going shopping, too. 真巧啊！我也正要去購物。
By sheer coincidence, Mr. Johnson was in the shop, too, when I was there speaking ill of him with my friends. 真夠巧的，我在那家店裡跟朋友說強森老師壞話的時候，老師也在裡面。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
prey
[pre]
n. 獵物（集合名詞，不可數）
vi. 捕食
=
predator
Eagles prey on small animals for food.
老鷹會捕食小動物。
Rabbits and squirrels are often prey for larger animals.
兔子和松鼠通常是大型動物的獵物。
Ironically, human beings today are falling prey to unrestrained economic development.
諷刺的是，人類如今漸漸成了毫無節制的經濟發展的受害者。
高中 Level 5
●
whereas
[hwɛrˋæz]
conj. 而；但是
The wise take advantage of mistakes, whereas the stupid only regret mistakes they have made.
聰明的人從錯誤中學習，而愚者只知後悔犯下的錯。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
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blurry
[ˋblɝɪ]
a. 模糊的
Because of her blurry vision, Amy can’t make out what that sign says.
因為視力模糊，艾咪看不出那標示上寫什麼。
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perception
[pɚˋsɛpʃən]
n. 感知，感覺（不可數）；洞察力（不可數）； 觀點（可數）
I’m not very good at parking the car because I have a poor sense of perception.
我不太擅長停車，因為我的感知力很差。
Rachel has excellent powers of perception for such a young girl.
對這麼年輕的女孩來說，瑞秋有極佳的洞察力。
My perception of the meaning of life is different from yours.
我對生命意義的觀點和你的不同。
高中 Level 5
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exception
[ɪkˋsɛpʃən]
n. 例外，除外
There is no rule without exceptions.
所有規則皆有例外。
Most boys in that school like football, but my
son is an exception.
那間學校大部分男孩都喜歡足球，但我兒子卻是個例外。
With the exception of his ill temper, John is quite a nice person.
約翰除了脾氣壞之外，為人倒是挺不錯的。
Except for his ill temper, John is quite a nice person.
約翰除了脾氣壞之外，為人倒是挺不錯的。
高中 Level 4
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likelihood
[ˋlaɪklɪ͵hʊd]
n. 可能性
=
probability
In all likelihood, the staff meeting will be put off until next Tuesday.
員工會議很有可能會被延到下星期二舉辦。
There's a great likelihood that it's going to rain this afternoon.
今天下午很有可能會下雨。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
dictate
[ˋdɪktet]
vt. & vi. . 口述；指定，規定
The manager just dictated a letter to his secretary.
經理剛才向祕書口述一封信函。
The committee didn’t dictate how the money should
be spent.
委員會並未規定這筆錢應該怎麼花。
The government shouldn’t be dictated to by the
mass media.
政府不該被大眾媒體所操控。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 6
●
multiple
[ˋmʌltəp!]
a. 多重的，眾多的
Darren’s latest album consists of multiple versions of the same songs.
戴倫的最新專輯收錄了相同歌曲的許多版本。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
intention
[ɪnˋtɛnʃən]
n. 意圖
It was not my intention to upset you.
我無意要惹你生氣。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
disclose
[dɪsˋkloz]
vt. 揭露
=
reveal
The minister refused to disclose details of the agreement to the press.
部長拒絕向媒體透露該協定的細節。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
That is (to say), ...
也就是說，……
●
Without a doubt, S + V
毫無疑問,⋯⋯
Without a doubt, Sean is a man you can trust. 毫無疑問,尚恩是個你可以信任的男人。
●
By contrast, ...
相對之下，……
Tom is introverted. By contrast, his brother John is extroverted.
湯姆很內向。相對之下，他哥哥約翰就很外向。
