A. expanding B. alternative C. bridge D. recycled E. contributed F. concerns G. encouraging H. landscape I. marine J. dispose K. widening |
Food delivery apps are changing the way we eat
It’s raining, it’s dinnertime, and the fridge is nearly empty. Years ago, we made do; today, we order food through our phones. Within twenty minutes, we get whatever it was we were craving, we’re warm and dry, and there’s not a single dish to wash afterward.
Food delivery apps have altered the
Of course, these apps bring all types of cuisines around the city to our fingertips, but it comes at a cost. And one of the real environmental
In the US alone, packaging accounts for 30 percent of municipal solid waste. In 2017, that meant 80.1 million tons. Food delivery systems are likely
Restaurant delivery is a global phenomenon – as is the impact on the environment. Meituan, one of the leading Chinese delivery platforms, delivered 6.4 billion food orders in 2018. It is estimated that China
In the EU, University of Manchester researchers estimate, over two billion single-use takeaway containers are used every year. Most of those are not
Plastic bans,
A. agreements B. chattering C. efforts D. feasibly E. fulfillment F. hard G. introduced H. morality I. persuaded J. seized K. spoiled |
Here’s to guilt-free flying
Maj a Rosen gave up flying a decade ago out of concern for its environmental impact. But when she became a mother and started hanging out with other parents, she didn’t bring it up, even when the conversation turned to flying. It would have
Then in April 2018, her home country of Sweden
Kudos. But here’s the
We can’t rely on international
All this means we could really do with green tech riding to the rescue. Here, at least, there is a little good news. Even rather simple measures like freeing planes to fly in straighter lines could
It’s time to redouble our
Climate Change Requires The World’s Attention
There is little doubt that Earth
Climate scientists often mention a key climate process
There is strong and comprehensive evidence that the rise in temperature has led to an increase in extreme weather and
Governments need to consider making policies and taking appropriate actions and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We as individuals can also reduce our “carbon footprint”. It is our
4 . When you throw something in the recycling bin, do you think about what it could become? And when you do, does it make you more likely to use that recycling bin? Recently, a study was conducted in an effort to decide whether or not explaining to people what their recyclables are transformed into would help increase recycling rates.
The researchers started with a group of 111 college students, asked to draw on paper before watching one of three ads.One was a public service message that showed paper going into recycling bins.The other two also showed the paper either being transformed into new paper or a guitar.After completing a survey, the students were asked to deal with the paper when they left. Half of those who saw the first ad recycled their paper, while the recycling rate jumped to 80% for those who'd seen the other ads.
After doing a few more lab experiments, the researchers headed into the real world.At a party, volunteers spoke with attendees (出席者) about recycling, with half mentioning transformed products and half keeping it general.They discovered the subject of the talks came into play.After the game, the recycling and trash bags were weighed.Those who received a message recycled over half of their waste, while those who did not recycled less than a fifth.
All this is to say that details matter.People want to know what treasures their trash can become, and when that's laid out clearly, they' re more likely to do it.Perhaps recycling companies should redesign signs to describe the items being created.Recycling is far from a perfect solution,but it doesn't hurt to manage to improve its rates.
1. What's the function of the first paragraph?A.To lead to the main topic. |
B.To reflect the author's attitude. |
C.To introduce a new recycling bin. |
D.1 To emphasize the benefits of recycling. |
A.Took effect. |
B.Broke down. |
C.Took off. |
D.Came to mind. |
A.Sign the names on the items. |
B.Find perfect ways of recycling. |
C.Examine the details of items. |
D.Show the transformation of waste. |
A.Sports and games. |
B.Travel and tourism. |
C.Entertainment and recreation. |
D.Science and human life. |
5 . Time is running out for coral reefs as the climate gets hotter. So scientists are searching the globe for corals that are better at enduring heat, Now, new research shows how those “super corals” can survive: less roommate drama.
Reefs depend on a crucial partnership between the corals and the algae (海藻) that live in the corals’ tissue, The algae make food for the corals using sunlight and in exchange, get a nice spot to live. But when oceans heat up, that relationship goes bad, and the corals kick the algae out, Without their roommates, corals can die, turning a ghostly white, bleached (白化) color.
Still, some corals seem to resist bleaching better than others, A new study shows that those corals depend on algae that are better at tolerating heat. Researchers hope that pinpointing these abilities will help develop new conservation tools to preserve the world’s reefs as temperatures rise. About 1/4 of all marine life rely on coral reefs in some way, along with half 1 billion people around the world also depend on reefs for their food and livelihoods.
“Heat stress can kill a lot of corals really fast,” says Kate Quigley, a research scientist at James Cook University and the Minderoo Foundation in Australia. “I hope that nature does have some mechanisms to get us through the next few years while we get our act together.”
While the hope is that those algae could also aid in reef conservation in the future, researcher Patrick Buerger says it’s likely that it wouldn’t help all coral species. And even the toughest corals can only endure so much. Currently, the world is on track for just under 3degrees Celsius of warming by 2100, a level that would wipe out nearly all coral reefs.
“The action has to be on climate change,” he says. “This is a short-term solution that might buy some time for corals to adapt. But the main focus has to be on climate. There’s not a silver bullet to the problem.”
1. What is the feature of super corals?A.Sun-loving. | B.Long-living. | C.Good-looking. | D.Heat-bearing. |
A.Habitat. | B.Food. | C.Sunlight. | D.Friendship. |
A.The population of marine life. | B.The importance of coral reefs. |
C.The seriousness of global warming. | D.The living conditions of coral reefs. |
A.It is useless | B.It is the last hope. | C.It is temporary. | D.It is the silver bullet. |
6 . The Twenty-three-year-old Mumbai girl Vidhi Bubna is offering India’s first and only diving grant to explore the marine ecosystem.
Vidhi’s first diving experience turned out to be a heartbreaking one. While she expected a lot of colors underwater as she had seen on TV, Vidhi came across all white corals (珊瑚), which means they are almost dead from being bleached (褪色).
“It was very sad and I just started crying after coming out of the water,” she says.
Vidhi, an economics graduate from Ashoka University, did not enjoy working with numbers and turned to writing about social issues, including women’s rights and minority issues.
As an adventure lover, Vidhi went diving to explore the underwater beauty last year. Her disappointment at seeing dying corals led to the start of Coral Warriors, anon-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of marine protection and climate change.
“Nobody knows about climate change till they see it,” Vidhi says. The Mumbai-based organisation offers India’s first and only diving grant. The grant sponsors level-one scuba diving education in any location of their choice in India. While there is no specific standard, Vidhi says the selection process is strict, choosing candidates who are passionate about climate change and seeing that they do something of their choice. Four candidates have been awarded the grant so far and the organisation hopes to find at least five people every year.
“After the candidates return, we expect them to work on a climate change project of their choice, create communities, and work to create awareness and drive action-centric projects,” she explains.
Prior to starting coral warriors, Vidhi was hosting free online workshops to spread awareness of marine biodiversity and climate change, and has reached about 5, 000 people through them.
As a next step, Vidhi is planning to work on documentaries with high-quality underwater images and videos, considering not many can afford or have the courage to go diving to see what is happening underwater.
1. How did Vidhi feel on her first diving?A.Excited. | B.Upset. | C.Awesome. | D.Awkward. |
A.To focus more attention on social issues. |
B.To further explore the underwater beauty. |
C.To fuel people’s enthusiasm for adventure. |
D.To make an appeal for marine conservation. |
A.To help promote people’s sense of community. |
B.To choose whatever they are passionate about. |
C.To meet specific and strict selection standards. |
D.To undertake activities relevant to climate change. |
A.Ahoot documentaries. | B.Tackle climate change. |
C.Encourage people to dive. | D.Host free online workshops. |
1. 你对低碳生活的理解;2. 具体做法;3. 发出倡议。
注意:词数80左右。
参考词汇:emission 排放;carbon dioxide 二氧化碳;低碳生活 a low-carbon lifestyle
Hello, everyone! I am Lihua.
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That’s all. Thank you!
8 . In order to learn about advanced scientific technology and ideas for combating desertification, Rezaali Pakzad left the Iranian capital Teheran, in 2018, to study in Northwest China’s Gansu Province.
He is a 27-year-old doctoral student at Lanzhou University, focusing on soil desertification control. In his view, Iran, like other arid and semiarid countries, faces environmental problems such as desertification. When he did field surveys and research in Minqin county, Gansu, he found that the local desertification characteristics were very similar to those of his hometown.
“Minqin is between two deserts. From being “about to disappear” to being gradually green, from being ravaged by “sand devils” to being covered by vast green plants, the scientific and effective prevention and control methods of the Chinese government have greatly changed the county, and made me see the hope of improving the ecology in my hometown,” he says.
He believes that China has certainly contributed to the global effort to combat desertification, and that the Chinese contribution is worth learning from. China has developed advanced technology models, such as quicksand fixation and vegetation restoration, and protective forest systems along major transport routes, which have introduced more green to deserts.
Already among the top nations in the world in the field of combating desertification, China has shared its experience with other countries, carried out international exchanges and cooperation, and contributed to global desertification control, he says.
He believes he has made progress during his five years of living and studying in China. By learning more about the Chinese language and culture, he has adapted to life in China and enjoyed the help and sincere concern of his teachers, classmates and friends here.
He hopes to achieve a lot, at a high level, in his research field and to contribute to international exchanges and cooperation in desertification control. “I want to be an ‘ecological messenger’ by spreading green ideas,” he says.
1. What problem does Pakzad want to solve?A.Shortage of greens. | B.Water pollution. |
C.Energy reduction. | D.Drought. |
A.Protected. | B.Constructed. | C.Destroyed. | D.Reduced. |
A.Generous and ambitious. | B.Responsible and hopeful. |
C.Hard-working and creative. | D.Determined and tolerant. |
A.China seldom participates in the global affairs. |
B.China has solved the problem of desertification. |
C.China is the top nation in international cooperation. |
D.China plays a vital role in global desertification control. |
A.Clean the park. | B.Make snowmen. | C.Plant trees. |
10 . A rare wild flower is being re-established in Devon fields thanks to some four-legged helpers. A conservation charity called Planflife has employed donkeys as “ecosystem engineers”to encourage the return of the endangered small-flowered catchfly.
The catchfly was once found all across Britain but now it only grows in small areas of Wales and the south and west of England. Experts blame its decline on modern farming practices. The flower flourished around the edges of sandy fields where farmers grew their crops, but because of weedkillers that were used to remove “unwanted” plants, and fertilisers to boost crop yields, its habitat has largely disappeared.
Plantlife teamed up with the Donkey Sanctuary, a charity that looks after donkeys in the UK and around the world. It owns several farms across Devon and the UK, where it takes care of hundreds of rescued donkeys, as well as maintaining habitats for other wildlife. More than 20, 000 seeds have been scattered on fields at the sanctuary’s main Devon farm, and it is hoped that many will grow into plants this summer. They will provide food for threatened bird species such as linnets, yellowhammers and skylarks. Plantlife then aims to get the donkeys themselves involved, testing whether catchfly seeds benefit from being trampled into the ground as the donkeys take their exercise. Many plants have seeds that must be pressed into the soil in order to germinate.
“We’re incredibly grateful to partners like the Donkey Sanctuary who are helping these fantastically rare wild flowers come back from the edge of extinction,” Cath Shellswell of Plantlife told The Guardian newspaper. “We look forward to seeing small-flowered catchfly return and we are working with the sanctuary to ensure that this tiny plant has a thriving future. ”
1. Why are donkeys employed in Devon fields?A.To work in the fields. | B.To restore the catchfly. |
C.To avoid extinction. | D.To raise crop yields. |
A.Soil loss. | B.Water pollution. |
C.Climate change. | D.Modern agriculture. |
A.By pressing its seeds into the soil. | B.By working the land. |
C.By providing nutrition for it. | D.By spreading its seeds. |
A.Donkeys help fields flower again. | B.Farmland becomes a natural habitat. |
C.The biodiversity forms on Devon farms. | D.The catchfly has a thriving future. |