2011 年高考英语试题考点分项解析年高考英语试题考点分项解析阅读理解分类汇编之科普知识类阅读理解分类汇编之科普知识类（2011湖南卷）湖南卷）CA recent study of ancient and modern elephant has come up with the unexpected conclusion that the African elephant is divided into two distinct (不同的 )species The discovery was made by researchers at York and Harvard University when they were examing the genetic relationship between the ancient woolly mammoth and mastodon modern elephantsthe Asian elepphant, African forest elephant, and African savanna elephant.Once they obastain DNA sequences（序列）from two fossils（化石）,mammoths and mastodons, the team comparted them with DNA from modern elephants. They found their amazement that mordern forest and savanna elephants are as distinct from each other as Asian elephants and mammoths.The scientists used detailed genetic analysis to prove that the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant have been distinct species for several million years. The divergence of the two species took place around the time of the divergence of Asian elephants and woolly mammoths. This result amazed all the scientists.There has long been debate in the scientific community that the two might be separate species, but this is the most convincing scientific evidence so far that they are indeed different species.Previously, many naturalists believed that African savanna elephants and African forest elephants were two populationgs of the same species, despite the elephants significant size differences. The savanna elephant has an average shoulder height of 3.5 metres while the forest elephant has an averate shoulder double the weight of the forest elephant. But the fact that they look so differrent does not neccssarily mean they are different species. However the prooflay in the analysisi of the DNA.Alfried Roca, assitant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at t he University of Illinois, said, “We now have to treat the forest and savanna elephants as two difficult units for conservation purpose. Since 1950, all Afican elephants have been conserved as one species. Now that we know the forest and savanna elephants have been distinct animals, the forest elephant should become a bigger priority（优先）for conservation purposes.”66.One of the fossiles studied by the researchers is that of .A. the Asian elephantB. the forest elephantC. the savanna elephantD. the maslodon elephant67. The underlined word “divergence” in Paragraph 4 means “ .”A. evolution B. exhibitionC. separationD. examination68. The researchers conclusion was based on a study of the African elephants .A. DNAB. heightC. weightD. population69. What are Alfred Rocas words mainly about?A. The conservation of Afican elephantB. The purpose of studying Afican elephantC. The way to divide Afican elephants into two unitsD. The renson for the distinction of African elephants70.Which of the following can be the best tille for the passage?A. Naturalist Beliefs about ElephantsB. Amazing Experiments about ElephantsC. An Unexpected Finding ahout ElephantsD. A Long Scientifif Debate about Elephants【文章大意】本文为说明文。最近的一项研究表明非洲大象被分为两种截然不同的物种。66.D 细节理解题。根据第三段的第一句 Once they obtained DNA sequences（序列）from two fossils(化石)，mammoths and mastodons可知答案为 D。67.C 词义猜测题。前面一句讲到了这两种大象分离成不同的物种已有数百万年了，由此可判断 divergence 在此是“分离”之意。68.A 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的最后一句可知研究人员的结论是在检测非洲大象DNA 的基础上得出来的。69.A 推理判断题。根据最后一段的内容可知 Alfred Roca 的话主要讲的是对不同的非洲大象要分别采取不同的保护措施。70.C 主旨大意题。根据本文的主题句（第一段）可知选 C。（2011江西卷）江西卷）DWhy should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品) of technological developments in the sp