1 . A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Victoria has shown that common levels of traffic pollution can damage human brain function in only a matter of hours.
“For many decades, scientists thought the brain may be protected from the harmful effects of air pollution,” said senior study author Dr. Chris Carlsten. “This study, which is the first of its kind in the world, provides fresh evidence supporting a connection between air pollution and cognition.”
For the study, the researchers briefly exposed 25 healthy adults to diesel exhaust (柴油废气) and filtered air at different times in a laboratory setting. Brain activity was measured before and after each exposure using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The researchers analyzed changes in the brain’s default mode network (DMN), a set of inter-connected brain regions that play an important role in memory and internal thought. The fMRI revealed that participants had decreased functional connectivity in widespread regions of the DMN after exposure to diesel exhaust, compared to filtered air.
“We know that altered functional connectivity in the DMN has been associated with reduced cognitive performance and symptoms of depression, so it’s concerning to see traffic pollution interrupting these same networks,” said Dr. Jodie Gawryluk, a psychology professor at the University of Victoria and the study’s first author. “While more research is needed to fully understand the functional impacts of these changes, it’s possible that they may impair (损害) people’s thinking or ability to work.”
Notably, the changes in the brain were temporary and participants’ connectivity returned to normal after the exposure. Dr. Carlsten assumed that the effects could be long lasting where exposure is continuous. He said that people should be mindful of the air they’re breathing and take appropriate steps to minimize their exposure to potentially harmful air pollutants like car exhaust.
1. How does traffic pollution affect people according to the study?| A．Exhausting their body. | B．Decreasing their income. |
| C．Endangering their safety. | D．Harming their brain function. |
| A．Growth. | B．Sport. | C．Memory. | D．Behaviour. |
| A．Avoid being exposed to the polluted air constantly. |
| B．Be mindful of the air quality in a new city. |
| C．Measure the brain activity in laboratories. |
| D．Stay inside a house as often as possible. |
| A．A Role Of Brain Will Be Ruined |
| B．Traffic Pollution May Impair Brain Function |
| C．A Famous UK University Did A Vital Study |
| D．A Source Of Pollution Has Drawn People’s Attention |
2 . California has been using recycled wastewater for many years. A team has used it to make ice surfaces for the game of hockey(冰球运动). It has been used to make snow for the sport of skiing. And farmers use it to water their crops. But it has not been used directly for drinking water.
Recently, California officials approved new rules to let water agencies recycle wastewater and put it right back into the pipes that carry drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses. It is a big step for California.
California’s new rules would let—but not require—water agencies to take wastewater, treat it, and then put it right back into the drinking water system. That means proving to people that recycled water is not only safe to drink but also not dirty. California would be just the second US state to permit this, following Colorado. It has taken officials more than 10 years to develop these rules, a process that included several studies by independent groups of scientists.
A project in San Diego is aiming to produce nearly half of the city’s water through recycling wastewater by 2035. And the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California aims to produce up to nearly 570 million liters(升)a day for its 19 million people. Adel Hagekhalil is with Metropolitan Water. He said the new rules will permit new projects that have not yet been considered.
California’s new rules require the wastewater be treated for all bacteria and viruses, even if they are not present in the wastewater. In fact, the treatment is so intense that it removes all of the minerals that make fresh drinking water taste good. That means the minerals need to be added back at the end of the process. Polhemus is a director of the drinking water group for the California Water Resources Control Board. “It’s at the same drinking water quality, and probably better in many instances,” he said, adding that it takes time and money to build these treatment centers. So, they will only be available for bigger cities at first.
1. What does paragraph 1 mainly tell us about the recycled wastewater?| A．Its qualities. | B．Its functions. |
| C．Its target users. | D．Its disadvantages. |
| A．They made some new rules on pollution. |
| B．They spent ten years recycling wastewater. |
| C．They tried to make wastewater safe to drink. |
| D．They requested water agencies to speed up treating water. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Pessimistic. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The Process of Recycling Wastewater Is Complicated |
| B．California Tries to Reduce the Wastewater Generation |
| C．California Permits Turning Wastewater to Drinking Water |
| D．New Wastewater Treatment Projects Have Been Approved |
3 . Merle Liivand was born in Estonia. As a child, she had health problems, and began swimming to help her lungs get stronger. She was soon taking part in open water swimming contests, sometimes even in icy water. In 2017 and 2019, she represented Estonia at the World Aquatics Championships.
Eleven years ago, Ms. Merle moved to Miami, Florida. In one training session, she nearly wound up swallowing some plastic floating in the sea. That experience made her think of all the sea animals who faced similar pollution every day. She began swimming with a special single swimming fin(鳍状物) attached to both of her feet. This rubbery “monofin” allows her to swim by kicking both of her legs together. “Swimming with the monofin without using my arms is similar to how dolphins and sea animals swim,” says Ms. Merle. She believes that swimming with a monofin “sends a bigger message”.
Ms. Merle first set the world record for swimming with a monofin in 2019, when she swam 10 kilometers off the coast of California. In 2020, she broke the record again by swimming 20. 6 kilometers, this time in Miami, Florida.
Last year, she set a new Guinness World Record by swimming 30 kilometers, again in Florida. Even though it took her 9 hours and 19 minutes to set that record, Ms. Merle says she knew she could go farther. So for the last year, Ms. Merle has been getting up at 4 every morning, putting on her monofin and going swimming.
On May 7, Ms. Merle broke the record once more, this time swimming the length of a full marathon. It took her 11 hours and 54 seconds to swim 42.2 kilometers.
To keep her energy up, a friend followed her in a kayak and gave her food and water from time to time. Along the way, Ms. Merle picked up all the trash she found and put it in the kayak. By the end of her marathon, the kayak held three bags full of trash.
1. Why did Merle Liivand start to swim?| A．To become physically fitter. | B．To pick up rubbish out of water. |
| C．To satisfy her interest in water. | D．To win swimming contests. |
| A．To help develop her strength. | B．To improve her swimming speed. |
| C．To experience the life of a sea animal. | D．To raise public awareness of plastic pollution. |
| A．Far-reaching influences brought by Ms. Merle. |
| B．Ms. Merle’s amazing achievements in swimming. |
| C．Hardships Ms. Merle experienced while swimming. |
| D．Ms. Merle’s contributions to environmental protection. |
| A．Considerate and modest. | B．Ambitious and proud. |
| C．Kind-hearted and hard-working. | D．Strong-willed and generous. |
4 . The earth’s climate is largely controlled by how much of the sun’s light and heat is absorbed and reflected. By absorbing the sun’s heat, trees cool the air.
The interaction of this relationship with an area’s topography (地势), latitude (纬度), and altitude, can create microclimates (微气候), just as trees create microclimates almost any place they are by providing a windbreak (风林) and shade. Think about it: On a hot, sunny day, it’s always cooler beneath a shade tree. A city with more tall trees is cooler in the summer than a similar city with fewer trees, which translates into less energy use and lowers cooling costs. Also, in using less energy, less air pollution is created.
The most important role that rural trees and forests play is taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The living tissue (组织) of a tree is a storage vault (拱顶) for carbon, which would otherwise contribute to the greenhouse effect and to global climate change. To put it most simply, more trees can decrease the rate of climate change and help us withstand its effects, potentially resulting in less intense storms, fewer infectious diseases, a more stable water supply, and fewer wildfires.
Trees, however, are affected by the effects of climate warming. Areas once too cold to support trees now can, and as forests migrate north, harmful insects that were once held at bay (使不能接近) by winter freezes can do damage to native species. Tropical (热带的) vines called lianas (藤本植物) are now growing faster than the trees they climb, causing trees in the Amazon and other rainforests to die at an alarming rate.
Trees and forests can either be the key to slowing climate change and reducing its effects, or they can become its victims. It’s up to us.
1. Trees are believed to create microclimates in that __________.| A．tress can take in large sum of sunlight |
| B．tress can effectively change the weather |
| C．tress can help us save more money on cooling |
| D．tress can stop the strong wind and supply shade |
| A．more types of trees will be endangered |
| B．some rare forest species will grow faster |
| C．tropical vines find their wonderful world |
| D．some harmful insects will be under control |
| A．Make up. | B．Stand up to. |
| C．Think about. | D．Bring out. |
| A．Greenhouse effect is increasing sharply. |
| B．Climate change does great damage to trees. |
| C．Many native species will be frozen to death. |
| D．Forests and climate change influence each other. |
5 . The world’s animal populations have decreased by more than two-thirds since 1970, according to a recent research from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The London group provided information on 32,000 wildlife populations which included more than 5,000 species. The researchers found that population sizes had declined by 69 percent on average. They said the loss of forests, human exploitation (开发) of the environment, pollution, and climate change were great causes of the loss. Land-use change is still the biggest threat to wildlife. However, the researchers added, ”if we cannot limit warming to 1.5“C, climate change is likely to become the dominant cause of biodiversity loss in the coming years.”
Wildlife populations in Latin American and the Caribbean Sea area were greatly affected. The research showed a 94 percent drop in those areas in over 50 years. Wildlife populations in river and lake habitats decreased the most. Freshwater populations have declined by an average of 83 percent since 1970. For example, one population of pink river dolphins in the Amazon River area of Brazil fell by 65 percent between 1994 and 2016.
These findings are a red flag that warns of a larger system failure on the horizon. Even one species’ population decline can affect other species, eventually impacting the ecosystem’s ability to function. Humans depend on a stable climate, predictable weather patterns, and productive farmland and fisheries to thrive (蓬勃发展), but the current trends are severe enough to threaten many life-sustaining systems.
Our future depends on reversing(扭转) the loss of nature just as much as it depends on dealing with climate change. And you can’t solve one without solving the other. Everyone has a role in reversing these trends, from individuals to companies to governments. If nothing changes, animal populations will undoubtedly continue to fall, driving wildlife to extinction and threatening the integrity (完整) of the ecosystems on which we all depend.
1. What is the greatest threat to wildlife populations currently?| A．Illegal hunting. |
| B．Global warming. |
| C．Land-use change. |
| D．Environmental pollution. |
| A．By listing figures. |
| B．By analyzing the causes. |
| C．By making a comparison. |
| D．By referring to a concept. |
| A．Climate change threatens many wild animals. |
| B．Farmland is the basis of life-sustaining systems |
| C．Species diversity is important to maintain a stable ecosystem. |
| D．Extreme weather events have become more and more frequent. |
| A．To explain the difficulty of restoring ecosystems |
| B．To call on people to take action to protect nature. |
| C．To present the increasing trend of climate change. |
| D．To show people’s efforts in reversing the loss of nature. |
6 . Nobody wants to snack on plastic bags or soda rings, but according to a recent study from the University of Neweastle, we could be consuming roughly a credit card's worth of plastic every week.
Microplastic, which are less than a quarter-inch size and come in various shapes, have polluted the natural world and infiltrated(渗入)our bodies. The first clue to microplastic exposure in humans came around 2013, when scientists discovered plastic particles in seafood prepared for consumption. But in 2019, when the University of Newcastle study was published, the scientific community understood that the problem was considerably broader. Microplastics shed off clothes and tires and have been found in beer, honey, table salt and other food items. We breathe in plastic staying in the air and drink plastic floating in our drinks. It's no stretch to conclude that our exposure is significant. What we don't know is what this means for us.
The amount of evidence collected on this subject is growing rapidly, according to Scott Coffin, a toxicologist(毒理学家). Studies done on mice and rats have found that plastic in their bodies can severely damage cells and cause stress.
Because microplastics are too small to clean up, the only solution is to stop plastic waste at the source. And doing so would take a thorough adjustment, given that plastics are deeply embedded in our economy and lifestyle. Stopping using them would fundamentally affect countless industries, including textiles(纺织业), transportation and manufacturing.
"I think we need to have more studies coming out that are directly related to human health before we see a lot more concern from the general public," Scott said. "It takes a lot to convince people that something that is really convenient for them to use is something they should sacrifice."
The question of microplastics and human health needs more attention—from the scientific community ,the general public, the government and funding groups. The issue isn't being ignored, but it's not being prioritized either.
1. What does the second paragraph mainly tell us about microplastics?| A．Their wide usage in daily life. |
| B．Their harm to human health. |
| C．Their significant exposure in humans. |
| D．The new study conducted on them. |
| A．The way that microplastics exist. |
| B．The pollution caused by microplastics. |
| C．The relationship between microplastics and human health. |
| D．The reason for the existence of microplastics. |
| A．To cut down plastic production. |
| B．To carry out more studies on mice and rats. |
| C．To invent something more convenient than plastics. |
| D．To promote people's awareness on the harm brought by microplastics. |
| A．Is Microplastic pollution harmful to our health? |
| B．Why is Microplastic pollution everywhere? |
| C．Why is plastic harmful? |
| D．What do you know about Microplastics? |
7 . During the recent elections，the Inuit Ataqatigiit, a left-wing Greenland party，has won against the incumbent (现任的) center-left Siumut party. The Inuit Atagatigiit heavily campaigned against the construction of a rare earth metal mine，a project whose development has been contested for years.
The project would give the mine the “potential to become the most significant Western world producer of rare earths” according to the Australian company behind the project, Greenland Minerals. However, it comes at the expense of poisonous waste products that could damage the area’s fragile ecosystem.
Rare earth metals are found everywhere. From cellphones to magnets and even DVDs, rare earth metals are used for making many electronic products. For years, international mining companies have had their sights on Greenland. The country is known for its abundant deposits of untapped rare earth minerals.
The main mining project that became the center of the recent election is in an area south of Greenland known as Kvanefjeld. It has deposits of rare earths and uranium, and has been in development for years. But it has never been officially approved by the government due to heavy opposition for the radioactive waste it would produce.
On the other side of the coin, supporters of the project argue for the economic benefits it would provide such as creating thousands of jobs. Greenland’s economy, is mainly dependent on fishing and financial support from Denmark, the country that owns it. Many rare earth metals are also important for developing renewable sources of energy that can address climate change.
Immediately after the victory of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party was announced, the leader of it announced that the Kvanefjeld mining project, would not proceed.
The party state that although they are not directly opposed to mining, they are “opposed to dirty mining”. They aim to implement (实施) strict standards for mining companies to reduce environmental influence to the lowest possible level.
However, the new government plans to go on with caution as foreign interest in Greenland’s resources continues to grow.
1. Why is the Inuit Ataqatigit against the project?| A．It has a foreign company behind. | B．It has the support of another party. |
| C．It could damage the local environment. | D．It could become the most significant mine. |
| A．Inaccessible. | B．Inexpensive. | C．Impure. | D．Unused. |
| A．The project is dependent on Denmark’s economy. |
| B．The project can bring economic benefits to Greenland. |
| C．The project is a must for the development of Greenland. |
| D．The project can solve problems related to climate change. |
| A．Close all the mines on the island. | B．Stay in power as long as possible. |
| C．Strictly limit the activities of dirty mining. | D．Reduce the foreign interest in their resources. |
8 . In August 2017,Southeast Texas was badly affected by Hurricane Harvey.About 30 miles west of Houston,the town of Katy,Texas,took a hard
Beaver Aplin,owner of the popular Bucee's chain of convenience
Meanwhile,the locals ran,drove and paddled(划船）to
Other residents found
These are just a small part of the
Even first responders coming from outside Katy could instantly feel the town's
| A．hit | B．choice | C．decision | D．time |
| A．damaged | B．abandoned | C．closed | D．broken |
| A．begin | B．fall | C．stop | D．come |
| A．windows | B．minds | C．wallets | D．hearts |
| A．restaurants | B．pubs | C．hotels | D．stores |
| A．flood | B．storm | C．virus | D．event |
| A．early | B．greatly | C．luckily | D．suddenly |
| A．ask | B．take | C．demand | D．leave |
| A．meet | B．attend | C．visit | D．rescue |
| A．boat | B．bus | C．air | D．bike |
| A．produced | B．sent | C．consumed | D．released |
| A．bill | B．prize | C．order | D．tool |
| A．effective | B．perfect | C．available | D．creative |
| A．wiped out | B．carried away | C．cleaned up | D．looked for |
| A．stories | B．scenes | C．signs | D．conditions |
| A．insists | B．denies | C．accepts | D．proves |
| A．noble | B．selfless | C．pure | D．mean |
| A．amazing | B．interesting | C．confusing | D．exciting |
| A．guiding | B．finding | C．helping | D．giving |
| A．proud | B．afraid | C．shocked | D．impressed |
9 . We are what we eat,and what we eat shows something about what we are in return.So it shouldn't be all that surprising that humans are now apparently eating plastic.
A small trial at the Medical University of Vienna found tiny pieces of it in the digestive(消化的）systems of people from eight different countries,including the UK.The study involved just eight people and doesn't tell us what,if any,effect eating plastic was having on their bodies,which means more research is needed before we know what any of this really means.We already knew that fish were eating plastic.Did we really think it wouldn't reach back up to the top of the food chain,and that the consequences of our own actions couldn't return to affect us?
Does it actually matter?This study can't yet answer that question,because all it tells us is that microplastics(微塑料）were found in human faeces(粪便）。If they're just passing through like unwelcome guests before being driven out of the body,then perhaps there's no damage done.If there were evidence of plastics being absorbed in our internal organs,that could be a dangerous sign.And solving plastic pollution must not be delayed.
Solving plastic pollution is not as simple as some campaigners make it sound.Changing from plastic packaging to other materials would cause other environmental problems,for a start.Bottling liquids in glass rather than plastic makes them heavier,which potentially means more trips to transport them.There is a reason,in short,why we relied so much on plastic in the first place,and even if it were possible to stop using the stuff tomorrow,it would take up to 1,000 years for some of what's being produced right now to disappear completely.
But just because it's difficult,it doesn't mean we can do nothing.There is something really mad about a society that on the one hand is obsessed with the quality of the food we put in our mouths,but on the other hand happily eats its own garbage.The war on plastic,it seems,just got personal.
1. What do we know about the study mentioned in the text?| A．It involved eight people from different regions of the UK. |
| B．It revealed that fish eating plastic has bad effects on their bodies. |
| C．It found small plastic pieces in most parts of peoples internal tissues. |
| D．It didn't give clear conclusions about the effects of eating plastic. |
| A．Other materials are heavier than plastic. |
| B．People depend heavily on plastic in their daily life. |
| C．The plastic being produced needs 1,000 years to break down. |
| D．Other materials are more difficult to transport. |
| A．Nothing can be done to solve the plastic problem. |
| B．We should eat more safe and healthy food. |
| C．Our society's future is hopeless as it is so crazy. |
| D．It is going to be difficult to settle the plastic problem. |
| A．it's time we solved environmental pollution |
| B．plastic pollution is too serious to deal with |
| C．even our own bodies contain plastic waste |
| D．the earth is highly polluted by plastic |
Diets have changed in China — and so too has its top crop. Since 2011, the country
A taste for meat is
According to the World Bank, China accounts for about 30 percent of total
