Air pollution is damaging 60% of Europe's prime wildlife sites in meadows, forests and bushes, according to a new report.
A team of EU scientists said nitrogen emissions(氮排放) from cars, factories and farming were threatening biodiversity. It's the second report this week warning of the ongoing riks and threats linked to nitrogen pollution.[
Nitrogen in the atmosphere is harmless in its inert(惰性的) state, but the report says reactive forms of nitrogen, largely produced by human activity, can be a menace to the natural world.
Emissions mostly come from vehicle exhausts(排气), factories, artificial fertilizers(肥料) and animal waste from intensive farming. The reactive nitrogen they emit to the air disrupts the environment in two ways: It can make acidic soils too acidic to support their previous mix of species. But primarily, because nitrogen is a fertilizer, it favors wild plants that can maximize the use of nitrogen to help them grow.
In effect, some of the nitrogen spread to fertilize crops is carried in the atmosphere to fertilize weeds, possibly a great distance from where the chemicals were first applied.
The effects of fertilization and acidification favor common aggressive species like grasses, brambles and nettles. They harm more delicate species like mosses(苔藓), and insecteating sundew plants.
The report said 60% of wildlife sites were now receiving a critical load of reactive nitrogen. The report's lead author, Dr. Kevin Hicks from the University of York's Stockholm Environment Institute(SEI), told BBC News that England's Peak District had a definitely low range of species as a result of the reactive nitrogen that fell on the area.
“Nitrogen creates a rather big problem that seems to me to have been given too little attention，” he said. “Governments are responsible for protecting areas like this, but they are clearly failing.”
He said more research was needed to understand the knockon effects for creatures from the changes in vegetation accidentally caused by emissions from cars, industry and farms.
At the conference, the representatives agreed “The Edinburgh Declaration on Reactive Nitrogen”. The document highlights the importance of reducing reactive nitrogen emissions to the environment, adding that the benefits of reducing nitrogen outweigh the costs
of taking action.
The underlined word “menace” is used to express that the reactive nitrogen, largely produced by human activity can be ________.
| A．frightening | B．threatening | C．unique | D．unusual |
We can infer from the passage that ________.
| A．it's harmless to have reactive nitrogen existing in the atmosphere |
B．reactive nitrogen emissions help aggressive s pecies less than crops |
| C．the harm to those delicate species has a negative impact on biodiversity |
| D．reactive nitrogen can fertilize soils and keep their biodiversity |
The team of EU scientists released the second report of nitrogen emissions this week when ________.
| A．no action was taken to stop nitrogen emission |
| B．governments were willing to protect areas harmed by nitrogen |
| C．“The Edinburgh Declaration on Reactive Nitrogen” was agreed |
| D．nitrogen emissions were threatening wildlife sites' biodiversity |
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Keeping Away From Nitrogen Emissions |
| B．Stopping Nitrogen Emissions |
| C．Air Pollution Damaging Europe's Wildlife |
| D．Saving Europe's Wildlife |
It is hard to imagine that such a small country，the size of Indiana with the population of Alaska，tucked in the Himalaya Mountains，accessible only by two airplanes，is the “Happiest Country’’ in the world and has one of the fastest growing GDP’S in the world．This country is Bhutan，“Land of the Thunder Dragon”，which is located in South Asia and is encompassed by India，China，and Nepal．
Bhutan is the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World and，until recently，has preserved much of their culture since the l7th century by avoiding globalization and staying isolated from the world．Internet，television，and western dress were banned from the country up until ten years ago．Over the past ten years globalization has begun to change in Bhutan，but things remain perfectly balanced．
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a ‘GNH’，which refers to “Gross National Happiness．’’The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization．It measures people’s quality of life，and makes sure that “material and spiritual development happen together．”Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding this balance．Bhutan has continually been ranked as the happiest country in all of Asia，and the eighth Happiest Country in the world according to Business Week．In 2007，Bhutan had the second fastest growing GDP in the world，at the same time as maintaining their environment and cultural identity．
In 2008，in Bhutan’s first democratic election，28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang Chuck was elected president of Bhutan．He promises to “maintain a stance （立场)of protection against the worst aspects of globalization，maintaining the ‘Gross National Happiness’．”But Jigme himself is no stranger to globalization．He attended high school at Phillips Academy and university at Wheaton College and then graduated from Oxford．The underlined word “encompassed’’ in the first paragraph most probably means __________ .
| A．covered | B．surrounded |
| C．separated | D．guarded |
Why is Bhutan regarded as “the happiest country”?
| A．Because it changes its policy and begins to open up． |
| B．Because it uses “GNH” to measure its achievement． |
| C．Because it stresses both material and spiritual development． |
| D．Because it has the second fastest growing GDP in the world． |
What Can we infer from the last paragraph?
| A．The election in Bhutan is far from satisfactory． |
| B．Globalization has influenced Bhutan’s religion． |
| C．Jigme’s educational background will cause distrust． |
| D．People in Bhutan will continue living a happy life． |
Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
The slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” won the Academy Award for best picture on Sunday, making history as the first movie from a black director to win the film industry's highest honor in 86 years of the Oscars．Can anyone tell me your ideas about this movie? —— GreatMartin
“12 Years a Slave is a surprisingly underwhelming movie．It is more of a string of picture about several heartless and evil white men(and women)who are just mean without the motivation of running a plantation on their minds．There is very little character development and most of the film relies on what the audience already knows and feels about slavery．” 一一GeminiJef
‘‘Never have I been stunned into an emotional silence after watching a film in the theater．I've come out of films before thinking” My god，that was unbelievable”，like when I saw The Lord of the Rings for the first time，but this film just hits you on another level entirely．You sit there after it’s over，wondering if what you’d just experienced was real．The day after．you feel the same．”一一Pauljohnson
“This movie is just an average movie about slavery．Are you kidding me，segregation movies are a dime a dozen and this movie beat out Gravity for Golden Globes? Gravity has never been done before．12 Years a Slave I watched once and will never watch again．I watched Gravity 5 times and still love it．’’一一Dominionator
“This movie was realistic and engaging at every second．Even the dramatic pauses were worthwhile and definitely not a waste of time．The script inferred and hinted at events rather than just plain saying them，and that was genius．Outstanding photography，amazing special effects and the acting is top notch．There were a few people that walked out during some scenes．What a shame!” 一一ApolsThe main purpose of GreatMartin’s writing is __________ .
| A．to give a brief introduction of the movie |
| B．to share his own opinions with others |
| C．to invite answers to his question |
| D．to explain why he asks the question |
The underlined word “stunned’’ in the third paragraph probably means __________ .
| A．puzzled | B．shocked | C．disappointed | D．concerned |
Among the four speakers，who made positive comments on the movie?
| A．GeminiJef and Pauljohnson | B．Pauljohnson and Dominionator |
| C．GeminiJef and Dominionator | D．Pauljohnson and Apols |
Which of the following best states Pauljotmson’s ideas about l2 Years a Slave?
| A．It leaves little room for character development． |
| B．It reaches the height of The Lord of the Rings． |
| C．It doesn’t deserve such high praise． |
| D．It amazes the audience with its special effects． |
In December of l 992．I was a happy husband and father of two young children．A month later，I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(急性白血病)．
After two years of chemo(化疗)that helped control the disease，my body was weak and lifeless．I felt as if I were a puppet who needed help to lift his arms or hold up his head．
I began to run．After six months my strength had come back．On one of my runs，one where I felt I could run forever，I decided I was going to try to run a marathon．
After telling my Dad about my plan，he told me of a program that trains people to run a marathon，while raising funds for Leukemia research at the same time．So that summer，through the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training program，I started to train for the Marine Corps Marathon．During mile after mile of uncertainty，the day finally came to run the marathon．
On October 27，1996，at 8 A．M．，along with l9,000 other brave souls I started on a 26.2-mile journey that I will never forget．
I first saw my wife Patty at the six-mile mark . She seemed happy that I was still looking as if I knew what I was doing，and having a good time doing it．At Mile l7，my mind was going back to those two horrible years that tried to bring my family and me down．I saw her again．The concern in her face told me she knew I was starting to struggle．I felt as if we were thinking the same，nine more miles and these last few years will be behind us．
That thought alone pulled me forward．Mile 22，23，slowing but going，24，25，then there it was．The Iwo Jima War Memorial．I have seen nothing so grand and inspiring in my life．Three hours and forty-one minutes after I started，I crossed what I think has to be the most fitting finish line in all of road racing!
That night the Leukemia Society gave me a pin at a post-race party that simply says，“Leukemia 26.2”．
If God wills，my cancer may once again take away my hair and my strength，maybe even my life．But it can never take away my pin，or the fact that I am a marathoner .The writer decided to run a marathon because __________ .
| A．he wanted to raise money for Leukemia research |
| B．he believed he was able to take the challenge |
| C．he hoped to recover his strength through training |
| D．his dad knew about the race and made the suggestion |
Which statement is RIGHT about the writer?
| A．He has always been dreaming of becoming a marathoner． |
| B．The training he took that summer well prepared him for the race． |
| C．Those running in the race were mostly Leukemia patients like him . |
| D．His wife was with him during the marathon to give him support． |
Why does the writer think the finish line is the most fitting?
| A．Because running a marathon is the most suitable sport for him． |
| B．Because the memorial is the most powerful construction he has seen． |
| C．Because he considers it a victory over his disease to finish the race． |
| D．Because 26.2 miles is the most reasonable distance for road racing． |
Which of the following can best describe the writer?
| A．Optimistic and outspoken | B．Strong-willed and determined |
| C．Generous and easy-going | D．Brave and warm-hearted |
Phil White has just returned from an 18,000-mile, around-the-world bicycle trip．White had two reasons for making this epic journey．First of all, he wanted to use the trip to raise money for charity, which he did．He raised ￡70,000 for the British charity, Oxfam．White's second reason for making the trip was to break the world record and become the fastest person to cycle around the world．He is still waiting to find out if he has broken the record or not.
White set off from Trafalgar Square, in London, on 19th June 2004 and was back 299 days later．He spent more than l,300 hours in the saddle（车座） and destroyed four sets of tyres and three bike chains．He had the adventure of his life crossing Europe, the Middle East, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas．Amazingly, he did all of this with absolutely no support team．No jeep carrying food, water and medicine．No doctor．Nothing! Just a bike and a very, very long road.
The journey was lonely and desperate at times．He also had to fight his way across deserts, through jungles and over mountains．He cycled through heavy rains and temperatures of up to 45 degrees, all to help people in need．There were other dangers along the road．In Iran, he was chased by armed robbers and was lucky to escape with his life and the little money he had．The worst thing that happened to him was having to cycle into a headwind on a road that crosses the south of Australia．For l,000 kilometres he battled against the wind that was constantly pushing him．This part of the trip was slow, hard work and depressing, but he made it in the end．Now Mr．White is back and intends to write a book about his adventures.When Phil White returned from his trip, he __________.
| A．broke the world record | B．collected money for Oxfam |
| C．destroyed several bikes | D．travelled about l,300 hours |
What does the underlined word "epic" in Paragraph l most probably mean?
| A．Very slow but exciting． | B．Very long and difficult. |
| C．Very smooth but tiring． | D．Very lonely and depressing. |
During his journey around the world, Phil White __________.
| A．fought heroically against robbers in Iran |
| B．experienced the extremes of heat and cold |
| C．managed to ride against the wind in Australia |
| D．had a team of people who travelled with him |
Which of the following words can best describe Phil White?
| A．Imaginative． | B．Patriotic． |
| C．Modest． | D．Determined. |
What actually inspired Phil White to overcome all the difficulties?
| A．To help people in need. | B．To test his new bicycle. |
| C．To prove his potential. | D．To show off his ability. |
The world is filled with smart，talented and gifted people．We meet them every day．A few days ago，my car was not running well．I pulled it into a garage，and the young mechanic had it fixed in just a few minutes．He knew what was wrong by simply listening to the engine．I was amazed．The sad truth is，great talent is not enough．
I am constantly shocked at how little talented people earn．I heard the other day that less than 5 percent of Americans earn more than $100，000 a year．A business consultant who specializes in the medical trade was telling me how many doctors and dentists struggle financially．It was this business consultant who gave me the phrase，“They are one skill away from great wealth．”
There is an old saying that goes，“Job means ‘just over broke（破产）’”．And unfortunately，I would say that the saying applies to millions of people．Because school does not think financial intelligence is intelligence，most workers“ live within their means”．They work and they pay the bills．Instead I recommend young people to seek work for what they will learn，more than what they will earn．
When I ask the classes I teach，“How many of you can cook a better hamburger than McDonald’s?” almost all the students raise their hands．I then ask，“So if most of you can cook a better hamburger，how come McDonald’s makes more money than you?” The answer is obvious: McDonald’s is excellent at business systems．The reason why so many talented people are poor is that they focus on building a better hamburger and know little or nothing about business systems．The world is filled with talented poor people ．They focus on perfecting their skills at building a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger．The author mentions the mechanic in the first paragraph that ．
| A．he is just one of the talented people |
| B．he is ready to help others |
| C．he has a sharp sense of hearing |
| D．he knows little about car repairing |
The underlined part in the third paragraph can be best replaced by ．
| A．spend more than they can afford |
| B．do in their own way |
| C．live in their own circle |
| D．live within what they earn |
Why do talented people earn so 1ittle according to the author?
| A．They don’t work hard enough |
| B．They lack financial intelligence |
| C．They don’t make full use of their talents |
| D．They have no specialized skills． |
The success of McDonald's lies in its ．
| A．skills at making hamburgers | B．good business systems |
| C．talented workers | D．excellent service |
The main purpose of the author is to tell us ．
| A．how young people can find a satisfactory job |
| B．what schools should teach students |
| C．why so many talented people are poor |
| D．how McDonald’s makes much money |
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