Long before the first Europeans arrived in America, a strange looking animal lived on th

e western plains.It looked somewhat like a water buffalo(北美洲野牛) It had a hump(驼峰) like a camel and a mane(鬃)like a lion.It preferred to eat the rich grass of the plains.

The official name of the strange animal is the American Bison.However, nearly everyone calls it a buffalo.

In the early days, millions of buffalo moved freely across the continent.They were powerful animals and ran with great speed.The Indians hunted them for food and clothing.

In the 19th century, white men hunted the bison for their skins.They seldom killed the bison for meat.One famous frontiersman, however, Buffalo Bill Cody hunted buffalo for meat.The railroads used the meat to feed their workers.

The American buffalo could run at a speed of almost 75 kilometers an hour.He was difficult to hurt because he was always for a fight.There were times when five or six bullets would not kill him, and buffalo hunters sometimes had a lot of trouble killing the animal.The buffaloes were hard to control and the hunters would get confused or feel helpless.Finally, in the west the expression, to buffalo, came to mean to make one helpless or to confuse and trick.

It is still used today.When a person has you “buffaloed”, he has you in his power.You're helpless! (10 分)

(1).When did the bison begin to live on the western plains of America？

A.When the European immigrated to America.

B.Long before the first Europeans arrived in America.

C.After the Europeans immigrated to America.

D.A short time before the first Europeans arrived in America.

(2).The bison looks like a __ __.

A.lion

B.camel

C.water buffalo

D.tiger

(3).White men hunted the buffalo ____.

A.for their workers

B.for their meat

C.for theft hunters

D.for their skins

(4).Why was American Bison difficult to hurt？

A.Because he was always for a fight.

B.Because he could nm fast.

C.Because he was too thick to be caught.

D.Because his look was odd enough to frighten away the hunters.

(5).“To be buffaloed” means .

A.to run as fast as a buffalo

B.to be helpless or be confused

C.to be caught for amusement

D.to be as special as a buffalo