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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
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. B
2. A
3. C
4. B
解析
1. 根据第二段第二句 "Like bees, they help plants grow by spreading pollen…" 可知蝴蝶通过传播花粉帮助植物，故答案为B。
2. 根据第六段第二、三句 "In all, the study covered 554 different…showed a serious drop in numbers." 可知554个物种中大约1/3数量锐减，故答案为A。
3. 根据倒数第二段第二句 "The researchers say that creating more natural areas for butterflies could make a big difference." 可知建议为蝴蝶创造更多自然区域，故答案为C。
4. 根据第四段第一句和第五段最后一句可知新研究主要发现美国蝴蝶数量在20年内下降22%，故答案为B。
2. 根据第六段第二、三句 "In all, the study covered 554 different…showed a serious drop in numbers." 可知554个物种中大约1/3数量锐减，故答案为A。
3. 根据倒数第二段第二句 "The researchers say that creating more natural areas for butterflies could make a big difference." 可知建议为蝴蝶创造更多自然区域，故答案为C。
4. 根据第四段第一句和第五段最后一句可知新研究主要发现美国蝴蝶数量在20年内下降22%，故答案为B。
