In South America, the rich soil of the Amazon River basin(流域)in Brazil is known as “black gold”. Scientists found that the secret of this rich soil was charcoal(木炭). Local people made it from animal bones and tree branches. They mixed the charcoal with the soil about 1.500 years ago.
Now, scientists in the United States have done a modern demonstration. They say charcoal fertilization offers a revolutionary way to improve soil quality for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Mingxin Guo and his team at Delavare State University heated tree leaves, corn stalks(茎), small pieces of wood and poultry waste into “biochar”(生物碳). They reported their findings at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans.
Biochar could be good news for farmers with poor soil and hungry populations to feed. Professor Guo says it could even help against global warming. Intensive(集约的) farming and overuse of chemical fertilizer give out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Biochar does the opposite, he says. It traps carbon in the ground.
The researchers planted winter wheat in containers of soil in a greenhouse — some with biochar, some without. Professor Guo says the wheat grows much better in the pots with biochar. The soil was added two percent charcoal to. But he says even a one percent treatment will increase productivity.
The results demonstrated that biochar can increase organic matter in soil. Loss of nutrients in soil is an increasing problem worldwide as farmers try to grow more food for growing populations.
Next, the team will carry out a five-year study of biochar with spinach(菠菜), green peppers and tomatoes.
Mingxin Guo says he learns about the “black gold” in Brazil from a magazine story. He explains that it was discovered in the jungle, in the area where waters flow to the Amazon, in the 1960’s. But it was not until recent years that scientists began to bring public attention to it.
1.According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.The researchers will go on proving their theory.
B.The leading researcher learns the theory from the magazine.
C.Charcoal was discovered 1,500 years ago.
D.Common farming can produce more carbon dioxide.
2.Biochar has the following advantages EXCEPT that ________.
A.it can improve the condition of the soil
B.it can be used as a kind of energy
C.it can help against global warming
D.it can increase productivity of the corn
3.According to the research, the biochar can help against global warming because it can ________.
A.reduce the carbon dioxide
B.keep the carbon in the soil
C.reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil
D.absorb the carbon dioxide
4.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A.Using Charcoal to Make soil into “Black Gold”
B.Using Charcoal to Reduce the Carbon Dioxide
C.How Amazon River Basin Produces “Golden Black”
D.Guo’s Research on Producing Biochar
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
In South America, the rich soil of the Amazon River basin(流域)in Brazil is known as “black gold”. Scientists found that the secret of this rich soil was charcoal(木炭). Local people made it from animal bones and tree branches. They mixed the charcoal with the soil about 1.500 years ago.
Now, scientists in the United States have done a modern demonstration. They say charcoal fertilization offers a revolutionary way to improve soil quality for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Mingxin Guo and his team at Delavare State University heated tree leaves, corn stalks(茎), small pieces of wood and poultry waste into “biochar”(生物碳). They reported their findings at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans.
Biochar could be good news for farmers with poor soil and hungry populations to feed. Professor Guo says it could even help against global warming. Intensive(集约的) farming and overuse of chemical fertilizer give out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Biochar does the opposite, he says. It traps carbon in the ground.
The researchers planted winter wheat in containers of soil in a greenhouse — some with biochar, some without. Professor Guo says the wheat grows much better in the pots with biochar. The soil was added two percent charcoal to. But he says even a one percent treatment will increase productivity.
The results demonstrated that biochar can increase organic matter in soil. Loss of nutrients in soil is an increasing problem worldwide as farmers try to grow more food for growing populations.
Next, the team will carry out a five-year study of biochar with spinach(菠菜), green peppers and tomatoes.
Mingxin Guo says he learns about the “black gold” in Brazil from a magazine story. He explains that it was discovered in the jungle, in the area where waters flow to the Amazon, in the 1960’s. But it was not until recent years that scientists began to bring public attention to it.
1.According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.The researchers will go on proving their theory.
B.The leading researcher learns the theory from the magazine.
C.Charcoal was discovered 1,500 years ago.
D.Common farming can produce more carbon dioxide.
2.Biochar has the following advantages EXCEPT that ________.
A.it can improve the condition of the soil
B.it can be used as a kind of energy
C.it can help against global warming
D.it can increase productivity of the corn
3.According to the research, the biochar can help against global warming because it can ________.
A.reduce the carbon dioxide
B.keep the carbon in the soil
C.reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil
D.absorb the carbon dioxide
4.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A.Using Charcoal to Make soil into “Black Gold”
B.Using Charcoal to Reduce the Carbon Dioxide
C.How Amazon River Basin Produces “Golden Black”
D.Guo’s Research on Producing Biochar
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
For thousands of years, the Yangtze River Basin has nurtured (哺育) countless generations of people in China. With towering mountains, dense (茂密的) forests and beautiful wetlands, the basin is also home to many kinds of wild animals and plants.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, it boasts about 350 types of fish, 762 kinds of bird, 280 mammals and over 14,000 different plants.
One of the most famous creatures is the baiji, or Yangtze River dolphin, which is described as the “Goddess of the Yangtze” in the Erya (《尔雅》), a Chinese dictionary dating back to 200 BC.
The light grey, long-nosed river dolphin first lived in the oceans before settling in the Yangtze River around 20 million years ago. Despite having eyes, it relies on its sonar (声呐) abilities to navigate (导航) through water, according to China Daily.
It’s also a shy creature. That’s why Wang Ding, an expert from the Institute of Hydrobiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, compared it to the “girl next door”. “The baiji is very beautiful but difficult to get close to,” Wang told the Guardian.
However, the baiji’s cousin, the Yangtze finless porpoise (江豚), seems to have a more lively character. Known for its “mischievous” (淘气的) smile and friendliness with humans, the finless porpoise is nicknamed the “water elf (精灵)”.
Compared to the friendly porpoise, the snow leopard (雪豹), known as the “king of the snowy mountains”, couldn’t be more different. With sharp teeth, the white-coated big cat has strong limbs (四肢), which help the animal to cover about 10 meters in a single leap.
Despite the biodiversity in the Yangtze River Basin, however, its creatures are under threat. For example, the baiji was declared “functionally extinct” in 2006. This means that even if there are some of a species still alive, it still may not survive. The finless porpoise was categorized as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2013, while the snow leopard was listed as “vulnerable (易危的)” in 2017.
A major reason for the drop in the number of these creatures is human activity, such as hunting and pollution, according to China Daily.
“In the past, many people relied on fish farming to make a living,” Huang Zehua, an official from Jingzhou, Hubei, told Beijing Review. “Fish farming then was mostly chaotic and disorderly.”
Luckily, measures have been taken to protect the Yangtze River Basin. In 2016, China announced the creation of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, involving nine provinces and two municipalities (直辖市). Environmental protection and green development are considered first in the development of the economic belt, according to China Daily.
“The Yangtze River is China’s mother river, and it’s our duty to protect it,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping during an inspection tour of Hubei in April, 2017.
Saving 1. wildlife | |
China’s mother river | With rich natural 2., the Yangtze River Basin is home to 3. of wild animals and plants. |
The animals living in or along the river | Baiji came from the oceans 20 million years ago, using its sonar to 4. the directions through water. It is shy and beautiful. It is now very 5. to extinction. |
The Yangtze finless porpoise might have the same 6. with baiji but is more friendly to humans. It is under great threat now. | |
The snow leopard is 7. at racing with strong limbs, which was listed as “vulnerable” in 2017. | |
A major factor 8. to the drop in the number of these creatures | The 9. human activity, such as hunting and pollution, has caused great harm to the living chances of these animals. |
Measures taken to protect the Yangtze River Basin. | Nine provinces and two municipalities have joined the Yangtze River Economic Belt and agreed that environmental protection and green development are a 10. in the development of the economic belt. |
高三英语任务型阅读中等难度题查看答案及解析
They have rich and beautiful forests _____ in the south of the country.
A.grown | B.growing | C.planted | D.planting |
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
. —Do you know why the Yellow River basin is called the Cradle of Chinese Civilization?
—Well, well, _____. I’ve never read about that.
A. you really have me there B. there is some doubt C. I can’t tell you D. that depends
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
For the people living in the Nile Basin,the river is their life. This 6,825 km waterway,whose watershed (流域) covers three million square kilometers,flows through mountains,woodlands,lakes and deserts. Its potential for fishing,tourism and shipping is great-but so are its challenges.
Water shortage,already serious in Egypt and Sudan,will soon influence several other countries in the watershed as well. Today,about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living. Within the next 25 years,the district’s population is expected to double,adding to the demand brought about by growth in industry and agriculture. The frequent drought adds to the urgency.
Water quality is also a problem. Precious soil is washed out to sea. Wastes from industry and agriculture create pollution. Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils. Water-borne diseases remain unchecked. In areas where it’s hot and damp,hyacinths grow so fast that they choke off lakes,dams and other sections of the river,making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day. They’ve seen the river change course,and their only source of water thickened with mud. They’re very poor and have few choices.
But a new program,the Nile Basin Initiative(NBI),is offering very practical assistance. The program is more than just a water-management project. It’s a plan for the social and economic development of a vast district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
These are whole ecosystem problems,calling for united solutions (解决办法).Half the Nile Basin’s countries are among the world’s poorest nations; yet,somehow,they must find the resources,skills and political will to overcome these challenges.
1.What are the great challenges the Nile Basin faces?
A.The development of shipping industry and over-fishing of native people. |
B.Overfishing of native people and increasing population. |
C.Water shortage and water quality. |
D.Increasing population and tourism. |
2.The underlined word “hyacinths” in Paragraph 3 most probably refers to ________.
A.plants | B.fish |
C.rocks | D.salts |
3.The program NBI is mainly aimed at ________.
A.preventing water pollution |
B.changing the river course |
C.improving living conditions of the poor |
D.preventing land from becoming desert |
4.What would be the best title of this passage?
A.People’s life in Egypt and Sudan |
B.Frequent drought in Egypt and Sudan |
C.The poorest countries in the Nile Basin |
D.The ecosystem problems in the Nile Basin |
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
For the people living in the Nile Basin, the river is their life:. This 6,825 km waterway, whose watershed(流域) covers three million square kilometers, flows through mountains ,woodlands, lakes and deserts. Its potential for fishing, tourism and shipping is great—but so are its challenges.
Water shortage , already serious in Egypt and Sudan , will soon influence several other countries in the watershed as well. Today, about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living. Within the next 25 yeas ,the district's population is expected to double, adding to the demand brought about by growth in industry and agriculture. The frequent drought(干旱)adds to the urgency.
Water quality is also a problem. Precious soil is washed out to sea. Wastes from industry and agriculture create pollution. Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils. Water-borne diseases continue unchecked. In areas where it's hot and damp, water hyacinths choke off lakes, dams and other sections of the river, making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day. They’ve seen the river change course, and their only source(来源) of water thickened with mud. They’re very poor and have few choices.
But a new program, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI),is offering very practical assistance. The program is more than just a water-management project. It’s a plan for the social and economic development of a vast district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
These are whole ecosystem problems, calling for united solutions(解决办法). Half the Nile Basin's countries are among the world's poorest nations;yet, somehow, they must find the resources, skills and political will to overcome these challenges.
68. What are the great challenges the Nile Basin faces?
A. The development of .shipping industry.
B. Overfishing of native people.
C. Water shortage and water quality.
D. Increasing population and tourism.
69. The underlined word “hyacinths”(in Paragraph 3) refer to “ ”.
A. animals B. plants C. rocks D. salts
70. The program NBI is mainly aimed at .
A. preventing water pollution B. changing the river course
C. improving living condition of the poor
D. preventing land from becoming desert
71. What would be the best title of this passage?
A. People's Life in Egypt and Sudan
B. Frequent Drought in Egypt and Sudan
C. The Poorest Countries in the Nile Basin
D. The Ecosystem Problems in the Nile Basin
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
For the people living in the Nile Basin, the river is their life.This 6,825 km waterway, whose watershed(流域)covers three million square kilometers, flows through mountains ,woodlands, lakes and deserts.Its potential for fishing, tourism and shipping is great—but so are its challenges.
Water shortage , already serious in Egypt and Sudan , will soon influence several other countries in the watershed as well.Today, about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living.Within the next 25 yeas ,the district's population is expected to double, adding to the demand brought about by growth in industry and agriculture.The frequent drought(干旱)adds to the urgency.
Water quality is also a problem.Precious soil is washed out to sea.Wastes from industry and agriculture create pollution.Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils.Water-borne diseases continue unchecked.In areas where it's hot and damp, water hyacinths choke off(阻止) lakes, dams and other sections of the river, making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day.They’ve seen the river change course, and their only source(来源) of water thickened with mud.They’re very poor and have few choices.
But a new program, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), is offering very practical assistance.The program is more than just a water-management project.It’s a plan for the social and economic development of a vast district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
These are whole ecosystem problems, calling for united solutions.Half the Nile Basin's countries are among the world's poorest nations;yet, somehow, they must find the resources, skills and political will to overcome these challenges.
1.What are the great challenges the Nile Basin faces?
A. The development of shipping industry.
B. Over fishing of native people.
C. Water shortage and water quality.
D. Increasing population and tourism.
2.The underlined word “hyacinths” (in Paragraph 3) refer to “________ ”.
A. plants B. animals C. rocks D. salts
3.The program NBI is mainly aimed at ________ .
A. preventing water pollution
B. improving living condition of the poor
C. changing the river course
D. preventing land from becoming desert
4.
A. People’s Life in Egypt and Sudan
B. Frequent Drought in Egypt and Sudan
C. The Poorest Countries in the Nile Basin
D. The Ecosystem Problems in the Nile Basin
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Silk is mainly produced in the south of the Yangtze River Delta. The people 1.(live )in the region were the inventors of silk fabric, and no other culture discovered this process independently. The history of silk making 2.(begin)6,000 years ago, and the earliest example of silk fabric 3. has been discovered dates from 3630 BC in Henan. Silk cloth producing process was well advanced during the Shang Dynasty(1600—1046 BC)era.
China produces about 150,000 tons 4.(annual). This is much more than the rest of the world. Only India has a comparably large industry that produces about 30,000 tons.
It is thought that silk 5.(export)along the Silk Road routes about 400 BC ago. But after that, the 6.(variety)kingdoms kept secret the methods of silk 7.(produce)for another thousand years. It might have been one of the most energetically guarded secretes in history. Anyone 8.(find)secretly carrying silkworm eggs, or mulberry(桑树)seeds was put 9. death.
Silk garments were worn by emperors and royalty. It was a status symbol, 10. common people were prohibited from wearing silk. Silk was also used for a number of other applications including luxury writing material.
高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
When you travel in South America, you’d better pay attention to the following three kinds of dangerous South American animals.
Piranhas(水虎鱼)
Although only a small number of piranhas are considered to be dangerous to humans, the red-bellied piranha is definitely one of those. Evidence has shown that a large group of piranhas can absolutely eat a herd of large animals crossing the river, leaving only bones. This fish lives in the freshwater streams of South America, and they can smell the blood from far away and launch attacks swiftly. It is said that they are only dangerous to humans if the water volumes are less and lower.
Anacondas(水蟒)
This South American monster of a creature often appears in the films or your nightmares!They have weighed over 230 kilograms. It is often considered to be the biggest snake in the world. You certainly don’t want to get caught alone with this snake due to its method of attacking and killing its victim. It is indeed a remarkably different brand of snake type as it regularly coils(缠绕)around all over its target, increasing the pressure until eventually its victim dies. Its jaws are powered by large muscles that produce enough power for its over 100 sharp teeth to pass through the thick skin of an crocodile. They don’t have poison. Sometimes they prefer to camouflage themselves so they look like their surroundings and swiftly draw back when humans are near.
Golden Poisonous Frogs
The golden poison frog might be the most-deadly of the South American animal, which is protected by means of poison. This very small frog, less than 55 mm in length, packs enough punch(效力)to take down a pair of African bull elephants. This apparently harmless frog has always been known to have killed people who have touched it directly. It’s also been noted that chicken and dogs have died by contacting things on which a golden poison frog had wandered! In intense colors, they normally look attractive to their targets.
1.What can we learn about piranhas from the passage?
A. Piranhas are the most dangerous animals.
B. Piranhas like to live in the deep seabed.
C. Piranhas may attack human beings when the water level is low.
D. Piranhas only attack human beings when they cross the river in groups.
2.How does an anaconda kill its victim according to the passage?
A. It often uses its poison to kill its victim.
B. It often uses its strength to kill its victim.
C. It kills its victim mainly using its powerful teeth.
D. It kills its victim with the help of other snakes.
3.The underlined word “camouflage” in Paragraph 3 means “________”.
A. hide itself by appearing like the surroundings
B. terrify and capture the enemy by making much noise
C. move around to search for delicious food
D. give off harmful gas to kill the targets
4.Chicken and dogs are mentioned in Paragraph 4 to show that ________.
A. no animals can survive the poison of the golden poison frog
B. they like to wander along the path of the golden poison frog
C. the golden poison frog likes eating them most
D. the poison of the golden poison frog is deadly
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When you travel in South America, you’d better pay attention to the following three kinds of dangerous South American animals.
Piranhas(水虎鱼)
Although only a small number of piranhas are considered to be dangerous to humans, the red-bellied piranha is definitely one of those. Evidence has shown that a large group of piranhas can absolutely eat a herd of large animals crossing the river, leaving only bones. This fish lives in the freshwater streams of South America, and they can smell the blood from far away and launch attacks swiftly. It is said that they are only dangerous to humans if the water volumes are less and lower.
Anacondas(水蟒)
This South American monster of a creature often appears in the films or your nightmares!They have weighed over 230 kilograms. It is often considered to be the biggest snake in the world. You certainly don’t want to get caught alone with this snake due to its method of attacking and killing its victim. It is indeed a remarkably different brand of snake type as it regularly coils(缠绕)around all over its target, increasing the pressure until eventually its victim dies. Its jaws are powered by large muscles that produce enough power for its over 100 sharp teeth to pass through the thick skin of an crocodile. They don’t have poison. Sometimes they prefer to camouflage themselves so they look like their surroundings and swiftly draw back when humans are near.
Golden Poisonous Frogs
The golden poison frog might be the most-deadly of the South American animal, which is protected by means of poison. This very small frog, less than 55 mm in length, packs enough punch(效力)to take down a pair of African bull elephants. This apparently harmless frog has always been known to have killed people who have touched it directly. It’s also been noted that chicken and dogs have died by contacting things on which a golden poison frog had wandered! In intense colors, they normally look attractive to their targets.
1.What can we learn about piranhas from the passage?
A. Piranhas are the most dangerous animals.
B. Piranhas like to live in the deep seabed.
C. Piranhas may attack human beings when the water level is low.
D. Piranhas only attack human beings when they cross the river in groups.
2.How does an anaconda kill its victim according to the passage?
A. It often uses its poison to kill its victim.
B. It often uses its strength to kill its victim.
C. It kills its victim mainly using its powerful teeth.
D. It kills its victim with the help of other snakes.
3.The underlined word “camouflage” in Paragraph 3 means “________”.
A. hide itself by appearing like the surroundings
B. terrify and capture the enemy by making much noise
C. move around to search for delicious food
D. give off harmful gas to kill the targets
4.Chicken and dogs are mentioned in Paragraph 4 to show that ________.
A. no animals can survive the poison of the golden poison frog
B. they like to wander along the path of the golden poison frog
C. the golden poison frog likes eating them most
D. the poison of the golden poison frog is deadly
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析