In the 1970s, my family acquired Mrs Duck as a pet. Mrs Duck was actually a male duck but the name stuck. He would spend hours “fighting” his own reflection — seen in the mirror or the glasses door. If our dog happened to be wandering past, the duck would attack him. Mrs Duck would ride around the backyard on the dog’s back screaming all the way, biting poor old Dog on the back of the head as he flapped his wings.
Dog was either too frightened, too good-natured or enjoyed the attention because he never beat back. Much to our amusement, Dog would tear around the yard with Mrs Duck lying on his back.
This went on for two years, until a neighbour politely asked if we would like to give Mrs Duck to one of her friends, a farmer. They lived on a large farm and their female duck had been killed when a fox got into the yard. Mum agreed as she understood that Mrs Duck was very frustrated.
A few days later, the beaming farmer was on our doorstep with a huge plate of raw steak asking to speak to our mother. “Mrs Duck had only been in the yard a couple of days when I heard a loud noise,” he told her. “I raced to the duck pen to find he had a fox seriously injured, cornered in the yard against the wire netting, wings flapping and continuously screaming. ” The farmer dispatched the fox with a shotgun and Mrs Duck was an instant hero.
Mrs Duck’s fearlessness in the face of any animal that eats meat had set him apart. From then on we called him Mrs Duck, Fox Hunter.
1. What happened between the dog and the duck?| A．The dog would bit and attack the duck. |
| B．The duck often rode on the dog’s back. |
| C．The duck was too frightened to get close to the dog. |
| D．The dog would tear the duck until it lay on the ground. |
| A．I refused the suggestion | B．the dog barked all the way |
| C．my mother was very frustrated | D．the duck was unwilling to leave |
| A．Pleased. | B．Nervous. | C．Frustrated. | D．Depressed. |
| A．An Animal Hero | B．Our Pet, Mrs Duck |
| C．Mrs Duck, Fox Hunter | D．Mrs Duck and the Dog |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】[1] What do North Carolina’s red wolves, the Eurasian beaver and Przewalski’s horse have in common?
[2] All of them went extinct in the wild — and all of them came back, thanks to reintroduction programs.
[3] Conservation scientists use translocation and captive breeding (圈养繁殖) to re-establish animal populations that have died out in the wild — either entirely or in certain areas. Reintroducing extinct-in-the-wild animals to their native territories can be a double win: helping to restore damaged ecosystems, as well as increasing population numbers.
[4] But setting a species loose in the wild is a risky balancing act. Reintroductions often take years and involve multiple stages. Before bringing back a species, conservationists have to evaluate the threat level — both to and from the animal — and the role it played in the ecosystem. In places where wild populations have died out more recently, there’s a better chance of success. The less time that has passed, the more likely that environment is the same as when the species went extinct. But scientists still need to address the reason why it went extinct in that environment to begin with.
[5] Reintroduced animals can have a positive impact on the landscape, but how fast this happens depends on the type of animal and how damaged the environment is. Herbivores (食草动物) can make a significant change relatively quickly, while predators tend to be reintroduced slowly and carefully. Although they can be useful for managing pest species, conservationists have to ensure they don’t overhunt or threaten other vulnerable animals.
[6] A 2020 study highlighted species reintroduction as one of the most effective ways to save endangered animals. The study estimates that conservation action between 1993 and 2020 saved up to 48 species of birds and mammals from extinction, and that the rate of extinction would have been three to four times higher, during that period, without those efforts.
1. What are the reintroduction programs aimed at?| A．Bringing back a species. | B．Enlarging a species’ native habitats. |
| C．Increasing a species’ number. | D．Developing new breeding methods. |
| A．The collapse of ecosystem. | B．Evaluating the threat level. |
| C．The extinction of a wild population. | D．Setting a species loose in the wild. |
| A．The size of animals. | B．The bio-diversity of animals. |
| C．The feature of landscapes. | D．The extent of environmental damage. |
| A．To call on active measures to save species. | B．To highlight the necessity of bio-diversity. |
| C．To introduce an effective conservation action. | D．To stress the importance of a balanced ecosystem. |
【推荐2】Whether it be a person, an animal, or even an insect, a mother’s instincts(本能)are never wrong. This idea rings true for a mother cat who acted fast and sought out help when her kittens were in trouble. This mother cat’s quick thinking may have just saved her babies.
In the urban district of Izmir in western Turkey, a cat walked into a regular hospital holding a kitten in her mouth. As the mother cat moved through the hospital, people were surprised to see such a sight, but let her pass. The mother cat asked for help, crying for a long time. She was familiar to the hospital staff, who had been leaving her food and water outside, but they were unaware that she had given birth to kittens.
The mother cat was concerned for her young because they weren’t able to open their eyes. After the doctors looked at the kittens, they noticed that they were suffering from eye infections. One of the doctors recalls, “We consulted with vets and gave medicine as described. When the kittens opened their eyes a short time later, we were excited." Later, they were sent to an animal hospital for further care. The cats are now up for adoption and will hopefully find loving forever homes.
When it comes to mother cats and kittens, kittens completely depend on mothers for the first few months of their lives. Because they are blind and almost deaf until about two or three weeks old, the mother cat must protect them from any threat or danger. Without the mother cat’s help, the kittens may not make it to adulthood.
As shown by the mother cat in Turkey, a mother’s love and protection knows no bounds. Whether the mom is a human or a cat, mothers will always look out for their babies and make sure they are safe and healthy.
1. Why did the mother cat show up in the hospital?| A．To seek out food. | B．To express thanks. |
| C．To get her babies treated. | D．To give birth to her babies. |
| A．Their physical state. | B．Their eating habit. |
| C．Their appearance. | D．Their behavior. |
| A．A cat has nine lives. | B．Love makes a difference. |
| C．One good turn deserves another. | D．God helps those who help themselves. |
【推荐3】Have you ever seen an animal being mistreated (虐待)? Seeing a pet or wild animal get hurt might make you sad, angry, or afraid.
Keep your eyes and ears open.
﹡ have cuts or other bruises（伤痕）
﹡ avoid or attack people when people come close
﹡ are too thin
﹡ are missing fur
﹡ are almost always left outside
These signs don’t necessarily mean a pet has been hurt on purpose, but they shouldn’t be ignored. If you see any of these signs, set them down.
Never move an injured animal! Ask a parent, teacher, or other adult you trust for help. Find out whether the injured animal in your town can be saved by animal shelters or police. Keep their phone numbers at hand. If the person mistreating animals is a friend or family member, tell an adult you trust.
Speak up.
Let other kids know what to do if they see an animal being hurt. Using the information above, make posters to hang or flyers (传单) to hand out at school. Include the phone numbers of the police department or animal shelters who can save the injured animals.
| A．Send it to animal shelters. |
| B．You might think there’s nothing you can do. |
| C．Remember, animals can’t speak for themselves. |
| D．Or if you see someone hurting an animal, write down the details. |
| E．Get to know pets in your neighborhood. |
| F．Animals are friends of human beings. |
| G．Report it. |
【推荐1】After college I wanted to make a difference in the world, so I joined a non-profit organization and became a volunteer teacher. I hoped to make a positive impact in Namibia. Honestly, my first choice wasn’ t Africa, but I am extremely grateful that I was sent there.
Various tribes (部落) and racial groups live in Namibia, and a number of languages are spoken. When Namibia gained independence in 1990, English became the official language. Teachers were supposed to teach in English, but many lacked the language skills to do so. My job was to train the teachers. Schools were quite bare. Some classrooms consisted merely of sticks stuck in the sand and a metal roof. Because both boys and girls shaved their heads, I learned to distinguish them by their uniforms: girls wore skirts.
The students had tiring days. They walked miles to get to school, often barefoot. They also did many daily chores. They fetched water, gathered firewood and cooked meals. Even with their mountains of work, few possessions and little opportunity, these children were joyful. I admired that.
This was the first time that I had lived abroad in a different culture and with a host family. Simply getting accustomed to the living conditions was a big adjustment. I had no electricity, running water, phone or Internet. However, I could end each day with a splendid African sunset. And at night, I had an unbelievable, light-pollution-free view of the entire Milky Way. I never thought I would live in such an environment. My experience awakened me to not only the limitations we place on ourselves, but also our amazing ability to adapt.
Travel, step outside of your comfort zone and immerse (使沉浸在) yourself in another culture. You won’t regret it.
1. Why does the author feel grateful?| A．He managed to stick to his choice. | B．He was exposed to a different culture. |
| C．He influenced Namibia positively. | D．He joined a non-profit organization. |
| A．English is its only language. | B．Its school conditions were tough. |
| C．All students wore the same uniforms. | D．Its teachers lacked teaching skills. |
| A．Dull but delightful. | B．Tiring but inspiring. |
| C．Dangerous but meaningful. | D．Inconvenient but rewarding. |
| A．A voluntary experience. | B．A country of wonders. |
| C．An influence on Namibia. | D．A big adjustment abroad. |
【推荐2】I live in central London. It’s crowded. I see tons of people every day. The Uber driver. The office workers at rush hour. The cashiers at Sainsbury’s ... Deep in my thoughts, I encounter and interact with people mindlessly like a robot sometimes, without giving it much thought. It’s becoming rare for me to make spontaneous (自发的) friendships.
My mom was and still is the queen of spontaneous friendships. She is the kind of person who will talk to a cashier and know her life story, talk to a sales assistant and become her friend, and talk to a man sitting nearby, get his number and have me visiting his workplace to get advice on job hunting. These mindless chats have brought her many friends, and they have also solved many problems. I can’t remember how many times she did her magic and pulled herself out of a bad situation. Sometimes I wish I could be more like her. But on reflection, it’s something I can practice and you can too.
For me to change, I had to make a habit of some sort. Here are the three affirmations (肯定) I tell myself every day to be more open to people.
We are all fellow humans. We are all in this world together so we might as well be friendly and make a connection with a fellow human.
Today is going to be a great day. Maybe I’ll meet someone who will make my day. I might be saved by a stranger. I might even meet my future employer before even applying.
Opportunities are created by people. Whether it is a job or anything else, opportunities come from people talking to each other.
So next time you get your coffee, ride with a driver, wait in line or even sit in the underground, don’t be afraid to interact with a stranger. It will affect their day; it will affect yours and you might get to that opportunity or solution that was lying in them, waiting to be found.
1. Why does the author say that he is like a robot?| A．He has to work hard. |
| B．He is as smart as a robot. |
| C．He has little time to enjoy his life. |
| D．He seldom makes a connection with strangers. |
| A．She has good people skills. | B．She is fond of giving advice. |
| C．She has strong belief in magic. | D．She is unaware of her privacy concerns. |
| A．It was helpful to her. | B．It was none of her business. |
| C．It should be more spontaneous. | D．It failed to solve any problems. |
| A．Staying away from strangers. |
| B．Keeping in touch with your old friends. |
| C．Communicating with those you encounter. |
| D．Avoiding sharing personal information with others. |
【推荐3】In 1972, Barbara Rieco penned a heartfelt children’s book that held her dream within its pages. Despite her best efforts, the manuscript (手稿) faced repeated rejection from publishers, leading her to eventually set aside her dream of becoming a published author.
Little did she know that, decades later, her grandson would turn the dream into reality. Chad Cooper, a production professional, decided to give his grandmother the ultimate Christmas gift — the publication of her treasured book. Visiting her in Baltimore for the holidays, he secretly took her original manuscript, along with the drawings for the book she had obtained from an artist years ago, and transformed them into a beautifully printed book.
On Christmas morning, as Barbara unwrapped the carefully crafted gift, she was overcome with emotion as she realized what the surprise was. The moment, captured and posted online by Chad, quickly resonated (产生共鸣) with viewers, and the video became a hit.
“This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me in my entire life,” Barbara said in the video, who also gave her grandson a big hug, with tears.
Chad’s thoughtful gesture didn’t just end with the surprise; he also included a link to the book on Amazon, making it available to the public. The response was nothing short of magic — within days, Barbara’s once-forgotten book skyrocketed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list, earning the coveted spot as a best seller.
Chad filmed the reaction to that news and shared more updates. Barbara said she had been reading every single comment online and wanted to respond to them all but there were thousands of them.
“I’ve bought Barbara Rieco’s book even though I’m 21 and don’t even have kids. I’ve read it and I really like it,” said one viewer.
“My children enjoy reading the book and they recommend me to read it as well,” another viewer commented.
Barbara Rieco’s book, now accepted by a new generation of readers, continues to spread joy and inspiration.
1. What did Chad Cooper do for his grandmother?| A．He had her book published. | B．He drew for her new book. |
| C．He arranged an artist to meet her. | D．He helped finish her manuscript. |
| A．Calm and proud. | B．Lucky but regretful. |
| C．Delighted but worried. | D．Excited and grateful. |
| A．Dangerous. | B．Desired. | C．Empty. | D．Forgotten. |
| A．To reveal Barbara’s gift for writing books. |
| B．To show the popularity of Barbara’s book. |
| C．To tell the influence of reading on the young. |
| D．To highlight the value of Chad’s Christmas gift. |
