Question

New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).

    In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles (触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.

    On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass (黑鲈) in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged it aboard their ship.

    Scientists estimate (估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.

    First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.

    The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive (繁殖) patterns.

    “Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,” said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”

38. Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?

 A. Because it moves too fast.                               B. Because it is too large.

 C. Because it is very dangerous.                           D. Because it can go down to deep ocean.

39. What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?

 A. To make it into food.                                        B. To set a world record.

 C. To do research on it.                                       D. To display it for visitors.

40. Which of the following is TRUE about the possible record-breaking colossal squid?

 A. It lives in the cold, dark waters of the Arctic.

 B. Its tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach.

 C. It is a fierce hunter according to the scientific study.

 D. It is believed to be the first adult male ever caught.

41. What would be the best title for the passage?

 A. the biggest squid ever found                             B. scientific research on squid

 C. the lifestyle of the colossal squid                       D. how the fishermen caught the squid

Answer 1

38. D答案解析：依据第五段的The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet可知D项正确。

39. C 答案解析：根据第六、七两段可知这头巨型鱿鱼在科学方面的研究价值。故选C项。

40. C 答案解析：根据第5段，what scientists do know... is that they are fierce hunters可知答案应该选C。

41. A答案解析：文章开头就点明了新西兰渔民捕捉到了迄今为止最大的鱿鱼。