文章大意:这是一篇说明文,文章主要讲述墨西哥国立自治大学(UNAM)连续第二年启动了AdoptAxolotl项目,以加强对一种濒临灭绝的墨西哥蝾螈——美西螈的保护工作。
For the second year in a row, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has started the program AdoptAxolotl to boost conservation efforts for axolotls, an endangered Mexican salamander (蝾螈).
Most salamanders go through a big change which allows them to live on land instead of in water. But axolotls never do. They live their whole lives in the water. Axolotls are famous for their ability to cure themselves. If an axolotl loses a leg, or even part of its heart, brain, or lungs, it can re-grow them. Scientists have long been interested in how the axolotl does this, thinking the information could help solve some human medical problems.
There’re several different kinds of axolotls in Mexico, all of whom are seriously endangered. The Mexican axolotl, which is the best-known, is only found naturally in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City. This is not a big, open lake, but a collection of canals and smaller bodies of water.
Sadly, the number of axolotls in Xochimilco has dropped 99.5% in less than 20 years. People don’t hunt them, then, how does this happen? One is that the water in the canals has become more and more polluted. Another is that there’re a number of fish from other places in the lake which are eating the axolotl’s food, and even their babies.
Last year, the UNAM scientists started AdoptAxolotl, asking people to donate to save the axolotl. They raised over $26,000, which is being used to help clean up some of Xochimilco’s canals and for a program to raise axolotls in a safe environment.
This year, the scientists are trying AdoptAxolotl again. The money raised will be used to support the scientists’ work, and help restore the axolotl’s natural home in the canals of Xochimilco. The scientists hope to raise enough money to do a careful count of how many axolotls are left in the wild, which will help them figure out the best ways of protecting these amazing creatures.
28. What is the potential advantage of axolotls?
A.Becoming healthy naturally again. | B.Offering humans some medical tips. |
C.Adapting themselves to living on land. | D.Living a normal life though disabled. |
29. What is a cause of the axolotl population decline in Xochimilco?
A.Lack of land where they find food. | B.Popularity of people hunting them. |
C.Loss of the waters where they live. | D.Presence of many non-native fish. |
30. What are the scientists trying to do about axolotls?
A.Count their numbers and classify them. | B.Build more lakes and canals for them. |
C.Remove them out of Lake Xochimilco. | D.Improve their living environment. |
31. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A.Protecting Axolotls Is in Progress | B.Axolotls’ Homes Are Polluted |
C.AdoptAxolotl Campaign Is Beneficial | D.Scientists Are Worrying Axolotls |