The Ig Nobel Prize is a funny award designed to “honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think.” But while it might be mistaken for a silly joke, receiving an Ig Nobel Prize does require scientific work. For example, this year, one award went to a Japanese team of researchers from the Aichi Agricultural Research Center who carried out an experiment that showed how zebra-like white stripes painted on black cows with water-based paints could protect them from biting flies. The researchers observed a reduction in biting flies by as much as 50 percent on the animals given white stripes compared to those given black stripes or not painted at all.

Biting flies are some of the most damaging pests (害虫) to cows, heavily impacting grazing and feeding, and causing much stress. This results in reduced weight gain in beef cattle and milk amounts in dairy cows. Farmers depend on insecticides (杀虫剂) to protect their cattle, but this increases the risk of contaminated (受污染的) beef and milk. Luckily, a few painted stripes could help with that.

The Japanese researchers’ study expanded on research by an international team of scientists from Hungary, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, which found that biting flies landed less often on white horses than they did on darker color ones. Although the reason for that isn’t clearly understood, the difference was big enough to need more research.

Because water-based paint washes away after a few weeks, a more long-lasting solution would be needed for the zebra-like pattern to make sense for farmers.

1. 1. What is the main purpose of the Ig Nobel Prize?

A    To make fun of silly scientists.

B    To honor funny but thoughtful work.

C    To compete with the real Nobel Prize.

D    To encourage research on animal protection.

2. 2. What was the main finding of the experiment?

A    Black stripes attracted more flies.

B    Painting is harmful to cows’ health.

C    Cows with stripes gained more weight.

D    Zebra-like stripes reduced flies by 50%.

3. 3. Why are biting flies a serious problem for farmers?

A    They carry serious diseases.

B    They let farmers paint their cows.

C    They make cows produce less milk.

D    They destroy the farmland.

4. 4. The Japanese study was based on an earlier study on ________.

A    white and darker horses

B    different types of cows

C    the effect of insecticides

D    zebras in Africa

5. 5. What is the main problem with using water-based paint on cows?

A    It is too expensive.

B    It hurts the cows’ skin.

C    It does not last long.

D    It attracts more flies.