问答题Directions:Read the following passages and then answer IN
COMPLETE SENTENCES the questions which follow each passage. Use only information
from tile passage you have just read and write your answer in the corresponding
space in your answer sheet. For 40 years the sight of
thousands of youngsters striding across the open moorland has been as much an
annual fixture as spring itself. But the 2,400 school pupils who join the
grueling Dartmoor Ten Tors Challenge next Saturday may be among the last to take
part in the May tradition. The trek faces growing criticism from
environmentalists who fear that the presence of so many walkers on one weekend
threatens the survival of some of Dartmoor's internationally rare bird
species. The Ten Tors Challenge takes place in the middle of
the breeding season, when the slightest disturbance can jeopardize birds'
chances of reproducing successfully. Experts at the RSPB and the Dartmoor
National Park Authority fear that the walkers could frighten birds and even
crush eggs. They are now calling for the event to be moved to the autumn, when
the breeding season is over and chicks should be well established. Organisers of
the event, which is led by about 400 Territorial Army volunteers, say moving it
would be impractical for several reasons and would mean pupils could not train
properly for the 55-mile trek. Dartmoor is home to 10 rare species of
ground-nesting birds, including golden plovers, dunlins and lapwings. In some
cases, species are either down to their last two pairs on the moor or are facing
a nationwide decline. Emma Parkin, South-west spokeswoman for
the PASPB, took part in the challenge as a schoolgirl. She said the society had
no objections to the event itself but simply wanted it moved to another time of
year. "It is a wonderful activity for the children who take part but, having
thousands of people walking past in one weekend when birds are breeding is
hardly ideal," she said. "We would prefer it to take place after the breeding
and nesting season is over. There is a risk of destruction and disturbance. If
the walkers put a foot in the wrong place they can crush the eggs and if there
is sufficient disturbance the birds might abandon the nest." Helen Booker, an
RSPB upland conservation officer, said there was no research into the scale of
the damage but there was little doubt the walk was detrimental. "If people are
tramping past continually it can harm the chances of successful nesting. There
is also the fear of direct trampling of eggs." A spokesman for the Dartmoor
National Park Authority said the breeding season on the moor lasted from early
March to mid-July, and the Ten Tors Challenge created the potential for
disturbance for March, when participants start training. To
move the event to the autumn was difficult because children would be on holiday
during the training period. There was a possibility that some schools in the
Southwest move to a four-term year in 2004, "but until then any change was
unlikely. The authority last surveyed bird life on Dartmoor two year ago and if
the next survey showed any further decline, it would increase pressure to move
the Challenge," he said. Major Mike Pether, secretary of the
army committee that organises the Challenge, said the event could be moved if
there was the popular will. "The Ten Tors has been running for 42 years and it
has always been at this time of the year. It is almost in tablets of stone but
that's not to say we won't consider moving if there is a consensus in favour.
However, although the RSPB would like it moved, 75 per cent of the people who
take part want it to stay as it is," he said. Major Pether said the trek could
not be moved to earlier in the year because it would conflict with the lambing
season, most of the children were on holiday in the summer, and the winter
weather was too harsh. Datmoor National Park occupies some 54
sq km of hills topped by granite outcrops known as "Tors" with the highest
Tor-capped hill reaching 621m. The valleys and dips between the hills are often
sites of bogs to snare the unwary hiker. The moor has long been used by the
British Army as a training and firing range. The origin of the event stretches
back to 1959 when three Army officers exercising on the moor thought it would
provide a challenge for civilians as well as soldiers. In the first year 203
youngsters took up the challenges. Since then teams, depending on age and
ability, face hikes of 35, 45 or 55 miles between 10 nominated Tors over two
days. They are expected to carry everything they need to survive.
问答题
What is the Ten Tors Challenge? Give a brief introduction of its location and history.
【正确答案】Ten Tors Challenge is located in Dartmoor Park with 54 square kilometres of hills covered by "Tors". It is an event starting from 1959 and at the first time, 203 young people walking over a distance of 55-mile trek in two days. In all, Ten Tors Challenge is a kind of outdoor physical training.
问答题
Why is it suggested that the event be moved to the autumn or other seasons?
【正确答案】According to some environmentalists this event may threaten some "internationally rare bird species". In addition, the taking place of this event during the breeding season call lead to the destroying eggs and frightening birds. As a result, the number of the birds may decline.
【答案解析】(文章第一段最后一句，第二段和第三段提到将the event改到秋季的原因，Ten Tors Challenge会使仅存的稀有鸟类受到惊吓，而且这项活动好处在鸟类的繁殖期，Dartmoor National Park Authority害怕此时进行Ten Tors Challenge会使鸟儿受到惊吓，有可能踩破鸟蛋等，所以要将日期改到秋季。)
问答题
What are the difficulties if the event is moved to the autumn or other seasons?
【正确答案】Children is right "on holiday" during the training period if the activity is moved to autumn. Besides, the Ten Tors Challenge has been at this time for 42 years. No one won't consider moving if there is no consensus in favor. If moved earlier, it would conflict with the lambing season and the weather in winter would be too harsh and cold.