Question

San Francisco has its cable cars. Seattle has its Space Needle. And, Longview has its squirrel bridge. The bridge, which has attracted international attention, is now a local landmark.

    The Nutty Narrows Bridge was built in 1963 by a local builder, Amos Peters, to give squirrels a way to cross the busy road without getting flattened by passing cars.

    The original bridge was built over Olympia Way on the west edge of the library grounds. Before the bridge was built, squirrels had to avoid traffic to and from the Park Plaza office building where office staff put out a nutty feast for the squirrels. Many times,    Peters and others who worked in and near Park Plaza witnessed squirrels being run over.

    One day Peters found a dead squirrel with a nut still in its mouth, and that day's coffee break discussion turned into squirrel safety. The group of businessmen cooked up the squirrel bridge idea and formed a committee to ask the blessing of the City Council(市政会). The Council approved, and Councilwoman Bess LaRiviere jokingly named the bridge “Nutty Narrows”．

    After architects designed the bridge, Amos Peters and Bill Hutch started construction. They built the 60­foot bridge from aluminum and lengths of fire hose(消防水带). It cost $1，000.

    It didn't take long before reports of squirrels using the bridge started. Squirrels were even seen guiding their young and teaching_them_the_ropes. The story was picked up by the media, and Nutty Narrows became known in newspapers all over the world.

    In 1983, after 20 years of use, Peters took down the worn­out bridge. Repairs were made and crosspieces were replaced. The faded sign was repainted and in July 1983, hundreds of animal lovers attended the completion ceremony of the new bridge.

Peters died in 1984, and a ten­foot wooden squirrel sculpture was placed near the bridge in memory of its builder and his devotion to the project.

20. The Nutty Narrows Bridge was built in order to      ________.

A. offer squirrels a place to eat nuts

B. set up a local landmark

C. help improve traffic

D. protect squirrels

21. What happened over the coffee break discussion?

A. The committee got the Council's blessing.

B. The squirrel bridge idea was born.

C. A councilwoman named the bridge.

D. A squirrel was found dead.

22. What does the underlined phrase “teaching them the ropes” probably mean in the text?

A. Passing them a rope.

B. Directing them to store food for winter.

C. Teaching them a lesson.

D. Showing them how to use the bridge.

23. Which of the following is true of the squirrel bridge?

A. It was replaced by a longer one.

B. It was built from wood and metal.

C. It was rebuilt after years of use.

D. It was designed by Bill Hutch.

24. What can we learn about Amos Peters?

A. He is remembered for his love of animals.

B. He donated $1，000 to build the bridge.

C. He was a member of the City Council.

D. He was awarded a medal for building the bridge.

Answer 1

文章主要讲述了Amos Peters观察到松鼠在觅食时遇到交通带来的危险，他还看到一只死了的松鼠嘴里还含着食物，他设想要为松鼠们设计一个能保证它们安全的桥。后来通过努力这个桥终于设计成功，并为世界所知，引起国际的关注，成为当地的一道风景。

20．D　细节理解题。 第二段的“… to give squirrels a way to cross the busy road without getting flattened by passing cars.”看出建这座桥是为了保证松鼠的安全。故选D。

21．B　推理判断题。题干关键词为“coffee break discussion”。由第四段“and that day's coffee break discussion turned into squirrel safety. The group of businessmen cooked up the squirrel bridge idea and formed a committee to ask the blessing of the City Council.”可以看出在此期间，建松鼠桥的想法产生了。故选B。

22．D　词义猜测题。根据本句的“Squirrels were even seen guiding their young”看出，是教小松鼠如何使用这个桥。故选D。

23．C　细节理解题。倒数第二段的“Repairs were made and crosspieces were replaced”看出数年之后，这座桥得到了重修。故选C。

24．A　推理判断题。从最后一段的Peters died in 1984, and a ten­foot wooden squirrel sculpture was placed near the bridge in memory of its builder and his devotion to the project.看出，人们在桥附近修建雕像来纪念Amos Peters对动物的这份爱心。故选A。