佛罗里达州成千上万棕榈树正遭受“致命黄化病”威胁
Florida's famous palm trees are under attack from a disease that completely dries them out within months. And there is no chance for recovery once a tree gets sick.
The cause is an insect about the size of a piece of rice. It spreads the bacterial disease, known as lethal bronzing, by jumping from plant to plant. Lethal bronzing has gone from a relatively minor issue on Florida's Gulf Coast to a nearly statewide problem in just over 10 years. Tens of thousands of palm trees have died from the disease. And the rate of its spread is increasing, adding to environmental concerns of Floridians. The state is already struggling to save other plants, its famous citrus trees, from two other diseases.
The tall, wide-leafed sabal palm is Florida's official state tree. It is especially susceptible to lethal bronzing. Farms where the palms are grown, businesses and homeowners are taking a financial hit as they destroy infected trees. Some preventative measures can be taken, but once infected, digging up the tree is the only reasonable solution. As an infected tree dies, its leaves change from green to a brownish or bronze color within about six months. The disease does not infect humans or animals.
Brian Bahder studies plant diseases spread by insects. He is also a leader in the state's battle against lethal bronzing. Bahder told The Associated Press that getting the disease under control is highly important because it could severely change the local environment.
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1.The underlined word “its” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A the state’s
B the palm tree’s
C the insect’s
D lethal bronzing’s
解析：选D。词义猜测题。根据第二段第四句Tens of thousands of palm trees have died from the disease. 可知，成千上万棵棕榈树死于这种疾病，由此推测此处指的是致命黄化病的传播速度正在增加，加剧了佛罗里达人对环境的担忧，故选D。
2.According to the passage, lethal bronzing is __________. a.attacking the palm trees in Florida and making them die b.spread by an insect about the size of a piece of rice c.causing all the palm trees dying in Florida d.becoming a nearly statewide problem in Florida
A a, b, c
B a, b, d
C b, c, d
D a, c, d
解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章第二段第三句Tens of thousands of palm trees have died from the disease.可知，致命黄化病造成了成千上万棵棕榈树死亡，但并没有让所有的棕榈树死亡，故选B。
3.What can we infer from the passage?
A When an infected tree dies, its leaves change from green to yellow.
B Not all the palm trees will die because they have found a measure to solve it.
C Nothing needs to be done because digging up the tree is the only reasonable solution.
D Brian Bahder will try his best to fight against the disease and get it under control.
解析：选D。推理判断题。根据第四段第二及三句He is also a leader in the state's battle against lethal bronzing. Bahder told The Associated Press that getting the disease under control is highly important because it could severely change the local environment.可知，Brian Bahder是佛罗里达州抵抗致命黄化病的领导者。他认为控制这种疾病非常重要，因为它可能会严重改变当地环境，由此推断他会尽力抵抗致命黄化病并控制此病，故选D。
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A Why an insect jumps from plant to plant.
B How lethal bronzing destroys the palm trees.
C Florida’s palm trees are threatened by a disease called lethal bronzing.
D Farms, businesses and homeowners in Florida are taking a financial hit.
解析：选C。主旨大意题。根据全文，文章主要介绍了佛罗里达州的棕榈树正在遭受一种被称为致命黄化病的细菌性疾病的威胁，故选C。