1 . Off the coast of northeastern Queensland, Australia, near Magnetic Island in Florence Bay, the Great Barrier Reef corals (大堡礁珊瑚) are having a baby boom (激增).
“Every year there are more anrd more coral babies,” says Hillary Smith, an ecologist at ames Cook University in Australia.
That’s thanks to a simple but effective strategy for cleaning the region’s coral reefs: “seaweeding”. Like weeding (给……除杂草) a garden, seaweeding involves pulling big handfuls of large algae (水藻) off reefs and taking them away.
Experts say getting climate change under control is key to keeping the world’s reefs healthy. But meanwhile, local efforts such as seaweeding can help corals grow and reduce the effects of climate change.
The health of coral reefs around the world is dire: By 2050, 95 percent of the world’s coral could experience heat stress, according to a 2020 report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. Algae is a big problem: Already, algae cover has increased on two-thirds of reefs around the world, and one study published in 2021 showed that half the world’s coral reefs have died since the 1950s. Removing seaweed from reefs requires a great deal of work but is not complex, making it a good project for citizen scientists eager to help restore (恢复) reefs.
When the project first began in 2018, Smith says researchers weren’t sure if removing seaweed would benefit the reef or if removal might have the opposite effect in some way. But now, “It’s all looking really positive for the reef,” she says.
Volunteers are ready and waiting to help near Townsville and at other affected Australian reefs, says the Earthwatch Institute’s Fiona Wilson.“We need lots of willing hands to remove seaweed. It takes weeks of time,”she says. “But obviously recovery of the Great Barrier Reef is a passion for many people, so we draw volunteers.”
1. What contributed to the growth of the Great Barrier Reef corals in Florence Bay?A.Local efforts to remove seaweed. | B.Reduced effects of climate change. |
C.Fewer human activities in the region. | D.The use of new restoration technologies. |
A.Strange. | B.Acceptable. | C.Excellent. | D.Terrible. |
A.They were hopeful of it. | B.They were excited about it. |
C.They were uncertain about it. | D.They were uninterested in it. |
A.It is still a long way off. | B.It is less difficult than thought. |
C.It will take hard work and skill. | D.It attracts and needs volunteers. |
2 . An earthquake is one of the most common natural disasters. It may cause great damage. So it is smart to learn some simple safety tips to protect yourself or your family members.
Fragile items (物品) like those made of glass are easily broken and should usually be placed on a lower surface, near the ground. Never place them near your bed, sofas and other furniture where you would be sitting or lying down. So when there is a strong movement, these pieces will fall on the floor directly, not on you.
There is a strong chance of short circuits and fire during an earthquake. Make sure you turn off power and gas immediately when an earthquake happens.
During an earthquake, lie under an object that is not easily damaged. Do not go near objects that could directly fall on you. Never use the elevator to go down. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries happen when people inside buildings try to go out. Use the staircases (楼梯) at all times.
If you are outdoors, do not take shelter under a tree, streetlights, electric poles or tall buildings. If you are driving, stop your car and stay in a safe place. Do not park your car under a tree or any tall object.
If trapped in ruins, cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or the wall so rescuers can find you. Use a whistle (哨子) if one is available. Never shout for help. Shouting can cause you to breathe in dangerous amounts of dust. Do not light a match because you may burn yourself.
1. The passage is aimed to tell readers_______.A.how to prevent earthquakes |
B.what to do during earthquakes |
C.the loss caused by earthquakes |
D.the rescue work after earthquakes |
A.easily broken | B.easily found | C.costly | D.heavy |
A.in a place where children can’t reach them |
B.in the bedroom |
C.in the cupboards |
D.on a lower surface |
A.go out of the building at once |
B.turn off power and gas immediately |
C.take shelter under a tree |
D.shout for help |
3 . If you’ve ever been annoyed with package, you probably love the idea of a package-free grocery store. And zero waste at the supermarket isn’t such a crazy dream; a new store in Germany is promising exactly that.
The Original Unverpackt in Berlin is a project of Sara Wolf and Miena Glimbovski. They crowdfunded the project, and the idea proved so popular that they are more than doubly funded.
The store will sell food locally to reduce transportation costs and energy use. There are containers that can be reused, or better yet, you can bring your own. It’ll also carry non-food things like cleaning products and personal care items.
The German project isn’t the only grocery store fighting wasteful packaging. In.gredients, in Austin, Texas is the first zero-waste store. It offers things that are filled in customers’ own containers and it offers reusable containers too.
Of course, plenty of stores have been doing some version (版本) of reduced packaging for years. The First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op in Corvallis, Oregon, where I do most of my shopping, offers all dry goods including baking goods and dried fruit and beans in bulk (散装), and plenty of others too, including tofu, cheese, eggs, honey, and butter oils, soaps and pet foods too. I bring my own containers, and a couple of produce (农产品) bags for small items. I’m probably using half or less than half of the packaging I used to shop at a Whole Foods in Connecticut before I moved.
So even if you don’t have a zero-waste grocery in your town, you can still cut down on the packaging you use by planning ahead, and patronizing those businesses that offer bulk-food buying. Farmers markets are great in this way too — you can give the farmer any packaging right back for reuse.
1. What is people’s attitude toward the Original Unverpackt?A.Positive. | B.Doubtful. | C.Uncaring. | D.Neutral. |
A.Crowdfunded projects are generally unsuccessful. |
B.Reducing packaging waste is beneficial for both the environment and consumers. |
C.All grocery stores should adopt a zero-waste model immediately. |
D.Shopping at Whole Foods in Connecticut is more sustainable than shopping at a zero-waste store. |
A.Increasing. | B.Exchanging. | C.Balancing. | D.Visiting. |
A.The rise of package-free grocery stores worldwide. |
B.The Original Unverpackt in Berlin and its zero-waste concept. |
C.The environmental impact of grocery shopping. |
D.The benefits of shopping at farmers markets. |
4 . Tech companies, like Microsoft, Dell, HP and Motorola, have already begun making their devices more repairable, getting ahead of Right to Repair laws that are very likely on the way. A sure sign is the order signed last year by the president of the USA. It directed the Federal Trade Commission to create Right to Repair rules.
In the past, Microsoft has actively lobbied (游说) against Right to Repair bills, but surprisingly, in October, Microsoft agreed to expand its repair choices, supplying access to parts and information needed for repairs. They have promised to make parts and service manuals available to the public by the end of 2022. Microsoft even promised to conduct a study evaluating the environmental impact of device repairability. “This is the first time we have seen a major company step up and make the promise,” says Kyle Wiens, CEO of repair guide site iFixit. “ Amazingly, instead of telling the activist shareholders to go away, Microsoft said we’re gonna do it.”
Right to Repair is a global movement that advocates for people’s right to repair their own electronic devices and extend the life of the devices. Advocates believe this is going to help solve the pressing problem of e-waste—used electronics that people no longer want — which is a major source of pollution. Activists advocate for laws that will force makers to increase device repairability.
The shareholders advocacy group called As You Sow drove Microsoft to increase device repairability using a tool often employed by climate activists. As shareholders, climate activists often introduce resolutions that other shareholders can vote on, thereby forcing companies to make changes. “It’s a smart strategy to use your position as a shareholder to raise these kinds of issues, because it demands a company response,” says Aaron Perzanowski, a law professor.
The positive response from companies like Microsoft, Perzanowski says, could be linked to a combination of public pressure, a desire to get ahead of upcoming laws and a growing understanding of the problem of electronic waste.
1. What can we infer about Right to Repair laws in the USA?A.They have a very long way to go. | B.They are ignored by the president. |
C.They may be adopted soon. | D.They are rejected by most tech companies. |
A.To reduce the cost of electronic devices. |
B.To increase the lifespan of electronic devices through repairability. |
C.To force manufacturers to produce more durable devices. |
D.To encourage consumers to buy new devices more frequently. |
A.The high cost of electronic devices. | B.The environmental impact of e-waste. |
C.The limited lifespan of electronic devices. | D.The lack of skilled repair technicians. |
A.By introducing a resolution that other shareholders could vote on. |
B.By convincing Microsoft to increase the price of their devices. |
C.By threatening to boycott Microsoft's products. |
D.By lobbying the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of Microsoft. |
5 . There’s been growing concerns about the damaging impact of human travel on the environment in recent years. Irresponsible tourism is a main cause of environmental destruction. The destruction of the natural environment is an urgent matter as it directly affects everyone’s well-being.
Avoid takeaways as many as possible
Buying “food to go” seems logical when you are in a rush. Though convenient, this kind of take-out packaging often uses disposable(一次性的) plastic boxes and bags, which can contribute significantly to environmental pollution if not properly disposed of.
Go for train or bus when traveling nationally
Transportation accounts for nearly a third of all greenhouse gases produced in the environment. Flying and driving, in particular, are major contributors to carbon emissions(排放) within the transportation sector, with domestic flying emitting more carbon than driving.
Stay on designated roads and foot paths
Responsible tourism is about having as minimum physical interaction with the wild as possible. We not only protect the fragile ecosystems around us but also ensure our own safety.
Pick up trash after yourself and others
In conclusion, responsible tourism is traveling with awareness, respect, and consideration for the places you visit. It’s about ensuring that your travel experiences enrich not only your own lives but also contribute positively to the destinations you explore, leaving them better than you found them.
A.So stick to marked roads and footpaths. |
B.Therefore, hike for some trips at times. |
C.Pay attention to the trash while traveling. |
D.Make a habit of collecting trash after yourself. |
E.You don’t have to be in a rush when on holiday. |
F.Therefore, use public transport for short travels. |
G.These concerns have resulted in the green travel campaign. |
6 . “Our first duty is to the place that raised us,” Omar Freilla says. “For me, it’s the South Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop.”
Although the South Bronx was one of the nation’s poorest and most polluted areas, with crowded roads and poisonous industrial sites, Omar saw a different kind of potential amidst its challenges. He envisioned a new approach to the mountains of discarded materials.
“A lot of what people throw away is perfectly good,” he says. Omar was just out of college and he started thinking about how he could get this “good garbage” to people who could use it. Instead of destroying things like old windows and doors, why not clean them up and resell them? Why not hire people who live in the community to do the work? Better yet, why not make this business a “cooperative”, which means that the people who work in the business own it and share the profits?
To start his business, Omar put up flyers along the truck-jammed, trash-filled streets of his neighborhood, looking for people to work with him. He soon found four other dedicated workers. They rented a warehouse (仓库) and started looking for donations of used materials.
They called up hardware stores (五金店), building supply distributors, and contractors, providing free shipping from construction sites. Their warehouse began to fill up. A hardware store gave 2,000 gallons of paint that was still good but was being thrown away because it was past its expiration date (产品有效期). A distributor donated 80 new toilets from a project that had been canceled. Contractors added unwanted doors, sinks, ceiling fans — even theater seats and a giant popcorn machine!
In April 2008, Omar’s cooperative opened its doors for business and began selling construction supplies — at reasonable prices — to neighborhood builders and homeowners. With the help of city officials, he also began planning a new training program to help local residents learn the skills they need to get good jobs that help the environment and even start cooperatives of their own.
1. What was the primary motivation behind Omar’s decision to start his business in the South Bronx?A.To make a profit from selling construction supplies. |
B.To address the environmental challenges in the community. |
C.To compete with existing hardware stores and distributors. |
D.To provide job opportunities for skilled workers in the area. |
A.He relied on his personal savings to fund the business. |
B.He distributed flyers to ask for donations from neighbors. |
C.He sought funding from large companies to establish the business. |
D.He actively engaged with his local community to gather support and resources. |
A.They provide free shipping. | B.They provide useful resources. |
C.They provide financial support. | D.They provide a cheap workforce. |
A.The Rise of Environmental Movement in the South Bronx |
B.Community Cooperation: Transforming Waste into Resources |
C.Omar Freilla: A New Star in the Hip-Hop Industry |
D.Navigating Challenges: The Story of South Bronx Business |
Not in history has a modern city been so
Within
On Wednesday morning at a quarter past five
8 . Lightning can strike anyplace on Earth. In fact, there are about 6,000 lightning strikes every minute, which is more than 8 million strikes every day. The risk of being struck by lightning is low, but the consequences of lightning strike injuries are serious. Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you might still be at risk. About one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors.
Avoid water.
Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm.
Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet (电源插座), such as computers, game systems, washers, or stoves. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete.
Don’t use corded (有线的) phones.
Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. Do NOT use them.
Follow the safety measures above can minimize your risk of being injured indoors on lighting days. Don’t take it for granted that only outdoor activities can put you in a dangerous place. Keep it in mind that inappropriate indoor activities can also be disastrous.
A.Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck while indoors. |
B.In addition, follow up on the latest information about the storm. |
C.However, it is safe to use cordless or mobile phones during a storm. |
D.Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. |
E.Some outdoors measures can keep you safe and prevent you from being attacked. |
F.Lightning can travel through a building’s water pipe system. |
G.Don’t touch electronic equipment. |
1. Where is the man doing a project about the environment?
A.At a library. | B.At school. | C.At a lab. |
A.To get information about a project. |
B.To know about her job. |
C.To do research on greenhouse effect. |
A.Solve the woman’s problem. |
B.Move some books. |
C.Do some reading. |
1. What is the main idea of the conversation?
A.How to help keep our environment clean. |
B.How to open a recycling store. |
C.How to change the city. |
A.In China. | B.In France. | C.In England. |
A.Broken cups. | B.Broken recycling bins. | C.Broken electronic items. |