# New understanding of giraffes in the wild

- 科目：雅思阅读真题（Part 1）
- 考频：高频
- 最近考试：2026.1.27武汉汉街
- 题目数：13
- 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/8e5c0b86-9044-4aae-bd9e-134e76a17b64（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面）
- 数据更新：2026-10-29

## 题目原文

A 
 Even as the tallest animals on Earth, giraffes can be easy to overlook. Despite being a favorite in zoos, until recently almost nobody studied giraffes in the wild. ‘When I first became interested in giraffes in 2008 and started looking through the scientific literature, I was really surprised to see how little had been done,’ said Megan Strauss, an animal researcher at the University of Minnesota, USA. All that is changing fast, as a growing number of researchers seek to understand the biology and complex behavior of this graceful giant in its native habitat. 
 
 B 
 Giraffes, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, are currently classified as a single species with up to nine subspecies that differ by features like head shape and whether the fur on their legs is plain or patterned. The giraffe is not yet listed as endangered, but researchers point to evidence that in the past 15 years, the population has fallen some 40 percent. 
 
 C 
 Recent studies have allowed researchers new insights into giraffes’ social structures. Groups of female giraffes, for example, have been found to form close friendships that can last for years. ‘We’re just at the beginnings of trying to understand this kind of behavior,’ Dr Strauss said. Female giraffes can live 20 years or more, and it makes sense they might rely on each other for clues to the best feeding grounds, help with taking care of their young, or the reduction of stress, by staying in groups. 
 
 D 
 Mother giraffes have displayed signs of grief after losing their young, known as calves, to lions. Dr Strauss described one case in which a mother spent four days at the place where a lion had eaten her calf, refusing food, and often in the company of two other adult females. Giraffe calves are extremely vulnerable to predators, and though mothers will fight valiantly to keep their young alive - kicking forward and backward — half of all calves are killed in their first year of life. 
 
 E 
 Male giraffes, known as bulls, generally become more important with age, and older bulls display that dominance physically and behaviorally: as their neck muscles grow, the male’s posture becomes prouder and more vertical. Recent observations show young bulls, when left on their own, mimicking their elders: head held high and neck puffed out. But should a dominant older bull come into view, the younger males instantly try to make themselves look small and innocent. 
 
 F 
 The younger bulls have reason to fear their elders. Clashes have been witnessed between adults when each bull repeatedly ‘necks’ the other, using his massive neck to slam his head against his rival. One bull somehow survived with a broken neck. 
 
 G 
 The skin of a giraffe is mostly gray. The coat has dark patches separated by light hair, which serves as camouflage, allowing them to blend in with the light and shade patterns of the acacia trees from which they feed. Grazing giraffes are hard to see even a few meters away. 
 Research indicates that giraffes also have excellent sight, can see in color and over great distances, which helps them to spot lions and keep track of each other. In addition, a giraffe’s extraordinary mouth has lips and tongue that can together grasp a branch and then pluck away the leaves while avoiding thorns, almost as humans would grab with their hands. Each day, a giraffe consumes about 30 kilograms of leaves, shoots and vines, all digested in its four-chambered stomach. 
 
 H 
 A giraffe can stand more than six meters tall, with its neck accounting for roughly a third of its height and its legs the same. The giraffe’s long neck is due to the length of the vertebrae, not the number of vertebrae. The growth of the neck largely takes place during early childhood, as giraffe mothers would have a difficult time giving birth to young with longer necks. The giraffe’s head and neck are held up by large muscles attached to the lower spine. 
 Recent studies show that the greatest challenge to the giraffe’s cardiovascular system is how to both pump blood very high and retrieve it from far below. The outside of a giraffe**'s** veins are extremely thick, to prevent blood leaking into surrounding tissue. Other adaptations in the cardiovascular system allow the giraffe to bend over for a drink of water, and then raise its head again quickly without fainting. 
 
 I 
 Researchers were also surprised to find that a giraffe does not have an unusually large heart. It is half a percent of body mass, the same as in a mouse. Moreover, the amount of blood pumped into circulation is modest, proportionally lower than it is in humans. That could help explain why giraffes rarely run for very long: enough oxygen cannot be delivered to their muscles fast enough for them to keep running. Or maybe the giraffes are worried about tripping over their own feet. This is because signals from the nerves travel at about the same speed in giraffes as in rats or other mammals. Given the greater distance they have to travel in the giraffe to reach the brain, it is possible the giraffe faces real challenges in reacting quickly to a rock beneath its hoof or a bite to its ankle. 
 
 J 
 New understanding of this wonderful animal sheds light on both its physiology and its behavior. Researchers hope to use this knowledge to increase their ability to work with preservation, as its habitat is reduced and the giraffe becomes scarcer.

## 题目与答案

### 1. 1 The amount of research on giraffes in their natural environment has increased lately.

1 The amount of research on giraffes in their natural environment has increased lately.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：TRUE

原文定位：Until recently almost nobody studied giraffes in the wild;All that is changing fast, as a growing number of researchers seek to understand the biology and complex behavior of this graceful giant in its native habitat

同义替换：「natural environment」↔「native habitat」；「has increased lately」↔「a growing number of」

### 10. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10_____ for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10_____ for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

**答案**：birth

原文定位：The growth of the neck largely takes place during early childhood, as giraffe mothers would have a difficult time giving birth to young with longer necks

同义替换：「length develops in childhood」↔「takes place during early childhood」；「easier」↔「would have a difficult time」

### 11. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11_____ keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11_____ keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

**答案**：veins

原文定位：The outside of a giraffe's veins are extremely thick, to prevent blood leaking into surrounding tissue

同义替换：「extra strong」↔「extremely thick」；「keep blood from spilling」↔「prevent blood leaking」；「other」↔「surrounding」

### 12. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12_____ | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12_____ | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

**答案**：heart

原文定位：Researchers were also surprised to find that a giraffe does not have an unusually large heart

同义替换：「normal size」↔「does not have an unusually large」；「for such a large animal」↔「giraffe」

### 13. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13_____ |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13_____ |

**答案**：distance

原文定位：This is because signals from the nerves travel at about the same speed in giraffes as in rats or other mammals. Given the greater distance they have to travel in the giraffe to reach the brain, it is possible the giraffe faces real challenges in reacting quickly to a rock beneath its hoof or a bite to its ankle

同义替换：「slower reaction time」↔「faces real challenges in reacting quickly」

### 2. 2 Megan Strauss disapproves of keeping giraffes in zoos.

2 Megan Strauss disapproves of keeping giraffes in zoos.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：NOT GIVEN

原文定位：Despite being a favorite in zoos, until recently almost nobody studied giraffes in the wild. ‘When I first became interested in giraffes in 2008 and started looking through the scientific literature, I was really surprised to see how little had been done,’ said Megan Strauss

### 3. 3 The number of giraffes in Africa has nearly doubled.

3 The number of giraffes in Africa has nearly doubled.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：FALSE

原文定位：Giraffes, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, are currently classified as a single species with up to nine subspecies that differ by features like head shape and whether the fur on their legs is plain or patterned. The giraffe is not yet listed as endangered, but researchers point to evidence that in the past 15 years, the population has fallen some 40 percent

同义替换：「The number of」↔「the population」

### 4. 4 Female giraffes tend to live longer than males.

4 Female giraffes tend to live longer than males.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：NOT GIVEN

原文定位：Female giraffes can live 20 years or more, and it makes sense they might rely on each other for clues to the best feeding grounds

同义替换：「live longer」↔「can live 20 years or more」

### 5. 5 Mother giraffes sometimes use their legs to defend their young.

5 Mother giraffes sometimes use their legs to defend their young.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：TRUE

原文定位：Giraffe calves are extremely vulnerable to predators, and though mothers will fight valiantly to keep their young alive - kicking forward and backward — half of all calves are killed in their first year of life

同义替换：「use their legs」↔「kicking forward and backward」；「defend their young」↔「fight valiantly to keep their young alive」

### 6. 6 Younger bulls hold their necks higher in the presence of more powerful males.

6 Younger bulls hold their necks higher in the presence of more powerful males.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：FALSE

原文定位：Recent observations show young bulls, when left on their own, mimicking their elders: head held high and neck puffed out. But should a dominant older bull come into view, the younger males instantly try to make themselves look small and innocent

同义替换：「more powerful males」↔「a dominant older bull」；「in the presence of」↔「come into view」

### 7. 7 Male giraffes have been observer fighting.

7 Male giraffes have been observer fighting.

- TRUE
- FALSE
- NOT GIVEN

**答案**：TRUE

原文定位：The younger bulls have reason to fear their elders. Clashes have been witnessed between adults when each bull repeatedly ‘necks’ the other, using his massive neck to slam his head against his rival

同义替换：「Male giraffes」↔「bull」；「observed」↔「witnessed」；「fighting」↔「slam his head against his rival」

### 8. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8_____ when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8_____ when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9..... to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

**答案**：camouflage

原文定位：The coat has dark patches separated by light hair, which serves as camouflage, allowing them to blend in with the light and shade patterns of the acacia trees from which they feed

同义替换：「provides」↔「serves as」；「when standing near trees」↔「blend in with the light and shade patterns of the acacia trees」

### 9. | Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9_____ to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

| Giraffes: body structure | | --- | --- | | Physical features | Study findings | | Skin/coat | ·provides 8..... when standing near trees | | Eyes | ·let them look out for lions | | Mouth | ·can be used like 9_____ to get leaves | | Neck | ·about equal in length to the legs ·length develops in childhood to provide an easier 10..... for mothers | | Cardiovascular system | ·extra strong 11..... keep blood from spilling into other tissues | | 12..... | ·normal size for such a large animal | | Nerves | ·slower reaction time because 13..... |

**答案**：hands

原文定位：In addition, a giraffe’s extraordinary mouth has lips and tongue that can together grasp a branch and then pluck away the leaves while avoiding thorns, almost as humans would grab with their hands

同义替换：「to get leaves」↔「pluck away the leaves」

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