Japanese scientists have taken the first photographs of one of the most mysterious creatures in the deep ocean — the giant squid.

Until now the only information about the behavior of the creatures which measure up to 18 meters (59 feet) in length has been based on dead or dying squid washed up on shore or captured in commercial fishing nets.

But Tsunemi Kubodera, of the National Science Museum, and Kyoichi Mori of the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association, both in Tokyo have captured the first images of Architeuthis attacking bait 900 meters below the surface in the cold, dark waters of the North Pacific. “We show the first wild images of a giant squid in its natural environment,” they said in a report in the journal Proceedings B of the Royal Society.

Little is known about the creatures because it has been so difficult to locate and study them alive. Large ships and specialist equipment, which is costly, are needed to study deep sea environments.

The Japanese scientists found the squid by following sperm whales, the most effective hunters of giant squid, as they gathered to feed between September and December in the deep waters off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands in the North Pacific. They used a remote long-line camera and depth logging system to capture the giant squid in the ocean depths.

The most dramatic character of giant squids is the pair of extremely long tentacles, distinct from the eight shorter arms. The long tentacles make up to two-thirds of the length of the dead specimens to date. The giant squid appear to be a much more active meat-eating animals than researchers had thought.

Notes:

① squid  n. 鱿鱼

② capture  vt. 捕获

bait  n. 鱼饵

tentacle  n. 触角,触须

specimen  n. 标本,样本

The passage mainly tells us that ________.

      A. Scientists captured a giant squid alive

      B. Scientists captured a giant squid on camera

      C. giant squids are special meat-eating animals

      D. giant squids mainly live in the deep sea

According to the passage, we can infer that the word “Architeuthis” should refer to ________.

      A. a scientist        B. the sperm whale       C. a big ship      D. the giant squid

Which of the following about giant squids is TRUE?

      A. They like living the cold and deep waters.

      B. They mainly feed on the dead fish.

      C. They like playing, using their tentacles.

      D. They have only eight arms around the mouth.

According to the passage, the scientists located the giant squid ________.

      A. through a remote long-line camera

      B. by using depth logging system

      C. by following sperm whales

D. by using the bait to attract them

New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).

    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 (黑鲈) 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 it aboard their ship.

    Scientists estimate (估计) 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 Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”

38. 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 very dangerous.                           D. Because it can go down to deep ocean.

39. 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.

40. Which of the following is TRUE about the possible record-breaking colossal squid?

 A. It lives in the cold, dark waters of the Arctic.

 B. Its tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach.

 C. It is a fierce hunter according to the scientific study.

 D. It is believed to be the first adult male ever caught.

41. 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


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

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

 

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. ”

56. 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.

57. 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.

58. 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

59. 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

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