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五、(原版外刊)阅读理解。〔人与自我——生活与学习〕
A new study shows that the number of butterflies in the United States has dropped by 22% over 20 years. The loss of butterflies could have serious effects on the environment and on USA farms. Scientists say it’s important to protect butterflies and other insects before it’s too late.
Butterflies are important for many reasons. Like bees, they help plants grow by spreading pollen—a powder in the centre of most flowers. By “pollinating the plants”, butterflies help plants create seeds and fruits. This is especially important for farmers.
And like other insects, butterflies also provide important food for other animals, including birds.
Now, a new study published in Science shows that butterfly numbers have dropped sharply. The study is the largest collection of data on USA butterfly numbers ever.
Researchers put together information from 35 different butterfly counting programs across the USA. The data covers over 12.5 million butterfly sightings between 2000 and 2020. The scientists found that the number of butterflies in the USA dropped on average by 22% over that time.
Some species are doing far worse. In all, the study covered 554 different butterfly species. About one in three of those showed a serious drop in numbers. A hundred species of butterfly have seen their populations drop by more than 50%. Only 3% of all species studied had their numbers go up over the 20-year period. Nick Haddad, one of the scientists involved in the study, puts it simply: “Butterflies are vanishing from the face of the Earth.”
Scientists say it’s important to save butterflies and other insects before it’s too late. Insects help support life on the Earth and are a key part of a healthy environment.
The researchers say that creating more natural areas for butterflies could make a big difference. Limiting the use of pesticides will also help.
The good news is that the life cycle of insects moves very quickly. That means that, with good conditions, butterfly numbers have a chance of bouncing back.
(素材选自 News for Kids)
1. How do butterflies help plants?
A. By drinking water from plants.
B. By spreading pollen between plants.
C. By eating harmful insects.
D. By building nests on plants.
2. According to the study, how many butterfly species showed a serious drop in numbers?
A. About 1/3 of 554 species.
B. All 554 species.
C. Only 3% of species.
D. 100 species.
3. What is a suggested way to help butterfly populations?
A. Using more pesticides.
B. Reducing natural habitats.
C. Creating more natural areas.
D. Cutting down flowers.
4. What is the main finding of the new study on USA butterflies?
A. Numbers have increased by 3% over 20 years.
B. Numbers have dropped by 22% over 20 years.
C. Numbers stayed the same.
D. Numbers dropped by 50% overnight.
A new study shows that the number of butterflies in the United States has dropped by 22% over 20 years. The loss of butterflies could have serious effects on the environment and on USA farms. Scientists say it’s important to protect butterflies and other insects before it’s too late.
Butterflies are important for many reasons. Like bees, they help plants grow by spreading pollen—a powder in the centre of most flowers. By “pollinating the plants”, butterflies help plants create seeds and fruits. This is especially important for farmers.
And like other insects, butterflies also provide important food for other animals, including birds.
Now, a new study published in Science shows that butterfly numbers have dropped sharply. The study is the largest collection of data on USA butterfly numbers ever.
Researchers put together information from 35 different butterfly counting programs across the USA. The data covers over 12.5 million butterfly sightings between 2000 and 2020. The scientists found that the number of butterflies in the USA dropped on average by 22% over that time.
Some species are doing far worse. In all, the study covered 554 different butterfly species. About one in three of those showed a serious drop in numbers. A hundred species of butterfly have seen their populations drop by more than 50%. Only 3% of all species studied had their numbers go up over the 20-year period. Nick Haddad, one of the scientists involved in the study, puts it simply: “Butterflies are vanishing from the face of the Earth.”
Scientists say it’s important to save butterflies and other insects before it’s too late. Insects help support life on the Earth and are a key part of a healthy environment.
The researchers say that creating more natural areas for butterflies could make a big difference. Limiting the use of pesticides will also help.
The good news is that the life cycle of insects moves very quickly. That means that, with good conditions, butterfly numbers have a chance of bouncing back.
(素材选自 News for Kids)
1. How do butterflies help plants?
A. By drinking water from plants.
B. By spreading pollen between plants.
C. By eating harmful insects.
D. By building nests on plants.
2. According to the study, how many butterfly species showed a serious drop in numbers?
A. About 1/3 of 554 species.
B. All 554 species.
C. Only 3% of species.
D. 100 species.
3. What is a suggested way to help butterfly populations?
A. Using more pesticides.
B. Reducing natural habitats.
C. Creating more natural areas.
D. Cutting down flowers.
4. What is the main finding of the new study on USA butterflies?
A. Numbers have increased by 3% over 20 years.
B. Numbers have dropped by 22% over 20 years.
C. Numbers stayed the same.
D. Numbers dropped by 50% overnight.
答案
五、1. B 2. A 3. C 4. B
