考研英语每日一练2016.3.1

Directions:

　　You are going to read a list of headings and a about a park naturalist. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A—F for each numbered paragraph (41—45). The first and last paragraphs of the are not numbered. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET l. (10 points)

　　[A]Becoming a naturalist

　　[B]Seeing wonder in the ordinary

　　[C]A changing role

　　[D]Disgusting and embarrassing moments

　　[E]What does a park naturalist do?

　　[F]What does it take to be a park naturalist?

　　I have the best job in the Wisconsin State Park System. As a park naturalist at Peninsula State Park, I am busy writing reports, creating brochures about trees or flowers, and sometimes visiting schools.And, of course, I make sure Peninsula’s feathered friends are well fed.

　　41. _____________

　　As a park naturalist I am a writer, a teacher, a historian and, if not a social worker, at least a mentor to young people interested in the environment. I love the diversity of my job. Every day is different. Most tasks require creativity. Now that I am an experienced naturalist, I have the freedom to plan my own day and make decisions about the types of programs that we offer at Peninsula.

　　42. _____________

　　In my first naturalist job, I spent four out of five days leading school field trips and visiting classrooms. As a state park naturalist I still work with students, but more often lead programs like bird walks, nature crafts, outdoor skills, and trail hikes. I also find myself increasingly involved in management decisions. For example, sometimes the park naturalist is the person who knows where rare orchids grow or where ravens nest. When decisions are made about cutting trees, building trails, or creating more campsites. naturalists are asked to give the “ecological perspective.”

　　43. _____________

　　Perhaps the grossest thing I’ve done as a naturalist is to boil animal skulls. Visitors like seeing bones and skins—at least after they have been cleaned up! Once, our nature center needed more skulls. A trapper gave me muskrat, raccoon and fox skulls but I had to clean them. First, I boiled the skin and meat off. Boy, did that stink! Then I used dissecting tools and old toothbrushes to clean out the eyeballs. Finally, I soaked the skulls in a bleach solution. I’ve had some embarrassing experiences, too. On my first hike as Peninsula’s new naturalist, I was so excited that I identified a white pine tree as a red pine tree! That’s quite a mistake since the trees are so easy to tell apart. White pine needles are in bundles of five and red pine needles are in bundles of two.

　　44. _____________

　　Not all state parks are as busy or as big as Peninsula. Not all park naturalists spend the seasons as I do. Nevertheless, park naturalists share certain common interests and responsibilities: A park naturalist might notice that branches of a red maple growing in a field reach out to the side while those of a red maple in a thick forest reach up, and wonder why the trees look different. A naturalist makes things happen. It might be working with workers to clean up part of a river. Park naturalists share knowledge in different ways, but all of them communicate with people. A love of learning--from other people, from plants and animals, from books, and more—is an essential quality. Most naturalists don’t work in places of rare beauty. Many work in city parks or in places that show “wear and tear.” If you can wonder about an inchworm, a juniper bush, or a robin and cause others to wonder, too, then you are ready to become a park naturalist.

　　45. _____________

　　If you think you want to become a park naturalist, do the following:

　　Explore your home landscape. Knowing how people have shaped the land where you live-and how the land has shaped them-will lend a comparison that will serve you well.

　　Start a field sketch book.Sketch what you see, where and when. The reason is not to practice art skills (though you may discover you have a talent) but, rather, to practice observation skills.

　　Go to college. You will need a 4-year degree. There are several academic routes that lead to the naturalist’s road. I have found ornithology, plant taxonomy and human growth and development to be among my most helpful courses.

　　Listen and learn. A college degree is like a ticket. It lets you board the plane but is only the beginning of the journey. Look and listen to those who have already traveled the road for ideas, knowledge and inspiration.