Question

Every summer, the Serengeti plains (平原) of Africa are worth visiting. Millions of wild animals begin their 1,800-mile journey northwards on their annual migratory (迁移的) route.

In the month of November, polar bears in their thousands cross the Canadian Arctic, as they head towards the ice sheets of Hudson Bay. The sea ice that forms every winter is the key to the bear’s managing to exist, for here they hunt for seals (海豹).

The Great Bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds, migrates each year across Europe and Asia to its wintering grounds. Unluckily, these and other migratory animals are in danger from human activity.

We have written several articles on climate change and the effect of rising ocean temperatures. Since 1979, ice sheets in the Arctic have gone down by 30 percent. What does this mean for polar bears? They are forced to stay on land for longer periods of time, which delays their search for food. As a result, bears today are 60 pounds lighter than what they were. Besides, smaller bears also produce weaker babies, and their chances of survival are at risk. In the plains of Africa, migratory animals like gazelles are traveling long distances for food, just to avoid falling prey (牺牲品) to humans who hunt them.

In an unusual step, experts from 120 countries have agreed to protect 31 migratory mammals, fish and birds. The United Nation’s 11th annual Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was held in Quito, Ecuador. For the first time, 900 experts attended the conference, and the enthusiastic support shows the world is united in conservation (保护) efforts.

What does getting on a protected list mean? Countries that have signed the agreement will be required to pass laws locally and work with other countries that fall within the animal’s migratory path. Only one animal did not make the list. The African lion was rejected (拒绝) for lack of information of the countries where it lives.

1.What can we learn from the passage?

A. The Great Bustard is one of the largest flying birds.

B. The weight of polar bears today is lighter than what it was.

C. In the 1970s, ice sheets went down by 30 percent.

D. 120 experts have agreed to protect 21 migratory animals.

2.Why was the African lion not included in the list from the passage?

A. We don’t know which countries it lives in.

B. It isn’t a migratory animal.

C. Experts were not interested in this animal.

D. It was not traveling long distances for food.

3.The writer writes this passage aiming to __________.

A. let us know about the animals

B. prevent the rare animals from dying out

C. inform us of the effects of climate change

D. draw our attention to helping the migratory animals

4.All these factors have probably put the migratory animals in danger EXCEPT _______.

A. some human activity    B. the enthusiastic support from experts

C. rising ocean temperatures    D. climate change

Answer

1. B

2. A

3. D

4. B

【解析】

本文是一篇生态环保类说明文，介绍了很多野生动物在迁徙途中遭受人类的捕杀或受到人类活动的影响导致数量急剧下降，在联合国第11届野生动物迁徙物种年度保护大会上，专家们呼吁世界各国联合起来保护迁徙物种。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“As a result, bears today are 60 pounds lighter than what they were.”可知，现在北极熊的体重比原来少了60磅，故B项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Only one animal did not make the list. The African lion was rejected for lack of information of the countries where it lives. ”可知，非洲狮没有在名单之内是因为我们不知道它们生活在哪些国家，故A项正确。

3.文章意图题。通读文章可知，文章介绍了很多野生动物在迁徙途中遭受人类的捕杀或受到人类活动的影响导致数量急剧下降，在联合国第11届野生动物迁徙物种年度保护大会上，专家们呼吁世界各国联合起来保护迁徙物种，由此可知本文的目的是引起人们的注意来帮助迁徙动物，故D项正确。

4.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“We have written several articles on climate change and the effect of rising ocean temperatures.”及“In the plains of Africa, migratory animals like gazelles are traveling long distances for food, just to avoid falling prey to humans who hunt them.”可知，气候变化、海洋温度上升以及人类活动都是威胁迁徙物种的因素，专家的支持则是为了保护它们，故B项正确。