1 . On Friday, students around the world will walk out of their classrooms and gather in joint protests to highlight the global crisis created by climate change. The goal? To get elected officials and industry leaders to actually act to stop the coming disaster.

Climate change poses a terrible threat to humanity, and politicians aren’t doing enough to find solutions, protest organizers wrote on the Global Climate Strike website. Greenhouse gas emissions (排放) are a primary driver of global warming, but leaders have been irresolute about abandoning fossil fuels, even as global temperatures continue to climb.

Strikes and protests by students in more than 2,500 locations aim to show that the younger generations won’t stand easily by while their future — and their planet — hang in the balance. The strike follows a summer of extreme weather linked to climate change: strange global heat waves, wildfires and ice loss from glaciers (冰川). In July, three studies found that the global climate is changing more quickly than it has in the past 2,000 years.

Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is currently visiting New York City, is one of the strike’s key organizers. Thunberg will speak at a Friday demonstration at Foley Square there at 12 p. m. local time, after which protesters will march to Battery Park. Thunberg will also address the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23. The emergency meeting is being organized so that world leaders can present “concrete, realistic plans” for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050, according to a UN statement.

Thousands of protests are planned for Friday — just three days prior to the summit—and collectively, they will be the biggest climate action in history.

1. Why will students gather together?

A．To make their voice heard by leaders.

B．To call on moves to protect the earth.

C．To celebrate the newly elected officials.

D．To organize a big protest for civil rights.

2. What does the underlined word “irresolute” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Hesitant.

B．Concerned.

C．Decisive.

D．Thoughtful.

3. What is the goal of the September 23 meeting?

A．Electing new leaders of the summit.

B．Reorganizing the UN department.

C．Reaching zero emissions by 2050.

D．Protecting the whole human beings.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Global Students Mobilize for Climate Action

B．Why Not Join the Students for a New Planet?

C．Organize a Climate Talk for the Only Earth

D．A New Strike Will Be Staged Worldwide

4 . If you’re aiming to cut back on meat and you want to build muscle strength, you’re not alone. Now, a new study finds that swapping red and processed meat for plant protein a few times a week leads to better health and lowers carbon emission.

“We found that there was an increase in life expectancy of approximately nine months linked to 50% reduction of red meat consumption,” says Olivia Auclair. “When it comes to diet changes to improve health and climate, we don’t need to go to major extremes or completely wipe out foods from our diet.”

But sudden changes can be jarring. For a long time Kyle Backlund had been in the habit of eating meat at many meals, and when he cut back, he felt a drop in his energy level and experienced some tiredness and weakness. When he realized he needed to increase his protein intake, his wife Stephany Marreel — who does most of the cooking and also eats a plant-based diet — found a solution by adding tofu, vegetables, and grains. Kyle says he is now feeling good on his plant-focused diet.

People can get all the protein and nutrients they need from a plant-based diet as long as they do a little planning, says Dr. Christopher Gardner, a food scientist. “If someone is consuming a reasonable variety, meeting protein needs from plant sources is no problem,” Gardner says.

There’s an environmental argument for shifting diet as well, Gardner says. Livestock (家畜) require lots of land and water. Beef production requires 20 times more land and produces 20 times more greenhouse gas emissions, per gram of protein, compared to beans. If people in the U.S. swapped beef for beans, this one switch alone could get the U.S. about halfway to its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

1. What should you do to improve health and climate according to Olivia Auclair?

A．Change your meat-based diet a little.	B．Give up red meat in your meals.
C．Become a devoted plant-protein lover.	D．Take up proper ways of cooking.

2. What does the underlined word “jarring” in the third paragraph probably mean?

A．Admirable.

B．Upsetting.

C．Meaningful.

D．Rewarding.

3. How can one meet his protein needs while following a plant-based diet?

A．By exercising more.	B．By consuming less red meat.
C．By eating various foods.	D．By having whole grain.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Cattle are the main source of greenhouse gases.

B．Americans are reducing greenhouse gas emission.

C．Shifting diet can be beneficial to the planet.

D．Bean production requires lots of land and water.

5 . Have you got any electronic devices hanging around your home that you no longer want or use? Between us, we have millions of bits of unused tech kept in drawers.     1     There are several ways to make the most of our unwanted gadgets（小物件）.

Probably the best cure for our throwaway culture is to fix our broken tech.    2     They can be learned at repair clubs and repair cafés—free meeting places where you'll find tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need. In the UK, the interest in mending our stuff and giving it a new life is reflected by the popularity of a TV series called The Repair Shop, where craftspeople rescue and resurrect（重新使用） items that their owners thought were beyond saving.

    3     Materials used to make them can be extracted and reused in other things. As an example, Elisabeth Ratcliffe from the Royal Society of Chemistry told the BBC: "There are about thirty different elements just in a smartphone, and many of them are very rare." These can be used in touch screens and solar panels. Many of the biggest players in the industry(including Apple and Samsung) will gladly take your old gadgets back and handle them responsibly.    4    

A final choice for your unwanted items is to up-cycle them. You can breathe new life into them by transforming them into valuable pieces or collectable retroitems（复古物品）, which could be sold on.    5     By up-cycling, you contribute to waste reduction and innovation in product reuse.

A．Recycling is another solution.

B．All you need is patience and skills.

C．Another cure is to give them away.

D．However, they don't need to be thrown away.

E．You can have fun in repair clubs and repair cafés.

F．You can make some cash and create needed space in your home.

G．You might even get some cash back when buying their new products.

8 . A woman in a cap wanders calmly along. Except for the lava (熔岩) erupting behind her, she could be walking in the park. The woman turns to watch the molten rock flow for a moment then walks calmly toward the camera. The footage(镜头) is from Werner Herzog’s book to volcanoes and volcano hunters, Into the Inferno, and the woman pictured is perhaps one of the most important volcanologists of all time, Katia Krafft.

Born in France, in 1942, Katia developed an interest in volcanoes at an early age. Later, she met Maurice Krafft. The pair bonded over their shared love of volcanoes before marrying in 1970. The Kraffts wrote about 20 books on volcanoes across the globe.

Katia and her husband made great progress in educating the general public in volcanology. Their footage had more than scientific value. For instance, when Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines began to show signs of an eruption in 1991, the Kraffts were able to present Philippine President Cory Aquino with video footage of the effects of the 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia, asking him to call for an evacuation of those in the danger zone.

In 1969, Katia was awarded the prize of the Vocation Foundation for her work on active volcanic sites.

The couple lost their lives, along with more than 40 others during the eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan on June 3.1991. when they were caught in a flow of rock, gas and ash moving at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, with temperatures of more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Katia was 49; Maurice, 45.

Katia’s impact on volcanology has reached far beyond her death and has encouraged many young women to study our restless planet. “Katia Krafft is definitely the reason why I’m doing this job,” says Carla Tiraboschi, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minster, Germany. Carla first saw Katia in a documentary when she was just six or seven years old and has been crazy about volcanoes ever since.

1. What can we infer from the book Into the Inferno?

A．Its author is Katia Krafft.	B．It’s a biography of Katia Krafft.
C．It calls on protecting the environment.	D．It focuses on volcanoes and their explorers.

2. What do we know about the couple?

A．They prevented a natural disaster.

B．They served as a warning in Japan.

C．They helped spread volcano science.

D．They covered Mount Pinatubo’s eruption.

3. Which can replace the underlined word “evacuation” in paragraph 3?

A．Substance.

B．Departure.

C．Occupation.

D．Intervention.

4. How did Katia influence Carla Tiraboschi?

A．Katia’s death made her restless.	B．Katia helped her with her research.
C．Katia taught her to make a documentary.	D．Katia’s deeds inspired her career choice.

9 . Coastal Clean-ups Program

General Introduction

Our program aims to develop appreciation for our environment in our participants by including fun into environmental education. Our program places great emphasis on experiential learning, which offers our participants the opportunity to get close to nature, enjoy and value it while learning issue of litter pollution, and the importance of individual ownership in ensuring environmental sustainability. Our program is well-suited in supporting the objectives of Values-in-Action ( VIA) programs for schools. Ever wondered how our beaches look without the care of the cleaners? So please explore yourself through the Coastal Clean-ups Program and join us in taking care of our beaches. Gain insightful discovery on the consequences of ocean pollution, and its implications on our marine environment, wildlife, and even us, humans.

Details
Location:

This program is subjected to weather and tidal （潮汐的） conditions. Please email us for the available dates and more information on the location.

Duration: 2 hours

Group Size: Maximum—60 participants
Equipment/Items needed:
·All materials needed for the program will be provided by our program.
·Participants should bring their own personal water bottles and writing materials.
·Participants should wear comfortable outdoor clothes with covered shoes.
Price: $10/per person. For more information, please consult via the official website of our program.
Important Note:
●Available dates for this program are subjected to tidal conditions.
·The program cannot be conducted in the event of bad weather.
·There is no wet-weather program. Please email us for further enquiries.
1. What do we know about Coastal Clean-ups Program?

A．It is specially designed for scholars.

B．It is interesting as well as instructive.

C．It is part of schools’ VIA programs.

D．It contributes to participants’ independence.

2. What can cause the cancellation of the program?

A．Terrible weather.	B．Shortage of cleaning tools.
C．No comfortable outdoor shoes.	D．Limited number of participants.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．An advertisement.	B．A natural science magazine.
C．A research report.	D．A school-tour website.

10 . A carbon footprint is only one component of the broader ecological footprint. An ecological footprint compares the population’s consumption of resources and land with the planet’s ability to regenerate. The Earth’s ecological footprint is currently 23 percent over capacity. It takes about one year and two months to regenerate what we consume in a year.

Carbon footprints help people keep track of changes. Because footprints quantify an amount of carbon that increases or decreases based on energy use, they let people know that a new hybrid car or home insulation (隔离) helps. Transportation accounts for 33 percent of CO₂ emissions in the United States, so many people try to lower their mileage (里程). Some walk or bike whenever possible; others take public transport. Home energyuse accounts for 21 percent of U. S. CO₂ emissions, so it helps to have an efficient home. Setting the thermostat (恒温器) at a moderate temperature and installing double-paned windows lowers energy costs.

Of course, individual efforts can go only so far. Cutting CO₂ and other greenhouse gases down to safer levels requires significant government regulation. Lessening carbon footprints does let people see where they are and how they can change. Those who want to accept personal responsibility for their emissions can track their own reductions and change their habits.

Because carbon calculators ask for only rough estimates, it’s easy for investigators to approximate the footprints of celebrities and politicians. Analysts hope to uncover high-profile figures, especially those who promote environmentalism. Although performer Madonna and other celebrities have been accused of flying frequently, former vice president Al Gore has drawn the harshest accusations. The Gores’ spokesperson did not deny that but emphasized that the couple subscribes to green power.

1. How long can the Earth produce what we need in a year?

A．2 months.

B．12 months.

C．14 months.

D．23 months.

2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．Why people are worried about CO2 emissions.

B．How individuals can help to lower CO2 emissions.

C．Where most CO2 emissions come from in the United States.

D．What measures have been taken to cut down CO2 emissions.

3. What is still needed to cut greenhouse gases down to safer levels?

A．The participation of the public.

B．The development of new equipment.

C．The changes of our living habits.

D．The powerful efforts of the government.

4. Why do investigators estimate the footprints of famous people easily?

A．Because they have mastered methods.

B．Because it doesn’t call for much accuracy.

C．Because famous people are easy to approach.

D．Because new technology has advanced greatly.