Antarctic seabirds are breeding(繁殖)later, because thinner sea ice is causing their food supplies to decline, a new study says. The birds, which nest in East Antarctica, have delayed their spring arrival by an average of nine days and egg-laying by an average of two days over the past 50 years, according to polar researchers from the French National Center for Scientific Research in Villiers en Bois, France, study authors Christophe Barbrand and Henri Weimerskirch attribute this later breeding activity to decreases in sea ice caused by climate change.

The researchers say the disappearing sea ice, combined with a longer sea-ice season, has interfered with the birds’ breeding cycle by reducing the amount of krill(磷虾) and other prey(猎物)available in early spring in Antarctica. Because Antarctica’s seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere, spring on the icy continent begins in October.

The study is based on data collected at seabird colonies between 1950 and 2004 in Adélie Land, on the eastern edge of the frozen continent.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Of the nine species studied, some arrived up to 30 days later than they had in previous years.

Despite much later arrivals, the birds are laying their eggs at pretty much the same time as they had in the past. In the most extreme cases, birds were laying their eggs an average of 3. 7 days later in the season than they were 50 years ago.

56. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Seabirds are breeding later in East Antarctica.

B. The amount of krill in the ocean has decreased.

C. The weather in Antarctica has changed.

D. The spring in Antarctica is beginning later.

57. Why have the seabirds in East Antarctica delayed their breeding?

A. The food there has been polluted.

B. The sea ice doesn’t shrink any more.

C. The food supplies there have declined.

D. There are too many seabirds there.

58. In which of the following months is it autumn in Antarctica?

A. October.                                                     B. September.

C. November.                                                  D. June.

59. How many kinds of seabirds were studied by the researchers?

A. Two.                B. Five.                             C. Nine.                       D. Thirty.

60. What does the underlined word “attribute”in Para. 1 mean?

A. contribute                                                    B. cause

C. owe                                                                   D. devote

      阅读下面新闻报道和新闻标题(A、B、C、D、E和F),选出与新闻标题相匹配的
新闻内容, 选项中有一项是多余选项。
     1. Designer Giambattista Valli, Stella McCartney and Christophe Lemaire offered a visual feast of
different styles for their fall and winter collections. At Paris Fashion week on Monday, Giambattista Valli
showed-off his ready-to-wear collection.
     2. After a number of rounds of competition, two of China’s best women shooters had a chance to
punch their ticket to the London Olympics today as a solid day from the favorites in the 25m pistol event. Zhang Jingjing and Chen Ying would see them earning their spot on the Chinese Summer Games team.
     3. March 5th is the official "Learning from Lei Feng Day" when various organizations and institutions
call on people to learn from Lei Feng, a cultural icon symbolizing selflessness, modesty and dedication.
As time passes, the values and beliefs that the Lei Feng spirit represents continue to spread throughout
China.
     4. As China passes the Olympic Torch to the UK, the two nations are marking 40 years of diplomatic
ties with a seven-month long showcasing British arts and creative industries. Seventeen cities across
China will enjoy a variety shows sponsored by the project "UK NOW". Upcoming highlights scheduled
for April and May were announced at the British Embassy.
     5.On the issue of local government debt, Finance Minister Xie Xuren said at Tuesday's press
conference that China will step up its management to prevent potential risks. The minister said local
governments are required to repay their debts and ensure funding for projects that are under construction. Local government debts had risen to 10.7 trillion yuan, or 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of 2010.
That accounts for about 17 percent of China’s GDP that year.

A. Fashion designers highlight Paris catwalk
B. National Art Museum promotes Lei Feng Spirit
C. Lei Feng spirit undergoes revival in China
D. "UK NOW" art festival to tour China
E. China to enhance management of local government debt
F. Zhang, Chen earn 25m pistol spots on Chinese Summer Games team

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