How can a creature weighing over 5 tons and normally taking 150 kilograms of food and 120 liters of water per day survive in a desert environment?
In the southwest African country of Namibia,and the Sahara lands of Mall further north,the desert elephant does just that.
Although not regarded as a separate species from the African elephant,the desert cousin differs in many ways.Their bodies are smaller,to absorb less heat,and their feet are larger for easier walking across sandy surfaces.They are taller,to reach higher branches.They have shorter tusks(象牙),and most importantly,longer trunks to dig for water in riverbeds.
Desert elephants can travel over 70 kilometers in search for feeding grounds and water-holes,and have a larger group of families.They drink only every 3-4 days,and can store water in a “bag” at the back of their throat,which is only used when badly needed.Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches,and thus maintain what little food sources are available.Young elephants may even eat the dung(粪便) of the female leader of a group when facing food shortage.
During drought they are unlikely to give birth to their young but with good rains the birthrate will increase greatly.Desert elephants have sand baths,sometimes adding their own urine(尿液) to make them muddy!
As we continue to overheat our weak planet,it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant.
【小题1】The underlined part in Paragraph 2 means “ ”.A．remains in the African countriesB．drinks 120 liters of water a dayC．manages to live in desert areasD．eats 150 kilograms of food daily【小题2】Desert elephants are called careful feeders because they .A．rarely ruin treesB．drink only every 3-4 daysC．search for food in large groupsD．protect food sources for their young【小题3】The author answers the question raised in the first paragraph with .A．stories and explanationB．facts and descriptionsC．examples and conclusionD．evidence and argument【小题4】What can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage?A．Overheating the earth can be stopped.B．Not all animal species are so adaptable.C．The planet will bee hotter and hotter.D．Not all animals are as smart as desert elephants.C
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(答案→)C
解析：
【小题1】这是一道词义理解题。第一段提出了疑问,第二段是解答第一段的疑问,所以“does just that”就是指做到了第一段提到的事情,也就是能在沙漠生存。选项B、D都是在沙漠生存的具体表现,不全面。
【小题2】这是一道推断题。根据第四段“Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches”可知他们被叫做“小心的觅食者”是因为他们很少破坏树木。
【小题3】这是一道归纳题。第二段是回答第一段提出的问题,指出纳米比亚西南撒哈拉沙漠沙漠象可以做到在沙漠环境生存。所以回答的方式是用事实和描述。
【小题4】这是一道推理题。最后一句指出如果地球再持续过热,只能寄希望于其他动物物种也能像沙漠象一样适应极端环境,隐含义是其他动物物种不可能适应那种环境。