Mr. Foresters, who followed and counted tiger footprints, estimated that in May 1972 only about 1,800 tigers existed in India. Project Tiger supported by WWF was immediately started. Nine tiger reserves were created, with armed guards protecting them. The project provided opportunities for researchers from India and abroad to study tigers in the reserves and gather precious information about their habits. Studies show that a male tiger may control a hunting territory (领地) of between 10 and 20 sq. kms, depending on its age, size and strength. The territory of a male includes the smaller territories of three or four tigresses. A tiger marks the boundaries (边界线) of its territory by spraying urine and other bodily liquids on bushes. But it tries to avoid territorial fights, being guided by the obviously different body smell of other tigers. Tigers fight to death only when a tigress is defending her young or when a tiger is guarding a tigress from the attention of other males. The popular idea of the tiger is that of a merciless and unconquerable hunter. But studies show that it catches only one of 20 victims it tries to attack. Fears have recently developed that Project Tiger has been too successful. It has enabled the tiger population to double (by mid-80s) but India's population has also grown out of control. Currently it is 750 million and likely to be 900 million by the end of the century. Land problem is becoming serious and many rural people feel bitter about the fact that some rich forests are reserved for tigers. A growing number of attacks by tigers on man has added to the hostility (敌意).1. 小题1.The aim of the Project Tiger is to ____. A.study the growth rate of tigersB.protect tigers from being killedC.provide information about the tiger's habitsD.analyze the behavioral patterns of tigers2. 小题2.Studies have shown that ____. A.a tigress never attacks until attackedB.the tigress is not as fierce as the tigerC.a tiger usually fights another tiger to defend its own territoryD.the tiger is not an efficient hunter as is commonly described3. 小题3.According to the passage, a tiger's territory ____. A.remains unchangedB.is often defended by tigressesC.expands as the tiger grows upD.is the cause of most fights4. 小题4.Some people are afraid that Project Tiger ____. A.has been carried out too farB.has not received enough attentionC.has failed to achieve its goalD.is not worth the money spent on it5. 小题5.The author seems ____. A.to support the Project Tiger thoroughlyB.to have a matter-of-fact attitude towards Project TigerC.to have a hostile attitude towards Project TigerD.to be satisfied with Project Tiger

The project provided opportunities for researchers from India and abroad to study tigers in the reserves and gather precious information about their habits. Studies show that a male tiger may control a hunting territory (领地) of between 10 and 20 sq. kms, depending on its age, size and strength. The territory of a male includes the smaller territories of three or four tigresses. A tiger marks the boundaries (边界线) of its territory by spraying urine and other bodily liquids on bushes. But it tries to avoid territorial fights, being guided by the obviously different body smell of other tigers. Tigers fight to death only when a tigress is defending her young or when a tiger is guarding a tigress from the attention of other males.

The popular idea of the tiger is that of a merciless and unconquerable hunter. But studies show that it catches only one of 20 victims it tries to attack.

Fears have recently developed that Project Tiger has been too successful. It has enabled the tiger population to double (by mid-80s) but India's population has also grown out of control. Currently it is 750 million and likely to be 900 million by the end of the century. Land problem is becoming serious and many rural people feel bitter about the fact that some rich forests are reserved for tigers. A growing number of attacks by tigers on man has added to the hostility (敌意).