Man is a land animal, but he is also closely tied to the sea. Throughout history the sea has served the needs
of man. The sea has provided man with food and a convenient (便利的) way to travel to many parts of the
world. Today, nearly two thirds of the world's population live within 80 kilometers of the sea coast.
     In the modern technological world, the sea offers many resources to help mankind survive (=continue to
live). Resources on land are beginning to be used up. The sea, however, still can be hoped to supply many of
man's needs.
     The list of riches of the sea yet to be developed by man's technology is impressive. Oil and gas explorations
(探险) have been carried out for nearly 30 years. Valuable amounts of minerals exist on the ocean floor ready
to be mined (开采).
     Fish farming promises to be a good way to produce large quantities of food. The culture of fish and shellfish
(贝类动物) is an ancient skill practised in. the past mainly by Oriental people.
     Besides oil and gas, the sea may offer new sources of energy. Experts believe that the warm temperature
of the ocean can be used in a way similar to the steam in a steamship. Ocean currents (水流) and waves offer
possible use as a source of energy.
     Technology is enabling man to explore (勘探) ever more deeply under the sea. The development of strong,
new materials has made this possible.
     The technology to harvest the sea continues to improve. Experts believe that by the year 2020 the problems
that prevent us from exploiting fully the food, minerals, and energy sources of the sea will be largely solved.

1. The major things that the sea offers man are ____.

A. fish and oil
B. minerals and oil
C. warm temperature and ocean currents
D. the food, energy sources, and minerals

2. We can conclude from this passage that ____.

A. the sea resources have largely been used up
B. the sea, in the broad sense, has not yet been developed
C. the problems that prevent us from using the food, minerals, and energy sources of the sea have already been solved
D. by the year 2000, the technology will be good enough to exploit all the sea resources

3. The best title for this passage is ____.

A. Sea Harvest
B. Sea Food
C. Technology for Exploiting the Sea
D. Man and the Sea

                                                  
     What exactly are white lions?"They are a color variation of regular lions,"says William
Swanson,director of animal research at the Cincinnati Zoo,in Ohio.
     White lions are the result of a rare color gene mutation(变异)．When both a male and
a female lion carry the same white genes,there is a good chance that one or more of their
cubs(幼兽)will be born with white fur.
     Not many lions carry the white mutation.In nature,it's rare.A mutation can make an
animal's survival more difficult.For example,being white makes it harder for the animal to
mix with its surroundings.Mutations also can cause physical problems,so those animals
generally do not survive long enough to reproduce.
     But sometimes white lion cubs are born among wild lions,especially in two areas of
South Africa.
     In 1975 two white cubs were spotted in the wild in South African reserve.They were
seized and sent to a zoo.Today about 500 cubs of those two white lions and a few others
known to have the white color gene live around the world in zoos,circuses,farms and private
preserves.
      White lions may be extremely rare in the wild,but breeders(饲养动物的人)know how
to create more of them.This has created serious concern and debate.
      White lions continue to exist only because they are inbred by people-fathers and
daughters,sisters and brothers.Scientists worry that it also will cause health issues for white
lions.
     Inbreeding to create white lions as moneymaking attractions is only one concern.Another
concern is that some people want to release captive－bred(人工繁殖的)white lions into
the wild in South Africa to restore balance to the ecosystem.However,not everyone agrees
that releasing these white lions into the wild is a good idea.Dan York of Hillsdale College
has been studying white lion genetics and is worried.He says that because so many of today's
white lions are inbred,it could spread health problems.If they breed with wild lions,they'll
pass on the genetic problems to the wild population.
     Instead of releasing captive－bred white lions,York suggests that South Africa concentrate
on protecting all of its wild lions.That would ensure the safety of the wild population of lions,
which may produce healthy white cubs in the future.

1．It'sdifficultforawhiteliontosurvivebecause__________.
a．itsfurcontrastssharplywiththesurroundings
b．themutationmaycausephysicalproblems
c．itislikelytobeattackedbywildlions
d．itishuntedbyhumanbeings

A．a,b　　　　　　　
B．a,d
C．a,c
D．b,d