8．There's no doubt that man is the smartest．But do you know what other animals are smart，too？
Dolphins
Dolphins are very smart．Most of the"tricks"they're taught to do are actually behavior they would engage in on their own．They love to play，race and generally enjoy their life to the fullest．They speak a language we have yet to completely understand and like all civilized creatures，dolphins'mothers always provide their young children with guidance and possibly，love．
Great apes
The great ape family primarily consists of gorillas，chimpanzees and orangutans．Their brain chemistry is so similar to humans'that NASA once used chimpanzees in place of astronauts during many dangerous missions．Gorillas have been taught sign language and orangutans exist in complex familial relationships．
Elephants
Everyone has heard the phrase"an elephant never forgets"．Elephants establish long-term friendships，recognizing and remembering their friends years later．If an elephant comes upon a fallen friend，it has even been known to feel sad．
Parrots
As proved by this list，parrots are very smart．They are also the only animals listed that can actually hold a conversation．Some parrots know hundreds of words by imitating humans．The birds are also capable of remembering words and using them intelligently in response to situations．
13．Which of the following is TRUE about dolphins？A
A．They are able to play a lot of tricks．
B．Humans know well of dolphins'language．
C．Their brain chemistry is similar to humans'．
D．Dolphins'mothers care little about their children．
14．Which kind of animal has a long-term memory？C
A．Dolphins．
B．Great apes．
C．Elephants．
D．Parrots．
15．According to the passage，the special characteristic of parrots is thatA．
A．they can use words remembered before to interact．
B．they can imitate human beings by playing with them．
C．they have the feeling of sadness when they see a dead bird．
D．they can read people's minds through words they remember．
分析 文章讲述的是聪明的动物，分为海豚，大猩猩，大象，鹦鹉四个部分．
解答 13-15 ACA
13．A，细节题，Most of the"tricks"they're taught to do are actually behavior they would engage in on their own．许多他们被教的招数实际上也是他们自己的行为，可知答案为A．B，D项和文章不符，C项文章中没有提及．
14．C，细节题，由Elephant那一段Everyone has heard the phrase"an elephant never forgets"．每个人都听说过 an elephant never forgets的词组，因此具有长期记忆的动物是大象，选择C．
15．A，细节题，由最后一段The birds are also capable of remembering words and using them intelligently in response to situations．鸟类也能够记忆单词，并使用它们聪明地响应情况．可知选择A．
点评 1、浏览．浏览的主要目的就是确定文章的体裁．如果文章属于人物传记、记叙文、故事、科普小品和有关社会文化、文史知识的文章，一般来说，应该先看看文章的试题考查内容，对题目类型做到心中有数，针对不同问题，在通读时有粗有细地去阅读，这样不仅能把握篇章的基本结构和逻辑线索，也能做好有关具体事实信息考查的试题．了解文体后在解题时可以只阅读那一部分类容，节省解题时间 小题1 A，细节题，由最后一段The birds are also capable of remembering words and using them intelligently in response to situations．鸟类也能够记忆单词，并使用它们聪明地响应情况．可知选择A．
2、挖掘寓意，掌握中心思想，推出结论．任何文章，作者在行文时都有一定的写作目的和主要话题．在通读篇章时应该吃透作者的写作意图，抓住文章的主题句，充分发挥自己的想象力和概括力，作出对中心思想的归纳和结论的推断．
3、把握篇章结构，利用上下文进行推测．高考中的阅读理解篇章往往是一个较完整的短文，其结构、思想，前后上下连贯统一．考试时应充分利用这一特点推测一些生词、短语在句中的含义，切莫盲目孤立猜测．读题后迅速扫描文章内容，找到具体的细节得出答案小题2 C，细节题，由Elephant那一段Everyone has heard the phrase"an elephant never forgets"．每个人都听说过 an elephant never forgets的词组，因此具有长期记忆的动物是大象，选择C．
4、综观全篇，前后呼应．这是阅读理解的最后一步，在做完阅读理解题后，要立足于文章整体，再迅速读一遍短文，短文中的问题和答案的设置前后都是相关联的，有着一定的连续性，体现着文章的基本脉络．
