Size matters when it comes to extinction risk 动物的体型可能是决定其灭绝的关键因素

最新研究报告显示，世界上体型最大和最小的动物濒临灭绝的可能性最高。科学家认为，动物灭绝的风险取决于它们的大小，因此需要采取行动保护体型极端的动物。目前，重型动物受到捕猎的威胁，而小型动物正因为环境污染和树木砍伐而失去生命。请听报道。

From the hog-nosed bat to the banana frog, some of the world's smallest and most endangered animals aren't exactly well known.

Researchers fear these tiniest of creatures are being overlooked in conservation efforts.

An international team made a data base of thousands of animals to look at the relationship between body mass and extinction risk. 

A clear pattern emerged: animals at both ends of the scale face bigger extinction risks than those in the middle.

Human hunting threatens the heavyweights, meanwhile featherweights are losing vital habitat as land is cleared for development.

Scientists say urgent action is needed on both fronts to help slow the ongoing wave of extinctions.

词汇表 hog-nosed 长着猪鼻子的（这里特指蝙蝠的品种）

endangered （动植物）濒危的

overlooked 被忽略

conservation （对动植物、自然环境的）保护

data base 数据库

extinction risk 灭绝风险

emerged （经过观察、研究）出现了

at both ends of the scale （体型、重量等）处于两个极端的

heavyweights 重型动物

featherweights 羽量级动物，小型动物

ongoing 持续的

测验 请听报道并回答下列问题。

1. What is the relationship between body mass and extinction risk that scientists found? 

2. Why are featherweights losing their habitat? 

3. What do the scientists say we should do about the wave of extinctions? 

4. Which word in the text means 'a regular or repeated way in which something happens'?

答案 1. What is the relationship between body mass and extinction risk that scientists found?

Animals at both ends of the scale face bigger extinction risks than those in the middle.

2. Why are featherweights losing their habitat?

Featherweights are losing their vital habitat because the land is being cleared for development. 

3. What do the scientists say we should do about the wave of extinctions?

Scientists say urgent action is needed on both fronts to help slow the ongoing wave of extinctions. 

4. Which word in the text means 'a regular or repeated way in which something happens'?

Pattern.

【Size matters when it comes to extinction risk 动物的体型可能是决定其灭绝的关键因素】相关文章：

★ Degrees to make you rich 英国：学历和收入之间的关系

★ Seal pup accommodation crisis 英国海豹幼崽的收容危机

★ Butterfly numbers drop a mystery, say experts 英国蝴蝶数量下降现象令专家费解

★ White / blue-collar worker 白领，蓝领

★ Fragile and brittle 表示“脆弱”的形容词

★ 语法：动词和介词的惯用搭配

★ Making money from your spare room 空房间变生财之道

★ The dangers that lurk in your bathroom 可爱的橡皮鸭可能危害健康

★ Artefacts in Sydney and dog gets medal 悉尼出土文物，英雄狗获奖章

★ 常用不规则名词复数的用法测验