Manypeople think of sharks as dangerous monsters. But human beings pose a far gr-组卷网

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Many people think of sharks as dangerous monsters. But human beings pose a far greater danger to these creatures than they do to us. Although shark attacks do occur, they are quite rare. On the other hand, according to one estimate, humans kill 100 million sharks every year. This statistics is a warning that many kinds of sharks may become extinct.

The killing of sharks is a problem for the whole planet. Sharks are apex predators, which means that they eat other species, but few creatures eat them. As sharks die off, the populations of animals that sharks consume will increase. This, in turn, means that the populations of the creatures that those animals eat will shrink. That includes some sea creatures that humans consume, such as shrimp. It also includes fish that eat algae, which can cause algae to spread so much that it damages coral reefs.

Reducing shark populations affect more than just the ocean. Ocean plants produce much of the oxygen on the planet. These plants can be harmed when changes in shark population upset the ecosystem.

Try to refuse shark products. Shark liver oil is used in many popular cosmetics. Pet foods, vitamins, energy drinks and leather goods can also be made from shark parts. And shark meat is sold around the world, sometimes under misleading names such as rock salmon or whitefish. Most sharks killed worldwide are hunted for their fins, which are used to make shark fin soup. The process is cruel: Fisherman cut the shark's fin off and then dump the shark back into the water, still alive. Then the shark dies slowly, sometimes over several days. Sharks breathe by swimming, so a shark that can't swim will die.

Sharks often die because they become tangled in nets meant for other kinds of fish. If you eat seafood, make sure it comes from fisheries that care for the oceans.

Many organizations try to protect sharks. They can teach you about these essential creatures and give more advice on how to keep them alive. These organizations also need your support to continue protecting these important creatures.

【小题1】What can we expect if sharks die off?

A．All sea creatures will reduce.

B．Coral reefs will be no longer harmed.

C．Fisheries will have difficulty surviving.

D．Sea ecologic environment will be damaged.

【小题2】What are paragraph 4and paragraph 5 mainly about?

A．Ways to save sharks.

B．Knowledge about sharks.

C．Reasons for saving sharks.

D．Process of making shark products.

【小题3】Which of the following is closest to the underlined word "tangled" in the fifth paragraph?