第二部分 阅读理解（共20小题：每小题2.5分，满分50分）

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

A

Edinburgh Zoo makes plans to bring a pair of giant pandas from China to Scotland. Representatives from Edinburgh Zoo have recently returned from China, where they signed a letter of intent(意向书)making a promise to bring giant pandas to the zoo.

It has been suggested that the breeding pair should be on loan(暂借)to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) for 10 years and it is hoped they would give birth to babies during that time. Edinburgh Zoo would be the eighth zoo in the Western hemisphere(半球)to care for the species if the project goes ahead.

Zoo chiefs said that looking after the endangered animals could benefit conservation. David Windmill, chief executive(主管)of RZSS, said, “It is an opportunity to work on a global level with other conservationists to gain a better understanding of the giant panda, the threats they face, and what we can do to ensure their survival.”

At present, there are currently only around 1,500 giant pandas in the wild. RZSS has been working on the project for almost a year, and hopes to have giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo by 2009, the year of the society’s centenary(一百年纪念日).

Mr. Windmill said that the project has received strong support from the UK and Scottish Governments and that this must continue if the zoo is to reach an agreement with the Chinese. As part of the proposed agreement with the Chinese government, Edinburgh Zoo will cooperate on research projects benefiting conservation in the wild.

RZSS will also provide considerable money to support giant panda conservation projects in the wild. Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China and feed almost wholly on bamboo, which makes up 99% of the their diet.

36. What result did zoo representatives get from China?

A. A breeding pair is on loan to RZSS for ten years.

B. China promised to sell two giant pandas before 2009.

C. They signed a letter of intent about giant pandas to be loaned to Edinburgh Zoo.

D. China promised to offer the money but not the experts for research into giant pandas.

37. If Edinburgh Zoo can borrow giant pandas, what will happen?

A. RZSS will celebrate its centenary in 2009.

B. Scotland will be the eighth country to have giant pandas.

C. RZSS will have a better understanding of living habits of giant pandas.

D. Edinburgh Zoo will be the eighth zoo to have Chinese pandas in the world.

38. The underlined part “the project” in Paragraph 4 refers to “__________”.

A. the celebration of RZSS’s centenary

B. introducing giant pandas to RZSS’s collection

C. the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland itself

D. borrowing giant pandas from China for conservation

39. At present what seems to be the key factor for giant pandas to successfully go to Edinburgh Zoo?

A. RZSS’s attitude.                                    B. The Chinese government’s attitude.

C. Edinburgh Zoo’s support.                       D. The Scottish government’ attitude.

40. The best title for this passage would be “___________”.

A. Edinburgh Zoo expects giant pandas from China

B. Edinburgh Zoo does research into giant pandas

C. Scotland supports giant panda conservation

D. Giant pandas live happily at Edinburgh Zoo