1 . For long, Preifer Fall Trail (路线) was a most popular attraction in Big Sur. Annually, thousands of people hiked the trail. Unfortunately, the trail, along with stairs, signs, railings, an observation station and wooden bridges, was destroyed in the 2008 Basin Complex Fire. But now a new trail has risen from the burned land.

With its amazing rocky coastline and mountains, Big Sur, the writer Henry Miller once said, is “the face of the earth as the creator intended it to look.” But the landscape always suffers natural disasters. There have been three major wildfires in Big Sur in the past years. “You can still see the impacts there,” said John Hiles, a state parks repair team leader, pointing to black marks 30 feet up a huge redwood.

Parks planners designed a new track, moving the trail out of the river to reduce its impact on the environment. People from the California protection group, state parks department and the nonprofit organization put in 66,000 hours of work over the past four years. They built 160 redwood stairs and dragged hundreds of 16-foot-long redwood sticks by hand to build railings. They removed 4,150 square feet of old building stuff, enough to cover a basketball court. They used iron cables and pulleys (缆线和滑轮) to build a 70-foot long wooden bridge over the hills. “Nature is probably the best place to learn,” Hiles said. “More than any college or school, you learn so many life lessons out here.”

However, the huge Soberanes Fire s wept through the area in 2016, putting a stop to the work. When they began again in 2017, great river storms flooded the area and damaged part of Highway 1. Everybody gathered around this project. They saw the loss. They missed it. They wanted it to come back. They kept combining efforts. It’s been a long journey, but worth the wait.

1. What can we learn about Preifer Fall Trail?

A．It is an attraction rebuilt in 2008.	B．It met with many natural disasters.
C．It features man-made landscape.	D．It is an addition to a previous track.

2. How did the people reduce the impact of the trail on the environment?

A．By moving the trail off watercourse.	B．By using huge redwood sticks.
C．By recycling the old building stuff.	D．By applying iron cables and pulleys.

3. What can best describe the people’s work?

A．Limiting and typical.	B．Adventurous but smooth.
C．Mysterious and attractive.	D．Tough but rewarding.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The rise and fall of a hiking trail.	B．California protection projects.
C．The recovery of a lost attraction.	D．Journeys into wilderness.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Wildlife protection is     1     global issue, as illegal hunting and habitat loss continue to threaten the balance of ecosystems (生态系统). The decrease in species has caused concerns among individuals and organizations all over the world.     2     (recognize) the serious need for actions, people are making efforts to raise awareness to fight     3     these harmful practices.

To deal with the threats faced by wildlife, building reserves and habitats plays an important role. These areas provide a safe place for various species to survive, allowing     4     (they) to live and grow without the effect of human activities. By     5     (create) these protected spaces, we can ensure the     6     (preserve) of their natural habitats and protect their populations for future generations to enjoy. However, the challenge     7     (lie) in keeping the balance between conservation and economic development. Practical practices, such as responsible tourism and the promotion of environment-friendly industries, can create income without doing harm to the well-being of wildlife and their habitats. By carrying out these practical practices, we can develop a     8     (harmony) relationship between human activities and the natural world.

    9     (true), wildlife protection is a necessary issue     10     requires efforts from governments, organizations, and individuals. By rising awareness and applying stricter management, we can reduce the threats faced by endangered species.

3 . As a research scholar at the Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, I once monitored birds that inhabited grasslands in Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area in Northeast India. This habitat forms a part of one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth. Yet despite their ecological importance and uniqueness, most grasslands are classified by the Indian government as “wastelands”.

Ecosystems throughout the world are suffering from the effects of unchecked habitat loss and climate change. While all types of ecosystems—forests, grasslands, oceans, wetlands and deserts—feel these effects, there is evidence of bias (偏好) towards the conservation of forest biodiversity. This bi as hurts the preservation of other ecosystems, including the grasslands that make up 24 percent of the Indian landmass. These grasslands are home to important biodiversity and support the livelihoods of millions of people, yet are defined in India by their value in being turned into forests for fighting climate change.

Apart from being costly, the move overlooks the ecological and social value of grasslands by turning them into mono-culture forests, which do not provide the same ecological benefits. Yet, grasslands could be equally good at storing carbon.

India and other countries with substantial grasslands need to recognize, support and prioritize evidence-based scientific attempts that focus on grasslands by establishing grassland-specific restoration efforts, as well as by mapping their extent and the ecosystem services they provide for humans. The time is ripe for abandoning outdated labelings like “wastelands”.

Already, communities like the Todas and the Idu Mishmi people are protecting grasslands in India through collective action and local stewardship (管理), which are helping them connect with the grasslands. With the aim of preserving the richness of nature, the government must restore greater rights to local communities to manage grasslands. Grasslands are an important feature of an ecologically sound India, one that must be preserved for that value above all others.

1. What does the author want to stress in the second paragraph?

A．Forests are hotspots of biodiversity.	B．Deserts badly affect local ecology.
C．Climate change threatens ecosystems.	D．Grasslands need equal conservation.

2. What is the author’s attitude to Indian government’s move?

A．Tolerant.

B．Unclear.

C．Negative.

D．Favorable.

3. Who should be encouraged to protect the grasslands according to the text?

A．Government officials.	B．Local communities.
C．University researchers.	D．International agencies.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Stop Treating Grasslands as Wastelands	B．Take Active Steps to Limit Grasslands
C．Recognize the Polluted Grasslands	D．Transform Grasslands into Forests

4 . Wildlife Preservation Volunteer Programs

Elephant Preservation Volunteer Program in Nepal

This program is suitable for active volunteers who love animals and want to care for the well-being of elephants. No experience is needed as you’ll be working closely with placement staff. The elephant shelter takes in elephants that have medical issues and require care.

Volunteers are accommodated in a local hotel. You should expect to share a room with one other volunteer.

Marine (海洋的) Preservation Volunteer Program in Croatia

This program is suitable for physically fit volunteers who are experienced divers (潜水员). You will use your diving skills to collect marine waste from the bottom of the seabed. You will work within a team on sorting waste out and handing it to the recycling centre.

Volunteers will be accommodated in a hotel. Local workers will clean the accommodation throughout the week.

Victoria Falls Wildlife Volunteering in Zimbabwe

This program is suitable for animal-loving volunteers who want to contribute to protecting amazing creatures and their habitats. Activities include animal tracking, camping out on the reserve and supporting other partner organizations.

Volunteers are accommodated within private rooms at the preservation centre. The accommodation has an open-air area where volunteers can socialize.

Amazon Jungle Preservation Volunteer Program in Peru

This program is suitable for volunteers who care about the environment, like working hard and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. It’s a great opportunity if you’re looking to reset your life by getting out of your comfort zone. You’ll also be developing personally and professionally.

Volunteers are accommodated in local people’s houses. There are running showers but you can expect water to he cold.

1. What do the programs in Nepal and Zimbabwe have in common?

A．They need experienced volunteers.

B．They are suitable for animal lovers.

C．They include dirty work in the field.

D．They require camping out on the reserve.

2. What can be known about the volunteers working undersea?

A．They work on the seabed all the time.

B．They help to keep the environment clean.

C．They are taught diving skills after arrival.

D．They lead a team to explore the marine creatures.

3. Which program provides the hardest living conditions?

A．Elephant Preservation Volunteer Program.

B．Marine Preservation Volunteer Program.

C．Victoria Falls Wildlife Volunteering.

D．Amazon Jungle Preservation Volunteer Program.

5 . Have you ever enjoyed a trip to a zoo, but wondered whether it is acceptable for humans to keep so many treasured animals in cages. You are not alone. Many people concerned about the fate of zoo animals and feel conflicted about the very existence of zoos. However, there is no reason to worry.

Most zoos around the world provide the highest level of care and cleanliness for their animal residents. In fact, animals in zoos often experience far healthier lives than they would in the wild due to the access to medical care.

Zoos provide opportunities for people of all ages to view and connect with animal life that they would otherwise not encounter. By interacting with wild life, people can gain a greater appreciation for the animals of the world. Zoos offer educational experiences through which people can learn why it is so important to protect and maintain the diversity of animal life on Earth.

Zoos also function as places where these often rare or endangered animals can be studied. By keeping and raising animals in cages, extensive research can be conducted on the animals to help scientists understand them. This scientific understanding, in turn, contributes to conservation efforts around the world. Because zoos are a safe place for animals to be observed, scientists are able to make important discoveries about their lives.

While it is true that not all zoos are as well maintained and equipped, there is growing international pressure for universal regulations that will ensure the monitoring of all public zoos. This type of legal support will allow the world’s zoos to continue their important research programs, many of which are adjusted toward breeding programs designed to make more endangered species come in. Breeding programs are essential to continue certain species which are nearly wiped out from the wild, and zoos are the ideal place for these programs to promote the increase of the animals. In this manner, zoos contribute to restoring balance in the wilderness by giving endangered species a second-chance at survival.

If you visit a top-ranking zoo, you will enjoy viewing animals in a habitat designed to support their health. You can rest assured that by supporting such zoos as a visitor, you are also supporting valuable science and conservation efforts. Your interactions with the animals and exhibits might educate you further about creatures in parts of the world you haven’t been exposed to.

When people are inspired, they tend to take action more readily, and zoos are an inspiring example of this truth. Zoos provide an unforgettable experience in appreciating animal life and take concrete action towards advocating for their future.

1. According to the passage, most zoos ________.

A．worry about the fate of rare and treasured animals

B．create ways for people to observe and learn animals’ life

C．provide poor care and unclean environment for the animals

D．educate people to try their best to control the diversity of animals

2. We can learn from the passage that ________.

A．public zoos around the world are all monitored

B．only the endangered animals should be kept in zoos

C．visiting zoos contributes to protecting endangered animals

D．Top-ranking zoos allow visitors to study animals’ habitats

3. The attitude of the author towards animals’ living in zoos is probably ________.

A．critical

B．cautious

C．supportive

D．anxious

4. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Are Zoo Animals Healthy?	B．Are Zoos Really Bad News?
C．Why Should We Study Animals?	D．Should Animals Be Kept in Cages?

6 . 假定你是李华，校英语口语社正在组织“节约电力资源”主题演讲活动，请你以Be Energy Smart为题，写一篇倡议书参赛，谈一谈日常生活如何节电的做法(至少两点)。
注意：1. 词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Be Energy Smart

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . Jace Tunnell, the founder of Nurdle I troll and Reserve Director at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, is listening to the same question often.

“I hear every day, somebody says, ‘What is a nurdle?’” he said.

Tunnell explained nurdles are tiny balls of plastic that are typically used to make almost every plastic item we use, so they’re everywhere! He said nurdles are usually spilled (溢出) during transport from cargo ships or railroad cars. “These things would be out here for hundreds of years if we’re not picking them up,” Tunnell said while on a recent Nurdle Patrol cleanup along Galveston Bay.

Since 2018, Nurdle Patrol has grown to thousands of volunteers worldwide. Many people -volunteer with Nurdle Patrol and work for the Galveston Bay Foundation. Nurdle Patrol groups upload their findings to the nonprofit’s website map. It’s marked in colors to show where the highest concentration of nurdles is found.

“They look natural, and birds think that they’re food,” Tunnell said, “Birds, fish, sea turtles and other sea animals can eat nurdles and finally die from hunger because of a false sensation of fullness and lack of nutrition.”

I ended up finding 123 nurdles in 10 minutes. That’s high concentration,” Tunnell said about a recent cleanup. “I plan to take those to an elected official and say, ‘Look, these are what I found on our beaches here. We need to do something about this.’ So, it kind of puts in motion change that can happen.”

Nurdle Patrol has sent out hundreds of kits (工具包) globally, many to schools and volunteer organizations, with information about gathering nurdles and reporting the findings safely. Anyone can request a kit through their website.

1. What do we know about the nurdle?

A．It is easily broken down.	B．It is a small piece of plastic.
C．It was invented by Tunnell.	D．It is mainly used to make ships.

2. What do Tunnell’s words in paragraph 5 mainly stress?

A．The unique look of nurdles.	B．The number of nurdles in the sea.
C．Nurdles’ harm to sea animals’ food.	D．Nurdles’ impact on sea animals.

3. What does Tunnell want to do?

A．Draw a map of nurdles’ concentration.	B．Call the government’s attention to nurdles.
C．Organize more cleanups along the beaches.	D．Share his findings on Nurdle Patrol’s website.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Group surveys the level of pollution in the sea	B．Group takes action to reduce the use of plastics
C．Group tries to deal with pollutant harming wildlife	D．Group looks for volunteers for its beach cleanups