上海市高中英语完形填空专练
一
All over the world, people admire the beauty and grace of butterflies. Butterflies come in every color imaginable, and their 50 display an incredible variety of patterns. The largest butterfly, Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, has a wingspan (翼展) of up to 280 millimeters and lives in Papua New Guinea. The smallest, the Western Pygmy Blue in the southern U.S., has a wingspan of only 12 millimeters. Sadly, some of these beautiful creatures are now 51 .
Estimates indicate that between 15 and 20 thousand species of butterflies exist around the world. A number of these species are endangered, over 20 in Japan 52 . Although that number may seem small, losing even one species would be 53 . Nowadays scientists even look to butterflies as a 54 of the environment’s health, since they are 55 to environmental changes. Many environmentalists around the world are eager to protect the endangered butterflies from extinction. The American Museum of Natural History in New York, for example, has an unusual butterfly exhibit. This exhibit 56 the important role that butterflies play in our environment.
In recent years, environmental groups have made significant progress in 57 endangered butterfly populations. Governments throughout Asia have passed laws to help protect endangered wildlife, including butterflies. An area called Butterfly Valley in Assam, India, has become the focus of conscious 58 to protect the butterflies’habitat (栖息地). Other projects in Serbia, Japan, and Canada are also hoping to 59 . Some of these efforts are already starting to work. The population of the El Segundo Blue Butterfly in California, for instance, has increased by 8 percent since 2010.
Finding a cure for the butterfly crisis is, 60 , not just for environmental groups. 61 citizens can plant butterfly gardens to support and enjoy these gentle creatures. A group of female prisoners in Belfair, Washington, are helping to rescue an endangered species called Taylor’s Checkerspot. They recognize how 62 seemingly insignificant creatures can be. The world cannot afford to lose any butterflies. As environmentalist John Muir once 63 , “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it 64 to everything else in the Universe.”
50. A. colors B. bodies C. wings D. feelers
51. A. out of control B. in great danger C. on the fly D. out of date
52. A. nearby B. though C. besides D. alone
53. A. predictable B. possible C. imaginable D. terrible
54. A. factor B. picture C. measure D. display
55. A. exposed B. accustomed C. sensitive D. resistant
56. A. highlights B. changes C. replaces D. finds
57. A. preserving B. controlling C. observing D. recognizing
58. A. projects B. efforts C. steps D. groups
59. A. set an example B. keep the promise C. make a difference D. take the time
60. A. however B. furthermore C. otherwise D. therefore
61. A. Distinguished B. Leading C. Senior D. Ordinary
62. A. graceful B. significant C. pitiful D. mysterious
63. A. proposed B. commented C. promised D. recommended
