1 . In a Parisian old shoe factory on the city’s outskirts, a new kind of life is taking root. Neoplants, a startup from Paris, has developed a special houseplant that could potentially help improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants.
The plant is a modified variety of one of the most popular and low-maintenance houseplants. Its DNA has been altered to enhance its capacity to absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air we breathe inside our homes. These VOCs include substances like formaldehyde, benzene. toluene. ethylbenzene, and xylene, which are commonly found indoors and can be harmful in large quantities.
The genetic tweaking also allows the plant to convert the absorbed VOCs into substances it can use. such as sugars and carbon dioxide, which then fuel its growth. While Neoplants’concept is quite promising, proving its effectiveness is a challenge.
Plant shops often claim their greenery can purify the air, but much of this belief stems from research conducted by NASA back in 1989. They found that houseplants could indeed absorb certain toxins. However, achieving the same level of toxin removal as simply opening a window would require an impractical number of plants — anywhere from 10 to 1,000 per square meter.
So, does Neoplants’genetically modified houseplant offer a better solution? Field tests haven’t yielded definitive results yet, but there is hope for more conclusive testing in the future with the help of a new lab equipped with unique non-absorbent rooms that mimic real-life conditions . Additionally, the company is exploring potential applications for its gene-editing technology in areas such as carbon capture and phytoremediation, where plants are used to clean up contaminated environments
Neoplants is relying on patience and a bit of faith. It takes time for innovations to mature. “This will be the first time such a product exists.” says the company’s CEO. drawing a parallel to the early days of computers, which were not very powerful initially but still represented a significant breakthrough.
With Neoplants’ vision, the old shoe factory on the edge of Paris isn’t just a place where shoes were made; it’s where a novel approach to cleaning our indoor air is being cultivated — one that could someday make our homes healthier and more environmentally friendly.
1. What does Neoplants’genetically modified houseplant aim to do?A.maintain its capacity easily | B.absorb VOC’s massively |
C.alter its DNA completely | D.fuel its growth quickly |
A.The absorbed VOCs can enhance the growth of the plant. |
B.Opening a window can remove the same level of toxins as the Neoplants. |
C.Neoplants will need powerful computers to make a significant breakthrough. |
D.Conclusive testing needs conducting to achieve definite results. |
A.The process of using plants to absorb nutrients. | B.The process of using plants to purify the air. |
C.The process of using plants to explore applications. | D.The process of using plants to edit certain genes. |
A.Science fiction. | B.A scientific textbook. | C.A news article. | D.An art magazine. |
Stretching along the west coast of North America from northern California to Alaska, the forests found along the Pacific Coast Range are the largest area of temperate (温带的) rainforest in the world. The forests are home to the coast redwood, the world’s tallest tree. Across the region, the forest understory (林下叶层) is wet and heavily vegetated.
Taiheiyo Evergreen Forests
Found in southern Japan, they are temperate rainforests of evergreen broadleaf trees. The forests can receive more than 100 inches of rain every year. The forests are covered by Japanese cedar and Japanese stone oak, while moso bamboo comprise the understory. The extent of the Taiheiyo forests has been reduced due to development and agriculture. Today,17%of the remaining forest is protected by national parks and other reserves.
Atlantic Oakwood Forest
The Atlantic Oakwood Forest covers the wettest parts of the United Kingdom. A species of oak tree (橡树) called sessile oak occupies the landscape. Unlike other temperate forests, these forests tend to have an open understory of grasses. Much of the historical range of the forest has given to agriculture and other development, though that has changed in recent decades.
Valdivian Temperate Rainforest
This forest is found on the west coast of Chile and Argentina, on the wet, western slopes (斜坡) of the Andes mountain range. With the coastline to the west, the peaks of the Andes to the east, and the Atacama Desert to the north, the region supports a number of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Uniquely, the forest is covered by evergreen flowering trees, which are native to Chile and little known outside the region.
1. Which of the four forest areas occupies the most land?A.Pacific Coast Range. | B.Taiheiyo Evergreen Forests. |
C.Atlantic Oakwood Forest. | D.Valdivian Temperate Rainforest. |
A.They have open understory grasses. | B.They’re home to extremely tall trees. |
C.They’re of great historical significance. | D.They used to be affected by agriculture. |
A.Wet climate. | B.Coastal location. |
C.Evergreen flowering trees. | D.Well-protected national parks. |
A.Bring flowers. | B.Take a pot plant. |
C.Buy postcards. | D.Send fruits. |
1. What are the speakers discussing?
A.The man’s house. | B.The effects of global warming. | C.The man’s job. |
A.Animals can get more food. |
B.Green can be seen all year round. |
C.He lives by the sea. |
A.Grass. | B.Vegetables. | C.Trees. |
5 . Madagascar, the world’s second-largest island country located off Africa’s eastern coast, is an island of diverse ecosystems and a biodiversity hotspot. The country has unique wildlife, with 90% of its plants and animals found nowhere else. Madagascar’s wildlife creates some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and popular spots. One of its conspicuous landscapes, attracting tourists from almost all corners of the Earth, is the Avenue of the Baobabs in the Menabe region. This avenue is made up of numerous baobab trees along the dirt road linking Belon’i Tsiribihina and Morondava, creating a unique and beautiful setting.
Baobab trees are common throughout Madagascar. Of the Earth’s eight species, six are native to the country. Some of the baobabs in the country are about 2, 800 years old, with trunks rising to 150 feet. The avenue is a row of about 25 baobabs stretching about 260 meters. Other baobab trees are also found in the nearby pastures (牧草地). This road is one of Madagascar’s most visited places. It is also the most accessible place to see some of Africa’s oldest baobabs. These trees were once part of a forest that was made up of other plants. However, massive deforestation cleared the area of most trees, leaving the baobabs to grow alone.
The baobab trees along the road and the other species growing in the nearby areas are always under constant threat from the increasing population. The trees also face threats from polluted water from the nearby fields, forest fires, and bushfires. Despite being a popular tourist attraction, the Avenue of the Baobabs has no admission fee or visitor center and generates little money for local communities.
Thankfully, non-governmental organizations in partnership with the government have noticed the area and developed activities to protect the avenue. The Ministry of Environment, Ecology, and Forests declared it a temporary protected area in July 2007. In July 2015, the site was declared a national monument (国家保护区), the first in Madagascar. The government and local communities hope the trees can survive for additional 800 years.
1. What does the underlined word “conspicuous” in the first paragraph mean?A.New. | B.Cultural. | C.Striking. | D.Changing. |
A.It is a big forest. | B.It has eight baobab species. |
C.It consists of many different plants. | D.It has Africa’s oldest baobabs. |
A.The risk to local baobab trees. |
B.Natural disasters in Madagascar. |
C.Poor living conditions in Madagascar. |
D.The quality customer service of the avenue. |
A.Curiosity. | B.Caution. | C.Hopefulness. | D.Sympathy. |
Indoor plants are a beautiful way to
Gardening expert Jessica Damiano
With high yield and superior quality, Chinese hybrid rice varieties have been introduced around the world,
In the past 40 years, Chinese scientists
Yuan Longping,
It
8 . Burning coal for energy adds planet-warming carbon dioxide(CO2) to Earth's atmosphere. As the planet heats up, experts warn that simply cutting greenhouse gas emissions(排放) will not be enough to avoid global warming. CO2 must also be remcved from the atmosphere.
Existing experimental machines that pull CO2 directly from the air are too expensive to be widely used. But a new effective technology to remove CO2 already exists. It is not expensive and easy. It is forests. Planting trees and watching forests are effective ways to clean the air.
Forests used to cover large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. In the state of West Virginia, coal mining left the land there bare, without trees. Over the years, coal mining and cutting forests took over 90 percent of the red spruce(云杉) forests.
Chris Barton works for the University of Kentucky. He started a group called Green Forests Work, aiming to put trees back on the roughly 400 , 000 hectares of land.
However, Barton explains the land has problems. "If you planted trees on these places, they just didn't grow. The ground was too hard. Water didn't infiltrate(渗透). The trees can't root. Oxygen can't circulate in those environments. "Using heavy equipment, workers tear the ground. In this way, the trees put down roots.
Barton says not everyone believes the solution is a good idea. "We've had a lot of doubtful look at us twice from people. But after we do it, there's no question that it was the right thing to do. "And it has worked. Forests are coming back to the grounds.
Scientists say that, in West Virginia alone, restoring red spruce forests to the area could send what is equal to 56 million barrels(桶)of oil into the ground. But it will take time—a long time. Around the world, experts say, nature offers powerful tools to fight climate change. But patience is needed. Nature works, but slowly, in its own time.
1. What is the economical and effective way to remove CO2 from the air?A.Inventing new and powerful machines. | B.Cutting greenhouse gas emissions. | C.Making use of natural gases instead of coal. | D.Planting trees and protecting forests. |
A.Cry. | B.Repair. | C.Destroy. | D.Cover. |
A.oxygen is not enough for trees to grow there |
B.too many rocks had made it hard to plant trees |
C.coal mining has spoiled the land through years |
D.there is no water for trees to grow there |
A.a painful process | B.a slow process | C.a creative process | D.a learning process |
9 . Sunflower season generally runs from late July, so be sure to visit the best sunflower fields near Chicago.
Thompson Strawberry Farm
This huge Wisconsin sunflower field covers an area of 15 acres, so come prepared with scissors and a jar to prepare for a long day of picking. Visitors are welcome to cut up to a dozen sunflowers from the field, but if you really want to take home a few more, additional flowers will only set you back a dollar each.
$25 per car for up to six people, $5 per person for more than six people.
Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm
Flower enthusiasts will delight in walking through more than 5 acres of sunflowers at this farm, which offers an all—day pass that gives you access to the sunflower field and other farm attractions like corn mazes(迷宫). You can buy a De Bucket: a $20 basket you can fill with as many flowers as you can fit inside.
Thistleberry Farm
Though some of its previous summer sunflower fields have already been cleaned, South Bend's Thistleberry Farm will once again erupt in a 3—acre sea of sunflowers from September 16—27. You can order tickets online to reserve a spot before visiting.
$6 per person plus a $ l online processing fee.
M&D Farm and Garden Center
Located just 45 minutes of driving outside the city in Homer Glen, Illinois, this 10—acre farm allow for six weeks throughout the season. Check the farm's Facebook page for updates about when the field will enter full golden time — and when you visit, be sure to have a couple of fresh cut sunflowers for $2.50 each.
$5 Monday —Friday, $7 Saturday — Sunday, children under 3 free.
1. Which sunflower field is the largest?A.Thistleberry Farm. |
B.Thompson Strawberry Farm. |
C.Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm. |
D.M&D Farm and Garden Center. |
A.Free Admission. |
B.Sunflower cleaning. |
C.Online ticket booking. |
D.Sunflower delivery. |
A.$10. | B.$20. | C.$25. | D.$50. |