《2025年实验班全程提优训练高中英语选择性必修第二册外研版》

D(2025·江苏常州五校联考)
跨学科 An experiment in Botswana suggests that painting eyes on the rear ends(臀部)of cows may help protect them from large animals like lions. Protecting cows could also in turn protect the lions from farmers.
Large predators(食肉动物)like lions are under pressure. Much of the land they used to live in has been taken over by humans. Many are even hunted. One serious threat to large predators comes from farmers, who often shoot or poison them after losing farm animals to their attacks. This has long been a problem in the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta is an area where the Okavango River empties out. With its waters spreading out over thousands of square miles, the area is an important location for various wildlife. In the area, there are many small farms, with between 6 and 100 cows. Lions are the biggest threat to cows in the area.
Scientists from the University of New South Wales wondered if painting pictures of eyes on the cows’ rear ends might protect them. Working with over 2,000 cows in the Okavango area, the scientists tested their ideas in a four-year study. The researchers separated the cows into three groups. They painted large eyes on the rear ends of one group of cows. The second group got simple Xs. The final group got nothing. The eyes worked well. Of the 683 cows with eyes painted on them, none were killed in the four-year period. Fifteen of the 835 cows with nothing on their backsides were killed. The scientists were surprised to learn even Xs seemed to give the cows protection. Only 4 of the 543 cows with Xs were killed.
Though the results show a simple way to protect cows from lions, the scientists pointed out that the method may have weaknesses. The researchers aren’t sure the fake(假的)eyes would work so well if all of the cows had them. Also, over time, predators might learn to ignore fake eyes. Still, for now, it seems like a cheap way to protect cows in the area.
32. What is the biggest possible benefit of protecting cows?
A. Improving farmers’ life quality.
B. Balancing the local ecosystem.
C. Controlling the number of predators.
D. Saving lions from environmental pollution.
33. Why is the Okavango Delta described in detail?
A. To draw attention to cows’ safety.
B. To introduce possible threats to cows.
C. To give the reason for choosing this place.
D. To show the problem of the location.
34. What finding came as a surprise to the scientists?
A. Cows’ eyes could scare lions away.
B. Xs could protect cows from lions too.
C. Many of the cows with Xs were killed.
D. Some cows with nothing on backsides were killed.
35. Which might be the best title for the text?
A. Cows Can Be Protected from Lions
B. Fake Eyes Protect Cows from Lions
C. Fake Eyes Are Used to Protect Animals
D. Animals Are Closely Related to Each Other

答案： 32.B 33.C 34.B 35.B