Homing pigeons are placed in a training program from about the time they are twenty-eight days of age. They are taught to enter the cage through a trap and to exercise above and around the loft , and gradually they are taken away for short distances in willow baskets and released. They are then expected to find their way home in the shortest possible time.
In their training flights or in actual races, the birds are taken to prearranged distant points and released to find their way back to their own lofts. Once the birds are liberated, their owners, who are standing by at the home lofts, anxiously watch the sky for the return of their entries. Since time is of the essence, the speed with which the birds can be induced to enter the loft trap may make the difference between gaining a win or a second place.
The head of a homing pigeon is comparatively small, but its brain is one quarter larger than that of the ordinary pigeon. The homing pigeon is very intelligent and will persevere to the point of stubbornness; some have been known to fly a hundred miles off course to avoid a storm.
Some homing pigeon experts claim that this bird is gifted with a form of built-in radar that helps it find its own loft after hours of flight, for hidden under the head feathers are two very sensitive ears, while the sharp, prominent eyes can see great distances in daytime.
Why do homing pigeons fly home? They are not unique in this inherent skill; it is found in most migratory birds, in bees, ants, toads, and even turtles, which have been known to travel hundreds of miles to return to their homes. But in the animal world, the homing pigeon alone can be trusted with its freedom and trained to carry out the missions that people demand.
1. This passage is mainly about_______.
A. homing pigeons and their training
B. how to buy a homing pigeon
C. protection of homing pigeons against the threat of extinction
D. liberation of homing pigeons
2. According to the passage, what happens to homing pigeons when they are about a month old?
A. They are kept in a trap.
B. They enter their first race.
C. They begin a training program.
D. They get their wings clipped and marked.
3. According to the passage, the difference between a homing pigeon and an ordinary one is_______.
A. the span of the wings B. the shape of the eyes
C. the texture of the feathers D. the size of the brain
4. The author mentions all of the following attributes that enable a homing pigeon to
return home EXCEPT_______.
A. instinct B. air sacs
C. sensitive ears D. good eyes
5. Why does the author mention bees, ants, toads, and turtles in the last paragraph?
A. To describe some unusual kinds of pets.
B. To measure distances traveled by various animals.
C. To compare their home-finding abilities with those of homing pigeons.
D. To interest the reader in learning about other animals.
1. A 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. C
健康5式:减肥是一场自我较量
中外网友齐愤慨:王思聪为爱犬买俩苹果表
大自然的奇迹!5个值得一游的地方
韩国妹子卸妆视频走红网络
如何选择适合自己的泳衣?
全美最肥喵星人:体重相当4岁男孩
如何提高阅读能力?KWL阅读方法来助力
读不懂别急!手把手教你攻克高难度阅读材料
外国人眼中的高考 理想与现实的差距
职场女性:着装成就一番新天地
哪个国家的游客最爱从酒店顺东西?
大学毕业生成为人生赢家的九个诀窍
献给丢失爱情的你:戛纳获奖短片Sign笔记
指甲护套:让你的美甲一直美下去
小孩童大智慧:永不过时的外国童话书
如何让你的另一半也动起来
教你如何正确地请教他人
奥斯卡金酸梅奖 这些名字是什么意思?
七个非同一般的小国:一起去吧!
男人心声:你的10个细节令他偷偷高兴
为治疗贫血 柬埔寨穷人煮“铁鱼”吃
2017年最受游客欢迎的十个城市
我舅是国王 西班牙国王外甥插队辱骂华人
前瞻!即将火爆2030年的9大未来职业
A型人格的11条纠结特质 中招否?
晒幸福or自黑:马尔福和哈利恋爱了?
娜塔莉波特曼:哈佛演讲中的9道人生课
13句受用终生的人生格言
美女们请注意!千万别在简历上附照片!
英文原版小说看不下去?手把手教你读
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |