Question

    An extreme drought is threatening South Africa's wildlife industry. Farmers are keeping fewer animals and vacationers are visiting in smaller numbers. Parts of the country have been affected by repeated years of hotter than normal weather and below average rainfall. The conditions have burned feeding grass and dried up watering holes. In 2015, the area saw the driest year on record. The agency Wildlife Ranching South Africa ( WRSA) collets data on more than 9,000 wildlife ranches ( 牧场) in the nation. It estimates that the Northern Cape Province has lost more than .two thirds of its game over the last three years. WRSA is talking to ranchers around the country to gather information on animal loss and the financial impact the drought is having.

WRSA Chief Adri Kitshoff-Botha told Reuters News Agency the drought has continued for some time. “In some areas we've seen it has been going on for six years, ”she said. The wildlife industry brings money to South Africa's economy through tourism, hunting, breeding and meat production. Hunting —the shooting of carefully chosen animals in particular—made $ 140 million in 2016, topping the list of the four mentioned, above, breeding ranking the least, though.

In the past, the lodge (度假区) was home to around 4,500 wild animals—including 35 different species from antelope to rhino. But it has lost around 1 ,000 animals because of the drought. Now, dead animals sit in old and unused mines on the edge of the property. “The lodge has seen its spending rise as it buys more feed for animals for the sake of the drought. At the same time, hunters are paying less, and fewer tourists are visiting because the animals are in poor condition over the past year,” said WRSA’s Kitshof-Botha. The drought has also hit other parts of South Africa. In Botswana, more than 100 elephants died in two months in 2019. Botswana is home to almost one-third of Africa's elephants.

1.Which is the indirect result of the drought?

A.Economy is barely declining. B.Feeding grass has been burned.

C.Watering holes have dried up. D.Vacationers are becoming fewer.

2.Which took the lead in South Africa's wildlife industry in 2016?

A.Hunting. B.Breeding.

C.Tourism. D.Meat production.

3.The lodge's expense is going up because_____

A.some local species need more attending in hot weather

B.the animals in poor condition are dying out in the drought

C.the lodge has to offer animals more food due to the drought

D.dead animals' bodies need to be buried in' old and unused mines

4.What does the passage mainly talk about?

A.South Africa's wildlife industry is under the threat of an extreme drought.

B.The rapid decreasing of national economy affects wildlife in South Africa.

C.Most wildlife ranchers in South Africa are suffering a lot from the drought.

D.Wildlife industry is playing a vital part in South Africa's national economy.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了一场严重的干旱威胁着南非野生动物产业。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“An extreme drought is threatening South Africa's wildlife industry. Farmers are keeping fewer animals and vacationers are visiting in smaller numbers.”可知，一场极端干旱正威胁着南非的野生动物产业，农民饲养的动物越来越少，前来度假的人也越来越少，由此可知，干旱间接导致游客的数量锐减，故D项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Hunting —the shooting of carefully chosen animals in particular—made $ 140 million in 2016, topping the list of the four mentioned”可知，2016 年狩猎在南非野生动物产业中排在首位，故A项正确。.

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The lodge has seen its spending rise as it buys more feed for animals for the sake of the drought.”可知，由于干旱，度假区不得不给动物提供更多的饲料，以致开支上升，故C项正确。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文，特别是根据第一段中的“An extreme drought is threatening South Africa's wildlife industry.”可知，本文主要介绍的是一场严重的干早威胁着南非野生动物产业，故A项正确。