填空题 Sometimes an object in nature is so rare that it escapes mention in nature books. Such is the case with the delightful Kirtland's warbler. The Kirtland's warbler is a plump, yellow-breasted bird that can be found nesting almost exclusively in the upper half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Although this bird does migrate to the Bahamas during the winter months, Michigan is its natural habitat. Unfortunately, reduced numbers have caused the Kirtland's warbler to be designated an endangered species. The remaining Kirtland's warblers now enjoy living among the jack pine trees located in protected Michigan forests. The male warblers generally return north before the female birds. Often, they return as early as May. When they arrive, the male warblers stake out their territories and choose a nesting area. At the completion of their own long journey from the Bahamas, the female warblers begin to collect leaves and grass to build their nests. Oddly, the Kirtland's warbler nests on the ground and not in the nearby jack pine trees themselves. During the nesting process, the male warbler provides food for his mate while the female Kirtland's warbler lays four to five speckled eggs. The eggs hatch in two to three weeks and both the male and female warblers tend to their chicks.

单选题 The passage implies that the author is

A. disinterested in the fate of Kirtland's warbler
B. a proponent of Kirtland's warbler
C. a native of Michigan who travels to the Bahamas
D. reluctant to discuss the migratory patterns of Kirtland's warbler
E. annoyed that Kirtland's warbler is not mentioned in nature books

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】The passage is a generally scientific description of the Kirkland's warbler. The tone is mostly neutral, with a slightly positive bent. This tone and main subject matter support answer choice B. Note that while the bird is a native of Michigan, nothing in the passage indicates that the author must also be one.

单选题 In the first two sentences of the passage, the author is mostly likely suggesting that

A. Kirkland's warblers do not merit mention in nature books
B. birds that migrate are considered native to the place where they build their nests
C. many bird species are so rare that they escape mention in nature books
D. most bird species in Michigan are well documented in scientific literature
E. Kirkland's warblers are little known because of their limited numbers

【正确答案】 E

【答案解析】Choice E restates the main idea of the first two sentences. The difference between A and E is primarily that of tone. The author is slightly positive about the birds (e.g., "the delightful Kirkland's warbler), which would eliminate choice A. Choice C is too general, while choice B refers to information later in the passage.

单选题 Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

A. Male and female warblers generally eat small insects.
B. Most native species of birds only lay three to four eggs.
C. Other Michigan-native birds species also nest on the ground.
D. Five weeks after the eggs hatch, the fledglings are able to survive on their own.
E. While the birds nest on the ground, the jack pine trees offer unique protection.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】The passage concludes with a timeline of the warblers' nesting behaviors. Choice D continues that timeline to the point where the hatchlings are ready to leave the nest. Therefore, it is the best choice to end the passage.