【正文】 l as the fiveor six mass extinctions, there have also been many smaller extinctions. One of these mini extinction events happened towards the end of the Pleistocene, a few tens of thousands of years ago. It is sometimes called the ＂megafaunal＂ extinction because many of the species it claimed were particularly large animals, weighing more than 97lb (44kg). However, its cause remains a debate amongst scientists.（1）What can we learn about the sixth mass extinction？ A.Humans are the main cause of it.B.It means a global decline over a long time.C.It occurred towards the end of the Pleistocene.D.Scientists still disagree about the cause of it.（2）What can be inferred from the text about species？ A.99% of species will not be around any more by 2100.B.By the 22nd century, there will probably be about five million on this planet.C.About eight years later we will enter what is called the ＂Anthropocene＂.D.It is not easy for us to figure out causes behind the＂Anthropocene＂.（3）Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the last paragraph ? A.Land animals.B.Marine life.C.Huge animals.D.Flesheating creatures.【答案】（1）A（2）B（3）C 【解析】【分析】本文是一篇說明文，許多科學家認為，我們正經(jīng)歷著地球史上第六次大規(guī)模物種滅絕，主要原因是人類的過度捕獵、過度捕撈和人類棲息地的喪失。但是，各個科學家對過去物種滅絕原因有著不同的看法，即便是最近的一次小規(guī)模物種滅絕——大型動物滅絕，有關(guān)的滅絕原因，科學家仍在爭論。(1)考查細節(jié)理解。第三段提到大規(guī)模物種滅絕是在a relatively short period of time，所以B錯誤；最后一段提到大型動物的滅絕發(fā)生在the end of the Pleistocene，而第六次大規(guī)模物種滅絕是當下正在發(fā)生的，所以C錯誤；根據(jù)第三段中的＂They call this current episode the sixth mass extinction —— a large, global decline in a wide variety of species over a relatively short period of time. And they tend to agree that humans are the main cause.＂可知，科學家認為人類是第六次大規(guī)模物種滅絕的主要原因，沒有不同意見，因此D錯誤，因此選A。(2)考查推理判斷。根據(jù)第一段中的“There might be as many as 10 million species of plex life on this planet today ”，以及第四段中的＂By 2100, it is expected that humans will have caused the extinction of up to half of the world39。s current species.＂可知，到22世紀，地球還會有目前物種的1/2會滅絕，也就是10million的半，即five million，因此選B。(3)考查詞義猜測。根據(jù)最后一段中的＂because many of the species it claimed were particularly large animals, weighing more than 97lb (44kg).＂可推知 ＂megafaunal＂應(yīng)為大型動物，因此選C?！军c評】本題考點涉及細節(jié)理解，詞義猜測和推理判斷三個題型的考查，是一篇科普類閱讀，考生需要準確捕捉細節(jié)信息，并根據(jù)上下文進行邏輯推理，選出正確答案。8．閱讀理解 Some houses are designed to be smart. Others have smart designs. An example of the second type of house won an Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects. Located on the shore of Sullivan39。s Island off the coast of South Carolina, the awardwinning cubeshaped beach house was built to replace one smashed to pieces by Hurricane（颶風）Hugo 10 years ago. Before Hugo, many new houses built along South Carolina39。s shoreline were poorly constructed, and enforcement of building rules wasn39。t strict, according to architect Ray Huff, who created the cleverlydesigned beach house. Soon after Hugo, all new shoreline houses are required to meet stricter, betterenforced rules. The new beach house on Sullivan39。s Island should be able to withstand a Level 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour. At first sight, the house on Sullivan39。s Island looks anything but hurricaneproof. Its redwood shell makes it resemble “a large party lantern (燈籠)” at night, according to one observer. But looks can be misleading. The house39。s wooden frame is reinforced with long steel rods to give it extra strength. To further protect the house from hurricane damage. Huff raised it meters off the ground on timber pilings－long, slim wood pieces anchored deep in the sand. Pilings might appear insecure, but they are strong enough to support the weight of the house. They also raise the house above storm waves. The pilings allow the waves to run under the house instead of running into it. 39。These waves e ashore at terrible speeds and cause most of the damage done to beachfront buildings,” said Huff. Huff designed the timber pilings to be partially hidden by the house39。s groundtoroof shell. “The shell masks the pilings so that the house doesn39。t look like it39。s standing with its pant legs (褲腿) pulled up,” said Huff. In the event of a storm, the shell should break apart and let the waves rush under the house, the architect explained.（1）After the Hurricane Hugo, new houses built along South Carolina39。s shore line are required . A.to be easily reinforcedB.to meet stricter building standardsC.to look smarter in designD.to be designed in the shape of cubes（2）Why is the awardwinning beach house strong and hurricaneproof? A.It is in the shape of a shell.B.It is made of redwood.C.It is strengthened by steel rods.D.It is built with timber and concrete.（3）What39。s the purpose of Huff raising the house meters off the ground on timber pilings? A.To anchor stronger pilings deep in the sand.B.To prevent water from rushing into the house.C.To withstand peak winds of about 200 km/hr.D.To make the house look more hurricaneproof.（4）According the last paragraph, the main function of the shell is . A.to give the house a better appearanceB.to strengthen the pilings of the houseC.to protect the wooden frame of the houseD.to slow down the spee