Best Parks to See Wildlife
A recent report from a vacation site listed the total number of species and sizes of several well-known national parks. Here are some of them to see the widest variety of animals.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Number of species per square meter: 317
Located 20 miles southwest of Cleveland, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a mixed ecosystem of forest and wetlands sheltering a variety of animals. From the boardwalk at Beaver Marsh, watch for water-loving mammals or snapping turtles (鳄龟) that can weigh as much as 55 pounds each. More than 200 bird species live in the park.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Number of species per square meter: 286
The representative for Carlsbad Caverns is the Brazilian free-tailed bat. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of the furry, big-eared creatures live in these caves in southeastern New Mexico, attracting crowds at sunset with their spectacular out flight. The Brazilians are one of the 17 bat species that nest at Carlsbad. You might also encounter wild pigs and cave swallows.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Number of species per square meter: 242
The Atlantic Ocean meets the Maine coast at this popular park on Mount Desert Island, providing habitat for wildlife with feet and flippers (鳍状肢). From the shore, scan the water for the heads of harbor porpoises (鼠海豚) and gray seals.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Number of species per square meter: 219
In western Colorado, the 2, 722 feet between this park s canyon edge and the Gunnison River below support numerous wildlife habitats. Experienced climbers and hikers who adventure into the inner canyon find collared lizards and mule deer.
1. Which park has the largest number of species per square meter?| A．Acadia National Park. | B．Carlsbad Caverns National Park. |
| C．Cuyahoga Valley National Park. | D．Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park |
| A．Watch crowds of flying bats at sunset. |
| B．Observe 17 swallow species nesting in the city. |
| C．Play with turtles weighing over 55 pounds. |
| D．Meet wild pigs in forests and wetlands. |
| A．Cave swallows. | B．Gray seals. | C．Mule deer. | D．Free-tailed bats. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Reptiles, like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are egg-laying animals. The species are cold-blooded, which means their bodies have the same temperature as the area around them. A recent report says that more than one-fifth of the world’s reptiles are at risk of going extinct.
The study, written by 52 scientists, is the first worldwide measurement of how threatened different species of reptiles are. For 15 years, between 2004 and 2019, researchers collected information on over 10,000 different kinds of reptiles. They gathered details from over 900 reptile experts around the world.
The report has revealed some unhappy news — 21% of all reptile species are in danger of extinction. That’s over 1,800 species in all. The study reported that at least 31 species of reptiles have already gone extinct. The main reason these reptiles are faced with extinction is that humans are taking over more and more of their natural habitats. More land continues to be cleared to make room for cities and towns. Large areas of land are also being cleared so that they can be used as farmland. Logging is another big threat to reptile habitats.
But even if reptiles aren’t considered lovely, they play a very important part in nature’s food chains. One service performed by reptiles humans should appreciate is that they are natural enemies to certain pests, like insects and rats, and therefore helping control their numbers.
Scientists say the good news is that we know what must be done to protect reptiles. Bruce Young, one of the leaders of the research, says, “We have all the tools we need. Protecting natural areas, especially rainforests, is at the top of the list. Studies show that saving natural areas doesn’t just protect mammals or birds, but all kinds of animals, including reptiles.”
1. What can we know about reptiles from the report?| A．There are over 10,000 different kinds of reptiles worldwide. |
| B．Reptiles are cold-blooded egg-laying animals. |
| C．Over 20% of reptile species are at risk of dying out. |
| D．Temperature rising poses the greatest threat to reptiles. |
| A．Loss of habitats. | B．Human hunting. |
| C．More natural enemies. | D．Environmental pollution. |
| A．Attractive. | B．Intelligent. |
| C．Beneficial. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．Improving breeding methods. | B．Developing new rainforests. |
| C．Strengthening cooperation. | D．Saving their natural habitats. |
【推荐2】A food chain is a simple way of explaining how each living thing gets its food. For example, a simple African food chain might consist of three parts: first, trees and bushes; second, giraffes; and third, lions. Each link in a food chain is food for the next link. Food chains always start with plants and end with animals.
Plants are at the bottom of the food chain. Scientists call them producers, because they use light energy from the sun to produce food from carbon dioxide and water through photosynthesis（光合作用）. Animals, unlike plants, can’t produce their own food. Instead, they must eat plants or other animals. This is why scientists call them consumers.
Consumer animals fall into three categories. Herbivores（食草动物）eat only plants. Carnivores（食肉动物） eat only other animals. Omnivores eat both plants and animals. In addition to producers and consumers, there are also decomposers(分解者).These organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, feed on decaying(腐烂) matter. They help the food chain by speeding up the decaying process that releases minerals back into the soil to be absorbed by plants as nutrients.
Most food chains have only four or five links in them. As you go up a food chain, the amount of energy at each level diminishes, because some of the energy is lost in the form of waste or is used up by the organism at the level. That is why it takes many plants, for example, to feed a few giraffes who in turn feed one lion.
Most animals are part of many different food chains, because they must eat more than one type of food to satisfy their energy needs. All of these interconnected food chains form a more complex structure called a food web. Humans, for example, are at the center of a very complex food web, because we tend to eat many different types of plants and animals.
1. Which of the following tells us the African food chain?| A．Trees, giraffes and lions live on one another. |
| B．Giraffes eat lions and lions feed on bushes. |
| C．Lions live on giraffes and giraffes eat trees. |
| D．Bushes live on lions and lions eat giraffes. |
| A．emphasize the importance of the plants |
| B．compare the plants and the animals |
| C．present the scientists’ different views |
| D．explain the producers and consumers |
| A．changes | B．decreases |
| C．disappears | D．increases |
| A．omnivores | B．decomposers |
| C．herbivores | D．carnivores |
| A．The Types of Plants and Animals |
| B．The Differences among the Living Things |
| C．Three Categories of the Consumers |
| D．The Food Chain in the Natural World |
【推荐3】At first glance, it seems that giant pandas (大熊猫) might not be good at hide- and-seek. With their black and white coats,they appear to have a hard time matching their backgrounds and avoiding detection by their enemies. But a new study finds that the unique markings, in fact, provide effective camouflage (伪装) and help them disappear into their surroundings. Scientists have long wondered what function the black-and-white coloring plays.
For their study, researchers analyzed photos of giant pandas in their natural habitats. “We’ve found that the animals are very well camouflaged because they use habitats with dark and lighting conditions, and also snow during some time of the year,” study author Tim Caro of the University of Bristol and the University of California, Davis, tells Treehugger.
They found that the black patches (块) of fur match primarily shade and dark tree trunks. They also match the ground，rocks and leaves. The white fur patches match snow, rocks, and waxy, bright leaves. Sometimes pandas also have patches of pale brown fur and those match rocks, ground and shady background areas.
The researchers also explored a type of environmental camouflage known as disruptive coloration. That’s when highly contrasting patterns or very visible boundaries on an animal break up its body outline. They found that the black and white borders on the panda’s coat make it less noticeable, particularly from farther away.
It might seem a bit confusing because giant pandas are very easy to spot at a zoo, for instance. But the environment and the viewer make a difference.
“We modelled their coloration through enemies’ eyes as well as how humans see them so we are sure of the results.” Caro says.
“It seems that giant pandas appear easily noticeable to us because of short viewing distances and unnatural backgrounds, when we see them, either in photographs or at the zoo,it is almost always from close up, and often against a backdrop that doesn’t reflect their natural habitats,” says author Nick Scott-Samuel of the University of Bristol. “From a more realistic enemy’s view, the giant panda is actually rather well camouflaged.”
1. What is the general first impression of giant pandas?| A．They like staying away from humans. |
| B．They are really good at hide-and-seek. |
| C．They match the backgrounds very well. |
| D．They can be easily detected by enemies |
| A．Tree trunks. | B．Pale brown pandas. |
| C．Black fur patches. | D．Shady background areas |
| A．They are less noticeable in natural environments. |
| B．They can be easily noticed even from farther away. |
| C．They often disappear into backgrounds in a zoo. |
| D．They can not camouflage from an enemy’s view. |
| A．Giant Pandas Hide Themselves From Tourists |
| B．Giant Pandas Are Actually Good at Camouflaging |
| C．The Black-and-white Coloring Proves Appealing |
| D．You Are More Likely to Spot Giant Pandas in Nature |
【推荐1】Guan Shanyue Art Museum
Shenzhen artists are sending hope and gratitude to the Chinese COVID-19 frontline workers through 215 artworks at the “We Are Together” exhibition running until May 17. The paintings, sculptures, photographs and music videos show medical workers, delivery men, cleaners, police officers and volunteers working tirelessly during the outbreak. Meanwhile, a selection of master Quan Shanyue’s paintings featuring flowers and birds are also on display until July.
Hours: 9 a. m. -12 pm; 2 pm. 4. 30 p. m. closed Mondays.
He Xiangning Art Museum
Selected paintings by master He Xiangning are offering an in-depth review of her revolutionary and artistic career. The paintings mainly portray plum blossoms, pine trees, lions, tigers, and landscapes. Meanwhile, contemporary Chinese oil paintings produced in the past 30 years are also on display at the “AS Times Go By” exhibition until May 5.
Hours: 9:30 a. m. -4:30 p. m. , closed Mondays.
MixC Shenzhen Bay
The “Fantastic Dali” exhibition, running until May 5, presents an unimaginable world of 200 artworks by Spanish master Salvador Dali. Another exhibition running until May 28 features painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” by Ming artist Qiu Ying (1494-1552) and vivid scenes for visitors to take photos.
Hours (Dali):10 a. m. -7 p. m. (Mon. -Fri. ), 10 a. m. -9 p. m. (Sat. -Sun)
Hours(Qiu Ying):10 a. m. -9 p. m. , closed
Mondays. Cartoon Museum
At this exhibition, you can come behind the scenes with us to see how cartoon characters are created in the past 30 years. You can feel the moon dust flying into your face or take part in a wildlife adventure in our 3-D cinema. You will search for and see elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards, closely but safely with advanced 3D technology.
Hours: 9 a. m. -6:30 p. m. , closed Mondays
1. What are on exhibition in Guan Shanyue Art Museum?| A．Artworks by a Spanish master. |
| B．Paintings featuring landscapes. |
| C．Cartoon characters in the past decades. |
| D．Artworks honoring COVID-19 fighters. |
| A．“Fantastic Dali”. | B．“We Are Together”. |
| C．“As Times Go By”. | D．“Along the River During the Qingming Festival”. |
| A．An art website. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A painting album. | D．A comic book. |
【推荐2】How to Get Tickets to The Steve Harvey Show
Do you want to attend the taping (录影) of The Steve Harvey Show? All you have to do is ask and wait. Tickets to The Steve Harvey Show are free because they like to have fans attend the taping. They often give away more tickets than seats because it’s possible that some people won’t show up.
Request Your Tickets to The Steve Harvey Show
It is easy to request tickets to The Steve Harvey Show. You’ll simply give the show your information and the date when you’d like to attend.
1. Visit the official website of The Steve Harvey Show and find the “Get Tickets” link.
2.You’ll find a calendar (日历) with marked dates. Those are available taping dates. Select one that works best for you.
3. Fill out the online form — your name, email, phone number, address, requested date, etc.
Attend The Steve Harvey Show
Remember that your requested date is not guaranteed (保证). The show will do its best to meet your request, but it is possible you may receive tickets for a different date.
Tips
● In order to get into the studio, you will need to bring your ID, state ID, passport, or student ID.
● You might be on TV, so you need to dress neatly. Avoid sportswear, clothes with the printed symbol of a company, and hats.
● Check to see if any video recording machines are allowed. Cell phones with cameras might be allowed, but may have to be turned off before you enter the studio and stay off during taping.
1. What can we learn about The Steve Harvey Show?| A．It welcomes its fans to its studio. |
| B．It has more seats than needed. |
| C．It offers few seats to its fans. |
| D．It provides few free tickets. |
| A．Your chosen seat. |
| B．The studio of the taping. |
| C．The dates of the taping of the show. |
| D．Your requested date of attending the taping. |
| A．Apply to record the show in your way. |
| B．Download the form of your information. |
| C．Bring something to prove your identity. |
| D．Avoid taking your phone into the studio. |
 | The Battle at Lake Changiin is a historical epic jointly directed by three top directors-Chen Kaige, Hark Tsui and Dante Lam. The film is this year's second-biggest earner so far, both in China and globally, following the domestic comedy Hi, Mom. Set during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea（1950-1953）and starring Wu Jing and Jackson Yee, the movie tells the story of the Chinese People's Volunteers fighting bravely in freezing temperatures in a key campaign at Lake Changjin, or Chosin Reservoir. |
 | Hi, Mom, the first movie directed by Chinese comedian and actress Jia Ling, hit international theaters. The best-moving film was released in North America, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Britain, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia and several other countries and regions, according to Ruyi Films, one of the producers. Hi, Mom, widely considered as the top dark horse thanks to its moving plot of mother-daughter affection, has earned 1.7 billion yuan in rising to the second slot. |
 | Taking second place, The Wandering Earth, a sci-fi blockbuster was adapted from the eponymous novel by Liu Cixin. It was the 12th top-earning film worldwide. Along with director Ning Hao's Crazy Alien, and other Spring Festival blockbusters such as Han Han's directorial effort Pegasus, The Wandering Earth took the monthly gross in February to 11.2 billion yuan, the world's highest for a single month. |
| A．Hi, Mom. | B．The Wandering Earth. | C．Crazy Alien. | D．The Battle at Lake Changiin. |
| A．Three. | B．Four. | C．Five. | D．Six. |
| A．A magazine. | B．A travel guide. | C．A novel. | D．A science report. |
