共用题干 Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published
题目
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.
As predators,ants______.
A: prey on small as well as large animals
B: collect nutritious food from the soil
C: collect food as decomposers
D: prey on species much higher up the food chain
A: prey on small as well as large animals
B: collect nutritious food from the soil
C: collect food as decomposers
D: prey on species much higher up the food chain
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更多“共用题干 Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published”相关问题
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第1题：
共用题干
第二篇
Night of the Living Ants
When an ant dies,other ants move the dead insect out of the nest.This behavior is interesting to scien-
tists,who wonder how ants know for sure一and so soon一that another ant is dead.
Dong-Hwan Choe,a scientist at the University of California,found that Argentine ants have a chemical
on the outside of their bodies that signals to other ants,"I'm dead一take me away."
But there's a twist to Choe's discovery. These ants behave a little bit like zombies（僵尸）.Choe says
that the living ants一not just the dead ones一have this death chemicals. In other words,while an ant crawls
around,perhaps in a picnic or home,it's telling other ants that it's dead.
What keeps ants from hauling away the living dead? Choe found that Argentine ants have two additional
chemicals on their bodies,and these tell nearby ants something like,"Wait一I'm not dead yet."So Choe's
research turned up two sets of chemical signals in ants:one says,"I'm dead,"the other set says,"I'm not
dead yet."
Other scientists have tried to figure out how ants know when another ant is dead.If an ant is knocked
unconscious,other ants leave it alone until it wakes up.That means ants know that unmoving ants can still be
alive.
Choe suspects that when an Argentine ant dies,the chemical that says"Wait一I'm not dead yet"quickly
goes away. Once that chemical is gone,only the one that says"I'm dead"is left."It's because the dead ant
no longer smells like a living ant that it gets carried to the graveyard（墓地）,not because its body releases
new,unique chemicals after death,"said Choe.When other ants detect the"dead"chemical without the"not
dead yet" chemical,they haul away the body. This was Choe's hypothesis（假设）.
To test his hypothesis,Choe and his team put different chemicals on Argentine ant pupae（蛹）.When
the scientists used the"I'm dead"chemical,other ants quickly hauled the treated pupae away.When the sci-
entists used the"Wait一I'm not dead yet"chemical,other ants left the treated pupae alone.Choe believes
this behavior shows that the" not dead yet" chemical overrides（优先于）the" dead" chemical when picked up
by adult ants.And that when an ant dies,the"not dead yet"chemical fades away.Other nearby ants then de-
tect the remaining"dead"chemical and remove the body from the nest.Which of the following statements is NOT true of ants?
A:Ants know very soon that?another ant is dead.
B:When an ant is dead,others move its body out of the nest.
C:If an ant is unconscious,it is moved out of the nest.
D:Living ants have the"I'm dead"chemical on their bodies.答案：C解析：第二段提到：加州大学的科学家周东环发现阿根廷蚂蚁的身体能向外释放一种化学物 质来告诉同伴：“我死了，把我挪走吧。”
根据第五段第二句可推断出C项错误。
倒数第二段提到：一只阿根廷蚂蚁死后，发出“等等，我还没死呢”这一信号的化学物质 立刻消失，因此选D。
周的假设是表明“我死了”的化学物质是蚂蚁本身就有的，而非死后释放的。它和表明 “我没死”的化学物质同时存在于活着的蚂蚁身上，只不过其优先权不如表明“我没死”的化学 物质。实验结果是：当科学家用“我已死”化学物质时，蚂蚁们立刻将处理过的蛹拉走。当科 学家使用“等等，我还没死”化学物质时，其他蚂蚁并不碰这个蛹。所以，周的假设是正确的。
本文主要讲述了蚂蚁们如何迅速准确地得知同伴死了，所以选D。 第三篇 本文介绍了在山口发现的一具躺在冰上的尸体，以及由此引发的研究和种种猜测。 -
第2题：
共用题干
第二篇
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as "Ecosystem Engineers"
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment
as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of
Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving the soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of
nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers
to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by
vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said,
"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very
aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong
influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we
found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of
other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the
grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and
densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both of which can be found across Europe,including the
UK. It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the
local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the
opposite effect,the predation counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil
nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their
predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of the ecosystem not only because they constitute a great part of the
animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high,and
these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness.However,it is
not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important
in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their
effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What still remains unclear about ants,according to the last paragraph?
A:What roles ants play in the ecosystem in which they live.
B:How ants affect the animal diversity in a given ecosystem.
C:How human activities affect ants' influence on a given ecosystem.
D:How ants alter the physical and chemical environment.答案：C解析：由短文的第一段第一句可知答案为C项。
答案能够从短文的第三段直接找到。该段告诉我们，蚂蚁的捕食范围很广，甚至包括 比它们体积大的动物。
短文第五段中Dirk Sanders说：" In this research , we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.”所以，D是正确选项。句中“the subtleties of it”的意思是：（蚂 蚁对环境）影响的精妙之处。
短文第六段第二句的大概意思是，蚂蚁数量小（a iow density of ants）的话，能使其他动 物的品种和数量增加（increased the diversity and density of other animals)，从而给环境带来积极 影响；第三句说，如果蚂蚁的数量大（At higher densities)，就会没有影响或者有相反的影响。
最后一段的第二和第三句提供了答案。第二句告诉我们，蚂蚁极易受人类的影响 (these organisms are highly responsive to human impact)，第三句告诉我们，科学家还不清楚人类 对蚂蚁的这种干扰如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用（it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem）。第三篇 本文的主要内容是气候变化导致的饥荒摧毁了古埃及文明，文章指出，如今类似的事情破坏 力会更大。 -
第3题：
共用题干
第二篇
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local en-vironment as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be at-tacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,haying a big influence on the grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Eurone.including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What still remains unclear about ants,according to the last paragraph?
A:What roles do ants play in the ecosystem in which they live?
B:How do ants affect the animal diversity in a given ecosystem?
C:How do human activities affect ants' influence on a given ecosystem?
D:How do ants alter the physical and chemical environment?答案：C解析：根据文章第一段的第一句话，我们知道蚂蚁之所以被称为“生态系统工程师”是因为它们的行为对当地的环境产生巨大的影响。因此选择C。
文章第三段讲到蚂蚁作为食肉动物会捕食各种动物，甚至是比较大的猎物。因此选项A是正确的。
文章第五段第一句详细解释了Sanders博士所从事的研究内容，即“对蚂蚁带来的影响大小及微妙程度进行研究”。因此选项D是正确的。
文章第六段主要是说蚂蚁数量少的话，其他动物的品种和数量就会增加，从而会给环境带来积极的影响。如果蚂蚁数量大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或是产生相反的影响。选项B是正确的。
最后一段倒数第二句提到“科学家还不清楚人类对蚂蚁的这种干扰是如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用的”。因此选项C是正确的。 -
第4题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Why are ants compared to ecosystem engineers?
A: Because they build their own nests.
B: Because they collect food.
C: Because their activity affects the environment.
D: Because they are predators.答案：C解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中 找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为 ‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平”。结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息 词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species,food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators,invading animals,survival,big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.” （第五段）“In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web,” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。 -
第5题：
共用题干
第二篇
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local en-vironment as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be at-tacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,haying a big influence on the grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Eurone.including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What does paragraph 6 tell us?
A:Ants bring about a negative influence to an area when their population is small.
B:Ants bring about a positive influence to an area when their population is small.
C:Ants' predation counteracts the positive influence they may have on an area.
D:At higher density,ants produce a positive influence on an area.答案：B解析：根据文章第一段的第一句话，我们知道蚂蚁之所以被称为“生态系统工程师”是因为它们的行为对当地的环境产生巨大的影响。因此选择C。
文章第三段讲到蚂蚁作为食肉动物会捕食各种动物，甚至是比较大的猎物。因此选项A是正确的。
文章第五段第一句详细解释了Sanders博士所从事的研究内容，即“对蚂蚁带来的影响大小及微妙程度进行研究”。因此选项D是正确的。
文章第六段主要是说蚂蚁数量少的话，其他动物的品种和数量就会增加，从而会给环境带来积极的影响。如果蚂蚁数量大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或是产生相反的影响。选项B是正确的。
最后一段倒数第二句提到“科学家还不清楚人类对蚂蚁的这种干扰是如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用的”。因此选项C是正确的。 -
第6题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Dirk Sanders'study centered on how ants______.
A: can manage to thrive in huge numbers
B: defend their resources and territory against other predators
C: attack those invading animals for survival
D: produce such a big impact on the environment答案：D解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中 找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为 ‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平”。结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息 词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species,food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators,invading animals,survival,big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.” （第五段）“In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web,” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。 -
第7题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.As predators,ants______.
A:prey on small as well as large animals
B: collect nutritious food from the soil
C: collect food as decomposers
D: prey on species much higher up the food chain答案：A解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中 找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为 ‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平”。结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息 词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species,food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators,invading animals,survival,big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.” （第五段）“In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web,” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。 -
第8题：
共用题干
第三篇
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as " Ecosystem Engineers"
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment
as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of
Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment?
Firstly.throuah moving the soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of
nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers
to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by
vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said,
"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very ag-
gressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong
influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we
found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of
other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the
grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and den-
sities of black garden ants and common red ants,both of which can be found across Europe,including the
UK. It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the
local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the op-
posite effect,the predation counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil
nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their
predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem
engineering.
Ants are important components of the ecosystem not only because they constitute a great part of the ani--
mal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these
organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness.However,it is not
clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in
below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their
effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.As predators,ants_________.
A:prey on small as well as large animals
B:collect nutritious food from the soil
C:collect food as decomposers
D:prey on species much higher up the food chain答案：A解析：由短文的第一段第一句可知答案为C项。
答案能够从短文的第三段直接找到。该段告诉我们，蚂蚁的捕食范围很广，甚至包括比它们体积大的动物。
短文第五段中Dirk Sanders说：" In this research , we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.”所以，D是正确选项。句中“the subtleties of it”的意思是：（蚂 蚁对环境）影响的精妙之处。
短文第六段第二句的大概意思是，蚂蚁数量小（a low density of ants）的话，能使其他动 物的品种和数量增加（increased the diversity and density of other animals)，从而给环境带来积极 影响；第三句说，如果蚂蚁的数量大（At higher densities)，就会没有影响或者有相反的影响。
最后一段的第二和第三句提供了答案。第二句告诉我们，蚂蚁极易受人类的影响 ( these organisms are highly responsive to human impact)，第三句告诉我们，科学家还不清楚人类 对蚂蚁的这种干扰如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用（it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem）。 -
第9题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What still remains unclear about ants,according to the last paragraph?
A: What roles do ants play in the ecosystem in which they live?
B: How do ants affect the animal diversity in a given ecosystem?
C:How do human activities affect ants'influence on a given ecosystem?
D: How do ants alter the physical and chemical environment?答案：C解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平” 结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species , food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积 小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators , invading animals , survival , big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area. （第五段）In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web , ” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。
题干意为“第六段告诉了我们什么？”该题问及第六段的主要内容，即段落大意，因此该题属于主旨题。还是首先考虑利用备选项中的细节信息词/短语negative influ-ence,area,population, positive influence,ants' predation, higher density作为定位线索，在第六段中找到需要重点阅读的句子：The study, carried out in Germany, studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect, showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence．定位线索词集中出现在第六段的第二句和第三句中，因此首先重点阅读这两个句子。这两个句子提到“研究发现，一个地区的蚂蚁密度小，而其他动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多。如果蚂蚁的密度大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或者产生相反的影响，这表明，蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”。依据这两个句子可以得出这样的结论：当蚂蚁密度小（即数量少）的时候会对环境产生积极的影响，因为其他．动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多，因此该题答案为B项“当蚂蚁的数量少的时候会对一个地区产生积极的影响”。虽然短文中提到了“蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”，但这是在蚂蚁的密度大的情况下出现的情况，而不是在任何情况都是如此，因此选项C不 正确。 -
第10题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What does paragraph 6 tell us?
A: Ants bring about a negative influence to an area when their population is small.
B: Ants bring about a positive influence to an area when their population is small.
C: Ants'predation counteracts the positive influence they may have on an area.
D: At higher density,ants produce a positive influence on an area.答案：B解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平” 结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species , food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积 小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators , invading animals , survival , big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area. （第五段）In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web , ” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。
题干意为“第六段告诉了我们什么？”该题问及第六段的主要内容，即段落大意，因此该题属于主旨题。还是首先考虑利用备选项中的细节信息词/短语negative influ-ence,area,population, positive influence,ants' predation, higher density作为定位线索，在第六段中找到需要重点阅读的句子：The study, carried out in Germany, studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect, showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence．定位线索词集中出现在第六段的第二句和第三句中，因此首先重点阅读这两个句子。这两个句子提到“研究发现，一个地区的蚂蚁密度小，而其他动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多。如果蚂蚁的密度大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或者产生相反的影响，这表明，蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”。依据这两个句子可以得出这样的结论：当蚂蚁密度小（即数量少）的时候会对环境产生积极的影响，因为其他．动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多，因此该题答案为B项“当蚂蚁的数量少的时候会对一个地区产生积极的影响”。虽然短文中提到了“蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”，但这是在蚂蚁的密度大的情况下出现的情况，而不是在任何情况都是如此，因此选项C不 正确。 -
第11题：
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage. Lead deposits, which accumulated in soil and snow during the 1960’s and 70’s, were primarily the result of leaded gasoline emissions originating in the United States. In the twenty years that the Clean Air Act has mandated unleaded gas use in the United States, the lead accumulation worldwide has decreased significantly. A study published recently in the journal Nature shows that air-borne leaded gas emissions from the United States were the leading contributor to the high concentration of lead in the snow in Greenland. The new study is a result of the continued research led by Dr. Charles Boutron, an expert on the impact of heavy metals on the environment at the National Center for Scientific Research in France. A study by Dr. Boutron published in 1991 showed that lead levels in arctic (北极的) snow were declining. In his new study, Dr. Boutron found the ratios of the different forms of lead in the leaded gasoline used in the United States were different from the ratios of European, Asian and Canadian gasolines and thus enabled scientists to differentiate (区分) the lead sources. The dominant lead ratio found in Greenland snow matched that found in gasoline from the United States. In a study published in the journal Ambio, scientists found that lead levels in soil in the Northeastern United States had decreased markedly since the introduction of unleaded gasoline. Many scientists had believed that the lead would stay in soil and snow for a longer period. The authors of the Ambio study examined samples of the upper layers of soil taken from the same sites of 30 forest floors in New England, New York and Pennsylvania in 1980 and in 1990. The forest environment processed and redistributed the lead faster than the scientists had expected. Scientists say both studies demonstrate that certain parts of the ecosystem (生态系统) respond rapidly to reductions in atmospheric pollution, but that these findings should not be used as a license to pollute. The authors of the Ambio study have found that（）
- A、forests get rid of lead pollution faster than expected
- B、lead accumulations in forests are more difficult to deal with
- C、lead deposits are widely distributed in the forests of the US
- D、the upper layers of soil in forests are easily polluted by lead emissions
正确答案:A -
第12题：
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage. Lead deposits, which accumulated in soil and snow during the 1960’s and 70’s, were primarily the result of leaded gasoline emissions originating in the United States. In the twenty years that the Clean Air Act has mandated unleaded gas use in the United States, the lead accumulation worldwide has decreased significantly. A study published recently in the journal Nature shows that air-borne leaded gas emissions from the United States were the leading contributor to the high concentration of lead in the snow in Greenland. The new study is a result of the continued research led by Dr. Charles Boutron, an expert on the impact of heavy metals on the environment at the National Center for Scientific Research in France. A study by Dr. Boutron published in 1991 showed that lead levels in arctic (北极的) snow were declining. In his new study, Dr. Boutron found the ratios of the different forms of lead in the leaded gasoline used in the United States were different from the ratios of European, Asian and Canadian gasolines and thus enabled scientists to differentiate (区分) the lead sources. The dominant lead ratio found in Greenland snow matched that found in gasoline from the United States. In a study published in the journal Ambio, scientists found that lead levels in soil in the Northeastern United States had decreased markedly since the introduction of unleaded gasoline. Many scientists had believed that the lead would stay in soil and snow for a longer period. The authors of the Ambio study examined samples of the upper layers of soil taken from the same sites of 30 forest floors in New England, New York and Pennsylvania in 1980 and in 1990. The forest environment processed and redistributed the lead faster than the scientists had expected. Scientists say both studies demonstrate that certain parts of the ecosystem (生态系统) respond rapidly to reductions in atmospheric pollution, but that these findings should not be used as a license to pollute. Lead accumulation worldwide decreased significantly after the use of unleaded gas in the US （）
- A、was discouraged
- B、was enforced by law
- C、was prohibited by law
- D、was introduced
正确答案:B -
第13题：
共用题干
第二篇
Night of the Living Ants
When an ant dies,other ants move the dead insect out of the nest.This behavior is interesting to scien-
tists,who wonder how ants know for sure一and so soon一that another ant is dead.
Dong-Hwan Choe,a scientist at the University of California,found that Argentine ants have a chemical
on the outside of their bodies that signals to other ants,"I'm dead一take me away."
But there's a twist to Choe's discovery. These ants behave a little bit like zombies（僵尸）.Choe says
that the living ants一not just the dead ones一have this death chemicals. In other words,while an ant crawls
around,perhaps in a picnic or home,it's telling other ants that it's dead.
What keeps ants from hauling away the living dead? Choe found that Argentine ants have two additional
chemicals on their bodies,and these tell nearby ants something like,"Wait一I'm not dead yet."So Choe's
research turned up two sets of chemical signals in ants:one says,"I'm dead,"the other set says,"I'm not
dead yet."
Other scientists have tried to figure out how ants know when another ant is dead.If an ant is knocked
unconscious,other ants leave it alone until it wakes up.That means ants know that unmoving ants can still be
alive.
Choe suspects that when an Argentine ant dies,the chemical that says"Wait一I'm not dead yet"quickly
goes away. Once that chemical is gone,only the one that says"I'm dead"is left."It's because the dead ant
no longer smells like a living ant that it gets carried to the graveyard（墓地）,not because its body releases
new,unique chemicals after death,"said Choe.When other ants detect the"dead"chemical without the"not
dead yet" chemical,they haul away the body. This was Choe's hypothesis（假设）.
To test his hypothesis,Choe and his team put different chemicals on Argentine ant pupae（蛹）.When
the scientists used the"I'm dead"chemical,other ants quickly hauled the treated pupae away.When the sci-
entists used the"Wait一I'm not dead yet"chemical,other ants left the treated pupae alone.Choe believes
this behavior shows that the" not dead yet" chemical overrides（优先于）the" dead" chemical when picked up
by adult ants.And that when an ant dies,the"not dead yet"chemical fades away.Other nearby ants then de-
tect the remaining"dead"chemical and remove the body from the nest.According to Paragraph 7,what is the result. of the test on Choe's hypothesis?
A:It shows that his hypothesis is wrong.
B:It proves that his hypothesis is convincing.
C:It suggests that his hypothesis needs revising.
D:Not enough evidence has been found to support his hypothesis.答案：B解析：第二段提到：加州大学的科学家周东环发现阿根廷蚂蚁的身体能向外释放一种化学物 质来告诉同伴：“我死了，把我挪走吧。”
根据第五段第二句可推断出C项错误。
倒数第二段提到：一只阿根廷蚂蚁死后，发出“等等，我还没死呢”这一信号的化学物质 立刻消失，因此选D。
周的假设是表明“我死了”的化学物质是蚂蚁本身就有的，而非死后释放的。它和表明 “我没死”的化学物质同时存在于活着的蚂蚁身上，只不过其优先权不如表明“我没死”的化学 物质。实验结果是：当科学家用“我已死”化学物质时，蚂蚁们立刻将处理过的蛹拉走。当科 学家使用“等等，我还没死”化学物质时，其他蚂蚁并不碰这个蛹。所以，周的假设是正确的。
本文主要讲述了蚂蚁们如何迅速准确地得知同伴死了，所以选D。 第三篇 本文介绍了在山口发现的一具躺在冰上的尸体，以及由此引发的研究和种种猜测。 -
第14题：
共用题干
第二篇
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as "Ecosystem Engineers"
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment
as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of
Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving the soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of
nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers
to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by
vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said,
"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very
aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong
influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we
found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of
other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the
grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and
densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both of which can be found across Europe,including the
UK. It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the
local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the
opposite effect,the predation counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil
nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their
predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of the ecosystem not only because they constitute a great part of the
animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high,and
these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness.However,it is
not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important
in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their
effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What does Paragraph 6 tell us?
A:Ants bring about a negative influence to an area when their population is small.
B:Ants bring about a positive influence to an area when their population is small.
C:Ants' predation counteracts the positive influence they may have on an area.
D:At higher density,ants produce a positive influence on an area.答案：B解析：由短文的第一段第一句可知答案为C项。
答案能够从短文的第三段直接找到。该段告诉我们，蚂蚁的捕食范围很广，甚至包括 比它们体积大的动物。
短文第五段中Dirk Sanders说：" In this research , we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.”所以，D是正确选项。句中“the subtleties of it”的意思是：（蚂 蚁对环境）影响的精妙之处。
短文第六段第二句的大概意思是，蚂蚁数量小（a iow density of ants）的话，能使其他动 物的品种和数量增加（increased the diversity and density of other animals)，从而给环境带来积极 影响；第三句说，如果蚂蚁的数量大（At higher densities)，就会没有影响或者有相反的影响。
最后一段的第二和第三句提供了答案。第二句告诉我们，蚂蚁极易受人类的影响 (these organisms are highly responsive to human impact)，第三句告诉我们，科学家还不清楚人类 对蚂蚁的这种干扰如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用（it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem）。第三篇 本文的主要内容是气候变化导致的饥荒摧毁了古埃及文明，文章指出，如今类似的事情破坏 力会更大。 -
第15题：
共用题干
第二篇
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local en-vironment as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be at-tacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,haying a big influence on the grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Eurone.including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Why are ants compared to ecosystem engineers?
A:Because they build their own nests.
B:Because they collect food.
C:Because their activity affects the environment.
D:Because they are predators.答案：C解析：根据文章第一段的第一句话，我们知道蚂蚁之所以被称为“生态系统工程师”是因为它们的行为对当地的环境产生巨大的影响。因此选择C。
文章第三段讲到蚂蚁作为食肉动物会捕食各种动物，甚至是比较大的猎物。因此选项A是正确的。
文章第五段第一句详细解释了Sanders博士所从事的研究内容，即“对蚂蚁带来的影响大小及微妙程度进行研究”。因此选项D是正确的。
文章第六段主要是说蚂蚁数量少的话，其他动物的品种和数量就会增加，从而会给环境带来积极的影响。如果蚂蚁数量大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或是产生相反的影响。选项B是正确的。
最后一段倒数第二句提到“科学家还不清楚人类对蚂蚁的这种干扰是如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用的”。因此选项C是正确的。 -
第16题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What does paragraph 6 tell us?
A: Ants bring about a negative influence to an area when their population is small.
B: Ants bring about a positive influence to an area when their population is small.
C: Ants'predation counteracts the positive influence they may have on an area.
D: At higher density,ants produce a positive influence on an area.答案：B解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中 找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为 ‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平”。结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息 词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species,food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators,invading animals,survival,big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.” （第五段）“In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web,” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。 -
第17题：
共用题干
第二篇
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local en-vironment as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be at-tacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,haying a big influence on the grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Eurone.including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Dir Sanders' study centered on how ants_________.
A:can manage to thrive in huge numbers
B:defend their resources and territory against other predators
C:attack those invading animals for survival
D:produce such a big impact on the environment答案：D解析：根据文章第一段的第一句话，我们知道蚂蚁之所以被称为“生态系统工程师”是因为它们的行为对当地的环境产生巨大的影响。因此选择C。
文章第三段讲到蚂蚁作为食肉动物会捕食各种动物，甚至是比较大的猎物。因此选项A是正确的。
文章第五段第一句详细解释了Sanders博士所从事的研究内容，即“对蚂蚁带来的影响大小及微妙程度进行研究”。因此选项D是正确的。
文章第六段主要是说蚂蚁数量少的话，其他动物的品种和数量就会增加，从而会给环境带来积极的影响。如果蚂蚁数量大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或是产生相反的影响。选项B是正确的。
最后一段倒数第二句提到“科学家还不清楚人类对蚂蚁的这种干扰是如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用的”。因此选项C是正确的。 -
第18题：
共用题干
第二篇
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local en-vironment as a result of their activity as"ecosystem engineers"and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be at-tacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said:"Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area."
"In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,haying a big influence on the grassland food web,"Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Eurone.including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers.At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:"What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering."
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem.Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.As predators,ants_________.
A:prey on small as well as large animals
B:collect nutritious food from the soil
C:collect food as decomposers
D:prey on species much higher up the food chain答案：A解析：根据文章第一段的第一句话，我们知道蚂蚁之所以被称为“生态系统工程师”是因为它们的行为对当地的环境产生巨大的影响。因此选择C。
文章第三段讲到蚂蚁作为食肉动物会捕食各种动物，甚至是比较大的猎物。因此选项A是正确的。
文章第五段第一句详细解释了Sanders博士所从事的研究内容，即“对蚂蚁带来的影响大小及微妙程度进行研究”。因此选项D是正确的。
文章第六段主要是说蚂蚁数量少的话，其他动物的品种和数量就会增加，从而会给环境带来积极的影响。如果蚂蚁数量大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或是产生相反的影响。选项B是正确的。
最后一段倒数第二句提到“科学家还不清楚人类对蚂蚁的这种干扰是如何破坏蚂蚁对生态系统的维护作用的”。因此选项C是正确的。 -
第19题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counteracting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obviously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the maintenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.What still remains unclear about ants,according to the last paragraph?
A: What roles do ants play in the ecosystem in which they live?
B: How do ants affect the animal diversity in a given ecosystem?
C: How do human activities affect ants'influence on a given ecosystem?
D: How do ants alter the physical and chemical environment?答案：C解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中 找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为 ‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平”。结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息 词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species,food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators,invading animals,survival,big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers.They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators.All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.” （第五段）“In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web,” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。 -
第20题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Dirk Sanders'study centered on how ants______.
A: can manage to thrive in huge numbers
B: defend their resources and territory against other predators
C: attack those invading animals for survival
D: produce such a big impact on the environment答案：D解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平” 结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species , food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积 小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators , invading animals , survival , big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area. （第五段）In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web , ” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。
题干意为“第六段告诉了我们什么？”该题问及第六段的主要内容，即段落大意，因此该题属于主旨题。还是首先考虑利用备选项中的细节信息词/短语negative influ-ence,area,population, positive influence,ants' predation, higher density作为定位线索，在第六段中找到需要重点阅读的句子：The study, carried out in Germany, studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect, showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence．定位线索词集中出现在第六段的第二句和第三句中，因此首先重点阅读这两个句子。这两个句子提到“研究发现，一个地区的蚂蚁密度小，而其他动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多。如果蚂蚁的密度大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或者产生相反的影响，这表明，蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”。依据这两个句子可以得出这样的结论：当蚂蚁密度小（即数量少）的时候会对环境产生积极的影响，因为其他．动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多，因此该题答案为B项“当蚂蚁的数量少的时候会对一个地区产生积极的影响”。虽然短文中提到了“蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”，但这是在蚂蚁的密度大的情况下出现的情况，而不是在任何情况都是如此，因此选项C不 正确。 -
第21题：
共用题干
Ants Have Big Impact on Environment as“Ecosystem Engineers”
Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators.The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment.
Firstly,through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they af-fect the level of nutrients in the soil.This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups,from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain.
Secondly,they prey on a wide range of other animals,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers.
Dirk Sanders,an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Con-servation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're al-so very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area.”
“In this research,we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it.What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an in-crease in density and diversity of other animal groups. They genuinely play a key role in the local environment,having a big influence on the grassland food web,”Sanders said.
The study,carried out in Germany,studied the impact of the presence of different com-binations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area in-creased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect,showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence.
Dr Frank van Veen,another author on the study,said:“What we find is that the impact of ants on soil nutrient levels has a positive effect on animal groups at low levels,but as the number of ants increases,their predatory impacts have the bigger effect一thereby counter-acting the positive influence via ecosystem engineering.”
Ants are important components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a great part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers.Ant biodiversity is incredibly high and these organisms are highly responsive to human impact,which obvi-ously reduces its richness. However,it is not clear how such disturbance damages the main-tenance of ant services to the ecosystem. Ants are important in below ground processes through the alteration of the physical and chemical environment and through their effects on plants,microorganisms,and other soil organisms.Why are ants compared to ecosystem engineers?
A: Because they build their own nests.
B: Because they collect food.
C: Because their activity affects the environment.
D: Because they are predators.答案：C解析：题干意为“为什么蚂蚁被比喻为生态系统的工程师？”虽然题干中出现了细节信息词/短语ants , ecosystem engineers，但它们都是短文主题词（出现在短文标题中的名词及名词短语），因此不用它们作为定位线索。备选项中也出现了细节信息词/短语own nests, food , activity , environment , predators，利用它们作为定位线索，在短文中第一段和第二段中找到相关句：（第一段）Research by the University of Exeter has revealed that ants have a big impact on their local environment as a result of their activity as“ecosystem engineers”and predators. The study,published in the Journal of Animal Ecology,found that ants have two distinct effects on their local environment. （第二段）Firstly, through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers to species much higher up the food chain．定位线索词分散出现在两个段落中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第一段提到“Exeter大学所做的研究表明，蚂蚁作为‘生态系统工程师’和食肉动物的活动对当地的环境影响很大。该研究发表在《动物生态学》杂志上，这项研究发现蚂蚁对当地的环境有着两个显著的影响”。第二段第一句中也出现了定位线索词，因此也关注这个句子。该句意为“第一，通过挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物，蚂蚁影响土壤的营养水平” 结合这两个句子的意思可以得出这样的结论：蚂蚁挪动土壤筑巢或采集食物这类活动影响着土壤的营养水平，以至于最终它们对当地环境产生巨大的影响，因此蚂蚁被称为“生态系统工程师”。因此答案为C项“因为蚂蚁的活动对环境产生了影响”。
题干意为“作为食肉动物，蚂蚁……”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语predators,small as well as large animals,nutritious food,soil,food,decomposers, species , food chain作为定位线索，在第三段中找到相关句：Secondly, they prey on a wide range of other animals（与small as well as large animals呼应）,including larger prey which can be attacked by vast numbers of ant workers．第三段是独立成段句，这样的段落常设置问题。该句提到“第二，它们捕食各种各样的动物，包括那些被大量工蚁吞吃的大猎物”。由此可知蚂蚁会捕食各种各样的动物，甚至包括体积比它们大的动物，因此答案为A项“捕食体积 小的动物也捕食体积大的动物”。
题干意为“Dirk Sanders以蚂蚁怎样……为研究中心”。利用题干及备选项中的细节信息词/短语Dirk Sanders' study, huge numbers, resources and territory, other predators , invading animals , survival , big impact on the environment作为定位线索，在第四段和第五段中找到相关句：（第四段）Dirk Sanders, an author of the study from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation,said:“Ants are very effective predators which thrive in huge numbers. They're also very territorial and very aggressive,defending their resources and territory against other predators. All of this means they have a strong influence on their surrounding area. （第五段）In this research, we studied for the first time how big this impact is and the subtleties of it. What we found is that despite being predators,their presence can also lead to an increase in density and diversity of other animal groups.They genuinely play a key role in the local environment（与big impact on the environment呼应）,having a big influence on the grassland food web , ” Sanders said．定位线索词分散出现在第四段和第五段中，因此这两个段落都需要关注。第四段提到“Dirk Sanders是这项研究的发起人，就职于该大学的生态与保护中心，他说‘蚂蚁是高效的食肉动物，而且能大量繁殖。它们具有很强的领地意识，而且会竭尽全力对抗其他的食肉动物来保护自己的领地。所有这些都意味着蚂蚁对周围环境有很大的影响’”。接下来第五段提到“在这项研究中，我们（回指前一段中提到的包括Dirk Sanders在内的研究者们）第一次对蚂蚁带来的这种影响及微妙程度进行研究”。该句表明Dirk Sanders 以蚂蚁带来的这种影响为研究中心。“这种影响”回指上一段中提到的蚂蚁对周围环境的影响，因此该题答案为D项“（蚂蚁怎样）对环境产生如此巨大的影响”。
题干意为“第六段告诉了我们什么？”该题问及第六段的主要内容，即段落大意，因此该题属于主旨题。还是首先考虑利用备选项中的细节信息词/短语negative influ-ence,area,population, positive influence,ants' predation, higher density作为定位线索，在第六段中找到需要重点阅读的句子：The study, carried out in Germany, studied the impact of the presence of different combinations and densities of black garden ants and common red ants,both species which can be found across Europe,including in the UK.It found that a low density of ants in an area increased the diversity and density of other animals in the local area,particularly the density of herbivores and decomposers. At higher densities ants had no or the opposite effect, showing that predation is counteracting the positive influence．定位线索词集中出现在第六段的第二句和第三句中，因此首先重点阅读这两个句子。这两个句子提到“研究发现，一个地区的蚂蚁密度小，而其他动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多。如果蚂蚁的密度大，就不可能产生同样的影响，或者产生相反的影响，这表明，蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”。依据这两个句子可以得出这样的结论：当蚂蚁密度小（即数量少）的时候会对环境产生积极的影响，因为其他．动物尤其是食草动物和腐生物的数量和种类会增多，因此该题答案为B项“当蚂蚁的数量少的时候会对一个地区产生积极的影响”。虽然短文中提到了“蚂蚁的掠食行为会抵消蚂蚁对环境带来的积极影响”，但这是在蚂蚁的密度大的情况下出现的情况，而不是在任何情况都是如此，因此选项C不 正确。 -
第22题：
共用题干
Ants as a Barometer of Ecological Change
At picnics,ants are pests.But they have their uses.In industries such as mining,farming and forestry , they can help gauge（测定）the health of the environment by just crawling around and being antsy（坐立不安）.
It has been recognized for decades that ants—which are highly sensitive to ecological change—can provide a near-perfect barometer（气压计）of the state of an ecosystem. Only certain species,for instance,will continue to thrive at a forest site that has been cleared of trees. ______(46)And still others will move in and take up residence.
By looking at which species populate a deforested area,scientists can determine how
“stressed”the land is.______(47)Ants are used simply because they are so common and comprise（构成）so many species.
Where mine sites are being restored,for example,some ant species will recolonize（重新移居到.……）the stripped land more quickly than others.______ (48 ) Australian mining compa- ny Capricorn Coal Management has been successfully using ant surveys for years to determine the rate of recovery of land that it is replanting near its German Creek mine in Queensland.
Ant surveys also have been used with mine-site recovery projects in Africa and Brazil,where warm climates encourage dense and diverse ant populations.“We found it worked extremely well there,”says Jonathan Major,a professor of environmental biology.Yet the surveys are perfectly suited to climates throughout Asia,he says,because ants are so common throughout the region.As Major puts it:“That's the great thing about ants.”
Ant surveys are so highly regarded as ecological indicators（指示器）that governments world-wide accept their results when assessing（评估）the environmental impact of mining and tree har- vesting.______(49）.
Why not?Because many companies can't afford the expense or the laboratory time needed to sift（详审）results for a comprehensive survey. The cost stems,also, from the scarcity（缺乏）of ant specialists.______(50)______(47)
A:This allowed scientists to gauge the pace and progress of the ecological recovery.
B:Yet in other businesses,such as farming and property development,ant surveys aren't used widely.
C: Employing those people are expensive.
D: They do this by sorting the ants,counting their numbers and comparing the results with those of earlier surveys.
E: The evolution of ant species may have a strong impact on our ecosystem.
F: Others will die out for lack of food.答案：D解析：空格46前面的句子中有certain species，后面的句子中有still others，这很可能是英语中的“some/certain-others-still others”的固定结构。另外，从上下文关系上看，空格46前面的句子以only作引导词，就排除了其他种类的生物在那样的条件下生存发展的可能性，这也就是选项F所表述的情况，故选F。
空格47后面的句子说“之所以使用蚂蚁，是因为……”，但是我们不清楚为什么要使用蚂蚁，选项中只有D说明了使用蚂蚁作研究的过程，而且选项D中出现一个代词 this，按照文章逻辑关系，this指代空格47前面的句子，因此，把D项填入空格中，意思通畅。故选D。
选项A中的ecological recovery与前面句子中的recolonize相呼应，也与下句中的recovery相呼应，这表明选项A是承上启下的过渡句，故选A。
选项B中的关键词other businesses , farming, property提示，选项B的句子是前面句子的后续句，因为前面句子中有mining , tree harvesting，也是businesses．用蚂蚁来分析的方法已被mining , tree harvesting这些行业广泛接受，但在farming和property等行业中的应用还不昔遍。故选B。
因为蚂蚁专家人才奇缺，所以雇用他们就会很贵。此外，those指的是前一句的，specialists，故选C。 -
第23题：
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage. Lead deposits, which accumulated in soil and snow during the 1960’s and 70’s, were primarily the result of leaded gasoline emissions originating in the United States. In the twenty years that the Clean Air Act has mandated unleaded gas use in the United States, the lead accumulation worldwide has decreased significantly. A study published recently in the journal Nature shows that air-borne leaded gas emissions from the United States were the leading contributor to the high concentration of lead in the snow in Greenland. The new study is a result of the continued research led by Dr. Charles Boutron, an expert on the impact of heavy metals on the environment at the National Center for Scientific Research in France. A study by Dr. Boutron published in 1991 showed that lead levels in arctic (北极的) snow were declining. In his new study, Dr. Boutron found the ratios of the different forms of lead in the leaded gasoline used in the United States were different from the ratios of European, Asian and Canadian gasolines and thus enabled scientists to differentiate (区分) the lead sources. The dominant lead ratio found in Greenland snow matched that found in gasoline from the United States. In a study published in the journal Ambio, scientists found that lead levels in soil in the Northeastern United States had decreased markedly since the introduction of unleaded gasoline. Many scientists had believed that the lead would stay in soil and snow for a longer period. The authors of the Ambio study examined samples of the upper layers of soil taken from the same sites of 30 forest floors in New England, New York and Pennsylvania in 1980 and in 1990. The forest environment processed and redistributed the lead faster than the scientists had expected. Scientists say both studies demonstrate that certain parts of the ecosystem (生态系统) respond rapidly to reductions in atmospheric pollution, but that these findings should not be used as a license to pollute. The study published in the journal Nature indicates that （）
- A、the Clean Air Act has not produced the desired results
- B、lead deposits in arctic snow are on the increase
- C、lead will stay in soil and snow longer than expected
- D、the US is the major source of lead pollution in arctic snow
正确答案:D -
第24题：
问答题Polar bears have thick fur, big paws and other features that make them well prepared for life in their tough environment.正确答案：解析：