五、阅读与回答问题。
主题群:自然生态
子主题:与自然和谐共生
语篇类型:说明文
难度:★★
[2024 扬州改编]A total of 23 spotted seals(斑海豹) were put back into the waters off the coast of Dalian in North-east China's Liaoning Province on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 as part of China's continuous efforts to protect endangered wildlife.
The seals were hunted and sold, but now have been saved and marked for future protection. A fishery law enforcement ship arrived at the sea area near Dalian in the morning, carrying the spotted seals. The seals were let to go free one by one into the sea. They swam freely in the water, returning to their natural home.
Spotted seals are nationally protected animals in China. They are the only pinniped(鳍脚类的) species that can breed(繁殖) in Chinese waters. Like migratory(迁徙的) birds, they appear around October every year in Liaodong Bay, and take the long journey back to the North-west Pacific in May after breeding. The spotted seal is often considered as the "panda of the sea".
Thanks to China's top-class national protection in recent years, the population of spotted seals in Chinese waters has reached around 2,000, while the global population is between 400,000 and 600,000. Studies have shown that these 2,000 spotted seals are of great importance for the study and research on spotted seals.
To protect this rare animal and its ecological environment, the Liaoning Dalian Spotted Seal Wetlands were set up in 1992. In January, 2002, they were included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance. Covering an area of 560,000 hectares with a coastline of about 370 kilometres, the wetlands are rich in biological resources. They have become home to nationally protected animals such as the spotted seal, the finless porpoise, killer whales, false killer whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and East Asian river dolphins.
1. Where were the 23 spotted seals put back into the sea?
Off the coast of Dalian in North-east China's Liaoning Province.
2. What is the spotted seal considered as?
The "panda of the sea".
3. With China's protection, what has happened to the spotted seals in Chinese waters?
The population of spotted seals has reached around 2,000.
4. Why are the Liaoning Dalian Spotted Seal Wetlands important?
Because they have a large area and are home to many animals (like spotted seals). / Because they are rich in biological resources.
5. As a student, what can you do to protect wildlife? (请自拟一句话作答)
I can join in volunteer activities to protect the environment. (言之有理即可)
