1. What is Akira Miyawaki?
A.A scientist. | B.A professor. | C.An officer. |
A.Producing more oxygen. |
B.Dealing with climate change. |
C.Attracting different kinds of animals. |
A.It helped communities build 100 forests. |
B.It taught people to grow their own mini forests. |
C.It educated kids about tiny forests. |
A.Mini forests are inspired by a French scientist. |
B.Miyawaki has planted more than 1,000 forests in Japan. |
C.Planting mini forests has become popular in Europe. |
When John pulled into his mother’s driveway with his young daughter, Lily, the sight of the familiar lychee (荔枝) tree welcomed them. “Look, Lily,” John said, pointing to the towering tree in the front yard. “It’s the family tree.”
Lily smiled as John treated the tree as if it were a real family member, patting its trunk (树干) affectionately. As they were admiring the tree, the screen door opened and out stepped Grandma Mei, bathed in the warm Florida sunlight. Grandma Mei, who came from the province of Guangdong in China, was known for her green thumb, particularly when it came to lychees.
Seeing her granddaughter, Grandma Mei adjusted her baseball cap and asked if Lily was ready for some lychees. But Lily hesitated, for the fruit’s appearance was unlike any other fruit she had tried before. With a laugh, Grandma Mei gave her a gentle hug. “More lychees for me then, John,” Grandma Mei said.
“Let’s get busy!” John said with enthusiasm, rubbing his hands together. “Family tree’s waiting.”
Hearing Dad calling the tree by name, Lily couldn’t help laughing. “Laugh if you want, Lily, but this tree is really family. On cold nights, before family tree was fully grown, Grandma Mei used to take my blanket and throw it over that tree.” Grandma Mei nodded, adding that she had to protect the tree from bad weather so that it would become a big strong tree and grow fruit for the whole family.
John, eager to start the day’s work, began climbing the tree, determined to harvest the best lychees for the family. Lily watched in amazement, noticing the clusters (簇) of lychees, their skin rough yet inviting.
As John skillfully cut through the branches with a cutter, Lily expressed her concern for the well-being of the tree. John explained to her that cutting the ends of branches won’t hurt family tree. Instead such behaviour made it healthier and stronger.
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Lily’s hesitation towards the fruit gradually shifted to curiosity and she wanted to try it.
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Later in the afternoon, they all sat under the tree, surrounded by boxes filled with lychees and sharing stories related to lychees.
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3 . Recent research confirms what our farming ancestors have known for centuries about hedges (树篱). They conserve precious soil by acting as windbreaks and absorbing rainwater that would otherwise wash it from the fields. And hedges store carbon, putting them in the front line of our bi d to tackle the climate crisis.
However, hedges have had a tough time in the poor countryside, with farmers encouraged to tear them down in pursuit of maximum production and larger field s to accommodate ever-larger machinery. What’s more, some hedges have been ignored. If left to their own devices, they’ll eventually become a line of trees. Some hedges each year lose their structures and fail to fulfil the primary duty as a barrier. Around a half of the nation’s hedges have disappeared in the past century.
There are signs that “the tide is turning”. The search for net zero has aroused many organizations’ interest in the humble hedge’s role as a carbon sink. The Climate Change Committee is recommending a 40 percent increase in hedges: an additional 200,000 km. Such recommendations are starting to drive policy. Cash-pressed farmers will be encouraged to create new hedges and improve their management of existing ones under the new Environmental Land Management Schemes, which will replace many of the existing agricultural support payments in coming years. Meanwhile, initiatives such as Close the Gap, led by the Tree Council, is providing funding and support to plug the gaps in existing hedges with new planting. There’s even an app to help time-pressed farmers do a quick survey to spot where their hedges need some help.
This is a good time for hedges. Take some of the most pressing challenges facing the countryside, and indeed, the world as a whole — the climate crisis, soil erosion (侵蚀), insect attack and wider biodiversity loss — and hedges are part of the solution.
1. What does recent research show about hedges?A.They are unique landscapes in the rain. |
B.They act as dividing lines between fields. |
C.They have long been helpful to agriculture. |
D.They are frequently washed away from the fields. |
A.Their suffering. | B.Their production. |
C.Their duties. | D.Their structures. |
A.Puzzled. | B.Concerned. | C.Humble. | D.Indifferent. |
A.Hedges: Ancient Resources |
B.Hedges: Official Recommendations |
C.Restoring Hedges: Bringing Benefits to the Environment |
D.Researching Hedges: Originating from Farmers’ Request |
When it comes to cacti (仙人掌), we usually think of them living in very dry environments like deserts. However, the plant can now be seen in some Alpine regions of Switzerland and Italy - mountain areas
“In some parts of Valais, we estimate that the cacti can take
A warmer climate in Alpine areas can be seen
5 . Increased human activity and climate change have caused a rise of algae (藻类植物) in water bodies around the world—sometimes choking ecosystems of sunlight and oxygen. In more extreme cases, they can produce dangerous poisons that can sicken or kill people and animals. But the plenty of algae could prove crucial as our population rises beyond eight billion people worldwide because algae are crops that don’t need land, freshwater, or fertilizer to fill nutritional gaps.
And even though they are so closely associated with human’s bad impact on Earth, algae could also play vital roles in slowing climate change and helping fight against pollution, viruses, and more. With microplastic pollution documented in almost all habitats related to water, a study showed that algae can help filter microplastics from water. Algae can also filter chemicals that can be used for fertilizer.
Algae can produce more effective biofuel than traditional sources. Rescarchers at a German algae growing facility are already using it to fuel plane. Researchers believe this and other sustainable fuels could reduce carbon released from airplanes by up to 80 percent.
Animal feed containing a kind of red algae reduces harmful methane(甲烷)released from cattle by more than 80 percent. The addition works by changing the environment in a cow’s stomach, stopping the production of methane before it can be released.
Red algae can stop the copies of some viruses, and have been shown to stimulate the body’s immune (免疫的) system and could become a powerful anti-HIV medicine.
In 2019, freshwater algae were launched into space to change the CO2 breathed out by astronauts on the International Space Station into oxygen. Since algae are also high in protein, they could replace up to 30 percent of astronaut food in the future.
1. What can we know about algae from the first paragraph?A.Better late than never. | B.Every coin has two sides. |
C.All is well that ends well. | D.Two heads are better than one. |
A.They avoid climate change. | B.They absorb pollutants in the air. |
C.They reduce microplastics in the water. | D.They filter most poisonous chemicals. |
A.Change animal feed into methane. |
B.Store carbon released from airplanes. |
C.Help researchers to create traditional sources. |
D.Create biofuel and reduce methane in cows’s stomach. |
A.By helping fight against diseases. | B.By increasing human’s strength. |
C.By producing more oxygen than other plants. | D.By replacing much food for astronauts. |
6 . Balconies (阳台) are probably not suitable places to grow things. They might be hot, windy, totally shady or with sunlight glaring off the concrete.
Choose the right plants. Choose plants that either love heat, sun and more heat or those that can grow healthy in shade. As many exposed (无遮蔽的) sunny balconies are also very windy, which should be taken into consideration too, avoid the taller plants for those balconies where strong winds are a regular feature.
Keep them moist (湿润的), potted plants dry out much faster, even rain doesn’t wet the soil in most pots much.
Feed them well. Well fed plants are healthier.
A.Clean the leaves. |
B.Water the whole plant. |
C.They will be blown down in their pots. |
D.Plants just weren’t created to live on balconies. |
E.The leaves tend to direct the rainwater out of the pot. |
F.So how do some people manage to plant them in balconies? |
G.They can survive heat, cold and drought better with big healthy roots. |
7 . 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. |
8 . How to create an indoor garden
If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your home, consider creating an indoor garden.
Know the type of plants you want
Deciding is probably the hardest part when it comes to creating an indoor garden because there are just so many plants to choose from. Start by thinking about what type of plants you want.
Get the right potting soil and containers
Now that you know what type of plants you want, it’s time to get the right potting soil and containers. Make sure to get a potting mix that is specifically designed for indoor plants.
Choose a bright location Once you have your plants and pots, it’s time to choose a location for your indoor garden.
In addition to watering, you’ll also need to add substance to your plants about once a month. This will help them grow and stay healthy. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package. Don’t overdo it.
A.Give fertiliser monthly. |
B.How exactly can we make one? |
C.Follow the instruction correctly. |
D.But don’t worry, we’re here to help. |
E.This will help your plants grow strong. |
F.Do you want something that will blossom? |
G.Look for a spot in your home that gets a lot of natural light. |
9 . “The peach tree beams so red. How brilliant are its flowers. The maiden’s getting wed. Good for the nuptial bowers.” This is a verse(诗句) in Shijing, the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, describing a young woman getting married in a cheerful spring.
Peach blossom is a significant element in Chinese culture as it is a symbol of love and well-being, as well as a sign of spring and vitality.
From south to north, many cities, regions and gardens hold their own peach blossom festivals every spring.
Flowering is not just about plants themselves. It’s also about how people approach their lives.
A.Peaches originate in China |
B.The species can be found in the valleys or hills |
C.Chinese people often say “to have peach blossom luck” |
D.Today, watching flowers has become a popular outdoor activity across China |
E.The lovely flowers on the peach tree are produced in early spring before the leaves |
F.They attract many people to enjoy the eye-catching peach flowers and boost local tourism |
G.Since then, peach blossom has been associated with the beauty and romance of young girls |
10 . Sunflowers are huge plants with bright yellow flowers. They have a long history in North America. There is evidence that they were used for food and for medicine by Native Americans beginning around 1000 B. C. The seeds from sunflowers were likely brought to Europe by Spanish explorers around the late 16th century. Over time, they found their way to Eastern Europe. Today, Ukraine is the world’s leading producer of the plants. Sunflowers are grown for their seeds and to make oil.
If you start growing sunflowers from seeds, put them in room-temperature water for 2-8 hours before planting to start the growing process. Plant each seed into dirt 2.5 centimetres deep and 15 to 30 centimetres apart. Plant them after the danger of frost has passed or start indoors three weeks before your last frost date. Keep the soil wet, but not too wet, until the seeds begin to grow.
Sunflower plants can be moved outdoors when the danger of frost has passed in your area. Choose a place outside that will provide the plants with at least 6- 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
As the plants grow, they will develop long roots that work their way deep into the ground. So, before planting, it is important to loosen the soil. Dig at least one third of a metre down and remove any rocks.
Mixa large amount of compost (堆肥) into the soil where the plant will grow. Compost provides important, lasting nutrients that will help the plants all season long. The sunflowers may not need additional nutrients if they are planted with compost. If compost is not added during the planting process, provide nutrients through a slow release, all-purpose fertilizer (肥料) one or two times during the growing season.
1. What can be known about the sunflower in Paragraph 1?A.It originated in South America. | B.It was initially used to make oil. |
C.It has a history of 3,000 years or so. | D.It was taken to Europe by British explorers. |
A.Keep the seeds in water for 10 hours. |
B.Plant seeds 2.5 centimetres apart. |
C.Never put new plants in direct sunlight each day. |
D.Plant seeds indoors 21 days before your last frost date. |
A.It is friendly to roots’ growth. | B.It helps to hold water in the soil. |
C.It guarantees adequate supplies of air. | D.It is more efficient in keeping temperature. |
A.How to select sunflowers. | B.How to grow sunflowers. |
C.When to fertilize sunflowers. | D.When to move sunflowers. |