1 . Seagrass meadows(海草床) are wonder plants growing beneath the sea. They feed and shelter sea life and are masterful at storing carbon. Thanks to the assistance of tiger sharks, a huge seagrass meadow in the Bahamas Banks was recently discovered, offering the world a tool to fight climate change.
Seagrass has usually been detected by Earth-orbiting satellites that identify darker patches in the blue water. In this study, tiger sharks were selected as research tools due to their highly consistent associations with seagrass ecosystems. They spend 70% of their time in seagrass meadows. The team equipped eight tiger sharks with satellite tags (电子跟踪器), seven sharks with camera tags, and used a 360-degree camera on a shark for the first time ever.
The data researchers collected was astonishing. The world’s largest seagrass ecosystem, measuring at least 66,900 square kilometers, has been discovered. This reflects a 41% increase from previous estimates of global seagrass. Seagrass can capture (捕获) huge quantities of carbon by photosynthesis (光合作用) and stores it on the seafloor. In terms of climate change, this is excellent news; seagrass is 35 times faster a removing carbon than tropical rainforests. When referred to global seagrass carbon stock estimates, the study indicates that seagrass in the Bahamas may contain 19.2% to 26.3% of all the carbon stored in seagrass meadows on Earth.
Yet seagrass meadows are rapidly disappearing, with over 92% of meadows in the UK gone, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Scientists are collecting seeds and trying to grow new seagrass meadows through restoration projects. This new discovery offers optimism and proves the importance of the ocean for healing.
The sharks led us to the seagrass ecosystem in the Bahamas, which we now know is likely the most significant blue carbon sink(蓝色碳汇) on the planet. What this discovery shows us is that ocean exploration and research are essential for a healthy future. The untapped potential of the ocean is limitless. These meadows can be protected and can be replicated (复制,仿制), offering hope for climate change around the globe.
1. Why were tiger sharks chosen as research tools?| A．They are more flexible than other sea animals. |
| B．They can quickly adjust themselves to the deep sea. |
| C．They have a strong connection with seagrass ecosystems. |
| D．They can be easily equipped with experimental devices. |
| A．The decline of global seagrass meadows. |
| B．The impact of climate change on sea life. |
| C．The rapid increase in the amount of carbon on Earth. |
| D．The potential value of the world’s largest seagrass ecosystem. |
| A．Planting more seagrass meadows. |
| B．Developing new technology to collect seeds. |
| C．Mapping the distribution of seagrass meadows. |
| D．Encouraging people to join in restoration projects. |
| A．The New Way of Removing Carbon |
| B．The Significance of Ocean Exploration |
| C．A New Discovery: World’s Largest Seagrass Meadow |
| D．Tiger Sharks: Scientists’ Essential Helper to Study Climate |
“Judy, hurry up! Let’s go to the beach!” That was a familiar morning call from my older brother, Sirin. Hearing that, I would spring up quickly and we would set off on our journey. Raised by our grandparents in Savanna, we experienced our happiest moments there. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, with its lush green trees, crystal-like ocean, and clear blue sky, Savanna was like a small village from a fairy tale.
Sirin and I often enjoyed the gentle sea breeze as we explored the breathtaking coast, with the endless, open water beside us and the vast, clear sky overhead. We felt a sense of freedom to wander the sandy beach or experience the excitement of sailing out to sea, delighting in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature’s wonders. When we grew tired, leisurely walking on the soft, warm sands to collect unique, fascinating seashells brought us a different kind of peaceful joy. The friendly, warmhearted villagers treated us like family, often sharing their freshly-caught seafood with us.
Three years later, we were taken away from the village to receive a better education by our parents. Occupied with our study, we rarely visited our beloved grandparents, only calling them occasionally. We gradually adapted to the fast-paced city life and found it more efficient and convenient. Whenever we had an appetite for seafood, our dad would simply order it through his phone, and it would be delivered to our doorstep within minutes. In addition to seafood, we could order anything our hearts desired, no matter how late it was. What we loved most was the convenience of not needing to wash the dishes after eating, as they were all disposable, designed for single use.
However, deep within us, we sometimes longed for the simple pleasures of village life. We were told by our grandparents that more and more tourists flooded into the village, which strengthened our desire to return. So, when the eagerly-awaited summer vacation arrived this year, we finally made our dream trip back to our childhood paradise. After greeting our grandparents with hugs and smiles, we eagerly headed towards the sun-kissed seaside to relive our cherished memories.
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。
Paragraph 1: However, what we saw shocked us.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2: Hearing Grandfather’s words, we couldn’t wait to do something to tackle the pollution.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3 . As a shift in the polar vortex (极地涡旋) swept across much of the US, many people in the country were hit with a sudden snap of cold. Heavy ice and snow coupled with fallen trees caused the outages in major cities, with companies unable to tell their customers when power will be restored.
Polar vortices were noticed long ago. But the first known use of the term “polar vortex” was in a magazine in 1853. Polar vortices are present year-round, but we don’t hear about them until they cause problems. They maintain freezing temperatures at the North and South poles by moving in tight counter-clockwise patterns. Polar vortices grow stronger in winter and weaken in summer. They are kept in place at the poles by another atmospheric current called the jet stream. However, when the jet streams weaken, the cold winds of the polar vortex are pushed southwards and it is during this time that people begin to pay attention!
In Texas, roads froze over, causing six traffic deaths, and many schools were shut-down. People are not the only Earthlings to struggle with the cold. Crops and animals are also freezing. This could have major consequences, especially if herds of cattle die. If snow blocks cattle, the animals can’t reach basic necessities like food and fresh water.
On a brighter note, some Texas cities were more prepared than others. For instance, Amarillo, which is located in North Texas, so they are more accustomed to colder temperatures. Amarillo is notable because the city was redesigned to stand up to severe winter storms. Officials have spread out fire stations to increase coverage of first responders, employed modified dump trucks for clearing ice, and upgraded civic centers to provide shelter during storms. Hopefully, other Texas cities will follow the good example set by Amarillo!
1. What does the underlined word “outages” refer to?| A．Traffic jams. | B．Power struggles. |
| C．Power cuts. | D．Traffic accidents. |
| A．They grow stronger in summer. | B．They are affected by jet streams. |
| C．They were first observed in 1853. | D．They move in a clockwise direction. |
| A．The definition of the polar vortex. | B．The characteristics of the polar vortex. |
| C．The ways to deal with the polar vortex. | D．The serious impact made by the polar vortex. |
| A．Because it is located in the north of Texas. |
| B．Because it has been upgraded and modernized. |
| C．Because it has been regarded as an example to other cities. |
| D．Because it has taken effective measures to resist winter storms. |
4 . The UK’s planned ban on sales of new petrol, diesel (柴油) or hybrid (混合动力) cars could start as early as 2032, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said. Last week, the government raised industry concern after bringing the date forward from 2040 to 2035 in order to hit zero-carbon emission targets. But Mr. Shapps told BBC Radio 5 live it would happen by 2035, “or even 2032,” adding there would be consultation.
The main car trade body had previously said the 2035 figure was “concerning”.
The government is setting out its proposals in a United Nations climate summit in November. A Department for Transport spokesperson said, “We are consulting on a range of possible dates to bring forward the end to the sale of petrol and diesel cars.”
“The proposal for this is 2035 — or earlier if a faster transition appears reasonable — as well as including hybrids for the first time.” The UK has set a target of emitting zero carbon by 2050. Experts warned that the original target date of 2040 would still leave old conventional cars on the roads 10 years later. Once the ban comes into effect, only electric cars will be available. Hybrid vehicles are now included in the proposals, which were originally announced in July 2017.
Despite this, Royal Automobile club spokesman Simon Williams said, “While the government appears to be constantly moving forward for ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, drivers should not be worried about choosing a hybrid car now.” “They are potentially the perfect stepping stone for those who want to go electric but have concerns about range (续航), as they aren’t as expensive as a battery electric vehicle. At the moment, they give drivers the best of both worlds.”
How attached are British people to their petrol vehicles? How long until conventional cars go the way of steam engine cars and horse coaches?
1. What is the car industry's attitude towards the ban on the sale of conventional cars?| A．Ambiguous. | B．Indifferent. | C．Worried. | D．Approving. |
| A．To remove the concern of main car trade body. |
| B．To hold back the development of pure battery electric cars. |
| C．To hold a United Nations climate summit in November. |
| D．To meet the zero carbon emission target as planned. |
| A．It's still a wise choice to choose a hybrid car nowadays. |
| B．Battery electric cars should be widely used immediately. |
| C．Drivers should consider about range when choosing a car. |
| D．People should abandon petrol vehicles as soon as possible. |
| A．They will fall out of use some day. | B．They are as important as horse coaches. |
| C．They will remain as a family necessity. | D．They may increase your daily expenses. |
1.倡议的原因和目的；
2.倡议的具体内容；
3.发出倡议。
参考词汇：垃圾分类 garbage sorting 区分 differentiate
注意：词数80左右
可适当增加情节，以使行文连贯。
Dear friends，
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LiHua
6 . Food packaging is filling up landfills and polluting our oceans, where materials like plastic can take centuries to break down. But one company might have a tasty solution to cut down our use of plastic dishware.
Georgina de Kock, an artist and entrepreneur, launched Munch Bowls that has created a biodegradable bowl made from wheat, which you can eat as part of your meal. The bowls can hold hot soup for up to five hours. They get rid of the waste generated from disposable containers, or the products and time needed to clean reusable ones.
A large bowl wholesales for around 33 cents. Although this is more expensive than traditional plastic packaging, de Kock argues the bowls have nutritional value and can be integrated into a healthy diet. They are made with all natural ingredients, including rooibos extract, a plant that is high in antioxidants (抗氧化物). Customers can purchase plain flavor bowls for main meals and sweet flavor bowls for desserts.
De Kock says that she has recently taken on a business partner to help her branch out. By the end of next year, the startup hopes to establish six production lines and to make other products such as spoons, coffee cups and containers for meals on flights. “The edible bowl is an alternative to plastic and paper products that end up in landfills. It prevents the harm of plastic products, paving the way for its commercial success,” Siegfried Fink, an ecologist says.
1. What can we know about the biodegradable bowl produced by Munch Bowls?| A．It has different tastes. | B．It takes five hours to degrade. |
| C．It is cheaper than traditional bowls. | D．It provides daily value for antioxidants. |
| A．To provide meals on flights. | B．To improve products’ quality. |
| C．To find more business partners. | D．To diversify into new products. |
| A．Unprofitable. | B．Promising. | C．Indecisive. | D．Challenging. |
| A．Eat your bowl | B．Protect our oceans |
| C．Enjoy your cuisine | D．Get rid of the dishware |
7 . Extreme heat often brings extreme wildfires, and this year is no exception, with unprecedented heat waves fueling enormous outbreaks of fires in the western United States and Canada, as well as across the Mediterranean and in Siberia. But paradoxically, the most intense wildfires can have the opposite effect on temperatures, cooling Earth’s surface both regionally and globally.
Thick wildfire smoke can temporarily block sunlight near the ground, causing regional temperatures to drop by several degrees. Wildfire smoke can also have global cooling effects by making clouds in the lower atmosphere more reflective or blocking sunlight in the upper atmosphere, similar to what a volcanic eruption does.
The effect is far too small to counteract human-caused global warming; researchers say it’s too early to predict what it means for the broader climate system. But with fire seasons growing more intense around the world and triggering a range of extreme fire weather in North America and elsewhere, the search for answers is growing increasingly urgent.
Smoke particles act as seeds for water vapor to form clouds that are smaller and reflect more sunlight. While smoke tends to rain out of clouds fairly quickly, the Australian bushfires raged for months, pumping more and more cloud-brightening smoke into the atmosphere. “It’s not a big effect, but when you integrate over the entire Southern Ocean, it adds up,” one of the researchers says.
While this research highlights the cooling effects of smoke in the lower atmosphere, on occasion, wildfire smoke can reach even higher altitudes into the stratosphere, the layer that starts about 10 miles up. There, it can have additional effects on the climate. Smoke reaches the stratosphere when heat from a powerful wildfire creates an updraft that combines with moisture in the atmosphere to generate towering thunderclouds.
However, scientists have only recently begun studying these effects. “We might still be in the infancy of understanding how large and how important the effects of these wildfires are,” scientists say.
1. What probably causes extreme wildfires to cool the earth globally?| A．Extreme wildfires can result in volcanic eruption. |
| B．Wildfire smoke covers sunlight above the ground forever. |
| C．The smoke blocks less sunlight in the higher atmosphere. |
| D．The clouds in the lower atmosphere reflect more sunlight. |
| A．Spread. | B．Stopped. | C．Released. | D．Strengthened. |
| A．Scientists need further studies of the effects of wildfires. |
| B．Extreme wildfires are the consequence of global warming. |
| C．Wildfire smoke means a lot to the climate system of the earth. |
| D．Smoke at higher altitudes has the most impact on cooling earth. |
| A．A science fiction. | B．A research report. |
| C．A geography textbook. | D．A science magazine. |
8 . China will accelerate law-making on making up for ecological damage, as the mechanism (机制) continues to prove its role in helping restore damaged environments across the country, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. From 2018 to 2021, authorities across the country handled about 11, 300 such cases, with compensation (补偿) amounting to almost 11.7 billion yuan.
The department showed statistics demonstrating the mechanism as effective in dealing with ecological and environmental damage.
It said that thanks to the compensation, over 36 million cubic meters of contaminated soil and 300 million cubic meters of polluted surface water have been treated. The mechanism has also helped restore over 61 million square meters of forest.
In a case exposed in late 2019, for instance, a paper company named Meili was found to have illegally dumped a large amount of thick, black waste from papermaking in the Tengger Desert. According to the ministry’s investigation, most of the pollutants were dumped from 2003 to 2007, polluted soil and groundwater, and damaging plants. In March 2021, after a third-party agency was brought in to assess the damage, a court in Zhongwei required the polluter to pay more than 198 million yuan in compensation in two stages.
In the first stage, Meili will pay about 44.2 million yuan to cover the cost to investigate andclean up the pollutants. The rest of the compensation will be used in the second stage to carry out compensatory restoration, groundwater monitoring and risk control in the area. In its statement, the department of law, regulation and standards also noted the remarkable progress the country has made in enhancing the institutions for the mechanism.
Bie Tao, director of the department, vowed further efforts to promote law-making for the mechanism. “Aside from striving to include ecological and environmental damage compensationinto the Environmental Protection Law and other relevant laws, we will also make efforts to promote research into a specific law for the mechanism,” he said.
1. What does the underlined word “contaminated” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?| A．Dirty. | B．Pure. | C．Tidy. | D．Rich. |
| A．How to make the law. | B．How the mechanism worked. |
| C．How to monitor groundwater. | D．How the environment was polluted. |
| A．Detailed news about global warming. |
| B．Clearly defined law for the mechanism. |
| C．Further research into the paper company. |
| D．Regular process of environmental protection. |
| A．Make polluters pay | B．Keep the earth healthy |
| C．Stop environmental damage | D．Work harmoniously with each other |
1.现状说明；
2.具体措施；
3.发出倡议。
注意：
1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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10 . Thanks to its harsh environment, Antarctica remained largely untouched by humans for many millennia (千年), allowing a thriving ecosystem to evolve. However, since the 1990s, the last true wilderness on the planet is becoming an increasingly popular destination for adventure-seeking tourists. Now, a new study declares that the visitors may be leaving behind harmful bacteria which could devastate all of the area’s native bird population.
Humans can infect animals with illnesses such as the flu. Researchers, however, believed that the Antarctic animals were immune to the danger due to the continent’s extreme weather. However, microbiologist Marta Cerda-Cuellar was not convinced. She and some colleagues decided to examine waste samples from Antarctic birds for evidence of human bacteria. To ensure the waste was not polluted, the scientists had to collect it from the birds themselves.
The results of their study revealed the presence of several types of human bacteria in the bird waste. This included a common strain (品种) of bacteria that causes food poisoning in humans. The researchers say the bacteria strains were resistant to commonly-used human antibiotics, indicating they were brought in by the visitors, rather than migratory birds.
“These strains, which are a common cause for infections in humans and livestock, do not usually cause death outbreaks in wild animals,” says Gonzalez Solis. “However, the emerging of invasive pathogens (病原体) that arrive to highly sensitive populations could have severe consequences and cause the local collapse and extinction of some populations.” The researcher also fears the presence of these bugs could foreshadow (预示) the arrival of other, more deadly, pathogens as the number of tourists people increases.
Experts believe the only way to prevent the mass destruction of the birds is to impose stricter regulations or, at least, put the ones already in place into effect. For example, while the Antarctica Treaty requires visitors to carry their waste back home to safeguard the pristine (原始纯净的) environment, the regulation is rarely enforced. Fortunately, nowadays some officials are taking steps to save the vulnerable birds before it’s too late.
1. What problem is Antarctica facing according to Paragraphs 1&2?| A．The increasing number of birds. | B．The worsening wilderness. |
| C．The replaced native bird species. | D．The spread of infectious illnesses. |
| A．Reject. | B．Protect. | C．Destroy. | D．Benefit. |
| A．There were several types of human bacteria in them. |
| B．Migratory birds brought these strains of bacteria in. |
| C．The strains usually cause death outbreaks in wild animals. |
| D．The invasive pathogens will become more deadly ones soon. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Doubtful. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Optimistic. |
