In 2013 alone at least 20,000 African elephants were killed for their teeth. In South Africa over the last two years more than 2,200 rhinos were killed for their horns. These numbers are alarming, because current rates of illegal hunting are faster than birth rates, which could lead to extinction for these ecologically important creatures in their environment. Indeed, some elephant and rhino populations are on track to be locally extinct within the next decade.

If you are reading this, you may already be aware of these facts. But you might not know that wildlife trafficking (走私) not only threatens the existence of elephants and rhinos but is also leading to extinction of other species, such as tigers, tortoises, sea turtles — and the world’s most trafficked mammal(哺乳动物) — pangolins.

Pangolins are the only mammals that are entirely covered in tough scales(鳞), which makes them look very strong. But actually they are endangered mammals. There are eight different kinds of pangolins, four in Asia and four in Africa, and all are threatened with extinction. Although pangolins are protected throughout most of the countries where they live, high demand in East Asia, where the delicious pangolin meat is considered a delicacy and where their scales are used in traditional medicines, is driving an illegal trade in both live animals and pangolin parts. The number of pangolin trafficking is shocking. Experts believe that over the last 10 years more than 1 million pangolins were taken from the wild. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 81,250 pangolins were killed for the illegal trade in 2013 alone.

In February, the United States released a plan to deal with wildlife trafficking, which lays out the steps we will take to fight the illegal trade in wildlife, including pangolins. We are strengthening the carrying out of the plan, building international cooperation and contribution to protect wildlife, raising awareness to drive down the demand that is fuelling the illegal trade.

Get involved and remember World Wildlife Day (March 3) by spreading the plan. Use social media and tell everyone that now is the time to get serious about wildlife crime and end the demand that threatens species, big and small, from the huge elephant to the shy pangolin.

1.How many rhinos were killed in South Africa during the last two years?

A. More than 81,250. B. More than 20,000.

C. More than 2,200. D. More than 40,000.

2.How many kinds of pangolins are there in Asia?

A. Ten. B. Four. C. Six. D. Eight.

3.What does the phrase ‘carrying out’ mean in the fourth paragraph?

A. Putting the plan into effect. B. Moving the plan to a place.

C. Making a new plan. D. Taking the plan with you.

4.What does the writer want us to know after reading the passage?

A. Protecting wild animals is our duty.

B. Something about World Wildlife Day.

C. Something about illegal trade in East Asia.

D. Wild animals are in danger and we must get involved.

1.C 2.B 3.A 4.D 【解析】试题分析:本文作者以穿山甲为例,通过具体的数据,揭露了社会上贩卖濒危野生动物的丑恶现象,介绍了美国严厉打击野生动物贩卖等非法贸易的计划,呼吁人们参与并记住世界野生动物日的传播计划,利用社交媒体告诉每个人,要严肃对待野生动物犯罪,保护好濒危野生动物。 1.题意:过去两年里南非有多少犀牛死亡?考查细节理解题。根据第一段In Sout...

A beautiful and very successful actress played the lead role in a new musical show. Her home was in the countryside, but she did not want to go back there every night, so she bought an expensive house in the centre of the city, she got some beautiful furniture(家具) and had a man to paint the rooms in new colours.

It was very difficult to get tickets for her show, because everybody wanted to see it. So she decided to give the painter two of the best seats. She hoped that this would make him work better for her. He took the tickets without saying anything, and she heard no more about them until the end of the month, when she got the painter’s bill (帐单). At the bottom of it were these words: “Four hours watching Miss Hall sing and dance : 3 pounds,” with this note: “ After 5 p.m. I get 15 shillings (先令) an hour instead of 10 shillings.”

1.The actress bought a house in the centre of the city because _________.

A. she liked to live in the busiest place

B. she didn’t like to live in the country

C. her home was far away from where she worked

D. she didn’t want to go back to her hometown any longer

2. It can be learned from the text that one pound is_________ shillings.

A. 10 B. 12 C. 20 D. 15

3.What kind of man was the painter?

A. He was a careful man.

B. He was a poor man.

C. He was not friendly to others.

D. He knew little about music and dances.

1.C 2.C 3.D 【解析】 试题分析:短文大意:本文是关于一个美丽、成功的女演员和画师的故事,女演员买了一座房子,她请了一个绘画师给她的房子绘画。为了使画师更好的为她工作,女演员给了他两张座位最好的票。然而,最终画师不仅收取了正常工作费用,同时把看演出也作为加班项目收取了费用。 1.C细节理解题。根据第一段第二句Her home was in the count...

Two years ago, my family moved to a new city and I had to study in a new school. As I had few friends there, I felt lonely. Then I met Tony. The first time I saw him, he was standing in the centre of a group of students, telling jokes.The children around laughed from time to time.Tony knew about my problem.He asked me to play basketball with his friends and helped me with my studies.We soon became good friends.

About a year ago,however,Tony's father was killed in an accident.As a result,his family had to move into a small house.Tony changed into a different person.He became silent and he even lost his interest in studies.Several times,I invited him to go out and play basketball with me,but he refused.I wanted to help him,but I didn't know what to do.

Then something strange happened in my class. Two classmates lost the money in their schoolbags.

Last Friday,just before the P.E.lesson,I went back to the classroom to get my running shoes I would use.The door was half open,and I went in.To my astonishment,I saw Tony was searching one of my classmates' schoolbags.I was shocked.

1.What kind of boy was Tony at the beginning of the story?

A. He was a clever boy.

B. He was a poor boy.

C. He was a popular boy.

D. He was a shy boy.

2.Why did the writer become friends with Tony?

A. Because Tony helped him do his homework.

B. Because Tony was kind to him.

C. Because Tony liked playing basketball.

D. Because Tony told jokes.

3.What caused the change of Tony?

A. His father's accident.

B. His strange character.

C. His family moved into a small house.

D. The loss of his interest in playing with his friends.

4.How did the writer feel when he saw Tony's change?

A. He felt angry.

B. He felt pleased.

C. He felt happy.

D. He felt worried.

5.The underlined word“astonishment”means ________.

A. sadness B. surprise

C. disappointment D. joy

1.C 2.B 3.A 4.D 5.B 【解析】文章大意:短文讲述了作者一家搬到了一座新城市,作者不得不在一个新学校学习。在那里作者几乎没有朋友,他感到很孤独。然后作者遇到了托尼,托尼帮他走出困境,他们很快成为了好朋友。但是托尼的父亲在一次事故中去世了,托尼发生了变化,变得沉默,甚至对学习失去了兴趣。作者想帮助他,但托尼不接受作者的帮助,作者不知道该做什么。然后,班上...

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