QUESTIONS 1-4, PUT A TICK √ UNDER THE RIGHT ANSWER. (1 PT)

1. __________________ 2. __________________ 3. _________________

READING COMPREHENSION

I. Read the text and complete the sentences below, using no more than FOUR words. (1.5

pts)

Melting of sea ice in the Arctic has reduced the population size of polar bears and

threatens the species with extinction.

Scientists say that the earlier annual break-up of sea ice caused by climate change is

cutting short the hunting season for the bears, which depend on floating banks of ice to

reach their prey. Lack of sea ice in spring and summer is forcing the hungry polar bear to

spend longer on land. This gives a false impression that their numbers are increasing as

they encroach on human settlements to search for food.

Female polar bears depend on the spring hunting season on order to build the fat

reserves needed to see them through the summer months. But the ice is disappearing, which

means that the bears have not had time to build up normal levels of fat. Since female bears

become thinner, they are easily affected by diseases. Their ability to reproduce and the

survival chances of their cobs decline significantly.

The sea ice provides polar bears with a hunting ground, from which the bears can

reach their prey- wild seals and other marine mammals. Scientists are worried that if the

sea ice season continues to get shorter, polar bears will not be able to spend enough time on

the ice to hunt and feed themselves.