Question

    Scientists say a huge percentage of bird species are in danger because their habitats are disappearing.

The scientists studied the migration, or flight, paths, of almost 1,500 species and decided that 91 percent of them passed through dangerous areas. The major danger for migratory birds is development. Building and paving have covered over nature where birds stop and feed as they move from one part of the world to another.

For example, a bird called the bar-tailed godwit migrates from its breeding grounds in the Arctic. It flies all the way to Australia and New Zealand. The problem, according to investigators, is that many of these small birds die along their migration because they don't have a safe place to eat and rest. There is no place to restore their energy for the next part of their journey. "They simply perish along the way," says one of the scientists.

Countries in North Africa, Central Asia and those along the coasts of East Asia are having the most difficult time conserving land. The scientists say these countries do not have enough areas that are safe for birds.

"Our world gets poorer every time we lose a species,’’ one of the scientists says.

The researchers say countries need to work together and come up with safe stopover areas for birds that pass through their boundaries.

For example, one country might have preserved safe zones for migrating birds. But a neighbor country might not. A bird might die.

One scientist who is not involved in the report tells the Los Angeles Times that while some habitats are changing, more work can be done to make urban areas safe for birds. He says small changes—like planting more native plants or keeping cats out of areas birds would be likely to use—could make a big difference.

1.What’s the major danger for migratory birds according to the passage?

A.They can’t find enough food along the way.

B.They have lost their way because of human development.

C.Human development has occupied their natural habitats.

D.They are sometimes struck by human diseases.

2.What do we know about bar-tailed godwits?

A.They fly from the Arctic south to Australia every year.

B.They can pick out good resting place along the way.

C.They have died out because of human hunting.

D.They have their conserved land in Australia.

3.The countries along the migrating route need to ________.

A.fight the poverty of people to protect the birds

B.work together to conserve safe areas for birds

C.plant more trees to provide safe areas for birds

D.maintain a good relationship with neighboring countries

4.What suggestion does the scientist say to the Los Angeles Times?

A.Countries working together to protect the sea.

B.Protecting the original habitats for the migrating birds.

C.Reserving some land for the birds to rest along the way.

D.Planting some native plants for the migrating birds to use.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。城市建设和工业化发展，使候鸟栖息地遭到破坏，这导致了大量鸟类物种的消失。呼吁鸟类迁徙路线沿线的国家，为穿越其边界的鸟类提供安全的中途停留区，种植更多的本地植物或让猫远离鸟类以此来保护鸟类。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段中“Scientists say a huge percentage of bird species are in danger because their habitats are disappearing.”可知，因为栖息地正在消失，大部分的鸟都处在危险当中；第二段中“The major danger for migratory birds is development. Building and paving have covered over nature where birds stop and feed as they move from one part of the world to another.”可知，建筑和铺路覆盖了大自然，使鸟儿们在迁徙过程中无地方休息和觅食。所以可以推断出，鸟类最大的危险是因为人类的发展，导致鸟类没有栖息地。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段中“a bird called the bar-tailed godwit migrates from its breeding grounds in the Arctic. It flies all the way to Australia and New Zealand.”可知，例如，一种叫做斑尾塍鹬的鸟从它在北极的繁殖地迁徙过来。 它一路飞到澳大利亚和新西兰。所以它们每年从南极飞到北部的澳大利亚和新西兰，故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第六段中“The researchers say countries need to work together and come up with safe stopover areas for birds that pass through their boundaries.”可知，各国需要共同努力，为飞越其边界的鸟类提供安全的中途停留区。所以迁徙路线沿线的国家需要共同努力，保护鸟类的安全区域。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据最后一段中“He says small changes—like planting more native plants or keeping cats out of areas birds would be likely to use—could make a big difference.”可知，种植更多的本地植物或让猫远离鸟类。所以科学家对the Los Angeles Times的建议是为迁徙的鸟类种植一些本土植物，故选D。