题目：
Australian Thunderbirds
1
Paragraph 1 suggests which of the following about images of birds in ancient Australian rock paintings?
Inference Questions推理题
AThey began to appear in the paintings about 30,000 years ago.
BThey were painted at a time when emus and cassowaries generally were not painted
CThey are believed to be thunderbirds because of their size
DThey were mistaken for images of emus and cassowaries when they were first discovered
2
Since the discovery of the first thunderbird bone in the 1820s, many thunderbird bones have been found. However, bird skulls are particularly fragile, and until recently, no one knew what the head of a thunderbird looked like. Recent discoveries show that these birds had enormous heads and very impressive beaks. The beaks are very deep, but quite narrow, and some of the species appear to have been equipped with powerful jaw muscles Naturally, the impressive biting apparatus of these extinct birds has led paleontologists to speculate about what they ate.Some paleontologists believe that they were carnivores (meat-eating animals), or perhaps even scavengers capable of breaking the bones of dead animals that they found. Others believe that the thunderbirds were herbivores fond of nibbling vegetation and using their terrific bill to crack open seeds and nuts. The image of a giant, carnivorous duck is an enticing one, especially for the media, but it is highly unlikely that these huge birds were meat eaters, or even scavengers. They lack the equipment of true predatory animals. The bill may be big, but it certainly isn’t hooked, a necessary tool for any animal hoping to tear chunks of flesh from a carcass. Also, the feet of the thunderbirds lack the talons (sharp claws) we see in all predatory birds, regardless of their size. Last, the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision: they are situated on either side of the head and give good all-around vision but leave blind spots directly in front of and behind the animal. This is the vision of an animal that is hunted, not a hunter.
The word “enticing” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Vocabulary Questions词汇题
AEasy
BAmusing
CAttractive
Dunusual
3
Since the discovery of the first thunderbird bone in the 1820s, many thunderbird bones have been found. However, bird skulls are particularly fragile, and until recently, no one knew what the head of a thunderbird looked like. Recent discoveries show that these birds had enormous heads and very impressive beaks. The beaks are very deep, but quite narrow, and some of the species appear to have been equipped with powerful jaw muscles Naturally, the impressive biting apparatus of these extinct birds has led paleontologists to speculate about what they ate.Some paleontologists believe that they were carnivores (meat-eating animals), or perhaps even scavengers capable of breaking the bones of dead animals that they found. Others believe that the thunderbirds were herbivores fond of nibbling vegetation and using their terrific bill to crack open seeds and nuts. The image of a giant, carnivorous duck is an enticing one, especially for the media, but it is highly unlikely that these huge birds were meat eaters, or even scavengers. They lack the equipment of true predatory animals. The bill may be big, but it certainly isn’t hooked, a necessary tool for any animal hoping to tear chunks of flesh from a carcass. Also, the feet of the thunderbirds lack the talons (sharp claws) we see in all predatory birds, regardless of their size. Last, the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision: they are situated on either side of the head and give good all-around vision but leave blind spots directly in front of and behind the animal. This is the vision of an animal that is hunted, not a hunter.
For which of the following reasons does the author specify that “the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision”?
Rhetorical Purpose Questions修辞目的题
ATo contrast the way the thunderbird used its eyes with the way it used its feet
BTo indicate one reason that it is unlikely that the thunderbird was a predation
CTo suggest that the thunderbird did not need binocular vision to hunt effectively
DTo help explain why the thunderbird was not able to spot other animals easily
4
Since the discovery of the first thunderbird bone in the 1820s, many thunderbird bones have been found. However, bird skulls are particularly fragile, and until recently, no one knew what the head of a thunderbird looked like. Recent discoveries show that these birds had enormous heads and very impressive beaks. The beaks are very deep, but quite narrow, and some of the species appear to have been equipped with powerful jaw muscles Naturally, the impressive biting apparatus of these extinct birds has led paleontologists to speculate about what they ate.Some paleontologists believe that they were carnivores (meat-eating animals), or perhaps even scavengers capable of breaking the bones of dead animals that they found. Others believe that the thunderbirds were herbivores fond of nibbling vegetation and using their terrific bill to crack open seeds and nuts. The image of a giant, carnivorous duck is an enticing one, especially for the media, but it is highly unlikely that these huge birds were meat eaters, or even scavengers. They lack the equipment of true predatory animals. The bill may be big, but it certainly isn’t hooked, a necessary tool for any animal hoping to tear chunks of flesh from a carcass. Also, the feet of the thunderbirds lack the talons (sharp claws) we see in all predatory birds, regardless of their size. Last, the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision: they are situated on either side of the head and give good all-around vision but leave blind spots directly in front of and behind the animal. This is the vision of an animal that is hunted, not a hunter.
According to paragraph 2. all of the following are true of thunderbirds.EXCEPT:
Negative Factual Information Questions否定事实信息题
ATheir heads were very large
BTheir jaw muscles were extremely strong
CTheir beaks may have been effective at opening seeds and nuts.
DTheir skulls were discovered alongside broken bones of other dead animals
5
Chemical analysis of numerous eggshell fragments from one type of thunderbird shows that this species was undoubtedly an herbivore with a penchant for eating grass. Other common thunderbird fossils also point to herbivory. Along with the bones of thunderbirds, paleontologists have unearthed numerous polished stones, known as gastroliths. These were swallowed by the bird and ended up in the gizzard (part of a bird’s stomach), where they helped break up fibrous plant matter. As it’s very probable the thunderbirds were herbivorous, the numerous predators that once stalked Australia must have hunted some of these birds, especially before they reached adulthood. This is one reason why some of the thunderbirds grew so huge, as large size is an excellent defense against predators. Their other defense was powerful legs, which probably endowed some of the species with a powerful kick and a good turn of speed to get them out of harm’s way.
The word “penchant in the passage is closest in meaning to
Vocabulary Questions词汇题
AStructure
BPreference
CStrategy
DRequirement
6
Since the discovery of the first thunderbird bone in the 1820s, many thunderbird bones have been found. However, bird skulls are particularly fragile, and until recently, no one knew what the head of a thunderbird looked like. Recent discoveries show that these birds had enormous heads and very impressive beaks. The beaks are very deep, but quite narrow, and some of the species appear to have been equipped with powerful jaw muscles Naturally, the impressive biting apparatus of these extinct birds has led paleontologists to speculate about what they ate.Some paleontologists believe that they were carnivores (meat-eating animals), or perhaps even scavengers capable of breaking the bones of dead animals that they found. Others believe that the thunderbirds were herbivores fond of nibbling vegetation and using their terrific bill to crack open seeds and nuts. The image of a giant, carnivorous duck is an enticing one, especially for the media, but it is highly unlikely that these huge birds were meat eaters, or even scavengers. They lack the equipment of true predatory animals. The bill may be big, but it certainly isn’t hooked, a necessary tool for any animal hoping to tear chunks of flesh from a carcass. Also, the feet of the thunderbirds lack the talons (sharp claws) we see in all predatory birds, regardless of their size. Last, the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision: they are situated on either side of the head and give good all-around vision but leave blind spots directly in front of and behind the animal. This is the vision of an animal that is hunted, not a hunter.
According to paragraph 3, all of the following probably protected thunderbirds from predators EXCEPT
Negative Factual Information Questions否定事实信息题
Athunderbirds’ ability to grow and reach adulthood quickly
Bthunderbirds’ enormous body size
Cthunderbirds’ ability to kick with great force
Dthunderbirds’ ability to move rapidly away from danger
7
As well equipped as they were to deal with the rigors of prehistoric Australian life, these giant birds lacked the adaptability to deal with the combination of humans and the devastation they bring, and with climate change. Exactly when the thunderbirds became extinct is a cause of dispute among paleontologists, but the last species is widely thought to have clung to existence until around 40,000- 45,000 years ago. Scientists have used chemical analysis of ancient eggshells of one species of thunderbird to assess the impact of human activity on these birds and the Australian landscape in general. lt seems that before 50,000 years ago (before the widespread human colonization of Australia), this particular thunderbird pecked at nutritious grasses.However, only 5,000 years later, the diet of this species had completely switched to the leaves of bushes and trees. The scientists’ theory is that around 45,000 years ago, humans began to have a drastic effect on the fragile Australian landscape by starting bushfires, which may have burned out of control. With their preferred food up in smoke, the thunderbirds were forced to eat other plant matter, and it seems that they may not have been able to adapt to this change. lt is also likely that thunderbirds were hunted for food by the first Australians. In the centuries that followed the human colonization of Australia, the thunderbirds dwindled away to extinction.
According to paragraph 4, which. of the following is probably true about thunderbirds’ eating the leaves of bushes and trees?
Factual Information Questions事实信息题
AThe leaves of bushes and trees were the preferred food of certain thunderbird species throughout their existence
BThunderbirds ate the leaves of bushes and trees because this was the most nutritious plant food in Australia around 50,000 years ago
CThunderbirds had to start eating the leaves of bushes and trees after fires destroyed the plants that they usually ate.
DThunderbirds ate the leaves of bushes and trees that were planted by the first humans who arrived in Australia
8
As well equipped as they were to deal with the rigors of prehistoric Australian life, these giant birds lacked the adaptability to deal with the combination of humans and the devastation they bring, and with climate change. Exactly when the thunderbirds became extinct is a cause of dispute among paleontologists, but the last species is widely thought to have clung to existence until around 40,000- 45,000 years ago. Scientists have used chemical analysis of ancient eggshells of one species of thunderbird to assess the impact of human activity on these birds and the Australian landscape in general. lt seems that before 50,000 years ago (before the widespread human colonization of Australia), this particular thunderbird pecked at nutritious grasses.However, only 5,000 years later, the diet of this species had completely switched to the leaves of bushes and trees. The scientists’ theory is that around 45,000 years ago, humans began to have a drastic effect on the fragile Australian landscape by starting bushfires, which may have burned out of control. With their preferred food up in smoke, the thunderbirds were forced to eat other plant matter, and it seems that they may not have been able to adapt to this change. lt is also likely that thunderbirds were hunted for food by the first Australians. In the centuries that followed the human colonization of Australia, the thunderbirds dwindled away to extinction.
According to paragraph 4, which of the following is one factor that contributed to the extinction of the thunderbird?
Factual Information Questions事实信息题
AThunderbirds could no longer obtain the nutrition they needed to form strong eggshells.
BThe bushes and trees that thunderbirds needed to hide from predators were replaced by grasses.
CSudden climate change occurred just before 50,000 years ago.
DHumans arrived in Australia and began eating thunderbirds soon afterward.
9
Today, Australia is home to two species of giant flightless bird: the emu and the cassowary, but up until about 40,000-45,000 years ago, Australia supported another group of giant flightless birds known as thunderbirds. in some ancient Australian rock paintings, there are birds that appear to represent thunderbirds. ⬛The depictions are certainly too large for emus and cassowaries.⬛
Since the discovery of the first thunderbird bone in the 1820s, many thunderbird bones have been found. ⬛However, bird skulls are particularly fragile, and until recently, no one knew what the head of a thunderbird looked like. ⬛Recent discoveries show that these birds had enormous heads and very impressive beaks. The beaks are very deep, but quite narrow, and some of the species appear to have been equipped with powerful jaw muscles Naturally, the impressive biting apparatus of these extinct birds has led paleontologists to speculate about what they ate.Some paleontologists believe that they were carnivores (meat-eating animals), or perhaps even scavengers capable of breaking the bones of dead animals that they found. Others believe that the thunderbirds were herbivores fond of nibbling vegetation and using their terrific bill to crack open seeds and nuts. The image of a giant, carnivorous duck is an enticing one, especially for the media, but it is highly unlikely that these huge birds were meat eaters, or even scavengers. They lack the equipment of true predatory animals. The bill may be big, but it certainly isn’t hooked, a necessary tool for any animal hoping to tear chunks of flesh from a carcass. Also, the feet of the thunderbirds lack the talons (sharp claws) we see in all predatory birds, regardless of their size. Last, the eyes of the thunderbird are not positioned in a way to provide binocular vision: they are situated on either side of the head and give good all-around vision but leave blind spots directly in front of and behind the animal. This is the vision of an animal that is hunted, not a hunter.
Look at the four squares ⬛ that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage
Today, more information about this is available to scientists.
Insert Text Questions句子插入题
Where would the sentence best fit？Click on a square sentence to the passage.
10
Australia was once home to a group of giant birds known as thunderbirds.
Prose Summary Questions概要小结题
Select 3 answers
AThe thunderbird was able to obtain some food through scavenging. but it was probably not a predator because its large body size made it too slow to hunt other animals.
BThe thunderbird’s beak was so large and powerful that it led to speculation among scientists that the bird was a carnivore.
CSeveral pieces of evidence. including the chemicals found in the shells of thunderbird eggs, support the idea that the thunderbird mainly ate plants.
DThe presence of thunderbirds alongside emus and cassowaries in ancient Australian paintings shows thunderbirds’ importance for the people that colonized Australia thousands of years ago.
EPrehistoric evidence indicates that humans added thunderbird eggs to their diet about 5,000 years after reaching Australia, when climate change was already affecting the birds.
FThe thunderbird went extinct some time after humans spread in Australia, n large part because humans changed the thunderbird’s natural environment.
