D
Old Problem, New Approaches
While clean energy is increasingly used in our daily life, global warning will continue for some decades after CO2 emissions(排放)peak. So even if emissions were to begin to decrease today, we would still face the challenge of adapting to climate change. Here I will stress some smarter and more creative examples of climate adaptation.
When it comes to adaptation, it is important to understand that climate change is a process. We are therefore not talking about adapting to a new standard, but to a constantly shifting set of conditions. This is why, in part at least, the US National Climate Assessment says that: “There is no ‘one-size fits all’ adaptation.” Nevertheless, there are some actions that offer much and carry little risk or cost.
Around the world, people are adapting in surprising ways, especially in some poor countries. Floods have become more damaging in Bangladesh in recent decades. Mohammed Rezwan saw opportunity where others saw only disaster. His not-for-profit organization runs 100 river boats that serve as floating libraries, schools, and health clinics, and are equipped with solar panels and other communicating facilities. Rezwan is creating floating connectivity(连体) to replace flooded roads and highways. But he is also working at a far more fundamental level: his staff show people how to make floating gardens and fish ponds prevent starvation during the wet season.
Elsewhere in Asia even more astonishing actions are being taken. Chewang Nophel lives in a mountainous region in India, where he is known as the Ice Man. The loss of glaciers(冰川) there due to global warming represents an enormous threat to agriculture. Without the glaciers, water will arrive in the rivers at times when it can damage crops. Norphel’s inspiration came from seeing the waste of water over winter, when it was not needed. He directed the wasted water into shallow basins where it froze, and was stored until the spring. His fields of ice supply perfectly timed irrigation(灌溉) water. Having created nine such ice reserves, Norphel calculates that he has stored about 200, 000m3 of water. Climate change is a continuing process, so Norphel’s ice reserves will not last forever. Warming will overtake them. But he is providing a few years during which the farmers will, perhaps, be able to find other means of adapting.
Increasing Earth’s reflectiveness can cool the planet. In southern Spain the sudden increase of greenhouses (which reflect light back to space) has changed the warming trend locally, and actually cooled the region. While Spain as a whole is heating up quickly, temperatures near the greenhouses have decreased. This example should act as an inspiration for all cities. By painting buildings white, cities may slow down the warming process.
In Peru, local farmers around a mountain with a glacier that has already fallen victim to climate change have begun painting the entire mountain peak white in the hope that the added reflectiveness will restore the life-giving ice. The outcome is still far from clear. But the World Bank has included the project on its of "100 ideas to save the planet”.
More ordinary forms of adaptation are happening everywhere. A friend of mine owns an area of land in western Victoria. Over five generations the land has been too wet for cropping. But during the past decade declining rainfall has allowed him to plant highly profitable crops. Farmers in many countries are also adapting like this—either by growing new produce, or by growing the same things differently. This is common sense. But some suggestions for adapting are not. When the polluting industries argue that we’ve lost the battle to control carbon pollution and have no choice but to adapt, it’s a nonsense designed to make the case for business as usual.
Human beings will continue to adapt to the changing climate in both ordinary and astonishing ways. But the most sensible form of adaptation is surely to adapt our energy systems to emit less carbon pollution. After all, if we adapt in that way, we may avoid the need to change in so many others.
1.The underlined part in Paragraph 2 implies .
A. adaptation is an ever-changing process
B. the cost of adaptation varies with time
C. global warming affects adaptation forms
D. adaptation to climate change is challenging
2.What is special with regard to Rezwan’s project?
A. The project receives government support.
B. Different organizations work with each other.
C. His organization makes the best of a bad situation.
D. The project connects flooded roads and highways.
3.What did the Ice Man do to reduce the effect of global warming?
A. Storing ice for future use.
B. Protecting the glaciers from melting.
C. Changing the irrigation time.
D. Postponing the melting of the glaciers.
4.What do we learn from the Peru example?
A. White paint is usually safe for buildings.
B. The global warming tread cannot be stopped.
C. This country is heating up too quickly.
D. Sunlight reflection may relieve global warming.
5.According to the author, polluting industries should .
A. adapt to carbon pollution
B. plant highly profitable crops
C. leave carbon emission alone
D. fight against carbon pollution
6.What’s the author’s preferred solution to global warming?
A. Setting up a new standard. B. Reducing carbon emission.
C. Adapting to climate change. D. Monitoring polluting industries.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
D
Old Problem, New Approaches
While clean energy is increasingly used in our daily life, global warning will continue for some decades after CO2 emissions(排放)peak. So even if emissions were to begin to decrease today, we would still face the challenge of adapting to climate change. Here I will stress some smarter and more creative examples of climate adaptation.
When it comes to adaptation, it is important to understand that climate change is a process. We are therefore not talking about adapting to a new standard, but to a constantly shifting set of conditions. This is why, in part at least, the US National Climate Assessment says that: “There is no ‘one-size fits all’ adaptation.” Nevertheless, there are some actions that offer much and carry little risk or cost.
Around the world, people are adapting in surprising ways, especially in some poor countries. Floods have become more damaging in Bangladesh in recent decades. Mohammed Rezwan saw opportunity where others saw only disaster. His not-for-profit organization runs 100 river boats that serve as floating libraries, schools, and health clinics, and are equipped with solar panels and other communicating facilities. Rezwan is creating floating connectivity(连体) to replace flooded roads and highways. But he is also working at a far more fundamental level: his staff show people how to make floating gardens and fish ponds prevent starvation during the wet season.
Elsewhere in Asia even more astonishing actions are being taken. Chewang Nophel lives in a mountainous region in India, where he is known as the Ice Man. The loss of glaciers(冰川) there due to global warming represents an enormous threat to agriculture. Without the glaciers, water will arrive in the rivers at times when it can damage crops. Norphel’s inspiration came from seeing the waste of water over winter, when it was not needed. He directed the wasted water into shallow basins where it froze, and was stored until the spring. His fields of ice supply perfectly timed irrigation(灌溉) water. Having created nine such ice reserves, Norphel calculates that he has stored about 200, 000m3 of water. Climate change is a continuing process, so Norphel’s ice reserves will not last forever. Warming will overtake them. But he is providing a few years during which the farmers will, perhaps, be able to find other means of adapting.
Increasing Earth’s reflectiveness can cool the planet. In southern Spain the sudden increase of greenhouses (which reflect light back to space) has changed the warming trend locally, and actually cooled the region. While Spain as a whole is heating up quickly, temperatures near the greenhouses have decreased. This example should act as an inspiration for all cities. By painting buildings white, cities may slow down the warming process.
In Peru, local farmers around a mountain with a glacier that has already fallen victim to climate change have begun painting the entire mountain peak white in the hope that the added reflectiveness will restore the life-giving ice. The outcome is still far from clear. But the World Bank has included the project on its of "100 ideas to save the planet”.
More ordinary forms of adaptation are happening everywhere. A friend of mine owns an area of land in western Victoria. Over five generations the land has been too wet for cropping. But during the past decade declining rainfall has allowed him to plant highly profitable crops. Farmers in many countries are also adapting like this—either by growing new produce, or by growing the same things differently. This is common sense. But some suggestions for adapting are not. When the polluting industries argue that we’ve lost the battle to control carbon pollution and have no choice but to adapt, it’s a nonsense designed to make the case for business as usual.
Human beings will continue to adapt to the changing climate in both ordinary and astonishing ways. But the most sensible form of adaptation is surely to adapt our energy systems to emit less carbon pollution. After all, if we adapt in that way, we may avoid the need to change in so many others.
1.The underlined part in Paragraph 2 implies .
A. adaptation is an ever-changing process
B. the cost of adaptation varies with time
C. global warming affects adaptation forms
D. adaptation to climate change is challenging
2.What is special with regard to Rezwan’s project?
A. The project receives government support.
B. Different organizations work with each other.
C. His organization makes the best of a bad situation.
D. The project connects flooded roads and highways.
3.What did the Ice Man do to reduce the effect of global warming?
A. Storing ice for future use.
B. Protecting the glaciers from melting.
C. Changing the irrigation time.
D. Postponing the melting of the glaciers.
4.What do we learn from the Peru example?
A. White paint is usually safe for buildings.
B. The global warming tread cannot be stopped.
C. This country is heating up too quickly.
D. Sunlight reflection may relieve global warming.
5.According to the author, polluting industries should .
A. adapt to carbon pollution
B. plant highly profitable crops
C. leave carbon emission alone
D. fight against carbon pollution
6.What’s the author’s preferred solution to global warming?
A. Setting up a new standard. B. Reducing carbon emission.
C. Adapting to climate change. D. Monitoring polluting industries.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Old problem,new approaches
While clean energy is increasingly used in our daily life,global warming will continue for some decades after CO2 emissions (排放) peak. So even if emissions were to begin to decrease today,we would still face the challenge of adapting to climate change. Here I will stress some smarter and more creative examples of climate adaptation.
When it comes to adaptation,it is important to understand that climate change is a process. We are therefore not talking about adapting to a new standard,but to a constantly shifting set of conditions. This is why, in part at least,the US National Climate Assessment says that:“There is no ‘onesize fits all’ adaptation.” Nevertheless,there are some actions that offer much and carry little risk or cost.
Around the world, people are adapting in surprising ways,especially in some poor countries. Floods have become more damaging in Bangladesh in recent decades. Mohammed Rezwan saw opportunity where others saw only disaster. His notforprofit organization runs 100 river boats that serve as floating libraries,schools,and health clinics,and are equipped with solar panels and other communicating facilities. Rezwan is creating floating connectivity(连接) to replace flooded roads and highways. But he is also working at a far more fundamental level:his staff show people how to make floating gardens and fish ponds to prevent starvation during the wet season.
Elsewhere in Asia even more astonishing actions are being taken. Chewang Norphel lives in a mountainous region in India, where he is known as the Ice Man. The loss of glaciers (冰川) there due to global warming represents an enormous threat to agriculture. Without the glaciers, water will arrive in the rivers at times when it can damage crops. Norphel's inspiration came from seeing the waste of water over winter, when it was not needed. He directed the wasted water into shallow basins where it froze, and was stored until the spring. His fields of ice supply perfectly timed irrigation(灌溉) water. Having created nine such ice reserves, Norphel calculates that he has stored about 200,000m3 of water. Climate change is a continuing process, so Norphel's ice reserves will not last forever. Warming will overtake them. But he is providing a few years during which the farmers will, perhaps, be able to find other means of adapting.
Increasing Earth's reflectiveness can cool the planet. In southern Spain the sudden increase of greenhouses (which reflect light back to space) has changed the warming trend locally, and actually cooled the region. While Spain as a whole is heating up quickly, temperatures near the greenhouses have decreased. This example should act as an inspiration for all cities. By painting buildings white, cities may slow down the warming process.
In Peru, local farmers around a mountain with a glacier that has already fallen victim to climate change have begun painting the entire mountain peak white in the hope that the added reflectiveness will restore the lifegiving ice. The outcome is still far from clear. But the World Bank has included the project on its list of “100 ideas to save the planet”.
More ordinary forms of adaptation are happening everywhere. A friend of mine owns an area of land in western Victoria. Over five generations the land has been too wet for cropping. But during the past decade declining rainfall has allowed him to plant highly profitable crops. Farmers in many countries are also adapting like this—either by growing new produce, or by growing the same things differently. This is common sense. But some suggestions for adapting are not. When the polluting industries argue that we've lost the battle to control carbon pollution and have no choice but to adapt, it's a nonsense designed to make the case for business as usual.
Human beings will continue to adapt to the changing climate in both ordinary and astonishing ways. But the most sensible form of adaptation is surely to adapt our energy systems to emit less carbon pollution. After all, if we adapt in that way, we may avoid the need to change in so many others.
1.The underlined part in Paragraph 2 implies ________.
A.adaptation is an everchanging process
B.the cost of adaptation varies with time
C.global warming affects adaptation forms
D.adaptation to climate change is challenging
2.What is special with regard to Rezwan's project?
A.The project receives government support.
B.Different organizations work with each other.
C.His organization makes the best of a bad situation.
D.The project connects flooded roads and highways.
3.What did the Ice Man do to reduce the effect of global warming?
A.Storing ice for future use.
B.Protecting the glaciers from melting.
C.Changing the irrigation time.
D.Postponing the melting of the glaciers.
4.What do we learn from the Peru example?
A.White paint is usually safe for buildings.
B.The global warming trend cannot be stopped.
C.This country is heating up too quickly.
D.Sunlight reflection may relieve global warming.
5.According to the author, polluting industries should ________.
A.adapt to carbon pollution
B.plant highly profitable crops
C.leave carbon emission alone
D.fight against carbon pollution
6.What's the author's preferred solution to global warming?
A.Setting up a new standard.
B.Reducing carbon emission.
C.Adapting to climate change.
D.Monitoring polluting industries.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.
To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so. Medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a mainly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.
Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safer and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat loss and to reducing biodiversity.
All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th. This will require thorough thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are certainly more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static(稳定的)measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage. Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.
What is important is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.
1.How do people often measure progress in agriculture?
A. By its impact on the environment B. By its contribution to economic growth
C. By its productivity D. By its sustainability
2.Specialization and the effort to increase yields have resulted in________.
A. Localized pollution B. The shrinking of farmland
C. the decrease of biodiversity D. competition from overseas3. What does the author think of traditional farming practices?
A. They are not necessarily sustainable B. They have not kept pace with population growth
C. They have remained the same over the centuries D. They are environmentally friendly
4.What will agriculture be like in the 21st century?
A. It will abandon traditional farming practices B. It will mainly keep traditional farming
C. It will go through complete changes D. It will cause zero damage to the environment
5.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A. To remind people of the need of sustainable development.
B. To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture is.
C. To advance new criteria for measuring farming progress.
D. To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food production.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the only measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.
To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so. Medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a popularly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had smallest effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.
Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safer and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat loss and to decreasing biodiversity.
What’s more, demand for animal products in developing countries is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra 300 million tons of grain a year by 2050.yet the growth of cities and industry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.
All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th. This will require complete thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are unavoidably more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the idea that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simple and unchangeable measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.
Instead we need a more dynamic explanation, one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.
What is critical is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.
1.How do people often measure progress in agriculture?
A.By its productivity.
B.By its impact on the environment.
C.By its sustainability.
D.By its contribution to economic growth.
2.What does the author think of traditional farming practices?
A.They have remained the same over the centuries.
B.They have not kept pace with population growth.
C.They are not necessarily sustainable.
D.They are environmentally friendly.
3.What will agriculture be like in the 21st century?
A.It will go through thorough changes.
B.It will supply more animal products.
C.It will abandon traditional farming practices.
D.It will cause zero damage to the environment.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A.To remind people of the need of sustainable development.
B.To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food production.
C.To advance new criteria for measuring farming progress.
D.To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture is.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use.This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the sole measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.
To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so .Medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a predominantly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today.It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it brought about was typically localized.In terms of energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.
Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution.Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields.Throughout this period food became cheaper, safe and more reliable.However, these changes have also led to habitat loss and to diminishing biodiversity.
What’s more, demand for animal products in developing countries is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra 300 million tons of grain a year by 2050,yet the growth of cities and industry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.
All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th.This will require radical(激进的)thinking.For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are inevitably more sustainable than new ones.We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be “zero impact”.The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used.There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity.It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting, but we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.
What is crucial is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.
72.How do people often measure progress in agriculture?
A.By its productivity B. By its impact on the environment
C.By its sustainability D.By its contribution to economic growth
73.What does the author think of traditional farming practices?
A.They have remained the same over the centuries
B.They have not kept pace with population growth
C.They are not necessarily sustainable
D.They are environmentally friendly
74.What will agriculture be like in the 21st century?
A.It will go through radical changes
B.It will supply more animal products
C.It will abandon traditional farming practices
D.It will cause zero damage to the environment
75.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A.To remind people of the need of sustainable development
B.To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food production
C.To advance new criteria for measuring farming progress
D.To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture is.
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Compared with solar and wind energy, which are booming, tidal (潮汐的) power is a loser in the clean-energy competition. But if you did want to build a tidal power station, there are few better sites than the mouth of the River Severn, in Britain. Its tidal range, the difference in depth between high and low tides, of around 15 metres is among the largest in the world.
Engineers and governments have been toying with the idea since at least 1925. But none of the suggested projects has materialised. Price is one objection. A study thought that tidal energy might cost between £216 and £368 ($306-521) per MWh of electricity by 2025, compared with £58-75 for seagoing wind turbines (轮机) and £55-76 for solar panels. Environmentalists also worry that any plant would change the tides, making life harder for wildlife.
An engineer called Rod Rainey thinks he has a way around both problems. He plans to replace the conventional turbines of previous plans with a much older technology. Specifically, he plans to span (横跨) the river mouth with a line of water wheels. This is a design that dates back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution. Examples can be found fixed to the sides of old watermills (水磨).
But there would be nothing old-fashioned about Mr Rainey’s wheels. Thirty metres high and sixty wide, they would be made from ordinary steel. Two hundred and fifty of them, along with the supporting structures, would be floated into place and secured to the seabed, creating a line 15km long. Together, they could supply power at an avenge ate of 4GW. That is about as much as two biggish nuclear power stations would manage. Substituting one of the wheels with a set of locks would provide a shipping channel about twice the width of Panama Canal, permitting upstream ports such as Avonmouth and Cardiff to continue operating.
1.What is special about the mouth of the River Seven?
A.The tidal range there is about 15 meters.
B.It has the largest tidal range in the world.
C.The tidal power station has been built there.
D.Its power plant makes life harder for wildlife.
2.What was people’s initial attitude towards tidal power?
A.Opposed. B.Supportive.
C.Controversial. D.Doubtful.
3.What are the locks used for?
A.Support. B.Transportation.
C.Securing wheels. D.Producing electricity.
4.What’s the best tittle for the text?
A.Rainey invented turbines.
B.Rainey’s tidal power station.
C.Tidal power in the River Seven.
D.An old idea might be made practical.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项,选项中有两项是多余的选项
It is well known that the increasing population problem is one of the greatest challenges in the world. 1.____ It has caused serious problems for many countries.
A report from the UN says the world’s population keeps on rising at a speed of about 78 million people every year. 2.____ In fact, population growth has slowed or even stopped in developed countries.
3._________ On the one hand, it may lead to wars, hungers, illness and so on. On the other hand, the more people there are, the more natural resources we need. 4._____
At the beginning of the 21st century, more than a billion people don’t have enough necessaries: medicine, water, houses and so on. 5.______
A. As a result, too many trees have been cut down and forests have disappeared in some places.
B. Luckily, people are trying to find ways to solve the problem.
C. Some countries encourage their people to have more babies.
D. Some scientists said that population growth would lead to many problems.
E. Most of the growth is taking place in developing countries.
F. The people in developed countries are cleverer.
G. The world’s population is growing faster and faster.
高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析
---Will you see to ___ that my apartment is cleaned during my absence?
---No, problem.
A.everything B.all C.yourself D.it
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
As there is less coal and oil, scientists are exploring new ways of making use of _____ energy, such as sunlight, wind, and water for power and fuel.
A. primary B. alternative
C. instant D. unique
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
As there is less coal and oil, scientists are exploring new ways of making use of _____ energy, such as sunlight, wind, and water for power and fuel.
A. primary B. alternative C. instant D. unique
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析