Ⅰ.阅读理解(每小题2.5分,共20分)
A
Thanks to its cold environment, Antarctica remained largely untouched by humans for thousands of years. However, since the 1990s, the last true wilderness on the planet is becoming an increasingly popular destination for adventure-seeking tourists. Now, a new study states that the visitors may be leaving behind harmful bacteria(细菌) which could devastate the area's native bird population.
Researchers believed that the Antarctic creatures were not affected by the danger due to the continent's extreme weather. However, microbiologist Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar was not convinced this was true. She and some colleagues decided to examine samples from the Antarctic birds for evidence of human bacteria. To ensure the waste was not polluted, the scientists had to collect it from the birds themselves. This was no easy task. If they missed catching a skua at the first go, the bird would never come close again.
It took the scientists four years, from 2008－2011, to collect fecal(粪便的) samples of 666 adult birds from 24 local species. The results of their study revealed the presence of several types of human bacteria in the bird waste.
"While we should do as much as possible to reduce transmission, it's hard to believe that we will stop tourism and science at these sites, and so it is
hard to believe that humans won't continue to transmit pathogens(病原体)," said Kyle Elliott.
Experts believe the only way to prevent the mass destruction of the birds, is to introduce stricter regulations or, at least, obey the ones already in place. For example, while the Antarctica Treaty states clearly visitors carry their waste back home to protect the original environment, the regulation is rarely obeyed. Hopefully, officials will take steps to protect the easily hurt birds before it's too late.
1. What does the underlined word "devastate" in Paragraph 1 mean? ()
A. Increase. B. Destroy.
C. Affect. D. Block.
2. What can be said about scientists collecting the waste from the birds? ()
A. This was not an easy task.
B. This proved their conclusion.
C. This lasted several months.
D. They found harmful bacteria in human bodies.
3. What does Kyle Elliott think about stopping tourism? ()
A. It's easy. B. It's unlikely.
C. It's necessary. D. It's possible.
4. What is the author's suggestion to protect the Antarctic birds? ()
A. Make new rules.
B. Quit the Antarctica Treaty.
C. Take measures as soon as possible.
D. Encourage officials to strengthen cooperation.

语篇解读 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了南极生态环境随着游客的到来正面临严峻挑战，人类留下的细菌威胁着那里的鸟类。加强监管并制定更严格的规定是保护生态的关键。
1. B 词义猜测题。根据第一段画线词前面的“harmful bacteria(细菌)”可推知，游客留下的有害细菌可能会破坏该地区的本土鸟类种群。故devastate意思是“破坏”，与B项意思一致，故选B。
2. A 推理判断题。根据第二段中的“This was no easy task. If they missed catching a skua at the first go, the bird would never come close again.”可知，收集鸟类的粪便很难。故选A。
3. B 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“it's hard to believe that we will stop tourism and science at these sites”可知，Kyle Elliott认为几乎不可能阻止人们到这些地点旅游。故选B。
4. C 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Hopefully, officials will take steps to protect the easily hurt birds before it's too late.”可知，作者建议应尽快采取措施保护南极的鸟类。故选C。