Depending on their size，location，and the season，icebergs can be nurturers (培养者) or destroyers.During their existence—typically years from breaking off from an Antarctic or Greenlandic glacier to their gradual melting as they float into lower altitudes，they support animals on，around，even inside their splendid ice castle.They fertilize the ocean with nutrients，increasing sea creature production.Grounded bergs can shelter areas of the seafloor，protecting

　　bottom－living

　　creatures

　　from

　　free－floating

　　icebergs.However，large bergs can also trap sea ice，preventing its annual breakup and thus stopping phytoplankton (浮游植物) from getting life—giving sunlight，breaking the food chain at its first link.

　　Icebergs will continue to astonish and attract visitors to the polar regions.But now these frozen large masses are taking on a new dimension of wonder as we uncover their vital role in the environment of polar seas.No longer can we look at icebergs as mere passive white mountains floating in the sea.They are active agents of change，each one is an icy oasis with awake of life as it floats on its unstoppable oceanic journey to melting.

　　【语篇解读】　本文为说明文，介绍了随着全球气温不断上升，冰山数量不断增多。冰山

　　1．Why does the author mention “dwarf__your__ship” in the first paragraph?

【2017届重庆市高考英语一轮复习阅读理解选编精练：27（含解析）】相关文章：

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：1（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：6（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：23（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：22（含解析）

★ 【人教版】2014届高考英语一轮复习指导考点针对练：必修4 unit4《Body language》

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：7（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：17（含解析）

★ 贵州省贵阳市2014高考英语（新人教版）一轮阅读训练（31）附答案

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：2（含解析）

★ 2017届高考英语二轮复习课时训练：14（含解析）