Amphibians may soon disappear - PAU C.Valenciana inglés 2008

>Exámenes selectividad inglés Comunidad Valenciana resueltos

Source: Swami Atma

The Chinese calendar says 2008 is the year of the Rat, but according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), 2008 should be the Year of the Frog. The reason is that frogs are disappearing from our planet at an alarming rate and, in a few years, they may all be extinct.

In August 2007, more than 230 delegates representing zoos and aquariums from 35 countries gathered in Hungary to sign a petition, calling on governments to help preserve amphibian life. This marks the first time that zoos and aquariums have initiated a global call to action on behalf of an endangered class of animals. Their concern is that one-third to one-half of all species of frogs are in danger of becoming extinct in the near future — which would be the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
About 4,000 species of amphibians exist worldwide and most of them are frogs and toads. The term amphibian comes from the Greek amphibios and means double life, referring to the fact that they begin life in the water as tadpoles and gradually transform themselves into land dwelling creatures with legs. Frogs are "cold-blooded" and rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature. The skin of a frog is moistened by the secretion of numerous mucous glands and plays a vital part in the frog's water balance, respiration and protection. But since the skin is highly permeable to water, it also makes them highly susceptible to environmental changes.

Doug Porter, 2 April 2008 - www.stopglobalwarming.org

RESPUESTAS

READING COMPREHENSION

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text

• a. Why does AZA state that 2008 should be the Year of the Frog? PAR. 1-2
• b. Why does the Greek word amphibios mean double life? PAR. 3

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact passage on the answer sheet
a. Most frogs became extinct just after the disappearance of dinosaurs.

• FALSE: one-third to one-half of all species of frogs are in danger of becoming extinct in the near future

b. Frogs and toads are the most common amphibians.

• TRUE: amphibians exist worldwide and most of them are frogs and toads

c. The skin of frogs is waterproof. 

• FALSE: the skin is highly permeable to water.

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options:
      rate      petition      endangered      concern      worldwide      moistened

• a. dampened: moistened
• b. request: petition
• c. worry: concern
• d. pace: rate

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct
1. In August 2007, delegates from 35 countries gathered …

• a) to discuss the preservation of amphibian life.
• b) to study the extinction of dinosaurs.
• c) to write a book about frogs.

2. Frogs are born as …

• a) land dwelling creatures with legs.
• b) toads.
• c) tadpoles.

3. The body temperature of frogs …

• a) is rarely affected by the environment.
• b) is only sensitive to rain.
• c) changes depending on the weather.

+EXÁMENES RESUELTOS