I was attacked by a tiger shark in late October 1997. It was near my home on the island of Kauai—a typical fall morning with friends. The waves were really good, so nothing was stopping us.
That is until a large shark came right up under me and sank his teeth into my lower leg. There had been no splashing. no noise, and I felt no pain, only great pressure on my lower body.
Then I followed my instinct: I punched the shark in the face, again and again which happens to be what the expert advice, until the shark released me. As I swam back into shore, I felt my lower right leg spasming(痉挛). When I looked down, I realized it was gone. The shark had bit my lower leg off. My friends rushed to my aid, and rushed me to hospital.
It was another day before the “fog” lifted, at which point I opened my eyes and realized I was in the hospital—a below-the-knee amputee(截肢). For the next few bedridden weeks, I spent time with my family, and considered the future.
As soon as I was given the OK by my doctors, I did what many of us might consider unthinkable: I started riding the waves again. In fact, my first time back was near the site of his attack. I was unshaken and curious—Was it because of the tides? The phase of the moon? I also recalled that the morning of the attack the water had a fishy smell. Was that what attracted the shark?
I was determined to research sharks, and I did learn something that would change my life: Humans are far more dangerous to sharks than the other way around, I tell Reader’s Digest. “I watched a documentary called Sharkwater, and I learned about the demand for shark fin soup and the fact that 70 million sharks a year are killed for their fins alone.”
My unique situation as a shark survivor empowered me to give sharks a voice. I began working with the Hawaii state legislature to help pass a ban on shark-derived products. I partnered with other like-minded shark attack survivors and marine biologists, and we headed to Washington to urge senators to create a nationwide bill protecting sharks.
4. What is mainly talked about in the first two paragraphs?
A.The missing leg. | B.The shark attack. |
C.The timely rescue. | D.The expert’s advice. |
5. Why did the author ride the waves again?
A.To go on with his unshaken hobby. | B.To figure out why he became a target. |
C.To keep track of the phase of the moon. | D.To explore why the water had a fishy smell. |
6. What did the author find after he recovered?
A.Humans tend to ignore the dangers. | B.Humans can’t survive without sharks. |
C.Sharks pose a greater threat to humans | D.Sharks are in urgent need of protection. |
7. What does author imply in the last paragraph?
A.He is speaking in favor of sharks. | B.He argues against the bill about sharks. |
C.There is widespread doubt about sharks. | D.People should give sharks a preference. |