Belledone is a small town at the foot of the Alps in France. There is a primary school in the town. The number of its pupils dropped from 266 to 261 this year. The parents were told that one of the classes would be shut down because of the decrease in pupil numbers.
To stop the class from closing down, the parents thought outside the box. Some sheep was sent to the school. Fifteen sheep were registered at the school as new students. The sheep were provided by a local sheepherder, Michel Girerd. His dog escorted the new “pupils” along to the school. They were officially signed up after showing their birth certificates. Their names, such as “Baa-bete” and “Saute-Mouton”, were added to the register.
What the sheep will be studying is still unknown. But local officials have recognized the register of the sheep. The pupils are also very excited to meet their new classmates.

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1.What does the underlined word “decrease” mean in Chinese?

A 稳定.

B 持平.

C 下降.

D 增长.

解析：选C。词义猜测题。根据第一段第三句The number of its pupils dropped from 266 to 261 this year.可知，学生数量是在“减少”，故选C。

2.Why did those parents think out such an idea?

A Because animals could help educate pupils.

B Because they thought sheep should get good education too.

C Because they were afraid that the class will be closed down.

D Because they wanted their children to have an animal friend at school.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段第一句To stop the class from closing down, the parents thought outside the box.可知，家长们想出这个办法是为了阻止班级被关闭，故选C。

3.Who protected those new “pupils” to the school？

A The dog.

B The pupils.

C The parents.

D The sheepherder.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第二段第五句His dog escorted the new “pupils” along to the school.可知，是狗护送羊群去上学，故选A。

4.What did the local officials think of the parents’ idea?

A They praised it.

B They accepted it.

C They are against to it.

D We don’t know.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据第三段第二句But local officials have recognized the register of the sheep.可知，当地官员承认了这些羊的身份，即当地官员是接受这个主意的，故选B。