托福阅读真题+题目+答案：The Effects of Squirrels’ Storing Behavior

托福阅读真题+题目+答案：The Effects of Squirrels’ Storing Behavior

In a process known as scatter- hoarding, some species of squirrels store food for future use in many different locations. Using this process, the squirrels will store hundreds if not thousands of seeds and nuts per individual squirrel. ▋Early observations led to the long-held notion that squirrels store more than they need and then forget where many seeds and nuts are stored, allowing some of them to germinate ( begin growing into new plants) and become established ( grow roots). More recent research, however, suggests a far more complicated picture, one in which the squirrels are considerably more efficient at seed and nut recovery and in which germination and establishment occur under far more limited circumstances than previously thought. ▋Nevertheless, scatter-hoarding squirrels are critical for seed dispersal and, in many forest systems, they may serve as its principal agents.▋ Experimental evidence strongly suggests that individual squirrels remember precise locations of their stored nuts, most likely based on spatial information, as is also shown for the scatter- hoarding corvids ( birds such as rocks, jays, and crows).▋This is not to say that they don’t steal from one another, pilfering is common and sometimes even extreme. Yet in many situations these scatter- hoarders may have control over their own scatter- hoards.

1.The word “complicated” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A.complete

B.complex

C.confusing

D.balanced

2.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

A.Experiments tested squirrels’ ability to remember precise locations of stored nuts based on spatial information.

B.Evidence suggests that individual squirrels remember precise locations of their stored nuts, as do scatter-hoarding birds.

C.Unlike scatter-hoarding corvids, squirrels remember precise locations of their stored nuts, mostly based on spatial information.

D.While most squirrels and birds remember the exact locations of stored nuts, individuals may have difficulty remembering spatial information.

3.According to paragraph 1, which of the following was a previous belief about squirrels as agents of seed dispersal?

A.Animals other than scatter-hoarding squirrels are the principal agents of seed dispersal.

B.Seeds in hoards follow different germination and establishment patterns than seeds that are not collected by squirrels.

C.Squirrels do not remember the location of many their hidden seeds and nuts

D.Squirrels do not often steal from the scatter-hoards of other squirrels.

The process by which scatter- hoarding squirrels disperse seeds, nuts, and fruits is rather involved. It is perhaps best demonstrated by the eastern gray squirrel, which resides predominantly in oak forests throughout much of the central and eastern United States. Numerous experimental studies now demonstrate that this species is highly selective with respect to the nuts that are eaten and those that are stored. Acorns of red oak species, for example, are significantly preferred for scatter- hoarding over those of white oak.

。。。。。余下托福阅读真题原文及题目答案省略！

托福阅读真题+题目+答案：The Effects of Squirrels’ Storing Behavior完整版下载，10元有偿！