When the UNESCO World Heritage Committee(WHC) met from July 16 to 31, 2021, they were tasked with addressing threats to some of the world's most treasured sites of priceless natural and cultural heritage. Among the issues the committee must face is the growing threat that dams cause to some of the world's most treasured World Heritage Sites.
A recent study found that over 500 dams under construction or planned worldwide would be built in protected areas. while dams threaten at least 80 World Heritage Sites. This number is only expected to grow as dam developers, faced with a reduction in the number of dam sites available, pursue increasingly reckless(不计后果的) projects such as the Batang Toru Dam, which experts say could lead to the extinction of the newly discovered Tapanuli orangutan(红毛猩猩).
The increasing impact of dams on World Heritage Sites has caused a global outcry, most recently in the case of the Selous Game Reserve, a World Heritage Site recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and one of the largest protected areas for African wildlife. The Tanzanian government's decision to construct the Julius Nyerere Dam in the Selous led to an angry proposal from UNESCO to remove it from the list altogether.
Meanwhile, history is in danger of repeating itself in Laos, where the planned Luang Prabang dam threatens the historic city it's named for. Luang Prabang, the old royal capital was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995. Despite this World Heritage status, the Mekong River, which flows through and is an important part of Luang Prabang's history. culture, and way of life. is under threat. The Laos' government is planning to build a dam, 25 kilometers upstream from Luang Prabang. Given the proposed dam's size and locntion, the dam will have major environmental impacts on the river system and surrounding area.
1. Which was an unavoidable topic at the meeting of WHC in 2021?| A．The number of dams under construction or planned worldwide. |
| B．The growing threat that dams cause to World Heritage Sites. |
| C．The extinction of the endangered animals in the whole world |
| D．The measures that some major countries' governments took. |
| A．It is a project in Tanzania. | B．It blocks Mekong River. |
| C．It could threaten a historic city. | D．It could endanger a species. |
| A．Unfavourable | B．Curious. | C．Interested. | D．Thankful. |
| A．A novel. | B．A newspaper. | C．A guidebook. | D．A health magazine. |
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【推荐1】The world’s first 3D-printed wood log hive (蜂箱) is a new project developed by the Lacrima Foundation in Edinburgh to reduce the troubling decline of honey bee populations around the world.
The Lacrima Foundation is a charity that is “committed to the conservation and protection of one of the Earth’s most important inhabitant.” The charity teamed up with beekeepers in Europe to work towards a rewilding approach that would offer bees a natural nest habitat and, in turn, create resilience (复原力) among bee communities.
Honey bees are one of the most important pollinators (授粉者), and although they may seem small and insignificant, they are vital for the production of our food — we couldn’t eat without them! However, in recent years, bee populations have been severely impacted by the growing climate emergency and our intensive agriculture practices, including the overuse of pesticides.
With help from local partners, the Foundation created 3D-printed wood log hives, which allow the bees to live in an undisturbed ecosystem where they can carry out their lives. They install these hives in high sections of tree trunks to model natural conditions for the big honey bee populations.
Vince Moucha, chairman of the Lacrima Foundation, said, “Even though there are other people and organisations working in the field of natural beekeeping, the impact, progress and scope of these projects is minimal and slow, due to limited access to resources and clear vision. I am driven by responsibility and decided to act on it due to the urgency and importance of this matter.”
The Foundation will continue to work with beekeepers in the UK, Europe, and the United States to help our bee populations survive and thrive for them and us! Check out the Lacrima Foundation, where you can see their mission and donate to the cause and even get a honey bee gift bracelet in return.
1. What is the project of the Lacrima Foundation aimed at?| A．Increasing the production of human’s food. |
| B．Studying the cause of bees’ population loss. |
| C．Developing new habitats for struggling bees. |
| D．Teaming up with beekeepers for fundraising. |
| A．To help bees avoid pesticides. | B．To adapt bees to the new habitats. |
| C．To test the first 3D-printed hives. | D．To protect bees from climate crisis. |
| A．The progress of other projects. | B．The effect of other organizations. |
| C．The difficult position of bees. | D．The responsibility to care about people. |
| A．Live in harmony with nature. | B．Benefit from the Foundation. |
| C．Help bees survive with beekeepers. | D．Support the work of the Foundation. |
It is normal to feel worried and stressed during an exam period. Exams show progress, and failing could mean falling behind in the same course or subject. That is why most people can understand your anxiety around the exam period. However, too much worrying could be the start of failure. Here are some tips to help you stay positive.
From attending classes to completing homework, the period leading to an exam is always a difficult process. This is why preparing well for the exam is key to ensure your efforts do not go fruitless. Going through practice questions beforehand never disappoints for any exam. For example, if you are a physician preparing for the USMLE exams, you could check for the USMLE practice questions before the real exam time just to familiarize yourself with the exam. By so doing, you are more guided on how and where exactly to review.
Although some exams are important and could determine the future of your academic life, it cannot determine your whole life. You might have done a thorough revision but still, the first paper ended up extremely tough for you. At this point, you can only keep a hopeful mind that the next one will be easier and that you will do better.
It can be really motivating for you to know that you have something positive coming up right after going through a difficult exam time. Being able to plan for a trip or buy yourself a gift after an exam is awesome enough. The fact that you are able to face the exams should be encouraging enough and you should appreciate yourself for it.
Exams times are temporary(暂时的) and they are usually for a good course, In any case, you will only be dealing with the exams for a short time and so you should put all your time and energy there.
1. According to the passage, why is it understandable to be anxious around the exam period?2. What does the author advise us to do when the first paper is rather difficult?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
>It is encouraging for you to know that something good will happen when you achieve expected results.
4. Please briefly present your ways to stay positive during an exam period.(In about 40 words)
【推荐3】Four Family-friendly Autumn Walks in the UK
With the coming of autumn, we have decided to make a list of autumn walks for you and the whole family. These places will include historic buildings, wonderful scenery and wildlife for all to enjoy.
Formby Nature Reserve, Liverpool Formby is a coastal town just north of Liverpool and is luckily one of the few places in Britain where there are a large number of red squirrels. Children will love the excitement of getting to see these cute animals. The paths are well protected, meaning they are fit for pushchairs. And dogs are allowed, too. | Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle The 73-mile-long Hadrian’s Wall was completed by the Romans in 128 AD after 6 years’ building. Autumn walks along Hadrian’s Wall are an excellent way to educate children on the history of the British isles and really get up close to the styles of Roman buildings rather than just see it in a textbook! |
Lyme Park, Peak District Not only is Lyme Park home to many trees, it is also home to a group of medieval (中世纪的) red deer and a huge Edwardian country manor (庄园). This Peak District walk is quite fit for families, and along the way are playgrounds and tree houses, making sure that the little ones that you are with will never feel bored. | Lakeside Walk at Stowe, Buckinghamshire This place is on the outskirts of London and provides people with perfect chances to escape from the busy city lifestyle. The flat and wide path around the river makes it more than fit for pushchairs or wheelchairs. This walk is short in length, meaning it is a great way to introduce any young one to walking as a hobby. The walk is great all year round. |
1. Where can kids learn about the buildings of ancient Rome?
| A．Lyme Park. | B．Hadrian’s Wall. | C．Lakeside Walk at Stowe. | D．Formby Nature Reserve. |
| A．They have old manors. | B．They allow pet dogs in. |
| C．They have cute animals. | D．They provide play areas for kids. |
| A．It is a bit difficult for wheelchairs. |
| B．It is quite fit for long-walk lovers. |
| C．It is especially pleasant in autumn. |
| D．It is good for a quiet and relaxed stay. |
【推荐1】Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sai1a boat. Wind is one of our of our cleanest and riches power source(来源) ,as well as one of the oldest . Evidence shows that windmills(风车) began to be used in ancient Iran back in the seventh century BC .They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s,when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power .
For many centuries ,people used windmills to grind(磨碎)wheat into flour or pump water from deep underground when electricity was discovered in the 1ate 1800s,people living in remote areas began to use them to produce electricity. This al1owed them to people in almost all1 areas of the United States, windmills were rarely used. During the course 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realized that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher coasts. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind .
1. From the text we know that windmills_________.| A．were invented by European armies. |
| B．have a history of more than 2800 years. |
| C．used to supply power to radio in remote areas. |
| D．have rarely been used since electricity was discovered. |
| A．Sailing a boat. |
| B．Producing electricity. |
| C．Grinding wheat into flour. |
| D．Pumping water from underground. |
| A．wind power is cleaner. |
| B．it is one of the oldest power sources. |
| C．it was cheaper to creat energy from wind . |
| D．the supply of coal and gas failed to meet needs. |
| A．The advantage of wind power. |
| B．The design of wind power plants. |
| C．The worldwide movement to save energy. |
| D．The global trend towards producing power from wind. |
【推荐2】How can a large city find water for 10 million people if it is in the desert? Fog-catching nets on hills around the city of Lima, the capital of Peru, could solve the city’s water shortages for good. A twenty-meter high net tower will soon be displayed in the city as a solution to the problem.
Peru’s capital city has just one inch of rain a year. The city sees high annual temperatures and water consumption rates. Located in a desert, the city’s temperatures are higher than world averages. However, a unique feature of Lima’s weather offers a way of meeting some of this demand. Located on the coast, Lima’s surrounding hills are constantly bathed in waves of fog coming off the Pacific Ocean, and the moisture (湿气) taken in by plants ensures they stay green year-round.
Inspired by fog nets placed by rural communities across the continent, Alberto Fernandez, a Chilean architect currently studying for a Ph.D. from University College London, has designed a series of towers and fog-catching nets. They can collect as much as 1,000 liters of water per day, amounting to 3.6 million liters per year, if enough are put into use. Their towering structure allows them to get into the clouds, collecting more vital water vapor (蒸气), and their unique shape means that no matter the direction of the wind, the moisture-rich fog will strike some part of the structure directly.
The water will largely be used for agriculture — as the water would require filtering (过滤) before consumption — helping free up resources for city residents. Cheaper than filtering water from the Rimac River, these towers and nets, which Fernandez says could be built up to 200 meters high, are part of a series of designs for the Lima 2035 project. It aims to change current desertification and create a new place for sustainable and human-centered food systems that promote healthy diets and improve incomes in the driest city on Earth.
1. What makes plants in Lima stay green year-round?| A．The heavy rainfall. | B．The high temperature. |
| C．The net tower. | D．The unique location. |
| A．The direction of the wind. | B．The moisture-rich fog. |
| C．The height of the tower. | D．The fog-catching net. |
| A．Supply drinking water. | B．Turn desert into rich soil. |
| C．Increase food production. | D．Develop healthy lifestyles. |
| A．Fog-catching towers help solve water shortage |
| B．The driest city on Earth faces a serious problem |
| C．Fernandez designed the first fog-catching net |
| D．Water plays a role in a sustainable food system |
【推荐3】Studies have shown that walking among trees makes us relaxed.
For the study, researchers worked with 296 children between the ages of 9 and 12. To measure how connected they were to nature, the kids were asked how much they enjoy activities like seeing wildflowers and wild animals, hearing sounds of nature and touching animals and plants.
So exposure to nature is related to active behaviors and happiness of children. What does that mean to adults? As we all know, children usually tend to follow adults, especially their parents’ behaviors.
Researchers say that children need role models who can guide them to nature with excitement and an attitude of a lifelong learner. Parents don’t have to be experts in environmental science or nature studies.
| A．It’s so good going for a walk around trees. |
| B．Even just smelling the trees helps reduce anxiety. |
| C．That’s to say, when adults are outside and appreciate nature, kids learn by example. |
| D．What’s more important is that they spend time together with children exploring nature. |
| E．They found that the kids connected to nature were more likely to behave actively. |
| F．In a new study, researchers wanted to see if kids get the same benefits from being outdoors. |
| G．Researchers will study more about the connection between children’s happiness and nature. |
