Why should people care? Because we need animals. And because once they are gone, there will never be any more.
Animals are more than just beautiful or interesting. They are more than just a source of food. Every animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying one kind of animals can create many problems. For example, when farmers killed large numbers of hawks, the farmers’ stores of corn and grain were destroyed by rats and mice. Why? Because hawks eat rats and mice. With no hawks to keep down their numbers, the rats and mice multiplied quickly. Luckily, some people are working to help save the animals. Some groups raise money to let people know about the problem. And they try to get the governments to pass laws protecting animals in danger.
Quite a few countries have passed laws. These laws forbid the killing of any animals or plants on the danger list. Slowly, the number of some animals in danger is growing. 注释:
1. feather n.羽毛，翎毛，箭羽 2. balance n.平衡 3. hawk n.鹰，隼
4. multiple vt.增加，繁殖multiply adj.多样的multiple choice adj.多项选择的
5. forbid vt.禁止，不许；阻止，妨碍 根据短文内容选择正确答案
1 Animals are important to us mainly because _____. A. they give us a source of food B. they are beautiful and lovely C. they keep the balance of nature D. they give us a lot of pleasure
2 What has happened to the animals on the earth? A. Hundreds of kinds of animals are gone forever. B. Many kinds of animals have died out.
C. About 170 kinds of animals have disappeared forever. D. All kinds of animals are in danger. 3 Why do people kill animals?
A. They kill animals for something they need. B. They kill animals to raise some money. C. Animals destroy their natural resources. D. Animals create many problems. 4 Which of the following is NOT true?
A. People care much about animals because they need them.
B. Once a certain kind of animal is gone forever, there will never be any more.
C. Killing all rats and mice may cause some new problems. D. People must not kill any animals or plants.
5 What can we conclude from the fact that quite a few countries have passed laws protecting animals in danger?
A. Every person will know the importance of protecting wild animals. B. Animals in danger will not be killed any more.
C. The number of some animals in danger will increase. D. Animals in danger will be kept away from people.