When Mary entered the South Pole Penguin Research Lab, she saw her friend Tom gently stroking (轻抚) a penguin in his arms. As children of the lab scientists, Mary and Tom often observed the emperor penguins that were studied to understand how they adapted to extreme temperatures- -insights that could aid human survival.
"We're thirteen, Tom. It's time to grow up and stop playing with the lab penguins," said Mary as she started cleaning. "They're research animals, not pets."
"But the birds listen to me!" insisted Tom, his breath forming at cloud in the freezing air. "You're just trying to be a penguin whisperer again," Mary replied, shaking her head with a gentle smile. The penguins seemed playful, as they walked , dove, swam and chased their live fish for sport before eating.
Suddenly, an alarm rang out and red lights flashed, signaling a problem. The kids rushied over to look into it. "I's colder than before- there's ice forming on the water, " noted Tom. Though always cold, Mary had never seen ice here before. She checked the habitat monitor and found that the temperature had gone down a lot. "The heater must be broken!"
Mary quickly sent a message to their parents' research team; who were conducting outdoor studies. With the adults away, the kids would have to deal with the freezing conditions until help arrived.
Time dragged as Mary and Tom anxiously waited. The increasing cold caused them to shake. "I wonder what emperor penguins do in extreme cold, since they stay in the Pole all winter instead of going, somewhere warmer," asked Mary. "They huddle (挤作一团)," Tom answered. "They huddle together tightly so that the birds in the middle will be warm enough." "What about the ones on the edge?" Mary asked. "They push their way towards the center, and then move back out to the edge, and struggle back again. Scientists in the early 21st century recorded it." He replied as he stared at the large crowd of the penguins in the lab.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
"I have an idea to stay warm!" Tom shouted excitedly.
Two and a half hours later, the parents returned with help.
