Hunting down the truth about killer whales

Hearing that killer whales are in the area is sure to strike fear in the heart of anyone at sea. The thought of coming across a creature with a menacing name like that is a surefire sign you are on a path to destruction. As it turns out, killer whales, orcas, are actually highly sophisticated creatures that are usually harmless to humans.

The title “killer whale” may actually be a mistranslation of the Spanish term “ballena asesina”, which means assassin whale. Orcas were nicknamed this due to their well-coordinated attacks on marine life, not for the danger they pose to humans. At nearly five to seven metres in length and a weight of over six tons, orcas are one of the largest creatures on the Earth. There are about 50,000 orcas worldwide that are spread out in several oceans. Orcas are classified as an Apex predator, which means no other creature hunt them for food.

Scientists believe that there are between three to five different types of orca and they are all quite distinctive. The most frequently seen of these are Residents. They live in close-knit family units called pods, which can contain over 50 members, and their diet consists mainly of fish. Transient whales, however, prefer to travel in smaller groups of two to six whales. Meanwhile, Offshore whales were only recently discovered in 1988. They prefer to swim farther away from land than the others and several pods may come together to form groups as large as 200 whales. Although these orca groups may seem similar to the naked eye, they are extremely different in many ways, and scientists believe they haven’t interbred in thousands of years. Researchers also acknowledge that their knowledge of orcas is limited, and even more groups may exist.

Male orcas have an average lifespan of about 30 years, while the average age for females is 50. However, there have been cases of females living up to 90 years. Yet when kept in captivity at marine entertainment parks, their life expectancies drop dramatically. In fact, it seems that the biggest threat to orcas these days is humans. Between the practices of hunting orcas, polluting their environments, and capturing them for entertainment purposes, we are making it very difficult for them to survive. Perhaps the killer whales aren’t the real killer after all.

Nearly 200 of the 1500 native plant species in Hawaii are at risk of going extinct in the near future because they have been (1) ____ to such low numbers. Approximately 90 percent of Hawaii's plants are found nowhere else in the world but they are (2) ____ by alien invasive species such as feral goats, pigs, rodents and non- (3) ____ plants. The Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group is striving to (4) ____ the extinction of the 182 rare Hawaiian plants with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the (5) ____. Since 1990, (6) ____ a result of their “Plant Extinction Prevention Program‟, sixteen species have been brought into (7) ____ and three species have been reintroduced. Invasive weeds have been removed in key areas and fencing put up in order to (8) ____ plants in the wild.

In the future the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Program aims (9) ____ collecting genetic material from the remaining plants in the wild for storage as a safety net for the future. They also aim to manage wild populations and where possible reintroduce species into (10) ____.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international (1) ____ governmental organization for the (2) ____, research, and restoration of the environment. The organization was (3) ____ as a charitable trust on September 11, 1961, in Morges, Switzerland, under the name World Wildlife Fund. It was an initiative of Julian Huxley and Max Nicholson. It is the world's largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million (4) ____ worldwide, working in more (5) ____ 90 countries, supporting 100 conservation and environmental projects around the world. It is a charity, with (6) ____ 9% of its funding coming from voluntary, (7) ____ by private individuals and businesses.

The group says its mission is "to halt and reverse the (8) ____ of our environment". Currently, much of its work focuses on the conservation of three biomes that contain most of the world's biodiversity: forests, freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts. Among other issues, it is also concerned (9) ____ endangered species, pollution, and climate change. The organization (10) ____ more than 20 field projects worldwide. In the last few years, the organization set up offices and operations around the world.

No more polar bear?

We all know that the Earth is growing warmer and warmer. This problem is called “global warming”. We also know that global warming is causing a lot of problems. Ocean levels are getting higher and higher. Because ocean levels are getting higher, storms are getting stronger and stronger. This list of problems goes on and on.

Animals are suffering a lot because of global warming. Polar bears are suffering more than most animals. This is because polar bears live in the North Pole. In the North Pole, global warming is making ice melt. Polar bears hunt from large pieces of floating ice. They jump off the ice and hunt for food. Polar bears have to swim and find these floating pieces of ice. These days, they have to swim farther to find the floating ice. Many of them don’t have enough energy. They get too tired, and they die in the water.

Polar bears are suffering because of other problems, too. Pollution makes their water dirty. Many countries go to the North Pole to look for oil and gas, and they damage the environment of the bears. In addition, when ships sail through the North Pole, they cause a lot of damage. Finally, people hunt and kill too many polar bears. However, melting ice is definitely the biggest problem.

Right now, there are about 25,000 polar bears in the world. If global warming continues, there may be only about 12,000 in the year 2050. By the year 2080, that number might be much smaller.

It is important to study polar bears. When we learn about polar bears, we also learn about the health of the North Pole. If polar bears are doing well, then the environment in the North Pole is probably healthy. If polar bears are suffering then there are probably serious problems in the North Pole.

Right now, governments around the world are working to help polar bears. There are new laws that protect polar bears. However, if global warming continues to get worse, polar bears may disappear forever.

Read the following news brief and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Good news for mountain gorillas

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the last stronghold for the (1) ________ endangered mountain gorilla. Once standing on the (2) _________ of extinction due to rampant poaching, deforestation, and disease, the mountain gorilla population has been steadily recovering, (3) _________ intensive conservation efforts. Community-based ecotourism has played a vital role in the species' resurgence, with funds (4) ________ from gorilla trekking tours being used to protect their habitats and support local communities.

Through these efforts, the population of mountain gorillas, which (5) _________ well below 500 at the last count, has grown to over 1,000 individuals across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The success of this initiative serves as a powerful example of how conservation and sustainable tourism (6) _______ coexist and benefit both wildlife and people.

Read the following passage about climate change and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

[I] Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities across the globe. [II] Scientists warn that unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, the Earth's climate may experience irreversible damage. [III] The consequences of climate change are widespread, impacting weather patterns, agricultural productivity, and health conditions

worldwide. [IV]

One of the primary causes of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This gas traps heat, leading to a rise in global temperatures, a phenomenon known as global warming. Another major contributor is deforestation, as trees play a critical role in absorbing CO2. When forests are destroyed, that CO2 is released, adding to the atmosphere's greenhouse effect.

The impacts of climate change are already evident in various forms. Rising sea levels are causing coastal erosion and increasing the frequency of flooding, which endangers millions living in low-lying areas. Additionally, extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves are becoming more common and severe. These events not only damage infrastructure but also pose serious risks to human health and food security.

Addressing climate change requires a collaborative, global response. Many governments have joined international agreements, like the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global temperature rise and reduce emissions. However, it is crucial for individuals and businesses to also play a part by reducing their carbon footprint through actions such as conserving energy, reducing waste, and supporting renewable energy sources.

(Adapted from "Climate and Human Impact")

Read the following advertisement and choose the best answer to complete it.

Save the Earth, One Step at a Time!

Let’s explore what we can do in our daily lives to help protect the environment.

Key Facts:

Every year, over 8 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans, threatening (1) _______ life and ecosystems.

Transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially air travel, (2) _______ can account for up to 10% of your yearly carbon footprint.

What You Can Do:

Eat Sustainably: Choose a (3) _______ diet when possible. Reducing meat and dairy consumption not only cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions but also helps prevent deforestation for animal feed (4) _______.

Reduce Waste: Avoid single-use plastics. (5) _______ for reusable bags, containers, and water bottles. Every time you recycle, you prevent more plastic waste from ending up in landfills or oceans.

Travel Responsibly: Whenever possible, walk or bike short distances. If traveling longer distances, (6) _______ public transport or trains instead of flights to save a large amount of carbon emissions.

(Adapted from WWF, Global Stewards)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Ecotourism

The primary aim of ecotourism is to educate the traveller and bring him or her closer to nature. Participants are given the chance to visit parts of the world (1) ______ are untouched by human intervention and to engage in conservation work and various other kinds of environmental projects.

Visitors benefit by gaining an appreciation of natural habitats and an (2) ______ into the impact of human beings on the environment. Local communities gain financially but also in (3) ______ ways, since not only monuments but other buildings as well, such as bridges or windmills, are restored in order to attract more visitors.

(4) ______, there are also disadvantages to this type of tourism. There have been cases in which tourism has been allowed to develop with no control or limits. As a result, (5) ______ cultures have been affected or even threatened by foreign lifestyles. Many people today support that our approach to the development of ecotourism has to be reconsidered. It is essential that this type of tourism be environmentally, socially, and culturally friendly.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the questions.

For many years, scientists have been arguing about global warming. While they don't all agree about what this might mean for Planet Earth, many think it is going on – and that we can do something about it. We need a few more years to gather facts before anyone can say for sure. But people need to start now to do things to stop it.

There are many types of gases in our atmosphere. Some of them absorb the heat from the sun and control our climate. "Greenhouse gases" are those that hold the heat around the planet's surface. When we increase the level of these gases, we upset the balance. These extra gases trap even more heat.

Some scientists say global warming has already started to change the environment. The Earth's temperature has risen one degree Fahrenheit this century. Many scientists believe it could rise from two to eight degrees Fahrenheit in the next hundred years. This would be the fastest rise in 10,000 years.

Sea levels could rise. Ice sheets could melt and add to the water level. Many places near the coast would be in danger of flooding. If the climate change is too large and too fast, some plants and animals could really suffer. They could even die out. Weather could become more violent and extreme. In some places there would be more forest fires. But in other areas there would be more rain and snow, storms and floods.

(Adapted from nytimes.com/article/climate-change-global-warming-faq.html)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

Helping Hands is a non-profit organisation that breeds, raises and trains capuchin monkeys to provide daily assistance to people living with spinal cord injuries. [I] Capuchin monkeys are native to Central and South America, but all the monkeys used by Helping Hands are born and raised in the United States. [II] Because they are intelligent, adaptable and sociable, they make perfect partners to humans, lending a hand and offering companionship. [III] In the same way as guide dogs provide eyes to the blind, Helping Hands monkeys provide hands to individuals with physical disabilities, more specifically, those who are quadriplegic. [IV]

The monkeys are specially bred at Southwick Zoo in Massachusetts. At the age of 5-10 years, they are taken into foster homes to get used to living side by side with humans. After this, they enter Monkey College in Boston when they are between 12 and 18 years old and embark on their training in earnest. During the training process, each monkey masters simple everyday activities such as helping with the use of telephones, opening a bottle and setting up a drink of water, scratching an itch, and picking up a dropped object.

Throughout their training, monkeys are encouraged to complete tasks and are rewarded with praise, affection and small treats. The trainers, who sit in wheelchairs for training purposes, never threaten to use physical force. Laser pointers and simple words are the main means of guiding monkeys to carry out their tasks.

Helping Hands is able to provide these specially-trained service animals and their lifetime support, including all their training, food and equipment, free of charge. This is only possible because of the generosity of donors and they ask people to help them by giving whatever they can afford. In 1998, Helping Hands launched an educational program to raise awareness among young people about spinal cord injuries, encouraging them to avoid risky behaviors and consider the challenges faced by those with disabilities.

(Adapted from Close-up)

Read the following announcement and mark the letter A, B, C and D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions. 

It is estimated that over 99 percent of all species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct. [I] Extinction occurs when a species can no longer survive in a changing environment. [II] Causes vary but often include climate shifts, food shortages, and competition from better-adapted species. [III] Natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and asteroid impacts have also played a role in extinctions. [IV] In other words, when sudden changes make an environment uninhabitable, species may perish.

The fossil record shows that extinction has always been a part of Earth’s history. However, scientists have discovered that, at certain times, large numbers of species have disappeared simultaneously in events called mass extinctions. One of the most famous occurred 65 million years ago, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs and many other life forms. Scientists believe this was caused by an asteroid impact that triggered fires, dust clouds blocking sunlight, and drastic climate changes. Another major mass extinction happened around 225 million years ago, wiping out nearly 95 percent of all species. Mass extinctions can be worsened by the interdependence of species—when one disappears, others that rely on it may also struggle, leading to further extinctions.

An interesting observation is that extinctions over the past 250 million years seem to follow a cycle, occurring roughly every 26 million years. Some scientists suggest this pattern is linked to Earth’s orbit periodically intersecting with a cloud of comets, leading to impacts that cause extinction. However, this theory is speculative, as no solid evidence supports it. Other researchers propose that extinction is sometimes random, meaning species may survive or vanish by chance rather than their ability to adapt. This suggests that parts of evolutionary history may be shaped by unpredictable events.

While extinction is natural, human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change have accelerated species loss. Unlike past extinctions caused by natural forces, the current biodiversity crisis is largely due to human actions. Scientists warn that without stronger conservation efforts, another mass extinction could occur, leading to irreversible ecosystem damage and the loss of countless species essential for ecological balance.

(Adapted from TOEFL reading)

Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C and D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Save the Earth, One Step at a Time!

Let's explore what we can do in our daily lives to help protect the environment.

Key Facts:

Every year, over 8 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans, threatening (1)__________ life and ecosystems.

Transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially air travel, (2) _________ can account for up to 10% of your yearly carbon footprint.

What You Can Do:

1. Eat Sustainably: Choose a plant-based diet when possible. Reducing meat and dairy consumption not only (3) ________ on greenhouse gas emissions but also helps prevent deforestation for animal feed crops.

2. Reduce Waste: Avoid single-use plastics. Opt for reusable bags, containers, and water bottles. Every time you (4) __________ you prevent more plastic waste from ending up in landfills or oceans.

3. Travel Responsibly: Whenever possible, walk or bike short distances. If traveling longer distances, (5) __________ public transport or trains instead of flights to save a large (6) _________.

(Adapted from WWF, Global Stewards)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the fight against climate change. Solar and wind power, (1) _______, are two of the fastest-growing energy sources. Many countries have invested in these technologies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some nations try to harness sunlight and wind (2) _______. Advancements in technology have also made these energy sources more efficient and accessible.

One key advantage of renewable energy is that it does not produce carbon emissions during operation. (3) ______. Additionally, renewable energy ensures a stable electricity supply, as improving technologies enhance efficiency. Battery storage systems and smart grids help address power fluctuations, making renewable energy more reliable.

However, the transition is not without challenges. One major issue is the cost of infrastructure, whose development demands significant funding from governments. (4) ______. Despite these difficulties, experts agree that increasing investment in renewable energy will contribute significantly to a more sustainable future. Many governments have implemented policies to support the development of renewable energy, and these efforts are expected to continue in the coming years. (5) ______. As technology advances and costs drop, it will become more accessible, benefiting both the environment and the economy.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions.

The loss of biodiversity on Earth is accelerating due to human-induced factors such as climate change and pollution. In response, both governments and conservation organizations are implementing various initiatives to protect wildlife and combat this alarming trend. Recently, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into conservation efforts has proven to be a game-changer, offering innovative solutions to mitigate the rapid decline of plant and animal species.

Illegal poaching remains one of the most significant threats to endangered species, particularly in forests and protected areas. Rangers, who are responsible for safeguarding these regions, often face immense challenges in monitoring vast landscapes. To support them, AI-powered cameras have been introduced in several national parks, enabling real-time tracking of wildlife and poachers. These advanced systems can detect illegal activities even in low-visibility conditions, such as at night, and send alerts to rangers within moments. Additionally, AI technology plays a critical role in identifying unauthorized vehicles or boats entering conservation zones.

Another major driver of biodiversity loss is the destruction of natural habitats. (I) Shifting environmental conditions often make it difficult for scientists to detect changes until substantial evidence emerges. (II) For example, in certain regions, the combined impact of economic development and climate change has drastically reduced water resources. (III) These issues have only come to light through the use of AI, which allows researchers to collect and analyze extensive data. (IV)

To effectively combat biodiversity loss, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Expanding the use of AI tools in wildlife protection can enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities. Governments should also prioritize policies such as habitat restoration, stricter anti-poaching laws, and sustainable development practices. Public awareness campaigns can encourage community involvement, emphasizing the importance of preserving ecosystems. By leveraging advanced technologies and collective action, we can create a more sustainable future for all living organisms.

Read the following passage about renewable energy and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, (1) ______. Because of their renewable nature and minimal environmental impact, these energy sources are sustainable and environmentally friendly, offering a viable alternative to fossil fuels. (2) ______.

Harnessing the potential of these technologies, (3) ______. One of the primary benefits of renewable energy is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (4) ______. By utilizing the energy from the sun and wind, countries can decrease their reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas, which are major contributors to global warming. Additionally, renewable energy projects can create jobs and stimulate economic growth, thus making them an attractive option for policymakers.

However, there are challenges to widespread adoption, including the initial cost of setting up renewable energy systems and the need for technological advancements to improve efficiency. (5) ______. Despite these obstacles, the future of renewable energy looks promising, with ongoing innovations and decreasing costs driving its growth.

Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Green Living. How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Let's take small steps together for a greener, healthier future!

Why Does Your Carbon Footprint Matter?

The impact of our carbon footprint on climate change is undeniable, but how we address it is (1) ________ matter. By making sustainable choices, we can help protect our planet. Reducing carbon emissions effectively (2) _________ immediate changes in our daily habits.

Easy Steps to Get Started.

Choose public (3) __________ over driving whenever possible. Cycling or walking are even better alternatives that reduce emissions and keep you healthy.

Conserve energy at home by turning off lights when they aren't needed. Unplug your devices (4) ___________ leaving them on standby. Even small actions like these can save a lot of power over time.

Whenever possible, (5) ___________ for plant-based meals, as they offer a wide variety of nutritious options. Supporting local farmers also helps lower the environmental cost of food (6) _________.