As many as 10 of the 17 kinds of penguins（企鹅）may be in danger of disappearing. The number of penguins have decreased(减少) by 30% since 1987.

　　Penguins are black and white birds that live in the southern part of the world. They are common in South America，New Zealand，Australia and South Africa. Many live near cold waters. But some live near warm waters in Galapagos Islands. Penguins cannot fly，but they are fine swimmers. Penguins eat fish and krill(磷虾).

　　The warming of the earth is the decrease in penguin populations. The heating of the air has caused ocean waters to become warmer. Higher water temperatures have reduced the supply of fish and krill. Some years later these birds are completely unable to reproduce(繁殖).　 Besides，many adult penguins die of hunger.

　　Widespread(广泛的) fishing，exploration for oil and oil leaks(漏) also make penguins be in danger. Poisonous organisms(生物) in ocean water are another danger. Penguins also have their enemies，including wild dogs，sharks，seals and sea lions.

　　News about penguins is not all bad，however. Several years ago，oil leaking from a ship hurt 40% of the penguins in South Africa. The penguins became covered with oil. But thousands of people helped clean and treat the birds well. Then they returned the penguins to the wild.　 Now these South African penguins are reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking.

1.Penguins ___________.

A．can swim better than fly                  B．can be found near Oceania (大洋洲)

C．eat fish only冬腊月                     D．live only in cold waters.

2.Which of the following is NOT the cause of penguin's decrease in numbers?

A．Oil searching.                          B．Widespread fishing.

C．Human's killing.                         D．Warming of the oceans.

3. Why are the penguins in South Africa reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking?

A．Because people removed the ship.

B．Because people sent a lot of penguins to the wild.

C．Because people helped the penguins.

D．Because people treated the penguins well.

 

 

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. It is also the second largest lake in the world. It is an important lake because it is one of the sources(源头) for the longest river in the world, the Nile River. Lake Victoria provides a source of water, food, and power(电力) for several African countries. Lake Victoria is a big part of African life.

Unfortunately, Lake Victoria has a problem. It is shrinking. There are several power stations at Lake Victoria in Uganda. These are on the Nile River, and besides producing power, they keep the water of the lake at a certain level. For the past forty years, that level has been 11.9 meters. Over the last several years, the water level has dropped by about 2.5 meters. There seem to be several reasons for this drop.

One possible reason is drought(干旱). Drought has been very bad in the area since 2000. Lake Victoria gets all of its water from rain, so the drought means less water in the lake.

However, some environmentalists believe that the real problem is the power plants(工厂) on Lake Victoria. Uganda depends on those power plants for most of its power, and they made the power plants larger in 2000. Many people believe the power plants have been taking too much water off Lake Victoria. As a result, they have been asked to use less water until Lake Victoria goes back to its old level.

Whether the low water level is caused by drought or power plants, the result is the same. This is already a poor area of Africa, where many people live a really hard life. People, animals and plants around Lake Victoria will suffer even more from low water levels on the lake. Many people need Lake Victoria for fishing or growing food. Fish need the water to live, and animals need it for water. Plants around the lake will die without the water, and then more animals and people will suffer. Unless the lake fills soon, many people will suffer and die.

1.Lake Victoria is __________.

A. an important lake in Africa

B. the largest lake in the world

C. the source of water, food and power for America

D. the only source for the Nile River

2.What does “It is shrinking” most probably mean?

A. It is becoming larger.

B. It is becoming more beautiful.

C. It is becoming smaller.

D. It is becoming more useful.

3.The water level of Lake Victoria is now __________.

A. 2.5 meters     　B. 11.9 meters              C. 14.4 meters          D. 9.4 meters

4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Rain water is the only source for the lake.

B. There has been little rain in the lake area since 2000.

C. The power plants in Uganda provide water for the lake.

D The power plants in Uganda were made larger in 2000.

5.According to the passage, how can we solve the problems around Lake Victoria?

A. People must build more power plants.

B. More sources of water must be found.

C. Every country should offer some money to Africa.

D. All the people living in the area should move to another place.

 

As many as 10 of the 17 kinds of penguins（企鹅）may be in danger of disappearing. The number of penguins have decreased(减少) by 30% since 1987.
　　Penguins are black and white birds that live in the southern part of the world. They are common in South America，New Zealand，Australia and South Africa. Many live near cold waters. But some live near warm waters in Galapagos Islands. Penguins cannot fly，but they are fine swimmers. Penguins eat fish and krill(磷虾).
　　The warming of the earth is the decrease in penguin populations. The heating of the air has caused ocean waters to become warmer. Higher water temperatures have reduced the supply of fish and krill. Some years later these birds are completely unable to reproduce(繁殖).　 Besides，many adult penguins die of hunger.
　　Widespread(广泛的) fishing，exploration for oil and oil leaks(漏) also make penguins be in danger. Poisonous organisms(生物) in ocean water are another danger. Penguins also have their enemies，including wild dogs，sharks，seals and sea lions.
　　News about penguins is not all bad，however. Several years ago，oil leaking from a ship hurt 40% of the penguins in South Africa. The penguins became covered with oil. But thousands of people helped clean and treat the birds well. Then they returned the penguins to the wild.　 Now these South African penguins are reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking.
【小题1】Penguins ___________.

A．can swim better than fly	B．can be found near Oceania (大洋洲)
C．eat fish only冬腊月	D．live only in cold waters.

【小题2】Which of the following is NOT the cause of penguin's decrease in numbers?

A．Oil searching.	B．Widespread fishing.
C．Human's killing.	D．Warming of the oceans.

【小题3】 Why are the penguins in South Africa reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking?

A．Because people removed the ship.

B．Because people sent a lot of penguins to the wild.

C．Because people helped the penguins.

D．Because people treated the penguins well.