1 . Anna Devolld likes bees, butterflies, ladybugs, hummingbirds and even bats. The 17-year-old prize winner is now helping small things to make a difference. Many TV programs and newspapers have featured her about her efforts to introduce the vital role pollinators (授粉者) play. You might say she’s been busy as a bee. She has created and helped plant over 2,000 free Pollinator Packs, each containing six different pollinator-friendly seedlings (幼苗). She also regularly visits local classrooms to teach students about pollinators and to help them plant their own Pollinator Packs.
As a teenager, Anna worried about the little things that keep our world beautiful and our orchards (果园) producing food. Anna’s solution is to increase habitats that attract pollinators and to educate the next generation about the importance of creating pollinator-friendly spaces. Her first project was creating activities and coloring books for kids to help them understand how important pollinators are to our planet. Next, she created Pollinator Packs: plants that attract bees and other pollinators to your garden. It wasn’t long before she was part of community councils encouraging the planting of pollinators in communities and roadside hallways. She now serves on her local government’s environmental advisory commission.
“One out of every three bites of food we take is dependent on pollinators,” Anna tells us. “Sadly, every one of these creatures is declining at an alarming rate.” We all can make a difference. As Anna says, “Find something you are passionate about, no matter how small, and see how you can change the world.”
So, the next time you take a bite out of a delicious apple or peach, or even better, enjoy your favorite fruit in a home-baked pie, think about all the little creatures that made it happen. Then think about Anna and how one teenage girl is making sure millions of pollinators are happy and productive.
1. What does Anna do to make a difference?| A．She gets pollinators known to people. | B．She makes speeches on TV programs. |
| C．She promotes her products among kids. | D．She sponsors the locals to grow plants. |
| A．A pack of pollinating bees. | B．A group of beneficial insects. |
| C．Some pollinator-friendly plants. | D．Community-based fruit gardens. |
| A．Nature helps one grow up. | B．Even small effort counts. |
| C．Learning benefits children. | D．Curiosity tops everything. |
| A．Enjoy our time with fruits. | B．Plant more trees around. |
| C．Learn from nature. | D．Be nice to pollinators. |
2 . In Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard takes us through her career in the forests, working on plantations to identify links between crop production, herbicide (除草剂) use and species diversity. In carrying out these studies, she goes on to discover that trees communicate through underground fungi (真菌) networks. At the centre of these webs is an individual known as the “mother tree” that coordinates, feeds and sustains the other members of the forest.
The strength of this story isn’t only in the discoveries she makes, but her courageous persistence. She recalls how some members of her profession almost laughed her out of the room on first hearing her findings, not helped by the fact that she was a woman in a male-dominated field, trying to convince a room full of foresters that their age-old methods were imperfect.
Like Robin Wall Kimmerer combining ecology and the human spirit, Simard demonstrates that scientific research is not only about figures and conferences, but a voyage of passion and self-reflection that depends on the instinctive character of the human mind and the precision of experimentation. Simard’s ancestry is rooted in the outdoors, yet she recognises that the old ways of working with the land must evolve. She refuses to let cultural biases (偏见) influence her, instead listening to what the forest tells her.
This book also shares insights into Simard’s personal life: friendships, marriage, motherhood and breast cancer. She connects these seemingly separate parts of her life to her research into tree relationships, air, Earth and beyond. Her own relationships, not just with people but with trees, become reflections on connections with Earth. Her book thus invites us to embrace this connection with Earth when she writes: “I can’t tell if my blood is in the trees or if the trees are in my blood.”
1. Which aspect of the “mother tree” does the first paragraph focus on?| A．Its central role in the forest. | B．Its communication with fungi. |
| C．Its influence on species diversity. | D．Its unique effects on crop production. |
| A．Her absence of determination. | B．Her doubts about fellow colleagues. |
| C．Her lack of supporting evidence. | D．Her challenge to long-held beliefs. |
| A．By counting on human instinct. |
| B．By prioritizing figures and conferences. |
| C．By completely getting rid of cultural biases. |
| D．By passionately studying the true needs of nature. |
| A．Interconnectivity is at the core of her writing. |
| B．Her writing inspiration comes from observation. |
| C．Reflection is the key to developing relationships with trees. |
| D．Her experiences are separate from her work on studying trees. |
3 . The practice of removing best-before dates labels and plastic packaging could prevent 14 million shopping baskets’ worth of food from going to waste, a food waste charity Wrap has recommended. Doing so would make consumers buy the right amount, avoiding buying bigger packets than they need, and judge for themselves when items were still fine to eat.
Wrap’s chairman Marcus Gover called the practice a game-changer in the fight against food waste and plastic pollution. He said they had demystified (使容易理解) the relationship between wasted food, plastic packaging, date labels and food storage.
“It is clear that plastic packaging doesn’t necessarily extend the life of fresh produce, but instead can increase waste,” he said. Around 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted in the UK every year, according to previous Wrap figures, with more than 85% coming from households and food producers.
Based on an 18-month study into five commonly wasted items — apples, bananas, broccoli, cucumber and potatoes — stored in the original packaging and at different temperatures, Wrap found produce good to eat well after the best-before date, with apples lasting at least two and a half months after if stored at 4℃, and broccoli staying fresh for more than two weeks afterwards. Removing the best-before dates labels could save 100,000 tonnes of household food waste, more than 10,300 tonnes of plastic and 130,000 tonnes of carbon emission a year, Wrap found.
Susan Jebb, chairwoman of the Food Standards Agency, said businesses should use date labels carefully and make it clear when it’s necessary to help shoppers reduce the risk of food-related illnesses. “A best-before date is about quality, which means the food will be safe to eat after this date, even if it may not be at its best,” she said, whereas use-by dates should be reserved for food like meat and salad which can become unsafe more quickly.
1. Why does Marcus call the practice a game-changer?| A．It saves products’ costs. | B．It increases production. |
| C．It ensures food’s safety. | D．It protects the environment. |
| A．Some food is harmless after the best-before date. |
| B．The best-before date contributes to food storage. |
| C．The best-before date label reduces the waste. |
| D．Label-making leads to massive carbon emission. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Indifferent. | C．Cautious. | D．Opposed. |
| A．The Best-Before Date Is Seldom Unreliable |
| B．Plastic Packages Can Keep Foods Fresh Longer |
| C．Food Plastic Packages Are a Double-Edged Sword |
| D．No Unnecessary Best-Before Dates and Plastic Packages |
4 . Our recommended list of environmental books covers a broad range of topics on conservation issues.
The End of Nature
Published in 1989, The End of Nature describes the relationship between nature and humans. It expresses the idea that nature was previously independent of humans but has now been affected by them in every way. According to author Bill McKibben, the idea of wilderness (荒野) is lost, and nature is no longer complete. The book focuses on the concepts of nature and wilderness and the value they have lost.
Silent Spring
Written by Rachel Carson, Silent Spring has been described as a landmark work of environmental writing and has brought an environmental movement into mainstream focus. The book highlights the bad effects of insecticides (杀虫剂) on the environment, especially DDT, which was a very popular insecticide until it was finally banned in 1972. The book eventually changed the insecticide policy in the United States and contributed to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Sixth Extinction
The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, describes previous mass extinction events and connects them to many extinctions currently taking place. Kolbert studies the relationships between humans and the environment and finds that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, which is caused by humans.
The Uninhabitable Earth
This book by David Wallace Wells provides a detailed look at how we treat the Earth and how our actions will affect us and the planet’s future. The Uninhabitable Earth argues that current actions will not be enough to prevent the effects of climate change. The author examines the disasters that have already occurred and looks ahead to the year 2100 and what climate change will do if we continue on our current path.
1. Which book led to the establishment of an environmental organization?| A．The End of Nature. | B．Silent Spring. |
| C．The Sixth Extinction. | D．The Uninhabitable Earth. |
| A．It deals with the sixth mass extinction. | B．It expresses that nature is not complete. |
| C．It is the most important environmental work. | D．It mainly discusses future climate change. |
| A．They are experienced environmental conservationists. |
| B．They disagree on changing the attitudes towards nature. |
| C．They agreed insecticides are harmful to the environment. |
| D．They believe mankind caused extinctions of some species. |
5 . In recent years, wooden buildings have reached new heights, with rocketing timber (木材) skyscrapers completed or underway in countries like Norway, Switzerland and Australia. Now, real estate (房地产) developer Atrium Ljungberg has announced plans to build the world’s largest “wooden city”, which will be constructed in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, from 2025.
Stockholm Wood City will feature 7,000 office spaces and 2,000 homes in the city’s southeast, and will offer “a dynamic, urban environment with a mixture of workplaces, housing, restaurants and shops”, according to a press release. Set across 250,000 square meters, it has been described by its developer as the “world’s largest known construction project in wood”. Timber has been championed as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, with expensive new construction projects using wood besides single-family homes and office buildings.
However, a mixed-use development of such size would be “a historic milestone for Swedish innovation capability”, said Annica Anas, CEO of Atrium Ljungberg.
Although some experts have raised concerns over fire risks posed by wooden buildings, advocates argue that engineered timber burns at a relatively slow and predictable rate, making it safer than many conventional steel structures. Timber is also a “carbon sink”, which means that carbon dioxide removed from the air by trees is stored in the material rather than being returned to the atmosphere. Wooden buildings have been found to enjoy better indoor air quality and can be constructed with significantly lower carbon emissions than those made with conventional materials.
The construction will not be as noisy as it is built from concrete and bricks, adds Ms Anas. This makes wooden buildings particularly suitable for urban redevelopment in general, since putting them up is less likely to annoy the neighbours. It should also be profitable.
The wooden city is supposed to make commute (通勤) easier and shorter. The website for the project describes Stockholm Wood City as a “five-minute city”, meaning that anywhere one would need to go would only be a five-minute walk. The first buildings in Stockholm Wood City are set to be completed in 2027.
1. What is Annica Anas’s attitude towards the “wooden city” developed in Stockholm?| A．Critical. | B．Doubtful. | C．Dismissive. | D．Appreciative. |
| A．They are much greener. | B．They are built on a more solid base. |
| C．They are more comfortable to live in. | D．They are much stronger to resist heat. |
| A．They are to the taste of all neighbours. |
| B．Less noise is produced in construction. |
| C．They will bring owners huge profits. |
| D．They are cost-effective to construct and mend. |
| A．It’s secure. | B．It’s care-free. |
| C．It’s unbearable. | D．It’s convenient. |
6 . The UK is blessed with some 1,000 ancient woods, which are free to visit today. Here are just four of the most appealing.
Quick Fact
1. Duncliffe Wood, Dorset Age: 900+years old
This splendid ancient woodland sits on Duncliffe Hill and can be seen for miles around. Lots of butterflies, birds and wildflowers are dotted among the huge tree trunks.
2. Martinshaw Wood, Leicestershire Age: 900+years old
The vast, picturesque Martinshaw Wood is steeped in history and packed with wildlife. You could see a host of rare and interesting insects. Birds are also plentiful here, including woodcock and mistle thrushes. This wood can be traced back to at least the 13th century, when it was part of a large deer park. Historical features include banks, earthen dams and a wide sunken track that appears to lead to ancient places where large quantities of stones are dug out of the ground.
3. Aversley Wood, Cambridgeshire Age: 10,000 years old
This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) has breathtaking views, plentiful birdlife and wild flowers. Wildlife species include the silver-washed fritillary butterfly, treecreeper and great crested newt. Much of Aversley Wood is ancient, which has been wooded since before the Middle Ages-some areas even since the Last Ice Age.
4. Dering Wood, Kent Age: 1,400+years old
Dering Wood is an impressive showcase for wildlife and history. You’ll discover distinctive features including well-preserved woodbanks and agricultural drainage(排水)systems.
Protecting Together
There’s no better way to ensure ancient woods can benefit future generations of both wildlife and people than by becoming a member of our organization. You’ll help keep living history safe, plant more trees to keep our planet healthy, and make sure more than 1,000 of our woods-like the ones mentioned here-remain open for everyone to enjoy. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk to join us today.
1. How is Martinshaw Wood different from the other woods?| A．It once belonged to a park. | B．It has signs of human activity. |
| C．It has plentiful kinds of birds | D．It dates back to the 13th century. |
| A．In Kent. | B．In Cambridgeshire. |
| C．In Dorset. | D．In Leicestershire |
| A．To attract visitors to the website. | B．To raise funds for UK woodland. |
| C．To popularize some ancient woods. | D．To appeal for woodland conservation. |
A salty sea which warms to planet-beating temperatures at the height of summer
It’s not just humans who benefit from the restorative powers of the mangroves. Scientists say when
And it keeps getting better. The Government and private planting programs have contributed to an
8 . Deforestation in tropical (热带的) regions of Asia, Africa and the Americas has reduced the cooling effects of trees. “The temperature change associated with deforestation over the 15-year study period is equal to a century of global warming, happening almost instantly, at these locations,” says Luke Parsons at Duke University in North Carolina.
Now, by using data from population surveys and mapping tree cover loss over a 15-year period, Parsons and his colleagues have estimated the effect of deforestation on outdoor workers across 41 countries. He says climate change has already pushed tropical locations right to the edge of what would be considered safe for heavy outdoor labour and that deforestation causes those locations to be even more precarious.
Parsons and his colleagues used land surface temperature measurements from satellites, and collected humidity (湿度) data, to estimate how hot an average day felt to outdoor workers in regions which either lost or maintained tree cover between 2003 and 2018. “The study focuses on what you would think of as a ‘feels-like’ temperature. It takes into account how well you can cool yourself by sweating, which is affected by humidity, as well as the temperature,” says Parsons.
The researchers then turned to population surveys to estimate the number of outdoor workers in these areas. This revealed that some 2.5 million outdoor workers in Asia lost at least half an hour of safe work per day, between 2003 and 2018, due to increased temperatures in deforested regions. Nearly 200,000 outdoor workers in the Americas and some 31,000 people in Africa lost this amount of safe work time each day. Regions that maintained forest cover generally stayed cool, and less work time was lost.
It is important to remember that, due to the scale (规模) of the study, the team didn’t measure actual worker hours on the ground across the entire tropics, says Parsons. This means the assessment of lost worker hours is based on theoretical considerations rather than direct observations of behaviour.
1. Why does Parsons make a comparison at the beginning?| A．To explain the causes of global warming. | B．To state the challenges of tropical regions. |
| C．To show the consequence of deforestation. | D．To emphasize the high rate of deforestation. |
| A．Poor. | B．Unsafe. | C．Destructive. | D．Inaccessible. |
| A．It hit places in Asia the hardest. | B．It was more common in tropical areas. |
| C．It affected daily lives severely. | D．It decreased safe outdoor working hours. |
| A．It is just proven true in theory. | B．It ignores regional variations. |
| C．It lacks systematic assessment. | D．It is based on a random sample. |
9 . In many parts of the world there may not be much rainfall, but there is a fair amount of water vapor (水蒸气) in the air — particularly at night. An experimental new device draws in that vapor, and uses it to water eatable plants.
Known as SmartFarm, the small device designed by a team at the National University of Singapore, led by assistant professor Tan Swee Ching aimed to help address two of the world’s biggest problems — water shortage and food shortage. It’s a transparent (透明的) box that has vegetable plants growing in soil on the bottom — on top, a hydrogel (水凝胶) panel lies beneath a solar-powered motorized cover.
The hydrogel is very absorbent, readily drawing water vapor from the cool night air while the cover is open. An integrated timer closes it at daybreak, with the sun’s rays subsequently heating the hydrogel through the clear cover material. The gel responds by releasing its stored water in the form of vapor, which turns into liquid on the inside of the cover. When that cover periodically slides open throughout the day, the liquid gets wiped off along the inside edges of the box and runs into the soil.
According to scientists, the gel can absorb up to 300 times its weight in water at night. During the day, it releases that water at an hourly rate of 2.24 grams of water per gram of gel. And what’s more, the released water meets World Health Organization standards for drinkability.
Tan said, “The SmartFarm concept greatly reduces farms’ demand for water and is suitable for urban farming techniques such as rooftop farming. This is a significant step forward in easing water and food shortage.” He believes the SmartFarm device can be further improved with additional functionalities before it moves to mass and commercial production. For example, it can include wireless networking capability to enable users to monitor and control the process using smartphones.
1. Why is the new device designed?| A．To make use of water in the air. | B．To deal with water problems. |
| C．To collect rainwater for farms. | D．To support the growth of plants. |
| A．Why the hydrogel is used. | B．What the hydrogel looks like. |
| C．How the SmartFarm device works. | D．Where the SmartFarm device comes in. |
| A．Complex but worthwhile. | B．Self-contained and effective. |
| C．Practical but unproductive. | D．Water-saving and sustainable. |
| A．It needs further testing. | B．It has come on the market. |
| C．It shows great promise. | D．It opens up urban farming. |
10 . Damon Carson must have one of the most interesting inboxes in the world. On any given day, in his office in Denver in the western US state of Colorado, he will field numerous inquiries from people looking to unload things. We’re not talking about someone trying to dispense with an old refrigerator or some out-of-fashion clothing, but companies.
Picture large companies looking to unload massive amounts of waste that would otherwise go to the landfill.
For example, Carson got a request from a battery company to deal with 22 tonnes of barium sulfate (硫酸钡) used in lead-acid batteries. A load of plastic garbage cans from a discount store were just waiting for him to repurpose them. And a recreation company wanted to know if Carson was interested in 360 kilograms of blue ropes, which they no longer needed to make the handles on coolers.
“They don’t want to just throw the waste away,” he explains. “Nor should they. Because it has value.” He is a matchmaker of the never-ending waste stream, trying not to pair people with people, but things with people. For nearly a decade, his company, Repurposed Materials, has been involved in this business. He’s not looking to recycle the things he gets-breaking them down to make something new-but rather finding a second life for cast-off goods in their original forms.
Once working in construction, Carson was familiar with an almost everyday phenomenon. “You’d open up one of these big construction dumpsters (大垃圾桶) and things would start falling out,” he says. He would find perfectly good windows still covered with plastic from the factory. “You can’t wrap your mind around how wasteful America is until you run a waste company,” he says. He began thinking about creating a sort of secondhand hardware store that would sell unwanted materials and keep them out of the waste stream. Then, in 2010, a business was born.
1. What does the underlined phrase “dispense with” in the first paragraph mean?| A．Make use of. | B．Look forward to. |
| C．Get rid of. | D．Come back to. |
| A．To prove Carson’s tough work. | B．To indicate Carson’s “big business”. |
| C．To appeal for waste management. | D．To explain the source of the material. |
| A．By creating something new. | B．By selling them to companies. |
| C．By recycling them to save energy. | D．By getting others to use them. |
| A．His disappointment at America. | B．His love for secondhand hardware. |
| C．His exposure to too much waste. | D．His experience in a waste company. |
