Question

Starting in l972，the National Park Service established a policy for forest fires calle Natural Burn．It was acknowledged that some forest fires，such as those caused by lightning were necessary for forests to maintain balanced ecosystems，so the fire should be allowed to burn．However, a big fire in Yellowstone National Park in l988 caused this policy to be abandoned since the fire was initially allowed to burn yet soon out of control．As a result，the fire of l988 destroyed much of Yellowstone，which is America’s oldest and most beloved national park．Massive areas of plants were destroyed，and large empty spaces and acres of burned and blackened trees greeted visitors．The rivers and streams were choked with ash，and the ecosystem of the park was changed beyond repair.

    In addition，great numbers of animals were killed by the fires that bumed out of control. The fires were driven by high winds，moving as many as ten miles a day．Many small animals died in the flames．The fires’ rapid advances gave the wildlife little chance to escape. Even today，few of these small forest animals have returned to live in the park. In the years immediately following the fires，the numbers of visitors declined rapidly．No one was interested in seeing a blackened and treeless park on vacation．Yellowstone had previously been famous for its amazing views and unique geological formations such as the geyser Old Faithful. But now its reputation as America's wonder is damaged permanently.

1.Natural Burn was adopted because some forest fires were        

A．hard to put out

B．started by lightning

C．good for the balance of nature

D．approved by National Park Service

2.The big fire in Yellowstone in 1988          ．

A．became out of control at first

B．destroyed the park completely

C．was allowed to burn continuously

D．brought the natural burn policy to an end

3.Why were so many animals killed in the big fire?

A．Because winds were blown from high places．

B．Because the animals moved only ten miles a day．

C．Because the animals lived in lower places．

D．Because strong winds contributed to the fire a lot．

4.Yellowstone was famous for its         ．

A．rare animals   B．unique plants    C．beautiful scenery  D．little streams

5.The text probably comes from    ．

A．a science fiction    B．a news report

C．a commercial ad    D．a geography magazine

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.D

4.C

5.D

【解析】

试题分析: 从1972年以来国家公园管理局颁布了一项政策：对于由闪电引起的自然火灾采取放任态度，认为这有助于自然平衡。但是1988年黄石自然公园的大火发生后，这项制度被废除了，因为火灾会带来巨大的损失。

1.C细节理解题。根据文章首段such as those caused by lightning were necessary for forests to maintain balanced ecosystems，可知在过去人们认为自然火灾会对生态平衡有益，答案选C。

2.D细节理解题。根据第一段中However, a big fire in Yellowstone National Park in l988 caused this policy to be abandoned可知黄石火灾的发生结束了这一制度，故D选项正确。

3.D细节理解题。根据文章第二段中The fires were driven by high winds，moving as many as ten miles a day．Many small animals died in the flames．可以判断因为大风助长了火势，很多动物来不及逃走就被烧死了，所以选D。

4.C细节理解题。从文章第二段Yellowstone had previously been famous for its amazing views and unique geological formations such as the geyser Old Faithful.可知黄石公园因为自然风光而闻名，答案选C。

5.本文介绍的是自然火灾对于森林的影响，属于自然地理范畴，由此判断文章应选自地理杂志，所以答案选D。

考点：考查自然科学类短文阅读。