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A．forecasts the weather based on his shadow B．witnesses the history of human development C．organizes celebrations on Groundhog Day D．gives performances on Groundhog Day
19．We may infer from the passage that ________________．
A．groundhogs will replace TV weathermen soon B．groundhogs can forecast the weather accurately
C．Groundhog Day is becoming popular in the US and Canada D．a longer shadow of a groundhog indicates a longer winter 20．Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. Winter will end if the groundhog goes back into the burrow. B．Groundhog Day is a compulsory?holiday in the US and Canada． C．A groundhog will remain outside if he sees his shadows on 2nd，Feb． D．The celebration in Punxsutawney attracts large numbers of visitors． 【答案】
17.C。解析：推理归纳题 从第二段以及最后一段“Groundhog Day is celebrated in some parts of the USA and Canada…”，“People cheer when they hear it is time for winter to end…”等信息推理得知，人们把它当节日庆祝的原因就是因为它预示着春天的开始。
18. A。解析：细节理解题 从文章第二段“Phil comes out from his burrow and looks for his shadow. If he sees his shadow and goes back into the burrow, then America will have an extended winter of six weeks…”得知。
19. C。解析：推理判断题 从最后一段“Groundhog Day is celebrated in some parts of the USA and Canada.”及“Today, the Groundhog Day is a widespread tradition and an exciting event”判断得知。
20. D。解析：细节理解题 从第四段“The largest celebration is held at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania”得知。
F
Australian cities can keep their native wildlife — but only if they can kick their habit of
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urban sprawl (无计划的扩展). That?s the finding of a new study by leading Australian environmental researchers Jessica Sushinsky, Professor Hugh Possingham and Dr Richard Fuller of The University of Queensland.
“While urban development usually reduces the number of birds in a city, building more compact (紧凑的) cities and avoiding urban sprawl can slow these reductions greatly,” says lead author Jessica Sushinsky. “Compact housing development leaves birds? homes untouched, leading to fewer losses of birds.”
The researchers surveyed native and wild birds in Brisbane?s urban areas, including living and industrial areas, public parks and gardens, major roadways and airports. They then used statistical modeling to find out what will happen to the birds as the city grows. The first setting was compact growth — where multiple homes are built on land that previously had only one house. The second setting was sprawling growth — a familiar pattern where homes are built here and there beyond the city?s current boundaries.
The team?s forecasts showed that a much greater diversity of species was lost over 20 years in the sprawling setting compared to the more compact setting. “Urban sprawl resulted in the disappearance of many urban-sensitive birds — birds that only live in areas where there is native vegetation (植被), such as parklands and woodlands,” Ms Sushinsky says.
“On the other hand, we found the city with the compact development attracted more birds because it kept more of its parks and green areas.”
Now the Queensland Government has adopted the more compact urban growth strategy, which, Dr Richard Fuller says, is good news for Australia?s native birds. These birds are environmental specialists — they need a particular environment to do well. “While compact development means smaller backyards, it can also make our entire cities more biodiverse,” according to Dr Fuller. “The study shows that we should hold on to our green spaces instead of clearing them for sprawling development.”
This is the first time science has modeled the effects of different urban growth strategies on birds, the researchers say. “Statistical models like these are important because they help us to understand the ecological consequences of a particulardecision,” says Dr Fuller. 21. The study deals with the relationship between ______.
A. city development and birds B. the environment and birds
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