1 . The UNESCO World Heritage List is a prestigious honour awarded to sites of outstanding universal value around the world. Did you know there are 1,157 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spanning across 167 countries? We’ve picked out our top 4 for you to visit below.
The Acropolis, Greece
The Acropolis is an ancient castle that stands proud in the Greek city of Athens. Back in the fifth century BC after battle with the Persians, the plans of Pericles came to life under the influence of Pheidias, the sculptor. It then became a place for thought and art to flourish, where symbols of classical spirit and civilisation came alive.
Historic centre of Rome, Italy
According to Roman mythology, the Eternal City was founded in 753 BC and became the capital of the mighty Roman Empire. Rome is home to a number of attractions including the Forum, the Pantheon and the Colosseum! This World Heritage site contains the whole historic centre within the city walls and reflects the influence of the Renaissance and Baroque periods in making it one of Italy’s most popular cities.
Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
The historic city of Ayutthaya in Thailand was founded around 1350 and was subsequently destroyed in the 18th century by the Burmese. What’s left today is the ruins and some key highlights include the Buddhist temples of Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. The area is home to the remains of tall prang (reliquary towers) and should not be missed.
Cultural landscape of Bali, Indonesia
The landscape in Bali is unlike anything else on Earth. Consisting of five rice terraces (梯田) and water temples covering 19,500 hectares, the cultural landscape takes your breath away. This site gains honour through an ancient farming ceremony dating back to the 9th century known as subak. This concept reflects the spirit, the human world and nature, also known as Tri Hita Karana.
1. What might have happened in Greece in the 5th century BC?| A．Greece became famous for its castles. | B．Pheidias became a sculptor. |
| C．Greece fought against Persians. | D．The Greek spirit disappeared. |
| A．A rice terrace. | B．A cultural landscape. | C．A water temple. | D．An agricultural ceremony. |
| A．The Acropolis. | B．The Eternal City. | C．Ayutthaya. | D．Tri Hita Karana. |
2 . Last weekend, I said goodbye to another dear old friend. We had 12 fine years together, but our relationship was becoming dysfunctional(不正常的). Unwanted emissions and serious health problems were the final straw, leaving me with no choice but to make a trip to the knacker’s(收废汽车者的)yard.
I am now car-free for the first time in 20 years, and it feels strange. When I gave up meat, I did so mainly for environmental reasons, and I didn’t miss it at all. I would like to say the same about my car, but I can’t. It was first and foremost a financial decision: keeping the old car on the road was getting too expensive.
But doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is still doing the right thing — I now have a chance to rethink how I move myself and my family around, and can try to find a more environmentally friendly means of transport.
Going car-free is, I think, a lifestyle change that many of us are going to make over the next few years, as car ownership becomes increasingly unnecessary, expensive and socially unacceptable. However, it is easier said than done. Now my car is gone. I still need to get around. But how? I already cycle to work and use public transport when appropriate. But there are some occasions when a car seems to be the only way.
I won’t buy one: I have joined a car-share program and will use taxis more often. I will hire a car if I need to drive a long distance. But then I am still travelling in fossil-fuelled cars(燃油汽车), like when I quit meat and ended up eating more cheese. I fear I may have swapped one environmental problem for another.
I am also afraid to think about the ultimate fate of my car. I have just offloaded more than a ton of metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, electronics, oil and petrol that will end up in a landfill. There are millions of similar vehicles in the UK alone that will have to go somewhere.
Maybe I am overthinking it. According to Charlie Wilson, a climate scientist at the UK’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, getting rid of a private car is no doubt a positive step to reduce CO2 emissions.
He points to research by the OECD’s International Transport Forum. “They showed that moving from a private vehicle fleet(车队)to a shared vehicle fleet can greatly cut the number of vehicles you need to deliver the mobility that we need and want. If that vehicle fleet is electrified, you can also bring CO2 emissions close to zero.”
So in other words, just get rid of your car.
1. What do we know about the author’s car?| A．It was old. | B．It was green. |
| C．It was his first car. | D．It was a second-hand car. |
| A．He did both for the wrong reasons. | B．He thinks both help him save money. |
| C．He considers both are right decisions. | D．He did both out of concern for the environment. |
| A．He may have to spend more on travel. |
| B．His lifestyle might be changed completely. |
| C．He might get bored with public transportation. |
| D．His decision may fail to help the environment. |
| A．It is wise to do away with old private cars. |
| B．It is very easy to deal with old private cars. |
| C．Electric cars are the solution to traffic problems. |
| D．The OECD plays a key role in promoting car-sharing. |
| A．Sunny. | B．Rainy. | C．Cloudy. |
4 . Noise pollution has a long-term effect on tree populations that may persist even after the sources of noise are removed, according to research published Wednesday.
Man-made noise from industry and the building of infrastructure such as roads and pipelines has increased greatly since the middle of last century. While previous research has documented the short-term effect noise has on tree populations as it scares off pollinators (传粉者) such as insects and animals, few studies have covered the long-term effect.
Researchers in the United States looked at tree populations in New Mexico that had been “hearing”a high level of man-made noise for 15 years. They found 75 percent fewer pinyon pine seedlings (矮松苗) in noisy places than quiet ones.
Then they looked at other places in New Mexico, where sources of noise had recently been added and then removed, and examined how populations recovered. The team assumed that populations of the trees — in this case pinyon seedlings — would recover as the pollinators would return to the places once the noise had disappeared. Instead, they found a long-term drop in seedling numbers as the birds refused to revisit the places.
“The effects of human noise pollution are growing into these woodland communities,” said Clinton Francis, lead researcher from California Polytechnic State University. “What we’re seeing is that removal of the noise doesn’t necessarily immediately result in a recovery of ecological function.”
Jennifer Phillips, co-author of the research, said the findings showed how the effect of noise pollution could put pollinators off even after the noise is removed. “Animals like the birds that are sensitive to noise learn to avoid particular areas.” said Phillips. “It may take time for animals to come back to pollinate trees in these previously noisy areas, and we don’t know how long that might take.”
As governments continue to face growing evidence of the damage to nature caused by urbanization (城市化), Phillips held that the influence of noise pollution should also be factored into planning decisions.
1. What does the underlined word “persist” mean in paragraph 1?| A．Recover. | B．Decrease. | C．Last. | D．Disappear. |
| A．By studying cases in New Mexico. |
| B．By challenging the previous research. |
| C．By recording the routines of pollinators. |
| D．By following the sources of noise pollution. |
| A．Noise pollution kills large numbers of birds. |
| B．Governments should take measures to remove noise. |
| C．Ecological recovery contributes to the removal of noise. |
| D．It’s hard to tell when birds will revisit previously noisy places. |
| A．Removing noise enables plants to grow better. |
| B．Pollinators play a role in increasing plant population. |
| C．Noise pollution has long-term effects on plant populations. |
| D．Man-made noise does great harm to woodland communities. |
5 . Do you love animals? Are you interested in spreading awareness about animal suffering around the world? Then A Voice for Animals is perfect for you! Check out what past winners are doing to make a difference for animals.
Sneha Ayagari
Junior high student Sneha and her sister Raga founded the Louie Foundation, which works on issues related to the welfare of animals, wildlife and children. The organization's current project Kitabu for Kids has raised enough money to provide hundreds of textbooks for children in need in Tanzania.
Winner: 2011, First Prize
Sofia Prado
In high school, Sofia Prado founded Huaperros, a shelter and clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, for stray and companion animals. Sofia has been involved in numerous campaigns to address animal overpopulation and neglect. She ran a free campaign with Foundation Luca where 55 dogs and 11l cats were sterilized (绝育). Sofia was chosen to participate in "Pedigree Adoptame" as one of 32 shelter owners from around Mexico.
Winner: 2009, Best Personal Activist
Alexander "Zander" Srodes
Alexander "Zander" Srodes has been teaching students about sea turtle conservation since he was 11 and has developed a turtle activity book Turtle Talks read by more than 200, 00 children in 10 countries. Winner: 2008, Best Personal & Active Involvement. Jenifer Yost
Jennifer was 14 when she started her own bird rescue. She did a lot of research on the needs of birds and then got her certification as a Veterinary Assistant.
Winner:2010, Best Personal & Active Involvement.
1. Which of the following donated some textbooks to school Kids?| A．Huaperrros. | B．Fundacion Luca. |
| C．The Louie Foundation. | D．Pedigree Adoptame. |
| A．Sneha Ayyagari. | B．Sofia Prado. |
| C．Jennifer Yost. | D．Alexander “Zander" Srodes. |
| A．In 2008. | B．In 2009. |
| C．In 2010. | D．In 2011. |
| A．Rainy. | B．Sunny. | C．Windy. |
Many developed nations are now concerned about saving nature rather than developing or destroying it. However , many poorer nations must focus on
8 . Pyramid of Giza
One of seven wonders of ancient world also becomes favorite site for astronomers to capture photographs from the orbit. It is not at all visible with naked eyes from space, so astronomers used special cameras for it .
Grand Canyon
It surely takes many days to enjoy every site of 277-mile-long Grand Canyon in Arizona, But the astronauts at orbits of Earth are able to see Grand Canyon with their own eyes all at once. The space images of Grand Canyon help the scientists to make surface map of the steep sided Canyon , also to monitor the changes within its surface.
Ganges River Delta
Ganges River Delta is 220 miles long; this amazing geographic feature can also seen from orbits of Earth . When the river becomes empty , it becomes the largest remaining habitat of Bengal tiger and other rich wild life.
Palm Island, Dubai
Palm Island along with world islands of Dubai can be seen even from space . The Palm Island actually holds two artificial island in shape of palm tree, spreading across in an area of 100,000 square meters. You can meet hundreds of luxury hotels and parks within this man-made wonder.
1. Which of the following cannot be seen from space without special equipment?| A．pyramid of Giza. | B．Grand Canyon. |
| C．Ganges River Delta. | D．Palm Island, Dubai. |
| A．The space pictures of Grand Canyon are intended just for entertainment. |
| B．Grand Canyon is longer than Ganges River Delta by 57 miles. |
| C．Ganges River Delta is always the largest habitat or various wild animals. |
| D．Palm trees on Dubai artificial islands cover an area of 100,000 square meters. |
