1 . Nature has the power to alter an element’s identity with time and space. This is evident by the transformative effect Britain’s deep coal mines have been showing after decades of being one of the biggest reasons for pollution. Now, they’re being employed to supply green energy to the town of Gateshead. The town is the first place to experience something like this in the country, but the success of the phenomenon has encouraged the authorities to apply it to other towns.
In 2021, coal was just producing 2% of electricity in the UK. Most of the electricity in the country is being supplied through oil and gas. This has resulted in massive abandoned coal mines all across the country. As years went by, these mines were flooded with water, making it a source of geothermal（地热的） energy, which is used to generate heat and electricity. Gateshead hosts such a mine in its town, whose council, therefore, launched a mine water project in March 2023.
The authorities put in a large central heat pump in the mine. Mine water can often sit with a temperature of 45℃. The water is then pumped using appliances to home heat pumps. The process increases the temperature further. The water then goes ahead and warms up the interior space and home water supply. After the heat from the water has been used, it’s sent back to the mine where it again goes through the same process. The project has been successful in supplying low-carbon heating to 350 high-rise buildings, a college and several office buildings.
“Recovering heat from mine water below the ground within abandoned coal mines provides an exciting opportunity to generate a low-carbon secure supply of heat, benefitting people living or working in buildings on the coalfields,” said Gareth Farr, head of heat and by-product innovation at the Coal Authority.
The water resources through the mines are estimated to be two billion cubic meters or half the amount of water in Loch Ness. Farr added, “With many millions of people living upon abandoned coalfields in Great Britain, the potential for mine water heat could be significant.”
1. What does the town of Gateshead feature?| A．It’s been one of the most heavily polluted areas. | B．It has the most deep coal mines nationally. |
| C．It mainly relies on geothermal energy. | D．It is the first one to reuse abandoned coal mines. |
| A．They were quite remote. | B．Prices of coal declined a lot. |
| C．There weren’t enough miners. | D．The UK prioritizes cleaner energy. |
| A．The number of abandoned coal mines is stably increasing. |
| B．The future of sourcing energy from coal mines is promising. |
| C．The dependence on water resources in the UK is decreasing. |
| D．The technique to take advantage of mine water is impressive. |
| A．An innovative way to obtain green energy. | B．A method of living in harmony with nature. |
| C．A national project for abandoned facilities. | D．A discussion on the future of coal mines. |
2 . The Maranhão region of northern Brazil is my ancestral home. For centuries, we have
But today, our environment is being destroyed for capitalist (资本家的)
When we see an illegal camp or
Our resistance is
| A．consumed | B．anticipated | C．explored | D．preserved |
| A．traditions | B．obstructions | C．possessions | D．antiques |
| A．starts out | B．provides for | C．relies on | D．submits to |
| A．charity | B．mercy | C．greed | D．temper |
| A．logging | B．advertising | C．proceeding | D．bleeding |
| A．slicing | B．closing | C．highlighting | D．reserving |
| A．swallow | B．develop | C．enroll | D．protect |
| A．association | B．spectacular | C．resistance | D．urgency |
| A．grab | B．identify | C．visualize | D．launch |
| A．priority | B．fellow | C．accent | D．advantage |
| A．act | B．arise | C．chew | D．ease |
| A．justify | B．toast | C．surround | D．repair |
| A．hiking | B．packing | C．boating | D．sightseeing |
| A．working | B．swelling | C．freezing | D．withdrawing |
| A．investment | B．advertisement | C．motion | D．struggle |
3 . There comes a time when the old must give way to the new, and it is not possible to preserve everything from our past as we move towards the future. Finding and keeping the right balance between progress and the protection of cultural sites can be a big challenge.
Big challenges, however, can sometimes lead to great solutions. In the 1950s, the Egyptian government wanted to build a new dam across the Nile in order to control floods, produce electricity, and supply water to more farmers in the area. But the proposal led to protests. Water from the dam would likely damage a number of temples and destroy cultural relics that were an important part of Egypt’s cultural heritage. After listening to different voices, the government turned to the United Nations for help in 1959.
A committee was established to limit damage to the Egyptian buildings and prevent the loss of cultural relics. The group asked for contributions from different departments and raised funds within the international community. Experts investigated the issue, conducted several tests, and then made a proposal for how the buildings could be saved. Finally, a document was signed, and the work began in 1960.
The project brought together governments and environmentalists from around the world. Temples and other cultural sites were taken down piece by piece, and then moved and put back together again in a place where they were safe from the water. In1961, German engineers moved the first temple. Over the next 20 years, thousands of engineers and workers rescued 22 temples and countless cultural relics. Fifty countries donated nearly $80 million to the project. When the project ended in 1980, it was considered a great success. Not only had the countries found a path to the future that did not run over the relics of the past, but they had also learnt that it was possible for countries to work together to build a better tomorrow.
The spirit of the Aswan Dam project is still alive today. If a problem seems too difficult for a single nation, the global community can sometimes provide a solution.
1. What was the major concern regarding the construction of the new dam?| A．The damage to local farms. |
| B．The high cost of the construction. |
| C．The disapproval of local communities. |
| D．The potential harm to cultural remains. |
| A．By rebuilding similar cultural sites. |
| B．By building fences around them. |
| C．By taking them down into pieces. |
| D．By removing and piecing them together again. |
| A．International cooperation is not necessary for large-scale projects. |
| B．It is possible to achieve progress without sacrificing cultural heritage. |
| C．The opinions of experts should be ignored in favor of popular opinion. |
| D．Countries should always prioritize their own interests over global concerns. |
| A．Trial and error. | B．Adequate investment. |
| C．Global cooperation. | D．Careful investigation. |
CLIMATE CHANGE REQUIRES THE WORLD’S ATTENTION
We have known about climate change for decades. There is little doubt that Earth is getting warmer and warmer (see the graph). A warming ocean and atmosphere along with melting ice and rising sea levels provide evidence of a dramatic change in the global climate.
In 2013, a lot of people were shocked by a news photo of a dead polar bear that was found on Norway’s Arctic island of Svalbard. According to the scientists who found its dead body, all that remained of the polar bear was “skin and bones”. An expert who has studied polar bears for many years said that from the position of its dead body, the bear appeared to have starved and died. Experts claimed that low sea-ice levels caused by climate change meant the bear could not hunt seals as before, so it had to travel greater distances in order to find food. This alarming case showed how the increase in temperature had an impact on Earth’s ecology.
Then what is causing the increase in the global average surface temperature? Climate scientists often mention a key climate process called the “greenhouse effect”, which has two common meanings: the “natural” greenhouse effect and the “man-made” greenhouse effect. The “natural” greenhouse effect refers to the fact that heat from the sun enters the atmosphere and warms Earth’s surface as short-wave radiation. The heat is released back into space at longer wave lengths. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as methane and carbon dioxide, trap some of the heat, keeping Earth’s climate warm and habitable. Without this process, Earth could not sustain life. However, the “man-made” greenhouse effect has now become a big problem. When people produce huge amounts of extra greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels, more heat energy is trapped in the atmosphere and causes Earth’s surface temperature to rise quickly.
There is strong and comprehensive evidence that the rise in temperature has led to an increase in extreme weather and natural disasters worldwide, not only causing serious damage, but also costing human lives. Climate scientists have warned that if we do not take appropriate actions, this warming trend will probably continue and there will be a higher price to pay. In fact, news reports are frequently broadcast about extreme rainstorms and heatwaves causing deaths and economic losses.
Continued greenhouse gas emissions will result in further warming and long-lasting changes to the global climate. This requires the attention of people all over the world. 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” by restricting the amount of carbon dioxide our lifestyles produce. It is our responsibility to seize every opportunity to educate everyone about global warming, along with its causes and impacts, because this is the most serious issue affecting all of us on this planet. So what will you do to help?
1. What happened to the polar bear in the photo? Why did the writer write about it?2. Why is the “natural” greenhouse effect important and necessary?
3. What are the consequences of high greenhouse gas emissions?
4. Why did the author mention the climate scientists' warning?
5. What is the author’s purpose of writing this text?
There is strong and comprehensive evidence that the rise in temperature
Continued greenhouse gas emissions will result
| Background | · |
| At the individual level | · Walk & Cycle They are the best ways to travel locally, but if they are not possible, then taking a bus or a train is preferable to using ·Eat Less Meat It can help the environment as well as your health, and it is always best to eat food that has been produced close to the place where you live. This reduces the need to transport the food over · Never Drop Litter Dropping litter can cause serious problems for animals. Many items that we |
| At the community level | · Write to our local officials to ensure they know their responsibilities to |
7 . The first time ever I realized that plastic was a serious matter for our planet was during a road trip in Western Australia, almost 12 years ago.
We
This was just one of the many experiences I’ve lived that made me more aware of my
Our trip to Borneo was another life-changing
Besides, we were also deeply
Facing this global issue
| A．stayed | B．visited | C．worked | D．stopped |
| A．land | B．ocean | C．district | D．supermarket |
| A．threw | B．picked | C．dropped | D．carried |
| A．dream | B．family | C．impact | D．income |
| A．travel | B．deliver | C．remove | D．play |
| A．story | B．growth | C．experience | D．suffering |
| A．better-off | B．healthy | C．comfortable | D．zero-waste |
| A．free | B．cheap | C．valuable | D．safe |
| A．failed | B．managed | C．hesitated | D．happened |
| A．hurt | B．surprised | C．impressed | D．moved |
| A．dramatic | B．sustainable | C．firm | D．disappointing |
| A．dry up | B．tie up | C．clean up | D．take up |
| A．on purpose | B．for sure | C．by accident | D．in person |
| A．confusion | B．determination | C．frustration | D．satisfaction |
| A．make | B．do | C．achieve | D．find |
8 . REDUCING WATER POLLUTION IN THE LI RIVER
The beautiful Li River and its amazing surrounding scenery is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It attracts millions of domestic and foreign visitors each year. However, its reputation as a top destination has had negative effects on the river’s water quality. This report looks at the problem of water pollution and some actions that have been taken to deal with it.
Previously, water quality in the Li River had suffered greatly from an increasing volumeof tourists, many of whom frequently threw garbage into the river. Many tour boats contributed to the problem too. Kitchens on board were using lots of oil, which was often thrown into the water. The growth in tourism also meant the local population rose rapidly, as well as the number of commercial and industrial enterprises. Water pollution levels increased, with more household and commercial waste ending up in the river. In order to feed more people, more chemicals were used to increase crop production. These chemicals led to severe water quality issues, causing a decrease in the number of fish species. Local officials were concerned that the pollution was damaging the natural environment and felt that urgent steps should be taken to restore the river’s original beauty.
A comprehensive initiative was started, with a number of measures that addressed the issues. The construction of waste water treatment facilities improved the water quality and water conservation. The collection and transport of household waste was also improved. Dozens of polluting enterprises were closed or moved. The local government set up strict regulations regarding further industrial development. New rules were also introduced regarding tour boat routes and garbage disposal methods. Furthermore, the local authorities began to use the media to spread environmental awareness and encourage greater use of clean energy. At the same time, they started to carry out inspections regularly and fine tourist organisations for abuses. With these measures, it is believed that the beauty of the Li River will be preserved for generations to come.
In addition, the ambitious “Water Ten Plan” is also now tackling water pollution across the country. Other initiatives, such as the “River Chief System”, hold senior officials responsible for reducing water pollution. With such campaigns in effect, China’s waterways are heading towards a clean and sustainable future.
2. What measures have been taken to improve the Li River’s water quality?
3. What is the "River Chief System”?
1. What is the relationship between the speakers?
| A．Colleagues. | B．Schoolmates. | C．A couple. |
| A．By helping people save resources. |
| B．By providing information at school. |
| C．By making people use new resources. |
| A．Work at home. |
| B．Control the population. |
| C．Refuse harmful products. |
| A．Solar and wind energy. | B．Wave and solar energy. | C．Wind and wave energy. |
1. What advice is Tim going to give his teachers?
| A．Asking students to send in their work electronically. |
| B．Requesting students to recycle school paper. |
| C．Making students use both sides of paper. |
| A．Use local produce. |
| B．Have meatless meals. |
| C．Stop selling bottled drinks. |
| A．A recycling plan. | B．A green project. | C．The school life. |
