1 . You may have noticed there’s a layer of dried autumnal leaves building up on paths and pavements across the UK, even though we’re technically still in summer and most of the country is enjoying moderate temperatures.

Normally, trees shed their leaves every autumn as a means to survive the winter. Dropping them prevents the water in the cells of the leaves from freezing as temperatures drop and means new ones can grow in their place the following year. During this process the leaves go from greens, which allow them to process sunlight for “food” during the summer, to oranges and reds as the trees store the supply for winter. This is usually caused by reducing sunlight levels as the days get shorter.

However, the changing colours of the leaves and the early leaf fall this year indicate that trees are distessed (苦恼的) following the record-breaking temperatures of July, the almost-as-hot August days, coupled with a lack of rainfall across the summer. According to Leigh Hunt, the senior horticultural adviser at the Royal Horticultural Society, trees are “shutting up shop”. He told the BBC, “It’s giving the appearance that we’re already in autumn but the days are too long for those natural autumn processes to begin.”

The shocking change in weather means many trees may end up dying. It’s not just trees that have been afected, either. Fruits and nuts are also ripening much faster due to the bizarre (异乎寻常的) climate, which means wildlife food supply could be seriously interrupted.

So, can the trees recover? Hunt told the BBC there’s a chance that trees which have only lost a few leaves, or experienced slight yellowing should recover if there is enough rainfall. But if it dries up completely, to survive through the desperate situation, some trees might end up producing more seeds to try and reproduce.

1. What is the problem of the trees in the UK this year?

A．Leaves can’t process sunlight.

B．The water in the leaves freezes.

C．Leaves turn yellow and fall early.

D．New leaves can’t grow in place.

2. What does “processes” in Paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Leaves dying and falling.	B．Trees storing supply for winter.
C．Leaves changing colours.	D．Trees processing sunlight for food.

3. Why are trees suffering this year?

A．A record-low temperature.	B．The early arrival of autumn.
C．A severe heat and drought.	D．The decreasing sunlight levels.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．It’s possible for trees to recover.	B．Trees become bare this year.
C．Rainfall means little to trees’ recovery.	D．Many trees have died out in the UK.