A
(2017·全国卷Ⅰ)
I work with Volunteers for Wildlife, a rescue and education organization at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain. However, when it works, it is simply beautiful.
I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown. She had found a young owl(猫头鹰) on the ground. When I arrived, I saw a 2-to 3-week-old owl. It had already been placed in a carrier for safety.
I examined the chick(雏鸟) and it seemed fine. If I could locate the nest, I might have been able to put it back, but no luck. My next work was to construct a nest and anchor it in a tree.
The homeowner was very helpful. A wire basket was found. I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe and comfortable. I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down.
Now all that was needed were the parents, but they were absent. I gave the homeowner a recording of the hunger screams of owl chicks. These advertise the presence of chicks to adults; they might also encourage our chick to start calling as well. I gave the owner as much information as possible and headed home to see what news the night might bring.
A nervous night to be sure, but sometimes the spirits of nature smile on us all! The homeowner called to say that the parents had responded to the recordings. I drove over and saw the chick in the nest looking healthy and active. And it was accompanied in the nest by the greatest sight of all—LUNCH! The parents had done their duty and would probably continue to do so.
【语篇概述】本文讲述了一位住在Muttontown的女士打电话给“我”让“我”去救一只小猫头鹰, “我”为它做了检查, 搭建了鸟巢, 并找到了小猫头鹰的父母。
1. What is unavoidable in the author’s rescue work according to Paragraph 1?
A. Efforts made in vain.
B. Getting injured in his work.
C. Feeling uncertain about his future.
D. Creatures forced out of their homes.
【解析】选A。推理判断题。根据第一段的Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain. 可知, 救一些受伤、流离失所的或生病的动物有时是令人心碎的, 因为能否幸存完全不确定。由此可推断作者的救助有时是徒劳的。故选A。
2. Why was the author called to Muttontown?
A. To rescue a woman.
B. To take care of a woman.
C. To look at a baby owl.
D. To cure a young owl.
【解析】选C。细节理解题。根据第二段的I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown. She had found a young owl on the ground. 以及第三段的I examined the chick and it seemed fine. 可知, 作者是去救一只小猫头鹰。C选项中的look at在此处相当于examine。故选C。
3. What made the chick calm down?
A. A new nest. B. Some food.
C. A recording. D. Its parents.
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第四段的I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down. 可知, 是鸟巢使这只小猫头鹰镇静下来。
4. How would the author feel about the outcome of the event?
A. It’s unexpected. B. It’s beautiful.
C. It’s humorous. D. It’s discouraging.
【解析】选B。推理判断题。根据最后一段的sometimes the spirits of nature smile on us all可知, 小猫头鹰得救了, 作者认为这是一件很美好的事情。另外第一段的However, when it works, it is simply beautiful. 也是对救助工作成功的评价。故选B。
