如果氣候如預期變暖，到2100 年，南極帝企鵝將面臨真正的困難。專家說，這些鳥在海冰上養育它們的后代，所以如果它們賴以生存的這個 “平臺” 像氣候模型所預測的那樣大幅消融，帝企鵝的數量則很有可能急劇減少。

文字稿

Emperors are the biggest of the penguins, and in many ways the most resilient. They breed right in the middle of the ferocious Antarctic winter, but their need for nine months of stable sea-ice on which to bring up their young means they face an uncertain future.

帝企鵝是企鵝中體型最大的，在很多方面，適應能力也是最強的。它們在南極地區兇險的嚴冬時節繁殖，但它們需要九個月穩固的海冰來養育幼鳥，這意味著帝企鵝的前途未卜。

Climate models project large sea ice losses, and with them, perhaps, a 50% reduction in the Emperor population by 2100. Scientists who study the birds believe it's time their particular vulnerability was formally recognised, and they want to see measures taken to ease other pressures faced by Emperors, such as the fishing activities that impinge on their food supply.

氣候模型預測海冰會大量減少，帝企鵝的數量可能會在 2100 年前隨之減少一半。研究該鳥類的科學家們認為，現應嚴肅認識到這一特定物種的脆弱性，他們也希望能看到人們采取措施，以緩解帝企鵝所面臨的其它壓力，比如影響它們食物供應的捕魚活動。

The scientists are pressing the International Union for Conservation of Nature to lift Emperors higher up on its list of Earth's endangered species.

科學家們敦促世界自然保護聯盟在地球瀕危物種名單中把帝企鵝所處的位置提高。

詞匯

resilient 適應能力強的
ferocious （環境條件）兇險的，惡劣的
stable 穩固的
project 預計，預測
vulnerability 脆弱性
measures 措施
impinge on 妨礙，起負面影響

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題 。

1. When do Emperor penguins tend to breed?

2. How is climate change predicted to affect the numbers of Emperor penguins?

3. True or false? Scientists want to measure the Emperor penguins to see how much fish they eat.

4. Where do scientists want Emperor penguins to be on the endangered species list?

答案

1. When do Emperor penguins tend to breed?
They breed right in the middle of the ferocious Antarctic winter.

2. How is climate change predicted to affect the numbers of Emperor penguins?
Climate models project large sea ice losses, and it is on this sea ice that penguins raise their young.

3. True or false? Scientists want to measure the Emperor penguins to see how much fish they eat.
False. Scientists want measures taken to ease other pressures faced by Emperors, such as the fishing activities that impinge on their food supply.

4. Where do scientists want Emperor penguins to be on the endangered species list?
Scientists are pressing the International Union for Conservation of Nature to lift Emperors higher up on its list of Earth's endangered species.