There are twice as many giant pandas as before.
Section 1 Before You Read
PAIRWORK
A "national treasure" is something that is
important to a country's history or culture.
Think of three more of China's
"national treasures."
Write one fact about each.
Section 2 While You Read
Learning strategy:
IDENTIFYING KEY INFORMATION
In order to understand the reading and remember
information,look for key words and phrass
as you read,and underline them.
There are twice as many giant pandas as before.
The giant panda is ont of the world's most endangered animals.
In fact, it is known all over the world
as the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
an international organization
that protects endangered animals.
Here is some good news: the number of giant pandas
China's most famous animal--is increasing.
The latest facts show that there are now
about 1,600 giant pandas living in the wild.
This is twice as many as before.
Much of the success is because of the work
of Chinese scientists with support from
other environmental organizations like the WWF.
At the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base
in Chengdu,scientists work hard to find ways
to look after these special animals.
85% of the world's giant pandas
live in the southwestern hills and mountains of China.
Bamboo forests also grow here.
The research center has been built
on the edge of these forests.
Its main object is to increase the number of giant pandas.
As these young giant pandas grow up,
they are taught the necessary skills
to live in the wild on their own.
When they have learned as much as possible,
they are set free into the bamboo forests to live a normal life.
A giant panda eats as much as 20 kilos of food
per day and spends between 12 and 16 hours eating.
So for this program to be successful,
more forests that are suitable as habitats
for giant pandas must be found.
In April of 2000, about 23,000 square kilometers of forest
was chosen in Sichuan,Shanxi and Gansu Provinces
And five new areas have been named as nature
reserves in the Qinling Mountains.
There are now more than 40 areas that protect
giant pandas: 37 more than 15 years ago.
Still, everyone must continue to work hard
to protect one of China's most important
national treasures--the giant panda.
Section 3 After You Read
3a Check(√)the words and phrases you underlined in the reading.
Add in other key points you have underlined. most endangered
1,600
southwestern
necessary skills
23,000
WWF
twice as many
85%
20 kilos
nature reserves
good news
success
research
12 and 16 hours
continue
increasing
scientists
increase the number
more forests
national treasures
3b Answer the following questions.
Use words or phrases from the box above.
3c Write facts using the key information given.
Section 4 Go For It!
Choose an endangered animal that you are
interested in.Find information about it and complete the chart below.
If you have time!
Discuss what people can do to protect the endangered animal you choose.