《2025年新课程助学丛书英语八年级上册人教版》

六、阅读表达。
When you think of the living things in the desert, what comes to your mind? You might think of the cactus(仙人掌) at once.
The cactus can survive(存活) the desert heat without water for a long time. In fact, there are over 2,000 different types of cacti in the world. Some cacti are tall and green, and have spines(刺). But others are much smaller and in many different colours and shapes. Cacti usually live in dry areas.
Like all living things, cacti need water to survive. However, in the areas where they live, water is often scarce(稀缺的). To survive, cacti have developed special abilities(能力). These abilities make them able to store water.
In fact, the spines of cacti are their leaves. They protect cacti from animals that eat plants. They also protect cacti from losing water. Most cacti have big roots. They can soak up any rain. And the stems of cacti make the plants able to store water for a long time.
56. How many different types of cacti are there in the world?
There are over 2,000 different types of cacti in the world.
57. What do cacti look like?
Some cacti are tall and green, and have spines. But others are much smaller and in many different colours and shapes.
58. Where do cacti usually live?
Cacti usually live in dry areas.
59. How can spines protect cacti?
Spines protect cacti from animals that eat plants. They also protect cacti from losing water.
60. Which part of the cactus can store water for a long time?
Its stems.

答案： 56. There are over 2,000 different types of cacti in the world.
57. Some cacti are tall and green, and have spines. But others are much smaller and in many different colours and shapes.
58. Cacti usually live in dry areas.
59. Spines protect cacti from animals that eat plants. They also protect cacti from losing water.
60. Its stems.