第十二期 2009年6月真题 文章(4/6)

Passage 1

Attracting and feeding wild birds are entertaining activities

that have long been enjoyed by people all over the world.

Feeding birds has become so popular that prepared feed mixtures are readily available.

We feed birds for many reasons. Many pleasant hours can come from watching birds.

A hobby often develops into a serious study of their habits.

Accurate identification of birds is usually the first goal.

But observations that an amateur bird-watcher can make are really limitless.

There is, however, responsibility associated with bird feeding, including a disease hazard.

Attracting numbers of birds continually to the same spot can be harmful to them,

particularly species that pick food from the ground contaminated by the droppings of other birds.

In winter feeding efforts are most satisfying to people and are of greatest benefit to birds.

During this time when fewer natural foods are available and air temperatures are lower,

extra feeding can keep a bird warm and well.

Once begun, feeding should never stop during these lean months.

If you start a local increase of birds,

be prepared to do what may be required to eliminate hazards to those you want to be friend.

A constant supply of food should be given until the cold is over and spring has come.

If feeding is stopped during severe weather, birds used to relying upon the feeders must starve.

Passage 2

My friend Leo makes up weak and poor excuses whenever there is something he doesn't want to do.

Just two weeks ago, he was at my house when he decided he didn't want to go into work.

He called his boss and said he had to get a new set of tires put on his truck.

Then he sat down and watched TV with me.

Not only had he lied but his excuse wasn't a very convincing one.

Another time,he cancelled a date with his girlfriend at the last minute

telling her he had to get a new battery for his truck.

She was angry and refused to go out with him again until he apologized.

Last weekend, Leo offered the poorest excuse yet.

He'd promised he'd help me move some furniture, from my parents' house to my new apartment.

He was supposed to bring his truck over about 8 o'clock Saturday morning.

I waited, and then called and left a message on his machine.

About 11:30, he called and said he was sorry but he'd been getting a new set of tires put on his truck.

I guess he'd forgotten he used the same excuse when he called his boss from my house.

I think I need a new set of friends. I'm beginning to get tired of Leo's excuses.