Of all the continents, the most drastic reduction in wildlife has occurred in North America, where the transition from a rural to a highly industrialized society has been most rapid. Among the victims are birds, mammals, and fish. We will never again see the passenger pigeon or the eastern elk. They have been wiped out. Of many other species, only a few representatives still survive in the wild. The U. S. Department of the Interior has put no fewer than 109 species on the endangered species list. This list includes everything from the timber wolf to the whooping crane. Even the bald eagle, our national symbol, is threatened.
Animals that kill other game for food are called predators. The predators include the wolf, mountain lion, fox, bobcat, and bear. Attack against these animals began with the arrival of the first European settlers, who wished to protect their livestock. Eventually, a reward was offered to hunters for every predator that was killed. This reward is called a bounty.Ironically, the Federal government is the chief founder of predator-control programs.
The settlers also brought in their Old World fears and superstitions concerning predators. Whether preying on livestock or not, predators were shot on sight. This attitude continues to this day for coyotes, eagles, foxes, mountain lions, and bobcats, and is largely responsible for placing the eastern timber wolf, grizzly bear, and bald eagle on the endangered species list.
Yet every animal, including the predator, has its place in natures grand design. Predators help maintain the health of their prey speciesby eliminating the diseased, young, old and injured. Predators like the mountain lion and the wolf help to keep the deer herds healthy. Occasional loss of livestock must be weighed against the good these animals do in maintaining the balance of nature.
1. In North America, the number of wild animals has reduced most greatly mainly 112 because_______.
A. the birds, mammals and fish there are most predators
B. the development there has been at the highest pace
C. only a few species still live in the world
D. many species have been put on the endangered species list
2. The first European settlers killed predators chiefly in order to_______.
A. eat their meat
B. protect themselves
C. please the Federal government
D. protect their livestock
3. Some animal species are in danger of disappearing altogether from the earth as a result of_______.
A. peoples superstitious attitude
B. peoples dislike of some animals, such as bald eagle
C. peoples hunting games
D. the self-killing of the predators
4. Bounty hunters are people who_______.
A. take care of wilderness areas
B. preserve our wildlife
C. kill meat-eating animals for money
D. work in the fund of predator-control programs
5. According to the writer, even if the meat-eating animals sometimes caused losses of livestock, man should_______.
A. estimate the value of predators
B. compare the losses with the benefits of predators
C. keep the balance of nature
D. raise more livestock
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. B
心灵鸡汤:巴菲特致股东的信
余光中:《尺素寸心》(节选)
心灵鸡汤:我们需要朋友We Need Friends
自信成就一切Self
哲理故事:移石
每个女人都该知道的十件事
如何在十分钟内吃掉一头大象
心灵鸡汤:生活中,我们最幸福的时候
名女人:帮你横扫人生七大沮丧时刻
随风潜入夜,润物细无声——春
现代小诗:非马《午夜弥撒》
心灵鸡汤:经典的爱情箴言
心灵鸡汤:揭秘关于自己的七个事实
坚持做20件小事,你的人生大不同
波兰女诗人:辛波丝卡作品赏析
有声美文:我的另一个家
悼念:波兰女诗人维斯瓦娃·辛波丝卡
心灵鸡汤:单身男女情人节过节攻略
十年生死两茫茫:看西方的悼亡诗句
心灵鸡汤:如何找到你的Mr.Right
心灵鸡汤:8位名人的新年寄语
心灵鸡汤:人在弥留之际的五大憾事
活在当下:每一天都是全新的开始
包裹人生Life Comes in a Package
关于生活态度的英语谚语名言
母亲的含义Not Just a Mom
现代小诗:《爱的絮语— 致恋人》
杨致远,致雅虎员工的辞职信
心灵鸡汤:爱因斯坦十大名言
恋爱中的狮子The Lion in Love
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |