1 . Research led by ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam shows that birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve up to a distance of 10 km (6 miles) away.
With data from weather radars and bird counts an international team of researchers revealed how many birds take off immediately after the start of the fireworks, at what distance from fireworks this occurs and which species groups mainly react. “Birds take off as a result of an acute flight response due to sudden noise and light. We already knew that many water birds react strongly, but now we also see the effect on other birds throughout the Netherlands, ”says ecologist Bart Hoekstra of the University of Amsterdam. In the scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, the researchers therefore argue for large fireworks-free zones.
Last year, other researchers at IBED discovered that geese are so affected by fireworks that they spend an average of 10% longer looking for food than normal during at least the next 11 days. They apparently need that time to restore their energy to their former condition, after fleeing from the fireworks.
Because 62% of all birds in the Netherlands live within a radius of 2. 5 km of inhabited areas, the consequences of fireworks are high for all birds throughout the country. “Flying requires a lot of energy, so ideally birds should be disturbed as little as possible during the cold winter months. Measures to ensure this are especially important in open areas such as grasslands, where many larger birds spend the winter. The effects of fireworks on birds are less pronounced near forests and semi-open habitats. In addition, smaller birds such as tits and finches live there, which are less likely to fly away from disturbance.”
The authors argue for fireworks-free zones in areas where large birds live. Hoekstra: “These buffer zones could be smaller in areas where light and sound travel less far, such as near forests. Furthermore, fireworks should mainly be lit at central locations in built-up areas, as far away from birds as possible. It would be best for birds if we moved towards light shows without sound, such as drone shows or decorative fireworks without very loud bangs.”
1. What can we learn about the research?| A．It’s the first one about fireworks’ effects on birds. |
| B．It’s conducted by collecting data from weather radars. |
| C．It shows the extent of the fireworks’ influence on birds. |
| D．It keeps track of birds throughout Netherlands and beyond. |
| A．To make up for the lost energy. | B．To store more food in case. |
| C．To find a new source of energy. | D．To find a place without fireworks. |
| A．Predictable. | B．Noticeable. |
| C．Admirable. | D．Avoidable. |
| A．Panic in the air | B．Fireworks-free zones |
| C．Fireworks in the world | D．Birds throughout the country |
2 . Bringing species like beavers (河狸) back to England is no longer a priority, the government said on Friday to criticism from wildlife groups.
A recent report shows that one in six UK species are at risk of extinction. In September more than 60 conservation organisations reported a significant decline in species due to expansions in farming and the effects of climate change. In recent years, animals and plants have been reintroduced by charities as part of efforts to restore the country’s reduced biodiversity.
Despite the government allowing this, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee concluded in July that there was an absence of long-term plans on how to manage this. In response, the government has now said that the “reintroduction of species is not a priority”.
The government said it was focused on increasing biodiversity through habitat restoration. The government’s environment department has come under scrutiny (详细审查) for not doing more to prevent sewage dumping and other forms of pollution in England’s waterways.
Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the Committee, said he was disappointed with the government response. Bringing back extinct species is a controversial issue — although farmers and landowners appear broadly supportive, there are risks of reintroducing new species, and without clear guidance, problems could arise.
A recent study showed that river barriers similar to those built by beavers can protect communities at risk of flooding. But there have also been cases documented in Europe where beavers have built their dams in places that have damaged crops and changed rivers.
Joan Edwards, director of Policy & Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts said, “Reintroducing wildlife must be part of the UK government’s arsenal (武器) for tackling nature loss and climate change — it is astonishing there is no strategy for doing so.”
“The return of wild beavers can help to recreate lost wetlands, with a knock-on effect that benefits other wildlife including insects, invertebrates and birds. Beavers also slow the flow of water, which can reduce flood risks to towns and villages,” she said.
1. What does paragraph 2 want to convey?| A．The situation of species in the UK is severe. |
| B．Reintroduction of species in the UK is not a priority. |
| C．Expansions in farming have a great effect on climate change. |
| D．The UK government’s response to reduced biodiversity is disappointing. |
| A．By developing strategy. |
| B．By offering guidance. |
| C．By expanding farming. |
| D．By restoring habitat. |
| A．It was messy. | B．It was limited. |
| C．It was beneficial. | D．It was costly. |
| A．The advantages of reintroducing wildlife. |
| B．The responses to a government statement. |
| C．The effects of climate change on farming. |
| D．The approaches to increasing biodiversity. |
3 . Japan has started releasing wastewater into the ocean. But this isn’t the kind of wastewater that flows from city streets into stormwater drains. It’s treated nuclear wastewater used to cool damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, stricken by an earthquake over a decade ago.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved the plan by Japan to release more than a million tons of treated nuclear waste water from the destroyed Fukushima power plant into the ocean, believing Japan’s claims that the wastewater would be safe. However, Neighboring countries and other experts say it remains environmentally harmful that will last generations and may affect ecosystems all the way to North America.
Local fishermen, who heavily depend on the ocean’s resources, fear a huge decrease in their marketability. “Japan’s self-interest should not harm the well-being of humanity in the long run.” They said.
The release of the wastewater into the sea is a threat to the ocean environment and will damage Japan’s international image. The amount of money Japan would need to spend in restoring (恢复) its international image will far exceed that required to solve the problem in an eco-friendly way.
1. What kind of water has Japan released into the ocean?| A．Treated nuclear wastewater. | B．Water used to cool Fukushima. |
| C．Water flowing into stormwater drains. | D．Water polluted by an early earthquake. |
| A．Japanese fishermen. | B．The IAEA. |
| C．North America. | D．Neighboring countries |
| A．be similar to | B．be more than | C．be smaller than | D．be better than |
| A．Environmental Problem in Japan | B．Fukushima’s Treated Radioactive Water |
| C．Concerns on Japan’s Wastewater Release | D．Experts’ Response to Japan’s Wastewater Release |
4 . This past summer I set out on a journey to Canada’s Arctic. When I left I was wrapped in a blanket of uncertainty and
But when I first met the group members, I knew I didn’t have anything to
Approaching the Arctic, I was repeatedly
However, I also learned the pollutants carried by ocean from far away have a negative
During the journey, I talked with some
The Arctic is a land of incredible beauty which
| A．relief | B．anxiety | C．pride | D．argument |
| A．put up | B．prepare for | C．give up | D．worry about |
| A．easy-going | B．well-behaved | C．sensitive | D．flexible |
| A．failure | B．performance | C．adventure | D．conflict |
| A．embarrassed | B．ashamed | C．amused | D．shocked |
| A．watching | B．organizing | C．noticing | D．guessing |
| A．painfully | B．patiently | C．unconsciously | D．doubtfully |
| A．source | B．reaction | C．effect | D．development |
| A．rest | B．ease | C．peace | D．risk |
| A．hunt | B．explore | C．help | D．meet |
| A．demanding | B．learned | C．modest | D．rigid |
| A．classified | B．decorated | C．confused | D．occupied |
| A．promises | B．benefits | C．deserves | D．intends |
| A．take care of | B．make use of | C．run out of | D．became tired of |
| A．deny | B．ensure | C．argue | D．overlook |
5 . As a young girl growing up in France, Sarah Toumi dreamed of becoming a leader who could make the world a better place. Her passion to help others was awakened when, from the age of nine, she accompanied her Tunisian father to his birthplace in the east of the country during holidays. There she organized homework clubs and activities for children.
Toumi witnessed first-hand the destructive effect of desertification (沙漠化). “Within 10 years rich farmers became worse off, and in 10 years from now they will be poor. I wanted to stop the Sahara Desert in its tracks.” A decrease in average rainfall and an increase in the severity of droughts have led to an estimated 75 percent of Tunisia’s agricultural lands being threatened by desertification.
Toumi recognized that farming practices needed to change. She is confident that small land areas can bring large returns if farmers are able to adapt by planting sustainable crops, using new technologies for water treatment and focusing on natural products and fertilizers rather than chemicals.
In 2012, Toumi consolidated (巩固) her dream of fighting the desert. She moved to Tunisia, and set up a programme named Acacias for All to put her sustainable farming philosophy (理念) into action. “I want to show young people in rural areas that they can create opportunities where they are. Nobody is better able to understand the impact of desertification and climate change than somebody who is living with no access to water.”
By September 2016, more than 130, 000 acacia trees had been planted on 20 pilot farms, with farmers recording a 60 percent survival rate. Toumi estimates that some 3 million acacia trees are needed to protect Tunisia’s farmland. She expects to plant 1 million trees by 2018. In the next couple of years, Toumi hopes to extend the programme to Algeria and Morocco.
1. How did Toumi’s holiday trips to Tunisia influence her?| A．They made her decide to leave the country. |
| B．They helped her better understand her father. |
| C．They aroused her enthusiasm for helping others. |
| D．They destroyed her dream of being a teacher. |
| A．Low rainfall. | B．Soil pollution. | C．Cold weather. | D．Forest damage. |
| A．To create job opportunities for young people. |
| B．To help the children obtain a basic education. |
| C．To persuade the farmers not to use fertilizers. |
| D．To promote the protection of their farmland. |
| A．Saving Water in Tunisia | B．Holding back the Sahara |
| C．Planting Trees of Native Species | D．Fighting Poverty in North Africa |
In the world today, there are about a billion cars traveling on the roads and each of these cars
Car Free Day is a holiday that originated in France and it falls
The best way to celebrate this holiday is by leaving your car parked in your driveway or your garage on this day. Instead of
7 . Many cities around the world today are heavily polluted. Careless methods of production and
A recent study showed that two
Only a few years ago, it was impossible to find green products in supermarkets, but now there are hundreds. Some supermarket products
The
| A．part | B．lack | C．lots | D．varieties |
| A．applied to | B．contributed to | C．exposed to | D．devoted to |
| A．possibility | B．chance | C．result | D．effect |
| A．Therefore | B．Furthermore | C．Similarly | D．However |
| A．After | B．Though | C．Before | D．Unless |
| A．reused | B．safe | C．friendly | D．returned |
| A．of | B．on | C．from | D．out of |
| A．rhyme | B．way | C．section | D．branch |
| A．carry | B．take | C．include | D．make |
| A．advantage | B．technique | C．point | D．attraction |
| A．concern | B．hope | C．care | D．plan |
| A．what | B．how | C．whether | D．when |
| A．saying | B．trust | C．attitude | D．fashion |
| A．pressure | B．pleasure | C．discussion | D．interest |
| A．enlarging | B．sharing | C．cleaning | D．improving |
8 . Carbon dioxide(二氧化碳) emissions from transportation are now thought as the top source of green-house gases. One of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to reconsider how much, and how often, you travel.
Going car free for a year could save about 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide, according to a study from the University of British Columbia. How can you stop using a car? Try taking a train, bus or better yet, riding a bike.
But let’s be realistic. You will likely need to use a car this year. So, when you do, here are some tips to make your trip more climate-friendly. Driving efficiently can help to reduce emissions. Go easy on the gas and brakes and drive like you have an egg under your foot. Regularly service your car to keep it more efficient. Keeping your tires pumped correctly can reduce emissions. Low tire pressure will hurt your fuel economy. Air conditioning and frequent city driving can make missions go up. So cut down on these as often as possible. Use cruise control(定速巡航) on long drives-in most cases，this can help to save gas. Don’t weigh your car down with extra things that you don’t need on your trip.
Fly often? Taking one fewer long round-trip flight could reduce your personal carbon footprint significantly. If you use public transportation often and fly less, your carbon foot-print might still be relatively sustainable, but if you drive and fly a lot, your emissions will be higher. If you can’t avoid flying, you can offset them by donating money to sustainable products, such as supplying efficient stoves to rural homes, or projects which help farmers deal with crop waste environmentally.
1. What does the author think of going car free?| A．Efficient. | B．Costly. | C．Impractical. | D．Reliable. |
| A．Maintaining (维护，保持) your car properly. |
| B．Using cruise control in the city. |
| C．Stepping hard on the gas and brakes. |
| D．Getting rid of all the necessary loads. |
| A．Make up for. | B．Team up with. |
| C．Set foot in. | D．Put up with. |
| A．How to save fuel when driving cars |
| B．No carbon footprint |
| C．Reduce carbon footprint by all means |
| D．Lower carbon footprint in transportation |
9 . Farming is destroying the planet. But there could be a much more environmentally friendly way to feed ourselves: using renewable energy to turn carbon dioxide (CO2) into food.
“This is becoming a reality,” says Pasi Vainikka at Solar Foods. The company is building the first commercial-scale factory, near Helsinki in Finland, which will be able to make food directly from CO2.
At the factory, renewable electricity will be used to break down water to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be added to large containers, where the bacteria grow, along with CO2 and ammonia(NH3) to provide carbon and nitrogen separately. Some of the CO2 will be taken directly from the air at a visitors’ centre at the factory, Vainikka says, and the rest will come from industrial sources. The end result will be a yellow powder called Solein that is made of bacterial cells and is up to 70 per cent protein. It can be used as an ingredient in all kinds of foods, from meat alternatives to grains and snacks. “We are aiming at replacing animal-sourced proteins, which we think have the highest environmental impact,” says Vainikka.
Solein was approved as a food ingredient in Singapore in October 2022, and Solar Foods is awaiting approval in the UK, the European Union and the US.
Compared with plant crops, Solein will use 100 times less water per kilogram of protein produced, 20 times less land—including the land used for energy production—and produce a fifth as much CO2, according to Solar Foods. Compared with beef, a kilogram of protein can be produced using 600 times less water and 200 times less land, again counting the land used for energy production, while producing 200 times less CO2, says the company.
There are other benefits, too: factories could be situated anywhere in the world and production won’t be affected by weather extremes. “With Solar Foods and other companies scaling up(扩大) their systems, this is truly stepping in a new age of agriculture,” says Dorian Leger at Connectomix Bio in Germany.
1. What can we learn about Solein from paragraph 3?| A．It was used as feed for animals at first. | B．Up to 70 per cent of it can be recycled. |
| C．It is made from hydrogen and oxygen. | D．It can be applied to food production. |
| A．It uses 600 times less land than beef. | B．It produces 200 times less CO2 than beef. |
| C．It uses 200 times less water than plant crops. | D．It produces 100 times less CO2 than plant crops. |
| A．Positive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Tolerant. |
| A．CO2 can be recycled to stimulate local economy |
| B．New food strategy reduces big questions on health |
| C．A factory will start making green food from air and electricity |
| D．Campaigners recommend ways to reduce climate impact of farming |
The Fanjingshan World Heritage property is located in South-West China,
Fanjingshan is an island of rock in a sea of karst and is home
