Question

When someone says “SHARK” most people think of a big, toothy, underwater animal; basically we are imagining a Great White. In fact sharks come in all shapes, sizes and even colors! Follow me please; I’d like to show you a very special small shark commonly known as horn sharks, only found in the coastal waters of north-west North America.

Look at this shark, and you can easily see the horns on it and you will know the reason why it is called the horn shark is that it has the broad, flattened head and two large horn-like spines(脊椎) found behind its eyes and makes it one of the hardiest of all shark species. What makes it unique is that as its enemy attempts to swallow it, the spines on its back will stick into the enemy’s mouth and give a good chance for it to get away.

The horn shark is brown in color with black spots all over its body. The adults can reach up to a length of 4 feet and weigh up to 10 kg. An interesting fact about the horn shark is that it has five gills(鳃). The horn shark is a clumsy swimmer using its flexible pectoral fins(胸鳍)to push itself along the bottom of the ocean. The maximum distance that has ever been recorded for a horn shark to have traveled out from its habitat is 10 miles.

Today, as so little is known about its population off the Californian coast, they have been listed as being “Data Deficient” in the World Conservation Union. The horn shark is being threatened both by water pollution and commercial fishing in the area. Though they are not among those sea creatures hunted primarily for food, but they often get caught as a by-catch in fishing expeditions.

1.The horn shark gets its name for______.

A. its small size                            B. its large eyes

C. its two large spines                       D. its brown color with spots

2.How is paragraph 3 mainly developed?

A. By giving descriptions                     B. By following time order

C. By analyzing causes                       D. By making comparisons

3.Which factors contribute to the horn shark’s being on the “Data Deficient” list?

①That people like hunting them for pets        ②That people fish them for fun

③Water pollution off the coast                ④Knowing little about them

A. ①②                B.②③            C. ①④            D.③④

4. According to the passage, all of the following are unique to the horn shark EXCEPT that_____.

A. it doesn’t travel far

B. it is good at swimming

C. its spines can be used to attack the enemy and escape

D. it is only found in the coastal waters of north-west North America

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了北美西北部海域中的horn shark角鲨。

1.考查细节理解。根据文章第二段中的you will know the reason why it is called the horn shark is that it has the broad, flattened head and two large horn-like spines(脊椎) found behind its eyes and makes it one of the hardiest of all shark species.可知，它之所以被称作角鲨，是因为它有两个角状的脊椎在眼睛的后面。故选C。

2.考查写作方法。文章的第三段采用的是描述的方法。先描述外形颜色，再描述身体的长度形状等。

3.考查细节理解。根据文章的最后一段中so little is known about its population off the Californian coast和he horn shark is being threatened both by water pollution可知选D。

4.考查细节理解。根据题干的意思：下面哪个不是角鲨的唯一特性可知，B. it is good at swimming

善于游泳——不是它的唯一特性。因为其他鲨鱼也善于游泳。其他三项是鲨鱼的唯一特性。

考点：考查说明文的阅读能力。