六、任务型阅读。(2025·江苏苏州高新区实验初级中学调研)
阅读短文,回答下列问题。
A group of swans flew down to a beach. There was a crow(乌鸦)jumping around. The crow watched them and looked down on them.
“You have no flying skills at all!” he said to the swans. “All you can do is move your wings. Can you turn over in the air? No. That's not for you. Let's have a flying competition. I'll show you what real flying is!”
One of the swans took up the challenge. The crow flew up and began to show his skills. He flew in circles, did other flying tricks, and then came down and looked at the swan proudly.
Now it was the swan's turn. He flew up, and began flying over the sea. The crow flew after him, making all kinds of comments(评论)about his flying. They flew on and on till they couldn't see the land and there was nothing but water on all sides. The crow was making fewer and fewer comments. He was now so tired that he found it hard to stay in the air, and had to try to keep himself from falling into the water.
The swan said, “Why do you keep touching the water, brother? Is that another trick?”
“No,” said the crow. He knew he had lost the competition. “I'm in trouble because of pride(骄傲)! If you don't help me, I'll lose my life...”
The swan took pity on him, took him on his back and flew back to the beach.
1. Where were the group of swans?
On a beach.
2. Why did the crow want to have a flying competition with the swans?
To show his flying skills to the swans.
3. Who do you think was better at flying in the competition? Why?
The swan. Because the crow was in trouble in the competition.
