江苏省苏州市常熟市一中2018年初三英语二模试卷（含答案）

31. Doctor Strong first became famous in ________．

A. his eighties when an art show was travelling around the United States B. his fifties when his drawings and writings were published

C. nineteen eighty-four when his book McElligot’s Pool was published D. his thirties when his first book was published

32. Doctor Strong’s books are very popular in America because ________． A. they are stories about animals such as cats, elephants and so on B. they are written in easy words with colourful pictures C. he organized the art show in California D. they are written in a funny way

33. His purpose in writing many such books is ________． A. to show his early pictures and drawings B. to organize a special art show of his own

C. to make his readers laugh or smile when they read his books

D. not only to interest people but to show some serious social problems up

D

The British summer is beautiful. Trees, flowers, birds and butterflies make the whole country look like a big garden. However, many British people have noticed that butterflies have been gradually disappearing from this nice scenery during the past several years. What has happened to them?

Butterfly Conservation, a charity in the UK, is running a survey to help answer this question. The result is more serious than people expected. According to the survey, among 59 butterfly species (物种) found in the British Isles, more than three-quarters of them are suffering a declining (衰弱) population, including the most popular Meadow Brown. Moreover, half of all butterfly species are dying out.

Some common species such as the small Tortoiseshell butterfly and the Wall butterfly are dropping sharply. The Wall butterfly cannot even be seen in many parts of central and southern England. And the Blue butterfly, which was commonly seen in the south, has started settling in Edinburgh in the past few years.

The numbers of butterflies have dropped to a record low in the past three years because the summer in the UK is getting cooler and their living conditions are also degrading. Luckily, Britain is experiencing a long hot summer this year compared to the last few summers. Scientists believe the warm weather will be good news to the butterflies.

Sir David Attenborough, president of Butterfly Conservation, said, “A great number of butterflies around us is a signal that all is well with nature. But when they decline, it’s a warning that other wildlife will be soon heading the same way.”