Question

【题目】Many animal and plant species have become extinct and many more are in critical danger. Finding ways to protect the earth’s wildlife and protect the natural world they inhabit is now more important than ever.

Now many animals remain threatened with extinction as a result of human activity.

The dodo is a classic example of how humans caused damage to the earth’s wildlife. The flightless dodo was native to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It lived off fallen fruit from the island’s trees and lived safely 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 and monkeys. The population of dodos rapidly decreased and the last one was killed in 1681.

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, Europe and Asia, most rhinos now live in protected natural parks and reserves. Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years, and the animal remains constantly threatened by hunters.

The last 100years has seen a 95% reduction in the numbers of remaining tigers to between 5,000 and 7,000 and the Bali, Javan, and Daspian tigers are already extinct. The South China tiger is close to disappearing, with only 20 to 30 still alive. Like the rhino horn, tigers’ bones and organs are sought after for traditional Chinese medicine. These items are traded illegally along with tiger skins.

The World Wildlife Fund is actively involved in many areas of the world fighting to protect the natural habitats of endangered animals from further damage and curb the activities of hunters. Our own efforts at home and in the workplace can also make a difference. By reducing waste and pollution, saving water, wood, and energy, and reusing and recycling whenever possible, we can reduce the possibility of even more animals being lost, never to return.

【1】The purpose of this passage is to ___.

A. call on us to protect the earth’s wildlife

B. let us know about the animal world

C. tell us many animals are in great danger

D. tell us why many animals are becoming extinct

【2】The common reason why many animals are facing extinction is that ___ .

A. they are too easily controlled by humans

B. they can be made into highly prized medicine

C. they can provide people with delicious meal

D. humans kill them for their own interests

【3】Which of the following statements about the dodo is TRUE according to the passage?

A. It was native to the Island of Mauritius and could fly very well.

B. It struggled to survive until human arrived in 1505.

C. Its population decreased only because pigs and monkeys were introduced.

D. It was possible for humans to find a dodo before 1681.

【4】The underlined word “curb” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “___”.

A. improve

B./span> limit

C. cancel

D. criticize

Answer 1

【答案】【1】A

【2】D

【3】D

【4】B

【解析】【1】主旨大意题。本文提到了很多动植物正面临灭绝的危险，然后列举实例，最后好找人们行动起来保护它们。故答案是A。

【2】推理判断题。根据第二段可知，很多动物面临灭绝危险的共同原因是人类的活动。故选D。

【3】推理判断题。根据第三段“the last one was killed in 1681”可知答案为B。

【4】词义猜测题。根据语境可知，这个组织正在积极地参与保护动物的自然栖息地，并且限制捕猎者的行为。故选B。