Question

【题目】阅读理解
Scientists have found living organisms trapped in crystals(晶体) that could be 50,000 years old.
The organisms were found in a hot, but beautiful cave system in Naica, Mexico. These ancient life forms can be seen only with a microscope. Penelope Boston, who leads the Astrobiology Institute at NASA, the space agency of the United States, says the ancient microbes(微生物) were able to live by eating minerals such as iron.
She spoke about the discovery recently at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. If the findings are confirmed, they will show how microbes can survive in extreme conditions. Forty different kinds of microbes and some viruses were found in the underground area. The genetic structures of these organisms are 10 percent different from those of their nearest relatives.
The caves in Naica are 800 kilometers deep. They were once used for mining lead. Before the miners began working in the caves, the area was separated from the surface and the outside world. Some of the caves are as big as the large religious centers built during Europe's Middle Ages. There are crystals covering the walls. The caves are so hot that scientists must wear special clothing to keep cool. The clothing keeps the crystals safe from human germs（病菌）or other damage. Boston said the researchers could only work for about 20 minutes at a time before they had to go to a room that was 38 degrees Celsius to cool down.
NASA officials would not let Boston share her findings with scientific experts before last week's announcement. So scientists could not say much about the findings. But Norine Noonan, a biologist with the University of South Florida, said she believed them. "Why are we surprised?" Noonan asked. "As a biologist, I would say life on Earth is extremely tough and extremely colorful."
Boston is also studying microbes commonly found inside caves in other countries, such as Ukraine and the United States. These microbes appear to be impossible to kill. Boston said they show how difficult life on Earth can be.
（1）The existence of the ancient microbes relies on _______.
A.surrounding insects
B.diverse plants
C.eating minerals
D.absorbing air
（2）What can we infer about the caves in Naica from the passage?
A.The walls are covered by crystals.
B.The temperature in the caves is quite low.
C.The caves have been explored since they were formed.
D.The environment in the caves is difficult to adapt to.
（3）What is the biologist Norine Noonan's attitude towards the findings?
A.Critical
B.Positive.
C.Doubtful.
D.Indifferent.
（4）What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.Living organisms bring hope to scientific research.
B.Scientists Discover 50,000-year-old “super life” in Mexico.
C.Microbes show great power to survive in terrible conditions.
D.Caves provide living environment for living organisms.

Answer 1

【答案】
（1）C
（2）D
（3）B
（4）B
【解析】本文报道科学家在墨西哥发现50000岁的“超级生命”。

（1）C细节理解题。根据第二段 “the ancient microbes were able to live by eating minerals such as iron”可知，C选项正确。

（2）D推理判断题。根据第四段“The caves are so hot that scientists must wear special clothing to keep cool.”和“the researchers could only work for about 20 minutes at a time”可推知，洞穴内的环境很糟糕，不适合进入。因此D选项“The environment in the caves is difficult to adapt to（很难适应）”正确，故选D。选项A中的“low” 与原文不符，故排除A。选项B中的“have been explored since they were formed”意为“自从成形以来已经被探索” 与原文第四段的“Before the miners began working in the caves, the area was separated from（与…隔离） the surface and the outside world.”不符，故排除B。选项C中的“The walls are covered by crystals” 在原文第四段的“There are crystals covering the walls”直接表现出来，不属于推断出来的，故排除C。

（3）B观点态度题。根据倒数第二段 “she believed them”和她说的话“Why are we surprised?”以及 “life on Earth is extremely tough and extremely colorful”可推知，Norine Noonan对这个发现的态度是正面肯定的，故B选项“Positive（积极的）”正确。选项A “Neutral”意为“中立的”，选项C “Doubtful”意为“怀疑的”，选项D “Indifferent”意为“漠不关心的”，均不符合文意，故排除A, C和D。

（4）B主旨大意题。根据第一段中心段和整篇文章的描述，文章第一段由“Scientists have found living organisms（生物体） trapped in crystals that could be 50,000 years old.”引入，接下来五个段落都围绕这个生物体和研究发现进行展开描述，故选项B正确。A选项“bring hope to（给…带来希望）” 在文中没有体现，故排除A；C选项“show great power to survive” 偏离文章讨论的中心，故排除C；D选项“Caves provide living environment for living organisms”没有点出文章主要讨论的这项研究，故排除D。