King Canute couldn’t stop the ocean’s tide from rolling in — can Africa hold back the desert?That’s certainly what the continent is tying to do with its proposed “Great Green Wall”, 800km (almost 5,00 miles) worth of trees that officials hope will stop the advancement of the Sahara Desert, which has been rapidly expanding southward.
The idea was introduced in the 1970s when the once-rich region turned barren (贫瘠的) due to climate change and intensive land use. But it’s not a new idea; China has its own desert vegetation project to hold back the Gobi Desert! Thanks to the Chinese plan, the African project aims to plant 100 million hectares of trees by 2030 across the entire Africa. The initiative is a decade in, and around 15% completed, and there have already been benefits for many communities and wildlife. It’s bringing life back to the continent’s degraded landscapes at an unprecedented scale, providing not only food security and jobs but a reason to stay for the millions who live along its path.
The creators of the wall hope it will bring an urgently needed solution to the threats facing the African continent, creating 10 million jobs in rural areas, as well as preventing 250 million tons of carbon. The initiative is Africa-driven, which for those on the continent, is vital, and may hold the key to success. “The Great Green Wall…is about ownership, and that has been the failure of development aid because people were never identified with it,” said Elvis Paul Tangam, African Union Commissioner for the Sahara and Sahel Great Green Wall Initiative.“But this time they identify. This is the very thing of us!”
The wall may seem like a moonshot, but all the best ideas usually are. As Thomas Sankara, former president of Burkina Faso said in 1985, “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain degree of madness. The courage to turn your back on the old formulas, the courage to invent the future.”
1. What does Africa’s “Great Green Wall” aim for?A.Offering more jobs for locals. |
B.Stopping the expansion of desert. |
C.Creating a harmonious society. |
D.Improving African landscapes. |
A.From their practices of planting trees. |
B.From the process of stopping flooding. |
C.From China’s success in desert control. |
D.From Africans’ wisdom and hard work. |
相似题推荐
Strange things were happening in the countryside of northeast Hebei. For three days the water in the village wells rose and fell, rose and fell. Farmers noticed that the well walls had deep cracks in them. A smelly gas came out of the cracks. In the farmyards, the chickens and even the pigs were too nervous to eat. Mice ran out of the fields looking for places to hide. Fish jumped out of their bowls and ponds. At about 3:00 am on July 28, 1976, some people saw bright lights in the sky. The sound of planes could be heard outside the city of Tangshan even when no planes were in the sky. In the city, the water pipes in some buildings cracked and burst. But the one million people of the city, who thought little of these events, were asleep as usual that night.
Answer:
THE NIGHT THE EARTH DIDN’T SLEEP
Strange things were happening in the countryside of northeastern Hebei. For several days, the water in the village wells rose and fell, rose and fell. There were deep cracks that appeared in the well walls. At least one well had some smelly gas coming out of it. Chickens and even pigs were too nervous to eat, and dogs refused to go inside buildings. Mice ran out of the fields looking for places to hide, and fish jumped out of the water. At about 3:00 a.m., on 28 July 1976, bright lights were seen in the sky outside the city of Tangshan and loud noises were heard. But the city’s one million people were asleep as usual that night.
At 3:42 a.m., everything began to shake. It seemed as if the world were coming to an end! Eleven kilometres directly below the city, one of the most deadly earthquakes of the 20th century had begun, a quake that even caused damage more than 150 kilometres away in Beijing. Nearly one third of the whole nation felt it! A huge crack, eight kilometres long and 30 metres wide, cut across houses, roads, and waterways. Hard hills of rock became rivers of dirt. In less than one minute, a large city lay in ruins. Two thirds of the people who lived there were dead or injured. Thousands of children were left without parents. The number of people who were killed or badly injured in the quake was more than 400,000.
Everywhere survivors looked, there was nothing but ruins. Nearly everything in the city was destroyed. About 75 percent of the city’s factories and buildings, 90 percent of its homes, and all of its hospitals were gone. Bricks covered the ground like red autumn leaves, but no wind could blow them away. Most bridges had fallen or were not safe to cross. The railway tracks were now useless pieces of metal. Tens of thousands of cows, hundreds of thousands of pigs, and millions of chickens were dead. Sand now filled the wells instead of water. People were in shock—and then, later that afternoon, another big quake shook Tangshan again. Even more buildings fell down. Water, food, and electricity were hard to get. People began to wonder how long the disaster would last.
But hope was not lost. Soon after the quakes, the army sent 150,000 soldiers to Tangshan to dig out those who were trapped and to bury the dead. More than 10,000 doctors and nurses came to provide medical care. Workers built shelters for survivors whose homes had been destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of people were helped. Water and food were brought into the city by train, truck, and plane. Slowly, the city began to breathe again.
Tangshan started to revive itself and get back up on its feet .With strong support from the government and the tireless efforts of the city’s people, a new Tangshan was built upon the earthquake ruins. The new city has become a home to more than seven million people, with great improvements in transportation, industry, and environment. Tangshan city has proved to China and the rest of the world that in times of disaster, people must unify and show the wisdom to stay positive and rebuild for a brighter future.
1. What’s the main idea of the text?A.A terrible earthquake of Tangshan. | B.Before the earthquake of Tangshan. |
C.During the earthquake of Tangshan. | D.Damages of the earthquake of Tangshan. |
A.The rescue work. B.The revival of the city. C.Warning signs before the earthquake. D.The happening of the big earthquake. E.The bad effects of the earthquake. |
3. Why were people asleep as usual before the earthquake?
A.Because they didn’t notice anything strange happening. |
B.Because they knew well about earthquakes. |
C.Because something strange happened in many places. |
D.Because they realized the arrival of an earthquake. |
A.To stress the damage levels of the earthquake. | B.To explain the details of the earthquake. |
C.To show the speed of the earthquake. | D.To describe the people’s helplessness. |
A.People who were trapped came to life. |
B.The trees turned green. |
C.The animals began to breathe. |
D.The city returned to normal gradually. |
A.Calm. | B.Pessimistic(悲观的). |
C.Serious but hopeful. | D.Heartbroken but cautious(谨慎的). |
(1)Hard hills of rock became rivers of dirt.
(2)It seemed as if the world were coming to an end.
(3)Tangshan started to revive itself and get back up on its feet.
1. Creating a defensible space around your home is unnecessary in wildfire-prone areas. (True/False)
2. Having an evacuation plan for wildfires is not essential; you can decide what to do on the spot. (True/False)
3. Staying low to the ground during a wildfire is only necessary if you are close to the fire. (True/False)
4. Leaving your home during a wildfire is a personal choice, and authorities rarely advise it. (True/False)
5. Local authorities’ advice is not crucial during a wildfire; personal judgment is sufficient. (True/False)
A. The giant panda used to have a population of 1, 114 in the 1970s. It now totals 1, 864 thanks to 52 protection areas.
B. China will continue its efforts of the wildlife protection. Key projects will be continually carried out to improve protection, including making the lists of wild animals and plants under State protection, and also fighting against illegal wildlife trade, which includes ivory(象牙).
C. In recent decades, a series of wildlife-protection movements have been carried out by the central government. Several species in danger of extinction have made impressive progress .
D. Another species was once thought to be extinct. In 1981, only seven crested ibises were found in Yangxian county, Shaanxi Province. Since then, breeding programs have helped the population reach 2, 000.
E. China has made great improvements in environmental protection during the past 70 years. Protecting wildlife is, without doubt, an important part.
【推荐2】The California sea otter (海獭), once hunted to the edge of extinction, has staged a thrilling comeback in the last century. Now, scientists have discovered that the otters’ success story has led to something just as remarkable: the restoration of their declining coastal marsh (沼泽) habitat.
Elkhorn Slough, a coastal marsh within Monterey Bay, had been experiencing severe damage. The root cause was a growing population of shore crabs, which fed heavily on the marsh plants, weakening the structural integrity of the habitat. Coastal marshes like these are not only natural defenses against storm waves but also serve as important carbon storage areas and water-cleaning systems.
The conservation-driven comeback of the sea otter has been crucial. California’s coastlines were once alive with sea otters. Sadly, they were nearly wiped out at the hands of fur traders. In the 1980s, conservation efforts aided these otters in re-occupying large areas of their former range. Now, Elkhorn Slough has the highest concentration of sea otters in California, with a population of about 100. By naturally feasting on crabs, the otters have helped a significant regrowth of plant life. Brent Hughes, a scientist working alongside Angelini, led a three-year study. Their findings were clear: in areas with sea otters, crab numbers fell markedly. This led to a resurgence in plant growth, which in turn stabilized the soil and lowered the rate of soil washing away.
As the sea otter population continues to restore, their positive impact on coastal ecosystems is likely to increase. It not only showcases the sea otter as a central species—a species that has a significant effect on its natural environment—but also highlights the essential nature of top predators (捕食者) in preserving ecological harmony. “My honest reaction was—this could become a classic in the literature,” says scientist Lekelia Jenkins. She reveals marsh restoration also helps people by reducing flooding. “Suddenly, sea otters go from just cute things we like to something that can protect our livelihoods and our properties.”
What is the author’s purpose in quoting Lekelia Jenkins?A.To highlight the importance of coastal marshes. |
B.To introduce a new research study on sea otters. |
C.To demonstrate the practical benefits of sea otters. |
D.To emphasize the need for increased conservation efforts. |
【推荐3】A tree-planting initiative in Kenya has seen over 30,000 trees being planted. The Green Generation Initiative is a Kenyan charity that has been planting trees to counter climate change and the reduction in forest in the East African nation since 2016.
......
Speaking to world leaders at the recent United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow (COP26), Elizabeth issued a serious warning on the threat of climate change. Over two million of Kenyans are facing climate related starvation. In 2025, half of the world’s population will be facing water shortage. The climate crisis will displace 80 million people in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
Elizabeth said, “I have been doing what I can. Inspired by the great Wangari Maathai, I founded a tree growing initiative that enhances food security for young Kenyans.” So far, they have grown 30,000 fruit trees to maturity, providing desperately needed nutrition for thousands of children. “Every day we see that when we look after the trees, they look after us. We are the adults on this Earth right now, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the children have food and water,” she added.
Which of the following can best describe Elizabeth Wathuti?A.Friendly and talented. | B.Caring and responsible. |
C.Honest and determined. | D.Ambitious and humorous. |
【推荐1】Well, to pick up where we left off last time. I’m certain that you know all too well the dangers hiding on the World Wide Web. And whether it’s for schoolwork, entertainment, or just socializing with friends, the Internet will surely be a major part of your child’s life. So, it’s important to secure their online stays.
It’s not the easiest thing, but keeping open lines of communication is primary. Let them know they can share their online activities with you. Talk to them about their online presence as early as possible, ideally before they begin to use email, social media, or a smartphone. Discuss what they find interesting online and learning from them about popular websites and apps; this will create understanding and allow you to identify potential risks.
Next, monitor without spying. Most kids learn to understand boundaries, like respecting others’ personal space, or not opening the cookie jar without asking. Internet use is no different. It’s helpful for kids to have ground rules as to which websites they can visit,which apps they can use, and what they can share online. Remind them that if they feel uneasy with anything that occurs online, they need to alert an adult immediately.
......
What is the best title for the text?A.What Is Hidden on the Net? | B.How to Make Online Stays? |
C.Be a Smarter Internet User | D.Keep Your Kids Safe Online |
【推荐2】In the study, the researchers sought to understand how the brain uses this following information to adjust our perception of what we initially heard. To do this, they conducted a series of experiments in which the subjects listened to isolated syllables and similarly sounding words. Their results produced three primary findings: The brain’s primary auditory cortex (听觉皮层) is sensitive to how ambiguous a speech sound is at just 50 milliseconds after the sound’s appearance. The brain “replays” previous speech sounds while interpreting the following ones, suggesting re-evaluation as the rest of the word unfolds. The brain makes commitments to its “best guess” of how to interpret the signal after about half a second.
......
What does the underlined part “the signal” in the last paragraph refer to?A.The previous speech sound. | B.The similarly sounding word. |
C.The unclearly sounding word. | D.The following speech sound. |
【推荐3】Dr Zhang admits that film therapy does not work for everyone, but says he has used it successfully with about a third of his clients. “Through the films’ characters, plots and even music, it allows people to face their problems.” He said that Falling Down, in which Michael Douglas plays the part of an unemployed man who is so depressed that he uses violence, was an example of the dangerous results of not letting anger go. “I used this film with a patient who was very upset because he was holding back a lot of the anger he felt towards people who had hurt him,” said Dr Zhang. “We talked about Michael Douglas’s character and the disastrous path he takes, and my patient then realized that he needed to let go of his feelings more regularly so as not to burst out like a time bomb.”
What can we learn about Dr. Zhang?
A.He used to be an actor. |
B.He likes to review different films. |
C.He favors the film therapy. |
D.He is good at sharing his feelings. |
【推荐1】If you ever get the impression that your dog can “tell” whether you look content or annoyed, you may be onto something. Dogs may indeed be able to distinguish between happy and angry human faces, according to a new study.
Researchers trained a group of 11 dogs to distinguish between images (图像) of the same person making either a happy or an angry face. During the training stage, each dog was shown only the upper half or the lower half of the person’s face. The researchers then tested the dogs’ ability to distinguish between human facial expressions by showing them the other half of the person’s face or images totally different from the ones used in training. The researchers found that the dogs were able to pick the angry or happy face by touching a picture of it with their noses more often than one would expect by random chance.
The study showed the animals had figured out how to apply what they learned about human faces during training to new faces in the testing stage. “We can rule out that the dogs simply distinguish between the pictures bused on a simple cue, such as the sight of teeth, ” said study author Corsin Muller. “Instead, our results suggest that the successful dogs realized that a smiling mouth means the same thing as smiling eyes, and the same rule applies to an angry mouth having the same meaning as angry eyes.”
“With our study, we think we can now confidently conclude that at least some dogs can distinguish human facial expressions,” Muller told Live Science.
At this point, it is not clear why dogs seem to be equipped with the ability to recognize different facial expressions in humans.“To us, the most likely explanation appears to be that the basis lies in their living with humans, which gives them a lot of exposure to human facial expressions, ” and this exposure has provided them with many chances to learn to distinguish between them, Muller said.
What can we learn about the study from paragraph 2?
A.Researchers tested the dogs in random order. |
B.Diverse methods were adopted during training. |
C.Pictures used in the two stages were different. |
D.The dogs were photographed before the test. |
【推荐2】A giant dam was built many years ago to control the Colorado River in the U.S. This dam was built to protect the land and houses around the river.
This huge dam is in the Black Canyon. It is possible to drive a car from one side of the river to the other on a road, which is on the top of the dam. This dam is so big that there is an elevator inside. The elevator goes down forty-four stories from the road to the bottom. There is enough concrete in this dam to build a highway from New York to San Francisco. Thousands of people worked on this dam for five years.
This huge dam was called Boulder Dam when it was finished in 1936.Later it was renamed Hoover Dam in honor of a president of the United States. Hoover Dam, one of the highest dams in the world, is situated between the states of Arizona and Nevada.
Q:Hoover Dam lies ______.
A.between Arizona and Nevada |
B.in the Black Canyon |
C.between New York and San Francisco |
D.both A and B |
【推荐3】Need a Job This Summer?
The provincial government and its partners offer many programs to help students find summer jobs. The deadlines and what you need to apply depend on the program.
Not a student? Go to the government website to learn about programs and online tools available to help people under 30 build skills, find a job or start businesses all year round.
Jobs for Youth
If you are a teenager living in certain parts of the province, you could be eligible (符合条件) for this program, which provides eight weeks of paid employment along with training.
Who is eligible: Youth 15-18 years old in select communities (社区).
Summer Company
Summer Company provides students with hands-on business training and awards of up to $3,000 to start and run their own summer businesses.
Who is eligible: Students aged 15-29, returning to school in the fall.
Stewardship Youth Ranger Program
You could apply to be a Stewardship Youth Ranger and work on local natural resource management projects for eight weeks this summer.
Who is eligible: Students aged 16 or 17 at time of hire, but not turning 18 before December 31 this year.
Summer Employment Opportunities (机会)
Through the Summer Employment Opportunities program, students are hired each year in a variety of summer positions across the Provincial Public Service, its related agencies and community groups.
Who is eligible: Students aged 15 or older. Some positions require students to be 15 to 24 or up to 29 for persons with a disability.
What is the age range required by Stewardship Youth Ranger Program?
A.15-18. | B.15-24. | C.15-29. | D.16-17. |