Observe the dilemma of the fungus(真菌): it is a plant, but it possesses no chlorophyll(葉綠素) while all other plants put the sun´s energy to work for them combining the nutrients of ground and air into body structure, the chlorophylless fungus must look elsewhere for an energy supply. It finds it in those other plants which, having received theirs free from the sun, relinquish it at some point in their circle either to other animals or to fungi.

In this search for energy the fungus has become the earth´s major source of rot and decay. Wherever you see mold forming on a piece of bread, or a pile of leaves turning to compost(堆肥), or a blown-down tree becoming pulp on the ground, you are watching a fungus eating. Without fungus action the earth would be piled high with the dead plant life of past centuries. In fact certain plants which contain resins(樹脂，松香) that are toxic to fungi will last indefinitely; specimens of tbe redwood, for insance can still be found resting on the forest floor centuries after having been blown down.

1. The title below that best expresses the ideas of this passage is _____.

[A] Life without Chlorophyll.

[B] The Strange World of the Fungus.

[C] The Harmful Qualities of Fungi.

[D] Utilization of the Sun´s Energy.

2. The statement "you are watching a fungus eating" is best described as _____.

[A] figurative.

[B] ironical.

[C] joking.

[D] contradictory.

3. The author implies that fungi _____.

[A] are responsible for all the world´s rot and decay.

[B] cannot live completely apart form other plants.

[C] are poisonous to resin-producing plants.

[D] can survive indefinitely under favorable conditions.

4. The author uses the word dilemma(in the first sentence) to indicate that _____.

[A] the fungus is both helpful and harmful in its effects.

[B] fungi are not really plants.

[C] the function of chlorophyll is a puzzle to scientists.

[D] the fungus seems to have its own biological laws.

5. Which word best describes the fungus as depicted in the passage?

[A] Diligent

[B] Enigmatic

[C] Parasitic

[D] Slothful

答案：B A B D C