The world has been troubled by COVID-19 for over a year. Masks (口罩) are really important to everybody during the pandemic (疫情). We all wear masks every day.
In a study, scientists from the US and Denmark said that people around the world are now using 129 billion face masks every month.
According to Elvis Genbo Xu from the University of Southern Denmark, disposable (一次性的) masks are plastic products.
| A．They also suggest that we use more reusable cotton masks. |
| B．Other plastic products are often recycled. |
| C．But we have to throw them away after a short time. |
| D．That is to say, we use 2.8 million masks every minute! |
| E．These used plastic masks can not only pollute the earth but also oceans. |
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【推荐1】A team at Oregon State University has started a three-year study into the effects of poor air quality from wildfires on dairy cows(奶牛). In an area hit by increasingly severe and numerous wildfires, and where there are a large number of cows, identifying the impacts of wildfires on cows' milk production and welfare is vital.
Previous research from the University of Idaho has found that cows exposed to poor air quality and heat stress, which were caused by wildfires, produced around 1.3 liters less milk per day than the average. The study must be expanded in order to explore broader patterns.
Ashly Anderson, who worked on this particular study, said, “Due to climate change, we're going to be seeing more wildfires-and because of that there are going to be more animals exposed to wildfires. Being able to tell what kind of effects there are and how they might be affected in the future is very important.”
In an attempt to collect more data, Juliana Ranches and her colleague Jenifer Cruickshank have begun their three-year study. They have put 30 cows, which they refer to as “smoke cows”, out to pasture(牧场). Each time there is a wildfire event which results in an Air Quality Index measure of over 50, Ranches takes daily milk samples and blood tests. She also monitors and measures the cows' respiratory(呼吸的)rates and body temperatures.
“We're getting a clearer picture of what these cows are experiencing, through poor air quality associated with wildfires—a better understanding of the effects on them. With that information, we can start to look at the negative effects and minimize the damage," Juliana Ranches said.
As summers in Oregon become hotter and drier, wildfires are on the rise, even in western parts of the state which have not historically seen them as frequently. This study and others into the impacts of smoke on dairy cows provide important information for dairy farmers, when it comes to both the welfare of their animals and their commercial productivity.
1. What has the research from the University of Idaho found?| A．Wildfires can cause cows to produce less milk. |
| B．Cows' milk production is causing air pollution. |
| C．The number of cows in Oregon gradually drops. |
| D．The air quality in all states is becoming poorer. |
| A．The root cause of the global climate change. |
| B．The best way to live in harmony with animals. |
| C．The value of protecting animals from wildfires. |
| D．The necessity of identifying the effects of wildfires. |
| A．She cures cows of their illnesses. | B．She keeps cows away from smoke. |
| C．She monitors cows' physical health. | D．She helps cows produce more milk. |
| A．It is significant for dairy farmers. | B．It needs to be improved in various aspects. |
| C．It misses important information. | D．It is the first to study wildfires and cows. |
【推荐2】Scientists visiting Henderson Island in the South Pacific recently made an alarming discovery. Despite being one of the most remote and previously untouched places on Earth, the island was covered in plastic waste. Shockingly, they estimated there were 38 million pieces of plastic, weighing nearly 18 tons, with thousands of new pieces washing up daily.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, meaning that actually all the plastic ever produced still exists in some form. Unfortunately, approximately 95% of plastics are not recycled, and substantial amounts end up in the ocean. Currents collect this waste in large circular systems called “gyres (环流)”. The problem gets worse as plastic breaks down into very small pieces, or “micro plastic”. This is eaten by fish and leads to massive species loss. Humans also eat these fish, and micro plastic has even been found in tap water around the world. The plastic on Henderson Island accounts for just 2 seconds’ worth of global annual plastic production.
However, there are some young minds working to clean up and protect the sea for future generations. Young Boyan Slat decided to dedicate his life to solving this problem. Previously the problem was considered too big to solve; collecting the plastic with boats and nets would be expensive, would harm sea life, and would take thousands of years! But, Boyan thought, why move through the sea when the sea can move through you? To work with the currents and gyres would help collect the waste. So he started The Ocean Cleanup project, which places very long floating barriers in the Pacific. Currents then concentrate the waste naturally so it can be collected and recycled.
Boyan reflects on the broader issue, stating, “Many problems today are side effects of things people didn’t think about in the past. Sea plastic is a symbol of the negative effects of our lifestyle and technology. Our aim should be to create a new lifestyle for this century. Protecting the sea from plastic is a good place to start.”
1. How is the plastic issue on Henderson Island characterized?| A．As a renewable energy source. |
| B．As a severe environmental crisis. |
| C．As a problem belonging to remote islands. |
| D．As a manageable issue with past methods. |
| A．Activities of marine animals. |
| B．Human littering within gyres and inadequate recycling. |
| C．Accumulation of plastic on the seafloor. |
| D．Excessive plastic production near the sea. |
| A．Significant loss of species. |
| B．Increase in fish population. |
| C．Increased accessibility to ocean gyres. |
| D．Reduction in overall plastic accumulation. |
| A．Narrative storytelling. |
| B．Emotional and subjective. |
| C．Expository and informative. |
| D．Persuasive argumentation. |
【推荐3】For years, people living near the Taj Mahal have burned fuel and garbage. Slowly, tiny pieces of those fires are changing the marble on the Taj Mahal from bright white to brownish yellow. The pollution leaves particles(微粒) that change the marble’s color.
The 17thcentury monument is located in the busy, industrial city of Agra in northern India. Many have long blamed the city’s air pollution for discoloring the famed monument.
Researchers from two American universities and several Indian institutions led a yearlong study to test the idea. They placed small pieces of clean marble on the Taj Mahal. They left them there for two months, and then studied the particles that landed on their surfaces.
Professor S.N.Tripathi at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur is one of the authors of the study. He said that the particles came from many sources—especially from diesel trucks(柴油车)．
“We have an increase in diesel vehicles nowadays in cities, especially large vehicles and trucks; that is number one, and that is a major emission(排放) source for black carbon and organic carbon.”
Mr. Tripathi said burning garbage and cow dung(牛粪) was another major source of discoloring organic carbon. Especially now, when it is cold, he said, people burn almost anything to keep warm.
Over the last ten years officials have banned vehicles within 500 meters of the monument. They have also tried to support clean fuel and improve the power supply to lessen the effect of diesel machines.
But despite these measures, a 2010 study found that the nonstop growth of industry, population and traffic has only worsened air pollution in Agra.
Preservationists, or people trying to keep the monument safe, say that the monument needs more targeted protection.
Ratish Nanda in New Delhi said some changes were to be expected in a monument that is over 360 years old. He believes that the single issue of discoloration should not cause an overreaction.
But Mr. Nanda said the scientific community needed to be more involved in observing and preventing damage to the monument. And he said that it needed more money to protect the Taj Mahal.
“The whole preservation mechanism(机制) of the Taj Mahal needs to change...Absolutely, the one thing that is absolutely essential is to put in a system or even a law of conservation, requiring that whatever cleaning is done should be sensitive and have absolutely no long term impact.”
Since 1994, authorities have been giving the monument mud pack treatments to dislodge the discoloration. The treatment is just like the beauty treatment women have used on their faces and bodies for centuries. A mud pack treatment involves covering the Taj’s surface with clay, and then taking it off. The monument received the treatment for the fourth time, but experts warn the process could have unwanted side effects.
In 2013, nearly 6 million people visited the monument. It is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal art and architecture in India.
1. The passage mainly wants to indicate that ________.| A．the Taj Mahal is one of the finest Mughal arts |
| B．modern industry is destroying ancient arts |
| C．pollution is changing the color of the Taj Mahal |
| D．India is trying to save and protect the Taj Mahal |
| A．Ratish Nanda thought the Taj Mahal wasn’t worth protecting. |
| B．Because of its discoloration, the Taj Mahal attracted fewer visitors than before. |
| C．The dust brought by vehicles’ passing by damaged the Taj Mahal seriously. |
| D．The researchers have confirmed the pollution source of the Taj Mahal. |
| A．the Taj Mahal’s situation will get even worse |
| B．diesel trucks are the main vehicles in India |
| C．garbage and cow dung are India’s main fuel |
| D．some people are surprised at something normal |
| A．greatly changed the situation |
| B．been made but are not so effective |
| C．caused more and worse side effects |
| D．been scientifically carried out recently |
| A．raise enough money to repair it |
| B．beautify it with mud pack treatments |
| C．cut down the number of vehicles |
| D．preserve and repair it professionally |
| A．Remove. | B．Analyze. |
| C．Improve. | D．Change. |
【推荐1】I thought it was a cold — then I entered history. For me, it all began with a sore throat followed by a stuffy (堵塞的) nose. I didn’t think too much about it. But I thought it was responsible for me to have a COVID-19 test. Shortly afterwards, the bombshell landed — my test result came back as positive, meaning I had contracted COVID-19.
I began to regret my own previous thinking that “I am young, sportive, and a regular marathon nnner, so even if I am infected with the virus, I should be fine.”
Undoubtedly, it was necessary to tell people I have been in contact with while being potentially infectious, and I did so. But I cannot deny, there was a moment of unwillingness when I felt a bit ashamed and anxious to make such a move. Knowing that it is COVID-19, I felt more of a psychological stress than a physical one.
But I was confident that I would be back at work soon. Sadly, that did not happen as the illness turned out to be more complicated than I had imagined. I felt extremely painful in my head. A few days later, I lost my sense of taste. Thankfully, it was temporary and all the major discomfort started to disappear after two weeks, and now I am recovered.
On reflection, the main lesson for me is to be patient and let the virus run its own course. And I realized that youth and fitness do not necessarily mean a quick recovery. The virus interacts with everybody differently.
1. Why did the author have a COVID-19 test?| A．He thought highly of his symptoms. | B．He found it his duty to do such a test. |
| C．His company asked him to have a test. | D．His family were anxious about his disease. |
| A．Calm and peaceful. | B．Scared and nervous. |
| C．Embarrassed and upset. | D．Indifferent and casual. |
| A．Feeling headache strongly. | B．Losing the sense of taste. |
| C．Hands trembling frequently. | D．Having a stuffy nose. |
| A．COVID-19 is Everywhere | B．An Experience of Being ill |
| C．The Younger, the Better | D．Doing Sports, Being Healthy |
【推荐2】Happiness, that short and delightful feeling, seems all too rare in 2020. But there’s one place where happiness is the name of the game. And, no, we’re not talking about Disney World. Denmark, currently the second happiest country on earth, is now home to The Happiness Museum, which is created by The Happiness Research Institute, a think tank focusing on well-being, happiness and quality of life. The eight-room museum is devoted to literally bringing happiness to life, reminding visitors what it is that gives value to them and makes them feel good. Led by Meik Wiking, author of three international bestsellers, the museum opened on July 14 in a small 240-square-meter space in Copenhagen.
Visitors to the museum will find many interactive exhibits. Each room is devoted to a specific approach to studying happiness. The politics of happiness exhibit asks questions about the role of elections and GDP in determining national happiness. There’s also a geography happiness section that explores the role of built environments on happiness levels, as well as showing a world map with the World Happiness Report 2020’s happiness ranking of 153 countries. There are other sections like the science of happiness, the history of happiness and what lies in store for the future.
Certain museum exhibits include visitors’ personal perception of happiness. Can you determine which half of the Mona Lisa’s mouth smiles? How do you explain the meaning of happiness? The museum houses a vast collection of donated artworks donated by people from around the globe, which remind them of happy moments in their lives.
While the museum is a very optimistic place to be, it’s also aware of the difficulties of being a public place in the middle of a global pandemic(流行病). The museum has strict policies in place to ensure social distancing and safety, including only allowing 50 visitors at a time and a one-way path through the museum.
1. What’s the main purpose of creating The Happiness Museum?| A．To remind people to read books on happiness. |
| B．To help visitors learn and experience happiness. |
| C．To advise visitors to share happiness with others. |
| D．To tell people ways to improve their quality of life. |
| A．Understanding. | B．Praising. |
| C．Documenting. | D．Misusing |
| A．The challenge it faces at present. |
| B．Its difficulty in receiving visitors. |
| C．Its positive attitude towards future. |
| D．The safety measures it takes for visitors. |
【推荐3】The Wuhan Institute of Shipbuilding Technology was used as a quarantine site (隔离区) from February 8 to March 28. Cheng Shining, a junior of Central China Normal University in Wuhan, was responsible for collecting and distributing supplies for quarantined people and medical staff. As the youngest volunteer at this site, he also chose to live there so that he could show up whenever he was needed.
One day Cheng and two other volunteers spent more than 3 hours moving all 1,462 boxes of mineral water to storage with 50 firemen’s help. Cheng says, “A single person’s strength is limited, but we know the whole country is helping us.”
Cheng was a volunteer for the Military World Games held in Wuhan last October. It was the first time he had seen his hometown under the world’s spotlight. “I’ve experienced the highlight of Wuhan, and now when my hometown touched a low point, I pray that I can get through the difficulty together with the city,” Cheng says.
Like Cheng, 28-year-old Wuhan local Zhu Aobing also volunteered to help his home city. He signed up right away to be a volunteer for the vaccine. A total of 108 Wuhan locals became the first group of COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in March. They were healthy adults aged from 18 to 60 selected from thousands of people who applied.
“Since the lockdown, I’ve always been thinking what I can do for my hometown during the epidemic,” he says. Zhu is a freshman of Hubei University of Technology in Wuhan. He joined the army when he was 18 years old and served for five years. However, Zhu didn’t want to miss the chance to study further, so he decided to go to college last year.
“No matter how long I have finished my military service, I always have the responsibility to go to the front line when the country needs me, and when facing this pandemic (流行病), being a vaccine volunteer is what I should do,” he says.
1. What words can be used to describe Cheng when he is talking about the help from the firemen?| A．Negative and serious. |
| B．Generous and excited. |
| C．Appreciative and optimistic. |
| D．Cautious and supportive. |
| A．By serving the Military World Games. |
| B．By helping run a quarantine site. |
| C．By studying further in college. |
| D．By being a vaccine volunteer. |
| A．They are Wuhan locals. |
| B．They served in the army. |
| C．They are of the same age. |
| D．They graduated from university. |
| A．To compare two people. |
| B．To tell two volunteers’ stories. |
| C．To present an argument. |
| D．To report a piece of news. |
