It is 2023 now. A woman was riding her 15-year-old horse near the beach. As they walked through about 3 feet of water and silt (淤泥), the horse suddenly hit deep mud and began to sink (下沉).

The horse’s owner was scared. She tried to run away, but she wasn’t able to get her horse back on his feet. So she called the police for help. And fifteen police officers came. They worked together to move the animal up to the safe place.

Once the horse was out of the mud, he was able to get back on his feet. Officers then walked him up the rocky slope (岩质斜坡) to dry land. An animal doctor was waiting to check him out. Both he and his rider were fine, but scared by the scary situation.

Later, the police department shared a video of the team moving such a large weight. You can hear the team counting down as they prepare to pull. They really have to fight for every step!

It’s great to see these heroes at work saving the lives of both the human and animal!

1.When was the horse born?

A In 2000.

B In 2002.

C In 2008.

D In 2010.

解析：选C。C数字计算题。根据第一段第二句“15-year-old horse”可知，这匹马今年15岁，出生于2008年。故选C。

2.How did the woman feel when the horse sank?

A Afraid.

B Angry.

C Shocked.

D Excited.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“The horse’s owner was scared”可知，当这匹马突然开始下沉的时候，马的主人（这个女人）感到十分害怕。故选A。

3.Who checked the horse?

A His owner.

B An animal doctor.

C The police officer.

D The fireman.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第三段第三句“An animal doctor was waiting to check him out.”可知，马一出淤泥，就可以重新站起来了。然后，警察把他带上岩石斜坡，送到旱地，一名兽医正在那里等着给马检查身体。故选B。

4.What does the underlined part “a large weight” refer to?

A The woman.

B The horse.

C A policeman.

D A rider.

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。根据第二段的“They worked together to move the animal up to the safe place.”可知，15名警察一起努力把动物移到安全的地方，即他们搬动的是这匹很重的马。故选B。

5.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A A woman liked riding a horse.

B A horse made his owner scared.

C Policemen helped a woman in the mud.

D Police officers helped a horse.

解析：选D。D主旨大意题。根据全文内容可知，本文主要讲述警察救援一匹陷入淤泥的马的相关情况，故D项“警察帮助一匹马”符合题意。故选D。