文章大意:本文是说明文。讲述了为解决美国有些地方缺水灌溉草坪的问题,研究者 Iannone 建议人们选择耐旱植物和在花园里种植不同种类的植物两种方式,并用类比的方式讲述了具体原因。核心价值在于引导学生关注自然生态,从科学的视角,了解自然。在美化生活的同时,更好地解决现实问题,体现人与自然和谐共处的价值理念。
Just as British people are always proud to say that they have “green fingers”, people in the US use about 34 billion liters of water on their gardens almost each day. At the same time, however, much of this country is experiencing a ten years’ drought (干旱). People in Florida, California and much of the western United States can’t water their lawns — or can’t water them as often as they’re used to. These lawns may not die, but neither will they look as green as grass lands in other places.
Both homeowners and researchers have been looking for solutions. Brooke Moffis, a graduate student at the University of Florida, works with Basil Iannone in the school’s lab on the ecology of living area, aiming to save water. Iannone says one way to do that is to fill a lawn with a variety of native plants. He recommends focusing on ones that can adapt to dry conditions, rather than keeping those thirsty English grasses.
People often regard lawns as grass and nothing else. When a lawn is planted with just one kind, it’s called a monoculture (单一栽培). “But we don’t need it to be a monoculture to serve the function of a lawn,” Iannone says. Adding native plants, including those that are considered as weeds, can make for a healthier outdoor space, Iannone added.
Imagine you’re a hungry insect. If you eat nectar (花蜜) — as many bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, ants and other insects do—a grassy lawn isn’t going to feed you. It would be like going to the grocery store and finding only one kind of food for a long time. But it’s a food you either can’t eat or don’t like.
A garden growing a variety of flowering plants would instead seem like a welcome buffet with a variety of food. The different nectar in these many flowers would make sure you and other nearby insects had plenty to choose and eat. That’s the idea behind adding flowering plants to existing lawns, such as clover, purslane or pennywort.
12. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
A.Lawns in western California die easily. | B.Americans take good care of their lawns. |
C.Some areas in the US lack water for lawns. | D.The British suffer from natural disasters. |
13. Why does Iannone disagree on growing English grasses?
A.They can’t make lawns green. | B.They aren’t suitable for research. |
C.They can’t survive in the United States. | D.They can’t grow well without enough water. |
14. What do people usually think of lawns?
A.Lawns are just made of grass. | B.Lawns show American garden culture. |
C.Lawns should include functional plants. | D.Lawns with weeds make healthier space. |
15. Why does the author mention buffet in the last paragraph?
A.To indicate nectar is good for insects. |
B.To introduce different ways to feed insects. |
C.To show the benefits of growing various plants. |
D.To suggest bringing nearby insects into the lawns. |