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Icons of the ANIMAL KINGDOM
CHIMU ADVENTURES
SOUTH GEORGIA
Join a Chimu Adventures cruise to South Georgia and experience one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Witness thousands of king penguins up close while making a landing from one of our expedition cruises. Chimu are the UK’s leading operator to South Georgia, the Falklands & Antarctica offering a full range of ships to suit all budgets and requirements. Contact one of our polar experts today for more info and special offers!
www.chimuadventures.com
Tel:02074038265
ON THE GO TOURS
CHINA
The panda is the beloved animal mascot (吉祥物) of China, native to the mountain ranges in the south central region. There are many conservation projects working to increase the panda population and last year they were successfully downgraded from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the list of species at risk. Visit and support the Chengdu Panda Research Base with On The Go Tours where you can watch pandas in their natural habitat.
www.onthegotours.com
Tel:02073711113
SEA WOLF ADVENTURES
CANADA
Combine cultural discoveries with world-class whale and wild life viewing on an adventure into the heart of the traditional territory of the indigenous Kwakwaka’wakw: Vancouver Island North. Share our love of the local landscape and learn more about our connection with the wild life that makes these waterways home. Experience a fast-paced tour that offers a personal perspective of our 13, 000+ years old Kwakwaka’wakw culture.
www. seawolfadventures.ca
Tel: (001) 2509029653
PIONEER EXPEDITIONS
MADAGASCAR
Madagascar is the land of the lemurs (狐猴). Over 100 lemur species inhabit this extraordinary island nation, ranging from the pocket-sized ‘pygmy mouse lemur’ to the 4ft tall ‘indri’ (狐猴). With many threatened by extinction, there’s never been a better time to witness these mesmerizing (令人着迷的) primates. We’ll guide you through Madagascar, which is the only country where you can experience unforgettable lemur encounters in the wild.
www.pioneerexpeditions.com
Tel:01202798922
ABORIGINAL JOURNEYS
CANADA
We depart in search of orcas (虎鲸) from Campbell River on Vancouver Island in British, Columbia, Canada. Orcas are an apex predator, making them the kings and queens of the ocean. Orcas have very close-knit families and normally will stay together throughout their lifetime. We have many beautiful waterways in which to explore for these magnificent mammals. Tours are guided by experienced, locally born guides.
www.aboriginaljourneys.com
Tel: (001)2508501101
1.Which route may offer you discount in travelling fee?
A.CHIMU ADVENTURES B.PIONEER EXPEDITIONS
C.ABORIGINAL JOURNEYS D.SEA WOLF ADVENTURES
2.The underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 is intended to show ______________.
A.you can only see pandas in limited areas as they are vulnerable to visitors
B.pandas are not endangered any more thanks to the efforts of many conversation
C.the panda is still an endangered species though its population has increased a lot
D.ON THE GO TOURS can help the Chengdu Panda Research Base save more pandas
3.Which of the following animals are unique to Madagascar?
A.Orcas. B.Lemurs.
C.Pandas. D.King Penguins.
4.What is special about Orcas?
A.They are born guides. B.They are gentle animals.
C.They live alone after growing up. D.They enjoy a close relationship.
5.What can we know from the passage?
A.You can enjoy the Kwakwaka’ wakw culture in ABORIGINAL JOURNEYS.
B.Orcas will depart the family once they become mature enough to feed themselves.
C.SEA WOLF ADVENTURES will present more than whales and wildlife to visitors.
D.Both SEA WOLF ADVENTURES and ABORINAL JOURNEYS set off in British, Colombia.
6.What’s the purpose of this passage?
A.To attract readers to start a wildlife trip.
B.To introduce different kinds of animals.
C.To encourage people to protect animals.
D.To tell us that the animals are endangered.
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The Siberian tiger is one of the most beautiful animal in the world.
It is also one of rarest.
Today only about 1,000 are left, some of them are in the Hunchun Nature Reserve.
The Chinese government has created the reserve to help saving the tiger’s natural habitat.
But the Siberian tiger is the only endangered species.
Other famous animal in a danger is the giant panda, whose habitat is in China.
The panda was the symbol of the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Thanks of scientists’ hard work, the number of the pandas lived in the wild has increased to about 1590.
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Animal experimentation is the backbone (支柱，基础) of American research and treatment of disease. Each year, 17 million to 22 million animals are sacrificed in the name of science. While 90 percent of them are rats and mice, 180,000 dogs, 50,000 cats, 61,000 monkeys and 554,000 rabbits are done away with in laboratories operated by industry and government.
But the public has raised an outcry (抗议) over these deaths. Spurred vivid reports of cruelty, the animal rights movement is made up of 7,000 organizations with 10 million members. They've documented cases in which monkeys were isolated in steel tanks for 45 days and dogs were bombarded (轰击、辐射) with radiation or chemicals until they bled from the mouth.
Scientists say such incidents are rare. Laws have been passed to govern testing. Many research centers now have committees to review all proposed animal experiments, and computers can be used in place of animals in many experiments. But scientists say they can't do without animals to test new drugs and treatments on animals to make sure they're safe for humans. Animal experiments produced vaccines (疫苗) or treatments for diseases such as diabetes (糖尿病), and techniques used in open heart surgery. They're important to efforts to find a treatment for AIDS.
Animal rights activists have shown they will go to almost any length (奉陪到底). One New York researcher received more than 10,000 protest letters following publicity of her experiments in which she gave drugs to monkeys. The researcher was studying drug addiction. A protester was arrested in Connecticut for placing a pipe bomb outside a company that used animals in tests. After fires and break-ins, many labs have bought electronic locks and alarms for protection. Other targets of the animal rights movement are the fur industry, farms, and school biology classes in which children dissect (解剖) frogs.
The movement has scored some successes. A dozen states no longer allow pounds (兽栏) ── places that accept dogs and cats that have no homes ── to sell animals to scientists. Scientists claim the cost of their work will rise as a result.
The battle between scientists and activists raises a basic question: Can modern society be both humane (仁慈的) in its treatment of living things and advanced in its treatment of disease? It seems certain there will be new restrictions placed on the use of animals in scientific experiments.
1.The main idea of the article is ________.
A.fewer animals should be taken to laboratories
B.Americans are questioning the use of animals in experiments
C.mice and rats make the best subjects for experiments
D.scientific experiments can be carried out without animals
2.Animal experiments will probably continue because ________.
A.scientists insist they are harmless
B.the groups that oppose them aren't very big or powerful
C.they are critical for understanding and curing human disease
D.there are enough regulations to protect animals from abuse
3.Proponents (支持者) of animal rights are most convincing when they ________.
A.explode bombs at laboratories that conduct scientific tests
B.point out the diseases that have been cured by scientists
C.treat their own pets kindly
D.give examples of animals that were mistreated in labs
4.The animal rights movement is ________.
A.not very successful in passing laws to protect animals
B.trying many different approaches to accomplish its goals
C.more interested in protecting dogs than in protecting mice
D.supported mostly by people who dislike scientists
5.Scientists will be satisfied only if ________.
A.they can continue using animals in their experiments
B.the animal rights movement comes to an end
C.they install locks and alarms on their labs
D.their supply of animals is increased significantly
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The largest land animal remaining on the earth, the African elephant is of much importance to African ecosystem. Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a giant plant-eater, it significantly shapes the forest-and-savanna (大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore deciding the conditions of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.
It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it both a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and underbushes, as well as pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in not only deep tropical forests but also the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth, which attract a variety of other plant-eaters.
Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants create open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large-hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small-sized plant-eaters to obtain their food as well.
Scientists are worried now that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant dies out, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A. Disappearance of African elephants.
B. Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.
C. The effect of African elephants' search for food.
D. The eating habit of African elephants.
2.The African elephant influences the ecosystem in the following ways except that .
A. it creates open areas in deep tropical forests as well as woodlands
B. it pulls off the branches and leaves, shutting out the sunshine
C. its eating habit can be made use of by large-hoofed and small-sized animals
D. it encourages some kinds of plants growing in an indirect way
3.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A. Numerous grown plants are the favorites of plant-eaters.
B. The extinction of the African elephant has nothing to do with the ecosystem.
C. Quantities of plants are consumed by African elephants, including branches and underbushes.
D. The forest floor in rain forests is scarcely dotted with new shoots.
4.The passage is developed mainly by .
A. presenting the changes in time order
B. making comparisons and giving examples
C. classifying similarities and differences
D. showing the effect and then explaining the reasons
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The African elephant, the largest land animal remaining on earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem(生态系统). Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a big plant-eater, it largely shapes the forest- and-savanna(大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.
It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and underbushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas . In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.
Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.
What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Disappearance of African elephants.
B. Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.
C. The effect of African elephants' search for food.
D. The eating habit of African elephants.
2. What does the underlined phrase “setting the terms” most probably mean?
A. Fixing the time.
B. Worsening the state.
C. Improving the quality.
D. Deciding the conditions.
3. What do we know about the open spaces in the passage?
A. They result from the destruction of rain forests.
B. They provide food mainly for African elephants.
C. They are home to many endangered animals.
D. They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds.
4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A. The African elephant is the largest animal on earth.
B. African elephants have 300 pounds of plants every day.
C. The African elephant is in a way the builder of the environment like all the other land animals.
D. If the African elephant disappears, the whole ecosystem won’t be affected.
5. The passage is developed mainly by ________.
A. showing the effect and then explaining the causes
B. pointing out similarities and differences
C. describing the changes in space order
D. giving examples
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Natural selection is the process by which one type of animal within a species thrives because of certain characteristics that make it more likely to live than others in its group. The history of the peppered moth（灰蛾）is an example of the natural selection process.
In 19th century England, certain types of peppered moths were able to better blend（融合）into their surroundings. During that time period, great changes were happening in Great Britain. The Industrial Revolution was part of this change, and with it came air pollution. Natural selection often takes hundred or even thousands of years to occur. For the peppered moth, this process occurred comparatively quickly.
At the beginning of the Industrial Age, most peppered moths in England were light-colored and covered with black markings, although a few moths had dark-colored wings. Because the light-colored moths blended into the light-colored bark on the trees, they could not be easily seen by birds that would eat them. As the air grew more polluted, however, tree trunks became covered with soot（烟煤）and became darker. The light-colored moths became easy for birds to see against the dark tree trunks. Since the dark-colored moths now had the advantage, their numbers grew. Within 50 years, the peppered moth went from being mostly light-colored to being mostly dark-colored.
In the 20th century, the air cleared up, and the peppered moth population changed again. As tree trunks lighted due to less soot in the air, light-colored moths once again had an advantage. Their numbers increased as soot levels declined. Depending on their environment, the coloration of the moths helped them to be “naturally selected” to survive.
1.In 19th century, what was one of the causes of great changes in Great Britain?
A.The surroundings. B.The Industrial Revolution.
C.The natural selection. D.The peppered moth.
2.What can we infer about the peppered moth’s natural selection process?
A.The length of time was unusual.
B.The soot levels in England did not affect it.
C.The color of peppered moths changed at random.
D.It was a good example of environmental protection.
3.What’s the difference between light-colored and dark-colored moths?
A.Dark-colored moths were originally easy to see on trees.
B.Both kinds of moths preferred the dark-colored trees.
C.Birds failed to see light-colored moths.
D.The color of moths was unimportant.
4.Which would most likely happen if soot darkened England’s trees again?
A.Birds would eat fewer moths.
B.Moths would not be able to stay alive.
C.Light-colored moths would disturb people’s life.
D.The population of dark-colored moths would increase.
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Natural selection is the process by which one type of animal within a species thrives because of certain characteristics that make it more likely to live than others in its group. The history of the peppered moth(灰蛾) is an example of the natural selection process.
In 19th century England, certain types of peppered moths were able to better blend（融合）into their surroundings. During that time period, great changes were happening in Great Britain. The Industrial Revolution was part of this change, and with it came air pollution. Natural selection often takes hundred or even thousands of years to occur. For the peppered moth, this process occurred comparatively quickly.
At the beginning of the Industrial Age, most peppered moths in England were light-colored and covered with black markings, although a few moths had dark-colored wings. Because the light-colored moths blended into the light-colored bark on the trees, they could not be easily seen by birds that would eat them. As the air grew more polluted, however, tree trunks became covered with soot(烟煤) and became darker. The light-colored moths became easy for birds to see against the dark tree trunks. Since the dark-colored moths now had the advantage, their numbers grew. Within 50 years, the peppered moth went from being mostly light-colored to being mostly dark-colored.
In the 20th century, the air cleared up, and the peppered moth population changed again. As tree trunks lighted due to less soot in the air, light-colored moths once again had an advantage. Their numbers increased as soot levels declined. Depending on their environment, the coloration of the moths helped them to be “naturally selected” to survive.
1.Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “thrives” in the first paragraph?
A. Reduces. B. Booms.
C. Changes. D. Endangers.
2.What can we infer about the peppered moth’s natural selection process?
A. The length of time was unusual.
B. The soot levels in England did not affect it.
C. This type of color change was typical for moths.
D. It was a good example of environmental protection.
3.What’s the difference between light-colored and dark-colored moths?
A. Dark-colored moths were originally easy to see on trees.
B. Both kinds of moths preferred the dark-colored trees.
C. Birds failed to see light-colored moths.
D. The color of moths was unimportant.
4.Which would most likely happen if soot darkened England’s trees again?
A. Birds would eat fewer moths.
B. Moths would not be able to stay alive.
C. Light-colored moths would disturb people’s life.
D. The population of dark-colored moths would increase.
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The African elephant,the largest land animal remaining on earth,is of great importance to African ecosystem(生态系统).Unlike other animals,the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment.As a big plant-eater,it largely shapes the forest-and-savanna(大草原) surroundings in which it lives,therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat(栖息地).
It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat.In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day,it kills small trees and underbushes,and pulls branches off big trees.This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas.In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.
Take the rain forests for example.In their natural state,the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor.By pulling down trees and eating plants,elephants make open spaces,allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor.In such situations,the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.
What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species.If the elephant disappears,scientists say,many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna,greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Disappearance of African elephants.
B.Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.
C.The effect of African elephants’ search for food.
D.The eating habit of African elephants.
2.What does the underlined phrase “setting the terms” most probably mean?
A.Fixing the time.
B.Worsening the state.
C.Improving the quality.
D.Deciding the conditions.
3.What do we know about the open spaces in the passage?
A.They result from the destruction of rain forests.
B.They provide food mainly for African elephants.
C.They are home to many endangered animals.
D.They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds.
4.The passage is developed mainly by ______.
A.showing the effect and then explaining the causes
B.pointing out similarities and differences
C.describing the changes in spare order
D.giving examples
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After eight puppies（幼犬）were abandoned on the side of the road in Texas，an animal shelter came to the rescue and brought them all the way from Brownwood，Texas to Wintersville，Ohio. Their journey was，by no means，a simple one.
The puppies were first found fighting for their lives in a muddy channel. They were extremely weak and dehydrated（脱水）after being forced to protect themselves in the burning Texas sun. Once the puppies were discovered，their journey was far from over. They were immediately brought to what is known as a "high kill" shelter，and after only a few hours，were scheduled for euthanasia. Things weren't looking good for the pups. Luckily，they were rescued once more.
“There's a group that specifically goes around to these high kill shelters and rescues the animals that are scheduled for euthanasia，"said Brandi Damewood，the JCHS Community Outreach Manager. "These guys were rescued by the Corrine T. Smith Animal Center. "
The puppies would eventually end up under the care of the Jefferson County Humane Society. This is because no-kill shelters and rescue organizations often work together to aid in urgent cases. An incredible network of shelters helping other shelters enables these miracle workers to save so many pets in danger of being put down prematurely.
"We have had a lot of other rescue groups come in and they help us get some of our animals adopted out like when we' re too full or things of that nature, so we kind of help each other out, and so this was a favor to help this particular shelter, "said Damewood.
The JCHS has appropriately titled the puppies' journey "the freedom ride". The 20-leg trip required 16 different volunteers to drive a total of 1,300 miles. But it was all worth it to save these adorable pups!
"We have a board member, Michelle Zdybicki, who is very active and involved in these transport groups, "said Damewood. "They would meet at specified stops, then the puppies would be transferred to the next driver for the next leg of the journey. "
Since arriving in Ohio, the puppies have been vaccinated and are hoping to find forever homes in the near future.
1.From the passage we know a shelter ______.
A. is a place to kill abandoned animals
B. can never kill any abandoned animal
C. is a place for abandoned animals
D. can provide anything for abandoned animals
2.The underlined word "euthanasia" in Para. 2 most probably means______.
A. practice of killing without pain
B. medical examination for an animal
C. physical care of a baby animal
D. supplies of food and housing for animals
3.What may happen to the puppies after arriving in Ohio ?
A. They will stay in a shelter forever. B. They may be adopted soon.
C. They cannot escape being killed. D. They may continue their journey.
4.The passage mainly tells us that______.
A. volunteers worked together to find homes for abandoned puppies
B. abandoned puppies caused animal shelters too much trouble
C. eight rescued puppies journeyed 1,300 miles in "freedom ride"
D. shelters tried their best to cure eight abandoned animals in Texas
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After eight puppies（幼犬）were abandoned on the side of the road in Texas，an animal shelter came to the rescue and brought them all the way from Brownwood，Texas to Wintersville，Ohio. Their journey was，by no means，a simple one.
The puppies were first found fighting for their lives in a muddy channel. They were extremely weak and dehydrated（脱水）after being forced to protect themselves in the burning Texas sun. Once the puppies were discovered，their journey was far from over. They were immediately brought to what is known as a "high kill" shelter，and after only a few hours，were scheduled for euthanasia. Things weren't looking good for the pups. Luckily，they were rescued once more.
“There's a group that specifically goes around to these high kill shelters and rescues the animals that are scheduled for euthanasia，"said Brandi Damewood，the JCHS Community Outreach Manager. "These guys were rescued by the Corrine T. Smith Animal Center. "
The puppies would eventually end up under the care of the Jefferson County Humane Society. This is because no-kill shelters and rescue organizations often work together to aid in urgent cases. An incredible network of shelters helping other shelters enables these miracle workers to save so many pets in danger of being put down prematurely.
"We have had a lot of other rescue groups come in and they help us get some of our animals adopted out like when we' re too full or things of that nature, so we kind of help each other out, and so this was a favor to help this particular shelter, "said Damewood.
The JCHS has appropriately titled the puppies' journey "the freedom ride". The 20-leg trip required 16 different volunteers to drive a total of 1,300 miles. But it was all worth it to save these adorable pups!
"We have a board member, Michelle Zdybicki, who is very active and involved in these transport groups, "said Damewood. "They would meet at specified stops, then the puppies would be transferred to the next driver for the next leg of the journey. "
Since arriving in Ohio, the puppies have been vaccinated and are hoping to find forever homes in the near future.
1.From the passage we know a shelter ______.
A.is a place to kill abandoned animals
B.can never kill any abandoned animal
C.is a place for abandoned animals
D.can provide anything for abandoned animals
2.The underlined word "euthanasia" in Para. 2 most probably means______.
A.practice of killing without pain
B.medical examination for an animal
C.physical care of a baby animal
D.supplies of food and housing for animals
3.What may happen to the puppies after arriving in Ohio ?
A.They will stay in a shelter forever. B.They may be adopted soon.
C.They cannot escape being killed. D.They may continue their journey.
4.The passage mainly tells us that______.
A.volunteers worked together to find homes for abandoned puppies
B.abandoned puppies caused animal shelters too much trouble
C.eight rescued puppies journeyed 1,300 miles in "freedom ride"
D.shelters tried their best to cure eight abandoned animals in Texas