2020-2021高三上期末阅读理解C篇汇总昌平期末CScientists have discovered an astonishing number of Antarctic blue whales in the waters off the coast of South Georgia, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, suggesting decades of conservation efforts arepaying off. During a 23-day survey, a team of researchers from the British Antarctic Survey（BAS） counted 55 animals. Dr. Trevor Branch, a scientist from the University of Washington, who specializes in studying blue whales, said the number was truly amazing. In the last century, Antarctic blue whales were nearly hunted to extinction for their blubber, a thick layer of fat that marine animals have under their skin to keep their bodies warm. Hunters used the blubber for oil to use in products like soap or fuel for oil lamps. Around South Australia, more than 33000 Wales are believed to have been killed. A hunting ban was introduced in 1966, but by that time the whales were critically endangered. In 2018 there were reported to be only around 3000 Antarctic blue whales left. These sightings by the BAS team, helped by scientists from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, are a positive sign that the population is increasing. “In a period of 40 or 50 years, I only had records for two sightings of blue whales around South Georgia,” Dr. Branch told the reporter. “So to go from basically nothing to 55 in one year is astonishing.” The cold water around South Georgia has always been popular with whales because it is crowded with krill, tiny shrimp-like creatures that are the whales favorite food. The high count was so unusual that other scientists wondered whether it was a one-off, perhaps caused by usually high number of krill temporarily attracting whales from other areas. However, Dr. Jennifer Jackson from BAS says the quantity of krill was no different from other years. Shes confident the population growth shown in the recordings is real and down to the protection that the whales now have. This remains to be seen, but it is highly suggested that when the next assessment is released, most likely at the end of 2021, it could show a further increase in the number of Antarctic blue whales.With the comeback of the whale, this could be an inspiration for environmental campaigns that still have progress to make.27. Para. 3 is mainly about _.A. the effect of the hunting ban B. the efforts to save blue whalesC. the importance of blue whales D. the danger that blue whales faced28. What can we infer about the blue whales from the passage? A. They will not be endangered in the near future.B. The number of them rises because their food increases.C. More conservation activities will be held to protect them.D. The coast of South Georgia offered them suitable temperature.29. As for other scientists opinion on the high count, Dr. Jennifer Jackson is _.Asupportive BdisapprovingCfearful Duncertain30. What is the best title of the passage?A. An Amazing Secret of Blue WhalesB. Blue Whales Makes Surprise ComebackC. The Best Way to Protect Blue WhalesD. Blue Whales Set New Trends in Conservation房山期末CDuring the age of dinosaurs, a family of plants known as cycads grew all round the planet. They left fossils（化石）everywhere from Alaska to Antarctica, but their later generations have only lived in tropical and subtropical areas as Earths temperatures cooled.Now, in an age of human-driven global warming, cycads are returning to one of their old living places. For the first time in about 60 million years, cycads have produced both male and female cones on the British Isles. It would be purely amazing, if it wasnt the direct result of the very same climate trends that are threatening the lives of tens of millions of people due to rising sea levels.The cones belong to the species Cycas revoluta, which is planted at Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight, an island with average temperatures that are warmer than the rest of the United Kingdom.Cycads are often found in indoor gardens at higher latitudes (纬度), but Ventnors plants are kept outside where it is usually too cold for them to develop the cones they need to produce new generations. One male cone appeared at the garden in the summer of 2012, but it remained single as there was no sign of any female partner.“This is the first female cone out of doors in the United Kingdom,” the garden announced this month. “This presents us with an exciting opportunity to transfer pollen（花粉）and produce seeds for the first time in the United Kingdom for 60 million years.”As average temperatures have risen over the past decades, the gardens cycads sensed an opportunity to put energy into cone production. Then they were further helped by strong heat waves in Europe this summer.Cycads in their native environments are pollinated（授粉）by beetles, but the Ventnor staff will try to fertilize seeds by hand to grow the first new gener