Certain animals and plants develop characteristics that help them cope
with their environment better than others of their kind. This natural biological
process is called adaptation. Among the superior characteristics developed
through adaptation are those that may help in getting food or shelter, in
providing protection, and in producing and protecting the young. That results in
the evolution of more and more organisms that are better fitted to their
{{B}}environments{{/B}}. Each living thing is adapted to its way of
life in a general way, but each is adapted especially to its own distinct class.
A plant, for example, depends upon its roots to fix itself firmly and to absorb
water and inorganic chemicals. It depends upon its green leaves for using the
sun's energy to make food from inorganic chemicals. These are general
adaptations, common to most plants. In addition, there are special adaptations
that only certain kinds of plants have. Many animals have
adaptations that help them escape from their enemies. Some insects are hidden by
their body color or shape, and many look like a leaf or a little branch. The
coats of deer are colored to mix with the surroundings. Many animals have the
ability to remain completely still when an enemy is near.
Organisms have a great variety of ways of adapting. They may adapt in their
structure, function, and genetics; in their development and production of the
young; and in other respects. An organism may create its own environment, as do
warm-blooded mammals, which have the ability to adjust body heat exactly to
maintain their ideal temperature despite changing weather. Usually adaptations
are an advantage, but sometimes an organism is so well adapted to a particular
environment that, if conditions change, it finds it difficult or impossible to
readapt to the new conditions.
单选题
Some plants and animals develop superior characteristics so that they
may ______.
A. help others of their kind get food, shelter and other things needed
B. survive even in extremely severe conditions
C. become better adapted to the environments than others of their kind
D. result in the evolution and production of more intelligent
organisms
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 该题的直接答案相关句是文章第一句。
单选题
In the first paragraph, the word "environments" could best be replaced
by ______.
A. contexts
B. surroundings
C. neighbors
D. enemies
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] surroundings和environment是近义词，所以B正确。
单选题
It can be inferred from this passage that the feathers of a bird are
colored ______.
A. to frightened its enemies
B. to attract its enemies
C. to adjust its body heat
D. to match its environment
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 该题的直接答案相关句是第三段第三句：“The coats of deer are colored to mix with the surroundings.”
单选题
Which of the following is not directly mentioned?
A. A living thing may adapt in its structure.
B. An organism may adapt in its function.
C. A living creature may adapt in its genetic makeup.
D. A living organism may adapt in its sleeping habit.