1 . Birds enjoy a relatively slow rate of extinction but a new study suggests that rate might be severely underestimated(低估). Even worse, if human actions continue, bird extinction rates could skyrocket and 12 percent of the known bird species(物种) could be dying out by the end of the century.
Presently there are 10,000 known bird species — most identified after 1850 — and an estimated 130 of those have become extinct since 1500, setting the extinction rate at about one species every four years.
But according to Stuart Pimm of Duke University, this rate fails to take into account three key points: The continual identification of extinct bird species from fossil remains; numerous "missing" species not yet declared extinct; and the fact that present extinction rates were not calculated using the proper baseline date for when the species was first described.
Taking these points into consideration, the extinction rate is closer to one bird species per year, says Pimm, the leading author of the study. And the rate could be three times as high as that if not for recent bird preservation efforts.
In previous centuries, bird extinctions took place mainly on islands as Polynesian peoples expanded into the Pacific or Europeans took over the Americas, wiping out birds along the way.
In recent years, scientists are seeing an increased number of extinctions on continents, again because of human activities. Habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species, and climate change combine to harm many bird species. Before human influence, the estimated rate of bird extinctions would have been only one species per hundred years, researchers estimate.
Bird extinction rates are slower than for most animals, mainly because humans do more harm to other species and people take special efforts to protect birds. Still, if the present trends continue, the researchers estimate that the bird extinction rate will continue to climb to as many as 10 species per year,
1. The underlined word "skyrocket" in the first paragraph means| A．fly high |
| B．appear soon |
| C．increase quickly |
| D．change regularly |
| A．one species per hundred years |
| B．one species every year |
| C．three species per year |
| D．ten species every year |
| A．Humans have started destroying bird habitat in recent years. |
| B．Humans are doing more harm to animals than to birds. |
| C．Humans have made no effort to protect birds. |
| D．Humans are responsible for the bird extinctions. |
| A．Humans' Fighting against Bird Extinction |
| B．Humans' Responsibilities for Bird Protection |
| C．Bird Extinction Rates Far Worse Than Realized |
| D．Bird Extinction Occurring on Islands and Continents |
2 . Plastic is easy, convenient, cheap and long-lasting, but it does great harm to the environment.
Since plastic entered mass production, 8 billion tons have been produced – and we aren’t very good at recycling. By 2015, 6,945 tons of plastic waste had formed, with around 9 percent of it getting recycled. About 79 percent of it ends up in landfills or around the environment, including the ocean. We may end up drowning in plastic before long.
Chemists at Colorado State University have found a polymer（聚酯）that has many of the qualities of plastics – it’s light, strong, durable and heat-resistant – but that can be changed back to its original small-molecule（分子）state for complete recycling. Even after being recycled, the polymer can be turned back into its plastic-like state, and this can be done quickly and cheaply.
This new polymer has all the good qualities of plastics, yet it is relatively easy to make and to recycle. Making it requires room temperature conditions, a short reaction time to bond the monomer（单体）into polymers and only a small amount of the catalyst（催化剂）remains in the end product. It has a high molecular weight, stands up to heat and generally behaves like plastic. Recycling it requires similarly little effort. Mild lab conditions are required and so is a catalyst. Once applied, the polymers are once again monomers in a matter of minutes and can be used to create another product.
But don’t get too excited about this just yet. Scientists stressed that the polymer isn’t ready for mass products just yet. There’s still plenty of development to do, including making it more economical to produce and recycle.
1. What can we infer from the second paragraph?| A．It is impossible to recycle old plastics. |
| B．79 percent of plastics has been recycled. |
| C．Small quantities of plastics get recycled. |
| D．Landfills aren’t enough to handle plastics. |
| A．Its purposes. | B．Its qualities. |
| C．Its structures. | D．Its applications. |
| A．Mild temperature. | B．Cold temperature. |
| C．Body temperature. | D．Room temperature. |
| A．it is not very cheap | B．it seems too light |
| C．it is hard to recycle | D．it can’t stand cold |
3 . The health of millions could be at risk because supplies of medicinal plants are being used up. These plants are used to make traditional medicine, including drugs to fight cancer. “The loss of medicinal plants is a quiet disaster,” says Sara Oldfield, secretary general of the NGO Botanic Gardens Conservation International.
Most people worldwide rely on herbal (药草制的) medicines which are got mostly from wild plants. But some 15,000 of the 50,000 medicinal species are under threat of dying out, according to report from the international conservation group Plantlife. Shortages have been reported in China, India, Kenya, Nepal, Tanzania and Uganda.
Over-harvesting does the most harm, though pollution and competition from invasive species (入侵物种) and habitat destruction all contribute. Businessmen generally harvest medicinal plants, not caring about sustainability (可持续性),” the Plantlife report says, “damage is serious partly because they have no idea about it, but it is mainly because such collection is unorganized”. Medicinal trees at risk include the Himalayan yew (紫衫) and the African cherry, which are used to treat some cancers.
The solution, says the report’s author, Alan Hamilton, is to encourage local people to protect these plants. Ten projects studied by Plantlife in India, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Uganda and Kenya showed this method can succeed. In Uganda, the project has kept a sustainable supply of low-cost cancer treatments, and in China a public-run medicinal plant project has been created for the first time.”
“Improving health, earning an income and keeping cultural traditions are important in encouraging people to protect medicinal plants,” says Hamilton, “You have to pay attention to what people are interested in.”
Ghillean Prance, the former director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London, agrees that medicinal plants are in need of protection. “Not nearly enough is being done,” he told New Scientist. “We are destroying the very plants that are of most use to us.”
1. From the first two paragraphs, we can learn that ________.| A．millions of people are threatened with cancer |
| B．most countries see a shortage of herbal medicines |
| C．about two thirds of medicinal species will disappear |
| D．a number of medicinal species are in danger of extinction |
| A．over-harvesting | B．habitat destruction |
| C．pollution | D．invasive species |
| A．pollution | B．other species’ invasion |
| C．sustainability | D．over-harvesting |
| A．Protecting medicinal plants has a long way to go. |
| B．Local people don’t know how to protect medicinal plants. |
| C．Ghillean Prance is optimistic about medicinal plants’ future. |
| D．China has made great progress in protecting medicinal plants. |
4 . Colorado officials will stick to a plan to kill some mountain lions and bears to support the state’s dropping mule deer (长耳鹿) population.
Wednesday’s vote permits organizations to kill up to 25 black bears and 15 mountain lions per year in the central and western parts of the state. The project will run for three years, to be followed by a six-year study of how deer populations respond to fewer predators(捕食者).
The population of Colorado’s mule deer has suffered a puzzling, years-long drop to about 450,000, which state officials said was about 110,000 fewer than there should be. A 2014 state study tied it to seven causes, including predators, whose number has greatly increased in recent years.
Some experts, however, said the state should focus first on the human-led destruction(破坏) of mule deer habitat(栖息地). “The drop of the mule deer population is obviously not a simple problem with simple causes,” Brian Kurzel, director of the National Wildlife Federation, said. “By far, the greatest problem—the one that I think deserves the most attention in any science-based study—is habitat quantity and quality.”
Kurzel pointed out that the U.S Bureau of Land Management recently agreed to create 15,000 new oil and gas wells somewhere in western Cororado, which was often called “the mule-deer factory”. There, the number of mule deer has fallen to about 30,000 from more than 100,000 in the early 1980s. Though state officials have known oil and gas development affects the population of mule deer, they didn’t go against the plan.
Other causes like building highways, population growth and human activities are also curbing the mule deer population, according to the study.
State Parks and Wildlife officials don’t necessarily disagree. They started a $4.5 million program as a way to gather research for later decisions.
1. Why do Colorado officials want to have so many mountain lions and bears killed?| A．To stop them hurting people. |
| B．To leave more habitat for mule deer. |
| C．To stop the mule deer population from dropping. |
| D．To help researchers carry out a three-year-long study. |
| A．Protecting their habitat. | B．Providing enough food for them. |
| C．Reducing the number of their predators. | D．Asking the government to make an effort. |
| A．limiting. | B．ensuring. | C．increasing. | D．protecting. |
| A．Decisions will be made in one year. |
| B．Habitat loss is the main cause of the drop. |
| C．Human activities aren’t responsible for the drop. |
| D．It’s too early to say what exactly caused the drop. |
5 . It’s always been a rule in my family, spoken or unspoken, that you don’t waste food. With six children herself and having grown up in an even larger family through the Great Depression, my mother would never tolerate throwing out the amounts of food we see routinely these days in the dumpster. We were told simply to clean our plates, no matter whether we liked the taste or if we were not hungry or not. So this subject is deep in my genes and upbringing.
Estimates are that nearly one third of all food produced is wasted. USDA estimates 31% of food available at retail (零售)level is wasted. 12% of landfill material is food. 28% of agricultural land produces food which is wasted, says the FAO. 18% of vegetables, and 12% of the apple crop are lost at the farm level in the United States., say experts.
Luckily, there’s an “ugly food” movement picking up steam. “Ugly” foods are those that sellers and buyers often reject because of their appearance, like misshapen vegetables and bruised（擦伤的） fruits. Farmers dump them. Supermarkets and restaurants reject them. Now supermarkets and restaurants reject them. Consumers historically have avoided them. Now supermarkets feature the ugly. It’s fashionable. More artful terms are favored. A French supermarket chain is selling “inglorious” foods. The British chain ASDA uses “wonky（歪斜的）” (which to American ears might sound as bad as “ugly.”) Canada’s Loblaws uses “naturally imperfect.” Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has cast himself as a promoter of the “good food movement,” has signed on with some British chains to support their efforts.
With the effort of Kretschmann Farm CSA’s we’ve taken the line that rather than throw away things which would be classified by others as ugly, inglorious, or imperfect, we would just give them to you and you could decide. Either we throw them away, or you can. Oftentimes this adds to the volume of the box, or makes it a little more urgent to consume (because sometimes those rejected foods are just very ripe!).
1. When the author was a kid, he .| A．often suffered from hunger |
| B．was not allowed to waste food |
| C．had to wash plates after a meal |
| D．didn’t like the taste of his food |
| A．Coming to an end. |
| B．Facing a challenge. |
| C．Making a selection. |
| D．Becoming more popular. |
| A．provides perfect food for customers |
| B．sells food mot of which is very ripe |
| C．tries to bring ugly food to customers |
| D．encourage the consumption of food |
6 . Small and round transparent water bottles filled with natural water could help provide a solution to London's plastic waste problem, according to Skipping Rocks Lab, the company in the British capital that produces them. They added that the balls have been made of plant and seaweed extracts and will decompose（分解）after four to six weeks if not consumed.
With many cities struggling to get rid of vast numbers of used plastic water bottles, the ‘Ooho’ has begun to meet the thirst of consumers in San Francisco and London. A report published last Thursday said more than 4,000 plastic bottles had been removed from the River Thames in a month last year, proving the scale of the waste problem.
"We think Ooho may not be the solution for all the applications that plastic bottles have, but definitely for short term consumption it could be a solution," said Rodrigo, the founder of Skipping Rocks Lab. In a trial near London Bridge last Wednesday, Ooho drew a mixture of surprise, amusement and delight among those who sampled them. London's city assembly said Ooho was a step forward. "It could be part of the solution but not the only solution. You also need to be able to refill bottles at railway stations for example," said Leonie Cooper, the Chair of the assembly's environment committee.
The company aims to target, among other consumers, marathon runners, who will be able to eat the Oohos mid-race without concerns about the environment. It is also considering sealing alcohol for a whole new market. "People see these small round bubbles and they just think ‘shots’. So that's definitely something we're looking at," said Skipping Rocks Lab Chief Operating Officer Lise. "We have sealed alcohol, we want to perfect it, and hopefully this will be the great change of the future."
1. ‘Ooho’ can help solve the plastic waste problem because ________.| A．it is small and transparent | B．it is filled with natural water |
| C．it is made of plant and seaweed | D．it can disappear some time later |
| A．Subjective. | B．Unreal. |
| C．Objective. | D．Ridiculous. |
| A．Technology and Invention. | B．Health and Medicine. |
| C．Industry and Economy. | D．Tourism and Development. |
7 . At long last, Stefano Boeri Architects’ brilliant Bosco Verticale towers are finally completed. The “world’s first vertical forest” consists of a fantastic pair of costly towers that add nearly 2.5 acres of lush vegetation to the sky line of Milan, a city notorious (声名狼藉的) for its air pollution.
The Bosco Verticale mixed-use towers are constructed with a $2.5 billion public-private investment as part of the re-development of Milan’s Porta Nuova district. The towers, measuring 260 feet and 367 feet, house 800 trees between 9 and 30 feet tall, over 4,000 shrubs (灌木) and 15,000 ground cover plants. Bosco Verticale is created with LEED Gold Certification (绿色建筑黄金认证) in mind.
The buildings shrub have welcomed their first residents.
The superstructure is also selected for the world famous International Highrise Building Award as one of the five most beautiful and original high-rises in the world that is completed.
| A．“We take great pride in this project, which may earn us an award” says Boeri. |
| B．Boeri is currently in China, where he plans to build another Bosco Verticale project. |
| C．It is also equipped with a gray water recycling and irrigation system. |
| D．However, Bosco Verticale will be more than just a beautiful sight to enjoy. |
| E．“The real key to this project is biodiversity,” says Boeri. |
| F．It is also well received by the Chinese experts in the field. |
| G．But those families aren’t the only ones to call the vertical forest home. |
8 . Do you ever wonder why trees begin to bud (发芽) earlier in some cities? Scientists finally found the answer but it’s not very pleasant. New science suggests a relationship between light pollution and the timing when trees produce buds, which signals the arrival of the spring season.
Light pollution is defined by the Lighting Research Center as the unwanted consequence of outdoor lighting such as street lights. Excessive (过多的) man-made light at night results in disturbed natural cycles, and also prevents the observation of stars and planets at night. But its effect on the environment goes beyond that.
By studying some trees, researchers found out that trees that are more exposed to artificial lighting at night bud up to 7.5 days earlier than those at the natural nighttime setting. And they found out that light had a more significant effect than temperature when the buds came out. The early budding may cause problems for insects, which feed on leaves, and the birds which then feed on them in turn. Professor Richard, who helped lead the research, explained that more than the budding of trees, the study implies the danger to the balance of the ecosystem. “At the moment, caterpillars (毛毛虫) are timed to hatch to make the most of the opportunities to feed on freshly budded leaves, and birds hatch in time to feed on the young caterpillar,” he said.
Migratory (迁徙的) birds are also negatively affected by light pollution. The glare might confuse them and make them lose their flying sense. The phenomenon might explain why some birds accidentally knock into buildings.
Such results stress the need to pursue studies that aim to measure the effect of light pollution. If the issue were left to continue, it is estimated that by 2100, spring would begin almost a full month earlier than it does today.
1. What will happen if there is too much man-made light?| A．People’s eyesight will be damaged. |
| B．The ecosystem will likely lose its balance. |
| C．No stars or planets may be observed at night. |
| D．Animals’ living habits may change suddenly. |
| A．It will cause the rising number of insects. |
| B．It could lead to trees growing fewer leaves. |
| C．It may result in some insects going hungry. |
| D．It might push insects to hatch more slowly. |
| A．The effect of light pollution is destructive. |
| B．The spring of 2100 will become much longer. |
| C．Light pollution should be taken seriously. |
| D．A further study on light pollution is scheduled. |
| A．Why spring comes earlier in some cities |
| B．Why light pollution needs to be studied |
| C．How trees’ early budding takes place |
| D．How much light is “too much” |
9 . TUVALU, a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, has asked for help as it fears it will be swallowed up by the sea. Storms and huge waves are a constant threat and none of Tuvalu’s nine little islands is more than five meters above sea level, Salt water is already entering the country’s drinking water supply, as well as damaging plants that produce fruit and vegetable.
Through burning coal, oil and gas, people have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO2. This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer. Many scientists believe that, if the warming is not stopped, there will be huge climate changes.
| A．The main cause of global warming is human pollution |
| B．Should this come true |
| C．Without urgent help, the country’s days are numbered. |
| D．But Tuvalu is not the first place to face sinking into the sea |
| E．The sea level could rise by one meter this century. |
| F．people face a lot of pollution. |
| G．much has been done about our planet . |
