When Australia was colonized, early settlers took many different types of plants and animals there. These were used to establish farms, which were essential for the survival of the young colony. Unfortunately, many animals that were introduced escaped from captivity and had no natural predators. The plants also flourished at the expense of the native flora▼.
Foxes in particular have wreaked havoc around the country. Modern farmers protect their livestock by using fox-proof fences and sheepdogs▼. Nevertheless, over six million foxes kill millions of native animals annually. Off the southern Australian coast, only a few hundred meters from the mainland, is a tiny island called Middle Island. Until the early 1990s, the only inhabitants were a flock of seagulls▼ and a colony of penguins. That was until some foxes began making their way over to the island on a sandbar▼ that occasionally appears. The foxes soon started to wipe out the penguins. The locals were shocked to discover that in one massacre▼ alone, the foxes had killed 360 penguins. By 2006, only four penguins remained.
Then, a local farmer hit upon the idea of using sheepdogs to protect what remained of the colony. Several sheepdogs were introduced to the penguins and soon became protective of their new friends. Sheepdogs bark at anything that approaches the penguins to warn them of danger, and consequently the population has rebounded back to around 150.
The sheepdogs of Middle Island are truly appreciated by the locals. Eudy and Tula, two of the original sheepdogs, have now reached retirement age, so a crowdfunding▼ campaign is underway to purchase and train two new sheepdogs. Also, look out for a movie called Oddball, which tells the story of how a remote country town and their sheepdogs outfoxed some foxes.
1. What reason is given for the introduction of foreign species to Australia?
(A) To colonize the country.
(B) To maintain the harmony of all species.
(C) To establish farms.
(D) To destroy native flora and fauna.
2. According to the article, which animals currently inhabit Middle Island?
(A) Seagulls, penguins, foxes and sheepdogs.
(B) Seagulls, penguins, and sheepdogs.
(C) Foxes, penguins, and sheepdogs.
(D) Seagulls, penguins, and foxes.
3. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
(A) Foxes have wiped out the penguins on Middle Island.
(B) Sheepdogs have been successful in protecting the penguins.
(C) The penguin population has returned to the same level it was before foxes reached the island.
(D) There is a small town named Middle Island.
4. Why has a crowdfunding campaign been established?
(A) To pay for Eudy and Tula's retirement.
(B) To find replacements for Eudy and Tula.
(C) To fund a movie called Oddball.
(D) To pay a farmer for an idea.
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