新课标考点规范练选修6Unit4.docxVIP

 PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 6 考点规范练29(选修6　Unit4) Ⅰ.阅读理解 1.(2014·河北保定调研) “Plants were expected to get larger with increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,but changes in temperature,humidity (湿度)and nutrient availability seem to have trumped the benefits of increased carbon dioxide,”said researchers from the National University of Singapore. 45 percent of the species studied now reach smaller adult sizes than they did in the past.The researchers pointed out that warmer temperatures and changing habitats,caused by climate change,are possible reasons for the shrinking of creatures. “We do not yet know the exact mechanisms(机制)involved,or why some organisms are getting smaller while others are unaffected,”the researchers said.“Until we understand more,we could be risking negative consequences that we can’t yet quantify.” The change is big in cold-blooded animals.Only two decades of warmer temperatures are enough to make creatures smaller.An increases of only 1℃ causes nearly a 10 percent increase in metabolism(新陈代谢).Greater use of energy results in tiny tortoises and little lizards.Fish are smaller now too.Though overfishing has played a part in reducing numbers,experiments show that warmer temperatures also stop fish growing. Warm-blooded animals aren’t immune(免除)from the size change caused by climate change.Many birds are now smaller.Red deer are weaker.And polar bears are smaller,compared with historical records. This isn’t the first time that has happened in Earth’s history.55 million years ago,a warming event similar to the current climate change caused bees,spiders and ants to shrink by 50 to 75 percent over several thousand years.That event happened over a longer time than the current climate change. The speed of modern climate change could mean organisms may not respond or adapt quickly enough,especially those with long generation times.So,it is likely that more negative influences of climate change will be shown in the future. What does the text mainly talk abou