Global warming is causing more than 300,000 deaths and about $125 billion in economic losses each year, according to a report by the Global Humanitarian Forum, an organization led by Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general.
The report, to be released Friday, analyzed data and existing studies of health, disaster, population and economic trends. It found that human-influenced climate change was raising the global death rates from illnesses including malnutrition and heat-related health problems.
But even before its release, the report drew criticism from some experts on climate and risk, who questioned its methods and conclusions. Along with the deaths, the report said that the lives of 325 million people, primarily in poor countries,were being seriously affected by climate change. It projected that the number would double by 2030.
Roger Pielke Jr., a politicalscientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who studies disaster trends, said the Forum’s report was “a methodological embarrassment” because there was no way to distinguish deaths or economic losses related to human-driven global warming amid（在...中间） the much larger losses resulting from the growth in populations and economic development in vulnerable(易受伤害的) regions. Dr. Pielke said that “climate change is an important problem requiring our utmost attention.” But the report, he said, “will harm the cause for action on both climate change and disasters because it is so deeply flawed(有瑕疵的).”
However, Soren Andreasen, a social scientist at Dalberg Global Development Partners who supervised the writing of the report, defended it, saying that it was clear that the numbers were rough estimates. He said the report was aimed at world leaders, who will meet in Copenhagen in December to negotiate a new international climate treaty.
In a press release describing the report, Mr. Annan stressed the need for the negotiations to focus on increasing the flow of money from rich to poor regions to help reduce their vulnerability to climate hazards while still controling the emissions of the heat-trapping gases. More than 90% of the human and economic losses from climate change are occurring in poor countries, according to the report.
1.What is the finding of the Global Humanitarian Forum?
A. Rates of death from illnesses have risen due to global warming.
B. Global temperatures affect the rate of economic development.
C. Malnutrition has caused serious health problems in poor countries.
D. Economic trends have to do withpopulation and natural disasters.
2. What do we learn about the Forum’s report from the passage?
A. It caused a big stir in developing countries.
B. It was warmly received by environmentalists.
C. It caused a lot of interest in the scientific circles.
D. It was challenged by some climate and risk experts.
3. What is Soren Andreasen’s view of the report?
A. Its conclusions are based on carefully collected data.
B. It is vulnerable to criticism if the statistics are closely examined.
C. It will give rise to heated discussions at the Copenhagen conference.
D. Its rough estimates are meant to draw the attention of world leaders.
4.What does Kofi Annan say should be the focus of the Copenhagen conference?
A. How human and economic losses from climate change can be reduced.
B. How rich countries can better help poor regions reduce climate hazards.
C. How emissions of heat-trapping gases can be reduced on a global scale.
D. How rich and poor regionscan share responsibility in curbing global warming.
Our grand China tour will show you a different China!
But you are required to present a US passport when entering China. For some important information on how to apply for a passport, see the following forms.
YOU MUST SUBMIT FORM DS-11 IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARE TRUE:
★You have never been issued（签发）a US passport or
★You are under aged 16 or
★You were under 16 when your previous passport was issued or
★Your most recent US passport was issued more than 15 years ago or
★Your most recent US passport was lost or stolen or
★Your name has changed since your previous US passport was issued.
NOTE: If the above statements do not apply to you, you can apply for a US passport by mail!
STEPS TO SUBMITING FORM DS-11:
Read and understand Steps 1 and 2 before leaving this page.
STEP 1: Complete and Print Form DS-11
★If completing Form DS-11 online, print the completed form using black ink on one-sided pages
★If completing Form DS-11 by hand, make sure that all the information is complete and correct. The form should be filled in black ink. Do so legibly(字迹清楚地) or the application processing time may be delayed.
NOTE: Form DS-11 can be obtained from your local Passport Agency.
STEP 2: Submit Completed Form in Person
You must submit Form DS-11 and other required documents in person at a Passport Agency, Form DS-11 may not be submitted by mail.
NEED A US PASSPORT IMMEDIATELY?
You should make an appointment to be seen at a Passport Agency only if:
★The US passport is needed in less than 2 weeks for international travel
★The US passport is needed within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa
Call the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment or visit a Passport Agency.
If you are overseas and need to apply for or renew your US passport, please follow the instructions in Tips for Americans Traveling Abroad.
1. What is most probably talked about before this passage?
A. Matters needed to be dealt with before going to China.
B. The great changes happening in China.
C. An introduction to a journey to China.
D. International travel information.
2.You can apply for a US passport by mail if you _________.
A. have never had a US passport before
B. were 17 when you received your previous passport
C. got your most recent US passport 17 years ago
D. changed your name after getting your passport last time
3. Before submitting Form DS-11, you should __________.
A. fill the form in either black or blue ink
B. fill in all information on the form
C. connect the local agency by telephone first
D. print the form on both sides of the paper
4.If you want to get the passport within half a month, you should _________.
A. call the National Passport Information Center or visit a Passport Agency
B. be an adult of more than 18 years old
C. offer to present your foreign visa to a Passport Agency
D. not pay a visit to Passport Agency
It was the afternoon of December 24, the day before Christmas; and as the newest doctor in our office, I had to work. The only thing that brightened my day was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in our waiting room and a gift sent to me by a fellow I was dating — a dozen long-stemmed red roses.
As I was cleaning my office, I was told a lady urgently needed to speak with me. As I stepped out, I noticed a young, tired-looking woman with a baby in her arms. Nervously, she explained that her husband — a prisoner in a nearby prison — was my next patient. She told me she wasn’t allowed to visit her husband in prison and that he had never seen his son. Her request was for me to let the boy’s father sit in the waiting room with her as long as possible before I called him for his appointment. Since my schedule wasn’t full, I agreed. After all, it was Christmas Eve.
A short time later, her husband arrived — with chains on his feet and hands, and two armed guards as bodyguards. The woman’s tired face lit up like our little Christmas tree when her husband took a seat beside her. I kept glancing out to watch them laugh, cry and share their child. After almost an hour, I called the prisoner back to my office. The patient seemed like a gentle and modest man. I wondered what he possibly could have done to be held under such conditions. I tried to make him as comfortable as possible.
At the end of the appointment, I wished him a Merry Christmas----a difficult thing to say to a man headed back to prison. He smiled and thanked me. He also said he felt saddened by the fact he hadn’t been able to get his wife anything for Christmas. On hearing this, I was inspired with a wonderful idea.
I’ll never forget the look on both their faces as the prisoner gave his wife the beautiful, long-stemmed roses. I’m not sure who experienced the most joy — the husband in giving, the wife in receiving, or myself in having the opportunity to share in this special moment.
1.What can be inferred from the first paragraph?
A. The writer was a newcomer to her office.
B. A fellow sent her a dozen red roses as Christmas present.
C. She was in low spirits because she had to work before Christmas.
D. She was at work with a light heart.
2.The young woman came to the writer’s office for the purpose of __________.
A. having her baby examined
B. giving her husband a chance to make his escape
C. having her husband examined
D. getting a chance for her family to get together
3.The underlined part in paragraph 3 most probably means “__________”.
A. to be sent to hospital B. to be separated from his family
C. to be comfortable D. to become a prisoner
4.What does the writer learn from the story?
A. The wife experienced the most joy in receiving.
B. An act of kindness can mean a lot.
C. The prisoner was treated with mercy.
D. Whoever breaks the law should be punished.
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her three-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new baby. They found out that it was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael to his sister in Mommy’s tummy(肚子). He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
The pregnancy progressed for Karen. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes ... every minute. But something serious during delivery. Finally, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in serious . With siren(警报) howling in the night, the ambulance the infant(婴儿) to the Intensive Care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee.
inched by. The little girl got worse. The doctors told the parents, “There is very little hope.” Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery (墓地) about a burial plot. They had a special room in their home for the new baby — now they planned a funeral.
After two weeks in Intensive Care, it looked as if a funeral would come the week was over. Michael, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister, “I want to sing to her,” he said. Kids were never in Intensive Care. But Karen made up her mind to take Michael they liked it or not. If he didn’t see his sister now, he may never see her alive.
She him in an oversized suit and him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse him as a child, “Get that kid out of here now!” The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse’s face, saying in a tone of voice, “He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Karen towed Michael to his sister’s bedside. He gazed at the tiny baby the battle to live. And he began to sing. the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray…” the baby girl responded. The pulse rate began to down and became steady.
“Keep on singing, Michael.” encouraged Karen. “You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away…”As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's breath became as smooth as a kitten’s purr.
“Keep on singing, Michael.” “The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping…” Michael’s little sister relaxed as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.
Funeral plans were . The next day — the very next day — the little girl was well enough to go home!
The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!
1.A. talked B. sang C. played D. whispered
2.A. quietly B. peacefully C. hopefully D. normally
3.A. arose B. raised C. rose D. aroused
4.A. situation B. place C. condition D. position
5.A. took B. sent C. carried D. rushed
6.A. The years B. The months C. The weeks D. The days
7.A. fixed up B. made up C. built up D. set up
8.A. until B. before C. after D. when
9.A. asked B. allowed C. admitted D. acquired
10.A. no matter B. even if C. whether D. as if
11.A. put B. dressed C. wore D. fit
12.A. marched B. forced C. hid D. followed
13.A. required B. replied C. recognized D. regarded
14.A. warm-hearted B. well-managed C. mild-mannered D. cold-blooded
15.A. firm B. strong C. hard D. tough
16.A. losing B. lost C. to lose D. having lost
17.A. In B. On C. At D. With
18.A. Finally B. Instantly C. Patiently D. Interestingly
19.A. calm B. quiet C. slow D. fast
20.A. erased B. scratched C. abandoned D. switched
—Have you graduated from college?
—Yes, ________.
A. I studied French for two years.
B. I have been studying French.
C. I have studied French for two years.
D. I had studied French for two years.
______ he can hardly read is ____________ he is slow in mind.
A. what; that B. That; what C. What; because D. That; because
