Vast parts of Earth should be left wild
To avoid mass extinctions of plants and animals, governments should protect a third of the oceans and land by 2030 and half by 2050, with a focus on areas of high biodiversity. So say leading biologists in an editorial in the journal Science.
This isn't just about saving biodiverse areas, says Jonathan Baillie of the National Geographic Society,one of the authors. It is also about saving ourselves by protecting_____ natural systems, or ecosystems,and their benefits to us, known as ecosystem services. "We are learning that the large areas that remain are important for providing services for all life. The forests, for example, are_____ for absorbing and storing carbon," says Baillie.
At present, just 3.6 per cent of the planet's oceans and 14.7 per cent of land is protected by law. At the 2010 Nagoya Conference of the Convention on Biological Diversity, governments agreed to protect 10 per cent of the oceans and 17 per cent of land by 2020.
But this isn't nearly enough, says Baillie. In the editorial, he and his coauthor, Ya﹣Ping Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, want governments to set much bigger_____ at the next major conference on biodiversity in 2020.
"We have to enormously_____ our ambition if we want to avoid an extinction crisis and if we want to maintain the ecosystem services that we_____ benefit from," says Baillie. "The trends are in a_____direction, it's just we have to move much faster."
It is hard to work out how much space is needed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem_____, the pair say, because there is so much we don't know about life on Earth ﹣ like how many species there are.
_____, most estimates suggest that between 25 and 75 percent of high biodiversity regions or major ecosystems should be protected.Therefore,we, including governments,should be_____ when setting goals and strategies.
"There is no doubt that we need far more land and sea_____ for conserving and retaining nature,"says James Watson at the University of Queensland in Australia. "Targets like 50 per cent are in the right ball park when it comes to the minimal_____ of area needed to conserve biodiversity."
But Watson and others stress that which areas get protected is even more important than the overall percentage. "The key thing is to protect the right areas," says Jose Montoya of the Station for Theoretical and Experimental Ecology in Moulis, France. "If we_____ protect a proportion of the territory,governments will likely protect what's easy, and that's usually areas of_____ biodiversity and ecosystem service provision."
In fact, a third of the 3.6 percent of land that is already meant to be protected is actually being_____,Watson's team reported last month. So only_____ areas to be protected isn't enough.
1.A. stricter B. wider C. safer D. simpler
2.A. unique B. sufficient C. critical D. fit
3.A. examples B. values C. awards D. objectives
4.A. increase B. achieve C. lack D. frustrate
5.A. barely B. currently C. roughly D. thoroughly
6.A. opposite B. fixed C. complex D. positive
7.A. approaches B. management C. benefits D. degradation
8.A. Therefore B. Furthermore C. However D. Otherwise
9.A. concerned B. changeable C. firm D. cautious
10.A. deserted B. secured C. measured D. distributed
11.A. damage B. cost C. amount D. standard
12.A. completely B. merely C. virtually D. desperately
13.A. mass B. tropical C. marine D. low
14.A. exploited B. expanded C. restored D. discovered
15.A. developing B. covering C. declaring D. utilizing
高三英语完形填空中等难度题
Vast parts of Earth should be left wild
To avoid mass extinctions of plants and animals, governments should protect a third of the oceans and land by 2030 and half by 2050, with a focus on areas of high biodiversity. So say leading biologists in an editorial in the journal Science.
This isn't just about saving biodiverse areas, says Jonathan Baillie of the National Geographic Society,one of the authors. It is also about saving ourselves by protecting_____ natural systems, or ecosystems,and their benefits to us, known as ecosystem services. "We are learning that the large areas that remain are important for providing services for all life. The forests, for example, are_____ for absorbing and storing carbon," says Baillie.
At present, just 3.6 per cent of the planet's oceans and 14.7 per cent of land is protected by law. At the 2010 Nagoya Conference of the Convention on Biological Diversity, governments agreed to protect 10 per cent of the oceans and 17 per cent of land by 2020.
But this isn't nearly enough, says Baillie. In the editorial, he and his coauthor, Ya﹣Ping Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, want governments to set much bigger_____ at the next major conference on biodiversity in 2020.
"We have to enormously_____ our ambition if we want to avoid an extinction crisis and if we want to maintain the ecosystem services that we_____ benefit from," says Baillie. "The trends are in a_____direction, it's just we have to move much faster."
It is hard to work out how much space is needed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem_____, the pair say, because there is so much we don't know about life on Earth ﹣ like how many species there are.
_____, most estimates suggest that between 25 and 75 percent of high biodiversity regions or major ecosystems should be protected.Therefore,we, including governments,should be_____ when setting goals and strategies.
"There is no doubt that we need far more land and sea_____ for conserving and retaining nature,"says James Watson at the University of Queensland in Australia. "Targets like 50 per cent are in the right ball park when it comes to the minimal_____ of area needed to conserve biodiversity."
But Watson and others stress that which areas get protected is even more important than the overall percentage. "The key thing is to protect the right areas," says Jose Montoya of the Station for Theoretical and Experimental Ecology in Moulis, France. "If we_____ protect a proportion of the territory,governments will likely protect what's easy, and that's usually areas of_____ biodiversity and ecosystem service provision."
In fact, a third of the 3.6 percent of land that is already meant to be protected is actually being_____,Watson's team reported last month. So only_____ areas to be protected isn't enough.
1.A. stricter B. wider C. safer D. simpler
2.A. unique B. sufficient C. critical D. fit
3.A. examples B. values C. awards D. objectives
4.A. increase B. achieve C. lack D. frustrate
5.A. barely B. currently C. roughly D. thoroughly
6.A. opposite B. fixed C. complex D. positive
7.A. approaches B. management C. benefits D. degradation
8.A. Therefore B. Furthermore C. However D. Otherwise
9.A. concerned B. changeable C. firm D. cautious
10.A. deserted B. secured C. measured D. distributed
11.A. damage B. cost C. amount D. standard
12.A. completely B. merely C. virtually D. desperately
13.A. mass B. tropical C. marine D. low
14.A. exploited B. expanded C. restored D. discovered
15.A. developing B. covering C. declaring D. utilizing
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The sixth mass extinction of life on the Earth is unfolding more quickly than feared, scientists have warned. More than 30 percent of animals with a backbone — fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals — are declining in both range and population, according to the first comprehensive analysis of these trends.
Around a decade ago, experts feared that a new range wipeout of species was appearing. Today, most agree that it is underway — but the new study suggests that the die-out is already growing fast.
The loss of biodiversity has recently accelerated. Several species of mammals that were relatively safe one or two decades ago are now endangered, including cheetahs, lions and giraffes, the study showed.
There is no mystery as to why: our own ever-expanding species — which has more than doubled in number since 1960 to 7.4 billion — is eating, crowding and polluting its planetary cohabitants out of existence. By comparison, there are as few as 20,000 lions left in the wild, less than 7,000 cheetahs, 500 to 1,000 giant pandas.
The main drivers of wildlife decline are habitat loss, over-consumption, pollution, other species, disease, as well as hunting in the case of tigers, elephants, rhinos and other large animals prized for their body parts.
Climate change is thought to become a major threat in the coming decades, with some animals — most famously polar bears — already in decline due to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.
1.What does the underlined word “accelerated” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Made up. B. Put up.
C. Sped up. D. Used up.
2.Why has the loss of biodiversity sped up?
A. The mankind’s population is growing fast.
B. The air pollution is too severe.
C. There are fewer species in larger areas.
D. Man causes wider water pollution.
3.Which is not the main driver of wildlife decline?
A. Outside animals.
B. Loss of living areas.
C. Various illnesses.
D. Lack of water.
4.How is the future of polar bears?
A. Uncertain. B. Hopeful.
C. Doubtful. D. Unsatisfying.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Earth is most likely experiencing its sixth mass extinction (灭绝). The planet has been through at least five such catastrophes 1., but this is the first one in human history — and the first one with human fingerprints.
A report by the World Wildlife Fund2.(offer) the details about this decline, which has cut the planet's vertebrate (有脊椎的) wildlife populations3. an average of 60 percent in just 40 years. Habitat loss is the main threat to many 4. (danger) land animals. "Science shows us the cruel 5. (real) that our forests, oceans and rivers are suffering at our hands now," says Marco Lambertini, director of WWF International, in a statement. "Inch by inch and species by species, 6.(shrink) wildlife numbers and wild places are an indicator of the huge influence and pressure we are putting on the planet. "
"The statistics are7.(scare), but all hope is not lost, "says Ken Norris, science director for the Zoological Society of London. The report exposes some environmental 8.(problem) around the world, but it also throws light on the ways we can still protect and recover what9.(leave). We have an opportunity to design a new path forward10. allows us to co-exist with the wildlife we depend upon.
高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
With the rapid expansion of mass transit system (公交体系), big cities like Shanghai should be able to ease the congestion(拥挤)and pollution caused by an excessive number of cars.
Statistics show that Shanghai’s subway lines will reach 350 km by the end of this year, making the city No. 3 in the world in terms of subway length. Shanghai could be ranked No. 1 when the length is extended to 430 km next May in time for the World Expo. This means about 5.5 million people each day could use the city’s subway system, thereby reducing traffic bottle-necks and air and noise pollution in downtown Shanghai.
At present, Shanghai suffers from severe traffic congestion, during not only rush hours and weekdays but also off-peak hours and weekends.
For years, car emissions (尾气) have been blamed for contributing 60 percent of the air pollution in the city center, causing various respiratory (呼吸道) diseases.
What’s more, Shanghai has not met its target of noise reduction for five years, which has become a major source of public complaints. Starting from August 1, cars that are considered highly polluting will be banned from entering the city centre.
Shanghai also plans to carry out the China IV emission standards, equivalent to Euro IV, on November 1, ahead of the 2011 national deadline. In addition, Shanghai is building 16 parking lots with 8,000 spaces near subway terminals so that people can park and ride the mass transit system instead of driving their cars into the city center.
Much more needs to be done for truly easing the traffic jams and air and noise pollution caused by automobiles. For example, the ban on using the horn, which was made effective from June 1, 2007, has hardly been enforced.
Many local people still regard owning and driving a car as a kind of demonstration of their wealth, without realizing the traffic and environmental hazards it can cause. When the subway system can take people to their destinations, driving a private car in downtown Shanghai could become a moral issue.
Shanghai should also show courage in leading Chinese cities to adopt the congestion charge system, which the city has been studying for the last eight years. A similar schedule, practiced in London and Singapore, has proved to be effective in reducing pollution and congestion in the city center.
Once Shanghai shows the way, other cities, like Beijing, too, may adopt the practice.
1.The best title for the passage may be___________.
A. Efforts to Ease Congestion & Pollution B. Benefits of Public Transit System
C. Possibilities to Charge On Congestion D. Ways to Reduce Car Emission
2.The following is true EXCEPT that Shanghai _________.
A. plans not to carry out the Euro IV emission standards
B. could be No. 1 in terms of subway length next May
C. has problems with crowding not only in rush hours
D. has strong public complaints about noise pollution
3.Guess the correct meaning of the underlined word “hazards”.
A. sudden changes B. violent forces C. public dislikes D. dangerous results
4.The writer of the passage intends to tell us________.
A. though many plans have been carried out, the situation is hopeless
B. difficult as the situation seems, Shanghai is sure to overcome it
C. whether the problems will be solved depends on people’s action
D. environmental problem should be regarded as a moral issue.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The old professor told us every part of the materials should be made use of ______ the power station.
A.to build | B.building |
C.build | D.built |
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The old professor told us that every part of the materials should be made use of _____ the station.
A. building B. to build C. build D. being built
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The arts, especially music, should be part of every school's lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.
Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang(团伙). Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.
Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.
Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.
1.According to the passage, music could make students smarter by __________.
A. improving their classroom skills and paying attention
B. improving their classroom skills and imagination
C. improving their attention, direction and imagination
D. learning music, making music and trying out their own ideas
2.What does the underlined phrase "glued to" in the second paragraph mean?
A. unwilling to turn on B. always looking
C. unwilling to leave D. always playing
3.The third paragraph mainly tells us that music could _______________.
A. give children self-expression and self-confidence
B. bring to children achievement and success
C. give children something to be proud of
D. develop children's self-confidence
4.What's the best title of this passage?
A. Music is a must as a course at school
B. Music builds children's self-confidence
C. Music makes students much smarter
D. Learning music and making music
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
The sixth mass extinction is not a worry for the future. It’s happening now,much faster than previously expected,and it's entirely our fault,according to a study puhlished Mooday.
Humans have already wiped out hundreds of species and pushed many more to the brink of extinction through wildlife trade,pollution,habitat loss and the use of toxic substances. The findings published in the scientific Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences( PNAS)show that the rate at which species are dying out has accelerated in recent decades.
Gerardo Ceballos González,a professor of ecology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and one of the authors of the study,said approximately 173 species went extinct between 2001 and 2014. “173 species is 25 times more extinct species than you would expect under the normal extinction rate. ”he told CNN in an email. He and his team found that in the past 100 years,more than 400 vertebrate(脊椎动物的)species went extinct. In the normal course of evolution,such extinctions would have taken up to 10,000 years,they said.
Mass extinctions are just as severe as their name suggests. There have been five mass extinction events in the Earth’s history,each wiping out between 70%and 95%of the species of plants,animals and microorganisms. The most recent,66 million years ago,saw dinosaurs disappear. The past events were caused by catastrophic changes of the environment,including massive volcanic eruptions or collision with an asteroid.
The sixth mass extinction the one happening now—is different:scientists say it’s caused by humans. The researchers also said the current coronavirus(冠状病毒)crisis shows people’s recklessness(鲁莽)towards nature can seriously hurt themselves. Many endangered species are dying in large numbers due to the trade in wild animals and plants.
1.What does the underlined word“toxic”in Para. 2 mean?
A.Poisonous B.Useful
C.Alternative D.Environment-friendly
2.How does the writer convince readers of the seriousness of the mass extinctions?
A.By listing reliable statistics.
B.By imagining a picture of the extinctions.
C.By mentioning some news from CNN.
D.By explaining the history of the extinctions.
3.What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
A.To tell the difference between the fifth and sixth extinction.
B.To explain the cause of the coronavirus crisis.
C.To warn humans to get rid of their wrong actions.
D.To show the writer’s concern about the endangered species.
4.What does this article mainly talk about?
A.The changes of the environment do harm to wildlife.
B.The sixth mass extinction is much faster than expected.
C.Mass extinctions are just as severe as their name suggests.
D.The current coronavirus has arisen from the illegal trade.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
She doesn’t like Miss Anderson, so she always avoids ________ with her.
A. being left alone B. being leaving alone C. being leaving behind D. being left behind
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Those extra pounds should be avoided at all costs, right? Actually, while being overweight isn’t generally good for our health, not all fat is created equal — some may even be beneficial.
There are two major kinds of body fat. White fat, the most abundant type, is what you feel when you squeeze your midsection. Brown fat, found mainly in the neck region, burns energy rather than storing it the way white fat does. Brown fat may also help avoid diabetes. According to a study in Cell Metabolism, individuals with higher amounts of brown fat had smaller changes in blood sugar and thus a reduced risk of developing diabetes. Infants have high levels of brown fat, which helps regulate their body temperature. Sadly, we lose it as we age, and adults have only small amounts.
Adults can increase brown fat by exposing themselves to cold temperatures. In a recent study, people who slept in a mildly cold room (about 66 degrees F) increased the amount and activity of their brown fat by up to 40 percent. Sleeping in mild warmth (81 degrees F), however, decreased their amount of brown fat. Cold showers don’t seem to affect it.
Brown fat does have its drawbacks. Radiologists don’t like it, because the heat it causes makes it harder for body scans to detect activities in patients. Although there’s no firm evidence that any specific foods or nutrients can activate brown fat, radiologists routinely recommend that patients eat a high-fat, low-carb diet before scans on the grounds that this reduces brown fat activation.
Just as brown fat isn’t perfect, neither is white fat all bad. Even though people tend to hate it, white fat delivers important health benefits. It protects our vital organs, helps keep us warm, and stores calories for later use, keeping us from starving when food is scarce.
White fat can sometimes be turned into brown — it’s then called beige or brite (“brown in white”) fat. Like brown fat, beige fat burns energy and can thus help fight against obesity. Scientists are still trying to figure out how the change happens; one study points to a hormone called irisin, which our muscles produce when we exercise.
Fat cells’ sensitivity to temperature changes means there’s more than one way we can get rid of unwanted fat. Cooling treatments, for instance, freeze fat cells to death. The body removes these damaged cells over several months.
1.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “midsection” in the second paragraph?
A.Leg. B.Arm. C.Wrist. D.Waist.
2.Generally speaking, who have a larger proportion of brown fat?
A.Babies. B.Senior people. C.Fat people. D.Thin people.
3.The following kinds of fat can help people fight against obesity EXCEPT ________.
A.Beige fat. B.Brite fat. C.White fat. D.Brown fat.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析