随着城市化的进一步加剧,雾这种自然现象变得越来越稀少,回想一下,你上次见到雾是什么时候?想不起来了吧。即使是居住在非常潮湿的地方,雾也变得越来越少,这是为什么呢?我们来看下面的雅思阅读材料。
When was the last time you saw a frog? Chances are, if you live in a city, you have not seen one for some time. Even in wet areas once teeming with frogs and toads, it is becoming less and less easy to find those slimy, hopping and sometimes poisonous members of the animal kingdom.
All over the world, and even in remote parts of Australia, frogs are losing the ecological battle for survival, and biologists are at a loss to explain their demise. Are amphibians simply oversensitive to changes in the ecosystem? Could it be that their rapid decline in numbers is signaling some coming environmental disaster for us all?
This frightening scenario is in part the consequence of a dramatic increase over the last quarter century in the development of once natural areas of wet marshland; home not only to frogs but to all manner of wildlife. However, as yet, there are no obvious reasons why certain frog species are disappearing from rainforests in Australia that have barely been touched by human hand.
The mystery is unsettling to say the least, for it is known that amphibian species are extremely sensitive to environmental variations in temperature and moisture levels. The danger is that planet Earth might not only lose a vital link in the ecological food chain , but we might be increasing our output of air pollutants to levels that may have already become irreversible. Frogs could be inadvertently warning us of a catastrophe.
An example of a species of frog that, at far as is known, has become extinct, is the platypus frog. Like the well-known Australian mammal it was named after, it exhibited some very strange behaviour; instead of giving birth to tadpoles in the water, it raised its young within its stomach. The baby frogs were actually born from out of their mothers mouth. Discovered in 1981, less than ten years later the frog had completely vanished from the crystal clear waters of Booloumba Creek near Queenslands Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately, this freak of nature is not the only frog species to have been lost in Australia. Since the 1970s, no less than eight others have suffered the same fate.?
One theory that seems to fit the facts concerns the depletion of the ozone layer, a well documented phenomenon which has led to a sharp increase in ultraviolet radiation levels.The ozone layer is meant to shield the Earth from UV rays, but increased radiation may be having a greater effect upon frog populations than previously believed. Another theory is that worldwide temperature increases are upsetting the breeding cycles of frogs.
TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN
1.Frogs are disappearing only from city areas.
2.Frogs and toads are usually poisonous.
3.Biologists are unable to explain why frogs are dying.
4.The frogs natural habitat is becoming more and more developed.
5.Attempts are being made to halt the development of wet marshland.
6.Frogs are important in the ecosystem because they control pests.
7.The platypus frog became extinct by 1991.
8.Frogs usually give birth to their young in an underwater nest.
9.Eight frog species have become extinct so far in Australia.
10.There is convincing evidence that the ozone layer is being depleted.11.It is a fact that frogs breeding cycles are upset by worldwide in creases in temperature.
Answer Keys
1.F 2.F 3.T 4.T 5.NG 6.T 7.T 8.NG 9.F 10.T 11.F
上一篇: 雅思阅读超高频词汇系列(11)
下一篇: 雅思阅读超高频词汇系列(13)
国内英语资讯:China is making preparations for manned lunar landing
体坛英语资讯:Red Star stun Fenerbahce 68-56 in basketball Euroleague
遏制大股东减持乱象 证监会出规范措施
体坛英语资讯:Pliskova, Svitolina earn delayed victories into last 16 at Roland Garros
圆明园生肖的仿制品大受欢迎,专家很不高兴
求职者注意!这些词不要用在简历里
国内英语资讯:CPC unveils plan for Party member education
体坛英语资讯:Ding Ning completes hat trick of womens singles title at table tennis worlds
国内英语资讯:Xi, Greek PM visit Piraeus Port, hail BRI cooperation
国际英语资讯:Third London Bridge attacker named as Moroccan-Italian Youssef Zaghba
体坛英语资讯:China smash Guam 7-0 at World Cup qualifier
体坛英语资讯:American gymnast Biles wins all-round, Chinas teenager Tang takes silver at worlds
对于《神奇女侠》,盖尔加朵本人怎么看?
国际英语资讯:White House defends Trump as scathing tweets raise concern
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Xis Kazakhstan visit to boost bilateral cooperation, chart course for SCO devel
国内英语资讯:China, Greece to pool wisdom for community with shared future for mankind
关于哈利波特的记忆 The Memory of Harry Portter
体坛英语资讯:Ma Long retains mens in thrilling final, Ding Ning lands first doubles trophy
人脸识别第一案立案,杭州野生动物园被告扫描游客面部
国际英语资讯:Jordan lowers diplomatic representation in Qatar
大学英语四级作文范文:宿舍养宠物的利弊
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: China-Brazil trade set to reach new heights
武大资讯系主任辞职信走红网络 称只想安静教书
体坛英语资讯:Vietnam beat Malaysia 1-0 in FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier
这个直男红了,因为他把蔬菜当成花送给女友
国际英语资讯:IS makes messaging platform a centerpiece of social media strategy
“双十一”销售额再破纪录 商家参与直播互动吸引消费者
希腊十大旅游胜地(下)
国内英语资讯:Chinese ambassador calls for strengthened Sino-British film, TV exchanges
英国高中生晒网购毕业礼服“卖家秀”与“买家秀”