Passage 2

                 Parrots are becoming one of the most popular pets in America for good reasons. The parrot is an extraordinary bird that can be taught to talk, can be easily cared for, and can create a lively atmosphere anywhere. With the help of an energetic parrot owner, a parrot can develop an enormous vocabulary. In addition, a parrot can be trained to say 'Pretty boy' or 'Polly wants a cracker,' and it also can learn to whistle or sing.
                 No matter what an owner decides to teach a bird, training a parrot takes much patience, but the reward is a stream of chatter. Another reason for the parrot's popularity is that this pet does not require much care. For example, even a spoiled parrot does not need a house-sitter for the purpose of daily walks and daily feeding. In fact, a parrot owner may leave his or her pet with enough food for five days and have no fear that the parrot will overeat. Still another advantage of owning a parrot is its inexpensive food, including seeds, nuts, corn, and grain—along with an apple, banana, or carrot. Perhaps the most likely reason the parrot is becoming such a well-liked pet is that it is a combination of tameness and wildness. Because the parrot can live in almost any environment, it makes a fine, tame companion for many people. In addition, because it can be easily trained, it is a delightful performer. At the same time, its colorful feathers give it an air of the mystery of the parrot's native home, the jungle. Thus, the parrot, once a highly valued gift presented to kings and noble families, is now appreciated by a growing number of people.  

单选题

A parrot can be trained to do all the following but ______.

【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】

题干的意思是:鹦鹉能够被训练做以下的事情,除了______。这道题从第一段的第二句话和第四句话中可以找到答案,A、C、D选项均被提及,只有B选项没有在文中出现,所以正确答案为B项。

单选题

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the easy raising of the parrot?

【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】

题干的意思是:下列哪个选项不是鹦鹉容易被饲养的原因?由文章第二段第二、三句和第五句可知选项B、C、D均正确,只有A项未提及。

单选题

The word 'tameness' in the passage means ______.

【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】

题干的意思是:“tameness”这个词在文中的意思是______。该词出现在第二段倒数第五句“it is a combination of tameness and wildness”,由“并列对比法”可以通过对比猜出词义,“wildness”为“野性,狂野”,故“tameness”应为“温顺,驯服”。所以只有D选项中的“gentle(温顺)”和“trained(驯服)”与此意接近。因此,正确答案为D项。

单选题

The word 'jungle' probably means ______.

【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】

题干的意思是:“jungle”一词的意思可能是______。根据“近义复述法”,我们知道“the jungle”就是指“the parrot's native home”,而鸟类一般都生活在丛林之中。所以正确答案为C项。

单选题

The writer ______.

【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】

题干的意思是:作者______。根据四个选项我们可以得知这里询问的是作者对待鹦鹉的态度是什么?答案应从A、B、C三个表达态度的选项中选择。D选项具有一定的迷惑性,但是本文仅仅谈到了鹦鹉作为宠物的优点,并未涉及其他的价值,所以D项的说法“高度评价了鹦鹉”在文中找不到依据。根据作者列举鹦鹉这种宠物在美国逐渐普遍的三个原因,我们可以看出作者对鹦鹉的喜爱。所以,正确答案为A项。