2 . Top scientists have emphasized the importance of forest carbon sinks as having an irreplaceable role in reducing carbon in the atmosphere and ultimately combating climate change.

Yin Weilun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former principal of Beijing Forestry University, said that forests and grasslands hold a unique position in combating global climate change.

Forest carbon sinks are plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fix it in vegetation or soil, thereby reducing concentration of the gas, Yin said.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Forestry and Grassland Carbon Sink Innovation International Forum, which is running parallel to the Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing from Thursday to Tuesday, the scientist said that good forest management can increase carbon absorption capability.

Yin called for more research in forest management to ensure the sustainability of forests and their carbon sink capacity.

“The growth and development cycle of each tree species is different. For example, poplars (白杨木) reach their peak height in about 20 years. After that, they are unlikely to grow and the tree top will rot away.”

To use land efficiently, forest managers must cut down some rotten trees and replace them with young ones so that the forest system can maintain its ability to reproduce and act as a carbon sink, he said.

Yin also stressed the need for increasing forest reserves, grasslands and wetlands to enhance their ability to absorb carbon.

At the forum, Du Xiangwan, former deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said forests and grasslands can make multiple contributions to climate change mitigation as each cubic meter of wood growth can absorb an average of 1.83 metric tons of carbon dioxide, he said.

In addition, afforestation, grassland and wetland restoration, and desertification control not only protect biodiversity but also provide solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, he added.

Last year, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration set up a carbon sink research institute to study the country’s potential for carbon sinks through forests and grasslands.

This research work will assess the spatial distribution of carbon sinks with the aim of understanding how to increase them, the administration said.

1. How does forest carbon sink function ?

A．By reducing carbon in the sky.	B．By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
C．By absorbing carbon dioxide in vegetation or soil.	D．By reducing the spread of the gases

2. Good forest management is so important because       .

A．it can prevent tree cut.	B．it can ensure land availability.
C．it can maintain forest reproduction.	D．it can increase carbon absorption capability.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that       .

A．Forest carbon sinks can never be replaced in combating climate change.

B．If necessary, some trees must be cut down for the young growth.

C．The climate change is undergoing the worst situation in China.

D．More researches are needed to do for the forest management.

3 . 曾经万泉河存在着水污染的困扰，影响到了民众的生活，政府和社会采取了一系列的措施，作为校环境保护协会的一名成员，请你以此写一篇报告，警示学生要保护环境。
请你完成这一篇报告，内容要点如下：
1. 写明万泉河水污染的原因；
2. 已经采取了哪些措施（2-3点）；
3. 你的号召。
其他要求：80词左右。（注意使用本单元所学的语言表达和写作要点）

Reducing Water Pollution In The Wanquan River

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4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

   We all share a great responsibility to protect the environment, without which we could not survive.     1    , the amount and scale of environment issues may seem too much for ordinary people. But with hard work and     2    (determine), anyone can achieve great things.

One such person is Yin Yuzhen. At a young age, Yin moved to Inner Mongolia to live with her husband in the desert. She felt very lonely.     3    (improve) the tough environment and cheer     4    (she) up, Yin began planting trees to take land back from the desert. “I would rather die of tiredness from fighting the sand than     5    (bury) by it!” She said.

The deserts of Inner Mongolia have spread over centuries. Planting small trees was very hard work. The couple had to travel on foot,     6    (do) everything by hand. At first, many trees did not survive, but over the years, she learnt from her failures, discovering the best plants and methods to use to successfully plant a forest in the desert.

Over more than three decades, Yin Yuzhen and her husband     7    (plant) over 300,000 trees and have taken back a large area of land from the desert. Yin has received praise and awards from all over the world. It has been said of Yin: “She is a symbol of courage, patience and perseverance. Her work in greeting the desert deserves     8    (universe) respect.”

It is inspiring to see a clear example of     9     the problem of desertification can be dealt with. Although actions may seem small and insignificant, over time they join together to become great achievements. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step and the will to continue, and a great forest begins with     10     single small tree and the will to protect and nurture it. Take your first step. Plant your first tree.

8 . Windows open? Fans on? Ready for another water break? For schools across Greater Toronto, the extremely hot temperatures provided some lessons in how to beat the heat—or at least attempt to—without air conditioning. It wasn’t easy. With some classroom temperatures getting close to 40℃—one teacher even handed out temperature meters to see how hot it got—both students and educators were red-faced and bathed with sweat all day.

The extreme weather had some parents wondering if their children should be spending most of the day inside hot schools, and a few chose to keep them home. Very few schools across Greater Toronto are air-conditioned. There are no rules or requirements that schools shut down as the temperature rises.

At Bowmore public school, near Coxwell Ave. and Gerrard St. E, teachers arrive at 7 am and open all the doors and windows to circulate fresh air. The windows at the school, replaced in stages over the past few years, swing in at the top, and out at the bottom to provide better air flow.

“Is it hot? Yes. Is it something that makes us feel uncomfortable? Yes,” said Headmaster Lilian Hanson. Despite that, she said she’d never advocate for air conditioners in schools, which are expensive and would consume the city’s electric power. She’d rather see more gardens, more trees—more natural solutions, more sustainable choices.

“We are teaching kids to make good choices,” she said. “Social responsibility is the key.” Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 seek pleasant places under trees and in the outdoor peaceful garden during the break time between classes and after school as the trees there provide much-needed shade. Teachers also take classes with students out there during the day. And kids do get the message about staying cool. Students are reminded to dress in cool clothing. When Hanson arrived at work in a dark-colored dress, a student asked her: “What were you thinking wearing a black dress on a day like today?”

1. What can be learned about the new windows at Bowmore public school?

A．They can let air in and out continuously.

B．They can let more light in.

C．They can stop the noise.

D．They can collect rains.

2. Why was Lilian Hanson against fixing air conditioners in schools?

A．She thought the heat bearable.

B．The schools hadn’t enough money.

C．The city lacked enough power.

D．She was concerned more about environment.

3. How did the student feel after seeing Hanson in a dark-colored dress?

A．Frightened.

B．Puzzled.

C．Embarrassed.

D．Interested.

4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A．The students enjoy studying outdoors.

B．The school is unfriendly to the students.

C．The school beats the heat in different ways.

D．The students are free to learn anything they like.

9 . Europeans got more of their electricity from renewable sources than fossil fuels for the first time last year, according to an annual report from Ember and Agora Energiewende.

The report, which has been tracking European Union’s power sector since 2015, found that renewables delivered 38% of electricity last year, compared to 37% delivered by fossil fuels.

The shift comes as other sources, such as wind and solar power, have risen in the European Union. Both sources have nearly doubled since 2015, and as of last year accounted for one-fifth of electricity generation in EU countries, the report found. It’s also the reason why coal power declined 20% last year, making up only 13% of electricity generated in Europe.

“Rapid growth in wind and solar has forced coal into decline, but this is just the beginning,” said Dave Jones, senior electricity analyst for Ember and lead author on the report, in a statement. “Europe is relying on wind and solar to ensure not only coal is phased out by 2030, but also to phase out gas generation, replace closing nuclear power plants, and to meet rising electricity demand from electric cars and heat pumps.”

Last year’s COVID-19 lockdown measures resulted in less demand for electricity across the globe. European demand decreased by 4% in 2020, according to the report, which said COVID trends had no effect on the growth of renewable energy sources. Since 2015, Europe’s electricity emissions recorded a historic decline, becoming 29% cleaner, the report noted.

The milestone follows commitments from EU leaders last month to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. In the United States, their counterparts (同身份的人) successfully developed renewable energy to overtake coal consumption in recent years. Last May, renewable energy sources were consumed more than coal for the first time since 1885.

“Post-pandemic economic recovery must not slow down climate action,” said Patrick Graichen, director of Agora Energiewende, in a statement. “We therefore need strong climate policies — such as in the Green Deal — to ensure steady progress.”

1. What happened in EU countries according to the first three paragraphs?

A．The use of renewables declined by 38% last year.

B．20% of electricity was generated by renewables last year.

C．Fossil fuels were no longer used to generate electricity.

D．Coal power made up just 13% of electricity generation last year.

2. Which of the following does Dave Jones agree with?

A．Cutting greenhouse gas emissions forced coal into decline.

B．Coal consumption is phased out due to rapid growth in wind and solar.

C．More nuclear power plants should be built to meet electricity demand.

D．Fossil fuels will eventually be abandoned in European countries.

3. What happened after the COVID-19 lockdown according to the passage?

A．The demand for renewables decreased across the globe.

B．Electricity consumption dropped to a historic record.

C．The growth in wind and solar power was hardly influenced.

D．The economy was making steady progress.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing this article?

A．To compare renewable sources with fossil fuels.

B．To report on electricity generation in Europe.

C．To emphasize recovery in post-pandemic era.

D．To advocate strong climate policies in Europe.