1 . Time is running short to address climate change, but there are possible and effective solutions on the table, according to a new UN climate report released in March.

Only swift, dramatic, and sustained emission (排放) cuts will be enough to meet the world’s climate goals, according to the new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body of climate experts that regularly summarize the state of this issue.

“We are walking when we should be running fast,” said Hoesung Lee, IPCC chair, in a press conference announcing the report in March. To limit warming to 1.5℃ above preindustrial levels, the target set by international climate agreements, annual greenhouse-gas emission will need to be cut by nearly half between now and 2030, according to the report. It calculates that the results from actions taken now will be clear in global temperature trends within two decades.

“We already have the technology and the know-how to get the job done,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of UN Environment Programme, during the press conference. “Stopping climate change will still be complicated, and long-term emission cuts may largely rely on technologies, like carbon dioxide removal, that are still unproven at scale. In addition to technological advances, cutting emission in industries that are difficult to transform will involve many factors.”

But in the near term, there’s a clear path forward for the emission cuts needed to put the planet on the right track. There are some of the tasks with the lowest cost and highest potential to address climate change during this decade, such as developing wind and solar power, cutting methane (甲烷) emission from fossil-fuel production and waste, protecting natural ecosystems that trap carbon, and using energy efficiently in vehicles, homes, and industries.

1. What is the author’s attitude towards tackling climate change?

A．Positive.

B．Worried.

C．Skeptical.

D．Uncertain.

2. What does Hoesung Lee mean?

A．It’s impossible to achieve the climate goal.

B．He knows how to cut emission efficiently.

C．The pace of global warming is speeding up.

D．He is dissatisfied with current emission cuts.

3. What is the guarantee of long-term emission reduction according to Inger Andersen?

A．Policy.

B．Market.

C．Funding.

D．Technology.

4. What message does this text mainly convey?

A．Emission cutting is urgent.

B．Climate change is unstoppable.

C．Global warming is becoming complicated.

D．Meeting climate goals needs cooperation.

2 . An ancient chemical process enabled Earth to become a fertile place packed with life. Now researchers are imitating this process in an attempt to slow global warming. Every plant, animal, and person owes their life to a series of chemical reactions: photosynthesis, which turns water and carbon dioxide into food using sunlight. As benefit receivers of photosynthesis, humans depend on plants in a sort of carbon seesaw (跷跷板). Plants take in CO₂ and release O₂. We do the opposite, taking in O₂ and releasing CO₂.

This seesaw is part of the much broader carbon cycle that has affected the radiation balance of our planet. Cutting down plenty of forests and the burning of carbon-based fossil (化石) fuels cause the levels of CO₂, a major greenhouse gas, to rise. And plants on Earth along with other natural parts of the carbon cycle can’t restore the balance on their own.

But what if we could copy what plants do to seize some of that extra CO₂ to make fuels constantly, instead of relying so heavily on fossilized carbon?“ Artificial photosynthesis is a really attractive approach,” says Jillian Dempsey, a chemist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. “You’re able to store the energy of the sun in the bonds of molecules (分子).”

A hydrogen device with 12.6% efficiency that Agbo recently built was less than one inch across. For artificial photosynthesis to become practical, it needs to produce enough fuels to compete with the world’s existing energy supply of relatively inexpensive and abundant fossil fuels. It will take a lot of time and money before artificial photosynthesis can compete with fossil fuels. But the needed expenses won’t come close to the social cost of climate change. A recent survey of more than 2,000 economists projected the economic damages from climate change will reach $1.7 trillion per year by 2025 and roughly $30 trillion per year by 2075. Artificial photosynthesis could inch us back toward a better balance on the planet’s carbon seesaw.

1. What is researchers’ purpose to copy photosynthesis?

A．To release some of the extra CO₂.

B．To reduce the cost of using fossil fuels.

C．To reduce the speed of global warming.

D．To turn water and carbon dioxide into artificial sunlight.

2. What can we infer from paragraph 2?

A．Plants can turn carbon dioxide into food using sunlight.

B．Carbon seesaw is part of the less broader carbon cycle.

C．Avoiding the burning of fossil fuels can help protect the environment.

D．Carbon seesaw makes a difference to the radiation balance of the earth.

3. What is one disadvantage of the artificial photosynthesis?

A．Lack of mass production.

B．Its negative effect on the environment.

C．Disturbing the balance of the planet’s carbon seesaw.

D．Inability to store the energy of the sun in the bonds of molecules.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．How Does the Artificial Device Works?

B．Wide Application of Artificial Device Is a Long Way to Run

C．Copying Nature to Fight Climate Change

D．Copying Photosynthesis to Change Society

3 . 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。

The Argentine research base Esperanza has been collecting data about the changes of the temperature in Antarctica since 1961. According to the data collected by the station, Antarctica has had its     1     (high) recorded temperature of 18.3℃, beating 2015’s record of 17.5℃. The reading     2     (take) at the Argentine research base last week. Meanwhile, the rate of ice loss from five Antarctic glaciers (冰川)     3     (double) in the past six years and is five times faster than in the 1990s. “The reading is     4     sign of that the warming happening there is much faster than the global average,     5     is surely worrying many people,” said Professor James Renwick, a climate scientist at Victoria University. “The reading is     6     (impress) as it’s only five years since the previous record was set and this is almost one degree centigrade higher,” he added.

Global warming     7     (drive) by human activities has been blamed for Antarctica’s rising temperatures. “Scientists have lots of     8     (evident) to show that the Earth’s climate is rapidly changing due     9     human activities,” said Professor James. “Antarctica’s heating ice sheets are falling apart,     10     (threaten) to cause sudden and great rises in global sea levels. We should take action before it is too late.”

4 . UK summers are likely to regularly see temperatures above 40℃ even if humanity manages to limit global warming to 1.5℃, meteorologists (气象学家) have warned.

The UK is already seeing increasingly extreme weather, with 2022 the third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest year on record-the first to fall into the top 10 for all three variables. Data published in State of the UK Climate 2022 report revealed the average winter temperature for last year was 5.3℃, which is 1.6℃ higher than the 1981 to 2010 average.

That makes December 2021 to February 2022 the fifth warmest winter on record, while the average temperature last summer was 14.8℃, 0.4℃ above the 1981 to 2010 average.

Early August 2022 saw maximum temperatures hit 34℃ on six continuous days, with five “tropical nights” above 20℃, making it one of the most significant heatwaves to affect southern England in the past 60 years, the report’s authors said.

Comparing data from the Central England Temperature series, which goes back to 1772, the research found the early 21st century in this region has been 0.5℃ to 1℃ warmer than 1901 to 2000 and 0.5℃ to 1.5℃ warmer than 1801 to 1900.

Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, which publishes the report, said the world was already seeing extreme heat as a result of warming of 1.1℃ to 1.2℃ above pre-industrial levels.

“If you take that up by another 0.3℃, these (heatwaves) are just going to become much more intense—we’re likely to see 40℃ in the UK although we have never seen those kinds of temperatures (before),” she said.

“As we hit 1.5℃ of global warming, that’s going to not just become something that we see once or twice, it’ll start to become something that we see on a much more regular basis.” Mike Kendon, climate scientist at the Met Office and lead author of the report, said the figures indicated a new normal for the UK.

1. What does paragraph 2 intend to tell us?

A．The weather was not as wet as before.	B．The rise in temperature in winter is mild.
C．The weather has changed but not so serious.	D．Figures show signs of extreme weather.

2. What’s the weather in early August 2022 like in the UK?

A．Extremely hot weather appeared in southern England.

B．Early August 2022 had only a few days’ hot weather.

C．Six continuous days’ extreme weather brought little harm.

D．It became the wettest season in the past 60 years or so.

3. Which of the following can best describe the extreme weather in the UK in future?

A．Periodic.

B．Normal.

C．Changeable.

D．Rare.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Extreme Weather Hit the UK	B．What Extreme Weather Looks Like
C．Where the Future Weather Will Go	D．What We Can Do with Extreme Weather

5 . Satellites in space measure temperatures over large areas of the ocean. They are, however, less specific when it comes to measuring temperatures along the coast. However, there is a new solution.

Scientists want people who do water sports to help them gather coastal climate data. This includes surfers, divers and fishermen. The idea came from new data collected by scientists who are also surfers. The group was led by a scientist in England named Bob Brewin. The group designed a surfboard that could be their laboratory. The results show different water temperatures than what the satellites have shown.

Coastlines are important to the economy. Large amounts of people use them for business and fun. Coastlines are also important for the environment because they are home to many different plants and animals.

Brewin says satellite data alone cannot be trusted. So, his team wants volunteers to gather data during their water activities. The information the volunteers find will be used along with satellite readings. The scientists think this will result in more accurate information. “We can begin to understand how our coastal environment is responding to climate change,” Brewin said.

They want surfers to check water surfaces and divers to measure temperatures deeper in the water. The information would then go into the scientists’ database. Meanwhile, a group of scientists from Europe had another idea. The group is interested in boots that some fishermen use. These boots sense water temperatures. The scientists think the fishermen who wear those boots could be connected to a data­collection system.

Many water sports take place in areas that are important for sea life. These locations can be difficult to check, Brewin says. For example, ocean waves can ruin data-collection floats and boats. So,coastal sea surface temperature records are poor.

1. What’s the problem with satellites?

A．They can’t measure temperatures over the ocean.

B．They can’t locate coasts very accurately.

C．They might provide unreliable data.

D．They break down frequently.

2. What did Brewin’s team do?

A．They turned a surfboard into a lab.

B．They did research on water sports.

C．They made efforts to learn surfing.

D．They made friends with fishermen.

3. How can volunteers help Brewin?

A．Analyze satellite readings.

B．Compare data from different sources.

C．Wear boots designed by Brewin’s group.

D．Go into waters of different depths to collect data.

4. Why is it difficult to check the temperature of coastlines?

A．Surfers face great danger.

B．Beaches cover huge areas.

C．Data-collection boats are too big.

D．Waves damage the measuring equipment.

6 . 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。

Under the influence of the recent EL Nino,     1     is reported that the average global temperature in 2023 has set the record, making it the warmest year since 1850. The temperatures in most     2     (region) of China from this winter to next spring will be above the long-term average. This winter the     3     (combine) of EL Nino and global warming raised the chances of natural disasters     4     (cause) by extreme weather. The EL Nino is predicted to cause the sea surface temperature to reach its     5     (high) point between November 2023 and January 2024. EL Nino is     6     naturally occurring climate phenomenon that starts with unusually warm surface water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which then goes on to affect the weather worldwide. On average, it     7     (occur) every two to seven years, and one episode     8     (typical) lasts nine to twelve months. Since May, an EL Nino system has heated the atmosphere in the tropical Pacific,     9     (lead) to a rise in global temperatures. Research indicates that a mild EL Nino event can increase the global annual average surface temperature     10     about 0. 1℃, even 0. 22℃.

7 . In recent years, extreme weather has been on the rise. From wildfires in California, US to record-breaking rainfall in northern China this summer and most recently the flood in Libya which claimed thousands of lives, Earth seems to be whipped by extreme climate and weather patterns.

Climate whiplash (气候鞭打), or weather whiplash, refers to a quick change from one extreme weather pattern to another. It is caused by global warming. A warmer atmosphere can hold more steam. As the Earth gets warmer, more water is contained in the atmosphere. Once the temperature gets colder, it often rains more heavily. This explains why a drought is often followed by extremely heavy rain.

The region hit hardest by climate whiplash is California. Over the past decade, California has experienced lasting droughts, wildfires, heavy rainfalls, and floods. It seems that the state is either on fire or in flooding with little in between. Researchers estimate that by the end of this century, the frequency of climate whiplash will jump by 25 percent in northern California as Earth continues to become warmer.

Apart from wildfires and floods, studies showed that climate whiplash also has an impact on water quality. During dry days, the fertilizer (肥料) farmers use for plants cannot be absorbed by thirsty and dying plants. Then the following heavy rain washes the remaining fertilizer into rivers, polluting the water.

How can we deal with climate whiplash? The key lies in fighting global warming. That is to say, humans have to largely reduce the use of fossil fuels (化石燃料). Climate whiplash would happen more frequently in the future, should we fail to fight global warming effectively. Therefore, it is urgent that nations around the world double down on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The effects of global warming.	B．The causes of global warming.
C．The results of climate whiplash.	D．The principle behind climate whiplash.

2. What do we know about climate whiplash in northern California?

A．It has resulted in reduced droughts.

B．It is expected to occur more frequently.

C．It has primarily affected northern California.

D．It causes more floods here than in other US states.

3. How does climate whiplash contribute to water pollution?

A．Unabsorbed plant fertilizer is washed into the water.

B．More plastic waste is brought into the water by floods.

C．Dry weather affects pollutant concentrations in water.

D．Heavy rains carry more industrial waste into the water.

4. What does the author say about climate whiplash?

A．It is not as serious as commonly believed.

B．It can be solved by reducing fossil fuel usage.

C．It is linked with our efforts to fight global warming.

D．It will cause the global temperature to rise annually.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Which state was the coldest last year?

A．Florida.

B．California.

C．Illinois.

2. How does climate affect hurricanes according to the scientists?

A．It causes more of them to happen.

B．It makes them more powerful.

C．It has no effect on them at all.

9 . 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。

According to the World Meteorological (气候的) Organization, El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon. It starts with unusually warm surface water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean,    1    then goes on to affect the weather worldwide. On average, it occurs every two to seven years, lasting 9 to 12    2    (month).

The center said the combination of El Nino and global warming would increase the chances of meteorological disasters     3    (cause) by extreme weather. The El Nino event is projected to cause sea surface temperature to peak between November 2023 and January 2024. Since May, an El Nino system    4    (build) up along the equator (赤道) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Research     5    (suggest) that every 1℃ increase in temperature in the equatorial eastern Pacific can raise the global annual average temperature by 0.12℃. A moderate or strong El Nino event     6    (usual) rises the global average surface temperature by about 0.1℃ to 0.22℃, the center added.

Speaking of the effect     7    China, the center said that an El Nino event tends to bring more rainfall to the southern regions and    8    (warm) temperatures in the north of the country. Since the 1990s, every El Nino event has been followed by two consecutive summers of above normal precipitation (降水) in China.

Jia Xiaolong, vice director of the center, said at     9    news conference in early November that statistics show that in the context of El Nino events, temperatures fluctuate greatly in winter, and the number of cold spells affecting China is often more than usual. The center recently released the climate trend forecast. It is expected    10    (face) snow disasters and increased demand for heating compared with the past, leading to temporary energy consumption peaks.

10 . Global surface temperatures last month were 2.25 degrees warmer than the 20th century average of 60.1 degrees, breaking previous records, from August 2016, by more than half a degree, according to NOAA researchers. “That to me is a really huge _______ from one record to the next,” said Ellen Bartow, a physical scientist with NOAA’S National Centers for Environmental Information.

The report _______ what millions of people have experienced in recent months, including record-breaking heatwaves that have touched almost every corner of the globe. Asia, Africa, North America and South America had their warmest August on record, as did the Arctic, Europe and Oceania — a region that _______ Australia - had their second-warmest August on record, the report said.

It wasn’t just the land that _______ : August set a record for the highest monthly sea surface temperature abnormally—1.85 degrees above average. The warming oceans _______experiencing its fourth continuous month with the _______ shrinking sea ice, with Antarctica sea ice extent on record. Globally, sea ice extent in August was about 550,000 square miles less than the previous record low, set in August 2019.

“We’ve seen unheard-of warmth in the global ocean, and that’s definitely alarming because its effects _______ beyond just the scope of the ocean,” Bartow-Gillies said. “Not only are you _______ marine habitats, but you’re affecting storm creation, you’re creating more instability in some areas, and you’re creating flooding events in other areas. There’s a whole host of _______ that come along with these warmer ocean surface temperatures that we’re seeing.”

In fact, the report comes after a series of severe natural ________ that span the globe. This week, a Mediterranean storm caused serious flooding in Libya, killing more than 11,000 people. In Canada, wildfires burned through more than 42 million acres of forests this summer, and several are still burning. ________ global warming was not the singular cause of any of these disasters, heating of the Earth continues to ________ the likelihood of extreme weather events and wildfire worldwide.

“The scientific evidence is ________ —we will continue to see more climate records and more intense and frequent extreme weather events impacting society and ecosystems, until we stop ________ greenhouse gases,” read a statement from Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, which also ________ that this summer was the hottest on record.

1.

A．distance

B．jump

C．travel

D．flight

2.

A．confirms

B．emerges

C．quotes

D．argues

3.

A．holds

B．touches

C．surrounds

D．includes

4.

A．boiled

B．cooled

C．stricken

D．disappeared

5.

A．contributed to

B．suffered from

C．resulted from

D．devoted to

6.

A．slowest

B．lowest

C．highest

D．fastest

7.

A．enlarge

B．discharge

C．extend

D．undertake

8.

A．creating

B．saving

C．remaining

D．disturbing

9.

A．issues

B．debates

C．events

D．proposals

10.

A．floods

B．disasters

C．storms

D．earthquakes

11.

A．Though

B．Because

C．Unless

D．When

12.

A．damage

B．destroy

C．decrease

D．increase

13.

A．irresistible

B．unchangeable

C．inaccessible

D．unbearable

14.

A．conveying

B．releasing

C．relieving

D．dismissing

15.

A．predicted

B．expected

C．doubted

D．determined