Humans share Earth with many different kinds of wildlife. However, many of our animal and plant friends may not be around for much longer. According to a recent report on biodiversity, 1 million of Earth's 8 million species (物种) are in danger of extinction(灭绝).

Humans are mainly responsible for the danger. According to the report, the world's population has doubled in the last 50 years. Humans have used over a third of the world's land and 75% of fresh water to grow crops and keep animals. As a result, there are fewer habitats and fewer natural resources available.

Because of human activities, the global rate of species extinction over the past 50 years has been higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years. The species extinction could have serious effects on ecosystems. We fail to notice when losing one species, then another, then… These are the types of changes we're observing where entire ecosystems break down. These developments lead scientists to believe that there could be a sixth mass extinction, the first to be caused by humans. No one want to experience one mass extinction like the one where the dinosaurs that died out last time.

Aimed at solving the problem, many countries have taken action. For example, China has banned the use of rhino horn and tiger bones, and the ivory trade, reported China Daily. According to Huffpost, there are things that we can do personally to save species. For example, don't buy products made from illegal ( 非法的)wildlife parts and reduce water waste. “Each individual action has an effect and every person can make a difference - through a mass we can turn the tide,” said Claudia Sobrevila, from Global Wildlife Program, according to official website of the WorldBank.

【1】What is the present situation of wildlife in the world?

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【2】Complete the following chart. (each with two words)

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【3】What might be the worst result if the situation continues?

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【4】(1) and (2) can make a difference in saving endangered species.(each with one word)

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【5】What’s the purpose of the writer?

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【答案】

【1】One million out of eight million species are in danger of extinction.

【2】(1) over-used/more land (2) over-used/more water (3) fewer habitats (4) fewer resources

【3】(There might be) a sixth/one mass extinction./ The ecosystem might break down.

【4】(1)governments/countries; (2)individuals/people/anybody/everybody

【5】To call on people to protect dying species.

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了人类活动造成地球上的很多野生物种濒临灭绝，目前很多国家已经展开拯救行动，同时还指出个人也可以在拯救濒临灭绝的物种方面发挥作用。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段中的“1 million of Earth's 8 million species (物种) are in danger of extinction”可知，地球上800万种物种中有100万种濒临灭绝，故答案为：One million out of eight million species are in danger of extinction.

【2】细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Humans have used over a third of the world's land and 75% of fresh water to grow crops and keep animals. As a result, there are fewer habitats and fewer natural resources available.”可知，人类利用了世界三分之一以上的土地和75%的淡水来种植庄稼和饲养动物。结果，栖息地减少，可利用的自然资源减少，也就是说造成野生动物濒临灭绝的因素有：人类过度使用土地和水，动物的栖息地和可利用的自然资源变得更少，故答案为：over-used/more land (2) over-used/more water (3) fewer habitats (4) fewer resources

【3】推理判断题。根据第三段中的“These are the types of changes we're observing where entire ecosystems break down. These developments lead scientists to believe that there could be a sixth mass extinction,”可知，这些是我们观察到的整个生态系统崩溃的变化类型，这些发展使科学家们相信可能会有第六次大规模灭绝，也就是说如果情况继续下去，最坏的结果可能是造成生态系统崩溃或是再一次（第六次）大规模灭绝，故答案为：(There might be) a sixth/one mass extinction./ The ecosystem might break down.

【4】细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Aimed at solving the problem, many countries have taken action. For example, China has banned the use of rhino horn and tiger bones, and the ivory trade,”可知，为了解决这个问题，许多国家采取了行动。例如，据《中国日报》报道，中国禁止使用犀牛角和虎骨以及象牙贸易；再根据“Each individual action has an effect and every person can make a difference”可知，“每个个体的行动都可以产生影响，每个人都可以有所作为，由此可知，国家（政府）和个人都可以在拯救濒危物种方面发挥作用，故答案为：(1)governments/countries; (2)individuals/people/anybody/everybody

【5】推理判断题。根据文章内容，特别是最后一段可知，文章主要介绍了人类活动造成地球上的很多野生物种濒临灭绝，目前很多国家已经展开拯救行动，同时还指出个人也可以在拯救濒临灭绝的物种方面发挥作用，因此这篇文章的目的是呼吁人们保护濒临灭绝的物种，故答案为：To call on people to protect dying species.