2 . “The fact that the smoke reached São Paulo and blackened an afternoon proves how unusual the fires that burn in the countryside of Brazil are,” Ricardo Mello, head of the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) Amazon program, said.

The latest figures come at a time of international protest against the inaction of President Jair Bolsonaro's administration. In July, Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) showed data to the public, which indicated that there had been a significant rise in deforestation (毁林) rates. Particularly, the figures showed that in July 2019, deforestation had increased nearly 300 percent in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Environmentalists are becoming increasingly concerned, accusing the government of encouraging deforestation and those who want to make use of the forest for commercial gain. During his time in power, Bolsonaro has moved to rob some power of government agencies that are responsible for protecting the rainforest as well as regulations covering native lands and nature reserves. Bolsonaro sees these kinds of regulations as a drag on economic growth in the Amazon region.

Fire in the Amazon is used as a technique to clear land for agriculture. “Farmers clear cut land to make way for agriculture, and then wait for the dry season to set fire to clear the land so they can plant，” Mello said. “It's likely that all of these forest fires are deliberately set by humans.”

Now it is the dry season in the Amazon, which means conditions in many parts of the rainforest are suitable for the fires to spread over large areas. “It is very unlikely that those fires break out naturally，” Mello said. “It is important to remember that 2019 is not a strong El Niño year. When we have strong El Niños, weather gets drier in the northern part of Brazil and this favors fires. This is not the case of 2019.”

1. Why are deforestation figures of 2018 and 2019 compared?

A．To share knowledge of the Amazon forest.

B．To show how the Brazil president governs.

C．To stress the seriousness of deforestation.

D．To express the anger of environmentalists.

2. What does President Bolsonaro do for deforestation?

A．Weakening relevant government agencies.

B．Encouraging the fight for commercial gain.

C．Using techniques to clear land for agriculture.

D．Defending regulations about nature reserves.

3. What are the weather conditions of the Amazon when the fires break out?

A．They're fit for fires to break out naturally.

B．The Amazon experiences the dry season.

C．They're possible for fires to spread everywhere.

D．The Amazon is just in a strong El Niño year.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Jair Bolsonaro's Administration Was Accused

B．Farmers Cleared Amazon Land for Agriculture

C．Unusual Rainforest Fires: Effects on Health and Weather

D．Amazon Fires: Possibly Linked to Environmental Policies

3 . Skeptics are strange a lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The "eco-guilt" brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.

Perhaps that explains why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the "real state of the world" as fine. Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets of some big businesses with special interests. Indeed, Mr. Lomborg's views are similar to those of some industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities through the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.

So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg's book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that "After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down."

Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg's "preference for unexamined materials is incredible".

A critical eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interest. People might become half-blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That's a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly.

1. According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as "skeptics"?

A．People who agree on the popularity of "eco-guilt".

B．People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities.

C．People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet.

D．People who spread comforting news to protect our environment.

2. Which of the following can be a reason for the popularity of Lomborg's books?

A．The book challenges views about the fine state of the world.

B．Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests.

C．The author convinces people to speak comforting worldviews.

D．Industry–funded media present confusing information.

3. The author mentioned the review in Nature in order to_________.

A．find fault with Lomborg's book

B．voice a different opinion

C．challenge the authority of the media

D．point out the value of scientific views

4. What is the author's main purpose in writing the passage?

A．To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media.

B．To warn the public of the danger of half–blindness with reviews.

C．To blame the media's lack of responsibility in information.

D．To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye.