瀕危蠑螈

侯昌瑋

墨西哥一家新博物館開放，旨在宣傳一種極度瀕危的蠑螈。這種動(dòng)物原產(chǎn)于墨西哥，由于其自然棲息地受到嚴(yán)重威脅，其野外數(shù)量正在減少。

Endangered axolotl salamander

1 A new museum in Mexico aims to educate the public on the critically endangered axolotl salamander （蠑螈）. The museum recently opened at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City.

2 The axolotl is native only to Mexico. The animal is extremely endangered in the wild because its natural environment is increasingly threatened. The salamander has captured wide attention for its ability to heal itself when its body gets harmed. For example， the animal can regrow legs and damaged tissue. It can even repair problems affecting the heart and brain. Scientists have also documented how the salamander can breathe with lungs and gills. It can also take in oxygen through its skin. This can cause problems if the animal comes in contact with polluted water.

3 “It is one of the few animals that can regenerate its skin， muscles， bones， blood vessels， nerves， heart and brain，” said Gual， a conservation official at the zoo. Speaking about the museum， Gual said he sees it as a valuable tool to inform citizens about the unusual creature. “A hugely important part of this space is environmental education，” he said.

4 In the past， axolotls did very well in Xochimilcos muddy canals. The canals are the only remaining part of a once large waterway system dating back to Aztec times. But studies have shown the spread of cities， polluted water and non?native fish that eat the salamanders have led to their near?total collapse.

5 As the museum opened to its first visitors， the axolotls popularity with the public was very clear. “The truth is that Im very excited to be able to see how they eat， how they live， or just how they are，” said one visitor named Fernando.

Detail 1. Why was the new museum set up？

A. To attract more animal lovers to Mexico.

B. To educate the public to care for wild animals.

C. To help save endangered axolotl salamanders.

D. To inform citizens of more endangered creatures.

Detail 2. What makes salamanders get considerable attention？

A. Serious habitat loss.

B. Their ability to cure themselves.

C. Extreme danger in the wild.

D. Their ability to breathe with all organs.

Inference 3. Whats Fernandos attitude towards visiting the new museum？

A. Confused.

B. Delighted.

C. Worried.

D. Curious.

Gist 4. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about？

A. Axolotls previous condition.

B. Axolotls favorite habitats.

C. Reasons for axolotls being endangered.

D. Axolotls advantages over other animals.

Ⅰ. Difficult sentences in the text

1. The animal is extremely endangered in the wild because its natural environment is increasingly threatened. 這種動(dòng)物在野外極度瀕危，因?yàn)樗诘淖匀画h(huán)境日益受到威脅。

【點(diǎn)石成金】本句中，連詞because引導(dǎo)的是原因狀語從句。

2. “The truth is that Im very excited to be able to see how they eat， how they live， or just how they are，” said one visitor named Fernando. 一個(gè)名叫費(fèi)爾南多的游客說：“事實(shí)上，能看到它們?nèi)绾芜M(jìn)食、如何生活，或者是怎樣的一種動(dòng)物，讓我非常興奮。”

【點(diǎn)石成金】本句中，引號(hào)里面為直接引語；that引導(dǎo)表語從句；三個(gè)how引導(dǎo)的賓語從句作see的賓語。

Ⅱ. Text?centered chunks

be native to 原產(chǎn)于……；土生土長(zhǎng)于……

capture wide attention 獲得廣泛的關(guān)注

take in 吸收

come in contact with 和……接觸

speak about 談及；談到

date back to 追溯到……

lead to 導(dǎo)致