A
Animal Conservation
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.
The 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. 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(犀牛)
The Rhino 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. Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years, and the animals remain under constant threat from poachers.
The Giant Panda
The future of the WWF’s symbol is 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. 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.
Whales
Despite the fact that one third of 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(碰撞) 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.
【解题导语】 本文主要介绍了五种野生动物及其(濒临)灭绝的原因。
21．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 South China Tiger.
C．The Rhino, Panda, Whale and Tiger.
D．The Dodo and the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers.
D 解析：细节理解题。根据文章第二段中的“The population of Dodos rapidly decreased and the last one was killed in 1681.”一句可判断Dodo是灭绝的动物之一，再根据最后一段中的“the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers are already extinct”一句可得出其他几种。
22．________ 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
C 解析：细节理解题。文章的第三段和最后一段提到“犀牛角和虎骨及器官”有很高的药用价值。
23．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 WWF.
D 解析：推理判断题。从第四段中的“The future of the WWF’s symbol is far from certain.”一句可得出“世界自然保护基金组织”的图案标志是“大熊猫”，而不是“鲸”。
