The eastern Indonesian Island of Komodo is proving a hit with adventurous tourists eager to catch a glance of the world’s largest lizard species. The island is the home of the huge lizard called the Komodo dragon. A later species of the Jurassic period dinosaurs 130 million years ago, the Komodo dragon is in danger and has been placed under protection by the Indonesian government. The huge lizard is called “Buaya Darat” by the local people who show great respect for the species. Tales handed down over generations of islanders speak of the dragon warning people of getting close to crocodiles. The animal can reach a length of three meters when fully grown, gain a weight of about 135 kilograms and may live to an age of about 100 years. It digs a hole in the ground as deep as 9 meters and lay eggs---up to 30 at a time---that hatch in April or May. The newly hatched lizards, about 45 centimeters long, live in trees for several months. Komodo dragons have been known to eat smaller members of the species and sometimes even other grown-ups. The Komodo dragon was first discovered in 1912 by a group of fishermen who protected themselves from a storm in the Banda Sea on the island. Various species of the Komodo dragons are also found in Asia, Australia and Africa, but it is only on Komodo and the western tip of the neighboring island of Flores that they grow up to three meters long. 46. The message is mainly about . the largest crocodile in the world B. the story of a dragon in Indonesia a kind of huge lizard---the Komodo dragon D. how the Komodo dragon was found and protected 47. Newly-born Komodo dragons . A. dig very deep holes B. are hatched in cold weather C. are 30 centimeters long and weigh 45 kilograms D. spend their first few months living in trees 48. Today Komodo dragons . A. are protected by the local government B. are hunted by Komodo fishermen C. join in a special hatching program D. live only on the Komodo Island 49. According to the passage, Komodo dragons . are 9 meters long and live up to 80 years are 3 meters long and live up to 100 years weigh up to 135 kilograms and are 9 meters long weigh 45 kilograms and live up to 135 years 50. The local people have great respect for the Komodo dragon because they believe ___ the dragon can prevent them from being attacked by crocodiles the dragon has special curing power the dragon is in great danger of dying out in its hometown it takes thousands of years for the dinosaurs to become dragons |