Getting hit by lightning is not usually good. But in fact, one tree seems to benefit from the natural reward.

The height and broad head of almendro (杏) trees act as natural lightning rods (避雷针). They not only can survive powerful lightning, but actually attract it. In a thick jungle, such lightning strikes (击中) can even grant the tree a decisive advantage in the competition for survival. Why? Because the lightning will hurt its surrounding “enemies”.

The finding comes from a years-long study. Scientists studied lightning’s influence on trees and finally wrote a paper to share their new findings in the May New Phytologist.

This scientific team studied and recorded the fate (命运) of 93 trees hit by lightning. Among them were 9 almendros. After two years, every almendro tree of the 9 was doing fine. To their surprise, in fact, they were thriving (茂盛的), while 56 percent of the other species (种类) that had been hit are now dead.

Except a few leaves which are not so smooth as before, almendros weren’t hurt by lightning. However, scientists observed that the lianas (藤本植物) which grew on them were all burned by the electric shock. These vines (藤蔓) spread everywhere and they are a danger to almendros. At least, they cut off light to the trees that they climb up. They can also steal nutrients (营养) from almendros. And a liana may not climb just one tree. It can send up vines that connect to branches on neighboring different species. So when lightning strikes an almendro, the deadly current (电流) spreads through lianas to neighboring trees and burns them up. This can free up space, light and nutrients for an almendro to grow vibrantly (生机盎然地).

But why were almendros not hurt as other species nearby? Some of the scientists think the reason is that the tree’s wood has low electrical resistance (阻力). That might let it safely lead the current to the ground without suffering a buildup (积聚) of heat. Others think the structure of the tree’s head may direct electricity away from the branches—and toward its neighbors. It’s really difficult to understand all the biological and physical steps that take place when lightning hits trees. “It would be interesting to be able to say something more on that,” scientists noted. “We’re all curious how the almendro avoids getting burned by each lightning strike. But we are not sure. So we didn’t mention that in the paper.”

1.1. What do almendro trees get after being hit by lightning?

A Natural lightning rods.

B A collection of heat.

C Better living conditions.

D More smooth leaves.

解析：选C。细节理解题，题干问杏树遭雷击后获得什么。根据原文第二段 “grant the tree a decisive advantage in the competition for survival” 和第五段 “free up space, light and nutrients for an almendro to grow vibrantly”，可知杏树获得了更好的生存条件。A “天然避雷针” 是杏树的特性而非雷击后获得的东西；B “热量积聚” 与原文 “without suffering a buildup of heat” 相悖；D “更光滑的叶子” 与 “a few leaves which are not so smooth as before” 不符。故选 C。

2.2. How many of the 93 trees died two years after being hit by lightning?

A 93.

B About 47.

C 9.

D About 37.

解析：选B。数字计算题，题干问 93 棵树中两年后有多少棵死亡。原文提到 “93 trees hit by lightning”“9 almendros”“56 percent of the other species that had been hit are now dead”，其他树种数量为 93-9=84 棵，死亡数量为 84×56%≈47 棵。故选 B。

3.3. What does “them” refer to in Paragraph 5?

A Leaves.

B Lianas.

C Vines.

D Almendros.

解析：选D。代词指代题，题干问第五段 “them” 指代什么。定位第五段 “the lianas which grew on them were all burned”，结合上下文，藤本植物是长在杏树上的，因此 “them” 指代杏树（almendros）。A “叶子”、B “藤本植物”、C “藤蔓” 均不符合语境。故选 D。

4.4. What caused the almendros’ neighbouring trees to be burned?

A The height of almendros.

B The stolen nutrients.

C The connection by the vines.

D The blocked light.

解析：选C。细节理解题，题干问是什么导致杏树的邻近树木被烧毁。根据第五段 “it can send up vines that connect to branches on neighboring different species. So when lightning strikes an almendro, the deadly current spreads through lianas to neighboring trees and burns them up”，可知是藤蔓的连接让电流传导到邻近树木，导致其被烧毁。A “杏树的高度” 是吸引闪电的原因，非烧毁邻近树木的直接原因；B “被窃取的营养”、D “被遮挡的阳光” 是藤蔓对杏树的危害，与邻近树木被烧毁无关。故选 C。

5.5. What did the scientists share in the May New Phytologist?

A Almendros’ benefiting from lightning.

B Almendros’ hurting surrounding trees.

C Structure of almendros’ head.

D Reasons for almendros’ survival.

解析：选A。主旨大意题，题干问科学家在《新植物学家》上分享了什么。文章核心围绕 “杏树遭雷击却能受益” 展开，第一段点明主旨，后续通过研究数据和原理分析支撑该观点。B “杏树伤害周围树木” 是受益的间接结果，非核心分享内容；C “杏树树冠结构”、D “杏树幸存的原因” 均是研究中未明确的内容，且未在论文中提及；A “杏树从闪电中获益” 符合文章核心主旨，是科学家分享的新发现。故选 A。