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PASSAGE 33

Amphibians are an animal group includes frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. The animals live in and

out of the water. The number of amphibians on our planet is declining rapidly in both local mass

extinctions and population crashes. This is a cause ofr concern as many scientists believe that humans are

responsible.

Since the 1980s, scientists have noticed a decline in amphibian populations. Although many animals

are affected by humans, amphibians have been hit particularly hard. Some scientists believe this is

because of their two-stage life cycle. Unlike most animals, amphibians live their lives in two distinct

stages. The first is aquatic and the second is terrestrial. This means amphibians are sensitive to

environmental changes in the water and on land. They also have permeable skin, which means that toxins

and chemicals can easily get into their bodies.

At first, some scientists did not believe that human pollution was the cause for changes in amphibian

populations. These scientists believed that every species on Earth goes through natural cycles and changes

and that there was not enough long-term data to prove that humans were the problem. In recent years, this

has changed. Almost all biologists are concerned about the decline in amphibian populations. They are

worried not only because many amphibians may go extinct, but also because these extinctions will affect

other plants and animals in ecosystems. They believe that the decline in amphibian populations is a

warning to humans to stop polluting and clean up Earth.

Question 1. Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

A. Endangered reptiles

B. Endangered amphibians

C. Amphibian life cycle

D. Amphibians and reptiles

Question 2. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A. The number of amphibians is decreasing rapidly.

B. The number of amphibians is increasing.

C. The number of amphibians is going up.

D. The number of amphibians staying constant.

Question 3. In paragraph 2, the word noticed is closest in meaning to

A. studied

B. analysed

C. become aware of

D. started to work on

Question 4. In paragraph 2, the word they refers to

A. scientists

B. humans

C. animals

D. amphibians

Question 5. According the passage, which of the following is TRUE about amphibians?

A. First they live on land, then in the water.

B. First they live in the water, then on land.

C. They mainly live in water.

D. They mainly live on land.

Question 6. In paragraph 2, the word toxins is closest in meaning to

A. poisonous substances

B. tonic subtances

C. essential minerals

D. essential vitamins

Question 7. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Amphibians contribute greatly to biodiversity.

B. All amphibians will go extinct in the near future.

C. A clean environment may help to protect amphibians from extinction.