1、Using language.阅读理解AAs the climate warms, birds are shrinking (缩小) and their wingspans are growing, according to a new study.Researchers analyzed 70,716 birds from 52 kinds of North American migratory (迁徙的) bird species collected over 40 years.The authors say the study is the largest of its kind and
2、 that the findings are important to understanding how animals will adapt to climate change.“We found almost all of the species were getting smaller.” said lead author Brian Weeks, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.“The species were pretty diverse, but responding in a similar way，”
3、 he said.“The consistency (一致性) was shocking.” He said studies of animal responses to climate change often focus on shifts in geographical range or timing of life events, like migration and birth.But this study suggests body morphology (形态) is a crucial third aspect.“Thats one major implication，” he
4、 said, “Its hard to understand how birds will adapt without taking all three of these things into consideration.”The findings showed that from 1978 to 2016, the length of the birds lower leg bone shortened by 2.4%.Over the same time, the wings lengthened by 1.3%.The evidence suggests warming tempera
5、tures caused the decrease in body size, which in turn caused the increase in wing length.“Migration is an incredibly taxing thing they do，” Mr Weeks said, explaining that the smaller body size means less energy available for the birds to complete their long journeys.He says the birds most likely to
6、survive migration were the ones with longer wingspans and smaller bodies.The scientists arent exactly sure why warmer temperatures cause birds to shrink.One theory is that smaller animals are better at cooling off, losing body heat more quickly.语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。研究表明，随着气候变暖，鸟类数量在减少，鸟的体型在缩小，翅膀在增长，原因未知。1W
7、hat made Brian Weeks feel astonished?AIt took 40 years to collect 70,716 birds from North America.BMany birds are shrinking when responding to the climate change.CAll migratory bird species were collected to do the important research.DSo many researchers take part in the largest study to work out th
8、e findings.解析：选B细节理解题。根据第二段Brian Weeks所说内容可知，Brian Weeks认为许多鸟类在应对气候变化时都在缩小是令人震惊的，故选B项。2What does the underlined word “taxing” most probably mean?ATiring.BImportant.CEasy.DPleasant.解析：选A词义猜测题。根据画线词所在句后Mr Weeks said, explaining that the smaller body size means less energy available for the birds to co
9、mplete their long journeys.可知，迁徙是一件非常耗费能量的事情，故画线词所在的句子意思是：迁徙是一件非常疲劳的事情。故画线词义为“疲劳的”，故选A项。3What can we infer from the last paragraph?AThe migratory birds arent big.BThe temperatures will be higher.CThe scientists will go on further study.DThe smaller animals will surely live longer.解析：选C推理判断题。根据最后一段中T
10、he scientists arent exactly sure why warmer temperatures cause birds to shrink.可知，科学家还不知道气温升高导致鸟类缩小的原因。因此，科学家们将继续深入研究，故选C项。4Whats the best title for the text?AAll of the Birds Are Getting SmallerBAnimals Are Adapting to Climate ChangeCClimate Change Is Causing Birds to ShrinkDScientists Are Finding
11、Causes of Warm Climate解析：选C标题归纳题。通读全文可知，本文主要介绍了随着气候变暖，鸟类数量在减少，鸟的体型在缩小，翅膀在增长，原因未知。因此本文最好的题目是C项(气候变化正导致鸟类缩小)。本题易误选A项(所有的鸟都在变小)，由于本选项未表明造成鸟变小的原因，故A项错误。BCoral reefs (珊瑚礁) are an integral part of sea life and sustain it by providing shelter and habitat to various organisms.They also supply and recycle nu
12、trients as well as enable a growing fish population, along with other species, for a healthy and diverse ecosystem.However, the rise in average water temperatures due to climate change has resulted in more frequent and longtime coral bleaching (白化现象) events that damage their health, causing fish and
13、 other sea species to abandon them.In order to restore this delicate ecosystem, scientists from the UK and Australia conducted a study that involved using loudspeakers underwater near damaged coral reefs to make them sound healthy and attract fish, potentially kickstarting the natural recovery proce
14、ss of coral reefs and their dependent life forms.The location for this experiment was the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, found alongside the east coast of Queensland, Australia.The site is noted to have the largest coral reef system in the world.“Healthy coral reefs are remarkably noisy places
15、 the crackle of snapping shrimp and the whoops and grunts of fish.Young fish concentrate on these sounds when theyre looking for a place to settle，” said Steve Simpson, study coauthor and a professor at the University of Exeter, UK.By using loudspeakers to copy such sounds, parts of dead coral reefs
16、 were found to attract twice as many fish, compared to places where no sounds were played.“These returning fish, are crucial for coral reefs to function as healthy ecosystems.Boosting fish populations in this way could help to kickstart natural recovery processes, preventing the damage were seeing o
17、n many coral reefs around the world，” said lead author, Tim Gordon.语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了由于气候变化使得平均水温上升，导致了珊瑚白化事件，而为了恢复这一脆弱的生态系统，科学家们在受损的珊瑚礁附近使用水下扩音器，让珊瑚听起来更健康，从而能够吸引鱼类。5What causes the phenomenon of coral bleaching?ADiverse species.BNoise pollution.CFishing industry.DClimbing temperatures.解析：选D细节理解题。根
18、据第一段中However, the rise in average water temperatures due to climate change has resulted in more frequent and longtime coral bleaching (白化现象) events that damage their health, causing fish and other sea species to abandon them.可知，气温攀升是导致珊瑚白化现象的原因。6What approach is introduced to recover the coral reefs
19、?ARemoving damaged coral reefs.BUsing loudspeakers to keep fish away.CBuilding new homes for sea species.DPlaying certain sounds to appeal to fish.解析：选D细节理解题。根据第二段第一句可知，为了恢复这一脆弱的生态系统，科学家们在受损的珊瑚礁附近使用水下扩音器，让它们听起来更健康，从而吸引鱼类。因此应当采用播放某些声音吸引鱼的方法来恢复珊瑚礁。7Why are Steve Simpsons words quoted?ATo provide some
20、findings of the study.BTo show the progress of the experiment.CTo explain reasons for the new approach.DTo give another solution to the problem.解析：选C推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中Healthy coral reefs are remarkably noisy places the crackle of snapping shrimp and the whoops and grunts of fish.可知，健康的珊瑚礁是非常嘈杂的地方虾的噼啪声和鱼
21、的呼噜呼噜声。由此可以推断出，引用Steve Simpson的话是为了解释采用这一新方法的原因。8What can we infer from the last paragraph?AThe attempts are in vain.BNatural recovery is impossible.CInitial success has been achieved.DThe coral reefs have returned to normal.解析：选C推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句可知，通过使用扩音器来模仿这些声音，人们发现部分死去的珊瑚礁比没有声音的地方能吸引两倍多的鱼。由此可以推断出，
22、这一新方法初步取得了成功。.完形填空We have lived in this house in Arizona for a few years now.In our 1 there is a swimming pool and two trees that are taller than the house.The first spring we were here we 2 what was to become a common phenomenon.There is a period of several weeks when baby birds fall from the trees
23、 and 3 in our backyard every year.Most of the time they are strong and 4 and just need a few days to learn to fly.At first we had to frighten our cats and dog away as they 5 the birds.Perhaps, our pets thought these little 6 were toys for them to play with.We quickly 7 that our backyard was no place
24、 for bigger animals during this 8 time for the little birds to learn to fly.Every spring, when our dog and cats want to take a 9 in the backyard, we let the dog out only in the front yard and the cats 10 indoors.During this time my husband and I 11 the birds in the backyard.Sometimes the birds have
25、to be saved from the swimming pool because the water might 12 them.Sometimes they have to be 13 in the branches of the trees as they cant fly up.Every baby bird needs a safe place to 14 and grow up，just like us when we are not strong.Thus, it will make a great 15 if we could be kind enough to whoeve
26、r might be in need of help or in an unfortunate situation.语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。作者家的后院里有两棵树。每年春天都有一段时间，树上会掉下一些幼鸟，它们在后院四处走动。为了保护这些幼鸟不受伤害，作者和家人对它们呵护有加。作者认为，如果我们对每一个弱势个体都温柔以待，世界将会变得更加美好。1A.gardenBgarageCbackyardDhouse解析：选C根据第二段中的in our backyard every year和第三段中的our backyard was no place for bigger animals可推知，此处
27、应指作者家的后院里有一个游泳池和两棵树。backyard意为“后院”，符合语境。2A.heardBexpectedCunderstoodDnoticed解析：选D根据空后的a common phenomenon和后文的描述可知，此处应指在这里居住的第一个春天，作者他们注意到一个常见现象。notice意为“注意到”，符合语境。3A.get aboutBwake upCsettle downDmake up解析：选A根据空前的fall from the trees和第4空后的need a few days to learn to fly并结合常识可知，此处应指幼鸟从树上掉下来，在作者家的后院里四处
28、走动。get about意为“四处走动”，符合语境。4A.powerfulBhealthyCfriendlyDbeautiful解析：选B根据空前的strong和空后的just need a few days to learn to fly可知，此处表示，多数时候这些幼鸟都是强壮健康的，只需要几天来学会飞行。healthy意为“健康的”，符合语境。5A.scaredBapproachedCkilledDobserved解析：选B根据第6空后的toys for them to play with和前文的frighten our cats and dog away并结合常识可推知，此处应指，刚开始
29、家里的小猫小狗靠近这些幼鸟时，作者和家人不得不吓走它们。approach意为“接近”，符合语境。6A.creaturesBfriendsCwondersDneighbors解析：选A根据第二段中的when baby birds fall from the trees可知，此处作者在说这些幼鸟，故此处应表示，或许作者的宠物以为这些小动物是它们的玩具。creature意为“动物；生物”，符合语境。7A.deniedBprovedCdeclaredDrealized解析：选D结合空后的our backyard was no place for bigger animals和选项可推知，此处应指作者很
30、快意识到他们的后院在这段时间内不能允许体形较大的动物进去。realize意为“意识到”，符合语境。8A.comfortableBpreciousCboringDdark解析：选B根据后文的to learn to fly和选项可推知，此处表示在这些幼鸟学习飞行的宝贵时期。precious意为“宝贵的；珍贵的”，符合语境。9A.breakBchanceCshowerDseat解析：选A根据本句后文的let the dog out only in the front yard和选项可推知，此处表示当作者的小猫小狗想在后院休息一下时。take a break意为“休息”，符合语境。10A.sleepB
31、jumpCstayDchase解析：选C根据常识和选项可推知，此处指作者只允许狗狗待在前院，猫待在室内。故stay符合语境。11A.watch out forBlook atCsearch forDplay with解析：选A根据上文的let the dog out only in the front yard和下文的Sometimes the birds have to be saved from the swimming pool等可推知，此处表示在这段时间内，作者和丈夫会密切关注后院里的鸟儿。watch out for意为“密切注意，提防”，符合语境。12A.floodBdrownCpo
32、isonDreach解析：选B结合常识可知，此处应指游泳池中的水可能会将幼鸟淹死。drown意为“溺死；浸透”，符合语境。13A.soughtBsupportedChungDplaced解析：选D根据本句后文的as they cant fly up和选项可推知，此处应指有时不得不将它们放到树枝上，因为它们飞不上去。place意为“放置”，符合语境。14A.standBstruggleCwalkDland解析：选D根据空后的grow up和选项可推知，此处指每只幼鸟都需要一个安全的地方来着陆和成长。land意为“降落；登陆”，符合语境。15A.choiceBpromiseCdifferenceD
33、decision解析：选C根据空后if引导的从句内容可知，此处为作者的感悟：如果我们都能够善良地帮助那些需要帮助或处于不幸境况中的人，这将会产生很大的影响。make a difference意为“有影响”，符合语境。.语法填空The great outdoors：its the place to head for when youre in need of peace and quiet, open spaces, beautiful scenery and exercise. 1 a huge mountain range or a local country park, these nat
34、ural areas are a perfect tonic (补药) for our stressedout lives, and their medical effect is being used more and more 2 (treat) mental health.“Therapy helps people who suffer from depression, 3 (anxious) and stress.Its true that connecting with the natural world 4 (definite) lifts our spirits.Ecothera
35、py doesnt involve taking medicine.Instead, it just develops a persons relationship 5 nature.This natural therapy can take on many forms, such as doing yoga in a forest, gardening or even 6 (hug) a tree.There are many 7 (benefit) of this “green” therapy, including improving social contact, social and
36、 work skills and coping abilities.If we 8 (expose) to the natural elements, then our negative feelings get almost immediately replaced with positive emotions.Admittedly, ecotherapy wont cure everything, but it is 9 option for therapists to use.And as we become 10 (aware) of the causes and effects of
37、 mental health, we will better know that help might lie outside our towns and cities, and that nature can give us a helping hand.语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一种可以帮助治疗心理疾病的特殊疗法自然生态疗法。1WhetherWhether .or .意为“无论是还是”。2to treat本空用动词不定式作目的状语。3anxiety本空和名词depression和stress并列，都是介词from的宾语，故应用名词anxiety。4definitely本空修饰动
38、词lifts，故应用副词definitely。5with根据句意可知，本空表示人与自然的关系，故应用介词with。6hugging本空和动名词短语doing yoga in a forest及动名词gardening是并列关系，都是举例的一部分，故应用动名词hugging。7benefits根据空前形容词many可知，本空应用名词复数形式。8are exposedbe exposed to意为“与接触；暴露于”，故本空应用are exposed。9an空后名词option是可数名词，在本句中表示泛指“一种选择”，且首字母是元音音素，故应用不定冠词an。10more aware根据句意及下文we will better know that可知，本空应用形容词比较级more aware，表示与过去情况的对比。
