Question

Four Wild Animal Species Were Endangered

Maybe you can still see them at the zoo. But that doesn’t mean they’re doing alright in the wild.

Tigers

All six tiger species are endangered, with Suatran tigers and South China tigers at a seriously endangered status. The main reasons for their population decline are illegal hunting and destroyed habitats, as humans clear forests to gather timber and build roadways. Only about 3890 tigers presently live in the wild.

Ground squirrels

That’s right, even squirrels are endangered, specifically the San Joaquin ground squirrel. Native to California, USA, these guys have been disappearing since 1979 on account of the construction and human developments going through their habitat. Their total population is unknown, but it could be anywhere between 124000 and 4130000.

Giraffes

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recently put giraffes at a vulnerable status, the level just before endangered. The giraffe population has declined 40 percent in the last 30 years, primarily due to loss of habitat and illegal hunting. Some giraffes are killed just for their tails, which are considered status symbols in Africa.

Asian elephants

The main threat to Asian elephants, one of the most intelligent animals, is their shrinking habitat. As the human population grows, people invade their land to build roads and railway tracks. Elephants in Myanmar are at an especially high risk for being captured and traded or used illegally in the tourist industry. Fewer than 50000 are left on the entire continent.

1.Why is the population of tigers becoming smaller?

A. People hunt illegally and destroy their living spots.

B. It is difficult for tigers to fit in with their environment.

C. The forests are not suitable for their living.

D. The tigers are a threat to the residents nearby.

2.What’s the main reason why some animals are in danger according to the passage?

A. Climate changes.    B. Human activities.

C. Lack of food.    D. Serious pollution.

3.The tails of       are regarded as status symbols in Africa.

A. tigers’    B. ground squirrels’

C. giraffes’    D. Asian elephants’

4.What can we infer from the passage?

A. The giraffe population has increased greatly in the last 30 years.

B. The number of squirrels is between 124000 and 4130000.

C. Elephants in Myanmar are completely caught and even killed.

D. The present situation of endangered animals is worrying.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】本文主要讲了人类的捕杀以及人类的入侵破坏了动物的栖息地，所以许多野生动物濒临灭绝。

1.细节理解题。由The main reasons for their population decline are illegal hunting and destroyed habitats, as humans clear forests to gather timber and build roadways. 可知老虎的数量变得越来越少是因为人类的非法捕杀以及人类毁坏了它们的栖息地，所以选A。

2.推理判断题。文中介绍了四种濒临灭绝的野生动物，对于野生动物数量的减少，其中都提到了一个共同的原因，就是人类的捕杀以及人类的入侵破坏了它们的栖息地，所以一些动物濒临灭绝的主要原因是人类的行为，选B。

3.细节理解题。由Some giraffes are killed just for their tails, which are considered status symbols in Africa.可知长颈鹿的尾巴被认为是非洲身份的象征，选C。

4.推理判断题。本文主要讲了人类的捕杀以及人类的入侵破坏了动物的栖息地，所以许多野生动物濒临灭绝，因此，从这篇文章我们可以推断出濒危动物的现状令人担忧，选D。