Balancing preservation of the land with our desire to travel is a challenge for us travelers. When seeing cities face constant resource and waste problems, I couldn’t help but think about how much travel can affect the environment.
Back in my youth, I was an environmental activist. But over the years, I leave the lights on. I fly a lot. I drink out of plastic bottles. I eat a lot of meat. And I love fish, especially tuna. However, recently, I’ve begun thinking harder about how travel affects the environment and how I affect the environment. In doing so, I’ve tried to be a lot more aware of my actions.
I don’t know if there is an easy solution for this problem. The most environmentally friendly activity is not to travel at all, but that’s unrealistic and too extreme. There’s so much money in travel that I don’t think the government and regulation can do much. Only when their profits are hurt will hotels, operators, and the industry as a whole begin to listen. Instead, it’s all about the consumers. The only good way is to get people to be more environmentally conscious and make better decisions.
Consumers have a lot of power. Why did Wal-Mart start selling only sustainable fish and whole milk? Consumers wanted it. I think if we as travelers begin to demand more environmentally friendly practices and avoid companies with poor environmental records, we can change things.
Now, I recycle more, I use fewer water bottles, I shut off the lights. Most importantly, I use operators and stay at places that are reducing their environmental impact.
Travel can destroy the environment but it doesn’t have to. We have the power to make things better. We can do small things and demand more of the places we stay and visit. We can and should demand more of places, and of ourselves.
1. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?A.My experiences of protecting the environment |
B.Can we balance travel and the environment? |
C.Is there an easy way to solve environmental problems? |
D.How can we travel in an environmentally friendly way? |
A.To show he is wealthy. | B.To tell he is fond of travelling. |
C.To indicate he has become less environmentally conscious. | D.To explain his hobby. |
A.People do not travel at all. | B.The government takes effective measures. |
C.Tourism industry follows environmental rules. | D.Consumers become more environmentally conscious. |
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【推荐1】Chinatown, lying in Downtown L.A. near the city’s cultural center, is one of L.A.’s most popular tourist destinations. What are you waiting for? Go to explore this amazing place right now!
A MECCA FOR FOOD
In Chinatown, a mix of new and old restaurants meets everyone’s needs. Early birds should stop by Philippe The Original, a local restaurant that’s beloved for French Dip sandwiches, but also serves a good classic American breakfast. Night owls will want to head to Full House Seafood on Hill Street, which is open late into the night.
CHINESE AMERICAN MUSEUM
Food is far from the only reason to visit Chinatown. People interested in history will want to start their trip at the Chinese American Museum (CAM), lying just outside of Chinatown at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. The museum is housed in the Garnier Building, the oldest surviving Chinese building in a major area of California.
CENTRAL PLAZA
A big statue of Bruce Lee has become a must-photograph site in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. The late martial arts star once had a studio in Chinatown at 628 W. College St.
Nearby is Dragon Chasing Pearl, which was originally painted on the wall in 1941 by Tyrus Wong. The artist, who passed away in December 2016 at age 106, was famous for his work in films, particularly as the lead artist on Disney’s Bambi.
FESTIVALS
Chinatown hosts many party-style events throughout the year, like the music and food truck Chinatown Summer Nights, the yearly Moon Festival and the biggest one, Chinese New Year! It’s really a good place to experience L.A.’s cultural diversity.
1. Of the following places, which one may be popular for its breakfast?A.Garnier Building. | B.Philippe The Original. |
C.Full House Seafood. | D.Golden Lake Eatery. |
A.A chef. | B.A doctor. | C.A dancer. | D.A historian. |
A.Visit Bruce Lee in person. | B.Taste different food for free. |
C.Celebrate the Spring Festival. | D.Protect the oldest Chinese building. |
【推荐2】The best kid-friendly, all-inclusive resorts
Traveling with kids is no picnic, especially when you have to worry about keeping them entertained while at the hotel. Here are some of the best all-inclusive kid-friendly resorts (度假胜地) you can visit.
Westgate Town Center Resort, Kissimmee, Florida
Located in Kissimmee, Westgate Town Center Resort’s best quality is that it is an affordable choice that is within close reach of Disney World. You don’t even need to leave the resort, as it includes the Shipwreck Island Water Park that’ll keep the kids busy with its many waterslides, bridges, and more. There’s also a mini-golf course, movie theater with kid-friendly movies, playgrounds, and much more. There are also eight restaurants, including an ice cream store that your kids will love.
The Grove Resort & Water Park, Orlando, Florida
The Grove Resort & Water Park is massive, meaning it’s packed with plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. The Surfari Water Park features a surf simulator (冲浪模拟器), lazy river and waterslides. The resort is also very close to Disney World.
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Cancun, Mexico
The new Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Cancun, Mexico is the perfect getaway for parents that want a fantastic vacation but also want their kids to stay entertained. There are swimming pools, a lazy river, mini-golf course, and Jurassic Splash Park. There’s also a PH Spa & Beauty Bar.
Lakeway Resort & Spa, Lakeway, Texas
Lakeway Resort & Spa has a beautiful view of Lake Travis, as well as water activities, pools for adults and kids alike. You can dine at the TR Restaurant & Bar or head out to Austin, which is known for its incredible food scene.
1. What do Westgate Town Center Resort and The Grove Resort & Water Park have in common?A.They are quite expensive. | B.They have a movie theater. |
C.They offer a mini-golf course. | D.They are near Disney World. |
A.Lakeway Resort & Spa. | B.Westgate Town Center Resort. |
C.The Grove Resort & Water Park. | D.Planet Hollywood Beach Resort. |
A.It has eight restaurants. | B.It has a big indoor kids’ center. |
C.It has beautiful lake scenery. | D.It is famous for its delicious food. |
【推荐3】Dickens House Museum
Type: Historic House / Palace
Address: 2 Victoria Parade, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1QS
About
Dickens House Museum, Broadstairs celebrates Charles Dickens’ long connection with Broadstairs from 1837 to 1851, through personal items and letters. Guided tours available.
The museum is housed in the cottage that was Charles Dickens’ inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. David’s description of Betsey’s cottage with its square gravelled garden full of flowers, and a parlour of old fashioned furniture still fits today.
The character Betsy Trotwood is based on Miss Mary Pearson Strong who lived in the cottage that is now the museum. According to the reminiscences of Charles Dickens’ son Charley, he and his father regularly had tea and cakes in the parlour (会客室) with the kindly and charming Miss Mary Pearson Strong. He also remembers that Miss Pearson Strong was completely convinced of her right to stop the passage of donkeys along the cliff top in front of her cottage. This belief became the donkey incident for the character of Betsy Trotwood, with the famous quote: “Janet! Donkeys!”
Spread over four floors, the Charles Dickens Museum holds the world’s most important collection of paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and other items relating to the life and work of Dickens. Perhaps the best-known exhibit is the portrait of Dickens known as Dickens’ Dream by R. W. Buss, an original illustrator of The Pickwick Papers. This unfinished portrait shows Dickens in his study at Gads Hill Place surrounded by many of the characters he had created.
What’s Nearby
1. What do we know about the cottage?
A.It houses items concerning Dickens. |
B.It is far away from Viking Bay. |
C.It is located near Dickens’ House Museum. |
D.It was once Pickwick’s home. |
A.A character in David Copperfield. |
B.The housekeeper of Charles Dickens’ son. |
C.The owner of the passing donkeys. |
D.Dickens’ inspiration for the character Betsy Trotwood. |
A.Watch a movie. |
B.Have afternoon tea in the parlour. |
C.Appreciate Dickens’ Dream. |
D.Enjoy art exhibitions of R.W. Buss. |
【推荐1】Music festivals are highly popular events during the summer months, attracting thousands of festival-goers who camp on-site. However, the question arises as to whether the tents left behind can be recycled.
While some festival organizers claim that they recycle the tents, the answer is not so straightforward. Every year, thousands of tents are abandoned (拋弃) at festivals, and it’s not just post-festival laziness or poor weather that is to blame. According to a recent survey, many festival-goers leave their tents behind because they believe they will be donated to charities. But unfortunately, this is only wishful thinking.
Matt Wedge, the director of Festival Waste Reclamation & Distribution, says that the number of tents left behind is increasing, estimating that around 20% of the tents at this year’s Leeds Festival were abandoned, which amounted to about 7,000 tents. He adds that Reading and Leicester festivals are usually just as bad but twice as big, meaning that 14,000 tents could have been abandoned there.
In terms of addressing this problem, one popular idea is to employ a tent deposit scheme (保证金计划). Under this scheme, festival-goers would pay a deposit to bring their tent to the festival, which would be returned to them if they take their tent home. “A similar thing happens with litter. Some festivals make attendees pay a £10 ‘eco bond’, which will be returned to them if they fill up a bag of rubbish and hand it in at the end of the festival,” he adds.
The shocking images of abandoned tents are more than just a comment on the environmental impacts of the festival itself. They are in fact a dramatic symbol of our throwaway culture. Just as images of clean fields at Glastonbury represent a refreshing sign of hope for what could be, the ultimate (最后的) message is to make it a habit to take your tent home at least. It’s the best thing people can do.
1. Why are tents left behind after music festivals according to the recent survey?A.Most of the tents are of poor quality. |
B.Some people are too lazy to take the tents home. |
C.Poor weather makes it difficult to recycle the tents. |
D.Many people mistakenly think they will be donated. |
A.There is an increasing demand for tents. |
B.A large percentage of tents are abandoned. |
C.Tents take a fair amount of energy to make. |
D.Festival tickets are more expensive than tents. |
A.How charities do with the tents. |
B.How landfills improve work efficiency. |
C.Methods to employ more festival volunteers. |
D.Attempts to reduce litter and abandoned tents after festivals. |
A.To stress the importance of music festivals. |
B.To introduce popular music festivals in the world. |
C.To make people pay attention to the quality of tents. |
D.To call on people to protect the environment during festivals. |
【推荐2】Blue whales are the largest animals on the planet, and each year they undertake (进行) one of the longest migration (迁徙). After spending the summer in the Northeast Pacific, the whales travel thousands of miles to their breeding (繁殖) grounds off the coast of Central America.
To learn more about these behaviors, William Oestreich, a PhD candidate in biology at Stanford University, and his colleagues planted an underwater microphone, or hydrophone, just outside Monterey Bay and recorded whales’ songs over five years.
Only male blue whales are known to sing, but both sexes move southward at about the same time each year. Males and females have also been spotted pairing up and feeding together shortly before the migration begins. “That gives us some confidence that the sounds that are primarily being produced by males are fairly representative of what the whole population is doing,” Oestreich says.
During the summer, the songs picked up by the hydrophone took place mostly at night. The intensity of the songs reached the highest level each year between October and November. However, as winter approached and the songs dwindled, the whales changed to singing during the daytime. In the summer, blue whales spread out over vast distances while searching for food. By eavesdropping on (窃听) their distant neighbors at night, the whales may gather information about food conditions elsewhere in their range. Knowing when other whales are on the move could guide their decision about when to stop hunting for food and start their own journey toward milder waters.
By turning in too, we might be able to forecast when the whales will arrive in areas where they’re in particular danger of running into ships, such as the Santa Barbara Channel. “There have been quite a noticeable number of deadly collisions (碰撞) between ships and blue whales,” Oestreich says. “That could be one piece of the puzzle (拼图游戏) to more dynamically (动态地) managing those habitats and shipping paths in a way that allows shipping to continue, but also in a way that is safe for these whale populations.”
1. What is the researchers’ purpose in doing the study?A.To identify different whales’ songs. | B.To prove the function of the hydrophone. |
C.To better learn about blue whales’ migration. | D.To search for more blue whales’ breeding grounds. |
A.Males mostly sang at night in the summer. | B.Females occasionally sang to attract males. |
C.Males and females migrate at different times. | D.Males and females seldom pair up before migration. |
A.Functioned. | B.Reduced. | C.Reappeared. | D.Strengthened. |
A.Shipping paths need reducing. | B.Avoiding collisions is possible. |
C.Blue whales’ habitats are recovering. | D.Blue whales are in danger of extinction. |
【推荐3】Against huge odds, Shikuku Ooko is fighting to save the last remaining ancient forest. When he was in his early 20s, Shikuku Ooko was deeply taken with the Afro-Alpine forests of central Kenya. So much so that he decided to buy 15 acres of woods next to Mount Kenya National Park & Reserve. More than 30 years later Mr. Ooko’s home is one of the few plots still filled with native trees and plants. In contrast, much of the national park has been heavily logged.
The Mount Kenya region is remote and delicate, which makes it difficult to safeguard. Though the Kenya Forest Service has made sustainably managing all public forest plantations its second priority, the burden of conservation has fallen on the shoulders of local individuals such as Mr. Ooko.
In recent years, herders (牧民) have even built animal pens within legally protected areas. “It’s a bit of an annoying sight,” Mr. Ooko says, “when foreign visitors have to pay a high fee to enter the park but then come across huge herds of sheep and cattle in the delicate environment. The laws protecting that environment are in place, but they are insufficiently enforced because rangers (护林员) at each gate are limited.”.
When he’s at home in Naro Moru, Mr. Ooko advocates for tree planting, particularly among kids. “It’s something I grew up doing,” he explains. “When I was young, my dad would give all of us 10young trees to plant and take care of. Somehow, he knew the connections between trees and climate changes.”
It’s a practice Mr. Ooko has kept alive despite continuous challenges with climate and cattle; it is not uncommon for sheep and cattle to destroy the young trees that he and his young friends have planted. “We just keep going,” he says. “It’s something I value, and I think we should plant more.”
1. What can we know about Mr. Ooko’s woods?A.They were purchased 20 years ago. | B.They suffer from heavy logging. |
C.They have conserved much wildlife. | D.They have been well protected. |
A.Because herders need to save cattle. | B.Because herders need wood for fire. |
C.Because there are too many visitors. | D.Because there aren’t enough rangers. |
A.He never raises sheep and cattle. | B.He was influenced by his father. |
C.He donated his woods to the park. | D.He has made a fortune by planting. |
A.The Challenges from Climate Changes | B.The Introduction to Mount Kenya Park |
C.The Fight to Save Mount Kenya’s Forests | D.The Connection between People and Nature |
【推荐1】People today are not unfamiliar with term such as "going eco-friendly" and "sustainable lifestyle". However, there exists a group of sceptics(怀疑论者)who believe that going eco-friendly is merely a fad(一时的风尚). I disagree with this viewpoint, Going eco-friendly is not merely a fad and it does, in fact, change the beliefs and attitudes of people.
The long-term presence of environmental organisations shows the efforts that people have made towards going eco-friendly. Organisations such as World Wildlife Fund advocate people to go eco-friendly. The high involvement of the organisations and the participants is thus a strong indicator that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad but a trend that can last decades.
Another strong indicator is the emergence of sustainable products in many industries, such as organic produce and electric vehicles. The consumer demand, coupled with eco-conscious(环保意识的)businesses, is behind the sharp increase in such products. This shows a shift in the beliefs and attitudes of people towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Thus, it seems quite certain that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad.
While some people who broadcast their eco-friendly practices are criticised for just hoping to project an eco-conscious image, there are a number of celebrities who have been practising the zero-waste lifestyle for years. For those who do so for years, and not mere days or months, it is indeed a commitment that can only come with a true change in beliefs and attitudes towards caring for the earth.
The call to save the earth looks set to stay. With the development of technology and the appearance of many platforms advocating going green, people are more willing to change their beliefs and attitudes when they can learn about and appreciate the positive impact of the work of different environmental organisations and individuals. It is hoped that these effects will go a long way in ensuring that our planet will remain a suitable place to live in.
1. Why does the author mention World Wildlife Fund?A.To appreciate its environmental efforts. |
B.To encourage people to go eco-friendly. |
C.To evidence the universal recognition of going green. |
D.To highlight the difficulty in changing people's attitudes. |
A.Sudden disappearance. | B.Sharp increase. |
C.Gradual development. | D.Limited application. |
A.It may discourage people from sustainable lifestyle. |
B.It may boost the business of organic produce. |
C.It will be used to project an eco-conscious image. |
D.It will promote environmental awareness. |
A.To prove going eco-friendly a lasting trend. |
B.To popularize the eco-friendly products. |
C.To offer strategies to go eco-friendly. |
D.To advertise for eco-friendly platforms. |
【推荐2】I teach online and have been doing so for years .I understand the value of traditional face-to-face course offerings for certain courses and certain subjects. I doubt an online course in chemistry can ever be as effective (有效的) as a face-to-face course held in a lab. Fortunately, I teach writing, and the Internet is an effective place for teaching subjects that call for careful reading and discussion.
It is true that there are things I cannot do in my classes on the Internet. It is also true, however, that there are things I cannot do in my classes held in traditional classrooms. So the question we should ask is: What works better or worse in face-to-face classes rather than in online courses, and vice versa(反之亦然)?
One of the things I value most in my online classes is the necessity for everyone to take part in order to show their presence. In my face-to-face classes, a student can sit quietly and appear to be engaged in(积极参与) the discussion without ever offering a thought or opinion. Online, I consider a student who sits quietly but who does not join in the discussion to be simply not present. Further, students in face-to-face classes who are too shy or who are talked over by quicker and louder voices have the chance to take part in an online discussion.
When I teach online, my students and I can be inside or outside and we can sit wherever and however we want. In Michigan, where a winter storm can make going to campus dangerous or even impossible, the ability to learn in class from the comfort of wherever you live is a big advantage. When the weather is not nice, I often teach while sitting in a local coffee shop. When the weather is nice, I often teach while sitting in my backyard.
I agree that online education is not a “recipe (秘诀)for personal success.” Then again, I’m not sure traditional face-to-face education is such a recipe, either.
1. What does the author think of online courses and traditional courses?A.Chemistry courses can be done online. |
B.Online courses are more popular. |
C.Traditional courses are more helpful. |
D.Both have their advantages. |
A.They can do a better job than louder students. |
B.They can sit quietly to listen to others opinions. |
C.They can think independently and take an active part. |
D.They can appear to be engaged in online discussion. |
A.It is much safer. | B.It is less affected by weather. |
C.It is more comfortable. | D.It happens anytime. |
A.Why I teach online. | B.I’ m online. |
C.A recipe for success. | D.A new teaching style. |
【推荐3】Do you want to live another 100 years or more? Some experts say that scientific advances will one day enable humans to last tens of years beyond what is now seen as the natural limit of the human life span.
“I think we are knocking at the door of immortality(永生),” said Michael Zey, a Montclair State University business professor and author of two books on the future. “I think by 2075 we will see it and that’s a conservative estimate(保守的估计).”
At the conference in San Francisco, Donald Louria, a professor at New Jersey Medical School in Newark said advances in using genes as well as nanotechnology(纳米技术) make it likely that humans will live in the future beyond what was possible in the past. “There is a great effort so that people can live from 120 to 180 years,” he said. “Some have suggested that there is no limit and that people could live to 200 or 300 or 500 years.”
However, many scientists who specialize in aging are doubtful about it and say the human body is just not designed to last past about 120 years. Even with healthier lifestyles and less disease, they say failure of the brain and organs will finally lead all humans to death.
Scientists also differ on what kind of life the super aged might live. “It remains to be seen if you pass 120, you know; could you be healthy enough to have good quality of life?” said Leonard Poon, director of the University of Georgia Gerontology Centre. “At present people who could get to that point are not in good health at all.”
1. By saying“we are knocking at the door of immortality”,Michael Zey means_________.A.they have got some ideas about living forever |
B.they believe that there is no limit of living |
C.they are able to make people live past the present life span |
D.they are sure to find the truth about long living |
A.the human body is designed to last past about 120 years |
B.it is possible for humans to live longer in the future |
C.it is still doubtful how long humans can live |
D.people can live from 120 to 180 |
A.a great effort |
B.the conservative estimate |
C.the idea of living from 200 to 300 years |
D.the idea of living beyond the present life span |
A.No Limit for Human Life |
B.Living Longer or not |
C.Science,Technology and Long Living |
D.Healthy Lifestyle and Long Living |