奇速英语官网—英语在线学习平台_让学英语更快乐_更快速

A team of scientists thought of a creative idea to continue their long-term study on marmots (旱獭). They shared videos of these furry animals on an online platform. They named their account MarmotHub.

The project is led by Daniel Blumstein, a professor from UCLA. For over 60 years, scientists have collected information about marmots to study their behaviour, health and social life. One day, while waiting for marmots in a meadow (草地), Blumstein got an idea from a TV show. He discussed the plan with his lab members. Soon, MarmotHub was created. It quickly became popular. Thousands of visitors donated over $6,000. Scientists explain animal facts in the videos and help people learn more about nature.

The videos are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. People can watch yellow-bellied marmots living in the Colorado Rockies. In the videos, the marmots come out of holes, play with each other and get ready for the cold winter. However, the National Science Foundation rejected the team’s request for more support. The team worried that their 60-year research would end.

The team also started “Fat Marmot Week”. It is a fun competition. Marmots need to store fat to survive winter hibernation (冬眠). Though the money from the account cannot fully support the project, it helps spread their research to more people. These lovely little animals are helping keep important science alive.

1.1. What did the scientists do to save their study?

A Shared videos of marmots online.

B Taught marmots to perform on TV.

C Asked the government for more money.

D Studied marmots in the cold winter.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第一段“They shared videos of these furry animals on an online platform.”可知，他们在网上分享旱獭的日常视频来吸引公众关注，从而拯救该研究。故选A。

2.2. The underlined word “It” in Paragraph 2 refers to ____.

A the TV show

B the account

C the project

D the meadow

解析：选B。B 词意指代题。根据第二段“Soon, MarmotHub was created. It quickly became popular.”可知It指代 MarmotHub（the account）。故选B。

3.3. What can we infer from Paragraph 3?

A Marmots only come out in cold winter.

B The team may stop the study without help.

C The videos are only for young children.

D Scientists may get money from the videos.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第三段“The team worried that their 60‑year research would end.”可推知没有更多支持研究可能停止。D选项错误，捐赠来自账号，并非从视频直接获取收入。故选B。

4.4. What does the writer think of the MarmotHub project?

A It wastes scientists’ valuable time.

B It is the best way to study marmots.

C It can only work for a short time.

D It brings science closer to ordinary people.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据最后一段“it helps spread their research to more people”可知作者认为该项目让科学走近大众。故选D。

5.5. What is the best title for the passage?

A A Popular TV Show about Animals.

B How to Donate Money to Scientists.

C Marmots Help Keep Science Alive.

D The Long History of Marmots.

解析：选C。C 主旨大意题。根据最后一段“These lovely little animals are helping keep important science alive.”以及全文可知，文章围绕旱獭助力科研展开。故选C。