1 . Chinese scientists say they have developed a robotic fish that can remove microplastic particles from water environments. Researchers working on the project say the robots could help to clean up plastic pollution in oceans around the world.
The robotic swimmers are about 1.3 centimeters long. They are made of a soft chemical Compound. The robots are designed to absorb microplastics while moving through the water. The project was launched by a team at Sichuan University in southwestern China. The researchers said the robots have already performed well in shallow water and they plan to carry out more tests in deeper waters. The scientists reported their findings in a new study in Nano Letters. The publication comes from the American Chemical Society, a nonprofit organization supported by the U.S. Congress. The robotic fish were built to target microplastic particles, which are smaller than five millimeters. Studies have confirmed that microplastic pollution has been discovered in many natural environments. The material comes from the breakdown of manufactured plastic products and industrial waste.
The team said the robots can be controlled by light. Turning “a near-infrared light laser” on and off causes the fish’s tail to move back and forth, the American Chemical Society said. The robotic fish can swim up to 2.76 body lengths per second. The researchers said this is faster than most similar soft robots. Wang Yuyan was a member of Sichuan University’s research team. She told Reuters news agency that the small, lightweight robot is currently being used to collect microplastics for research purposes. But Wang added that the team plans to expand that use so the robot fish can remove larger amounts of microplastic waste from deep ocean areas. The fish can take in different kinds of microplastics and even repair itself when damaged, the researchers said. And if a robot fish is accidentally eaten by a real fish, it could safely digest the material, the team added. Wang said similar robots could be developed to be placed inside the human body to remove unwanted materials or disease.
1. Why has a robotic fish been created?A.To remove disease in people. | B.To clean up pollution in oceans. |
C.To remove unwanted materials in body. | D.To remove microplastic particles in water. |
A.It will be harmless. | B.It will repair itself. |
C.It will take in microplastics. | D.It will collect microplastics. |
A.The purpose of the robotic fish. |
B.The function of the robotic fish. |
C.A further introduction of the robotic fish. |
D.Potential application of the robotic fish. |
A.Pessimistic. | B.Positive. | C.Unclear. | D.Suspicious. |
2 . Coral reefs in Florida have lost an estimated 90% of their corals in the last 40 years. This summer, a marine heat wave hit Florida’s coral reefs. The record high temperatures created an extremely stressful environment for the coral reefs, which are currently also experiencing intense coral bleaching (白化).
A coral is an animal, which has a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic algae (藻类). The algae gets energy from the sun and shares it with the coral internally. The coral builds a rock-like structure, which makes up most of the reef, providing homes and food for many organisms that live there. Coral bleaching is when the symbiotic relationship breaks down. Without the algae, the corals appear white because the rock skeleton becomes visible. If the bleaching continues for an extended period, the corals can starve to death without the energy.
Florida is on the front lines of climate change. It is also on the cutting edge of restoration science. Many labs, institutions and other organizations are working nonstop to protect and maintain the coral reefs. This includes efforts to understand what is troubling the reef, from disease outbreaks to coastal development impacts. It also includes harvesting coral spawn (卵), or growing and planting coral parts. Scientists moved many coral nurseries into deeper water and shore-based facilities during this marine heat wave. They are digging into the DNA of the coral to discover which species will survive best in future.
There are some bright spots in the story, however. Some corals have recovered from the bleaching, and many did not bleach at all. In addition, researchers recorded coral spawning. Although it’s not clear yet whether the larvae (幼虫) will be successful in the wild, it’s a sign of recovery potential. If the baby corals survive, they will be able to regrow the reef. They just have to avoid one big boss: human-induced climate change.
1. What does the underlined word “symbiotic” in paragraph 2 mean?A.Reliable. | B.Opposite. | C.Harmonious. | D.Contradictory. |
A.The rock skeleton. | B.The microscopic algae. |
C.The high temperatures. | D.The symbiotic relationship. |
A.Transferring coral nurseries. | B.Growing and planting coral spawn. |
C.Researching the DNA of the coral. | D.Figuring out the reasons for problems. |
A.Identifiable. | B.Predictable. | C.Far-reaching. | D.Effective. |
3 . Buildings, pollution, poor soil, insects, and even car crashes can add to tree loss. However, between 2016 and 2021, the city of Seattle in Washington state was reported to have lost about 255 hectares of tree covering, for which climate change was blamed. Then came the driest summer on Seattle’s record books in 2022. The drier conditions and hotter temperatures have left many trees with brown leaves, naked branches, and extreme seeding. These are all signs of tree stress.
According to Nicholas Johnson, a tree expert for Seattle City Parks, if this warming climate continues we are going to have a lot of trees die. Just like people, under the heat trees get weak.
Researchers from France and Australia studied the effect of hotter temperatures and less rain on more than 3,100 trees and plants in 164 cities across 78 countries. They found about half the trees in the cities were experiencing climate conditions beyond their limits. They also found that by 2050 nearly all trees planted in Australian cities will not survive.
It’s not the gradual change but these extreme swings of too much water, too little water, too much wind, and terrible storms that are going to cause these rapid changes. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed about 10 percent of the trees in New Orleans, Louisiana. And in 2021, Hurricane Ida uprooted many new tree plantings.
To settle the problem of tree loss, non-native trees have been brought to cities for some time. In the city of Bellevue, Washington, experts are growing different kinds of trees specifically for climate change. On city grounds, they are planting baby giant sequoias, just a few centimeters tall. The giant sequoias are not native to the Pacific Northwest area. But the trees can deal with the lack of rain and insects. Once these trees are established, they grow incredibly fast. Having many different kinds and ages of trees is important to keeping urban forests alive.
“Life always finds a way,” said Nicholas Johnson. “And in Seattle, people are helping life find a way.”
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?A.The bad condition of trees in Seattle. |
B.The terrible climate in Seattle in recent years. |
C.Natural reasons for tree loss. |
D.The signs of tree stress. |
A.Buildings. | B.Pollution. |
C.Extreme climate. | D.Car crashes. |
A.By improving planting methods. |
B.By changing the kinds of trees. |
C.By treating trees as babies. |
D.By improving the soil quality. |
A.Indifferent. | B.Negative. | C.Skeptical. | D.Positive. |
There was a job vacancy for taking care of the Great Barrier Reef!
Ben did a lot during his time
5 . I live in a town, about half a mile from the banks of a river, It had been raining buckets that week and there were
As a precaution (预防), I’d
With the water up to my waist, in bare feet I started to paddle (蹚水) to my only
I learned to be grateful through the experience and determined to live each day to its
A.flood | B.earthquake | C.drought | D.sandstorm |
A.cleaned | B.lifted | C.discovered | D.placed |
A.deafened | B.awakened | C.impressed | D.amused |
A.annoyed | B.shocked | C.embarrassed | D.relieved |
A.grabbed | B.examined | C.recognized | D.dropped |
A.showed off | B.threw away | C.switched on | D.set aside |
A.accidentally | B.violently | C.temporarily | D.originally |
A.stage | B.partner | C.shelter | D.escape |
A.happened | B.agreed | C.attempted | D.hesitated |
A.quality | B.pressure | C.standard | D.surface |
A.gap | B.depth | C.height | D.mark |
A.regretted | B.promised | C.predicted | D.realized |
A.restored | B.established | C.preserved | D.destroyed |
A.fullest | B.easiest | C.fastest | D.coolest |
A.recovered | B.mattered | C. survived | D.matured |
6 . The idea that having narrow local focus leaves little room for anything but a selfish mindset is a misconception, according to a new study that found that concern for local affairs could help with global environmental conservation.
You might have heard of NIMBY which means “not in my back yard” and describes an individual or group opposed to a new addition to the neighborhood, typically a factory, roadway or power station. Nimbyism and parochialism(眼界狭小), which is a focus on a local area, can go hand in hand, and there are concerns that parochialism paves the way for prejudice, narrowmindedness, and selfishness.
But researchers found the exact opposite to be true in a new study published. The researchers argue that positive parochialism can inspire a larger awareness of global environmental problems and encourage people to action.
“We did not find evidence that parochialism was necessarily negative and inward -looking,” said Patrick, a researcher for the study. “It can be those things, but there's no necessary conflict between feeling connected to your local area and feeling connected to the wider world. ”
For the study, the researchers reviewed documents from the 1987 Parish Maps project. The researchers showed how the Parish Maps project also demonstrated a passion for the environment and conservation. The researchers say that the Parish Maps project is a strong example of “positive parochialism”, and shows that thinking locally can influence a global mindset.
“For a long time, it has been generally agreed that if we want people to think about global affairs they need an international worldview-but this may not be the case,” said Patrick. “Given where we are now in terms of trying to encourage people to make changes to help the environment, positive parochialism offers something that has been overlooked.”
1. Which behavior can best illustrate NIMBY?A.Criticizing a friend for his selfish action. |
B.Accepting a proposal beneficial to locals. |
C.Supporting a neighborhood construction plan. |
D.Objecting to building an airport in the neighborhood. |
A.To explain how to protect the environment. |
B.To offer an example of positive parochialism. |
C.To encourage people to take part in the project. |
D.To stress the importance of global mindset. |
A.Appreciative. | B.Cautious. | C.Negative. | D.Puzzled. |
A.Parochialism, a better practice? |
B.International view, more popular? |
C.Thinking locally, acting globally |
D.Bigger thinking, better environment |
Wang Tianchang and his family moved into the Gobi Desert 22 years ago. They have been fighting with the desert ever since,
As
Now, although Wang is suffering from serious health
8 . If you’re a real fitness addict, you certainly know the ultimate running challenge is to take part in a marathon. It seems every major city and town around the world hosts an annual marathon, with thousands of athletes running an exhausting 42.1 kilometres. While many runners’ motivation is to beat their personal best and cross the finishing line without collapsing, they’re also doing it for a good cause — to generate funds for charity.
But like other major events, the marathon also generates a massive carbon footprint. Thousands travel – some by plane — to the location, and waste from food packaging and goody bags gets left behind by viewers and runners.
This is becoming a big issue for cities — how to host a worthwhile event, encouraging people to exercise and help charities, while protecting the environment? Several cities have developed formal plans to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable ideas. One event in Wales, for example, introduced recycling for old running kit. It’s something that this year’s London Marathon tried to tackle by reducing the number of drink stations on the running route, giving out water in paper cups and offering some drinks in eatable seaweed capsules. They also trialled new bottle belts made from recycled plastic, so 700 runners could carry water bottles with them during their run.
Meanwhile, some people still think running a marathon could be our best foot forward in helping the planet. Dr Andrea Collins from Cardiff University told the BBC: “Training for a marathon makes you more sustainable in day-to-day activities. I started walking or running to work every day. Being environmentally friendly while training kind of sticks with you and becomes a way of life.”
So while you may not be the top runner in a marathon, let’s hope the event, in terms of sustainability, certainly is!
1. What can we know about a marathon from paragraph 1?A.Everyone desires to join in it. | B.Athletes can finish it with ease. |
C.Local governments disapprove of it. | D.It can contribute to charitable causes. |
A.Holding a sustainable event. | B.Raising funds for charities. |
C.Encouraging people to exercise. | D.Recycling old running facilities. |
A.Favorable. | B.Intolerant. | C.Doubtful. | D.Conservative. |
A.Make Marathons Greener | B.How to Run Marathons Properly |
C.Participate in Marathons Actively | D.What Is Left Behind after Marathons |
9 . Noise pollution has a long-term effect on tree populations that may persist even after the sources of noise are removed, according to research published Wednesday.
Man-made noise from industry and the building of infrastructure such as roads and pipelines has increased greatly since the middle of last century. While previous research has documented the short-term effect noise has on tree populations as it scares off pollinators (传粉者) such as insects and animals, few studies have covered the long-term effect.
Researchers in the United States looked at tree populations in New Mexico that had been “hearing”a high level of man-made noise for 15 years. They found 75 percent fewer pinyon pine seedlings (矮松苗) in noisy places than quiet ones.
Then they looked at other places in New Mexico, where sources of noise had recently been added and then removed, and examined how populations recovered. The team assumed that populations of the trees — in this case pinyon seedlings — would recover as the pollinators would return to the places once the noise had disappeared. Instead, they found a long-term drop in seedling numbers as the birds refused to revisit the places.
“The effects of human noise pollution are growing into these woodland communities,” said Clinton Francis, lead researcher from California Polytechnic State University. “What we’re seeing is that removal of the noise doesn’t necessarily immediately result in a recovery of ecological function.”
Jennifer Phillips, co-author of the research, said the findings showed how the effect of noise pollution could put pollinators off even after the noise is removed. “Animals like the birds that are sensitive to noise learn to avoid particular areas.” said Phillips. “It may take time for animals to come back to pollinate trees in these previously noisy areas, and we don’t know how long that might take.”
As governments continue to face growing evidence of the damage to nature caused by urbanization (城市化), Phillips held that the influence of noise pollution should also be factored into planning decisions.
1. What does the underlined word “persist” mean in paragraph 1?A.Recover. | B.Decrease. | C.Last. | D.Disappear. |
A.By studying cases in New Mexico. |
B.By challenging the previous research. |
C.By recording the routines of pollinators. |
D.By following the sources of noise pollution. |
A.Noise pollution kills large numbers of birds. |
B.Governments should take measures to remove noise. |
C.Ecological recovery contributes to the removal of noise. |
D.It’s hard to tell when birds will revisit previously noisy places. |
A.Removing noise enables plants to grow better. |
B.Pollinators play a role in increasing plant population. |
C.Noise pollution has long-term effects on plant populations. |
D.Man-made noise does great harm to woodland communities. |
10 . For most of human history, people raised crops and livestock to feed their households rather than to sell them for profit. This began to shift after the Industrial Revolution, which saw the rise of plantation farming.
Industrial farming not only increased the crop-growing areas, but changed the techniques used by farmers. Instead of switching the crops that were grown on a field each year, entire plantations would be devoted to a single crop. This approach and intensive modes of farming led to destruction of local biodiversity and land worsening — within years, fields would cease to produce crops.
Plantations of the 18th and 19th centuries were a “get rich quick plan” rather than a long-term investment. Once a field became unusable, plantation owners would simply move on to new land. Up to the end of the 19th century, wide areas of our planet were still not claimed by global modernity. But today, while we are quickly running out of vegetative (覆盖植被的) land, this mindset continues. “Farmers still hold the view that land is cheap and limitless,” said Crystal Davis from the World Resources Institute. “Most of them just cut down more trees, when new land is needed.”
“To meet our ecological goals, we need to stop turning natural ecosystems to farmland,” Davis said. “We can achieve this in part by bringing back the land’s ecological wholeness and productivity.”
Davis points to the 20×20 initiative (倡议), which has seen 18 South American and Caribbean countries commit to recovering 50m hectares of land by 2030. It includes a number of projects aimed at introducing agroforestry (混农林业) practices to cocoa and coffee farms in Colombia and Nicaragua. There farmers are encouraged to grow crops while introducing more trees to their land.
1. What can we learn about industrial farming?A.It existed for most of human history. |
B.It changed farming methods. |
C.It increased crop production steadily. |
D.It reduced crop-planting areas. |
A.Abuse the land for quick profit. |
B.Desert wide areas of plantations. |
C.Adopt modern technology to farm. |
D.Plant more trees to satisfy global need. |
A.It advocates eco-friendly farming. |
B.It involves countries around the world. |
C.It encourages farmers to develop more land. |
D.It focuses on increasing cocoa and coffee output. |
A.How Can We Take up Farming? | B.How Can We Feed the World? |
C.Meeting Our Ecological Goals | D.Shifting to Regenerative Agriculture |