I woke at 4 a.m.in a black hostel room,my eight roommates all still sound asleep at the early hour.I stepped outside without being noticed,forced a cheese roll into my mouth,and headed to the Kaikoura dolphin-watching tour office.
With more adrenaline (腎上腺素) than I had experienced when jumping out of a plane,I put on my flippers (腳蹼) quickly and got ready for the adventure.The moment I dove off the water,I was shocked awake.No amount of coffee,tea,or sugar has ever given me such a strong wake-up.It turns out that the ocean is freezing at 5 a.m.before the sunrise.Don't be scared off by the temperature,though,because 5 a.m.is when the dolphins are most playful!
After a little while,I was face to face with a wild dusky dolphin!At one moment,it jumped up high into the air while the next it dove deep into the water.It made strange whale noises to draw the attention of more members of the group,including a tiny baby dolphin no bigger than a cat.What impressed me most was that the baby dolphin came close up,swam around playfully and kept looking at me with those black glassy eyes,seeming most interested in this strange fish-like creature that kept getting twisted (纏繞) in her own flippers.
The sun rose,warming my back as I continued to struggle with my flippers among the most graceful animals in the ocean.It was the most beautiful sight,as the dark blue of the ocean turned light greenish-blue,brightening our swimming companions for the early hours of the morning.
The practice of swimming with wild dolphins is banned in the North Island,where the species of Hector's dolphins are in decline.But in Kaikoura,the practice is quite common and actually helping to increase the dolphin populations.
By supporting this adventurous experience,you're supporting dolphin protection.
(1)Why was I shocked awake when diving off the water?
A
A
A.The water was freezing cold.
B.Adrenaline went up.
C.I had drunk a lot of strong coffee.
D.I was surprised by the playful dolphins.
(2)What problem did I have under the water?
B
B
A.A wild dolphin kept jumping beside me.
B.I had difficulty handling my flippers.
C.My strange appearance scared dolphins.
D.The baby dolphin swam around playfully.
(3)How did I find my dolphin-watching?
D
D
A.Dangerous but exciting.
B.Adventurous and tiring.
C.Scary but unforgettable.
D.Impressive and meaningful.
(4)What is the best title for the passage?
A
A
A.Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Kaikoura.
B.Dolphins—My Playful Companions.
C.Supporting Dolphin Protection
D.A Deep Dive into the Ocean.