A great amount of dark, sticky tar (焦油) was reported along Israel’s coast last week. An offshore oil tanker is believed to have leaked out.

The floating oil can form tar balls as it is pushed by wind and waves on the ocean’s surface. After a violent storm, the tar balls were seen ashore. Israel has about 190 kilometers of beaches. The tar has already had a big effect on the local wildlife. Volunteers were working quickly to rescue sea birds, turtles, and fish. Some animals were covered in oil or tar. Others had swallowed it. The body of a young whale was found washed up on shore. The whale appeared to have died after swallowing a black oily liquid.

The government has asked people to avoid going to the beach, since tar exposure can make people sick and do harm to the skin. A number of volunteers had to be taken to the hospital after breathing in the air polluted by chemicals from the tar.

Experts from Israel and Europe are still trying to figure out exactly what happened. The leak is believed to have taken place about a week ago, when there were strong storms in the area. Israel believed that a ship leaked tens or even hundreds of tons of oil in the Mediterranean. Experts are working together to review satellite images (图像) of ships that passed through the area, and they have a list of about 10 ships that are the most likely ones to leak out.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority warned that the “consequences will be seen for years to come.” Israeli environmental minister Gila Gamliel said on Saturday that there is no more floating oil visible off Israel’s coast, “which is a very animative condition.” However, the ministry warned that large waves are forecast this week. The waves could carry the sticky tar from beach to beach, which could make cleanup efforts more difficult.

【小题1】What brought the tar balls to the shore?

A．An oil ship.	B．The sea animals.
C．A strong storm.	D．The floating oil.

【小题2】What can be learnt about the oil tanker leak?

A．When it took place hasn’t been sure.	B．Israel has found out the cause of it.
C．Who’s responsible for it is unclear.	D．Volunteers have tried hard to stop it.

【小题3】What does the underlined word “animative” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Challenging.

B．Natural.

C．Rare.

D．Encouraging.

【小题4】In which section of a newspaper is this text most likely to appear?

A．Health.

B．Environment.

C．Science.

D．Trade.