A
When the natural climate changes due to global warming, it can surely affect seals. The majority of them live in the Antarctic region, so as the ice is melting, their natural habitat can be seriously affected. These changes don’t take place overnight. They can be the result of many years of additional temperatures in the area. The seals then have to find ways to adapt.
Seals depend on the cool air currents to bring plenty of food for them. When the temperatures get higher there is less and less food and the seal population starts to shrink. Mothers aren’t healthy enough to feed their babies. Many of them end up abandoned as the mothers have to leave to find their own source of food.
The fact that their desire to produce young can be changed by the warmer temperatures is frightening, too. It is also believed that the warmer temperatures can allow different diseases and viruses to attack the seals. This is a huge concern as they can rapidly wipe out huge numbers of seals out there.
However, these changes in climate and temperature aren’t all bad for other species of seals. Scientists have found that those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes. Research also shows that the females are moving further to find food and water. When they are out of the reach of the governing males, they are more willing to accept the moves of other males in the group.
This is good news too because it means that there will be more selection in the gene pool(基因库)for future generations. It can help the seals as a species adapt to change in their natural environment more easily.
The climate change problem for seals is directly linked to humans. When we take action to change what we let out into the environment, we will make positive changes for the seals. However, it is going to take a very long time to reverse (彻底改变)the effects of what has already been done.
【语篇概述】本文主要介绍了气候变暖对南极地区海豹的影响。
1. What does the author regard climate changes for seals as?
A. A double-edged sword.
B. An unavoidable disaster for existence.
C. A mirror of evolution.
D. A requirement for more choice in the gene pool.
【解析】选A。推理判断题。文章第一至三段介绍了气候变暖对南极地区海豹的负面影响, 第四、五段介绍了气候变暖对其他海豹种类的正面影响。由此可知, 在作者看来, 气候变暖对海豹既有利又有弊, 是把双刃剑。
2. What will happen to the seals in warmer climates?
A. Their number will be on the increase.
B. The female seals will be in the lead.
C. Their genes will change a great deal.
D. The females will keep away from the males.
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第四段中的“. . . those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes. ”可知, 生活在更温暖地区的海豹会因为天气变暖而繁殖更多的幼崽。换言之, 它们的数量会增加。
3. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. The Importance of Protecting Seals
B. Seals’ Adaptation to Climate Change
C. How Climate Change Affects Seals
D. Why Are Seals Becoming Less and Less
【解析】选C。主旨大意题。根据全文可知, 本文介绍了气候变暖对南极地区海豹的负面影响和正面影响, 因此C项“气候变化如何影响海豹”可概括全文的主旨。
