Question

    A recent study conducted by researchers from Canada's Wilfrid Laurier University found that the snakes actively seek out socialization with their peers （同伴），but also they are extremely particular about who they spend time with. However, snakes used to be thought of as solitary animals. They are seldom seen hanging out in groups.

A team of researchers led by Morgan Skinner and Dr. Noam Miller selected 40 non-poisonous garter snakes （袜带蛇）. Ten were purchased from a snake keeper and the rest were caught in the wild. After marking each snake with a spot of color to allow for easy identification, the researchers placed ten snakes inside each of the four plastic shelters.

Skinner photographed each snake group twice a day before removing them from their shelters. After cleaning the areas thoroughly to rid them of any familiar smells, the reptiles were rearranged into different groups, and returned to the enclosure. A camera fixed over the shelters allowed the scientists to track the animals' movements for a total of eight days.

When Skinner and Miller analyzed the images, they found that regardless of where they were placed, the snakes always slipped back to their origin al "friends" forming groups of three or eight inside the small shelters. “They can tell others apart,” Miller said.

Gordon Burghardt, a biologist, says, "The study should help convince people that snakes have more social intelligence than most of us realize."

Miller believes the research could help with snake protection efforts. Endangered snake species relocated to safer habitats often leave these areas. Now, conservationists may be able to avoid that by transferring entire snake groups to the new location. Alternatively, they could also spray （喷洒）the new habitat with the species' smells to make transplants feel at “home."

1.What does the underlined word "solitary" mean in paragraph 1?

A.Causing fear. B.Existing only in small numbers.

C.Causing death or illness. D.Enjoying being alone.

2.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A.The findings can contribute to snake conservation.

B.Snakes like to spray smells on the trees.

C.Snakes are easy to adapt to new locations.

D.Snakes tend to stay in safer habitats.

3.Which of the following proverbs can be used to describe the findings?

A.Barking dogs don't bite. B.The early bird catches worms.

C.Things of one kind come together. D.A friend in need is a friend in deed.

4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A.Entertainment. B.Science.

C.Education. D.Health.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍蛇的生活习性。同时向人们证明“物以类聚，人以群分”的哲理。

1.

词义猜测题。根据第一段最后一句They are seldom seen hanging out in groups.“很少看到他们成群结队地出去。”由此推知，蛇享受“独自”。故选D。

2.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中Now, conservationists may be able to avoid that by transferring entire snake groups to the new location. Alternatively, they could also spray （喷洒）the new habitat with the species' smells to make transplants feel at “home." 现在，自然资源保护主义者可以通过将整群蛇转移到新的地方来避免这种情况的发生。或者，他们也可以在新栖息地喷洒这些物种的气味，让移植物有“家”的感觉。由此可知，这一发现有助于保护蛇。故选A。

3.

推理判断题。根据第四段When Skinner and Miller analyzed the images, they found that regardless of where they were placed, the snakes always slipped back to their origin al "friends" forming groups of three or eight inside the small shelters. “They can tell others apart,” Miller said. 当斯金纳和米勒分析这些图像时，他们发现，不管把它们放在哪里，这些蛇总是会溜回它们原来的“朋友”那里。米勒说:“它们可以区分其他动物。”和最后一段中Endangered snake species relocated to safer habitats often leave these areas.“濒临灭绝的蛇类被重新安置到更安全的栖息地后往往会离开这些地区。”由此推知，下面谚语“物以类聚，人以群分”可以用来描述这些发现。故选C。

4.

推理判断题。根据第四段中A recent study conducted by researchers from Canada's Wilfrid Laurier University found that the snakes actively seek out socialization with their peers （同伴），but also they are extremely particular about who they spend time with.“加拿大威尔弗里德劳里埃大学的研究人员最近进行的一项研究发现，蛇积极寻求与同伴的社交活动，但它们对与谁相处也非常挑剔。”由此可知，这篇文章会出现在报纸的“自然科学”栏目。故选B。