Ⅰ. Read and choose the best answers.
A record of 1,101 manatees(海牛) died in Florida last year, many from hunger. So last December, government wildlife experts thought up a plan to give food to the manatees. They decided to feed them green vegetables like lettuce and cabbage. Ron Mezich, an expert, said, “We’re making a difference.” So far, they have served up more than 193,000 pounds of lettuce to hungry manatees. But as the weather is getting warm, the program is expected to end soon.
Manatees are huge sea animals that only eat sea grass and other plants that live in the sea. That’s one reason why they’re sometimes called “sea cows”. Since 1967, Florida’s manatees have been on the US government’s list of endangered animals. Most dangers to manatees come from humans. One of the biggest problems facing the animals is boats. Manatees are curious(好奇的) and fairly slow. That has led to thousands of manatees being hit or killed by boats. At one point, there were only about 2,000 manatees left in Florida. With protection, the number increased. In 2016, there were more than 6,000 manatees.
However, as sea grass began to disappear, the number of manatees keeps going down again. Warming seas with polluted water have created huge growths of algae(藻) on the ocean’s surface. The algae blocks the sunlight that allows the sea grass to grow. For example, in Indian River Lagoon, where manatees often go in the winter, about 90% of the sea grass beds there have died off. Long term, Florida will work to help restore(恢复) sea grass beds. But that will take time. Scientists still worry that hundreds more manatees could starve this winter.
()1. Why are manatees sometimes called “sea cows”?
A. They are as big as cows.
B. They can swim like cows.
C. They have tails like cows.
D. They feed on plants like cows.
()2. How has the number of manatees changed over years?

()3. Which shows the correct order of the causes of manatees' death?
A. sea pollution→growth of algae→death of sea grass→death of manatees
B. growth of algae→sea pollution→death of sea grass→death of manatees
C. sea pollution→death of sea grass→growth of algae→death of manatees
D. growth of algae→death of sea grass→sea pollution→death of manatees
()4. What is the meaning of the underlined word “block”?
A. Provide.
B. Prevent.
C. Help.
D. Attract.
()5. Which is the best title for this passage?
A. Manatees Feeding Program.
B. Money Given to Save Manatees.
C. Sea Grass Bed Restored for Manatees.
D. Reasons for Manatees' Death Still Unclear.

1.D 2.B 3.A 4.B 5.A

【分析】
本题为英语阅读理解题，解题思路是先通读全文把握主旨，再针对每个小题回到原文定位相关信息，逐一分析选项，排除错误选项，选出正确答案。
【解析】
1. 细节理解题：根据原文第二段“Manatees are huge sea animals that only eat sea grass and other plants that live in the sea. That’s one reason why they’re sometimes called “sea cows”.”可知，海牛以植物为食，因此被称为“sea cows”，对应选项D。
2. 细节理解题：根据原文，1967年海牛为濒危动物，数量少；之后数量上升，2016年达到峰值（超6000只）；之后因海草消失数量下降，对应图B的变化趋势，故选B。
3. 细节理解题：根据原文第三段，海洋污染导致藻类大量生长，藻类阻挡阳光使海草死亡，最终导致海牛死亡，顺序为sea pollution→growth of algae→death of sea grass→death of manatees，对应选项A。
4. 词义猜测题：根据原文“The algae blocks the sunlight that allows the sea grass to grow.”可知，藻类阻挡了海草生长所需的阳光，block意为“阻止”，对应选项B。
5. 主旨大意题：全文围绕海牛死亡问题，重点介绍政府为拯救海牛实施的喂食计划，因此最佳标题为“Manatees Feeding Program”，对应选项A。
【答案】
1.D 2.B 3.A 4.B 5.A
【知识点】
英语阅读理解、细节理解、词义猜测
【点评】
本题是关于海牛保护的英语阅读理解题，侧重考查学生对原文细节的定位与理解能力，难度适中，需学生准确把握各段落信息。
【难度系数】
0.6