1 . It's not always easy to run an energy efficient house. But there are some simple things anyone can do.

Go LED with your lighting.

There are sevenal benefis to switching to energy efficient light bulbs. One of them is saving money- though the LED bulbs might cost more than traditional bulbs, the average saving on LED bulbs is $ 75a year._    1    LED bulbs can last years or even decades.

Don't run your air conditioner constantly

As the weather starts to warm, you might be thinking about the right time to turrn on your air conditioner. _    2    Air conditioner units are among the most energy-consuming appliances in your home. Using electrical fans instead of your air conditioner is much more efficient and it's a big money saver, too.

    3    

On those days when you treat a large crowd and are low on time，don't beat yourself up if you have to use disposable(一次性的) dishware. This method reduces your water usage and saves energy. And as a bonus, if your city offers roadside recycling, your paper plates may qualify.

Update your insulation(隔热)

All that work you're doing to save energy in your home could go to waste if it's not properly insulated. If you can't insulate the whole house, pay special attention to the roof: it reduces air flow from outide. By updating your insulation,you're saving money.    4    

Take showers instead of baths

A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of waler.    5    Showers are quite different---taking a five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons!

A．But do you really have to?

B．You should use your air conditioner smartly.

C．Tum off water when not using it.

D．Plus, you needn't change them frequenly.

E．Don't feel guilty about using paper plates.

F．And it's also easier to control your home temperature.

G．Even if you don't fill it to the top, it still uses much more water.

2 . Greening the Kubuqi Desert

China has seen great achievements in improving the environment and green development over the past 70 years. Solid efforts have been made to fight pollution and continuously improve the environment.

    1     It caused deadly sandstorms, which arrived like big black walls reaching up into the sky.

As President Xi Jinping has said, clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets（资产）.     2    

A series of campaigns have been carried out by the central government to improve the environment.     3     Thanks to the program, forest coverage in China had increased from 12 percent in the 1980s to nearly 23 percent last year.

    4     It has been recognized by the UN for the development of a desert eco-industry that has slowed desertification（沙漠化）.

In Kubuqi, a desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Elion has greened 600,000 hectares of land and helped lift more than 102,000 people out of poverty through the development of solar energy and tourism, as well as planting herbs for traditional Chinese medicine.

In addition, the group’s techniques have also been used in many ecological（生态的）programs, including Yangtze River Ecological Park and Qilian Mountain National Park.

“    5     With the help of modern technologies, such as drones, AI, big data and the internet of things, we are sure to achieve greater success,” said Ao Baoping, chief executive officer of Elion Green Land Technology.

A．Once the environment gets better, we will live a happier life.

B．For example, in 1998, China started the Natural Forest Protection Program.

C．Desertification was a serious problem in the 1990s.

D．Another example of the campaign is the Elion Resources Group.

E．Pollution is getting worse and worse nowadays.

F．Efforts to create “green” areas have played a crucial role in the country’s fight against desertification.

G．We will come up with new ways to improve our ability to control the sand.

3 .

“What kind of rubbish are you?” This question might normally cause anger, but in Shanghai it has brought about complaints over the past week. On July 1st, the city introduced strict trash-sorting regulations that are expected to be used as a model for our country. Residents must divide their waste into four separate kinds and put it into specific public bins. They must do so at scheduled times, when monitors are present to ensure compliance（服从）and to inquire into the nature of one’s rubbish.

Violators face the possibility of fines and worse. They could be hit with fines of up to 200 yuan ($29). For repeat violators, the city can add black marks to their credit records, making it harder for them to obtain bank loans or even buy train tickets.

Shanghai authorities are responding to an obvious environmental problem. It generates 9 million tonnes of garbage a year, more than London’s annual output and rising quickly. But like other cities in China, it lacks a recycling system. Instead, it has relied on trash pickers to sort out the waste, picking out whatever can be reused. This has limits. As people get wealthier, fewer of them want to do such dirty work. The waste, meanwhile, just keeps piling up. China produces 80 billion pairs of disposable(一次性的)chopsticks a year.

Many residents appear to support the idea of recycling in general but are frustrated by the details. Rubbish must be divided according to whether it is food, recyclable, dry or hazardous（有害的）, the differences among which can be confusing, though there are apps to help work it out. Some have complained about the rules surrounding food waste. They must put it straight in the required public bin, forcing them to tear open plastic bags and toss it by hand. Most upset are the short windows for throwing trash, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening. Along with the monitors at the bins, this means that people go at around the same time and can keep an eye on what is being thrown out; no one wants to look bad.

1. What does the underlined word “Violators” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．People who don’t sort the waste.

B．People who argue with the monitors.

C．People who don’t throw the trash on time.

D．People who are against the regulations.

2. What is the main direct environmental problem in Shanghai?

A．The massive traffic.	B．The increasing garbage.
C．Lack of a recycling system.	D．Lack of trash pickers.

3. What makes the residents upset most about the rules?

A．Complex distinction among the four categories of trash.

B．Short scheduled time for throwing the trash.

C．Being observed by monitors when throwing the garbage.

D．Being fined when blamed due to improper behavior.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A Restart of Trash-sorting	B．A Great Change in Tackling Litter
C．New Times of Garbage Classification	D．A Craze for Learning Waste Sorting

4 . There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the world’s oceans, and each year, 8 million tons of plastic are added to the figure. Though the oceans seem vast enough to stomach a lot of plastic, the level of waste is starting to reach a crisis point: According to a new report by the Ocean Conservancy, by 2025, the ocean could contain one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish.

All these floating bits of plastic not only disrupt marine ecosystems, but also poison the global supply of seafood. “It’s reaching crisis proportions,” says Andreas Merkl, CEO of the Ocean Conservancy. “Plastic breaks down into small pieces that look like plankton (浮游生物) and is eaten by everything from plankton to whales.”

The new report calls for a focus on improving waste management systems in a handful of developing countries that account for the plastic leakage into the ocean. China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam contribute more than half of the oceans’ plastic since their waste facilities haven’t kept up with rapid industrialization.

How can countries reduce the leakage of waste into the ocean? The Ocean Conservancy report suggests that by providing more waste collection services, closing the leakage points within the collection system, getting rid of waste with effective landfill, and building more recycling facilities, the plastics leakage could be cut by 50% by 2020.

It’s not just an environmentalist’s daydream. Coca-Cola and Dow Chemical, along with some other multinational companies, have joined forces with Ocean Conservancy to fight ocean pollution. “We’re committed to working toward a future of a plastic-free ocean. Companies don’t make plastic with the intention of it ending up in the ocean, and we acknowledge the strong role industry must play in order to help eliminate ocean plastic waste by 2035.” Says a Dow Chemical director.

“While building landfills and incinerators (焚化炉) across these developing countries might not be pretty, it’s far more environmentally friendly than letting waste slide into the world’s oceans.” Says Andreas Merkl.

1. Five developing countries are mostly responsible for plastic leakage because ___.

A．there are too many factories in those countries

B．they produce the majority of the waste worldwide

C．their waste facilities fail to adapt to rapid industrialization

D．their citizens don’t make good use of waste management systems

2. The underlined word “eliminate” in Paragraph 5 means      .

A．end

B．increase

C．remain

D．reduce

3. From the last two paragraphs, we can learn that _______.

A．many companies have begun to play a role in fighting ocean pollution

B．environment-friendly plastics will be invented by multinational factories

C．developing countries will be much more beautiful with a plastic-free ocean

D．landfills and incinerators have greatly reduced plastic leakage into the ocean

4. The main purpose of the passage is to ______.

A．suggest countries learn more about oceanic waste

B．persuade companies to produce fewer plastic goods

C．warn people of the danger of using too many plastic items

D．inform people about the serious issue of plastic in the ocean

5 . Alaska—The American city Anchorage is recovering from a powerful earthquake Friday that damaged public buildings, homes and roads.

The 7.0 earthquake caused buildings to slake. But there have been no reports of deaths, serious injuries or damage. Officials say the quake has not affected transportation of food and her supplies. “The ships are coming in on schedule, the supply lines are at this point working well,” the government told reporters Sunday.

The Glenn Highway was probably the road hit hardest by the earthquake. It connects the state's largest city to other parts in the north. Traffic has been heavy and slow—moving since the quake. Drivers are being guided. Groups of workers are trying to rebuild areas where the quake left large holes in the road.

People who are still nervous after the major quake have been more upset by more than 1, 700 aftershocks. “Anything that moves, you feel terrified”said David, whose home suffered structural(结构)damage, including a sunken foundation(地基). Actually, Alaska came up with strict building rules after a 9. 2 earthquake in 1964. That was the second most powerful earthquake on record.

Government officials said a public health center promises that money for medical treatment will continue to come. Mental healthy service(心理健康服务)is also available for people hurt by the disaster.

Earthquake experts say there is a 4 percent chance of another 7. 0 earthquake or greater in the following week. "The chance is very small, but its not impossible, ” said the expert, Paul Caruso.

1. What was the result of the earthquake?

A．Buildings were damaged.	B．Food supply was cut off.
C．Many people were killed	D．The ships could not come in.

2. Why is the traffic slow on the Glenn Highway?

A．Because small quakes hit the city.	B．Because falling rocks are a danger.
C．Because the highway is badly damaged.	D．Because drivers are misled.

3. What can you learn from Paul Caruso?

A．Another greater earthquake is on the way.

B．Chances still exists of another earthquake.

C．It will be safe in the 1th week after the quake.

D．There is no possibility for more quakes.

4. Where can your possibly read the passage?

A．Ina story book.	B．In a travel journal.
C．In a poster.	D．In a newspaper.

6 . The mass death of flying foxes in extreme heat in North Queensland last month underlines the importance of University of Queensland wildlife research released today.The UQ research sheds light on how various species have responded to major climate events.

A study led by UQ School of Earth and Environmental Science researcher Dr Sean Maxwell has spent more than 70 years quantifying the responses of various species.

“The growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts and floods is causing unpredictable and immediate changes to ecosystems and blocking existing management efforts,” Dr Maxwell said.“Some of the negative responses we found were quite concerning, including more than 100 cases of dramatic population declines and 31 cases of local population extinction following an extreme event.”

"Populations of critically endangered bird species in Hawaii, such as the palia, have been annihilated due to drought, leaving none of its kind, and populations of lizard species have been wiped out due to cyclones in the Bahamas."

Cyclones were the most common extreme event for birds, fish, plants and reptiles, while mammals and amphibians were most responsive to drought events, with drought leading to 12 cases of major population decline in mammals.Drought also led to 13 cases of breeding declines in bird populations and 12 cases of changes in the composition of invertebrate communities.

UQ Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science director Professor James Watson said the detailed information would help inform ecosystem management.

“The research clearly shows species will respond, often negatively, to extreme events,” Professor Watson said.“As climate change continues to ensure extreme climate and weather events are more and more common,we now need to act to ensure species have the best chance to survive.Wherever possible, high quality and intact habitat areas should be retained, as these are the places where species are most resilient(易恢复的) to increasing exposure to extreme events.”

1. How was the UQ researchconducted?

A．By observing extreme weather events.

B．By protecting the endangered species.

C．By recording reactions of animals to extreme climate.

D．By analyzing the reason why mass animal death happened.

2. What does the underlined word “annihilated” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．destroyed	B．defeated
C．decreased	D．disappeared

3. Which of the following sentences is true about extreme weather events?

A．Drought caused 13 cases of distinctionin bird populations.

B．Drought caused 12 cases of population decline in mammals.

C．Birds and mammals are most responsive to cyclones.

D．Cyclones wiped out populations of lizard.

4. What can we infer from Professor Watson’s words?

A．Animals often show negative responses to extreme events.

B．The existing management ways for wildlife protection are limited.

C．Different methods should be adopted to ensure the survival of different species.

D．Complete and undamaged habitats are of great importance to species’ survival.

7 . Steven Stein likes to follow garbage trucks. His strange habit makes sense when you consider that he’s an environmental scientist who studies how to reduce litter, including things that fall off garbage trucks as they drive down the road. What is even more interesting is that one of Stein’s jobs is defending an industry behind the plastic shopping bags.

Americans use more than 100 billion thin film plastic bags every year. So many end up in tree branches or along highways that a growing number of cities do not allow them at checkouts(收银台). The bags are prohibited in some 90 cities in California, including Los Angeles. Eyeing these headwinds, plastic-bag makers are hiring scientists like Stein to make the case that their products are not as bad for the planet as most people assume.

Among the bag makers’ argument: many cities with bans still allow shoppers to purchase paper bags, which are easily recycled but require more energy to produce and transport. And while plastic bags may be ugly to look at, they represent a small percentage of all garbage on the ground today.

The industry has also taken aim at the product that has appeared as its replacement: reusable shopping bags. The stronger a reusable bag is, the longer its life and the more plastic-bag use it cancels out. However, longer-lasting reusable bags often require more energy to make. One study found that a cotton bag must be used at least 131 times to be better for the planet than plastic.

Environmentalists don’t dispute(质疑) these points. They hope paper bags will be banned someday too and want shoppers to use the same reusable bags for years.

1. What has Steven Stein been hired to do?

A．Help increase grocery sales.

B．Recycle the waste material.

C．Stop things falling off trucks.

D．Argue for the use of plastic bags.

2. What does the word “headwinds” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Bans on plastic bags.

B．Effects of city development.

C．Headaches caused by garbage.

D．Plastic bags hung in trees.

3. What is a disadvantage of reusable bags according to plastic-bag makers?

A．They are quite expensive.

B．Replacing them can be difficult.

C．They are less strong than plastic bags.

D．Producing them requires more energy.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Plastic, Paper or Neither

B．Industry, Pollution and Environment

C．Recycle or Throw Away

D．Garbage Collection and Waste Control

8 . 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。

Diets have changed in China — and so too has its top crop. Since 2011, the country     1    （grow）more corn than rice. Corn production has jumped nearly 125 percent over     2     past 25 years, while rice has increased only 7 percent.

A taste for meat is     3     (actual) behind the change: An important part of its corn is used to feed chickens, pigs, and cattle. Another reason for corn's rise: The government encourages farmers to grow corn instead of rice     4     (improve) water quality. Corn uses less water     5     rice and creates less fertilizer(化肥) runoff. This switch has decreased     6     (pollute) in the country's major lakes and reservoirs and made drinking water safer for people.

According to the World Bank, China accounts for about 30 percent of total     7     (globe)fertilizer consumption. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture finds that between 2005—when the government     8     (start) a soil-testing program     9     gives specific fertilizer recommendations to farmers - and 2011, fertilizer use dropped by 7.7 million tons. That prevented the emission(排放) of 51.8 million tons of carbon dioxide. China's approach to protecting its environment while     10     (feed) its citizens "offers useful lessons for agriculture and food policymakers worldwide." says the bank's Juergen Voegele.

9 . A sand storm often takes place in the northern China,     1    is a kind of natural disasters. China usually experiences this kind of weather between February and May, while March and April see the most frequent and the     2     (strong) sand storms. It becomes a very important environmental problem. It does lots of harm     3    the society as well as the environment.Firstly, the strong wind destroys soil and plant cover by     4     (bury)fields with sand and dust. Secondly, by leaving too much dust in the air it will     5     (serious) pollute the air. Thirdly, a sand storm will have     6    bad effect on transportation. The dust in the air makes traffic and aircraft movements more difficult. And when the sand buries the roads, the traffic will     7     (block). When plants in the farmland are buried, food supply will lose.

Sand storms are another     8     (punish) nature gives to mankind. We should not only take effective measures     9     (stop) them, but also draw some     10     (lesson) from them. We should not develop the economy (经济) at the cost of the natural environment.

10 . Conservationists are breeding (饲养) lions in the Southern African nation of Zimbabwe. The wildlife experts hope to increase the lion population to keep the great cats from _______.

In some areas, lions and human beings are _______ control of land. Researchers believe something must be done quickly to _______ the animals.

The African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) has more than 100 _______ in its breeding program. Antelope Park Farm is one of two sites ALERT operates in Zimbabwe.

Gary Jones heads the Antelope Park Farm. He says ALERT has become involved _______ a sharp drop in the number of lions. His group believes this has been _______ mainly by humans. There are more people moving to this area every year. The lions have _______ land on which to live.

Gary Jones says the decrease in the lion population affects the whole _______. He adds that other African nations are also seeing the _______ effects of this.

There are countries,________ in central and north Africa, where the lion population has reached a(n)________ level. Burundi, a country of east-central Africa, for instance, does not have lions in its national parks. It ________ wants to have lions reintroduced back into its national parks. The reason is that when you take the lion out of the equation (平衡) , suddenly you get all ________ things start happening with the balance of ________. For example, you get too many prey (猎物) species, like giraffes and zebras.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization says ________ animals are threatened when farmers try to ________ their plants or animals.

Rene Czudek works for the UN agency. He says his organization has ________ a human-wildlife tool kit (成套工具) that some countries are using to reduce ________ between human and wildlife. “In fact the tool kit is a kind of instrument that extension workers can use with the ________—explain to them how wildlife behaves, and then show them what the risky behaviors are, and how they should ________ their fields accordingly,” Mr. Czudek said.

1.

A．disappearing

B．attacking

C．changing

D．arriving

2.

A．waiting for

B．cheering for

C．competing for

D．looking for

3.

A．train

B．observe

C．catch

D．save

4.

A．giraffes

B．lions

C．zebras

D．antelopes

5.

A．instead of

B．because of

C．in place of

D．in spite of

6.

A．known

B．studied

C．caused

D．prevented

7.

A．less

B．worse

C．more

D．better

8.

A．environment

B．background

C．industry

D．position

9.

A．immediate

B．possible

C．magical

D．disastrous

10.

A．usually

B．finally

C．gradually

D．particularly

11.

A．acceptable

B．worrying

C．reasonable

D．necessary

12.

A．frequently

B．simply

C．naturally

D．desperately

13.

A．small

B．similar

C．strange

D．ideal

14.

A．nature

B．body

C．power

D．trade

15.

A．live

B．wild

C．large

D．trapped

16.

A．protect

B．move

C．use

D．improve

17.

A．put up with

B．caught up with

C．come up with

D．kept up with

18.

A．pressure

B．distance

C．speed

D．conflict

19.

A．farmers

B．workers

C．gardeners

D．experts

20.

A．clear

B．water

C．find

D．plan