第二部分:阅读理解(20小题, 每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,
从每题所给的四个选项 (A、B、C和D) 中, 选出最佳选项
A New Zealand fishermen caught what may
prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid(鱿鱼).
In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic
hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles(触须) and eyes as big as dinner
plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.
On February 21, New Zealand fishermen
landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with
long lines for Chilean sea bass in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when
they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully
pulled the creature into a net and dragged in aboard their ship.
Scientists evaluate that the animal weighs
about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid
the biggest on record.
First identified in 1925 after two
tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a
mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean
depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a
half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.
The recently captured colossal squid has
been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New
Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts
believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to
learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive(繁殖)patterns.
“Scientists will be very interested in this
amazing creature, ”said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderson. “It adds
immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment. ”
1. Why is it usually difficult for experts
to observe the squid?
A. Because it moves too
fast
B. Because it is too large.
C. Because it is
dangerous.
D. Because it can go down to deep ocean.
2. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. The squid is from a science fiction
story
B. The fishermen often meet colossal squids
C. Scientists know much about the colossal
squid.
D. The fishermen had some difficulty
catching the large squid.
3. What’s the purpose of catching such a
huge squid?
A. To make it into food B. To set a
world record
C. To do research on it D. To display
it for visitors
4. What would be the best title for the
passage?
A. The biggest squid ever
found
B. Scientific research on squid
C. The lifestyle of the colossal
squid D. How the fishermen
caught the squid