Ⅱ.Do you know the Encyclopaedia Britannica? It’s the oldest English-language encyclopaedia. Find more about it and try to find out the answers to the questions below.
1. What are cormorants?
2. Are giant pandas in danger now?

1. Cormorants are large black water birds with long necks, hooked beaks and webbed feet. They are very good at diving to catch fish, and many traditional fishermen train them to help get fish from water.
2. Yes, they are. Although the number of wild giant pandas has increased a lot in recent years, they still face the threat of habitat loss, so they are still in danger now.

【分析】本题为常识类问答，需分别明确鸬鹚的定义与特征、大熊猫的生存现状。第一题要梳理鸬鹚的外形、习性及与人类的关联；第二题需结合大熊猫数量变化和面临的威胁判断其是否仍处于危险中。
【解析】1. 鸬鹚是大型黑色水鸟，具有长脖子、钩状喙、蹼足的特征，擅长潜水捕鱼，传统渔民会驯养它们协助捕鱼；2. 虽然近年野生大熊猫数量大幅增加，但它们仍面临栖息地丧失的威胁，因此目前仍处于危险中。
【答案】1. Cormorants are large black water birds with long necks, hooked beaks and webbed feet. They are very good at diving to catch fish, and many traditional fishermen train them to help get fish from water.
2. Yes, they are. Although the number of wild giant pandas has increased a lot in recent years, they still face the threat of habitat loss, so they are still in danger now.
【知识点】动物特征、濒危动物现状
【点评】本题考查常见动物的基础常识，需准确掌握动物的关键特征和生存状态，难度适中，适合学生积累相关知识。
【难度系数】0.3