A small island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is home to many plants and animals which cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Its national symbols, the Silver Fern and the kiwi, express the mystery and magic in this “Land of the long white cloud”. There are about 190 different kinds of fern in New Zealand but the 8-meter Silver Fern is the tallest and most famous. Strong and easy to grow, it can be seen to reflect the spirit of the survival of the Europeans who first arrived in the late 17th century. The fern can be found on everything from the country’s national emblem to newspapers and sportswear. If the Silver Fern is the New Zealand’s special plant, then the kiwi is its most precious animal. Unlike most birds, the kiwi cannot fly, only comes out at night, and has feathers like hair. It also depends on its sense of smell rather than sight. Perhaps because of these strange feathers, the kiwi has been enthusiastically accepted by its people. For New Zealanders, the kiwi is a treasure. It even gives them an international identity—New Zealanders are known as Kiwis across the world. 1. The underlined part “this ‘Land of the long white cloud’” refers to______ A. England B. New Zealand C. the world D. Pacific Ocean 2. Which of the following about the kiwi is NOT true? A. It cannot fly. B. It only comes out at night. C. It has feathers like hair. D. It depends on its sense of sight. |