1 . In 2002, Huang Hui, a researcher of the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, went diving (潜水) near Xisha Islands. In addition to getting an irremovable suntan (晒黑), she was left with memories of a beautiful experience with clear water and masses of colorful corals reef (珊瑚礁). However, due to climate change and human activities, the coral reef is reducing at an alarming rate and much of the breathtaking view of this reef has disappeared. “We started to grow corals near the Xisha Islands in 2010, and restored more than 200, 000 square meters of coral reefs,” Huang said.
In 2004, when Huang was attending the 10th International Coral Reef Conference, she found herself the only person from the Chinese mainland. She said she felt sad but she made up her mind to strengthen communication with other countries to improve China’s level in coral research. She visited top coral research organizations in the US and Australia, establishing long-term partnership with some of the world’s top coral researchers. By far, Huang has worked on coral research and conservation for 22 years.
Huang believes that making people be more ware of coral conservation matters most to the conservation of the coral reefs. “I want to call on more people to love nature and take part in the protection of ocean,” Huang said. “I am 50, and when I become 60, I hope that not only a coral island will be built but a sustainable development pattern (模式) will also be created,” said Huang. “The ideal state is that the coral island should be able to support fishermen and preserve the ecosystem,” she added.
1. What impressed Huang most when going diving near Xisha in 2002?A.A sunburn on her skin. | B.A mass of colorful corals. |
C.A sweet memory of her childhood. | D.The sudden disappearance of corals. |
A.China’s advances in coral protection. | B.Huang’s contribution to coral protection. |
C.Huang’s concern over coral protection. | D.People’s ignorance of coral protection. |
A.Introduction of advanced technology. | B.Tough laws banning reef exploitation. |
C.Public awareness of coral protection. | D.Communication with foreign countries. |
A.Corals in South China Sea are in danger. | B.Scientist plants corals to save ecosystem. |
C.China is taking the lead in planting corals. | D.Measures are to be taken to protect corals. |
2 . “On Earth, something is always burning,” experts at the American space agency NASA said. They explain that a wildfire could be started naturally by lightning. However, sometimes people using controlled burns to clear land for farming can accidentally start a wildfire. Between 2003 and 2022, 85 percent of wildland fires in the U. S. were caused by human behavior. This includes leaving campfires burning, burning rubbish, throwing lit cigarettes and starting a fire on purpose.
Wildfires can clear dead and dying plants to help new growth. However, wildfires create large amounts of smoke which is dangerous to breathe. Wildfire smoke contains hundreds of chemical compounds. Smoke from burning houses and buildings contains even more toxic chemicals. An increasing amount of scientific research points to possible long-term health damage from breathing in very small particles (微粒) of smoke. There are short-term issues as well. At-risk people can be hospitalized and sometimes die from smoke.
Officials in the U. S. have been moving quickly to better protect people from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. However, they find it more difficult to communicate these dangers to people who live thousands of kilometers from the fires. Jeff Pierce is an atmospheric scientist. He said smoke loses its odor (气味), but remains harmful even when it travels long distances. A recent study found that people who live close to fires are more likely to be prepared.
If advised, avoid outdoor activities to reduce your exposure to smoke. Keep doors and windows closed. Run an air filter to clean the inside air. Face coverings, or masks, can protect against breathing in smoke. As with COVID-19, the most effective are N95 masks.
NASA satellite images show that wildfires are now burning on every continent. Large wildfires in Australia and the U. S. often attract the world’s attention. Dan Jaffe is a wildfire smoke expert at the University of Washington. He said, “These fires are going to be burning all summer. In terms of bad air quality, everywhere in the country will be worse than average this year.”
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?A.Different reasons for wild land fires. | B.Certain damage caused by lightning. |
C.The effect of human actions on nature. | D.The necessity of environmental protection. |
A.Changeable. | B.Organic. | C.Poisonous. | D.Pure. |
A.Wind makes wildfire smoke travel very far. |
B.The danger of wildfire smoke mainly comes from its odor. |
C.People living far from the wildfire will suffer little harm. |
D.Some people are not fully aware of the risks of wildfire smoke. |
A.N95 masks can help filter the odor of smoke. |
B.N95 masks can decrease the rates flu. |
C.N95 masks can improve one’s respiratory condition . |
D.N95 masks can block the smallest harmful particles. |
3 . Chaudhary quietly weaves together lengths of ropes, binding them with grass collected from the riverbank. She skillfully shapes the materials into a jewelry box. Meanwhile, she’s instructing a group of women to work out the materials. The ropes used were once the lifeline for climbers tackling Nepal’s mountains and were then discarded (扔掉). They are now finding new life, transformed by skilled hands into items to sell.
Acharya, working with the cleaning campaign, owns a waste processing business in Kathmandu, also an advocate for sustainable waste management. “Aluminum and other metal waste go through the recycling process, but we found no way to recycle ropes and gas cans,” she says. It struck her that the non-recyclable waste could be reused, but it wasn’t until she met Maya Rai that a solution emerged. Rai, leading Nepal Knotcraft Centre, helped connect Acharya with Chaudhary’s team of craftswomen in hopes of turning the mountain waste into economic opportunity. “While this seems insignificant compared to waste in the mountains, it’s a start. We aim to connect local expertise, mountain waste and local economy,” says Acharya, proudly displaying a mat made from ropes left on Mt. Qomolangma by climbers. Her goal is to ensure that no waste collected from mountains ends up in a landfill again.
Finished crafts are sold at outlets and exhibitions. The craftswomen are paid according to how many items they make and sell. With flexible hours, the project gives women an opportunity to earn money even as they maintain household responsibilities.
Eventually, Acharya hopes to expand the program to involve more women and process more waste. But progress has been slow. “We still have not found a sustainable business plan to make crafts in large quantities, ”she says. Now, she is searching for cooperators to make a model that serves not only the mountain but the communities. “After all, we are trying to craft a sustainable future.”
Each rope turned into a decorative item is a way to help local women earn a living and keep mountains clean.
1. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning Chaudhary in paragraph 1?A.To lead in the topic with her example. |
B.To spread her environmental consciousness. |
C.To show her patient instructions to the women. |
D.To speak highly of her outstanding weaving skills. |
A.A business involving waste processing. |
B.A team transforming waste into treasure. |
C.A campaign advocating sustainable management. |
D.A solution connecting expertise, waste and economy. |
A.Selling crafts at outlets can earn more money. |
B.Removing mountain waste generates a sense of pride. |
C.Cooperating with local experts helps promote skills. |
D.Work-life balance can be achieved due to flexible hours. |
A.Hesitant. | B.Positive. | C.Suspicious. | D.Disapproving. |
1. What did the man do just now?
A.He took some photos. | B.He did some reading. | C.He shared an article online. |
A.Seafood will be polluted. |
B.Ships won’t sail properly. |
C.The beauty of the ocean will be damaged. |
A.A reusable bag. | B.A metal straw. | C.A glass bottle. |
A.Stop buying bottled water. |
B.Organize beach cleanup events. |
C.Participate in club activities every month. |
5 . There are hundreds of great national nature reserves in China. Now feast your eyes on the following amazing ones.
Qinghai Lake National Nature ReserveQinghai Lake, China’s largest saltwater lake in Qinghai Province, is a key body of water for lots of animals and birds. As an important stopover, migratory birds (候鸟) would rest in this area during their movement trip every year. The reserve became a national nature reserve in the year of 1997.
Bayanbulak National Nature ReserveThe only Bayanbulak Wetland, in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is at the foot of Tianshan Mountains, which makes itself suitable for migratory birds. Bayanbulak means “rich spring water” in Mongolian, meaning that the area is rich in water. Every year, swans (天鹅) from different places fly here for nesting, which became a national swan reserve in 1986.
Rongcheng Swan National Nature ReserveAs one of the largest wintering places for swans in China, this reserve in Shandong Province mainly protects whooper swans (大天鹅), which make it different from other nature reserves. In 2007, it was changed into a national nature reserve. Now every year, thousands of whooper swans arrive here to spend the winter, making it an important resting and wintering place for themselves.
Sanya Coral Reef (珊瑚礁) National Marine Nature ReserveThis reserve focuses on protecting coral reefs and their living environment in Sanya City, Hainan Province. In 1990, it became a national nature reserve. This reserve is on the coast, so the area of the reserve has good water quality and many kinds of creatures,
1. What do the first reserve and the second reserve have in common?A.The area of wetland. | B.The geography of them. |
C.The year of becoming the national reserve. | D.The friendly environment for migratory birds. |
A.Its saltwater lake. | B.The whooper swans. |
C.Its rich spring water. | D.The warm climate. |
A.Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve. | B.Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve. |
C.Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve. | D.Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve, |
6 . Elephants on the coast of Thailand are acting strangely. They stamp their feet and want to move towards the hills. The sea draws back from the beaches. Fish flop (扑腾) on the seabed. Suddenly, a huge wave appears. This is no ordinary wave. It is a tsunami!
Tsunami waves are larger and faster than normal surface waves. A tsunami wave can travel fast as a jet plane and can be as tall as a ten-storey building. Tsunamis begin when the ocean rises or falls very suddenly. Lots of seawater is displaced and this movement causes huge waves.
If a tsunami happens, there must be some kind of force that causes the ocean water to become moved. Most tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes. Sometimes, volcanoes, and slides, and large icebergs may also cause one of these huge waves.
Tsunamis are extremely powerful. Ordinary waves lose power when they break. Tsunami waves can remain powerful for several days. Because tsunami waves are so strong, they can kill people, damage buildings, and completely ruin an ecosystem in just one hour.
Scientists have no way of telling people in advance when a tsunami will hit. However, if a powerful enough earthquake happens, scientists can send out a warning or a watch. A warning means that a tsunami will very likely hit soon. A watch means that conditions are suitable for a tsunami. When people receive a watch or a warning, they have more time to prepare. It’s best to get prepared before a tsunami is on the way!
1. What’s the main idea of the first paragraph?A.The power of the tsunami. | B.The signs of the tsunami. |
C.The causes of the tsunami. | D.The damages from the tsunami. |
A.Moved. | B.Trapped. | C.Destroyed. | D.Stopped. |
A.The floods, storms, and typhoons. |
B.The earthquake that happens on the land. |
C.The volcanoes, and slides, and large icebergs. |
D.The force that causes ocean water to get displaced. |
A.A warning is more serious than a watch. |
B.A watch is more serious than a warning. |
C.A watch is set out before a big earthquake. |
D.There are many ways to tell a tsunami in advance. |
7 . Habitat improvement and a series of protective measures have played a crucial role in the rise of the population of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys(滇金丝猴) , one of the planet’s most endangered animals.
The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, also known as the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey, lives in high-altitude areas at more than 3,000 meters above sea level in Southwest China’s Yunnan province and the neighboring Xizang autonomous region. About 65 percent of its population inhabits the Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve.
“Currently, the reserve is home to about 3,000 Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys,” said Lai Jiandong, head of the Wildlife Protection Station at the Baima reserve. When the reserve was first established in 1983, however, the population numbered a mere 800.
Lai stresses the continuous enhancement of management levels within the Baima reserve, including the adoption of cutting-edge technologies for monitoring and protecting not only the snub-nosed monkeys but also other endangered wildlife species.
“In recent years, using technologies like infrared(红外线) cameras, we have taken pictures of rare and endangered creatures such as leopards, jackals and sambar deer,” Lai noted, emphasizing the important role of such advancements in wild animal protection.
The primary duties of the Wildlife ProtectionStation involve the daily care of the snub-nosed monkeys in the Weixi Lisu autonomous county, as well as the sheltering and rescue of injured animals. “Over the past few years, we have provided assistance to more than 200 wild animals, including Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, pandas and macaques,” said Lai.
The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey is under China’s national first-class protection and has been listed as an endangered species on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They will be better protected.
1. Which isn’t a factor that contributes to the increase of the population of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys?A.Rising public concerns. | B.Advanced technologies. |
C.Protective measures. | D.Improved living habitats. |
A.They only live in Yunnan province. |
B.Their population has dropped sharply since 1983. |
C.They are well-protected by the Wildlife Protection Station. |
D.Over 200 Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys have been rescued up to now. |
A.People rescue many injured animals in Yunnan. |
B.Infrared cameras have captured images of rare wildlife. |
C.Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys increase in high mountains. |
D.Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys are the most endangered animals. |
A.A textbook. | B.A newspaper. |
C.An advertisement. | D.An economic journal. |
Ar Horqin Grassland Nomadic System in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, listed on the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the United Nations,
The
For example, since 2015, under the guidance of the local government of Ar Horqin Banner, the number of sheep and goats in the nomadic system
Earthquakes are quite common. In fact, thousands of earthquakes are happening almost at every moment.
As one of the most deadly
Besides the great damage and deaths
10 . Children returned to school after a big wildfire in Northern California. But the influence is so huge that it will be some time before the life of students there returns to normal.
Eight schools were lost to the wildfire. Government officials were not sure how many of their nearly 3,500 students would report to temporary (临时的) schools. Some families have left California. Others are staying with friends. It is too far for some of them to drive to one of those schools every day.
There are not enough classrooms for middle and high schools. So for the l3 days before the start of the traditional winter break in the school year, students will learn through independent study. They will be given homework online and be able to visit a special drop-in center in Chico, California. Children going there can get help from teachers or visit other classmates.
Loren Lighthall, a spokesman for one school there, said studying will be less important than dealing with pain and reconnecting with friends. “They don’t have their school, they don’t have their work, they don’t have their friends, they don’t have books and we’re asking them to do homework?” Light hall said. “It’s less important at this point. We’re going to do it. But what is important now is to deal with the pain left.”
Search members have stopped looking for the lost in burned cars and houses. But they remain available whenever there is need for help.
1. What does the underlined “those schools” in the second paragraph refer to?A.The schools being built. | B.The online schools. |
C.The 8 schools lost to the fire | D.The temporary schools. |
A.Because there aren’t enough classrooms for them. |
B.Because the traditional winter break is coming soon. |
C.Because the students want to start a new way of study. |
D.Because the teachers ask them to do their homework online. |
A.Students should go to school immediately. |
B.It is important to deal with the pain. |
C.Students should be given much homework. |
D.It is not necessary to study after the fire. |
A.Life of students in North California has come to normal. |
B.Search members have not stopped looking for the missing. |
C.The wildfire in North California influences students greatly. |
D.Classrooms are prepared for students affected in the wildfire. |