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Over the last decades, a Laysan albatross (黑背信天翁) named Wisdom has fascinated ornithologists (鸟类学家). At an approximate age of 74, she is the oldest known wild bird in the world. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Wisdom recently laid an egg, meaning she could soon be raising a new chick well into her golden years.

The lifespan of a Laysan albatross is 68 years. Laysan albatrosses are also known for being monogamous, returning to their nesting areas every year and mating with the same bird for life. In the case of Wisdom, she has had a handful of partners. While she mated for many decades with a bird named Akeakamai, he has not been seen for several years, prompting Wisdom to initiate courtship (求偶) rituals with other birds to continue breeding.

Wisdom has been known to ornithologists in the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge since 1956. She was given a band with the number Z333 after she laid an egg, and has been tracked for so long that the band has been changed at least six times. Biologists think she was born in the 1950-51 breeding season at the latest.

Given that the Laysan albatross is classified as a near threatened species, the fact that she has continued to birth and raise chicks has made her a key contributor in the preservation of her kind. It is estimated that Wisdom has produced 50-60 eggs and as many as 30 chicks that fledged (养到能飞) in her lifetime — quite an achievement, given albatrosses only tend to lay one egg per year. She even became a “grandma” in 2011, when her chick had a chick of its own.

Jonathan Plissner, wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, says that this was Wisdom’s first egg in four years and describes it as “a special joy.” Luckily, further observations have revealed that she still has the energy and instincts for raising another chick. Should it all go according to plan, Wisdom and her new partner will continue to hatch the egg for a few months. With some luck, she will be welcoming her latest chick next year.

1.1.What might surprise people most about Wisdom?

A Her long lifespan.

B Her newborn egg.

C Her white color.

D Her multiple partners.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第一段中的“As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Wisdom recently laid an egg, meaning she could soon be raising a new chick well into her golden years.”可知，最令人印象深刻的不是黑背信天翁“智者”的74岁的高龄，而是她在74岁高龄再次产下一枚蛋。故选B。

2.2.What does the underlined word “monogamous” probably mean in Chinese?

A A wife has only one husband.

B A wife has several husbands.

C A husband has several wives.

D A couple has several cousins.

解析：选A。A 词义猜测题。根据划线单词后的“returning to their nesting areas every year and mating with the same bird for life”可知，monogamous指的是一只信天翁每年都会回到同一巢穴，与同一只鸟交配，即信天翁是一夫一妻制的。故选A。

3.3.What does the fourth paragraph focus on?

A Wisdom’s ability.

B Wisdom’s danger.

C Wisdom’s achievement.

D Wisdom’s family.

解析：选C。C 段落大意题。根据第四段内容，尤其是“the fact that she has continued to birth and raise chicks has made her a key contributor in the preservation of her kind”“Wisdom has produced 50-60 eggs”可知，该段主要描述的是黑背信天翁“智者”的成就，即她一生中产下了50-60枚蛋。故选C。

4.4.What’s Jonathan Plissner’s attitude towards Wisdom’s current situation?

A He is indifferent about Wisdom’s current situation.

B He is worried about Wisdom’s ability to raise another chick.

C He believes Wisdom should be retired from breeding.

D He is excited and hopeful about Wisdom’s current situation.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“a special joy”“she still has the energy and instincts for raising another chick”可知，中途岛国家野生动物保护区野生生物学家Jonathan Plissner表示，“智者”四年来第一次产蛋，这是“一种特殊的快乐”，且她仍有精力再抚养一只幼鸟。即他对“智者”的现状感到兴奋，且充满希望。故选D。