1 . A new study by scientists at Utrecht University concludes that about half of global wastewater is treated, rather than the previous estimate of 20%. Despite this promising finding, the authors warn that treatment rates in developing countries are still very low.
Humans and factories produce vast quantities of wastewater per day. If not properly collected and treated, wastewater may severely threaten human health and pollute the environment.
The authors use national statistics to estimate volumes of wastewater production, collection, treatment and reuse. “Globally, about 359 billion cubic metres of wastewater is produced each year, equivalent to 144 million Olympic-sized swimming pools,” says Edward Jones, PhD researcher at Utrecht University. “About 48 percent of that water is currently released untreated. This is much lower than the frequently announced figure of 80%.”
While the results show a more optimistic outlook, the authors stress that many challenges still exist. “We see that particularly in the developing world, where most of the future population growth will likely occur, treatment rates are falling behind,” Jones explains. “In these countries, wastewater production is likely to rise at a faster pace than the current development of collection and treatment basic facilities. This poses serious threats to both human health and the environment.”
The main problem, especially in the developing world, is the lack of financial resources to build basic facilities to collect and treat wastewater. This is particularly the case for advanced treatment technologies, which can be extremely expensive. However, the authors highlight potential opportunities for creative reuse of wastewater streams that could help to finance improved wastewater treatment practices.
“The most obvious reuse of treated wastewater is to increase freshwater water supplies,” Jones states. Treated wastewater reuse is already an important source of irrigation water in many dry countries. However, only 11% of the wastewater produced globally is currently being reused, which shows large opportunities for expansion.
“But freshwater increasing is not the only opportunity,” says Jones. “Wastewater also has large potential as a source of nutrients and energy. Recognition of wastewater as a resource, opposed to as ‘waste’, will be the key to driving improved treatment going forward.”
However, the authors stress the importance of proper monitoring of wastewater treatment factories, accompanied by strong legislation (法律) and regulations, to ensure that the reuse of wastewater is safe. The authors also acknowledge public acceptance as another key barrier towards increasing wastewater reuse.
1. According to the author, the meaning of treating wastewater lies in ________.| A．encouraging new scientific findings |
| B．estimating volumes of wastewater production |
| C．ensuring human health and protecting the environment |
| D．measuring how much wastewater is produced globally per day |
| A．equal | B．harmful | C．useful | D．friendly |
| A．treated wastewater can’t be used as irrigation water |
| B．wastewater production in developing countries is falling |
| C．the treatment of wastewater is more serious than estimated |
| D．public recognition plays an important role in wastewater reuse |
2 . Have you ever enjoyed a trip to a zoo, but wondered whether it is acceptable for humans to keep so many treasured animals in cages. You are not alone. Many people concerned about the fate of zoo animals and feel conflicted about the very existence of zoos. However, there is no reason to worry.
Most zoos around the world provide the highest level of care and cleanliness for their animal residents. In fact, animals in zoos often experience far healthier lives than they would in the wild due to the access to medical care.
Zoos provide opportunities for people of all ages to view and connect with animal life that they would otherwise not encounter. By interacting with wild life, people can gain a greater appreciation for the animals of the world. Zoos offer educational experiences through which people can learn why it is so important to protect and maintain the diversity of animal life on Earth.
Zoos also function as places where these often rare or endangered animals can be studied. By keeping and raising animals in cages, extensive research can be conducted on the animals to help scientists understand them. This scientific understanding, in turn, contributes to conservation efforts around the world. Because zoos are a safe place for animals to be observed, scientists are able to make important discoveries about their lives.
While it is true that not all zoos are as well maintained and equipped, there is growing international pressure for universal regulations that will ensure the monitoring of all public zoos. This type of legal support will allow the world’s zoos to continue their important research programs, many of which are adjusted toward breeding programs designed to make more endangered species come in. Breeding programs are essential to continue certain species which are nearly wiped out from the wild, and zoos are the ideal place for these programs to promote the increase of the animals. In this manner, zoos contribute to restoring balance in the wilderness by giving endangered species a second-chance at survival.
If you visit a top-ranking zoo, you will enjoy viewing animals in a habitat designed to support their health. You can rest assured that by supporting such zoos as a visitor, you are also supporting valuable science and conservation efforts. Your interactions with the animals and exhibits might educate you further about creatures in parts of the world you haven’t been exposed to.
When people are inspired, they tend to take action more readily, and zoos are an inspiring example of this truth. Zoos provide an unforgettable experience in appreciating animal life and take concrete action towards advocating for their future.
1. According to the passage, most zoos ________.| A．worry about the fate of rare and treasured animals |
| B．create ways for people to observe and learn animals’ life |
| C．provide poor care and unclean environment for the animals |
| D．educate people to try their best to control the diversity of animals |
| A．public zoos around the world are all monitored |
| B．only the endangered animals should be kept in zoos |
| C．visiting zoos contributes to protecting endangered animals |
| D．Top-ranking zoos allow visitors to study animals’ habitats |
| A．critical | B．cautious | C．supportive | D．anxious |
| A．Are Zoo Animals Healthy? | B．Are Zoos Really Bad News? |
| C．Why Should We Study Animals? | D．Should Animals Be Kept in Cages? |
Rachel had always been fascinated with the mysteries of the sea. She dreamed of exploring the
4 . Urban Wildlife
Cities are diverse ecosystems. In addition to visitors, a large number of species share our urban areas. As our cities spread, we need to think about what it is like for other species to have human neighbors.
Cities are built for humans.
There are also structures built with the aim of bringing wildlife into the city. The Olympic Forest Park in Beijing is a good example. The park used native plants, and created open and natural spaces for wildlife. The result is a zone in Beijing with over 160 species of birds. In many ways, the park is the opposite of a zoo.
If we learn to share our space, we can become better neighbors of the wildlife around us.
| A．They are built to protect birds. |
| B．Our actions sometimes help other species. |
| C．If we do not, more species will become extinct. |
| D．They do not always provide suitable habitats for wildlife. |
| E．Instead of being kept in cages, wildlife can move more freely. |
| F．At first, people were afraid of the bats and tried to get rid of them. |
| G．They would sit on it and their droppings would fall into the water. |
Environmental conditions make the Galapagos a unique island ecosystem.
Japanese adventurer Kenichi Horie at 83 just became the oldest person in the world to complete a solo, nonstop voyage across the Pacific Ocean. Horie
7 . John Oens was an enthusiastic hunter and enjoyed being in the woods. Once into the Wisconsin wilderness in November, his team encountered something unbelievable when he checked the
Instead of a coyote, he saw a huge timber wolf, which is on the endangered species list, trying to get free. John realized he couldn’t
His dad ran to the truck to get a gun as a precaution and some plywood(夹板).
A little time had passed since they found the wolf, but it seemed like an eternity(永恒) to John. When his dad returned, John put the plan in motion. He
John
Finally, John freed the wolf’s paw from the trap. It took one moment for it to spin and fly away. The three men were happy because the wolf was free, and John was still safe.
When they viewed the video to see it all
| A．traps | B．plans | C．routes | D．numbers |
| A．free | B．help | C．miss | D．abandon |
| A．hands | B．life | C．mind | D．hope |
| A．Hopefully | B．Excitedly | C．Finally | D．Causally |
| A．took over | B．set down | C．picked up | D．gave away |
| A．determined | B．interested | C．scared | D．disappointed |
| A．checked | B．inched | C．rushed | D．rolled |
| A．signaling | B．guessing | C．remembering | D．deciding |
| A．develop | B．unfold | C．end | D．record |
| A．challenge | B．preparation | C．choice | D．discovery |
Panda Pride
Pandas are not only a national treasure, but are loved around the world.
Recently, a giant panda cub (幼崽) born in August at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, US, was given the name Xiao Qi Ji, which is translated into English as “little miracle”. The choice was the result of a five-day online vote that drew nearly 135,000 voters in the US.
This cub’s birth proved to be quite inspiring—and at a time when inspiration was truly needed. “Xiao Qi Ji’s birth is a true miracle that has been so uplifting to all of us during the pandemic,” Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said in a video congratulatory message. “We are connected again in the growth of our little ambassador, and in our shared joy and friendship.”
The furry black-and-white animals have played an important role in China’s diplomacy, known as “panda diplomacy”.
In the 1950s, China sent pandas as gifts to friendly countries with no strings attached. The most successful donation being that of two pandas to the US in 1972, a move announced during President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China which marked the beginning of normalized Sino-US relations.
By 1982, China had given 23 pandas to nine different countries. However, most of them have died mainly because they don’t have enough to eat. Adult giant pandas consume about 40 kilograms of fresh bamboo daily. It takes 10 years for a new crop of bamboo to mature, and many countries do not have an environment suitable for bamboo growth.
In acknowledgement of the decline in panda numbers, the Chinese government stopped giving them as gifts. Instead the animals were “loaned”, usually via renewable 10-year rental terms. If a foreign zoo wants to rent a panda, it must first draw up a feasible research program that will help panda conservation. China also banned any form of overseas panda tours for private profit.
The nature of panda exchanges since then has changed into an exercise focused on protecting the species through collaborative research. The government is hoping that cooperation between Chinese and foreign scientists can develop new ways of saving the panda and the entire $1 million annual rental fee goes toward protection and research.
Countries are trying their best to facilitate this special type of diplomacy. “We don’t own the pandas, but the whole world wants to help save the panda, and we do that through our knowledge exchange. The concern for the vulnerable animal unites all citizens regardless of nationality, class or political persuasion.” Steven Monfort, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, told China Daily.
1. Why is Xiao Qi Ji, the giant panda cub’s birth so inspiring?2. What may cause the death of pandas in other countries?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Pandas were loaned to other countries to make profit and boost domestic economy.
4. Apart from pandas, what else can be a cultural ambassador representing China? Name one and explain how it may help China improve international relations. (about 40 words)
Born in New Zealand, Helen
Arctic foxes live on the land and sea ice within the Arctic Circle,
