Question

 

How can a creature weighing over 5 tons and normally taking 150 kilograms of food and 120 liters of water per day survive in a desert environment?

In the southwest African country of Namibia,and the Sahara lands of Mall further north,the desert elephant does just that.

Although not regarded as a separate species from the African elephant,the desert cousin differs in many ways.Their bodies are smaller,to absorb less heat,and their feet are larger for easier walking across sandy surfaces.They are taller,to reach higher branches.They have shorter tusks(象牙),and most importantly,longer trunks to dig for water in riverbeds.

Desert elephants can travel over 70 kilometers in search for feeding grounds and water-holes,and have a larger group of families.They drink only every 3-4 days,and can store water in a “bag” at the back of their throat,which is only used when badly needed.Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches,and thus maintain what little food sources are available.Young elephants may even eat the dung(糞便) of the female leader of a group when facing food shortage.

During drought they are unlikely to give birth to their young but with good rains the birthrate will increase greatly.Desert elephants have sand baths,sometimes adding their own urine(尿液) to make them muddy!

As we continue to overheat our weak planet,it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant.

1.The underlined part in Paragraph 2 means “_______”.

A.remains in the African countries

B.drinks 120 liters of water a day

C.manages to live in desert areas

D.eats 150 kilograms of food daily

2.Desert elephants are called careful feeders because they ______.

A.rarely ruin trees

B.drink only every 3-4 days

C.search for food in large groups

D.protect food sources for their young

3.The author answers the question raised in the first paragraph with ______.

A.stories and explanation

B.facts and descriptions

C.examples and conclusion

D.evidence and argument

4.What can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage?

A.Overheating the earth can be stopped.

B.Not all animal species are so adaptable.

C.The planet will become hotter and hotter.

D.Not all animals are as smart as desert elephants.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.C

解析:這是一道詞義理解題。第一段提出了疑問(wèn),第二段是解答第一段的疑問(wèn),所以“does just that”就是指做到了第一段提到的事情,也就是能在沙漠生存。選項(xiàng)B、D都是在沙漠生存的具體表現(xiàn),不全面。

2.A

解析:這是一道推斷題。根據(jù)第四段“Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches”可知他們被叫做“小心的覓食者”是因?yàn)樗麄兒苌倨茐臉淠尽?/p>

3.B

解析:這是一道歸納題。第二段是回答第一段提出的問(wèn)題,指出納米比亞西南撒哈拉沙漠沙漠象可以做到在沙漠環(huán)境生存。所以回答的方式是用事實(shí)和描述。

4.B

解析:這是一道推理題。最后一句指出如果地球再持續(xù)過(guò)熱,只能寄希望于其他動(dòng)物物種也能像沙漠象一樣適應(yīng)極端環(huán)境,隱含義是其他動(dòng)物物種不可能適應(yīng)那種環(huán)境。