1 . For more than 100 million years sea turtles (海龟) have covered huge distances across the world’s oceans, making them among the oldest creatures on the planet. However, they are on the list of endangered species.

Different from some animals like snakes, the sex of the baby sea turtles, called hatchlings , is determined by the environment after fertilization (受精). The temperature of the eggs during a certain period of development is the deciding factor in determining sex, and small changes in temperature can cause very big changes in the sex ratio (比例). Often, eggs at low temperatures (22—27℃) produce males, while eggs at higher temperatures (30℃ and above) produce females. At temperatures in 29℃, which is good for a balanced sex ratio of turtle hatchlings. If temperature reaches 36℃, no hatchlings will be produced.

Climate change has a powerful effect on turtle nesting (筑巢) sites. It changes sand temperatures, which then affects the sex of the hatchlings. Scientists have found that unusually warm temperatures caused by climate change are upsetting the normal ratios, resulting in fewer male hatchlings. The past four hottest summers in Florida have seen only female sea turtles. And an Australian study has shown a similar effect in which 99% of the hatchlings are female.

In addition to rising temperatures, turtles are also facing the threat of too much plastic in the oceans, along with a number of other threats. “Plastic pollution is a problem for turtles as they can mistake plastics for food easily. Even a single piece of plastic can kill a turtle,” Dr Couper, working at the Queensland Museum, said. “We have collected some plastics taken from turtles’ stomachs to show people what kinds of things are showing up on beaches. I want it to be an eye opener.”

1. Which temperature is good for a balanced sex ratio of turtle hatchlings?

A．26℃.

B．29℃.

C．31℃.

D．36℃.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 3?

A．Sea turtles will build their nesting sites elsewhere.

B．Global warming is an extreme threat to sea turtles.

C．Global warming is much more obvious in Australia.

D．Over 90% of the turtle hatchlings are female globally.

3. What does Dr. Couper intend to say?

A．Turtles do not have enough sources.

B．Turtles do not have a good sense of smell.

C．People should clean up beaches more often.

D．People should raise environmental awareness.

4. In addition to rising temperatures, what threats are turtles facing ?

A．Turtles are also facing the threat of too much plastic in the oceans, along with a number of other threats.

B．Turtles are also facing the threat of hunting.

C．Turtles are also facing the threat of losing living places.

D．Turtles are also facing the threat of hunger.

2 . Should We Create More National Parks to Save Endangered Animals?

Don’t you find it worrying that more and more species of animals are in real danger of becoming extinct?     1     And I think the best way to do this is for governments to create more national parks.

    2     If this environment is destroyed — for example, when farmers clear a forest for new fields, or trees are cut down to make profits — many animals are unable to survive, and more species are likely to become extinct.

        In addition, national parks protect animals from the danger of being hunted. A major reason why many species are endangered is that these animals are killed by hunters. They hunt animals to make money.     3    

On the other hand, some people fight against the creation of national parks because they consider it is wrong to interfere with nature. They believe that wild animals are happier living in their natural environment.     4     They also point out that a few species are more likely to produce young animals in the wild than in national parks.

All in all, these disadvantages are far less important than the benefits of national parks.     5     As a matter of fact, they protect animals from their greatest enemies, that is, human beings.

A．To begin with, animals are important to humans.

B．Some hunters even hunt animals simply for sport.

C．I personally believe that we must save these animals.

D．These parks allow animals to live in a safe environment.

E．Firstly, national parks protect these animals’ natural environment.

F．They say though the animals may face danger, they enjoy a free life.

G．There is a heated discussion about whether to create more national parks.