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(2021·山东济宁一模)
During a decline in tourism, one national park in Thailand has seen a dramatic rise in “visitors” recently. So many are the hermit crabs(寄居蟹) flooding into the otherwise empty beaches of Koh Lanta that shells for them to live in have become in short supply.
The Thai government moved quickly to ease the housing shortage, launching a public appeal for empty shells that netted over 200 kg. On December 5 these were distributed around the park in a ceremony.
Hermit crabs rely on shells to protect their soft bodies, moving to larger shells as they grow. On Koh Lanta and the surrounding smaller islands, their rapid increase seems to be a natural phenomenon, rather than directly related to the absence of tourists. But the shortage of shells may be man-made: pretty ones have long been gathered to be sold as goods. Crabs begun to make do with potential death-traps such as plastic caps and bottles.
The shell drive is part of a government initiative to regain the balance of nature.“I have instructed all national parks to do whatever it takes,” says the minister for natural resources. His inspiration comes from the pause in tourism brought on by the epidemic. A ban on international visitors and the closure of national parks have helped nature recover, bringing endangered leatherback turtles back onto Thai beaches. In the coastal provinces of Phang Nga and Phuket, turtles have laid the largest number of eggs for 20 years.
The government has decided to try to copy the policy during the epidemic in future. From now on, all national parks will be required to close for a short period during the off-season and to limit the number of tourists through a reservation system when they are open. Although such restrictions mean reduced earnings from tourism in the short term, in the longer run more parks may help to keep the tourists coming.
1.What happened to the beaches of Koh Lanta recently?
A.They got flooded by seawater.
B.They became completely empty.
C.They were packed with hermit crabs.
D.They saw a constant stream of tourists.
2.What contributed to the housing shortage for hermit crabs?
A.Natural disasters.
B.Human activities.
C.Their preference for bottles.
D.The government’s involvement.
3.Why are turtles mentioned in paragraph 4?
A.To warn turtles are dying out.
B.To prove beaches are their ideal habitats.
C.To stress the ecological diversity of Thailand.
D.To illustrate the birth of the minister’s inspiration.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.Developing Economy or Protecting Animals?
B.Closing National Parks or Drawing More Visitors?
C.Governments Are Responsible for the Balance of Nature
D.Authorities Help to Find Shelters for Homeless Hermit Crabs
