1 . Sri Nihal Tammana, age 13, of Edison, New Jersey, was named a winner of the 2022 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment.
Nihal founded Recycle My Battery to promote and facilitate the recycling of used batteries. His nonprofit places free battery recycling bins(箱子)and educates young people and adults about battery recycling. In just three years he has built a team of more than 250 student volunteers across the globe who have recycled nearly 200,000 batteries and educated millions of people. Nihal learned at age 10 that 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year and that most end up in landfills(垃圾填埋地)where they pollute groundwater, harm the ecosystem, and can cause catastrophic fires. Inspired to tackle the problem, he began collecting used batteries from his community. He put them in free recycling bins at stores like Staples until he was told he was bringing too many and had to stop.
Undeterred, he reached out for help from Call2Recycle, the largest battery recycling nonprofit in North America. Call2Recycle agreed to assist and provided recycling bins for free, which were placed in schools, libraries, and other public places. Nihal’s organization now operates across the U.S. and is expanding to other countries including Canada, Switzerland, and India. “Earth gives us so much — oxygen, food, water — everything! So it’s important that we give something back when we can,” says Nihal.
The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T. A. Barron. “Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world,” says T. A. Barron. “And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes — people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.”
1. What does Recycle My Battery intend to do?A.Protect the earth from used batteries. | B.Promote used batteries across the globe. |
C.Make money by collecting used batteries. | D.Stop people throwing used batteries away. |
A.Undiscouraged. | B.Unprepared. | C.Unsurprised. | D.Uninterested. |
A.By making it go global. | B.By offering free recycling bins. |
C.By providing financial support. | D.By buying more used batteries. |
A.The importance of recycling batteries. |
B.The impact of batteries on the environment. |
C.The achievements of the Barron Prize winners. |
D.The inspiring story of a young environmentalist. |
2 . Plastic, which is now common, contains endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs (内分泌干扰物), that has been linked to increased risk of many chronic diseases. Parental exposure to EDCs, for example, has been shown to cause metabolic (新陈代谢的) disorders, including obesity and diabetes, in the later generations.
Led by Changcheng Zhou, a professor of biomedical sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of California, the researchers investigated the impact of fathers’ exposure to a phthalate called dicyclohexyl phthalate, or DCHP (邻苯二甲酸二环己酯), on the metabolic health of first generation (F1) and second generation (F2) in mice. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic more durable.
The researchers found that fathers’ DCHP exposure for four weeks led to high insulin (胰岛素) resistance and impaired insulin signaling in F1. The same effect, but weaker, was seen in F2 .
“We found fathers’ exposure to EDCs may have intergenerational and transgenerational detrimental effects on the metabolic health of their later generations, ”Zhou said. “To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to demonstrate this.”
In the case of fathers’ exposure in the study, intergenerational effects are changes that occur due to direct exposure to a stressor, such as exposure to DCHP of fathers (F0 generation) and his F1 generation. Transgenerational effects are changes passed down to later generations that are not directly exposed to the stressor (for example, F2 generation).
“This suggests that fathers’ DCHP exposure can lead to sex-specific transgenerational effects on the metabolic health of their later generations,” Zhou said.
Zhou stressed that the impact of exposure to DCHP on human health is not well understood, even though DCHP is widely used in a variety of plastic products and has been detected in food, water, and indoor particulate matter.
“It’s best to minimize our use of plastic products,” Zhou said. “This can also help reduce plastic pollution, one of our most pressing environmental issues.”
1. Why are phthalates added to plastic?A.To beautify it. | B.To make it long-lasting. |
C.To reduce its cost. | D.To increase its weight. |
A.Negative. | B.External. | C.Distinct. | D.Adventurous. |
A.Bury plastic waste. | B.Watch out for the food they eat. |
C.Use fewest plastic products. | D.Never produce plastic products. |
A.Plastic contains endocrine disrupting chemicals |
B.Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue |
C.DCHP is widely used in a variety of plastic products |
D.Chemicals in plastic may impact two generations’ health |
3 . The ocean is home to more than 200,000 known species and as many as 2 million that we have yet to discover. And, it is also home to 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics. In 2022, researchers spotlighted how bad marine microplastic pollution, is getting: The total amount of microplastics on the bottom of oceans has greatly increased. in the past two decades.
Microplastic particles don’t just end up at the bottom of the ocean. Animals are eating them — at least 1,500 species have been reported to ingest plastic. And a lot of it. For example, whales in New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf consume roughly three million microplastics daily, according to research published in Science of the Total Environment, which analyzed whale waste to see how much microplastics were present.
“Other research has shown that if plastics are small enough, they can cross the gut(肠道) wall and get into internal organs though the long-term effects are still unclear. Plastics can also release chemicals that are harmful to digestive system,” says Kahane-Rapport. “This is concerning, and while we do not yet understand the long-term health-effects, it is likely not a good sign for whales and their prey(猎物) to eat a man-made material like plastic.”
This is obviously bad for whales, but it also has effects on humans and the ocean at large. We are also part of these food chains and are consuming microplastics regularly. They are in our bottled water, in our table salt — they are even in our house dust and in the air we breathe. And we still don’t know what the health effects are. Meanwhile, the impact on whales — and what it indicates — is troubling on many fronts. “Whales are ecosystem engineers,” says Kahane-Rapport. “They can spread the nutrients that they consumed and serve as ecosystem guards — when whales are not healthy, other parts of the system will suffer.”
Kahane-Rapport says more research is needed. “The next research step will be to determine how much plastic the whales excrete(排出) and how much is left in their bodies. Following that, we would be able to determine the direct health effects on their tissues.”
1. What does the underlined word “ingest” in paragraph 2 probably mean?A.Deal with. | B.Bring up. | C.Take in. | D.Spread out. |
A.Researches show contradictory results. |
B.Digestive system is the most affected part. |
C.Small plastics are more harmful than big ones. |
D.Much about microplastics’ harm remains unclear. |
A.The various sources of pollution. |
B.Tab chain reaction of microplastics. |
C.Possible solutions to plastic pollution. |
D.Growing awareness of ocean protection |
A.Microplastic pollution to the ocean bottom |
B.The sufferings of other ocean creatures. |
C.Whales’ contributions to the ecosystem. |
D.The amount of plastic in whales bodies. |
4 . A 2018 report found that food waste would increase by a third to 2. 1billion tons by 2030. Beyond the cost of the waste itself,thrown-away food generates a gas that contributes to climate change.
Home delivery meal kits(盒)can reduce food waste by more than two-thirds,but suppliers need to switch to reusable packaging to make them environmentally friendly.
Tailor-made meal kits cut waste by providing people with precise amounts of fresh ingredients(烹饪原料)for chosen recipes,meaning leftovers are minimized. But while the delivery services score well on reducing food waste,buying the same food ingredients from the supermarket almost always saves energy overall simply because meal kits use so much single-use packaging. The good news is that if people have meals that are tailored for consumption,they won’t overbuy and have less food waste. They fine-tune the amount of food to what they will actually eat.
Meal kits can reduce transport emissions(排放)if people go to the supermarket less frequently. If people only go and buy such goods as soap and toilet paper,they may only have to visit once every couple of months. A delivery truck can carry meals for a lot of people in the neighborhood. So dozens of car trips might be replaced with one truck trip.
However,study found that even if delivery meal kits reduced food waste to zero,they would still use up more energy overall than buying the same food from the supermarket unless the energy used for the meal kit packaging was cut by a fifth. The packaging is a killer if it’s single-use and thrown away,which can make all the environmental benefits lost. But if the packaging can be reused,if it’s glass bottles,like in the old days,we can get some benefits.
1. What can we learn about home delivery meal kits?A.They can cut down on daily expenses. |
B.They will totally solve the problem of food waste. |
C.They can keep energy consumption to a minimum. |
D.They will benefit the environment with reusable packaging. |
A.Attach. | B.Adjust. |
C.Raise. | D.Compare. |
A.reduce transport emissions | B.save more food |
C.shop only in the supermarket | D.shorten car trip distances |
A.Supportive. | B.Unfavorable. |
C.Objective. | D.Indifferent. |
1. 活动目的;
2. 活动详情;
3. 活动反响。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
A Volunteer Activity
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6 . Despite Kyle Tianshi being only a 15-year-old US high schooler, he has published five sci-fi novels. His fifth book Eventide was released in July. However, this may not be his most impressive achievement as Kyle just received the “Hero Award”, a $20, 000 grand prize. It is the top honor in the California Youth Sustainability Awards. The competition aims to encourage and support young community leaders who are making a difference for sustainability in their communities by taking action for the planet.
Kyle, a sophomore from the Cambridge School in the US, received the honor for his portable invention called NEREID. The device can detect microscopic particles (粒子) in water by using a laser and microscope. These particles can be harmful to people and the environment.
Kyle came up with the idea for the invention based on his experience growing up in San Diego, California, US. People had no access to unpolluted drinking water and his parents asked him not to drink tap water. Kyle spent about $60 buying the tools needed to analyze the tap water: a laser, a microscope and a micro-computer. “It’s incredibly powerful for the price,” Kyle said. Then he used their family’s garage as his laboratory, doing research on the pollution of drinking water caused by micro-plastics.
Kyle hopes to bring to market a low-cost alternative tool for detecting micro-plastic pollution levels in drinking water. In this way, he can offer help to people who don’t have access to water filtration (过滤) systems. He has applied for a patent.
Kyle said his sister Emily, a freshman at Stanford University, inspired his interest in environmental research. She was recognized nationally for developing a water collection device. They have founded the Clearwater Innovation program to advocate for clean water through social media platforms and organize community cleanup events.
1. What do we know about Kyle?A.He is good at adapting sci-fi works. |
B.He entered many novel contests. |
C.He received an award for his invention. |
D.He’s found microscopic particles in water. |
A.People’s lack of clean drinking water. | B.People’s poor living conditions. |
C.His desire to be a community leader. | D.His family’s encouragement. |
A.Considerate and brave. | B.Optimistic and honest. |
C.Determined and humorous. | D.Responsible and creative. |
A.The introduction of NEREID. | B.A boy’s contribution to literature. |
C.The harm of polluted water. | D.A US schooler’s water solution. |
7 . Coming upon a clear - cut in an old forest is a shocking experience. Tees large and small are collapsed one above the other in pile, and the ground is covered with the tracks of heavy machinery. Such was the scene when forest activist Zack Porter and I hiked a newly built logging (伐木) road in Green Mountain National Forest.
Clear - cutting in the American forests has long been widespread. But now, the Forest Habitat Creation Project represents new reasoning which is hotly debated - that clear - cutting benefits native creatures. The thinking is that clear - cutting done wisely can mimic natural disturbances, for example, from insect invasions or from storms overturning older trees that produce what ecologists call Early Successional Habitats - places where young trees and bushes get the upper hand and animals that depend on such habitat thrive.
The project also states that forests “can only be saved by being destroyed” - by keeping them young. Timber (木材) interests are enthusiastic about the approach because it lets them profit from cutting trees while claiming the significance of conservation. Hunting groups favor it because a younger, less thick forest makes it easier to find the game and birds they're tracking.
Nevertheless, Porter says, “Allowing some of the oldest standing trees in New England to be removed is equal to dereliction of duty on the part of the government, who sees the forests as commodities (商品).” “Forests can produce clean water, clean air, carbon storage, and biodiversity that we need,” he continues as we walk among lovely mixed hardwoods and evergreens that are cut down for logging. “We shouldn't be removing them for short - term gain.”
In this sense, Zack Porter's description of logging for wildlife for short - term gain - the short - term gain of favoring habitat for species people today want to see and hunt - is reasonable.
1. How does the author start the text?A.By presenting some ideas. | B.By listing some evidence. |
C.By comparing different views. | D.By stating his own experience. |
A.Profits can be made from logging. |
B.Clear - cutting is beneficial to the wildlife. |
C.The conservation of forest is of significance. |
D.Clear - cutting can cause natural disturbances. |
A.Fulfillment. | B.Promise. | C.Misconduct. | D.Exposure. |
A.A New Approach to Forest Protection |
B.A Hiking Experience in the Logging Road |
C.How to Build Early Successional Habitats? |
D.Is Clear - cutting Forests Good for Wildlife? |
New Yorkers were shocked in early December when a creature as big as a school bus
Scientists say NYC0089, which hasn't been spotted in several weeks, has likely returned to deeper waters south of the Hudson. Still, the
“With these numbers increasing
Scientists say the
“Seeing more whales in this area is a sign
1. 阐述环境保护的重要性;
2. 分享班级在环境保护方面的做法和成果;
3. 呼吁全校师生参与环境保护行动。
注意:
1. 词数100左右;
2. 可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Dear teachers, boys and girls,
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Thank you!
10 . Amphibian (两栖动物) species are disappearing at an alarming rate across the globe due to habitat loss, pollution, and disease. FrogWatch trainings cover the importance of amphibians in the environment, how monitoring our local frog population helps to protect them, factors to consider in choosing a site to monitor, how to identify frog species by their calls and how to report findings to FrogWatch USA. Become a citizen scientist with FrogWatch USA, and help save our frogs!
Date: Saturday, June 4, 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.
Price: $10household (includes up to 2 adults and 2 children age 8+)
Training instruction:
FrogWatch trainings cover the importance of amphibians in the environment. The instruction focuses on how to:
1. monitor our local frog population to protect the species;
2. determine factors when choosing a site to monitor;
3. recognize frog species by their calls;
4. report findings to FrogWatch USA.
After passing a test on identifying frog calls at the end of the training, certified volunteers then commit themselves to monitoring a local amphibian habitat (such as a pond or lake) approximately once a week for about 15 minutes, and collecting /submitting data on what they hear. Data collected will be added to a national FrogWatch USA database. In 2020, Rhode Island FrogWatch citizen scientists followed 80 sites almost 900 times! In those 900 observations, FrogWatchers, heard more than 1,220 frog choruses.
Questions: Contact Programs@rwpzoo.org or call (401)785-3510 ext. 358.
Please note: FrogWatch trainings will cover a large amount of information and protocols (规程). While FrogWatching is a great after-dark family activity for all ages, the trainings are designed for interested older children and adults.
1. How can you tell frog species apart?
A.By their colors. | B.By their shapes. | C.By their voices. | D.By their sizes. |
A.To collect data about frogs. | B.To set up a database for frogs. |
C.To take a test on frog knowledge. | D.To guard frog habitats once a week. |
A.Frogs need to be watched by a family. |
B.It is dangerous to watch frogs at night. |
C.Small children aren’t suitable for trainings. |
D.People have to take notes about frog information. |