1 . In the Seychelles archipelago (塞舌尔群岛) in East Africa, flooding and erosion (侵蚀) caused by rising sea level pose an incoming threat to the country’s many low-lying islands. At the same time its mangrove forests (红树林), which serve as a vital aspect against these impacts, are disappearing: Approximately 70% of Seychelles mangroves have been destroyed since the late 1700s due to human-driven development and agriculture as well as soil erosion from sea-level rise.
Today the Seychelles Government is working with local community leaders to restore the mangroves, and not just for protection against rising sealevel. Research shows that these forests can store about 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 (equal to taking 500,000 cars off the road for a year), directly helping to fight climate change. They also provide a breeding ground for fisheries, a sector that contributes one-fifth of the country’s GDP, benefiting local communities’ livelihood and helping to protect the islands’ lively biodiversity (多样性).
While the concept of using nature to benefit both lives and lands is by no means new, global interest in “nature-based solutions” has skyrocketed in recent years. Many now see nature-based solutions as a key approach for addressing not only climate change but a range of social, environmental and economic challenges — from biodiversity loss, food security and air pollution to disease control and declining local economies.
Yet there remains widespread debate about what exactly constitutes a nature-based solution as well as how to best include these strategies into broader climate and conservation efforts. This indetermination has contributed to significant under-investment: It’s estimated that to limit temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees C (degrees F), hold back biodiversity loss and control land degradation (恶化), annual investments in nature-based approaches must be three times by 2030.
As nature-based solutions continue to rise on the global agenda, building a more consistent understanding around the concept and its implications will be key to raising support for effective, extensive solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
1. What do the first two paragraphs focus on?A.The diversity of economy in East African. |
B.The environmental protection in East Africa. |
C.The disappearance of mangroves in East Africa. |
D.The operation of nature-based solutions in East Africa. |
A.Novel. | B.Effective. | C.Ruinous. | D.Uncertain. |
A.500,000 cars are taken off the road. |
B.Yearly investment increases by double. |
C.The temperature rise is limited to below 2.7℃. |
D.A conference on nature-based solutions is held. |
A.What Exactly Are Nature-based Solutions? |
B.Why Are Nature-based Solutions on the Rise? |
C.How Can Nature-based Solutions Help Fight Climate Change? |
D.What Are the Potential Weaknesses of Nature-based Solutions? |
2 . When most kids go to the beach, they’re too focused on making sandcastles and splashing around to notice litter, but several years ago, for 7-year-old Cash Daniels, noticing a plastic straw sparked a lifelong passion for saving the planet.
Cash, who is now known as the “conservation kid”, has always loved nature. He grew up fishing along the Chattanooga River, after all! But once he learned that 80 percent of all trash from land and rivers ends up in the ocean, he couldn’t sit back.
He started with cleanups along the river, something that quickly went from a family affair to a community effort with volunteers and neighbors. In 2019, Cash, together with a Canadian conservationist, Ella Galaski-Rossen, started a nonprofit called the Cleanup Kids. Despite living in different countries, they managed to create educational videos on their YouTube channel. “We hope to be a really big nonprofit that eliminates plastic in the U. S. and Canada,” Cash said. “We want to inform kids and adults in the landlocked states of how their actions are connected to the water and the ocean,” Cash said.
Cash was selected as one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers of 2021 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. He also earned the title of National Honoree, where he received a$5,000 grant to go to a nonprofit of his choice, and he became the first person to win the Youth Conservationist Award two years in a row from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.
“I want to travel the world, teach others, and help them feel connected to the ocean. Because if you are connected to the ocean-if you love it and what lives in it—you’ll want to protect it,” he said. “This is my fun, and it becomes more fun with every new discovery.”
1. Which can replace the underlined words “sit back” in paragraph 2?A.Fall asleep. | B.Lose heart. |
C.Turn a blind eye. | D.Lend a hand. |
A.To recycle waste plastics. |
B.To make instructive videos. |
C.To spread marine knowledge. |
D.To appeal for ocean protection. |
A.Sympathetic and devoted. | B.Initiative and talented. |
C.Ambitious and humorous. | D.Determined and modest. |
A.Passion fuels dreams. |
B.Great minds think alike. |
C.Helping others is of great fun. |
D.Actions speak louder than words. |
3 . Urban gardens are valuable property to communities. They provide green spaces to grow sustainable food, build community cohesion (凝聚力) make new friends, connect with the earth, and much no re. So, let’s check out our list of four inspiring urban gardens in the US.
Got ham Greens
Where: New York & Chicago
What: Got ham Greens first started in Brooklyn and now has four locations in New York City and Chicago. Their flagship farm in Brooklyn produced over 100,000 pounds of greens per year. But it doesn’t just produce healthy local vegetables. It is using high-teach green houses with solar panels to make sure the food grown is healthy and sustainable.
Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students
Where: Baltimore, Mary land
What: The Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) program encouraged students to get their hands dirty and plant vegetables through their after-school and summer programs. Many of these kids don’t have access to green spaces, and have never had the opportunity to grow food.
ReVision Urban Farm
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
What: ReVision Urban Farm in Boston works in partnership with the ReVision Family Home——a shelter for 22 homeless parents and their kids. The farm provided these families with information on healthy eating, and access to the farm’s fresh vegetables. The organization also provided job training to help families escape the cycle of poverty.
Swale
Where: New York
What: scale, a floating food forest located on a large boat, is an innovative project meant to inspire citizens to rethink the relationship between our cities and our food. This urban garden serves as both a living art exhibit and an educational farm, Food forests are sustainable gardens that include vegetables, fruit, nut trees, bushes, herbs, and vine——each one complementing the other in a symbiotic (共生的) relationship.
1. What is special about Got ham Greens?A.It provides job training for students. |
B.It offers homeless families formation on healthy eating |
C.It creates a sustainable garden on a large boat. |
D.It uses high-tech green houses to grow healthy food. |
A.Got ham Greens. | B.Revision Urban Farm. |
C.Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students | D.Scale. |
A.They are inspirational multinational project. | B.They have educational and entertaining purpose. |
C.They create job opportunities for farmers. | D.They are important for citizens. |
4 . An earthquake can strike without warning. But many injuries and deaths from this kind of natural disaster can be prevented if people follow these safety tips.
If you’re inside a building, stay there! One of the most dangerous things to do in an earthquake is to try to leave a building.
If you are trapped in the ruins, cover your mouth with a handkerchief or a piece of clothing. Use your cellphone to call for help if possible. Don’t shout.
Be prepared for aftershocks
A.Don’t move about or kick up dost. |
B.If you’re outside, go to an open space. |
C.Shouting can cause you to breathe in dust. |
D.Don’t park your car under a tree or any tall object. |
E.Take a good hold of your cellphone in the building. |
F.They can happen in the first hours after the earthquake. |
G.Most injuries happen when people inside buildings try to get out. |
Nearly one billion animals died in the Australian bushfires. That number would have been even
Wombats are small, furry mammals native to Australia. There are three wombat species. Northern and southern wombats have furry noses,
Now there are only about 500 northern wombats
6 . People have different ways of dealing with waste paper, specifically used newspapers. Some put them in the recycling area, while others keep them as wrappers (包装纸). While these are both good measures, a Japanese publishing company had a better idea for their end use.
The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. invented the “Green Newspaper”, which allows people to grow plants with it. This unique newspaper was published on Greenery Day, which is focused on environmental news and made of green paper with seeds placed into it. What makes it even more special is the ink (油墨) used to print words and photos, which is made from plants. The publisher advises readers to tear the used newspaper into small pieces and plant them in a container with soil. They should water them, like they would do for any plant. Within a few weeks, the seeds will grow into plants.
This brilliant concept was invented by Dentsu Inc., one of Japan’s most famous advertising agencies, which works with the publishing company on the initiative (倡议). The publisher’s belief is environmental sustainability (持续性). As its mission statement says, “The Mainichi doesn’t take action only through information, but also by solving global issues.” With joint efforts, this initiative has reached the corners of Japan and sold around millions of copies daily. Other such initiatives producing plantable paper are also seen in India and the US.
About 95 million trees are lost for producing newspapers every year. The Internet, the number of whose users stands for 62.5 percent of the population worldwide, has influenced how people read news and the print readership has dropped greatly. However, the reinvention and reimagination of this newspaper will bring about a change in the publishing industry as well as having an environmental influence.
1. What do we know about the “Green Newspaper”?A.It uses high-tech materials. |
B.It provides energy for seeds. |
C.It’s printed with plant-based ink. |
D.It’s published to celebrate Greenery Day. |
A.It’s easier said than done. |
B.Everything comes to him who waits. |
C.Many hands make light work. |
D.Actions speak louder than words. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Supportive. |
C.Indifferent. | D.Negative. |
A.About 59 million trees are lost for producing newspapers. |
B.The Internet has changed the way people read news totally. |
C.The popularity of the Internet leads to the fall of the print readership. |
D.The “Green Newspaper” will encourage more people to protect the environment. |
7 . Le Le, the giant panda that died early this month at Memphis Zoo, may have suffered from heart disease, according to an autopsy (验尸) by zoologists from China and the United States.
The experts’ original judgment was that this was the cause of the death of the 25-year-old male panda, according to a media release from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens on Sunday. “But that judgment still needs to be confirmed through further examinations, “ it said. The autopsy was conducted following the arrival of a Chinese team at the zoo recently. Experts from both countries studied the results from the autopsy and ruled out a number of common conditions.
Le Le died in his sleep on Feb 3 before he could be returned to China, according to the zoo.
“Over the last 20 years Le Le has delighted millions of visitors, served as an exemplary ambassador for his species and remains a shining symbol of conservation partnership with the People’s Republic of China,” the zoo said in a statement on Feb 3.
Le Le arrived in Memphis accompanied by a female giant panda, Ya Ya, in 2003. Last December, the zoo said that the famous pair would make the journey back to China within the next few months, as the current loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens was coming to an end.
The Chinese team also examined Ya Ya, and checked her medical and monthly health reports, according to the Chinese association. Despite hair loss resulting from a skin discase, the female panda was found to have a good appetite and was maintaining a stable weight, it said, adding that no abnormalities were observed in its feces. Aside from holding a discussion with Memphis Zoo about Ya Ya’s skin condition, the group gave advice on how to feed and nurse the female giant panda.
“China and the US are now coordinating the handling of procedures so that Ya Ya can be returned to China as soon as possible, ” it noted. China has completed all necessary preparations to receive the female panda. Import and quarantine permits have been issued and the quarantine location has been determined.
1. What can we infer from the paragraph 2?A.Le Le was mistreated by some foreign people. |
B.The autopsy was conducted only by Chinese experts. |
C.The cause of Le Le’s death remained to be seen later. |
D.Le Le died of poor medical care. |
A.China is proud of Le Le as an exemplary ambassador. |
B.A great number of visitors have gained happiness from Le Le. |
C.Le Le is a striking symbol of Chinese protection for animals. |
D.Le Le is referred to as the top species in China. |
A.The break of partnership. |
B.The bad health conditions. |
C.The unsuitable living environment. |
D.The end of a rental agreement. |
A.A wildlife brochure. |
B.A daily newspaper. |
C.A popular magazine. |
D.A tourist guidebook. |
Sapphire Fish lived with her mom, dad, sister Mariana, and baby brother Matthew in a blue house across the street from the Elizabeth River. Sapphire loved the water. Maybe it was because her last name was Fish.
Sapphire liked to make sailboats out of paper. Taking a plain square, Sapphire folded and folded until two wide sails appeared. Then she tested the boats in the bathtub. No matter how hard she tried, though, Sapphire couldn’t keep the boats from slowly sinking into the water.
So Sapphire folded more and more paper and made bigger or smaller sails. But still the boats tipped over and disappeared underneath the surface of the water. Sometimes, the boats sank very slowly. Other times, an entire boat got pulled quickly underneath the water, almost like an invisible hand was grabbing it.
One day, the sky grew dark and the wind whistled against the house. Rain fell all day. And all night. In the afternoon, the rain finally stopped. Sapphire looked outside the living room window. There was water everywhere! The river ran right into the street and was filling up Sapphire’s front porch (前门廊).
The next day, Sapphire put on her blue boots that squeaked when she walked. She ran outside to the muddy front yard, where the river had been the day before.
Sapphire looked down at her feet and noticed something shiny and silvery. The most beautiful silver fish was wiggling in the wet mud. It was trying to get back to its home in the river.
Sapphire was scared. She knew that fish couldn’t breathe out of water. Either she had to return the fish to his family in the river or bring the fish inside her house and give him water. But how? Her mother had forbidden her to walk past the tree in the front yard. Waves of water still covered the street. It was too dangerous.
She couldn’t put him in a bowl of water from her house. The water from her sink (水槽) was very different from the river water the fish was used to. He might get sick living in the bowl.
注意:1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右;
2.至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语;
3.续写部分分为两段,每段的开头已为你写好;
4.续写完成后,请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Suddenly, Sapphire had an idea.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
The wind pushed the boat along, past the street, and the boat was about to enter the Elizabeth River.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . The first rule of popular science is to reveal the wonder and mystery of the world. For that reason, Sentient (Picador), written by photographer and wildlife film-maker Jackie Higgins, is my pick of the year. According to my interviews with many readers, I select other four newly-published books in 2022.
Delicious
This book describes how our ancestors hunted and consumed ancient animals such as mammoths, bison, giant camels and many more now-extinct species. The diet of the Clovis peoples of North America was a menu described as “a record of a lost world”. This book explains how our dinners robbed the world of so many large animals. It gives inspiration for how modern humans can be at peace with nature.
The New Climate War
In 1999, Mann published a graph showing the rapid post-industrial rise in global temperatures. Two decades later, his book The New Climate War remains convinced that we can prevent climate change. This book sets out a common-sense approach to carbon pricing and a revision of the Green New Deal. Of course, there are still many people who deny that climate change is even happening.
The Geodesic Dome
Physicist Kate Greene imagines that she spends four months in a geodesic dome in Hawaii, with five other people, to mimic living in a colony on another planet. The story describes the future of our Earth. Kate makes readers cherish the natural environment. “No sunshine on our skin, and no fresh air in our lungs,” Greene turns the frustrations into a moving story.
Florida Scrub-Jay
The birds were once common across the peninsula. But as development over the last 100 years reduced the habitats on which the bird depends, the species became endangered. Mark Walters travels the state to report on the natural history and the current situation of Florida’s flag ship birds. This book can raise people’s awareness of protecting the birds’ habitats.
1. What can we infer about the author from the text?A.He’s a column journalist. | B.He’s a scientist. |
C.He’s a film-maker. | D.He’s a photographer. |
A.Delicious. | B.Florida Scrub-Jay. |
C.The Geodesic Dome. | D.The New Climate War. |
A.They have happy endings. | B.They record the natural history. |
C.They face doubts from many scientists. | D.They involve the environmental protection. |
10 . Many of the Earth's creatures die because of humans' choices. These choices have nothing to do with food or shelter or anything else that helps humans survive. What kills millions of animals all over the world is that humans want to make money by doing so.
People use parts of animals for everything from hats to handbags, from jewelry to ashtrays and to make powders that supposedly improve a person's life. Deciding that a species is endangered and protecting it by law are not always enough. People who kill wildlife illegally rarely get caught.
During the late 1980s, saving elephants became a popular cause. Wildlife protection groups made sure everyone saw pictures or films of elephants with their faces cut off for their ivory. These groups also proved that certain populations of elephants were decreasing. As a result, most people stopped buying objects made of ivory. Laws against poaching (偷猎) were made stronger. Many countries made importing ivory illegal. Killing elephants for their Ivory became more risky and less profitable (有利可图的).
However, concern for certain species will become weak after a while. In the late 1970s, people protested (抗议) against the killing of seal babies. Everyone was shocked to see young seals being killed in their icy habitat. The cruel activity stopped. But ten years later, the number of seal babies killed was higher than ever.
Other animal protection movements have come and gone, such as saving the whales and protecting dolphins. The whale population appears to have increased for now. And the laws are finally changed in America to protect the dolphins that swim with tuna fish in parts of the Pacific Ocean.
In the years to come, people's attention will probably turn to some other endangered species. Plenty of them urgently need attention. During this time, will the elephants be forgotten?
1. What leads to the disappearance of millions of wild animals?A.The growing human population. |
B.Humans’ hope for making a fortune. |
C.Humans’ too much need for wild food. |
D.Not having enough laws on wildlife protection.. |
A.Wildlife protection groups did make great efforts. |
B.Importing ivory in all countries is illegal. |
C.Those who killed elephants all got caught. |
D.Hunting was completely not allowed. |
A.To show the effort to protect seal babies. |
B.To show an increasing number of seal babies. |
C.To show the decrease of worry about certain species. |
D.To show people’s protest against the killing of seal babies. |
A.Humans should choose some rare animals to protect. |
B.Attention must be paid to saving some endangered wildlife. |
C.Success has been achieved in quite a few cases of wildlife protection. |
D.Concern and movements for animal protection should be always kept. |