Ⅰ.閱讀理解
A
On a trip to the forests of southern India，amateur photographer Kaushik Vijayan was shocked to see some massive rodents(嚙齒動(dòng)物)，who are maroon(紫褐色)，leaping from treetop to treetop.
Vijayan uploaded the images of the four-pound rodents to Instagram，and the Internet went crazy immediately.Some had a difficult time believing that the squirrels，photographed in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala，actually exist，thanks to the animals’ bright spots of black and maroon.
But the Indian giant(巨大的) squirrel，also known as the Malabar giant squirrel，is the real deal.Believe it or not，it is not alone.There are three other giants in the squirrel family，Sciuridae—each of which weighs in at two to three times the size of the gray squirrels native to the eastern United States.
“The four species that make up this group are fascinating in their large size，brilliant coloration，and tendency for feeding on some of the massive tropical fruits on the trees，” says Koprowski.
Even among its relatives，the Indian giant squirrel stands out with its bright colors，which makes one wonder why its evolution would select fur.That would call so much attention to itself.After all，these forests are also home to predators such as lion-tailed macaques，leopards，and crested serpent eagles—all of which have been known to hunt rodents.
No one knows for sure，says Koprowski，but the squirrel’s purple patterns may serve as a way to hide the animal itself.This is because the broadleaf forests these squirrels inhabit create a pattern of sun spots and shaded areas—not unlike the rodents’ markings.
In other words，what looks flashy and fun to us in an Instagram post may make the squirrels disappear when hungry mouths come to hunt.Now that’s a common trick.
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語(yǔ)篇解讀 這是一篇說(shuō)明文。攝影家Kaushik Vijayan在印度偶然發(fā)現(xiàn)了皮毛是紫褐色的巨型松鼠，這讓很多網(wǎng)友都感到驚奇。經(jīng)過(guò)研究，研究者認(rèn)為是生活環(huán)境影響了它的身體特征。
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1．How did people feel after seeing the Malabar giant squirrel’s images?
A．Nervous. B．Incredible.
C．Embarrassed. D．Sorrowful.
答案 B
解析 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段第二句中“Some had a difficult time believing that the squirrels，...actually exist”可知，當(dāng)人們看到它的照片時(shí)，應(yīng)該是難以置信的。故選B。
2．What makes the Malabar giant squirrel different from the rest?
A．Its size. B．Its habitat.
C．Its color. D．Its lifestyle.
答案 C
解析 細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第五段中“Even among its relatives，the Indian giant squirrel stands out with its bright colors”可知，印度大松鼠的顏色使其與眾不同。故選C。
3．Why does the Malabar giant squirrel have unusual fur?
A．To show itself off.
B．To protect itself.
C．To drive other animals away.
D．To compete with its companions.
答案 B
解析 推理判斷題。根據(jù)第六段中“No one knows for sure，says Koprowski，but the squirrel’s purple patterns may serve as a way to hide the animal itself.”可知，松鼠身上的紫色圖案可能是一種隱藏動(dòng)物自身的方式，即用來(lái)保護(hù)自己。故選B。
4．Which of the following may be a potential threat to the Malabar giant squirrel?
A．Human beings.
B．Rodents’ hunting.
C．The Instagram post.
D．The broadleaf forests.
答案 A
解析 推理判斷題。根據(jù)最后一段中“In other words...may make the squirrels disappear when hungry mouths come to hunt.”可知，人類的狩獵活動(dòng)可能會(huì)讓松鼠消失。由此推出，人類是這些松鼠的潛在威脅。故選A。
