Question

【题目】The bald eagle has been an official symbol (象征) of the United States for more than 200 years. Now it will share the stage with another American animal—the bison. Last spring, this huge, hairy animal became the country’s national symbol.

Bison, also known as buffalo, are the biggest land animals in North America. They have played a big role in American history.

Long ago, millions of bison traveled across the U. S. Many lived in the grasslands of the Great Plains. For hundreds of years, American Indians in that area needed bison meat for food. They used the skins to make clothing and houses, and the bones to make tools.

Later, many settlers moved to the Great Plains to set up farms and towns. They hunted bison in large numbers. By 1900, bison had almost died out. Only about 1,000 bison were left. Since then, people have worked hard to save the bison. Today, there are more than 400, 000 bison in the U. S. They live in protected areas and all over the nation. Their comeback is seen as a great success.

To recognize the bison’s importance in U. S. history, wildlife groups and American Indian groups asked U. S. lawmakers to make the animal a national symbol. Lawmakers passed a bill, or plan for a law, to do that. The President then signed the bill into law.

U. S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota was one lawmaker who pushed to get the law passed. “The bison is an amazing animal,” he told Scholastic News. “It’s a great symbol for a great country.”

【1】What is the bald eagle? (不多于 7 个词）

【2】Why had the bison almost died out by 1900? (不多于 7 个词）

【3】How many bison are there in America today? (不多于 3 个词)

【4】Why did people make the bison a national symbol? (不多于 8 个词）

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】An official symbol of the United States.

【2】Because they were hunted in large numbers.

【3】More than 400,000.

【4】To recognize the bison’s importance in U.S. history.

【解析】文章讲述了美洲野牛在美国历史上的重要作用，以及现在美国通过法律把美洲野牛作为其中一个国家象征。

【1】An official symbol of the United States.

考查对文章的理解和概括能力。根据第一段开头The bald eagle has been an official symbol (象征) of the United States for more than 200 years.可知，秃鹰是美国的官方象征，故答案概括为An official symbol of the United States.

【2】Because they were hunted in large numbers.

考查对文章的理解和概括能力。根据第四段They hunted bison in large numbers. By 1900, bison had almost died out.可知，北美野牛被大量捕杀，几乎灭绝。故答案概括为Because they were hunted in large numbers.

【3】More than 400,000.

考查对文章的理解和概括能力。根据第四段Today, there are more than 400, 000 bison in the U. S.可知现在美国野牛的数量，故答案概括为More than 400,000.

【4】To recognize the bison’s importance in U.S. history.

考查对文章的理解和概括能力。根据倒数第二段To recognize the bison’s importance in U. S. history, wildlife groups and American Indian groups asked U. S. lawmakers to make the animal a national symbol.可知，认识到美洲野牛在美国历史上的重要性，美国人把美洲野牛作为国家象征。故答案概括为To recognize the bison’s importance in U.S. history.