Question

The British summer is beautiful. Trees, flowers, birds and butterflies make the whole country look like a big garden. However, many British people have noticed that butterflies have been gradually disappearing from this nice scenery during the past several years. What has happened to them?

Butterfly Conservation, a charity in the UK, is running a survey to help answer this question. The result is more serious than people expected. According to the survey, among 59 butterfly species (物种) found in the British Isles, more than three-quarters of them are suffering a declining (衰弱) population, including the most popular Meadow Brown. Moreover, half of all butterfly species are dying out.

Some common species such as the small Tortoiseshell butterfly and the Wall butterfly are dropping sharply. The Wall butterfly cannot even be seen in many parts of central and southern England. And the Blue butterfly, which was commonly seen in the south, has started settling in Edinburgh in the past few years.

The numbers of butterflies have dropped to a record low in the past three years because the summer in the UK is getting cooler and their living conditions are also degrading.

Luckily, Britain is experiencing a long hot summer this year compared to the last few summers. Scientists believe the warm weather will be good news to the butterflies.

Sir David Attenborough, president of Butterfly Conservation, said, “A great number of butterflies around us is a signal that all is well with nature. But when they decline, it’s a warning that other wildlife will be soon heading the same way.”

The survey is still going on. The public is also encouraged to focus on the UK’s butterfly population. The organizers hope the survey will help more and more people realize the value of butterflies in the UK. Butterflies give a symbol of the well-being of nature and the environment.

1.What has the survey taken by Butterfly Conservation found?

A. The UK butterflies enjoy a cool climate.

B. The UK butterflies prefer settling in the north.

C. The number of the UK butterflies is getting smaller.

D. Butterflies make the British summer more attractive.

2.How does the writer support the findings of the survey in Paragraph 3?

A. By listing examples (举例子). B. By providing data (列数据).

C. By giving explanations (作解释). D. By making comments (作评价).

3.What does the underlined word “degrading” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A. Turning better. B. Getting worse.

C. Keeping the same. D. Becoming different.

4.Butterfly Conservation expects their survey to ______.

A. warn people to care more about the change of weather

B. keep the charity running more smoothly than ever before

C. help the British government protect nature and the environment

D. help the British better understand how important the butterflies are

Answer 1