There is an international ban on hunting whales. However, some countries continue to catch them. Icelandic ships catch fin whales, despite a lot of pressure from the international community. Japan claims that they are killing whales for scientific research purposes, although Japan has recently been told by the International Court of Justice that it must stop. Other problems, such as pollution of the water and whales caught in fishing nets mean that endangered species are still at risk.

The sperm whale, or cachalot, is the largest meat-eater on the planet. Sperm whales can also be found in the record books because they have the heaviest brains of any living animal and can also produce the loudest echo sounds to locate food and communicate. Although younger males are social animals, older whales prefer to live on their own for most of the time. In the 18th century whaling ships began to hunt sperm whales for their oil, which was used in lamps, candles and make-up. Whale bone was also used in producing ladies' clothes and umbrellas. The hunt usually ended with the death of the whale, but some males were large enough to defend themselves. The story of a large whale sinking a whaling ship is the basis of the story 'Moby Dick' by Herman Melville. The sperm whale is considered to be an endangered species.

The humpback whale is quite easy to recognize. It has long fins for swimming, sometimes about one third the length of its body, and a large hump-shaped back. The marking on each whale's tail is unique, like a human fingerprint, and this enables researchers to identify them and study their behaviour. The whales feed in cold water in the summer, filtering about a ton of small fish and krill through their teeth every day. In the winter they migrate to warmer waters to breed and give birth. The males produce a beautiful repetitive song, which is probably part of a mating ritual. Particularly interesting is the spectacular way in which they jump or 'breach' out of the water high into the sky, often followed by a slap of their tail on the water. Just like the sperm whale, the humpback is also listed as endangered.

By far the biggest animal ever to live on this planet is the blue whale. It looks different from other whales as it has a long thin body, it usually lives on its own and, despite its size, has quite a small brain. The only time that groups of blue whales come together is in locations where there is a lot of food. While eating together they can communicate with an extremely loud sound which can be heard miles away. The whale's enormous mouth can hold large quantities of water, but when it comes to food it would have trouble swallowing anything bigger than a chicken. When in danger a blue whale can move extremely fast, up to 50 kilometres per hour, but it usually moves at half this speed as it has no natural predators, except for humans. Before the ban on hunting, around 95% of blue whales had been killed. It is still endangered and is a protected species.

1. The International Court of Justice
A is taking legal action against Japan.
B does not know how to stop whale-hunting.
C accepts hunting of whales for scientific purposes.
D has informed Japan that killing whales is forbidden.

2. Sperm whales
A act aggressively when they are near ships.
B have very loud conversations.
C think more quickly than other whales.
D stay together for protection when they are older.

3. The easiest way to recognise an individual humpback is to
A look at its tail.
B measure its fins.
C listen to it singing.
D study its teeth.

4. Blue whales are
A similar in some ways to humpback whales.
B similar in some way to sperm whales.
C not similar to humpback or sperm whales.
D not similar to any other whales.

5. The purpose of the article is to
A entertain the reader.
B make countries stop hunting.
C give information about different species of whales.
D suggest ways in which whales can be protected.


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