Ⅰ.阅读理解
Elephants might be the most wellknown and wellloved animals in African wildlife.But conservation (保护) of the African elephant still faces special difficulties.While the elephant population is half of what it was 40 years ago, some areas of Africa have more elephants than populated areas can support.That's why AWF scientists are studying elephant behaviors, protecting habitats and finding ways for humans to live peacefully with elephants in Africa.
Years ago, overhunting and the ivory trade were the biggest threats to elephants' survival.Luckily, ivory bans (禁令), hunting rules and protected areas protect elephants from these dangers today.
The 21st century brings a different challenge to elephant conservation — landuse.Elephants walk across borders and outside parks and other protected areas.So they often destroy crops, causing conflicts (冲突) between local farmers and these big animals.
Successful conservation strategies (策略) must allow elephants to walk freely in their natural habitats while reducing conflicts between elephants and local people.
AWF researchers are searching for a way to give both elephants and people the space they need.The AWF is collecting information on elephant habitats and behaviors.The information they gather will help to develop the widest possible space for elephants.
The AWF is helping elephants by protecting their habitats.And they also work with local farmers to improve their life in order to encourage them to protect rather than destroy elephants.
语篇解读:本文是一篇记叙文。21世纪非洲大象的保护面临着一些挑战,非洲野生动物基金会的研究人员正在寻找方法解决矛盾。
1.The first paragraph of the text is mainly to tell readers .
A.African elephants are endangered now
B.there remains a lot to do to protect African elephants
C.African elephants are popular animals
D.the number of African elephants has increased over the years
解析:选B 段落大意题。根据第一段的描述可知,尽管目前大象的数量是40年前的一半,但是非洲有些地方的大象数量超过了此地区的供养数量。这就是非洲野生动物基金会的科学家研究大象行为,保护大象栖息地,以及找到在非洲人与大象和平相处的方法的原因。故第一段主要想告诉读者保护非洲大象还有很多事要做。
2.What is the biggest difficulty in protecting African elephants now?
A.They are still being killed.
B.Their habitats are being destroyed.
C.They don't have enough food.
D.They can't live in peace with farmers.
解析:选D 推理判断题。根据第三段内容可知,21世纪非洲大象的保护面临的新挑战是土地使用,大象经常破坏庄稼,导致当地农民和大象产生冲突,他们无法和平共处。
3.To protect elephants, the AWF does all the following EXCEPT .
A.keeping elephants
B.protecting elephants' habitats
C.doing research on elephants
D.helping farmers improve their life
解析:选A 细节理解题。由最后两段可知,为了保护大象,非洲野生动物基金会的研究者研究大象(搜集大象栖息地和行为的信息),保护大象栖息地以及改善农民的生活。他们并没有饲养大象。
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.African elephants' conservation
B.Living with African elephants
C.African elephants' situation
D.African elephants being endangered
解析:选A 标题归纳题。通读全文内容可看出本文主要介绍的是非洲大象的保护,因此A项适合作文章标题。