A
“The meat of masked civets (灵猫) can be eaten and has been long considered a rare precious meat from the mountain,”says the Animal Encyclopedia (百科全书) for Children,a science book published by Wuhan University Press.
But following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus,which has been linked to the consumption of bush meat,a reader complained online that the description was improper; the press responded by withdrawing the book from all shops.
The action is welcome,as some research shows the virus came from dead bats,while others suspect it might have been transmitted from bats to pangolins(穿山甲) and from them to humans. Whichever animal was the host,researchers are in agreement that bush meat is not safe for consumption and that masked palm civets,which caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic (严重急性呼吸系统综合症) in 2003,should definitely be taken off menus.
However,a public outcry alone cannot help. The law prohibits consumption of protected species,but those not on the protected list,like masked palm civets,become sitting ducks for those who love eating wild animals. Without a law in place,one cannot stop restaurants from serving wild animal meat,even though researchers know the dangers they pose.
The first step toward legislation prohibiting bush meat is to build consensus (一致).
Education is essential: only when everyone realizes the dangers of eating bush meat will they give up the habit and push for legislation.
And such awareness should begin early. Teaching children from a young age not to consume wild animals will make it easier to ensure they refrain from doing so when they grow up.
The Wuhan University Press encyclopedia has been withdrawn from shops,but that is because the press is located in Wuhan. It is hoped that other press houses across the country browse through their published books,and make similar corrections. Striking out consumption of bush meat in children’s reading materials is a good way to begin.
【文章大意】本文是一篇新闻报道。随着新型冠状病毒的爆发,武汉大学出版社因《儿童动物百科全书》中不恰当的描述而撤回了所有商店里的书。
21. Why did Wuhan University Press withdraw the Animal Encyclopedia for Children from all the shops?
A. Because of its poor sales.
B. Because of its improper description.
C. Because of its ugly cover.
D. Because of people’s dislike.
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据第二段中. . . a reader complained online that the description was improper; the press responded by withdrawing the book from all shops. 可知,武汉大学出版社从所有书店撤回《儿童动物百科全书》的原因是书中不恰当的描述。故选B。
22. What does the underlined word “transmitted” mean?
A. Spread. B. Transformed.
C. Provided. D. Offered.
【解析】选A。词义猜测题。根据画线词后的from bats to pangolins and from them to humans(从蝙蝠到穿山甲,再到人类)可推知,画线词的意思是“传播、传染”。故选A。
23. Which of the following is true?
A. The researchers are in agreement that bush meat is not safe for consumption,not including masked palm civets.
B. A public outcry alone can help stop people from eating bush meat.
C. In order to push for legislation,we should let people know the dangers of eating bush meat.
D. Other press houses across the country have already browsed through their published books and made similar corrections.
【解析】选C。根据倒数第三段内容可知,只有当每个人意识到吃野生动物肉的危险时,他们才会放弃这个习惯并推动立法。故选C。
