Western conservation groups are seeking stric...

Western conservation groups are seeking stricter laws to deal with trade in endangered wildlife, but Dr. Paul Jepson warns that this isn’t the best solution. He specially mentions the case of the Bali starling (八哥). Bringing in tougher laws created unexpected outcomes, which contributed to the bird’s extinction in the wild in 2006.

He said that the traditional law enforcement (执行) approach that prohibited ownership of the Bali starling in the 1980s and 1990s increased rather than reduced the demand for wild-caught Bali starlings. The bird has become a popular gift among the rich of Indonesia, who can gain more status by owning one.

Instead, a case-by-case analysis might be needed. Last year, he said, a bird association set up a network of breeders (饲养者) among the owners of Bali starling on the island of Java. By introducing a “crowd-breeding” model, it transformed the bird into a species whose price and source of supply were publicly known. This lessened the status of keeping such birds and thereby reduced their profitability to black market suppliers.

Another case was on Nusa Penida, an island southeast of Bali. A Balinese conservation group planned to release starlings on the island. Some tried to block the plan, saying the island was outside the birds’ native zone. Eventually, the Governor of Bali came up with a plan. The starlings were given to a local temple as a ceremonial offering before they were released. This gave the Bali starling status as a “sacred bird”, giving them protection under customary laws. Now the released starlings established a breeding population on Nusa Penida.

Dr. Jepson commented, “I do not want to condemn the international approach seeking tighter law enforcement, but this case study shows we should not oversimplify how we respond to the problem of the wildlife trade. There is a growing body of evidence that shows more different approaches are sometimes needed to fit with the local social and political realities. We should tailor solutions on more of a case-by-case basis.”

1.What might have sped up the wild Bali starling’s extinction in 2006?

A.The bad natural environment.

B.The side effect of strict protection laws.

C.The debate over the wildlife trade.

D.The popularity of the bird in the world.

2.Why was the “crowd-breeding” model introduced?

A.To make the Bali starling less profitable.

B.To cut off the supply to the black market.

C.To increase the demand for the Bali starling.

D.To block the strict laws passed by the government.

3.What can we learn from the case on Nusa Penida?

A.The starlings were protected as a result of stricter laws.

B.It is unwise to release starlings outside their native zone.

C.The starlings were endangered due to their reduced status.

D.Attaching spiritual value to the starlings helps protect them.

4.Which of the following will Dr. Jepson probably agree with?

A.Stricter enforcement is needed to protect biodiversity.

B.Those who seek tighter law enforcement should be blamed.

C.There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the wildlife trade problem.

D.The problem of wildlife trade should be treated with determination.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

There are 61 million “left-behind children” in central and western China,

　　　　　　　　 the adults have to seek jobs in the cities.

A. who　　　 B. which　　　 C. when　　　 D. where

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Passage seven(Stricter Traffic Law can Prevent Accidents)

From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one day remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of men, women and children on the roads. Man versus the motor-car ! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen.

It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering-wheel. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-years-olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving.

The surprising thing is that society smiles so benignly on the motorist and seems to condone his behaviour. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy tragic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten.

It is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Here are a few examples of some the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through stringent annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be mad much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as to severe if tit results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not motor-cars.

1.The main idea of this passage is

A.Traffic accidents are mainly caused by motorists.

B.Thousands of people the world over are killed each year.

C.The laws of some countries about driving are too lax.

D.Only stricter traffic laws can prevent accidents.

2.What does the author think of society toward motorists?

A.Society smiles on the motorists.

B.Huge car parks are built in the cities and towns.

C.Victims of accidents are nothing.

D.Society condones their rude driving.

3.Why does the author say:’ his car becomes the extension of his personality?’

A.Driving can show his real self.

B.Driving can show the other part of his personality.

C.Driving can bring out his character.

D.His car embodies his temper.

4.Which of the followings is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents?

A.Build more highways.

B.Stricter driving tests.

C.Test drivers every three years.

D.raise age limit and lay down safety specifications.

5.The attitude of the author is

A.ironical        B.critical     C.appealing      D.militant

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Environmental groups intend to _____ the pressure until the government changes the law.

A. keep up      B. make up     C. pick up       D. bring up

高三英语简单题查看答案及解析

In Florida. a group of parents known as"the break moms"has been fighting to pass a law guaranteeing the state's elementary-school students at least 20 minutes of daily free play.

In a survey of school-district administrators, roughly a third said their districts had reduced outdoor play in the early 2000s. Disadvantaged kids have been the most likely to be shortchanged (克扣). According to a 2003 study, just 56 percent of children living at or below the poverty line had break, compared with 83 percent of those above the poverty line a similar disparity (差异) existed between black children and their white peers.

The benefits of break might seem obvious-time to run around helps kids stay fit. But a large body of research suggests that it also promotes cognition (认知). Many studies have found that regular exercise improves mental function and academic performance. And an analysis of studies that focused specifically on break found positive associations between physical activity and the ability to concentrate in class.

In one series of experiments. researchers controlled break start times. Some days children were let out at 10 am. and other days at 10: 30. The kids attentiveness decreased when they had to wait longer for break and refreshed themselves after they played. And when fourth-graders in a break-free school were given a weekly break. Another group of researchers found that they had an easier time staying on task and were much less restless. These experimental findings are supported by an analysis of 10,000 questionnaires filled out by third-grade teachers: Even a single 15-minute daily break was connected with more-positive ratings of classroom behavior.

Perhaps most important, break allows children to design their own games. to test their abilities,to role-play and to settle their own conflicts-activities that are key to developing social skills and managing complicated situations. Initial results from an ongoing study in Texas suggest that elementary-school children who are given four 15-minute breaks a day are significantly more sympathetic toward their peers than are kids who don,t get break.

1.What causes "the break moms" to start a fight?

A. Pupils lack of outdoor play. B. Poor school management.

C. Absence of education laws. D. Inequality among students.

2.In one series of experiments,researchers find that 　　　 .

A. children behave better when let out earlier

B. kids waiting longer are unable to stay focused again

C. third-graders have difficulty in focusing on task

D. fourth-graders are more concentrated without a break

3.What can we infer if we can ensure children a certain amount of daily break?

A. They escape from life conflicts

B. They may strengthen dependence

C. They are more considerate towards others

D. They are eager to manage complicated situations.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Different kinds of soil conservation methods are used by farmers to protect their land from damage by farming and the forces of nature. One important form of soil conservation is the use of windbreaks.

Windbreaks are barriers (屏障) formed by trees and other plants with many leaves. Farmers plant them in lines around their fields. Windbreaks stop the wind from blowing soil away. They also keep the wind from destroying or damaging crops. They are very important for growing grains, such as wheat.

There have been studies done on windbreaks in parts of West Africa, for example. They found that grain harvests can be twenty percent higher in fields protected by windbreaks compared to fields without such protection.

However, windbreaks seem to work best when they allow a little wind to pass through. If the wall of trees and plants stops wind completely, then violent air motions will take place close to the ground. These motions will lift soil into the air where it will be blown away. For this reason, a windbreak is best if it has only sixty to eighty percent of the trees and plants needed to make a solid line.

There should be at least two lines in each windbreak. One line should be large trees. The second line, right next to it, can be shorter trees and other plants with leaves. Locally grown trees and plants are best for windbreaks.

1.What is a windbreak according to the passage?

A. A windbreak is a concrete wall to prevent the strong winds.

B. A windbreak is a wood with different kinds of trees.

C. A windbreak is a wall of trees to hold soil in place.

D. A windbreak is a wall of wind to fight wind from the opposite way.

2.When can windbreaks be most effective?

A. The trees are planted one by one.

B. The trees and plants grow in a line.

C. The trees grow as high as they can.

D. Windbreaks allow a little wind to blow through.

3.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. A windbreak is one of the best forms of soil conversation.

B. A windbreak is very good for growing grains such as wheat.

C. One line of trees is enough for soil protection.

D. Locally grown trees and plants are the top choice for a windbreak.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is reported that conservation groups in North America have been arguing about the benefits and dangers of wolves．Some groups believe wolves should be killed．Other people believe wolves must be protected so that they will not disappear from the wilderness.

For Killing Wolves

In Alaska，the wolf almost disappeared a few years ago，because hunters were killing hundreds of them for sport．However, 1aws were established to protect the wolves from sportsmen and people who catch the animals for their fur．So the wolf population has greatly increased．Now there are so many wolves that they are destroying their own food supply．

A wolf naturally eats animals in the deer family ．People in the wilderness also hunt deer for food．Many of the animals have been destroyed by the very cold winters recently and by changes in the wilderness plant life．When the deer can’t find enough food，they die．

If the wolves continue to kill large numbers of deer，their prey（猎物）will disappear some day．And the wolves will．too．So we must change the cycle of life in the wilderness to balance the ecology．If we killed more wolves，we would save them and their prey from dying out．We’d also save some farm animals．

In another northern state，wolves attack cows and chickens for food．Farmers want the government to send biologists to study the problem．They believe it necessary to kill wolves in some areas and to protect them in places where there is a small wolf population．

Against Killing Wolves

If you had lived long ago，you would have heard many different stories about the dangerous wolf．According to most stories，hungry wolves often kill people for food．Even today，the stories of the “big bad wolf'＂will not disappear．

But the fact is wolves are afraid of people．and they seldom travel in areas where there is a human smell．When wolves eat other animals，they usually kill the very young, or the sick and injured．The strongest survive．No kind of animal would have survived through the centuries if the weak members had lived．That has always been a law of nature.

Although some people say it is good sense to kill wolves，we say it is nonsense! Researchers have found wolves and their prey living in balance, the wolves keep the deer population from becoming too large, and that keeps a balance in the wilderness plant life．

The real problem is that the areas where wolves can live are being used by people．Even if wilderness land is not used directly for human needs, the wolves can’t always find enough food．So they travel to the nearest source, which is often a farm．Then there is danger．The “big bad wolf” has arrived! And everyone knows what happens next．

1.According to the passage，some people in North America favor killing wolves for all the following reasons EXCET that ________．

A．there are too many wolves                          B．they kill large numbers deer

C．they attack cows and chickens for food         D．they destroy the wilderness plant life

2.Some people are against killing wolves because ________．

A．wolves help to keep the ecological balance in the wideness

B．there is too small a wolf population in the wilderness

C．there are too many deer in the wilderness

D．wolves are afraid of people and never attack people

3.According to those against killing wolves，when wolves eat other animals，________．

A．they never eat strong and healthy ones

B．they always go against the law of nature

C．they might help this kind of animals survive in nature

D．they disturb the ecological balance in the wilderness

4.The last sentence “And everyone knows what happens next” implies that in such cases ________．

A．farm animals will be in danger and have to be shipped away

B．wolves will kill people and people will in turn kill them

C．wolves will find enough food sources on farms

D．people will leave the areas where wolves can live

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is reported that conservation groups in North America have been arguing about the benefits and dangers of wolves. Some groups believe wolves should be killed. Other people believe wolves

Must be protected so that they will not disappear from the wilderndss(荒野)

For Killing Wolves

In Alaska，the wolf almost disappeared a few years ago，because hunters were killing hundreds

0f them forsport .However．1aws were established to protect the wolves from sportsmen and people who catch the animals for their fur．So the woIf population has greatly increased. Now there are so many wolves that they are destroying their own food supply．

A wolf naturally eats animals in the deer family. People in the wilderness also hunt deer for

food．Many of the animals have been destroyed by the very cold winters recently and by changes in the wilderness plant life．When the deer can’t find enough food，they die．

If the wolves continue to kill large numbers of deer，their prey(猎物)will disappear some

day．And the wolves will．too．So we must change the cycle of life in the wilderness to balance the

ecology．If we killed more wolves，we would save them and their prey from dying out．We’d also

save some farm animals．

In another northern state，wolves attack cows and chickens for food．Farmers want the

government to send biologists to study the problem．They believe it necessary to kill wolves in some areas and to protect them in places where there is a small woIf population．

Against Killing Wolves

If you had lived long ago，you would have heard many different stories about the dangerous

wolf．According to most stories，hungry wolves often kill people for food．Even today，the stories of the“big bad woIf'＂will not disappear．

But the fact is wolves are afraid of people．and they seldom travel in areas where there is a

human smell．When wolves eat other animals，they usually kill the very young．or the sick and

injured .The strongest survive .No kind of animal would have survived through the centuries if the

weak members had lived．And has always been a law of nature

Although some people say it is good sense to kill wolves，we say it is nonsense!Researchers

have found wolves and their prey living in balance．The wolves keep the deer population from

becoming too large,and that keeps a balance in the wilderness plant life．

The real problem is that the areas where wolves can live are being used bv people．Even if

wilderness land is not used directly for human needs．the wolves can’t always find enough food .So they travel to the nearest source,which is often a farm．Then there is danger．The“big bad wolf”has arrived! And everyone knows what happens next．

1．According to the passage，some people in North America favor killing wolves for all the following reasons EXCET that_____________．

A．there are too many wolves                  B．they kill large numbers deer

C．they attack cows and chickens for food        D．they destroy the wilderness plant life

2．Some people are against killing wolves because____________．

A．wolves help to keep the ecological balance in the wildemess

B．there is too small a wolf population in the wilderness

C．there are too many deer in the wilderness

D．wolves are afraid of people and never attack people

3．According to those against killing wolves，when wolves eat other animals，____________．

A．they never eat strong and healthy ones

B．they always go against the law of nature

C．they might help this kind of animals survive in nature

D．they disturb the ecological balance in the wilderness

4．The last sentence“And everyone knows what happens next”implies that in such cases____________．

A．farm animals will be in danger and have to be shipped away

B．woIves will kill people and people will in turn kill them

C．wolves wilI find enough food sources on famls

D．people will leave the areas where wolves can live

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

It is reported that conservation groups in North America have been arguing about the benefits and dangers of wolves. Some groups believe wolves should be killed. Other people believe wolves must be protected so that they will not disappear from the wilderness (荒野)

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 For Killing Wolves

In Alaska，the wolf almost disappeared a few years ago，because hunters were killing hundreds of them for sport. However．1aws were established to protect the wolves from sportsmen and people who catch the animals for their fur．So the wolf population has greatly increased. Now there are so many wolves that they are destroying their own food supply．

A wolf naturally eats animals in the deer family. People in the wilderness also hunt deer for food．Many of the animals have been destroyed by the very cold winters recently and by changes in the wilderness plant life．When the deer can’t find enough food，they die．

If the wolves continue to kill large numbers of deer，their prey(猎物)will disappear some day．And the wolves will．too．So we must change the cycle of life in the wilderness to balance the ecology．If we killed more wolves，we would save them and their prey from dying out．We’d also　 save some farm animals．

In another northern state，wolves attack cows and chickens for food．Farmers want the　 government to send biologists to study the problem．They believe it necessary to kill wolves in some areas and to protect them in places where there is a small wolf population．

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Against Killing Wolves

If you had lived long ago，you would have heard many different stories about the dangerous　 wolf．According to most stories，hungry wolves often kill people for food．Even today，the stories of the “big bad wolf'＂will not disappear．

But the fact is wolves are afraid of people．and they seldom travel in areas where there is a human smell．When wolves eat other animals，they usually kill the very young．or the sick and injured .The strongest survive .No kind of animal would have survived through the centuries if the weak members had lived．And has always been a law of nature.

Although some people say it is good sense to kill wolves，we say it is nonsense! Researchers　 have found wolves and their prey living in balance．The wolves keep the deer population from　 becoming too large, and that keeps a balance in the wilderness plant life．

The real problem is that the areas where wolves can live are being used by people．Even if wilderness land is not used directly for human needs．the wolves can’t always find enough food .So they travel to the nearest source, which is often a farm．Then there is danger．The “big bad wolf” has arrived! And everyone knows what happens next．

1. According to the passage，some people in North America favor killing wolves for all the following reasons EXCET that 　　　　　　　 ．

A. there are too many wolves　　　　　　　　　　　　

B. they kill large numbers deer

C. they attack cows and chickens for food　　　　　

D. they destroy the wilderness plant life

2. Some people are against killing wolves because　　　　　　　 ．

A. wolves help to keep the ecological balance in the wideness

B. there is too small a wolf population in the wilderness

C. there are too many deer in the wilderness

D. wolves are afraid of people and never attack people

3. According to those against killing wolves，when wolves eat other animals，　　　　　 ．

A. they never eat strong and healthy ones

B. they always go against the law of nature

C. they might help this kind of animals survive in nature

D. they disturb the ecological balance in the wilderness

4. The last sentence “And everyone knows what happens next” implies that in such cases 　 .

A. farm animals will be in danger and have to be shipped away

B. wolves will kill people and people will in turn kill them

C. wolves will find enough food sources on farms

D. people will leave the areas where wolves can live

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is reported that conservation groups in North America have been arguing about the benefits and dangers of wolves. Some groups believe wolves should be killed. Other people believe wolves must be protected so that they will not disappear from the wilderndss(荒野)

For Killing Wolves

In Alaska，the wolf almost disappeared a few years ago，because hunters were killing hundreds 0f them forsport .However．1aws were established to protect the wolves from sportsmen and people who catch the animals for their fur．So the woIf population has greatly increased. Now there are so many wolves that they are destroying their own food supply．

A wolf naturally eats animals in the deer family. People in the wilderness also hunt deer for food．Many of the animals have been destroyed by the very cold winters recently and by changes in the wilderness plant life．When the deer can’t find enough food，they die．

If the wolves continue to kill large numbers of deer，their prey(猎物)will disappear some day．And the wolves will．too．So we must change the cycle of life in the wilderness to balance the ecology．If we killed more wolves，we would save them and their prey from dying out．We’d also  save some farm animals．

In another northern state，wolves attack cows and chickens for food．Farmers want the  government to send biologists to study the problem．They believe it necessary to kill wolves in some areas and to protect them in places where there is a small woIf population．

Against Killing Wolves

If you had lived long ago，you would have heard many different stories about the dangerous  wolf．According to most stories，hungry wolves often kill people for food．Even today，the stories of the“big bad woIf'＂will not disappear．

But the fact is wolves are afraid of people．and they seldom travel in areas where there is a human smell．When wolves eat other animals，they usually kill the very young．or the sick and injured .The strongest survive .No kind of animal would have survived through the centuries if the weak members had lived．And has always been a law of nature.

Although some people say it is good sense to kill wolves，we say it is nonsense!Researchers  have found wolves and their prey living in balance．The wolves keep the deer population from  becoming too large,and that keeps a balance in the wilderness plant life．

The real problem is that the areas where wolves can live are being used bv people．Even if wilderness land is not used directly for human needs．the wolves can’t always find enough food .So they travel to the nearest source,which is often a farm．Then there is danger．The“big bad wolf”has arrived! And everyone knows what happens next．

1.According to the passage，some people in North America favor killing wolves for all the following reasons EXCET that ________．   A．there are too many wolves

B．they kill large numbers deer

C．they attack cows and chickens for food

D．they destroy the wilderness plant life

2.Some people are against killing wolves because________．

A．wolves help to keep the ecological balance in the wildemess

B．there is too small a wolf population in the wilderness

C．there are too many deer in the wilderness

D．wolves are afraid of people and never attack people

3.According to those against killing wolves，when wolves eat other animals，________．

A．they never eat strong and healthy ones   B．they always go against the law of nature

C．they might help this kind of animals survive in nature

D．they disturb the ecological balance in the wilderness

4.The last sentence“And everyone knows what happens next”implies that in such cases ________．

A．farm animals will be in danger and have to be shipped away

B．woIves will kill people and people will in turn kill them

C．wolves wilI find enough food sources on famls

D．people will leave the areas where wolves can live

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析