A
Coral reefs (珊瑚礁) are an integral part of sea life and sustain it by providing shelter and habitat to various organisms. They also supply and recycle nutrients as well as enable a growing fish population, along with other species, for a healthy and diverse ecosystem. However, the rise in average water temperatures due to climate change has resulted in more frequent and longtime “coral bleaching (珊瑚白化)” events that damage their health, causing fish and other sea species to abandon them.
In order to restore this delicate ecosystem, scientists from the U. K. and Australia conducted a study that involved using loudspeakers underwater near damaged coral reefs to make them sound healthy and attract fish, potentially kickstarting the natural recovery process of coral reefs and their dependent life forms. The location for this experiment was the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, found alongside the east coast of Queensland, Australia. The site is noted to have the largest coral reef system in the world.
“Healthy coral reefs are remarkably noisy places — the crackle of snapping shrimp and the whoops and grunts of fish. Young fish concentrate on these sounds when they're looking for a place to settle，” said Steve Simpson, study coauthor and a professor at the University of Exeter, U. K.
By using loudspeakers to copy such sounds, parts of dead coral reefs were found to attract twice as many fish, compared to places where no sounds were played. “These returning fish are crucial for coral reefs to function as healthy ecosystems. Boosting fish population in this way could help to kickstart natural recovery processes, preventing the damage we're seeing on many coral reefs around the world，” said lead author, Tim Gordon.
语篇解读：由于海水温度的上升，深海珊瑚的生态遭到破坏。科学家通过实验研究发现，在珊瑚礁旁边放置扬声器以吸引海洋生物对于恢复珊瑚的生态卓有成效。
1．What causes the phenomenon of coral bleaching?
A．Diverse species. B．Noise pollution.
C．Fishing industry. D．Climbing temperatures.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据第一段第三句可知，是气候变化所引起的海水温度的上升导致了这种白化现象。故选D项。
2．What approach is introduced to recover the coral reefs?
A．Removing damaged coral reefs.
B．Using loudspeakers to keep fish away.
C．Building new homes for sea species.
D．Playing certain sounds to attract fish.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句可知，为恢复珊瑚生态，科学家在遭破坏的珊瑚附近放置扬声器，以吸引鱼类。即通过播放声音来吸引鱼类。故选D项。
3．Why are Steve Simpson's words quoted?
A．To provide some findings of the study.
B．To show the progress of the experiment.
C．To explain reasons for the new approach.
D．To give another solution to the problem.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据前两段内容可知，鱼儿会离开不健康的、遭到破坏的珊瑚。为了吸引鱼类，科学家们在这些珊瑚附近放置扬声器。再结合第三段第一句可知，健康的珊瑚礁是非常热闹的地方，各种海洋生物很多。由此可推知，此处引用这位教授的话是为了解释在受损珊瑚礁旁边放置扬声器这一新方法的原因。故选C项。
4．What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A．The attempts are in vain.
B．Natural recovery is impossible.
C．Initial success has been achieved.
D．The coral reefs have returned to normal.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句可知，通过用扬声器复制一些声音，部分死亡的珊瑚礁吸引了更多的鱼类，由此可推知，珊瑚生态保护已经初见成效。故选C项。
