People in Bangladesh and India are struggling as they face serious flooding caused by early heavy rains. The floods
The flooding
2 . This summer, nearly 65 percent of the United States is experiencing “unusually dry” weather. More than 109 million people are living under drogue conditions.
Most plants require an average of 2 to 4 centimeters of water each week under normal conditions. That need could increase, however, during periods of extreme heat, when the soil dries out more quickly.
Use deeper, less-frequent watering instead of daily sprinkles(洒水)which can be wasteful? Watering deeply also leads to stronger, deeper roots that are better able to support plants when there’s no surface water. So avoid using overhead sprinklers.
Consider using recycled household water, also called gray water, to water plants. Unsalted water left over from boiling eggs or vegetables provides extra nutrients(营养物). Dish and bath water that is not too soapy will not harm plants. And water captured(捕获)while cleaning fruits and vegetables can be used around the garden.
A.So learn how to water plants correctly. |
B.So make good use of water in your house. |
C.You should water newly planted trees regularly. |
D.A lot of them have plants or yards to worry about. |
E.First you should decide which plants need water the most. |
F.Do not offer your plants their weekly water needs all at once. |
G.They wet the leaves and other areas instead of directing water to plant roots. |
3 . Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, started erupting late Sunday in the U.S. island state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The volcano last erupted 38 years ago. But it is not expected to put people in danger.
At this point, melted(熔化的) rock, called lava, is predicted not to come near populated areas, but officials warned people to be ready to move away. The path of lava flows can change quickly.
Island officials warned people to stay away from the areas where lava is coming out because it can shoot 30 to 60 meters in the air. The gas coming from the eruption is also harmful. At the moment, however, the state said air quality on the island is good.
The eruption is a new experience for many people on the island. There are more than twice as many people living there compared to the last time Mauna Loa erupted. State officials are most concerned about an area about 50 kilometers to the south of the volcano where about 5,000 people live.
There is some concern about a weak area on the southwestern part of the mountain. If lava escapes from that area, it could threaten places where people live in just hours or days. The lava has never come up through that area during past eruptions.
The lava could flow toward the city of Hilo, which has about 45,000 people. That could take about a week. Scientists say they hope the lava flows like it did in 1984, when it moved slowly.
Hawaii mayor is Mitch Roth. He said the eruption “will be remarkable”, but he does not think it will cause problems for people visiting Hawaii. He said many people come to Hawaii to see volcanoes, but they have to travel a long way to a national park. Now, they can see an eruption much more easily. “You can just look out your window at night and you’ll be able to see Mauna Loa erupting,” he said.
1. Why did officials give people a warning?A.The way lava flows is uncertain. | B.Air quality on the island isn’t good. |
C.The lava can shoot 60 meters at least. | D.The lava will reach where people live. |
A.It is near populated places. | B.No lava has come up through it. |
C.Many people live there. | D.It can stop eruptions. |
A.People had better leave Hawaii soon. |
B.The eruption is a possible danger to visitors. |
C.It is convenient to watch an eruption in Hawaii. |
D.The eruption is a once-in-a-century natural wonder. |
A.People in Hawaii Are Ready to Escape |
B.Volcanoes in Hawaii Always Attract Visitors |
C.Damage of Volcano in Hawaii Is Not Clear |
D.World’s Largest Active Volcano Erupts in Hawaii |
4 . The Banaue Rice Terraces (梯田) in Ifugao Province in the Philippines offer a great sight. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also rich in history and features how human creativity can produce amazing outcomes. Through hard work, the Ifugao native managed to survive by flattening the mountain’s surface layer by layer and using them as farmlands. This practice of more than two thousand years has put together a well-known wonder.
There are several rice terraces in the Ifugao region but the Banaue Rice Terraces are the most popular tourist spot. The photos of this area are often used in printed materials like textbooks magazines and postcards. After getting a good look at the rice terraces, I was reminded of the first time that I saw their pictures in our textbook during my elementary days. I already found them amusing as a kid and seeing their beauty as an adult got me more amazed.
The tourism officer told us that we were lucky to catch them in their greenest form. If you plan to visit this tourist spot as well, you should take note that we got there last June 1. You can also take into consideration that the rice planting cycle is typically 3 to 6 months.
Unlike the other terraces, the local government created a platform that makes it easy for everyone to get a closer look at the rice terraces. The platform has four stone statues that they refer to as rice protectors.
It’s sad that the younger generation of Ifugaos are slowly abandoning the rice terraces. According to tour guide Alvin, the part of the rice terraces where people can see thick bushes and trees were former rice fields. But the children who inherited (继承) those decided to give up farming and work in big cities instead. I hope that a new farming method with modern equipment will encourage the Ifugaos to continue their rice terraces farming tradition to protect this cultural treasure.
1. What can be learned about the Banaue RiceTerraces?A.They are most known for their history. |
B.They were made to mainly draw tourists. |
C.The locals created them with great wisdom and effort. |
D.Many mountains and lakes were turned into farmlands. |
A.To show the Banaue Rice Terraces are really attractive. |
B.To show Ifugao Province is heavily dependent on tourism. |
C.To show the Banaue Rice Terraces are more suitable for kids to visit. |
D.To show advertisements for the Banaue Rice Terraces spread rapidly. |
A.Tell us some facts about rice planting. |
B.Encourage more people to go to Ifugao. |
C.Raise public awareness of local traditions. |
D.Share the proper time to visit the Banaue Rice Terraces. |
A.Worried. |
B.Positive. |
C.Confused. |
D.Curious. |