Question

Redwood trees are the tallest plants on the earth，reaching heights of up to 100 meters．They are also known for their longevity，typically 500 to 1000 years，but sometimes more than 2000 years．A hundred million years ago，in the age of dinosaurs，redwoods were common in the forests of a much more moist and tropical North America．As the climate became drier and colder，they declined to a narrow strip along the Pacific coast of Northern Califomia．

The trunk of redwood trees is very strong and usually forms a single straight column．It is covered with a soft bark．This bark can be pretty thick，well over two feet in the more mature trees．It gives the older trees a certain kind of protection from insects，but the main benefit is that it keeps the center of the tree harmless from moderate forest fires because of its thickness．This fire resistant quality explains why the giant redwood grows to live that long．While most other types of trees are destroyed by forest fires，the giant redwood actually prospers because of them．

Moderate fires will clear the ground of competing plant life，and the rising heat dries and opens the ripe fruit of the redwood，releasing many thousands of seeds onto the ground below．

    New trees are often produced from shoots，little baby trees，which form at the base of the trunk．These shoots grow slowly，fed by the root system of the “mother’’ tree．When the main tree dies，the shoots are then free to grow as full trees，forming a “fairy ring” of trees around the original tree．These trees，in turn，may give rise to more shoots，and the cycle continues．

1.Why were redwood trees easier to find in the forests of North America millions of years ago?

A．The trees were taller and stronger．

B．The soil was softer for seeds to develop．

C．The climate there was warmer and wetter．

D．The temperature was lower along the Pacific coast．

2.Which of the following is a function of the tree bark as mentioned in the passage?

A．It allows redwood trees to bear seeds．

B．It prevents redwood trees from attack by insects．

C．It helps redwood trees absorb water in the air．

D．It makes redwood trees more beautiful and appealing．

3.Why do redwood trees grow to live that long according to the passage?

A．They have heavy and straight tree trunks．

B．They are properly watered and catered to．

C．They are more resistant to fire damage than other trees．

D．They produce many young trees to maintain their life cycle．

4.How does a “fairy ring’’ form according to the passage?

A．By killing an old tree．                                                        B．By connecting root systems．

C．By inserting holes into old trees．                            D．By surrounding a mature tree．

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：文章介绍红杉的生长习性，它怎么抵御昆虫和森林大火的侵害，怎么能够存活的那么久。

1.细节题：从文章第一段的句子：A hundred million years ago，in the age of dinosaurs，redwoods were common in the forests of a much more moist and tropical可知在上百万年前，北美的森林里面红杉是很容易找到的，选C

2.细节题：从文章第二段的句子：It gives the older trees a certain kind of protection from insects，可知树皮的功能是阻止红杉被昆虫侵害，选B

3.细节题：从第二段的句子：but the main benefit is that it keeps the center of the tree harmless from moderate forest fires because of its thickness．This fire resistant quality explains why the giant redwood grows to live that long．可知红杉能生长那么久，是因为它能够抵御森林大火的侵害，选C

4.细节题：从文章最后一段的句子：When the main tree dies，the shoots are then free to grow as full trees，forming a “fairy ring” of trees around the original tree．These trees，in turn，may give rise to more shoots，and the cycle continues．可知“fairy ring’’ 是通过包围一颗成熟的树形成的，选D

考点：考查知识类阅读理解