On the surface, the Hudson River is looking good. The sun on a spring morning shines on the water, off bridges and boats. The blue crabs(蟹)are big,and the striped bass(条紋^) are bigger. On the surface, all these would probably make you think the Hudson was about as healthy as it has been since Indian times.

Sadly,it isn't. A study by the environmental group River-keeper examined an important in?dicator of life of any river,fish,and found discouraging news. Ten of 13 species it examined are reducing, and one―the great and delicious shad(西鲱)一is at a historic low.

  The report blames the usual suspects and a few new ones. The river is getting warmer,and the heat helps starve the water of oxygen. Power plants kill untold millions of fish when they suck up river water to cool their machinery. Invasive species, dirty water and fertilizer runoff and over-fishing in the ocean,where species like shad spend much of their lives,all take their toll.

  Not all fish are struggling. Striped bass are on the increase, as are bluefish and spot-tail shiners. But with other species moving slowly downwards, signs point to a sicker, less stable Hudson ecosystem than many had imagined.

  River-keeper's report shows how little we understand the biology of one of the country's most historic and important estuaries (河口,江口). It is a reminder that even the hardest-fought conservation(对自然环境的保护)victories may look like the easy ones,and that self-satisfaction can be the death of environmental progress.

(   ) 5. As a whole, the purpose of the first paragraph is to      

A.     arouse our interest in the topic of the passage

B.      get us to know the Hudson River is still pretty healthy

C.      sing high praise for the contribution of the local people

D.     call on us to protect the Hudson River

(   ) 6. What's the auther's attitude towards the present situation of the Hudson River?

A. Optimistic. B. Pessimistic.

C. Positive. D. Desperate.

(   ) 7. Which of the following fish seems NOT to enjoy the life in the Hudson River?

A. Bluefish. B. Shad.

C. Striped bass. D. Spot-tail shiners.
(   ) 8. The word "starve" in the third paragraph probably means      

A. get hungry    B. fight against

C. take in    D. get out

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