Much of the island, Borneo, is the tropical rain forest.It's the world's third largest island.
I once lived on Borneo for a while with my family and it was joyful to see many wild animals visit my backyard.Actually, I should say that it was I who was the visitor.
During the first week, I found a clutch of eggs under our bamboo trees.I was told they were the eggs of a black spitting cobra (射毒眼镜蛇)．The snake is common in the area.Poison from its bite can kill a person in one to six hours.
My husband and I and our three children thought of many ways to be on the lookout, especially when we stepped into the yard.We even made up a song, which went: Cobra, cobra, are you there? Please don't fall onto my hair.
One afternoon, we saw the cobra the first time.Our friends and our family had just finished our lunch, and a few of us were chatting when one of the guests saw the cobra.She was on a branch of a palm tree, less than ten feet from where we were chatting. Everyone came out to see her, and chairs were arranged as if for a concert.The cobra lay still.Only through a pair of binoculars (双筒望远镜) could we see her breathing.She seemed to enjoy all the attention.We were surprised by her beauty.
Later, I realized that a cobra would naturally stay near the palm tree.Its coconuts (椰子) are a rich source of food for mice and squirrels, and therefore the tree was a great place for a cobra.
语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。作者在婆罗洲居住期间，院子里有一条射毒眼镜蛇和它的一窝蛇蛋，他们能和平相处吗？请阅读本篇文章。
1．What did the author mean by saying she was the visitor?
A．She was amazed at the number of wild animals.
B．She was not familiar with the wild animals.
C．She was frightened of the animals.
D．She was not a local person.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第二段的内容可知，作者在院子里能邂逅许多野生动物，那里好像是它们的家，自己反而像访客。
2．Why did the author's family create a song?
A．To amuse the cobra.
B．To remind themselves.
C．To prepare for a concert.
D．To entertain their friends.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第四段的“My husband and I and our three children thought of many ways to be on the lookout, especially when we stepped into the yard.”可知，因为射毒眼镜蛇有剧毒，作者一家想出各种办法来提醒家人要小心，后来甚至还编了一首歌来互相提醒。
3．Why does a cobra like staying near a palm tree?
A．The tree gives cool shade.
B．It's a perfect place to hide.
C．It's a good hunting ground.
D．The tree offers it coconuts.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据最后一段的内容可知，椰子能吸引来老鼠、松鼠等小动物，这样方便射毒眼镜蛇捕食。
