《2026年山东省中考试卷精选九年级英语》

C
Scientists in Australia have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help them locate (定位) an endangered bird called the Plains - wanderer. This new information will help scientists protect the rare (稀有的) birds.
The Plains - wanderer is a small bird that lives in Australia's grasslands. They play an important role in controlling insects and spreading seeds, which helps create healthier habitats (栖息地) for other native wildlife in Australia. The birds were once common in eastern Australia. But that's changed, as grasslands have been turned into farms and cities. Zoos Victoria, the group behind the recent effort to locate Plains - wanderers, says the birds' numbers have fallen by over 85% in recent decades. Scientists believe there are now only 250 to 1,000 of the birds left in the wild.
To protect these rare birds, Zoos Victoria first had to learn where they were. Female Plains - wanderers make an unusual "Ooom" call, and this was the key to locating them. The researchers set up 35 special recording devices (装置) called "song meters" in nine different grassy areas, where Plains - wanderers could possibly have been. The song meters collected tens of thousands of hours of recordings—far more than humans could analyze (分析). Then the researchers fed the recordings to an AI system trained to identify (识别) the calls of Plains - wanderers. The AI system discovered Plains - wanderer calls coming from two of the sites. After that, the scientists double - checked and found that the AI system was correct. Chris Hartnett, who works with Zoos Victoria, says the discovery is "huge". And it is the first time in over 30 years that the Plains - wanderer has been found in west of Melbourne.
The new information of Plains - wanderers will help scientists protect the birds. The team plans to work with the land owners to help protect the birds, and the grasslands they depend on. Now, the researchers are still "listening"—using song meters and AI to try to locate more of the Plains - wanderers.
38. Where do the Plains - wanderers live?
A. In Australia's grasslands.
B. In Victoria Zoo.
C. In the city of Melbourne.
39. Why are the Plains - wanderers endangered?
A. They are too small to live in Australia's grasslands.
B. Their habitats have been turned into farms and cities.
C. They play an important role in protecting native wildlife.
40. What is the right order of locating the Plains - wanderers?
①collect enough recordings
②use AI to identify the calls
③set up recording devices
④double - check the discovery
A. ①②③④
B. ②③④①
C. ③①②④
41. What will the researchers do next according to the passage?
A. Use song meters to help make AI more intelligent.
B. Work with the land owners to help grow rice better.
C. Locate more Plains - wanderers to help protect them.

答案： 38.A [解析]细节理解题。根据第二段中的“The Plains-wanderer is a small bird that lives in Australia’s grasslands.”可知，Plains-wanderers生活在澳大利亚草原上。故选A。
39.B [解析]细节理解题。根据第二段中的“But that’s changed，as grasslands have been turned into farms and cities.”可知，它们濒危的原因是它们的栖息地被变成了农场和城市。故选B。
40.C [解析]细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The researchers set up 35 special recording devices(装置) called ‘song meters’ in nine different grassy areas，where Plains-wanderers could possibly have been... After that，the scientists double-checked and found that the AI system was correct.”可知，研究人员首先在九块不同的草地上装了35个特殊记录设备;然后收集了数万小时的录音;接着研究人员将录音输入到一个经过训练的人工智能系统进行分析;最后，科学家们复核。因此定位Plains-wanderers的操作顺序是③①②④。故选C。
41.C [解析]细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Now，the researchers are still ‘listening’—using song meters and AI to try to locate more of the Plains-wanderers.”可知，接下来研究人员会定位更多这种鸟以帮助保护它们。故选C。
长难句分析
The Plains-wanderer is a small bird that lives in Australia’s grasslands.
译文:平原流浪者是一种生活在澳大利亚草原上的小鸟。
分析:本句是一个包含定语从句的主从复合句，其中that引导定语从句，修饰先行词“a small bird”。