题目内容：

From July to October every year, about a quarter of the world’s blue whales feed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. But the whales currently face a major threat in their favorite feeding area. Ships carrying cargo (货物）sail in the same area at the same time. All too often, the whales’ paths and the ships’ travel lines overlap (重叠)，and a ship will hit a whale.

According to a new study, these ship strikes have become a serious threat to the overall population of the world’s blue whales. Only about 10,000 of the creatures still exist worldwide. Blue whales are the largest known animals ever to live on Earth. Even so, if hit by a container ship, a blue whale will likely die from its injuries.

In 2007 alone, large ships killed five blue whales in the waters off San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that because there are so few whales already, losing three to five from the California whale population every year is a significant loss. “The estimated population of blue whales in this part of the Pacific is 2,500”, says Sean Hastings, a NOAA analyst. “So every whale counts toward this species moving off the endangered-species list.”

Now, marine scientists must figure out how to protect the whales from the giant container ships. One very simple program is already under way in the Santa Barbara Channel, a waterway that separates mainland California from the nearby Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has asked large container ships passing through the area to voluntarily slow down. Sailing slower will allow the ships’ crew (船员）more time to change course before hitting a whale.

Several of the world’s largest shipping lines are set to participate in the new program. For every ship that passes through the Santa Barbara Channel at or below the reduced speed of 12 knots (海里 / 小时），the company that owns the ship will be paid $2,500.

1.From Paragraph 1, we can know that_____.

A. people intend to illegally hunt blue whales for money

B. large ships often carrying goods may pollute the sea

C. there is fewer fish in blue whales’ favorite feeding area

D. the container ships may hit the blue whales frequently

2.Why is the death of several whales regarded as significant loss to the world's blue whales?

A. Because other blue whales will be scared away.

B. Because the number of the blue whales is so small.

C. Because blue whales are the largest animals in the world.

D. Because many blue whales get killed throughout the year.

3.According to Sean Hastings，it’s inferred that         .

A. the blue whales are still on the endangered-species list.

B. the number of the blue whales is decreasing sharply.

C. most of the world’s blue whales live in the Pacific Ocean.

D. blue whales are often disturbed by other endangered creatures.

4.What are the last three paragraphs mainly about?

A. The basic responsibility of a sailor.

B. The world’s largest shipping lines.

C. Measures to protect the blue whales.

D. Ways to slow down the speed of the ships.