A
2013 was a recordbreaking year for rhinoceroses — but not in a good way. That year, a total of 1,004 rhinos were poached (illegally hunted) in South Africa, the country where almost all of the world's rhinos live. That's an increase of more than 50 percent from 2012 — when 668 rhinos were killed. It was also the most South African rhinos killed in one year.
“The world's rhinos are facing great danger，” says Dr. Naomi Doak of TRAFFIC, a conservation group that works to stop the trafficking (buying and selling) of wildlife.
The rise in poaching is due to an increasing demand for rhino horns in Asian countries such as Vietnam and China, where the horns are used as key ingredients in traditional Asian medicines. Some people believe taking groundup rhino horn can help treat pain, fevers, and cancer (though these uses have not been medically proven to be effective). The demand is so great that rhino horns can sell for more than$30,000 a pound in Asia.
Poaching has already had extremely serious results for rhinos. The Western black rhino became extinct in the last ten years. The Javan rhinoceros has almost completely disappeared from Vietnam, with fewer than 50 remaining. Now, African black rhinos and white rhinos are facing disaster. The black rhino is listed as “highly endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fewer than 5,000 exist. White rhinos are considered “near threatened”， with about 20,150 in the wild.
Many nations are now taking steps to protect rhinos. The governments of several countries have signed agreements to fight rhino poaching by making the sale of rhino horns illegal, catching poachers and smugglers (走私者)，and increasing public awareness about the problem.
South Africa has signed agreements with Vietnam and China to fight wildlife trafficking between the countries. It is developing similar agreements with Mozambique，Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
“These countries must join together if they hope to stop this stealing of southern Africa's natural heritage (遗产)，”says Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC's rhino expert.“Rhinohorn trafficking represents a threat to the basic structure of society.”
语篇解读：本文是说明文。偷猎犀牛使得全世界的犀牛濒临灭绝，多国已采取措施保护犀牛。
1．Why was 2013 a recordbreaking year?
A．More rhinos were trafficked than ever.
B．The largest number of rhinos was killed.
C．It saw the highest increase in rhino prices.
D．The number of rhinos dropped to the lowest.
解析：选B 细节理解题。由第一段中的“a total of 1,004 rhinos were poached”和“It was also the most South African rhinos killed in one year”可知，2013年共有1 004头犀牛被偷猎，是南非最多犀牛被捕杀的一年。
2．Why do some Asians want to buy rhino horns?
A．To seek pleasure.
B．To do experiments.
C．For health benefits.
D．For personal collection.
解析：选C 推理判断题。由第三段中的“the horns are used as key ingredients in traditional Asian medicines”和“Some people believe taking groundup rhino horn can help treat pain, fevers, and cancer”可知，在一些亚洲国家，人们出高价来买犀牛角，因为他们认为吃犀牛角粉有利于健康。
3．What is the focus of Paragraph 4?
A．The serious situation of rhinos.
B．The importance of protecting rhinos.
C．The measures taken to protect rhinos.
D．The causes of rhinos' being endangered.
解析：选A 段落大意题。由第四段的描述可知，本段主要讲述了目前世界上犀牛的处境堪忧。
4．What does Tom Milliken think of rhino poaching?
A．It endangers other wildlife.
B．It is dangerous and damaging.
C．It helps to develop the economy.
D．It has been brought under control.
解析：选B 推理判断题。由最后一段中的“stop this stealing of southern Africa's natural heritage”和“Rhinohorn trafficking represents a threat to the basic structure of society”可知，Tom Milliken 认为偷猎犀牛是对非洲南部自然遗产的偷窃，走私犀牛角是对社会基本结构的威胁。
