Question

    Lions are most successful at hunting animals during the darker period of the moon’s cycle. But how those prey (猎物) respond to changing threats as the night’s light changes throughout a month has been a mystery. Scientists spied on four of the lions' favorite prey species for several years. They fixed 225 cameras across an area. When animals came by, the cameras responded by taking their pictures.

The prey — wildebeests (角马), zebras, gazelles (瞪羚) and buffalo — are all plant eaters. To meet their food needs, such species must searching for food frequently, even at night. The cameras showed that these species respond to changing risks across the lunar cycle in different ways.

Common wildebeests, which make up a third of the lion’s diet, were the most sensitive to the lunar cycle. These animals appeared to set their plans for the entire night based on the moon’s change. During the darkest period of the month, they’d park themselves in a safe area. But as the nights got brighter, wildebeests were more willing to venture into places where run-ins with lions were likely.

Weighing as much as 900 kilograms, the African buffalo are a lion’s most tough prey. They also were least likely to change where and when they searched for food throughout the lunar cycle. But as nights got darker, the buffalo were more likely to form herds (兽群).

Plain zebras and gazelles also changed their evening routines with the lunar cycle. But unlike the other prey these animals reacted more directly to changing light levels across an evening. Gazelles were more active after the moon had come up. Zebras were sometimes up and about and doing things before the moon had risen.

These behaviors show the wide-reaching effects of moonlight. It offers a very clear example of how the presence or absence of the moon can have fundamental, ecosystem-level impacts.

1.What can we infer from the first paragraph?

A.Lions are excellent night hunters. B.How lions hunt has always been a mystery.

C.Moonlight is a threat to the lion’s prey. D.Lion’s prey likes hunting for food at night

2.What do wildebeests usually do when there is no moon at night?

A.Look for food. B.Wander in the filed

C.Stay in a safe place. D.Explore dangerous places.

3.How do buffalo deal with the risk from lions when it is darker?

A.They stay still at a place. B.They troop to search food.

C.They ignore the lion. D.They change places frequently.

4.Which part of the site might this article come from?

A.Food. B.Animal.

C.Astronomy. D.Environment.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了月光变化对几种野生动物夜间活动的不同影响。

1.

推理判断题。根据第一段中的Lions are most successful at hunting animals during the darker period of the moon’s cycle.可知，狮子最擅长在月亮周期较暗的时候捕猎动物。由此可知，狮子是极好的夜间猎手。故选A。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的During the darkest period of the month, they’d park themselves in a safe area.可知，在一个月最黑暗的时候，它们会把自己停在一个安全的地方。由此可知，在月光最暗的时候，角马会在安全的地方待着。故选C。

3.

细节理解题。根据第四段中的But as nights got darker, the buffalo were more likely to form herds (兽群).可知，但随着夜晚变黑，野牛更有可能成群结队。由此可知，夜幕降临的时候，水牛会结成群来觅食，以应对狮子的威胁。故选B。

4.

推理判断题。文章主要讲述了月光变化对几种野生动物夜间活动的不同影响，属于动物知识范畴。由此可知，这篇文章也许来自于网站的动物部分。故选B。