Chen Guanghui is a guardian for black-necked cranes (黑颈鹤) in the Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve of Zhaotong city, in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Whistling is the secret language Chen uses to communicate with the black-necked cranes, a type of migratory bird under first-class protection in China. She says different whistles signal different things. When she whistles in an increasing tone, she tries to tell the cranes: ask your companions to come back for lunch, and they would chirp (吱喳叫) to spread the message right away.

Living near the Dashanbao Nature Reserve, a major winter habitat for the rare species, Chen started to take care of them in 2003, a mission she took over from her mother, whose devotion dates back to the 1990s.

“In the first few days, I remembered they ran away as soon as I approached them. I was very upset and asked my mom to come back, and I was worried they would starve,” says Chen. “I initially tried everything, even singing folk songs to attract them, but failed. Later, I used special whistles and gradually formed close bond with the cranes.”

“I treat them as if they were my own children, and I’m always concerned about them, especially during snowy days when they can’t get food. I feel uncomfortable and anxious when I hear them chirp and usually rush to prepare corn for them.” It’s never been an easy job, and Chen has sustained quite a few injuries over the years, even falling into frozen marsh (沼泽) while trying to save a trapped crane in 2008. However, she never gave up. With love and responsibility, she has persisted in caring for the cranes for about 20 years.

Thanks to the joint protection efforts of Chen and staff members at the nature reserve, now more than 1,900 black-necked cranes overwinter in the area each season every year, up from about 300 when the nature reserve was established.

【小题1】How does Chen Guanghui communicate with black-necked cranes?

A．By singing folk songs.	B．By imitating chirps of birds.
C．By making hand gestures.	D．By blowing special whistles.

【小题2】What do the underlined words “a mission” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Rescuing injured animals.	B．Restoring habitats for rare species.
C．Looking after black-necked cranes.	D．Building Dashanbao Nature Reserve.

【小题3】How did Chen Guanghui feel about her initial attempts at the work?

A．It is inspiring.	B．It is frustrating.
C．It is interesting.	D．It is unexpected.

【小题4】What can we learn from Chen’s story?

A．Efforts bear fruit.	B．Fortune favors the brave.
C．Virtue is its own reward.	D．A miss is as good as a mile.