A
(2021·绍兴模拟)
Ecotourism has become increasingly popular in recent years. Travelers visit natural environments funding conservation efforts or promoting local economies. In many cases, ecotourism involves close interaction with wildlife.
Now, scientists have analyzed more than 100 research studies on how ecotourism affects wild animals. They find the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, and those changes may put them at risk. Therefore, they have concluded that such trips can be harmful to the animals.
When animals interact in seemingly kind ways with humans, they may let down their guard as animals learn to relax in the presence of humans, they may become bolder in other situations. If this transfers to their interactions with predators (捕食者), they are more likely to be injured or killed.
The presence of humans can also discourage natural predators. It creates a kind of safe place for smaller animals that may make them bolder. For example, in Grand Teton National Park, elk and pronghorns in areas with more tourists are less watchful and spend more time eating.
Interacting with people can cause great changes in the characteristics of various species over time. “If animals become accustomed to tourists, we might create unintended consequences—affecting the behavior or population of a species and influencing the species’ function in its community. ” the researchers write.
Ecotourism has effects similar to those of animal domestication (驯养) and urbanization. Research has shown that domesticated silver foxes become more obedient and less fearful. Fox squirrels and birds that live in urbanized areas are slower to flee from danger. The phenomena result from evolutionary changes, but also from regular interactions with humans.
Scientists hope the new analysis will encourage more research into the interactions between people and wildlife. It is essential to develop further understanding of how various species in various situations respond to human interaction and under what conditions human exposure may place them at risk.
【文章大意】本文主要介绍了科学家们进行了关于生态旅游如何影响野生动物的研究。
1. We can learn from the passage that _________.
A. ecotourism causes damage to the natural homes of wildlife
B. it is easy for eco-tourists to build up trust with wild animals
C. the effects brought by ecotourism may be harmful to the animals
D. wildlife interactions with humans strengthen their function in community
【解析】选C。细节理解题。根据文章第二段They find the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, and those changes may put them at risk. Therefore, they have concluded that such trips can be harmful to the animals. 可知, 生态旅游带来的影响可能对动物有害。故选C。
2. What does the underlined word “bolder” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A. shyer B. braver C. wiser D. swifter
【解析】选B。词义猜测题。画线词前文提到“When animals interact in seemingly kind ways with humans, they may let down their guard in the presence of humans”, 后文提到“If this transfers to their interactions with predators, they are more likely to be injured or killed”, 可知, 当动物以看似友好的方式与人类互动时, 它们在人类面前可能会放松警惕, 这样导致如果有捕猎者的情况下, 动物也会放松警惕, 对捕猎者没有惧怕心理, 导致它们受伤或死亡。所以在其他情况下, 它们可能会变得更加大胆。因此可以猜测, bolder意为“更大胆的, 更不惧怕的”。故选B。
3. The author mentions pronghorns in Paragraph 4 as an example to show that _________.
A. wild animals become more relaxed due to evolution
B. animals’ reactions to humans vary from species to species
C. smaller animals tend to be in harmony with natural predators
D. the presence of humans reduces their awareness of potential danger
【解析】选D。推理判断题。根据第四段The presence of humans can also discourage natural predators. It creates a kind of safe place for smaller animals that may make them bolder. 及下文提到在游客很多的地方, 叉角羚不那么警惕, 而是花更多的时间吃东西。作者举这个例子是为了说明人类的存在使小动物们放松警惕, 降低了它们对潜在危险的意识。故选D。
4. What might be the best title for the text?
A. Ecotourism Can Put Wild Animals at Risk
B. Ecotourism Has Become A Popular Trend
C. Wildlife’s Reactions to Human Activities
D. Latest Research Findings on Ecotourism
【解析】选A。主旨大意题。通读全文, 可知本文主要介绍的是生态旅游对野生动物带来的害处。故选A。
