题目

At first sight, the fate of threatened species might seem apart from the economy. However, upon a little examination, we will understand the connections between the two. The "good health" of natural systems is a precondition for the "good health" of our social and economic systems. Can one say that a society is thriving when it is exposed to air and water pollution and endures related health problems? Equally, can a society "function" if a large proportion is unemployed or cannot make ends meet? What is the purpose of the first paragraph? A. To clear a misunderstanding about the fate of endangered species.B. To illustrate how air and water pollution can cause health problems.C. To highlight the importance of healthy social and economic systems.D. To reveal the connections between natural systems and the economy.

At first sight, the fate of threatened species might seem apart from the economy. However, upon a little examination, we will understand the connections between the two. The "good health" of natural systems is a precondition for the "good health" of our social and economic systems. Can one say that a society is thriving when it is exposed to air and water pollution and endures related health problems? Equally, can a society "function" if a large proportion is unemployed or cannot make ends meet?

What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

  • A. To clear a misunderstanding about the fate of endangered species.
  • B. To illustrate how air and water pollution can cause health problems.
  • C. To highlight the importance of healthy social and economic systems.
  • D. To reveal the connections between natural systems and the economy.

题目解答

答案

### 解析 这段文字的目的是揭示自然系统与社会经济系统之间的联系。作者首先指出，乍一看，受威胁物种的命运似乎与经济无关。然而，经过仔细考察，我们可以理解两者之间的联系。接着，作者通过两个反问句来强调自然系统的“健康”是社会和经济系统“健康”的前提条件。这两个反问句分别是： 1. 一个社会在面临空气和水污染及相关的健康问题时，能说它是繁荣的吗？ 2. 如果一大部分人失业或无法维持生计，社会能“运作”吗？ 通过这些反问句，作者进一步强调了自然系统、社会系统和经济系统之间的相互依赖关系。 ### 选项分析 A. **To clear a misunderstanding about the fate of endangered species.** - 这个选项不准确。虽然文章提到了受威胁物种的命运，但主要目的是揭示自然系统与社会经济系统之间的联系，而不是澄清对受威胁物种命运的误解。 B. **To illustrate how air and water pollution can cause health problems.** - 这个选项也不准确。虽然文章提到了空气和水污染可能导致健康问题，但这只是用来支持主要论点的一个例子，而不是段落的主要目的。 C. **To highlight the importance of healthy social and economic systems.** - 这个选项部分正确，但不完全准确。文章确实强调了健康的社会和经济系统的重要性，但这是为了进一步说明自然系统的重要性。 D. **To reveal the connections between natural systems and social and economic systems.** - 这个选项最准确。文章的主要目的是揭示自然系统与社会经济系统之间的联系，强调自然系统的“健康”是社会和经济系统“健康”的前提条件。 ### 答案 **D. To reveal the connections between natural systems and social and economic systems.**

解析

本题考查对段落写作目的的理解。关键点在于识别作者通过何种方式展开论述，并抓住核心意图。文章首段通过对比自然系统与社会经济系统的关联，强调两者相互依存的关系。解题核心在于抓住主题句和逻辑结构，明确作者旨在揭示自然系统与经济之间的联系，而非单纯讨论污染或社会问题。

选项分析

A. To clear a misunderstanding about the fate of endangered species

错误。虽然文中提到“受威胁物种”，但其目的是引出自然系统与经济的联系，而非澄清误解。

B. To illustrate how air and water pollution can cause health problems

错误。污染和健康问题仅作为例子，用于支持“自然系统健康是经济繁荣前提”的论点，非段落核心目的。

C. To highlight the importance of healthy social and economic systems

部分正确但不全面。文中确实强调社会经济系统的健康，但这是为了进一步说明自然系统的重要性，最终仍指向两者的联系。

D. To reveal the connections between natural systems and social and economic systems

正确。首句点明“自然系统与经济看似无关，实则相连”，后文通过反问句强化这一观点，明确揭示两者关系。