Question

Four decades ago a group of college students visited the mountains of Borneo to examine moth (蛾) populations. Now a team of British scientists, including a member of the original trip, has returned to the same sites to repeat the survey. They have found that, due to rising temperatures, the insects now live 68 meters higher.

Global warming is forcing tropical (热带的) species uphill to escape the rising temperatures at a rate of nearly 2 meters a year, the new study from Borneo suggests.

Since this was the only chance to repeat the original survey, the scientist did everything they could to do it exactly the same way, going at the same time of year, in July and August, using photographs to find the exact original sites of the moth traps.

"While this is the first study of insects, a few other studies of tropical species are starting to appear," said Thomas. "If you look across all those studies, you’ll find the same results, and it’s extremely difficult to think of any other explanation for them."

While some species might survive by finding places on the mountains with temperatures similar to those of their original habitats, others may run out of habitat on the rocky peaks, warns the study.

In a paper in the journal Naturein 2004, Thomas and 13 other experts analyzed the habitats of 1,100 species on five continents, and estimated that on average one quarter were at risk of extinction.

Last year a paper published in the Public Library of Science in the US warned that the risk of extinction in the tropics was becoming more and more serious. The authors, Jana and Steven Vamosi, estimated that 20-45% of tropical species were at risk of extinction.

1.If the temperature continues to rise at the same rate for ten years, the insects will live about ______.

A．6.8 meters higher                       B．19 meters higher

C．34 meters higher                       D．68 meters higher

2.What’s the problem for some species moving up mountains?

A．There’ll be too little space.

B．The temperature will be much too low.

C．They will be at greater risk of extinction.

D．They’ll find it hard to adapt to the environment.

3.We can learn from the passage that ______.

A．this survey of moths has been carried out many times

B．some scientists have put forward other explanations for the results

C．scientists tried to repeat the original survey

D．20-45% of tropical species were estimated to be at risk of extinction in 2004

4.Which of the following has been mainly discussed in the passage?

A．Climate change forcing moths higher.

B．Protecting moths from extinction.

C．How to research tropical moths.

D．How to study moths living on mountains.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.B

2.A

3.C

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文以科学家的一个实例来讲述的全球变暖变化对生物的影响，导致生物的栖息地的越来越高。

1.B 计算题。根据第一段Four decades ago a group of college students visited the mountains of Borneo to examine moth (蛾) populations. Now a team of British scientists, including a member of the original trip, has returned to the same sites to repeat the survey. They have found that, due to rising temperatures, the insects now live 68 meters higher.说明40年上升了68米，那么十年大约上升了19米。故B正确。

2.A 细节题。根据第五段, others may run out of habitat on the rocky peaks, warns the study说明他们在山顶的空间不够，故A正确。

3.C 细节题。根据文章第3段Since this was the only chance to repeat the original survey, the scientist did everything they could to do it exactly the same way, going at the same time of year, in July and August, using photographs to find the exact original sites of the moth traps.说明这次试验中开心科学家都想模仿以前的实验，故C项正确。

4.A 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段Four decades ago a group of college students visited the mountains of Borneo to examine moth (蛾) populations. Now a team of British scientists, including a member of the original trip, has returned to the same sites to repeat the survey. They have found that, due to rising temperatures, the insects now live 68 meters higher.可知正是因为气温的升高，让蛾子的栖息地高了68米，故A项说法正确。

考点：考查环境保护类短文阅读

点评：本文以科学家的一个实例来讲述的全球变暖变化对生物的影响，本文要求考生读懂文章中的每个句子的意思还要推理它们之间的关系，结合自己的生活常识和经验，再通过逻辑推理和判断，理解文章的言外之意，从而揭示文章的深层涵义。任何一篇文章都有其特定的写作目的，读者应当知道如何去做或按照某种方式传递思考问题。