Recent research confirms what our farming ancestors have known for centuries about hedges (树篱). They conserve precious soil by acting as windbreaks and absorbing rainwater that would otherwise wash it from the fields. And hedges store carbon, putting them in the front line of our bi d to tackle the climate crisis.
However, hedges have had a tough time in the poor countryside, with farmers encouraged to tear them down in pursuit of maximum production and larger field s to accommodate ever-larger machinery. What’s more, some hedges have been ignored. If left to their own devices, they’ll eventually become a line of trees. Some hedges each year lose their structures and fail to fulfil the primary duty as a barrier. Around a half of the nation’s hedges have disappeared in the past century.
There are signs that “the tide is turning”. The search for net zero has aroused many organizations’ interest in the humble hedge’s role as a carbon sink. The Climate Change Committee is recommending a 40 percent increase in hedges: an additional 200,000 km. Such recommendations are starting to drive policy. Cash-pressed farmers will be encouraged to create new hedges and improve their management of existing ones under the new Environmental Land Management Schemes, which will replace many of the existing agricultural support payments in coming years. Meanwhile, initiatives such as Close the Gap, led by the Tree Council, is providing funding and support to plug the gaps in existing hedges with new planting. There’s even an app to help time-pressed farmers do a quick survey to spot where their hedges need some help.
This is a good time for hedges. Take some of the most pressing challenges facing the countryside, and indeed, the world as a whole — the climate crisis, soil erosion (侵蚀), insect attack and wider biodiversity loss — and hedges are part of the solution.
1. What does recent research show about hedges?| A．They are unique landscapes in the rain. |
| B．They act as dividing lines between fields. |
| C．They have long been helpful to agriculture. |
| D．They are frequently washed away from the fields. |
| A．Their suffering. | B．Their production. |
| C．Their duties. | D．Their structures. |
| A．Puzzled. | B．Concerned. | C．Humble. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Hedges: Ancient Resources |
| B．Hedges: Official Recommendations |
| C．Restoring Hedges: Bringing Benefits to the Environment |
| D．Researching Hedges: Originating from Farmers’ Request |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Climate change is increasingly affecting our daily lives.Latest research and studies in the US highlight the facts about the human-caused change to our global weather systems and its effects on our planet.First among them is that rising temperatures and increasingly chaotic(混乱的)weather are the work of humanity.There's a 99.9999%chance that humans are the cause of global warming.Humans burn fossil fuels such as oil,coal and gas,which give out carbon dioxide(Co2),methane and other gases into Earth's atmosphere and oceans.Co2,is the greenhouse gas that's most responsible for warming.
Scientists worldwide have also conducted countless researches on this issue.For example,a group of scientists in Australia have published a study analysing the contributions to climate change by the worlds nations versus the effect that climate change will have on those countries.
They have found that some developed nations,such as Australia,the US and Canada,are essentially climate free riders,driving the problem of climate change while suffering relatively few of the costs,such as destructive flood,increased extreme weather and rising sea levels.Meanwhile,many countries in Africa or small island states which produce few greenhouse gas emissions are the most vulnerable(易受损害的)countries.
While it's important that this issue is defined by scientists,it needs to be acted on by global leaders.The Paris Agreement,finalised in December 2015,was widely seen as a positive step forward in addressing climate change.However,in order to help those vulnerable countries while achieving global emissions reductions,urgent and effective actions in accordance with the policies in the Paris Agreement must be taken.
1. What is the main cause of global warming according to the passage?| A．The rising temperature. | B．The increasingly chaotic weather. |
| C．Humans behaviours of burning fossil fuels. | D．Fossil fuels such as oil,coal and gas. |
| A．some vulnerable countries | B．some developed countries |
| C．some developing countries | D．some African countries |
| A．Some developed countries drive the problem of climate change but bear relatively few of the costs. |
| B．Some countries unfairly bear the burden of the problem of climate change they did not create. |
| C．The costs of climate change include destructive flood,increased extreme weather and rising sea levels. |
| D．The most easily affected countries that produce few greenhouse gas emissions are all in Africa. |
| A．Define greenhouse gas emissions. |
| B．Take urgent and effective actions in accordance with the policies in the Paris Agreement. |
| C．Help the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. |
| D．Pay more attention to global climate change. |
【推荐2】Marina Herrera is struggling to pack more food into her already overflowing shopping bags.
In the morning shopping rush at Tesco, Marina looks like any other shopper, stocking up for the week ahead. But she is getting all this fresh produce for free, which will be given out when she gets home. If she doesn’t, it will end up as part of the food waste mountain. “All this would be regarded as rubbish and going straight in the dustbin. It is perfect food; I hate to see any of it wasted,” she says.
Marina’s efforts have earned her the title of “hero” in the food waste war. Sadly, nearly a half of all food grown in the world is thrown out, contributing four times more carbon emissions (排放) each year than the aviation industry. Cutting that has been described as the most effective action people can take to handle climate change.
“I wouldn’t call myself a hero,” Marina laughs. “I’m just trying to attract more people to it, getting more people on board.” That’s why she was one of the first volunteers in the “Food Waste Heroes” programme launched by supermarket chain Tesco and food sharing app OLIO.
OLIO founder Tessa Clarke views the volunteers as heroes in the fight for the planet, who have signed on to prevent eatable food being thrown away by supermarkets and redistribute it for free in their communities instead. “It was billions of small actions that got us into the climate crisis, so surely billions of small actions can help us get out of it. The food waste heroes are particularly powerful because they are pioneering and inspiring so many other people,” Tessa Clarke says.
OLIO also encourages its users to post their unwanted food for redistribution. Globally its users have shared 35 million portions (份) of food, which equals saving 101 million car miles and 5.1 billion litres of water.
1. Why is Marina Herrera special as a shopper?| A．She helps prevent food being wasted. |
| B．She purchases more food than needed. |
| C．She gets the fresh produce at a discount. |
| D．She appeals to the shopping mall to save food. |
| A．The climate change. | B．The food waste war. |
| C．The carbon emission. | D．The aviation industry. |
| A．It is a non-profit project. |
| B．It contributes to solving the climate crisis. |
| C．It redistributes eatable food among communities. |
| D．Its users have saved 5.1 billion litres of water globally. |
| A．Marina will get more support from Tesco. |
| B．Climate crisis is the leading threat to humans. |
| C．New technology should be applied to food industry. |
| D．The “Food Waste Heroes” programme proves a success. |
【推荐3】Enjoying a swim at their local beach was once a daily pleasure for Melati Wijsen and her sister, Isabel. But in 2013, when Melati was 12, and Isabel just ten, the sisters started to lose their enthusiasm for swimming in the waters near their home on the Indonesian island of Bali. More often than not, plastic bags would swirl (打旋) around them as they swam.
Melati didn’t think much about it until later in 2013, when her teacher gave a lesson on world heroes like South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and England’s Princess Diana, who had made positive change. That day, Melati walked home in silence alongside Isabel, thinking about the world heroes. If they could do it, we could do it too, she thought.
Soon, they gathered a team of 15 and named their group Bye Bye Plastic Bags (BBPB). Its mission was simple: stop people in Bali from using plastic bags. To convince the local government to ban plastic bags, the group organised an online petition (请愿) to collect one million signatures to ban plastic bags in Bali. Within 24 hours of launching, more than 6000 people from around the world had signed up. Although it was far from the challenging target, Melati and Isabel did what they could.
The girls’ passion has resulted in big changes. In 2017, they organised Bali’s first beach clean up, and now is an annual event. In addition, they has successfully staged a fashion show featuring clothes made from recycled garbage and campaigned to get villages to do away with plastic bags. In 2018, BBPB convinced the Balinese government to ban single-use plastic bags, and the ban took effect in July 2019.
Today, BBPB is a global youth movement and has more than 50 teams in 29 countries. “We didn’t start with any clear plan,” Melati admits. “We didn’t know how we were going to ban the plastic bags but we knew that we wanted to and had the passion to figure it out.”
1. What motivated Melati to form the group “BBPB”?| A．The suggestion of her teacher. | B．The strong wish to make change. |
| C．The examples set by world heroes. | D．The plastic bags at their local beach. |
| A．The amount of signatures. | B．The recognition of people. |
| C．The launch of the petition. | D．The establishment of their group. |
| A．The first clean-up event. | B．The ban on plastic bags. |
| C．The girls’ achievements. | D．The features of the fashion show. |
| A．Brave and generous | B．Considerate and confident. |
| C．Intelligent and kind-hearted. | D．Passionate and Determined. |
【推荐1】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.
1. 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
【推荐2】Do you feel lonely? If you do, you are not alone. It’s more than a personal mental health issue.
Loneliness is a global issue. Half-a-million Japanese are suffering from social isolation. The UK recently appointed a minister for loneliness, the first in the world. In Australia, Victorian state MP Fiona Patten is calling for the same.
What do cities have to do with loneliness? Think of the awkward silence in a lift full of passengers who never communicate. Now think of a playground where parents often begin chatting. It’s not that the built environment “causes” interaction，but it can certainly either enable or limit potential interaction.
Can we think of different ways to be in the city to “cure” loneliness? I recently conducted a graduate design studio at the Melbourne School of Design. The students，using design as a research methodology (方法), came up with potential architectural and urban responses to loneliness.
Fanhui Ding came up with a student---run restaurant for the University of Melbourne. Students get credit working on the farms that supply the restaurant, which can be used to pay for a meal. People also get discounts for dining at the same table, encouraging students to interact over food. Given the many international students who suffer from loneliness, her concept used cooking, food and farming to cure loneliness.
Some students deal with familiar cases, such as building “Puppy Society”, an app that connects a pet with multiple owners, designing more social interaction spaces in high-rise apartment buildings and redesigning supermarkets to make them places for people to visit on a Sunday morning.
Beverley Wang looked at loneliness in the ageing population. She came up with a project called “Nurture”, for which she designed a kindergarten co-housed with a nursing home. Designing spaces for storytelling, she brought the elderly into the kindergarten as informal teaching assistants, giving them a sense of purpose.
Moving beyond merely analyzing the problems, the research output shows that an alternative, less lonely future is indeed possible. Without claiming to solve loneliness, design can be an important tool in response to it.
1. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?| A．Half of the Japanese are living with loneliness. |
| B．The UK attaches little importance to loneliness issues. |
| C．Australia is likely to follow the UK’s example. |
| D．Loneliness has been a primary concern globally. |
| A．Work in the restaurant to pay for meals. |
| B．Pay less if they share tables with others. |
| C．Gather credits for their college graduation. |
| D．Establish international culture communication. |
| A．By providing them working opportunities. |
| B．By employing them as the formal staff. |
| C．By asking children to tell them stories. |
| D．By lifting their awareness of self-value. |
| A．Key principles of designing city buildings. |
| B．City’s potential to encourage social connection. |
| C．Good urban designs to battle social loneliness. |
| D．Architectural concepts to ease elders’ loneliness. |
【推荐3】The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Most people know that cigarette smoking is harmful to their health. Scientific research shows that it causes many kinds of diseases.
Environmental Protection Agency reports that about 53，000 people die in the United States each year as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.
The smoke that comes from a lit cigarette contains many different poisonous chemicals. In the past, scientists did not think that these chemicals could harm a nonsmoker’s health.
Research shows that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are sick more often than children who live in homes where no one smokes and that the children of smokers are more than twice as likely to develop lung cancer when they are adults as the children of nonsmokers. The risk is even higher for children who live in homes where both parents smoke.
| A．Recently, though, scientists changed their opinion after they studied a large group of nonsmokers. |
| B．As a matter of fact, almost all of us breathe tobacco smoke at times, whether we realize it or not. |
| C．In fact, many people who smoke get lung cancer. |
| D．However, secondhand smoke is dangerous to all people, old or young. |
| E．People are becoming very aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke. |
| F．No one knows for sure why Mr. Gilson has lung cancer. |
| G．Many people, including doctors, parents, teachers, and others, are concerned about the health risks of cigarette smoking. |
【推荐1】Dragon Head Raising Day: time for a haircut
China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them.
This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for (代表) the start of spring and farming. This year, the day fell on March 14.
The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs about dragons.
On the day in ancient times, people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest (收成) in autumn.
Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (细须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.
Today, many customs have faded away (消退). But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.
1. Which country celebrates the Dragon Head Raising Day?| A．Britain. | B．France. |
| C．The United States. | D．China. |
| A．March 14 | B．February 2 |
| C．March 4 | D．March 8 |
| A．Because the dragon liked the ashes. |
| B．Because the ashes led the dragon into the house. |
| C．Because the ashes stood for the harvest. |
| D．Because the ashes could bring good luck. |
| A．The dragon boating. | B．To eat zongzi. |
| C．The cutting of hair. | D．To eat mooncakes. |
【推荐2】Technology has become a basic part of our lives. It has transformed our lives in many ways. It makes life more convenient for us: we can send messages quickly via the Internet, cook meals in a few minutes in a microwave, and book train tickets online instead of walking to the station. However, in our increasingly technology driven world, have we become addicted to technology?
Not too long ago, many children enjoyed reading a good book in their spare time. Nowadays, adolescents are more likely to be seen playing video games or watching television. Similarly, sending letters has become a thing of the past. It has been replaced by emails, instant messaging and social media. I think this is a huge shame；for me, there's nothing better than receiving a letter in the post. It shows someone has taken the time to sit down and write something; this is much more personal than a conversation online. For some people—especially the older generation—new methods of communication aren't so accessible. I regularly send letters and postcards to my grandma to keep her updated with my life in France; I also send them to my boyfriend and sister.
The presence of social media has, in some respects, turned us into antisocial beings. Instead of meeting up with friends and seeing them face to face, we now spend a lot of time communicating online. Although online communication has its advantages, enabling us to keep in touch with loved ones in different countries, we shouldn't forget the value of real-life human interaction.
Admittedly, I spend a lot of time using technology. I rely on the Internet and my laptop to plan lessons for my classes. I use WIFI on my phone to send messages via apps such as Viber and Snapchat. That said, when I'm on holiday, it is nice to switch it all off and have a break. Taking a break from technology is liberating.
1. From the first paragraph, we can know technology makes our life ________.| A．happier | B．more colorful | C．more diverse | D．easier |
| A．By inferring. | B．By comparing. | C．By listing importance. | D．By giving explanations. |
| A．Because she isn't good at using computers. | B．Because she is unwilling to accept new things. |
| C．Because a letter is more personal. | D．Because she is used to the letter. |
| A．Addicted. | B．Puzzled. | C．Curious. | D．Objective. |
【推荐3】Films to watch this December!
Don’t Look Up
People are often slow to react to a disaster, whether it’s a climate emergency or a global pandemic—and that is why Adam McKay has made his new satire (讽刺) —Don’t Look Up. Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio play two astronomers who have figured that a “planet killer” comet is going to crash into the Earth, killing everyone. But the US president is just one of the people who refuse to face the facts.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Now that Marvel’s superheroes have saved the universe, their next job is obvious: they have to save the multiverse (多元宇宙). You’re going to see characters that you love go through things that you would never wish them to go through.
West Side Story
The original 1961 film of West Side Story is known as one of the finest Hollywood musicals ever made. It was the biggest box-office hit of the year, and went on to win 10 Oscars. Why should anyone watch a new take on the same material? One answer is that Stephen Sondheim speaks highly of it—“For those who know the show, there are going to be some real surprises in it.”
Nightmare Alley
Nightmare Alley is a dark crime thriller based on a 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham. Bradley Cooper stars as The Great Stanton. He performs a mind-reading act in modern nightclubs with his loyal girlfriend, but an attractive psychologist is onto his game.
1. Which movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio?| A．Don’t Look Up. | B．Spider-Man: No Way Home. |
| C．West Side Story. | D．Nightmare Alley. |
| A．Don’t Look Up. | B．Spider-Man: No Way Home. |
| C．West Side Story. | D．Nightmare Alley. |
| A．The president in Don’t Look Up doesn’t believe the disaster will happen. |
| B．In the second movie, the Spider-man’s next job is to save the universe. |
| C．The new version of West Side Story has won 10 Oscars so far. |
| D．The last movie is a romantic love story adapted from a novel. |
【推荐1】Many studies have suggested that playing music for plants may have a certain influence on their growth. So, can plants really hear sounds? Do they actually like music? Are these true or just another popular story?
Since 1962, an Indian scientist has done several experiments on music and plant growth. He found that certain plants grew an extra 20 percent in height and weight when “listening” to music regularly. Later, he played music through loudspeakers placed around the field, and he found similar results for agricultural crops, such as peanuts, rice, and com, which produced more products at harvest time.
A Colorado greenhouse owner experimented with several types of plants and various types of music. She discovered that plants “listening” to rock music became dry gradually as if they had been a lack of water and then went to their end within a couple of weeks, while plants grew well when “listening” to classical music.
When it comes to understanding the effects of music on plant growth, it appears that it isn’t so much about the “sounds” of the music, but more to do with the vibrations (震动) created by the sound waves. In simple terms, the vibrations produce movements in the plant cells which help plants produce more nutrients. When plants don’t respond well to rock music, it isn’t because they “like” classical music better, but the vibrations produced by loud rock music create greater pressure that isn’t beneficial to plant growth.
Researchers at the University of California weren’t so quick to jump to conclusions about the effects of music on plant growth. They said that so far there had been very limited scientific evidence that playing music for plants helps them grow, and that more scientific tests were needed with strict control over factors such as light, water, soil, and so on.
1. What did the Indian scientist discover about crops listening to music?| A．They were lack of water. |
| B．They became dry gradually. |
| C．They grew more productive. |
| D．They tasted better than before. |
| A．They may prefer quiet and soft music. |
| B．Vibrations from music can affect their growth. |
| C．Musical sounds help produce new plant cells. |
| D．They respond positively to different kinds of music. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Music. |
| C．Social Activity. | D．Scientific Research. |
| A．Can plants really hear music? |
| B．Can music improve plant growth? |
| C．Some ways to help plants grow fast. |
| D．Some types of music good for plants. |
【推荐2】Animals can move from place to place, but plants cannot. When an animal is under attack, it can run away or fight back. Plants certainly cannot run away, and they lack teeth and claws. But plants can defend themselves by using both physical and chemical means.
Some plants have their own ways to keep animals away. For example, the leaves of the holly plant have sharp spines (刺) that discourage grass-eating animals. Holly leaves on lower branches have more spines than leaves on upper branches. This is because the lower leaves are easier for most animals to reach.
Some plants, such as the oak tree, have thick and hard leaves that are difficult for animals to eat. Some grasses may contain a sandy material; eating such grasses wears down the animal's teeth.
Many plants also have chemical defenses. Some plants produce chemicals that taste bitter or cause an unpleasant reaction. Some plants may fight against an attack by increasing the production of these chemicals. When a caterpillar (毛虫) bites a tobacco leaf, the leaf produces a chemical messenger. This messenger sends to the roots the information to produce more nicotine. The higher levels of nicotine discourage the caterpillar.
Many plants depend on both physical and chemical defenses. A certain plant in China, for instance, has prickly (多刺的) leaves, and each prickle contains poisonous venom (毒液). A single experience with this kind of plant will teach an animal to stay away from it in the future.
1. The holly plant has more spines on the lower leaves because most animals________.| A．are not tall enough | B．like the lower leaves only |
| C．are not clever enough | D．can get the lower leaves easily |
| A．chemical means | B．physical means |
| C．bitter chemicals | D．sandy materials |
| A．Its leaves fight against the attack by physical means. |
| B．Its roots send a messenger to discourage the caterpillar. |
| C．Its roots increase the production of nicotine when it is attacked. |
| D．Its leaves produce poisonous sand to drive the caterpillar away. |
| A．Plants and Animals | B．How Plants Defend Themselves |
| C．Attacks and Defenses | D．How Animals Eat Plant Leaves |
【推荐3】Saving Seeds for Next Year’s Flower Garden
Just like vegetable seeds (种子)，you can save flower seeds from your garden this year to plant in the following year.
If you want the same kind of flower or plant for next year’s garden, collect only the seeds from plants marked as “heritage”.
Just like everything else in gardening，timing is important.Collect seeds on a dry，sunny day.Let the seeds grow and fall naturally. When their pods (荚) open, these plants could send their seeds up to 6 meters away. Once on the ground, it is difficult to collect them.
For plants like sunflowers, cut the head off the plant and drop it into a paper bag.
You can place the seeds in a glass box that can be sealed (封上). Then store them in a cool, dry area. Make sure to mark your glass box so you do not forget what they are.
| A．Keep an eye on some flowers. |
| B．Give the bag a shake to help separate the seeds. |
| C．When stored with care, seeds are good for several years. |
| D．These kinds of plants will grow just like their parent plant. |
| E．In this case, add more seeds to the soil to make sure that some will grow. |
| F．Even if you expect plants to be the same as their parents, it is not certain. |
| G．Instead, tie a small bag for seed collection over the pod when it nearly opens. |
