濒危蝾螈

侯昌玮

墨西哥一家新博物馆开放，旨在宣传一种极度濒危的蝾螈。这种动物原产于墨西哥，由于其自然栖息地受到严重威胁，其野外数量正在减少。

Endangered axolotl salamander

1 A new museum in Mexico aims to educate the public on the critically endangered axolotl salamander （蝾螈）. 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. 这种动物在野外极度濒危，因为它所在的自然环境日益受到威胁。

【点石成金】本句中，连词because引导的是原因状语从句。

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. 一个名叫费尔南多的游客说：“事实上，能看到它们如何进食、如何生活，或者是怎样的一种动物，让我非常兴奋。”

【点石成金】本句中，引号里面为直接引语；that引导表语从句；三个how引导的宾语从句作see的宾语。

Ⅱ. Text?centered chunks

be native to 原产于……；土生土长于……

capture wide attention 获得广泛的关注

take in 吸收

come in contact with 和……接触

speak about 谈及；谈到

date back to 追溯到……

lead to 导致