1 . The amount of rubbish that piles on our shore lines is hugely worrying and a growing problem for the planet. It seems like no matter how remote you hike and how high you climb, there’s always a dropped plastic container there waiting for you.
Mariah Reading, an American artist, spends the majority of her time outdoors looking for inspiration for her art, based in nature and our natural surroundings. On noticing the amount of waste filling her natural areas, she decided she had to reflect it in her works.
For her latest project, Mariah is looking at both the problem of wasteful littering and the way that art itself can be wasteful in materials, taking the dropped items that fill her natural spaces and painting them to reflect the place in which they were left.
Applying paint to create her masterpieces, Mariah has collected trash (垃圾) from different mountains and parks. “I’ve been considering my relationship with art and the large amount of waste it can produce,” says Mariah. “I wanted to find ways I can confirm art and its important purpose by working with recycled materials found in landscape environments.”
“Since the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, I’ve especially appreciated and been inspired by the natural beauty the parks offer, and found how easily we can take these precious places for granted. I seek to gather as much trash as possible, sculpt it into a canvas (画布), and paint the scene where the trash originated onto the trash itself,” says Mariah.
As well as through this project, Mariah has explored nature in her art in various different ways and through exhibitions. Mariah’s work might not solve the litter problem, but it’s just another way that we can get people talking about the problem and the ways we can prevent it from growing any larger.
1. What gave Mariah the idea of the latest project?| A．The beauty of nearby scenery. |
| B．The rubbish-covered surroundings. |
| C．The potential security risks of beaches. |
| D．The high energy consumption of her artworks. |
| A．To keep people from wasting natural resources. |
| B．To remind people of the litter problem. |
| C．To encourage people to explore parks. |
| D．To make full use of rubbish. |
| A．They are made of oceanic rubbish. |
| B．They appear in the form of sculpture. |
| C．They reflect the trash places on trash itself. |
| D．They’re designed to inspire people’s love for painting. |
| A．The Growing Problem of Rubbish |
| B．Mariah Reading: a Sociable Artist |
| C．An Artist Turns Waste into Amazing Works |
| D．Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service |
2 . Chicago is considering firm measures to prevent the Asian carp,a giant fish native to the Far East, from coming into North America’s Great Lakes in large numbers. Such a move could cost up to$18bn, a heavy economic burden to the city.
This species, more than a metre in length, was originally introduced to southern US states three decades ago to control weeds in sewage (污水) treatment plants. But they escaped into the Mississippi River and increased in number quickly, making their way north towards the Great Lakes and threatening the native fish species along the way.
“Dozens of them will often leap out of the water as boats approach.’’ Michael Beecham，a local environmental expert, described how frightening the scene was. “I’ve gone down the river and seen these fish jump up and hit me in the face. It is a big problem for our native species.” he said.
A meeting has been organized to find a technological solution to the carp problem, one of which involves blocking parts of Chicago’s canal system. Listening at the meeting was John Goss, who was worried about the effect that having barriers in the canal system would have on industry. “It would certainly increase the cost of transportation,” he told. “It is currently very cheap and efficient to bring materials and finished goods down the Chicago ship canal.’’
Another cheaper option is to eat the fish out of existence. Dirk Fucik is selling carp burger(鲤鱼汉堡包) at his fish shop not far from downtown Chicago. He thinks the carps are a great resource. “To catch it and throw it away is a waste,” he says. “Eating them helps solve the problem and also provides jobs.” But the idea has not yet caught on．So far, he is the only person in Chicago selling carp burgers.
1. What can we learn about the Asian carp according to the passage?| A．It is very adaptable to the new environment |
| B．It is originally used to control weeds in the Great Lakes |
| C．It has become a new food in many restaurants |
| D．It has caused parts of Chicago’s canal system to be blocked |
| A．can force the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes |
| B．may lead to the increasing cost of industrial products |
| C．will help the canal system work more efficiently |
| D．will bring high profits to the related companies |
| A．The Americans have included the Asian carp in their food list. |
| B．Catching Asian carps has created many jobs in America |
| C．Dirk Fucik is a pioneer in selling carp burgers in Chicago |
| D．Throwing away the caught fish is a waste of the resources |
| A．Chicago goes to war with Asian carps |
| B．The Asian carp escapes from the Great Lakes |
| C．Possible ways to handle non-native species |
| D．The Great Lakes, new home for Asian Carps |
3 . Just a year ago, the colors were bright under the waves. Now it’s gray — the Maldivian reef is dead. The coral is killed by the pressure of rising temperatures.
Coral reefs are areas underwater where small creatures live. The coral is hard material formed on the bottom of the sea by the skeletons of those creatures. But the world has lost about half its coral reefs in the last 30 years. Scientists are working to prevent their destruction. Due to global warming, over 90 percent of corals are expected to die by 2050. “To lose coral reefs is to fundamentally undermine the health of a very large proportion of the human race,” said Ruth Gates, director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
Why are coral reefs important? Coral reefs support a fourth of all marine species, as well as half a billion people worldwide. They serve as barriers to protect coastlines from the storms. They provide billions of dollars from tourism, fishing and other trade. They are also used in medical research for cures for diseases. “Everyone should be concerned,” said biologist Ove Guldberg at Australia’s University of Queensland. “This is not just some distant dive destination. This is the basic structure of the ecosystem we depend on.”
The ocean is getting warmer. A rising temperature of just one to two degree Celsius can force coral to expel the algae (驱逐海藻) that live there. This leaves their white skeletons uncovered. It is a process called “bleaching”. Sixteen percent of the world’s corals died of bleaching in 1998. The problem has become much worse in recent years.
“We’ve lost 50 percent of the reefs, but that means we still have 50 percent left,” said Ruth Gates, who is working in Hawaii to breed corals that can better withstand increasing temperatures. She is also trying to “train” corals to survive rising temperatures. Gates says it is time to start “thinking outside the box”— find creative ways to help them.
1. What does the underlined word “undermine” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Regain | B．Weaken |
| C．Promote | D．Develop |
| A．People won’t find a dive destination in the future. |
| B．The effort to save corals will turn out to be fruitless. |
| C．The bright sea has lost its charm because of those dead corals. |
| D．The destruction of coral reefs will affect the earth ecosystem. |
| A．The harm of algae. | B．The importance of coral reefs. |
| C．The process of “bleaching”. | D．The change of ocean temperature. |
| A．Worried | B．Positive |
| C．Casual | D．Curious |
High on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
In 2016, the Chinese government established Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai province. The park,
With Sanjiangyuan
5 . Bornholm is a Danish island in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. At only 588 square kilometers, the island is home to about 40,000 people and welcomes around 600,000 visitors each year. The island is known for its sunny weather, round churches and rocky sea cliffs. But soon it hopes to make history for its lack of trash (垃圾).
Bornholm's only waste incineration (焚烧) plant is on its last legs, so instead of replacing it, the island has come up with another plan. "In 2032 there'll be no more waste on Bornholm," the island's waste management company announced. "All unwanted items are resources that can be recycled to the benefit of the entire community. "
The government doesn't yet know all the specifics of how the plan will work, but officials have laid out a basic outline. For example, they fancy citizens sorting waste into easily recyclable items such as metal, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard, and then plan to add new items such as fishing nets, insulation materials and more plastics to the recycling system. Organic waste, as well as garden and park waste, will be changed into energy, and the nutrient-rich waste from energy recovery will be used as fertilizer in fields, gardens and parks on the island.
Residents will be encouraged to make use of the sharing economy, lending and borrowing goods and services. They'll reuse everything from furniture to children's clothing, and businesses will repair a large number of items from bicycles to kitchen appliances. And elementary school students will be educated as "resource heroes" with practical, hands-on lessons about waste, resources, the environment and nature.
"Yet, in the waste area we were falling behind, so it was important for us to move ahead," Anne Thomas, the deputy mayor of Bornholm, tells National Geographic.
1. What do we know about Bornholm？| A．It is a large island surrounded by sea. | B．It is a small beautiful tourist attraction. |
| C．It used to be a place filled with rubbish. | D．It is famous mainly for its cultural buildings. |
| A．Students will receive awards for protecting the environment. |
| B．The trash will be handled quickly and effectively. |
| C．Everything will be recycled, repaired or reused. |
| D．People will feed on nothing but organic food. |
| A．Encouraging trash-free lifestyle. | B．Improving waste management. |
| C．Developing the local economy. | D．Appreciating the nature. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A food brochure. |
| C．A geography magazine. | D．A research report. |
Studies and reports seem to come in everyday talking about the state of the world. Global warming and pollution are threatening the delicate balance of life on Earth. The vast amount of troubles in the world can make anything we do seem unmeaning. But if we can do just a few things to help, the joined efforts can create a huge difference in both the world and in our lives. If you are not sure where to begin here are some simple things that can create a big change.
Grow your own garden. Growing your own garden can create a tremendous difference. Having fresh fruits and vegetables at your finger tips can not only improve your health, it can also save you money. Spending time each day working in your garden is wonderful exercise and a great way to get plenty of sunshine.
Stop buying chemical cleaners. The special chemicals to clean their house can have bad effect on your health and the environment. Instead of buying more bottles of chemicals and creating more waste，try some of the simple cleaner ideas that you can make yourself. Vinegar and baking soda is one of the simplest, most effective, and cheapest cleaning solutions available. Lemon juice is another safe and effective cleaner that can remove soap scum and whiten clothes as well as many other uses.
Change your light bulbs. Replacing your ordinary light bulbs with low energy bulbs can both _____________ and help the environment. These long lasting bulbs reduce your energy bill and do not need to be replaced as often as conventional bulbs.
Recycle. The tried and true method of helping the environment is recycling. Most cities have recycling centers or recycling pick-up available for people. Plastic, glass, paper, even old phonebooks can be recycled and used for other things.
1. List three appropriate measures you can do to help the environment. (Please answer within 10 words.)2. What is the best title of this passage ? (Please answer within 10 words)
3. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 4 with proper words. (Please answer within 6 words.)
4. Which sentence in the text is the closest in meaning to the following one?
Don’t buy bottles of chemical and don’t make much waste any longer, you can use some simple ways to clean.
5. Translate the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 into Chinese.
7 . The state of Texas has not fully recovered from last year’s hurricane, Harvey, as it prepares for a new season of storms. After a teleconference with President Trump and Federal Emergency Officials, Texas governor Greg Abbott said that they were taking steps on a daily basis to make sure they would be able to address any coming challenges.
Hurricane Harvey brought record rainfall to a wide range of Texas and more rain fell over a five day period than at any time, since records have been kept in the United States beginning in the 1850s. Last year’s deadly hurricanes including Harvey, Irma and Maria caused mass destruction in large parts of Texas, Louisiana, the South Atlantic states, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Trump praised what he called best recovery and response efforts to the disasters. They were gathering every accessible resource to ensure maximum preparation for rapid response. That’s what they had last year. Disaster reaction and recovery is best achieved when it’s nationally supported, state managed and locally performed.
Abbott also mentioned that two new satellites and modern technology will help decide the path and strength of the storms. State and local governments are also planning routes, shelters, communication lines and supply chains to ensure efficient reaction to the storms. Scientists warn that, as the earth warms, storms are taking more moisture and are able to produce more rainfall. This year storms are also expected to be driven by extremely powerful winds.
Emergency Officials say the nation has to be prepared for ever more active storms in the future. They’ve got to keep building the culture of preparedness in this state and in this nation. Meteorologists（气象学家）predict up to 16 storms this summer including 5 to 9 hurricanes, the most active storms will occur in the approaching Mid-August.
1. What does the underlined word “address” in the first paragraph mean?| A．Face. | B．Present. | C．Request. | D．Complain. |
| A．The new satellites and modem technology. |
| B．The joint efforts of the whole nation. |
| C．The best recovery and reaction efforts. |
| D．The communication lines and supply chains. |
| A．Providing shelters. | B．Arranging routes. |
| C．Producing more rainfall. | D．Supplying communication lines. |
| A．The Culture of Preparedness in the U.S. |
| B．The Violence of Hurricane Harvey |
| C．The Prediction of the Future Weather |
| D．The Recovery after the Disasters |
1．回收利用有用物质，掩埋有害物质。
2．废水、废气要净化；
3．植树造林，保护环境；
4．保护海洋，禁止过度捕鱼；
5．充分利用自然资源。
注意：1．词数：120左右；
2．可适当发挥，但不要逐句翻译
重点词汇词组：garbage environment take some measures
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9 . As ice melts in West Antarctica the ground beneath is quickly rising---a process that could prevent the catastrophic(灾难性的) collapse of ice sheets, according to researchers.
A study published in the journal Science provides a glimmer(一丝;一线) of hope for a region affected by climate change. In recent years, several studies have warned the ice sheet, which contributes to a quarter of melted ice worldwide annually, is very easy to break up. Scientists fear even slightly melting could cause global sea levels to rise by 3 meters.
Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark set out to answer how the bedrock underneath the ice sheet of West Antarctica behaves as the ice melts. To study the land, the team analyzed data collected by high-precision GPS equipment positioned on remote rock formations in West Antarctica, which measured movements of the land down to the millimeter over a 10-year period.
“After a heroic effort to install and maintain the network of sensors in one of the least accessible places on the planet, the team has been rewarded with incredibly valuable data, which tell an incredible story about the Barth,” wrote Valentina Barletta.
The team found that the Earth was pushing the bedrock to rise faster than expected. In 2014, the surface rose by 41 millimeters: four to five times quicker than predicted. In 100 years, the land could be up to 10 meters higher than it is currently.
It is hoped that as the ice melts, the Earth's crust(地壳) will bounce back much faster than previously expected. In turn, this could stabilize what the researchers described as the "catastrophic collapse" of the ice sheet.
Barletta told Newsweek the ice sheet will never be stable if global warming becomes too extreme. “Reducing the greenhouse gas will give the ice sheet a better chance of survival because that would allow some known and unknown feedback(反馈) to create better conditions for the ice,” she said.
1. What happens to West Antarctica as ice melts?| A．The ground beneath is getting taller. |
| B．Its ice sheets break up completely. |
| C．Global sea levels rise by 3 meters. |
| D．Climate change comes to an end. |
| A．To find out whether the ice sheet is very easy to break up. |
| B．To find out the connection of the bedrock and ice melting. |
| C．To find out what really affects the speed of ice melting. |
| D．To find out when West Antarctica will disappear totally. |
| A．Disappointed. | B．Sorry. | C．Surprised. | D．Angry. |
| A．Stop the bedrock from rising. |
| B．Prevent the temperature rising. |
| C．Create more ice for the ice sheet. |
| D．Cut down the greenhouse gas. |
10 . Scientists are aksing: What is the best way to fight climate change? A new study says: Plant many trees; one trillion trees, maybe more. Swiss scientists say there is enough room for that many trees. In their report in the journal Science, they say there is enough space on the earth, which could cover nine million square kilometers, an area the size of the United States.
Trees take carbon dioxide（二氧化碳）out of the air, and in return, put oxygen back into the air. The study estimated that over a long period of time, the trees could take in almost 750 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That is about as much carbon as humans have put into the atmosphere in the past 25 years. What is so bad about carbon dioxide? The gas traps heat, causing temperatures to rise.
Much of the gain from planting trees will come quickly because trees remove more carbon from the air when they are younger, the researchers said. The place that has the best possibility for removing the most carbon is the tropics—the area close to the equator. This method would also have the lowest cost, says the study co-author Thomas Crowther, a climate change ecologist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. This is by far, the cheapest and the most effective climate change solution, he said. The six nations with the most room for new trees are Russia, the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil and China.
Before his study, Crowther thought that there were other more effective ways to fight climate change besides cutting emissions（排放）. For example, people could change their diets by no longer eating meat. But, he said, tree planting is far more effective because trees remove so much carbon dioxide from the air.
1. The second paragraph mainly tells us _____.| A．how people plant more trees |
| B．why people should plant more trees |
| C．when people should plant more trees |
| D．where people should plant more trees |
| A．Trees can’t remove the carbon in the tropics. |
| B．Trees are less helpful when they are younger. |
| C．There is enough space to plant one trillion or more trees on the earth. |
| D．People can only plant trees in Russia, the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil and China. |
| A．More trees help fight climate change. |
| B．Carbon dioxide causes temperatures to rise. |
| C．Not eating meat is the best way to fight climate change. |
| D．Cutting emissions is the most effective way to fight climate change. |
