Question

【题目】In the late 1950s, a Russian geneticist called Dmitry K. Belyaev attempted to create a tame (驯化的) fox population. Through the work of a breeding programme at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics at Novosibirsk, in Russia, he sought to find the evolutionary pathway of tame animals. His test subjects were silver-black foxes, a melanistic (带黑色的) version of the red fox that had been bred in farms for the color of their fur.

He selected the animals based on how they responded when their cage was opened. About 10% of the foxes displayed a weak “wild-response”, meaning they were docile around humans. Those that hid in the corner or made aggressive voices were left in the farm. Of those friendly foxes, 100 females and 30 males were chosen as the first generations of parents.

When the young foxes were born, the researchers hand-fed them. They also attempted to touch or pet the foxes when they were two to two-and-a-half months old, for strictly measured periods at a time. If the young foxes continued to show aggressive response, even after significant human contact, they were thrown away from the population—meaning they were made into fur coats. In each selection, less than 10% of tame individuals were used as parents of the next generation.

By the fourth generation, the scientists started to see dramatic changes. The young foxes were beginning to behave more like dogs. They wagged their tails and “eagerly” sought contact with humans. By 2005-2006, almost all the foxes were playful, friendly and behaving like domestic dogs. The foxes could “read” human hints and respond correctly to gestures or glances.

【1】What do we know about Belyaev’s breeding plan?

A. It explains how red foxes were bred.

B. It focuses on how tame animals evolved.

C. It explains why pet foxes became popular.

D. It concentrates on why tame animals disappeared.

【2】How did he choose his test foxes in the experiment?

A. By appearance.

B. By color.

C. By reaction.

D. By flexibility.

【3】What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?

A. Smart foxes were used for testing.

B. The purpose of selection was unclear.

C. Friendly foxes were kept on testing.

D. The selection was not exact and thorough.

【4】What is the distinguishing characteristic of the fourth generation foxes?

A. Behaving in a friendlier way.

B. Eating plants.

C. Having drooping ears.

D. Having shortened legs.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】C

【4】A

【解析】本文为介绍说明文。文章介绍了俄罗斯遗传学家Dmitry K. Belyaev的狐狸种群驯化计划。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段中的Through the work of a breeding programme at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics at Novosibirsk, in Russia, he sought to find the evolutionary pathway of tame animals.可知，Belyaev’s breeding plan的目的是找出驯服动物的进化路径，也就是如何驯化动物，故选B。

【2】细节理解题。根据第二段中的He selected the animals based on how they responded when their cage was opened.可知，在试验中他根据笼子开门时的反应来挑选测试对象。故选C。

【3】推理判断题。根据第三段中的If the young foxes continued to show aggressive response…they were thrown away from the population…In each selection, less than 10% of tame individuals were used as parents of the next generation.可推知，在测试过程中，只有那些对人友好的动物会被留下来继续进行测试。故选C。

【4】推理判断题。根据第四段的描述可知，第四代狐狸开始变得更像狗了，他们摇着尾巴，急切地寻求与人类的接触，在2005-2006年，几乎所有的狐狸都好玩、友好，举止像家养的狗。由此可知，第四代狐狸的特点是更加友好、温顺。故选A。