Question

【题目】When the natural climate changes due to global warming, it can surely affect seals. The majority of them live in the Antarctic region so as the ice is melting, their natural habitat（栖息地）can be seriously affected. These changes don’t take place overnight. They can be the result of many years of additional temperatures in the area. The seals then have to find ways to adapt.

Seals depend on the cool air currents to bring plenty of food for them. When the temperatures get higher, there is less and less food and the seal population starts to get depleted. Mothers aren’t healthy enough to feed their babies. Many of them end up abandoned as the mothers have to leave to find their own source of food.

The fact that their desire to produce young can be changed by the warmer temperatures is frightening too. It is also believed that the warmer temperatures can allow different diseases and viruses to attack the seals. This is a huge concern as they can rapidly wipe out huge numbers of seals out there.

However, these changes in climate and temperature aren’t all bad for other species of seals. Scientists have found that those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes. Research also shows that the females are moving further to find food and water. When they are out of the reach of the governing males, they are more willing to accept the moves of other males in the group.

This is good news too because it means that there will be more selection in the gene pool（基因库）for future generations. It can help the seals as a species adapt to changes in their natural environment more easily.

The climate change problem for seals is directly linked to humans. When we take action to change what we let out into the environment, we will make positive changes for the seals. However, it is going to take a very long time to reverse（彻底改变）the effects of what has already been done.

【1】What does the author regard climate changes for seals as?

A. An unavoidable disaster for existence.

B. A double-edged sword.

C. A mirror of evolution

D. A requirement for more choice in the gene pool.

【2】What does the underlined phrase in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?

A. Explode B. Disappear

C. Shrink D. Vary

【3】What will happen to the seals in warmer climates?

A. Their number will be on the increase

B. The female seals will be in the lead.

C. Their genes will change a great deal.

D. The females will keep away from the males.

【4】Which the following can be the best title for the text?

A. The Importance of Protecting Seals.

B. Seals’ adaptation to Climate Change.

C. How Climate Change Affects Seals.

D. Why Are Seals Becoming Less and Less.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】A

【4】C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。主要讲述了全球变暖导致自然气候的变化，进而影响海豹的生活，但是也会使海豹更容易适应自然环境的变化。

【1】B 细节理解题 根据第一段their natural habitat（栖息地）can be seriously affected.（全球变暖可能会严重的影响海豹的自然栖息地）和第五段It can help the seals as a species adapt to changes in their natural environment more easily.全球变暖可以帮助海豹成为更容易适应自然环境变化的物种。综上，气候变化对海豹来说是一种双刃剑，故选B。

【2】C 词义猜测题 上半句When the temperatures get higher, there is less and less food气温变高，食物变少，结果就是海豹的数量会get depleted，所以此处get depleted的意思是减少（shrink），故选C。

【3】A 细节理解题 根据第四段Scientists have found that those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes.可知科学家们发现，由于气候变化，生活在气候暖和区域的海豹会繁殖更多的幼崽，即气候变暖，海豹的数量会增加，故选A。

【4】C 主旨大意题 通读全文可知本文主要讲述了全球变暖导致自然气候的变化，进而影响海豹的生活，但是也会使海豹更容易适应自然环境的变化，故选C。