A
(2020•广东化州第一次模拟)Nature is like a great magician，performing wonders on Earth.One of them is the Amazon rainforest，the world's largest and home to millions of plants and animals.Nicknamed “the lungs of our planet”，it generates about onefifth of Earth's oxygen.However，this wonderful natural wonder is currently in danger.
Thousands of fires have broken out in Brazil，endangering much of the rainforest.These blazes have lasted several weeks and are believed to be the “most intense” in almost a decade，according to BBC News.
The Amazon has seen a large number of fires in 2019.Between January and August，there were over 74，000 fires，the highest number since 2013，the BBC reported.
Forest fires are common during the dry season，which runs from July to October.They are usually caused by natural events，such as lightning strikes.However，most of the fires this year are believed to be caused by farmers，who use fire as a traditional part of tropical agriculture to clean land，reported CNN.
The disaster has raised concern around the world.The Amazon rainforest is important for preventing climate change，said the BBC，absorbing millions of tons of carbon annually.When trees are cut down or burned，the rainforest's capacity (能力) to absorb carbon is reduced.
Brazilian climate expert Carlos Nobre told Reuters he's worried.If more than 20 percent of the ecosystem is destroyed，the Amazon rainforest could reach a tipping point (临界点) where the thick jungle will turn into a tropical savannah (大草原).
Nobre warned that it is not far off，with between 15 and 17 percent of the rainforest having already been destroyed.
The Brazilian government has sent soldiers to fight the fires.Many people have offered their support and called for recovery efforts.For example，Tim Cook，CEO of Apple，said he wanted to donate money and US Actor Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental charity，Earth Alliance，created a donation fund to help deal with the crisis.
The public are also encouraged to donate to charities concerned with rainforest preservation (保护)．“Every little bit helps in a tragic situation like this，” commented Gizmodo.
1．The underlined word “intense” in Para.2 probably means________．
A．natural B．fierce
C．common D．unexpected
2．What is the main cause of forest fires in the Amazon rainforest this year?
A．Lightning strikes. B．Hot weather.
C．Agricultural activities. D．Garbage left by tourists.
3．What was Nobre worried about in the article?
A．Global temperatures will rise.
B．The Amazon rainforest is close to disappearing.
C．Animals in the Amazon rainforest are under threat.
D．It will take decades for the Amazon rainforest to recover.
4．What are the last two paragraphs mainly about?
A．What the Brazilian government has done to fight fires.
B．Celebrities who care about rainforest preservation.
C．The possible future of the Amazon rainforest.
D．Efforts made to save the Amazon rainforest.
【语篇解读】 这是一篇说明文。世界上最大的雨林——亚马逊雨林，也是数百万动植物的家园，它被称为“地球的肺”，然而，这个奇妙的自然奇观目前正处于危险之中。火灾危及大片雨林。
1．解析：词义猜测题。根据上文“These blazes have lasted several weeks”可知，这些大火持续了几周，时间过长，在这十年内，应该是“最凶猛的”。故选B。
答案：B
2．解析：细节理解题。根据第四段“However，most of the fires this year are believed to be caused by farmers，who use fire as a traditional part of tropical agriculture to clean land”可知，今年大部分火灾被认为是由农民引起的，他们把火作为热带农业的传统来清洁土地。故选C。
答案：C
3．解析：细节理解题。根据第六段“Brazilian climate expert Carlos Nobre told Reuters he's worried.If more than 20 percent of the ecosystem is destroyed，the Amazon rainforest could reach a “tipping point(临界点)”where the thick jungle will turn into a tropical savannah(大草原)”可知，卡洛斯•诺布雷担心如果超过20%的生态系统被破坏，亚马逊雨林可能会达到一个“临界点”，茂密的丛林将变成热带大草原。所以他是担心雨林会灭绝，故选B。
答案：B
4．解析：主旨大意题。根据最后两段中描述government，many people，the public所做的贡献，可知，这都是为了保护雨林做的努力。故选D。
答案：D
