阅读理解 Earth’s tallest animal is in deep trouble. Wild giraffe populations are falling rapidly, with r

阅读理解
Earth’s tallest animal is in deep trouble. Wild giraffe populations are falling rapidly, with recent survey data showing its numbers have fallen more than 40 percent. And unlike the well-known plight (困境) of gorillas, elephants, rhinos, and other disappearing African animals, the decline of these giants has gone largely unnoticed.
Giraffes that are extreme high — adult males can stand nearly 6 meters tall — still live in 21 countries in Africa, but their habitat is being repurposed for human use, especially agriculture. Even in places where their native grasslands remain excellent, small and separate habitat caused by development elsewhere can restrict their range and prevent genetic diversity. And climate change can encourage lengthy droughts, which lead desperate giraffes to feed on farmers’ crops, making them seem like pests to local communities.
Illegal hunting also contributes to the decline of the animals. Humans have a long history of hunting giraffes, seeking food as well as thick skin to make clothing and other items. But a belief that giraffes’ brains and bones can cure HIV has gained wide attention in Tanzania, reportedly pushing prices for giraffes’ heads and bones are as high as $140 per piece. Usually, with a single gunshot, a giraffe can be hunted. So they’ve become an extra income among Africa’s growing groups of elephant hunters.
When humans try something risky to hunt for giraffes, however, there’s evidence that they can improve the animals’ fortunes. The West African giraffe, for example, was pushed to the edge of extinction in the 1990s. Down to just 50 in 1996, the subspecies won legal protection from the government of Niger, helping it grow to 250 in 2010. Conservationists have also worked with villages in Niger and planted 5,300 acacia(相思) trees since 2012, reducing the need for the giraffes to destroy crops.
That their number grows in recent years suggests that there is still time to save other giraffes, too. “ This stresses the value of making positive giraffe conservation and management efforts to protect critical populations across the continent,” says Arthur Muneza, East Africa speaker for the GEF. “It is high time that we increased our efforts.”
52. What is ignored by people according to the author?
A. Wild animals’ habitat being destroyed
B. The number of elephants being smaller
C. Gorillas and rhinos becoming endangered
D. The rapid decrease of the number of wild giraffes
53. Which of the following factors influence the survival of giraffes according to the text?
① habitat loss ② serious diseases ③ people’s hunting ④ climate change
A. ①②③ B. ①②④ C. ①③④ D. ②③④
54. It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that ____.
A. it is quite hard for people to catch giraffes
B. hunting giraffes is a way to attract foreign tourists
C. it is very profitable to trade giraffes’ heads and bones illegally
D. local people use giraffes’ bones to prevent HIV from spreading
55. Which of the following would be the best title for this text?
A. Giraffes’ fortune might be improved B. How can people protect wild giraffes?
C. Wild giraffes need legal protection now D. Why are wild giraffes suffering a silent extinction?
【答案】52. D    53. C    54. C    55. D
【解析】