A
Located in northern Manitoba on the west side of Hudson Bay, Churchill is out in the middle of nowhere. But polar bears like it that way. They spend summers on the tundra (苔原) around Churchill. In the fall, they wait anxiously along the shore of Hudson Bay for the ice to form. Then they go out onto the frozen sea to hunt ringed seals their favorite food. October and November are the best polar-bear viewing times. From tundra vehicles, visitors to Churchill observe the bears. Some enjoy day trips or stay overnight on large tundra vehicles that have private cabins and eating facilities. Others stay at a wilderness lodge on the bears’ migration route to view the vigorous creatures. These lodges can be reached only by air and feature luxury food and living arrangements.
Despite the large number of polar bears that visit Churchill each year, there is growing concern about the animals’ future. Because the earth is getting warmer, the ice forms later in the year now and disappears sooner in the spring. As a result, polar bears have less time to hunt for seals. Polar bears can also find smaller animals, bird eggs and berries on land, but this kind of food is not sufficient to support the animals.
Polar bears are also affected by plastic and chemicals that get into the ocean. A research project carried out in northern Europe has found high concentrations of both plastic and chemicals in the tissue of polar bears. These materials and substances can damage the animals’ internal organs, especially when the animals are not yet mature. Many people are researching polar bear health. Their goal is to gather the information that is needed to help save these animals.
16. What does this article imply about Churchill?
A. It’s located in a very remote area.
B. It’s attracting fewer tourists now.
C. It’s surrounded by smaller towns.
D. It’s dependent on the oil industry.
17. What does this article explain about polar bears?
A. The ways in which they threaten people
B. The most important elements of their diets
C. The mating behavior that they exhibit
D. The time of year when they give birth
18. How is the polar bears’ seal winter hunting season changing?
A. It’s starting earlier.
B. It’s becoming colder.
C. It’s finishing later.
D. It’s getting shorter.
19. What can we learn about polar bears from this article?
A. How they avoid traffic accidents
B. How they learn good habits from one another
C. How they’re endangered by pollution
D. How they find a hiding place during bad weather
【答案】16. A 17. B 18. D 19. C
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。本文介绍了北极熊的生存坏境，全球变暖对北极熊捕食的影响以及人类排入海洋的塑料和化学制品危及到了他们的生存。
【16题详解】
细节理解题。由第一段Churchill is out in the middle of nowhere 可知，Churchill在荒无人烟的地方，说明位置很偏远。故A选项正确。
【17题详解】
推理判断题。由第一段Then they go out onto the frozen sea to hunt ringed seals their favorite food然后他们走到冰冻的海面去猎取环斑海豹，这是它们最喜欢的食物。以及第二段Because the earth is getting warmer, the ice forms later in the year now and disappears sooner in the spring .As a result, polar bears have less time to hunt for seals地球正在变暖，当年的冰形成得晚，在春天融化得快。因此，北极熊捕食海豹的时间更少了。可知，文章解释了北极熊饮食中最重要的元素。故B选项正确。
【18题详解】
细节理解题。由第二段Because the earth is getting warmer, the ice forms later in the year now and disappears sooner in the spring .As a result, polar bears have less time to hunt for seals可知，因为地球正在变暖，当年的冰形成得晚，在春天融化得快，因此北极熊捕食海豹的时间更少了。故D选项正确。
【19题详解】
细节理解题。由最后一段可知，人类排入海洋的塑料和化学制品危及到了他们的生存 。故C选项正确。
