1 . Back in 1973, out of concern that many of American native plants and animals were in danger of extinction, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. The law allows the government to decide species as either “endangered” or “threatened”. Once plants and animals are on the list, they can’t be harmed or harvested, and their living places can’t be changed or damaged in a way that kills, injures or weakens their ability to breed (繁殖), feed or perform other functions necessary for existence.

While environmentalists have thought the law is of great importance in history, mining and the agribusiness (农业综合企业) interests don’t think so. They argue that when an endangered animal is found on public land, the use of the land is strictly controlled, which can prevent farming, and other business use of the land. So, the recent US government has sought to change the way that the law is applied to reduce what it considers overprotection for threatened species.

But a study published in the journal PLOS ONE in January revealed that researchers looked at 31 different populations of ocean animals, and that they found that 78 percent of the mammals (哺乳动物) and 75 percent of the turtles increased their population size after receiving protection under the Act. What was even more impressive was that the number of Hawaiian humpback whales increased from just 800 in 1979 to more than 10,000 in 2005.

“We should celebrate the Act’s track record of reducing the harm from water pollution, overfishing, beach habitat loss and killing. Humans often destroy ocean ecosystems(生态系统), but our study shows that with strong laws and careful administration, we can also help them make a comeback.” said Shaye Wolf, a researcher of the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Arizona.

1. What can we know about the Endangered Species Act in Paragraph 1?

A．It mainly focuses on protecting ocean species.

B．It covers almost all the details of wildlife protection.

C．It encourages people to raise wildlife in a careful way.

D．It asks the whole world to work together to protect wildlife.

2. Why does the recent US government try to change the way of carrying out the Act?

A．The Act has limited the economic benefits of land.

B．Some land has got polluted due to the Act.

C．Some states refuse to follow the Act.

D．The Act fails to save enough endangered species.

3. What does Paragraph 3 mainly intend to show us?

A．Quite a lot of ocean animals’ population is still worrying.

B．The government failed to put some rare species on the list.

C．The Act turned out to be effective for ocean animal protection.

D．Whales benefit most from the Act after receiving protection.

4. What do Shaye Wolf’s words in the last paragraph imply?

A．More strict rules should be added to the Act.

B．Overfishing is the main threat to ocean animals.

C．The damage caused by human activities to the ecosystem is unavoidable.

D．Proper laws play a powerful role in environmental protection.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

Climate protection strategy is fascinating the globe during the 19th Asian Games, not just athletic talent .    1     (boost) climate cooperation, China, with the centuries old history and unique culture, is using green measures. Hangzhou city has adopted a     2     (practice) eco approach. The emphasis of the Asian Games     3     (be) on “green, intellectual, frugal, and civilized” contests, reflecting a trend toward more ecologically friendly and sustainable practices in major events.

Avoiding fireworks during the opening ceremony promotes environmental awareness. Traditional fireworks displays are fun     4     pollute the air. The Asian Games intend to exhibit a     5     (commit) to sustainability while providing an engaging and memorable experience     6     all guests by replacing this event with digitally powered visual effects and sound presentations. The Asian Games’ eco friendly licensed items include backpacks     7     (make) from recycled bottles and frisbees from rice husks (谷壳). As all Asian Games venues and facilities employ green energy, the event’s green elements demonstrate China’s recent green transformation and     8     (it) responsibility and promise to meet the dual carbon goals.

The Games Village gave residents a “Low Carbon Account” as part of the green measures. Carbon points     9     (use) in promoting low carbon habits including p late recycling, green commuting, and plastic-free purchasing. Points could be traded for low-carbon Olympic mascots and other prizes. China continues to carry out a climate change policy, develop     10     better carbon market, and participate in global climate governance. China aims to peak and neutralize carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and 2060.

3 . A couple has recently placed their garbage can out for collection for the first time in 14 months, all thanks to their recycling skills. Richard and Louise Arnold have established such an effective routine that they only need to put their garbage can on the side of the street once a year.

Louise explained that making small monthly changes in her life has resulted in her family producing very little waste. She said, “It’s not as difficult as you might think if you start with small steps. We began with soap, switching from bath cream to natural soap without packaging. These bars are large enough that we cut them in half, using one for the sink and the other half for the shower. It’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”

“So it’s actually quite easy. Just go around your house and think of little things you can do gradually, and you’ll start noticing the difference,” Louise added. Currently, the couple takes recyclable waste to the tip, donates clothes to charity shops, and brings soft plastics and batteries to a shop that accepts them.

In 2017, the couple established No Waste Living, which initially started as a weekend stall at the local market and has since developed into a website. Louise regularly writes a newsletter for her hundreds of subscribers. They also started selling eco-friendly products, ranging from non-chemical household cleaning and washing solutions for a “less toxic home” to bamboo washing-up brushes. Louise mentioned, “I started No Waste Living because I wanted to show our achievement s and lead by example.”

Although the family occasionally faces criticism, Louise remains determined. She said, “The main point of contention(争论) for people regarding new waste rules is having to drive their waste to a recycling center, which adds to their already busy lives. However, in the long run, you will create more space in your home, save money, and spend less time dealing with garbage cans.”

1. How did the couple start their waste reduction journey?

A．By replacing small soaps with large ones.	B．By using a small amount of bath cream.
C．By using unpackaged soap bars.	D．By recycling soft plastics and batteries.

2. Why did the couple found No Waste Living?

A．To bring eco-products to market.	B．To inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
C．To treat recyclable waste from the neighborhood.	D．To answer the call of their subscribers.

3. Why do some people dislike new waste rules?

A．They mean more work to deal with garbage.

B．They increase the cost of garbage collection.

C．They establish a set time for waste management.

D．They limit the daily amount of garbage for collection.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A business - minded couple.	B．The “less poisonous home” concept.
C．The global trend in recycling.	D．A planet- friendly lifestyle.

6 . Parks are the beating hearts of cities, providing crucial environments for wildlife of many sizes as well as areas of rest and recreation for local citizens. Accessible via public transport, and located near a university, a stadium and the National Library, Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park provides green space for many people.

One of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s five pathways to transformative change for water management is to restore species population, ecosystems and the benefits that nature provides to people by using each city’s advantage. As more urban centres seek new ways to unite greenery into the built environment, projects of all sizes and stages add to essential corridors and stopping points for a range of wildlife.

Tasked with improving Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park’s natural sustainability, architecture company WXCA looked at ways of enhancing the elements that were already in place to better support wildlife. One of the most visible means was the removal of thousands of square metres of concrete (混凝土). Removing concrete in and around ponds and other waterways allows the city’s features to shape themselves naturally, in reaction to both the surrounding environment and the weather. Doing so can support biodiversity by removing artificial constraints and flows. More than 13,000 square metres of concrete has already been removed, with more removal planned over the next year.

For the human users of the park, the designers created education, activity, and art spaces. The Grand Salon, a grassland surrounded by trees, is for large public gatherings, and a handful of pavilions (亭) spread throughout the space provide visible means of monitoring the quality of the air and water. They also contribute to the park’s ecosystem through rainwater harvesting. As the temperature consistently rises, city planners are using the leaves and branches of the plants and mixed use designs to reduce heat islands, improve air quality and prevent urban runoff.

1. What do we know about Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park?

A．It creates a new way to the city center.

B．It serves different community groups.

C．It reminds the public to protect the environment.

D．It shows the locals are living happily.

2. What are the projects in paragraph 2 intended for?

A．Providing stages to show off creativity.	B．Taking advantage of the city’s resources.
C．Encouraging people to get close to nature.	D．Supplying various wildlife with more room.

3. What does the underlined word “constraints” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Limits.

B．Factors.

C．Methods.

D．Damages.

4. How do the pavilions help the ecosystem?

A．By offering some shelters.	B．By collecting rainwater.
C．By monitoring the air quality.	D．By reducing high temperature.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

This story took place about seven years ago.But images of that week are still clear in my mind.During that week, we had to face up to a     1     (power) hurricane (飓风).The fact that I was still little seemed to increase    2    (it) force. And I could hear the noise of the wind blowing on the windows,     3     were shaking. Outside, everything was flying or moving.

In fact, the hurricane did not cross the island only once, but three times,     4    (cause) more and more damage at each crossing.During the entire week following that event, we were not able     5    (go) out of the house. All able    6    (road)were cut off, and we did not have running water.

Under those conditions,     7     hardest part was having no contact    8     the rest of my family living around the island. The fear of losing my close friends and relatives was    9    (certain) hard to stand. We stayed like that for one unpleasant week before everything    10    (fix). For me, those seven days were a real nightmare (噩梦).

9 . When we think about the big carbon problems we have to deal with, paper isn't the first thing that comes to mind. After all, we think it costs less energy and a lot of it is recycled these days. However, it turns out that we are wrong.

The problem is that to make paper, you need virgin (未使用过的) wood or recycled material, and it then takes a lot of energy to dry it out and turn it into paper, thus causing carbon emissions (排放). The non-governmental organization Environmental Paper Network's Luisa Colasimone said that making a ton of paper and a ton of steel used the same amount of energy. Adrian Hiel and Dave Keating, journalists working in Brussels, reported, "Average energy costs are around 16% of production costs and can be as high as 30%."

Colasimone said, "The vast majority of paper products are short-lived. They are thrown away and their carbon ends up in the atmosphere within two to three years."

Also, a recent study from the University College London (UCL) has found that recycled paper may be less environmentally-friendly than virgin paper because it is made with electricity and fossil fuels. "They found that if all wastepaper was recycled, carbon emissions could increase by 10%, as recycling paper tends to rely more on fossil fuels than making new paper," lead author Dr. Stijn van Ewijk said in a press release. "Our study shows that recycling is not a guaranteed way to address climate change. Recycling of paper may not be helpful unless it is powered by renewable (可再生的) energy."

The researchers reported that paper accounted for 1.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. This rate — 1.3% — is a stunning number, bigger than the emissions from Australia or Brazil. About a third of these emissions came from the disposal of paper in landfills. Researchers said that in coming years, the use of paper would likely rise, with the move away from plastics leading to increased demand for paper packaging.

1. On what does Luisa Colasimone agree with Adrian Hiel and Dave Keating?

A．Recycled material is bad for paper.

B．Recycling of paper is really helpful.

C．Paper making requires much energy.

D．The paper-making process proves simple.

2. What does the UCL study suggest about recycling of paper?

A．It results in the increasing use of plastics.

B．It is powered by renewable energy.

C．It is the key to fighting climate change.

D．It may cause more carbon emissions.

3. What does the underlined word "stunning" in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Normal.	B．Shocking.
C．Small.	D．Relaxing.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Carbon problems with paper.	B．Emissions from paper making.
C．Increasing paper consumption.	D．Energy waste in paper recycling.