2. Reading Comprehension

a. General Comprehension

Read the article again before you begin these exercises.

Indicate in the space provided if the statement is T, for True or F, for False according to the Reading Passage. Cite the paragraph where you find your answer.

T/F

........ 1. The buffalo became extinct.

........ 2. Native Americans used the buffalo to carry clothing and food.

........ 3. Railroad companies have some responsibility for the near extinction of the buffalo.

........ 4. A few buffalo herds found safety in New York’s American Museum of Natural History.

........ 5. Otters are desert creatures.

........ 6. Everyone wants to protect animal species.

........ 7. Developers have agreed to build birdhouses for gnatcatchers.

........ 8. Government protection can help endangered species.

........ 9. Regulations limit the number of manatees that can be hunted.

........ 10. Some people think that the protection of wildlife causes inconvenience to their lives.

b. Detailed Reading

Answer the questions.

1. What America’s animals were on the brink of extinction at the 19^th century’s close?

2. What institution saved the buffalo from extinction?

3. Why is the future survival of giant otter a big question mark?

4. Do land developers endanger the environment?

5. How are people trying to save the panda?

6. Do endangered species need protection?

7. Does everyone want to protect wild life?

8. How can you explain the American Indian saying about the earth?

Respond with the Best Answer.

1. The buffalo almost became extinct within the time span of

a. eighteen centuries.

b. nineteen centuries.

c. one century.

2. The signal word of similarity in Paragraph 1 is

a. like.

b. but.

c. more.

3. Victims of human water sports are

a. manatees.

b. otters.

c. gnatcatchers.

4. Nowadays otter furs

a. are openly bought and sold.

b. cannot be bought and sold.

c. are no longer popular.

5. One pattern of development in Paragraph 3 is time order. List the signal expressions for this pattern.

………

6. Paragraph 4 implies that the golf course

a. would destroy the gnatcatcher’s home.

b. is too expensive.

c. would limit space for houses.

7. The San Diego Zoo is assisting the Chinese to

a. build more zoos.

b. increase their fuel supply.

c. protect the panda population.

8. The manatee has been – the passenger pigeon.

a. less fortunate than

b. more fortunate than

c. as fortunate as

9. In Paragraph 6 the main idea is that

a. governments protect some species with good results.

b. alligator skin is very desirable and expensive.

c. government’s failure to protect the manatee may lead to its extinction.

10. Two American animals that almost became extinct are

a. alligators and bears.

b. bald eagles and buffaloes.

c. wolves and pigeons.

11. Land developers, the fishing industry, the ranchers feel that conservation

a. will overpopulate the world with animals.

b. threatens their economic security.

c. benefits the environment and the economy.

12. In Paragraph 7, the expression «from Norway to Japan» means

a. many people are traveling from Norway to Japan.

b. the people of Norway and Japan.

c. people around the world.

13. The author’s intention in writing this essay was probably to

a. educate people about the plight of endangered animals.

b. increase recreational activities in wilderness areas.

c. express concern about over population.

14. Choose the best implications of this statement: «The plants and animals we save today will enrich our lives tomorrow» (Select all correct responses)

1. We can sell plants and animals for a profit in the next day or two.

2. Plants and forests will reseed and animals will reproduce.

3. Long-term benefits are better than short-term profit.

4. The price of land and meat is going up.

15. Choose the best interpretation of this American Indian saying: «We have not inherited the earth from out parents; we are borrowing it from our children».

a. Every generation must protect the earth for future generations.

b. In American Indian families, children don’t depend on their parents.

c. Parents are responsible for their children’s economic future.