Saving The Skink

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题目与答案

1. Characteristics of New Zealand skinks

   There are three kinds of reptiles in New Zealand: the tuatara, the gecko and the skink. Skinks are easily distinguished from these other natives by their shiny scale and 27_____ .
   • eggs
   • location
   • hooded eyes
   • the wild
   • body heat
   • winter sleep

   答案：small legs

   原文定位：With their gleaming scales, long bodies and often surprisingly short limbs, skinks are instantly recognisable

   同义替换：「shiny」↔「gleaming」，「small legs」↔「short limbs」，「easily」↔「instantly」，「distinguished」↔「recognisable」

2. In common with other reptiles, the grand and Otago species of skink have cold blood and therefore 28_____ must be externally controlled.
   • eggs
   • location
   • hooded eyes
   • the wild
   • body heat
   • winter sleep

   答案：body heat

   原文定位：Skinks, being reptiles, need to regulate their temperature, and lie on sunny rocks to absorb heat

   同义替换：「body heat」↔「temperature」，「externally controlled」↔「regulate」，「must be」↔「need to」

3. They are unique in that they do not require a long 29_____ .
   • eggs
   • location
   • hooded eyes
   • the wild
   • body heat
   • winter sleep

   答案：winter sleep

   原文定位：the grand and Otago are the only kinds that do not hibernate through winter

   同义替换：「winter sleep」↔「hibernate」

4. Many species are yet to be identified, and identification depends primarily on their 30_____ extremely small physical differences.
   • eggs
   • location
   • hooded eyes
   • the wild
   • body heat
   • winter sleep

   答案：location

   原文定位：Identification depends on where specimens are found, and such minutiae as the number of scales on their toes

   同义替换：「location」↔「where specimens are found」，「extremely small physical differences」↔「minutiae」

5. In 31_____, skinks may potentially live for about 30 years.
   • eggs
   • location
   • hooded eyes
   • the wild
   • body heat
   • winter sleep

   答案：captivity

   原文定位：although in zoos or research centres they can live beyond thirty

   同义替换：「captivity」↔「zoos or research centres」

6. 32 The DOC project to remove feral cats helped stop the decline in Otago skink numbers.
   • YES
   • NO
   • NOT GIVEN

   答案：NO

   原文定位：Despite the capture of hundreds of cats, skinks showed no signs of recovery; indeed, there were further declines

   同义替换：「decline in skink numbers」↔「skinks showed no signs of recovery」

7. 33 Parasite infections are having a serious effect on the physical condition of wild skinks.
   • YES
   • NO
   • NOT GIVEN

   答案：NO

   原文定位：Although no direct health implications have been detected the trend is a concern

   同义替换：「physical condition」↔「health implications」，「effect on」↔「direct」

8. 34 The best possible habitat for the conservation of skinks is unknown.
   • YES
   • NO
   • NOT GIVEN

   答案：YES

   原文定位：we haven't a clue to the habitat we should be recreating for the skinks, or if where they persist is best for conservation

   同义替换：「unknown」↔「haven't a clue」

9. 35 It is possible that skinks used to have larger numbers of young than they do now.
   • YES
   • NO
   • NOT GIVEN

   答案：NOT GIVEN

10. 36 The survival of the common species of skink may soon be at risk.
    • YES
    • NO
    • NOT GIVEN

    答案：YES

    原文定位：Not that there is room for complacency concerning these species. As more is learned about the size of skink populations, it becomes clear that even common species may be facing a doubtful future

    同义替换：「at risk」↔「a doubtful future」

11. 37 According to the sixth paragraph, what is being said about the future of the grand and Otago skinks?
    • More data is necessary in order for DOC to target the right areas.
    • DOC is uncertain how long a new strategy will take to be effective.
    • There is a considerable risk that DOC will not succeed in saving them.
    • The first step in DOC's strategy is to identify their main predator.

    答案：There is a considerable risk that DOC will not succeed in saving them.

    原文定位：The prediction that less than six years is all the Otagos and grands have left is supported by data;No more than five years remain in which to turn things around – a close call

12. 38 According to the writer, a problem with the DOC's fencing project was that
    • the fence needed to surround various kinds of habitat.
    • the fence was not the preferred choice of some conservationists.
    • the fence had to be constructed near a heavily populated urban area.
    • there was no way of knowing how many skinks were inside the fence.

    答案：the fence needed to surround various kinds of habitat.

    原文定位：An added complication was that grands and Otagos have subtly different environmental preferences, both of which need catering for

    同义替换：「various kinds of habitat」↔「different environmental preferences」，「the fence needed to surround」↔「need catering for」

13. 39 The writer uses the phrase 'a last resort' in the eighth paragraph in order to
    • introduce a recent alternative approach to skink conservation.
    • question whether captive breeding has worked in the past.
    • imply that skinks are unlikely to reproduce outside their usual habitat.
    • express a preference for conserving skinks in their natural environment.

    答案：express a preference for conserving skinks in their natural environment.

    原文定位：Captive management, however, is a last resort. The priority is to manage and protect skinks in the wild

    同义替换：「preference for conserving skinks in their natural environment」↔「protect skinks in the wild」

14. 40 What is the writer doing in the final paragraph?
    • referring to obstacles in the way of skink conservation.
    • appealing to landowners to donate land for conservation purposes.
    • describing a conservation scheme that is being set up on farmland.
    • showing how commercial profit can be made from ecological ventures.

    答案：describing a conservation scheme that is being set up on farmland.

    原文定位：with the generous support of a local farmer with grazing land there, has begun the construction of a mammal-proof fence to protect a 24-hectare area

    同义替换：「conservation scheme」↔「establish a refuge」，「being set up on farmland」↔「local farmer with grazing land」