题目

阅读理解 Pictures of the bird called the red siskin appear on Venezuela's money, on products and in school books. But the small song bird is disappearing from the wild. It has become the victim of reducing forests and hunters who want to sell their bright red feathers. That threat has brought together an international team. They hope to save the bird. The plan is to have farmers plant organic coffee plants which are covered with branches that make good nesting places for the birds. Once found in the millions, as few as 300 red siskins remain in Venezuela. "They don't have many years left, unless we do something right now," said Miguel Arvelo. Fanners who meet the project's rules will win the right to sell their beans with "Bird Friendly" labels. They will be able to set prices for such "high quality" products that can be five times higher than legal prices set by the government. The male siskin is valued for its red feathers and black head. Breeders cross them with yellow pet birds to create babies with colourful feathers. Protection under Venezuelan law has not prohibited hunters from catching the birds to sell on an illegal international market. Poor Venezuelan families often catch and sell the birds. The money they receive can feed their children for months, said biologist Jhonathan Miranda. At the same time, a red siskin breeding centre is being built at a private zoo in Venezuela. There, 200 birds are expected to be born next year. Scientists keep the places where the birds live a secret to protect them from hunters. They permitted some reporters to photograph a small number of birds at one of those secret places. Twelve or more of the small, red birds flew into sight just as the sun appeared. "It's the first time I've seen so many birds together," said Miranda. "It gives us hope. " （1） What do Miguel's words in the third paragraph suggest? A . The red siskins can't live longer. B . It is urgent to save the red siskins. C . Organic coffee plants will die soon. D . Coffee farmers do the right thing now. （2） Why are farmers asked to plant organic coffee plants? A . To make them plant less coffee crops. B . To increase their coffee production. C . To provide red siskins with good habitats. D . To allow some sunshine into the coffee fields. （3） What good does the project do to the farmers? A . They produce coffee beans of high quality. B . They have a ban on their coffee planting. C . They enjoy the right to feed birds with beans. D . They can sell their coffee at a higher price. （4） What might be the best title for the passage? A . Saving red siskins by planting coffee plants B . Helping Venezuelans plant more coffee crops C . Preserving the endangered species in Venezuela D . Building a breeding centre for red siskins 答案： B C D A

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