No longer in the pink
Corals are comeback creatures. As the world froze and melted and sea levels rose and fell over 30,000 years, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which is roughly the size of Italy, died and revived five times. But now, thanks to human activity, corals face the most complex condition they have yet had to deal with.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change, a rise in global temperatures of 1.5oC could cause coral reefs to decline 70-90%. The planet is about 1oC hotter than in the 19th century and its seas are becoming warmer, stormier and more acidic. This is already affecting relations between corals and the single-celled algae (海藻), which give them their color. When waters become unusually warm, algae float away, leaving reefs a ghostly white. This “bleaching” is happening five times as often as it did in the 1970s. Meanwhile the changing chemistry of the oceans makes it harder for corals to form their structures.
If corals go, divers and marine biologists are not the only people who will miss them. Reefs take up only a percent of the sea floor, but support a quarter of the planet’s fish diversity. The fish that reefs shelter are especially valuable to their poorest human neighbors, many of whom depend on them as a source of protein. Roughly an eighth of the world’s population lives within 100km of a reef. Corals also protect 150,000km of shoreline in more than 100 countries and territories from the oceans buffeting, as well as generating billions of dollars in tourism revenue.
Coral systems must adapt if they are to survive. They need protection from local sources of harm. Their eco-systems suffer from waste from farms, building sites and blast fishing. Governments need to impose tighter rules on these industrials, such as tougher local building codes, and to put more effort into enforcing rules against overfishing.
Setting up marine protected areas could also help reefs. Locals who fear for their livelihoods could be given work as rangers with the job of looking after the reserves. Visitors to marine parks can be required to pay a special tax, like what has been done in the Caribbean.
Many reefs that have been damaged could benefit from restoration. Coral’s biodiversity offers hope, because the same coral will grow differently under different conditions. Corals of the western Pacific, for example, can withstand higher temperatures than the same species in the eastern Pacific, which proves a way forward to encourage corals to grow in new spots.
1.According to the passage, what may happen to corals when waters become warm?
A.Turning white B.Getting pink
C.Being active D.Becoming colorful
2.According to the passage,corals can _______ the changing in the nature.
A.live with B.escape from
C.die in D.recovery from
3.According to Paragraph 4, the governments should__________.
A.carry out stricter rules on industries around the coast
B.call on volunteers to look after the marine reserves
C.reduce the number of visitors to the marine parks
D.ban people from fishing in the coral reef areas
4.What’s the main purpose of the passage?
A.To present the importance of coral reef to the world.
B.To introduce the severe effect on coral reef brought by climate change.
C.To propose governments to take action immediately to save coral reef.
D.To attract more attention to coral reef protection.
When I was about 12 years old, my older brother, James, smuggled a BB gun into the house. Our parents had told us many times that we were not allowed to bring home guns or knives, even if they were just toys. Having any form of weaponry in our home was strictly forbidden.
James brought me to his room. He opened his closet door and took out a shoebox that was buried beneath a heap of clothes. The BB gun was inside. I was immediately enamored by the shiny barrel.
"Can I shoot it, Jamesie?" I asked, hopefully.
"No way," James said, taking it from me and putting it back.
One day, when no one was home, I went into James' closet and took it out. For some inexplicable reason - I have no idea what I was thinking - I went to the front window of the second floor in our row house. I cracked the window open. I pointed the gun outside and shot. I quickly shut the window and peeked outside.
In a matter of seconds, old Mr. Schlosberg came out of his grocery store. He looked back at his store window. He looked up the street. He looked down the street. Then he looked straight across to our house.
Thankfully, Jamesie made it home before Mother or Father.
As he stepped through the door, I could hear old Mr. Schlosberg call his name. "James, James," he called. "Come here, son."
After several minutes, James ran back across the street and into the living room. I had retreated into the kitchen. "Alma!" he screamed. "Get out here! You cracked Mr. Schlosberg's window with my BB gun!"
"Oh, please, Jamesie," I begged. "Don't let him tell Mother. She will whip my bottom real good!" Jamesie sighed. He wiped my tears and went back across the street to Mr. Schlosberg’s. I don't know what James said to that man, but there was never a mention of the incident again.
Years later, I found out Jamesie had used the money he got from his newspaper route to pay for Mr. Schlosberg's cracked window. He only got one cent for every paper he delivered. He managed to pay back the debt just before he went off to fight in World WarII.
Since that day, I have never touched a gun: a BB gun, a water gun, a real gun, or any other type.
1.Why was the gun hidden in the closet?
A.The gun was too expensive.
B.The family had only one gun.
C.The law didn’t allow anyone to have a gun
D.The parents didn’t allow a gun to appear at home.
2.What did Alma expect from James after he shot Mr. Schlosberg’s window?
A.To deal with the problem. B.To talk with his parents.
C.To throw away the gun. D.To tell the truth.
3.Which of the following best describes James as a brother?
A.Responsible and strict. B.Brave and determined.
C.Responsible and caring. D.Naughty and determined.
4.The best title of the passage is _________.
A.a warmhearted brother B.a BB gun
C.a cracked window D.an incident
Airplane Stories and Histories
Norman Currey www.xlibris.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book $29.99 | $19.99 | $3.99
Airplane Stories and Histories records 200 years of aviation highlights. A bibliography is provided for enthusiasts to explore the subjects at greater depth.
Tips ’n Tales from the Trails
Vicki Evenson www.xlibris.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book $29.99 | $19.99 | $3.99
Tips ’n Tales from the Trails offers information and advice for any horseperson considering interstate trail riding. It provides helpful insights when preparing and planning for expansion of the reader’s own adventures.
The Rhythm of My Life
Tuning into the Rocky Rhythm of Fire
Yvon Milien www.iuniverse.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book $26.99 | $13.99 | $3.99
This autobiography shares the story of the author’s life and how he found the inner strength to overcome the challenges.
On The Healing Road Through The Eyes Of An Adoptee
The Poet Dena www.authorhouse.com
Paperback | E-book $13.99 | $3.99
Therapeutic poetry is what the Poet Dena offers. As you go along The Healing Road, you will find at least a few words to help lighten your own struggles.
The Adventures of Mr. Fuzzy Ears Searching for a Furry Friend
Donna Carr Roberts www.iuniverse.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book $35.95 | $22.95 | $3.99
The story of a fuzzy little dog who searched for a friend in all the wrong places until…
The Girl from Copenhagen
Glenn Peterson www.xlibris.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book $29.99 | $19.99 | $3.99
The Girl from Copenhagen is a autobiography about the life of author Glenn Peterson’s mother, from childhood to old age.
1.If Tom likes reading poems, he might buy ___________.
A.Airplane Stories and Histories B.Tips ’n Tales from the Trails
C.On The Healing Road D.The Rhythm of My Life
2.We can learn from the text that _____________.
A.The Rhythm of My Life is about a musician’s life.
B.Airplane Stories and Histories is a book intended for pilots
C.The Adventures of Mr. Fuzzy Ears is about a dog searching for his master
D.Tips ’n Tales from the Trails gives suggestions on horse riding in the wild
3.Which book is similar to The Girl from Copenhagen in style?
A.Airplane Stories and Histories B.On The Healing Road
C.The Rhythm of My Life D.The Adventures of Mr. Fuzzy Ears
A Grateful Patient
I took a job as a receptionist for a vet (兽医) almost five decades ago. As a keen animal lover, I accepted the position on the condition that I wouldn’t have to assist with any wounded animals. I couldn’t ________ to see any creature in pain.
At the end of my first week, we were closing the office for the day when a young man ran up to us holding a severely_______ Doberman Pinscher puppy(杜宾幼犬) in his arms and_______ us to save his life. The four-month-old puppy had been hit by a car.
The vet and I ran back into the _______room. It was hurt badly. The only place the skin was still attached to this poor little animal’s body was around one shoulder. The vet worked tirelessly for what seemed like_______, sewing him back together again. That was the _______ part. The puppy had broken too many bones, including his spine(脊柱). Even if he ________ the next few days, we were quite sure he would never walk again.
That day forever _____ my life. The vet instructed me, and I became his____ in all things medical. One of my first jobs was to give that Doberman puppy daily physical _______. I remember moving his tiny legs to try to keep his _____ from withering(萎缩).
Weeks went by until one day, I felt this little fighter push back ever so_____. And he continued to push back_____ he could finally use his legs. It recovered.
Fast-forward about a year, I walked into the clinic’s crowded waiting room and called the name of the next client. Suddenly, a/an __________ Doberman who had been standing quietly with his owner on the opposite side of the room _____ loose and rushed toward me. I found myself _____ against the wall with this magnificent dog standing on his hind legs, his front paws on my shoulders, _______ my face with plentiful and joyful kisses!
I still tear up in amazement at the display of love and _______ the dog had for me that day all those years ago. I __________ to be a vet technician for 14 years, and since retirement, I’ve volunteered at a no-kill animal shelter. In all the time that has passed and all the experiences I have had, I’ve _____ met a dog who didn’t know that it had been rescued in one way or another.
1.A.help B.stop C.bear D.offer
2.A.punished B.poisoned C.affected D.injured
3.A.begged B.blamed C.reminded D.forced
4.A.sitting B.waiting C.nursing D.operating
5.A.years B.hours C.minutes D.seconds
6.A.cruel B.easy C.tough D.calm
7.A.survived B.existed C.struggled D.solved
8.A.improved B.saved C.changed D.damaged
9.A.applicant B.servant C.consultant D.assistant
10.A.management B.treatment C.recovery D.capacity
11.A.muscles B.skin C.bone D.hair
12.A.seriously B.heavily C.slightly D.rapidly
13.A.after B.as C.till D.when
14.A.awkward B.tiny C.weak D.huge
15.A.hung B.broke C.pulled D.stayed
16.A.pinned B.stuck C.plugged D.hugged
17.A.barking B.hitting C.washing D.biting
18.A.inspiration B.gratitude C.embarrassment D.sympathy
19.A.tried on B.acted on C.settled on D.went on
20.A.never B.ever C.even D.seldom
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空，在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
According to the World Wildlife Fund, only about 3,890 tigers are left in the wild. India is home to 70 percent of them, and its role in 1. (ensure) the big cat’s survival can’t be understated. Tiger numbers in India are believed to have dropped from about 40,000 at the beginning of the 2.（19）century to just 1,800 in the early 1970s, when India launched the conservation program Project Tiger. Kanha was one of the original nine3. (reserve) set up under that program.
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空，在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
In the film Frozen 1, Elsa and Anna are sisters who live in a kingdom called Arendella. Elsa is born 1. special powers that allow her to create ice and snow. Elsa’s powers are considered dangerous, 2. she must hide them. Eventually she loses control and changes summer to winter. Then Elsa flees from home, and Anna goes on a dangerous journey to find her sister. Along the way, Anna teams up with a man 3. (name) Kristof and his reindeer（驯鹿）)Sven. A talking snowman, Olaf also accompanies them. In the end, it’s Anna’s love for her sister that saves the day.
