We think of sweaters as comfortable ways to stay warm in chilly temperatures. Penguins think of sweaters as ways to stay safe after oil spills. At least that’s the idea behind wrapping penguins in knitted (编织的) sweaters and jumpers.
The Penguin Foundation, an Australian charity that raises money to protect and conserve the environment of Phillips Island, started dressing the island’s tiny penguins in knitted sweaters following an oil spill in 1998. When penguins are dirty, they usually clean themselves. This process involves penguins in separating their feathers and making them smooth with their beaks. If they’re coated with oil, then penguins are going to ingest some of the petrol.
The penguin Foundation started the Knits for Nature program following a number of spills that occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Then knitters from all over the world were invited to knits sweaters for the penguins. The sweaters, apart from looking adorable, were intended to stop the penguins from ingesting any oil that had coated their bodies. If they don’t have to clean themselves, then they won’t ingest the oil, thus upping the chances of the penguins’ survival. The sweaters, which are 100 percent wool, are also intended to keep the penguins warm since the oil impair the birds’ natural thermoregulation. Therefore, these sweaters are both stylish and practical.
Almost 20 years later, the Penguin Foundation has tens of thousands of these little sweaters--more than it’ll hopefully ever need when it comes to saving penguins in the event of an oil spill. As a result, the foundation doesn’t use the sweater it has received for penguins any longer. Instead, they are used by toy penguins that the foundation gives away with certain donations and as auction items during fundraisers. All the money raised will be used by the foundation to protect the penguins. The sweaters are also shipped to other rescue centers if they’re needed, and the foundation uses the sweaters to educate children visitors to the center about conservation efforts.
【小题1】Why are knitted sweaters used to wrap penguins?| A．To keep them clean. | B．To make them attractive. |
| C．To help the foundation raise money. | D．To protect them from oil spills. |
| A．The Knits for Nature program started in the 19th century. |
| B．Only Australians are called on to knit sweaters. |
| C．The sweaters are completely made of wool. |
| D．The sweaters are effective but out-of-date. |
| A．valuable | B．secure | C．fashionable | D．adaptable |
| A．The ways to protecting penguins. | B．The solutions to extra sweaters. |
| C．The advantages of the sweaters. | D．The functions of the foundation. |
