英语听力精选进阶版 7240

动物保护人士呼吁澳大利亚政府把树袋熊列入国家一级保护动物。自然资源保护主义人士担心由于疾病，气候改变及生态环境的破坏让树袋熊步入绝种的危机。

The number of koalas in Australia is unclear but conservationists estimate there are about 100,000 in the wild.

They believe that the population is continuing to fall because of various threats, including a disease that causes blindness and infertility¹. The building of homes and roads is also eating away at their habitat.

The Australian government is being urged to declare the koala a threatened or endangered animal. This would give federal authorities the power to protect these furry² marsupials from development.

The Environment Minister Tony Burke has asked a panel of experts for more information detailing areas where koala populations are in trouble. He is expected to make a final decision in the next couple of months.

Quiz

1. How many koalas do conservationists think are in the wild?

Roughly 100,000 koalas are in the wild.

2. One disease found in koalas are causing what kind of symptoms?

Koalas could become blind or infertile³.

3. Are koalas currently identified as endangered specie in Australia?

No. They are not currently on the endangered species list.

4. When will the Australian government make a decision on the proposal?

Hopefully in two months time there'll be a decision.

Glossary 词汇表

conservationists 自然环境保护主义人士

estimate 估计数字

threats 威胁因素

infertility 不孕症

eating away at 逐渐磨损或消耗

endangered 濒临绝种的

furry 长毛绒的

panel 专家组

in trouble 陷入困境

1 infertility   

n.不肥沃，不毛；不育

参考例句：

• It is the Geneva, Switzerland-based Biotech Company's second recombinant infertility drug. 它是瑞士生物技术公司在日内瓦的公司生产的第二种重组治疗不孕症的药。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术制药疫苗
• Endometritis is a cause of infertility. 子宫内膜炎是不育的原子。 来自辞典例句

2 furry   

adj.毛皮的；似毛皮的；毛皮制的

参考例句：

• This furry material will make a warm coat for the winter.这件毛皮料在冬天会是一件保暖的大衣。
• Mugsy is a big furry brown dog,who wiggles when she is happy.马格斯是一只棕色大长毛狗，当她高兴得时候她会摇尾巴。

3 infertile   

adj.不孕的；不肥沃的，贫瘠的

参考例句：

• Plants can't grow well in the infertile land.在贫瘠的土地上庄稼长不好。
• Nobody is willing to till this infertile land.这块薄田没有人愿意耕种。