A little more than 30 years ago, a teenager named Jadav “ Molai” Payeng began burying seeds along a barren sandbar(沙洲)near his birthplace in northern India’s Assam. Not long after that, he decided to dedicate(献身) his life to this effort, so he moved to the site in order that he could work full-time creating a new forest ecosystem. Unbelievably, the spot today hosts a sprawling(蔓延的) 1360 acres of jungle that Payeng single-handedly planted.
The Times of India recently caught up with Payeng in his remote forest cottage to learn more about how he came to leave such an unbelievable mark on the landscape.
It all started way back in 1979, when floods washed a large number of snakes ashore on the sandbar. One day after the floods, Payeng, only 16 then, found the place dotted with the dead snakes. That was the turning point of his life.
“The snakes died in the heat without any tree cover. I sat down and wept over their lifeless bodies. I asked the forest department if they could grow trees there. They said nothing would grow there. Instead, they asked me to try growing bamboo. It was painful, but I did it .There was nobody to help me. Nobody was interested,” says Payeng, now 47.
While it’s taken years for Payeng’s remarkable dedication to planting to receive some well-deserved recognition internationally, it didn’t take long for wildlife in the region to benefit from the forest. Demonstrating a keen understanding of ecological balance, Payeng even transplanted ants to his ecosystem to maintain its natural harmony .Soon the shadeless sandbar was transformed into a natural ecosystem. The forest, called the Molai woods, now serves as a safe habitat for numerous birds, deer, rhinos, tigers and elephants.
Despite Payeng’s outstanding project, forestry officials in the region first learned of this new forest in 2008, and since then they’ve come to recognize his efforts as truly remarkable, but perhaps not enough.
“We’re amazed at Payeng,” says Gunin Saikia, Assistant Conservator of Forests. “He has been at it for 30 years .Had he been in any other country, he would have been made a hero.”
1.Payeng moved to the barren sandbar to ________________.
A.make a living there B.plant trees to improve the environment
C.do some research D.look after the 1360 acres’ jungle
2.It can be concluded that the interview in the report above was conducted in _________.
A.1979 B.2008 C.2010 D.2012
3.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Payeng got a lot of help from the forest department at the beginning.
B.It took quite a long time for Payeng’s dedication to be recognized.
C.Payeng earned his fame by transplanting ants to his ecosystem.
D.The Molai woods now is used as a zoo to attract Indian tourists.
4.The underlined sentence implies that _______________.
A.Payeng should be honored as a great hero in India
B.Payeng has been a great hero in other countries
C.other countries should not make Payeng a hero
D.India made Payeng a hero earlier than other countries
Not all great meals come from restaurants. Some are served from carts and stalls, and eaten on the go. So-called street food is not only delicious, but can be found in nearly every country, rich or poor, says Carla Diamanti, co-author of Street Food: Authentic Snacks from Around the World.. “It’s a way to get to know the people and the flavor of a place ,”says the Italian writer, who has nibbled(细咬) her way around the globe. She shares some favorite snacks----and snacking places with us.
Naples, Italy
Pizza: Pizza may be the closest thing to a global food, but Diamani says there’s nothing like the way it’s prepared in Naples. The dish is often ordered from a window counter and quickly baked for customers. If you’re eating it on the go, you fold it up for pizza al portafoglio（钱包）, literally wallet style. “Our pizza is quick and simple,” she says .www. inaples. it
New York
Hot dogs: When foreigners first visit America, one of the first things many want to try is the country’s typical snack food, the hot dog. “It’s like the flag of America---both inexpensive and democratic,” Diamanti says, “You expect to see kids queuing at a hot dog stall.” 212--484--1 200; www.nycgo.com
Japan
Bento boxes: Diamanti says the best time and place to eat this portable Japanese meal is under a blooming cherry tree in the spring. Bento boxes are filled with different dishes: often fish, meat, pickled vegetables, rice or tofu. “It’s really just a taste,” she says. While the containers are often elaborate（精心制作的） wooden serving trays, they can be also cardboard boxes ordered to go.212--757--5 640;www.jnto.go.jp
Jamama el Fna Square ,Marrakech, Morocco
Food stalls: When the sun begins to set, this central square comes to life as crowds gather to sing, dance and eat. Hundreds of stalls serves grilled meat, chicken and rice “There is plenty of smoke with hundreds of people cooking at the same time,” Diamanti says. 212—221—1 583;www.visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/
1.It can be learned from the text that Carla Diamanti ______________.
A.has traveled a lot B.doesn’t like street food
C.has set up the website www.inaples,it D.likes the pizza most
2.What is special about the pizza in Naples, Italy?
A.Its attractive taste. B.Its low price.
C.Its unique ingredients. D.The way it’s prepared.
3.To learn more information about hot dogs, you should visit____________.
A.www,jnto.go.jp B.www.nycgo.com
C.www.inaples.it D.www. visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/
4.What is the purpose of this text?
A.To advertise Carla Diamanti’s new book.
B.To offer information about how to make food.
C.To compare some world-famous travel destinations.
D.To introduce some snacks and snacking places.
The magazine is intended to __________ working women in their 20s and 30s.
A.appeal to B.admit to C.get down to D.object to
If you don’t apply yourself to work, you will be __________ one day.
A.left over B.left for C.left behind D.left off
His second book ___________ next month is believed to be a hit.
A.having been published B.to publish C.to be published D.published
______ in her most beautiful skirt, the girl tried to make herself _____ out at the party.
A.Dressed; stand B.Dressing; stand C.Dressed; stood D.Dressing; being stood
