Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in order to cut he greenhouse gases they send out, which are thought to be responsible for global warming.
Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence(肠胃气胀)contains no methane(甲烷)and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who produce large quantities of the harmful gas.
While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack (烟囱) pushing out carbon dioxide, farm animals’ passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions (排放物)in some countries.
“Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep,” said Athol Kleve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland state government.
“And if you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 percent, ” he said.
Researchers say the bacteria also make the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.
But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate (分离) the bacteria, before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.
Another group of scientists, meanwhile, has suggested Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.
The idea is controversial (有争议的), but about 20 percent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.
“It's low in fat, it’s got high protein levels and it's very clean in the sense that basically it's the free-range (放养的) animal,” said Peter Amp of the University of New South Wales's institute of environmental studies.
【小题1】Scientists intend to put bacteria into cattle and sheep .A．so that they can make full use of special bacteriaB．to help Australian farmers to earn more moneyC．so that they can protect Australian ecosystemD．to prevent them from sending out harmful gases【小题2】Athol Kleve seems to believe that .A．cattle and sheep produce more carbon dioxideB．less cattle and sheep are raised in New ZealandC．farm animals are responsible for greenhouse gasesD．New Zealand has the most animals in the world【小题3】What do the underlined words “the idea” in paragraph 9 refer to?A．Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.B．The bacteria could make the digestive process much more efficient.C．Australians should give kangaroo - style stomachs to cattle and sheep.D．The bacteria could save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.【小题4】Which of the statements is the advantage Peter Amp lists about kangaroo?A．it is rich in protein B．it is cheaper than beefC．it is high in fatD．it is more delicious than sheepD
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(答案→)D
解析：文章主要是介绍了一项最近关于温室气体排放的研究。为了减少导致全球变暖的温室气体的排放，澳大利亚科学家目前正在想办法将牛羊胃变成袋鼠式的胃。袋鼠胃中有一种特殊的细菌能使其放的屁中不含有甲烷。科学家想将这种细菌移至牛羊的胃中，以抑制它们所排放的大量有害气体。另一组科学家建议澳大利亚人应少养牛羊，多吃袋鼠肉。
【小题1】考查推理判断。从文章第一﹑二自然段“为了减少导致全球变暖的温室气体的排放，澳大利亚科学家目前正在想办法将牛羊胃变成袋鼠式的胃。袋鼠胃中有一种特殊的细菌能使其放的屁中不含有甲烷。科学家想将这种细菌移至牛羊的胃中，以抑制它们所排放的大量有害气体。”可推断得知D
【小题2】考查细节理解。从第四段的句子：“Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric(肠的) methane from cattle and sheep,” said Athol Klieve, 可知Athol Klieve认为,温室气体越来越多主要是因为农场的动物造成的。选C
【小题3】猜词题：从上面第八段的内容：Another group of scientists, meanwhile, has suggested Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.可知另一组科学家建议澳大利亚人应少养牛羊，多吃袋鼠肉。这里的另外一种想法就是这个，选A。
【小题4】细节题：从最后一段的句子：“It's low in fat, it’s got high protein levels and it's very clean in the sense that basically it's the free-range (放养的) animal,” 可知Peter Amp 认为袋鼠肉富含蛋白质，选A