Question

Scientists have recreated a 1985 study of birds in Peru that shows climate change is pushing them from their natural environment. Thirty years ago, researchers studied over 400 kinds of birds living on a mountainside in Peru. In 2017, researchers looked again at the bird populations. They found that almost all had moved to higher places in the mountain. Almost all had decreased in size. And, the scientists say at least eight bird groups that started at the higher elevations (高地) had died out completely.

The researchers say the birds might have moved up the mountain because of temperature changes. Or changes to food sources may have forced them to go higher. The findings were published in a science journal. The 1985 research has documented birds and other animals moving up in elevation (高地) in reaction to warming temperatures. Mark Urban, a biologist at a university, said this recent study was the first to prove that rising temperatures and moving to avoid them can lead to extinction.

In 2016, Fitzpatrick, director and a co-writer of the study passed his notes, photos and other records to Benjamin Freeman. Freeman has been researching tropical birds for more than 10 years. He set out in August and September of 2017 to copy Fitzpatrick’s study. His team used the same methods, searching the same places in the same time of year.

Freeman’s team wanted to see how things had changed for the bird groups since 1985. The average temperatures on the mountain had risen 0.42 degrees Celsius. His team placed 20 sound recording devices on the mountain to record the sounds of birds that might not easily be seen.

Freeman said that the birds moved an average of 98 meters further up the mountain. He believes that temperature is the main cause of the birds’ movement. Fitzpatrick noted that birds used to living in areas with little temperature change may be especially at risk because of climate change. He said, “We should expect that what’s happening on this mountain top is happening more generally in the Andes, and other tropical mountain ranges.”

1.How many kinds of birds lived in Peru 30 years ago?

A. At least eight bird groups.    B. More than 400.

C. Over eight bird groups.    D. Less than 400.

2.Why did the birds move up the mountain?

A. To avoid temperature changes.

B. To find more food sources.

C. To adapt to extreme temperature.

D. To react to the increase of other kinds of animals.

3.How did Freeman and his team record the sound of birds not easily being seen?

A. They had the temperature rise 0.42 degrees Celsius.

B. They moved an average of 98 meters further up the mountain.

C. They placed 20 sound recording devices on the mountain.

D. They kept on listening to the sound happening on this mountain top.

4.What is the main idea of the text?

A. Two teams used the same methods to do researches.

B. Scientists documented birds and other animals moving up in elevation.

C. Scientists have been researching tropical birds for more than 10 years.

D. Rising temperature made almost all birds in Peru become extinct.

Answer

1. B

2. A

3. C

4. D

【解析】

本文为说明文。主要叙述了科学家再现了1985年在秘鲁进行的一项鸟类研究，这次研究表明气候变化正在迫使山上的鸟类离开它们生活的自然环境，导致山地鸟类或因气候变暖而灭绝。

1.细节理解题。第一段中的“Thirty years ago, researchers studied over 400 kinds of birds living on a mountainside in Peru.”可知，30年前，研究人员研究了秘鲁山上400多种鸟类。分析选项可知B符合题意，故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“The researchers say the birds might have moved up the mountain because of temperature changes. Or changes to food sources may have forced them to go higher.”可知， 这些鸟可能是因为温度变化而上山的。或者食物来源的改变可能迫使他们走到山的高处。分析选项可知A（避免温度变化）符合题意。有可能误选B（找到更多的食物来源）根据文章可知是“食物源的改变”而不是“找到更多的食物源”。因此A为正确答案。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段“His team placed 20 sound recording devices on the mountain to record the sounds of birds that might not easily be seen.”可知，他的团队在山上放置了20个录音设备来记录那些不容易被看到的鸟类的声音。分析选项可知C符合题意，故选C。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文主要叙述了科学家们已经研究热带鸟类10多年了，发现秘鲁山地鸟类或因气候变暖而灭绝。故C正确。A只是一个细节，故不能选。文章只是研究鸟类没有研究其他动物，故B错误。根据文章可知，秘鲁山地鸟群因气温变化导致灭绝而非秘鲁所有的鸟，故D是错的。综合分析可知C正确。