Question

Mulch is a protective cover of material that is spread on top of soil.It is usually made out of organic material, like crop waste.Farmers may keep the remains of maize or other crops on top of the soil.This creates mulch on the soil surface.The plant remains help protect the soil against wind and water damage.Mulching is one of the best things people can do for their plants.It also helps keep the soil from getting dry, and reduces the need for watering plants.It also limits temperature changes in the soil.And it stops unwanted plants, or weeds，from growing.

Organic mulch improves the condition of soil.As the mulch breaks down, it provides material which keeps the soil from getting hard.This improves the growth of roots and increases the movement of water through the soil.It also improves the ability of the soil to hold water. Organic mulch contains nutrients for plants.It also provides a good environment for earthworms and other helpful organisms in the soil.

It is easy to find organic mulch materials.Cut­up leaves and small pieces of tree bark can be used.Grass cuttings are also a good mulch for plants. Mulch from newspapers works well in controlling weeds.

The best time to add mulch depends on your goal.Mulch provides a thick barrier between the soil and the air.This helps to reduce temperature changes in the soil. As a result，mulched soil will be cooler than other soil in the summer.In winter, the mulched soil may not freeze as deeply as other soil.The best time is after the ground has frozen, but before the coldest weather arrives.Spreading mulch before the ground has frozen may attract small animals searching for a warm place to spend the winter.Delaying the spreading should prevent this problem.The animals will probably find another place to live.

1.The author tells us the following EXCEPT________.

A．what mulch is and its benefits

B．the best time to add mulch

C．what can be mulched on the soil surface

D．the bad effects of mulch

2.The following can be used as organic materials to make mulch EXCEPT________.

A．tree barks　B．cut­up leaves

C．grass cuttings　D．plastic

3.Which of the following is the benefit of mulch?

A．Protecting the soil against wind and water damage.

B．Keeping the soil wet and reducing the need for watering plants.

C．Reducing temperature changes in the soil and stopping unwanted weeds

growing.

D．All of the above.

4.The main idea of Paragraph 2 is that organic mulch can________.

A．improve the condition of soil

B．improve the ability of the soil to hold water

C．provide a good environment for earthworms

D．improve the growth of roots and increase the movement of water through the

soil

5.From the last paragraph, we know ________.

A．the best time to add mulch is in spring and summer

B. the best time to add  mulch  is after the coldest weather arrives

C．the best time to add mulch depends on weather

D．choosing the best time to add mulch can avoid attracting small animals

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.D

4.A

5.D

【解析】本文属于科普说明文，介绍覆盖物尤其是有机覆盖对土壤和植物等的积极作用。

1.

答案 D

2.2】解析 细节理解题。根据文章第一、三段可知，有机材料(organic materials)包括A、B、C三项。

答案 D

3.3】解析 细节理解题。根据文章第一段信息可知A、B、C三项都是覆盖物的好处，故选D。

答案 D

4.4】解析 段落理解题。此段首句为中心句，B、C、D三项均为A项的支持信息。

答案 A

5.5】解析 细节理解题。根据最后一段和全文可知A项说法不全面；根据“The best time is after the ground has frozen，but before the coldest weather arrives.”可知B错误；根据最后一段首句可知C错误；根据最后一段最后三句可知D正确。

答案 D