The Bald Eagle

In 1782, soon after the United States won its independence, the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird of the new country. American leaders wanted the eagle to be a symbol of their country because it is a bird of strength and courage. They chose the bald eagle because it was found all over North America.

Today, the bald eagle has almost disappeared from the country. In 1972 there were only 3, 000 bald eagles in the entire United States. The reason for the bird's decreasing population is pollution, especially pollution of the rivers by pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals used to kill insects and other ani­mals that attack and destroy crops. Unfortunately, rain often washes pesti­cides into rivers. Pesticides pollute the rivers and poison the fish. Eagles eat these fish and then the eggs eagles lay are not healthy. The eggs have very thin shells and do not hatch. Because many of the eggs did not hatch and produce more eagles, the number of eagles quickly became smaller.

Today, the American government and the American people are trying to protect the bald eagle. The number of bald eagles is slowly increasing. It now appears that the American national bird will survive.

Exercise 1. Find the meanings of the words in italics.

1. In 1972 there were only 3, 000 bald eagles in the entire United States.

a. whole b. central c. western

2. The reason for the bird's decreasing population was pollution.

a. other animals b. dirty air and water c. people

3. The eggs have thin Shells and do not hatch.

a. open b. fly c. smash

4. Eagles lay only two or three eggs a year.

a. eat b. produce c. deserve

5. Pesticides kill animals that attack and destroy crops

a. insects b. plants c. flowers

6. It now appears that the American national bird will survive.

a. die b. flyaway c. live

Exercise 2. Find the right answers to the following questions:

1. Why was the bald eagle chosen as the symbol of the United States?

a. It was the cause of the American independence.

b. It began to disappear.

c. American leaders chose it because it is a bird of strength and courage, and it was found all over North America.

2. Why has the bald eagle almost disappeared from the country?

a. Because in 1972 there were only 3, 000 bald eagles in the entire United States.

b. The bald eagle has almost disappeared from the country because of pollution.

c. The eggs have very thin shells and do not hatch.

Exercise 3. Find the wrong word in each sentence and replace it by the right one.

1. The United States won its independence after 1782.

2. American leaders wanted the eagle to be a sample of their country.

3. They chose the bald eagle because it was found all over South America.

4. Today, a little over 200 years late, the bald eagle has almost disappeared.

5. In 1972 there were only 30, 000 bald eagles.

6. Unfortunately, rain often washes crops into rivers.

7. The eagles have very thin shells and do not hatch.

8. Today, the American government and the American people are trying to pollute the bald eagle.