At this time of year, with the nights closing in spring can seem very far away. For hill farmers, th
英语试题 08-14
At this time of year, with the nights closing in spring can seem very far away. For hill farmers, the call of the Eurasian curlew(白腰杓鹬) will be a reminder that winter is nearly over for another year. However, there are some parts of the UK and Ireland where farmers are no longer hearing their call.
Around early March, the curlew moves inland to breed, remaining obviously faithful to the sites where they have bred before. Their preferred nesting sites are rough grassland and moorland , which provide a mix of both open areas to feed and low bushes in which to hide their nests.
So why should we be concerned? The curlew is in serious trouble. The number of breeding curlews across the UK has dropped by 48% since the mid-90s. There are less than 150 pairs remaining in Ireland, down from 3, 750—4, 000 pairs in the late '80s, which is a disastrous decline of 96%. In southern and eastern England, recent surveys have shown there are fewer than 300 pairs remaining. Consequently, the curlews in Ireland and southern and eastern England are thought to be at the risk of upcoming extinction, while declines in the UK are also of serious concern. This is a potential disaster, not only for the UK and Ireland, but also the world as we are home to up to 27% of the global breeding population。.
What is driving the decline? What seems to be the problem? Firstly, the curlew is long-lived and should be able to keep stable numbers if each pair raises one baby bird every couple of months. Unfortunately, in many areas their breeding success rate is much lower. The main cause of this lack of production is loss of suitable living places due to land use change, such as agricultural practices and forestry. Secondly, their enemies, including foxes and crows, have multiplied rapidly over the last few decades
The challenge of responding to the problem is huge particularly as the curlews widely spread all over the lands. We cannot lose the curlew so how can we make a difference?
12. What do the underlined words in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. Spring hasn't come as expected.
B. Spring comes really later than usual.
C. Farmers are looking forward to the coming of spring.
D. Farmers mistake the call of the curlew for the arrival of spring.
13. How does the author support his idea in paragraph 3?
A. By describing a process. B. By making comparisons.
C. By listing numbers. D. By analyzing causes.
14. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 4?
A. The curlew is facing threats. B. The curlew can't give birth to baby birds.
C. The number of curlews is dropping quickly. D. The curlew has a low breeding success rate.
15. What will the author most probably discuss next?
A. done on the curlew.
B. Efforts made to save the curlew.
C. Reasons for the decline of the curlew's population.
D. Concern from people about the future of the curlew.
【答案】
Around early March, the curlew moves inland to breed, remaining obviously faithful to the sites where they have bred before. Their preferred nesting sites are rough grassland and moorland , which provide a mix of both open areas to feed and low bushes in which to hide their nests.
So why should we be concerned? The curlew is in serious trouble. The number of breeding curlews across the UK has dropped by 48% since the mid-90s. There are less than 150 pairs remaining in Ireland, down from 3, 750—4, 000 pairs in the late '80s, which is a disastrous decline of 96%. In southern and eastern England, recent surveys have shown there are fewer than 300 pairs remaining. Consequently, the curlews in Ireland and southern and eastern England are thought to be at the risk of upcoming extinction, while declines in the UK are also of serious concern. This is a potential disaster, not only for the UK and Ireland, but also the world as we are home to up to 27% of the global breeding population。.
What is driving the decline? What seems to be the problem? Firstly, the curlew is long-lived and should be able to keep stable numbers if each pair raises one baby bird every couple of months. Unfortunately, in many areas their breeding success rate is much lower. The main cause of this lack of production is loss of suitable living places due to land use change, such as agricultural practices and forestry. Secondly, their enemies, including foxes and crows, have multiplied rapidly over the last few decades
The challenge of responding to the problem is huge particularly as the curlews widely spread all over the lands. We cannot lose the curlew so how can we make a difference?
12. What do the underlined words in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. Spring hasn't come as expected.
B. Spring comes really later than usual.
C. Farmers are looking forward to the coming of spring.
D. Farmers mistake the call of the curlew for the arrival of spring.
13. How does the author support his idea in paragraph 3?
A. By describing a process. B. By making comparisons.
C. By listing numbers. D. By analyzing causes.
14. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 4?
A. The curlew is facing threats. B. The curlew can't give birth to baby birds.
C. The number of curlews is dropping quickly. D. The curlew has a low breeding success rate.
15. What will the author most probably discuss next?
A. done on the curlew.
B. Efforts made to save the curlew.
C. Reasons for the decline of the curlew's population.
D. Concern from people about the future of the curlew.
【答案】
苏19057182-3号