非洲古老而奇特的猴面包树或正被气候变化“杀死”
Africa’s ancient trees of life are being killed by climate change, according to a recent scientific study. Published in the journal Nature Plants last month, the report claims scores of the ancient baobab trees, some of which are up to 3,000 years old, are now dying because of rising global temperatures.
Researches found that nine of the oldest 13 baobab trees and five of the six biggest ones have partially or completely died in the past 12 years. “We think that the death of baobabs may be associated at least in part with significant changes of climate conditions that affect southern Africa in particular,” the authors of the 2018 report wrote. “However, further research is necessary to support this supposition.”
Stephan Woodborne, a senior scientist at iThemba labs in Johannesburg, South Africa, said, “Of the oldest trees that we’ve looked at in southern Africa, there are three trees that are older than 2,000 years. In the last 10 years, they’ve all died. Of the 11 trees that are in that age 1,000 to 2,000 years, six of them have died.” It’s still uncertain what is driving the baobab deaths. But Woodborne believes that climate change is the major factor.
The baobab trees, which can grow as wide as the length of a bus, have hollow trunks and have been used in the past as storage houses, prisons, and even pubs. Medicinal compounds are made from their leaves, while the fruit, which is rich in vitamin C, is used for nourishment and the seeds give oil. The remarkable trees are well respected in Africa, having helped locals for centuries, so their survival is important to people who live there.
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1.What happened to the ancient baobab trees?
A They were all cut down by the locals.
B They were dying probably because of climate change.
C They were dead due to the lack of water.
D They’ve died after growing 3,000 years.
解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第一段的内容可知，非洲古老的猴面包树可能因为气候的变化正在相继死亡。故选B。
2.Why did the scientists need a further research?
A They wanted to know the exact reason of the baobab trees’ death.
B They didn’t know how many baobab trees had died in the past.
C They tried to find how long the baobab trees would live on the Earth.
D They wanted to find why the global climate changed so quickly.
解析：选A。推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句However, further research is necessary to support this supposition.可知他们要继续研究来支持他们的推断，即他们继续研究的目的是为了了解猴面包树的真正死亡原因。故选A。
3.Which of the following isn’t mentioned in Paragraph 3?
A Stephan Woodborne is a senior scientist in Johannesburg.
B Three baobab trees which are over 2,000 years old have all died.
C There are 11 baobab trees that are aged from 1,000 to 2,000 years old.
D Stephan Woodborne has known what directly leads to the baobab deaths.
解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段最后两句It’s still uncertain what is driving the baobab deaths. But Woodborne believes that climate change is the major factor.可知猴面包树的真正死亡原因还不得而知，Woodborne只是推测气候变化是主要因素，而非表明它是直接原因。故选D。
4.What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?
A The features and different uses of the baobab trees.
B The different uses and important position of the baobab trees.
C The features and medicinal value of the baobab trees.
D The nutritional value and important position of the baobab trees.
解析：选B。段落大意题。通读最后一段可知，此段主要介绍了猴面包树的多种用途和在非洲的重要地位。故选B。