单选题
Certainly no creature in the sea is odder than the common sea cucumber. All living creatures, especially human beings, have their peculiarities, but everything about the little sea cucumber seems unusual. What else can be said about a bizarre animal that among other eccentricities, eats mud, feeds almost continuously day and night but can live without eating for long periods, and can be poisonous but is considered supremely edible by gourmets? For some fifty million years, despite all its eccentricities, the sea cucumber has subsisted on its diet of mud. It is adaptable enough to live attached to rocks by its tube feet, under rocks in shallow water, or on the surface of mud flats. Common in cool water on both Atlantic and Pacific shores.it has the ability to suck up mud or sand and digest whatever nutrients are present Sea cucumbers come in a variety of colors, ranging from black to reddish-brown to sand-colored and nearly white. One form even has vivid purple tentacles. Usually the creatures are cucumber-shaped-hence their name and because they are typically rock inhabitants, this shape, combined with their flexibility, enables them to squeeze into crevices where they are safe from predators and ocean currents. Although they have voracious appetites, eating day and night, sea cucumbers have the capacity to become quiescent and live at a low metabolic rate-feeding sparingly or not at all for long periods, so that the marine organisms that provide their food have a chance to multiply. If it were not for this faculty, they would devour all the food available in a short time and would probably starve themselves out of existence. But the most spectacular thing about the sea cucumber is the way it defends itself. Its major enemies are fish and crabs. When attacked, it squirts all its internal organs into the water. It also casts off attached structures such as tentacles. The sea cucumber will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is attacked or even touched: it will do the same if the surrounding water temperature is too high or the water becomes too polluted.
单选题
According to the passage, why is the shape of sea cucumber important?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】解析:文章指出,海参的外形,以及他们的灵活性,能够让他们钻进裂缝躲避天敌和洋流。第三段thisshape,combined with their flexibility,enables them to squeeze into crevices where they are safefrom predators and ocean currents.
单选题
The fourth paragraph of the passage primarily discusses______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】解析:文章指出,虽然海参有一个贪婪的胃,它们能整Et地进食,但是由于它们能够以很低的新陈代谢水平生存,所以又能很长时间不进食。第四段Although they have voracious appetites,eating dayand night,sea cucumbers have the capacity to become quiescent and live at a low metabolic rate—feeding sparingly or not at all for long periods,so that the marine organisms that provide their foodhave a chance to multiply.
单选题
What can be inferred about the defense mechanisms of the sea cucumber?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】解析:文章指出,如果受到攻击,即便是被碰到,海参将会以自己的方式躲避危险。最后一段The seacucumber will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is attacked or even touched:it will do the same ifthe surrounding water temperature is too high or the water becomes too polluted.
单选题
Which of the following would NOT cause a sea cucumber to release its internal organs into the water?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】解析:文章指出,如果受到攻击,即便是被碰到,海参也会吐出内脏,如果周围的水温过高或受到污染,它也会这样做。最后一段The sea cucumber will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is attacked oreven touched:it will do the same if the surrounding water temperature is too high or the water be-comes too polluted.