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  3. Eagles, soaring high, powerful, and fearless, have always made people think of strength, freedom and courage. For this reason, c

Eagles, soaring high, powerful, and fearless, have always made people think of strength, freedom and courage. For this reason, c

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问题
    Eagles, soaring high, powerful, and fearless, have always made people think of strength, freedom and courage. For this reason, countries, empires, and rulers from ancient Egypt, Persia, and Rome to the modern United States have made eagles their symbol. The bald eagle became the United States’ national bird in 1782 when Congress adopted a design depicting the bird for the Great Seal of the United States.
    Most Americans have seen enough pictures and emblems to recognize an eagle. Surprisingly, few know much about the bird. Even ornithologists, people who study birds, do not know a great deal. It is difficult to study the eagle’s habits because it is dangerous and fierce. Also, it nests high up in trees or on mountains and cliff ledges which are difficult to reach.
    Eagles are found throughout the world except in Antarctica and a few remote islands. Whereas most birds are vegetarians eating fruit and seeds, eagles are birds of prey—they hunt other birds and animals for their food. They eat reptiles, small mammals, and birds up to the size of small turkeys. In ancient times, in the tribes of northern Russia, golden eagles were used to hunt small deer and antelope. In Scotland, these same golden eagles have been known to carry away lambs from flocks, picking them up with their powerful talons and flying away to a mountain crag with their victims. They kill with their talons and dismember with their hooked bills which are nearly as long as their heads.
    It is possible to recognize eagles by their large, broad wingspread, their wide tails that are spread like a fan in flight, their soaring, gliding flight, and the way they are able to hover in the sky when they spot their prey below. Their eyes are very keen and so is their hearing, but they seem to have a poor sense of smell.

    The name " eagle" comes from the Roman name for the golden eagle. The golden eagle is dark brown with a golden wash over its head and neck—hence its name. The adult has a brown tail, while the young bird’s tail is white. Unlike other birds and eagles, the golden eagle’s legs are feathered down to the toes. Females grow to about three feet(about one meter)from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail. Males are smaller as is usual for most birds of prey. Most golden eagles nest on cliff ledges, but they may also choose high trees. They used to be found throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere, but they are nearly extinct in most of the British Isles and are now rare in the east of the Rocky Mountains in North America.
    The bald eagle is one of the sea eagles. Its name is a misnomer because the bird does not lack feathers. The name comes from an old word meaning "marked with white" which is appropriate because the mature bald eagle has a white head and tail. The rest of its body is blackish brown. It is about the same size as the golden eagle. However, the bald eagle has a longer and heavier bill which is bright yellow rather than gray.
    The bald eagle inhabits lakes and streams as well as coastal regions. It is found in North America, from Alaska to Florida and south into Mexico. For a time its population was greatly decreased mainly because of pesticide poisoning. By 1970, it was estimated that there were about 1,000 in existence. However, since the D. D. T ban of 1972 and use of repopulation, the number has increased significantly to more than 5 ,000.
    The bald eagle feeds on fish and any trash it can find: however, it is also a robber, either pirating its food from other birds or picking up dead fish on the shore. As a matter of fact, it looks rather like a pirate with its big, hooked beak and intimidating yellow eyes.
    There is still a great deal to be learned about these formidable birds. They are frightening, but they are fascinating. They are ruthless but remarkable. They are cruel, but there is nothing more beautiful than seeing an eagle soaring high in the sky.
Questions 56 to 60:
Mark each statement as either true(T)or false(F)according to the passage.
The eagle has become the symbol of courage, liberty and power.
选项 A、TRUE
B、FALSE
答案A
解析 文章第一段开头便指出，鹰让人们联想到力量、自由和勇气，与题干描述相符。
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本试题收录于： B类竞赛（英语专业本科专科）题库大学生英语竞赛（NECCS）分类
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B类竞赛（英语专业本科专科）

大学生英语竞赛（NECCS）

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