國中英語基測出現過 mosquito 的考題。

Sometimes when the rain falls hard and fast on you, it might hurt a little. But what happens when it hits a mosquito? A 2012 study says when a raindrop falls on a mosquito, it’s like when a bus hits a person. Besides, the little insect is hit by a raindrop about once every 20 seconds. So why don’t we see many dead mosquitoes after it rains?

A mosquito is as big as a raindrop, but it is much lighter — 0.002 g only. This saves its life in raindrop attacks. Because the mosquito is so light, when it is hit by a raindrop, it won’t experience a force that is strong enough to kill it.

The study also found that when a mosquito is hit by a raindrop, the insect is pushed by the raindrop and falls together with it. But the mosquito doesn’t get wet easily because it is covered with hairs which keep off water. After dropping about 6 cm, it will roll off the raindrop and fly away.

However, this trick isn’t always successful. If the mosquito flies too low when it is hit by the raindrop, it won’t have time to fly off. Then it will hit the ground and meet its death.

force 力量
1.
What is the trick that the mosquito uses in rain?
It rides on the raindrop and lands on the ground.
It drops with the raindrop and then rolls off it.
It flies behind the raindrop and pushes it away.
It shakes its body fast enough to get water off.
2.
What keeps a mosquito safe in the rain?
It is as big as a raindrop.
It is very light.
It is strong enough to fight the force of a raindrop.
It has no body hairs.
3.
When would it be dangerous for a mosquito in the rain?
When it drops for more than 6 cm in the rain.
When the rain falls too hard and too fast.
When it flies too close to the ground.
When it is hit by raindrops too many times.