Question

【题目】 More than half of the birds in Washington are at risk of extinction because of climate change. That's according to a new national report from the Audubon Society, which gives detailed analysis of climate effects on about 600 species of North American birds.

It's based on more than 140 million observations of birds across the US, Mexico and Canada. Audubon scientists looked at the likely effects of sea-level rise, urbanization, drought, extreme spring heat, increased fires, heavy rain and other factors.

But it doesn't just spell out a doomsday scenario (世界末日).Instead, it offers a range of effects and warming, depending on how much carbon humans add to the atmosphere.

"It is truly an existential threat (威胁), not only to birds but to people,” said Doug Santoni, board chair of Audubon Washington, who looked into the report as soon as it came out.

Santoni says he was struck to see the vulnerability (脆弱)of a common “ backyard bird" , the dark-eyed junco. It's one that many first-time birders become familiar with as they learn how to identify species based on their markings and other traits. Currently in Washington, you can count on juncos to show up at your feeder, year round. Extreme spring heat, increased fires and heavy rain are the kinds of changes that will force birds like these north, or kill them off if they fail to adapt.

Trina Bayard, director of bird conservation at Audubon’s Washington chapter, says, "It's certainly a very serious warning report," but adds that there’s still hope. “If we can stabilize current temperatures and decrease our emissions (排放), we can really reduce the effects to these birds …that's very motivating. ”

【1】What can we know about the new report?

A.It analyses the species of birds in detail.

B.It's issued by watching 600 bird species.

C.It shows the end of North American birds.

D.It reports the threat some birds are facing.

【2】What may Santoni probably agree with?

A.Climate change is a threat only to birds.

B.It's too late to take action to save the birds.

C.The current situation of the birds is worrying.

D.It's common that birds are affected by climate change.

【3】Which of the following can help these birds according to Trina?

A.Lowering present temperatures.

B.Reducing our daily emissions.

C.Making them adapt to climate change.

D.Encouraging people to protect them.

【4】What can be the best title for the text?

A.Climate change threatens many Washington bird species.

B.A new report about 600 species of North American birds.

C.Different attitudes towards the situation of bird species.

D.Climate change makes different kinds of species at risk.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【3】B

【4】A

【解析】

本文是说明文。气候变化使得华盛顿州一半以上的鸟类处于危险之中，一项新的报道详细阐述了气候变化对北美600多种鸟类物种的影响。鸟类专家称“虽然情况很糟糕，但是通过稳定目前的温度和减少排放等方法，我们可以减少这些影响”。

【1】

细节理解题。根据前三段中More than half of the birds in Washington are at risk of extinction because of climate change. 和But it doesn't just spell out a doomsday scenario (世界末日).可知，这篇新的报告详细叙述了气候变化对北美一些鸟类物种的影响，这种威胁是很严重的，但不是说这些鸟类的世界末日到了。故选D项。

【2】

推理判断题。根据第四、五两段内容It is truly an existential threat (威胁), not only to birds but to people,和dark-eyed junco的例子可知，Santoni认为，气候变化是真正影响鸟类和人类生存的威胁。他对于这种普通的dark-eyed junco鸟类受到的伤害和影响感到很震惊。这些都说明鸟类的现状令人担忧，故选C项。

【3】

细节理解题。根据最后一段中最后一句If we can stabilize current temperatures and decrease our emissions (排放), we can really reduce the effects to these birds …that's very motivating. 可知，我们可以通过稳定目前的温度和减少排放来减少对这些鸟类的影响。故选B项。

【4】

主旨大意题。根据第一段More than half of the birds in Washington are at risk of extinction because of climate change.及下文内容可知文章主要介绍：一项新的报告说明气候变化使得华盛顿州一半以上的鸟类处于危险之中。这项报告详细阐述了气候变化对北美600左右的鸟类物种的影响。Climate change threatens many Washington bird species.概括了全文内容，适合作为标题，故选A项。