On Sunday, police in Australia’s Northern Territory warned that crocodiles were “absolutely everywhere” as hundreds of people were evacuated after massive floods. The town of Katherine experienced its worst flooding since 1998, with the Katherine River peaking at 19.2 metres. Police used six aircraft and 18 helicopters to evacuate about 1,000 people from remote communities to shelters.

Authorities warned residents against swimming in the floodwaters. “There are crocodiles absolutely everywhere. Please don’t go in the water,” said Shaun Gill, police incident control acting commander. “Don’t swim for two reasons: it’s a fast-flowing river, and this is when crocodiles are most active.” The Northern Territory chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said several schools would remain closed and would be used as shelters. At least 90 homes lost power, and the Stuart Highway remained closed due to flooding, leaving the town isolated.

More than 100,000 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are estimated to live across northern Australia. Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to more than 20 feet (over 6 metres), weigh more than a ton, and have a bite powerful enough to crush a human skull. With floodwaters rising, crocodiles can move into new and unexpected areas, including creeks, drains and flooded roads. One resident posted on social media that she had seen a crocodile floating down the street, while another video showed a crocodile running across a road.

The vast Northern Territory is one of Australia’s least densely populated areas and is often struck by extreme weather. Researchers have warned that climate change increases the risk of natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. The Bureau of Meteorology said heavy rains were also expected in Queensland, with flood warnings already in place. The region is experiencing a long and widespread wet season.

Police strongly urged people to stay out of floodwaters. “The risk of injury, sickness and death are too high — if it’s flooded, forget it,” said Superintendent Virginia Read. Officials advised residents to stay away from the water’s edge, keep children and pets away, and assume any waterway may contain a crocodile.

1.1. What do we learn about the Katherine River flood from paragraph 1?

A It reached its highest level since 1998.

B It caused the most damage since 1998.

C It led to 2,000 people being rescued.

D It left the town isolated from outside.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。文章第一段明确提到：“The town of Katherine experienced its worst flooding since 1998, with the Katherine River peaking at 19.2 metres.”（凯瑟琳镇经历了自1998年以来最严重的洪水，凯瑟琳河水位达到19.2米的峰值。）这句话直接表明此次洪水的严重程度是自1998年以来最高的，因此A选项“It reached its highest level since 1998”是对原文信息的准确转述。B选项“造成了自1998年以来最大的破坏”在原文中没有提及，原文只说了洪水严重，但未提及经济损失的对比。C选项“导致2000人被救援”与原文不符，原文说的是“evacuated about 1,000 people”（疏散了大约1000人）。D选项“使小镇与外界隔绝”是第三段提到的结果，并非第一段直接给出的信息。故选A。

2.2. In paragraph 2, what does the underlined word “this” refer to?

A The period of flooding.

B The danger of drowning.

C The work of evacuation.

D The warning from police.

解析：选A。A词意指代题。“this”出现在第二段警察 incident control acting commander Shaun Gill 说的话中：“Don’t swim for two reasons: it’s a fast-flowing river, and this is when crocodiles are most active.”（不要游泳有两个原因：第一，河水湍急；第二，现在是鳄鱼最活跃的时候。）根据上下文，“this”在这里是一个时间状语，指代的是前面提到的“现在”这个时间段，也就是洪水发生的这个时期。因为洪水泛滥，所以河水湍急，也正是鳄鱼最活跃的时期。因此，A选项“洪水时期”最符合“this”在这里的指代含义。B选项“溺水的危险”是原因之一，但不是“this”指代的对象；C选项“疏散工作”和D选项“来自警方的警告”在上下文中都没有直接的指代关系。故选A。

3.3. What can be inferred from the resident’s social media post?

A Crocodiles only live in big rivers.

B Crocodiles hate high floodwaters.

C Crocodiles enter inhabited areas.

D Crocodiles are afraid of humans.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。第三段提到，随着洪水上涨，鳄鱼会进入“new and unexpected areas, including creeks, drains and flooded roads”（新的、意想不到的区域，包括小溪、排水沟和被洪水淹没的道路）。紧接着举例说明一位居民发帖称“One resident posted on social media that she had seen a crocodile floating down the street”（她看到一条鳄鱼顺着街道游下来）以及“while another video showed a crocodile running across a road.”（另一段视频则显示了一条鳄鱼正在穿过马路）。由此可以推断，洪水期间鳄鱼会进入居民生活区。A选项“鳄鱼只生活在大河里”与原文事实相反，原文提到它们可以移动到“新区域和不常见的地方”；B选项“鳄鱼讨厌高水位”与原文逻辑相反，洪水反而让它们更活跃；D选项“鳄鱼害怕人类”无法从帖子内容中推断出来，帖子只描述了鳄鱼出现的位置，并未提及鳄鱼对人的态度。选C。

4.4. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this passage?

A To report climate change effects.

B To warn of crocodile dangers in floods.

C To describe crocodile living habits.

D To explain flood rescue efforts.

解析：选B。B主旨大意题。文章第一段报道洪水灾情和人员撤离，为后文做铺垫。第二段直接引用警方指挥官的话警告居民不要进入洪水，因为“crocodiles are absolutely everywhere”（鳄鱼无处不在）。第三段进一步说明鳄鱼在洪水期间的危险性，并举例鳄鱼出现在街道上。最后两段继续强调远离洪水的警告。纵观全文，作者的写作目的是通过报道洪水事件，警示公众注意洪水中隐藏的鳄鱼危险。A选项“报道气候变化的影响”只是文中一句带过的背景信息；C选项“描述鳄鱼的生活习性”并非文章重点，仅作为背景知识补充；D选项“解释洪水救援工作”也只是文章的引子，并非主旨。故选B。