奇速英语官网—英语在线学习平台_让学英语更快乐_更快速

Australian rescuers worked hard to save a pod of almost 300 beached pilot whales discovered hundreds more on Wednesday, bringing the estimated total to now nearly 500. Of those found, 380 have died, making this the largest mass stranding event ever recorded in the country. Initial attempts to save the surviving animals began on Monday when 270 whales were found on a beach near the small coastal town of Strahan.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Manager Nic Deka told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday that the additional group of 200 whales was spotted from a helicopter less than six miles away and that all 200 had been confirmed dead by late afternoon. It is reported that teams of rescuers had managed to save 50 since Tuesday. “We’ll continue to work to free as many of the animals as we can,” he said. “We’ll continue working for as long as there are live animals.”

While around 30 whales in the original stranding were moved from Macquarie Harbour to open ocean on Tuesday using slings and boats, several got stranded again. By Monday night, about a third of the first group had died. Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon explained to reporters that this mass stranding was the biggest in Australia "in terms of numbers stranded and died.”

According to The Associated Press, Australia's largest mass stranding had previously been 320 pilot whales near the Western Australia state town of Dunsborough in 1996. The latest incident is the first involving more than 50 whales in Tasmania since 2009. Pilot whales are a species of oceanic dolphins that grow up to 23 feet and can weigh up to three tonnes. They have a chance of lasting several days if the weather stays cool. Scientists do not know why whales sometimes beach, but they are known to follow a leader and gather around an injured or distressed member of their pod.

1.Where did the rescuers save the whales?

A In the Tasmania Parks.

B Near the town of Strahan.

C In Macquarie Harbour.

D In the Wildlife Service.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章第一段最后一句when 270 whales were found on a beach near the small coastal town of Strahan.可以得知是在Strahan镇附近那些救援人员开始工作的，故选B。

2.When would Australian rescuers end their work of saving?

A Before all whales were found on a beach.

B At the end of the news conference.

C Until the last living whale was saved.

D After a large helicopter was sent there.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据文章第二段最后一句We’ll continue working for as long as there are live animals可以得到他们把救援工作持续到所有的活着的鲸鱼都被救起来，故选C。

3.How did people try to save the whales?

A They pulled the whales.

B They watered the whales.

C They dug a deep channel.

D They got the whales stranded.

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据文章第三段第一句the original stranding were moved from Macquarie Harbour to open ocean on Tuesday using slings and boats可以得知是人们是用船和绳索来拖鲸鱼，故选A。

4.What would whales do if one of them got hurt?

A They would send it to the beach.

B They would swim around it.

C They would add weight to it.

D They would try to save it.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章最后一段最后一句they are known to follow a leader and gather around an injured or distressed member of their pod可以得知当发现有受伤的，其他鲸鱼会在其周围游来游去，故选B。