Endangered species are plants and animals that are in immediate danger of extinction. Extinction is actually a normal process in the course of evolution. Since the formation of the earth, many more species have become extinct than those exist today. These species slowly disappeared because of changes of climate and their failure to adapt to such conditions as competition and predation （捕食）.Since the 1600s, however, the process of extinction has greatly accelerated as a result of both human population growth and technological encroachment （侵犯）on natural ecology systems. Today the majority of the world’s environments are changing faster than the ability of most species to adapt to such changes through natural selection.
Species become extinct or endangered for a number of reasons, but the primary cause is the destruction of natural habitats （栖息地）.Drainage of wetlands （沼泽地），cutting and clearing of forests, growth of cities, and highway and dam construction have seriously reduced available natural habitats. As the various surroundings become fragments, the remaining animal populations crowd into smaller areas, causing further destruction of natural surroundings. Species in these small islands lose contact with other populations of their own kind, thus reducing their genetic variation and making them less adaptable to environment changes.
Since the 1600s, commercial exploitation of animals for food and other products has caused many species to become extinct or endangered. Introduced diseases and parasites have also greatly reduced some species. Pollution is another important cause of their extinction.
Some private and governmental efforts have been organized to save declining species. Laws were made in some countries in the early 1900s to protect wild animals from commercial trade and killing. International endeavors are shown in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, approved by 51 nations. Its purpose is to restrict exploitation of wild animals and plants by regulating and restricting trade in certain species. How effective such laws will be in various countries, however, depends on enforcement （实施）and support by the people and the courts. Because of a lack of law enforcement, the willingness of some segments of society to trade in endangered species, the activities of people who catch and kill animals illegally and dealers who supply the trade, the future of many species is in doubt in spite of legal protection.
1.According to the passage, which of the following is the most important factor causing the rapid extinction of man species since the 17th century?
2.In the last sentence of the second paragraph, the word “islands” refers to_______.
3.This passage mentions all of the following reasons that cause the extinction of man species except______.
4.According to the passage, which of the following is most important in saving declining species?
5.How does the author feel about the prospect of protecting endangered species from being extinct?
