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Why we need to protect polar bears
Cambridge 16 | Test 1 | Passage 1
Why we need to protect polar bears
Polar bears are being increasingly threatened by the effects of
climate change, but their disappearance could have far-reaching consequences. They are uniquely adapted to the extreme conditions of the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can reach -40°C. One reason for this is that they have up to 11 centimeters of fat underneath their skin. Humans with comparative levels of adipose tissue would be considered obese and would be likely to suffer from diabetes and heart disease. Yet the polar bear experiences no such consequence.
threaten (verb) [transitive]
/ˈθret.ən/
to be likely to cause harm or damage to something or someone
e.g., Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.
far-reaching (adjective)
/ˌfɑːrˈriː.tʃɪŋ/
Something far-reaching has a great influence on many people or things
e.g., The effect of the speech was far-reaching.
underneath (preposition)
under or below something else, especially when it is hidden or covered by the thing on top
e.g., The coin rolled underneath the piano.
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By LingophoenixCambridge 16 | Test 1 | Passage 1
Why we need to protect polar bears
Polar bears are being increasingly threatened by the effects of
climate change, but their disappearance could have far-reaching consequences. They are uniquely adapted to the extreme conditions of the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can reach -40°C. One reason for this is that they have up to 11 centimeters of fat underneath their skin. Humans with comparative levels of adipose tissue would be considered obese and would be likely to suffer from diabetes and heart disease. Yet the polar bear experiences no such consequence.
threaten (verb) [transitive]
/ˈθret.ən/
to be likely to cause harm or damage to something or someone
e.g., Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.
far-reaching (adjective)
/ˌfɑːrˈriː.tʃɪŋ/
Something far-reaching has a great influence on many people or things
e.g., The effect of the speech was far-reaching.
underneath (preposition)
under or below something else, especially when it is hidden or covered by the thing on top
e.g., The coin rolled underneath the piano.