Penguins Are in Danger

張恒

As many as 10 of the 17 kinds of penguins① may be in danger of disappearing. The number of penguins have decreased by 30% since 1987.

Penguins are black and white birds that live in the southern part of the world. They are common in South America， New Zealand， Australia and South Africa. Many live near cold waters. But some live near warm waters in Galapagos Islands. Penguins cannot fly， but they are fine swimmers. Penguins eat fish and krill③. Global warming is the reason for the sharp decline② of penguins. The heating of the air has caused ocean waters to become warmer. Higher water temperatures have reduced the supply of fish and krill. Some years later these birds are completely unable to reproduce④. Besides， many adult penguins die of hunger. Widespread fishing， exploration for oil and oil leaks⑤ also make penguins be in danger. Poisonous organisms⑥ in ocean water are another danger. Penguins also have their enemies， including wild dogs， sharks， seals and sea lions. News about penguins is not all bad， however. Several years ago， oil leaking from a ship hurt 40% of the penguins in South Africa. The penguins became covered with oil. But thousands of people helped clean and treat the birds well. Then they returned the penguins to the wild. Now these South African penguins are reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking.

根據短文內容，選擇正確答案。

1. Penguins ____.

A. can swim better than fly ???????????? B. can be found near Oceania （大洋洲）

C. eat fish only ?????????????????????? D. live only in cold waters

2. Which of the following is NOT the cause of penguins decrease in numbers？

A. Oil searching. ?????????????????????????? B. Widespread fishing.

C. Humans killing. ????????????????????? D. Warming of the oceans.

3. Why are the penguins in South Africa reproducing in higher numbers than before the oil leaking？

A. Because people removed the ship.

B. Because people sent a lot of penguins to the wild.

C. Because people helped the penguins.

D. Because people treated the penguins well.