2 . Wildlife populations around the world are facing dramatic declines, according to new figures that have led environmental campaigners to call for urgent action to rescue the natural world. The 2022 Living Planet Index (LPI), produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), reveals that studied populations of mammals, birds, reptiles (爬行动物) and fish have seen an average decline of 69 per cent since 1970, faster than previous predictions. The LPI tracked global biodiversity between 1970 and 2018, based on the monitoring of 31,821 populations of 5230 vertebrate (脊椎动物) species. Mark Wright of WWF says the degree of decline is destructive and continues to worsen. “We are not seeing any really positive signs that we are beginning to bend the curve of nature,” he says.

Freshwater vertebrates have been among the hardest-hit populations, with monitored populations showing an average decline of 83 per cent since 1970. The Amazon pink river dolphin, for example, has experienced a 65 per cent decline in its population between 1994 and 2016. Meanwhile, some of the most biodiverse regions of the world are seeing the steepest falls in wildlife, with the Caribbean and central and south America seeing average wildlife population declined by 94 per cent since 1970. Habitat loss and reduction is the largest driver of wildlife loss in all regions around the world, followed by species overexploitation by hunting, fishing or poaching (偷猎).

In December, governments from around the world will gather in Montreal, Canada, for the COP15 Biodiversity Framework, a much-delayed summit that aims to agree on a set of new targets intended to prevent the loss of animals, plants and habitats globally by 2030. “This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity that’s coming up,” says Robin Freeman of ZSL. He says it is vital that governments use the summit to agree on “meaningful, well measurable targets and goals”. “We need governments to take action to ensure that those goals deal with the complicated combined threats of climate change and biodiversity, in order for us to see a meaningful action,” says Freeman. But some researchers are critical of the LPI’s use of a headline figure of decline, warning it is easy to be misunderstood.

The findings don’t mean all species or populations worldwide are in decline. In fact, approximately half the populations show a stable or increasing trend, and half show a declining trend. “I think a more appropriate and useful way to look at it is to focus on specific species or populations,” says Hannah Ritchie at Our World in Data. But Wright says the LPI is a useful tool that reflects the findings of other biodiversity indicators. “All of those show they all scream there is something going really very badly wrong,” says Wright.

1. What does the underlined phrase in the first paragraph mean?

A．Loving and protecting nature.	B．Preserving the diversity of nature.
C．Underestimating the benefits of nature.	D．Destroying and changing nature.

2. In paragraph 2, the author mentions the Amazon pink river dolphin to show ______.

A．the number of Amazon dolphins is on the rise

B．freshwater vertebrates are at risk of extinction

C．there are no positive measures to protect nature

D．some of the world’s wild animals are in decline

3. What can we learn about people’s response to the issue mentioned in the passage?

A．It makes sense to focus on a particular species.

B．Preventing the loss of habitats by 2030 is certain to happen.

C．New agreement on the prevention of habitat loss will be in vain.

D．The Caribbean wildlife has been well protected in recent decades.

4. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A．The COP15 Biodiversity Framework

B．Wildlife Population Declining Sharply

C．Urgent Action to Save the Earth

D．Correct Interpretation of LPI

3 . Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Is Banning Single-use Plastic the Right Option?

The harmful effects of using plastic are becoming increasingly apparent. Plastic does not decompose, but breaks down into smaller and smaller particles. It threatens our nature as well as our health. One popular solution to the problem is to prohibit single-use plastics. In the UK, supermarkets are being encouraged to set up plastic-free aisles, in which the food is displayed loose, and shoppers are encouraged to make more environmentally-friendly choices in packing and transporting their food.

Such plans are well-intentioned, but it may not be beneficial to eliminate(清除) the use of single-use plastic altogether. One of the fields where single-use plastic has a vital role is the food industry. When food or fresh goods are packed in plastic, they are protected and preserved, helping them remain fresher and keeping them from spoiling. Single-use plastic is also crucial in the medical industry. This is not just because of its low cost. It helps to prevent the spread of infection and that is the biggest benefit of the material in the medical field.

Replacing plastic with other materials is neither simple nor straightforward, mainly due to the challenge of finding an alternative that combines all the most desirable plastic properties. For example, glass products are a potential alternative, but cleaning them would be extremely expensive while increasing the risk to health. Another issue is that alternative materials to plastic are often more environmentally harmful than plastic. Take paper bags, for example. Research by the Northern Ireland Assembly shows four times more energy is required to manufacture a paper bag than a plastic bag. If people respond by simply using other materials, a ban on single-use plastic can end up making the problem worse.

Clearly there is a need to reduce plastic waste and its impact on the environment. However, simply banning their single use may not be the best option.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. affect             B. challenge        C. controlled        D. change          E. evolved        F. extinction G. happening       H. key                 I. measure            J. minimize        K. warning

The Antarctic: Key to Planet Earth

The first people to reach the South Pole—in modern times, anyway—were Roald Amundsen and the Norwegian Antarctic expedition, in December 1911. Explorers had been trying to reach the Antarctic for over a hundred years because it represented the serious     1     : the coldest and windiest continent in the world.

Nowadays, scientists from over 27 countries work in the Antarctic all year round and there is even a small amount of tourism in the summer months. Since the 1960s, people have come to realize that the Antarctic holds the     2     to the history of our planet.

Antarctica has preserved valuable evidence of the natural history of our planet. Evidence from fossils shows how life     3     during geological time. The Antarctic has a crucial role to play in helping us understand global     4     .

The Antarctic provides valuable information about what is currently     5     to the ozone layer and about global warming. Scientists are also discovering that the ice sheet may contribute to changes in sea level. What happens in Antarctica will     6     the world’s climate and the world’s oceans. This is why the Antarctic is now one of the most     7     regions of the world, in terms of regulations concerning pollution.

Up until the 1960s, some species of whale and seal were driven almost to     8     by human activities in Antarctica. However, due to greater environmental awareness, all plants and animals in Antarctica are now protected by regulation. Commercial fishing is strictly limited and severe measures aim to     9     illegal fishing. There are also strict measures to control marine pollution.

Antarctica provides information on the past, present and future of our planet, and controls major issues in the rest of the world. In this sense, Antarctica is a(n)     10     because it tells us what we have done wrong. It is also a lesson because the regulations in force there show us what can be done and what must be done for the environment. It is up to us to listen and act, before it is too lat.

7 . How did Cape Town, South Africa, get into a Day Zero situation—when the city’s taps would go dry because its reservoirs (水库)would become dangerously low on water? The city gets its water from six reservoirs in Western Cape province, which usually ____________ during the rainy season, from May through August. But since 2015 the region has been suffering from the worst drought (干旱)in a century, and the water in those reservoirs____________ tremendously. Compounding the problem, Cape Town’s population has grown substantially, increasing ____________ . The city actually did a pretty good job by reducing leaks in the system, a major cause of water waste, and has even won awards for its ____________ policies. But the government of South Africa was slow to declare a national disaster in the areas hit hardest by the drought, paving the way for the recent ____________.

Cape Town is not ____________ . Since 2014 southeastern Brazil has been suffering its worst water shortage in 80 years,___________ decreased rainfall,   forestation and other factors. And many cities in India do not have access to municipal water for more than a few hours a day, if at all.____________ , the city of Shimla ran out of drinking water in May, urging locals to beg tourists to stay away from the popular Himalayan summer resort.

In the U.S., the situation is somewhat better, but many urban centers still ____________ water problems. Californians recent multiyear drought led to some of the state’s driest years on record. Since about half of the state’s urban water usage is for landscaping, it was able to cut back on that fairly easily. But cities that use most of their water for more essential uses, such as drinking water, may not be so ____________ .

____________ , steps can be taken to avoid urban water crises. In general, a “portfolio approach” that relies on multiple water sources is probably most ____________ . Cape Town has already begun implementing a number of water projects, including tapping groundwater and building water-recycling plants. Many other cities will need to repair existing water infrastructure (基础建设)to cut down on leakage. City leaders should be thinking about meeting long-term needs rather than just about ____________ requirements. Good organization and financial accountability are equally critical. And planning efforts should include diverse stakeholders (利益相关者)from the community. One major challenge is providing services to informal areas, which develop without any government foresight. Such regions often ____________ basic resources一a well-planned water supply among them. The global community has an opportunity right now to take action to prevent a series of Day Zero crises. If we don’t act, many cities may soon face a time when there isn’t a drop to ____________ .

1.

A．take over

B．fill up

C．make off

D．set out

2.

A．decreased

B．rose

C．remained

D．drowned

3.

A．likelihood

B．proportion

C．demand

D．efficiency

4.

A．architecture

B．agriculture

C．economy

D．conservation

5.

A．policy

B．growth

C．crisis

D．change

6.

A．enough

B．possible

C．difficult

D．alone

7.

A．making up for

B．resulting from

C．taking advantage of

D．looking into

8.

A．In a word

B．By comparison

C．What’s worse

D．For example

9.

A．avoid

B．solve

C．discuss

D．face

10.

A．passive

B．purposeful

C．adaptable

D．reliable

11.

A．Similarly

B．Fortunately

C．Initially

D．Alternatively

12.

A．questionable

B．memorable

C．effective

D．confusing

13.

A．daily

B．legal

C．maximum

D．normal

14.

A．neglect

B．lack

C．provide

D．find

15.

A．drink

B．pour

C．place

D．record

8 . Directions: After reading the passages below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Should we be rewilding more land?

Every day in the US, 6,000 acres of open land are cleared for various purposes such as farming, housing, roads, and others. This has led to concerns among scientists     1     believe that losing more open land can harm the planet. Natural habitats such as untouched forests, grasslands, and waterways provide numerous benefits     2     wildlife habitats, clean water, and reduced air pollution. To counter this trend, efforts are underway     3     the world to return animals and plants to certain areas. However, some people argue that rewilding is     4     expensive and risky process that may not work and could cause harm.

Despite the potential risks, rewilding can help slow down climate change by restoring forests that absorb harmful gases like carbon dioxide. It can also prevent species from     5    (die) out and reset natural ecosystems. For example, gray wolves     6    (reintroduce) in Yellowstone National Park in 1995, after being hunted to extinction there. The wolves reduced the booming population of elks (麋鹿),     7     gave the plants the elks ate a chance to thrive and serve as habitat for animals like beavers and birds.

    8     its environmental benefits, rewilding can also provide jobs for workers and scientists and attract visitors to an area. Despite the potential concerns and risks     9    (associate) with rewilding, it is an important tool for protecting the planet and its diverse ecosystems. As such, efforts     10     be made to ensure that rewilding projects are conducted responsibly and with careful consideration of their potential impact on the environment.

9 . Are you worried about the planet and tired of waiting around for things to change? Go ahead and take a closer look at the various options available to volunteer for the environment!

Sustainable Agriculture If you decide to volunteer for a sustainable agriculture project, you’ll definitely learn some interesting sustainable farming techniques. You will be learning these techniques from locals or teaching them to the local farmers so they can implement these techniques on their own. Best Places to Volunteer: Central or South Africa, India, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Marine Conservation Volunteers for marine conservation should naturally be attracted to water. It’s important that you don’t fear diving and have a strong interest in learning to dive during your stay. While volunteering, your task as a volunteer will be to help research, maintain and grow the unique marine biology. Best Places to Volunteer: The Bahamas, Cuba, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Spain and Italy.

Nature Conservation Conservation projects are dedicated to protecting the natural environment of a specific location. Tasks here may vary greatly depending on the program but it will require volunteers to study the environment and learn about the local wildlife species. You’ll be monitoring the environment and retrieving data while taking action to preserve the local species of fauna and flora. Best Places to Volunteer: Madagascar, the Maldives, South Africa, New Zealand and Russia.

Renewable Energy and Water Projects focused on energy and water create ways for communities to access sustainable energy and water sources. These programs are dedicated to designing system improvements and creating a sustainable supply of energy and water. It’s important for conservation volunteers to evaluate the needs of the community and implement actions to solve these issues. Best Places to Volunteer: Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India and Cameroon.

Requirements: With so many subcategories and such a wide array of organizations, the required skill set will vary for each program. English is the main language on all projects so it’s important that conservation volunteers have a good understanding of English. For projects in South America, you will find it helpful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish.

1. If you want to volunteer for three projects in the same country, which country is the best choice?

A．Peru.

B．Indonesia.

C．South Africa.

D．India.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Volunteers can learn farming techniques by implementing these techniques on their own.

B．Volunteers need to study the environment and perform the same natural conservation tasks.

C．Volunteers should assess the requirements of the community before implementing actions.

D．Volunteers can sign up for marine conservation project even if they are afraid of the water.

3. What is required in common to be a volunteer in any of the above programs?

A．Farming techniques.	B．Marine biology.
C．Data retrieving.	D．The English language.