Redwood trees are the tallest plants on the earth，reaching heights of up to 100 meters．They are also known for their longevity，typically 500 to 1000 years，but sometimes more than 2000 years．A hundred million years ago，in the age of dinosaurs，redwoods were common in the forests of a much more moist and tropical North America．As the climate became drier and colder，they declined to a narrow strip along the Pacific coast of Northern Califomia．
The trunk of redwood trees is very strong and usually forms a single straight column．It is covered with a soft bark．This bark can be pretty thick，well over two feet in the more mature trees．It gives the older trees a certain kind of protection from insects，but the main benefit is that it keeps the center of the tree harmless from moderate forest fires because of its thickness．This fire resistant quality explains why the giant redwood grows to live that long．While most other types of trees are destroyed by forest fires，the giant redwood actually prospers because of them．
Moderate fires will clear the ground of competing plant life，and the rising heat dries and opens the ripe fruit of the redwood，releasing many thousands of seeds onto the ground below．
??? New trees are often produced from shoots，little baby trees，which form at the base of the trunk．These shoots grow slowly，fed by the root system of the “mother’’ tree．When the main tree dies，the shoots are then free to grow as full trees，forming a “fairy ring” of trees around the original tree．These trees，in turn，may give rise to more shoots，and the cycle continues．
1.Why were redwood trees easier to find in the forests of North America millions of years ago?
A．The trees were taller and stronger．
B．The soil was softer for seeds to develop．
C．The climate there was warmer and wetter．
D．The temperature was lower along the Pacific coast．
2.Which of the following is a function of the tree bark as mentioned in the passage?
A．It allows redwood trees to bear seeds．
B．It prevents redwood trees from attack by insects．
C．It helps redwood trees absorb water in the air．
D．It makes redwood trees more beautiful and appealing．
3.Why do redwood trees grow to live that long according to the passage?
A．They have heavy and straight tree trunks．
B．They are properly watered and catered to．
C．They are more resistant to fire damage than other trees．
D．They produce many young trees to maintain their life cycle．
4.How does a “fairy ring’’ form according to the passage?
A．By killing an old tree．????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? B．By connecting root systems．
C．By inserting holes into old trees．????????????? ????????????? D．By surrounding a mature tree．
1.C
2.B
3.C
4.D
【解析】
试题分析：文章介绍红杉的生长习性，它怎么抵御昆虫和森林大火的侵害，怎么能够存活的那么久。
1.细节题：从文章第一段的句子：A hundred million years ago，in the age of dinosaurs，redwoods were common in the forests of a much more moist and tropical可知在上百万年前，北美的森林里面红杉是很容易找到的，选C
2.细节题：从文章第二段的句子：It gives the older trees a certain kind of protection from insects，可知树皮的功能是阻止红杉被昆虫侵害，选B
3.细节题：从第二段的句子：but the main benefit is that it keeps the center of the tree harmless from moderate forest fires because of its thickness．This fire resistant quality explains why the giant redwood grows to live that long．可知红杉能生长那么久，是因为它能够抵御森林大火的侵害，选C
4.细节题：从文章最后一段的句子：When the main tree dies，the shoots are then free to grow as full trees，forming a “fairy ring” of trees around the original tree．These trees，in turn，may give rise to more shoots，and the cycle continues．可知“fairy ring’’ 是通过包围一颗成熟的树形成的，选D
考点：考查知识类阅读理解
阅读快车系列答案科目：高中英语 来源：四川省成都石室中学2010届高三模拟考试英语试题 题型：阅读理解
Los Angeles June 14, 2006 – Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah was arrested yesterday after spending two weeks sitting in a walnut tree on an urban farm a few kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. She was one of 40 people, including celebrities from the music and movie world, who were protesting at the proposed destruction of the 14 – acre farm. Police officers cut away branches from the tree and used a fire engine to reach Ms Hannah and her co – protester, environmentalist John Quigley. The two of them raised their fists in defiance（反抗）as they were removed.
Protesters, some of whom had chained themselves to concrete –filled barrels（桶），said that it was essential to keep the farm operating, as it provided food for hundreds of poor families in the area. About 350 people grow produce and flowers on the farm, which has been there for more than a decade and is situated in an inner –city area surrounded by warehouses and railroad tracks. However, the local authority recently approved plans for the area to be cleared and redeveloped for the construction of a huge new warehouse.
Ms Hannah, 45, star of films such as Splash and Kill Bill was not thrilled about being arrested. “But I felt it was important to show my support for the people,” she said. “This farm should be a model for sustainable (可持续的) urban agriculture. It needs to be replicated, not eradicated.”
The record length for a tree protest is held by a woman called Julia Hill, who remained on top of a 30-metre-high redwood tree in Northern California for 738 days from December 1997 to December 1999. She was successful in saving the tree and those around it from destruction. Ms Hill was also at the Los Angeles urban farm project this week, but her presence failed to stop the inevitable (不可避免的). No sooner had the protesters been removed than earth-moving machines moved in and began to clear the land.
|
查看答案和解析>>
科目：高中英语 来源：浙江省2009学年度高二第二学期期中检测（英语） 题型：阅读理解
Eleven-year-old Evan Green doesn’t want to save just one tree－he wants to save a whole rainforest!
In the Redwood City, Calif., a boy started a group called the Red Dragon Conservation Team four years ago to do just that. So far, the team’s members have raised $4,500. That’s enough to purchase and protect more than 16 acres of rainforest in Costa Rica through the Center for Ecosystem survival.
Every year, thousands of square miles of rainforest are destroyed worldwide. Logging（伐木）and farming are mostly likely to blame, scientists say. The loss is terrible news for animals and people. Even though rainforests cover less than 2 percent of the earth, they are home to half the world’s plants and animals. Rainforests also provide water and help control the earth’s climate.
Evan’s work to save the rainforests recently earned him a Barron prize for Young Heroes. The prizes are given to children or teenagers who have made a positive difference in the world. Evan’s goal is “to save enough rainforests to last forever”. He won’t have to do it alone. His actions have already inspired other kids to chip in. One girl asked for donations instead of presents on her birthday. She raised $850. Other kids are starting their own conservation teams.
Evan says everyone can help the planet－even by taking small steps such as recycling. He and his family try to make a difference every day. “We recycle, we try to limit our garbage… we’ve been walking a little more, and we buy local food,” Evan said.
48. How much does it cost to buy and protect an acre of rainforest in Costa Rica?
A. About $4,500. B. About $850. C. About $280. D. About $1,000.
49. The underlined phrase “chip in” in Paragraph 4 probably means “________”.
A. look at B. contribute money
C. ask for birthday presents D. donate gifts
50. What Evan said in the last paragraph suggests that _________.
A. we can all do something to protect the earth
B. actions speak louder than words
C. we should learn to recycle from now on
51. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Evan Green-a famous teenager B. The Red Dragon Conservation Team
C. Rainforests are being destroyed D. Boy gathers support for rainforests
查看答案和解析>>
科目：高中英语 来源：四川省2010届高三模拟考试英语试题 题型：阅读理解
Los Angeles June 14, 2006 – Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah was arrested yesterday after spending two weeks sitting in a walnut tree on an urban farm a few kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. She was one of 40 people, including celebrities from the music and movie world, who were protesting at the proposed destruction of the 14 – acre farm. Police officers cut away branches from the tree and used a fire engine to reach Ms Hannah and her co – protester, environmentalist John Quigley. The two of them raised their fists in defiance（反抗）as they were removed.
Protesters, some of whom had chained themselves to concrete –filled barrels（桶），said that it was essential to keep the farm operating, as it provided food for hundreds of poor families in the area. About 350 people grow produce and flowers on the farm, which has been there for more than a decade and is situated in an inner –city area surrounded by warehouses and railroad tracks. However, the local authority recently approved plans for the area to be cleared and redeveloped for the construction of a huge new warehouse.
Ms Hannah, 45, star of films such as Splash and Kill Bill was not thrilled about being arrested. “But I felt it was important to show my support for the people,” she said. “This farm should be a model for sustainable (可持续的) urban agriculture. It needs to be replicated, not eradicated.”
The record length for a tree protest is held by a woman called Julia Hill, who remained on top of a 30-metre-high redwood tree in Northern California for 738 days from December 1997 to December 1999. She was successful in saving the tree and those around it from destruction. Ms Hill was also at the Los Angeles urban farm project this week, but her presence failed to stop the inevitable (不可避免的). No sooner had the protesters been removed than earth-moving machines moved in and began to clear the land.
1．Daryl Hannah was involved in a protest to .
A．save an agricultural city farm from destruction
B．save a farm outside Los Angeles that provided jobs for the poor
C．complain to the local council about all their development plans
D．stop the police and fire department from cutting down trees
2．What did the protesters do?
A．40 of them chained themselves to trees.
B．They climbed trees with celebrities and refused to come down.
C．They all chained themselves to large pieces of concrete.
D．They fought with the police.
3．What did Daryl Hannah mean when she said “It needs to be replicated, not eradicated” in the third paragraph?
A．The new warehouse much provide jobs for the poor.
B．More farms should grow food for the cites not fewer.
C．The city farm was a model to be copied not destroyed.
D．The plans must be reconsidered and changed.
4．What happened after the protesters were removed?
A．They built the warehouse immediately.
B．They had hardly left when construction of the new building started.
C．As soon as they were gone, heavy machines cut down the trees.
D．The farm was saved.
查看答案和解析>>
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Los Angeles June 14, 2006 – Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah was arrested yesterday after spending two weeks sitting in a walnut tree on an urban farm a few kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. She was one of 40 people, including celebrities from the music and movie world, who were protesting at the proposed destruction of the 14 – acre farm. Police officers cut away branches from the tree and used a fire engine to reach Ms Hannah and her co – protester, environmentalist John Quigley. The two of them raised their fists in defiance（反抗）as they were removed.
Protesters, some of whom had chained themselves to concrete –filled barrels（桶），said that it was essential to keep the farm operating, as it provided food for hundreds of poor families in the area. About 350 people grow produce and flowers on the farm, which has been there for more than a decade and is situated in an inner –city area surrounded by warehouses and railroad tracks. However, the local authority recently approved plans for the area to be cleared and redeveloped for the construction of a huge new warehouse.
Ms Hannah, 45, star of films such as Splash and Kill Bill was not thrilled about being arrested. “But I felt it was important to show my support for the people,” she said. “This farm should be a model for sustainable (可持续的) urban agriculture. It needs to be replicated, not eradicated.”
The record length for a tree protest is held by a woman called Julia Hill, who remained on top of a 30-metre-high redwood tree in Northern California for 738 days from December 1997 to December 1999. She was successful in saving the tree and those around it from destruction. Ms Hill was also at the Los Angeles urban farm project this week, but her presence failed to stop the inevitable (不可避免的). No sooner had the protesters been removed than earth-moving machines moved in and began to clear the land.
|
