1 . A tsunami is a series of huge waves that can kill many people and destroy a whole country. A terrible tsunami disaster happened on December 26, 2004.
The word “tsunami” comes from Japanese words. A tsunami can be caused by natural phenomenon such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, large asteroid impacts (小行星撞击地球), and earthquakes occurring underwater or close to a body of water.
A tsunami usually cannot be seen while it travels through deep water.
Since the tsunami of 2004, many people know more about tsunami.
A.The event forced officials to develop a better tsunami warning system. |
B.It could also be caused by nuclear weapons that are exploded at sea. |
C.It travels fast underwater, sometimes up to about 1,000 kilometers per hour. |
D.The next time a tsunami strikes, hopefully more people will be able to survive. |
E.Tsunami is a Japanese word for a harmful ocean wave caused by an undersea earthquake. |
F.As a tsunami gets close to the shore, it becomes a series of waves up to 150 meters high. |
G.On that day, a huge tsunami swept through the Indian Ocean killing about 300,000 people. |
2 . “What if we treat the ocean as if our lives depend on it? Or, what if we don’t?” World-famous marine biologist Sylvia Earle poses her famous “what if” questions to inspire people to reflect on how they can help save the ocean. In 1998, Time magazine named Earle its first “Hero for the Planet.”
Earle’s move to Florida’s west coast at age 12 is what started a lifelong passion. She says, “That’s where I first fell in love with the ocean.” In 1953, using newly developed equipment, the young scientist became one of the first in her field to scuba dive (水肺潜水). Her first long-term exposure to the ocean depths came in 1970 when she led an all-female research team to study the ocean. They lived under the sea in a submersible (潜水器) for two weeks. When they returned to the surface, world-wide cheer and praise were waiting, especially for Dr. Earle.
Sylvia Earle’s career includes many firsts. In 1979 she became the first woman to walk the ocean floor 381 meters below the surface. In 1990, she became the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Through the years, Earle has spent roughly 7,500 hours underwater. During that time, she has become increasingly alarmed by the significant changes she has observed.
The famous scientist fears that the ocean is dying. Climate change, overfishing, the dumping of trash and chemicals and oil spills are just some of the many causes. In order to tackle the problem, Earle formed Mission Blue in 2009. This organization promotes the legal protection and conservation of the world’s oceans. Her plan is to develop “Hope Spots,” protected areas large enough to reverse (逆转) damage and restore the ocean.
1. Why does Sylvia Earle put forward “what if” questions?A.To call on people to protect the ocean. |
B.To stress our dependence on the ocean. |
C.To criticize people’s damage to the ocean. |
D.To contribute an article to Time magazine. |
A.She moved to Florida to learn diving. |
B.She was the best in scuba diving. |
C.She did not get much attention in 1970. |
D.She became a chief scientist of NOAA in 1990. |
A.Scientists’ fears. | B.Causes of the damage. |
C.Efforts Earle made. | D.Bright future for the ocean. |
A.Dr. Sylvia Earle — A Lover of Diving |
B.Dr. Sylvia Earle — Pioneer of the Deep |
C.The Ocean — A place in Urgent Need of Our Care |
D.Scuba Diving — A Fantastic Way to Learn the Ocean |
3 . There has been a dramatic increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years, and it is assumed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in the future. Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.
London
London’s flood defences are getting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸)has protected the city from the threat of flooding, but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every two or three years. About 26 years later, the barrier now closes five or six times a year and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier will be closed on almost every tide if the problem is not addressed.
There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16 hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property in London’s flood risk area, so large scale flooding would be disastrous.
Paris
Over a sixweek period in July and August 2003, more than 11, 400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脱水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity(强度)are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?
One solution is to have airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. But this is considered a shortterm solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions(排放).
In Paris the local authorities are encouraging architects to design new types of buildings such as the building “Flower Tower”, which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural airconditioner.
Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the fastest growing cities on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.
An estimated 250,000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption. China relies heavily on coalfired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.
1. What problem should be settled now in London?A.How to protect the city’s property. |
B.Where to build its flood defences. |
C.How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city. |
D.How to improve the function of the old flood defences. |
A.Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo. |
B.Having airconditioners installed in elderly care homes. |
C.Forbidding the city to build “Flower Tower”. |
D.Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings. |
A.to tell us how to protect the big cities |
B.to give advice on how to defend natural disasters |
C.to explain what causes flood and heat waves |
D.to warn us of the increasing natural disasters in big cities |
A.Big Cities Facing Big Disasters |
B.Big Disasters in the Future |
C.The Increase of Natural Disasters |
D.Solutions to Natural Disasters |
4 . On September 29, 2021, the US Fish and Wildlife Service declared it would be removing 23 species from its Endangered Species Act, including the ivory-billed woodpecker, various Hawaiian birds and freshwater fish, not because they had been pulled back from the edge of extinction, but because the USFWS believed these species would never recover, and were most likely extinct, therefore not requiring protection.
In April, 195 countries are getting together in China for a UN conference to discuss global agreements to protect nature and biodiversity, with the hope of finalizing an agreement to safeguard plants, animals, and ecosystems. However, the new strain (毒株) of Covid-19, Omicron, has potentially thrown the plans into a mess, and negotiators may switch to online talks if travel restrictions to China are put in place again.
“We can't go another four months without any progress” said Georgina Chandler, senior international policy officer at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Conservationists are urging the talks to go ahead — online if necessary — as the biodiversity crisis shows no sign of slowing up.
“Nature loss has not gone away and threatens both human lives and the global economy,” said Lin Li, director of global policy at the organization. “With one million species currently in danger of extinction, delaying action is not an option.”
Improving conservation and management of natural areas, such as oceans, forests, and wildernesses is crucial to safeguarding the ecosystems on which humans depend. However, forests are still being devastated, often for farming or commercial use. As trees absorb about a third of planet-warming emissions produced worldwide, stopping deforestation is key. At COP26 in Glasgow last November, world leaders plan to invest $19 billion in public and private funds to protect and restore global forests.
It’s easy to feel disheartened by the disappointing news, but the only way to stop more species suffering the same fate is to pay attention and take actions.
1. Why would the 23 species be removed from the Act?A.Because they are less endangered. |
B.Because they have already died out. |
C.Because more fund is in need to protect them. |
D.Because nothing can save them from extinction. |
A.Take immediate actions. |
B.Put off the conference. |
C.Have online talks. |
D.Improve global economy. |
A.Abandoned. | B.Destroyed. | C.Rearranged. | D.Disturbed. |
A.To explain why some species have disappeared. |
B.To recommend ways to protect and restore forests. |
C.To describe the present situation of global ecosystem. |
D.To call for attention and action against biodiversity crisis. |
5 . If you’re not at least a bit terrified by the climate and ecological breakdown unfolding before our eyes, you haven’t grasped the scale of the crisis. Eco-anxiety, defined as “a chronic(长期的)fear of environmental doom”, is on the rise. But redirecting this anxiety into anger and collective action might just pull humanity back from the brink.
We don’t yet know how deeply eco-anxiety affects people, but we can learn not to repeat the mistakes of long-gone societies lost to environmental collapse. Jared Diamond’s Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed uncovers the common driver that led to the fall of ancient civilizations such as the Central American Mayan, the remote Pacific Easter Island, and the Mycenae: People accidentally destroyed the environmental resources on which their societies depended.
Today, we are living in a new climate and ecological age. The new normal is one that humans have never before experienced on earth, and that has occurred within a single generation. We can’t claim ignorance. Numerous scientific reports show: unprecedented(空前的)wildfires in the Arctic, heatwaves annually breaking records, the Amazon shrinking and drying, and species extinction rates accelerating. Nature’s dangerous decline is unprecedented.
So, it’s not surprising that eco-anxiety is on the rise. Anxiety is often a private emotional state: We feel alone, stuck inside our own heads, and our emotions stop us from doing the things we want. But anger, directed appropriately, can fuel powerful collective action for change.
We are on a pathway to destroy the global conditions for human survival. Unlike previous civilizations, we have the science and technology to understand our danger and chart a new pathway. This is a moment for all of us to channel our eco-anxiety, fear and anger into energy for change.
1. Which of the following best describes “eco-anxiety”?A.Uncertainty about the future. | B.Anxiety about modern civilization. |
C.Fear of changes in the living standard. | D.Worries about the destruction of nature. |
A.To warn people to learn a lesson from the past. |
B.To prove the importance of ancient civilizations. |
C.To present the collapse of ancient civilizations. |
D.To add some background information on eco-anxiety. |
A.People lack the knowledge about nature. | B.Nature is in its most dangerous state ever. |
C.Climate issues can’t be solved effectively. | D.People have limited access to natural resources. |
A.Frustrated. | B.Doubtful. | C.Hopeful. | D.Concerned. |
6 . Environmental pollution and other human activities are leading to thousands of deaths among seabirds, a new study has warned.
Ecological experts tracked the behavior of British and Irish seabirds. They used satellites to track hundreds of the creatures to find out where they went to catch fish at sea. The study can help assess potential impact from human activities and where protected areas of the seas should be.
Lightweight GPS tags were fitted to more than 1,300 adult birds from 29 different colonies around the UK and Ireland, including kittiwakes, shags, razorbills and guillemots. Results from the five-year study show the large areas of sea the four seabird species use. They found it was at least 600,000 square miles, an area three times the size of Spain. It shows how far they travel from their nests in search of food for their chicks. And it shows the use of the seas by all four species concentrated in the coastal waters of Scotland, highlighting the importance of conservation measures there.
The four species studied require conservation help, with kittiwake numbers declining 71 percent in the past 25 years and shag populations down 61 percent. This means both seabirds are "red listed" and need urgent protection. Razorbills and guillemots are "amber listed", which means they are considered to need conservation action.
Dr. Ewan, lead author of the research, said, “Many seabirds are at the top of the marine food web. They feed on some small fish but that prey is declining because of human pressures, including climate change. The result is that thousands of sea baby birds are dying each year because their parents can't feed them. For the first time, this study provides us with a full map for the feeding areas for some of our most important seabird species.”
The analysis provides critical data to inform marine management, the experts said.
1. Which is one of the purpose of the study?A.To find out where to catch more fish. |
B.To judge which sea should be protected. |
C.To know the seabirds’ impacts on human beings. |
D.To study the behaviour of British and Irish seabirds. |
A.With the help of satellites. | B.With help of the fishermen. |
C.By observing human activities. | D.By tying GPS tags on the ship. |
A.France. | B.Ireland. | C.Spain. | D.Scotland. |
A.Puzzled. | B.Doubtful. | C.Positive. | D.Disappointed. |
7 . Organic farms use no man-made chemicals to increase crops or control insects and disease and organic fields produce fewer crops, on average, than other fields. However, agricultural scientists in Switzerland have displayed the long-term effect of organic farming methods, that is, the organic methods improved the health of the soil and used half as much energy.
The Swiss scientists compared the effects of organic and traditional farming methods over a period of more than twenty years. They grew crops on four fields of land in Switzerland. Two fields were grown using traditional farming methods. The others were grown using organic farming methods. The crops and soil use were similar in all the fields studied.
The study found that the organic fields produced about 20% fewer crops than the other fields. However, the farmers used less fertilizer (化肥) and energy on the organic fields. They found the organic fields were healthier.
The scientists say the organic fields have more nutrients in the soil. The soils in the organic fields also have more biological activity than the other fields. The organic fields have more helpful organisms and a larger number of different organisms. The organic fields have almost two times as many insects, including helpful insects. In traditional farming, chemicals designed to kill harmful insects also kill helpful ones.
The researchers say the findings show that organic crop production rates change little over time, and that soil fertility increases. They say the findings suggest that organic farms can help the environment by increasing soil fertility.
Organic farming is becoming increasingly popular in some countries. Many people believe that eating organic food is more healthful than eating food grown with chemicals. Some people are willing to pay more money to buy organic food.
1. What does the study show about the organic methods?A.They have more output than other fields. |
B.They use more energy than traditional ones. |
C.They benefit human health and nature. |
D.They can control diseases without using chemicals. |
A.Selecting the best seeds. | B.Applying different methods. |
C.Using the latest technology. | D.Planting crops in special soils. |
A.Its shortage. | B.Its products. | C.Its application. | D.Its strengths. |
A.Organic farming is environment-friendly. |
B.No insects exist in organic fields. |
C.People can’t afford organic food at present. |
D.Organic crop production rate increases rapidly. |
8 . Among the world’s waste-recycling pioneers, Germany is the leader. The country has quite a detailed way of sorting their waste-down to the color of glass waste, the type of paper, the separate bin for metals, etc.
Here below are what you should know about Germany’s waste sorting system:
◇You are expected to gather your waste in your apartment/housing area’s local public garbage bins.
◇There are commonly several types of public garbage bins available in the German’s apartment/housing areas:
Blue bin — for paper and cardboard
Green and white bin — for glass, different bins for differently colored glass, not available for holiday decorations and lights
Yellow/orange bin — for plastic and metals
Brown bin — for goods that can be changed naturally by bacteria into substances that don’t harm the environment, like leftovers, fruit and vegetables
Gray/black bin — for everything else that can’t be recycled such as used cat litter and animal waste
◇Some items don’t belong in these public garbage bins. Items like used batteries, electronics, unused paints, and lights must be returned to the special agent/locations so they can be properly recycled. Other items such as clothes, shoes, and oversized rubbish and furniture are advised to be donated or sold.
◇There’s this thing called Pfand in Germany, a certain part of the price for a bottled drink that you get back if you send back the bottle to certified (有资历的) shops. German law requires shops over a certain size selling bottled drinks have a Pfandruckgabestelle, or place for bottles with deposits (押金). These bottles usually made of glass or plastic will be refilled. Of course, there’re strict health regulations.
1. Which bin should the fallen leaves be classified into?A.The blue bin. | B.The brown bin. |
C.The grey/black bin. | D.The green and white bin. |
A.By returning it to special agents. | B.By placing it in a specific location. |
C.By giving it away to those in need. | D.By donating it to a Pfandruckgabestelle. |
A.To collect money for some shops. | B.To help shops reuse plastic or glass. |
C.To reduce the broken bottles. | D.To encourage bottles to be returned. |
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 . The effects of noise can reach organisms (生物体) without ears. Because of the way living things rely on each other, noise pollution may actually stop some forests from growing, a new study suggests. In a New Mexico woodland of pine trees, researchers found far fewer tree seedlings (小苗) in noisy sites than they did in quiet ones.
The study area is dotted with gas wells, some of which are quiet and some of which have compressors (压缩机) that create a constant noise. This allowed Jennifer Phillips, a behavioral ecologist at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and her colleagues to compare sites that were similar except for noise level. In areas that had been noisy for at least 15 years, the researchers found only about 13 pine seedlings, compared with 55 pine seedlings per hectare (公顷) in quiet areas.
The differences in plant growth were probably caused by changes in animal behavior, said Phillips. For example, noise might drive away certain pollinators (传粉昆虫) such as bees, bats and moths. In the case of pine trees, the problem was likely a lack of animals to disperse seeds. Pines depend on birds to carry their seeds away from the parent tree, and birds are known to avoid noise. The differences between the sites aren’t yet obvious to someone walking through them, said Sarah Termondt, a botanist (植物学家) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who helped conduct the study. That’s probably because pines are slow-growing, with most of the mature trees in such woodlands being over a century old.
The study raises questions about the future of the area. “If the noise stays there long term, are we going to lose this important ecosystem of the pine which supports so much wildlife?” said Phillips. The study was published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society.
1. What does the new study focus on?A.The influence of noise pollution on plants. |
B.The way the organisms receive noise. |
C.The harm of noise pollution to insects. |
D.The effects of noise pollution on humans . |
A.Gas wells dotted in the area provide favorable conditions for the study. |
B.The study sites are different in many ways including their noise level. |
C.It is difficult for plants to live without noise and animals. |
D.People can easily find the difference between the noisy and the quiet sites. |
A.Seedling. | B.Thin. |
C.Grown-up. | D.Tall. |
A.Noise pollution is obviously a trouble that can be avoided. |
B.Noise pollution could be a threat with the power to change ecosystems. |
C.The pine forest is important because it supports so much wildlife. |
D.Wildlife should be well protected for the future of this area. |