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     Many animal and plant species have become extinct and many more are in critical danger. Finding

ways to protect the earth's wildlife and conserve the natural world they inhabit (居住) is now more important than ever.

     Dodo

     The Dodo is a classic example of how human caused damage to the earth's biology. The flightless

Dodo was native to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It lived off fruit fallen from the island's

trees and lived unthreatened until humans arrived in 1505. The easily controlled bird became a source of

food for sailors and was attacked by animals introduced to the island by humans such as pigs, monkeys

and rats. The population of Dodos rapidly decreased and the last one was killed in 1681.

     Rhinos

     The Rhino (犀牛) horn is a highly prized item for Asian medicine. This has led to the animal being

hunted in its natural habitat.Once widespread in Africa and Eurasia, most Rhinos now live in protected

natural parks and reserves (保护区). Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years, and the

animals remain under constant threat from poachers(偷猎者).

     The Giant Panda

     The future of the World Wildlife Fund's symbolis far from certain.As few as 1,000 remain in the wild.

The Chinese government has set up 33 panda reserves  to  protect  these  beautiful animals  and  made 

 poaching  them punishable with 20 years in prison. However, the panda's distinct black and white

patched coat fetches a high price on the black market and determined poachers still pose (造成) one of

the most serious threats to the animals continued existence.

     Whales

     The International Whaling Commission is fighting to ensure the survival of the whale species. Despite

the fact that one-third the world's oceans  have  been  declared  whale sanctuaries (保护区),7 out of 13

whale species remain endangered. Hunted for their rich supply of oil, their numbers have decreased to

just 300. Collisions with ships, poisonous pollution and being caught in fishing nets are other major causes of whale deaths.

     Tigers

     The last 100 years has seen a 95% reduction in the numbers of remaining tigers to between 5,000 and 7,000 and the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers are already extinct. The South China tiger is precariously

close to disappearing, with only 20 to 30 still alive. Like the Rhino horn, tigers' bones and organs are

sought after for traditional Chinese medicines. These items are traded illegally along with tiger skins.

1. It implies that________.

 A. the Dodo lacked the ability to protect itself from other animals

B. Sailors to the Island of Mauritius lived mainly on the Dodo

C. the Dodo used to be a strong animal that liked fighting

D. the Dodo, pigs, monkeys and rats were the natives to the Island of Mauritius

2. Which group of the following animals has already ceased to exist according to the text?

A. The Dodo, Rhino and Giant Panda.

B. The Rhino, Whale and the South China tiger.

C. The Rhino, Panda, Whale and Tiger.

D. The Dodo and the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers.

3. ________can serve as a cure for certain diseases.

A. The whale's rich oil

B. The panda's black and white patched coat

C. The Rhino horn and tigers' bones and organs

D. The Dodo's delicious meat

4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. The number of South China tigers has reached crisis point.

B. Many animals are threatened with extinction as a result of human activity.

C. People hunt for the endangered animals for high profit.

D. The whale is the representing mark for the World Wildlife Fund.

5. Which of the following is mentioned in all the descriptions of those wild animals?

A. The way of their life.

B. The reason for their extinction or being in danger.

C. Why they are hunted.

D. Punishment for hunting wild animals.