The eight-armed sea animal known as the octopus(章鱼) is becoming a popular food in many parts of the world. But, as more people want to eat them, the population in the wild is decreasing. Experts blame rising ocean water temperatures and overfishing for their falling numbers.

Octopuses do poorly in warm water. And since they are in great demand, fishermen can make more money by catching them in the wild. As a result, a small fishing village in southern Mexico is working with one of the country’s universities. The group wants to find out if the sea animals can be farmed successfully.

Carlos Rosas, a biologist, is working to start an octopus farm in the fishing village of Sisal. Recently, Rosas showed reporters the farm. He reached into a large tank and pulled out a baby octopus, about the size of a small ball. The octopus lives in the tank with about 250 others. The project aims to see if the babies can live to be large enough inside the tank to be sold for food.

Scientists and animal welfare activists have long been concerned about growing octopuses inside tanks. The animals are believed to be able to think and also to feel happiness and worry.

Now, Rosas and his team think they may be able to keep the octopuses healthy until they are large enough to sell. They have created a food for octopuses from fish waste, like heads, which are normally thrown back into the ocean by fishermen. The food is turned into small balls which are fed to the octopuses. Rosas said the farm gets what it needs for the octopuses and the fishermen can make extra money by selling their unused fish parts. He said the plan is to make the fishing business more “efficient” and raise the number of octopuses available for food.

If the project is successful, its timing will be just right. One research company predicts that by 2025, the worldwide demand for octopuses will increase by over 60 percent from 2018.

1.Why is the population of wild octopuses declining?

A Because they are the most popular sea food.

B Because the demand for them is growing.

C Because the ocean water level is rising.

D Because the quality of ocean water is falling.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段第二句“But, as more people want to eat them, the population in the wild is decreasing.”可知，由于越来越多的人想吃章鱼，野生章鱼总量正在减少。故选B。

2.What is the purpose of Rosas’ project?

A To promote the development of local economy.

B To assist fishermen to catch more octopuses.

C To test if young octopuses can be artificially raised.

D To prove octopuses can feel happiness and worry.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“The project aims to see if the babies can live to be large enough inside the tank to be sold for food.”可知，该项目的目的是试验小章鱼是否能在缸里养大以出售，即是否能人工养殖小章鱼。故选C。

3.What is animal welfare activists’ attitude to the octopus farm?

A Supportive.

B Negative.

C Neutral.

D Ambiguous.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第四段第一句的“animal welfare activists have long been concerned about growing octopuses inside tanks.”可知，动物保护人士长期以来一直担心缸内养殖章鱼，而这正是章鱼农场采取的方法，由此可知动物保护人士对章鱼农场持消极否定的态度。故选B。

4.What can we learn about the food for octopuses according to Rosas?

A It is made only from the head of fish.

B It can be used to make tennis balls.

C It benefits fishermen financially.

D The worldwide demand for it is increasing.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第五段第二句“They have created a food for octopuses from fish waste, like heads, which are normally thrown back into the ocean by fishermen”和第四句的“the fishermen can make extra money by selling their unused fish parts”可知，章鱼的食物原材料来自于渔民往常会扔掉的鱼身废料，现在渔民可以通过卖这些不用的废料赚钱，由此得知渔民能从章鱼的食物（制作）获取经济利益。故选C。