Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
On a trip to the forests of southern India，amateur photographer Kaushik Vijayan was shocked to see some massive rodents(啮齿动物)，who are maroon(紫褐色)，leaping from treetop to treetop.
Vijayan uploaded the images of the four-pound rodents to Instagram，and the Internet went crazy immediately.Some had a difficult time believing that the squirrels，photographed in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala，actually exist，thanks to the animals’ bright spots of black and maroon.
But the Indian giant(巨大的) squirrel，also known as the Malabar giant squirrel，is the real deal.Believe it or not，it is not alone.There are three other giants in the squirrel family，Sciuridae—each of which weighs in at two to three times the size of the gray squirrels native to the eastern United States.
“The four species that make up this group are fascinating in their large size，brilliant coloration，and tendency for feeding on some of the massive tropical fruits on the trees，” says Koprowski.
Even among its relatives，the Indian giant squirrel stands out with its bright colors，which makes one wonder why its evolution would select fur.That would call so much attention to itself.After all，these forests are also home to predators such as lion-tailed macaques，leopards，and crested serpent eagles—all of which have been known to hunt rodents.
No one knows for sure，says Koprowski，but the squirrel’s purple patterns may serve as a way to hide the animal itself.This is because the broadleaf forests these squirrels inhabit create a pattern of sun spots and shaded areas—not unlike the rodents’ markings.
In other words，what looks flashy and fun to us in an Instagram post may make the squirrels disappear when hungry mouths come to hunt.Now that’s a common trick.
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语篇解读 这是一篇说明文。摄影家Kaushik Vijayan在印度偶然发现了皮毛是紫褐色的巨型松鼠，这让很多网友都感到惊奇。经过研究，研究者认为是生活环境影响了它的身体特征。
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1．How did people feel after seeing the Malabar giant squirrel’s images?
A．Nervous. B．Incredible.
C．Embarrassed. D．Sorrowful.
答案 B
解析 细节理解题。根据第二段第二句中“Some had a difficult time believing that the squirrels，...actually exist”可知，当人们看到它的照片时，应该是难以置信的。故选B。
2．What makes the Malabar giant squirrel different from the rest?
A．Its size. B．Its habitat.
C．Its color. D．Its lifestyle.
答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据第五段中“Even among its relatives，the Indian giant squirrel stands out with its bright colors”可知，印度大松鼠的颜色使其与众不同。故选C。
3．Why does the Malabar giant squirrel have unusual fur?
A．To show itself off.
B．To protect itself.
C．To drive other animals away.
D．To compete with its companions.
答案 B
解析 推理判断题。根据第六段中“No one knows for sure，says Koprowski，but the squirrel’s purple patterns may serve as a way to hide the animal itself.”可知，松鼠身上的紫色图案可能是一种隐藏动物自身的方式，即用来保护自己。故选B。
4．Which of the following may be a potential threat to the Malabar giant squirrel?
A．Human beings.
B．Rodents’ hunting.
C．The Instagram post.
D．The broadleaf forests.
答案 A
解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段中“In other words...may make the squirrels disappear when hungry mouths come to hunt.”可知，人类的狩猎活动可能会让松鼠消失。由此推出，人类是这些松鼠的潜在威胁。故选A。
