When Ariel Cordova-Rojas rode her bike to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, New York, last November, she planned to go hiking and bird-watching. Bingo! A mile into her walk, she spotted a gorgeous female mute swan near the water’s edge. Cordova-Rojas, 30, who had worked at the Wild Bird Fund rehabilitation (康复) center in Manhattan, knew that mute swans can be aggressive. But as she approached this one, it didn’t move.
She was certain that the bird needed medical attention. Cordova-Rojas draped her jacket over the bird’s head to keep it calm, carefully picked it up, and held it in her arms. And then a thought struck her: What do I do now?
Her best bet was the rehab center, but that was across the East River and clear on the other side of town. How was she going to transport a 17-pound swan on her bike all that way? Luckily, some bemused strangers driving by offered her, her bike, and the swan a lift to a nearby subway station.
On the subway, no one seemed particularly annoyed by the feathered passenger. “One guy”, says Cordova-Rojas, “was sitting right in front of me on his phone. I don’t know if he noticed there was a swan in front of him.”
Cordova-Rojas called the rehab center on the way, and Tristan Higgin, an animal-care manager, picked her up at the subway station and drove bird, bike, and rescuer to the facility. There, staff members determined that the swan might have lead poisoning, caused by swallowing weights used on fishing lines.
The staff got the swan back up on her webbed feet. She even made a boyfriend at the center — another injured swan. Sadly, even with all that TLC, the swan contracted a bacterial infection. Two months after Cordova-Rojas came to her rescue, she passed away.
It’s a disappointing ending, but the real story is just how far some people are willing to go to save a swan in the big city — literally. “In all, Cordova-Rojas traveled two hours by foot, car, and subway,” says Higginbotham, “That’s the perfect summary of who she is.”
4. What happened when Ariel Cordova-Rojas went on her trip to Queens?
A.She was attacked by an aggressive swan when watching birds. |
B.She discovered a sick mute swan and took it to the rehab center. |
C.A female swan was transported to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. |
D.A female swan was lifted to the nearby subway station by strangers. |
5. What can we learn about the swan in the passage?
A.It had never been to a rehab center before. |
B.It bothered the travelers on the subway. |
C.It was poisoned and then contracted an infection. |
D.It was successfully rescued by all the passers-by. |
6. Which of the following words can best describe Ariel Cordova-Rojas?
A.Enthusiastic and creative. | B.Warm-hearted and professional. |
C.Cooperative and generous. | D.Responsible and ambitious. |
7. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
A.To call on people to help the injured swan. |
B.To show the importance of help. |
C.To think highly of Cordova-Rojas. |
D.To encourage people to share their stories with others. |