《2025年高考模拟试题汇编高中英语》

C
An ancient Latin proverb says “Aquila non capit muscas”—eagles don’t hunt flies—meaning that important ones shouldn’t concern themselves with small, insignificant matters. But the lions in East Africa should concern themselves with the seemingly insignificant ants, because these ants are changing their lifestyles.
The story starts with the acacia trees(金合欢树) in an African wildlife area in central Kenya. Some of these acacia trees provide food and shelter for specific ant species, which in turn defend the tree against herbivores(食草动物). The ants are actively attacking and driving away herbivores that attempt to feed on the tree’s leaves. This is highly effective; the ants not only physically harm the herbivores but also release chemicals that can deter other potential attackers.
But these ants are in trouble. Another species called the “big - headed” ant is destroying entire groups of tree - protecting ants. This, in turn, sets off an entire chain of events that ends up influencing when and how lions can hunt.
This ant invasion(入侵) affects one thing after the other. It leaves the acacia trees defenseless against herbivores—especially elephants. The elephants come in and eat the acacias—at five to seven times the rate observed in uninvaded areas. The lions, while hunting for food, have no more trees to use for hiding. This reduced tree cover makes lions less successful at hunting and pushes them to find different areas to hunt in.
“These tiny invaders are pulling on the ties that put an African ecosystem together, determining who is eaten and where,” said Todd Palmer, an ecologist from Florida.
The lions, which are already endangered, are managing to cope with this by no longer focusing their attention on zebras. The zebras, of course, can see them much better on the approach given the lack of cover. Instead, they are targeting water buffalo. But this also isn’t the end of the story. Who knows what the lions’ changing strategy will mean for the ecosystem down the line?
8.What does the underlined word “deter” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. Direct.
B. Discourage.
C. Identify.
D. Seek.
9.What role do the elephants play in the chain reaction?
A. Cooperating with “big - headed” ants.
B. Damaging the hiding place for lions.
C. Protecting the acacias from herbivores.
D. Starting off the disturbance of the chain.
10.The author mentions lions, zebras and water buffalo to show that ________.
A. animals fall victim to bigger ones
B. the ecology is on the road to recovery
C. animals are correlated in the ecosystem
D. species are firmly positioned in the food chain
11.What is the text mainly about?
A. What ecologists find about animals.
B. Why African lions are endangered.
C. How tiny ants affect the way lions hunt.
D. How the law of the jungle works in Africa.

答案： 8.B　9.B　10.C　11.C