Tigers are the most powerful cats on the planet. Tigers are also endangered. A new study shows that the animals are far more at risk of extinction（消失）than wildlife experts believed.

    The new census（统计）found that only about 100 tigers are left in the Sundarbans forest of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove （红树）forest in the world. It is also one of the last remaining habitats -- or natural homes -- for tigers.

    The Sundarbans spread across a 10,000-square-kilometer area in southern Bangladesh and the eastern part of India. A number of rivers flow through the area. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. About 60 percent of the mangrove forest is in Bangladesh.

    In 2004, a separate population count found 440 tigers in the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans forest. The finding was based on the study of tiger paw prints, also called "pug marks."

    The latest census used infrared （红外线）cameras to arrive at what wildlife experts believe is a more exact number. The cameras took pictures when they observed something with body heat.

    Now, after using camera trapping methods used in both countries, the entire forest is believed to hold about 182 tigers.

    Indian wildlife scientist Yadvendradev Jhala studied the recent tiger censuses. He noted that more than three-fourths of the world's tiger population lives in India and Bangladesh. He said the new numbers show that the species is threatened. He blamed both illegal hunting and a new coal-fired power plant that, he says, will separate some tiger populations from each other.

    The tigers mainly eat spotted deer. The deer also are heavily poached for meat and skin, further threatening the tigers.

    Jahidul Kabir said the government has taken the latest tiger census report very seriously. He also said the government plans to declare the entire Sundarbans a protected area, restricting activities that threatened the tigers.

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1.The recent study has found that tigers in the Sundarbans forest are_____.

A the most powerful cats

B the most dangerous

C severely endangered

D remaining in their habitats

解析：选C。细节理解题。由第一段可知，最近的调查发现，孟加拉虎处于灭绝的危险中，故选C。

2.Which of the followings is not a threat to the tigers in the Sundarbans forests?

A Illegal hunting.

B Coal-fired power plant.

C Poaching of deer.

D Spotted deer.

解析：选D。细节理解题。由第七，八段可知，对孟加拉虎构成威胁的因素有‘非法捕杀（A选项）’‘火力发电厂（B选项）’和对老虎食物‘spotted deer’的盗猎（C选项）； 而spotted deer本身对老虎不构成威胁。

3.What are the main characteristics of the Sundarbans forest?

A Mangrove trees.

B Rivers.

C Tiger paw prints.

D Pug marks.

解析：选A。细节理解题。由第二段可知，Sundarbans森林的主要特色应该是红树林。

4.What are the main characteristics of the Sundarbans forest?

A take

B have

C cover

D protect

解析：选B。词义猜测题。这里的hold是指此处现存的老虎数量大约“有”182只。

5.What is the author’s attitude towards the present situation of the tigers?

A Angry.

B Excited.

C Disappointed.

D Concerned.

解析：选D。观点态度题。本文作者对老虎的现状持关切的态度，故选D。