Question

【题目】How can a creature weighing over 5 tons and normally taking 150 kilograms of food and 120 liters of water per day survive in a desert environment?

In the southwest African country of Namibia, and the Sahara lands of Mali further north, the desert elephant does just that.

Although not regarded as a separate species from the African elephant, the desert cousin differs in many ways. Their bodies are smaller, to absorb less heat, and their feet are larger for easier walking across sandy surfaces. They are taller, to reach higher branches. They have shorter tusks (象牙), and most importantly, longer trunks to dig for water in riverbeds.

Desert elephants can travel over 70 kilometers in search for feeding grounds and waterholes, and have a larger group of families. They drink only every 3-4 days, and can store water in a “bag” at the back of their throat, which is only used when badly needed. Desert elephants are careful feeders---they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches, and thus maintain what little food sources are available. Young elephants may even eat the dung (粪便) of the female leader of a group when facing food shortage. During drought they are unlikely to give birth to their young but with good rains the birthrate will increase greatly. Desert elephants have sand baths, sometimes adding their own urine (尿液) to make them muddy!

As we continue to overheat our weak planet, it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant.

【1】The underlined part in Paragraph 2 means “_____”.

A. remains in the African countries

B. drinks 120 liters of water a day

C. manages to live in desert areas

D. eats 150 kilograms of food daily

【2】Desert elephants are called careful feeders because they _____.

A. rarely ruin trees

B. drink only every 3-4 days

C. search for food in large groups

D. protect food sources for their young

【3】The author answers the question raised in the first paragraph with _____.

A. stories and explanation

B. facts and descriptions

C. examples and conclusion

D. evidence and argument

【4】What can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage?

A. Overheating the earth can be stopped.

B. Not all animal species are so adaptable.

C. The planet will become hotter and hotter.

D. Not all animals are as smart as desert elephants.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】A

【3】B

【4】B

【解析】

试题分析：一个生物怎么能重达5吨，通常每天服用150公斤的食物和120公升的水在沙漠环境中生存？在纳米比亚的西南非洲国家，和马里的撒哈拉沙漠进一步北部，沙漠象这样做的。

【1】C考察推断理解。联系上下文，does just that中的that代指第一段中survive in a desert environment“在沙漠环境中生存”；分析选项，A. remains in the African countries“仍然留存于非洲国家”；B. drinks 120 liters of water a day“每天饮用120升的水”；C. manages to live in desert areas“试图在沙漠地区生存”；D. eats 150 kilograms of food daily“每天吃150千克的食物”；答案为C选项。

【2】A考查细节理解。根据第四段中Desert elephants are careful feeders---they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches, and thus maintain what little food sources are available.沙漠象是细心的捕食者---它们很少把树连根拔起，折断树枝，从而保持了那些稀有的食物来源。故答案为A选项。

【3】B考查推理判断。通读全文，本文第一段提出问题，二、三、四段举出例子回答问题。分析选项，A. stories and explanation故事和解释；B. facts and descriptions事实和描述；C. examples and conclusion例子和结论；D. evidence and argument证据和说理；故答案为B选项。

【4】B考查细节理解。As we continue to overheat our weak planet, it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant.当我们继续为我们的脆弱的星球进行过热时，它只能希望其他动物物种能像沙漠中的大象一样适应异常的变化。故B选项Not all animal species are so adaptable.不是所有的物种都能适应的。