D
Hi, I’m Chief Editor(主编) of Youth Geographic. Have you noticed the sentence on the cover of our magazine saying “The best magazine for curious kids”? Curiosity is one of the best qualities you can have, in my opinion. Here in the office we are always looking for things that make us say “I wonder...” I wonder how, what, why, who and if. When you look at something closely, you often discover amazing stories. On Page 10, researchers wonder why ants don’t have traffic jams. On Page 15, you’ll find stories about why giraffes have long necks. Scientists are listening to trees in whole new ways. Do you know “Wood Wide Web”? Scientists call this because it’s a bit like an internet for trees. You will find more on Page 30. Now I would like you to turn to Page 1. Scientists say it’s better to leave deadwood where it is. Strange? You may wonder...

What happens when a tree dies and falls in a forest? People often think deadwood is bad because it attracts insects or animals that hurt living trees. However, recent studies suggest that this risk is low and that deadwood plays a key role in nature.

Scientists from the Czech Republic and the US said that dead trees provide homes for fungi(真菌), bacteria(细菌) and insects. As they break down the trees, nutrients(营养物质) are returned to the soil, which helps new plants grow. During this process, the insects also become food for other animals like birds and bats. What’s more, deadwood can help fight climate change by locking some carbon(碳) in the ground for over a century.
However, deadwood is becoming less all over the world now. Many forests have been turned into tree farms where trees are cut down before they die in a natural way. Some people also move away deadwood to lower the risk of fires or burn it in factories.
Scientists believe it is better to leave deadwood where it is.
Youth Geographic June 2025
()37. Who is the magazine Youth Geographic mainly for?
A. Kids who wish to discover nature.
B. Kids who would like to keep fit.
C. Adults who will travel with kids.
D. Adults who tell stories to kids.
()38. What does the passage on Page 30 make people believe?
A. Trees are ants’ ideal living place.
B. Trees can communicate with each other.
C. Trees provide giraffes with food.
D. Trees can protect themselves wisely.
()39. The underlined words “this risk” refer to the fact that .
A. a tree dies and falls in a forest
B. deadwood causes harm to living trees
C. trees are burned in factories
D. deadwood helps fight climate change
()40. What conclusion do recent studies reach about deadwood?
A. It should be left where it is.
B. It turns forests into tree farms.
C. It locks carbon over a century.
D. It helps trees die in a natural way.

37. A 解析：细节理解题。根据第一段中“Have you noticed the sentence on the cover of our magazine saying ‘The best magazine for curious kids’?”可知，这本杂志主要面向对自然等充满好奇心的孩子。故选A。
38. B 解析：推理判断题。根据第一段中“Do you know ‘Wood Wide Web?’ Scientists call this because it’s a bit like an internet for trees. You will find more on Page 30.”可知，第30页是关于树木之间的互联网，也就是说树木之间能够彼此“交流”。故选B。
39. B 解析：词义猜测题。根据第二段中“People often think deadwood is bad because it attracts insects or animals that hurt living trees. However，recent studies suggest that this risk is low and that deadwood plays a key role in nature.”可知，人们常认为枯木会吸引伤害活树的昆虫或动物，但最近的研究表明这一风险是低的，因此“this risk”指的是“枯木会对活树造成损害”这一事实。故选B。
40. A 解析：细节理解题。根据“Scientists believe it is better to leave deadwood where it is.”可知，研究得出的结论是最好让枯木留在原处。故选A。