1、Unit 4 Global warming阅读理解ACalifornia Condors Shocking RecoveryCalifornia condors are North Americas largest birds, with winglength of up to 3 meters.In the 1980s, electrical lines and lead poisoning(铅中毒) nearly drove them to dying out.Now, electric shock training and medical treatment are helping to
2、 rescue these big birds.In the late 1980s, the last few condors were taken from the wild to be bred(繁殖)Since 1992，there have been multiple reintroductions to the wild, and there are now more than 150 flying over California and nearby Arizona, Utah and Baja in Mexico.Electrical lines have been killin
3、g them off.“As they go into rest for the night, they just dont see the power lines，” says Bruce Rideout of San Diego Zoo.Their wings can bridge the gap between lines, resulting in electrocution(电死) if they touch two lines at once.So scientists have come up with a shocking idea.Tall poles, placed in
4、large training areas, teach the birds to stay clear of electrical lines by giving them a painful but undeadly electric shock.Before the training was introduced, 66% of setfree birds died of electrocution.This has now dropped to 18%.Lead poisoning has proved more difficult to deal with.When condors e
5、at dead bodies of other animals containing lead, they absorb large quantities of lead.This affects their nervous systems and ability to produce baby birds, and can lead to kidney(肾) failure and death.So condors with high levels of lead are sent to Los Angeles Zoo, where they are treated with calcium
6、 EDTA, a chemical that removes lead from the blood over several days.This work is starting to pay off.The annual death rate for adult condors has dropped from 38% in 2000 to 5.4% in 2011.Rideouts team thinks that the California condors average survival time in the wild is now just under eight years.
7、“Although these measures are not effective forever, they are vital for now，” he says.“They are truly good birds that are worth every effort we put into recovering them.”美国加利福尼亚州的秃鹫因为各种原因濒临灭绝，但在科研人员的帮助下，秃鹫的种群逐渐恢复生机。1California condors attract researchers interest because they_.Aare active at nightBha
8、d to be bred in the wildCare found only in California Dalmost died out in the 1980s答案：D解析：考查推理判断。文章没有直接说美国加利福尼亚州秃鹫引起了研究人员的兴趣，但是结合第一段和下文的“So scientists have come up with a shocking idea”可推断，因为电线和铅中毒，20世纪80年代加利福尼亚州秃鹫濒临灭绝，因此它们引起了科研人员的兴趣。2Researchers have found electrical lines are_.Ablocking condors jo
9、urney homeBbig killers of California condorsCrest places for condors at nightDused to keep condors away答案：B解析：考查细节理解。从题干中的electrical lines可知，答案应定位在第三段。电线能使秃鹫丧命，因为秃鹫晚上休息的时候看不见电线，而如果它们宽大的翅膀同时搭在两根电线上，它们就会被电死，因此选B。3According to Paragraph 5，lead poisoning_.Amakes condors too nervous to flyBhas little eff
10、ect on condors kidneysCcan hardly be gotten rid of from condors bloodDmakes it difficult for condors to produce baby birds答案：D解析：考查细节理解。第五段讲述了铅中毒对秃鹫的危害：影响秃鹫的神经系统(A错)，影响秃鹫繁衍后代的能力(D正确)，导致秃鹫肾衰竭(B错)。科研人员给秃鹫使用一种化学药物，帮助它们排出了体内的铅(C错)。因此选D。4The passage shows that_.Athe average survival time of condors is sa
11、tisfactoryBRideouts research interest lies in electric engineeringCthe efforts to protect condors have brought good resultsDresearchers have found the final answers to the problem答案：C解析：考查主旨大意。本文介绍了美国加州秃鹫濒临灭绝的原因以及科研人员为挽救秃鹫而开展的研究工作。文章的标题也直接表明了本文的主题：保护秃鹫的工作正让秃鹫以令人惊讶的速度恢复生机。因此选C。BI work with Volunteers
12、 for Wildlife, a rescue and education organization at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley.Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain.However, when it works, it is simply beautiful.I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown.She had found a yo
13、ung owl(猫头鹰) on the ground.When I arrived, I saw a 2to 3weekold owl.It had already been placed in a carrier for safety.I examined the chick(雏鸟) and it seemed fine.If I could locate the nest, I might have been able to put it back, but no luck.My next work was to construct a nest and anchor it in a tr
14、ee.The homeowner was very helpful.A wire basket was found.I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe and comfortable.I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down.Now all that was needed were the parents, but they were absent.I gave the homeowner a recording of the
15、hunger screams of owl chicks.These advertise the presence of chicks to adults; they might also encourage our chick to start calling as well.I gave the owner as much information as possible and headed home to see what news the night might bring.A nervous night to be sure, but sometimes the spirits of
16、 nature smile on us all! The homeowner called to say that the parents had responded to the recordings.I drove over and saw the chick in the nest looking healthy and active.And it was accompanied in the nest by the greatest sight of allLUNCH! The parents had done their duty and would probably continu
17、e to do so.这是一篇记叙文，讲述了作者作为一个野生动物救助和教育机构的志愿者，成功救助一只猫头鹰雏鸟的经历。5What is unavoidable in the authors rescue work according to paragraph 1?AEfforts made in vain.BGetting injured in his work.CFeeling uncertain about his future.DCreatures forced out of their homes.答案：A解析：考查推理判断。根据第一段的“Trying to help injured，
18、displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking；survival is never certain”可知，救助野生动物有时会让人感到心碎，因为即使努力挽救它们，也不能保证它们都会活下来。因此答案为A。6Why was the author called to Muttontown?ATo rescue a woman. BTo take care of a woman.CTo look at a baby owl. DTo cure a young owl.答案：C解析：考查细节理解。根据第二段的“I got a rescue call fro
19、m a woman in Muttontown.She had found a young owl(猫头鹰)on the ground”可知，这位女士给作者打电话是为了让他来看一看一只猫头鹰雏鸟。文中并没有说小猫头鹰受伤了，作者只是过去看情况，所以D项错误。故选C。7What made the chick calm down?AA new nest. BSome food.CA recording.DIts parents.答案：A解析：考查细节理解。根据第四段的“I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe a
20、nd comfortable.it quickly calmed down”可知，作者做的鸟巢非常舒服，所以把这只猫头鹰雏鸟放进去后，它很快安静下来。8How would the author feel about the outcome of the event?AIts unexpected. B.Its beautiful.CIts humorous.D.Its discouraging.答案：B解析：考查推理判断。根据最后一段可知，通过播放猫头鹰雏鸟饥饿时发出的叫声的录音，这只猫头鹰雏鸟最终与它的父母团聚，而且它的父母开始给它喂食，再结合第一段最后一句“However，when it works，it is simply beautiful”可判断，作者付出的努力没有白费，因而结果是美好的。
