Question

While elephants are respected by the people of Thailand, they are also used as beasts of burdens (驮兽). Today, these majestic animals are extensively used to help carry wood for the logging industry. It is therefore nice to hear that on National Elephant Day the mighty mammals are treated like a king, and served with meals fit for a king.

One of the biggest celebrations took place at the Pattaya Resort in Thailand’s Chonburi Province. Fifty-two elephants, some wearing beautiful clothes, arrived bright and early (大清早) for the big day. Each was first blessed with holy water by a professional elephant rider and then led to the grand feast, which served an unlimited supply of their favorite treats—bananas, dragon fruits (火龙果), pineapples, assorted melons, apples and the list went on and on! The elephants ate till they were satisfied before walking back with their owners for a good night’s rest.

Though called National Elephant Day, the celebrations that took place on March 13th this year stretched out for an entire week. Besides providing a well-deserved treat and break for the hard-working animals, the celebrations were also aimed to raise awareness about the mammal’s dwindling (减少的) population. One smart elephant even helped show the message by painting a dead elephant and the words “Don’t kill me”, right beside it .

And horrible as the message may sound, there is a sad ring of truth to it. Since the 1900s the number of elephants in Thailand has gone from over 100,000 to just 3,000-4,000 because of the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal killing. Asian elephants are not the only ones that are in trouble. African elephants are facing the same fate (命运). Hopefully, the public and officials are now working together to save these mighty animals from disappearing from the world.

1.Nowadays elephants in Thailand are

A. still used to help fight battles

B. never used as beasts of burdens

C. used to do tasks that need strength

D. less respected because of the development of the society

2.The celebrations held at the Pattaya Resort aimed to ______.

A. show visitors the elephants’ great performance

B. honor elephants for their devotion to the country

C. encourage people to play with elephants

D. show visitors the beautiful scenery in Thailand

3.The underlined word “it” (Para 3) probably refers to_______.

A. the elephant rider

B. the words “Don’t kill me”

C. the elephant that was painting

D. the dead elephant

4.What can we learn from the text?

A. Elephants are protected very well in Thailand.

B. Elephants also face the risk of being killed in Thailand.

C. The number of elephants is increasing gradually in Thailand.

D. Elephants could enjoy a grand feast every week in Thailand.

Answer 1

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要介绍了在泰国大象的地位以及大象节的一些具体的内容，除此之外，还介绍了目前大象的生存境况和现状。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段they are also used as beasts of burdens (驮兽). Today, these majestic animals are extensively used to help carry wood for the logging industry.可知，大象是驮兽，是搬运木材的。也就是说它做的是力气活。故选C。

2.While elephants are respected by the people of Thailand 以及It is therefore nice to hear that on National Elephant Day the mighty mammals are treated like a king, and served with meals fit for a king.可知该节日的设定是为了对大象表示尊敬。故选B。

3.词义猜测题。这道题目主要猜测指示代词代指的内容，此时需要注意该代词的上文。通过第三段One smart elephant even helped show the message by painting a dead elephant and the words “Don’t kill me”, right beside it .可知，一头聪明的大象还画了一头死去的大象并在旁边写了一些字，因此这里的it代指的应该是上文出现的一头死去的大象。故选D。

4.推理判断题。通过最后一段Since the 1900s the number of elephants in Thailand has gone from over 100,000 to just 3,000-4,000可知选项A和C错误。通过最后一段because of the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal killing. 可知选项B正确。选项D未提及。故选B。

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