《2026年薪火金卷高考仿真模拟卷英语》

D
After spending many years studying the effects of lightning on rainforests, Evan Gora, a forest ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, began wondering whether trees could not only survive this usually deadly event but also actually get some kind of advantage from it.
To find out, he and his colleagues spent several years following the cases of 93 trees from various species in the rainforest of central Panama when they were directly struck by lightning. Nine were from a species known as the almendro, a forest giant native to Central and South America that can grow up to 165 feet tall. After the trees were struck, the researchers continued to monitor the ones that survived the shock, checking their overall condition and noting whether the lightning killed neighboring trees and any parasitic vines (寄生藤蔓) growing on them.
The results showed that the almendro trees were very resistant to lightning and minimally damaged compared with almost all the other tree species, which were severely damaged—64 percent of the latter trees died within two years of being struck. A few other large species also survived the strikes and might have benefited as well, but lightning had not struck enough of these species for the researchers to be certain.
Many of the trees that had surrounded the almendros—competing with the species for water and nutrients—were killed by lightning that spread through their branches after it hit the almendro trees. This left more resources and space for the latter. Lightning strikes on the almendros also reduced the average number of parasitic vines on a tree by 78 percent, by killing them. These vines climb on top of the trees to “steal” light.
Equipped with data on lightning strike frequency and the trees’ survival rates after reaching a certain size, the team used computer models to estimate that a typical almendro is likely struck by lightning about five times during its 300-year lifespan. The researchers found that lightning strikes seem to be almost a necessity for the trees. Without the benefits the strikes bring, “they would not live as long, ” Gora says.
32. How did the researchers study the effects of lightning on rainforest trees mainly?
A. By measuring vine growth rates.
B. By tracking struck trees for years.
C. By comparing multiple tree species.
D. By counting annual lightning strikes.
33. Why did the researchers focus on almendro trees in the study?
A. They grow tallest.
B. They attract most vines.
C. They resist lightning best.
D. They are widely distributed.
34. How do lightning strikes help almendro trees live longer?
A. By providing sufficient light.
B. By removing competing plants.
C. By strengthening tree branches.
D. By increasing nutrient absorption.
35. What is the best title for this passage?
A. Lightning’s Role in Rainforest Ecology
B. The Survival of Struck Rainforest Trees
C. Why Some Trees Love Lightning Strike
D. Why Some Trees Resistant to Lightning Strike

答案： D
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了研究人员通过长期研究发现闪电对雨林中榄仁树的益处：它能移除竞争植物和寄生藤蔓，从而帮助这些树木获得更多资源、空间和光照，延长其寿命。
32.B [细节理解题。根据第二段“To find out, he and his colleagues spent several years following the cases of 93 trees from various species in the rainforest of central Panama when they were directly struck by lightning..., checking their overall condition and noting whether the lightning killed neighboring trees and any parasitic vines (寄生藤蔓) growing on them.”可知，为了找到答案，他和他的同事花了几年时间追踪巴拿马中部雨林中93棵不同物种的树木被闪电直接击中后的情况。其中9棵来自一种名为榄仁的物种，这是一种原产于中美洲和南美洲的森林巨人，可以长到165英尺高。树木被击中后，研究人员继续监测那些被雷电击中后幸存下来的树木，检查它们的整体状况，并记录闪电是否摧毁了邻近的树木和生长在它们身上的任何寄生藤蔓。由此可知，研究人员在树木被闪电击中后，持续多年跟踪观察了93棵树的存活情况，记录它们的整体状况以及闪电对周围树木和寄生藤蔓的致命影响。因此，研究方法主要是长期跟踪被闪电击中的树木。故选B。]
33.C [细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The results showed that the almendro trees were very resistant to lightning and minimally damaged compared with almost all the other tree species, which were severely damaged—64 percent of the latter trees died within two years of being struck. (结果表明，与几乎所有其他严重受损的树种相比，榄仁树对闪电的抵抗力很强，受损程度很小——其他树种中有64%的树木在遭受雷击后两年内死亡。)”可知，榄仁树对闪电的抵抗力很强，与其他树种相比受损最小，而其他树种大多严重受损甚至死亡。因此，研究人员重点关注榄仁树是因为它们对闪电的抵抗力最强。故选C。]
34.B [细节理解题。根据第四段“Many of the trees that had surrounded the almendros—competing with the species for water and nutrients—were killed by lightning that spread through their branches after it hit the almendro trees... These vines climb on top of the trees to ‘steal’ light.”可知，许多包围着榄仁树的树木——与该物种争夺水和营养——在雷电击中榄仁树后，电流通过它们的枝干扩散，从而被摧毁。这为后者留下了更多的资源和空间。对榄仁树的雷击也杀死了树上的寄生藤蔓，使其平均数量减少了78%。这些藤蔓爬到树顶上“偷”光。由此可知，闪电会杀死榄仁树周围的竞争树种和寄生藤蔓，从而减少资源竞争，为榄仁树提供更多生存空间和养分。因此，闪电通过清除榄仁树的竞争植物帮助其延长寿命。故选B。]
35.C [标题归纳题。通读全文，尤其是根据第五段中的“Without the benefits the strikes bring, ‘they would not live as long,’ Gora says. (Gora说，如果没有闪电带来的好处，‘它们不会活那么久’。)”可知，文章主要探讨某些树种，尤其是榄仁树，不仅能抵抗闪电，还能从中受益，如清除竞争树种，从而提高生存几率。选项C“为什么有些树喜欢闪电雷击”最贴合主旨，作为文章标题最佳。故选C。]