A tool to prevent ships from hitting whales

廣西 胡 牧

主題語境：動物保護

篇幅：334詞

建議用時：6分鐘

1Humpback whales（座頭鯨）are among the world's most endangered whales.The main threats humpback whales face are strikes from ships and waste equipment.Recently,scientists have developed a technology-powered mapping tool to prevent ships from hitting whales in areas off America's west coast.The system is called Whale Safe.It uses equipment placed in the ocean to identify the presence of whales in the surrounding area.

2Whale Safe was recently launched to the north in San Francisco Bay.There is a problem in the bay with ships hitting whales.Wildlife officials reported that a humpback whale was washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay with injuries suggesting the animal was killed in a ship strike.It was the fifth whale killed by a ship strike in the area in 2022.However,the actual number of whales killed by ships is likely much higher because the bodies of the dead animals are rarely discovered.

3The system uses three methods to identify and protect several different whale species.First,it uses flotation devices known as buoys（浮標）to record sounds the whales make.Second,it uses computer models to process current and historical ocean data to predict where the whales are most likely to be.Third,it permits trained observers and citizens to report whale sightings through a mobile app.The tool also records shipping activity and ships' speeds.The collected data is then sent by satellite to scientists who examine it and seek to provide guidance to ship operators.

4The Whale Safe project is supported by the Marine Mammal Center and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory.Officials from the Marine Mammal Center say they have plans to expand the system to other areas where whales face a high risk of being hit by ships.“The system combines the latest technology with thoughtful conservation efforts to create a solution to reduce risk to whales.This is where technology meets Mother Nature for the benefit of marine life,”said Jeff Boehm,a leader of the Marine Mammal Center.

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Detail

1.What is the new tool intended for?

A.Detecting the conditions of ships.

B.Protecting whales from ship strikes.

C.Locating the bodies of the dead whales.

D.Recording the movements of humpback whales.

Inference

2.What is the function of paragraph 2?

A.To introduce the main idea of the text.

B.To add some background information.

C.To provide some advice for readers.

D.To put forward a new topic for discussion.

Gist

3.What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about the system?

A.Its working theory.

B.Its application value.

C.Its major advantages.

D.Its operational guidance.

Detail

4.What will the Marine Mammal Center probably do next?

A.Adjust the new system to other sea animals.

（2）核心層：提供高速數據轉發，并部署計費認證、網絡防火墻、流量控制、上網行為管理和安全系統等設備用以進行集中安全管理控制。

B.Provide professional training for ship operators.

C.Apply the system to other places with a high rate of crashes.

D.Seek cooperation with the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory.

Language

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Difficult sentences in the text

【點石成金】本句是一個主從復合句，句中的humpback whales face 是一個省略了that的定語從句，修飾the main threats。

2.Wildlife officials reported that a humpback whale was washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay with injuries suggesting the animal was killed in a ship strike.野生動物官員報告說，一頭座頭鯨被沖到舊金山灣岸邊，所受的傷表明它是在船只撞擊中喪生的。

【點石成金】本句的主句是Wildlife officials reported，后面的that 引導的是一個賓語從句；the animal was killed in a ship strike 是一個賓語從句。