高中英语外研版（2019）必修一 Unit 5 Into the wild Developing Ideas& Presenting Ideas 同步课时训练

There are many gardening tips. Some suggest playing music for your houseplants, having conversations with them, or even giving them a gentle touch now and then. Most of these practices are probably more for the benefit of the gardener than the garden, and generally harmless enough but except the last one. Your plants really dislike it when you touch them.

A new study out of the La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food has found that most plants are extremely sensitive to touch, and even a light touch can significantly stunt(遏制) their growth. "The lightest touch from a human, animals, insects, or even plants touching each other in the wind, can cause a huge gene response in the plant," said Jim Whelan, who led the new study. "Within 30 minutes of being touched, 10% of the plant's genome(基因组) can be changed. This involves a huge expenditure(消耗) of energy which is taken away from plant growth. If the touching is repeated, then plant growth is reduced by up to 30%. "

Whelan and his team are still trying to find out why plants respond, at the genetic level, so strongly. They do have some theories, however. "We know that when an insect lands on a plant, genes are activated(激活) preparing the plant for defending itself against being eaten," said Dr. Yan Wang, coauthor of the study.

Until more research is done, it's just a guess at this point. Still, the findings might already lead to new methods for how agriculturalists deal with their crops, to best promote healthier growth.

It's worth noticing that while the study found that plants often respond to just a single touch in negative ways, it's really repeated touch that causes lasting stunted growth. That's because the plants are looking for patterns in the touching, to tell harmful touch from random touch. So it doesn't matter if you accidentally brush up against a bush during a walk through the woods.

If you want to have a garden full of life and motion, you have to attract some wildlife.

It's not as difficult as it may sound. Your garden will attract insects, bugs, birds and mammals. You will make yourself happy and at the same time you will provide a living space for these beautiful creatures. All you need to do is to follow this advice and you will have the garden of your dreams. If you think your garden has to be messy and untidy, you're wrong. You need waves and long-living plants and strong curves of hedges (树篱) and paths. It's advisable to have the grass.

Provide water. It's important to provide water. Some animals can use even your pool to have a bath. Bees love shallow water. It's vital to change the water in your pond regularly to avoid breeding mosquitoes.

Provide food. Planting native plants is what you have to do in order to attract wildlife. Plants like roses, honeysuckle and lavender attract different insects like bees and butterflies. Humming birds are fans of fuchsia and geraniums. Trees and shrubs that produce fruit, berries and seed are good sources of food for your little friends.

Provide some shelters for wildlife. You need to plant evergreen plants, too, because they are suitable places for wildlife to take shelter.

Some species will overtake your garden and make it unfriendly. If there are wild cats that threaten the wildlife in your garden, it would be wise to take steps to keep those out.

A. Keep attacking species away.

B. Kill attacking species once it appears.

C. It's reasonable to keep native species.

D. This can be as simple as placing a bird feeder.

E. You can have a fountain and a small artificial pond.

F. Silence won't bother you anymore and you won't be alone.

G. It's important to provide everything animals will need to live in your garden.