1.野生动物的现状;
2.保护野生动物的意义;
3.你的建议。
注意:
1.写作词数应为100左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Hello, everyone! I'd like to share my views on protecting the wildlife.
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But only time will tell if this project is the right
3 . 100-year-old Alfred Larson has been through a lot in his lifetime, but one thing that keeps him going is bluebirds.
When Alfred retired in 1978, he wanted to find a hobby or something to do that would keep him busy and provide him with a sense of purpose. When he read a National Geographic article about crafting wooden nest boxes for bluebirds to help improve their populations, he decided to give it a try. Alfred explained that he started building nest boxes on his ranch (大牧场) using left-over pieces of wood.
More than four decades later, Alfred is still going strong and promoting bluebird conservation efforts. Alfred is now monitoring nearly 350 nest boxes on six different trails (小路) in Southwest Idaho. He said, “I settled on a simple design that was easy to build and easy to monitor. I kept adding more boxes on these trails, and these birds responded.” Alfred’s boxes give bluebirds a lot of help in survival. “Without his work, we can’t see so many bluebirds now,” said Pearman, the author of Mountain Bluebird Trail Monitoring Guide.
To celebrate his achievements, filmmaker Matthew Podolsky worked with Alfred for weeks to create a 30-minute documentary—Bluebird Man. The film explores how everything led him to the work he does today and his efforts in bluebird protection. “I remember the first trip I took to the bluebird trail with Alfred, and I was very surprised by the speed with which he moved from box to box,” said Podolsky. “He was hiking across difficult and uneven terrain (地形). I often struggled to keep up with him. Sometimes we’d check more than 100 boxes and be driving home in the dark.”
The impact he’s had on the populations of bluebirds in North America will continue.
1. How did Alfred help save bluebirds?A.By feeding them personally. | B.By preventing illegal hunting. |
C.By making wooden nests for them. | D.By writing articles about them. |
A.The number of bluebirds in Southwest Idaho decreases. |
B.Alfred makes a big difference to bluebird conservation. |
C.Climate change is threatening the survival of bluebirds now. |
D.Alfred’s efforts have greatly inspired others to protect bluebirds. |
A.How the natural habitat of bluebirds disappeared. |
B.How bluebirds have survived in the past four decades. |
C.What influence humans have on bluebirds. |
D.What Alfred does every day to protect bluebirds. |
A.To praise Alfred’s contribution. | B.To help people learn more about birds. |
C.To advise people to protect the environment. | D.To show the living conditions of bluebirds. |
4 . Masks that helped save lives are proving a deadly danger for wildlife, with birds and sea creatures trapped in the shocking number of thrown-away facial coverings. Single-use masks have been found around pavements, waterways and beaches worldwide. Worn once, the thin protective materials can take hundreds of years to decompose. “Face masks aren't going away any time soon—but when we throw them away, these items can harm the environment and the animals,” Ashley Fruno of animal rights group PETA said.
In Britain, a gull was rescued by the RSPCA after its legs became tangled in the straps of a mask for up to a week. The animal welfare charity took it to a wildlife hospital for treatment before its release.
The biggest impact may be in the water. More than 1.5 billion masks made their way into the world's oceans last year, accounting for around 6,200 extra tonnes of ocean plastic pollution, according to environmental group Oceans Asia.
Conservationists in Brazil found one mask inside the stomach of a penguin after its body was washed up on a beach, while a dead pufferfish was discovered caught inside another off the coast of Miami. French campaigners found a dead crab trapped in a mask near the Mediterranean. Masks and gloves are “particularly problematic” for sea creatures, says George Leonard, chief scientist from NGO Ocean Conservancy. “When those plastics break down in the environment, they then enter the food chain and impact entire ecosystems.” he added.
There has been a shift towards greater use of reusable cloth masks as the pandemic has worn on, but many are still using the lighter single-use varieties. Campaigners have urged people to bin them properly and cut the straps to reduce the risk of animals becoming trapped. Oceans Asia has also called on governments to increase fines for littering and encourage the use of washable masks.
1. What's Paragraph 1 mainly about?A.The problem of littering masks. | B.The long time to break down masks. |
C.The threat of masks to wildlife. | D.The protective use of masks to people. |
A.They gave first aid to the bird. | B.They released the bird at once. |
C.They kept the bird for about a week. | D.They sent the bird to hospital. |
A.By providing examples. | B.By giving explanations. |
C.By making comparisons. | D.By analyzing causes. |
A.Forbidding the use of single-use masks. | B.Wearing reusable cloth masks. |
C.Cutting the masks up before throwing. | D.Increasing fines for binning masks. |
5 . Lonely Planet Trips
Here are some travel destinations by Lonely Planet. Reading them, you’ll be in a flash.
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan, located on the Silk Road in South Asia, claimed the No. 1 spot partly for its majestic beauty and because it had become the first fully organic nation by 2020. The kingdom has lush subtropical plains in the south and sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north, which include Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest peak and is believed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
North Macedonia
If you want an alternative to Europe's more popular travel spots, North Macedonia could be for you. Its mountains and their trails are “blissfully quiet” and the locals are “unfailingly helpful” according to Lonely Planet. Among its destinations is Ohrid, a charming, old town dotted with medieval ruins and churches, lined with cobblestone streets, and overlooking Lake Ohrid.
Eswatini
The kingdom offers multitudinous climate and topography differences, and is known for its wide varieties of wild animals, which include more than 500 bird species and 107 mammal species. The nation has seven nature reserves, four frontier conservation areas and three wildlife reserves.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is beloved for many reasons, from its coffee to its epic surfing. It’s also notable for its reliance on green energy sources. In fact, 90% of its energy is created by regenerative sources such as wind and hydro. It is also one of the world’s most biodiverse countries — home to half a million species. Of course, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to the Sloth Sanctuary.
1. What can tourists appreciate in both Bhutan and North Macedonia?A.Organic products. | B.Subtropical jungles. |
C.Medieval architecture. | D.Mountain scenery. |
A.Pleasant quietness. | B.Topography varieties. |
C.Abundant wildlife. | D.Cobblestone streets. |
A.Renewable resources. | B.Biodiverse plants. |
C.Frontier preserves. | D.The Silk Road. |
6 . A new kind of hybrid wheat now available to American farmers may help reduce fears over genetically engineered crops. The new hybrid wheat is being introduced as seed companies worldwide seek to increase production because of reducing grain supplies. The hybrid wheat was developed by a Chinese-owned agriculture company. The product was created with-out genetic engineering. The first seeds to grow the wheat will be released on 2,000 to 2,800 hectares of American farmland next year, according to Reuters reports.
Developers or breeders create hybrid wheat by taking away the natural ability of plants to pollinate (授粉) themselves. Instead, female wheat plants in a field are pollinated by male plants of a different line. The goal of the process is to create seeds that can produce bigger crops and better resist harmful environments. The fertilized female plants produce a new kind of hybrid. Using this hybrid technology permits breeders to choose the best elements from two parent seeds to produce new seeds containing the best characteristics of both.
Producers say when seed companies produce hybrid wheat seeds, some female plants often fail to become fertilized because they depend on unpredictable winds to carry pollen (花粉).Pollen is a substance produced by plants when they reproduce. During some seasons,pollen is released into the air and carried to other plants to be fertilized. Producers say the fertilization of each plant is more certain during wheat’s natural process of self-pollination.
Researchers say the new hybrid wheat has to take long to come to market because the development process is more costly and complex. It could be important in increasing wheat yields and avoiding being linked to GMO development. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. Genetically modified wheat has never been grown for industry purposes because of fears that allergens or poisons might be created. Wheat is used to make numerous major foods worldwide.
Dave Hankey owns a seed company in Park River, North Dakota. He told Reuters, “Because of the resistance to genetically modified stuff, the hybrid wheat would be considered better and safer.”He added it would certainly be the public view.
1. Which of the following leads the new hybrid wheat to be developed?A.The existing unsafe grain. |
B.The decreasing output of food. |
C.The application from American farmers. |
D.The Chinese agriculture company’s proposal. |
A.Requiring less fertilizer. |
B.Producing tinier crops. |
C.Having better adaptability. |
D.Improving their natural self-pollination ability. |
A.It is complex but economical. |
B.It is simple and fruitful. |
C.It is temporary. |
D.It is demanding. |
A.Indifferent. | B.Resistant. | C.Appreciative. | D.Cautious. |
7 . Why do animals migrate or move? They do so to find a place that will offer better living conditions. Not all animals migrate, but those that migrate are attempting to help the survival of their species. There are a variety of reasons why animals leave. Some migrate to avoid weather changes. Some leave because of the food supply. Unlike humans who migrate because of relationships, job changes, or other social reasons, animals migrate to survive.
There are different types of migration, but one of the most interesting is the seasonal migration. In seasonal migrations, animals move twice a year. These movements usually occur due to changes in the seasons or in the weather. For example, some birds migrate away from colder regions to warmer weather and then come back to a place once the colder weather has passed.
How do animals know when it is time to migrate? Some animals do not leave an are until the environment changes and becomes a place that is not favorable for them to live. Other animals seem to have inborn systems that tell them when it is time to leave.
Animals that migrate use many different ways to successfully reach their destinations. Scientists believe animals’ senses play a huge role in helping them find their way. For example, salmon(三文鱼)are thought to recognize specific smells that help them. Others are thought to use even the sun, moon, and stars to help guide them on their journeys. Although the animals use different methods to migrate, one thing is the same: migration remains an important journey for the survival of many of Earth’s most amazing species.
1. What is the text mainly about?A.Animals’ senses. | B.Animals’ habitats. |
C.Animals’ migration. | D.Animals’ destinations. |
A.To improve relationships. | B.To reach their destinations. |
C.To live with other species. | D.To find better living conditions. |
A.Animals use the same method to migrate. |
B.Animals may migrate for different reasons. |
C.Animals are born to know where to migrate. |
D.All migrating animals use the sun as a guide. |
A.A history book. | B.A travel brochure. |
C.A science magazine. | D.A financial newspaper. |
8 . Looking for a way to connect with nature but you're not sure how to when you live in the city? Here are a few ways to live in harmony with nature and reduce your pressure.
Go on a wildlife walk.
There’s lots of urban wildlife for you to discover, so you can reach out to your city park departments to get some valuable information.
Nothing will make you feel as closely connected with the earth as walking without shoes on grass for a couple of minutes. This very direct connection with nature will make you realize that you're part of the huge world, helping you to relax and feel calmer.
Attract nature yourself.
One of the best ways to connect with nature is to make it come to you.
Create a small garden.
Plants and flowers are part of nature as well and even the tiniest amount of space can be turned into a beautiful garden. If you’ve got a balcony (阳台), fill it with pots full of flowers.
Use these tips for connecting with nature and living a more comfortable lifestyle in a big city.
A.Have a walk in a park |
B.Take off your shoes and walk barefoot (赤脚地) |
C.You can grow your own vegetables on it as well |
D.You can put a bird feeder (喂食器) on your balcony or by your window |
E.Meantime, this is the best method of improving your health and well-being |
F.They often offer guided walks to help you enjoy the natural beauty in your cities |
G.It's a different way of experiencing nature helping you to enjoy it from a different viewpoint |
9 . Animals deserve to live a safe and healthy life as much as humans do.
Spread awareness. One way to protect endangered animals is to create awareness about them.
Drive carefully in forest areas. It is important to watch the road when you are going through roads in forest areas. Many animals die while trying to cross the road because people do not pay attention to them.
Avoid plastic items. Do you know what happens to a plastic bag thrown into a river?
A.Change your regular routine. |
B.So, we highly suggest careful use of water. |
C.Spend time rescuing animals in your locality. |
D.Sadly, this does not have universal acceptance. |
E.So we can save their lives by being more careful. |
F.It is probably eaten by an adult turtle, choking it to death. |
G.You can create local community groups that work for this cause. |
10 . The masked shrew is one of the smallest mammals(哺乳动物) in North America, only a few inches long. However, it recently made a giant jump. Over the past few decades, the tiny shrew has migrated more than 4,000 feet on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. And it’s not the only one.
Studies in other parts of the world have suggested that mountain animals are climbing higher. Lead study author Christy McCain, an ecologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, and her co-authors Sarah King and Tim Szewezyk wanted to show it is true in the Rockies.
The new study looked at 47 different species of small mammals in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. First, the researchers studied the small mammal samples (样本) collected in Colorado over the last few decades and built a database on where these mammals were typically found and how high up. Next, they conducted a series of field surveys in the Colorado Rockies, counting small mammals and recording where each species is found today. They then calculated how much each mammal population has moved over the last few decades.
They found that 26 of the 47 species studied had moved upward over time. Masked shrews were among the species with the largest jumps, climbing a total of about 4,500 feet. McCain noted that species with the largest upward jumps tend to share some important characteristics. Most of them are animals specifically adapted to cold weather. 11 of the 47 mammal species actually shifted downward. McCain noted they may be less sensitive to mountain warming. Six species do not appear to have changed at all. And four species have completely disappeared from the mountains in the period between the 1980s and now.
“This is the first indication,” McCain said, “that large animal communities are responding to climate change.” The findings are consistent with the conclusions of other studies around the world — that mountain ecosystems are sensitive to climate change and wildlife in these places is already responding to the pressure, both of which can urge humans to change the current situation.
1. Why did Christy McCain and her team do the study?A.To collect data of mountain animals. | B.To urge humans to change the situation. |
C.To prove the previous conclusions. | D.To assess the effects of climate change. |
A.Many species have disappeared. | B.None have shifted downward. |
C.Those going higher are sensitive to cold. | D.Many are affected by climate change. |
A.A wake-up call. | B.A climate reminder. |
C.A pressure response. | D.A situation changer. |
A.Mountain mammals climb higher to beat the heat. |
B.Cold-adapted species suffer a lot in the Rockies. |
C.Climate change is making the Rockies unlivable. |
D.Small mammals are vital to mountain ecosystems. |